Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 379
November 15, 2015
The King's Challenge #106
TKC 106
I look at Hanna and her shock is evident in the whiteness surrounding us. I am as astonished.
How is it possible? How does a woman appear as light in the darkness, if not by magic? This is high talent, though, and I have never heard tell of it, not even in the most obscure legends.
Gazing down, I have the clearest impression the woman waits for us. She is unmoving, but there is about her a sense of expectation.
Despite my disquiet, I make my way down to the clearing below. Hanna hisses at me to stay put, but I understand nothing will change until we deal with this phenomenon. The apparition will wait into eternity and we will be bound to the hilltop. Maybe that is fanciful, but it is how I feel.
I hear Hanna behind me. Twigs snap and leaves rustle.
The waterfall is ethereal also. Perhaps it is the energy that allows the woman to maintain presence.
“Hello?’ I venture, coming to rest a few paces away.
A smile erupts. “Hello! Thank you for coming to talk to me.”
Hanna and I glance at each other. I clear my throat. “Who are you?”
“I am Sassen, the lore keeper of Arc. Who are you?”
Her voice is real. How strange. “I am Lyra.”
Ethereal hands clasp together. “Lyra? Oh, finally! I have been waiting for you.”
By the stars, this is eerie. “You have been waiting?”
“Yes! The names of all are written in the book. Those who came before and those who came after.”
“Before and after what?” Hanna demands.
“Me!” the woman laughs. “Sassen is my name and after me there is …” She ticks off on her fingers. “… eight names, and then Lyra. The others failed, though.” She grimaces and then stares directly at me. “My hope is that you succeed.”
I look at Hanna and her shock is evident in the whiteness surrounding us. I am as astonished.
How is it possible? How does a woman appear as light in the darkness, if not by magic? This is high talent, though, and I have never heard tell of it, not even in the most obscure legends.
Gazing down, I have the clearest impression the woman waits for us. She is unmoving, but there is about her a sense of expectation.
Despite my disquiet, I make my way down to the clearing below. Hanna hisses at me to stay put, but I understand nothing will change until we deal with this phenomenon. The apparition will wait into eternity and we will be bound to the hilltop. Maybe that is fanciful, but it is how I feel.
I hear Hanna behind me. Twigs snap and leaves rustle.
The waterfall is ethereal also. Perhaps it is the energy that allows the woman to maintain presence.
“Hello?’ I venture, coming to rest a few paces away.
A smile erupts. “Hello! Thank you for coming to talk to me.”
Hanna and I glance at each other. I clear my throat. “Who are you?”
“I am Sassen, the lore keeper of Arc. Who are you?”
Her voice is real. How strange. “I am Lyra.”
Ethereal hands clasp together. “Lyra? Oh, finally! I have been waiting for you.”
By the stars, this is eerie. “You have been waiting?”
“Yes! The names of all are written in the book. Those who came before and those who came after.”
“Before and after what?” Hanna demands.
“Me!” the woman laughs. “Sassen is my name and after me there is …” She ticks off on her fingers. “… eight names, and then Lyra. The others failed, though.” She grimaces and then stares directly at me. “My hope is that you succeed.”
November 14, 2015
The King's Challenge #105
TKC 105
Hanna has experience with reading the land for the best direction and path in search of destination. While it appears we should head northwest, we head directly north. It feels strange after the journeys we undertook ever in a southerly vein.
“There are too many hills to the west. It will take more time than we have to negotiate them,” Hanna says.
I follow her lead.
By mid-morning we have made good time. Wherever possible, we push our mounts. By mid-afternoon the peaks we seek appear larger. We go on, stopping only to water the horses. By nightfall we have ascended a forested hill. There we debate whether to go down into the valley below or make camp where we are.
The advantages of height win out.
“How long?” I ask Hanna.
She peers into the darkness. “Six, seven days, I estimate.”
We still have time for the spire itself if her timing is correct. I am content with the pace. In the darkest hours I dream of Damin, Horin and Siri. I see them walking together across the plain. I see Horin throwing light into the atmosphere, green light … and sit up heaving. Horin? What is my brother doing?
The night is too silent, I notice. This kind of quiet usually heralds a predator. Goosebumps shiver and the hairs on my arms become as spikes of torture. I reach across to Hanna, shaking her gently … then firmly.
