Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 394
September 2, 2015
New Release: Lore of Arcana Omnibus
It's finally available, all four Arcana books in one place!
Blurb
From a Land of Skies isolated in space to civilisations flourishing underground, from a chaos curtain to sacred sites, the Arcana series delves from the deep and forgotten past into a speculative future. But Time cannot be measured; time moves between realms and reality in a fashion contradictory to participants of this present, and exposes creatures of myth and legend, and fabled figures thought lost to antiquity.
Lore of Arcanauncovers profound secrets and mysteries, but the true connection that serves to bind is the great Maghdim Medaillon, the Secret Wisdom able to breech realms and time.
One man strides through all, Maghdim Medaillon in one hand, sword in the other. He is the Pathfinder, Keeper of the Dragon, the ultimate architect and elixir of life. He is the secret and the kingdom and the sacred space. He is Lifegiver and Destroyer. This is Rayne’s journey, he who is also Torrullin, descendent of a mighty bloodline.
The Lore of Arcana Omnibus includes The Infinity Mantle, The Kinfire Tree, The Drowned Throne and The Dragon Circle, as well as the Secret Remedies.
Amazon
Blurb
From a Land of Skies isolated in space to civilisations flourishing underground, from a chaos curtain to sacred sites, the Arcana series delves from the deep and forgotten past into a speculative future. But Time cannot be measured; time moves between realms and reality in a fashion contradictory to participants of this present, and exposes creatures of myth and legend, and fabled figures thought lost to antiquity.
Lore of Arcanauncovers profound secrets and mysteries, but the true connection that serves to bind is the great Maghdim Medaillon, the Secret Wisdom able to breech realms and time.
One man strides through all, Maghdim Medaillon in one hand, sword in the other. He is the Pathfinder, Keeper of the Dragon, the ultimate architect and elixir of life. He is the secret and the kingdom and the sacred space. He is Lifegiver and Destroyer. This is Rayne’s journey, he who is also Torrullin, descendent of a mighty bloodline.
The Lore of Arcana Omnibus includes The Infinity Mantle, The Kinfire Tree, The Drowned Throne and The Dragon Circle, as well as the Secret Remedies.
Amazon
September 1, 2015
The King's Challenge #33
TKC 33
Mirlin waves absently to the west. “They remembered. That is how I know.”
“We forgot,” Damin sighs. “We were forced to.”
I barely hear Damin, for now I understand why Mirlin is different. The lines on his face give the appearance of age, but they are the lines of sun damage. Mirlin is younger than he seems.
“You are from the west,” I say to him.
He puts a finger to his lips and nods once.
“Why?” I demand.
He shrugs. “Some of us believe loss of life will again be catastrophic. If the asteroid hits, all will know it. The ancient empires are gone, Lyra, and to rebuild this world will require all hands.” Mirlin jabs at the map. A region unmarked. There are no cities or towns there, not even river names. “Through every war and every natural event, this place has survived. This is our best hope. Yours andours.”
It is far, far away. I draw in a breath. “Why does no one live there?”
Mirlin gives a strange smile. “Because it is known as a land cursed.”
Damin bites out an oath. “Don’t scare her.”
“She has power. It will not frighten her,” Mirlin snaps back.
“Cursed, how?” I ask, glaring at them.
“It is an ancient legend,” Mirlin says. “Why it is, I cannot say, but I know no one has lived there for over three thousand years. It was cursed even before the wars between Ilfin and Glonu. Some say you age in a moment when you step in there, while others claim you become as an infant.”
“It is about time,” I murmur, feeling a slight glow erupt inside me, one of validation. “Has the region a name?”
Mirlin stares at me. “It bears the original name of this world. Some say it is the world.”
Mirlin waves absently to the west. “They remembered. That is how I know.”
“We forgot,” Damin sighs. “We were forced to.”
I barely hear Damin, for now I understand why Mirlin is different. The lines on his face give the appearance of age, but they are the lines of sun damage. Mirlin is younger than he seems.
“You are from the west,” I say to him.
He puts a finger to his lips and nods once.
“Why?” I demand.
