Drum Warning

Drum Warning (1996) is the first Fantasy novel in the Drums of Chaos series. It is set on two worlds -- Glandair and Iomard -- that exist in different universes, but are connected through the Pneuma. Every 700 years or so they partially overlay each other and the magic flowing between the two worlds causes disasters that disrupt civilizations. Pneuma is another term for magic. It normally flows between the two worlds, but much greater flows will occur during the Settling. Only a Hero on Glandair can absorb the excess Pneuma and reduce the damage. During the Settling, people can transit the gap without warning and be lost on the other side. In other years, some talented people can see across the gap and even cross it. The Watchers on Glandair have been studying the Settlings for millennia and the Scribes on Iomard have also kept records on such events. Both are noticing signs that the next Settling is near. In this novel, Cymel is the daughter of a Watcher. Her mother died in her early years and her father doesn't want to talk about it. Mela has a personality and talents much like her mother, a Scribe of Iomard. Ellar Yliarson is Cymel's father. As a Watcher, he has vowed to never interfere except in self-defense. He had seen his wife cross over to Iomard and watched her die. Corysiam is the sister of Cymel's mother and a Scribe of Iomard. Cory is also a Bridge, able to carry others across the gap. Breith of House Urfa is a young man of Iomard. He knows more magic than most, but only women are supposed to practice magic on Iomard. He is very frustrated because the girls get training and he has to learn magic on his own. Lyanz Kurrin is a young man of Nikawaid on Glandair. Laz's father is a merchant, but his mother is dead. His older brother walked away from the household and joined a monastery. Mahara is a Mage of the Kale on Glandair. He had obtained his tower and paraphernalia from his former teacher. After Mahara killed him, his skin was made into a spirit drum. Hudoleth is a Mage of Chusinkayan on Glandair. She is a scholar at the University. The Emperor is infatuated with her, but she keeps diverting his attention to other women. Oerfel is a Mage of Nyddys on Glandair. He hides himself behind shields and acts as a clerk. Neither Mahara nor Hudoleth know of his existence. Dur is a Siofray Mage of the Domains on Iomard. He has fled from his Domain to protect his manhood and his life. But the Seers have not quite forgotten him. He does not know about Glandair or the Settling. In this story, Cymel is tending to her chores on Peak Farm. She feeds the predatory tullin and then the smaller colos. She joins her father as he milks a cows. After the milking is done, Cymel drives the cows into the cloverfield. Later Cymel goes up the mountain, wondering at the strange curdling of the sky. Little gods play tricks on Cymel, such as untying her shoe laces. When she reaches her favorite resting place, she crawls ou