Rachel Rossano's Blog, page 6

A New Rooglewood Press Writing Contest!

Rooglewood Press is delighted to introduce their third fairy tale novella contest—

Five Magic Spindlesa collection of “Sleeping Beauty” stories
The challenge is to write a retelling of the beloved fairy tale in any genre or setting you like. Make certain your story is recognizably “Sleeping Beauty,” but have fun with it as well. Make it yours!Rooglewood Press will be selecting five winners to be published in the Five Magic Spindles collection, which will be packaged up with the phenomenal cover you see here. Maybe your name will be one of the five listed?
All the contest rules and information (how to enter, story details, deadline etc.) may be found on the Rooglewood Press website. Just click HERE and you will go right to the page.
Rooglewood Press’s first collection, Five Glass Slippers is available for purchase, and our second collection, Five Enchanted Roses is scheduled to launch on July 27, and is currently available for pre-order. Be certain to get a copy of each and see what previous winners did with their wonderful retellings.

Introducing Christi Ella Ryder

I have a good writing friend I would like to introduce to you. She hasn't published her first book, yet, but I can personally attest when she does, you will be in for a treat.

Welcome Christi!

Q1: If you were to describe yourself in five words, what would they be?
Adventurous
Pragmatic
Visual
Learner
Creativist (even though it's not a word, it describes me perfectly)
RR: New words are so much fun!
Q2: Describe your favorite writing environment.
Sitting in a big, overstuffed rocking chair in the living room, late at night after everyone else is in bed.
RR: Sounds heavenly to me.
Q3: What is your writing style? Are you a pantser, a plotter, or somewhere between?
I am somewhere in between. I like to start with a fairly structured outline, but I don't mind deviating if need be. Ultimately, as long as I know where I'm going and have a general idea on how to get there, I just fill in the rest along the way.
Q4: What you like most about writing?
I love watching the jumbled images in my head sort themselves out and create a wonderful vibrant picture as I write. Watching the story come to life is very rewarding.
Q5: What do you like least about writing?
Definitely editing. Though, pushing through the slow parts is not terribly enjoyable either.
RR: A woman after my own heart.
Q6: Where do you hope to see yourself in five years?
I don't normally spend a lot of time thinking about the future besides just a few months in advance. However, in five years I would love to be picked up by a publisher and working hard at releasing books for young Christian women to enjoy.
Q7: Which genre do you feel the most comfortable writing? Which do you want try to write someday?
I feel most comfortable writing modern Christian romance. I would love to write historical Christian romance at some point, though I know it's not as easy as it looks... it's something to aspire to!I would also love to write an Amish book or two someday.
Q8: Can you tell us a bit about one of your characters? What do you like most about him/her?
Air Force Sergeant Kellen Hail is the main character in my current WIP. He has a complicated past, but throughout the course of the story, he learns that nobody but he can determine the course of his life. The Air Force helped give him purpose at a time in his life when he was floundering. Everyday life is a different story. He's funny, adventurous, and family oriented. He's a very dynamic character - one I am looking forward to you meeting!
RR: I can't wait for them to meet him either.
Q9: Why did you choose to write Christian Romance?
Oh, this is a good question. I believe that romance is an integral part of life, and is definitely good in nature. However, so many have decided that romance is simply pleasing the flesh. Written correctly, it can serve to encourage young women to look forward to their own love story without encouraging them to dwell on the parts of romance that our culture embraces so adamantly. I strive to write clean Christian romance for that very reason. As a Christian and a lover of romance stories, I know there is a large shortage in this genre. I hope to change that, one book at a time.
RR: I can't wait to read what you come up with. Be assured I will be watching your progress eagerly.
Q10: If you could travel anywhere in the world and visit for a few weeks, what would your top three choices be and why?
One of my favorite things to do is travel, so this is a great question.
I would love to visit Europe one day (which I am counting as one place, since all these places are within driving distance of each other), specifically Paris, Germany during Oktoberfest, and Switzerland. I've always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, I am a stickler for historical festivals and Oktoberfest looks amazing from pictures I've seen, and I want to see the Swiss Alps in person.
Second is definitely Ireland. I love music, accents, and green countryside, so I figure there's a lot waiting for me there.
Finally, England would be a delightful place to visit. While I would probably find the refinement somewhat exhausting after a time, I think a short visit would be a fun experience.
RR: We definitely think alike. I would love to visit all of those places too. Thank you so much for coming over and interviewing with me.
Thank you, Rachel, for doing this interview for me!

Christi Ella Ryder lives in the country with her dogs and her books.  She's a jack of all trades, picking up many new hobbies, learning everything she can and storing the knowledge away for future dates.  Although she loves to travel, she spends a lot of her time at home, homeschooling her younger siblings, learning homemaking skills from her mother, and entertaining herself with reading, writing, sewing, photography, and watching movies. 

