Art by Skyris Design
Legend of Zelkova Book I: Elementum
War is brewing between elementals and humans. A skilled knight named Zelkova has been asked by her king to find his kidnapped son. Just as she is ready to leave, she receives a strange, one-word message that sets her and her companions down a path to newfound secret powers.
Zelkova and her childhood friend and possible love interest Carya, along with three other male companions must summon courage from within to confront the challenges that come with great power: hatred, distrust, lies, and betrayal. When the nations ultimately break out in war, Zelkova and the others are left to wonder if their powers will help them battle what lies ahead or bring destruction to their world.
In this gripping fantasy tale, a powerful female knight embarks on a journey to unite the kingdoms against their unknown common enemy.
Characters
Name: Zelkova
Name origin: Zelkova Serrata – tree
Age:19
Zelkova was born in the capital of Lignum and grew up alongside Carya and the royals. Because she did not want to dress or act like most girls her age the King granted her wish to train as a knight.
After showing her strength and will in the art of swordsmanship she rose in the ranks of the king’s guard and along with Carya became elite knights for the king.
Name: Carya
Name origin: Carya Laciniosa – Shellbark Hickory
Age:17
Carya found herself in Lignum’s capital of Silva at a young age. She was taken in by the king and was trained alongside Zelkova. She found family among the people of Silva and found her place as their healer.
Growing up with Zelkova and the royal children she was treated just like them and was able to grow and learn, becoming more than she ever realized.
Name: Malus
Name origin: Malus Sargentii – Sargent’s Crabapple
Age: 22
Malus grew up in the capital of Ager. His father died when he was at a young age, leaving his mother and him fend for themselves. He spent his youth as a farm hand and being a very ambitious and prideful person wanted to elevate his status. Once he came of age, went back to the capital and joined the king’s guard, and moving up the ranks he soon made a name for himself.
Name: Cedrus
Name origin: Cedrus Atlantica – Atlas Cedar
Age: 21
Cedrus was born in Whaleslength in Litore. His father worked on a boat along with his grandfather. In his mid-teens he had traveled to the capital Solaris and joined the king’s guard. After several years in that position he decided to leave after disagreements on the direction the kingdom was heading.
He picked up odd jobs as a bodyguard or bounty hunter. He is also quite charming and his smile can make any woman swoon over him. His travels eventually lead him to Lignum and Silva.
Name: Ilex
Name origin: Ilex Verticillata – Winterberry Holly
Age: 20
Ilex was raised by monks that lived north in Montis. He never knew his parents and found comfort in books and knowledge. After learning all that he could in the library of the monks he decided to leave the temple. He wanted more than to stay as a monk for the rest of his life and refused to take the oath.
He is an inquisitive person and loves to learn, study, and solve the problems of the world. During his travels he sought out in need and hurting to help them. He met Cedrus along the way and they have traveled together ever since.
Name: Nati, the First of Nature
Name origin: Haitian Creole – Nature
Age: ?