The Wand's First Call

Sagellyn "Sage" Gaffney, a young Gardnerian girl, is born into a world where magic is tightly controlled and tradition is law. She discovers she is the only Light Mage among her people, a rare and powerful affinity. The White Wand, a legendary artifact, begins to call to her, stirring her curiosity and fear. Sage's family, strict adherents to the oppressive Book of the Ancients, see her power as both a blessing and a threat. The Wand's call is mysterious, promising both danger and destiny, and Sage's life is set on a path that will challenge everything she's been taught.

Bound by Tradition

Sage's family decides she must be wandfasted—magically bound in marriage—at the tender age of thirteen, to secure her future and her family's status. The ceremony is a spectacle of control, with girls paired off for life, their choices irrelevant. Sage is fasted to Tobias Vasillis, a boy she barely knows, while her sisters are promised to his brothers. The ritual is both a rite of passage and a prison, reinforcing the rigid gender roles and religious dogma of Gardnerian society. Sage's longing for freedom and self-determination grows, even as she tries to be the "good girl" her family demands.

Forbidden Colors, Forbidden Power

Sage's light magery is drawn to forbidden colors—especially purple, a hue associated with the Fae and considered corrupt. Her affinity for color is both a source of wonder and a cause for alarm in her family, who fear it signals impurity. Sage's artistic talents and magical abilities become harder to hide, and she is increasingly isolated. The White Wand's pull intensifies, and Sage's dreams and her sister's visions hint at a destiny entwined with the Wand and a coming darkness. The seeds of rebellion are sown as Sage questions the rules that bind her.

The Fastening Ceremony

The wandfasting ceremony in Valgard is a display of Gardnerian power and conformity. Sage is paraded with other girls, judged, and shamed by her peers. The ceremony is traumatic for many, with some girls forced into matches against their will. Sage's own pairing with Tobias is fraught with tension, as he is coveted by another girl, Draven, who despises Sage. The event cements Sage's status as property, her fate sealed by tradition. Yet, amidst the oppression, she finds an unlikely friend in Gwynnifer Croft, a fellow outcast with secrets of her own.

The White Wand's Secret

Gwynnifer reveals to Sage that she possesses the White Wand, hidden among decoys to protect it from dark forces. The Wand is more than a relic—it is sentient, seeking its true bearer. Gwynnifer, a clandestine rune-sorcerer, enlists Sage's help to ward the Wand with protective runes, using Sage's light magery. Together, they defy the rules, study forbidden grimoires, and prepare for the Wand's escape from Valgard. Their bond is a lifeline for Sage, offering her a glimpse of a world beyond Gardnerian control and a taste of agency.

Demons in Disguise

Council envoys arrive in Valgard, searching for the White Wand. Gwynnifer insists they are glamoured demons, and Sage's own visions confirm the danger. The Wand reacts to their presence, and Sage narrowly avoids detection. The encounter shatters her sense of safety, revealing that the legends of demons and the Shadow Wand are not mere stories. Sage's world is now one of paranoia and peril, as she realizes she is hunted by forces both human and supernatural.

Flight from Valgard

With the Wand in her possession and the threat of discovery looming, Sage flees Valgard with her family. The escape is fraught with fear, as she is pursued by the envoys—now revealed as demons. Sage's magic and quick thinking save her, but she is forever changed. Back in her isolated home, she buries protective runes and lives in constant vigilance. The Wand grows silent, and Sage is left to wonder if her destiny was only a fevered dream.

Exile and Awakening

Years pass in uneasy peace. Sage's magic is suppressed, her life reduced to routine and obedience. The Wand remains dormant, and Sage begins to doubt her memories. But when she is sent to University for her sealing to Tobias, the past returns with a vengeance. The city is a melting pot of races and ideas, and Sage is exposed to a world far more complex than she was taught. Her longing for freedom and connection is rekindled, and the Wand's call stirs once more.

University Betrayal

At University, Sage is reunited with Gwynn and meets her fastmate, Tobias, for the first time since their childhood ceremony. The reunion is a disaster—Tobias is cold, cruel, and in love with another. Sage's attempt to win his affection ends in sexual assault, a trauma that is dismissed and blamed on her by both families. Isolated and shamed, Sage is cast out, her trust in her people and their traditions irrevocably broken. The event is a crucible, forging her resolve to never return to the life she once knew.

