Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 94
September 8, 2023
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4 audio books in 1
Links on AUDIO BOOKS page
September 6, 2023
445k+!
You inspire me! Thanks for visiting!
xxx
September 5, 2023
September 4, 2023
Images to showcase Echo: Autumn of the Dragon
Now at almost 30k words for ECHO, which is kinda my measuring stick for whether to continue or not. In other words, if a story (novel length) reaches 30k, it's worth going on. FYI, to explain the title of this post, I've inserted images into the manuscript, created with AI prompts. They may or may not remain in the published version, but meanwhile they serve as inspiration. Thought I'd share those with you :)
September 3, 2023
Chapter 10: Ilfin of Arc
Come, reader, join the great march today …
According to legend, a paradise awaits across the plains, asanctuary that has survived every impact and every battle. Known as Arc, it is aplace of isolation, a place to restart civilisation.
A fireball grows ever larger in the skies and ancientenemies wing through the spaces; the world Massin is the gathering place forevery omen of disaster. Every resident soul faces a choice. Time now to marchsouth to the sanctuary, from the eastern highlands and the western seas, there toescape apocalypse, and the renewal of the war between the Ilfin and Glonu, orstay behind, hoping for a miracle.
An Elemental will find the sanctuary – Lyra is gifted – aWarrior will defend the dispossessed – the boy Horin will grow up fast – and aMarsh Devil will lead them – Damin spends years preparing for this epic event –but it is also true that a sanctuary is not always a haven. Has the legendlied? Will Arc protect them?
Prepare for an adventure that will journey from ancient waysof living into high-tech environments. Ilfin of Arc is a dystopian Fantasy talethat flies into star filled spaces – strap in!
10
Trolls live in the mind
GlonuSaying
INTHE GLOOMof a rainy day, in a city about to be abandoned, with life changing around themby the minute, Damin turned to Lyra and broke her heart.
“Alyssais a good person, Lyra, and I did sleep with her, if that is what you want toknow.”
Shedid not want to know. She swallowed convulsively as words of accusation cloggedher throat. Of course, five years had passed and she did not expect Damin toremain celibate, and yet she had hoped he would. As she had been, not thatsuitors knocked at her door.
Thenaïve country girl had just been disillusioned.
Shrugging,shoving horrible words down, she jerked around and strode along the wetstreets. Damin followed, wisely saying no more.
Shedid not watch where she went. It was mere mindless wander to still herthoughts. By some fate, when she needed it most, the close buildings abruptlysurrendered to open space. Lyra was initially taken aback by the green parkspread before them. There was a pretty pond, a stone bridge, tall and stout trees,as well as welcoming benches. Silence and serenity weaved through the space.She required clarity … and space appeared. Was this inner instinct?
“Lyra.”
Shakingher head, Lyra made her way onto the bridge to stare into the water. Raindropsformed circles and spirals. It calmed her. When Damin was beside her, she lookedup. “Did you love her?”
Hewas as honest as ever. “For a time, yes. I questioned everything I was, and shemade me forget. I could not hear her the way I hear you and it was a comfortfor a while.”
“Whydid it end?”
Hestared into the water as she had. “I heard you one night as if you were besideme, as you are now. You were sobbing, so hurt, agony in your soul. Your face …”He took her face into his hands and shifted aside hair covering her left templeto touch a scar there. “They stoned you, two-eyes. I wanted to kill someone. Iknew then I loved you more than life. I ended it that same night.”
Sheclosed her eyes, remembering that day. There were strangers on the common, cometo trade, but asking strange questions. Blinking, she forced her thoughts away.They would undo her as those two men intended to achieve that day.
Agargling scream removed their attention from personal issues, from debilitatingmemories. Damin and Lyra leaned convulsively over the bridge wall, for thesound seemed to come from under them. There was nothing untoward to see, but theotherworldly shriek continued unabated.
“Gothat way.” Damin pointed to the opposite side, and then ran back the way theycame.
Lyraraced across the bridge to the other bank. From opposite ends, they descended tothe water’s edge. The sound was human, if desperate, but what was below did notappear as human at all. As she crouched to stare into the gloom under the arch,her instincts warned her. Something was not right.
