Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 392
September 11, 2015
The King's Challenge #43
TKC 43
A part of the cliff does collapse, but we do not see it. We hear it after from another. Normur is effectively emptied. As the rain continues, folk huddle together for warmth to the east of the city.
Those who intended to walk south to the fort, begin to do so despite violent protestations from the city fathers. They, however, have no authority beyond the precincts, and know it.
I feel sorry for the bedraggled clutch of rich people apart from the old and infirm who choose to stay behind. I feel even sorrier for the old and infirm, for they will be ordered to mop up a city which will be as a ghost town.
Attis is with us. We stand together watching men, women and children begin the long march, most with only what they are wearing.
The old mapmaker comes to a halt beside us. “The younger men returned to the city for items we may need,” he whispers. “They will raid certain … places. Can I ask that you keep that lot occupied until they get away again?”
Damin grins down at the old man. “Consider it a pleasure.”
The mapmaker touches Damin’s arm and goes on walking. I wonder if he will reach the fort; he is very old. Perhaps others will carry him.
Damin prods Attis. “Go with them. We will catch up to you soon.”
The boy pulls a face, but he does as bid. He, at least, came prepared, although his pack may soon drag him under, it appears that weighty.
Both Damin and I have our small packs. We tend to keep it with us at all times.
Lightning abruptly forks the air to smash into the earth between the rich and the others. I hear someone whisper the gods are awake.
A part of the cliff does collapse, but we do not see it. We hear it after from another. Normur is effectively emptied. As the rain continues, folk huddle together for warmth to the east of the city.
Those who intended to walk south to the fort, begin to do so despite violent protestations from the city fathers. They, however, have no authority beyond the precincts, and know it.
I feel sorry for the bedraggled clutch of rich people apart from the old and infirm who choose to stay behind. I feel even sorrier for the old and infirm, for they will be ordered to mop up a city which will be as a ghost town.
Attis is with us. We stand together watching men, women and children begin the long march, most with only what they are wearing.
The old mapmaker comes to a halt beside us. “The younger men returned to the city for items we may need,” he whispers. “They will raid certain … places. Can I ask that you keep that lot occupied until they get away again?”
Damin grins down at the old man. “Consider it a pleasure.”
The mapmaker touches Damin’s arm and goes on walking. I wonder if he will reach the fort; he is very old. Perhaps others will carry him.
Damin prods Attis. “Go with them. We will catch up to you soon.”
The boy pulls a face, but he does as bid. He, at least, came prepared, although his pack may soon drag him under, it appears that weighty.
Both Damin and I have our small packs. We tend to keep it with us at all times.
Lightning abruptly forks the air to smash into the earth between the rich and the others. I hear someone whisper the gods are awake.
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From the realms of prophecy and reincarnation to the reality of Warlocks, Witches and Darak Ors, from dreams to the scrying bowl, from thrones to forest clearings, the Reaume series journeys through, and finely weaves, fact and fantasy.
A city of stone is created to obscure an abyss able swallow worlds, and is discovered in a place forbidden to all. An ancient map leads them there, and it changes the future. Lore of Reaumeexposes ancient kingdoms and shadowy spheres of influence.
While objects of power come forth to manipulate and threaten, among them the Dragon Taliesman, the mighty Valleur Throne, the swords called Lumin, Catharsis and Nemesis, the true connection is the great Maghdim Medaillon, a magical device thought forever lost. Realms entwine when slim fingers one day finds the golden coin hidden in a sterile desert.
One man strides through all Lore. Torrullin is the Pathfinder, Keeper of the Dragon, the ultimate architect and elixir of life. He is a walker through realms, a wanderer through time and the harbinger of change. He is Lifegiver and Destroyer. Beware the Pathfinder … and know he is not alone.
Amazon
The Kallanon Scales, The Nemisin Star, The Sleeper Sword and The Dreamer Stones, as well as Realm Walker.
Blurb
From the realms of prophecy and reincarnation to the reality of Warlocks, Witches and Darak Ors, from dreams to the scrying bowl, from thrones to forest clearings, the Reaume series journeys through, and finely weaves, fact and fantasy.
