Prologue: The Secret in the Lies

I tread on treachery’s heels.

Tal Harrenfel, hero of fraud and deception, has reemerged in spectacular fashion. Not long ago, he appeared at the Coral Castle and made as much noise as he could, drinking wine until he could not stand and making a fool of himself by “practicing” swordplay in moonlit courtyards. 

Now, two short months after his arrival, he makes off with the King’s own minstrels on an unexplained trip to the elven queendom of Gladelyl.

And I travel with them.

To my immense honor, King Aldric himself requested that I join the retinue as his eyes and ears. “Watch, note, and write back to me,” he said, “and your abbot and gods will be well-pleased.” 

I did not question him, nor would I, even if I had not taken my vows. I do as my King orders, for Silence, Solemnity, and Serenity speak through him.

But even if I did not go by my King’s bidding, I confess, I would be curious to see Tal Harrenfel in Gladelyl. His history with the Eldritch Bloodline is speckled and strange. Harrenfel’s sword is said to be a gift from Queen Geminia for killing the demon Heyl when he first arrived in Elendol. Devil Killer, he’s hailed—and Falcon Sunstring would have us believe he killed the hellish fiend by himself, and with a single blow no less:

The demon saw him, riding at the fore
A human on a mare amid the elves’ white stags
And Heyl laughed—‘Look!’ he mocked. ‘Here comes my Killer!’
And so he permitted Tal to enter his bastion of flames

But Tal did not slow, but brandished his blade high
Summoning the magic in his blood, he struck at the fiend
And, in a single blow, cleaved the horned head from his shoulders
The burning crown fell, and the fires of Elendol died to ashes

All stared in silence until one among them called forth—
‘Devil Killer! Devil Killer! There, the Slayer of Heyl!’ 
Tal Harrenfel has saved all of Elendol!

All around him, the elves took up the call
And ushered Tal forth to the Elf Queen for his rightful windfall…

Though I’ve confirmed Tal’s presence in Elendol during the invasion, I’ve read no evidence that he struck the final blow, nor even dared to face Yuldor’s creature. And, from all I’ve seen, the man has not shown himself to be the bravest of men.

Though the slaying of Heyl is the most remarkable of the stories, there are other whispers about Harrenfel in Gladelyl. Of a secret affair with one high among the Houses—an elven princess, if you will. And of the Silver Vines, the agents of the Cult of Yuldor in Elendol, Harrenfel was said to have pulled them out by the roots two decades before.

But now, traveling to Gladelyl itself, I will uncover this corner of the truth—of who Tal Harrenfel is, and what secrets he’s buried beneath his legend’s lies.

—Brother Causticus of the Order of Ataraxis