Conure1243

Chapter 1 - The Story of Valanir

“Your Highness, the Kingdom grows restless.” The advisor spoke in hushed, quick tones. Lillian frowned slightly as he spoke. The information was nothing new. It was strange how often the same words were brought to those in power.
King Porter seemed to share the same annoyance as Lillian, but he kept his actions far more reserved than Lillian managed.
The King waved his hand dismissively. “This information is nothing new. You know that the trade routes have been blocked?”
The advisor, a scrawny man by the name of Textmaster Avon, nodded slowly.
The King continued. “And you know that I have been told of this, that I know of the problems, and that I am working on fixing the problem?”
The advisor nodded again. “Er… Yes,” He said reluctantly.
“Then why do you continue to waste my time with information that I already know?” King Porter snapped. “Do you doubt that your King cares?”
A bit harsh, father. Lillian thought. Avon had simply been doing his job.
“Your Highness, I did not mean to aggravate you. I am simply trying to express my concerns. I fear that a revolt against yourself may be inevitable.”
King Porter sighed, then spoke softer. “I fear that as well. I have my top guard focused on my defense, as well as those of the Starlight Guard. For now, it may be the best we can do.”
The Textmaster nodded reluctantly, then bowed before turning back toward the grand hallways of the Palace.
Lillian turned to her father as the man left the room. “Father, if I may, I can’t help but wonder who those ‘best men’ that you mentioned are.”
King Porter looked at her, then frowned. “The strongest soldiers from the King’s Guard, and the fastest spies from the Starlight Guard.”
“How do you judge that they are the best of your guard?”
The King paused. Lillian continued, “There are many stories of great heroes who weren’t able to do some of the simplest things.”
“Stories, Lillian.” The King returned. “Fantasies. Myths!”
“Designed by great philosophers to teach lessons. Everybody has their limits.”
The King sighed. “You want to tell me a story.” He sounded almost resigned. Tired by the many struggles brought by recent events. “If you must share a tale, go ahead.”
Lillian couldn’t help but smile, just slightly. She took a deep breath as she picked a story off of the top of her head.
“The Hero Valanir was known as one of the greatest people to walk among the Kingdoms. To many he seemed to be the very symbol of nobility itself. He conquered many beasts previously thought undefeatable.
    “It was a peaceful day when his loved one fell ill, with a terrible plague. Death was nearly certain. However, there was hope. For there was an ancient artifact, blessed by the stars, capable of healing some of the greatest wounds.”
    The King looked at her, he seemed to be calming down, there was a hint of concern that, as always, hid behind his eyes.
    Lillian continued, voice wavering slightly. “Valanir, knowing he only had a short time, set out alongside his dear one. As they approached the resting place of the healing relic, darkness struck.
    “Creatures of shadow flooded the horizon, screaming and lashing with their horrible fangs. Valanir stood before them, with his sword in hand. He slayed a great many beasts that day, each swing brought glory and triumph. But despite his power, he forgot one simple thing.”
    Lillian paused. “He also had to protect his loved one.
    “The Great Valanir turned as quickly as he could to return to his dear one, slaying darkness with each footstep. But despite his power, his glory, triumph, and nobility, none of it was enough to save her.
    “Both Valanir and his dear one fell that day, never to be seen again.”
    Lillian let the ending hang, as if incomplete. She looked at King Porter. “Even the best can fail. You should take more effort to defend yourself.”
    “A King’s duty is to their people.” King Porter whispered, reciting the words grandfather had taught him. “They serve those who are lower than them. Their interest is not in their own self, but those who need the help of a ruler.”
    “And where will the help be if you die?”
    “They would be the cause of it, Lillian.” The King’s voice was laden with grief. “The solution is not what it seems. If we give them sufficient supplies to fulfill their needs, then the problem will eventually resolve itself. We simply have to figure out a way to prevent the roads from collapsing.”
    “We could have the builders design a more durable road,” Lillian suggested, “Or reinforce the land nearby to help avoid disasters such as this.”
    The King sighed. “Good ideas, in concept. But we have already tried these things for months, and still the mountains crumble, the trees topple. Our people are dying.”
    Lillian drew her lips to a thin line. “Then promise me until we find a working solution, that you remain on alert.”
    “Lillian, this won’t be like what happened to your mother. These are lighter days.”
    “But we are struggling more than ever before.”
    The King sighed. “We live in a fair land, our lives much nicer than others. We are lucky, even though we aren’t the most powerful Kingdom, Lillian. We still have more power than some.”
    Lillian drew in a sharp breath. “Please,” she said desperately, “Just please say you’ll try to keep yourself safe. For me, for Quentin, for the Kingdom.”
    King Porter hesitated. “I will… consider.”
    A small sense of victory overwhelmed Lillian. Risking letting her father be in such danger worried her. Then again, putting the guards into so much trouble.
    “Thank you, father.” Lillian breathed.
    The King lowered his head. “I need quiet. Please. Leave me.”
    Lillian froze for a moment. What did I say?
    However, she simply obeyed her father’s wish and walked across the throne room and through the door. She turned toward the grand hallway, but froze as she heard soft sobbing echoing from the throne room.
    “Oh, Arlynne.” She heard her father sob softly, speaking his wife’s name with reverence typically dedicated to the Great Souls. 
“Arlynne.” He cried again. “How do I handle this?”

