Exile in the Barracks

After fleeing the political chaos and threats in both her worlds, Olina—veiled princess of Osolis—finds herself in the Outer Rings of Glacium, disguised and wounded. She is taken in by Alzona, the sharp-tongued owner of a fighting barracks, and given the name "Newbie." Here, Olina is forced to adapt to a harsh, male-dominated environment, hiding her true identity and blue eyes, which mark her as a dangerous anomaly. The barracks are a world of their own, ruled by strength, secrecy, and survival, and Olina must quickly learn the rules if she hopes to find safety, answers, and a way back to her destiny.

Blood and Brotherhood

As Olina recovers, she is trained separately from the other fighters, all men with names as cold as the world they inhabit. She faces skepticism and outright hostility, especially from Blizzard, Ice, and Flurry, who doubt her place in the ring. Alzona, however, sees potential and pushes Olina to prove herself. The barracks become a crucible, forging unlikely bonds and rivalries. Olina's determination to avenge Prince Kedrick's death and reclaim her place as Tatuma is fueled by the camaraderie and competition, even as she remains haunted by her past and the secrets she must keep.

Into the Pit

When Olina finally enters the fighting pit, she faces Crush, a brutal opponent chosen to humiliate her. The crowd jeers, expecting her defeat, but Olina's speed and skill turn the tide. She defeats Crush with a combination of agility and calculated strikes, silencing her critics and earning the grudging respect of her peers. The victory is more than personal—it's a statement to the barracks and the world that she is not to be underestimated. The taste of triumph is bittersweet, as it brings her closer to her goals but also deeper into the dangerous underworld of Glacium.

Earning Respect

After her victory, Olina is slowly accepted by the other fighters. An initiation involving strong drink cements her place among them, and she begins to form real friendships, especially with Shard and Flurry. Training intensifies, and Olina's leadership qualities emerge as she helps the group improve. Yet, the search for answers about Kedrick's murder and the mysterious Seedyr wood arrow that killed him remains her driving force. The barracks, once a prison, become a found family, but Olina knows her time there is limited—her destiny and vengeance call her onward.

The Search for Answers

Using her hard-earned free time, Olina scours the Outer Rings for information about the Seedyr wood arrow. She faces the harsh realities of poverty, violence, and exploitation, learning the rules of survival in Glacium's underbelly. Her inquiries lead her to Willow, a resourceful whore who becomes an unlikely ally. Despite setbacks and dead ends, Olina's resolve never wavers. Each clue brings her closer to the truth, but also deeper into danger, as the lines between friend and foe blur and the cost of knowledge grows ever steeper.

The First Tournament

Alzona's barracks, under Olina's training, enter the tournament—a brutal, multi-barrack competition. The fighters face formidable opponents, and Olina's strategies and leadership are put to the test. The group's unity is challenged by rivalries, injuries, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. Olina's own battles in the ring are fierce, culminating in a showdown with Sin, a charismatic and deadly fighter. The tournament is not just about victory, but survival, and the bonds forged in the pit become a lifeline as the stakes rise and enemies close in.

Bonds Forged in Battle

The barracks' success in the tournament brings them closer together. Olina's role as trainer and leader is solidified, and even the most skeptical fighters come to respect her. The group faces personal challenges—Crystal's trauma, Avalanche's past, and Flurry's shy affection for Olina. Through shared hardship and triumph, they become more than fighters; they become a family. Yet, the shadow of the past looms, and Olina's quest for justice remains unresolved. The barracks are a haven, but the outside world and its dangers are never far away.

The Arrow's Trail

Olina's investigation into the Seedyr wood arrow leads her to Jazyrs, a weapons dealer, but the trail goes cold. The arrow, once her only clue to Kedrick's killer, seems to be a dead end. Frustration and grief threaten to overwhelm her, but the support of her friends helps her endure. The realization that some mysteries may never be solved is a bitter pill, but Olina's resilience is unbroken. She finds solace in the bonds she has formed and the strength she has discovered within herself.

The Watchmen's Raid

The illegal fighting pits are raided by the Watchmen, Glacium's enforcers. Chaos erupts as fighters are captured or killed, and the barracks barely escape. The violence and loss leave scars, and the reality of their precarious existence is driven home. The raid is a turning point, forcing Olina and her friends to confront the dangers of their world and the limits of their safety. The threat of exposure and betrayal grows, and Olina's dual identity becomes harder to maintain as the walls close in.

The Slay Confrontation

The barracks are targeted by Slay, a notorious and sadistic fighter. His crimes against Crystal and others come to light, and Olina is drawn into a deadly confrontation. The fight with Slay is brutal and personal, culminating in his death at Crystal's hands—a cathartic but harrowing moment. The victory is tainted by loss and the realization that justice in this world is often bloody and incomplete. The barracks are forever changed, and Olina's sense of purpose is both sharpened and burdened by the violence she has witnessed and enacted.

