Prologue

  Suffocating is a strange way for a moment to begin. But in Michael’s defence, it was a definitively worse way for things to end, so it seemed a sound compromise.

  Mud coated his throat as a strangled breath pried against his clamped jaw. His body convulsed and squeezed as it tried to purge. His hands swung and ripped at the boy keeping him submerged. His fingers wildly tore at the skin of the arms pinning him under, but for every ripped nail, nothing more than bellowed anger seemed to follow.

  His body retched and alarms fired in the corners of his mind. His arms shook. The thick black of his smothered eyes swelled with red patches and he swallowed against his urge to breathe.

  Then the dark of his mind seemed to twist, like someone was reaching into the black of his scrambled consciousness with a cold hand before wringing his mind like a wet towel.

  The cold mud lathered on his skin then flashed hot. The air swelled thick with the sweet smell of blood. The taste of fresh iron swelled in the air. Wails and desperate shouts echoed, as though he heard them through a boarded hallway.

  His head slammed the ground again and the noise, the taste, the feeling all snapped off like a water-plunged torch. He choked again and his body twitched. Tears ran hot from his eyes.

  Michael wrenched at the hands around his throat. He pulled his knee into his chest and kicked straight up into the groin of the strangler. He heard a muted scream as the weight atop him recoiled and the grip on his neck loosened.

  Gripping his wrists still, Michael ripped the boy’s hands toward him and threw his forehead skyward, as though sitting up violently. A flash of pain burst across Michael’s brow but a gargled scream followed in the darkness and the weight atop him scrambled and thrashed. Michael let go of the boy’s flailing wrists and felt him collapse away.

  Michael pulled himself out of the mud, crawling from the noise as a symphony of shouts and onlooking winces filled the courtyard. He heard little of it. He pushed himself up onto all fours, coughing, hacking and spitting mud. Something warm trickled from the back of his head, running down the side of his face and dripping off of his nose.

  He retched like a cat and a thick knot of mud loosened from his throat. The air which came after was clean and his heart finally slowed, but still the world came in pieces.

  A wincing crowd. The bleeding boy numbly clutching at his mangled nose. Their concerned friends. Michael’s gnarled, skinned hands pressed into the muck.

  Slowly the images played longer and painted clearer as his breathing evened.

  “Get off me!” a rough voice barked.

  Michael turned to see the young man pushing his friends away, one hand cupping his bleeding face, the other clutching a dirty, bent knife as he stepped toward Michael.

  Michael sighed but didn’t bother rising.

  “You’ve got some scrap, I’ll give that to you, but if you think we’re done-”

  Michael yawned ungracefully and the boy’s face flashed with feral anger.

  “Alright, get up you little shit!”

  Michael finished his yawn and raked a handful of mud out of his hair. His voice was tired and worn. “Some people are so odd. Bringing knives to fistfights. Makes them feel so safe… till they realise bringing a knife to a fight… one with rules… is the same as bringing someone a way to kill you and an excuse to do so that most courts of law will accept as self-defence.”

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  He looked a shade paler for a moment. The crowd was so quiet that the wind in the alleyways was the accenting sound. He hesitantly replied. “That’s assuming you get it off me. You, a twig. Off me.”

  Michael cocked his head, looking squarely into his eyes. “Being six foot tall is not going to stop me from snapping off your thumb and forefinger. And it sure isn’t going to stop me from opening you like a cheap Snapper from the market.” The venom dripped off of Michael’s tongue.

  The man probably didn’t mean to but he regripped the knife all the same.

  Michael wiped some of the blood off his teeth. “Or you know… you could go home.”

  It took a minute. A long minute. But he did.

  Michael relaxed into his slouch again, feeling the suppressed panic in his chest slowly melt away.

  The crowd slowly moved on, the entertainment now at its end. And Michael was left alone in the courtyard of Old Bawdion East.

  Ruined stone buildings surrounded him, with small narrow streets zig-zagging out into the rest of Dim-Side.

  Michael’s hair was dark and thick with mud and sludge as he rose to his knees, but his stomach and back shook and he slumped like a warrior, beaten upon the field. His head hung as he combed stones and muck through his fingers, knowing it was all he had the strength for.

  As his nimble fingers worked the dirt from his hair, he became numbly aware of the way the cold bled into his knees. He frowned, running a firm hand along his thigh, massaging the feeling back into it, when a perfect drop of blood splashed crimson above his patella.

  Suddenly his mouth was thick with the taste of iron and his lungs were knotted in heat. The mud was sunbaked like a battlefield corpse. His palms and fingers were calloused in some places and torn in others.

  Someone was screaming his name. Wailing it. Begging.

  Michael looked upon the empty courtyard, but his heart of hearts knew the voice wasn’t there. Neither were the smells of burning hair, hot blood or chipped metal. Neither were the feelings of torn fingers, hoarse throats and dried tears. And the moment he knew the truth of it, the headache snapped off like a hanging icicle in a sudden wind.

