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Skyvenom: Epilogue
🕑 Added 2025-01-18 18:00:08 +0000 UTCAnd with this chapter, we conclude Skyvenom! More notes after.
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"-and we had hoped that the new initiative would increase Ruler recruitment for the House, but Blacksilver continues to outpace us in growth. House Crimson still has more resources per capita, of course. The problem is that their food and aid outreach in the outer regions has given them a foothold in recruiting all lower tier soulcrafters-"
Roker sat in his chair, trying not to slump. He was fidgeting with one of the quills in front of him, but he hoped that made him look engaged instead of bored. The truth was that he found everything about the day-to-day administration of House Crimson incredibly dull.
He liked the grand hall of their complex, at least, with the long table underneath all the crimson banners. Currently all the seats were filled, but the majority were random officials, not soulcrafters. Roker could remember their names and put on a positive face with them, they just wouldn't be worth much when everything turned to war again.
The head of House Crimson sat at the head of the table, of course. Wiltur had vanished from public life for a time after the disaster, but the battle at the Dustwind Plateaus had somewhat restored their leader's good fortune, and now he was leading the House again. Roker sat on his right hand while Gethyrue sat on his left. They had one new Authority, but the woman had barely made it through her ascension and was only good for bullying lower tiers. Beyond that, the chairs were full of bodies but short on strength.
Alright, one chair was empty: Tythes was as absent as always.
That should have encouraged Roker, who was now the only potential heir to the House, but he couldn't help but worry his rival was scheming something again. He looked around the officials, wondering how many of them were corrupted by Tythes. There was no time to worry about that, however, because Gethyrue was speaking up just across from him.
"In my opinion, we should accept that House Blacksilver is transitioning to a different role," the old woman said. "Are we threatened by the House of Coin because it extends beyond one city? I say, instead of fighting Blacksilver, we support them in their outward growth. That will leave us as the most powerful House solely focused on Norro Yorthin."
Some of the others argued, and even Roker voiced objections, but Wiltur remained silent. It was strange for the old man to seem so distant. Not absent-minded, simply indifferent. The head of House Crimson said nothing throughout the meeting as they made more decisions and finally agreed on how to distribute their resources.
As everyone left the chamber, Wiltur reached out and touched Roker's arm. Instantly the old man's cantae seized his body, binding him in place. Roker gave a stiff nod to show he understood and pretended to linger to look over some of his papers. Some of the others noticed, and Gethyrue paused at the door to look back at him, but when Roker smiled at her she passed on and they were finally alone.
"What's this about?" Roker asked.
"Wait." Wiltur settled back into his chair and folded his hands in his lap. "This was not the meeting that mattered, today."
There was no point asking anything else, not when the old man was like this. Roker had gotten this far by understanding that Wiltur had his own schemes and ambitions, and just wanted someone who would fit into them. That path had taken Roker far, making him twice the Authority he had been five years ago, but it involved a lot of waiting.
Then a chill passed through the room and Roker wondered just what he'd gotten himself into.
The cold emanated from the closed doors to the balcony, which seemed to be frosting over despite the heat in Norro Yorthin this time of year. Wiltur waved a hand and the doors snapped open, revealing an alien woman wearing blue robes. Roker had been forced to study other worlds... judging from the metallic hair and sharp eyes, she must be Deuxan.
"Welcome, Calvatrina." Wiltur gestured to the empty chair opposite Roker. "Please join us."
"Pleased to meet you," Roker said as the woman came to sit down. "I'm Roker, next head of House Crimson."
He extended a hand toward her, but the woman only stared at for a moment as if puzzled as to what he was doing, then sat and ignored him.
"This is Calvatrina of the Salebrante," Wiltur told him. "They're the inter-world organization that has been supporting us this far. Sometimes better, sometimes worse, as with that horrid fleshmasker debacle."
"We gave you the resources for victory and you misused them," Calvatrina said.
Roker flinched, expecting Wiltur to punish such insolence, but to his surprise the old man didn't even react. Did he need alien help that much, or was she actually that strong? The Deuxan woman felt like an Authority, but with shielding walls that didn't mean anything. Presumably she was a Stronghold... or even a Dominion? The idea was astonishing, but Wiltur had stressed over and over that inter-world organizations were stronger than their House, or even the Ruling Cities.
"Regardless of blame," Wiltur said evenly, "your help was not sufficient to make us the leaders of the Ruling Cities. I was under the impression that there was little else we could do for one another, so I was surprised to hear your offer."
