Shadows in Blackveil

In the heart of Blackveil Forest, Grandmother leads her dwindling band through a land twisted by ancient magic and war. The forest is alive, watching, and deadly—one misstep means death. As they press on, the group's faith in Grandmother is tested by loss, hunger, and the ever-present threat of the forest's monstrous denizens. Grandmother's resolve is fueled by her belief in the Second Empire's destiny and the promise of awakening the Sleepers, powerful Eletians who could tip the balance of power. The forest's history—once Argenthyne, now corrupted—haunts every step, and the group's survival depends on Grandmother's cunning, her granddaughter Lala's strange gifts, and the hope that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

Homecoming Storms

Karigan G'ladheon, Green Rider and newly knighted, braves a fierce winter storm to return to her family. Her homecoming is both joyful and fraught, as her father and aunts welcome her with warmth and concern. Yet beneath the surface, old wounds and secrets simmer. Karigan's relationship with her father is tested by revelations about his piratical past and his connection to a brothel madam. The storm outside mirrors the emotional turbulence within, as Karigan struggles to reconcile the man she admires with the truths she uncovers. The comfort of home is shadowed by the knowledge that her life as a Rider, and the magic that calls her, will always set her apart.

Secrets and Revelations

Over shared meals and quiet moments, Karigan and her father confront the secrets that have shaped their lives. Stevic G'ladheon's past as a privateer-turned-pirate is revealed, along with the choices that led to the family's prosperity. Karigan's own reticence about her dangerous Rider duties is mirrored in her father's reluctance to share his youthful misdeeds. Their confrontation is painful but necessary, as both realize that love and loyalty are complicated by the burdens of truth. The legacy of secrets—piracy, brothels, and unspoken grief—binds them, even as it threatens to drive them apart.

Bloodlines and Moonstones

Karigan's search for understanding leads her to her mother's dowry chest, where she finds a hidden Eletian moonstone. The artifact, glowing with otherworldly light, reveals a deeper connection to her mother's mysterious lineage and the magic that runs in her blood. Her aunts share tales of the Grays, a family touched by uncanny gifts and island lore. The moonstone's power, and her mother's dying wish that Karigan receive it, hint at a destiny intertwined with the ancient magic of Argenthyne. The discovery is both a comfort and a burden, as Karigan senses she is part of a story much larger than herself.

Curses and Family Lore

The revelation of Karigan's magical heritage unsettles her father, who sees magic as a curse. Her aunts recount stories of fey ancestors and uncanny knowing, painting a picture of a family both ordinary and extraordinary. Karigan's struggle to accept her Rider calling is mirrored in her father's fear of the unknown. The moonstone becomes a symbol of both legacy and fate, connecting Karigan to the Eletians and the lost realm of Argenthyne. As she prepares to leave home once more, she carries with her the weight of family, magic, and the knowledge that her path is not entirely her own.

The Eletian Invitation

In Sacor City, the Eletians arrive with a proposition: a joint expedition into Blackveil to seek what remains of Argenthyne. King Zachary and his advisors debate the risks, knowing that the forest is deadly and the Eletians' motives are enigmatic. The invitation is both an opportunity and a test, as the king must decide whom to send on a mission that may well be a death sentence. The Riders, especially Karigan, are drawn into the heart of political intrigue, ancient alliances, and the looming threat of Second Empire. The stage is set for a journey that will test the limits of courage, loyalty, and trust.

Masquerade and Masks

As the city prepares for a grand masquerade ball, Karigan is swept into the world of courtly politics and dangerous liaisons. Her knighthood brings new expectations and scrutiny, while her feelings for King Zachary remain a secret burden. The ball is a swirl of intrigue, laughter, and peril, culminating in an assassination attempt that shakes the realm. The symbolism of masks—what is hidden, what is revealed—echoes throughout, as Karigan confronts her own desires and the reality of her place in the king's world. The night's events foreshadow the greater dangers to come.

