He could send aid, and he could fix the land.
He couldn’t win the war.
He pressed the pocket watch into her tiny hand and curled her frozen fingers around it. Seconds passed, and he waited. There was a buzzing sound followed by an involuntary gasp. The essence of the Amethyst Flame coiled around the arm of the fragile girl, catching speed, folding itself into the chamber of the pocket watch. He hung his head when the last of her essence embedded itself into the watch, the lid snapping shut.
She never wanted to be a prisoner, but she didn’t have a choice anymore. Being his prisoner was better than being theirs. He stood and glanced at the sky, his gold lightning eyes crackling with a faint fire burning with sadness. He slipped the pocket watch into his breast pouch and twirled his cane once, disappearing from the sparkling, snow-covered land.
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The Guide
Timelines
First Era (Circa, 250 million years ago—65 million years ago)
The Lands Across the Stars were in their birth and growth stages, the Valtanyana was forming and gaining more and more power. The Flames were created by Toraque (Tor) of Avrigost, the final member of the Valtanyana. Aria, The Amethyst Flame and the other eight Flames fought against the Valtanyana and won, locking them away in Avrigost.
Second Era (Circa, 65 million years ago – 5000BCE)
Toraque (Tor) of Avrigost takes over as the High King of the Lands of Peace, ruling a Golden Age. Factions of Daed warriors rise up to oppose High King Tor, but without the rest of the Valtanyana backing them, they are nearly powerless. High King Tor gives Aria, The Amethyst Flame and the other eight Flames new lives. Aria is reborn as Kaliel of Evennses.
People
Kemplan (kemm-plan)
The Great Librarian
High King Tor (toar)
High King of the Lands of Peace, born in Avrigost as the twelfth member of the Valtanyana.
Kaliel of Evennses (kal-ee-elle)
Aria, The Amethyst Flame from the First Era. She’s been reborn as a Child of Avristar, a second chance after all of the destruction in the First Era
Krishani of Amersil (krish-aw-nee of am-er-sill)
Kallow, The Ferryman from the First Era. He’s been reborn and sent to Avristar by his ancestors the Tavesin Family from Terra (Earth), the Lands of Men
Pux of Evennses (puhx of evan-sess)
A feorn (half man, half wolf) considered invalid, but in fact is a hidden genius
Lord Istar, Sovereign of Avristar (is-star)
Appointed in the First Era, is married to both Avristar herself and Lady Atara. Krishani’s second elder.
Lady Atara, Sovereign of Avristar (at-are-ah)
Appointed in the First Era, married to both Avristar herself and Lord Istar. Kaliel’s second mentor.
Luenelle of Evennses (loo-en-elle)
House Master at the House of Kin, Evennses.
Desaunius of Evennses (dess-aw-nee-us)
High King Tor’s former betrothed, originally from Tempia, fled to Avristar due to the wars with the Valtanyana. Kaliel’s first mentor.
Shimma, Daughter of Lord Istar of Avristar (shim-ma)
Witch, half human, half elven. Istar’s youngest daughter, grew up in Avristar, escaped to Nimphalls, Lands of Men, returned due to the unrest in those lands.
Kuruny, Daughter of Lord Istar of Avristar (koo-roo-nee)
Witch, half human, half elven. Istar’s daughter, grew up in Avristar, escaped to Nimphalls, Lands of Men, returned due to the hex placed upon her by the humans.
Kazza, Daughter of Lord Istar of Avristar (kaz-zah)
Witch, half human, half elven. Istar’s eldest daughter, grew up in Avristar, escaped to Nimphalls, Lands of Men, returned due to the growing unrest in those lands.
Mallorn the Kiirar (kee-rawr)
Fled to Avristar from Talanisdir, Lands of Immortals due to the wars with the Valtanyana. Kaliel’s last mentor.
Benir of Amersil (ben-eer of am-er-sill)
Member of the Brotherhood of Amersil, loyal to High King Tor. Krishani’s friend
Grimand (grim-ahnd)
Elder in Evennses, Pux’s mentor
Elwen Tavesin (el-wen, tav-eh-sin)
King of part of Terra, Watcher to the Ferryman / Valkyries. He trains them.
Talina Tavesin (tal-ee-nah)
Wife of Elwen Tavesin. Elven heritage, from Nazole, considered noble rank.
Bethula (beth-oo-lah)
Human, works in the barns with the animals.
Hyatt (hi-at)
Bethula’s husband, works in the barns with the animals.
Jack
Bethula and Hyatt’s son, Pux’s love interest.
Aulises (ow-lih-sees)
Thief’s daughter from Amaltheia, possessed by Kaliel, The Amethyst Flame.
Folki (foe-kee)
Skinny villager from Terra
Snorri (snore-ee)
Large villager from Terra
Ferrymen / Valkyries
Children from twelve chosen families appointed to keep the Vultures/Wraiths at bay and send souls to the Great Hall. All chosen boys are Ferryman, all chosen girls are Valkyries.