"Circumstances have changed," Calvatrina said. "The Salebrante has increased its strength and we seek to expand our influence. Because we have taken a step away from Deuxan, that means moving into other worlds. If House Crimson can make itself into a worthwhile ally, you could be our primary contact here. Such a position would be enviable indeed."
"I can imagine what you'll ask, but what do you offer?"
"No more soldiers, only sublime materials. As I said, we are expanding, so our resources have expanded as well... this is a millenniumtree seed from Aathal, a lineagegem from Noven, a fellheart from darkest Ichil..."
As she spoke, the Deuxan woman removed items from her soulhome to place them on the table. Roker's eyes bulged as he saw material after material of astonishing power. The cantae from all of them was Authority-tier at minimum and there were so many extraordinary sublime materials... the lineagegem somehow felt like the power of multiple soulcrafters gathered and condensed. If he could gain control of it, he might well have a path to Stronghold... Roker reached out almost unconsciously...
And in a flash Calvatrina returned all the materials into her soulhome.
"These aren't for you." Her tone was chiding, almost insulting, but Roker could tolerate that if it meant such potent sublime materials. "They only serve as a taste of the power we can acquire by working freely across the Nine Worlds. If you want to work with us in the future, you must become our point of contact - not just for this little region or continent, but all of Fithe."
"The idea is as appealing as it ever was." Wiltur spoke calmly, but Roker was sure even he had started to twitch toward the sublime materials. "But you must understand, our social position has weakened. We lack the strength to dominate the Ruling Cities, and if we take any suspicious actions, the other cities will turn against us."
"We're aware of your local politics," Calvatrina said, "which is why we're offering something different: the next plan won't involve interfering with any of your allies, only your enemy... what was it, the Asplundat Movement? With our intelligence, you will be able to strike at their heart. In a single stroke, you can defeat your old enemy and make your organization the leader of the Ruling Cities and indeed the continent."
"And what do you demand in return?"
"This time we don't need payment, only your assistance. Plutalgion will be sending his enforcers soon, and someone is required to meet them. If you lack the strength, your continent will simply be invaded, which is not in our best interest."
Roker tensed at the mention of Plutalgion. He got local politics: Ruling Cities and Asplundat Movement and Wavefront - simple. Getting other continents involved, where the soulcrafters seemed to be even stronger, made him nervous. He would have said it was all nonsense except that he'd seen some of the representatives from Tymetron, and they seemed to have Strongholds to spare.
Wiltur was also frowning in response. "If you seek a partner on Fithe, why not go to Plutalgion?" the old man asked. "He and his empire would seem to be a much better candidate to represent the entire world."
"The trouble is that he has enough strength to refuse us." For the first time, Calvatrina looked slightly perturbed. "No, we do not seek to make an alliance with Plutalgion... but we do have a non-aggression pact. That is why it's all the more important that you act now, before he invades. If all goes well, your organization can rise to the preeminent position on the continent."
"Then you can give us another Stronghold?"
The Deuxan woman's eyes flickered over Roker and she shrugged. "It will take time, but we can most likely get him to Stronghold, yes. But that is the least of it: if this strike into your enemy's territory goes well, you should be able to reach Dominion."
In the silence of the chamber, Wiltur's slight intake of breath was audible. Roker knew he was visibly gaping and couldn't pull his jaw up - helping Authorities ascend was already crazy enough, but Dominions? There were only two on the entire continent, and they led empires. A soulcrafter who reached Dominion wasn't the head of a house, they floated over all the Ruling Cities. And yet this woman made such a statement so easily...
"How could this be accomplished?" Wiltur's control had returned, but after witnessing that moment of desire, Roker could see the greed in his eyes.
"There will soon be an extraordinary confluence of sublime materials, the likes of which attracts even our attention." The Deuxan woman shook her head slowly. "Unfortunately, due to the involvement of Plutalgion and other factors, the Salebrante cannot act directly, as we might elsewhere. That is why we need more local partners. If we succeed, there will be sublime materials enough for all of us."
"And just what are they?"
"The Asplundat Movement is about to conclude a project centuries in the making, one that will have far greater returns than they expect. Plutalgion knows about it and will be sending his own armies, trying to seize it for his own. But the result will surpass what either expects... and it will be something truly new, a crest of sublime material created from the confluence. It lacks a name... but if you assist us, it could be the Crimsoncrest."
A sublime material so powerful that Dominions and inter-world organizations hungered for it... Roker's mind boggled at the idea. Yet Wiltur seemed to be taking the idea seriously, so it must not be a lie. After so long listening to threats between continents, maybe the politics were about to come to a head.
Wiltur leaned forward. "We're listening."