Daminwas about to enter the shallow pond on the other side, and she hurtled to herfeet and gestured wildly at him, shaking her head with intent. He saw her,thank the stars, and halted.
Thescreaming transformed into laughter; the manic kind able to raise even the deadinto flight. A glint told her Damin had his dagger to hand. Looking down, shediscovered she had hers as well. She did not remember reaching for it.
Togetherthey then slowly paced away from the water and Damin gestured for her to wait.Swiftly he sprinted across the bridge to her side. As he crossed the span, againthe gargling scream erupted.
Itwas akin to tales they grew up with, the monsters under the bridge stories, butthis was beyond frightening. What was it? Slime and mud oozed over somethingmisshapen, and it seemed to cling to the underside of the arch as if afraid ofdrowning in the shallows below.
Lyrafrowned.
As if afraid.
Shegrabbed Damin’s hand and they ran. “Something bad is about to happen,” she pantedat him.
Itdid.
Witha sound similar to burbling thunder, the pond exploded in a rain of sludge.
Theyran to put distance between them and the deluge, and Damin then started yelling,“Get out! Leave Normur now!”
Peoplewere soon in the streets despite the weather, too many of them. They impededprogress and swiftly drowned out Damin’s continuous warning shouts.
Finally,Lyra pulled him to a halt in a recessed doorway. “What?” she demanded of him.
Heaving,,he said, “Underground water is pushing up and it will explode from every holeit can find to do so.” He inhaled repeated breaths. “It must have poured downin the countryside and all that water is now coming this way, underground. Lasttime this happened, centuries ago, a large part of the plateau collapsed.”
Dreadovercame Lyra. The entire city could tumble into the marshes. “And that creatureunder the bridge?”
“Whatcreature?”
Daminhad not seen it. He merely followed her instincts, for it was her instinct that regarded the danger assomething manifest. She was not certain whether to be relieved or horrified. Hermind had conjured a horror as warning. Never did she desire to see such acreature again.
“Nevermind,” she muttered. “We need a high place, somewhere to issue warning from.”
Daminnodded jerkily. “I know where. Come.”
Hehad her hand and pulled her along in his wake, shouldering people out the way.As they went, they gave warning, but it was doubtful many heard it.
Theclock tower came into view. Damin kicked the door in and they hurtled upcountless stone stairs.
“Thereis a gong for alarm,” Damin gasped.
“Go!”Lyra heaved. The stairs were her nemesis right now. “I will follow. Go!”
Hereleased her hand and sprinted up. Desperation created adrenaline, but shecould not keep pace with him. Her chest was on fire and her legs shudderingunder her.
Momentslater a mighty clashing sound reverberated into the city.
Lyracovered her ears.
PEOPLE TRAMPLED EACH other in theirrush to leave the city. Tears fell as Lyra watched the desperation from theclock tower with Damin at her side. He no longer beat the alarm. Mud and water rosein the streets now; everyone knew there was cause for panic.
Shegulped when she saw a child vanish beneath uncaring boots. A moment later shethought of Attis. They needed to get to the boy! Frantically she clutched atDamin, screaming at him.
Hegrabbed her hands to still her. “Calm, Lyra. Please. If we leave here, we runthe risk of being trampled. Attis is a bright boy and will know to stay put.”
Yes,true. Attis was a survivor. She breathed in deeply to still her heartbeat to aneven rhythm. “What of your Alyssa?” she whispered.
Daminreleased her hands. Grimacing, he stared into the roiling streets. “She will bewith others of her kind. The rich always have an escape plan.”
Thatwas no doubt true as well. She said no more.
“Thecreature you saw, what was it?” Damin asked. He sought to distract her. Mostlyhe desired to distract himself.
“Isaw something covered with slime and mud, hanging from under the bridge. Ithink now it may be akin to what happens to you. You see emotions as images.What I see may be warnings.”
“Thankthe stars for that or we would not be above it now.”
“Whatare you seeing?” she asked him.
“Coilsand scales. Snakes of terror, in shifting colours.” Damin closed his eyes. “Ido not know how to shut it off. There is too much.”
Theeerie warmth erupted into her chest. Her hands glowed.
“Lookat me.” She placed her hands on Damin’s cheeks. “Just keep looking at me …until they go away.”
ILFIN OF ARC
