Mythborn III: Dark Ascension (Fate of the Sovereign Book 3)

by V. Lakshman

  Lord Azrael – Ancient Celestial and warlord of the Aeris. The dragons believe if freed, he will oppose Lilyth and her Aeris army. No one knows for sure, and that makes Azrael’s freedom a prime reason for something even more epic to happen. You know this is going to happen, but when it does, it’s still just ohhh so cool!

  Lord Baalor – General of Lilyth’s army and lord of storms. Ancient, powerful, and honorable, Baalor seeks justice for his fallen Aeris brethren and fights without fear. Able to channel the Way in its purest form. Demon of storms and lightning . . . not so good at small talk.

  Bara’cor – Ancient fortress and stronghold, built by the Dwarves. Held by King Bara, then abandoned shortly after the Demon War against Lilyth, for unknown reasons. It now is held by King Bernal Galadine and his forces. The fortress itself is bigger than the current occupants seem to need. That’s either good for expansion, or bad if the original tenants decide to return home.

  Ben’thor Tir – King of EvenSea, ruler of the eastern stronghold by that name and father to Yetteje Tir. Defender of the East and longtime friend to Bernal Galadine. Married to Bernal’s sister. Wonders now if he might have misjudged Bernal Galadine’s shrewdness, as he used to think the man wasn’t the sharpest blade in the pile, yet somehow he got stuck with Bernal’s sister as his wife.

  Bernal Galadine – King of Bara’cor, ruler of the western stronghold by that name, father to Niall Galadine and Defender of the West. Barely graduated from the War College in Shornhelm. Would have been expelled, but grandfather Galadine pulled some strings, and also blades. But what Bernal lacks in diplomacy, he more than makes up for with that trait every great war hero has: He just won’t quit. Wielder of the mighty runebow, Valor, and the ensorcelled blade, Anzani.

  Conclave, The – An ancient group dedicated to safeguarding life on Edyn. They are custodians of knowledge and guardians against anything that would endanger the Way. Their representative to Edyn is the Keeper named Thoth, a guy who’s tired of withholding information all the time, or having to speak in prophecies and riddles . . . so he does what no one usually does in these kinds of situations – he blabs it all in a straightforward vomit of truth and clear, simple instructions . . . and yet everyone still f*cks it all up.

  Cycle, Summer, Turn, Year – All refer to the passage of one year on Edyn. Depending on your age and/or level of debt, that’s either a very long time, or not.

  Dragor Dahl – Adept, Affinity – Moon. Originally from the southern continent of Koorva, master rank in unarmed combat and illusions. Teacher of Jesyn Shornhelm, whom he found as a baby, abandoned in the Shornhelm Wastes. Prime candidate for local tough gone good, not too happy with the guy-to-girl ratio on the Isle.

  Flameskin – A protective halo made of ethereal fire earned when one has gained the rank of Adept. The color of the fire signifies that person’s attunement to the Way. The weakest are purple and slowly progress until they shine pure and white. Great at defending one from harm, but also getting you the magehunters’ version, your own personal burning at the stake.

  Giridian Alacar – Adept, Affinity – Earth. Keeper of the Vault, master of artifacts and other magical items. Eighty years old, teacher to apprentice Tomas, scribe and chronicler of the adepts. Appears to others as a man in his late twenties. Known for his penchant for brewing teas and other mixtures he says are just “herbs”’ he grows in his garden. Not the guy you’d ever think would be bad ass, until he is.

  Houses – There are four great Houses in Edyn:

  House Galadine – Led by the Imperial King Bernal Galadine and Queen Yevaine Galadine (of House Aeonian). House Galadine holds the fortress of Bara’cor. The King and Queen have one son, Niall, who is about to embark on his “Walk of Kings.” The King’s sister, Clarysa, is married to the King of EvenSea, Ben’thor Tir.

  House Cadan – Held by King Rory Cadan and Lady Ilandra (of House Justeces). House Cadan holds the fortress of Shornhelm. They have one son, Durnal, who is still an infant. His sister, Morgan, is married to the King of Dawnlight. They are served by Algren Justeces, Ilandra’s brother and Legate for Shornhelm in the capital city of Haven.

