Shadows Over Caladel

In the kingdom of Andarra, the Gifted—those who can wield magical Essence—live under the oppressive Treaty and its Tenets, which shackle their powers and subject them to the rule of Administrators. At the remote school of Caladel, Davian, a young Gifted, faces the looming threat of becoming a Shadow—stripped of his powers—if he cannot pass his Trials. The school is a microcosm of the world's tensions: fear of the Gifted, the trauma of a recent war, and the ever-present threat of the mysterious Augurs, whose powers to See the future and Read minds have been outlawed. When a fellow student is made a Shadow, Davian's own future seems bleak, and the school's isolation is shattered by rumors of attacks on other Gifted schools. The stage is set for a story of survival, identity, and the search for truth in a world that fears magic.

The Mark and the Trials

Marked as Gifted but unable to access his powers, Davian faces the Trials that will determine his fate. His friends Wirr and Asha support him, but the pressure mounts as the Trials are moved up unexpectedly. The Mark, a magical tattoo, binds the Gifted to the Tenets and the will of the Administrators, making failure a sentence to a powerless, ostracized life. Davian's inability to use Essence is a mystery, and his only unique ability—detecting lies—must be kept secret, as it hints at forbidden Augur powers. The Trials become a crucible not just for Davian, but for the fragile friendships and loyalties that will be tested as the world outside grows more dangerous.

The Chains of the Tenets

The Treaty's Tenets, enforced by magical Shackles and oaths, are designed to protect the world from the Gifted's potential for abuse, but they also strip the Gifted of agency and dignity. The Gifted are forbidden from harming non-Gifted, using their powers to deceive, or disobeying Administrators. The Tenets are both a shield and a prison, and the story explores the psychological toll of living under such constraints. The Gifted's internalized fear and shame are as much a threat as any external enemy, and the Tenets' inflexibility will become a central obstacle as the world faces a new, existential threat.

The Augur's Secret

Davian's ability to sense lies is revealed to be a remnant of the Augurs' powers, long thought extinct and now punishable by death. Elder Ilseth Tenvar, a secretive figure with his own agenda, manipulates Davian into fleeing north with Wirr, promising answers and a chance to unlock his true potential. The Augurs' legacy is shrouded in myth and fear, but their powers—Reading minds, Seeing the future, and more—may be the key to saving the world. As Davian and Wirr journey into exile, they are pursued by enemies both mundane and supernatural, and the boundaries between friend and foe, truth and deception, begin to blur.

The Price of Power

As Davian and Wirr travel north, they encounter the harsh realities of a world that hates and fears the Gifted. They are betrayed, hunted, and forced to rely on their wits and each other. Along the way, they meet Caeden, a mysterious amnesiac accused of horrific crimes, whose powers are unlike any they have seen. The trio's journey is marked by violence and loss, and the true cost of power—both magical and political—becomes clear. The Gifted's internal divisions, the trauma of the past war, and the ever-present threat of the Blind, an army from beyond the Boundary, all converge to test their resolve.

The Invasion from the North

Rumors become reality as the Boundary, a magical barrier in the north, begins to fail. The Blind, an army of inhuman warriors led by the enigmatic Andan Mash'aan, invade Andarra, leaving devastation in their wake. The Gifted, still shackled by the Tenets, are unable to defend the realm effectively. The invasion exposes the weaknesses of the Treaty and the divisions among the Gifted, Administrators, and nobility. As the Blind approach the capital, Ilin Illan, the need for unity and decisive action becomes desperate, and the true nature of the threat—rooted in ancient wars and the machinations of the Venerate—begins to emerge.

The City of Mists

Fleeing pursuit, Davian, Wirr, and Caeden cross into the legendary city of Deilannis, shrouded in mist and haunted by ancient magic. Here, Davian is separated from his friends and drawn into the past, where he is trained by the enigmatic Malshash in the use of kan, the power of the Augurs. In Deilannis, time is fluid, and Davian's journey becomes one of self-discovery, mastery, and the confrontation of the darkness within. The city's secrets—its connection to the Darecians, the weaponization of time, and the origins of the Boundary—are revealed, and Davian's role in the coming conflict is forever changed.

The Shifting of Loyalties

Back in Ilin Illan, Asha, now a Shadow, navigates the treacherous world of palace intrigue, the politics of the Gifted, and the growing threat of the Shadraehin, the mysterious leader of the Shadows. Wirr, revealed as Prince Torin, must balance his loyalty to his friends with his duty to the realm. The Gifted are divided between Tol Athian and Tol Shen, each with their own agendas and secrets. The king's madness, the manipulation of the Tenets, and the hidden influence of Augurs and Vessels all come to a head as the city prepares for siege. Loyalties are tested, and the line between hero and villain blurs.

