So, in TLPL, I said Chapter 3 tends to be one of my weakest opening chapters regardless of the story, but I think I pulled it together for these last bits. Feel free to share any and every thought!

Chapter 3

 

Windstorms were big events for many reasons. The most obvious one, Winter decided, was the sheer danger if one was caught in a Windstorm unprepared.

The storms were surges of wind powerful enough to rearrange the world itself. Windcallers were tasked with fighting the winds using their unique abilities. Winter was one of those people. The storm today was brutal, and she was exhausted. She lumbered through the streets as several Avarians stepped out to get their first glimpse of the new landscape.

That was the second important part. Windstorms rearranged the skies, shifting the islands into new landscapes. Eagerly coming to see the new world was simply a habit for nearly all Avarians now.

However, Winter had seen enough of the outside. Her job was to stand outside in the cursed storms, and use her power, the supposedly blessed ability to control the winds, to fight against the Windstorms.

And even once everything returned to normal, her job wasn’t done. She sighed, folding her arms and pressing onward toward the Windcaller’s Barracks.

As she walked, her head turned toward the central tower of the city. A vibrant green banner lowered from this. The mark of claiming from Valorhold.

The third and final thing that made Windstorms so special. The new landscape meant new kingdom borders.

Thus, several Avarians waited eagerly to see the answer to the question: Which Kingdom would claim them first?

Winter didn’t have time to see the answer, though she still couldn’t help but wonder as well. The Five Palaces often provided many different types of aid to their territory. But, as per her assignment as a Windcaller, she had to first travel to the Barracks for a death report.

She wasn’t thrilled to arrive in the building. The Windcaller’s Barracks were cramped, even with the sparse number of Windcallers that gathered there.

The Master, a crooked man with silvery hair, already stood at the front, on a slightly raised stone platform to report the names of the dead.

He began listing them. Winter liked the man, he was straight to the point, and seemed to understand how dreadful these meetings were.

There weren’t very many names today, only two. In unison, each person, Winter included, paid their respects to the fallen Windcallers. It was painfully slow, but Winter felt it was important.

However, after it was over, Winter left the building to do the thing she found best about Windstorms.

A much deserved rest.

* * *

Emerald watched them raise the vibrant red banner of Ashkeep. Of all of the kingdoms it could have been, Emerald was least sure about what their support would look like this time.

That was a good thing. Ashkeep was adaptable, and willing to support whenever able, even if they were unpredictable.

It had taken a day for Windspire to be found by Ashkeep’s Envoy, a young scout named Flix. Practical as ever, the man had only traveled alone and with very little supplies.

Sky stood beside Emerald on the balcony entrance. The two of them watched the banner climb the walls of the tower.

Days felt bright. A quick scan around the Windspire landscape had confirmed that foraging would become much easier for Emerald in the future.

Things were going very well, Emerald decided. Aia had decided to calm down with her judgement, Sky was getting closer to a breakthrough in his grapple design, and Porter…

Well, Porter was the same as ever. An unusual boy who had somehow managed to avoid earning his powers.

Nearly every Avarian had a power of some sort. Crystalblooded were born with them, as were Windcallers. 

Shifters like Sky were rarer, having learned them through unique talent and connection to their bird spirit. 

Worldweavers, those with powers over flame, stone, or lightning, were the most common. Somehow, Porter had managed to avoid every single one.

Emerald frowned. Such a strange boy.

* * *

Sky hadn’t been expecting company, but he was sure as the winds that he’d heard a knock at the door.

He waited to hear another set of knocking.

For a moment, silence. He almost turned back to the grapple.

The knocking returned.

Sky nearly jumped. His flinch caught Ven’s attention, and he started to glow brighter.

“No, no.” Sky said reassuringly. “Not that.”

Ven returned to his normal soft glow. Apologies, I mistook it for an attempt to flee.

“Just panic,” Sky said with a slight chuckle. Powerful though they were, a bird form could overreact to sudden emotions.

He turned toward the door. The knocking returned. 

“Coming!” Sky called. He hurried toward the door, quickly brushing stray feathers from his dark hair. A very quick, and equally ineffective way to try and look presentable. He pulled the door open, just a crack.

Ashkeep’s Envoy stood outside.

He wore a simple red vest and white shirt, and tipped his hat to Sky as he opened the door.

Sky stiffened. The man smiled.

“Warm greetings! I was told I could find an inventor here?”

“That,” Sky said slowly, “That would be me, er… sir.”

The man - Sky had heard his name was Flix - furrowed his brow slightly, scanning Sky once more. Then, the smile returned. “Well! I can’t say I was expecting somebody of such a young age.” He said with a chuckle.

Sky gave a nervous smile. “Come in!” He gestured toward the hallway.

Flix stepped through the doorway, as Sky turned and hurriedly tried to pick up some of the clutter throughout the entryway.

“So! Down to business.” Flix said, “Do you have…” he paused, looking at Sky again. “Do you have parents?”

Sky shook his head. “We’re all just orphans here. The closest person to a caretaker we have is Emerald.”

Flix raised an eyebrow. “We?”

“Me and Porter,” Sky said, nodding. “We’re brothers.”

“And Emerald?”

“Our cousin.” Sky said, reluctant. “Not to offend, but why are you here?”

Flix chuckled, removing his hat and revealing light blonde hair. “Ah, yes. It is a very important matter, one Ashkeep has been concerned with for a very, very long time.”

“That being?” Sky prodded.

“Galeshards!” Flix said dramatically, “Crystals that sustain all life here in the Shattered Skies.”

“And what do you want me for?”

Flix paused, turning toward him.

“I don’t just need you. I need your brother, and cousin, too. I just… didn’t really know that yet. It’s a… dire situation. Never have I ever found three capable people in the same household, you see.”

“And what do you need us for?” Sky raised an eyebrow.

“Curious, aren’t we?” Flix said with a smirk. “I suppose that makes sense. Our situation here, however, is something I need to tell all three of you at once.”