nests and challenge Queen for leadership of the clan. Even so, he had no idea what surprises—and trials—awaited him.
Ruthyn
No priestess in the Society of the Whole ever had a greater passion for the stars . She studied them day and night. Only High Priestess Coerria knew that Ruthyn's mother was one of the brave explorers who had joined Krystallus Eopia on his ill-fated journey to the uppermost reaches of Avalon —a journey from which no one returned. Whether she was searching for some sign of her lost mother, or simply for knowledge, Ruthyn became one of Avalon's experts on the history and lore of the constellations. But she, like everyone else, remained baffled by the enduring mystery of the stars' true nature.
Scree
"Bold" and "decisive" are often used to describe the eaglefolk—and they certainly describe Scree. Like the great flyers Hac Yarrow and Ilyakk before him, Scree was a daring master of the sky. Yet down inside, he always felt tormented by doubts about his capabilities and his true purpose in life. Born in a nest on the flaming cliffs of Fireroot , he knew only briefly the touch of his mother before she was murdered by men hired by the sorcerer Kulwych to find the true heir of Merlin . Scree was, on that night, too young to change at will into eagle form. So he could not yet sprout enormous wings from his human arms—wings with row upon row of feathers, entirely silver but for their tips as red as the volcanic fires of that realm. But he was not too young to remember every single word of his conversation with the mysterious old man who rescued him, along with Tamwyn and Halona . In the years to come, Scree would often reflect on what the old man had told him about the Dark Prophecy, the future of Avalon , and the precious staff of Merlin .
When in human form, Scree retained the hooked nose and pointed toenails characteristic of all eaglefolk, as well as large, yellow-rimmed eyes that could see with amazing clarity over vast distances. Yet his broad, muscular shoulders gave only a hint of his true potential. He could change instantly into eagle form, soar high among the clouds, and swoop down on a foe with ease, wielding his talons as an expert swordsman would wield his blades. When this winged warrior dived downward, he released a loud cry, part eagle and part human, that made most creatures run and hide. For that reason, he was greatly surprised by the elf maiden Brionna . She not only remained in place as he plunged toward her—but released an arrow that shot him out of the sky.
Scree's future remained as hard to read as the vaguely glowing runes on the staff that he once promised to protect. To find his way—and also to help Tamwyn, the young man he called "little brother"—he needed to discover the truth about his own past. That journey would lead him to confront the treacherous Quenaykha . . . as well as his own wounds that lay deeper than a talon's gash.
Serella
Even as a child near the headwaters of the River Relentless in El Urien , the elf Serella showed a strong penchant for exploring. At the age of two, she spent most of a summer stealthily watching a family of wyverns and learning their habits. (This was not easy, since one of their favorite habits was breathing fire on any living creatures they could find.) When Serella was seven years old, she built a small raft, packed her supplies, and floated down the river for a monthlong adventure. As worried as her parents were during her absence, when she finally returned unharmed, they recognized that she had shown remarkable courage and resilience. Rather than try to stop her from further explorations, they instead found expert tutors who trained her in wilderness traveling, mapmaking, and communicating in diverse languages. Their confidence in Serella proved to be well-founded, for in the Year of Avalon 51, she discovered a magical portal in eastern Woodroot .
Over time, Serella mastered the dangerous art of portalseeking, becoming the
Ruthyn
No priestess in the Society of the Whole ever had a greater passion for the stars . She studied them day and night. Only High Priestess Coerria knew that Ruthyn's mother was one of the brave explorers who had joined Krystallus Eopia on his ill-fated journey to the uppermost reaches of Avalon —a journey from which no one returned. Whether she was searching for some sign of her lost mother, or simply for knowledge, Ruthyn became one of Avalon's experts on the history and lore of the constellations. But she, like everyone else, remained baffled by the enduring mystery of the stars' true nature.
Scree
"Bold" and "decisive" are often used to describe the eaglefolk—and they certainly describe Scree. Like the great flyers Hac Yarrow and Ilyakk before him, Scree was a daring master of the sky. Yet down inside, he always felt tormented by doubts about his capabilities and his true purpose in life. Born in a nest on the flaming cliffs of Fireroot , he knew only briefly the touch of his mother before she was murdered by men hired by the sorcerer Kulwych to find the true heir of Merlin . Scree was, on that night, too young to change at will into eagle form. So he could not yet sprout enormous wings from his human arms—wings with row upon row of feathers, entirely silver but for their tips as red as the volcanic fires of that realm. But he was not too young to remember every single word of his conversation with the mysterious old man who rescued him, along with Tamwyn and Halona . In the years to come, Scree would often reflect on what the old man had told him about the Dark Prophecy, the future of Avalon , and the precious staff of Merlin .
When in human form, Scree retained the hooked nose and pointed toenails characteristic of all eaglefolk, as well as large, yellow-rimmed eyes that could see with amazing clarity over vast distances. Yet his broad, muscular shoulders gave only a hint of his true potential. He could change instantly into eagle form, soar high among the clouds, and swoop down on a foe with ease, wielding his talons as an expert swordsman would wield his blades. When this winged warrior dived downward, he released a loud cry, part eagle and part human, that made most creatures run and hide. For that reason, he was greatly surprised by the elf maiden Brionna . She not only remained in place as he plunged toward her—but released an arrow that shot him out of the sky.
Scree's future remained as hard to read as the vaguely glowing runes on the staff that he once promised to protect. To find his way—and also to help Tamwyn, the young man he called "little brother"—he needed to discover the truth about his own past. That journey would lead him to confront the treacherous Quenaykha . . . as well as his own wounds that lay deeper than a talon's gash.
Serella
Even as a child near the headwaters of the River Relentless in El Urien , the elf Serella showed a strong penchant for exploring. At the age of two, she spent most of a summer stealthily watching a family of wyverns and learning their habits. (This was not easy, since one of their favorite habits was breathing fire on any living creatures they could find.) When Serella was seven years old, she built a small raft, packed her supplies, and floated down the river for a monthlong adventure. As worried as her parents were during her absence, when she finally returned unharmed, they recognized that she had shown remarkable courage and resilience. Rather than try to stop her from further explorations, they instead found expert tutors who trained her in wilderness traveling, mapmaking, and communicating in diverse languages. Their confidence in Serella proved to be well-founded, for in the Year of Avalon 51, she discovered a magical portal in eastern Woodroot .
Over time, Serella mastered the dangerous art of portalseeking, becoming the
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