He shrugs. “Some of us believe loss of life will again be catastrophic. If the asteroid hits, all will know it. The ancient empires are gone, Lyra, and to rebuild this world will require all hands.” Mirlin jabs at the map. A region unmarked. There are no cities or towns there, not even river names. “Through every war and every natural event, this place has survived. This is our best hope. Yours andours.”
It is far, far away. I draw in a breath. “Why does no one live there?”
Mirlin gives a strange smile. “Because it is known as a land cursed.”
Damin bites out an oath. “Don’t scare her.”
“She has power. It will not frighten her,” Mirlin snaps back.
“Cursed, how?” I ask, glaring at them.
“It is an ancient legend,” Mirlin says. “Why it is, I cannot say, but I know no one has lived there for over three thousand years. It was cursed even before the wars between Ilfin and Glonu. Some say you age in a moment when you step in there, while others claim you become as an infant.”
“It is about time,” I murmur, feeling a slight glow erupt inside me, one of validation. “Has the region a name?”
Mirlin stares at me. “It bears the original name of this world. Some say it is the world.”
August 31, 2015
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The King's Challenge #32
TKC 32
When dawn eventually finds us, we are able to see where we are. The plateau rises above us, but it has less presence, for we are on ground higher than where the lower city was raised. Here there is more rock, less marsh.
We are also a fair way south of Normur, but this south is not near far enough away from the threat in the heavens. We cannot stay here.
Damin has a map he retrieved from the shack on his outcrop. He removes it from an oilskin of protection inside his runic. “Many have died possessing this,” he murmurs to me.
I see why. Our maps tend to reveal only the uplands, and only that which is east of the plateau and north of Normur. According to our maps, the rest of this world does not exist. Damin’s shows the south and the west.
Mirlin hunkers nearby. He is staring at me. “What do you know of times before?”
“Mirlin is a historian,” Damin explains.
I blink at the older man. “I know there was a war a long time ago and it is the reason we live on high ground today. The plateau serves as a wall against incursion.”
Mirlin nods. “This is true, but are you aware when the war happened?”
I shake my head. I assume a long time ago, beyond living memory.
“More than two thousand years ago,” Mirlin states. “There were two empires, the Ilfin and the Glonu, and they fought for territory. Few lived north of the plateau due to the cold, but eventually the Ilfin were pushed into the uplands. Loss of life was catastrophic on both sides, thus here at the wall ceasefire was called. The immediate lowlands became neutral territory.”
“How do you know this?” I ask, staring at the map.
When dawn eventually finds us, we are able to see where we are. The plateau rises above us, but it has less presence, for we are on ground higher than where the lower city was raised. Here there is more rock, less marsh.
We are also a fair way south of Normur, but this south is not near far enough away from the threat in the heavens. We cannot stay here.
Damin has a map he retrieved from the shack on his outcrop. He removes it from an oilskin of protection inside his runic. “Many have died possessing this,” he murmurs to me.
I see why. Our maps tend to reveal only the uplands, and only that which is east of the plateau and north of Normur. According to our maps, the rest of this world does not exist. Damin’s shows the south and the west.
Mirlin hunkers nearby. He is staring at me. “What do you know of times before?”
“Mirlin is a historian,” Damin explains.
I blink at the older man. “I know there was a war a long time ago and it is the reason we live on high ground today. The plateau serves as a wall against incursion.”
Mirlin nods. “This is true, but are you aware when the war happened?”
I shake my head. I assume a long time ago, beyond living memory.
“More than two thousand years ago,” Mirlin states. “There were two empires, the Ilfin and the Glonu, and they fought for territory. Few lived north of the plateau due to the cold, but eventually the Ilfin were pushed into the uplands. Loss of life was catastrophic on both sides, thus here at the wall ceasefire was called. The immediate lowlands became neutral territory.”
“How do you know this?” I ask, staring at the map.
August 28, 2015
The King's Challenge #31
TKC 31
The torrential rain drums out sound, but I am yet amazed by the silence behind me. I hear nothing, not even a child crying out in fear or wonder. Not daring to look around, in the event the action loses me the forward path, I begin to question whether anyone follows.
Damin, are they with me, I think. My answer comes when an image of a blue flower appears in my mind’s eye. Well. That is a different talent to seeing and hearing, but now is not the time to question Damin.
