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Herein are sneak previews of the main characters from
The Redemption of Kiwaft (RoK). I hope you enjoy!
Excerpts are from the first chapter of The Redemption of Kiwaft: Volume 1, tentatively titled Expedition. Title and details below are subject to change. The below images were created with Hero Forge - many thanks to them! They are, of course, inexact representations of the characters and most closely resemble plastic figurines because that's what Hero Forge creates. :-)
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DEVEZ (DEH vehz) Birthplace: The Ibleqx Forest Age: 32 Ethnic Appearance: East Asian Physical Characteristics: Dark brown eyes and hair, pale creamy skin, built like martial artist, many scars including a burn scar on his left hand Occupation: Unknown Family: Unknown Favorite activity: None Other: Deadly fighter, quick to resort to aggression; do not annoy Role in Expedition: Guiding, defending, ignoring Kaliffe |
Devez
Home sweet home, I thought cynically as an arrow whooshed past my head. It embedded itself deeply within the trunk of a dead pine to my right, so I darted to the left and jumped a fallen log. Flattening myself to the ground on the other side, I drew my knife and waited in the gloom of the fading night with bated breath. Hoofbeats approached, and I dared to edge closer to the mossy, decaying timber that had clearly once been a mighty behemoth of the Ibleqx Forest before it toppled. Such was life.
The rhythmic squeak of leather mingled with the thundering of hooves, and I buried the blade of my knife within the dirt and leaves so its glint would not give away my position. The moment came. The horse and rider leaped the fallen log in their pursuit of me, and their shadow passed over me like a shroud of impending death. Without a sound, I rose to a crouch the moment they were past and sent my knife streaking into the back of the archer’s heart. He slumped in the saddle, and his oblivious charger carried him out of sight within seconds.
I let out a long, slow breath. One down, five to go.
The rhythmic squeak of leather mingled with the thundering of hooves, and I buried the blade of my knife within the dirt and leaves so its glint would not give away my position. The moment came. The horse and rider leaped the fallen log in their pursuit of me, and their shadow passed over me like a shroud of impending death. Without a sound, I rose to a crouch the moment they were past and sent my knife streaking into the back of the archer’s heart. He slumped in the saddle, and his oblivious charger carried him out of sight within seconds.
I let out a long, slow breath. One down, five to go.
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OHALU (oh HAH loo) Birthplace: Andarlia, Leesu Age: 27 Ethnic Appearance: Polynesian Physical Characteristics: Brown eyes, black hair, warm brown skin, athletic Occupation: Administrator of Leesu Family: Both parents living - father is Leesujun Chief, twin brother Azerl, two younger sisters Favorite activity: Surfing Other: Very cheerful and carefree, quick to make friends Role in Expedition: Keeping Azerl out of trouble, talking to Shanim about the Sacred Scrolls of Kanna [Kiwaft's Bible] |
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AZERL (ah ZARE ull) Birthplace: Andarlia, Leesu Age: 27 Ethnic Appearance: Californian dude Physical Characteristics: Green eyes, blond hair, tan skin, athletic, tattoo on right shoulder Occupation: Chief-in-training of Leesu Family: Both parents living - father is Leesujun Chief, twin brother Ohalu, two younger sisters Favorite activity: Surfing Other: Outgoing and fun, mischievous but trustworthy Role in Expedition: Teasing Kaliffe and keeping the peace between her and Devez |
Azerl
“Remind me why I agreed to wake up this early?” I asked my twin brother, barely stifling a yawn. He and I were sitting in the kitchen, and we were the only ones awake. I was perched on the end of one of the tables and he was straddling a chair as we shared a bowl of fruit. The rest of the large house was silent, and the coral colored stone walls were only just beginning to feel the faint grey light of approaching dawn.
Ohalu rubbed sleep from his eyes. “Wish I knew. Raeliz’s girl wants to watch the sunrise, and he wants us there as backup in case Cralell and his goons decide to show up.”
“Aren’t her cousins coming too, or something?”
He bobbed his head. “I seem to remember him saying something about having companions for us. Blentin is coming too.”
I perked up. “Is Slenna coming? I heard she’s back in Leesu for a visit.”
“I don’t know. Hope so.”
“We haven’t seen her in ages.”
We finished our quick breakfast and quietly made our way outside to the shed that housed our surfboards. We called it a shed, but it rivaled some of the stores in town. Dozens of surfboards of every style were inside, and in the back was a workshop. Ohalu and I chose our favorite boards and headed for the beach.
