title: The Fledgling
author: Merwin, J. Carter
description: Arius, as E.M.Foster said ..".is a most unpromising youth...," he shirks his chores and spends most of his days sitting in his favorite tree dreaming of adventure, and for good reason. Abuse, curses and taunts are all he gets from his family and the other falconers that make their living in the Black Mountains of Earden. Such is the life of this reject at the beginning of 'The Fledgling'. His only companion, equally despised, is his pet, Monk, a most intelligent and mischievous crow. Raised by Arius from an egg, Monk also dreams of freedom and strange places, as well as shiny objects and morsels of cheese. Together they are swept up in the life of the exiled Lord Boru, captain of a company of Guardians, doomed to patrol the outer reaches of Earden by his father. Arius loses and finds love, loses and finds his own sexual identity, and gains ..".a little prowess with a blade." He finds himself playing the part of 'spy', 'soldier', 'falconer', 'son', 'paramour' and 'sweetheart' while trying to help his captain find the courage not only to lead a new country but return to the woman he still loves and abandoned so long ago. Arius and Monk journey the length and breadth of Earden encountering murderous traitors and loyal soldiers, madmen, healers, seers and the vengeful Supreme Guardian himself, Lord Borchard. As war comes to a fractured Earden, Arius grows up, finds and 'spreads his wings' and Monk 'shows his metal'.