Chapter One

The Unmarked, Book One.

Oct 06, 2025

Before the foundation of the Physical Realm, there was Light. The Light dwelled with the Essence of all things to come, and the Light was the Essence of all things to come. Essence brought forth all things and placed them in the Physical Realm. Essence’s Light shone on the Physical Realm and made all things grow and prosper. The Light shone through the Sun and the Moon and the Stars. Essence placed a mountain in the Physical Realm and atop that mountain there were crystals. These crystals were always exposed to the Sun and the Moon and the Stars, and because of their proximity, they absorbed the Light that made all things grow and prosper. These crystals were called Purelight Stones. Then Essence made a valley at the foot of the Mountain, and in that valley he placed humans. He called Humanity to rule over the Land, and invited them to use the Purelight Stones to care for the Physical Realm and to prosper in it. So the humans did, and they ruled and lived in peace and harmony with one another. Now, when Essence’s Light shone on the Physical Realm, it cast a large shadow into existence. This Shadow was given the form of a forest. The Forest was lawless, bleak and in a constant state of decay. It was the place where Essence’s Light did not shine, therefore, it was the place where things could not grow nor prosper. The people were commanded not to step into the Forest, because to step into the Shadow Realm meant to step outside of Essence’s Light. And to step outside of Essence’s Light meant to step outside of his will and purpose for humanity.

- Excerpt from the Book of Books, Part One: Foundations.

Dawn.

Month of Erom, year 653

The house was particularly quiet this evening.

The house had been quiet every evening for the past six months, though Dawn had never been home to experience the silence, so filled were her days. From sunrise to well after dark, the young Guardian was out, pursuing her apprenticeship training as a Third Order and filling in on Second Order duties in her mentor’s absence.

Every night, Dawn would crawl into bed heedless of the emptiness inside the house, so exhausted was she from a day’s worth of patrols, drills, paperwork and meetings. Though she had no regrets. Being a Guardian was her entire life’s dream.

But today was a holiday – Membership Day – and Dawn had been invited to attend the Guardian’s Social. The event served as an opportunity for newly apprenticed Guardians to meet their mentors before the Initiation Ceremony, and for Guardians of all three Orders to mingle. Guardians were usually able to attend the event as a guest every other year. Last year Dawn had been on duty, and the year before that had been her first time attending, being a newly Marked Member of Erom and apprenticed as a Guardian of Third Order to Lilly.

Lilly.

Dawn tried to ignore the gnawing anxiety in her belly at the thought of her missing mentor. That was another reason Dawn had accepted every task handed to her from her superiors, lately. No time to worry about your mentor’s confidential missions, cryptic letters and delayed return back home when your days are filled with work.

Wanting to steer her attention away from her anxieties, Dawn hurried to get herself ready. She slipped on a pair of black leggings and a silk, burgundy tunic, which she fastened with a silver belt under the bust. The tunic and belt had been given to her as a gift from the Governor when she had been accepted into the Guard two years ago. It was what she had worn on the night of her own initiation ceremony, and was meant to accent her Marked arms. Finally, she put on a pair of shiny, brown boots that reached the knee.

Once dressed, Dawn attempted to style her hair into the intricate side-braid her sister had always done for her, but angrily gave up when it proved to be too difficult. Scarlet had always had a finesses with her fingers that Dawn didn’t. One sister’s swiftness showed in swordplay while the other’s manifested through things like weaving and other intricate crafts.

Her sister was another reason Dawn filled her days with work. She had been without her twin longer than Lilly had been away. Tomorrow would mark two years since the sisters had last seen each other. Scarlet left to be apprenticed to an Artisan in the city of Ardus. The loneliness at being separated from her lifelong friend was easy to manage while Lilly had been around. Now it felt unbearable.

Annoyed and disheveled, Dawn reached for the hairbrush that lay on her windowsill; deciding to leave it loose and cascading down her back like a black waterfall.

As she ran the bristles through her hair, Dawn’s attention wandered out the window. The sun was setting, but the cobblestone streets were filling with life as the people of Aura made their way down to the city’s heart.

Women wore flowing skirts of bright colours and elegant blouses with slits down the arms, purposely made to show the Membership Marking on their right bicep. While men wore sleeveless, buttoned up vests and wool trousers, often rolled at the shins, as was the customary summer fashion in Aura.

