Chapter - 5
In the vast world of Terramar, power was divided among six mighty kingdoms, each ruling over their own lands and peoples. These kingdoms were locked in a careful balance of influence, wealth, and force, vying for supremacy while keeping wary alliances to protect themselves from both human and non-human threats. Among these six realms, Celadrin stood as the wealthiest, its trade routes bustling with goods, its cities grand, and its coffers overflowing.
However, it was the northern kingdom of Valdurim that held the distinction of being the strongest militarily. Known as the Iron Fist, Valdurim's disciplined legions and fearsome warlords commanded respect—and fear—across Terramar. Valdurim's mountainous lands produced relentless warriors and sturdy resources, making them an imposing force in both defensive and offensive strategy. They had long held ambitions to rival Celadrin's prosperity, though their focus on military strength often left their people to a more rugged, austere existence.
The remaining kingdoms each possessed unique strengths: Veridia, famed for its vast libraries and mastery of ancient knowledge; Andara, with its fertile plains and rich agriculture; Elvandar, a land of artisans and craftsmen unparalleled in their skills; and Morroweth, a shadowy realm with deep-rooted ties to magic and mystery. Together, the six kingdoms formed a tenuous coalition, a balance maintained by treaties, threats, and carefully guarded borders.
But beyond the influence of these great powers, smaller factions wielded influence as well. Among these was the Faith of the Moon, a powerful religious order that held sway over the spiritual beliefs of many in Terramar. Known for their devotion to the lunar cycles, the Moon Priests could incite revolts or peace with their ministrations, giving them a unique leverage even against kings. Another was the city of Raventhorn, a lawless refuge for thieves, mercenaries, and assassins who operated outside the reach of noble laws. Raventhorn had become a dark powerhouse, its guilds wielding an underground network of spies, secrets, and smugglers.
And while these factions vied for influence, the true threat to human existence lay in the great monsters that roamed Terramar. From the powerful dragons of the high mountains to the packs of great wolves that prowled the forests, Terramar was as much a land of beasts as it was of kingdoms. These monsters—scales, fur, and talons—outnumbered humans by far. Yet their power was fractured; they had no kingdoms, no unifying leaders, only scattered clans and tribal alliances. Their strength lay in raw, primal power, and their hatred for humans was unyielding. Clashes between humans and monsters were common, fierce, and deadly. Though humans had inferior numbers, it was an ancient ritual that ultimately tipped the scales of power in their favor.
Centuries ago, human Tamers discovered the 'Rite of Binding', an enslavement ritual that allowed those with feythar to bind these monsters, transforming them into humanoid servants or powerful warriors subjugated to human will. Feythar flowed through the veins of only a few, primarily those born to the noble families of Terramar, whose bloodlines had been kept pure to preserve and amplify this mystical force. These nobles possessed the innate ability to perform the Rite of Binding and bend powerful creatures to their command.
Feythar, however, was not a simple gift; it was a force that required rigorous training and constant cultivation. A noble-born child was trained from an early age to strengthen their feythar, to grow its potency within themselves and to master the art of control. For only the strongest wielders of feythar could hope to tame a powerful creature. The purity and strength of one's feythar was everything—those with powerful feythar had greater success in binding beasts and more potent control over them. Such a bond granted the Tamer not only the loyalty of the creature but also a portion of its abilities, allowing the Tamer to become something greater than human, a living force of magic and strength.
In noble families, children were often presented with their first monster as a rite of passage, a creature that would be their lifelong servant. To make the creature's subjugation easier, the monster would be incapacitated, beaten into near helplessness by their elders before facing the young Tamer-to-be. They were then encouraged to train, to grow their feythar, and to expand their power by capturing more monsters.
In this world of Tamers and bonds, King Atheldor and Queen Lirael were powerful individuals. Each bore countless creatures bound to their will, some so ancient and mighty that they had been passed down through generations. One such creature was Zifrim, the great black dragon bound to the Vallore line. A being of ancient power and formidable intellect, Zifrim had been subjugated at a young age by one of Atheldor's ancestors, and since then had served the Vallore line loyally, not merely as a servant but almost as a member of the royal family. Over centuries, Zifrim had become a symbol of the Vallores' strength, guarding the rulers of Celadrin through countless battles and crises.
Yet after King Atheldor's tragic death, Zifrim left the palace, retreating into seclusion. For Zifrim, loyalty was owed only to a Vallore king, and he refused to bow to Queen Lirael, who, though a powerful Tamer, was not of the Vallore bloodline. With his departure, Celadrin lost not only a formidable protector but a piece of its legacy.
This loss was felt even more sharply because of Prince Damon, Atheldor's only heir. In Terramar, where feythar was life, power, and legacy, Damon's fate left an indelible mark on Celadrin, and a haunting question loomed over the kingdom: would the throne remain secure, or would this flaw in the bloodline eventually be its undoing?
--
The torrent of memories faded, leaving me dizzy, my mind swirling with fragments of a life that felt both foreign and familiar. Slowly, reality came back into focus, sharpening around the face only inches from mine.
I recognized her now.
Queen Lirael Vallore. The sovereign ruler of Celadrin, the woman who had shaped a kingdom through sheer willpower.
And, as impossible as it seemed… the woman who was supposedly my mother in this world.