The wind bellowed, and the sails unfurl amongst a rustle of canvas and jib, shackles and ropes, and men shouting to and fro on the large ship now departing from my shores. I had watched the sailors prepare to sail and weigh anchor as the gulls screeched over head.
I had said my goodbyes to Emanon, cook and the girls and told them to keep the fires burning and my visitors fed and cared for. My High Commander, Knight General and Commanders were all briefed on my absence. They had much to do to maintain the Highways and byways and keep my people safe.

I watched my land diminish from my view as the ship dipped and peaked in the troughs of the seas. The winds have filled the sails and the white caps were menacing the bow of this fine man-o-war. Men move with lithness about the deck as the Captain barked out orders with precision of one who sailed many a treacherous sea.

My horse, now fetted safely below in cargo whinnied and snorted unsure of his sea legs. I can now move about the ship but find salt spray and lurching not to my liking. I too head below deck and secure my luggage and the steed – to reassure him all would be well soon enough.
As expected the ship offered little of the comfort I was accustomed. I spy a number of hammocks and take one closest to the porthole so I could at least see with the dimming light of a clear sky and full moon. Once nestled in my hammock I pull out my quill and paper. The parchment of fine quality arrived a few days earlier on the same ship, and now this ship was heading to many ports around the world and I was on it knowing more than one adventure awaits me. I had not told anyone exactly where I was heading since I wasn’t sure myself.

I sit quietly scrawling my letters, my body swaying gently in the hammock. These letters would arrive ahead of me as I plan to survey the lands on horseback before making it directly to any Kingdom castle on every foreign shore. My stomach twisted and turned with anticipation and rough seas.

I had found a map and it was clear the way was to be treacherous so I had sought out the Queen of Fae and after a long discussion she gifted me a trumpet finely carved from the finest silver, laced with diamonds from the inner earth of Chimerea. I know the powers it possesses and will not use it lightly. I had secured a charm bracelet from the Academy, my dear friend Lord Malici, a vampire - brought it back from ancient Egypt and it shall hold me in good stead to aid me on my journey across the mountains and through the Valley of Death. Although I had not heard many tales of this trek I felt prepared. My father’s cryptic message also in the secret compartment of his desk offered vague clues and the only way to comprehend was to take action.

Now ~ quill poised ~ tip in my mouth I thought about what I shall write.... Finally I begin...

"Greetings to You my Lord and Ladies, and all citizens and visitors of every alliance...I am Lady Rhyaine I have come on a pilgrimage - a self exploration to discover more of myself, to learn and grow as one would when being mentored; and seeking solace in the company of wise and knowledgeable leadership. I seek compassion and wisdom and am not here propounding a brand of new philosophy on my quest but for acceptance, understanding and above all else safe passage through your lands.

As an outsider visiting your vast lands I am not interested in undermining what is being experienced in your lives rather learning from all. My pilgrimage has seen me traverse many lands for which I am grateful, and I am yet to settle exclusively in one outside the Realm of Dhadamuli, which is surrounded by the beautiful and magical Forest of Chimerea. My Realm is one of peace, forbearance – a place to extend oneself and learn from the mage, the elders of these parts.

I am a descendant of Dhadamuli, an ancient tribe of female warriors ~ and now its current leader and warrior with many great armies at my beckon. I have great responsibilities handed down by my beloved mother and father. I seek to increase my kingdom, to ensure my realm flourishes and new blood is introduced so children are born and can grow up before my eyes strong in culture, beliefs and knowledge of their kinship.

I am able to control thunder, lightning, fire balls of rain and glacier hail. I reside in the House of Rain and have given birth to a great nation. My sister Queen Violet Rain dwells deep in the Forest of Chimerea, on the vast lands of Dhadamuli and her Fae protect me.

The Dragons, Ancient Ones protect the skies and lands of all Dhadamuli and her borders. Set the Serpent, my Protector and Guardian, sails the seven seas and in my name he plunders bringing back vast stores and cargoes keeping the seas safe from would be pirates – reckless in their quests.

This House is the Diplomatic Centre and the clearance house for all Alliances under the sun. It is where all recruitment to the greater armies occurs and men dwell under the rule of the Military Command - The Order of Asmodai.
It is also where the training for the knights of Dhadamuli takes place and a House that offers friendships, where alliances are sealed, and battles are won and lost. Peace reigns here and my world flourishes in richness and friendships.

