Crossroads (book)

Crossroads series

Written by Kate Elliott, the Crossroads is a fantasy series of books (rumoured to eventually consist of seven). The over-arching story takes place in a land known as the Hundred, as well as several neighbouring lands. The story revolves around a large cast of characters who struggle against a growing army that is slowly covering the land in its shadow. The army is led by a mysterious group of people known as Guardians, and in particular by a woman. The ultimate goal of these Guardians, however, is yet to be revealed.

Book One: Spirit Gate

In the first book in the Crossroads series, we are introduced to the Reeve Joss, a proud (and quite vain) man who searches for answers to the murder of his lover Marit.At the same time, newlywed couple Mai and Anji are sent into exile when political turmoil threaten their lives. They decide to go to the Hundred and start a new life with an entourage of servants and soldiers under Anji's command.The outlanders soon find that this new land that they thought would be a resting place has been thrown into turmoil as bands of brigands and thieves pillage small villages and a much larger army stands poised to attack the cities of the Hundred.Looming over the intersecting paths of each lead character is the question of where the Guardians have gone. Why did they abandon their people, and what has happened to them?

Book Two: Shadow Gate

The second book in the series introduces the perspective of Marit, the Reeve who died at the beginning of the series. Early on in this book, it is revealed that somehow she was brought back from death before she could pass through the Spirit Gate and into an 'afterlife'.As Marit searches for answers about who she has become, she encounters several other Guardians who were once ordinary people: a young woman named Kiriya who came from the plains beyond the Hundred, the long-lost brother Hari who outlanders Mai and Shai believe to be dead, and a man who dresses as an envoy of Ilu.Meanwhile, after the successful defence of the city of Olossi, the Qin have begun to settle down and build their own community around a new Reeve Hall nicknamed 'Naya Hall' after the oil of naya that repelled the invaders.Bai accompanies a small band of men and a woman to infiltrate the army in the North, while her brother Kesh travels back to the southern lands to find out information about a group of assassins that has been sent to kill Anji and his men.In this book we are also introduced to the character Nallo, a stubborn and short-tempered woman who is forced into becoming a Reeve.Where the first book focused more on the crisis facing the people of the Hundred and the plight of the Reeves (a seemingly impossible task to manage all the conflict that has begun to arise), the second book is focused more on the Guardians.

Characters

Gods

According to the beliefs of the folk of the Hundred, there are Four Mothers: Earth, Fire, Air & Water. They gave birth to the Gods of the Hundred who in turn created the first Guardians.

*Taru, the Witherer
*Kotaru the Thunderer
*Sapanasu, the Lantern
*Ilu, the Herald, the Opener of Ways
*Attiratu, the Lady of Beasts
*Ushara, the Merciless One
*Hasibal, the Formless One

Reeves & Eagles

The Reeves handle disputes, settle disagreements and generally seek to keep the peace in the Hundred. They are divided between Halls, which also house fawkners who care for the many Eagles. Each Hall is run by a Marshal.Reeves are chosen by their Eagles and usually share similar personality traits (Nallo and Tumna are both irritable and short tempered). Once an Eagle is jessed (a process almost like saddling a horse) by its Reeve, they form a bond that can only be broken by death. It is often said that a Reeve never outlives their Eagle.

*Joss and Scar
*Volias and Trouble
*Nallo and Tumna
*Pil and Sweet
*Peddo

Halls

*Clan Hall
*Gold Hall
*Copper Hall
*Bronze Hall
*Horn Hall
*Iron Hall
*Argent Hall
*Naya Hall

Guardians

There are nine Guardians who have been bestowed with a gift from each of the Gods: a cloak which grants protection from death, altars which can speak across vast distances, winged horses to travel swiftly, a light which radiates from their hand, a staff of judgment, an offering bowl and a third eye and second heart to see into and understand the hearts of all.

*Marit:wearer of the cloak colored like death (white), her staff is a sword. She infiltrates the army of Lord Radas and discovers a large group of Guardians led by a mysterious woman who is perhaps the longest-lived Guardian of all. She quickly learns that these Guardians are quick to cast self-righteous judgment on anyone that opposes them.

*Kiriya/Cornflower/Kirit:wearer of the cloak of mist (silver), her staff is a mirror. Fierce and childlike, Kirit burns with a desire to cast judgment on all who she deems as wrong-doers. She joins Marit in opposing the majority of the Guardians.

*Jothanin:wearer of the sky blue cloak, he aided Kirit in resisting the temptation that came with being a Guardian. Although his motives are, as yet, a mystery, it is obvious that he is strongly opposed to the cloak of night and when asked how long he has been a Guardian, his reply is quite cryptic which could possibly mean he was one of the first. His the only staff that is literally a staff.

*Hari:Shai searches for his remains, yet there are none to find since he has become a Guardian. He serves the Woman and Radas, but aids Marit in her quest for answers. He is known to the other Guardians as Lord Twilight, but his staff is yet to be revealed.

*Radas:wearer of the gold cloak (colour of the sun) his staff is an arrow. He leads an army at the direction of the Woman.

*Yordenas:wearer of the blood red cloak, his staff is a dagger. Yordenas once tried to manipulate the people of Argent Hall and masqueraded as a Reeve although he never had an Eagle bonded to him. He was eventually exposed and fled back to the mysterious 'Woman' and Lord Radas.

*Bevard:wearer of a cloak the color of forests, his staff is a simple wooden stick that is commonly used to dig out weeds. According to the Woman, he often needs instruction from others and is easily led.

*the Woman:wearer of a cloak the color of night, it appears that her staff is a writing box/writing stick. She leads the majority of the Guardians and has hinted that a former group tried to pass sentence on her for a past misdeed.

There is still one Guardian that remains unaccounted for, corresponding to the cloak of earth-brown.

Books

*Book One: Spirit Gate
*Book Two: Shadow Gate
*Book Three: Traitor's Gate? (to be confirmed)

it is also mentioned in Book Two that Shadow Gate and Shining Gate were created at the same time, and are like two sides of a coin. This could possibly mean that 'Shining Gate' will be the title for a future book in the series.