Chapter 2 - The Great Stars

Lillian had heard her father cry only a few times before. The sound of the usually confident king’s weeping had carried with Lillian even until nightfall.
Now, she lay awake in her dimly lit bedroom, unsure of how long she’d stayed up. One thing she did know, however,  was that dusk had fallen long ago.
The moon hung low in the sky, shining dim light through the balcony, allowing Lillian to see the sparse amount of decor that she had placed in her room. A potted plant in one corner, and in the other rested her mother’s half painted vase. By her nightstand, she’d left a candle unlit.
Lillian took a short breath, standing up with a soft groan. She lumbered tiredly to the balcony, greeted by the majestic view of the Kingdom of Erylen. Lillian looked toward the streets below, where lanterns were lit along the maze-like alleyways. She turned her head upward looking out into the night sky, toward the three Great Stars.
The Great Stars glittered in the sky, brighter than any others. The lesser stars broke and fell from the sky, following the example of their superiors.
It was said that the stars fell because they wept for those in struggle. And that the Great Stars wept for the great Kings and Queens who struggled in their rule. Yet, as Lillian stared toward the three distant stars, they did not seem to pay her, nor her father, any heed.
It was said that the Great Souls were great beings in charge of protecting humans from the worst threats. They took residence on the Great Stars themselves, they could see all. So why didn’t they see Erylen? Why not her father?
She’d heard stories of heroes who were accompanied by these great beings, heroes with the ability to light fires with their very presence. She had seen no such glory from anybody in the palace.
Lillian clenched her fists. “You were supposed to help us.” She whispered. “You are the guardians of the seven kingdoms, yet you abandon us.”
She furrowed her brow. “You abandon us, and still call yourselves guardians!” She was no longer whispering. “If you were truly supposed to help us, then we wouldn’t be in this situation! What kind of Guardian are you?”
She steadied her breath, then whispered again. “What kind of guardian leaves their people to doom?”
All traces of exhaustion Lillian had felt just a moment ago had gone. Despite that, she let herself drop to her knees.
“How,” She whispered shakily, “How can you let Erylen fall, without even giving any sign that you understand what is to come?”
She looked up at the stars once again. “Why do you let us slowly die?”
Knocking sounded from the door, causing Lillian to jump. She stood up and turned toward the door.
“Princess?” A soft voice came. “Are you alright?”
Lillian walked quickly over to the door. “Yes. I’m fine. I was,” She paused, “simply praying to the Great Souls.”
The voice paused. “That was quite a loud prayer, my lady.”
Lillian blushed slightly. “Perhaps I had gotten a bit passionate. Rest assured that I am fine. You may leave me.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The room became silent once more. Lillian stepped backward reluctantly, turning toward her bed. Perhaps she should try to get some rest.
Lillian sighed, and lumbered to her bed, sitting down on the side. She looked toward her nightstand, where the candle flame flickered.
She frowned. Did she light it when she got out of bed? Slowly, she picked it up, blew it out, and went to bed.
 

