Crowns of Nyaxia, #3
The Songbird and the Heart of Stone
by Carissa Broadbent
Contents
Prologue
Overview
The prologue introduces a poor, unnamed girl chosen by the sun god after she offers only a damaged feather at his temple. Her sudden gift for fire gives her the purpose and divine love she has longed for, while her older sister's plea is ignored.
The chapter also warns that this beginning is not a triumphant origin but the start of a long fall. The god thinks he has gained another devoted follower, but the chosen girl will eventually turn against the life he gives her and bring ruin with her.
Summary
The prologue frames the story as the fall of a chosen one. It explains that the sun god is widely worshipped and selective with his favor, usually choosing beautiful, powerful, or gifted mortals from among the many who offer him devotion.
Two destitute sisters arrive at the sun god's temple with nothing but each other. The older sister desperately offers her faith, life, and soul at the altar, hoping for salvation, but the priests disdain her and the god receives her plea with indifference.
The sun god instead notices the younger sister, an eight-year-old girl who seems to have nothing worthy to offer. While the priests begin dragging the older sister away, the child places a small, battered golden feather on the altar.
The god speaks to the child and tells her he sees her. When the child reaches out, magic answers: the clouds part, the altar candles ignite, and fire blooms in her palm. The priests react with awe, and the older sister watches in stunned silence.
The girl experiences the moment as love, recognition, and purpose. The narration then reveals that the sun god believes he has gained another obedient acolyte, but the choice will eventually lead to the chosen one's slow, agonizing fall and the destruction of the world with her.
Who Appears
- The little girlEight-year-old chosen by the sun god after offering a worn feather; gains fire magic and purpose.
- The sun godRevered deity who notices the child, grants her power, and expects lifelong devotion.
- The older sisterDesperate young woman who pleads for salvation but is rejected before her sister is chosen.
- The priestsTemple authorities who scorn the sisters, then react with awe when the child manifests fire.