Worldbuilding Wednesday: Alaila’s Daughters, part 2

The first part of Alaila’s Daughters can be read here. The first of the Tellerassar legends can be found here, and more about the Tellerassar can be found here.

Or, head over to Kammastories, where the story is postedtoday in full.

Alaila’s Daughters are Scattered

Ikaira did not leave the riverbank even when the sun rose towards its zenith and all his tears were spent. Only when the sun lit the waters of the gorge from above did he see movement in the water. It was Alaila. She wore a dress the colour of the shadows of the deepest pools and her eyes brimmed with tears. Ikaira rushed to the water and embraced her.

“Where is Lamira?” he asked, for he did not see his daughter who usually followed her mother everywhere.

“She is safe in our halls,” Alaila said and motioned towards the wall of rock from where the waters of the river flowed. “Hidden there we can all be safe. Dalath and her kin do not know of this place. We have left them to roam about the river to the south. They have twisted our Gift.” Tears flowed from her eyes. “My gift. I was a fool to think that such a gift could not be twisted to serve the Lewjan.”

They walked hand in hand along the river – Alaila lightly stepping in the shallow water; as far as she could venture out while the moon wasn’t full, and Ikaira walking along the bank – while Alaila told him all that had happened while he had been away.

“War still rages between the people of the Midlands,” she then added. “Markus leads raids to the river towns and villages nearly every week. They have even ventured to the northern bank where they have gotten a foothold. I fear for the safety of my people. With the Vídolf’s involvement we will only be seen as another enemy even though we serve the Light. I do not see a way out for us. We cannot hide in our halls forever even if they are safe. Some have left the river at night to look for other pools and streams. We do not know if they are still alive.”

Photo: Sias van Schalkwyk

Ikaira thought for a long time before speaking. “There is one way. The lands gifted to the Tellerassar are safe. No one can attack our houses on the cliffs.” He took a deep breath, remembering all that had happened to him while in the service of Markus. “I have men to spare – warriors and soldiers who can keep you safe. We can fly over the river and keep an eye out for any of the Vídolf.” Alaila wanted to protest, but he would not let her. “We can fly out of the range of Markus or anyone else’s arrows. We are as safe high in the air as you are in your stone halls.”

And so it was that the Tellerassar took to flying above the water, calling to each other over distances, as they watched the actions of the Vídolf closely. It was these Tellerassar about whom the first legend was told and each eagle people saw were thought to be Ikaira still searching for his lost love. And it was these Tellerassar – who were skilled fighters and had knowledge of both the northern and the southern parts of the Midlands – that became Keepers, aligning themselves with both Théotriewe and Holt Haliern. Tiriane, who played a notable part in the story “A Dragon’s Freedom”, was one of these Tellerassar.