A city of stone is created to obscure an abyss able swallow worlds, and is discovered in a place forbidden to all. An ancient map leads them there, and it changes the future. Lore of Reaumeexposes ancient kingdoms and shadowy spheres of influence.
While objects of power come forth to manipulate and threaten, among them the Dragon Taliesman, the mighty Valleur Throne, the swords called Lumin, Catharsis and Nemesis, the true connection is the great Maghdim Medaillon, a magical device thought forever lost. Realms entwine when slim fingers one day finds the golden coin hidden in a sterile desert.
One man strides through all Lore. Torrullin is the Pathfinder, Keeper of the Dragon, the ultimate architect and elixir of life. He is a walker through realms, a wanderer through time and the harbinger of change. He is Lifegiver and Destroyer. Beware the Pathfinder … and know he is not alone.
Amazon
September 10, 2015
The King's Challenge #42
TKC 42
People trample each other in their rush to leave the city. Tears fall as I watch the desperation from the clock tower with Damin at my side. He no longer beats the alarm. Mud and water rises in the streets now; everyone knows there is cause for panic.
I gasp as I see a child vanish beneath uncaring boots. A moment later I am thinking of Attis. We must get to the boy! Frantically I clutch at Damin, screaming at him.
He grabs my hands. “Calm, Lyra. Please. If we leave here, we run the risk of being trampled. Attis is a bright boy and will know to stay put.”
Yes, true. Attis is a survivor. I breathe in deeply to still my heartbeat to an even rhythm. “What of your Alyssa?” I whisper.
Damin releases my hands. Grimacing, he stares into the roiling streets. “She will be with others of her kind. The rich always have an escape plan.”
That is no doubt true as well. I say no more.
“Lyra, the creature you saw, what was it?” Damin asks. I think he seeks to distract me. Mostly he wants to distract himself, though.
“Slime and mud, hanging from under the bridge. I think now it may be akin to what happens to you. You see emotions as images. What I see may be warnings.”
“Thank the stars for that or we would not be above it now.”
“What are youseeing?” I ask him.
“Coils and scales. Snakes of terror, in shifting colours.” Damin closes his eyes. “I do not know how to shut it off. There is too much.”
The warmth erupts in my chest. My hands glow. “Look at me.” I place my hands on Damin’s cheeks. “Just keep looking at me … until they go away.”
People trample each other in their rush to leave the city. Tears fall as I watch the desperation from the clock tower with Damin at my side. He no longer beats the alarm. Mud and water rises in the streets now; everyone knows there is cause for panic.
I gasp as I see a child vanish beneath uncaring boots. A moment later I am thinking of Attis. We must get to the boy! Frantically I clutch at Damin, screaming at him.
He grabs my hands. “Calm, Lyra. Please. If we leave here, we run the risk of being trampled. Attis is a bright boy and will know to stay put.”
Yes, true. Attis is a survivor. I breathe in deeply to still my heartbeat to an even rhythm. “What of your Alyssa?” I whisper.
Damin releases my hands. Grimacing, he stares into the roiling streets. “She will be with others of her kind. The rich always have an escape plan.”
That is no doubt true as well. I say no more.
“Lyra, the creature you saw, what was it?” Damin asks. I think he seeks to distract me. Mostly he wants to distract himself, though.
“Slime and mud, hanging from under the bridge. I think now it may be akin to what happens to you. You see emotions as images. What I see may be warnings.”
“Thank the stars for that or we would not be above it now.”
“What are youseeing?” I ask him.
“Coils and scales. Snakes of terror, in shifting colours.” Damin closes his eyes. “I do not know how to shut it off. There is too much.”
The warmth erupts in my chest. My hands glow. “Look at me.” I place my hands on Damin’s cheeks. “Just keep looking at me … until they go away.”
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September 9, 2015
The King's Challenge #41
TKC 41
We run to get away from the rain of mud, and Damin starts screaming, “Get out! Leave Normur now!”
People are soon in the streets despite the weather, too many of them. They impede our progress and swiftly drown out Damin’s continuous warning shouts.