Guest Post by Sarah Holman

The Power of Forgivenessby Sarah Holman
When I started writing Brothers and Betrayal, I didn’t have a theme in mind, but then I rarely do when I start writing a book. It takes me a while of getting into the characters and story to find the lesson/theme. The theme quickly became one of forgiveness and its power.
I have struggled a lot with forgiving others and myself through my life. I easily take offence for others and harbor anger and unforgiveness. I remember a time not that long ago when I felt like there was rage always right beneath the surface, and I lashed out on a regular basis and then felt guilty. It took me a lot of time in prayer to realize that the anger was due to a grudge that I was holding against someone who had hurt my family. It had felt right at first to stay angry at them and recount their wrongs against us. After all, what they had done had hurt. However, it quickly became a burden to me.
In my favorite TV show, Sue Thomas FBEye, there is a quote about forgiveness that I love: “Forgiveness is for the one who forgives.” While it can be very healing to the one who is told they are forgiven, it is even more freeing to the person who lets go of the hurt and paint that they have been holding onto.I know very well that to forgive is far easier said than done. Forgiveness is a process that can take days, months, or even years. The good thing is that we do not have to work it out on our own. God is ready and willing to help us to forgive.
Would you like to join me in exploring the theme of forgiveness in my newest book? You can pre-order a copy of Brothers and Betrayal here.



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Sarah Holman is a not so typical mid-twenties girl: A homeschool graduate, sister to six awesome siblings, and author of three published books and counting. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it is because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined.
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From a Sentence to a Book Series

As some of you know (perhaps all of you), February 23rd will bring the debut of Honor: Second Novel of Rhynan.

Amazon Preorder Link - www.amazon.com/dp/B00S7IX63K
The Earl of Dentin excels in his position as Securer of the Realm. But the king’s order to pluck an orphaned child from a loving home unsettles Dentin. When a dark-eyed woman challenges his honor regarding the mission, Dentin finds himself unable to justify his actions or get her out of his mind. Something about her lack of fear intrigues him. 
Lady Elsa Reeve attempts to avoid the marriage of convenience her brother and mother demand of her. She understands the need to pay off her brother's massive debt. She only wants her family to consider her wishes in the process. 
As Elsa becomes further entangled in a snare of her brother’s creating, only one man defends her. But can she trust Dentin, her unlikely champion, and his motives? With a murderer on the loose, Elsa’s fate in jeopardy, and a traitor plotting against the king, Dentin finds his priorities shifting in an unexpected direction. 
~~~~~
The series began with a single opening sentence from a fan. The sentence spawned a short story idea. While writing out the idea, it became very evident that there was a novel's worth of material and the short story became Duty.

Right after I released Duty a reader and reviewer asked for more. She wanted me to write about the hero of Duty's best friend. Dentin's story was born, and Duty went from a standalone novel to the first novel in a series in that instant. The Novels of Rhynan series was born.

As typical of complicated characters (and Dentin is a complicated guy), Dentin's story has blossomed so that a single novel cannot contain it. Honor is only one piece of his journey and the timeline of the nation of Rhynan.

The Current Vision for the Novels of Rhynan seriesNovelsDuty (published) - Tomas Dyrease (Earl of Irvaine) and Brielle Solarius' story
Honor (soon to be published) - Simon Cordale (Earl of Dentin) and Elsa Reeve's story
Faith (in plotting stage) - Wilard Noran and Constance's story
Courage (planned) - Darnay Dyrease (son of Tomas) and Magda's story
Loyalty (planned) - Linora Dyrease (son of Tomas and Brielle) and Lander Briaren's story

Linked Short StoriesLisbeth's Redemption (a serial story currently appearing in InD'tale Magazine)
Passing the Mantle (written)
Forging Friendships (halfway written)
The Sword of Korma Monroe (written)
A Squire's Love (begun)
The Bittersweet Pear (written)

Stay tuned. There is much more to come in the story of Rhynan and the men and women that made her great.

(Guest Post) King Arthur: Bookania vs. the Legend

Please welcome my good friend Kendra E. Ardnek as she visits us to talk about her new release and the world of Bookania:Greetings one and all, and thank-you, Rachel, for having me over to your lovely blog. As some of you may already know, the Bookania Quests are fairy tale retellings, and this newest volume, as you can probably guess from the cover, is a retelling of King Arthur.
However, while with the fairy tales I’ve used previously have suffered very little changes (the most drastic being the fact that I made Puss in Boots a chinaman), I actually took quite a few liberties with Arthur’s story. And since I’ve not actually sat down and wrote a post with what liberties I’ve taken, when Rachel suggested the topic to me, I jumped at the opportunity to share.
Arthur knows who he is. Unlike in the original legend where Arthur was taken from his parents at birth to be raised in ignorance by Sir Ector, my Arthur is perfectly aware that he is the rightful heir to the throne, he’s just powerless to take it. He’s also now an only child, with no older half-sisters to cause trouble for him.