The Expedition Assembles

The company chosen to enter Blackveil is a mix of Riders, soldiers, and a Coutre forester, each with their own reasons for joining. Yates volunteers, eager and untested; Lynx brings wilderness skills; Ard, the forester, is bound by loyalty to his lady. The Eletians, led by Graelalea, are enigmatic and driven by their own quest. Tensions simmer as the group prepares, each member aware that the journey may be their last. The Riders' camaraderie is both a comfort and a source of pain, as friendships and rivalries are tested by the weight of what lies ahead.

Into the Forest's Heart

The expedition enters Blackveil, leaving behind the safety of the wall and the world they know. The forest is a place of perpetual dusk, where the rules of nature and magic are warped. The company faces immediate dangers—predatory plants, monstrous creatures, and the ever-present sense of being watched. The Eletians' knowledge is both a guide and a mystery, as they lead the group deeper into the heart of Argenthyne. The journey is grueling, the losses swift and brutal, and the line between ally and enemy begins to blur.

Hummingbirds and Howls

The forest's dangers are not always what they seem. A swarm of carnivorous hummingbirds claims the first life among the company, a reminder that in Blackveil, even beauty is deadly. The group is shaken, their unity fraying as fear and exhaustion take their toll. The Eletians' magic and the Riders' abilities are both a blessing and a curse, as the forest warps their powers in unpredictable ways. The howls of unseen beasts echo through the trees, and the company realizes that survival will require more than skill—it will demand sacrifice.

Lost and Left Behind

Karigan and Yates are separated from the others, lost in the labyrinth of Blackveil. Yates is struck blind by the forest's magic, and Karigan is wounded by poisonous thorns. Their struggle to survive is a test of friendship and resilience, as hallucinations and despair threaten to overwhelm them. The forest preys on their fears, conjuring visions and illusions that blur the line between reality and madness. As they cling to hope, the bonds of trust and loyalty are all that stand between them and oblivion.

Sleepers Awakened

In the heart of Argenthyne, Grandmother's blood magic awakens the Sleepers—Eletians who have slumbered for centuries, now twisted by Blackveil's corruption. The company, battered and diminished, takes refuge in the castle, only to face a new horror as the Sleepers turn on them. Karigan is called by the spirit of Laurelyn, Queen of Argenthyne, to cross the threshold of time and lead the untainted Sleepers to safety. The fate of the realm hangs in the balance, as past and present collide in a struggle for survival and redemption.

The Queen's Ascension

In Sacor City, the assassination of King Zachary throws the realm into turmoil. Estora, thrust into the role of queen, must navigate the treacherous waters of court politics, conspiracies, and the demands of power. The marriage, hastily arranged to secure the succession, is both a shield and a prison. Estora's strength and intelligence are tested as she faces betrayal from those closest to her, and the weight of the crown threatens to crush her. The Riders, too, are caught in the upheaval, their loyalty and purpose challenged by shifting allegiances.

Betrayal and Assassins

The threat to the realm is not only from Blackveil and Second Empire, but from within the court itself. Richmont Spane's machinations, the conspiracies of advisors, and the ever-present danger of assassination keep the queen and her allies on edge. The lines between friend and foe blur, as secrets are revealed and loyalties tested. The cost of power is high, and the price of betrayal is paid in blood. The Riders, led by Captain Mapstone, must find their place in a world where the rules have changed.

The Moondial's Threshold

Guided by Laurelyn, Karigan uses the moondial to cross into a preserved piece of time, where she leads the Sleepers to safety in Eletia. The journey is perilous, as she faces the tainted Sleepers and the temptations of power. The white world, a place between realities, tests her resolve and her identity. The choices she makes will alter the fate of Argenthyne, Blackveil, and her own companions. The cost of changing the past is high, and the consequences ripple through the threads of fate.

Laurelyn's Task

Laurelyn, diminished and fading, entrusts Karigan with the salvation of her people. The burden of destiny weighs heavily, as Karigan must balance her duty to the past with her loyalty to her friends in the present. The journey through the white world is a trial of will and wisdom, as Karigan faces visions, temptations, and the lure of godlike power. The bridge to Eletia is both a passage and a test, and the choices made there will echo through time.

The Mirror Man's Choice

The looking mask, a relic of immense power, becomes the focal point of a final confrontation with Mornhavon the Black. Karigan is forced to choose between surrendering the mask and risking the world, or destroying it and unraveling the threads of fate. The decision is hers alone, and the consequences are immediate and profound. The shattering of the mask scatters the company across the land, and the cost of victory is paid in loss and grief.

