NOTE FROM THE TALARIN ARCHIVIST:

Copies of the documents completed by Megwin of Brak, Green Mantle, are now available to Mantles of all levels including Novices. They may be accessed through the Talarin branch of Amazon as electronic documents or in printed form for those who which a more traditional book. 

The original vellum volumes were uncovered during excavations at the foot of The White Tower during extension work on the new Student Accommodation block and The Silius Kahnis Lecture Theatre. After restoration, these will be on display in the Talarin Museum.

Researchers seeking the codex, uncovered during the same excavations, will need to register their interest. This will be made available after the coronation of The Queen.

Return to the 5 Kingdoms

I have been so long away, I've almost forgotten the lay of the land, but not quite!
In the gathering cold of autumn, Megwin and her animals asked me to tell them stories of the past. They wanted to hear about the Old Ones and how the men of Camlan were defeated by the wary kings of Magra. They'd heard the tales before but never tire of them, yet I do, for they are of wars and death and greed for power.
So, instead, I decided to tell them about the first queen of Magra, one of Megwin's own ancestors. She knew the mantles too, and the Old Ones, oh, and yes, there was a war and of course, friend fox, there was one of your kind too.
Sit quietly, put on more wood and listen...

The first chapters are being drafted...

January - Coldest Winter on Record

In the first year of the reign of King Argon, the Five Kingdoms experienced many weeks of bitter, winter weather. The coastline was lashed with gales and fishermen lost their boats when a giant wave roared into the harbour at Sarnemouth. The river Listi froze in many places and shepherds started sheltering their flocks in the caves at Gaheil.
In Brak, even the young Green Mantle was confined to sitting beside the fire, considering the fate of small creatures in such vicious weather and she angered her household by welcoming all those beasts that could reach her threshold. There were wolves in the great hall, tiny finches in the vaulted galleries, deer and hedgehogs in the library and badgers in the guest bedrooms. Every available stable was filled with otters and ferrets, grouse and rabbits occupied the pantries and no space was too small for the streams of insects that trudged through the snow to reach the Meed of Brak. Food was gathered when it was possible, often through the dark arts of the Mantle. But for many, hibernation was still preferred and sleeping under the protection of Green Mantle ensured that no predator would risk her anger by eating another guest.
It was alarming then, that on the first day of the third week of their stay, the word spread that a small hedgehog had gone missing and could not be found.

The Fox

copyright - G Merritt

The fox was the first creature to speak with Megwin and their lives became forever bound together. 

In the 5 Kingdoms, foxes are regarded with suspicion by other creatures as their minds are thought to be as wily and as untrustworthy as humans. They are less respected than the feared wolves because they prefer to live solitary lives and appear to have little need to socialise with others of their kind except when mating.

As Megwin is closely bound to the natural world, her contact with all manner of beasts is inevitable, from tiny snails and ants to a great whale in the still to be published Blue Mantle. 

Foxes appear in all the Chronicles as I am very fond of them even though they can be destructive killers and, of course, feral animals in Australia. In fact, they do seem to pop up in just about anything I write. Try as I might, when I see that little russet brush trotting across the paddock on some important business of his own, I can't feel anything but glad to know our local 'Renard' is alive and well. 

The Five Kingdoms

Megwin, daughter of Remwith, came from the Meed of Brak in the kingdom of Magra. She grew up in the wild country of the Northern Meeds and only travelled south to the capital, Vellin, when she was taken there by Silver Mantle. It was there that she met Argon, heir to the throne and Llewid, the young king of Dereculd. Later she rode seaward beside the River Listi, to the ancient town of Wyke. She was staying with Sandor's family in fishermen's cottages beside the Green Sail Inn when the evil illness began and forced her southward to the marshes.