This tale is set in a land you have not heard of, and in a time you will not know. Faeries and elves roam this realm, wandering along with the elementals and the alchemists, the necromancers and the corruptors. Ryhon is the name given to this place, and all are born with a gift.
A young queen stands barefoot in the dappled sunlight of a forest, wearing nowt but her jerkin and leggings, the only protection from the wind being her untameable black hair that tumbles down her back, with two pointed ears poking out on either side. 'Serena!'. She starts at the sudden noise and comes back to her senses, so much for peace and quiet. 'Why are you out of the house, you are meant to be getting your dress fitted!'. An older woman approaches, familiar in tow - this was Lili, her guardian of sorts, she did raise her after all.
At that moment she was, in fact, meant to be getting a dress fitted, for her upcoming birthday and the Gifters Ceremony, but that was boring and she'd much rather be outside. A rustling noise announces the arrival of her own familiar, Aria, a sleek black wolf with huge, sharp fangs and a heart of gold. Aria flops down onto the grass lazily to sun herself, tired from a day spent doing nothing. Lili tuts at the queen, taking her arm and leading her back to their cabin in Tairn, the city of the elves.
'Lili can be such a bore, Rena', whines another girl, a year younger than that of her friend. The girl who spoke is named Opal, and is the elven queens partner in crime. She sports pearlescent lilac eyes and white hair that always seems to be dotted with snowflakes, as is her gift. Opal subconsciously sends glittering icicles everywhere, narrowly missing the mirror in front of which Serena is half heartedly trying on dresses, more focused on the array of flowers she is blooming in the palm of her hand - she'd pay for that later, Lili would make sure of it.
These two live in the west, we are now on the other side of the island, in the poisoners city, Malthorn. Thick steam cloaks a short, slender figure mixing liquids and powders in a small, cobbled room. This is the second queen; Katya. Short, silky black hair covers her eyes as she bends over her concoction - poison - and, leaning back, vivid green eyes are revealed, along with a live, inky black snake laced about her neck - matching the twisted horns atop her head, and the venomous fangs protruding from beneath her upper lip. Lighting a green flame with her fingertip, Katya boils the vial of deadly liquid, adding to the smoke that surrounds her.
A sharp knock at the door snaps her out of the haze; a boy of about 19 stands there with a pleased expression on his pale face, black hair slicked back, yellow eyes clearly showing. 'Kat', he grinned, striding over to her desk, practically wading through the thick fog. 'I thought I might find you in here'.
'Damian, what a surprise' she smiled, amused at his intrusion, as is usual with her foster brother - he always appears at the worst times.
'Thorntail would like a word, and will you please shut up, Ivy'. He of course refers to their guardian and mentor and then to the snake about her neck - which was hissing at him in a grouchy manner. Sighing, she put down the vials and exited the room, strolling down the stone corridors of the manor in search of Thorntail and the terrible council. An impish tail swung casually behind her, matching the grin on her face.
On the north coast of the island lie the red cliffs of Gamtav, home to the final queen of Ryhon, Jade. A fierce elemental know to control the very ocean, the islands storms and its earth, legends say she is restless in her quest for the islands throne, not stopping for anyone or anything.
A deep snore emanates from the depths of a precariously leaning tower, rattling its very foundations, sending birds flying every which way. Silence. Sleepy faced and bleary eyed the third queen appears at the seaward window, yawning, she blinks in the bright sunlight as if nothing was the matter. This was just how she slept, no big deal. Jade very much resembles her two sisters; long black hair falling down her back, and her sparkling green eyes. The main difference being one thing; she jumps out the window.
Plummeting down towards the earth, she yawns again and stretches. As the elemental grew dangerously close to ground, grand black wings swoop down in a huge pull, sending her flying upwards and off the edge of the cliff. Sea spray dots her face as she skims the clear water, spiralling its currents and smoothing its waves. Her wings are magnificent, and so large they drag the floor as she walks, they much resemble the wings of a raven, dark as the night sky, and just as beautiful.
