Plot Summary
Outlaw's Unsteady Beginnings
Kellen, a sixteen-year-old Jan'Tep exile, is a terrible outlaw. He and his companions—Ferius Parfax, a mysterious Argosi wanderer, and Reichis, a thieving, violent squirrel cat—are on the run in the borderlands. Kellen's magic is weak, and he's hunted for the shadowblack, a curse-like mark around his eye. After a botched attempt to recover a magical charm, Kellen is exposed as shadowblack-marked, deepening his isolation and fear. The trio's dynamic is fraught: Ferius dispenses cryptic Argosi wisdom, Reichis advocates violence, and Kellen is torn between survival and his conscience. The borderlands are harsh, and Kellen's longing for home is matched only by the dangers that stalk him.
The Curse Revealed
Kellen's shadowblack is more than a mark—it's a source of pain, visions, and social terror. When a street fight exposes his affliction, the townsfolk react with fear and violence, convinced he's demon-cursed. Ferius defuses the mob with wit and bravado, but the incident cements Kellen's status as an outcast. The shadowblack is not just a personal curse; it's a death sentence among his people, who believe it leads to madness and violence. Kellen's fear of losing control, and the knowledge that any Jan'Tep mage is duty-bound to kill him, haunt every step. The mark is both a literal and metaphorical barrier, separating him from safety, family, and belonging.
Fistfights and Fears
Kellen's inability to defend himself without magic is painfully clear. A humiliating street brawl with a local boy, Freckles, nearly costs him his fingers—essential for spellcasting. Ferius intervenes, demonstrating Argosi "dancing" as a way to survive violence without brute force. The episode underscores Kellen's vulnerability: he's not strong enough to fight, nor powerful enough to cast spells without being tracked. The shadowblack's attacks intensify, bringing visions and rage that threaten to consume him. Kellen's fear of becoming a danger to others grows, as does his dependence on Ferius and Reichis, whose loyalty is as unpredictable as the borderlands themselves.
Argosi Lessons in Survival
Ferius's mentorship is unconventional, blending philosophy, card games, and physical "dancing" as survival skills. She insists the Argosi way is not about fighting, but about moving with the world—like water, wind, and stone. Kellen struggles to grasp these lessons, craving concrete skills to defend himself. Yet, Ferius's approach saves them repeatedly, as when she outmaneuvers a brute in a fight by turning violence into a dance. The trio's fireside nights are filled with stories, boasting, and the ever-present threat of pursuit. Kellen's longing for home and his family is sharpened by the realization that he may never return, and that survival means embracing a new, uncertain path.
Hextrackers in the Night
The group is hunted by Jan'Tep hextrackers—mages sent to kill those with the shadowblack. A nighttime attack reveals the terrifying power of their pursuers, who use illusions and pain magic to nearly destroy Kellen, Ferius, and Reichis. Only the intervention of another Argosi, Rosie (the Path of Thorns and Roses), saves them. Rosie's methods are as enigmatic as Ferius's, but more ruthless. She negotiates with the defeated mages, using philosophy and subtle threats rather than violence. The encounter exposes the relentless danger Kellen faces, the limits of his magic, and the necessity of allies who can navigate the world's moral and magical complexities.
The Shadowblack Spreads
Rosie brings Seneira, a blindfolded girl with shadowblack, into the group. Seneira's affliction is different: she's not Jan'Tep, and her shadowblack is spreading rapidly, causing pain and terrifying voices. The revelation that non-mages are now afflicted suggests the curse is spreading, possibly as a plague. Seneira's presence complicates the group's dynamics—she's sharp-tongued, proud, and vulnerable. Kellen is drawn to her, both by empathy and attraction, but is haunted by his own inability to help. The group's journey shifts: they must escort Seneira home to Teleidos, a city built around a prestigious Academy, in hopes of finding answers and a cure.
Seneira's Secret
In Teleidos, Seneira's home is empty—her father and brother have vanished, leaving signs of a desperate flight. The clues point to her younger brother, Tyne, succumbing to the shadowblack. The group infiltrates the Academy's hospital, finding Tyne feverish and marked. Seneira's reunion with her family is bittersweet, shadowed by guilt and fear. The city, a beacon of learning and diplomacy, is now threatened by the same affliction. The shadowblack's spread among non-mages, and its rapid, painful progression, suggest a new, more sinister force at work. Kellen's sense of responsibility deepens, as does his connection to Seneira.