  House Tir – Held by King Ben’thor Tir and Lady Clarysa Tir (of House Galadine). They hold the fortress of EvenSea. They have one daughter, Yetteje, current ward to House Galadine and staying at Bara’cor as part of her “Walk of Kings” ritual. Ben’thor has a brother, Ellis Tir, who serves as Legate of EvenSea in the capital city of Haven.

  House Aeonian – Held by King Temar Aeonian and Lady Morgan Aeonian (of House Cadan). They hold the fortress of Dawnlight. Their daughter, Yevaine, is married to the Imperial King Galadine. They are served by Merric Spaiten, who serves as Legate for Dawnlight in the capital city of Haven. No hints, but with a name like “Spaiten” . . . you know he’s not destined to be the good guy. (Okay, that might be a hint.)

  Minor Houses: House Kalindor, House Justeces, House Spaiten, House Rillaran, House Stemmer, House Naserith, House Petra, House Illrys, House Alacar, and more . . .

  Hemendra – U’Zar, leader of the nomads of the Altan Wastes, military strategist assaulting Bara’cor. Responsible for the destruction of Dawnlight, Shornhelm, and most recently, EvenSea, under the command of Scythe. (See, Scythe.) Hemendra has all the traits you love about barbarians, including being well-read, thoughtful, calm, and respectful of others’ personal space. Though he falls in Book 1, Lilyth raises him again and imbues him with the power of a god and a maniacally possessive blade. So he’s gonna be worse than before.

  Jesyn Shornhelm – Initiate, Affinity – Sun. Apprenticed to Dragor, training for her adept’s Test, last name taken from the region where she was found. Adept rank in bladed and unarmed combat. Ascended to full adept to meet the growing danger in Dawnlight. Has had her pick of boyfriends on the Isle but as usual, selects the one worst for her long-term prospects. When that doesn’t work out, we wonder what her finely tuned Adept senses will lead her to next, and feel sorry for whichever guy that turns out to be.

  Jebida Naserith – Firstmark, leader of Bara’cor’s military forces, longtime friend of Bernal Galadine. Distrustful of magic since the death of his wife and daughter at the hands of creatures that appeared through a rift. Hates magic, but also pretty much hates everything else, so it’s difficult to tell when he’s upset.

  Kaffe – A black drink made from a dark bean soaked in boiling water. Its effects are a clearing of the mind, sudden energy, and a decrease in appetite. It’s said that if someone could just come up with a way to harvest and sell this magic bean, they could make a lot of aurum.

  Koken – Similar to Kaffe, except this nut is dried and mixed with honey to hide the bittersweet taste. Normally chewed, the effects are quite a bit stronger than kaffe and therefore used by some for a quick source of energy. However, koken nuts quickly have deleterious effects on the consumer, such as insomnia and babbling. Thought to have no medicinal purpose and no real value, except to smugglers, pirates, and ne’er-do-wells.

  Kisan Talaris – Master, Affinity – Moon. Although in her nineties, she was the youngest to attain the rank, skilled in illusions, and in armed and unarmed combat. Willful, strong, impatient, the kind you love to watch kick ass but would never hang out with. Assigned to back up Silbane should the need arise, and possibly the worst choice for that particular assignment. Teacher to Piter, then to Tomas. She recognizes the growing powers of Yetteje Tir. She’s also the only master who doesn’t care about how powerful she is. If it’s enough to kill magehunters and people who don’t agree with her, well that’s just fine, maybe even better than fine.

  Lilyth – Demonlord (often called Demon Queen) and Celestial, Lady of the Aeris. Ancient, better than most in seeing the truth of things. Seeks entry into Edyn’s plane of existence, ostensibly for retribution for centuries of enslavement of the Aeris, but in reality her motivations are much more complex. Smart and practical, takes calculated risks, cares for her people in a more honest way than your average demon demagogue. She can make you ha
ppy to slit your own wrists, and sad you got her floor messy with your disgusting blood . . . but she’s actually not all that bad.

  Mikal Galadine – King during the Demon Wars, leader of the forces that forced Lilyth back at the battle of Sovereign’s Fall. Victorious, then did an about-face and decreed all magic was outlawed and mages were to be killed on sight. Really bad timing for any mages who happened to have front row seats at the reading of the decree. Brother to General Valarius Galadine (the archmage who ironically did everything opposite of his brother, including starting a war). Mikal is a seriously disturbed man who ultimately becomes more than he wished for in Lilyth’s realm.

