Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 352
April 13, 2016
April 12, 2016
The King's Challenge #272 and #273
TKC 272 and 273
I realise the commander is about to issue the kind of orders that will see him and his unit take to the skies also, in pursuit of the flyer. I wonder where Enris appropriated the vessel from, for it is a Glonu ship and I had not seen one in our surrounds, not even well camouflaged. I wonder also why Gennerin had one in his possession and chose to keep it secret.
Touching him on his arm to draw his attention from impulsive words, I say quietly, “Commander, Enris is on his way into orbit to rescue our King.”
The man’s jaw literally drops with a popping sound, he is that astonished. “Excuse me?” he hisses once he has his jaw in control again.
“Hush,” I issue grimly. “Keep this close, Commander.”
Gennerin inclines his head, and waits.
“The soldier revealed to Damin my father and uncle are both orbiting in secret, along with General Moravin.”
To his credit, Gennerin merely blinks. “Why?”
“To kill a king.”
Again he blinks, keeping his expression neutral, but he pales markedly. “Who is behind it?”
“Our uncle. Lorn Makar seeks to place his son Brant on the throne.”
“The soldier must have been high placed to know this.”
Damin glances at him. “Moravin’s son.”
Gennerin swipes a hand over his face. “Man, that will cause trouble for us.”
“What you regard as trouble now will become far more if they succeed in murdering my father,” I snap.
He stares at me. “His Majesty has been ill; why would he travel all this way? Is he under duress?”
“He was told a cure awaits on Massin,” Damin says. “Instead he is to die here. Tell me, Commander; how is it you had a Glonu ship?”
“We captured it on the plateau and hid it in the hold for possible stealth missions into Glonu territory. It was no great secret; it was merely not parked out in the open.”
Relief washes over me. This man is honest and loyal.
He suddenly leans towards me. “My Lady, I will accompany you on your mission.”
“You are needed here,” Damin immediately states.
“These men know what to do. Many of them have served under me before and therefore know my mind. I am coming with you.”
“Why?” I ask, studying him intently.
A faraway gaze answers me at first as Gennerin lifts his attention to the distance. Then he says quietly, “I despise traitors and I loathe men who desire chaos for the sake of position. His Majesty has ruled Makaran well for a long time and all have prospered as a result. We do not require change, not to that degree. I am certain change will come, but it will be achieved with time and patience when your brother is declared, Lady Iniri.” He focuses on me. “We take the Spire and then we turn the shuttle into space. Lord Enris requires a rearguard and I am able to command the troops in orbit.” He gestures at his soldiers. “They will follow once they mark our outward trajectory.”
Damin smiles. “I agree.”
I do as well. “Very well. Let us do this.”
Gennerin clicks his heels. “Two minutes. I need a word with my second.” He swings away and marches off.
“Damin, it will be bloody,” I whisper.
He closes his eyes, no doubt wondering if he should command Siri to stay behind. No doubt he swiftly realises it will change little, for these soldiers will hurtle into the fray soon after the Spire falls. Opening his eyes, he mutters, “It will not be pretty.”
I realise the commander is about to issue the kind of orders that will see him and his unit take to the skies also, in pursuit of the flyer. I wonder where Enris appropriated the vessel from, for it is a Glonu ship and I had not seen one in our surrounds, not even well camouflaged. I wonder also why Gennerin had one in his possession and chose to keep it secret.
Touching him on his arm to draw his attention from impulsive words, I say quietly, “Commander, Enris is on his way into orbit to rescue our King.”
The man’s jaw literally drops with a popping sound, he is that astonished. “Excuse me?” he hisses once he has his jaw in control again.
“Hush,” I issue grimly. “Keep this close, Commander.”
Gennerin inclines his head, and waits.
“The soldier revealed to Damin my father and uncle are both orbiting in secret, along with General Moravin.”
To his credit, Gennerin merely blinks. “Why?”
“To kill a king.”
Again he blinks, keeping his expression neutral, but he pales markedly. “Who is behind it?”
