Welcome to the index for my serial fiction The Children of Una. This post will function as a growing collection of the chapters, and then books, which belong to this series; so you can come back to find previous chapters or bonus materials as needed.
Celandra — kingdom of Humans and Elves bound in symbiotic prosperity — is held together by one man . . . the High Mage.
Book One: The Waking
What came before.
Danen Vinier worries what his father will think if he discovers he’s playing hooky; but this is Danen’s last day of freedom and he wants to make the most of it.
Doing a Bit of Magic Eavesdropping
Danen removes his protective amulet and explores what his magic abilities might be able to do. Casting a real spell convinces him his life has changed forever and maybe for the better.
Lady Maudline navigates headaches (both literal and figurative) as she prepares to present her brother with a carefully-curated family image, all while ignoring her heartbreak over having to part with her beloved only son.
Danen and a new friend discuss ancient history and the exciting prospect of becoming the High Mage’s acolytes. Danen tries out casting another spell in the orange grove.
Danen’s spell doesn’t impress Aster as much as he’d like. When the boys realize it was seen by the slimy Corundus, Danen leads his new friend to hide in the stables. There, he vents his frustration with the adults in his life.
Slipping Through the Skin of Wyrtus
Danen once again gives into an impulse to use magic, dragging his new friend along with him, much to Aster’s horror. But the boys are already well on their way to forming a life-long friendship, despite the vast difference in their perspectives on magic. Lewison urges Maudline to come to Castlease with them, but his sister refuses, insisting on remaining where she is most miserable.
As they return through Scransunn, Danen shares his angst about not being able to learn a useful occupation with Aster. Lewison considers whether his missing son might have been lost in a spell-casting mishap while Corundus’ relentless presence drives him to the edge of his patience.
Danen confronts Aster about his suspicions. Kalaran Vinier arrives home and Maudline corners him into letting her have her way for Danen’s benefit.
O’ Sing of Fathers Who Love Their Sons
Maudline’s carefully-curated family dinner doesn’t go according to plan. The lighthearted entertainment is interrupted by Kalaran’s arrogant speech for which Lewison rebukes him. But not before a long-held secret is let out.
Maudline explains to Danen why his father believes he is illegitimate. Mother and son prepare to be parted, with Danen wishing she’d accompany him and Maudline insisting her situation is beyond remedy.
Danen and Aster have their first lesson in spell-casting. Lewison is bemused by how difficult it is to find the limits of his nephew’s natural talents. He gives the boys a frustrating, seemingly-pointless exercise, to which Aster attributes a certain meaning and Danen deals with the hard work of forming callouses.
This is What Stupid Feels Like
While Danen continues to experiment with spell-casting, Lewison grows ill. The old mage distracts himself from his nausea with a spell that helps him search for someone he lost long ago. Sensing that Danen is up to mischief, he tries and fails to rouse himself to do something about it.
Drawing Attention to a Problem
While Lewison remains sick in bed, Danen and Aster keep working on the knot-tying exercise. But when Danen accidentally heals his blisters, the crew are unsettled. Lewison wakes to find two Elven healers have arrived. Unfortunately, their concern is not for his well-being alone; they’ve come to investigate Danen’s strange magic.
Mentioning State Secrets in Passing
The Elves help rid Lewison of a soul curse that was making him ill. The High Mage decides it is time to sit Danen down and give him a frank explanation.
Farm-Boys-Turned-Acolytes are Useful, Except When They’re a Nuisance
Healers Dimavure and Wellenon discuss the High Mage’s soul curse over breakfast, attempting to pinpoint the curse’s caster. Danen draws unwanted attention and Lewison has to deal with him quickly.
The Sukeena’s Breath approaches the Elven city, but Aster and Danen are frustrated by a heavy fog that prevents them from seeing anything of the approach. The High Mage decides to test his power, now that he’s rid of the soul curse, and blasts the fog away with a powerful wind spell. Danen is overwhelmed with excitement as a confluence of magic power beckons to him from the city.
The Perronets use the carriage ride home from the docks as an opportunity to pry into the cracks between the High Mage and his acolytes. Danen makes unfortunate remarks. Lady Amadeah perceives that Lewison does not have control of his nephew.
Lewison realizes he’ll have to shame Danen into submission, before he reveals too much. But while the three of them enjoy a respite from their travels, Lewison dares to use magic to gather information about their hosts, only to discover the Perronets have more dangerous secrets than Lewison wants to know about.
Danen and Aster rest in their quarters, but Aster can’t relax. Ever since their arrival, he’s felt unsettled about the Perronet’s house. Lewison summons them for a quick training session. He sits Danen down for a serious talk reiterating his intention, and reluctance, to make Danen the next High Mage.
Bonus Materials