Shattered Trust

Fleeing into the night, Sage is rescued by Ciaran, a mysterious Keltic smith, and Wyla, a fierce Issani warrior. They bring her to a hidden sanctuary of outcasts—rune-sorcerers, Snake Elves, Ishkartans, and others persecuted by the Gardnerians and their allies. Here, Sage learns the truth about the world: the Smaragdalfar are enslaved, the Resistance fights for freedom, and the lines between good and evil are blurred. Sage's magic is welcomed, and she begins to heal, finding belonging among those once deemed "evil."

Sanctuary of Outcasts

In the sanctuary, Sage is embraced by Za'ya, a compassionate Snake Elf, and Zeymir, an Ishkart smith. She befriends Na'bee, a child of mixed heritage, and Rivyr'el, a rebellious Alfsigr Elf. Together, they smuggle refugees and weapons, defying the oppressive regimes. Sage's light magery flourishes, and she learns to wield both wand and rune-blade. The bonds she forms here—of friendship, love, and shared struggle—become her true family, and she commits herself to the Resistance's cause.

The Resistance Revealed

Sage discovers that Ciaran is not who he seems—he is Ra'Ven Za'Nor, the last heir of the Smaragdalfar royal line, glamoured to hide from those who would destroy him. Together, they uncover the truth about the White Wand: it is the Zhilin, a shard of primordial power, sought by both light and shadow. The Resistance's fight is not just for the sublands, but for the soul of Erthia itself. Sage's magic, once a curse, is now a weapon for change.

Love Beyond Lines

Sage and Ra'Ven's love blossoms, transcending the boundaries of race, tradition, and magic. Their union is both a personal rebellion and a symbol of hope for a new world. But the fasting spell—meant to bind Sage to Tobias—becomes a prison, punishing her with pain and fire for loving another. With Ra'Ven's help, Sage fights to break the spell, determined to claim her own destiny and the right to love freely.

The Price of Freedom

Sage's struggle to break the fasting spell is harrowing, costing her dearly. The spell's backlash nearly destroys her, but with the help of the Vu Trin sorceresses, she survives. She discovers she is pregnant with Ra'Ven's child—an Icaral, prophesied to challenge the coming darkness. The child's fire magic transforms Sage, making her both more powerful and more vulnerable. The cost of freedom is high, but Sage refuses to be a victim of fate.

The Child of Prophecy

Sage gives birth to Fyn'ir, her winged son, amid fear and awe. The child is both a symbol of hope and a target for those who fear the prophecy. The Vu Trin and Amazakaran offer sanctuary, but Sage is forced to flee again, pursued by those who would destroy her child. The White Wand's purpose becomes clear: it must be passed to a new bearer, one who can stand against the Shadow Wand and the rising tide of darkness.

The Wand's True Purpose

The Wand's call leads Sage to Elloren Gardner, a girl as unlikely as Sage once was. The Watchers—mystical white birds—confirm the Wand's choice. Sage, now hunted and forever changed, entrusts the Wand to Elloren, urging her to keep it secret and safe. The cycle of power and prophecy continues, as the fate of Erthia passes into new hands. Sage's journey comes full circle, from pawn to protector, from victim to revolutionary.

Passing the Torch

Sage's final act is one of hope and defiance. She rescues her sisters from the fate she escaped, ensuring they will not be bound by the same chains. With the help of the Resistance and the Vu Trin, she flees into the unknown, her child and sisters at her side. The White Wand's legacy is secure, and Sage's story becomes a beacon for those who would fight for freedom, love, and a world where all are valued.

A New Dawn

Sage's journey is one of transformation—of herself, her world, and the very nature of power. She learns that true magic lies not in wands or bloodlines, but in the courage to defy injustice, to love without fear, and to create new paths where none existed. The story ends with the promise of a new dawn, as Sage, Ra'Ven, and their allies continue the fight for a world where all can be free.

Characters

Sagellyn "Sage" Gaffney

Sage is the heart of the story—a young woman born into a society that values obedience over individuality, and men's power over women's agency. Her rare light magery sets her apart, making her both a prize and a threat. Psychoanalytically, Sage is torn between the desire to belong and the need to be true to herself. Her journey is one of trauma, resilience, and awakening. Betrayed by those she trusts, she finds strength among outcasts and learns to wield her power for justice. Her love for Ra'Ven and her child, Fyn'ir, is both a rebellion and a healing force. Sage's development is a testament to the power of self-determination and the courage to break free from oppressive systems.

