Minstrel's Song


Ages of Dawn: 

A Minstrel's Song, The First Great Darkness 

Get ready for Ages of Dawn: A Minstrel's Song, The First Great Darkness Part 3 in a series of fantasy shorts

Out this Sunday



Without needing to peak my head out of this carriage, I know the very reason why we have halted. We aren't just picking up any old passengers. Get in here, you mysterious wanderer...


© Sarah O’Regan
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How could I possibly know that was you? The Gods like to play, don't they? I am delighted to once again meet your aqquantance, I can't remember when last my smile reached from ear to ear...


© Sarah O’Regan
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Here, it's strawberry wine, the sweetest in the region. Let's see... oh yes, the last time we spoke, we relived our origins, very phylosophical indeed. I don't see why we shouldn't carry on from there...


© Sarah O’Regan
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I believe I ended on a rather glum note, didn't I; eternal darkness and all that. Well, as you know the darkness didn't last forever, we saw the sun rise once again... eventually...



© Sarah O’Regan
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It wasn't long after the God of Life had been banished, that a noticeable effect overcame the realms of Aldaffar and Aldahnnab. Life had once been so orderly and within a matter of seconds the boundaries between the realms began to break down...


© Sarah O’Regan
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The sun still rose in the mornings, however, it burned a deep blood red which cast a shadowy veil across the landscape. Plants and animals that once thrived on sunlight were wiped out and only vegetation that drank in the pale beams of light from the pastel moon during the nights survived the crippling age...


© Sarah O’Regan
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Man came to the point of near extinction as giant, smoky creatures, that bared broad, wolf-like muzzles; adorning sharp, jagged teeth, prowled the wildlands and settlements with sharp and quick movements reminiscent of a large cat. They would stalk their prey silently through endless, scarlet eyes and would rip through flesh with their steel talons; Shadow Beasts, they were dubbed...


© Sarah O’Regan
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As their numbers dwindled, man, sought refuge among the treetops with the tall, winged, green creatures known as the Tree Men. Being compassionate in nature, the tree men aided, however, not even the salvation of the very top of The Great Tree itself could save neither Tree Men nor man from the giant winged serpents that infested the blackened skies...


© Sarah O’Regan
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Ages of Dawn:

A Minstrel's Song, Rising

Get your FREE copy of Ages of Dawn: A Minstrel's Song, Rising  - Part two in a series of shorts based in the mythical world of Albaldah.



Get your free copy of The Flight of Apus Part one in A Minstrel's Song



No, surely not, it can't be, my eyes must be deceiving me. Come a little closer my friend, I've summoned the Gods and conjured this fire, it would be a waste not to share it's warmth. How amusing that we've come across each other so soon; it could take me the better part of three years to travel this kingdom, but here were are, not a fortnight later, once again recooperating at the same rest post...




© Sarah O’Regan
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I sense something special in you though; I know my reputation for having a golden tongue precedes me, however, I mean that in all sincerity. I don't think our crossing is coincidence, only time will tell for certain...




© Sarah O’Regan
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In light of the enormity of your importance, I believe that you are capable of hearing some truths. Indeed, I have the perfect tale in mind for you this star speckled night. I'm going to take you back to the First Gods and recount the second best love story ever told; I believe you recall me telling you the first time that we met that I'm the greatest lover this kingdom will ever know, perhaps on our next encounter I shall oblige you...



© Sarah O’Regan
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Before the era of the six Gods and before the Age of the Ancient Kings, before the birth of man and before the dawn of the kingdom, existed only Aldaffar and Aldahnnab, more commonly know as The Realm of the Living and The Realm of the Dead. These two realms hosted only a single entity each and these enitities began as nothing more than a miniscule spec among an endless vacuum...




© Sarah O’Regan
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As the eternities grew, so too did each realm. As you can imagine, the landscapes of Aldaffar developed into something warm, bright and colourful and it pulsed with an energy that would soon give way to a multitude of life...




© Sarah O’Regan
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Aldahnnab on the other hand, transformed into something cold, dark and grey. Water, grass and vegetation came to the realm, however, it lacked the underlying energy that engulfed Aldaffar. There was no colour in Aldahnnab...



© Sarah O’Regan
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The dweller of Aldaffar named herself Suuhal and the ruler of Aldahnnab named himself Almack. Each of these entities blissfully existed indipendantly, completely unaware of each other for eternities...





© Sarah O’Regan
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The meeting of the First Gods is the moment that forged the bond between life and death. It is the moment that brought man to Aldaffar and the spirits to Aldahnnab. Almack and Suuhal collided with an unwavering explosion of energy and matter...




© Sarah O’Regan
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Ages of Dawn

A Minstrel's Song: The Flight of Apus

Get ready for Ages of Dawn - A Minstrel's Song : The Flight of Apus. Part one of a series of shorts based in the mythical world of Albaldah.

Read now


"Some envy my lifestyle, some not so much. Some say I have a gift, others would say it's a curse. One thing we can't argue on, is that I have been around. I've seen many things, heard many songs, tasted much exotic food; and some lovely ladies along the way...



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"Some would say I've been handed down the knowledge of this great kingdom of Albaldah from my grandfathers before me, whereas some would tell you that I've existed forever, they tell me I'm older than the Great Tree itself, Some even say I witnessed it's birth and hold the key to its origins...




© Sarah O’Regan
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"Modesty was never a trait of mine and I hold no qualms in telling you that I am the greatest musician, poet and lover that this Kingdom will ever know. There's a reason why my loyal worshippers travel to the ends of the world to hear my golden, honey voice...






© Sarah O’Regan
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"You've heard every story about King Apus, you say? You know he was a valiant hero and carismatic diplomat; what if I also mention that the Great Tree is involved in this one? Aha, I have your attention now, don't I? I did make you a promise after all...





© Sarah O’Regan
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As As you already know, King Apus was considered the greatest king of the new reign and, some argued, was the greatest lover the kingdom could ever know. I always held him highly as a contender for that title and only one woman could name either of us victor, alas, my silver petal is no longer in the Realm of the Living to settle matters but that's another story for another day...





© Sarah O’Regan
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King Apus' rule began from the remenance of great war, so too did his death dawn a new era of darkness. However, again, that tale is best saved for another day. Under the great king's rule we saw nothing but peace, joy and prosperity...






© Sarah O’Regan
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What isn't well known about Apus is that he didn't believe in the six Gods and no, he didn't worship the first Gods either. Apus was a no-good hethin, which I know, is diabolical for a king...






© Sarah O’Regan
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The morning of his birth date, he was greated by the Oracle at the temple. There, she went into a deep trance to summon the God of Light and within his realm, she forged a connection between the great entity and the young prince. A massive orb of light engulfed she and Apus while the God's mark burned into his flesh...


More


© Sarah O’Regan
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