For Want of a Nail

NOTE: THIS STORY IS NO LONGER CANON. IT HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY THE FOUNDING OF VALDEMAR SERIES

Announcement[]

Herald-Chronicler Myste's latest research has found official records called Beyond, Into the West and Valdemar which correct the information in the journal "For Want of a Nail", written by Navar.^[1]

Overview[]

Baron Kordas Valdemar has uprooted his people in the Eastern Empire, moved west through Hardorn^[2] and out into unclaimed lands, and founded a new kingdom. Scout Navar was with him every step of the way. As people joined their exodus, and now more are granted admission and asylum, the population grows so that Navar cannot know if new citizens are loyal to Baron Valdemar or have their own twisted agenda. "How long until Valdemar's people had to flee tyranny once again?"

Characters[]

Characters appearing or mentioned in this story.

Navar - a scout soldier, part of Baron Valdemar's original forces
Peralas Harleth- Captain of the Baron's army, later a general
Soferu - Emperor of the Eastern Empire when Baron Valdemar left^[3]
Kordas Valdemar - former Baron of the Eastern Empire, now King of the country he founded, Valdemar
Juuso Beltran - the Baron's seneschal, later King Valdemar's Chancellor^[2]
Isla (aka Terilee to Navar) - Baron Valdemar's wife, later Queen. ^[2]
Dethwyn - Baron Valdemar's disaffected oldest son, a foster/hostage left behind at Emperor Soferu's court, and not loyal to the Baron^[2]
Restil - Baron Valdemar's son
Arwulf- Captain of King Valdemar's troop of scouts
Doladan - a mapmaker, formerly a Master Gardener's assistant in the Barony
Mistress Karilgrass - formerly the Master Gardener of the Barony, now on the Heralds' Council
Torimund - a soldier Navar selected for his expedition
Felara - a soldier Navar selected for his expedition
Senard - a soldier Navar selected for his expedition
Rusama - a soldier Navar selected for his expedition
Rilbard - a Master who spoke of building a sawmill
Emolde - former wetnurse to the Baron's sons, now on the Heralds' Council
Lorton - one of the Barony's journeyman mages, now on the Heralds' Council
Blydel - one of the Barony's journeyman mages
Imryn - one of the Barony's journeyman mages
Ardatha - King Valdemar's Companion
Kyrith - Beltran's Companion
Tisarand - Navar's Companion

Places[]

Haven, Valdemar
Pelagiris Forest
Journey's End Tavern, the first tavern in Haven
Companion's Field, Haven

Referenced places[]

Eastern Empire
High Ashuel, capital of the Eastern Empire^[3]
Hardorn - Baron Valdemar's exodus traveled through Hardorn^[2]

Terminology[]

Story description (SPOILERS)[]

On assignment from Haven, the capital of the newly founded Kingdom of Valdemar, scout Navar leads an expedition to map the region out to the western edge of the new Kingdom, to the massive forest. They discover that it is dark and full of twisted creatures. After a man dies, another says they should name it "pelagir", which means "danger" in an Old Tongue. And so they did: the Pelagiris Forest, the Forest of Danger.

When they return to Haven, Navar is even more disconcerted by the growth of the city in just six months. And when they go to deliver their report to the King's Council, everyone there behaves strangely, as if they are consulting others in their heads. Navar learns that the "Companions" were the answer to King Valdemar's prayers to keep their new country safe for all, rich and poor alike.

Navar is convinced that King Valdemar and his Council have come under mage influence. Beltran explains that others shared Navar's worry that depraved and lawless people would come to Valdemar, and King Valdemar fervently prayed to all the gods and goddesses for a way to protect his kingdom from corruption forever. And the gods sent the Companions.

Navar is not convinced by Beltran's tale. He plans to flee the city rather than be subjected to some future madman as happened in the Eastern Empire. When he goes to obtain supplies in the middle of the night, a Companion approaches him and mindspeaks with him, leading him to Companions' Field. He explains their true purpose, Choosing good men and women to protect and uphold Valdemar's ideals. He says the kingdom will need good men like Navar to help.

Navar realizes he has been so willing to see bad motives that he has forgotten to see good ones. He becomes convinced that the Companions are a force for good. And then Companion Tisarand Chooses him.

Notes[]

↑ The "announcement" at the top of the page is the in-universe explanation for disparities. Real World context: This story is no longer canon. It was written in 2009 by anthology authors, well ahead of the Beyond novel by Mercedes Lackey published in 2021, which overrides it.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 This information has been superseded by The Founding of Valdemar series
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 In-universe explanation from User:MerlynPrime: "Thus far no official documents have been found that give the name of the Emperor or the Capital of the Eastern Empire at this time. The only known recording found is from the journal of Navar. As the official accounts found in Beyond do not name the Capital or Emperor, this entry remains."

[note-1] The "announcement" at the top of the page is the in-universe explanation for disparities. Real World context: This story is no longer canon. It was written in 2009 by anthology authors, well ahead of the Beyond novel by Mercedes Lackey published in 2021, which overrides it.

[announce-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 This information has been superseded by The Founding of Valdemar series

[beyond-3] 3.0 ^3.1 In-universe explanation from User:MerlynPrime: "Thus far no official documents have been found that give the name of the Emperor or the Capital of the Eastern Empire at this time. The only known recording found is from the journal of Navar. As the official accounts found in Beyond do not name the Capital or Emperor, this entry remains."

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