This Is The July-September Open Thread For Merlinscribe

[merlinscribe]

An open thread where people can ask questions and make comments. Now appearing quarterly for your record-keeping pleasure.

Comments

The second Great War

[randirelarwen]

Hi. First of all, I am a huge fan, I got started with Outstretched Shadow from a boy that I liked and it was somewhat serendipitous because I had actually purchased Lackey's book, By The Sword, some years before without putting two and two together when I received Outstretched Shadow. I became enthralled with the Obsidian Trilogy, all of yours and Lackey's other books as well, the sequels, and the prequels.
I am delighted to hear about Blade (the sooner the better) and am hopping I will enjoy The House of Four Winds.
But to come to the point(much in the fashion of the elves, though brief to the point of rudeness I am sure), my question is about any possible plans for a prequel concerning the second Great War?
(Or rather "It would please me greatly to know, of your courtesy, if there might possibly be plans for book concerning the the second Great War, when humans took the field alongside Elven kind and Their power was broken) -Sorry I have been dying to do that for a long time.
There is a lot of mention, during The Obsidian Trilogy, to the war and what happened, just enough to keep me up at night thinking.
Also, and possibly this will be revealed in the Dragon Prophecy, series, but Shalkan? Everyone makes a fuss over Kellen being Shalkan's rider, but we never find out why being Shalkan's rider is so different from riding Gesade or any other unicorn. Obviously, Shalkan had been conserving his power by not lending his power to any other workings but....perhaps I am over thinking things, but I would love to know more of Shalkan's story before he melt Kellen, and Idalia and Jermayan's stories. And what happens to Kellen after the war? Does he win a flower war or visit the Selken homeland or marry Vestakia, do they have children? I'm sure that Kellen remained in elven lands in his own home near the House of sword and shield. And Cilarnen, oh a thousand questions I could ask. Still, I wonder, especially about the Great War.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Miriam E. Lane - devoted fan and writer

Re: The second Great War

[merlinscribe]

I am delighted to tell you that as soon as the Dragon Prophecy Trilogy is finished, I will be writing another trilogy not merely set during the Second Endarkened War, but one that deals with the Battle of the Seven at Vel-al-Amion. Its work-title (which will certainly be changed before publication) is The Glory of the Autumn, and it takes place nearly ten thousand years after the Dragon Prophecy Trilogy. With the help of the Elves, humans have risen from primitive hunter-gatherers to civilized farmers and city-builders. Several generations ago (in human terms), the Elves decided their care and protection was no longer needed, and withdrew to their own lands to allow humans to decide their own destiny, though Elves and Men still interact far more freely than they do in Kellen's time, of course. The world they all inhabit is still vast and green and fertile, and no one expects the King of the Endarkened to attack once more.

If all goes as planned, you'll get to see not only the beginning of the High Magick, but you'll meet some old friends as well.

I hope someday to write the story that immediately follows the Obsidian Trilogy, but I can tell you a little right now. Kellen and Vestakia marry, and for a while they go traveling. Kellen has always wanted to visit the Selken Isle, so they do (and have quite an adventure!) When they return home, they settle at the western edge of the Elvenlands. Occasionally they visit Armethalieh, and some of their children eventually settle there.

As for Cilarnen, while the history of Tiercel and Harrier's time refers to him as "First Magistrate Cilarnen", as the Arch-Mage of the City, he's got his work cut out for him getting the people to accept his reforms, and discovers that the truth is rarely plain and never ever simple.

I think I will be able to answer at least a few of your questions about Shalkan in Blade of Empire, interestingly enough. Of course, that may simply raise even more.

Re: The second Great War

[randirelarwen]

Wow... just wow, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Every time I read or listen to the books I come up with more.
While I am asking, I noticed that in the Obsidian Trilogy audiobooks, the pronunciation Vieliessar Farcarinon is different than in the audio version of Crown of Vengeance. Was that on purpose? And what is the correct pronunciation? Also, I think the Obsidian Trilogy would make an amazing trilogy of movies.
I am very excited that I can look forward to finding out about the Second Endarkened War and the events of Vel-al- Amion! It sounds like it will live up to my expectations a thousand times over.
While I believe that it would be interesting to read more about Kellen and Cilarnen's future lives, you have satisfied my curiosity. I am a believer in that, if the story is over, it is over, and there is no point in trying to continue to suck the life out of an ending. We, the readers, have to accept these facts and use our imaginations to find our own endings, lest we be disappointed with the truth.
I am sure that Blade of Empire will raise more questions but I look forward to having more questions to ask.

Thank you so much,
Miriam Lane

Dragon Prophesy

[(Anonymous)]

I've just finished Crown of Vengeance, and I loved it. Even enough to look past stumbling over the preponderance of long complicated elvish names. Since it has been a few months since the last mention of it, had there been any further effort to nail down a release date for Blade of Empire?

Brian

Re: Dragon Prophesy

[merlinscribe]

As soon as I have that information, Brian, I will make a top-level post in this journal. Thank you very much for your continued interest.

Woah

[(Anonymous)]

I just read the response to the previous commenter's questions! How exciting. I'd really like to know how long unicorns live too! I'm blown away by the depth of this world and how intimately you know the details of everything. I'm going crazy waiting, especially now that I know some Shalkan questions are going to be answered. He's got to be one of my favorites! I just stumbled upon Crown of Vengeance at B&N on accident, I didn't even know it existed but I saw the authors and got excited because I've read the Obsidian Trilogy several times over and then I read the back and saw Vieliessar Farcarinon and flipped out right there in the aisle. Now I'm paranoid I'm going to miss future books and series based in this world! Also, love the elven names but I feel bad for you if you had to type them over and over. I used several of the destrier names for names to register my horses.

Anyway, thanks!

Re: Woah

[merlinscribe]

The answer to the lifespan of unicorns (along with the answers to many other important questions) should appear in Book Two. I am delighted and honored that you have used my destrier names as the registration names for your horses. Thank you so very much.