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Thief of the Eclipse Short Story – Part 2: Parley with the Diseased Man

As promised, part 2 of the “Thief of the Eclipse” short story is below. Click here if you missed part 1 of the story.

Thief of the Eclipse Short Story – Part 2: Parley with the Diseased Man

“Memories?!” Zelena cried. “How in the two moons would I steal memories!”

“There are ways,” Lazaro said, shifting position in his wheeled throne. His boney limbs strained to move his own weight.

“His mind is as broken as his body,” her sister, Usha, whispered in her head.

“You don’t have to believe me,” Lazaro continued. “Just do the mission and I will tell you what I know of your father.”

She shook her head, still not believing. “How can I steal memories? They are incorporeal.”

“Yes, and your special power which makes you one of the best thieves alive, also makes you perfect for this undertaking.”

Thief of the Eclipse. Short story by Robin A. Burrows. Artwork by Tim Robbins. www.facebook.com/TimRobbinsArt.

Zelena started. “How do you know about my power?”

“I presume you don’t often leave that monastery. You’re quite infamous in the Osage Grove underworld, and Father Remiel is not unknown for collecting youngsters with special talents. You didn’t think you and that boy were the only ones, did you?”

Lazaro paused to catch his breath, fighting off another coughing fit before continuing. “There is an artifact which stores memories. It is on a caravan leaving for the University the day after tomorrow. You need to acquire the artifact and then use it on the target.”

“Who?”

“Father Remiel.”

Zelena’s breath caught in her throat.

“Get out now,” her father’s voice whispered. “He’s trying to kill you.”

“And you were stupid enough to walk into it,” Usha added in her head.

“You were so well-informed about everything else. You should know that Father Remiel hand-picked me for the Eclipse Guard,” Zelena said. “He caught me pickpocketing after my sister died and he still rescued me from the streets. He gave me a place to belong. I won’t betray him.”

“I’m not asking you to betray anyone. Your connection to Remiel may bother you, but it improves your chances of success.  This is actually a recovery mission. You would be…reacquiring memories which were stolen from me. He wouldn’t lose the memories, and I would regain what was mine all along.” Lazaro’s voice cracked and softened to a raspy whisper. He picked up a glass of water and sipped until he could speak again.

Zelena flicked dust off the arm of her chair. Her mind was a torrent of thoughts. If she took this mission, she could lose her place in the Eclipse Guard – the only life she’d known for years now. If she didn’t, she would lose the opportunity to learn the truth about her father.

“Why are these memories so important?” Zelena asked. “You can live without memories, but you need to be alive to live. I could steal a potion to heal you instead.”

Lazaro’s laugh was more of a sputter, but it went on for a long minute before he stopped to catch his breath. “There’s no potion in these worlds to heal my curse. But I need these memories to heal my soul. Remiel stole every memory of my wife except the agony of her death.” His voice turned bitter and he wiped the sides of his eyes before the glistening moisture could escape.

Zelena felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. Father Remiel believed in justice for one’s actions. He wouldn’t have taken this man’s memories without cause. If stealing memories were even possible. Yet she understood not knowing the truth about a loved one, and he was offering her truth in exchange for his memories.

“You shouldn’t risk your position in the Eclipse Guard,” her father whispered.

“I’ll need to time to decide,” she told Lazaro.

“You’re more of fool than I thought,” Usha sneered.

Lazaro handed her a scroll. “This contains a sketch of the artifact and the location of the caravan. Acquire the artifact and return here if you decide to take the mission. I will explain how to use it then.”

“What if I tell Father Remiel everything?”

“You won’t. You’re too much like your father in that regard.” A tender smile crossed his face. “But I am weary now and have other business to attend to yet this night. Could you send in the person waiting outside?”

Zelena nodded and turned to leave. She had a day to decide what to do before the caravan left with the artifact.

Opening the squeaky door, she expected to see Adan outside, but a woman and a teenage boy rested on the patch of soft vines growing through the hole in the roof in what once must have been an elegant arched hallway. The boy’s leg was tied to a wooden brace, and his whole body was red and swollen. He looked only marginally better than Lazaro.

