Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles Book 1) (68 page)

To celebrate the blessing of having everyone alive and well, and in honor of the camp’s newest members, Lenae cooked a special lunch. At noon, the entire camp, including Anne, gathered for the meal. Their conversations were light and filled with laughter. For Kyrin, the experience was far more meaningful and enjoyable than any banquet she’d taken part in at Tarvin Hall. Claiming a seat between Jace and Kaden, an overwhelming flood of joy pushed tears to her eyes, but she could not stop smiling.

They shared their small feast and the stories that had brought them to this moment. Near the end, Trask rose from his place beside Anne and walked into the center of the gathering. Conversation quieted as they all looked at him.

“I’d like to say a few things,” he announced. He turned in a circle to look at everyone. “First, I’d like to formally welcome the newest members of our camp, Kaden and Trev.” He motioned to them and everyone smiled their way.

“I also want to thank all of you.” His voice took on a more serious tone. “You saved my life, and I wanted to say, well done. This group is exactly what I hoped and prayed for when Elôm compelled me to do this. You worked well together, and I’m proud of each of you and what you’ve accomplished.”

He paused, letting his words truly touch their hearts, before going on somberly, “All of us have now seen just what the emperor and his supporters are capable of. Many of us experienced it firsthand.”

Kyrin exchanged a glance with her brother, considering what the two of them had suffered at the hands of Daican and Richard, and the miracle of sitting here in this group still in one piece.

“Evil is spreading through our country like a sickness, and the more it grows, the more people it will affect and endanger. We might not be able to put a stop to it, but we can stand up to it. The path we’re on to offer aid is a dangerous one. Chances are we won’t all survive to see the end, if there even is an end. We might be fighting toward a goal that can’t be reached, at least not in our lifetimes.”

Kyrin looked around at all the faces focused on their leader’s every word. Despite the uncertainty, despite the danger, only determination burned in their eyes, and she felt it deep within her own soul.

“But, my friends, we must resist this evil. We must never be idle while it destroys lives and hope around us. If we don’t stand, who will? Everywhere, people will be choosing whether to stand up or bow to the emperor’s wishes. Most will bow, but if we stand, we can give hope to those who may feel they’re standing alone.

“We will stand for what is right, and good, and true. We will protect and aid each other and all those Elôm brings into our path. We will remain faithful to Him, even when it may cost us our lives, and we will stand firm against the evil that will soon surround us. We will not back down. Each of us, right here, right now—we are the resistance.”

Race Profiles

Ryriks

Homeland
: Wildmor

Physical Appearance
: Ryriks tend to be large-bodied, muscular, and very athletic. They average between six, to six and a half feet tall. They have thick black hair that is usually worn long. All have aqua-blue colored eyes that appear almost luminescent, especially during intense or emotional situations. Their ears are pointed, which makes them very distinct from the other races. They have strong, striking features, though they can pass as humans by letting their hair hide their ears and avoiding eye contact. Ryriks typically dress in rough, sturdy clothing—whatever they find by stealing.

Physical Characteristics
: Ryriks are a very hardy race and incredibly resistant to physical abuse and sickness; however, they have one great weakness. Their lungs are highly sensitive to harsh air conditions, pollutants, and respiratory illness. Under these conditions, their lungs bleed. Short exposure causes great discomfort, but is not life-threatening. More severe, prolonged exposure, however, could cause their lungs to fill with blood and suffocate them. It is said to be a curse from choosing to follow the path of evil. Ryriks’ eyes are very sensitive, able to pick out the slightest movement, and they can see well in the dark. Both their sense of hearing and smell are very keen—much higher than that of humans. In times of great distress or anger, ryriks can react with devastating bursts of speed and strength.

Race Characteristics
: Ryriks are the center of fireside tales all across Ilyon. They are seen as a savage people, very fierce and cunning. To other races, they seem to have almost animal-like instincts; therefore, it is commonly believed they don’t have souls. They are a hot-blooded people and quick to action, especially when roused. They have quick tempers and are easily driven to blind rage. They prefer decisive action over conversation. Most have a barbaric thirst for bloodshed and inflicting pain. They view fear and pain as weaknesses and like to see them in others. They are typically forest dwellers and feel most comfortable in cover they can use to their advantage.

Skills
: Ryriks are highly skilled in the woods and living off the land. They are excellent hunters and especially proficient in setting ambushes. They’re experts in taming and raising almost any type of animal. They make the fiercest of any warriors. A ryrik’s favorite weapons are a heavy broadsword and a large dagger. Ryriks aren’t masters of any type of craft or art. Most of their possessions come from stealing. What they can’t gain by thieving, they make for themselves, but not anything of quality. They think art, music, or any such thing to be frivolous. Most ryriks can’t read or write and have no desire to.

Social: Ryriks are not a very social race. Settlements are scattered and usually small. They have no major cities. Families often live on small farms in the forest and consist of no more than four to six people. Children are typically on their own by the time they are sixteen or seventeen—even younger for some males. Ryriks have a poor view of women. They see them as a necessity and more of a possession than a partner. Once claimed, a ryrik woman almost never leaves her home. She is required to care for the farm while the men are away. Most ryrik men group together in raiding parties, pillaging and destroying unprotected villages and preying on unsuspecting travelers. Ryriks have an intense hatred of other races, particularly humans.

Government
: Ryriks have no acting government. Raiding parties and settlements are dictated by the strongest or fiercest ryrik, so the position can be challenged by anyone and changes often.