The Dome of Death

The fighters are captured and forced into the dome, a gladiatorial arena where survival is unlikely. Olina must lead her friends in a desperate struggle against overwhelming odds, refusing to kill the Watchmen and instead fighting to prove their honor. The battle is fierce, and the cost is high—Flurry, beloved friend and fighter, is mortally wounded. The king, Jovan, is moved by their courage and spares their lives, but the victory is hollow. The dome is a crucible, burning away illusions and forging unbreakable bonds among the survivors.

Survival and Sacrifice

The aftermath of the dome is marked by grief and reflection. The survivors are offered a place in the Watch, but loyalty to Alzona and the barracks pulls many back to the Outer Rings. Olina, now revealed as a leader and hero, must decide where she belongs. The loss of Flurry is a wound that will never fully heal, but the friendships and love that remain are a testament to the strength of the human spirit. The world is changing, and Olina stands at the crossroads of fate.

Return to the Castle

With her true identity at risk, Olina is brought to the castle as a guest—and a prisoner. She navigates the treacherous politics of the assembly, the Watch, and the king's court, all while caring for her ailing brother, Olandon. The tension between her roles as Tatuma, fighter, and friend threatens to unravel her carefully constructed life. Old enemies and new dangers lurk in every shadow, and the secrets she carries become ever more perilous. The castle is both sanctuary and cage, and Olina must walk a razor's edge to survive.

Unveiled Truths

The truth of Olina's blue eyes and mixed heritage is revealed to Olandon and, eventually, to others. The revelation is both liberating and terrifying, threatening to upend the fragile peace between worlds. Olina's relationship with Jovan deepens, moving from antagonism to passion, but is fraught with guilt, fear, and the weight of their responsibilities. The past cannot be escaped, and the future is uncertain, but for the first time, Olina allows herself to hope for love and acceptance.

The King's Fury

Jovan's anger at Olina's secrets and her running away erupts, but so does his love. Their relationship is tested by misunderstandings, jealousy, and the ever-present threat of war. Olina's struggle to reconcile her feelings for Jovan with her duty to her people mirrors the larger conflict between Osolis and Glacium. The personal and the political are inseparable, and every choice has consequences. Trust is hard-won and easily lost, and both must decide what they are willing to risk for each other and for peace.

The Ire's Sanctuary

Fleeing heartbreak and danger, Olina is taken by Crystal to the Ire, a secret community of mixed-blood exiles living among the floating rocks of the Oscala. Here, Olina finds acceptance and a new perspective on identity and belonging. She learns to fly—literally and figuratively—gaining new skills and insights. The Ire is a microcosm of what could be: a world where differences are embraced and peace is possible. But the outside world cannot be ignored, and Olina's destiny calls her back to the conflict she tried to escape.

Flight and Freedom

In the Ire, Olina struggles to master the art of flight, facing repeated failures and the humility of being a beginner again. With the help of Hamish and Crystal, she eventually succeeds, finding joy and freedom in the skies. The experience is transformative, teaching her resilience, patience, and the value of community. Yet, the peace of the Ire is fragile, and news from the outside world—delivered by the irrepressible Jimmy—forces Olina to confront her responsibilities and the looming threat of war.

The Gathering Storm

Jimmy's warning of an approaching Solati army shatters the tranquility of the Ire and the fragile peace in Glacium. Olina must choose between the safety of her new home and the duty to her people—both Solati and Bruma. The threat of war is no longer abstract; it is marching across the Oscala, led by her own uncle. Olina's plan to stop the army is risky and uncertain, but she knows she is the only one who can try. The time for hiding is over; the time for action has come.

The Assassin's Arrow

In a shocking turn, an assassin attempts to kill Ashawn in the castle, using an arrow identical to the one that killed Kedrick. Olina recognizes the weapon and realizes the killer is still at large—and possibly connected to the Ire. The revelation is a gut punch, reigniting her quest for justice and vengeance. The lines between friend and enemy blur, and Olina must confront the possibility that the truth may be more complicated—and more painful—than she ever imagined.

The Sibling's Reunion

Olina's brother, Olandon, arrives in Glacium, broken and near death after a harrowing journey through the Oscala. Their reunion is bittersweet, marked by relief, guilt, and the painful revelation of Olina's blue eyes and mixed heritage. Olandon's acceptance is hard-won, but it brings healing and a renewed sense of purpose. Together, they face the challenges of a world on the brink of war, drawing strength from each other and the bonds of family.