The Academy's Hidden Plague
Investigation at the Academy reveals more victims: students from powerful families across the continent, all showing signs of the shadowblack. The affliction is not random—it's targeted, and its symptoms are manipulated to avoid detection. Dexan Videris, a rogue spellslinger, claims to have a cure, but his methods are suspect. The group uncovers that the "shadowblack" is not a true curse, but a magical parasite—obsidian worms—used to control and spy on victims. The Academy, meant to unite nations, is being turned into a vector for magical espionage and assassination. The stakes escalate from personal survival to continental security.
Threads of Deceit
Dexan's true nature is exposed: he's a con artist, selling both the disease and the cure, and working for powerful Jan'Tep mages. The obsidian worms allow remote control and magical anchoring, bypassing wards and turning victims into weapons. Revian, Seneira's betrothed, is used as a magical anchor to murder his own family. The group races to find and destroy the onyx bracelets that control the worms, but Seneira's is already in the hands of the true conspirators. The revelation that Kellen's own clan is behind the plot shatters his last illusions about home and belonging. The fight becomes not just for survival, but for justice.
The Whisper Witch's Warning
Desperate for an edge, Kellen seeks out Mamma Whispers, a childlike hedge witch who communes with spirits. She teaches him "whisper magic," allowing him to see the threads connecting the obsidian worms to their controllers. This new perspective reveals the scale of the conspiracy: dozens of students are infected, each a potential spy or assassin. The spirits' guidance helps Kellen and Reichis track Dexan to his lair, where the final confrontation looms. The lesson is clear: survival and victory require embracing new forms of magic, new alliances, and the humility to learn from unlikely teachers.
The Crooked Spellslinger
Kellen and Reichis infiltrate Dexan's trap-laden lair, seeking the onyx bracelets. Dexan, anticipating their move, uses a magical charm to block Kellen's magic and unleashes a magically-controlled crocodile. The ensuing battle is chaotic and brutal: Reichis and Ferius are both gravely injured, and Kellen is forced to rely on cunning and teamwork rather than raw power. The fight exposes the limits of spellslinging and the necessity of trust. Ultimately, Ferius and Seneira arrive in time to turn the tide, and Dexan is captured. The victory is costly, and the threat of the worms remains.
Worms Beneath the Skin
With Dexan bound, the group forces him to reveal the method to destroy the worms. Seneira's bracelet is gone—sent to the true conspirators—so Kellen must perform a dangerous ritual to save her. The process is agonizing, but Seneira's will and Kellen's determination prevail. The other victims are freed, but the knowledge that some bracelets remain in enemy hands is a bitter victory. Dexan's fate is left to the group's mercy; Ferius's rage is barely contained. The cost of freedom is high: Tyne is dead, Seneira is exiled, and Kellen's own shadowblack remains, a constant threat.
The Price of Freedom
The aftermath is bittersweet. Beren offers Kellen a place at the Academy, safety, and a future—if he leaves Seneira behind. Seneira, recognizing the danger she poses, chooses exile with Kellen and Ferius. The group's bonds are tested: Ferius's path is her own, and she refuses to let sentiment dictate her actions. Kellen must decide between comfort and the uncertain road. The lessons of the Argosi—water, wind, thunder, stone—echo in his choices. The path forward is not about safety or belonging, but about embracing the journey, the risks, and the people who choose to walk beside him.
The Path of Endless Stars
Kellen, Ferius, and Reichis leave Teleidos under cover of night, heading into the unknown. Kellen rejects the easy path of comfort and safety, choosing instead the wild, uncertain road of the Argosi and the spellslinger. He is no longer just Jan'Tep, nor fully Argosi, but something new—a blend of magic, cunning, and compassion. The trio's journey is marked by laughter, music, and the scars of their trials. The shadowblack remains, but so does hope. Kellen's story is not one of triumph or belonging, but of forging a path through darkness, guided by the stars and the friends who walk with him.