  Mindread – The ability of a practitioner of the Way to assimilate and read the thoughts of another person. Extremely taxing in power, so the information retained is often incomplete or jumbled. However, it can lend situational context when paired with the caster’s own perceptions. Generally never used at parties or during a first date.

  Mindspeak – The ability for a practitioner of the Way to reach out and speak telepathically with another practitioner. Extremely taxing in its use of energy, but provides a near instantaneous connection through which thoughts and energy can be shared. Conversely, almost always used at parties to get someone to turn around and look for “voices.”

  Niall Galadine – Crown Prince of Bara’cor, seventeen years old. Trained in weapons combat, but you get the idea he skips a lot of classes. Hasn’t yet made the transition from combat in tales to combat in real life. About to initiate his rite of passage to manhood, known as the Walk of Kings. A bit entitled, a bit insufferable, tries to be noticed. With the right guidance, he could make an average king. With the wrong guidance, a memorable tyrant.

  Piter Winterthorn – Initiate apprenticed to Kisan, training for his adept’s Test, last name taken from the region near where he was found, master rank in bladed combat, adept rank in spellcraft. Because he’s seen from the eyes of bullies, Piter seems both churlish and annoying. Ostracized by Arek, Piter yearns to be accepted by just about anyone, and, boy, is he going to get his wish. Unfortunately, his personality does make him annoying, so nothing good is going to happen.

  Rai’stahn – Ancient dragon, defender of the world, now inhabits a small part of the Isle where the adepts train. Predator, powerful in the Way, able to regenerate, and able to assume many forms. Skilled in combat (immeasurable by common mortal rankings). Does not involve himself in the world’s affairs, until the emergence of Arek and the Gate at Bara’cor. Now, some of the actions he took during the Demon Wars are coming back to haunt him, as these kinds of things usually do. Not self-aware enough to realize he’s the root cause, but very good at blaming and then killing others for his mistakes.

  Rai’kesh – Ancient dragon and king of the dragonkind. Leader of the Conclave and instrumental in giving Valarius Galadine a vision of the true nature of the Way. Some argue this caused Valarius to go down the fateful path he chose, others think it was the next thing that pitched Valarius over the edge. Ordered Rai’stahn to kill Valarius at the battle of Sovereign’s Fall, but only after the archmage won. Most agree this caused Valarius to lose his marbles and harbor a tad of resentment against the Conclave of Edyn.

  Ranks – There are four tiers of rank, with many subdivisions. These four tiers are initiate, adept, master, and archmage.

  All apprentices, once they pass their Test of Potential and earn their Green rank, are initiates.

  Once an initiate passes his Test of Ascension, he or she wears the black uniform and gains the rank of adept.

  From there, they test again for the rank of master.

  At the beginning of the Mythborn series, there are two masters on the Isle: Silbane and Kisan.

  There are also three adepts: Giridian, Thera, and Dragor.

  Tomas, Jesyn, Piter, and Arek are initiates preparing to Test for the rank of adept.

  Lore Father Themun Dreys is the only Archmage on the Isle, and as such administers the tests of rank. He also plans all the parties.

  Ranks are also used to denote someone’s skill along these same four tiers, so a person with a master’s rank in bladed combat would generally be better than one with an adept’s or initiate’s rank. Unless they fought with their left hand, in which case they’d be about the same, or maybe worse, depending on if their left hand was their off hand.

  Scythe – Archmage, red-robed wizard who seeks Lilyth’s Gate, allied with Hemendra of the Nomads, archmage rank in all things magical, possessor of the Old Lore, and able to wield it as the Old Lords did. Just on this side of crazy, and because of that, more dangerous. Really, really, really focused on rescuing his wife from Arcadia, whom he lost due to a *slight* error in judgment. Hopes she remembers it differently. Spoiler: she doesn’t.

  Silbane Darius Petracles – Master, Affinity – Sun. Skilled in all forms of combat and combat magic. Over one hundred years old and teacher of Arek Winterthorn. Appears to others as a man in his late thirties. Pragmatic, self-confident, perhaps enjoys life a little too much. You’d send him into hell to save the world, but he’s not the right guy to watch your kid, ever.