Their eyes followed her, but they did not raise their heads.

“He said to go on in,” Zelena told the woman.

“Th-thank you” the woman replied, her lips trembling as she rose and helped the boy to his feet.

What am I getting myself into, Zelena wondered.

In her head, she heard Usha’s maniacal laughter. “And you thought I was trouble. He’s going to eat you alive.”

— to be continued —

Come back the 2nd Tuesday of next month for the next part of this story. Subscribe to the blog via email in the box on the top right of this page and be one of the first to read new stories when they are posted!

Thief of the Eclipse Short Story – Part 1: Patron

Last year I wrote a short story for a contest, but I never submitted it because the deadline conflicted with other (much more important) obligations. Also, I didn’t feel ready to share the story. Now, after a little more attention, I am sharing the short story in serial format on my blog over the next few months. I will post a new segment on the second Tuesday of each month until it all has been posted.

The story is in my Azinia setting and involves minor characters from my first Kaylee Nevins novel. It’s a fantasy short story, but it’s a little darker than my typical story (because that was part of the contest requirements). I wanted to share something from my main writing universe with my loyal followers and introduce new readers to my universe. If you enjoy this segment, please return next month for the next part.

Thief of the Eclipse – Part 1: Patron

For once the voices in her head agreed. “Don’t trust him,” they told her in unison.

Zelena glanced across the grimy candle-lit room at Adan and the man resting in a wheeled, wooden throne.

“Why’s he here?” she asked Adan.

“He’s the patron, not I,” Adan said. He tilted his head towards the invalid and his eyes twinkled with mirth, but his face remained passive. “You didn’t think I could afford someone with your special talents, did you?” A wide smile twitched at the corners of his mouth and spread across his face.

“It’s a trick,” her father’s voice whispered in her head.

Zelena’s hand tightened around the smooth bone-handled dagger in the pocket of her long coat. Adan’s power couldn’t hurt her now, but she felt safer holding the dagger. “I didn’t come here for a mission. I came to tell you to leave the boy alone,” she said. “He’s only a child. Leave him be.”

“RaDorian is not in danger. Not from us,” Adan said with a sigh. “His power was the only way to contact you when our other methods failed.”

“Killing them would solve the problem,” her sister, Usha, whispered in her head.

A shiver ran down Zelena’s spine and she loosened her grip on the dagger. She couldn’t lose herself to anger. She stole things, not lives. Never lives. Never again.

She took a deep breath. “By involving him, you put him in danger. If Father Remiel learned-”

“Stop this. We have no time to argue,” the man in the wheeled throne spoke up in a rasping voice. “Adan, leave us. I’ll explain everything.”

“Not before he promises never to contact the boy again.”

Adan shrugged. “I promise I won’t contact him, but tell RaDorian when the time comes he may contact me if he wishes. He’ll know when it’s time.”

Zelena crossed her arms and glared at Adan.

With a nod towards his companion and a flourish of his hand, Adan strolled from the room, closing the squeaky door behind him with care.

Zelena eyed the man in the wheeled throne. Red and brown blotches covered his sagging yellowed skin, and a patchwork quilt draped his boney legs like a shroud. He looked like a relic left behind when nobles abandoned this house when disasters befell Osage Grove during the last Alignment.

“Come closer, dear,” the disease man whispered. “My voice is not so strong these days.”

“Don’t do it!” her father shouted in her head. “He could infect you. He could hurt you.”

“I only work for the Eclipse Guard,” she said, turning towards the door. “Now that your companion has agreed to leave my young friend be, I have no further business here.”

“I know how your father died,” he said quickly and burst into a fit of coughing.

Zelena froze, her breath caught in her chest. Her father died when she was four. They were hiding on the streets, running from someone. He left her and Usha alone while he foraged for food, but one day he came back…different and died soon after. That’s when she started hearing his voice in her head, but after all this time she’d never discovered the truth about his death.