-
The tenth book in the series will be titled Crimsoncrest, and it will indeed take the characters back to Fithe. They've spent three books exploring further afield, so I hope everyone is ready to catch up on all the plots that have been fermenting there in the meantime. Lots of seeds that have been planted across the entire series will blossom in the next arc.
I have made better progress on the next book than I would have expected a month ago... but in my overall state of distraction, I haven't commissioned a cover. -_- I've contacted my usual artists but not head back yet, so I hope that works out.
Most likely Skyvenom will be released in February, barring trouble. Until then, I have some finished blueprints for everyone, as well as some potentially exciting announcements.
Comments
SMB
Such a good series! I can’t wait to learn more about the world and about the artifacts of elghiera.
Kangaroo
Having just re-read the series one thing that jumps out to me is that Senka's lock box was raided meaning some of her previous connections where not killed off by Virgil. Genuinely curious if they will appear at a later stage?
Sarah Lin
I'm glad to hear the series has captured your interest! Thanks for your support. ^-^
Aiah Jai
I hunger for the next book, I never read incomplete series but the snippet I read online was too good to pass up! Amazing amazing amazing, first time ever subscribing to a P acct. thank you !
Sarah Lin
I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it!
Vladyslav Romanenko
Read whole book in three nights. Just take my gratitude. It was very cool experience despite I dont know English very well (just making a point that your books are very accessible!) Thanks! [Sarah Queen!]
Inv7ctus
Okay, discussing brigana's crest for theo right before dropping this in the epilog(the book is called crimsoncrest for gods sake) coupled with the mystery of vistgil's change in patterns. There is no way in hell this isn't the start to learning something new about Soulcrafting. There is SOMETHING here, I feel it in my bones. Also the fact that the mercury court can't get involved because it would escalate to interworld conflict only to find out its ALREADY an interworld conflict and their main foe is involved is intensly funny to me.
Sarah Lin
Thanks, glad to hear you've enjoyed it!
Andy Rhine
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series for my nightly light reading. The magic system is unique and cool, the characters aren’t your typical archetypes, and the story is deep enough to hold your interest but not so convoluted that it’s hard to follow. Well done, Sarah.
Elliott
LOL anyone who thinks this is juggling a lot, try reading Wheel of Time and Malazan Book of the Fallen; both excellent EXCELLENT series, but both notorious for having more going on than an anthill.
Elliott
I also love that they HAVE put down roots and invested in/gotten attached to a place. In a story where even the magic system is based on building, it’s great to see that reflected in the attachments the characters make, rather than just being pure murderhobos like Theo & friends in his first life.
Arcane
Thanks for the book! I wonder if Theo will ascend to Stronghold in the next book. Oh, and use his blackhole. I'm a simple man with simple desires.
AnythingAtAll
We actually knew it was the Salebrante ever since the book 7 (Wakespire) epilogue. Since their fleshmasker agent got the lineagegem anyway, they succeeded in their goals. However, it was relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. The real blow was being denied a victory in the Dustwind Plateaus during Bloodcrete. They're evidently still reeling from it from what we can see in this epilogue.
Nandan
Now we know who was behind the theft of the lineagegem at the wakespire. But my memory's failing me regarding how much the Salebrante's plans were hindered on that occasion. I only recall that many lives were preserved thanks to Theo & Co., but nothing beyond that.
AnythingAtAll
Fithe strikes me as the perfect setting for a progression fantasy series of this kind. It's a world constantly at war so there are constant battles, but there are also politics informed by the kind of world Fithe is. Dust Fithans have their complex geopolitics on land and so do depths Fithans, but the latter's environment is also just begging to be explored for eldritch beings like the creature mentioned in Bloodcrete, so there's something to look forward to. It's not defined by as stark of a contrast like Tatian, it's not defined by inhuman characteristics like Arbai or Aathal, it's not swallowed by hierarchies like Deuxan, it's not *everything will kill you* like Ichil, etc. The Fithans may be red and blue onis, but they also act pretty close to what the average reader expects of fellow humans, so you get both familiar characterizations while also having the usual fantasy nonhuman conceits. In contrast, Noveni wings for example have unavoidable ramifications for the kinds of societies they'll form because flying is obviously a pretty big deal. That makes them feel ironically less human than the Fithans who do have strikingly nonhuman skin, but also mostly just have... horns and fangs.
Sarah Lin
Thank you, really appreciate your support!
FoolRegnant
It retrospect, I think having Fithe become the main base for the series is a great choice. All three characters are foreigners, so we get to learn about the world as they do, but it also leaves their personal problems for meaningful resolution later - obviously the dark side of Tatian will be something to resolve later, and Ichil being so obviously hostile anyways makes it a great place to return to show off the power growth of the characters
James Tracy
I love this day and age when I can just pop over to Patreon and show authors some extra love to get chapters like this. Such great work!
