We’d won today. But the time to fight would come again.
Captain Altak was right. We needed to train our soul priests and priestesses. We needed to understand the more subtle spells that could be worked with the energy of fire and aurora, the same magic that had allowed Ashkalan to stand for all these centuries while Ioene sprayed fire into the sky.
Kiriilti civilization needed to move forward. The next time the Hunger or another evil, be it Waikert attacks or something as innocent as a crop-killing drought, came for us, we needed to be prepared.
“So, Councilor Boket,” Raav said quietly as he draped an arm around me and urged me to join him as he limped along the waterfront. “What’s next?”
“Well, a long time ago you asked me if I would rebuild Ashkalan with you. We could start there. Create a school for Paono to lead. Provide work for the gutterborn in restoring the buildings, clearing the roads, learning how to cultivate the crops that grew in Vanished times. We can build homes for anyone who wants them. We’ll found a government without a defense tax. With leaders selected by the people.”
Raav’s mouth turned up at the corner. “That’s all fine and well,” he said. “But that’s not what I meant. I’m asking what’s next for us. I was married once before. But I hope you know I didn’t love Ashhi Ulstat.”
I smirked at the comment. “She wasn’t quite the right match for you, I’d agree on that.”
After a moment of silence, Raav stopped in his tracks. I turned back to him, confused.
A blush rose in his cheeks. His breath shook as he inhaled.
Raav got down on a knee, his splinted leg jutting awkwardly in front of him. “What I’m trying to say is it would be my greatest honor to do all those things, all that rebuilding you’re nattering on about, with you as my wife.”
My tongue lay flat on the bottom of my mouth. I tried to talk. It didn’t respond. Finally, I managed to nod.
“Thank the tides,” he whispered as he struggled to his feet. “Now, I suggest you kiss me.”
Dear Reader,
So that’s it for this series. Thanks so much for reading! If you enjoyed the books, I’d love if you left a review. Even a sentence or two helps me tremendously.
So, what’s next? Well, I’m not ready to be finished with the world or characters. Late this spring, I’m planning to release the first book in a related series. To receive updates on this new series (as well as a free copy of Silent Queen, the prequel book to the Shattering of the Nocturnai), head over to CarrieSummers.com and sign up for my mailing list.
Lastly, I’d love to hear from you. As always, you can reach me at carrie@carriesummers.com.
Thanks again for reading!
All best,
Carrie
PS. After this page, I’ve added a reference of people and places that appear in the books. Enjoy!
Places
The Kiriilt Islands
A group of roughly twenty islands governed by the ruling Trader Council. The following is a partial list of individual islands.
Stanik Island
Capital: Istanik
A large island, home to a majority of the Kiriilti trader Houses. Istanik Harbor is the largest port in the Islands, and the Trader Council conducts business within Trader Council Hall in Istanik. The inland regions of Stanik Island are hilly and covered with terraced farmland. A system of earthen roads connects the farms with the coastal settlements. Because the underlying soil is clay, these roads become treacherous and slick when wet.
Araok Island
The second largest of the islands, Araok also boasts the second largest city, Ilaraok. House Ulstat calls Ilaraok home. A soot-stained city, the capital reflects the harsh Araokan landscape, craggy mountains of dark stone pocked by mine holes.
Orteshk Island
Capital: Ilorteshk
Orteshk Island is a small, wooded piece of land on the eastern fringe of the archipelago. Though not heavily populated, the relatively egalitarian attitudes of Orteshkan has led to the rise of two trader Houses, Srukolk and Thuvet from amongst the population that was once entirely commoner-class.
Tuuk Island
Home to a colony of artisans known to produce some of the finest goods not only within the Kiriilt Islands, but within three weeks’ sail in any direction, Tuuk has no capital city and enjoys relative freedom from the structures imposed by the Trader Council.
Outer Isles
A collection of six small islands on the northern fringe of the archipelago. Settlements cling to the leeward aspects of craggy escarpments dropping into the sea. Fiercely independent, Outer Islanders make their living fishing and occasionally producing crafts and jewelry inspired by the rugged coasts.
Other
Ioene
An island volcano many weeks north by sailing vessel and destination of dozens of Kiriilti Nocturnais. Former home of the Vanished civilization. Ravaged by severe seasonal changes that bring days and nights lasting for months as well as a storm season that is not thought to be survivable.
Waikert Archipelago
The jungled home of the brutal Waikert sea tribes. A month’s sail southeast from the Kiriilt group.
Jalakyrisi Spicelands
A distant group of three islands where monks collect spices rumored to have magical properties.
Reknarish
A landmass large enough that it takes three weeks to sail the length of the eastern coast. Few Kiriilti have ventured to a Reknarishi port city, and none have been deeper than a day inland. The northern and southern coasts are unexplored by Kiriilti captains.
People
The following is a partial list of characters and members of prominent families including their island of origin if applicable. Some members of trader families are eliminated if not important to this part of the series.
*deceased
Boket – Stanik Island slums
Maajidi – mother (estranged)
Saol – father
Lilik – daughter
Jaret – son
Avken – Stanik Island slums
*Keilan – mother, killed years ago in a Waikert attack
*Varit – father, killed years ago in a Waikert attack
Paono – son, currently on Ioene opposing Mieshk
House Ovintak – Stanik Island
Praviili - mother/prime
Frask - heir
Raav Ovintak - younger son, stood sentinel to Katrikki Korpit during Nocturnai
House Ulstat – Stanik Island
Olev – father/prime, known largely as Trader Ulstat
Mieshk – heir, currently gathering power on Ioene
*Ashhi – younger daughter
Lakdiken – younger son, currently held hostage on Istanik
*Leesa – wife of a mad prime who ruled centuries ago
House Korpit – Stanik Island
Mareti – prime heir, former love interest of Raav Ovintak
Katrikki – Nightcaller, love interest of Paono Avken
House Yiltak – Stanik Island
Naviire – mother/prime, known largely as Trader Yiltak
Moanet – heir
House Srukolk – Orteshk Island
Oreken – grandfather/prime, known as Trader Srukolk
Maoket – heir, mother to Heiklet
*Heiklet – granddaughter, killed by Mieshk Ulstat during failed Nocturnai
House Majkut – Stanik Island
Avilet - younger daughter, nightcaller to the failed Nocturnai, on Ioene with Mieshk Ulstat
House Thuvet – Orteshk Island
Islilla – younger daughter, stood sentinel to Heiklet Srukolk during failed Nocturnai
House Rutevieshk - Stanik Island
Vokiili - mother/prime
House Vaskilt - Stanik Island
Hakojelt – father/prime
Wis
iri – daughter/heir
Crew of Zyri’s Promise
Captain Vidyul Altak
Strandmistress Nyralit
First Mate Tkira
Second Mate Gaff
Vanished
Peldin – speaker for the strands
Zyri – gave Lilik her memories
Tyrak – Zyri’s friend and beloved
Purviiv – A life-channeler
Miscellaneous
Jet – captain of the gutter wardens
Caffari – leader of a band of smugglers
Daonok – Caffari’s second in command