-By her nightstand, she’d left a candle unlit.

-She’d heard stories of heroes who were accompanied by these great beings, heroes with the ability to light fires with their very presence. She had seen no such glory from anybody in the palace.

-Lillian sighed, and lumbered to her bed, sitting down on the side. She looked toward her nightstand, where the candle flame flickered.
She frowned. Did she light it when she got out of bed? Slowly, she picked it up, blew it out, and went to bed.
 

Gideon turned around. Just another squirrel... No intruders yet. Of course, only woodland
Archers liked this place. Gideon jumped off the branch he’d been on and landed at the base of the tree. After a moment’s search, he found the entrance to his home and went inside. It was too dark, so Gideon picked up an emerald lantern and went to the magic forest fountain. He scraped the lantern against the fountain and a green flame lit the lantern. Pretty good for his first day as a woodland archer
 

The Path of Masters
A Record of the Path of Mastery
Written by the hand of Gideon of Drukaros, Master of the Ancient Magics.

I fear that my name has become shockingly well known throughout the world. I always understood that an accomplishment such as mine would be known throughout history. I always worried that others would think that to be my motivation for departing from my home.
I did not set out on the path of mastery for glory. I left so nobody else had to. I left to save my people from doom.  Though some respect me for simply  learning the magic of every tribe, I believe there are others who find themselves annoyed by the youth who accomplished the impossible, simply to gain power.
This account is for those people most of all.

Whether or not I regret stepping forward on that fateful day, I still cannot tell. Our master, my father, had died unexpectedly, killed by the blade of the Unseen Army, who we had not known to exist at the time. I struggled to smile from that day onward. Our people grew frantic as the day of Binding grew near. Without a master to Bind the Ancients to their kin, the Ancients, and the land that surrounded them, would decay.
None were willing to become a master. Doing so would leave one with heavy responsibility, heavy enough that most, myself included, were not able to bear it. I blame nobody for refusing to step forward.
However, as I stood in the long line of people, looking to see who would become our new master, only to see that none stepped forward, I understood something. Nobody was willing, and somebody would have to step forward for them.
So I took a deep breath, and spoke.
“I will do it.” I had said, as I stepped forward to a responsibility no person dared to bear. The crowd looked at me in surprise. A youth, volunteering to master the Ancient Magics.
Already, the whispering began. I heard many people mutter, accusing me of simply desiring power. However, the Drukari Elder simply approached me and said one word. “Why?”
I answered. “I do not do this for my own gain. Instead, understand that I do this for my people. For you and those who surround me. I take this responsibility so nobody else has to.”
I was surprised to find that my words were true.
But, after all, my father and mother had both died. What did I have to lose anymore?

I know the Sky Tribe well. When I was young, the lands of the Sky Tribe often filled me with wonder, and often still do to this day. I spent many years with the people of Lightreach, but I never attempted to learn their magic.
I believe that there were many people who respected me for that. That only made it stranger when I approached them and announced that I was setting out along the Path of Mastery. 
Still, they taught me without question, and without hesitation.
I will never be able to get them to understand my appreciation for that. 
As I began learning the magics of Lightreach, there are multiple things I quickly noticed. One, for example, was simply that I understood nothing of the magic outside of my own home. I found myself attempting to will the magic to work, pleading with it and waiting for it to respond. I quickly realized that such actions were not required for the magic of the Sky, perhaps even working against myself as I tried to learn their ways.
I trained for many weeks, finally able to spend my time in the land I had so desperately wanted to stay in. However, I was unable to enjoy it in the way I hoped I would. For even as I attempted to master my third magic, I found myself filled with worry, and heavy with great responsibility.
The Path is unforgiving from start to end, I’m afraid.
Still, I eventually learned the magic of the Sky tribe, and began to ride the wind currents without failing. When I could, I kept my cloak with me at all times from that moment onward.
Though there were so many hardships, I came to love the Lands of Lightreach even more than I already did, and there was difficulty that came with leaving the place. I would eventually discover that there was difficulty in leaving each place I visited.
As I prepared to leave Lightreach, I was surprised to find Erica. She had been with me every step of the way as I learned my powers. And I had known her long before all of this had begun.
She was already determined to come with me. I told her no, telling her that it wasn’t something she should have to go through.
Of course, Erica remained alongside me. She followed me anyway. I never could change her mind when she made such a decision.

