Kell Maresh

Lore & Background

Kell's unique nature as an Antari grants him the ability to travel between parallel Londons, a power few possess. He was adopted into the royal family of Arnes in Red London, where he works closely with Crown Prince Rhy and suspects his adoptive parents may not care for him as much as they appear. His role involves navigating the distinct states of three worlds: Red London (magical and thriving), Grey London (magicless), and White London (ravaged by magic). The source notes that the black stone was given to him by his adoptive father, King Maxim, who slipped it into his coat pocket.

In Their Own Story

When Kell returns home with the message for the twins Astrid and Athos (the rulers of White London), he realizes they have given him a black stone from Black London. Pursued by Holland Vosijk, the only other known living Antari, Kell flees to Grey London where a thief named Delilah Bard steals the stone. After finding Lila, the two fight Holland together. Instead of returning the stone immediately, Lila demands he allow her to accompany him as they devise a dangerous plan to return the relic to Black London. During this journey, Kell discovers that Astrid has been controlling Rhy through the enchanted necklace and plans to break down barriers between Red and White London to conquer it. In a fight with Astrid, she stabs Rhy; to save him, Kell binds his own life to Rhy's. Later, in White London, they use the dark stone against Astrid and Athos. The stone nearly overcomes Kell until Lila helps dispel the darkness, revealing her own magical affinity. Finally, Kell banishes Holland and the stone back to Black London.

Reader's Guide

To understand Kell's journey, one must follow his path from ambassador to fugitive to savior. Key moments include his smuggling activities in Red London, his flight to Grey London after receiving the black stone, and his alliance with Lila Bard. The turning point occurs when he learns of Astrid's control over Rhy via an enchanted necklace. His decisive action is binding his life to Rhy's after Astrid stabs him. In White London, Kell uses the dark stone against the twins but risks being consumed by its power until Lila intervenes. He successfully banishes Holland and returns to Red London with Lila, who decides to stay and seek magical training.

Did You Know?

• Kell is an Antari, a rare magician born with innate magic unlike others who must study to master it.
• He travels between three parallel Londons: Red, Grey, and White.
• Kell leads a secret life as a smuggler for people willing to pay for glimpses of magic.
• He binds Rhy's life to his own to save him after Rhy is stabbed by Holland.
• The black stone he carries is a relic from Black London, which fell centuries ago when its people's greed for magic exceeded their control.