The Breaking of Trust

The truth about Ilseth Tenvar's role in the massacre at Caladel, Taeris Sarr's manipulation of Davian's past, and the political machinations of Tol Shen come to light. Davian, forced to confront the darkness within himself and the betrayals of those he trusted, must decide what kind of man he will become. The cost of survival—of doing what is necessary—becomes a central question, as the characters grapple with guilt, grief, and the consequences of their choices. The past is never truly gone, and the shadows of old wars and old sins threaten to consume the present.

The Siege of Ilin Illan

The Blind lay siege to Ilin Illan, and the city descends into chaos. The Gifted, finally freed from some of the Tenets, fight alongside soldiers, Shadows, and even Administrators in a last stand. The cost is immense: friends die, the city burns, and the line between victory and defeat is razor-thin. Caeden, wielding the legendary sword Licanius, turns the tide, but at a terrible price. The battle is won, but the war is far from over, and the survivors are left to pick up the pieces in a world forever changed.

The Shadows' Rebellion

Asha, empowered by the discovery that Shadows can use Vessels, leads the Shadows in the defense of the city. The Shadraehin's true identity and motives are revealed, and the Shadows become both heroes and a new source of fear. The old order is shattered, and the balance of power in Andarra is forever altered. The cost of freedom—of breaking the chains of the Tenets and the Treaty—is high, and the future is uncertain.

The Changing of the Tenets

In the aftermath of the siege, Wirr, now Northwarden, and Davian work together to change the Tenets, freeing the Gifted to defend the realm but also introducing new dangers. The process is fraught with peril, as enemies within and without seek to manipulate or destroy them. The new Tenets are a compromise, a hope for a better future, but also a recognition that power must be balanced with responsibility. The world is changed, but the threat from beyond the Boundary remains.

The Sword of Fate

Caeden, revealed to be the legendary Tal'kamar and possibly Aarkein Devaed himself, claims the sword Licanius and is bound by a new, terrible bargain. The sword's power is immense, but its cost is high: Caeden must free the Lyth, the ancient guardians, within a year and a day, or lose Licanius forever. The sword is both a weapon and a curse, and Caeden's journey becomes one of atonement, sacrifice, and the search for redemption.

The Memory of Monsters

In the Wells of Mor Aruil, Caeden's memories are restored, and he is forced to confront the monstrous acts he committed as Aarkein Devaed. The line between hero and villain, savior and destroyer, is blurred, and Caeden's struggle becomes one of self-knowledge and the hope for change. The past cannot be undone, but the future is still unwritten.

The Cost of Survival

The survivors of the siege mourn their dead and grapple with the consequences of their choices. Friendships are tested, old wounds reopened, and the cost of survival is counted in blood and sorrow. The world is changed, but the threat from beyond the Boundary remains, and the true war is only beginning.

The Truth of the Past

The secrets of the Augurs, the true nature of the Boundary, and the machinations of the Venerate are only partially revealed. The survivors—Davian, Wirr, Asha, Caeden—are left to pick up the pieces and prepare for the next battle. The story ends with the promise of new journeys, new dangers, and the hope that the mistakes of the past need not define the future.

Characters

Davian

Davian begins as a powerless, anxious student at Caladel, marked as Gifted but unable to use Essence. His unique ability to sense lies is a remnant of the forbidden Augur powers, making him both valuable and dangerous. Throughout the story, Davian is driven by a desire to belong, to protect his friends, and to understand his place in a world that fears what he might become. His journey is one of self-discovery, as he is manipulated, betrayed, and ultimately empowered by the secrets of the Augurs. Trained in the lost arts of kan and time manipulation, Davian becomes a key figure in the fight against the Blind and the unraveling of the world's ancient mysteries. His psychological arc is marked by guilt, grief, and the struggle to reconcile the darkness within himself with the hope for redemption.

Wirr (Torin Wirrander Andras)

Wirr is Davian's loyal friend and the son of the Northwarden, heir to the power to change the Tenets. Outwardly cheerful and clever, Wirr hides the burden of his secret identity and the weight of his responsibilities. His journey is one of growing into leadership, balancing loyalty to his friends with the demands of politics and power. Wirr's psychological struggle is with guilt—over the deaths at Caladel, over the cost of change—and with the challenge of doing what is right in a world that resists it. His relationship with Asha and Davian grounds him, and his willingness to trust and be trusted is both his greatest strength and his greatest vulnerability.

Asha (Ashalia Chaedris)

Asha is a Gifted who becomes a Shadow, stripped of her powers and marked by society as broken. Her journey is one of resilience, as she navigates the dangers of the palace, the politics of the Gifted, and the rise of the Shadows. Asha's psychological arc is defined by trauma, loss, and the search for agency in a world that seeks to erase her. She becomes a leader among the Shadows, discovering that they can use Vessels and playing a pivotal role in the defense of Ilin Illan. Her relationships with Davian and Wirr are central to her development, and her willingness to confront the truth—about herself, her friends, and the world—makes her a force for change.