After my time in Lightreach, I departed through a rift to my homeland. I stayed in the Woodlands only for a day, where I discussed with the Elders my first steps on the Path of Mastery. They expected me to tell them I had given up.
That may have been part of the reason I didn’t.
The Elders explained something to me, something that they could only share with me once they were sure that I was truly committed to the Path. In order to accomplish the binding that kept our people alive, it was required that I use all eight magics at once.
Which meant breaking the magic barriers. At first I was horrified. The magic barriers were impossible to breach, making it impossible to use a tribe’s magic too far from their lands, but as I thought about it more and more, I realized that hundreds of Masters before me had to overcome the same challenge. If they could do it, I was sure that I would be able to do the same.
I had no choice except to be able to do the same.
 

There are three large stars, believed to be the home of the Great Souls, three beings who are worshipped as gods. In reality, the Great Souls are people, who did extraordinary things in their lifetime, and were judged--by the soul of the stars themselves--as being worthy of overlooking and assisting humanity. This task isn't exactly easy for the Great Stars, who can share information they have about a given situation to any person they desire... Unfortunately, this can risk their death, so they have to be careful with this, and their actual ability to gain that information is limited.

Well when a man, believing that he is carrying out the will of these Great Souls, prepares to assassinate the king of one of the least powerful Kingdoms, and plans to continue to the rest of the seven kingdoms as he gains more and more power. The Great Souls don't actually want this, of course. Their job is to intervene when threats that big end up appearing. And exactly that ends up happening.

First off, I'm going to start with the basic idea.
For starters, the world has been shattered into thousands of small fragments, known as islands. These islands exist in layers, each one able to float for various reasons. There are two important layers: One, Shattered Skies, the World of the Winds (More on that later), and Two, the Dead World, the World of the Mind. I won't detail this one too much, as this one is supposed to be mysterious, and I think that if I shared the story it could make the experience less enjoyable. The Dead World and the Shattered Skies have almost no interaction between the two. The people of the Shattered Skies barely know that the Dead World exists, as it is the layer below them. In addition, they don't know of any of the other worlds, though there are 2 or 3... I can't remember exactly.

In the Shattered Skies, the Islands are able to hang in the sky thanks to magic crystals, named Galeshards, that formed following the Shattering (Not to be confused with anything related to Sanderson...) These crystals grant 2 powers to the people that live there. One, the power known as Windcalling, which allows people to control the winds. The second is known as Binding (Placeholder Name, maybe?) This one is very similar to Mistborn Push and Pull. The mechanics are slightly different, but I haven't worked them out comletely yet. Basically, you can connect to the "positive" energy in the crystal to pull yourself toward it, or connect to the "negative" energy to push yourself away. Binding is a hereditary ability, and those who can use it are known as the Crystalblooded, named for their shimmering white blood.

Occasionally, and event known as a Windstorm will occur, where the winds in the Shattered Skies grow more powerful, as a result of the power inside of the crystals, and rearrange the islands. Usually, in cities, Windcallers are tasked with preventing other islands from crashing into the city. Usually, being thrown around during these windstorms can cause the slightly delicate Galeshards to crack. Eventually, the crystals break and become unable to support the island. When this happens, the island falls, usually landing in the Dead World below. Nobody has been known to escape the Dead World, though very few have managed to see the Dead World as they are caught on a falling island, and escape.

A strange and not greatly understood property of the Galeshards are their use in creating Avarian Pendants. These pendants, when successfully bonded to an Avarian by a Crystalblooded, allow the person with the pendant to shapeshift them, along with any other crystals bonded to the Pendant, into a bird, typically a parrot or hawk, but it depends on the person. This is the main method of travel, but hunters and foragers are unable to carry the things they kill or harvest, so their travel is slightly more difficult.