  The air was clean again between his teeth. He wiped away the splotch of blood and for every moment he spent chasing the plaguing thoughts the faster they ran. He didn’t catch them.

  The sun was low in the sky and the light bled pink and orange through the thin wisps of cloud overhead. Somewhere, someone was singing, a soft mindless melody. He imagined them doing dishes.

  Footsteps rose behind Michael and he turned faintly to see two familiar shapes thundering toward him. One slender and one broad. As they grew closer he smiled softly to himself and settled into his bruised bones, suddenly tired.

  “I knew you’d be late,” Michael muttered, the smile in his words.

  The shapes came skidding to his side and grabbed him as he slumped over.

  “Michael!” Carter wiped clean his closed eyes and began frantically looking over Michael’s injuries. His skin dark next to Michael’s. “Sweet Rii, I told you not to-”

  “I had to. You would’ve.”

  James fretted over his various injuries and cast a frantic look to the surrounding roads. “We best clear out and get him somewhere safe. Someone will have tipped off the guards. Can you walk?”

  Michael gave the barest shade of a chuckle in amidst all his pain. The darkness wrapped around him again. He could feel the warmth of his brothers through his stiff clothes.

  “S’spect I’ll be alright. I always….”

  Michael would’ve said more but was suddenly rather busy passing out.

  James and Carter spent a moment deliberating before deciding to carry him home.

  In the thick dark of Michael’s subconscious, he felt his body lifted, and a rush of his blood surged into the base of his skull, and for the space of a moment alone, he dreamt of stone hallways and bronze light. He dreamt of long-clawed beasts and arenas of pale sand. Young soldiers with old weapons. Crushed soil and glistening blood. Lofty music and the pitched, manic wailing of grief. The gentle touch of a stranger and the wandering sound of his own whispered name faded behind a dull ache deep in the pit of his chest.

  Michael awoke like he was struck by a thunderbolt.

  And upon waking, remembered not a name, not a single detail nor a phantom memory in the deep recesses of his mind.

  Alas, Michael sat upright in his bed in the dark of his cramped room, and he did not sleep again that night.

  The wind whistled in broken gusts behind his window; the world was laughing at its own joke, patiently waiting for the punchline.

  Glossary for In Foolish Company!

  BEWARE OF SPOILERS - Personal Tip - Ctrl-F and search the word you want to find, rather than scroll through spoiler territory!

  

  
• Aega – Talisatian Mountain-based city in the province of Arcavelot


  
• Aegan – the people of Aega


  
• Ahuralend – The continent on which the kingdoms of Katiinali, Rahsalin, Kyali and Hansiinia sit


  
• Ahuran – someone from Ahuralend


  
• Amel (bronze) – least valuable form of coin in the Talisatian Currency


  
• Amellon – Talisatian city in the province of Olouren


  
• Ancient Shepards – Ancient guardians and watchman over the old creations of the Gargan, now corrupted and obsessed with the culling of Legacies


  
• Andelight – Quiet north-western province in Talisatia


  
• Andelightian- people of Andelight


  
• Arcancy – Blood Magic, inherited from the Gargan


  
• Arcanii – Merhoii word for Mage


  
• Arcavelot (province) – capital province of the Empire of Talisatia, heavily loyalist


  
• Ardic Grimhold II – Current Emperor of Talisatia


  
• Ardoso – Talisatian city in the province of Groria


  
• Ariaton – Talisatian city in the province of Bawdion


  
• Arloday – third day of the spell (see Spell for clarification)


  
• Atyon – Non-Draendican: nymph/nature sprite


  
• Auder – Non-Draendican: Single-form of Auderah


  
• Auderah – Non-Draendican: Talon-fingered, bat-like monsters known for their swarms


  
• Avram – Talisatian city in the province of Arcavelot


  
• Baeyne – Gargan Creator of Love


  
• Barreton – Talisatian city in the province of Pridemia


  
• Bawdion – Talisatian Province, housing Istol and Ariaton


  
• Brookly – Talisatian city in the province of Stormhaven


  
• Brimming – From sunrise until midday


  
• Canhavina – Talisatian Province of cities Ehtor, Esil and Etul


  
• Carado – Talisatia city in the province of Leverest


  
• Chesteron – very old Crekaen city known as a cultural hub


  
• Crek – simplified term for Crekaen, the people of the Isle of Cresik


  
• Crekaen – Full term for the people of the Isle of Cresik


  
• Cresik – continental isle in the west of Draendica


  
• Cresk – A period of 31 days/4 spells and 1 Last Spell (or La’ Spell)


  
• Cripseers – Non-Draendican: small, kitten-like, creatures with large eyes – puppy sized with blunt claws.