“Our uncle. Lorn Makar seeks to place his son Brant on the throne.”
“The soldier must have been high placed to know this.”
Damin glances at him. “Moravin’s son.”
Gennerin swipes a hand over his face. “Man, that will cause trouble for us.”
“What you regard as trouble now will become far more if they succeed in murdering my father,” I snap.
He stares at me. “His Majesty has been ill; why would he travel all this way? Is he under duress?”
“He was told a cure awaits on Massin,” Damin says. “Instead he is to die here. Tell me, Commander; how is it you had a Glonu ship?”
“We captured it on the plateau and hid it in the hold for possible stealth missions into Glonu territory. It was no great secret; it was merely not parked out in the open.”
Relief washes over me. This man is honest and loyal.
He suddenly leans towards me. “My Lady, I will accompany you on your mission.”
“You are needed here,” Damin immediately states.
“These men know what to do. Many of them have served under me before and therefore know my mind. I am coming with you.”
“Why?” I ask, studying him intently.
A faraway gaze answers me at first as Gennerin lifts his attention to the distance. Then he says quietly, “I despise traitors and I loathe men who desire chaos for the sake of position. His Majesty has ruled Makaran well for a long time and all have prospered as a result. We do not require change, not to that degree. I am certain change will come, but it will be achieved with time and patience when your brother is declared, Lady Iniri.” He focuses on me. “We take the Spire and then we turn the shuttle into space. Lord Enris requires a rearguard and I am able to command the troops in orbit.” He gestures at his soldiers. “They will follow once they mark our outward trajectory.”
Damin smiles. “I agree.”
I do as well. “Very well. Let us do this.”
Gennerin clicks his heels. “Two minutes. I need a word with my second.” He swings away and marches off.
“Damin, it will be bloody,” I whisper.
He closes his eyes, no doubt wondering if he should command Siri to stay behind. No doubt he swiftly realises it will change little, for these soldiers will hurtle into the fray soon after the Spire falls. Opening his eyes, he mutters, “It will not be pretty.”
The Minstrel and Justine
I have updated two covers, thanks to my brilliant cover designer Poppet!
(The old covers still appear on Amazon, which I have contacted them about)
All links in sidebar :)
P.S. Minstrel is available for a mere 99c and Justine for only $1.49!
(The old covers still appear on Amazon, which I have contacted them about)
All links in sidebar :)
P.S. Minstrel is available for a mere 99c and Justine for only $1.49!
April 11, 2016
TKC #271 (INIRI MAKAR)
Part 9INIRI MAKAR
TKC 271
The shuttle lands as the sun sets. It almost disappears in the diffuse light; Commander Gennerin has summoned one of the gunships decked out in grey and green.
The flight crew leaves, handing over to Gennerin’s appointed pilot and navigator for this mission. As those two head in to check instruments, five soldiers, among them Corporal Allin and the new recruit Ross, march aboard. The commander prefers them away from the men in general at present. Neither are happy, I notice.
The Arc team boards next, with Artur throwing a last longing glance over his shoulder at the natural world before vanishing into the dim interior.
Damin is beside me, watching all preparations with an eagle’s gaze. On my other side, Gennerin rocks on his heels, hands clasped behind him. He too studies every move.
For my part, I am calm. Yes, I now return to that Spire, but this time there will be no ghosts to concern myself over. The ethereal beings that helped me before also came to our aid on the mountain. None survived. The only ghosts still resident inside Arc are Glonu. Besides, this time I have no intention of entering the shadowy space.
We will determine the weak points at the base of the tower and blow it to the ether. That is my task. Damin’s is somewhat different. My talents will find the weaknesses; he will place the devices. The latter fills me with dread, but I remain calm. However it plays out, we must do this.
As Gennerin clears his throat, no doubt to offer final words, a scream fills the air.
By the time we locate the source, a mere trail of vapour remains.
“Who took the flyer?” Commander Gennerin roars in fury. “I gave no such orders!”