Dawn’s attention drifted up past the people and settled further northward on the snowy peaks of the Endless Mountains, which were beyond the pines of the Paper-mill Forest. The Region of Aura was said to be situated at the edge of the world. Very little of the mountains had ever been mapped or explored. Those who had braved the unknown many centuries ago had either been turned back due to the harsh terrain, or simply never returned. It was common belief that the Mountains which bordered the land of Erom from north to west, simply went on forever. The same was believed of the Endless Waters in the south. With the Raylesswoods in the East, Erom was a trapped land. No one knew what lay beyond the borders of Erom, if anything lay out there at all. But people did not concern themselves with the outside. There was no need to, as long as they followed the Ideals.

Dawn exchanged her hairbrush for the small effigy of a woman that stood on her windowsill. Two-inches tall and made of polished rose quartz, Dawn took the idol and offered a silent prayer of gratitude to Her Eminence, Tariah.

She gave thanks for the opportunity to have proven her worth to Erom.

Dawn pressed her lips against the head of the idol. She felt a closeness to Tariah at that moment. As if Dawn’s will and the will of the Goddess herself were in perfect alignment. A will to give everything of herself to uphold a safe, orderly and prosperous society.

Having finished praying, Dawn felt slightly better.

Extinguishing her candle, Dawn strode across creaking floorboards and shut the bedroom door behind her. She walked down the quiet hall with its empty walls. So unlike the walls in other homes Dawn had been to, which displayed endless portraits of men and women; an act of preservation of the legacies that came before.

Deep down she knew it was a sacrilege to have taken down the paintings of Mother and Father. It was Dawn’s sacred duty as their daughter to remember them. But Dawn had never even known her Father, as he had died before she and Scarlet were born. There were no memories to remember him by. All his portrait did was make Dawn feel as if she were being scrutinized by a stranger. And Mother had been...Mother. She had died a few months after Dawn and Scarlet had become Marked Members. The only thing Mother’s portrait did was remind her of Scarlet, as they looked so much alike. Dawn needn’t be reminded of the loneliness that the absence of her sister evoked in her.

Wanting to turn her mind to more joyous thoughts, Dawn lit the lantern that stood by the door and set it out on her porch. Paper lanterns decorated the surrounding porches as well, and Dawn let out a sigh of admiration. It was a beautiful sight. Hundreds of glowing lights filled the night. The lanterns represented all the moons that had passed since the birth of Erom, and all the moons that would come to pass. They were a symbol of a hopeful future, a tangible reminder that the Shadow Ages were over forever.

In a way, they created an atmosphere of unity among the people of Erom. Unity. The Principle upon which the Nine Pillars rested.

As she walked down the road that led to the Heart of Aura, people’s gazes strayed to the Marking on her left bicep and they acknowledged her with nods of respect. Dawn was brought back to the same moment exactly two years ago; venturing out with her arms still-swollen from the Markings for the first time. How she had found herself walking with her back straighter and her head held higher. How she took pride in the fact that people would no longer regard her as a child. She was now a worthy Member of Erom. She was now a Guardian.

Dawn stepped into the Heart of Aura, which was buzzing with people. The smell of smoked meat and ale wafted through the air, from the dozens of stands across the square. The sound of drums and guitars accompanied by boisterous conversations and merry laughter filled the atmosphere. A group of children chased each other and screeched with delight. The last of the wagons with the unworthy rolled away.

Then, her eyes fell on a six-foot tall boy with blonde tousled hair, toned arms and sun-kissed skin. The Governor’s son.

“River” she said with a grin as he approached.

“Dawn, it’s nice to see you in something other than uniform” he said with a glint in his eyes.

“I can say the same for you”, she replied, trying not to blush.

Even in the standard navy vest and pants that all Third Orders wore, River looked striking. But it was especially nice to see him in a loose linen, sleeveless blouse, sand-coloured pants and brown leather sandals. He looked more relaxed; a side of him that she didn’t often see.

At that moment Dawn wished that she could wear a flowing skirt and elegant blouse to catch his eye. But female Guardians were forbidden to dress like the common women. Even if not specifically placed on duty, Guardians needed to be ready and vigilant at all times. Female Guardians couldn’t risk having skirts getting tangled between their legs and caught under their heels if they needed to respond to an emergency.

“Lady Dawn?” River said, offering his arm. Dawn looped her arm in his and they made their way to the Governor’s Hall.

The building was large and made of white marble with six pillars at the front of the structure.