Preferred Occupations
: The vast majority of ryriks are thieves. A few hold positions as blacksmiths and other necessary professions.

Faith
: Ryriks disdain religion of any kind. They were the first to rebel against King Elôm and led others to do so as well.

Talcrins

Homeland
: Arda

Physical Appearance
: Talcrins are a tall, powerful people. Talcrin men are seldom less than six feet tall. They have rich, dark skin and black hair of various lengths and styles. Their most unique feature besides their dark skin is their metallic-looking eyes. They have a very regal, graceful appearance. Men often dress in long, expertly crafted jerkins, while women wear simple but elegant flowing gowns of rich colors, particularly deep purple.

Race Characteristics
: Talcrins are considered the wisest of all Ilyon’s peoples. Some of their greatest pleasures are learning and teaching. Reading is one of their favorite pastimes. They have excellent memories and intellects. Talcrins are a calm people, adept at hiding and controlling strong emotion. They are peace-loving and prefer to solve problems with diplomacy, but if all else fails, they can fight fiercely. They have a deep sense of morality, justice, loyalty, and above all, honesty. They are an astute people and don’t miss much, particularly when it comes to others. Besides learning, they are also fond of art and music. Most talcrins are city dwellers, preferring large cities where libraries and universities can be found. Of all the races, they live the longest and reach ages of one hundred fifty, though many live even longer. Because of this, they age slower than the other races. Talcrin names are known to be very long, though they use shortened versions outside of Arda.

Skills
: Talcrins excel in everything pertaining to books, languages, legal matters, and history, and are excellent at passing on their wisdom. They are often sought as advisors for their ability to easily think through situations and assess different outcomes. They are master storytellers and delight in entertaining people in this way. Though they strive for peace, most talcrin men train as warriors when they are young. They make incredible fighters who are highly skilled with long swords, high-power longbows, and spears. When not reading, many talcrin women enjoy painting and weaving. Their tapestries are among the most sought after. Both men and women enjoy music and dancing. They are expert harpists. Beautiful two-person dances are very popular in talcrin culture and are considered an art form. Metal-working is another skill in which talcrins are considered experts. Their gold and silver jewelry and armor are some of the finest in Ilyon.

Social
: Talcrins are a family-oriented people and fiercely loyal to both family and friends alike. Families are average in size, with between three to seven children. Men are very protective of their families and believe their well-being is of utmost importance. Their island country of Arda is almost exclusively populated with talcrins. Scholars from the Ilyon mainland often come to visit their famous libraries, but other races rarely settle there. Many talcrins inhabit the mainland as well, but are widely scattered. The highest population is found in Valcré, the capital of Arcacia. They get along well with all races, except for ryriks. Though generally kindhearted, they can hold themselves at a distance and consider others ignorant.

Government
: The governing lord in Arda is voted into authority by the talcrin people and serves for a period of two years at a time, but may be elected an unlimited number of times. His word is seen as final, but he is surrounded by a large number of advisors, who are also chosen by the people, and is expected to include them in all decisions. Those living on the mainland are under the authority of the king or lord of whichever country they inhabit.

Preferred Occupations
: Scholars, lawyers, and positions in government are the talcrins’ choice occupations, as well as positions in artistry.

Faith
: Talcrins are the most faithful of all races in following King Elôm. The majority of those living in Arda are firm believers, but this has become less so among those living on the mainland.

Cretes

Homeland
: Arcacia and Dorland

Physical Appearance
: Cretes are a slim people, yet very agile and strong. They are the shortest of Ilyon’s races, and stand between five foot and five foot ten inches tall. It is rare for one to reach six feet. They are brown-skinned and have straight, dark hair. Black is most common. It is never lighter than dark brown unless they are of mixed blood. Both men and women let it grow long. They like to decorate their hair with braids, beads, leather, and feathers. Crete men do not grow facial hair. A crete’s eyes are a bit larger than a human’s, and very bright and colorful. A full-blood crete will never have brown eyes. They dress in earthy colors and lots of leather. All cretes have intricate brown tattoos depicting family symbols and genealogy.

Physical Characteristics
: The crete’s body is far more resilient to the elements and sickness than other races. They are very tolerant of the cold and other harsh conditions. Their larger eyes give them excellent vision and enable them to see well in the dark. They don’t need as much sleep as other races and sleep only for a couple of hours before dawn. Their bodies heal and recuperate quickly.

Race Characteristics
: Cretes are tree dwellers and never build on the ground except when absolutely necessary. They love heights and flying and have a superb sense of balance. They are very daring and enjoy a thrilling adventure. They mature a bit more quickly than other races. A crete is considered nearly an adult by fifteen or sixteen and a mature adult by eighteen. They are a high-energy race and prone to taking quick action. Cretes are straightforward and blunt, coming across as rather abrupt at times. They are not the most patient, nor understanding, and they have high expectations for themselves and others. They are a stubborn, proud, and independent people, and don’t like to conform to the laws and standards of other races.

Skills
: Cretes are excellent climbers, even from a very young age, able to race up trees effortlessly and scale the most impassible cliffs and obstacles. Because of this fearlessness and love for heights, they are renowned dragon trainers. They are masters at blending in with their surroundings and moving silently, which makes them excellent hunters. All crete males, as well as many females, are trained as skilled warriors. Their choice weapons are bows and throwing knives, though they can be equally skilled with lightweight swords. Cretes are also a musical race, their favorite instruments being small flutes and hand drums.