She bolts up, but sees the finger I have over my lips. The fire is embers, but it does throw the slightest glow. Hanna nods and tosses sand over the embers.
We sit in absolute darkness, listening.
The sound of cascading water suddenly fills the void. And then the brightest white light pierces the night, blinding us.
An ethereal woman descends into the clearing below.
Hanna has experience with reading the land for the best direction and path in search of destination. While it appears we should head northwest, we head directly north. It feels strange after the journeys we undertook ever in a southerly vein.
“There are too many hills to the west. It will take more time than we have to negotiate them,” Hanna says.
I follow her lead.
By mid-morning we have made good time. Wherever possible, we push our mounts. By mid-afternoon the peaks we seek appear larger. We go on, stopping only to water the horses. By nightfall we have ascended a forested hill. There we debate whether to go down into the valley below or make camp where we are.
The advantages of height win out.
“How long?” I ask Hanna.
She peers into the darkness. “Six, seven days, I estimate.”
We still have time for the spire itself if her timing is correct. I am content with the pace. In the darkest hours I dream of Damin, Horin and Siri. I see them walking together across the plain. I see Horin throwing light into the atmosphere, green light … and sit up heaving. Horin? What is my brother doing?
The night is too silent, I notice. This kind of quiet usually heralds a predator. Goosebumps shiver and the hairs on my arms become as spikes of torture. I reach across to Hanna, shaking her gently … then firmly.
She bolts up, but sees the finger I have over my lips. The fire is embers, but it does throw the slightest glow. Hanna nods and tosses sand over the embers.
We sit in absolute darkness, listening.
The sound of cascading water suddenly fills the void. And then the brightest white light pierces the night, blinding us.
An ethereal woman descends into the clearing below.
November 13, 2015
The King's Challenge #104
TKC 104
As we lie near the fire to sleep, I give thought to something Hanna said.
“We all have secrets, Lyra. If Damin holds something back from you, he has his reasons. I doubt it is to hurt you.”
Damin has hurt her, though. First by leaving Grenmassin and then in not sending word for five years. After asking for her hand, he vanishes. What was she supposed to think? She felt abandoned. Damin explained why, but it does not erase the years of waiting and wondering. Then she learned about Alyssa. It rankles still. It hurts.
She trusts Damin … but maybe not entirely with her heart anymore.
Lyra flips over to ease an aching hip. It does not at this point matter, however. There are graver and greater issues to deal with, such as the spire marked on Joseph’s map.
She closes her eyes. Every time she does so, she sees it before her, as clear as in the initial vision on the road to Porlese. A needle on a peak. It has no colour, but that may be a facet of time. Is she seeing it in daylight or at night? Or is she seeing something from the past transposed onto the present? Colour will be there only when she stands at the foot of the needle … hopefully. She sees her hands on glowing orbs, each with a strange symbol etched into a curve. One of those, or a combination of orbs, is able to protect against the asteroid.
A shield to bounce it away? A pulse to nudge trajectory? A weapon to blast it into tiny pieces?
She has no idea, and the uncertainty of the approaching choices no doubt has her questioning the motives of those around her, near and far.
“You think too much, Lyra,” Hanna murmurs from the other side of their fire.
I probably do, yes.
As we lie near the fire to sleep, I give thought to something Hanna said.
“We all have secrets, Lyra. If Damin holds something back from you, he has his reasons. I doubt it is to hurt you.”
Damin has hurt her, though. First by leaving Grenmassin and then in not sending word for five years. After asking for her hand, he vanishes. What was she supposed to think? She felt abandoned. Damin explained why, but it does not erase the years of waiting and wondering. Then she learned about Alyssa. It rankles still. It hurts.
She trusts Damin … but maybe not entirely with her heart anymore.
Lyra flips over to ease an aching hip. It does not at this point matter, however. There are graver and greater issues to deal with, such as the spire marked on Joseph’s map.
She closes her eyes. Every time she does so, she sees it before her, as clear as in the initial vision on the road to Porlese. A needle on a peak. It has no colour, but that may be a facet of time. Is she seeing it in daylight or at night? Or is she seeing something from the past transposed onto the present? Colour will be there only when she stands at the foot of the needle … hopefully. She sees her hands on glowing orbs, each with a strange symbol etched into a curve. One of those, or a combination of orbs, is able to protect against the asteroid.