Ector and Mordred are combined. And renamed Mordreth. Mordreth is Arthur’s uncle and regent, and despite the fact that he has no true claim to the throne, wants it anyways. You see, I also switched up which of Arthur’s parents was the one born royal – Ygrain was the young queen, and Uthur one of the lords. Mordreth is Uther’s younger brother.
Merlin doesn’t have magic. Indeed, his name isn’t even Merlin it’s … wait, no, that’s a plot spoiler. While there is magic in Bookania, Merlin himself is not a wizard. He’s … well, that’s a spoiler too.
Arthur gets Excalibur before the one in the stone.This one sneaked up on me, as did the identity of the Lady of the Lake. I’d already planted the sword in the stone (well, column, actually) in the previous book, but about halfway though Kingdom, I realized that Arthur would need a sword before we got to the scene with the stone, so his cousin took him aside and provided. One of my favorite chapters.
No Guinevere love triangle mess. Instead, we have Shira, who is the strongest person in the world, despite appears quite small and delicate. She did have another love interest other than Arthur, but she’s not going to tear apart the kingdom over him. And it’s not Lancelot.
Lancelot and Gawain are Arthur’s servants, not knights. Renamed Leo and Gavin, they were quite an interesting pair to work with. True to the legend, Leo does come from Fronce (Some of the countries have differently spelled names in Bookania), but his heart belongs to a girl back home. Also, I changed Kay’s name to Kew.
The Round Table isn’t round.
About the Author

 Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairy tales and twisting them in new and exciting ways.  She's been practicing her skills on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years, "Finish your story, Kendra", is frequently heard at family gatherings.  Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that also glorify God and his Word. You can read more about her on her blog: knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com.



My Kingdom for a Quest

Arthur is the rightful king of Briton, but his Uncle Mordreth refuses to give up the regency. Arthur and Grandfather are now returning with allies to wrestle the kingdom from his uncle's grasp. But not all is as it seems among his allies, and everyone has secrets. New loves, old loves, lost loves, kingdoms conquered and kingdoms stolen. Who is the real "rightful heir" and will the nearly forgotten sword in the stone finally answer this question?

Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23563093-my-kingdom-for-a-questKindle: http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Quest-Bookania-Quests-Book-ebook/dp/B00RN7T004Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4322491

Snippet from the Book
“Only twelve hours! Leo, there is no way to escape Briton Dungeons. No way!”
“That’s what they said in the dungeons of Fronce, too,” said Leo absentmindedly, taking a sip of his gruel. “Now be quiet while I think. And eat up. We’re going to need our strength!”
“Dungeons in Fronce!” Gavin squeaked.
“Yes, now those were dungeons! Now be quiet.”
Gavin fell silent and simply stared in the direction of his friend, the look on his face (had it been visible in that dark cell) a mixture of confusion, awe, and horror.
“You wouldn’t have happened to have fallen in love with any young lady who would be able to arrange for a soldier to play traitor and get us out of here, now would you?” Leo suddenly asked.
“No…”
“Ah, well, I suppose that not every young lady can be so obliging. And now that I think about it, it’s as good a way into the dungeon as out. Now where was I … No, bribing the guards is out of the question. All we have is gruel to call our own, and I’m sure they have much better food in the soldier’s quarters.”
“We’ll never get out of here!” Gavin moaned.
“That’s what you think. That’s what everyone thinks,” said Leo. “But I tell you, there’s a way out of every sticky situation. You just have to be observant and look for it.” Leo frowned as he set his now-empty bowl to the side. “It’s too bad Mordreth doesn’t have any daughters for us to charm. Only that good-for-nothing Kew, and I really don’t see him helping. And Arthur’s gone, so that’s out of the question.”
“If Prince Arthur was here,” said Gavin, “we wouldn’t be in the dungeon.”
“Good point,” said Leo. “As I was saying, we could always try to steal a key and unlock the door, but that can be a very tricky business, and it’s very easy to get caught. And then where would we be? Probably talking about death sentences some more. Honestly, they don’t bother me, just all this talk about them. It’s enough to drive a man mad.”

New Release - Rising to the Challenge by Alicia A. Willis

On January 20th, another Alicia A. Willis novel debuted. The conclusion to her medieval trilogy appeared with a Rossano Designs cover. The whole trilogy is definitely worth checking out now or on your next book buying opportunity.


Amazon
New difficulties arise for Sir Kenneth Dale in the exciting final installment in The Comrades of Honor Series. As a favorite of the Earl of Birmingham, his life appears tranquil – until the both beautiful Lady Clarissa and a headstrong orphan named Brion arrive in the castle. It is not long before Sir Kenneth finds himself not only in love, but also the master of the most difficult squire Birmingham has ever harbored.

Brion de Lantenac is nothing short of rebellious. Hatred for Sir Kenneth’s strict rules vents itself in constant disobedience, triggering continual clashes between himself and his new lord. But there is a reason behind his self-centered character. The murder of his family has caused heartbreak he may never recover from. Will he ever reveal his true identity to Sir Kenneth? And what about Guthrie, the man who sullied his father’s shire with treacherous hands and now seeks his demise?

