Westford Arc

The **Westford Arc**, also known as the **Flying Ravens Arc** is the first story arc of the Westford Saga, and more widely the Caelis series. It deals with the introduction of the main characters: Isaac Evans, Nicholas Eaton and Kira Ashburn, how they meet, and how they depart on their adventure as the Flying Ravens.

## Summary

### Arrival at Westford Island

Having gotten his ship "stolen" by Skyfleet, young traveller Isaac Evans is first seen barely arriving at Westford on a broken glider he was left with. As the island is a Skyfleet stronghold, Isaac, being low-key known as a petty criminal, tries to stay undercover and find his ship. However, this quickly goes wrong as two Skyfleet officers recognize him and attempt to arrest him. While trying to hide in a cartographer's shop, he is confronted by the cartographer's son Nicholas Eaton, who attempts to stop him. In a brief fight, Isaac mentions his quest for the mythical island Caelis, which angers Nicholas, whose mother left his father and him as a child in order to find the island. Just before Isaac escapes once again, he leaves a lasting impression on Nicholas, suggesting he stop complaining and instead also look for the island to find answers. As Isaac finds his ship and is about to board, he stumbles upon a young noble daughter Kira Ashburn, which accidentally leads to his arrest.

### Arrival of the Rock Pirates

Nicholas, still thinking about Isaac's words, is introduced to Kira, who has been sent to his shop by Westford's governor, for a certain map. Both quickly develop an affection for one another. Meanwhile, Isaac rots in prison and is introduced to three pirates in the neighboring cell who taunt him that their boss will arrive soon to get them out. The pirates arrive and attack the island, and a cannonball destroys the outer wall to Isaac's cell, allowing him to escape, much to the three pirates' despair. As a gruesome battle between the pirates and Skyfleet throws the entire island into chaos, Isaac attempts to take advantage of this to get to his ship. However, before he can board, he is once again intercepted, this time by Nicholas. While Kira also stumbles upon them, Isaac and Nicholas have a heated argument, until they encounter the pirate boss. A fight ensues, but with Isaac and Nicholas forced to fight together, they manage to defeat the pirate boss. However, that's when a Skyfleet General arrives. Mistaking Isaac for the pirate boss, he quickly arrests him.

### Isaac's Execution

Due to Isaac's alleged crimes, he is sentenced to be hung the following day. Knowing that he is wrongly accused, Kira attempts to convince her noble father and the governor. However, she quickly realizes that both are aware that Isaac is wrongly convicted, yet still wish to proceed because of "political reasons". She visits Isaac in prison, giving him the bad news. To her surprise, he takes it quite positively and tells her stories about the great wide world. Later, Kira meets Nicholas and suggests they help Isaac escape; however, Nicholas hesitates, considering it wrong, not to say illegal, and eventually refuses. As the execution day looms the following day, Kira watches, standing next to her father and the governor, unable to do anything. However, Nicholas arrives after all, and the two execute a stunt to help Isaac escape. They successfully make it to the port and Isaac and Nicholas board the Flying Raven. Nicholas convinces a reluctant Isaac to also take Kira along who has decided to join them last-minute, as she wishes to explore the great wide world. She reveals having taken the map, which she previously got for the governor from his desk, leaving both Isaac and Nicholas impressed. Together, Isaac, Nicholas, and Kira, as the Flying Ravens, begin their adventures to explore the world, and to look for the island of Caelis.

## Characters

* Nicholas Eaton
* Kira Ashburn
* Michael Spencer
* Wells Quinn
* Rock D. Feller
* Daniel Eaton
* Rock Pirates

## Story Impact

* Isaac Evans begins his journey to find the island of Caelis, setting into motion the main plot of the series.
	+ Isaac reveals he has lost his parents at a young age and that he lives with guardians, who are yet to be named but are later revealed to be the Shiay Qren, making him a Shiay Qren as well.
* This arc also introduces two major characters: Nicholas Eaton, who will become the Flying Ravens' navigator, and Kira Ashburn, a lady of nobility who joins the crew as well.
	+ For the first part of the series, Kira is the cook of the crew, as she has no other useful skills.
* The Skyfleet, a very prominent group in the overall series, that is both supporting or antagonist on different occasions, are first introduced. In the Sky Tower Arc, its parent organization, the Heavens Association is introduced.
	+ General Wells Quinn and Governor Michael Spencer, who would continue to appear regularly throughout the series, are also introduced.