Ra'Ven Za'Nor (Ciaran)

Ra'Ven is the last heir of the Smaragdalfar, living in disguise as Ciaran, a Keltic smith. His life is defined by loss, survival, and the burden of leadership. He is both protector and partner to Sage, their connection forged in shared pain and hope. Ra'Ven's struggle is one of identity—balancing the expectations of his people, the trauma of exile, and the longing for love and belonging. His rune-sorcery and wyvern blood make him uniquely powerful, but it is his empathy and commitment to freedom that define him. Ra'Ven's arc is one of transformation, from fugitive to leader, from hidden to revealed.

Gwynnifer Croft

Gwynn is Sage's first true friend, a fellow misfit with a gift for rune-sorcery and a penchant for breaking rules. She is both a mirror and a foil for Sage—brave, eccentric, and fiercely loyal. Gwynn's willingness to defy tradition and help Sage hide the White Wand is a catalyst for the story's events. Her relationship with Geoffrey, her fastmate, is one of genuine affection and mutual respect, contrasting sharply with Sage's own experience. Gwynn represents the possibility of friendship and solidarity in a world designed to keep women isolated and powerless.

Za'ya

Za'ya is a Smaragdalfar (Snake Elf) who becomes a surrogate mother to Sage. Her kindness, wisdom, and strength anchor the sanctuary of outcasts. Za'ya's own history of oppression and escape informs her fierce commitment to the Resistance and to building a new world. She is both healer and warrior, nurturing and unyielding. Her relationship with Zeymir and her son Na'bee models a family built on love and choice, not coercion. Za'ya's faith and resilience inspire those around her, and her acceptance of Sage is a turning point in Sage's healing.

Zeymir

Zeymir is Za'ya's partner, an Ishkart smith exiled for his defiance of tradition. He is a craftsman, a revolutionary, and a father figure to many. Zeymir's calm strength and practical wisdom provide stability in the chaos of resistance. His willingness to risk everything for the oppressed, and his ability to see beyond race and custom, make him a key architect of the new world the Resistance seeks to build.

Wyla

Wyla is a former child bride and brothel survivor, rescued by Za'ya and Zeymir. Her trauma has forged her into a formidable fighter and a passionate advocate for the vulnerable. Wyla's bluntness and humor mask deep wounds, but her loyalty is unwavering. She gives Sage the tools to fight back—literally and figuratively—and her presence is a constant reminder of the stakes of resistance.

Rivyr'el Talonir

Rivyr is an Alfsigr Elf who rejects the conformity of his people, choosing exile and rebellion. His flamboyance and sarcasm hide a deep loneliness and a longing for purpose. Rivyr's journey is one of atonement and self-discovery, as he moves from self-indulgence to self-sacrifice, ultimately pledging himself to the defense of the oppressed. His friendship with Sage and the others is both a lifeline and a challenge to his cynicism.

Tobias Vasillis

Tobias is Sage's fastmate, chosen for her by her family and society. He is the embodiment of Gardnerian patriarchy—entitled, cruel, and unrepentant. His assault on Sage is a pivotal trauma, exposing the rot at the heart of Gardnerian culture. Tobias's role is not just as a villain, but as a representation of the violence that underpins systems of control.

Fyn'ir

Fyn'ir is Sage and Ra'Ven's son, an Icaral—winged, powerful, and prophesied to challenge the coming darkness. He is both a symbol and a person, loved fiercely by his mother and hunted by those who fear what he represents. Fyn'ir's existence is a challenge to every boundary—of race, magic, and destiny. He is the future Sage and the Resistance fight for.

Elloren Gardner

Elloren is the next chosen by the White Wand, a girl as unremarkable as Sage once believed herself to be. Her journey is just beginning, but her willingness to accept the Wand and the responsibility it brings marks her as a potential hero. Elloren represents the hope that anyone, no matter how ordinary or unlikely, can change the world.

Plot Devices

The White Wand (Zhilin)

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Last updated: May 15, 2025