Nine wide steps – each adorned with a blazing lantern on both extremities, led up to a stone porch upon which was situated a stone pedestal, about four feet high, with a silver bowl resting on top of it. The Bowl of Oaths. Beyond the bowl was a set of thick, oak doors manned by a couple of Third Orders.

River and Dawn climbed up the steps of the structure. Each step was engraved with a word; a Principle upon which Erom stood.

Above the entrance of the Governor’s Hall, Erom was written, meaning Unity in the Dead Speech.

Atop the staircase, Dawn took another glance at the Bowl of Oaths. In just a few hours, the blood of newly apprenticed Guardians would drip into it and be mixed with that of their appointed mentor, as a promise of their duty to Erom. Two years ago, it had been her blood shed into that bowl, along with that of River, Lilly, and the other two apprentices and mentors. A shiver of pure excitement ran through her body at the memory.

“River Torrentson” said a feminine voice. Dawn’s attention was tugged away from the bowl and set on a young woman clad in a navy uniform. Her strawberry red hair was pulled back in a tight bun and her cheeks were lightly dusted with freckles. Her green eyes were bright… and flirtatious. A clipboard was tucked under her arm.

“Olive” River answered good-naturally.

Olive. Dawn thought with somewhat less grace in her nature.

Olive had been Marked a year prior to she and River, which made her eighteen years old. She was the daughter to one of the Governor’s council members, which made her think she had some kind of special connection with River.

Can’t you prey on someone in your own cohort? Dawn thought, annoyed.

Olive pulled her clipboard up in front of her and scanned the page.

“And there you are” she said, ticking off his name. Then she looked to Dawn and cocked her head; a blank expression on her face. “Remind me your name again.”

Olive knew what her name was.

“Dawn Brookesdaughter” she answered, not hiding the annoyance in her tone.

Olive searched the list for longer than it should have taken.

How does River tolerate you? Dawn thought, exasperated.

“Oh, there you are” Olive finally said, ticking Dawn’s name off the list. Both Guardians pulled the doors open. “Don’t have too much fun without me” Olive said to River as he and Dawn walked into the Hall. Dawn just rolled her eyes.

A soft melody of stringed instruments touched Dawn’s ears as she entered the building. Her gaze followed the music to a group of three musicians sitting atop a small balcony overlooking the foyer. The music was accompanied by the murmur of excited conversation. Guardians leaned over high tables; nibbling on appetizers and sipping on wine.

A server approached and offered them a platter of skewered olives and cheese. As Dawn reached for the food, she couldn’t help but frown at the fact that the server’s face was way too old for her unmarked arms. As soon as Dawn took her skewer, the serving woman cast her eyes downward and scurried away.

“The unworthy serving in the Governor’s Hall?” Dawn commented to River, “that’s new”.

“The work of your mentor, actually”.

Dawn cocked her head. “It is?” she asked, a hint of skepticism creeping into her voice. Allowing the unworthy into the Governor’s Hall seemed like a privilege that they did not deserve.

“You didn’t know?” he asked, slightly surprised.

“No... I didn’t”.

“My father told me that during the last Northern Council meeting, the council members were discussing how the towns and villages were becoming overly populated with the unworthy while there weren’t enough Guardians posted to keep them in check”. River’s voice dropped to a whisper. “There was mention of ragtag attempts at rebellion”.

Dawn furrowed her brows. The unworthy, rebelling? Didn’t they know their place? What did they hope to accomplish?

“Some wanted to start executing those deemed unworthy, but Lilly argued that was a waste. She suggested that more of the unmarked be brought to work into the cities to do tasks that otherwise apprentices and non-members volunteered to do. Everyone agreed”.

Dawn pursed her lips. She remembered volunteering to be a server in the Governor’s Hall for events in previous years. She didn’t know how she felt about the unworthy taking on those roles now. Either they were being elevated to more noble tasks, or either she had been doing work suitable for them. Neither idea was pleasing to her.

But if Lilly had managed to convince all four Governors of the Northern Council to unanimously vote in favour of her suggestion, then she must have been very persuasive.

“I guess it’s better to have them here, surrounded by Guardians, than plotting somewhere else.”

“Precisely”.