Caught between a hopeless romance, a rebellious squire, and the enemies on all sides, Sir Kenneth finds himself challenged. Amidst battles, heartache, and dark mystery, he must somehow rise to meet the difficulties of his life with honor. Will he ever win his squire’s heart? Will he and Clarissa be forever separated?

Join Sir Kenneth, Brion, and all the comrades of honor in a tale of perseverance, chivalry, and unconditional love. Treachery abounds and evil seems insurmountable. Will rising to the challenge preserve honor and win the day?



Alicia A. Willis is a homeschool graduate and avid historian. From an early age, she has had the desire to write family-friendly, accurate books about the past. When not writing or doing endless historical research, she enjoys singing, being a church pianist, and teaching music. She and her family live in New Mexico.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alicia-A-Willis/1440007522880828 Blog - http://aliciaannewillis.blogspot.com/Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6443448.Alicia_A_WillisAmazon - http://www.amazon.com/Alicia-A.-Willis/e/B008N2FZNE

Honor: Second Novel of Rhynan - Book Trailer

I can finally share the book trailer for Honor: Second Novel of Rhynan

Ebook is available for pre-order on Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S7IX63K/

Cover Reveal - Draven's Light by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Today we get the first peek at my friend's new book's cover. Anne Elisabeth Stengl writes fairy tale inspired fantasy novels. The covers are always amazing and the stories just as wonderful. Plus, you have a great opportunity to enter a giveaway for three ARCs (advance reader copies) of Draven’s Light!


In the Darkness of the PitThe Light Shines Brightest
Drums summon the chieftain’s powerful son to slay a man in cold blood and thereby earn his place among the warriors. But instead of glory, he earns the name Draven, “Coward.” When the men of his tribe march off to war, Draven remains behind with the women and his shame. Only fearless but crippled Ita values her brother’s honor.
The warriors return from battle victorious yet trailing a curse in their wake. One by one the strong and the weak of the tribe fall prey to an illness of supernatural power. The secret source of this evil can be found and destroyed by only the bravest heart.
But when the curse attacks the one Draven loves most, can this coward find the courage he needs to face the darkness?
Coming May 25, 2015

Pre-order Draven’s Light today!Read an excerpt from Draven’s Light!Visit Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s blog to enter the giveaway!

ANNE ELISABETH STENGL makes her home in North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a kindle of kitties, and one long-suffering dog. When she’s not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and practices piano, painting, and pastry baking. She is the author of the critically-acclaimed Tales of Goldstone Wood. Her novel Starflower was awarded the 2013 Clive Staples Award, and her novels Heartless, Veiled Rose, and Dragonwitchhave each been honored with a Christy Award.
To learn more about Anne Elisabeth Stengl and her books visit: www.AnneElisabethStengl.blogspot.com

Farewell 2014. Hello 2015.

It is time for the annual update. It has been a busy year, which is probably why I have been neglecting this blog. Something I am going to endeavor to change in 2015. But that is for later. Right now it is time to count the blessings of 2014

2014

In January, I was working on writing Isbeth's Redemption. Honor went out to the beta readers, and I set up Rossano Designs, my book cover design company (Website and Facebook page).

February meant planning for the next books in the Novels of Rhynan series and designing their covers. The short stories for the anthology The Making of a Man were well underway.

April brought more short story work. Forging Friendships grew steadily. Wren was nominated for the RONE awards.

In June I was struggling with the beginning of the next Novel of Rhynan. The characters were forming nicely, but the plot struggled. So, I spent time working on editing The King of Anavrea.

July through September I worked on preparing The King of Anavrea for publishing. Until finally on Sept. 29th, The King of Anavrea's book trailer debuted.  Also in September, I set the next Novel of Rhynan aside and picked up a very old project, Living Sacrifice.

Isbeth's Redemption first installment appeared in InD'Tale's August 2014 issue.

The King of Anavrea was published on October 15th.

Living Sacrifice grew steadily from September until December. It closed out the year with 31,510 words added. Solid progress after seven years of waiting for my attention.

Honor is in the final stages of editing.

In addition to all the writing, cover design and formatting made my year quite full. Here are just the revealed covers from this year. I also worked on some premades and a few covers for myself.



2015

Oh, boy! The beginning of 2015 looks busy!

Living Sacrifice, an inspirational fantasy romantic novel trilogy I began over seven years ago, is on the top of my writing list. With the first two 'books' were written in the first run, I am working on the end of the story, the third book. Also, I am working on the cover designs for the trilogy.

Honor: Second Novel of Rhynan will hopefully be debuting in January or February of  2015. There is much still to do before then like creating the book trailer, organizing the release, and arranging a blog tour.