The Looming War

As the Solati army approaches, Olina, Jovan, and Olandon must navigate a web of alliances, betrayals, and impossible choices. The fate of two worlds rests on their shoulders, and every decision is fraught with risk. Old wounds and new hopes collide as the possibility of peace is weighed against the certainty of destruction. Olina's plan to stop the army is their last, desperate hope, and the cost of failure is unthinkable.

The Last Flight

With time running out, Olina takes to the skies, using her hard-won skills and the Soar to reach the Ire and warn them of the impending invasion. The journey is perilous, but she is driven by love, duty, and the hope of a better future. The final flight is a leap of faith—literally and metaphorically—as Olina risks everything to prevent war and forge a new path for herself and her people.

The Army Approaches

The Solati army, led by Cassius, is revealed to be much closer than anyone realized. The urgency of the situation galvanizes Olina, Jovan, and their allies into action. The lines between friend and foe blur as old enemies become new allies and the true stakes of the conflict are laid bare. The future of both worlds hangs in the balance, and the choices made now will shape the destiny of generations.

The Choice of Peace

In the end, Olina's willingness to risk everything—her life, her love, her secrets—becomes the key to averting disaster. Her actions inspire others to choose peace over vengeance, understanding over hatred. The journey is far from over, but a new possibility is born: that two worlds, and two hearts, can find common ground. The cost is high, but the hope of a better future endures.

Trust and Betrayal

As the dust settles, Olina and Jovan must confront the consequences of their choices—personal and political. Trust is rebuilt, but scars remain. The path to peace is uncertain, and the threat of betrayal lingers. Yet, in the bonds of love, friendship, and family, there is strength enough to face whatever comes next. The story ends not with finality, but with the promise of new beginnings and the courage to keep fighting for a world worth saving.

Characters

Olina (Tatuma/Frost/Newbie)

Olina is the veiled heir to Osolis, marked by her forbidden blue eyes—a symbol of her mixed heritage and her mother's betrayal. Abused and isolated since childhood, she is driven by a fierce desire for justice, belonging, and self-acceptance. Her journey from sheltered princess to hardened fighter is marked by resilience, compassion, and a growing sense of agency. Olina's relationships—with her brother Olandon, her friends in the barracks, and King Jovan—are complex, shaped by trust, betrayal, and the longing for love. Her psychological scars run deep, but so does her capacity for hope and forgiveness. Olina's greatest strength is her refusal to be defined by her past or her pain; she forges her own destiny, even as she carries the weight of two worlds on her shoulders.

Jovan (King of Glacium)

Jovan is the formidable ruler of Glacium, known for his strength, intelligence, and unyielding sense of duty. Haunted by the murder of his brother Kedrick and the threat of war, he is both a leader and a man struggling with vulnerability. His relationship with Olina is fraught with tension, passion, and mutual respect, but also marred by misunderstandings and the burdens of leadership. Jovan's protective instincts often clash with Olina's independence, leading to conflict and growth for both. Psychologically, he is driven by a need to control and protect, but learns to trust and let go. His journey is one of learning to balance power with compassion, and love with responsibility.

Olandon

Olandon is Olina's older brother, raised in the rigid traditions of Osolis. His love for Olina is deep, but often expressed through concern and criticism. The revelation of Olina's blue eyes and mixed heritage challenges his worldview, forcing him to confront his own prejudices and the limitations of his upbringing. Olandon's journey is one of acceptance and growth, as he learns to see beyond the boundaries of culture and blood. His loyalty is unwavering, but his understanding is hard-won.

Alzona

Alzona is the sharp-tongued, fiercely independent owner of the fighting barracks where Olina finds refuge. She is a survivor, using wit and ruthlessness to carve out a place in a male-dominated world. Alzona's relationship with Olina is complex—part mentor, part adversary, part reluctant protector. She recognizes Olina's potential and pushes her to excel, but is also wary of vulnerability and attachment. Psychologically, Alzona is driven by a need for control and self-preservation, but her actions reveal a hidden capacity for care and loyalty.

Shard

Shard is one of the most skilled and thoughtful fighters in Alzona's barracks. He quickly recognizes Olina's abilities and becomes her confidant and ally. Shard's intelligence and emotional restraint make him a natural leader, and his friendship with Olina is built on mutual respect and trust. He is haunted by past injuries and losses, but finds purpose in the camaraderie of the barracks. Shard's development is marked by his willingness to open up and support others, even at personal risk.

Crystal

Crystal is a young woman in the barracks, marked by trauma and resilience. She is both vulnerable and fiercely independent, struggling with the scars of past abuse. Crystal's relationship with Olina is one of mutual support and understanding, and she becomes a key ally in Olina's journey. Her secret identity as a member of the Ire—a hidden community of mixed-blood exiles—adds depth to her character and highlights the themes of identity and belonging. Crystal's development is a testament to the power of healing and the importance of chosen family.