Rationally, Dawn understood that she couldn’t know about everything Lilly did. Lilly was a Second Order, and Dawn was Third Order. Second Orders were involved in running the cities and villages behind desks and in closed rooms, while Third Orders were out in the field, patrolling the borders, guarding the streets, and dealing with Members in the day to day. Second Orders made the laws, while Third Orders reinforced them. Each Order contributed to the function of Erom in their own way. A lot of what Second Orders did was confidential to Third Orders and to the general public.

Still, Dawn not knowing about Lilly’s suggestion concerning the unworthy bothered her.

Dawn pulled an olive off her skewer with her teeth. She scanned the room which was filled with Guardians of all ages and Orders. Her gloomy feelings were suddenly replaced by a spark of pride at being part of this assembly.

Her gaze fell to a Third Order Guardian, newly marked. He was blonde, strong in build with a stoic expression on his face. He stood alone at a table. “Why don’t we go mingle with the new apprentices” Dawn said as she walked toward the apprentice.

River followed her. “Hello” Dawn announced, “I’m Dawn Brookesdaughter”.

“River Torrentson” said River, extending his hand.

“Of course” the young Guardian responded, “The Governor’s son. It is a pleasure” he responded, taking River’s hand in a firm grip.

“Jasper Eromson” he said.

Eromson.

“You’re from the lumbering villages” she said without thinking.

Jasper took a moment before responding. “Was” he corrected firmly. “I’m from the Northern District”.

Of course, Dawn thought, slightly embarrassed.

All people of Erom had the opportunity to train and become Members and Guardians, even children who grew up in unworthy families. Everyone had the chance to prove themselves. Once a child who grew up in an unworthy family became a Marked Member, they disowned their past from them. Their name was changed and they were brought to live in the city of their region.

“Must have been quite the day for you? You wake up in a village, receive a letter, and next thing you know, you’re spending the rest of your days in a City”.

There was a long pause. “They give us time to prepare” Jasper replied.

“Oh?” Dawn furrowed her brows.

Jasper licked his lips. “I was visited by a representative of Aura on Unity Day. They told me that I would be chosen to be a Marked Member and accepted into the Guard”.

“You knew two weeks in advance?” Dawn asked, surprised. Usually newly chosen members received a letter detailing their acceptance status and their assigned mentor the morning of Membership Day. Then they were to go to the District Centre with their letter to receive their Marking.

“Well, yes. I think anyone in the villages who is accepted as a Member is told in advance”.

“Why’s that?”

Another long pause. “It’s a lot to be stripped of your old life and thrown into a new one, even if its supposed to be better. I had a few visits from Aura’s representative. To prime- I mean, to prepare me for City life. No one else knew about it. Not even my family, I mean, the people I used to live with. On Membership Day I officially received my letter of status and was brought here to settle into my new quarters and receive my Markings”.

“Do you miss your old life?” Dawn asked.

Jasper opened his mouth to answer, but at that moment, two more Third Orders approached them, though these were familiar faces.

“Dawn” said one in a purr-like tone, his black hair sleekly combed back. He took her hand and kissed it, his eyes never leaving her, just as he had done the first night they had met in this very room. Dawn grinned.

Then, as if noticing the others, he nodded to River, then turned to Jasper. “I’m Coal”.

“Bryn” said Coal’s companion, a tall, bulky male with short curly hair. “Dawn, River” he said, acknowledging them each with a nod.

Bryn and Coal were the other two apprentices she and River had participated in the Initiation Ceremony with. They were her cohort.

“I heard there were two other apprentices to be initiated into the Guard” River said.

“Yes” Bryn responded. He pointed to two blonde haired girls standing side by side. “Moon and Skye” he said.

“Twins” Coal added with a grin. “Like you and Scar” he added.

Yes Dawn thought, looking at the identical girls, like me and Scar. Except nothing like us at all.

It was almost ironic that Dawn and Scarlet were twins, as not only they didn’t look alike, but they seemed to be complete opposites in every way. Scarlet with her honey-blonde hair, green eyes, fair skin and reserved attitude. Dawn with her black hair, blue eyes, tanned skin like a southerner’s, and who was “much too extroverted for her own good”, as Mother would say.

“I’m assuming you’ve already introduced yourself to the girls?” Dawn commented to Coal.

“Of course” he said with a knowing grin.

“Then I’ll give you the opportunity to talk to them again while you introduce us”.

With another grin, Coal led them all to the girls.

After introducing themselves, Dawn and River offered their congratulations, and all five Guardians exchanged a few words before a priest clad in an emerald robe announced: “All apprentices are called to the front.”