She turned back towards the diseased man and took a step forward. He was still coughing, a blood-speckled kerchief to his mouth. The candles flickered as the stale air shifted around the room and she resisted the urge to flee. The rancid smell wasn’t just from rodents that had found their way beneath the once polished hardwood floors. This man didn’t have long left to live.

When the coughing stopped and the man took several long wheezing breaths, Zelena asked, “What do you know of my father?”

“If I tell you now, you wouldn’t help me.”

“Then how do I know you speak the truth?”

“I knew your father. He had a heart-shaped mole over his ear.”

“He knows nothing,” the voices in her head hissed. But she blocked out their cries. Her father had a heart-shaped mole over his left ear! It was hidden under his hair most of the time, so few people knew about it.

Her face must have given away her thoughts, because the diseased man gestured to the only other chair in the room and said softly, “Let us begin again. My name is Lazaro and I need your help.”

“What must I steal?” Zelena asked with a sigh as she sat.

“Memories.”

— to be continued —

A New Year and New Goals

At my sister’s wedding.

It’s a new year and what better time to return to blogging.

Last year was a blur of trying to sell our previous house, packing/moving/unpacking, a major software implementation at my day-job, working on our much-more-of-a-fixer-upper-than-we’d-thought new house, and preparing for/travelling to my sister’s wedding. I really don’t know where the time went, but a year completely disappeared.

The thing I missed more than anything was my writing. It took a back-seat to life and life is no fun without a little creativity.

My goal this year is to swap house repairs for writing-time. I intend to focus a little less on blogging and a lot more on my real passion, my novel. To that end, I will only post one blog a month this year (aside from any time-sensitive updates I might share). If you want to catch all 12 blogs in a timely manner, be sure to subscribe to my blog and each post will be sent directly to your email account.

Fantasy has always been my passion, and my blog will focus on that a little more this year.

I’m excited to be back and look forward to continuing this journey with all of my supporters. You all are the best!

The Downside of EPIC

My poor neglected blog.

I apologize again for the intermittent posts recently. We’ve been trying to sell our house and it’s been quite a rollercoaster. Stop – go full speed; then slam on the brakes again. At least we’re narrowing down things that could go wrong with the buyer.

A few years ago someone (who only knew the bare surface details about my life) said my life would make a great movie because it sounded like a book. Sure I love to read epic stories. I do not like living them. Not at all.

I only want a comfortable home in a quiet forest, and the time and ability to do my writing. Is that too much to ask? Of course, first, this house has to sell. And after a series of obstacles and setbacks, it’s time for the heroine to successfully complete the adventure/quest, right? And our heroine will be more appreciative because of the struggle? And maybe she will have learned something?

Anyway, wish me luck and don’t forget me while I’m gone. But I will return. I promise.

And the stories continue to bubble.

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Thoughtfulness

One of the poetry groups I’m in has been asking about marketing ideas for books. Sometimes a little time and thoughtfulness can make all the difference to a reader. (I promise this story circles back around.)

Soo… I finally got around to uploading my Christmas photos from my camera to my computer, and there was one in particular I wanted to share. Often I give my friends and family books for holidays and birthdays and such. For Christmas I ordered a copy of Shawn Speakman’s The Dark Thorn for my sister. She loves fantasy and I love introducing people to new authors.

Anyway, the book came autographed! How cool is that! And come to find out, it was the first book my sister has owned that’s been autographed by an author. (Not counting any of my ramblings, of course. Because, you know, your sibling’s writing never counts.)

So I had to take a photo of my sister with her first autographed book. A little thoughtfulness made her holiday extra special.

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Trees – a Poem

I shared this poem with a small group of friends and got positive feedback, so I thought I’d share it with you all, too. Enjoy!

Trees

By Robin A. Burrows

Branches

Embraced

By blue delight.

Glass shackles

Twinkling

In sudden Brightness.

Murk cleared.

Doors opened.

Yet still bound

By invisible bonds

In trade winds –

To bend or shatter.

