The Crow Rider
Page 28
The Cyro Wing
Saint: Ciaran Cyro
Crow: fire crow
Shell Color: bright red
Head of House: Lord Ressen Cyro
Industry: food production and distribution, from restaurants to shops. Fire crows maintained the central forge, used by Turren smiths and Brynth crafters alike.
The Caravel Wing
Saint: Adeliza Caravel
Crow: sun crow
Shell Color: pale gold
Head of House: Lady Rasara Caravel
Industry: healers, production of herbs, tonics, and poultices. Sun crows worked with healers, healing the sick and injured.
Kingdoms
Rhodaire
Capital: Aris
Ruled by:
Queen Caliza Cerralté
King Kuren Rebane
Crown Princess Anthia Cerralté
Queen Alandra Cerralté—deceased (killed on Ronoch)
King Caros Cerralté—deceased (killed during the Last Crow War)
Environment:
Located in the Southwest
Hot, humid weather with frequent storms and high rainfall
Dense foliage in tropical landscape
Religion:
Rhodairens pray to the Saints, eight legendary crow riders said to have established Aris with the help of the Sellas, but religion isn’t highly ingrained in society
Economy:
Once centered around the crows
Large exporter of raw materials, grains, fruit, and other foods
Known for their black gold, a steel-like material made from battle crow feathers
Leaders in architectural and agricultural studies
Culture:
Very open, straightforward, and trusting
Family-focused with an emphasis on sharing
Illucia
Capital: Sordell
Ruled by:
Queen Razel Rulcet
Crown Prince Ericen Rulcet
King Gavilan Rulcet—deceased (killed in the Last Crow War)
Queen Ranielle Rulcet—deceased (killed in the Last Crow War)
Princess Kashel Rulcet—deceased (killed in the Last Crow War)
Prince Consort Celin Inastra—deceased (killed in the Last Crow War)
Environment:
Located in the West
Cold, cloudy weather, with winter snowfall and frequent rain
Vast green grasslands and rolling hills with numerous lakes and small rivers
Religion:
Illucians pray to Rhett, a god they worship through bloodshed and war, which is heavily ingrained into society
Many willingly give their blood during prayer as a sacrifice to Rhett
Economy:
Supported by conquered nations (Jindae and the Ambriels) which provide food and raw materials and are highly taxed
Once exported weapons, armor, fine horses, wool products, and meat, but no longer trades with other kingdoms
Culture:
Conniving, manipulative, and power-hungry
Very militaristic and focused on honor, status, and strength
The Ambriel Islands
Capital: Seahalla
Ruled by:
Illucia
Previously ruled by the high council, which consisted of representatives elected from the noble houses
The leader of the council, Kovan Castair, remains a figurehead
Part of Seahalla is also under the influence of the Drexel crime family
Environment:
Located off the western Illucian and Rhodairen coasts
Mild weather with frequent fog and occasional high winds
Surrounded by dormant sea volcanoes
Religion:
Ambriellans pray to Duren, the god who rules the sea by day, attending temple whenever they choose, often to pray for safe travels on the sea for themselves or family
They also believe in Duren’s sister, the goddess known as Diah, the Night Captain, who rules the sea at night
More superstitious than religious when it comes to daily practice, for example carrying rope tied in different knots for luck, or happiness, or safety
Economy:
Exports large amounts of seafood, ships, products made from the coral surrounding the islands, whiskey, oil, and sona lamps
Culture:
Very giving, with a focus on community and sharing food and belongings
Easygoing and peaceful
Korovi
Capital: Vashka
Ruled by:
An elected government of only noblewomen, led by Vokana Mirkova
Environment:
Located in the North
Covered in snow almost year-round, save for the thaw during the summer months
Lots of mountains and thick pine forests
Religion:
The Korovi pray to the goddess Lokane, who is served by her priestesses, which are made up of the noblewomen, believed to be daughters of the goddess
The right to lead the Korovi government is considered goddess-granted
Economy:
Korovi trades very little with other kingdoms
Occasionally exports animal products, work animals, and is rumored to have recently discovered oil in their mountains
Culture:
Extremely isolationist
Straightforward, unforgiving, and orderly
Jindae
Capital: Shalron
Ruled by:
Illucia
King Kycyra Kura—deceased (killed when Illucia invaded)
Queen Seyfyer Kura—deceased (killed when Illucia invaded)
Crown Princess Elkona Kura—rumored to have survived assassination
