Authors: Rhiannon Paille
Krishani gaped at the light he had seen in her eyes a million times before. Amethyst-colored light surrounded Aulises in a protective shield. Krishani thought of Pux and tried not to grimace. Kaliel had healed him.
The Vultures gave them a wide berth. Krishani pressed his fists to the ground, taking short shallow breaths. He cringed at the muscle spasms stinging his insides with silent lacerations. The Vultures recoiled from the body. Waves washed over the body in successions. Krishani glanced around him. The Vultures waited, hesitant tendrils slithering in and out of reach.
The violet light dimmed and blacked out.
Wispy smoke rose out of Aulises’s mouth.
Krishani dropped her hand and clutched his chest as everything plunged into icy darkness. Vultures covered Krishani in an inky abyss, obscuring his vision as wisps of white smoke spilled out of the girl and disappeared inside their void. They inhaled every last drop and retreated into the sky, leaving the dead body behind.
“Kaliel!” Krishani cried as he stumbled to his feet, tripping over Aulises. He stretched his hands to the sky, willing the Vultures to return, but they disappeared against the backdrop of clouds. He fell on his knees and heaved in anguish. He clenched and released his fist and the sky burst, torrential rainfall splattering the land.
Elwen was right. He couldn’t follow the Vultures. Wherever they had taken Kaliel he couldn’t go. Self-hatred laced into him, making all the pain he felt before seem like nothing. He had her in his hands, he had her and he lost her in the blink of an eye.
Arms circled his chest and he recognized the curve of her body as she pressed against his back. Anger drowned him in the cruel stab of reality. Aulises lived.
“I told you not to touch me again,” his tone baleful. He recanted the urge to turn and crush her throat with his bare hands. The desire to destroy everything in sight gained against the melancholy. He clenched his fist and the rain came down in heavier sheets, making the battlefield invisible.
The voice that replied wasn’t what he expected. “What happened to me?”
Heat flushed through him. His insides shook as the frostbite thawed and burned him from the inside out.
“Aulises?” He wouldn’t have been surprised if his heart gave out.
The arms fell away from him. “She … died.”
Krishani convulsed. “Kaliel?” He whipped around, speechless the moment he saw her fiery orbs of liquid amethyst instead of Aulises’s traitorous green eyes. She nodded, sending black curls forward over her shoulders. She slid her hands into his. Her touch burned, making him think about the curse covering his body in black patches.
She was a girl, and she was with him.
“I’m here,” she said.
Krishani didn’t say anything. He pulled his hands out of hers and cupped her face. His mouth came down on hers, lips crushing together as he wound his hands into her curls of black hair. This was the only thing he ever wanted. From the first time he caught her at the waterfall, swimming with the merfolk to the last time he saw her fleeing towards the Village of the Shee. His rough and bruised hands found the small of her back as he clutched her. She let out a whimper and parted her lips. He pressed his mouth harder onto hers. He was dizzy with pleasure, the mere feel of her healing him.
Krishani pulled away, gasping for air. He traced a finger down her rain-splattered cheeks. She shivered, her eyes imploring him to kiss her again. She reached for him, her hands finding the nape of his neck. He groaned at the touch and seized her lips once more. She buzzed with the magic he had missed for moons, wild desire making it hard to see straight.
“I thought of you every day,” he whispered.
She clutched him tighter, her head resting on his shoulder. “And I you.”
“Is this real?”
“I don’t know. There was something else in the box.” She broke off, her eyes worried. Krishani frowned. He left the box in the grass somewhere. He pressed his hands into her shoulders and gave her a meaningful look. He didn’t have to tell her to stay put as he swiftly crossed the field and grabbed the box. As he turned she was right behind him, her new body almost as small as her old one. He smirked; she never listened. It was like she couldn’t help it. Krishani went to lift the lid, but she reached forward and slid open a hidden compartment. A small scroll slid from inside it. She took it in her hands. The rain dwindled to a drizzle, covering them in a sheet of mist that reminded Krishani of the waterfall. He looked at her as she scanned the parchment. A gift from the Great Hall. He stifled the urge to kiss her again and wrapped a protective arm around her waist.
“What is it?” he asked as she unfurled the scroll.
She gasped as it fell into the grass, wet spots spreading over the symbols. Krishani glanced at it and recognized it, too. It was almost an exact replica of what Kaliel had drawn in her journal. He remembered what she had said the night they made love. They were together before, but everyone burned. The images on the parchment were no longer idle sketches in her journal. They were real,
it
was real. Whatever she had seen, it was true.
Krishani stared at the parchment. On the left, the Ferryman sat on a throne, across from him, staring into his eyes with a look that meant only one thing, was the Flame.
“It’s a prophecy,” Kaliel whispered.
Krishani gathered her into his arms and pressed her head into his shoulder. She shook, sobbing, and he knew she was thinking about the Great Oak and the parable that brought her to the top of a volcano. Danger surrounded them, the Horsemen, the Daed, the Vultures, and Morgana. He had almost forgotten about the little girl with the bloody hands, but she was out there somewhere.
And he knew what she was going to do.
Krishani clutched Kaliel tighter and rested his head on hers. He would protect her this time. Keep her away from all the evil things threatening to tear them apart.
“I won’t lose you again,” he whispered.
She didn’t respond, and he held her like he was clinging to her life just as much as he was clinging to his own.
* * *
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-tar)
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.
Hernadette of Avristar (hern-ah-dett)
Lives in the Royal City of Orlondir, feorn, servant, one of the oldest Children of Avristar.
Mallorn the Kiirar (kee-rawr)
Fled to Avristar from Talanisdir, Lands of Immortals due to the wars with the Valtanyana. Kaliel’s last mentor.
Melianna of Handele (mel-ee-anna)
Daughter of General Handele, leader of the Armies of Avristar. Lady Atara’s servant.
Elwen Tavesin (el-when, 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-la)
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.
Rand
Shaman of the people living in the village near the cove.
King Telper
King of part of Amaltheia, Watcher to the Ferryman / Valkyries.
Havelir (have-elle-ear)
Child of Avristar, Ambassador to the Lands of Men, King Telper’s advisor.
Aulises (ow-lih-sees)
Thief’s daughter from Amaltheia.
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
Jenima Markesh
Valkyrie of Nimphalls
Noelle Yessenia
Valkyrie of Matakasha
Ambrose Telper
Ferryman of Amaltheia
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
Former ruler of Terra, Lands of Men, 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
Tiki, Carnelian Flame of Healing (tee-kee)
In the First Era she was a lantern, reborn on Terra, Lands of Men, she can absorb darkness, and is versed in healing.
Laurelin, Citrine Flame of Hope (law-rell-inn)
In the First Era she was a shield, reborn on Sallas, she can alter perceptions and memories, and shield others from harm
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
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.
Arathia (air-ah-thee-ah)
The Armies of Avristar have been here for years, fighting against factions of Daed Warriors.
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.
Creatures on Terra
Centaurs
Part human, part horse
Gargoyles
Bat-like wings, smushed faces, turn to stone in daylight
Drow
Black skinned Elvens, also known as “creatures” simply because my characters didn’t know what the technical term for them was.
Mithronians
Similar to a velociraptor, with a dragon’s head and thicker scales.
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