A shield to bounce it away? A pulse to nudge trajectory? A weapon to blast it into tiny pieces?
She has no idea, and the uncertainty of the approaching choices no doubt has her questioning the motives of those around her, near and far.
“You think too much, Lyra,” Hanna murmurs from the other side of their fire.
I probably do, yes.
November 12, 2015
The King's Challenge #103
TKC 103
Camping our first night inside Arc, with a small fire for light and cooking more than warmth, Hanna decides to play the devil’s advocate with me.
“Lyra, I have not read many of the legends, although it is true those tales are ever told. I know some, but certainly not enough. I think you will say the same, am I right?”
I sip the fresh sweet water we collected from the nearby river. “There were not many books in Grenmassin. What I know was shared with us by our elders, mostly my mother.”
Hanna spreads her hands. “Yet here you are in the footsteps of legends, following the path of an ancient past. Why? And why do I not doubt you?”
Placing the water at my feet, I lean forward from my fallen tree trunk. “Until the situation in Normur I had no idea certain skills reside inside me. How do I answer? A feeling? Prompting?”
Hanna stirs the broth she has going on the fire. “You have two different eyes. Surely you heard the lore growing up?”
I slap my thighs. “Ha! That I am evil, that lore? Yes, I heard it in whispers behind cupped hands. My mother told me not to listen, but she did not say much more. I may have different eyes, but my view of the world was still based on the reality around me. Damin was the one who opened my eyes.”
Ladling broth, Hanna murmurs, “Damin Mur has a reputation. Do you trust him?”
For a time I stare at her, pondering her motivation. She does not look at me, not until she passes me a filled bowl and spoon. Then she winks, and I relax. “I trust him, yes.”
Hanna smiles. “Heart of gold, that one. Much like my Joseph.”
My heart thuds then. “Damin holds something back, though.”
Camping our first night inside Arc, with a small fire for light and cooking more than warmth, Hanna decides to play the devil’s advocate with me.
“Lyra, I have not read many of the legends, although it is true those tales are ever told. I know some, but certainly not enough. I think you will say the same, am I right?”
I sip the fresh sweet water we collected from the nearby river. “There were not many books in Grenmassin. What I know was shared with us by our elders, mostly my mother.”
Hanna spreads her hands. “Yet here you are in the footsteps of legends, following the path of an ancient past. Why? And why do I not doubt you?”
Placing the water at my feet, I lean forward from my fallen tree trunk. “Until the situation in Normur I had no idea certain skills reside inside me. How do I answer? A feeling? Prompting?”
Hanna stirs the broth she has going on the fire. “You have two different eyes. Surely you heard the lore growing up?”
I slap my thighs. “Ha! That I am evil, that lore? Yes, I heard it in whispers behind cupped hands. My mother told me not to listen, but she did not say much more. I may have different eyes, but my view of the world was still based on the reality around me. Damin was the one who opened my eyes.”
Ladling broth, Hanna murmurs, “Damin Mur has a reputation. Do you trust him?”
For a time I stare at her, pondering her motivation. She does not look at me, not until she passes me a filled bowl and spoon. Then she winks, and I relax. “I trust him, yes.”
Hanna smiles. “Heart of gold, that one. Much like my Joseph.”
My heart thuds then. “Damin holds something back, though.”
Review - Saving the Sacrifice Part 1
Without giving the story away, four girlfriends and their male bestie (Uri) find themselves in trouble of the supernatural kind, especially Micki Walker. When two best friend cops get involved (and a brother you don’t quite know how to take at first), sparks fly of both the dangerous kind … and of budding love affairs.
I fell in love with Aunt Viv’s house, I tell you! This is where the initial action happens, and this is where our friends return to time and time again. Not only is the house and garden amazing (with some succinct secrets you will love!), but Aunt Viv herself is the kind of aunt we all want.
Add in excellent ‘girl’ humour and mix in Goth clubs and a dangerous cult, and you have a story worth flipping the pages for. I cannot wait for Part 2!!
Amazon
November 11, 2015
90 000+!!
Wow, 90 000 and more visits! Thank you for popping in, everyone!
xxx
xxx
The King's Challenge #102
Part 4Lyra
TKC 102
Hanna and I are wordless as we amble amid trees beside a meandering river. Never have I experienced such calm in all my life. Here there is no threat, and it is amazing to me how much lack of danger translates into tranquillity.
