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Post by Tamari on Jul 31, 2020 8:27:56 GMT 10
Series: exile Title: Empress Kalasin Illiniat Rating: G Event: Making a Splash Words: 200 Summary: Kalasin cannot start with a blank slate, but she can start again.
When Kalasin takes Kaddar as her new husband, she takes Carthak as her new land.
She trades the Olorun for the Zekoi, the Grimhold Mountains for the Demai, her beloved Corus for Thak City. Carthaki deserts stretch further than the Great Southern Desert, and the air burns hotter and wetter than summer in King’s Reach.
Kally keeps her wild Emerald Ocean. She watches the waves crash against the coast of Thak’s Gate, the same white foam as in Port Caynn and Pirate’s Swoop. She imagines that the kelp and shells strewn across the rocky beach have come from her home, borne on the currents. She imagines that the salty breeze streaming through her hair has tugged at Lianne’s embroidered gowns, or guided Vania’s arrows true to the mark.
Each month, it becomes easier to see Thak City distinct from the echoes of Corus. When Empress Kalasin walks the streets, her people bow deeper. In the palace, the taste of destruction lingers, ten years later. So does the taste of slavery.
Princess Fazia forbids Kalasin to start schools on the estates. She does anyway, and Kaddar only smiles. Kally lets herself fall in love again — with Kaddar, and with Carthak.
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Post by devilinthedetails on Jul 31, 2020 9:01:35 GMT 10
It's amazing how much you were able to convey in 200 words here. I love how the Emerald Ocean is a sort of connection between the Tortall where Kalasin grew up and the Carthak where she must now make a new home for herself. The details of her imagining the wind going through Lianne's dress or making Vania's arrows fly true were very moving, as is her picturing shells and kelp coming from the far side of the ocean. It can definitely be part of the experience of going to the ocean: imagining what is on the other side of that vast body of water and I think you expressed that very deftly.
I also really appreciated the sense of progression in this piece with Kalasin really settling into a love for her adopted home of Carthak and a love for Kaddar as well even if she can still see some of the flaws of Carthak such as slavery. Overall, I'm just very impressed with this piece. Great job!
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Post by Kypriotha on Jul 31, 2020 17:28:31 GMT 10
This is a lovely look at Kally's new start in a new land. I love that she ignores her mother-in-law and starts the schools anyway - it reminds me of her parents. I like how this flows on from your first piece, but could also stand alone.
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