You know what! I'm posting it...the story that I've been tooling with for an eternity at this point. I kept flip-flopping between posting it to a place like this or trying to get it published but I thought no time like the present. I want to get it out there, want to push something out into the world. Maybe someone will enjoy it and that's a lot better than just sitting on my hard drive while I think about things to do.

I am very proud of myself for actually writing this. It's been years in the making. This is the very start of all that I have written, as of now it's over 120k words long and alot more is on the way. I will try and post on a consistent schedule as there is lots to post! But without further ado - The Avian's Apprentice.

The art is done by https://bsky.app/profile/holboldoart.bsky.social
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The Esurian Islands - magic is alive and well. Those that can use it are able to mold the world around them; given they have the skill to do so.

Kicit is an Avian Caster, apprenticed under one of the Nine Masters; the black corvid Master Elacce. It has been a long eight years under the Master's claw and long overdue for him to finally join the ranks of true Avian Casters within Rukiem's Order and to pick his own Apprentice. A topic Master Elacce has been strangely quiet about. Instead of advancing Kicit, Master Elacce tells him they have a mission off of the Risen Isle. Where Kicit finds himself aboard a Canine vessel sailing to the Esurian Island Accaran without any idea of why.

Follow Kicit as he is confronted with a new world that is far different than the one he knew on his small Island. Filled with new people, species, spells, plots, histories and secrets desperately wanting to be seen. But after all, Kicit is a Caster, he can deal with it...can't he?

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The light faded. Long shadows drew on the ground as the voices of the day fell away to the evening stillness. The day drew close to an end, but not for Senza. His fist squeezed the broom in his right hand until his knuckles were white. Whispers of profanities gushed from his mouth as he trudged along the mighty stone hall.
Some might say that he had been given a great honor to even step foot within these bare walls! That he was some sort of ambassador, a gesture of good will by the Esurians to these new bodies that now walked among them. But they didn’t know the truth. The Beast’s Body was not for Esurians, it was not a place that they were wanted and Senza felt he was the only one who saw it. Instead of speaking with any of the Nine, instead of them including him in their oh-so-important business, Senza was relegated to sweeping the floor.
Yet as he made his way down the hall of the great Adium’s study he heard a distant tick-tack, the sound of talons against his freshly swept floors. He didn’t need to look, he knew who it was, but he did anyway. It was Riyew. Of course it was her.
It’d been many years since their forms had been changed, enough to where they’d inhabited their new bodies longer than the old. But that wasn’t long enough for Senza. The first Avian, a new form to walk this land. She inhabited her new body well at this point. Her stature filled more than her size while piercing, analytic eyes peered through a face of blue, black and white feathers; crowned with a short, black beak. Her arms hid great folded wings that ended in black scaly hands and long claw-like talons. A regal but functional dress fell down her sides, fluttering slightly behind with her quick pace.
Senza only looked her way in passing. She probably didn’t even notice him, the Nine never did when they walked the halls. But even as his hands gripped the broom tighter she strode past, keeping her gaze fixed forward. She turned down the hall to Adium’s study and the tick-tack of her talons faded, followed by the soft sound of a door opening. All things were no secret in the quiet halls of the Beast’s Body.
Senza almost let himself forget she’d walked by, only pondering on how she had been meeting with Adium in the evenings for a while now. But at once the door slammed open and the sound of quick clacks echoed off the tall bare walls. Senza turned to see Riyew, the Avian Progenitor, wings spread and rushing directly towards him. He froze and the broom fell to the ground. She clasped her talons on his shoulders.
“Something terrible has happened! Go! Go wake the rest of the Nine within the walls! You must hurry!” Words did not come easily and Senza grasped at what to say.
“What?” He finally said but Riyew just pressed forward.
“Tell them to meet here immediately! I shall attend to those outside the walls.” Then she turned, ran to the window, threw it open and jumped out, extending her wings and catching the air as she flew off into the darkness.