Finally I pull him to a halt in a recessed doorway. “What?” I demand of him.
Heaving, he says, “Underground water is pushing up and it will explode from every hole it can find to do so.” He draws repeated breaths. “It must have poured down in the countryside and all that is now coming this way. Last time this happened, centuries ago, a large part of the plateau collapsed.”
Dread overcomes me. The entire city could tumble into the marshes. “And that thing under the bridge?”
“What thing?”
Damin did not see it. He merely followed my instincts, for it was my instinct that saw danger as something manifest. I am not certain whether to be relieved or horrified. Never do I want to see such a creature again.
“Never mind,” I mutter. “We need a high place, somewhere to shout warning from.”
Damin nods jerkily. “I know where. Come.”
We run. Damin has my hand and pulls me in his wake, shouldering people out the way. As we go, we give warning, but it is doubtful many hear it.
The clock tower comes into view. Damin kicks the door in and we hurtle up countless stone stairs.
“There’s a gong for alarm,” Damin gasps.
“Go!” I heave. “I will follow. Go!”
He releases my hand and sprints up. Desperation creates adrenaline, but I cannot keep up with him. My chest is on fire and my legs are dead under me.
Moments later a mighty clashing sound reverberates into the city. I cover my ears.
We run to get away from the rain of mud, and Damin starts screaming, “Get out! Leave Normur now!”
People are soon in the streets despite the weather, too many of them. They impede our progress and swiftly drown out Damin’s continuous warning shouts.
Finally I pull him to a halt in a recessed doorway. “What?” I demand of him.
Heaving, he says, “Underground water is pushing up and it will explode from every hole it can find to do so.” He draws repeated breaths. “It must have poured down in the countryside and all that is now coming this way. Last time this happened, centuries ago, a large part of the plateau collapsed.”
Dread overcomes me. The entire city could tumble into the marshes. “And that thing under the bridge?”
“What thing?”
Damin did not see it. He merely followed my instincts, for it was my instinct that saw danger as something manifest. I am not certain whether to be relieved or horrified. Never do I want to see such a creature again.
“Never mind,” I mutter. “We need a high place, somewhere to shout warning from.”
Damin nods jerkily. “I know where. Come.”
We run. Damin has my hand and pulls me in his wake, shouldering people out the way. As we go, we give warning, but it is doubtful many hear it.
The clock tower comes into view. Damin kicks the door in and we hurtle up countless stone stairs.
“There’s a gong for alarm,” Damin gasps.
“Go!” I heave. “I will follow. Go!”
He releases my hand and sprints up. Desperation creates adrenaline, but I cannot keep up with him. My chest is on fire and my legs are dead under me.
Moments later a mighty clashing sound reverberates into the city. I cover my ears.
September 8, 2015
The King's Challenge #40
TKC 40
A gargling scream takes our attention from personal issues. Damin and I lean convulsively over the bridge, for the sound seems to come from under us. There is nothing to see, but the otherworldly shriek continues.
“Go that way,” Damin points and turns to run back the way we came.
I race across the bridge to the other side. From opposite ends, we descend to the water’s edge. The sound is human, if desperate, but what is below does not appear as human at all. As I crouch to stare into the gloom under the arch, my instincts warn me. Something is not right.
Damin is about to enter the shallow pond on the other side and I hurtle to my feet and gesture wildly at him, shaking my head with intent. He sees me, thank the stars, and stops.
The screaming transforms into laughter, the manic kind able to raise even the dead into flight.
A glint tells me Damin has his dagger to hand. Looking down, I discover I have mine as well. I do not remember reaching for it. Together we then slowly pace away from the water and Damin gestures for me to wait. Swiftly he turns and sprints across the bridge to my side. Again the gargling scream erupts.
It is akin to tales we grew up with, the monsters under the bridge stories, but this is beyond frightening. What is it? Slime and mud oozed over something misshapen, and it seemed to cling to the underside of the arch as if afraid of drowning in the shallows below.
I frown. As if afraid.
I grab Damin’s hand and we run. “Something bad is about to happen,” I gasp at him.
It does. With a sound akin to burbling thunder, the pond explodes in a rain of sludge.