A young lieutenant steps forward. “Commander, we believe the Lord Makar took it.”
I smile secretly. Enris is on his way to our father.
TKC 271
The shuttle lands as the sun sets. It almost disappears in the diffuse light; Commander Gennerin has summoned one of the gunships decked out in grey and green.
The flight crew leaves, handing over to Gennerin’s appointed pilot and navigator for this mission. As those two head in to check instruments, five soldiers, among them Corporal Allin and the new recruit Ross, march aboard. The commander prefers them away from the men in general at present. Neither are happy, I notice.
The Arc team boards next, with Artur throwing a last longing glance over his shoulder at the natural world before vanishing into the dim interior.
Damin is beside me, watching all preparations with an eagle’s gaze. On my other side, Gennerin rocks on his heels, hands clasped behind him. He too studies every move.
For my part, I am calm. Yes, I now return to that Spire, but this time there will be no ghosts to concern myself over. The ethereal beings that helped me before also came to our aid on the mountain. None survived. The only ghosts still resident inside Arc are Glonu. Besides, this time I have no intention of entering the shadowy space.
We will determine the weak points at the base of the tower and blow it to the ether. That is my task. Damin’s is somewhat different. My talents will find the weaknesses; he will place the devices. The latter fills me with dread, but I remain calm. However it plays out, we must do this.
As Gennerin clears his throat, no doubt to offer final words, a scream fills the air.
By the time we locate the source, a mere trail of vapour remains.
“Who took the flyer?” Commander Gennerin roars in fury. “I gave no such orders!”
A young lieutenant steps forward. “Commander, we believe the Lord Makar took it.”
I smile secretly. Enris is on his way to our father.
April 10, 2016
TKC Collage (Enris 2)
We have reached the end of Enris' POV, therefore a collage before we change to a different point of view :)
TKC #270
TKC 270
Raising my hand, I move to stand beside my sister. Taking her hand into mine, I draw her closer.
Damin blinks at us and scrubs fingers through his hair. “I do not know all of it, I suspect, but your father agreed to travel this far only upon swearing all who knew of his presence to secrecy. After all, Makaran is leaderless right now.”
“Who does know?” Iniri whispers.
“Moravin, and he is aboard also. Moravin’s son, now dead. And Lorn Makar.”
I almost spit my disgust. “While his son waits prettily back home entirely innocent.”
Damin nods.
I shift to face Iniri. “You and Damin must take the Spire. I will find Father.”
She is about to remonstrate, but then she sighs and takes my face into her hands. Kissing me on both cheeks, she murmurs, “Call for me when you have him safe.”
Taking her into my arms, I whisper in her ear, “It will be a bloodbath. Be ready for that.” I feel her nod against my chest before we move apart. “Gather what you need,” I tell everyone. “When that shuttle lands, get aboard, and good hunting. Iniri, banish the shield; we have work to do.”
Smiling wryly, she waves and swiftly other sounds intrude. Soldiers murmuring and cleaning weapons. Boot steps. And, somewhere above the camouflage, birdsong.
“I want to go with you,” Mirlin states.
About to head off to collar Gennerin, I pause. “Why?’
“I can see in the dark,” Mirlin states. “More than that; I can see through doors. You need me.”
“That may answer my ‘why’, but does not explain yours.”
Mirlin shrugs. “It will have to do … and I see it does not. Fine, this then; you trust Damin because you know who he was before. Trust me for a similar reason, for once I stood at your back, Lord Makar.”
“And always called me ‘prince’,” I blurt in a rush as enlightenment comes.
Mirlin laughs. “Indeed.” He moves then to me, takes my arm and marches us away. “We need a flyer, not a clumsy shuttle, and I know just where to get one.”
Raising my hand, I move to stand beside my sister. Taking her hand into mine, I draw her closer.
Damin blinks at us and scrubs fingers through his hair. “I do not know all of it, I suspect, but your father agreed to travel this far only upon swearing all who knew of his presence to secrecy. After all, Makaran is leaderless right now.”