Characters
Kellen
Kellen is a sixteen-year-old Jan'Tep exile, marked by the shadowblack—a magical affliction that brings pain, visions, and social death. Once a promising mage, he is now hunted by his own people and haunted by the fear of losing control. Kellen's journey is one of survival, self-discovery, and moral struggle. He is clever but insecure, compassionate but prone to self-doubt. His relationships—with Ferius, Reichis, and Seneira—are fraught with longing, guilt, and the desperate need for connection. Kellen's arc is defined by his refusal to become a monster, his willingness to learn from unlikely mentors, and his ultimate choice to embrace the uncertain path of the spellslinger and the Argosi.
Ferius Parfax
Ferius is an enigmatic Argosi wanderer, blending philosophy, card tricks, and martial "dancing" into a unique survival strategy. She is fiercely independent, irreverent, and deeply principled—her loyalty to the Argosi path is matched only by her compassion for Kellen and Seneira. Ferius's mentorship is both nurturing and exasperating, teaching through riddles and paradoxes. She embodies the Argosi ways of water, wind, thunder, and stone, refusing to be bound by violence or sentiment. Ferius's past is hinted at but never fully revealed, adding to her mystique. Her greatest fear is losing her freedom; her greatest gift is teaching others to find their own path.
Reichis
Reichis is a squirrel cat—a gliding, thieving, carnivorous creature with a penchant for violence and sarcasm. He is both Kellen's business partner and his most unpredictable ally. Reichis's worldview is simple: bite first, ask questions later. Yet, beneath the bravado, he is fiercely loyal, risking his life for Kellen and even showing unexpected tenderness to Seneira. Reichis's ability to change his fur color, pick locks, and sense magic makes him invaluable. His comic interjections mask a deep understanding of survival and the importance of chosen family. Reichis's development is subtle: from self-serving thief to a companion willing to risk everything for his friends.
Seneira
Seneira is the daughter of the Academy's founder, marked by the shadowblack and driven by guilt, fear, and love for her family. Sharp-tongued and proud, she resists pity and refuses to be a victim. Seneira's affliction is both a curse and a crucible, forcing her to confront her own limits and the dangers of trust. Her relationship with Kellen is complex—marked by attraction, rivalry, and shared suffering. Seneira's greatest strength is her will: she endures pain, loss, and exile without surrendering her sense of self. Her arc is one of transformation: from privileged student to exiled survivor, choosing her own path.
Dexan Videris
Dexan is a rogue spellslinger, con artist, and survivor. Once Jan'Tep, now an exile, he sells both the shadowblack affliction and its cure, manipulating victims for profit and survival. Dexan's charm masks a deep cynicism and self-loathing; he is both a victim and perpetrator of the Jan'Tep's cruelty. His partnership offer to Kellen is both genuine and self-serving, reflecting his longing for connection and his inability to trust. Dexan's ultimate betrayal—working for the true conspirators—reveals the corrosive effects of exile and fear. His fate is a warning: survival without principle leads only to loneliness and ruin.
Rosie (Path of Thorns and Roses)
Rosie is another Argosi, more ruthless and less sentimental than Ferius. She embodies the Argosi's commitment to balance and non-interference, but is willing to act decisively when necessary. Rosie's relationship with Ferius is fraught—sisters in philosophy, rivals in method. She is a skilled negotiator, healer, and fighter, but her pragmatism often clashes with Ferius's idealism. Rosie's role is to challenge Kellen's assumptions about morality, intervention, and the limits of compassion. Her departure marks a turning point: the group must choose their own path, without the safety net of Argosi wisdom.
Beren Thrane
Beren is Seneira's father and the founder of the Academy. He is a visionary, believing in the power of education and diplomacy to unite nations. Beren's love for his children is profound, and his grief over Tyne's death is devastating. He is pragmatic, willing to make hard choices to protect his family and his city. Beren's offer to Kellen—a place at the Academy, safety, and purpose—is both generous and fraught, forcing Kellen to choose between comfort and the uncertain road. Beren's arc is one of loss, resilience, and the painful necessity of letting go.
Tyne
Tyne is Seneira's younger brother, the first non-mage victim of the shadowblack. His suffering and death are the emotional heart of the story, galvanizing the group's quest for a cure. Tyne's innocence and bravery—enduring pain, fear, and the loss of control—mirror Kellen's own struggles. His fate is a reminder of the cost of inaction, the dangers of power, and the fragility of hope. Tyne's memory haunts Seneira and Beren, shaping their choices and their willingness to risk everything for justice.