A gargling scream takes our attention from personal issues. Damin and I lean convulsively over the bridge, for the sound seems to come from under us. There is nothing to see, but the otherworldly shriek continues.
“Go that way,” Damin points and turns to run back the way we came.
I race across the bridge to the other side. From opposite ends, we descend to the water’s edge. The sound is human, if desperate, but what is below does not appear as human at all. As I crouch to stare into the gloom under the arch, my instincts warn me. Something is not right.
Damin is about to enter the shallow pond on the other side and I hurtle to my feet and gesture wildly at him, shaking my head with intent. He sees me, thank the stars, and stops.
The screaming transforms into laughter, the manic kind able to raise even the dead into flight.
A glint tells me Damin has his dagger to hand. Looking down, I discover I have mine as well. I do not remember reaching for it. Together we then slowly pace away from the water and Damin gestures for me to wait. Swiftly he turns and sprints across the bridge to my side. Again the gargling scream erupts.
It is akin to tales we grew up with, the monsters under the bridge stories, but this is beyond frightening. What is it? Slime and mud oozed over something misshapen, and it seemed to cling to the underside of the arch as if afraid of drowning in the shallows below.
I frown. As if afraid.
I grab Damin’s hand and we run. “Something bad is about to happen,” I gasp at him.
It does. With a sound akin to burbling thunder, the pond explodes in a rain of sludge.
September 7, 2015
The King's Challenge #39
TKC 39
In the gloom of a rainy day, in a city about to be abandoned, with life changing around us by the minute, Damin turns to me and breaks my heart.
“Alyssa is a good person, Lyra, and I did sleep with her, if that is what you want to know.”
I do not want to know. I swallow. Of course five years have passed and I did not expect Damin to remain celibate, and yet I hoped he would. As I have been, not that suitors knocked at my door.
Shrugging, I jerk around and stride along the wet streets. Damin follows, wisely saying no more. I do not watch where I go. By some fate, when I need it most, the close buildings abruptly give way to open space.
I am amazed by the park spread before us. A pond, bridge, trees, benches. Silence and serenity. I need clarity … and space appears. Is this inner instinct?
“Lyra.”
Shaking my head, I make my way onto the stone bridge. I stare into the water. Raindrops form circles and spirals. When Damin is beside me, I look up. “Did you love her?”
“For a time, yes. I questioned everything I was and she made me forget. I could not hear her the way I hear you and it was a comfort.”
“Why did it end?”
He stares into the water. “I heard you one night as if you were beside me as you are now. You were sobbing, so hurt, agony in your soul. Your face …” He takes my face into his hands and shifts aside hair covering my left temple to touch a scar there. “They stoned you, two eyes. I wanted to kill someone. I knew then I loved you more than life. I ended it that same night.”
In the gloom of a rainy day, in a city about to be abandoned, with life changing around us by the minute, Damin turns to me and breaks my heart.
“Alyssa is a good person, Lyra, and I did sleep with her, if that is what you want to know.”
I do not want to know. I swallow. Of course five years have passed and I did not expect Damin to remain celibate, and yet I hoped he would. As I have been, not that suitors knocked at my door.
Shrugging, I jerk around and stride along the wet streets. Damin follows, wisely saying no more. I do not watch where I go. By some fate, when I need it most, the close buildings abruptly give way to open space.
I am amazed by the park spread before us. A pond, bridge, trees, benches. Silence and serenity. I need clarity … and space appears. Is this inner instinct?
“Lyra.”
Shaking my head, I make my way onto the stone bridge. I stare into the water. Raindrops form circles and spirals. When Damin is beside me, I look up. “Did you love her?”
“For a time, yes. I questioned everything I was and she made me forget. I could not hear her the way I hear you and it was a comfort.”
“Why did it end?”
He stares into the water. “I heard you one night as if you were beside me as you are now. You were sobbing, so hurt, agony in your soul. Your face …” He takes my face into his hands and shifts aside hair covering my left temple to touch a scar there. “They stoned you, two eyes. I wanted to kill someone. I knew then I loved you more than life. I ended it that same night.”