“Who does know?” Iniri whispers.
“Moravin, and he is aboard also. Moravin’s son, now dead. And Lorn Makar.”
I almost spit my disgust. “While his son waits prettily back home entirely innocent.”
Damin nods.
I shift to face Iniri. “You and Damin must take the Spire. I will find Father.”
She is about to remonstrate, but then she sighs and takes my face into her hands. Kissing me on both cheeks, she murmurs, “Call for me when you have him safe.”
Taking her into my arms, I whisper in her ear, “It will be a bloodbath. Be ready for that.” I feel her nod against my chest before we move apart. “Gather what you need,” I tell everyone. “When that shuttle lands, get aboard, and good hunting. Iniri, banish the shield; we have work to do.”
Smiling wryly, she waves and swiftly other sounds intrude. Soldiers murmuring and cleaning weapons. Boot steps. And, somewhere above the camouflage, birdsong.
“I want to go with you,” Mirlin states.
About to head off to collar Gennerin, I pause. “Why?’
“I can see in the dark,” Mirlin states. “More than that; I can see through doors. You need me.”
“That may answer my ‘why’, but does not explain yours.”
Mirlin shrugs. “It will have to do … and I see it does not. Fine, this then; you trust Damin because you know who he was before. Trust me for a similar reason, for once I stood at your back, Lord Makar.”
“And always called me ‘prince’,” I blurt in a rush as enlightenment comes.
Mirlin laughs. “Indeed.” He moves then to me, takes my arm and marches us away. “We need a flyer, not a clumsy shuttle, and I know just where to get one.”
April 9, 2016
Minstrel of the Water Willow
A short story from me about a boy and a girl lost because time does not play fair with them. All is not lost, though :)
Amazon
Smashwords
Amazon
Smashwords
The King's Challenge #268 and #269
TKC 268 and 269
Damin takes control with the words he utters next, for I lose the ability even to think.
“His Majesty is ill with a bone disease …”
Iniri gasps and covers her mouth. I simply stare.
“… but it is not natural. The best healers in the universe cannot cure him.” Damin gazes first at Iniri before meeting my paralysis directly. “Enris, he has been debilitated with sorcery, a process apparently lengthy and insidious until it has now manifested as an illness the Ilfin may understand. No one suspects the foulness; they see only a disease they are unable to arrest. Your father will die.”
Iniri strides forward, into my face. She shakes me. “Ilfin cannot do this. We have not the ability …”
I step aside, away from her hurtful grip. “Of course we have, sister. Just because you were a priestess in the arts for enlightenment does not mean others did not descend into the pits of dark learning.”
She is silenced, and into the quiet, Damin’s words take control once more.
“It is akin to the slow degeneration of bone matter, achieved via an extraordinary spell. This spell released once a month and thus by the month your father weakened. It has taken years to bring him to the point of no return.”
“Can it be undone?” Mirlin demands from beside me.
“That I do not know,” Damin murmurs. “I merely repeat what I received from Moravin’s son.”
Drawing breath, I ask, “Who cast the spell?”
Damin gazes steadily at me. “Makar prince, I believe you already know.”
“Meaning what?” Iniri growls.
I close my eyes. “That is why he said never a word.” My eyes snap open, to my sister. “Uncle Lorn.”
Damin nods in confirmation.
For long moments Iniri remains unmoving and then she blurts, “I will kill him.”
“Not if I get to him first,” I mutter.
Siri clears her throat. “May I say something?” She has everyone’s attention immediately, and assumes she may continue. “Lyra … I mean, Iniri – is able to cure your father.” She studies Iniri’s suddenly blank stare and then looks up at her brother. “Damin, you know the talents the Ilfin of Massin discover are but a reflection of what is possible elsewhere. You broke the barrier of what you thought you could do her ewhen you discovered actual touch gifts you more … much more. Imagine, just imagine, what Lyra can do as Iniri if she acknowledges her power.”