I am still planning on finishing the various stories of The Making of a Man anthology this year. Forging Friendships and A Squire's Love both need completion.

The next installment in the Theodoric Saga, The Reward of Anavrea, needs another editing run before I hand it over to my last editor, which is the final stage before publication. I am hoping to get it to publication this year, but we shall see what the Lord has planned.

I am dabbling with the idea of writing another serial story, but I haven't committed to it yet. Just playing with some ideas, some better than others.

However all of this is in the Lord's hands. He has blessed me so much this past year. I am eager to see what plans He has for the year ahead. May it all be for His glory!

- Rachel

A Christmas Present

Merry Christmas!
I have been very remiss about keeping up with posting on this blog. I apologize. Midst the push to fit writing, homeschooling, and keeping the house up into my schedule despite a few rounds of family illness, I dropped this. To make up for it and to show my appreciation of your patience, I am happy to share my Christmas present to you, a whole new chapter from my current WIP, Living Sacrifice.
Note:For those of you who are not familiar with the world of Zezilia Ilar and Hadrian Aleron, the talents that the characters refer to are telekinetic (energy sight and mass moving) and telepathic (sending and receiving noted by italicized dialogue within quotation marks) abilities of a genetic origin.

Elitists are striving through selective marriages (frequently to unwilling young women) to create super talented children. They also hold to the belief that non-talented people are inferior and should be subservient to those with talent. Hadrian as a seventh born son in the political position of Sept Son is working with the High King to stop the Elitists and the other rebels' military coup attempt. Meanwhile Zezilia as his student/assistant has remained behind at the Sept Son's compound to study.

Please pardon the typos. All this is subject to change during the editing process.


Living Sacrifice Book Three(c) 2014 Rachel Rossano All Rights Reserved.
Chapter I
Zezilia
Hibernus (winter) thundered in around us within a month of Hadrian’sdeparture. My days became an endless cycle of prayer, study, writing, and thentraining with my ferrum. The constant routine kept me sane. If my mind and bodywere occupied, I could ignore the gnawing sensation that I remained only half aperson.
I found myself repeating the same prayer. Open my eyes, Almighty, to your will.However, my heart constantly ached for a single answer. It became a dailystruggle to honestly say, Your will,Almighty.
Ferrum practice helped. Every day, the wilder the wind thebetter, I tested my skills. After establishing a field of energy, thinning itto into a bubble barely thick enough to block all the distractions, I wentthrough stretches, drills, and exercises while maintaining my defensive shield.In general, most of the other inhabitants of the compound left me alone. I haddetermined it was better that way.
I embraced the isolation. Prayer, practice, study, and deepthought filled the hours easily enough. I spent time with Errol and his family twicea week when I joined them for a meal. I attended the prayer and Revelationteaching meetings when the other followers of the Almighty gathered twice aweek, but I kept to myself during them. I attempted to convince myself I wascontent. My efforts were rarely successful.
Then one afternoon in mid practice my sense of controldissipated with the wind I had welcomed.
“Do you have a death wish?”
I lowered my weapon from an attack position and turnedtoward the speaker. Madame Arnata regarded me sharply from beneath her finelyarched brows. Her usual impassively calm features portrayed surprise andconcern. A few feet behind her stood two young women about my age. They halfcovered their faces with their hooded cloaks against the ice sharpened wind.
“No, madam, I am simply drilling as I do every day.”
“Out here?”
“Yes. None of buildings have spaces large enough for ferrum practice.”
“So you expose yourself to the brutal elements of a northernwinter to keep up your skills?”
“A defender must be ready when needed.” Hadrian didn’t wantme. The thought didn’t hurt as much as it used to. Regardless, I still neededto be prepared. I had an oath to uphold.
She studied me for a moment. “You are the female defenderthe Sept Son brought from the south.”
I glanced down at myself. My usual distinctive blue defenderuniform hid beneath layers of winter clothing. No amount of energy shieldingcould protect against cold. “Yes. I am Defender Ilar.”
“First name?”
“Zezilia.”
She nodded. “I am Madame Penelopa Arnata, Head Healer.”
“I know.”
Her eyes narrowed, but her manner remained neutral. “MasterSilas directed me to deliver these girls to you.”
“Why?” The word slipped out before it registered that askingso bluntly would be rude. “Pardon, but he didn’t mention anything about it tome. What does he expect me to do?”
“Teach them.” Her eyes narrowed again. “He is overcommittedand barely managing the young ones. The older students need attention too.”I studied the girls more closely. Both of them averted theirgazes. The taller one eyed my blade nervously. The shorter woman lifted herchin when I focused on her. Clearly both were as unsure of this new developmentas I.
Madame Arnata continued. “Also, my patient wards areunderstaffed and the volunteers I have are under trained for the work needed.You have the look of a woman who needs more to do. What say you to learningsomething new?”
Visions of the stack of books, notes, and exercises thatawaited me back in Hadrian’s quarters filled my head. I wasn’t inclined to addto my studies.
