The Storm's Own Son (Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

ruled most of old Dirion, and Northmen from Schald its western reaches. Schald itself was the easternmost and southernmost of the Northman countries. Beyond it were Narhame, Katara's home of Vorhame, and distant Jotun on the frozen northern sea. The northern peoples tended to be tall and fair, and were known for both war and poetry.
    South of those countries and west of the Republic were the Seven Realms , a large region that had been under the Empire in its later centuries. During the collapse, seven heroes had won their freedom and become seven kings. They were known as places where small feuds were more common than big wars, at least in recent times. Beyond them were the Western Isles, a land of far-faring merchant sailors.
    Across the central sea from the Republic were the Southlands, and they extended beyond the edge of the map. Talaos knew little about them beyond some of the trading cities on the coast, but thought he might change that.
    Then there were the Eastlands...
    "Talaos?" said an elderly voice behind him, "It's been a long time. How are you, lad?"
    T alaos turned around and saw Caelius, the curator of the second floor east wing. The old man was dressed in the wreath-bordered white tunic of his station. Talaos thought he looked frailer than the last time he'd seen him, and his unkempt white hair even wispier.
    "I'm well . And how are you, Caelius?"
    "A little worn from a fever , I'm afraid, but otherwise well enough."
    "I'm glad you're doing better," replied Talaos warmly.
    "Thank you," said Caelius. Then he thought for a moment, smiled and teasingly added, "Though, I can't recall you having much direct experience with being ill."
    " I can't remember ever having been," replied Talaos.
    The curator quietly chuckled and shifted his attention to Talaos's studies, with a twinkling curiosity in his old eyes at the map and books on the table.
    " That is quite a collection you have there. If I may ask, what would you like to learn?"
    "Everything," answered Talaos.
    Caelius shook his head, smiling, "That was the same answer you gave nearly fifteen years ago, when you first sneaked in here with rags on your back and a head full of questions."
    "Some thing s never change," replied Talaos, smiling.
    "And some do," answered Caelius, glancing at Talaos's silver-fitted gear and expensive swords, "though whether for better or worse depends on what we choose to make of them."
    "I've been thinking of change lately," mused Talaos.
    "That's good, because it is in your nature, lad," replied Caelius, " Now, if you want some recommendations from among all those travelogues, I can help."
    "I'd be interested in learning more about the Eastlands," answered Talaos.
    Caelius looked surprised. "Well, though it historically was home to a great many nations, at present the entire continent is ruled by the Living Prophet."
    "That much I knew," answered Talaos. " He's supposed to be a kind of powerful sorcerer who has everything in his lands governed by some elaborate, strict philosophy."
    " Correct. It is a complete philosophy of life, with no exceptions, and backed by his laws. He claims to have the answers to everything, but I can't say I found it interesting enough to study those purported answers in detail. What makes you curious about the Eastlands?"
    Talaos considered. He'd been told he was found on the beach by a pair of gleaners. One died soon after, but the other was old Etoclea, who'd made sure he got some help when he was very small, and passed around his story. By that means, he knew one important thing.
    "I've been told my mother was from the Eastlands," he said.
    " Ah, yes, I think you mentioned that once," the curator answered.
    Talaos continued, "But... blue eyes like mine are supposed to be rare there."
    "Just about unknown, I'd say. Blue eyes are rare enough here, let alone bright ones like yours. A lot more people have that color up in the Northman countries, of course."
    Talaos thought about that for a moment,