I go on.
The path is ankle deep water amid curving walls of swaying liquid. It is the strangest sight. It is also beyond frightening, for those shifting barriers are almost at head height. If I falter but once, we are doomed.
I cannot tell how many hours pass, but eventually I realise I am climbing. By slow degrees my shoulders emerge into the open night air, then my waist, thighs, and soon I am splashing in genuine ankle swirls. I am on high ground.
Something warns me to stand there without glancing back to see how the others fare. I must maintain the path until the last has crossed also. For what feels like eternity I simply stand, looking ahead.
People swirl around me as they pass, and no one says a word. I think Damin warned them to be silent until all are safe. Finally I feel him at my back and his hands settle onto my shoulders.
“Lyra, it is done,” he whispers.
I focus.
Before me is a host of survivors, every one with a hand over a heart. It is homage, and it stirs me as little else has. My tears emerge then, of gratefulness and utter exhaustion.
I turn into Damin’s arms. I weep as they enclose me.
The torrential rain drums out sound, but I am yet amazed by the silence behind me. I hear nothing, not even a child crying out in fear or wonder. Not daring to look around, in the event the action loses me the forward path, I begin to question whether anyone follows.
Damin, are they with me, I think. My answer comes when an image of a blue flower appears in my mind’s eye. Well. That is a different talent to seeing and hearing, but now is not the time to question Damin.
I go on.
The path is ankle deep water amid curving walls of swaying liquid. It is the strangest sight. It is also beyond frightening, for those shifting barriers are almost at head height. If I falter but once, we are doomed.
I cannot tell how many hours pass, but eventually I realise I am climbing. By slow degrees my shoulders emerge into the open night air, then my waist, thighs, and soon I am splashing in genuine ankle swirls. I am on high ground.
Something warns me to stand there without glancing back to see how the others fare. I must maintain the path until the last has crossed also. For what feels like eternity I simply stand, looking ahead.
People swirl around me as they pass, and no one says a word. I think Damin warned them to be silent until all are safe. Finally I feel him at my back and his hands settle onto my shoulders.
“Lyra, it is done,” he whispers.
I focus.
Before me is a host of survivors, every one with a hand over a heart. It is homage, and it stirs me as little else has. My tears emerge then, of gratefulness and utter exhaustion.
I turn into Damin’s arms. I weep as they enclose me.
August 27, 2015
The King's Challenge #30
TKC 30
By nightfall it has started raining again. Great torrents pummel us and the land. Within an hour of its renewal, the water level has risen. Walking out, as Damin suggests, will not be easy. In fact, it is now more difficult to achieve.
Everyone congregates as the lowest point of the outcrop. Men, women and children all now depend on me. I see Mirlin and his two henchmen in the crowd, all three eyeing me doubtfully. Well, they are not alone in that. I have no idea what to do next.
Damin shifts through the crowd to stand beside me. “I see blue flowers amid the red suns,” he whispers. “Many here trust in you and are now calm.”
“Many still fear,” I mutter back.
He nods. “Concentrate on serenity, Lyra. Forget the doubters.”
“Which direction?” I ask.
“South, always south.”
South, yes, to escape not only these waters, but also the fireball in the heavens. Damin is right. One does not see the stars here. Few have realised what is on approach.
It occurs to me that I desire to live. I want also to lead the community of Grenmassin to safety. It means surviving this night. It means, I understand, walking out.
As I comprehend what is needed, the way is opened for me. I feel my feet grow warm, then hot. I have boots on, but I see slivers of light escaping the seams in the leather. My feet are glowing.
Winking then at Damin, I step into the swirling water. Behind me I hear a collective breath of expectation. The water parts. With rain sluicing over my face, I wade further in. The water parts.
“Come,” I say without turning around. I know without doubt my task now is to look only ahead.
The survivors of lower Normur follow me into the flood.
By nightfall it has started raining again. Great torrents pummel us and the land. Within an hour of its renewal, the water level has risen. Walking out, as Damin suggests, will not be easy. In fact, it is now more difficult to achieve.