Revian
Revian is Seneira's betrothed, a student at the Academy, and another victim of the false shadowblack. Used as a magical anchor to murder his own family, Revian's fate is both a personal and political tragedy. His love for Seneira is genuine, but complicated by duty and manipulation. Revian's struggle to resist the magic controlling him, and his ultimate death, underscore the story's themes of agency, sacrifice, and the dangers of power without conscience. His loss deepens Seneira's resolve and Kellen's sense of responsibility.
Mamma Whispers
Mamma Whispers is a mysterious hedge witch, appearing as a child but wielding strange spirit magic. She teaches Kellen "whisper magic," expanding his understanding of the world and the limits of Jan'Tep power. Mamma Whispers embodies the wisdom of the margins: those who survive by listening, adapting, and refusing to be defined by others' rules. Her guidance is cryptic but essential, helping Kellen see the threads of the conspiracy and the necessity of humility and learning. Mamma Whispers's role is to remind the group that survival requires more than strength—it requires listening to the world's hidden voices.
Plot Devices
The Shadowblack
The shadowblack is both a literal affliction and a symbol of exile, fear, and the dangers of unchecked power. It marks Kellen and others as outcasts, brings pain and visions, and serves as a tool for manipulation and control. The revelation that the "plague" is a manufactured parasite—obsidian worms—turns the curse into a weapon of espionage and assassination. The shadowblack's progression is used to foreshadow danger, escalate tension, and force characters to confront their own limits. Its ambiguity—curse or disease, punishment or tool—mirrors the story's exploration of identity, agency, and the costs of survival.
The Argosi Philosophy
The Argosi's teachings structure the narrative, offering alternative models of power, resistance, and survival. Water flows, wind adapts, thunder strikes, stone endures. These metaphors shape Kellen's journey, providing both practical skills (dancing, negotiation, subtlety) and moral frameworks. The Argosi's refusal to impose, their commitment to balance, and their embrace of paradox challenge the Jan'Tep's rigid hierarchies. The philosophy is both a plot device—enabling escapes, defusing violence—and a thematic lens, asking what it means to live with integrity in a world of shifting dangers.
Magical Parasites and Anchors
The use of obsidian worms as magical anchors is a central plot device, allowing the conspirators to bypass wards, control victims, and cast spells remotely. The worms' dual nature—half in the victim, half in an onyx bracelet—creates a web of connections, both literal and metaphorical. The device enables espionage, assassination, and the spread of fear, turning the Academy into a vector for continental manipulation. The ritual to destroy the worms is fraught with danger, requiring trust, skill, and sacrifice. The device escalates the stakes from personal survival to geopolitical threat.
Narrative Structure and Foreshadowing
The story is structured as a journey, both physical and psychological, with each chapter building on the last. Encounters with new characters (Seneira, Dexan, Rosie) introduce new dangers and moral dilemmas. Foreshadowing is used throughout: the spread of the shadowblack, the hints of a larger conspiracy, the lessons of the Argosi. The narrative balances action (fights, escapes, rituals) with introspection (Kellen's doubts, Seneira's pain, Ferius's philosophy). The use of letters, visions, and spirit magic expands the perspective, revealing the interconnectedness of personal and political struggles.
Analysis
Shadowblack is a coming-of-age tale wrapped in a fantasy adventure, but its true power lies in its exploration of identity, exile, and the search for belonging. Sebastien de Castell uses the trappings of magic, curses, and conspiracies to probe deeper questions: What does it mean to be marked as "other"? How do we find our path when every road is dangerous? The novel critiques the dangers of power without conscience—whether in the Jan'Tep's rigid hierarchies or Dexan's self-serving spellslinging—while offering the Argosi's philosophy as an alternative: survival through adaptation, resistance through joy, and freedom through self-knowledge. The story's emotional arc is one of loss and resilience: Kellen loses home, family, and certainty, but gains a chosen family and a sense of purpose. The lessons are hard-won: true strength lies not in magic or violence, but in the willingness to walk the path, to dance with the world's dangers, and to choose compassion even when the world offers only fear. Shadowblack is ultimately a story about forging identity in the face of exile, and about the courage to keep moving forward, guided by the stars and the friends who choose to walk beside us.
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