“My days are full of studies.”
“I am not referring to intellectual exercises. I speak ofreal hand-dirtying, practical work. Feeding, bathing, communicating with thosewithout voice, restraining those who break free, lifting, carrying, andcleaning. I will send you to bed too weary to do anything beyond sleep. Doesthat sound appealing?”
Three sets of interested eyes regarded me.
The prospect of a good night’s sleep did appeal. Hadrian’sabsence had triggered panicked dreams of chasing him across barren countryside.I always woke by leaping from bed, sleep a distant memory as I struggled tocalm my racing heart and ease the tension in my chest. Exhaustion meant noenergy to worry or wonder about the man so often invading my thoughts. Perhapsit would even dispel the dreams.
Apparently seeing my answer in my expression, Madame Arnata noddedfirmly. “Come to the healer’s building after the noon meal tomorrow. I willwear you out.” She turned back to the path toward the wards.
My new students and I stood staring at each other for a fewheartbeats. Give me wisdom, I prayed.
Finally realizing they weren’t going to disappear or speakfirst, I dropped my energy field. The short one jumped as though I stuck herwith a pin.
“You saw that?” I asked her.
She muttered something in reply.
“Pardon, I didn’t hear you.” I dropped my gaze in hopes itwould make my questioning less intimidating. I wiped and sheathed my ferrumwhile I waited for the answer.
“Yes.” Her voice was soft and hesitant.
I ventured a glance and our gazes met. “Good.” Holding herattention, I smiled warmly. “It is a start.”She looked down again. “Lorrium—”
“—her husband—” The taller woman added.
“—he said it was a good thing.” It was the clear from theway she spoke his name that she felt a great deal of affection for the man shemarried.
“My husband beat me if I mentioned anything he considered amanifestation of Talent,” the tall one volunteered.
Uncomfortable with broaching that subject yet, I nodded myunderstanding before striding over to pick up my gear satchel.
“You two know my name, but I am afraid I don’t know yours.”
“Lotus,” the tall one volunteered.
“Ariana.” The shorter one stepped toward me hesitantly asthough half afraid in her bravery. “What should we call you?”
“Zez works best for most people.” I walked toward the path,already trying to figure out if it was appropriate for me to take them to myusual studying place in Hadrian’s quarters. I knew of no better location.Perhaps I could find a spare copy or two of the Revelation and the Talents Codein the stacks of books that filled his study.
The women followed without being asked. I touched my amevoand created my usual energy shield against the wind. It spread it wide enoughso all of us were sheltered. Ariana jumped when I brought it up. Lotus didn’tacknowledge its presence until the wind suddenly stopped pushing on her. Thenshe lifted her head and looked about for the evidence of my energy field.
I expected her to question it at any moment, but it was Arianawho spoke first.
“Is it true that you are related to Ostin Ilar, the manclaiming the high king’s throne?”
“Ari!” Lotus hissed her horror at Ariana’s insensitivity.
“Yes.” I glanced over at Ariana. “I am his daughter, but Ido not share his views or support his claim to the throne.”
“But how could you not?”
I stopped so abruptly that the girls almost walked into me.Turning to examine Ariana’s face more closely, I waited for her to explainherself.
Lotus beat me to the question. “How could you say that? Youdon’t support the usrper.”
“But she is his daughter,” Ari protested.
“Any you did everything your father told you to do?” Lotusdemanded.
Ari blushed quite prettily. “But—”
“Don’t listen to her,” Lotus advised. “She ran off with ahandsome man her father told her to avoid and ended up in the mess she is inbecause of it. What number child is this?” Lotus jabbed a finger towardAriana’s cloaked middle.
Tears filled Ari’s eyes. “Just because you can’t—“
Lotus turned white with anger before Ari completed hersentence. “Never! I told you to never say—”
I dropped my shield. Frigid air pounded into us, silencingthe two women. I reestablished the shield a moment later so they could hear me.
“In my presence, you will speak civilly to each other. Ifyou don’t, I shall speak to Errol about seeking other arrangements. I surmisefrom the fact you two are here that you want to learn to use your talentability. Am I right?”
The affirmative duet was a start.
“That said, I do want to learn more about you. Since that issuch a difficult topic at the moment, we don’t have to speak as we walk.”
I dropped my energy shield and the wind howled as it rushedin to bombard us again. I walked pointedly off toward my haven, mentallythanking the Almighty for the years I had spent in the Silas household. Withoutthem, I would have been completely unprepared for the joined forces behind me.Even with experience with fractious females, I dreaded the training andteaching to come.
The wind changed direction when we turned down the path toHadrian’s former quarters. It chased us through the garden and blew us acrossthe threshold when I opened the door. Every loose piece of parchment in theroom beyond scattered like leaves. I wrestled the door closed again behind us. Iturned, shaking ice water from my cloak to find my two companions regarding mein shock.