Flurry

Flurry is the youngest and most sensitive of the barracks fighters. His shy affection for Olina and his gentle nature set him apart in a brutal world. Flurry's death in the dome is a devastating loss, symbolizing the cost of violence and the fragility of hope. His memory haunts Olina and the others, serving as a reminder of what is at stake and what has been lost.

Avalanche

Avalanche is the largest and most intimidating fighter in the barracks, but beneath his scarred exterior lies a gentle heart. His past is marked by trauma and loss, but he finds purpose and belonging among his friends. Avalanche's loyalty and strength are a source of comfort and stability, and his unexpected talents—like cooking—add depth to his character. He is a reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that kindness can survive even in the harshest conditions.

Sin

Sin is a skilled fighter from a rival barracks, known for his beauty, charm, and deadly prowess. His relationship with Olina is marked by flirtation, competition, and mutual respect. Sin's bravado masks deeper insecurities and a longing for connection. He serves as both a foil and a friend to Olina, challenging her assumptions and pushing her to grow.

Willow

Willow is a prostitute in the Outer Rings who becomes an important source of information and support for Olina. Her intelligence, wit, and resilience make her a valuable ally, and her perspective on survival and agency challenges Olina's assumptions. Willow's role highlights the complexities of power, exploitation, and choice in a world where survival often comes at a cost.

Plot Devices

Dual Identity and Veil

The central plot device is Olina's dual identity as both the veiled Tatuma of Osolis and the anonymous fighter "Frost" in Glacium. The veil is both literal and symbolic, representing the secrets she must keep and the barriers she must overcome. The tension between her public and private selves fuels much of the narrative conflict, as Olina navigates shifting allegiances, personal trauma, and the demands of leadership. The eventual unveiling—both to herself and to others—is a powerful moment of transformation and acceptance.

The Arrow as Mystery and Motive

The mystery of the arrow that killed Kedrick is the driving force behind Olina's actions. It serves as a tangible link to the past, a symbol of injustice, and a catalyst for her journey. The search for the arrow's origin leads Olina through a labyrinth of clues, dead ends, and revelations, mirroring her internal quest for truth and closure. The arrow's reappearance in the assassination attempt on Ashawn brings the narrative full circle, forcing Olina to confront the limits of vengeance and the cost of obsession.

Found Family and Chosen Bonds

The theme of found family is woven throughout the story, as Olina forms deep bonds with the fighters in the barracks. These relationships provide support, challenge, and healing, contrasting with the abuse and isolation of her biological family. The barracks become a microcosm of what is possible when loyalty, respect, and love are chosen rather than imposed. The loss of Flurry and the trials of the dome test these bonds, but also reveal their strength and resilience.

Tournament and Survival

The tournaments and fighting pits serve as both literal and metaphorical crucibles, testing the characters' strength, skill, and character. The violence and danger of the pits mirror the larger conflicts of the world, and the strategies and alliances formed there have far-reaching consequences. The dome, in particular, is a turning point, forcing Olina and her friends to confront the realities of power, sacrifice, and survival.

Hidden Communities and the Ire

The discovery of the Ire—a hidden community of mixed-blood exiles—expands the world and deepens the themes of identity, belonging, and acceptance. The Ire is both a sanctuary and a reminder of what is at stake in the larger conflict. The technology of flight, the blending of cultures, and the possibility of peace are embodied in this community, offering a vision of what could be if old hatreds are overcome.

Foreshadowing and Parallelism

The narrative is rich with foreshadowing and parallelism—Olina's repeated escapes, the recurring motif of the veil, the echoes of her mother's choices in her own life. The story uses these devices to explore the cyclical nature of trauma, the possibility of change, and the importance of agency. The choices made by Olina, Jovan, and others are shaped by the past, but not determined by it, allowing for growth and redemption.

Analysis

Fantasy of Flight is a powerful exploration of identity, trauma, and the search for belonging, set against the backdrop of two worlds on the brink of war. Kelly St. Clare weaves a narrative that is both intimate and epic, using the lens of Olina's journey to examine themes of power, prejudice, and the possibility of change. The novel's greatest strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of found family and the ways in which love, loyalty, and resilience can flourish even in the harshest conditions. The use of dual identity and the motif of the veil are particularly effective, highlighting the complexities of self-discovery and acceptance. The story does not shy away from the realities of violence, loss, and betrayal, but it also offers hope—through friendship, courage, and the willingness to risk everything for a better future. In a modern context, Fantasy of Flight resonates as a meditation on the costs of division and the transformative power of empathy and connection. The lessons are clear: peace is hard-won, trust is fragile, and the courage to face the truth—about oneself and the world—is the first step toward healing and change.

Last updated: September 26, 2025