Threads of Fate

The survivors of the expedition are scattered, each facing their own trials and reckonings. Karigan, caught between life and death, awakens entombed and alone, her fate uncertain. In Sacor City, Zachary and Estora must rebuild trust and leadership in the wake of betrayal and loss. The Riders mourn their dead and honor their heroes, even as new threats loom on the horizon. The threads of destiny, frayed and rewoven, bind the characters to a future shaped by courage, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope.

Characters

Karigan G'ladheon

Karigan is the heart of the story—a young woman called to be a Green Rider, torn between duty, love, and the weight of destiny. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she confronts the legacy of her family, the magic in her blood, and the expectations of those around her. Karigan's relationships—with her father, her friends, and King Zachary—are fraught with longing, loyalty, and pain. Her ability to cross thresholds, both literal and metaphorical, marks her as unique, but also isolates her. Throughout the narrative, Karigan's resilience, compassion, and stubbornness drive her to face dangers few could endure, even as she struggles with the loneliness of her path and the cost of her choices.

King Zachary

Zachary is a king beset by threats from without and within. His sense of duty to the realm is matched only by his deep, unspoken love for Karigan—a love complicated by politics, marriage, and the demands of the crown. Zachary's injury and near-death experience force him to confront his own vulnerability and the consequences of his decisions. His relationship with Estora is one of respect and growing affection, but the shadow of what might have been with Karigan lingers. Zachary's struggle to balance personal desire with the needs of his people is a central tension, and his eventual recovery and judgment reflect both his strength and his humanity.

Estora Coutre

Estora's journey from betrothed to queen is marked by loss, betrayal, and the sudden weight of power. Intelligent, compassionate, and politically astute, she navigates the treacherous waters of court with grace and resolve. Estora's friendship with Karigan and her love for Zachary are tested by circumstance and the machinations of those around her, particularly her cousin Richmont. Her ability to adapt, to make difficult decisions, and to protect those she loves—even at personal cost—demonstrates her growth from sheltered noblewoman to true queen.

Grandmother

Grandmother is the driving force behind Second Empire's quest to awaken the Sleepers and reclaim the power of the past. Her devotion to the cause is absolute, and her willingness to sacrifice others—including her own people—reveals a chilling pragmatism. Grandmother's relationship with her granddaughter Lala is both tender and utilitarian, as she seeks to pass on her knowledge of the art. Her psychoanalysis reveals a woman shaped by loss, ambition, and a desperate need for meaning, whose actions unleash forces she cannot fully control.

Lala

Lala is Grandmother's mute granddaughter, gifted with an innate talent for the art. Her silence is both a limitation and a source of power, as she learns to express herself through knots and magic. Lala's journey is one of awakening—both literal and figurative—as she finds her voice and her place in the world. Her innocence and creativity contrast with the darkness around her, and her eventual song is a miracle that offers hope even in the bleakest circumstances.

Yates Cardell

Yates begins as the lighthearted, flirtatious Rider, eager for adventure and recognition. His journey through Blackveil strips away his bravado, revealing courage, vulnerability, and deep loyalty to Karigan and the company. Struck blind by the forest's magic, Yates becomes dependent on others, yet continues to fight for survival. His possession by Mornhavon and ultimate sacrifice are deeply affecting, marking him as both a hero and a casualty of forces beyond his control.

Lynx

Lynx is the expedition's wilderness expert, a man of few words and deep instincts. His ability to sense the minds of animals and the moods of the forest makes him invaluable, but also isolates him. Lynx's emotional reserve is both a strength and a shield, protecting him from the pain of loss and attachment. His role as second-in-command and his care for his companions reveal a quiet, steadfast heroism.

Ealdaen (Spiney)

Ealdaen is an ancient Eletian, marked by the trauma of Argenthyne's fall and his own perceived failures. His initial hostility toward Karigan gives way to respect and alliance, as he seeks redemption by aiding in the rescue of the Sleepers. Ealdaen's knowledge of the past and his connection to Laurelyn provide crucial guidance, but his grief and self-doubt linger. His development is a study in the burden of memory and the possibility of forgiveness.

