Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles Book 1) (69 page)

Social
: Cretes live in close communities and often have very large families, maintaining close connections with extended family. They are very proud of their family line and make sure each generation is well-educated in their particular traditions and histories. They consider it a tragedy when a family line is broken. Still, all children are cherished, both sons and daughters. Every crete is part of one of twelve clans named after various animals. Men are always part of whichever clan they are born into. When a woman marries, she becomes part of her husband’s clan. Though cretes are proud of their clans, they show no discrimination, and their cities always have a mixed-clan population. Cretes are hospitable to their own people and well-known acquaintances, but suspicious and aloof when it comes to strangers. It takes time to earn one’s trust, and even longer to earn their respect.

Government
: The highest governing official is the crete lord. He is essentially a king, but directly below him are twelve men who serve as representatives of each of the twelve clans. The lord is unable to make any drastic decisions without the cooperation of the majority of the twelve clan leaders. Each crete city has a governing official who answers to the twelve representatives. Directly below him is a council of men consisting of the elders of each major family in the city. In the past, the cretes ultimately fell under the authority of the king of Arcacia, but with the deterioration of the Arcacian government, they’ve pulled away from its rule.

Preferred Occupations
: Hunters, dragon trainers, and warriors are the favored occupations of the cretes. But leatherworking is another desirable occupation. This is typically done by the women of a household.

Faith
: Most cretes have remained faithful to King Elôm, or at least are aware of Him.

Giants

(Also known as
Dorlanders
)

Homeland
: Dorland

Physical Appearance
: Giants are the largest race in Ilyon. Standing between seven to nine feet tall, they tower above most other peoples. They are heavily built and powerful, but can be surprisingly quick and agile when the occasion calls for it. They are fair-skinned, and their hair and eye color varies greatly like humans. They dress simply and practically in sturdy, homespun clothing.

Race Characteristics
: Despite their great size and power, giants are a very quiet and gentle people. They dislike confrontation and will avoid it at all cost. They are naturally good-natured and honest, and enjoy simple lives and hard work. To those who don’t take the time to get to know them, they can seem slow and ignorant, but they are very methodical thinkers, thinking things over carefully and thoroughly. While not quick-witted, they are very knowledgeable in their fields of interest. They are generally a humble race and easy to get along with. They tend to see the best in everyone. Their biggest failing is that, in their methodical manner, it often takes too long for them to decide to take action when it is needed.

Skills
: Giants are very skilled in anything to do with the land. Much of the gold, silver, and jewels in Ilyon come from the giants’ mines in the mountains of northern Dorland. They are also excellent builders. While lacking in style or decoration, the architecture of their structures is strong and durable, built to last for centuries. They have often been hired to build fortifications and strongholds. Unlike other races, it is not common for giants to train as warriors. Only the king’s men are required to be able to fight. While not a musical or artistic race, giants do love a good story, and they’ve been said to have, beautiful, powerful singing voices.

Social
: Giants typically live in tight farming or mining communities. Family and friends are important. Families usually consist of two to three children who remain in the household for as long as they wish. Many children remain on their parents’ farm after they are married, and the farm expands. Giants are known throughout Ilyon for their hospitality. They’ll invite almost anyone into their homes. Some people even find them too hospitable and generous. They are very averse to cruelty, dishonesty, and seeing their own hurt. Despite moving slowly in most other areas, justice is swift and decisive.

Government
: Giants are ruled over by a king who comes to power through succession. However, most communities more or less govern themselves. The only time the king’s rule is evident is when large numbers of giants are required to gather for a certain purpose.

Preferred Occupations
: The majority of giants are farmers, miners, or builders.

Faith
: Almost all giants agree King Elôm is real, but in their simplistic and practical mindset, fewer giants have actually come to a true trusting faith.

Ilyon Chronicles – Book Two

When
a mysterious group of dragon-riding cretes arrive at camp, those in Landale must join their mission to rescue a teacher of Elôm and the last known copies of the King’s Scrolls before the emperor’s men can locate them.

Coming 2015

Want a closer look at book two?
How about a whole chapter? Reviews are one of the greatest blessings an author can receive after publishing a book. If you’ve enjoyed
Resistance
, a brief review on Amazon would be immensely appreciated and helpful. As a thank you, I’d like to offer an exclusive sneak peek at the next book. Just email the link to your Amazon review to
[email protected]
and I will send you a PDF copy of one of the first chapters of
The King’s Scrolls
.

For more “behind the scenes” information on Ilyon Chronicles, visit:
www.ilyonchronicles.blogspot.com

To see Jaye’s inspiration boards and character “casting” visit:
www.pinterest.com/jayelknight

Acknowledgements

Above all, I have to thank God for entrusting me with this incredible story. Never have I seen His hand so clearly in my writing. The way He has given me the different characters and plots has been an amazing experience that will always leave me awestruck.

My mom deserves a huge amount of credit for this book. She spent almost as many countless hours laboring over it as I did and always helped me work through things whenever I’d begin to freak out about how to fix something. Our final read-through left us both bleary-eyed and ready to fall into bed every night for a week. It wouldn’t be what it is without her. Thank you so much, Mom! I couldn’t do this without you.

Thank you to my beta readers, Jordyn, Morgan, Rebekah, Addyson, and especially Kara and Erika. Your feedback helped tremendously. I thank each of you for the time you took to read through such a long book and let me know what did and didn’t work.

I thank my
proofreader and publicist, Amber Stokes, for not only giving
Resistance
the final polish, but also making its release such a fun and exciting experience.

I want to give a special thanks to
Donita K. Paul for writing
DragonQuest
, which was the book God used to sow the first small seed of inspiration that grew into
Ilyon Chronicles
.

About the Author

Jaye L. Knight is a homeschool graduated indie author with a passion for writing Christian fantasy and clean New Adult fiction. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

To learn more about Jaye and her work, visit:
www.jayelknight.com