Here is another character portrait (made with Artbreeder). From now (February 8, actually), until January 22, every Saturday will be a post of some art related to my up-coming release, Sorceress of the Dryads, 2nd in the Legend of the Singer Duology. This time, we feature Eldazìn, the Elf Edge of Night who is first introduced in Sorceress of the Dryads. The very first chapter, actually.

Eldazìn is an elf Edge of Night, or something like an Assassin. The term refers more to the skills of an assassin or a spy – the kind that sneaks around and listens, not so much the art of subterfuge and deception, though Eldazìn has a lot of skills. The term ‘Night’s Edge’ is not usually used in Sorceress of the Dryads, as it is a transliteration of an Elethrian word and writing everything in transliteration would probably just be annoying to a lot of people, but it is referenced a few times.

Eldazìn and Tara-lin have a complicated relationship that goes through a lot of different stages and phases, as they both have to figure things out, but there is nothing romantic or sexual about it. Neither of them is attracted to the other in any sense like that. Personally, I like their interactions and relationship are a lot richer for that fact.

Here is a short excerpt:

Eldazìn hissed between his teeth. “While you were fighting Anakrim, I was hunting and capturing spies and assassins. I did not have anything to do with them previously, but when you fought Anakrim it was clear that we would either lose or win. If we lost, it would not matter if I revealed myself. If we won, I would finally have a place to guard the captured spies and assassins.”

“And how does any of this have anything to do with why I should not go out to hold concourse with my dryad friends?” asked Tara-lin.

Eldazìn moved in a blur and came to a resting place crouched with a small knife in his hand. “If I wanted you to be, you would be dead right now, Tara-lin. I believe that I may be the best among the elves, though I have practiced these arts because they appeal to my sense of excitement and vanity, and not out of any true desire to kill, but there are others who are nearly as good as myself. Some of those others may have escaped my attention. Some of those others may desire your death.”

Excerpted from Sorceress of the Dryads, Copyright © 2020, 2022 Raina Nightingale

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