I yawned again. “Doesn’t Tujar have its own sunrises?”
My brother smiled. “Of course it does. It doesn’t have an ocean.”
“No wonder they’re so solemn.”
He chuckled.
“You know, we could save time by going straight to Cralell’s house and getting the fight over with now before we meet them at the beach.”
“There’s an idea. I’d hate to have Raeliz think we deserted him, though.”
“You’re right. Besides, Father doesn’t approve of us starting fights.”
“Just finishing them,” he completed with a grin, and I smiled back.
Ohalu rubbed sleep from his eyes. “Wish I knew. Raeliz’s girl wants to watch the sunrise, and he wants us there as backup in case Cralell and his goons decide to show up.”
“Aren’t her cousins coming too, or something?”
He bobbed his head. “I seem to remember him saying something about having companions for us. Blentin is coming too.”
I perked up. “Is Slenna coming? I heard she’s back in Leesu for a visit.”
“I don’t know. Hope so.”
“We haven’t seen her in ages.”
We finished our quick breakfast and quietly made our way outside to the shed that housed our surfboards. We called it a shed, but it rivaled some of the stores in town. Dozens of surfboards of every style were inside, and in the back was a workshop. Ohalu and I chose our favorite boards and headed for the beach.
I yawned again. “Doesn’t Tujar have its own sunrises?”
My brother smiled. “Of course it does. It doesn’t have an ocean.”
“No wonder they’re so solemn.”
He chuckled.
“You know, we could save time by going straight to Cralell’s house and getting the fight over with now before we meet them at the beach.”
“There’s an idea. I’d hate to have Raeliz think we deserted him, though.”
“You’re right. Besides, Father doesn’t approve of us starting fights.”
“Just finishing them,” he completed with a grin, and I smiled back.
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TALUTH (tah LOOTH) Birthplace: Peribelyn Range, Tujar Age: 26 Ethnic Appearance: African Tribal Physical Characteristics: Dark brown eyes, black hair, very dark skin, tall, strong Occupation: Cowboy Family: Both parents living, older sister, two younger brothers Favorite activity: Riding with friends or family Other: Hardworking and dependable, tends to take life seriously yet quick to smile, excellent with a lasso or a whip, good cook Role in Expedition: Falling head over heels for Nevara |
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Taluth
After a long but rewarding night, I walked back to the log house I shared with my youngest brother, whistling softly to myself. The sky was lightening, and I hardly needed the lantern anymore. A strong breeze rustled through the wild prairie stretching before me, and I took a deep breath. As my father liked to say, a man had room to breathe out here. Room to think. Room to dream. Room to live. I thanked Kanna for the privilege of being born a Tujaran.
Upon reaching the front door, I wiped off my boots on the mat before entering. Ruskis was already awake and had bacon frying in a pan. The scent made my mouth water.
“That smells about ready,” I remarked appreciatively, hoping he would take the hint and not burn it again. He said he liked his bacon crispy, but there was crispy and there was charcoal. His cooking sometimes favored the latter.
He turned to me with surprise. “I didn’t hear you get up. Looks like you were up all night. Did Sunshine’s foal make an appearance?”
I smiled and nodded. “A beautiful black filly with one white sock. Need any help?”
“I’ve got it.” He turned back to the stove and, to my relief, began removing the strips of bacon from the sizzling grease before they turned to ash. “You should have woken me up.”
I crossed to our small but sturdy table and plopped into a chair with a sigh. The whole set had been carved by the adept hands of my other brother, Linelt, who came between me and Ruskis. Caspina, our sister, was the oldest. “I would have if I needed to, but Sunshine did great. Besides, one of us has to be coherent today. Mom and Dad are coming by about noon.”
He groaned. “I forgot they were coming today.” He brought the bacon to the table, along with eggs, potatoes, bread, and jam. “She’s not going to bring more of her friends’ daughters along to meet us, is she?”
My stomach rumbled in anticipation, and I laughed at the question. “How would I know? You’re the one that talked to her.”
“I was too scared to ask.”
I laughed again. He handed me a plate and flatware, and after thanking him, I bowed my head and led us in a prayer.
Upon reaching the front door, I wiped off my boots on the mat before entering. Ruskis was already awake and had bacon frying in a pan. The scent made my mouth water.