Graelalea

Graelalea is the sister of the Eletian prince, chosen to lead the expedition into Blackveil. Her calm authority and deep sorrow for the loss of Argenthyne shape her interactions with both Eletians and Sacoridians. Graelalea's relationship with Karigan is complex, evolving from suspicion to trust. Her death is a turning point, and her final gift—the feather of memory—enables Karigan to fulfill her destiny.

Richmont Spane

Richmont is Estora's cousin and chief antagonist within the court, orchestrating schemes to secure his own power. His willingness to threaten, blackmail, and betray reveals a man driven by self-interest and a sense of entitlement. Richmont's psychoanalysis exposes deep insecurities masked by arrogance, and his eventual downfall at the hands of Beryl Spencer is both satisfying and cautionary.

Plot Devices

Dual Timelines and Thresholds

The narrative structure of Blackveil hinges on the interplay between past and present, with Karigan's unique ability to cross thresholds—both physical and temporal—serving as the linchpin. The moondial, the white world, and the looking mask are all devices that allow characters (and readers) to experience the consequences of choices across time. This structure enables foreshadowing, echoes, and the unraveling of mysteries, as well as the possibility of redemption and change. The use of visions, dreams, and magical artifacts blurs the line between reality and illusion, forcing characters to question what is true and what is possible.

Masks and Identity

The motif of masks—literal and metaphorical—runs throughout the novel, from the masquerade ball to the looking mask in the white world. Characters are constantly confronted with the need to hide or reveal their true selves, to choose between roles imposed by society and the desires of the heart. The act of choosing a mask becomes a test of character, with the ultimate power (and danger) lying in the ability to shape reality itself. The destruction of the looking mask is a rejection of falsehood and a refusal to wield godlike power irresponsibly.

Blood Magic and Sacrifice

Bloodlines, inheritance, and the use of blood in magic are central to the plot. The construction of the D'Yer Wall, the awakening of the Sleepers, and the sacrifices made by characters all underscore the theme that power comes at a price. The legacy of past choices—both noble and monstrous—haunts the present, and the willingness to shed blood (one's own or others') is both a source of strength and a cause of tragedy.

Political Intrigue and Betrayal

The parallel narrative in Sacor City is driven by political machinations, conspiracies, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. The assassination attempt on King Zachary, the forced marriage and coronation of Estora, and the manipulations of Richmont Spane create a web of intrigue that mirrors the dangers of Blackveil. The Riders, caught between loyalty to the crown and the demands of conscience, must navigate a world where trust is fragile and the stakes are life and death.

The Hero's Journey and Found Family

At its core, Blackveil is a story of personal growth, resilience, and the forging of bonds in the crucible of adversity. Karigan's journey—from reluctant hero to savior of the Sleepers—is mirrored in the development of her relationships with friends, mentors, and rivals. The Riders, the Eletians, and even the antagonists are shaped by the families they are born into and the families they choose. The theme of found family, and the sacrifices made for those we love, is a constant thread that ties the narrative together.

Analysis

Blackveil is a sweeping epic that explores the intersection of personal destiny and collective history, set against a backdrop of magic, loss, and the enduring struggle between light and darkness. At its heart, the novel is a meditation on the cost of power—whether magical, political, or emotional—and the ways in which the past shapes the present. Through Karigan's journey, the story interrogates the nature of heroism, the burden of legacy, and the possibility of redemption. The use of dual timelines and magical thresholds allows for a nuanced exploration of choice and consequence, while the recurring motif of masks challenges characters to confront their true selves. The political intrigue in Sacor City serves as a counterpoint to the physical dangers of Blackveil, highlighting the perils of ambition and the fragility of trust. Ultimately, Blackveil is a story about the resilience of the human (and Eletian) spirit, the power of love and loyalty, and the hope that even in the darkest of forests, light can be found. The lessons of the novel—about sacrifice, forgiveness, and the courage to face the unknown—resonate far beyond the boundaries of its fantasy world, offering readers a mirror in which to examine their own choices and the threads of fate that bind us all.

Last updated: December 6, 2025