  
• Daienos – Garganii word for Crimson Wings


  
• Dark Lands – Common Tongue name for West Olympium


  
• Dark Lander – someone from West Olympium, known as the Dark Lands


  
• Draekeniorai – full name of Raeken the Drakonian


  
• Draeke – Non-Draendican: The Storm Drakonian loyal to Sarah


  
• Draendica – The name of the world!


  
• Draendican – a person of Draendica


  
• Drakonian – Non-Draendican: broad term for all Divine Serpent creatures


  
• Driftik – Short-form of Driftiken, the language of the islands of the Drift


  
• Driftiken – language/word for the people of the islands of the Drift


  
• Eladio – Talisatian city in the province of Arcavelot


  
• Enolician – Non-Draendican: large brutish, pale humanoids with a singular eye


  
• Enta – Non-Draendican: Garganii word for Trolls


  
• Eriscia – Talisatian city in the province of Groria


  
• Eriscus – founding Emperor of Talisatia


  
• Esil – Talisatian city in the province of Canhavina


  
• Essy – Talisatian city in the province of Olouren


  
• Etul – Talisatian city in the province of Canhavina


  
• Evicra – Talisatian Province of the cities Raelin, Levviton, Pamellin and Leon Hill


  
• Farganon – Gargan Creator of Bravery


  
• Fordonn – Talisatian province of the cities Harrison, Tibild and Roccilon, heavily Loyalist


  
• Felling - Early afternoon until sundown


  
• Fordonnian – People of Fordonn


  
• Garganii – Language of the Creators


  
• Gargan – Creator-Deities of Draendica


  
• Grimhold – Current ruling family of Talisatia


  
• Groria – Talisatian Province housing of the cities Tagen, Ardoso and Eriscia


  
• Hansiinia – South-West kingdom of Ahuralend


  
• Haronia – the land of the Queendom of Haron in the Ringlands


  
• Highlordom – title for the land ruled by the Highlord of Cresik


  
• Hilyria – Kingdom of the Eastern Ringlands


  
• Hoiise – Language of the Merhoii Sea Dwellers


  
• Huri – Slur-word for Ahurans meant to imply they are not worth the effort of an entire word.


  
• Holorhi – Hoiise for Chieftain


  
• Holorhi-Nahni – Hoiise for Chieftain’s Daughter/Princess


  
• Hrasen – Non-Draendican: an enormous blue-feathered bird known as the Path Lurker


  
• Ionada – Holy Prophet of the Church of Riinity, their faith’s Chosen


  
• Ionadae – the main scripture/holy text of Riinity


  
• Istol – Talisatian city in the province of Bawdion, hometown of Michael, James and Carter


  
• Jadene – Talisatian city in the province of Sovedia


  
• Javen – Riniglacian Warriors, famous for being the most talented warriors in Draendica.


  
• Javen Helm – an axe-shaped helm with a plume arching across the top and single slit in the visor for visibility


  
• Kalgian – Gargan Creator of Pain and Memory


  
• Ka’Saie – Non-Draendican: Garganii word for Ancient Shepherd


  
• Katiinali – the North-West Kingdom of Ahuralend


  
• Kharg?gat (Mountain) – Biggest Mountain in Draendica, located in the Queendom of Haron/the Western Ringlands


  
• Khasm – All-Maker, Creator of Creators, first Gargan and Embodiment of the Void


  
• Kosadi – a communication gemstone, which when inscribed on one side, the other side mirrors the message


  
• Konakiian – Non-Draendican: Hoiise-Garganii word for Setheen Devils


  
• Kyali – the North-East Kingdom of Ahuralend


  
• Kyrday – second day of the spell (see Spell for clarification)


  
• Kyopaz – Gargan Creator of Beauty


  
• Leverest – southern province of the cities Baily, Carado, Nicholla and Cama


  
• Levviton – Talisatian city in the province of Leverest


  
• Liann – Talisatian city in the province of Stormhaven


  
• Lighila – former name of Olympium before the colonisation of the Crekaens and the settlement of Talisatia


  
• Luckday – fifth day of the spell (see Spell for clarification)


  
• Luckis Leaf – a natural painkiller when chewed


  
• Malank – Short-form for the followers of the Faith of Malankin


  
• Malankin – a faith centred around Deities of Light and Night, Radi and Kann


  
• Marquess – Noble title below an Earl and above a Baron, usually a title held by Provincial Representatives


  
• Meia – Non-Draendican: animal-humanoid hybrids, most commonly goats and horses


  
• Meian – plural for Meia


  
• Merhoii – Sea-humanoid hybrids, most commonly sharks and large fish


  
• Mhairia - northern province of the cities Alyia, Rebec, Mildredlin, Itlin


  
• Mhairian – the people of Mhairia


  
• Mynerday – first day of the spell (see Spell for clarification)