“Lyra,” Hanna eventually murmurs, prompting me to attention.
“Hmm?” No danger, therefore no sense of haste, no need to worry about anything. I am willing to wander in this blissful daze forever.
“We are being lulled into inaction,” Hanna states with some voice.
I blink, for the sound penetrates the fog surrounding me. “Hanna?”
She quirks an eyebrow. “See? Lulled. We have to focus.”
A brightly plumaged bird flits by and I am entranced. I smile.
“Lyra!”
This time I shake my head as if to clear it of enshrouding mist. I begin to understand her point. Finally I nod. “I see what you mean.”
“Good. Many rely on us, so we must keep the goal in mind.”
Hanna is right. I curl my fingers into my palms, allowing my nails to bite at me. Focus. It will be hard, for this serenity feels as if we have already attained goal. Is this peace not what our souls inherently seek? My nails dig in. Focus.
I gaze towards the northwest where giant peaks are visible, greater even than the surrounding mountains. “We must go there.”
Hanna nods. “And it is quite a journey. Best we get started.”
Laughing then, for I have learned to appreciate Hanna’s sense of spare humour, I clamber onto my horse. Her name is Leaf and we have become firm friends. “Come on, Leaf. We have a slave driver with us.”
Clucking, Hanna vaults into her saddle. “Shall we show the younglings how to ride, my pretty?” she murmurs, gently patting her horse’s neck. The next instant she knees Pretty and they take off.
Screaming challenge, we follow.
TKC 102
Hanna and I are wordless as we amble amid trees beside a meandering river. Never have I experienced such calm in all my life. Here there is no threat, and it is amazing to me how much lack of danger translates into tranquillity.
“Lyra,” Hanna eventually murmurs, prompting me to attention.
“Hmm?” No danger, therefore no sense of haste, no need to worry about anything. I am willing to wander in this blissful daze forever.
“We are being lulled into inaction,” Hanna states with some voice.
I blink, for the sound penetrates the fog surrounding me. “Hanna?”
She quirks an eyebrow. “See? Lulled. We have to focus.”
A brightly plumaged bird flits by and I am entranced. I smile.
“Lyra!”
This time I shake my head as if to clear it of enshrouding mist. I begin to understand her point. Finally I nod. “I see what you mean.”
“Good. Many rely on us, so we must keep the goal in mind.”
Hanna is right. I curl my fingers into my palms, allowing my nails to bite at me. Focus. It will be hard, for this serenity feels as if we have already attained goal. Is this peace not what our souls inherently seek? My nails dig in. Focus.
I gaze towards the northwest where giant peaks are visible, greater even than the surrounding mountains. “We must go there.”
Hanna nods. “And it is quite a journey. Best we get started.”
Laughing then, for I have learned to appreciate Hanna’s sense of spare humour, I clamber onto my horse. Her name is Leaf and we have become firm friends. “Come on, Leaf. We have a slave driver with us.”
Clucking, Hanna vaults into her saddle. “Shall we show the younglings how to ride, my pretty?” she murmurs, gently patting her horse’s neck. The next instant she knees Pretty and they take off.
Screaming challenge, we follow.
Mirlin's last collage
Due to an internet breakdown yesterday, I couldn't post an episode for The King's Challenge, but all is back to normal, phew.
After writing episode 101, I realised it is time to return to Lyra's point of view. The story is now at the point where the eye-in-the-sky is aflame and folk are running towards what they hope is safety. I hope they reach it, but this story seems to take control from me and twists where I think it will go onto another path ... we shall see what happens!
We step back now to the time Lyra and Hanna entered Arc. Will they reach the spire? Is there some way to deflect the burning orb? We shall see, won't we?
Below is a collage for Mirlin's final four episodes.
:)
After writing episode 101, I realised it is time to return to Lyra's point of view. The story is now at the point where the eye-in-the-sky is aflame and folk are running towards what they hope is safety. I hope they reach it, but this story seems to take control from me and twists where I think it will go onto another path ... we shall see what happens!
We step back now to the time Lyra and Hanna entered Arc. Will they reach the spire? Is there some way to deflect the burning orb? We shall see, won't we?
Below is a collage for Mirlin's final four episodes.
:)