It is also where I rule with a Squadron of Leaders where respect and trust is paramount... transparency a must – a safe place to lay ones sword - where the greater vision of empowerment is understood; and where all members have the ultimate responsibility to make the House and Realm functional, orderly and fun.

The Realm of Dhadamuli has a small community and sits on a busy Port where ships come and go having travelled many distant shores. Life there is peaceful and entertaining now that the battles have burned themselves out; and warriors have come to rest, their bones have turned to ash, their loss of life mourned. In this time of peace I have continued my pilgrimage and I now travel to find myself a resting place on your shores, shelter from our winter months. I hope to meet you and be guided by all.

Yours sincerely
Lady Rhyaine”


I roll it up and seal it with wax and go up top once more, the seas toss me like a rag doll but I deliver it to the Captain expecting this to get to the hands of the Rulers before I do. I watched him hand it to his first mate who made his way to the Captain’s cabin where carrier birds awaited.

The journey aboard is arduous and rough, many times my stomach contents fed the fish in this wild sea. The ship sailed marginally off course, and did not set me down at the Port as I first thought it would. It was still a day’s ride away, but now the sun was rising - it was first light. My body was stiff as I guided my steed down across the sturdy timber plank and to the sandy shores of this strange land.

"North?” they asked "Aye" I said, but hoped I really knew which way to go. I walked my horse a ways waiting for his skittishness to subside. I saddled him; packed my luggage around his broad back and gave him a light kick. He found his legs and his confidence grew with mine.


We rode through a number of small villages, no more than a hundred people in each. The land had pyres burning, and signs of fighting in small villages on the northern and eastern fringes of the Lands. People kept their heads down and I chose not to stop.


The landscape was changing. It is now mid-afternoon, the wind is blowing but it is warm and humid. I begin my final trek wondering what it is going to be like in the late afternoon - will it cool down?


I steady and slow my horse, as I seek out the horizon - my water flask now to my lips as my throat constricts on every swallow of this sweet nectar - water. In the winds are pungent odours and the nostrils flare on my horse, as he backs up - not one but two steps. I held the rein firm and rubbed his thick neck, whispering to him. He whinnied and checked himself only behaving like this because he is very protective of me and my safety. He felt as I did a quickening in the spirit - my heart now beating in time to his. I lulled and pacified him with my voice. We had arrived - he and I - two as one; we were use to being alone just him and me and now he smelled others. There is a blackbird singing my arrival, and the voices of many birds join the choir. Scavengers ate on the carcasses of maggot filled beats and we continued.


As I rode towards the town I saw the Port where I was originally suppose to disembark. Only now did I savour my own thoughts about my travels - I have ridden many miles on this pilgrimage, listened to the buzz of the liveliest creatures, of humming and cricking around my face; the sweat pooled across my lip and we moved on.... we passed whole communities of living things~ living out their lives in a kind of benign continuum uninterested in this lonely rider.


My plans are deliberately indefinite more to travel than to arrive anywhere but here I was arriving, eager as a young girl again, learning weaponry from her distinguished father - now passed. My future awaits me and butterflies fill my stomach.


Straddlers are about as I continue my ride. An old man meets my gaze so I smile and enquire as to the miles to the township. He has withered with time and is bent over, his hair and beard white. He is supported by the stick in his hand - a crutch for his aging limbs. He shuffles along with a small boy walking slowly beside him - no doubt his grandson. His skin has withered and is flaky with nobbles and such ailments that only age manifests - he prefers farting to talking but still the old man replies in an equally ageing but strong voice, "You have reached the Kingdom - over a hundred miles north of the Castle of the Lord and Master of these parts My Lady." I offered him a gold coin with a flick of finger and thumb, and smiled at the young boy. "Thank you, may you be blessed this day and for ever after sire."


"My Lady", he called after me "be careful not to venture into the forest there are marauders in the treetops waiting to ambush and the Valley of Death has claimed many lives "... "Thank you sire I shall stay clear of the forest." But knew I must past through this valley to purge my fears once and for all.

I thought of the moon rising over the families and children of my Realm and smiled...


I continue on not more than a shadow’s length in time or so before I see it lain before me. I felt now I had reached the town. I needed to find a place that would allow me a peaceful night's rest. It is here I dismount, and walking with rein in hand to find a stable to bed my horse and a resting place for my head. Across the way I notice an Inn, a soft hue of light making it look inviting. The hum from inside meant it was busy. This was where I would stay.

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