  
• Nethotar – Non-Draendican: broad, bull-furred and horned beasts


  
• Nicholla – Talisatian city in the province of Leverest


  
• Nigh – Time: from the sun-down until midnight


  
• Nisia – Gargan Creator of Luck and Faith


  
• Nithe – non-Draendican: enormous single-eyed and scale-covered worms with long, arching tusks, roughly the size of subway trains


  
• Obthraie – non-Draendican: six-armed Draendicanoids made from earthen materials, commonly stone


  
• Olouren – northern province of the cities Amellon, Lecta and Essy


  
• Olitarii – Non-Draendican: Garganii word for a scaly, puma-sized quadruped


  
• Olymp(s) – a person/the people of Olympium


  
• Olympae Windbringer – the re-discoverer of Olympium


  
• Olympday – fourth day of the spell (see Spell for clarification)


  
• Olympium – the two half-continents, separated into East and West, the Dark Lands and the Empire of Talisatia


  
• Opem (gold) – highest tier of currency used in Talisatia, only by the Ruling Class


  
• Otylia - Talisatian city in the province of Arcavelot


  
• Paridem – the Heavenly Afterlife in the Faith of Malankin


  
• Pridemia – northernmost province of the cities Barreton, Blackhall and Silvagard


  
• Portcullis – an iron gate which is lowered or raised (French word)


  
• Radi – the Goddess of Light, Day and Goodness according to the Faith of Malankin


  
• Raelin – Talisatian city in the province of Evicra


  
• Rageous – Gargan Creator of Courage


  
• Rahsalin – South-Eastern Kingdom of Ahuralend


  
• Raokés – Gargan Creator of Honour


  
• Redthorn – Short-form for the Empire of Redthornia


  
• Redthornia - the Empire of Redthornia of the Northern, Eastern and Southern Ringlands – the bulk of the continent formerly known as Riniglacia prior to colonisation


  
• Rii – the Seraph of Light, one of the Five Holy Servants and the Most Revered Son of God


  
• Riiday – sixth day of the spell (see Spell for clarification)


  
• Riinin – A follower of the Church of Riinity


  
• Riinity – the religion most prominent in Talisatia, praising a single God, Four Holy Seraphs and condemning Thall, the Fallen.


  
• Ringlish – the non-Riniglacian peoples of the Ringlands, anyone non-native descended


  
• Rising – Early morning, pre-sunrise


  
• New Riniglacia – the current island homeland of the Native Riniglacians following the colonisation


  
• Old Riniglacia – the name of the greater Ringlands prior to the colonisation aeons before


  
• Riniglacians – the native/native-descended peoples of Riniglacia, famously pale and bright-eyed


  
• Roccilon - Talisatian city in the province of Fordonn


  
• Rosébuin – Gargan Creator of Kindness


  
• Roslynia – name for the Northern Ringlands


  
• Saose – Non-Draendican: 1 - an enormous, plate-scaled swamp behemoth with a thick body and legs, a wide-jawed head and thinning tail. 2 – Garganii word for ‘Behemoth of the Lagoon’


  
• Scalprum – a wolf-sized, squat creature with a bladed tail and short, stubby head


  
• Setheen (devils) – Draendican-darkness hybrids with extreme bone density and regenerative powers


  
• Settling – From midnight till mid-early morning.


  
• Shanii – the Low Garganii word for Dark Lander


  
• Silvagard - Talisatian city in the province of Pridemia


  
• Soiltorn – Common Tongue name for the Obthraie


  
• Sovedia – central province of the cities Bordertown and Jadene


  
• Splinn'r (copper) – a middle-tier coin used by the poor


  
• Spell – Six-day period. Each Cresk has four spells and one La’ Spell (Last Spell) which contains seven days, including Thallinaday. Spell example: Mynerday, Kyrday, Arloday, Olympday, Luckday and Riiday. (and Thallinaday on La’ Spell of the Cresk)


  
• Stormhaven – lower-central province of the cities Liann, Brookly and Kirke


  
• Talis Windbringer – brother of Olympae, known as the Silver General, infamous for the invasion and colonisation of Olympium


  
• Tagen - Talisatian city in the province of Groria, famous for religious zealotry


  
• Talisatia – The Empire spanning the entirety of East Olympium


  
• Thall – the Fallen Seraph of Riinity, the most ambitious son of God and Bringer of Darkness


  
• Thallina – the warriors trained and recruited by the other Four Sons of God to invade Enthall and do battle with Thall


  
• Thallinaday – the last day of Cresk, an important holy day for Riinins


  
• Treewater – a sacred rainforest in Roslynia, the Northern Ringlands


  
• Turning – After midday to the afternoon


  
• Valancia – the name for the land of the Eastern Ringlands


  
• Yitere – Riniglacian word for Tribal Village