Dick Dastardly
I really enjoy it, I was only mentioning my failing. I wanted to read Dune so many times, but never get far before giving up. I had to take notes to get through A song of ice and fire books. I like to look at the positive in that I get to go back and re-read. 😁
Sarah Lin
Well, I am glad that you ended up enjoying it! Thanks for your support. ^-^
Sarah Lin
If you want to review this, Tythes and House Crimson had their last major developments at the end of Bloodcrete. And yeah, this series is juggling a lot. Some readers have objected, and I think it's a reasonable complaint, but I hope that it will stand up as a whole.
ZJJ
Just wan to say thank you for another truly enjoyable installment in this series. I feel greedy saying it, but I'm already eager for the next book to begin. Thanks for the hard work and the characters, magical system, settings, and storylines that make Weirkey Chronicles so wonderful. :D
Elliott
Fleshmaskers probably REALLY help running a good spy network!
Bram Wel
Have to say, I've really enjoyed this series. A lot more than I thought I would. Hope to catch the next one when it's ready.
Quantenmecha
Salebrante: you have ruined our plans! Damaged our investments for years! We will have vengance! Theo: … I dont even know who you are. (Hyperbolic of course but still :D)
Dick Dastardly
Ooh okay. Thanks.
holothuroid
Tythes wants to end House Crimson. Why is unclear.
Dick Dastardly
Neat. I look forward to Theo and the gang throwing a wrench in the works. I may have forgotten, but did we ever find out what Tythes and goal is? I'm still not sure if he's friend or foe. I sometimes get confused with expanded characters and plots, due to my ADHD ensuring I forget all about them when they aren't mentioned for a bit.
AnythingAtAll
Holy shit, I was expecting something big, but after the bombshell that was chapter 52, I was more expecting to be just eased into the next book, maybe get a few hints. Skyvenom was a dizzying, gripping culmination of multiple elements and factors that was built all throughout the book. But that was *within* the book. For as consequential as its conflicts ended up being to the overall story, Accilonia and Deuxan convocations were introduced then concluded within the same book. Crimsoncrest is going to be the culmination of plot threads since as far back as book 3! House Blacksilver's continued growth, House Crimson's shadowy plans, Tythes' shadowy counter-plans, the Asplundat's complicated ideals and methods, everything about Norro Yorthin, everything about Tymetron, even elements only properly introduced in Skyvenom like the Salebrante, and others I'm either forgetting or can't possibly guess right now since there'll obviously be new threads we haven't seen before. Socciro has nothing on this! I think this might be my favorite epilogue so far. I didn't expect it to hype me as much as chapter 52, but it absolutely did. Also, as a side note, one of my favorite things about this chapter is that it tells us the gang has been inadvertently ruining the Salebrante's plans since Bloodcrete lmao. Winning the Dustwind Plateaus prevented them from gaining a foothold in the exact continent where they need one. And winning the convocation both prevented them from acting directly in Socirro while allowing the Mercury Court to gain a foothold there instead. Feels so damn satisfying and I didn't even know their significance until now!
CommodoreCaptain
What a great book! Can’t wait for the next one, I hope you can enjoy some downtime.
Mathieu Kocher
Amazing book ! As fascinating as Deuxan was, I'm glad that we're going to spend a moment in Fithe, even if it's unlikely to be a vacation, before following one of the other threads. The other side of Tatian can't be too far down the road, can it ?
Taylor Scranton
Thanks for the chapter ! Looking forward to the blueprints. They are a nice addition at the end of books
LordAlton
You see, I'm a petty bitch. I'm hoping he's still an Authority so Nauda can spend the whole book messing with him in backhanded Tatian ways.
Tokufan178
Thanks for the chapter! Fantastic teaser for the next book I’m wondering what the crimsoncrest could possibly do. The salebrante’s spy network must be incredible for them to know all this. Tythes’ return is bound to be glorious, maybe he’ll show up as a stronghold? Thanks for your work on the book and good luck with the release!!
LordAlton
I'm pumped. Theo and the squad is really gonna kick the hornets nest on this one. Screwing up the plans of both Tymetreon and the Salebrante? It's gonna be a wild ride
Elliott
It was an awesome book (and so many tantalising answers & soulcrafting info), thank you!
Cliff
Tftc. Congrats on another completed arc.
Sam Oppy
Loved the book and I thought it was a fitting continuation of where we were - I hope you continue to be inspired to keep writing
