Star of Justice
(updated 11.21.10)
Only one knight can save the world, and Caissa Ocren fears she is that knight.
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Conceptual Cover Art by Keven Newsome
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Possible back cover blurb:
"Caissa Ocren, scholar knight of Golor, lives on the magic-saturated planet of Ah’rahk. Now magic is vanishing, and no one, not even the powerful wizard Gamaliel of Golor, knows why. An ancient prophecy drops Caissa into situations outside her experience: an unimagined world of assassins, elemental spirits and dragon-worshippers. To follow the prophecy may result in her death; to ignore it will destroy Ah’rahk. Joined by a mercenary minstrel, a shape-shifting druid, and a legendary spirit warrior, Caissa seeks enough faith in Ehsu, the Son of the Creator, to ask for his help to save herself and her world."
This is my working map for Star of Justice. As you can see, it's been through some rough patches. It now rests inside a plastic page protector. I'll eventually have to redraw it to scale anyway.
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"I really got hooked by the book and would have read the entire thing in one sitting if I would have had the time available to me. This is one of the books I could have sat in bed to read before I sleep and then find myself looking at the clock and it's 4 a.m. So, get writing on the next installment. :) "
-Linda M., reader, 12.28.09
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Jasper the first and only.
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Music that inspired the writing:
-Sons of Somerled by Steve McDonald 1996
-Secret Garden by White Stones 1997
-Emerald Isle from Lifescapes/ Compass Productions 1996
-Scottish Moors from Lifescapes/ Compass Productions 1996
-The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring movie soundtrack by Howard Shore
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Thank you to my test readers:
Bil T.
Bob J.
Eric T.
Grandma T.
Kenneth B.
Kristen S.
Linda M.
Monica S.
Sammy P.
Sandy R.
Sherri B.
"Smiley" Steve H.
Triny T.
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"I thought you said this was a religious book. It's not like any religious book I've ever read."
Grandma T., 12/22/09
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Trivia:
*Three characters in Star of Justice were not created by me. Tusk and Daria were created in 2001 by Dave, aka "Noodles," from my Role Playing Group. Dave gave me permission, should I ever write a book, to use those two. Daria was a follower from Tusk's background, and though she could fight, she never said one word of dialogue. On a side note, I cannot remember Noodles' last name.
(I know that's only two characters, but I have to keep something back to discuss at book signings)
*In the city of Lao, Merritt tells Caissa to "always choose left." This is another nod to my RPG, whose motto was "Choosing left is always right."
*I never wrote The Oread's Words, except for the bits that show up in the book. I always meant to, but it never seemed to be that important to actually write out the prophecy in full.
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These were lead figures I used for inspiration as I wrote the book. I was the painter for all but one, but I was not the sculpter (except for the animals).
This is Caissa. Readers may recognize her outfit from the opening chapter. She goes through several costume changes throughout the book as her clothes are systematically destroyed.
Merritt doesn't grow a beard until the sequel. He's clean-shaven (most of the time) in this book.
I seem to be listing these in order of appearance. I sculpted the Jasper figure myself. I couldn't find a dog I liked.
Here's the real Jasper. See why I had trouble? Could he be any cuter?
This is one version of Indira. The coloring is more accurate with this one but that's about it.
Indira the Second. The coloring is all wrong (and a little heavy on the Superman influence) but the armor is closer and, since this is an elf, so are the ears.
Kirk the figure is actually Strongbow from Elfquest (huzzah, Elfquest!). He's also the only figure I didn't paint because he was painted for me and given to me as a gift from Elder Brother sometime around 1980. His poor nose has rubbed off a bit.
Yep. This is Galena. In the book, she's pregnant... Now you know why. To better understand scale, the base for this figure is a penny.
The figure has both eyes. Horus the character, alas, has but the one.
Yes, I'm showing off a little. I sculpted Jasper the dog, Skeevie the squirrel and Bramble the goat. For scale, Raven's base is about the size of a penny. That makes Skeevie about the size of a sunflower kernel.
Last one, I promise. See you on the other side, Itty Bit.
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