Empire Chronicle. 1, Black Mirror

Author: (Australia) Juliet Marillier
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Autumn, late night, Druids, galloping horses, the Kingdom of Fuchu—everything, just to welcome the four-year-old Bide, who left his father's kingdom, remembering his father's teachings "Obey, learn," and living with the Druid Brogan, the Duke of the Dast Bull King. As Bide's foster father and also a member of that secret organization, Brogan arranged for Bide to receive high-level training and the best teachers. Geography, history, natural knowledge, royal knowledge, combat skills, self-discipline, divination, magic—Bide's training would last for fifteen years, enduring tests from all sides: the human world, deities, the dangerous sprite "Good Child." The Valley of Descent. That deep pool was like a mirror, recording the past and revealing the future. Bide saw a battle from a hundred years ago, where the Fuchu warriors fought against the foreign Gaels. After the Midwinter Ritual, when everyone had already fallen asleep, Bide was summoned by an unseen force to the snow-covered ground in front of the forest. There, he discovered the gift bestowed upon him by the Light God—a beautiful infant. He named her Tula. Bide strongly felt that he would one day ascend to the throne of Fuchu, and Tula would be his queen. Tula was extraordinary, and it was clear at a glance that she came from the sprite "Good Child." To have the family accept Tula, Bide cast a spell. However, the Druid would not be deceived by such a small magic; he refused to accept Tula and wanted to send her away. After Bide's earnest pleading and reasoned arguments, Brogan agreed to keep Tula temporarily, on the condition that Bide must take his training even more seriously, for his fate was tied to the entire Kingdom of Fuchu. Yet Brogan secretly despised the beautiful infant, viewing her as an ill omen and an obstacle to his plans. One day, he would send her away.
At the age of eighteen, Bide needed to prove himself as a man and a worthy warrior. Therefore, Brogan decided to let him participate in the battle to reclaim lost lands in the following spring. Bide bid Tula farewell reluctantly, and this separation lasted for six months. Tula was almost thirteen years old, and the obvious changes in her body caused great fear and unease among the men, who feared being harmed by the sprite girl. The spring battle was a great victory, and Bide's wise decision to move the mysterious stone also greatly impressed the entire kingdom. From then on, Bide's face was proudly marked with the warrior's insignia of courage.
After nine twists and turns, Bide risked his life and the possibility of his future being ruined to secretly meet Tula. On the second full moon of their planned meeting, Bide was stabbed, his life hanging by a thread. Tula believed that Bide had deliberately decided to abandon her after breaking their appointment, so she fled school and made a difficult journey home. She climbed to the highest peak, ready to leap to her death, returning to the world she originally belonged to. Upon waking, Bide set out in time to bring her home and, against all pressure, announced to everyone that they would marry. With the support of all the leaders of Fuchu, Bide defeated the separatists and successfully won the throne.
Bide and Tula endured all the tests and found their happiness. However, the Kingdom of Fuchu still faced a split, and years later, the foreign Gaels would soon invade Fuchu. Bide bore a heavy burden. Would Tula's sprite identity bring danger to the future of Fuchu? These two kings and queen chosen by the gods would face an unpredictable and vast future.