Gaven Darrow
Dwarf, owner of Forest Bakery and Herb Shop first appeared in chapter 11 of Shadows in the Stone
The waggon swayed gently as it passed over the ruts in the road. Gaven Darrow peered ahead, scanning the waysides as he entered Goshen. The small village rested far from Linden Lake where many moons ago bandits attacked from the trees and beat him near death. That day he had lost a sweet little girl to thieves.
Junior Corporal Sawney Cronin
Dwarf, junior corporal at Aruam Castle, first appeared in chapter 10 of Shadows in the Stone
A crow cawed nearby, and Sawney looked up. A woman, dressed in multiple layers of colourful clothing, approached the front gate. Her long, dark copper-coloured hair contained loose strands, braids, strips of leather and twigs. Her brown dress ended at her knees where pants covered her legs until they disappeared into tall boots.
Liam Jenkins
Hauflin, age 14, first appeared in chapter 10 of Shadows in the Stone
Note: Hauflin’s call their parents meeme (mother) and das (father).
The hard chair Liam Jenkins sat upon caused more discomfort than he felt when he entered his aunt and uncle’s dwelling. Although he had lived here for almost a year, they had remained strangers. His meeme’s sister Juanola of Mallaidh possessed the same eye colour as his meeme Finola, but his aunt’s radiated cold and bitter emotions. Was it because she could not have children—a fact he learnt when he accidentally walked into a heated discussion between her and her mate Struan.
Lord Layne Nevell of Aruam Castle
Human, healer, first appeared in chapter 14 in Shadows in the Stone
The pungent smell of drying burdock pervaded the small room. Although Lord Layne Nevell’s patients criticized the odour, clusters of the drying herb hung in every room of the Infirmary. The plant remained for the patient’s mental stability as much as for Layne’s state of mind. It was the only element he had found to keep his thoughts clear and focussed. After a few days in the Infirmary his patients sensed a change in their judgement and ceased complaining.
“My lord, may I have a glass of water?” The young, human guard, wounded by a recent attack by one of Lindrum’s henchmen, rested in a cot. A bandage covered his head.
Riagan
Dwarf, works in the military records office at Aruam Castle, first appeared in chapter 11 in Shadows in the Stone.
Steeling her nerves, Riagan looked at the human standing before her. His orders were clear, yet she questioned how she—a records keeper—would reach the upper floors of the Aruam Castle without being discovered.
“It’s for the good of the castle,” said Dugald. “And the people of Maskil.” His sly smile did nothing to reassure her. “I’m certain you’ll find a way.”
Riagan watched him leave the guardhouse. His casual delivery of the difficult task left her questioning his knowledge about the castle and the laws binding everyone within it. No matter, an order was given, and she had to obey.
Beathas of Ailsa
Hauflin, sorceress who lives at Moon Meadow, first appeared in chapter 3 in Shadows in the Stone
The humid, evening air swirled softly around Beathas of Ailsa’s bare feet. The breeze caused the little tufts of hair growing on the tops of her toes to sway. She spread her toes further to dry them quicker. The swim in the pool below the waterfalls had refreshed her, removing sweat and dirt gathered from the strenuous workout with an apprentice earlier in the day. Now, with time to meditate and reflect alone, she felt her body relax and ease into a sleepy position on the porch.
Minor pricks caused by sharp rocks and sticks from travelling through the forest left a sting other hauflins did not suffer. Though she went shoeless frequently, she was incapable of growing the tough, thick souls as others, but she dismissed it for what it was: a shortcoming.
Maisie Darrow
Dwarf, owner of Forest Bakery and Herb Shop, first appeared in 01 in Shadows in the Stone
Through hidden vales little dwarf feet go,
Trailing their Kintale spirit safety home.
From ancient times it carried them afar,
To Rhunestone Castle on The Headlands of Mar.
Stay true to the magic inside, your kin and the past,
And let swift wings carry you home at last.
Maisie Darrow hummed the ancient song, taught to her by her mum, as she poured the mixture of dry ingredients into the large bowl. The wooden spoon scraped the inside, drawing together the contents. She had baked these muffins thousands of times over the years. They had always enticed a smile. Since her son left Maskil, the recipe now generated only apprehension.
Catriona Wheatcroft
Human, sorceress, first appeared in chapter 01 in Shadows in the Stone
Taking a deep breath, Catriona Wheatcroft grasped the clay vessel and poured the mixture of water and dandelion oil into the shallow bowl. Her trembling hand picked up the wooden spoon and stirred gingerly. If she moved too quickly, the potion would fail and erupt into a puff of fowl smelling gas. If she moved too slowly, it would congeal, freezing the spoon within its grip.
Glancing at the tattered book laid out before her on the table, she took note of the next ingredient. She picked up a small dish and added the powdered contents into the bowl. Again, she constrained her hand to move at the precise speed, but her arm muscles fought against her.
The cuts and bruises inflicted at the public inquest had healed, but the scars and emotional torture she suffered remained. Though she strained to suppress the memories of that horrific ordeal, they resurfaced daily, reminding her of the fragile state of her mind and of those in the throne room.
Lord Peadar Tasgall of Aruam Castle
Hauflin, first appeared in chapter 05 in Shadows in the Stone
The soft glow of the single candle danced on the page. It guided Lord Peadar Tasgall’s pencil as it scrolled carefully the letters to form words learnt in his hauflin youth. Here, beneath the cloak of darkness and night, the lord disconnected from his duties, the castle and the people of Maskil he served. He permitted his mind to roam to a far-off place where fresh smells of the forest and soil rejuvenated his being.
Long-forgotten scents permeated his pours until they diluted the adverse odours of the castle and the invisible force percolating through the walls and into his bed chamber.
The pencil quickened. The force grows fervent and the minds feebler. The darkness has compromised those from which we seek refuge. The child has been taken.
South of North Border
The flood waters receded, and the villagers returned to what remained of their homes. Debris littered the once pristine lanes winding through the cluster of small cottages. Some of the structures had their doors ripped off and others had their roofs caved in. What the water and wind didn’t drag away, it dropped in piles, making walking and looking for the dead tedious work.
Colin surveyed the damage from atop one of the only surviving horses owned by the village. Although only a boy, he understood what the devastation meant: he and his family would leave Soughwen.
“It is worse than I imagined,” said Faye. She bowed her head and silently wept.
Wil placed a reassuring hand on his wife’s shoulder. “We’ll be fine. The worst is over.”
Diane McGyver 