Everyone congregates as the lowest point of the outcrop. Men, women and children all now depend on me. I see Mirlin and his two henchmen in the crowd, all three eyeing me doubtfully. Well, they are not alone in that. I have no idea what to do next.
Damin shifts through the crowd to stand beside me. “I see blue flowers amid the red suns,” he whispers. “Many here trust in you and are now calm.”
“Many still fear,” I mutter back.
He nods. “Concentrate on serenity, Lyra. Forget the doubters.”
“Which direction?” I ask.
“South, always south.”
South, yes, to escape not only these waters, but also the fireball in the heavens. Damin is right. One does not see the stars here. Few have realised what is on approach.
It occurs to me that I desire to live. I want also to lead the community of Grenmassin to safety. It means surviving this night. It means, I understand, walking out.
As I comprehend what is needed, the way is opened for me. I feel my feet grow warm, then hot. I have boots on, but I see slivers of light escaping the seams in the leather. My feet are glowing.
Winking then at Damin, I step into the swirling water. Behind me I hear a collective breath of expectation. The water parts. With rain sluicing over my face, I wade further in. The water parts.
“Come,” I say without turning around. I know without doubt my task now is to look only ahead.
The survivors of lower Normur follow me into the flood.
August 26, 2015
The King's Challenge #29
TKC 29
“What is a Delver?” I ask first.
“Someone able to see into minds,” Damin replies. “That is the simple answer.” He keeps his voice low, for this admission will see him hung, but he does not look away.
“How are you a Delver?” I ask next.
“We are born with the gift, as you are.” He smiles then. “I heard you singing once, while I wandered the forest back home. When I tracked the sound to you, I found you sitting on the flat rock overlooking the river. Your mouth wasn’t moving, Lyra, and yet you were singing. I thought I was mad or something and only later understood what had happened.”
I swallow. “You never told me.”
Damin shrugs. “How do you tell someone this?”
“Do you see into all minds?”
“Most, but they are generally images to signify emotions. A red sun, for instance, means fear … saw many red suns this night.” He pauses to thread a hand through his fair hair. “When a Delver hears, though, the one he hears is fated to be his partner. This can be a man or woman. Lucky for me, you are a woman.” Damin offers a wicked smile.
“Is this why you left?” I whisper.
He nods after a moment. “I heard you all the time. I needed to find a way to control it. Listening is an invasion of privacy.”
“Can you control it?”
“Yes, but last night I discovered that frenetic action is able to sunder my holds.” Damin touches my face. “I do not listen, Lyra, to your innermost thoughts, not anymore, and I will find the means to control this breach also.”
I stare at him. I do not know this Damin. “Fate?” I say. “Where is love in fate?”
He takes my hands into his. “Lyra, love enables our gifts.”
“What is a Delver?” I ask first.
“Someone able to see into minds,” Damin replies. “That is the simple answer.” He keeps his voice low, for this admission will see him hung, but he does not look away.
“How are you a Delver?” I ask next.
“We are born with the gift, as you are.” He smiles then. “I heard you singing once, while I wandered the forest back home. When I tracked the sound to you, I found you sitting on the flat rock overlooking the river. Your mouth wasn’t moving, Lyra, and yet you were singing. I thought I was mad or something and only later understood what had happened.”
I swallow. “You never told me.”
Damin shrugs. “How do you tell someone this?”
“Do you see into all minds?”
“Most, but they are generally images to signify emotions. A red sun, for instance, means fear … saw many red suns this night.” He pauses to thread a hand through his fair hair. “When a Delver hears, though, the one he hears is fated to be his partner. This can be a man or woman. Lucky for me, you are a woman.” Damin offers a wicked smile.
“Is this why you left?” I whisper.
He nods after a moment. “I heard you all the time. I needed to find a way to control it. Listening is an invasion of privacy.”
“Can you control it?”
“Yes, but last night I discovered that frenetic action is able to sunder my holds.” Damin touches my face. “I do not listen, Lyra, to your innermost thoughts, not anymore, and I will find the means to control this breach also.”
I stare at him. I do not know this Damin. “Fate?” I say. “Where is love in fate?”
He takes my hands into his. “Lyra, love enables our gifts.”