***
Riyew looked over who had shown up. Only three others, Kerkohn the Cervine Progenitor, Mino the Feline Progenitor and, Marshev the Bovidae Progenitor.
“So few.” Her beak clicked.
“If you spent more time among us you would have known all others were off the Island.” Kerkohn said, a bit of edge to his words. The others watched the door in silence, transfixed. The news couldn’t be correct. How could it be?
“Well, get on with it.” The fiery voice of Kerkohn snapped and Riyew stepped forward. She placed her talons on the door and gently pulled back the large ornate door. Every inch of light that appeared drew their attention; sucked them in. As much as each one did not want to actually see what was behind the door, for their own reasons, it was not a sight they could look away from.
It was stark, arranged like a painting. Each dull color seeping out like brush strokes emanating an eerie finale as eyes centered on the subject. One of the Nine. The second and final Beast to appear and the last Gatewalker. His body arched back in his chair, arms down his sides, pads open outward. The snow white fur that covered his body seemed frozen. His Vulpine yellow eyes stared off into a non-existent horizon while his muzzle hung open, tongue out the side.
“Well, it didn’t take much. Shows how weak he’d gotten!” Kerkohn grunted, tiling his thin head to the side in order to get a better look.
“Kerkohn! Show some respect!” Marshev, demanded. The rest of the hall deafened as Kerkohn looked to each pair eyes. He stiffened and flared his black nostrils.
“You all saw how weak he’s been getting! Unable to get his tea by himself anymore.” His eyes shifted to Riyew. “It’s time we got this Body more of a presence!”
“Kerkohn have you no shame? It may be true but at this moment we shall speak none of it! It’s Adium! Your flesh would have been in Eukithor’s teeth if it weren’t for for his actions. Your Esurian flesh!” Mino snapped. The Cervine took a step back but kept his high ground.
“I’m just saying sometimes you have to move on, think of all your children! What would become of them if the Beast’s Body had lost its head?” He pointed back to Adium’s body.
“You’re not the head.” Riyew said flatly. She walked in and picked a page from the desk that flanked Adium’s dead body. It was splattered with dry ink.
“It’s Adium’s hand.” Riyew said and began to read.

I grow weak far beyond my years. My hands tremble as I hold my quill. My legs wobble when I take my walks through the grounds. It shall become apparent soon and those with keen eyes have already noticed. But my deepest fear is that I am no longer able to stand at the Head. I recognize there are threats beginning to form. Threats across the Islands that could be greater than Eukithor before but it has become clear I no longer have the power to arrest these movements. However, the Head and Body must move as one, must be pushed forward lest it be frozen in indecision. A body cannot last without a head lest it tumble and fall.
Each of the Eight have shown true skill with their art; brought forth by their great sacrifice and true dedication for the safety of these great Islands. True fearlessness in the face of grand design. Radacnuth, Marshev, Mino, Rhimez, Khabeth, Kerkohn, Boralo, and Riyew, each possess what is needed to lead the Body.
However, as my last act as the Head of the Beast’s Body I have one edict, one final proclamation, one last will to give, a wish that you must follow. It is my final desire, that upon my death, the new Head of the Beast’s Body shall be Riyew.

- Adium

The others stood transfixed at the final words of their leader. The last words of the greatest Mage to walk these lands. Kerkohn gestured wildly towards the door and Riyew.
“Even he saw his own inadequacy! It was time. He’s looking for a true leader that can do the decisive things necessary. Riyew it cannot be! She spends all her time within her tower, does not even help with any of the duties for building out the city! Friends, Beasts, do not listen to the words of a dying breath, listen to me! To strong words and action! I should be Head of the Beast’s Body!”
Kerkohn’s voice echoed off the walls but fell away as if they were not heard.
“This must be discussed with the rest of the nine.” Marshev finally whispered and lowered her head in silent reverence.
“I agree. We must speak with the others. They should be recalled immediately.” Mino said and followed Marshev’s bow. Kerkohn grunted, disgusted and turned back down the hall.
“I’ll not waste my breath.”