Cornelius' Curse

**SkyTalons: Cornelius' Curse** is the first book in the SkyTalons series. It was published on September 3, 2019 by Library and Archives of Canada (LAC). The main protagonist is Cornelius.

## Blurb

Life is perfect... at least for a pigeon. Living amongst the hustle and bustle of a busy city, Cornelius' life is pretty much as expected. But, everything suddenly changes when hidden secrets are revealed to the young bird. Cornelius' world is turned upside-down with action, adventure, and too many mysteries to count - everything he tried to avoid in life. Learning he is one of three legendary SkyTalons - birds tasked to ensure peace within the five tribes - Cornelius must unite with the other SkyTalons before it is too late. Faced with vicious ravens, a greedy leader who wants him and the other SkyTalons dead, and lies from those who he trusted most, will Cornelius manage to accept his destiny and save the tribes? Or, will darkness consume them all, forever?

## Detailed Plot Summary

A patrol of peacocks find another group marking territory on their land. The leader of the patrol, Ellagard, gives the attack command. Ellagard clashes with the leader of the enemy peacocks, named Khan. Ellagard shrieks that he left his tribe, and Khan retorts that everything he's done was to get closer to ridding the world from that monster. After Ellagard is thrown off, she realizes that her patrol was badly outnumbered and orders them to retreat.

The patrol's spirits were broken even deeper than before. A member of their patrol, Zander, was missing, and Ellagard could not risk looking for him. They trudged through the vast jungle, toward their tribe's camp, which is marked by four massive trees.

The patrol returns to their camp, and as questions fly through the air, the deputy, Cyprus, silences them and orders the Healers to tend to the wounded. Ellagard describes meeting the traitorous Khan, and the loss of the battle. The elderly tribe leader, Thargus, points out the absence of Zander. Cyprus yells that the tribe is doomed, but Thargus contradicts him. The moon was full, so they are able to contact Jarquanzilla. Since Ellagard is the tribe's Speaker, she enters a small crack in the trunk of the stone-like tree. The air grew chilly, and she found herself in complete darkness. She greets Jarquanzilla, the spirit, and he reveals the three new SkyTalons: a pigeon, a raven, and a blue jay. Jarquanzilla tells Ellagard to return to her tribe, and to tell them that the SkyTalons are coming.

In the city, Cornelius, Jemma, and Xavier are searching for scraps left behind by no-feathers. A dog with purple eyes sprang at Cornelius when he keeps watch. Xavier fights it and saves Cornelius. He meets his sister, Jemma, on a building and sees Xavier's feathers. Xavier approaches his half-sister and half-brother, bleeding. He snaps at the two birds and spits at Cornelius for costing the flock a meal that night. They set off for home, with Cornelius lagging behind in shame.

Soon, the birds arrive at the flock's home. Xavier calls for Donovan, their leader, who is chatting with Harrison. Donovan is shocked at his son's injuries, and Xavier explains angrily that if he had not been busy saving Cornelius, he would've brought back plenty of food, and he questions Donovan's decision of making Cornelius his successor before storming off.

Cornelius explains everything to Donovan, and at the mention of the purple-eyed dog, Donovan's feathers rise. He eventually told Cornelius to lead a Gathering. Cornelius expresses surprise and dismay. He reluctantly agrees and silently promises to make up for his mistakes.

Cornelius is woken by Jemma before realizing that he overslept. Donovan, Harrison, Adrea, and Corra are waiting for him, irritated. As Cornelius is scolded by Donovan, he observes Corra's pretty appearance until Harrison blocks his daughter from Cornelius' view. Donovan told Cornelius to make him proud.

At the beach, Cornelius suggests that they split up. After agreeing to meet back at the hut, they fly off. Cornelius flies for a while, but gradually collects some food left over by the No-feathers. As he nears the hut, he starts to feel cold instead of warm. He then plummets to the ground, blacking out.

*More flying in soon!*