Krishani Mekallow Mekelle Tavesin
The Ferryman in the First Era, reborn on Terra but grew up on Avristar. Ferryman of Terra, successor to Davlin Tavesin
The Valtanyana (The Powers That Be)
A brethren of eleven powerful kings and queens whose only goal is to gain absolute power over the Lands Across the Stars
Crestaos (cress-tae-oss)
Former ruler of Draconis, Lands of Immortals and Lord of the Valtanyana
Morgana (more-gan-ah)
Former ruler of Terra, Lands of Men, and Lady of the Valtanyana
Cassareece (cass-ah-ree-ss)
Former ruler of Nazole, Lands of Immortals and Lady of the Valtanyana
The Daed
A group of anarchists from the Lands of Men, Lands of Immortals and Lands of Beasts and the loyal followers of the Valtanyana
The Horsemen
A brethren of four horsemen raised by Morgana to wreak havoc on Terra. Also known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Vultures / Wraiths
The embodiment of darkness itself, created by the corruption of humans, the Vultures devour souls.
The Flames
A collection of nine weapons created to defeat the Valtanyana. Also known as the hand-crafted jewels of the universe, each of them is one of a kind
Kaliel, Amethyst Flame of the Apocalypse (kal-ee-elle)
In the First Era she was a girl, reborn on Avristar, versed in psychic, healing and transmutation.
Klavotesi, Obsidian Flame of Justice (claw-voe-tess-ee)
In the First Era he was a scythe, reborn on Amaltheia, can see deepest darkest secret, acts as judge, jury and executioner
Clamose, Azurite Flame of Knowledge (clam-oh-se)
In the First Era he was a crown, reborn on Nimphalls, Lands of Men, absorbs knowledge through touch, empathic
Places
Isle of Avristar (see map)
Orlondir (Oar-lawn-deer)
Royal City, located in the center of the Isle of Avristar.
Elmare Castle (elle-marr-ee)
Located in Orlondir, it’s where Fire Festivals happen, and where the Lord and Lady live.
Mount Tirion (teer-ee-on)
Located to the East of Elmare Castle, it is where the Gatekeeper lives and where Avristar herself can be summoned.
The Waterfall
Located at the border of Orlondir and Araraema, it’s an unnamed river that leads to the lake surrounding Avristar.
The Lake
Less of a lake and more of a sea, it’s endless until someone activates the mists that allow the kinfolk to travel to other lands (like the Lands of Men)
Nandaro
Located in the North, it is host to villages of Centaurs, Kiirar, Shee, Feorns, and others who are considered permanent residents of Avristar. Th
ey often stay to their own affairs.
Gargoyle’s Keep
Located in Nandaro, these are the Northeast shores, where the boats go to and from Avristar. They are often manned by a gargoyle, and most travel at night when gargoyles aren’t stone.
Mallorn’s Cabin
Located in Nandaro, very close to the Northeast Shores.
Terra, Lands of Men (see map)
Tavesin Castle
Home of Elwen Tavesin, Talina Tavesin, and a few hundred humans
Cabin by the Lake
A single cabin tucked away before the mountain ranges
Village by the Cove
A village of nomad primitive humans
Gotts River
A main river channel
Lands Across the Stars (see map)
The Great Hall
Center of the Universe, often thought of as a hollowed out planet. The Great Library takes up a large part of The Great Hall. Home to High King Tor of the Lands of Peace.
Lands of Peace
All Lands Across the Stars who have pledged allegiance to High King Tor and who benefit from his generosity and protection.
Lands Across the Stars
The Universe (usually meaning planets that are scattered across the sky.)
Lands of Men /Avristar
Home to Humans, Earth is over there somewhere too.
Terra (tara)
Earth, circa 7000BCE
Amaltheia (am-al-thee-ah)
The Obsidian Flame lives here.
Nimphalls (nimb-falls)
Shimma, Kuruny and Kazza lived here.
Lands of Immortals /Avrigard
Home to Elvens, Fae, Draconians and other creatures who live for a long time.
Lands of Beasts /Avristyr
Home to demons and nasty creatures.
Land of the Dead /Avrigost
That place nobody ever talks about. It used to be known as Land of Kings.
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About the Author
Rhiannon is a booksmith from the North, telling her fantastical tales to unsuspecting folk on mountains, in valleys and mostly in cities around the world. She holds a PhD in Metaphysical Science and Parapsychology, which is to say she happens to know a lot about what goes bump in the night. When she's not writing she's singing karaoke, burning dinner, and hiding her superhero identity. She'd like to own a unicorn one day, as long as it doesn't eat her. You'll find her sipping iced cappuccino despite her allergy to coffee at yafantasyauthor.com
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