“This is the Sept Son’s dwelling.” Lotus gestured to thetables stacked with volumes, thick carpets on the floors, and Hadrian’s sparecloak and boots stowed in the alcove next to the door. “Doesn’t he mind youliving here?”
My stomach tightened in a sudden wave of panic. This was amistake. “I am his student.”
Ariana’s eyes widened. Lotus’ gaze narrowed.
“I study here while he is traveling.”
“And when he returns?” Lotus asked.
“I will probably continue to study here.”
“It isn’t as though she sleeps here,” Ariana pointed out toLotus.
“But—”
“The Sept Son is not an elitist.” I stated it with afinality that I hoped would cut off any further questions. “I am not his wife.”Ariana nodded in understanding.
Lotus’ suspicion buffeted my energy senses. I chose toignore it. In hopes of keeping the women off the sensitive topic, I begantelling them about my history while I searched the shelves for extra copies ofthe Revelation and the Talent’s Code. I found two spare code books, but all thecopies of the Revelation were strangely missing.
“You expect us to memorize that?” Lotus’ tone echoed theincredulity that washed over my amoveo-enhanced senses. “I won’t.”
“Then I won’t be training you.”
Her mouth tightened into a pursed frown as she studied myfeatures, most likely to determine my tenacity.
I did not relent.
“Master Silas will hear of this.” Lotus’ tone betrayed heruncertainty.
“I would expect nothing else. I believe you will find heagrees. He requires the same of all of his students. Any non-elitist tutorwould do the same.”Lotus sniffed and grabbed the book. Leafing through thepages as I offered the second copy to Ariana, she harrumphed and grunted as sheread.“Where do you want us to start?” Ariana asked.
“With the rules for trainees in the second chapter.” Iwatched as Lotus’ upper lip curled back in disgust at what she was reading.
“We have to live by these?” she asked.
“Every one.”
“If I followed these I would be as helpless as if I hadn’tlearned anything at all. Talents aren’t supposed to enter another’s mindwithout permission. And what is stopping some monster like my husband fromentering my mind again whenever he wants after he gets me back. And this oneabout never using mass moving ability in anger. Who is going to know if I amangry or not?” Lotus closed the book with a snap. “These are ludicrous.”
“All they will have to do is look at your face to know ifyou are angry or not,” Ariana observed.
Lotus glared at her before shoving the book back at me.  I barely caught it before it toppled to theground. “In that case you can keep your code. I am not interested.” She stompedout through the door. Parchment and leaves skittered across the stone floor andthe wind yanked at my hair as she left the door wide open behind her. I used mymass moving skills to close it firmly.
Ariana and I released identical sighs of relief into thesuddenly silent room.
“Is she always like that?” I asked.
“Unfortunately yes.” Ariana looked sadly after Lotus. “Herhusband messed her up badly, inside.”
“Her mind?”
Ariana shook her head. “Her heart.”
“Were you in the same…” I stumbled over a term to use thatwouldn’t strike a nerve.
“Compound?” She nodded. “My husband was a founding memberand hers could never rise in the ranks. He blamed her for it.”
“A founding member? But I thought your husband was a…”
“He is Lorrium Parzifal.”
The name struck me hard. I stood next to the daughter by lawof Thrasius Parzifal, the leader of the elitist movement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hadrian
Rain beat on our heads, seeped through the seams in ourtents, and soaked into our food supplies. I answered my correspondence with anoiled tarp pulled over my head. Even then, I remained damp.
“The supply wagon is delayed,” Korneli announced as he camethrough the flaps of our shared tent. “Broken axel in the mud and no nearbywheelwrights to fix it.”
I groaned. “Sabotage?”
“Weather.” He shook his head like a dog and then scrubbed athis scalp. “This blasted weather is enough to drown a fish.”
“It can’t last forever.” I blinked and tried to focus on theletter in my hand.
“I wouldn’t bet on a break just yet, Hadrian.” Korneli saton the edge of his cot and reached for his journal. “Letter from home?”
“No.” I rubbed at my blurry eyes. “More news of the cleanupefforts in the east. The Elitists have scattered. Our men found two morecompounds already abandoned.”
“You know what that means, don’t you?”
I closed my eyes. “The Elitists are still out there. Theyare still plotting. Next time they won’t be as easy to spot. I am moreconcerned about the future for all of us, though.”
“One Elitist by himself cannot accomplish much,” Korneliobserved.
“But one Elitist raising a family of strong talentsindoctrinated with a toxic world view can do a lot of damage.”
Korneli mulled on my observation for a while. I returned toreading my letter.
“When is Zezilia joining us?”
The mention of her name snapped me out of formulating areply to the letter. The constant ache in my gut jumped to the forefront of myawareness. I groaned. “You had to mention her.”
“You are better with around her. Whyever did you leave herback at the compound? Our defender ranks are dwindling fast. We could use atalent like hers.”
“The dwindling numbers are is improving. Since we orderedthe defenders to dress like regular ranked soldiers, they are harder toidentify and target.”
