All people have a story... These will tell you theirs as the pages turn...





Aron Skyhawk

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At thirty-two years old this man already has more to his name than many gain in a lifetime. Born in the city of Alahnsyr, he enlisted in Dainorn's army at the age of sixteen. By the time he was twenty-four his meteoric rise through the army's ranks saw him achieve position among its highest. High General of Fort Galinoth, and Steward of the Moonshadow Foothills, his was responsibility of defending the sole route through which the forces of Ankral could invade his country. Just three years later however, he resigned from his position and moved north to the small town of Grey Tor. Becoming a blacksmith, he set about adjusting to the life of a civilian, never quite fitting in as ingrained instincts still pulled at him from his past as a warrior. Just five years into this new life it comes to a tragic end, and as the sole survivor of the attack at Grey Tor, Aron finds himself with a terrible burden, along with a mystery involving the warnings that etch themselves into his flesh.

  Click to EnlargeAron

 

Kaleian Firsh

 

At thirty-five this life long friend of Aron's is still just a lowly knight in Dainorn's army. While he may not have the skill for strategy and understanding of fellow warriors that took his friend so far so fast, he's good at what he does among the cavalry and is quite happy to stay there. Confronted by the sudden and unexpected return of his friend to Fort Galinoth, he soon leaves the confines of its walls to accompany Aron to the capital. If there's one thing that can be said of Kaleian... it's that he never abandons a friend.

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Mika & Sanaro Hearthrite

 

Mika and Sanaro are just fourteen, and yet have already spent almost half their life on the run. Born to a family of renowned mediators, they share with their father the perceptiveness that lets them see past prejudice and bias to the truth of those around them. Pursued by those who fear the power of truth that the family wields, they leave their home to walk the roads of lands not travelled by their people for untold ages. Hope guides them forward, faith in others gaining them friends, but never forgetting that no matter how clear sighted they may be, there is always a chance of bringing a traitor under their wing. Only after they choose to openly admit their nationality do they begin wearing again the mark of their clan by their left eyes...  A risk, but one that is needed if they are to call upon the power of the Hearthrite name.

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The twins are named after the Original Characters in my fanfics created by my friends Tay and Eden. Their hunting dog, Annule, is named after the Vale Wolf that is the original Sanaro's companion.

Alaia Skyhawk 


Alaia is Aron's sister, and still single despite being forty-seven years old. Having spurned the advances of Kaleian when he was sixteen, she remained in her home city of Alahnsyr while he left and enlisted in the military. She's let no one close to her since, and rumour holds that she is waiting for Kaleian to return and ask her for her hand as a "man" , and not an infatuated  youth. Alaia would be the first to deny this should you say it in front of her, and her often brutal crushing of the egos and confidence of would be suitors is the source of another rumour... That Kaleian ran scared from her ever sharp tongue. That is the face she shows to the world, and only her brother knows if that is truly who she is inside.

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This character is dedicated to the wonderful
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Arlenia Norleaf

This quiet woman hails from the Nation of Ankral, speaking little to those around her of what drove her to cross into the lands of the enemy. Found by Aron amongst the ashes of Silver Rim, it is only Mika's words of reason that convince him to spare her life. Finding herself as his prisoner, she heeds the Krindiran girl's advice to prove her intentions through her deeds. It is just as well she chose deeds to do so, for only when using her knowledge of medicine to treat the sick and injured will she truly talk, and then only of what must be done to save them. 

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This character was created for my friend Stacey, since her Original Chatacter (OC) in my fanfics has a name that doesn't fit with the  setting of this book.