Caeden (Tal'kamar / Aarkein Devaed)

Caeden is introduced as a mysterious, amnesiac fugitive accused of unspeakable crimes. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that he is Tal'kamar, a legendary figure from the ancient wars, and possibly Aarkein Devaed himself—the greatest threat the world has ever known. Caeden's psychological journey is one of horror, guilt, and the desperate hope for atonement. He is both hero and villain, savior and destroyer, and his struggle to remember and to change is at the heart of the trilogy's moral complexity. His immense power is both a blessing and a curse, and his relationships with Davian, Wirr, and Asha are fraught with tension, trust, and the possibility of forgiveness.

Taeris Sarr

Taeris is a former Elder, exiled and thought dead, who becomes a guide and protector to Davian and the others. His past is marked by sacrifice, guilt, and the burden of secrets—he orchestrated the attack that gave Davian his scar, believing it necessary to awaken his powers. Taeris is both a mentor and a manipulator, driven by a belief in destiny and the need to prepare the world for the coming threat. His psychological arc is one of atonement, as he seeks to make amends for his past sins and to guide the next generation without repeating the mistakes of the old.

Ilseth Tenvar

Tenvar is an Elder who betrays Caladel, orchestrating the massacre that sets the story in motion. He is a master of deception, able to shield his mind from Augur powers, and serves as a pawn of the Venerate, the ancient beings who seek to free Aarkein Devaed. Tenvar's psychological profile is one of ambition, fear, and the willingness to do whatever is necessary to survive. His actions have far-reaching consequences, and his ultimate fate is a warning about the cost of serving evil.

Karaliene Andras

Karaliene is the princess of Andarra, cousin to Wirr, and a figure of strength and compassion. She navigates the treacherous politics of the court, the madness of her father, and the demands of leadership in a time of crisis. Her relationship with Caeden is marked by mutual respect, curiosity, and the possibility of something more. Karaliene's psychological arc is one of growth, as she learns to balance duty with empathy and to make hard choices for the good of her people.

The Shadraehin

The Shadraehin is the enigmatic leader of the Shadows, orchestrating their rise from outcasts to defenders of the city. Her true identity and motives are shrouded in mystery, and she is both a force for justice and a source of fear. The Shadraehin's psychological profile is one of pragmatism, ambition, and the willingness to use any means necessary to achieve her goals. Her alliance with Asha is uneasy, and her role in the story is a reminder that power, once unleashed, cannot easily be controlled.

Malshash

Malshash is the mysterious Augur who trains Davian in Deilannis, teaching him the lost arts of kan and the manipulation of time. His past is marked by unimaginable grief and guilt—he once used his powers to avenge the murder of his wife, becoming a monster in the process. Malshash's psychological arc is one of sorrow, wisdom, and the hope that the next generation can avoid the mistakes of the old. His relationship with Davian is complex, blending mentorship, manipulation, and the desperate hope for redemption.

Andan Mash'aan

Mash'aan is the leader of the Blind, the inhuman army that invades Andarra. He is a figure of charisma, cruelty, and unwavering purpose, driven by ancient oaths and the will of the Venerate. His psychological profile is one of fanaticism, pride, and the belief in destiny. Mash'aan's role is to embody the existential threat facing the world, and his defeat is both a victory and a warning of greater dangers to come.

Plot Devices

The Tenets and the Treaty

The Tenets are magical oaths that bind the Gifted, enforced by the Mark and Shackles. They are designed to prevent abuse of power but also serve as a tool of oppression, stripping the Gifted of agency and dignity. The Treaty, a political agreement, enshrines these laws and creates a fragile peace. The Tenets are both a literal and metaphorical chain, and their changing is a central plot device—representing the possibility of reform, the dangers of unchecked power, and the need for balance between freedom and responsibility.

The Augur Powers and Kan

The Augurs' abilities—Reading minds, Seeing the future, manipulating time, and more—are rooted in the use of kan, a power distinct from Essence. The rediscovery and mastery of these powers is both a personal and political journey, as Davian and others learn to wield abilities that can change the fate of the world. The limitations, dangers, and moral ambiguities of these powers are explored in depth, and their use is often a double-edged sword.

The Boundary and the Blind

The Boundary is a magical barrier created to imprison Aarkein Devaed and his monstrous armies. Its weakening is foreshadowed throughout the story, and its failure unleashes the Blind, an army of inhuman warriors. The invasion is both a literal and symbolic return of the past, forcing the characters to confront the consequences

Last updated: May 5, 2025