“We are still losing, Hadrian. Ilar and Sabine know our weaknesses.Eventually we will run out of trained defenders, what then?”
“We will deal with that when we get to it.”
Silence, heavy and uncomfortable hung between us. I used itto begin writing a reply to the letter in my lap. The wording didn’t flow, but Igot my point across. I slid the parchment into the pouch to be reviewed byRenato before it went to the tutor.
“Did you two fight?”
I glared at my best friend. He knew me well enough to knowthat I didn’t want to discuss it. “No. We agreed to separate until we arecertain of the Almighty’s leading.”
Korneli snorted. “You decided to separate. I saw her a fewweeks ago, Hadrian. She is not at peace. For that matter, neither are you.”
“I can’t marry her, Korn.” There I said it. The awful,horrible, terrible truth.
“Why not?”
“Because if I do, I will become just like the Elitists.”
“Marrying a talented woman isn’t against the law. You don’thold to the Elitists creed. I don’t see the connection.”
“You would be one of the few who would not draw that conclusion.A talented male marrying a talented younger woman is now so tightly connectedwith Elitism, I will be branded before anyone seeks out the truth. In thepeoples’ eyes actions speak louder than words. I am the strongest seventh bornin fifteen generations. Her abilities exceed mine and haven’t even topped outyet.” I pointed out. “Surely I must be power hungry.”Cayphis was already considering legislation forbiddingmarriage between two talented individuals. No matter how I protested it andargued against it, he always replied that he needed to consider how he couldprosecute those scattered Elitists that we were tracking down. I couldn’tmention this to Korneli, though.
“Even if the law does not forbid our union, I cannot marryher. It would completely undermine my authority as an upholder of theRevelation and the code.”
“Nowhere does the code say two talented individuals cannotmarry,” Korneli protested. “Last I checked the Almighty approved of marriage.Besides, no other man will do for her now. I suspect that commiseo link you twoexperimented with sealed her against any other options.”My middle roiled. “So you are saying I need to do thehonorable thing and marry her.”
“Not marrying her would be cruel. Regardless of that, leavingher behind at the compound was wrong.”
“So dragging her into this would have been better?” I wavedan arm at the miserable conditions around us. “Of course damp beds, moldy food,and not a dry piece of firewood in this whole camp full of smelly, disgustingmen would have been vastly superior to a warm bed, plenty of studies to keepher occupied, and the companionship of other women.”
Korneli frowned at me. “No, that is not exactly what I wassaying.”
I snapped my writing desk closed. Not bothering to latch itsecurely, I shoved the whole thing, letters and all, into the correspondencesatchel and strapped it closed. “I need to walk.”
“In this weather?”
Korneli’s protest didn’t slow me a bit. I placed the satchelin the only consistently dry spot in the tent and dropped the oil skin over it.“Let Renato know I will be back in time for the meeting,” I called over myshoulder as I plunged through the tent flaps and out into the freezing rain.
Water sluiced through my clothing in a matter of moments,plastering cloth to every inch of my body. I had left my cloak behind, but itwas too late to go back. Korneli couldn’t know how tempted I was to take hisadvice. Marrying Zez and ignoring the consequences remained my utmost desiredespite distance, time, and hardship. My foolish heart still longed for her.
My body began to shake of its own volition. I ignored it, liftingmy face to look up into the pouring rain. The icy drops stung at first, buteventually they would numb my skin. If only they could numb my heart asquickly.
Father, help me. Youknow the desires of my heart. I try to do what You want me to do despite mylonging for something else. Give me strength and clarity of mind. Help me.
I breathed deeply of cold, humid air.
Make it clear what youwant me to do. I choose Your will above my own. No matter what.
“What are you trying to do, Sept Son?” Renato’s energy fieldclosed around me and the rain ceased to strike my face. “You will grow ill.Where is your defender?”
Something in Renato’s voice brought my attention to hisface. The planes of his cheeks and temples were taut with control. There wassomething he didn’t want to tell me. “What happened?” My first thought went toZez, but I forced the second out of my mouth. “Is the High King safe?”
“Shaken, but well, Master.”
“What happened?”
“An ambush outside of Paloma. Thirty dead, twenty of themknown Elitist sympathizers.” Renato swallowed carefully. “Your brother Emil…”
I braced for the worst. “Dead?”
“Mind altered and unconscious.” Renato finished with hisvoice barely a whisper. Genuine sympathy filled his face.
“I want to see him.”
Renato shook his head. “They are taking him to the compound.The healers will take care of him until this war is finished.”
“I must write to my parents.” I turned toward my tent, butmy limbs didn’t cooperate. Instead of walking, I fell to my knees in the mud. Almighty, protect him.
“Master.” Renato began helping me up immediately, but thedamage was done. My trousers were plastered in mud to match my sopping tunic.At least Giles wasn’t there to scold me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

What do you think? Do you want more? Which character catches your interest the most? Why?
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