The author commentary on A Circle of Shadows continues with a closer look at the Greystone! SPOILER WARNING ahead!
The evolution of the Greystone
For me, one of the great joys of the series has been the slow-burn reveal of the Greystone and the mysteries surrounding it.
Purpose is extremely important to the players in the story, especially Soriya and Mentor. They exist for a reason, even though that reason has not completely presented itself to them as of yet. It is why Mentor takes care to teach Soriya all those years in the Bypass Chamber. Why he pushes texts and lessons above all else.
To introduce patience. To give her the knowledge to seek out that purpose.
But the Greystone itself remains locked to them.
How a villain showed the way to A Circle of Shadows…
The initial draft of The Medusa Coin held no insight into the Greystone. The focus was on Erikson and his quest for immortality. Even Loren’s search for his wife’s killer was sidelined, offering a very standalone installment.
To the detriment of the series as a whole.
As editing took hold, as I saw a way to introduce Myers and this element of Soriya’s involvement the day Beth fell, I realized that added something personal to Loren.
But what about Soriya? What was important to her at this moment? That was the start of the out of control Greystone, the inkling that the merging of the two stones in Signs of Portents came with repercussions.
Understanding why opened the door to Erikson’s connection with Mentor and in turn his innate knowledge of the stone. And the other pieces…
Introducing the second stone
There is a clear line of thought from that moment in The Medusa Coin where Erikson announces the existence of the other stones to the arrival of Gabriel Jordan in A Circle of Shadows. Without one, the other would fall flat or need more explanation than necessary in what was shaping up to be an action-packed book already.
But with that information, that possibility of other stones, introduced in the previous novel, Gabe’s entry is seamless. Without question.
Gabe’s involvement in this book was one of the first pieces of the outline put together. How he manipulated the stone, his access to the power – how the pair were more in tune than Soriya ever was with this stone she’s carried since childhood – were very much set from the start. To me, it was a way of looking at the power from an outside perspective, but also seeing how it could be manipulated, compared to the teachings of Mentor.
What does this mean going forward?
I won’t spoil where things are headed. What I will say is that Loren’s story has closed for the moment. His big mystery was solved here. Was Soriya’s?
What is the Greystone exactly? What is it here for? How many other stones are there with bearers to match?
I hope you’ve pondered these questions as well. I know I have and I can’t wait to find the answers with you.
Thanks for reading.