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2014 Writing Conferences In and Around Arkansas

As you look ahead to the events you’d like to attend this year, here are a few writing conferences in and around Arkansas (where I live). If you want to find writing conference in another state, check out Shaw Guides.

March 8, 2014 – Northwest Arkansas Writers Conference

This writing conference will be held at the Ozarks Electric building on Wedington Road in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The conference has no cost to attend. Check their website as the date approaches for further details.

April 24-27, 2014 – Arkansas Literary Festival

This festival held in Little Rock, Arkansas is a celebration of literacy. The event is primarily for readers, but there are usually a few sessions on writing and plenty of opportunities to meet good writers.

April 25-27, 2014 – Missouri SCBWI Advance Writers Retreat with Mary Kate Castellani

The Missouri SCBWI holds this writing retreat at the Elfindale Mansion in Springfield, Missouri. According to their website, they have already filled all of the slots for the retreat, but they have a waiting list.

May 1-3, 2014 – Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference (OWFI)

Eloisa James is the keynote speaker this year. The Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc’s annual conference will be held at the Embassy Suites in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Contest entries must be postmarked by February 1, 2014, but you can still register for the conference after that date.

May 3, 2014 – Dr. Lily Peter Celebration of Poetry, sponsored by the Poets’ Northwest Branch of the Poets Roundtable of Arkansas

This poetry conference/workshop will be held at the Shiloh Museum in Springdale, Arkansas. Contest entries are due by April 1, 2014. Cat Donnelly and Geoff Oelsner will be speaking. For more information, you can contact the event coordinator, Kate Lacy, at 479-442-8028.

May 16-17, 2014 – Arkansas Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Conference

The annual Arkansas SCBWI conference will feature a Karen Akins – children’s book author, Rachel Orr – an agent with Prospect Agency, Emellia Zamani – an editor with Scholastic, and Giuseppe Castellano – an Art Director at Penguin Young Readers Group. March 24, 2014 is the deadline to register if you wish to participate in a manuscript or illustration pitch or critique. It will be held at the William F. Laman Public Library in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

May 18, 2014 – Books in Bloom Festival

This festival in Eureka Springs, Arkansas celebrates writers and readers.

June 6-7, 2014 – Arkansas Writers Conference

The 70th annual Arkansas Writers Conference will be held at the Pulaski Technical College South Campus in Little Rock, Arkansas. Carla McClafferty is the keynote speaker. The contest deadline and early registration deadline are April 18, 2014. You can sign up for a pitch or a critique at various publishers.

September 6, 2014 – White County Creative Writers Conference

This conference held in Searcy, Arkansas on Labor Day weekend usually has contests you can submit writing for in advance. Check the group’s website as the conference approaches for more information.

September 6-7, 2014 – Missouri SCBWI Fall Conference

It will be held at Lindenwood University in St Charles, Missouri. Conference Faculty have not been announced yet. Check the Missouri SCBWI website closer to the event for details.

October 9-11, 2014 – Ozark Creative Writers Conference

This conference is held in the beautiful Eureka Springs, Arkansas and often has pitch sessions with editors or agents. Topics encompass all genres of creative writing, including poetry. They also sponsor a number of writing contests with deadlines prior to the conference date. Check the OCW website for more details.

October 24-26, 2014 – Arkansas SCBWI Retreat

The retreat will be held at the St. Scholastica Retreat Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Check the Arkansas SCBWI website in coming months for more details on the writing retreat. Typically it includes an agent or editor who specializes in children’s books, and writers in attendance can register for a one-on-one critique with the editor or agent.

October 2014 – Poets Roundtable of Arkansas 2014 Poetry Day

This fall poetry conference is in a different location around the state each time. This fall it will be held in Mountain Home, Arkansas and sponsored by the Free Verse Poetry Group of Mountain Home. Contest categories and deadlines will be posted on the PRA website as those deadlines approach.

November 15, 2014 – Ozark Writers League Fall Conference

The Ozarks Writers League meets in Branson, Missouri four times a year on the 3rd Saturday of February, May, August, and November, but the big contests and award banquet is at the November meeting. Contests entries are due by September 1, 2014.

