by Vance Bachelder (Author)
The Korellian Odyssey - Benediction completes the story of Korel, a young boy growing into manhood who abandons his soul mate, Arinnea to the violent intentions and intrigue of the royal court. Korel wanders the wastes until he crosses the Eastern Sea and finds evidence that Arinnea is still alive. Benediction picks up with Korel returning from the sea to explore the gifts of mortality and the balance between life and death as he seeks out the secrets of two declining civilizations founded by the Stewards, a race of people gifted with immortality and charged as caretakers of the world. Korel finds technological and natural horrors that force him to develop his own blossoming gifts. Eventually he finds his way back to his home city and the royal court of Westoreth. Korel discovers Arinnea has died and challenges the king and court in a ritual contest that results in a purging of the throne. He then must decide if and how his relationship with the deceased Arinnea can continue.