Even I swing to look at my sister.
She blinks rapidly and sinks to her knees. “I am the orb, but I am also much else, including Healer.” She lifts her two eyes to me. “Healer, Enris. Not physical healing alone, as Siri is able to achieve, but everykind of healing there is.”
I stare at her. Ice settling into my veins. “We need to return to Makaran immediately.”
“No,” Damin states, straightening in a manner to reveal he has something of utmost importance to divulge.
I notice how Kay swipes a hand over his face. “His Majesty is in orbit above us.”
Damin inclines his head. “The conspirators ensured he travelled with the mission. His brother Lorn told him here may be the healing he requires. He was right, but he intended for your father to die far from home.”
Iniri shoots to her feet. “Where is that damned shuttle? We annihilate the Spire and then head to the royal ship!” She swivels, glaring at everyone, settling her attention finally on me. “Why has Commander Gennerin not revealed the presence of his king?”
“He does not know,” Damin murmurs.
Damin takes control with the words he utters next, for I lose the ability even to think.
“His Majesty is ill with a bone disease …”
Iniri gasps and covers her mouth. I simply stare.
“… but it is not natural. The best healers in the universe cannot cure him.” Damin gazes first at Iniri before meeting my paralysis directly. “Enris, he has been debilitated with sorcery, a process apparently lengthy and insidious until it has now manifested as an illness the Ilfin may understand. No one suspects the foulness; they see only a disease they are unable to arrest. Your father will die.”
Iniri strides forward, into my face. She shakes me. “Ilfin cannot do this. We have not the ability …”
I step aside, away from her hurtful grip. “Of course we have, sister. Just because you were a priestess in the arts for enlightenment does not mean others did not descend into the pits of dark learning.”
She is silenced, and into the quiet, Damin’s words take control once more.
“It is akin to the slow degeneration of bone matter, achieved via an extraordinary spell. This spell released once a month and thus by the month your father weakened. It has taken years to bring him to the point of no return.”
“Can it be undone?” Mirlin demands from beside me.
“That I do not know,” Damin murmurs. “I merely repeat what I received from Moravin’s son.”
Drawing breath, I ask, “Who cast the spell?”
Damin gazes steadily at me. “Makar prince, I believe you already know.”
“Meaning what?” Iniri growls.
I close my eyes. “That is why he said never a word.” My eyes snap open, to my sister. “Uncle Lorn.”
Damin nods in confirmation.
For long moments Iniri remains unmoving and then she blurts, “I will kill him.”
“Not if I get to him first,” I mutter.
Siri clears her throat. “May I say something?” She has everyone’s attention immediately, and assumes she may continue. “Lyra … I mean, Iniri – is able to cure your father.” She studies Iniri’s suddenly blank stare and then looks up at her brother. “Damin, you know the talents the Ilfin of Massin discover are but a reflection of what is possible elsewhere. You broke the barrier of what you thought you could do her ewhen you discovered actual touch gifts you more … much more. Imagine, just imagine, what Lyra can do as Iniri if she acknowledges her power.”
Even I swing to look at my sister.
She blinks rapidly and sinks to her knees. “I am the orb, but I am also much else, including Healer.” She lifts her two eyes to me. “Healer, Enris. Not physical healing alone, as Siri is able to achieve, but everykind of healing there is.”
I stare at her. Ice settling into my veins. “We need to return to Makaran immediately.”
“No,” Damin states, straightening in a manner to reveal he has something of utmost importance to divulge.
I notice how Kay swipes a hand over his face. “His Majesty is in orbit above us.”
Damin inclines his head. “The conspirators ensured he travelled with the mission. His brother Lorn told him here may be the healing he requires. He was right, but he intended for your father to die far from home.”
Iniri shoots to her feet. “Where is that damned shuttle? We annihilate the Spire and then head to the royal ship!” She swivels, glaring at everyone, settling her attention finally on me. “Why has Commander Gennerin not revealed the presence of his king?”
“He does not know,” Damin murmurs.
