Vulture

by Rhiannon Paille

  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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