Heavily influenced by the leaders of each Guild prior to Illucian invasion
Environment:
Located east of the Ardrahan Sea
Vast golden grasslands and forested valleys
Four distinct seasons, tending toward dry and warm
Religion:
The Jin believe art and religion are one; they worship creation of new, beautiful, and creative things
Economy:
Divided into several guilds, such as artist, gem, hunter, agriculture
Large exporter of precious stones, jewelry, metal, wood, and glass, as well as seafood and grain
Culture:
Extremely resilient, hardworking, people who are very good at dedicating themselves to something and mastering it
Trendell
Capital: Eselin
Ruled by:
King Calren Rebane
Queen Luhara Rebane
Crown Prince Seren Rebane
Prince Kuren Rebane
Princess Kashna Rebane
Environment:
Located in the Southeast
Hot, dry, with golden hills and scattered woods
Religion:
While the Trendellans have a vast array of myths, including many lost legends regarding the Sellas, religion plays little role in their day-to-day lives, with their focus on science and knowledge
Economy:
Large exporter of wine, chocolate, and new technology, as well as rare spices, ingredients, and historical information
Culture:
Very intelligent, wise, and learned
Peaceful, curious, kind
Acknowledgments
I can’t believe I’m here again.
Getting to write and publish a book has been an incredible experience, made better by all the support from my family and friends, but there’s something particularly special about finishing a sequel. Thia’s story is very close to my hea
rt, and I’m so thankful for everyone who helped bring it into existence.
As always, to my Guillotine Queens. Brittney Singleton, your mind for marketing and design is amazing, and your early help on this was equally so. Jennifer Gruenke, thank you for all the man buns and for not making me carry a balloon around YALLFest alone. To Sam Farkas, for teaching me to ride the subway (trains are hard!), and Kat Enright, for always having everything a person could need at a festival. Thank you to Alyssa Colman, Jessica James, and Tracy Badua, for helping fix my wild plot early on. To Ashley Northrup and Bibi Cooper, whose jokes and humor give me life, and to Amy Stewart (we miss you!). Our Friday chats and screams into the void kept me steady. I couldn’t have come this far without you all and your stories inspire me every day.
To my incredible agent, Carrie Pestritto. I’m so lucky to have you in my corner, and I’m so excited for a future of working with you. Thank you for all the time and energy you’ve dedicated to this journey.
To my editor, Annie Berger, who once again helped me find the heart of my story while juggling a bazillion emails from me. Thank you for helping to bring this story to life.
Publishing a book really is a group effort, and I’ve been so lucky to have such amazing support from my family and friends, most incredibly my roommates and best friends. Maliena, whose excitement and support for this story has meant the world to me. I’ll catch a spider for you any day. To Alex, who read my early drafts overnight and listened to me complain about writing for way too long (I think you know more about publishing than me now). Brock, for being an encyclopedia of random facts and scientific knowledge, and for plotting out that final battle scene with me. I appreciate all the LOTR examples. And to Lauren, for constantly lending her phone’s much nicer camera for all my ridiculous book pictures and for supplying the occasional much-needed glass of wine.
Thank you to Rosiee Thor for fielding all my publishing panic and always knowing more than me about it. To Alexandra Overy and Amber Duell, whose own stories I’ve been so lucky to read and whose friendship means everything.
Once again, thank you to Tran Nguyen and Nicole Hower for my amazing cover. I will never be able to stop staring at it. To the Sourcebooks Fire team: Sarah Kasman, Cassie Gutman, Travis Hasenour, Sabrina Baskey, and everyone else involved, thank you!
Lastly, thank you to all of my readers, and to the bloggers, bookstagrammers, librarians, and booksellers who helped promote and support these little birb books.
And, as always, to my mom and dad: I love you.
About the Author
Kalyn Josephson is a fantasy writer living in the California Bay Area. She loves books, cats, books with cats, and making up other worlds to live in for a while. Visit her at kalynjosephson.com.
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