“That smells about ready,” I remarked appreciatively, hoping he would take the hint and not burn it again. He said he liked his bacon crispy, but there was crispy and there was charcoal. His cooking sometimes favored the latter.
He turned to me with surprise. “I didn’t hear you get up. Looks like you were up all night. Did Sunshine’s foal make an appearance?”
I smiled and nodded. “A beautiful black filly with one white sock. Need any help?”
“I’ve got it.” He turned back to the stove and, to my relief, began removing the strips of bacon from the sizzling grease before they turned to ash. “You should have woken me up.”
I crossed to our small but sturdy table and plopped into a chair with a sigh. The whole set had been carved by the adept hands of my other brother, Linelt, who came between me and Ruskis. Caspina, our sister, was the oldest. “I would have if I needed to, but Sunshine did great. Besides, one of us has to be coherent today. Mom and Dad are coming by about noon.”
He groaned. “I forgot they were coming today.” He brought the bacon to the table, along with eggs, potatoes, bread, and jam. “She’s not going to bring more of her friends’ daughters along to meet us, is she?”
My stomach rumbled in anticipation, and I laughed at the question. “How would I know? You’re the one that talked to her.”
“I was too scared to ask.”
I laughed again. He handed me a plate and flatware, and after thanking him, I bowed my head and led us in a prayer.
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KALIFFE (kah LEEF) Birthplace: Meridak, Lusari Forest Age: 23 Ethnic Appearance: Irish Physical Characteristics: Green eyes, fiery red curly hair, pale skin, fast, small but mighty Occupation: Huntress Family: Both parents deceased, four older brothers Favorite activity: Showing up her brothers Other: Feisty, short-tempered but big-hearted, good with a bow Role in Expedition: Keeping both eyes on Devez, mistrusting him, questioning his every move or thought |
Kaliffe
Dawn stole across the sky, and dew glistened on the grass. This was my favorite time of day. A few birds greeted the new day, and their songs were cheerful as they called for the rest of the forest to awaken. No matter how long and dark a night had been, the faintest hints of sunshine chased it away like a fox after a rabbit. After the drizzly day yesterday, this morning seemed particularly fresh.
Somewhere in these wide, green woods my brothers were waiting just like I was, bow in hand, arrow on the string. Somewhere in this vast Lusari Forest our next dinner was creeping softly, eyes alert for movement, ears perked for sounds of danger. I hoped I would have the boasting rights of bringing down the first deer of the day. There was an unending and vigorous competition among my brothers and myself, for we were all excellent hunters. But being the youngest of five and the only girl of our family since our mother passed away twelve years ago, not to mention being slight of build - “a mere wisp of a girl,” as my uncle liked to say - I felt an especial need to make myself seen and heard and to prove my value to our community. I hated feeling overlooked, although how anyone could overlook my flaming mess of hair was beyond my ability to fathom.
Something stirred on the forest floor, and I watched keenly from my camouflaged perch up in a tree. A graceful deer stepped into sight. An eight point buck! My heart thrilled as I drew back my bowstring. Wait till my brothers saw this!
Somewhere in these wide, green woods my brothers were waiting just like I was, bow in hand, arrow on the string. Somewhere in this vast Lusari Forest our next dinner was creeping softly, eyes alert for movement, ears perked for sounds of danger. I hoped I would have the boasting rights of bringing down the first deer of the day. There was an unending and vigorous competition among my brothers and myself, for we were all excellent hunters. But being the youngest of five and the only girl of our family since our mother passed away twelve years ago, not to mention being slight of build - “a mere wisp of a girl,” as my uncle liked to say - I felt an especial need to make myself seen and heard and to prove my value to our community. I hated feeling overlooked, although how anyone could overlook my flaming mess of hair was beyond my ability to fathom.
Something stirred on the forest floor, and I watched keenly from my camouflaged perch up in a tree. A graceful deer stepped into sight. An eight point buck! My heart thrilled as I drew back my bowstring. Wait till my brothers saw this!