  Sovereign, the – Ancient guardian and caretaker of Edyn’s first people. His plan is simple: kill everyone to make the world a better, safer place. That way someone like him won’t show up and kill everyone to make the world a better, safer place, errr . . . unfortunately, he’s as serious as a heart attack and if he succeeds, literally nothing will be the same.

  Techniques – Students of the Way may combine various Aspects with their Affinity. These are called Techniques and usually require a physical action as well. If one thinks of Affinities as the raw power of the Way and Aspects as the areas in which that power is focused, Techniques are the method by which an Aspect affects an Affinity.

  Tempest – Ancient sentient sword, given to Arek for his protection. Said to have the power to heal her wielder from grave injury. Particularly fond of Ash, and Arek. Not a really good example of balanced and rational thinking. Bad at love in a sort of crazy, possessive way. It turns out she’s pretty horrible at healing, too, except when it doesn’t help our band of heroes.

  Themun Dreys – Archmage, Affinity – Sky. Lore Father of the Second Council of adepts, initiates the quest to ascertain the disposition of Lilyth’s Gate, master illusionist. Easy to anger, slow to forgive, he’s not your typical balanced and rational leader. However, his force of will and tenacity have proven more than useful in keeping his people alive. Although over two hundred years old, appears to others as a man in his sixties. Absolutely didn’t want the job, but got stuck with it when his brother skipped out and left him holding the carved runestaff of office. Now he’s gone and a new force, Giridian Alacar, has taken over the office. We’ll see how long he lasts.

  Thera Dawnlight – Adept, Affinity – Sky. Master’s rank in herb lore and medicine, skilled in healing and defensive arts. Closest thing the Isle had to an activist, would definitely chain herself to a tree, a bear, or a dragon to save it, whether they wanted it or not. Orphaned and found near Dawnlight, appeared to others as a woman in her late forties.

  Thoth – Guardian of the Archives, member of the Conclave, a group made up of the Elder Races and dedicated to safeguarding life on Edyn. Tries to state things simply, often making things worse by panicking those around him who can’t handle the truth. Then wonders if maybe he ought to go back to speaking in riddles. Just waiting for someone–just once–to get it right.

  Tomas Dawnlight – Apprentice, Affinity – Earth. Apprenticed to Adept Giridian, then to Master Kisan. Preparing for his Test of Ascension. Strong, brave, dumb, but he’s dating Jesyn so maybe he’s smarter than he looks. Skillful in combining magic with strength, lifting with strength, eating with strength, reading with strength . . . uh, you get the idea. Sadly, not great at getting hurt and keepin’ on. Unfortunate weakness if you’re trying to be an ultimate martial fighter.

  Valarius Galadine – General and High Marshal of the King’s forces at Sovereig
n’s Fall, Archmage and Lore Father of the First Council of Adepts, known for causing the first cataclysm of the world. Powerful, strong-willed, championed the idea that demons were actually the source of magic and ruin, then promptly went off and summoned the most powerful one. He preemptively starts a war with the Aeris, gets stripped of his title and rank, and ultimately banished to Arcadia. None of this seems to slow him down or even make him pause. Self-reflection is not his strong suit.

  The Way – An eldritch force that exists within the very fabric of space, allowing those that can tap into it the ability to manipulate time, space, and matter. There are many manifestations, limited only by the practitioner’s imagination and discipline. The Old Lords of the First Council used it to create spells that could alter the nature of the world. The Second Council has honed it into a power that manifests itself in their bodies when they engage in martial combat. The Third Council will likely focus on knitting, cleaning, and other mundane tasks. They think this will keep them unqualified to play any part in saving the world from its next problem . . . and yet they’ll probably still be chosen.

  Yetteje Tir – Princess of EvenSea, cousin to Niall Galadine, on her pilgrimage to ascend to the royal throne of EvenSea, with her final stop on the Walk of Kings at Bara’cor. She is seventeen and stubborn, hates authority but loves she’s one of the “haves” and not the “ewww, have-nots.” She’s brave and good with a blade, but has no desire to be a hero. It’s too bad she’s in this story, because Yetteje is one of the few who consistently makes sense, you know . . . like a hero.