The newly Marked apprentices exchanged thrilled expressions.

Dawn and River wished them well and then went to join the rest of the crowd in the courtyard.

The sky was deep blue, but the city square blazed with light from torches and lanterns. The thick, musky smell of a warm summer night wafted through the air. The courtyard was silent, but Dawn could feel the buzz of anticipation in the atmosphere.

Jasper, Moon and Skye stood on the podium of the Governor’s Hall. They were lined diagonally on one side of the Bowl of Oaths so they could see and be seen by the crowd. Facing the apprentices on the other side of the bowl, were their mentors.

Dawn remembered how Lilly had looked on this night, two years ago; tall, poised, blonde hair tied up in a slicked bun, a content smile brushing her lips.

The silence in the courtyard was broken by the rhythmic bellow of a gong, sounding the beginning of the Initiation Ceremony.

The High Priest stepped onto the balcony that overlooked the crowd. After the ninth gong, the Members of Aura recited the Erom Creed in one voice:

“We believe in the Goddess Tariah, Mother Eternal, Essence of the Land of Erom, reincarnated into human form, by whom all things are preserved, who brought an end to the corruption and violence imposed by the Ancient Rulers, and brought the remnant people out of the Shadow Age.

We believe in the promise made, that through Her Eminence, the Land and all that is in it will prosper and that the Raylesswood will not spread, as long as we, who are her children, live righteously, according to the Ideals.

We acknowledge that by upholding the Nine Principles; order, industry, knowledge, strength, dignity, honour, loyalty, justice, and integrity, we are one united People, and are worthy to be remembered in this life, and in the life to come”.

Then the singular voice of the High Priest resonated once more, beckoning the Blade Bearer.

A priestess climbed the steps of the podium with the Oath Blade resting on a velvet cushion between her hands. Her long, sand-coloured robe gave the appearance that she was gliding across the stone pavement. She stood behind the Bowl of Oaths and lifted the Blade; a silver-pointed knife that had three diamond shaped stones made of rose quartz embedded into its hilt.

“By this Blade” she cried out, “may the blood that will bind Mentor and Apprentice to one another, flow”.

The Priestess lowered the Blade and stepped back.

“Mentors” she announced, “Do you vow to train your apprentices in the sacred role of Guardian; to foster in them the Nine Principles; to guide them according to the Ideals; and to teach them to carry out the duties that make Erom safe and orderly. If so, step forward”.

All three mentors took one step toward the Bowl of Oaths.

“Apprentices” the priestess continued, “Do you vow to be teachable in your training in the sacred role of Guardian; to foster the nine principles within yourselves and those around you; to be guided by the Ideals; to reinforce security and law for the benefit of Erom; and to be Tariah’s eyes and ears for all the days of this life. If so, step forward”.

The apprentices stepped forward.

“May the joining of the Guardians’ blood seal the oaths they have made” said the Priestess.

One pair after another, mentor and apprentice stood on each side of the Bowl of Oaths.

As she watched the ceremony unfold, Dawn suddenly found herself re-experiencing it as she had two years ago.

She regarded the woman who would be her mentor with curiosity. Lilly’s crystal blue eyes crinkled as she smiled a smile filled with warmth and pride. Dawn felt herself smile too. Lilly took the Blade and sliced her left palm without even a flinch, though her eyes glistened with tears. She balled her fist over the silver bowl and allowed her blood to drip into the red puddle that was already there. Then she handed Dawn the blade that had sealed the oaths of thousands of Guardians before her. As she took hold of the stone-embedded hilt, Dawn was overcome with a burning desire to give everything of herself to Erom.

She was in such a state of euphoria that she didn’t feel pain as she slid the blade across her flesh. The cut on her palm welled with blood. She lifted her fist over the Bowl of Oaths, and let the crimson drops fall into the basin; sealing her vow to Tariah and all the Members of Erom, forever.

Dawn handed the knife back to the Priestess and she began to feel her cut burn and throb. A nurse quickly came to bandage her left hand.

“It is an honour to be your mentor” Lilly whispered to her before they both went back to stand in their places.

“May the scar” the priestess shouted, “on the left palm of these Guardians, ever be a reminder of their oaths to Tariah and her people.”

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause and a chorus of cheers. Dawn knew the Governor was addressing the crowd but she was too excited to make out what he was saying.

The gong sounded nine times to mark the end of the Initiation Ceremony, and then the festivities began.

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