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SHANIM (shah NEM) Birthplace: Mercy Falls, Wistaor Mountains Age: 31 Ethnic Appearance: Hispanic Physical Characteristics: Brown eyes, white hair, coppery skin, dexterous hands, wears wedding band on left wrist Occupation: College instructor Family: Both parents living, younger sister Nevara; wife Kyannwae, two sons - Denthlen (7) & Aurutim (5) Favorite activity: Spending time with family and exploring Other: Charismatic, thoughtful, wise, diligent, humble Role in Expedition: Leading, counseling, peacemaking, preaching, sewing, parenting, being the go-between, etc. |
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NEVARA (neh VAHR ah) Birthplace: Mercy Falls, Wistaor Mountains Age: 28 Ethnic Appearance: Hispanic Physical Characteristics: Blue eyes, white hair, coppery skin, graceful Occupation: Currently caretaker for the elderly Family: Both parents living, older brother Shanim Favorite activity: Playing with her nephews and swimming Other: Sweet and kind, dependable, has been known to somnambulate Role in Expedition: Initiating, sistering, falling head over heels for Taluth |
Nevara
“I did what?” My voice was shrill, and my heart fluttered uncomfortably. Surely they were joking!
But Father and my brother, Shanim, and Laenish and the seven other Elders who stared at me were completely serious. “If you don’t remember anything, you must have been sleepwalking,” Father concluded.
“But I haven’t sleepwalked since I was fourteen!” I squeaked.
“Have you any other explanation?” Laenish asked. In spite of the gravity of the situation, his voice was kind. He had always been like a grandfather to us younger Wistaoris.
Nonetheless, I could not help but lower my head in shame, standing there before them in my yellow nightgown with Father’s blue coat draped over my shoulders. Worst of all, my hair was loose and hung in straight, white tresses down my back. I was in a very humiliating position, and I felt like all of Kiwaft could see me since we were standing on the highest grand balcony of the Hall of Devotion near the peak of Mount Kinnalys. “No, Elder Laenish, I have no other explanation.” I repeated for the sixth time, “I don’t know how I got up here.”
“You walked, according to the attendants,” Shanim said lightly.
He was trying to make me feel better, but Father scolded him, “Shanim, this is not a time for teasing or jokes.”
My older brother sobered immediately. “I’m sorry, Father.”
Nervously toying with my hair, I asked, “What do we do now?”
Laenish turned toward the oncoming sunrise and answered in a calm voice, “At this point there is little we can do. A Shraldi cannot be called back once it has been thrown. We must wait and see what Kanna brings of this.”
He walked to the eastern end of the balcony, and the rest of us followed. I huddled close to Father, and he put his arm around me comfortingly. All eyes were on the brightening horizon. The sun would appear any moment. My heart pounded.
But Father and my brother, Shanim, and Laenish and the seven other Elders who stared at me were completely serious. “If you don’t remember anything, you must have been sleepwalking,” Father concluded.
“But I haven’t sleepwalked since I was fourteen!” I squeaked.
“Have you any other explanation?” Laenish asked. In spite of the gravity of the situation, his voice was kind. He had always been like a grandfather to us younger Wistaoris.
Nonetheless, I could not help but lower my head in shame, standing there before them in my yellow nightgown with Father’s blue coat draped over my shoulders. Worst of all, my hair was loose and hung in straight, white tresses down my back. I was in a very humiliating position, and I felt like all of Kiwaft could see me since we were standing on the highest grand balcony of the Hall of Devotion near the peak of Mount Kinnalys. “No, Elder Laenish, I have no other explanation.” I repeated for the sixth time, “I don’t know how I got up here.”
“You walked, according to the attendants,” Shanim said lightly.
He was trying to make me feel better, but Father scolded him, “Shanim, this is not a time for teasing or jokes.”
My older brother sobered immediately. “I’m sorry, Father.”
Nervously toying with my hair, I asked, “What do we do now?”
Laenish turned toward the oncoming sunrise and answered in a calm voice, “At this point there is little we can do. A Shraldi cannot be called back once it has been thrown. We must wait and see what Kanna brings of this.”
He walked to the eastern end of the balcony, and the rest of us followed. I huddled close to Father, and he put his arm around me comfortingly. All eyes were on the brightening horizon. The sun would appear any moment. My heart pounded.
Lagniappe
(a little extra)
Just for fun, here are the character representations I created for Silvyn and Graiceyl from
The Legend of Kiwaft: Volume 1, Silvyn's Tale in both their land-dweller and ocean-dweller forms. :-)
The Legend of Kiwaft: Volume 1, Silvyn's Tale in both their land-dweller and ocean-dweller forms. :-)
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Please note, the above text is copyrighted © 2022 by Sara Nicole. Please do not share or reproduce. Thanks!
