What’s it all about?

This novel, is set in a fictional world called Serigiil. There are three islands in the middle, surrounded by a land which no inhabitant has visited. The main character is called Aedomir, who is an exile. He is lost, and bewildered and there is great symbolism behind the story. “If you are lost, you will always be found.” An

Extract:

The trees darkened but spread apart as they moved further into the forest, and the trails they made as they weaved their way between them looped around the roots. As they crept further from Tharom Eldero, Aedomir felt a new mood take him. Life was ill around these parts, and he feared of what would, or worse, what could become of the falls, and his belief to be the last retreat of beauty, ever lost and forgotten.

“We should move the inward ere the wind westers the sun,” said Aedomir, “lest we are killed in sport, or in the hands of malice.”

“But whither do we go?” asked Seridon.

Aedomir stirred his head. “My mind deceives me; a travel through night would be most fearful. My memory is all but spent of this place.”

To that, Scar howled, bidding Aedomir and Seridon.

“Come,” said Aedomir. “Our friend knows of a road.”

“Friend?” Seridon hid his defiance under the shadows, as his lips tightened. “But to what road’s end does he lead us? Why do you trust this beast?”

“I have more reason to doubt than you,” said Aedomir coldly. “Yet if one thing has come from my journeys, loyalty would ahead the succession.”

“Does a warning not burn in your heart then?”

Aedomir stepped to Scar, who sat with eyes gazing southwards. Then, he turned and looked through the looming darkness. “Seridon,” he said, “if none can follow without question, then both you and I may have been sent to condemnation long ago. Yet we live. Now gather your wits, for that loyalty has grown.”

“Trust should not be wasted on the weak. Since your coming, you have spoken much of virtues. Bestow thanks if you must, but make it petty. We cannot set our strength upon an animal, kindled in the fires of corruption.”

Aedomir turned. “Since my coming?” he snarled.

“Much has changed in your absence Aedo-”

“No! You were the one who sought me! Corruption? It is corruption that has tainted your blood, and frozen your embraces!” Aedomir knelt into the shadows, and produced a pile of dirt. He began to rub it gently across his fingers, and then tried to watch it crumble as he mustered a fist. “This dirt,” he said, “has not changed. My life has always been built upon it, I thought of a care for the city folk once, but they were lies.” With this, he cast the mud back to the ground, and attempted to work out the paths of the forest.

“I am sorry,” said Seridon.

Aedomir sighed. “Stay your pity, the fault is mine alone. I have only words to guide me, and without the friendship that it brings, I am nothing. My power is a dearth of strength. I fought for myself, thus the shame brought me down to the footsteps of an exile. I realise now of my allegiance. My outlawing was just, for my allegiance strayed to myself. Then I met my fellow outcasts, and we united together. Whom I will serve remains locked inside me, yet my sword will always strike for my companions. Country turned against me, and left me naught of room for penance, and for that, I cannot pardon. Now please, give me counsel to sway me, advise me. What reckon you, if my heart were to tell me to indeed to as I once did, and lay down my sword for those who long ago did for me? To little avail I would become of, yet if I am sworn to my faiths as I believe I am, then a single, alone, mortal man I would be. None would sing in my name, so in return I would not for them. Or then, I may take the other turn, and stand alongside my companions whom I seek, yet it is unsure if I still cherish them, for time has pardoned my absence, and I feel forgotten. What say your tongue on this manner?”

“I think of little to comfort you, but I think of words nonetheless. Why not follow both yearnings, and take a twofold path, or one to twine through the other?”

“Such a thought has slipped through my mind many a time, yet I release it like a leaf before the wind. In answer to your question,” said Aedomir, “it is because this decision is not solely mine to make, and because my power his broken.”

Seridon was silent, yet he broke its extent, “I would, if only I knew words to change you. But I do not, for my mind is in unison with yours. Let your strength replace all remorse, for saddening will only wither you further.”

“But further into what? My name lessened until it became but a mystic whisper. The shadow lengthened, and I cared not for it, none of us did. But behold! it can grow no larger, for which reason my strides for are safe. They must speed and wax on, for although the darkness cannot spread, it can descend upon us, and trap us with a tide of evil. Spring is tainted and nature is both shrunken and wasted.” Aedomir took in a breath, as he contemplated his thoughts.

“But can change not hither either way?” asked Seridon, honest yet pleasing.

Aedomir nodded, and sighed. “Tis true, but unless my eyes are cheated, only one has come to pass.”

“Yet the other could befall, if we so desire.”

“Ha!” exclaimed Aedomir, “Has our counsel taught you naught? We are barely two mortal men! To what avail would we come to amid this darkness, without such fair and valiant folk by our side?”

“Please, let me advise you on just one thing. We must learn haste, if we are to reach your companions before fate snatches them.”

“You need not come with me, if you fear the road. I can survive alone, instinct is never forgotten.”

At this, Seridon cast himself to Aedomir, so their eyes looked into one another. “Adjourn your words now. You split my mind, now hold it while you can,” Seridon muttered coldly.

“I see the darkness has captured you also,” whispered Aedomir, as he pressed against Seridon’s stomach, launching both apart.