This is just a small sampling of conferences in my tri-state area. If you would like to find writing conferences in another area, try searching Shaw Guides or Google for conferences near you.

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Life or Something Like It

Hi everyone.

Sorry I disappeared from the internet for a few weeks. We have been trying to sell our house and move closer to my day job which is currently 55 miles from our house.

We thought we had a buyer and suddenly had to find the right house for us to move to. So my life was consumed by house-buying-drama. We couldn’t look for a house sooner because we had to wait for our house to sell, and all of the houses we had originally looked at had sold by the time we got an offer on our house.

Well, the offer fell through, so we are back to “hurry-up-and-wait” and I’m back to trying to fit writing in when I can. It is a relief to have even this little writing time again. That’s another reason I can’t wait to move. I’ll have much more time in the evenings and part of it can go towards writing. I can’t wait for my life to finally begin (again).

Anyway, regular blogs return next week with a blog about writing conferences in and around Arkansas.

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Tips for Building New (Writing) Habits in the New Year

It’s a new year and time to take a fresh look at our dreams and goals. I will direct this post towards writers since that fits my goals, but the most of the tips are relevant to whatever you want to do.

I’ve tried New Year’s resolutions. I’m tried word count goals. I’ve tried the mass hysteria of group writing sprints. None of those worked very well for me.

I read something recently about well-known writers. They all have all sorts of weird, quirky habits that help them write. But they all also do one thing in common: they write regularly (everyday in most cases). Sure you can sit down, be inspired and write for hours on end; but how often are you so inspired or have time for that? A person who writes regularly will make progress so much faster than someone who doesn’t. That regular habit eventually makes the difference in skill, too.

I was a good writer once. I had a plan and a schedule and good writing habits. I worked on my novel every day or nearly every day. I had daily goals and weekly goals. And sure it took me 4 1/2 months to complete a draft of my novel, but that was a lot faster than the “write when you’re inspired” people I knew. Then, life struck. I changed day jobs, had a significantly longer commute with a higher stress level and more evening responsibilities. I was so tired in the evenings I didn’t feel like doing much of anything. But I want to be a good little writer again. I want to publish lots of books. But that’s a very big dream.

One of the mistakes I’ve made in the past is trying to work on the big picture. But that doesn’t work. You can’t control whether a publishing house likes your work. A lot is subjective, out of your hands. You have to set goals which you can control. Small goals that are easily achievable make your big goal less daunting while working towards it. The best way to do that is break your goal into pieces. But don’t stop there. What would help you continue working on the pieces? Developing good habits.

As a writer, a good habit-goal is to plan to write something (anything) for a few minutes everyday. Early on, it’s more important to build the habit than stride quickly towards your goal. By first building good habits, you will be more likely to continue those habits on days you don’t really feel like doing anything. Try not to miss any days (or maybe just one day off each week) because especially in the early stages, doing something every day is important to building the habit. Building a habit of writing every day will also reduce the chances of your muse or inner critic panicking when you sit down in front of a blank page. There is less pressure when something is commonplace.

Once you are comfortable with the habit, increase the minimum time you spend on it. You can always write more than your minimum time, but those small minimum writing goals early on help trick you into sitting down for just a few minutes and writing for longer without added pressure of large personal goals.

It may not seem like a lot, but it will add up. One day you’ll look back and either ask where the year went or how you made it so far without realizing it. Little achievements build confidence and prepare us for larger ones.

Join me this year and develop the good habits that will become the ground-work for achieving your goals.

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A Quivering Ball – A Poem

A Quivering Ball

By Robin A. Burrows

Clouds coalescing

Rain droplets

on a wet face

A floodplain

overwhelmed

and washed away

A star

birthing

or dying

Simple things

shrouded

in colors

so loud

Longings and loss

That which could not be

Dreams deferred

Time wasted

Distance

All sorrows

become one -

a ball

quivering

with every breath.

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