Beth Bishop's Blog, page 14
May 9, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Twelve, Part Two
Map, Glossary
AttackPART TWO (of 2)
Back at the stables, I took a fresh mount, gathered the rest of the men who came into the city with me, and rode from the house to the riverside gate. The rest of the troop had finished their patrols of the city walls, and so I left five to continue the survey and bid the rest join me. At a gallop, we headed south toward the central outpost, but it was only four lengths of Vaalhom before we encountered a skirmish.Part of the forest was on fire, an...
AttackPART TWO (of 2)
Back at the stables, I took a fresh mount, gathered the rest of the men who came into the city with me, and rode from the house to the riverside gate. The rest of the troop had finished their patrols of the city walls, and so I left five to continue the survey and bid the rest join me. At a gallop, we headed south toward the central outpost, but it was only four lengths of Vaalhom before we encountered a skirmish.Part of the forest was on fire, an...
May 8, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Twelve, Part One
Map, Glossary
AttackPART ONE
We rode hard and rested little but with excellent results. Only two nights later at midnight, the troops made it to where Lady Mahlia had posted men on the road to watch. I sent Maercas to see about the Lady and appointed four of my men to stand guard with those from Vaalhom. From the Vaalhom, we learned the layout of the guard, and I ordered more of my troops to spread throughout the wood to make camp, fully encircling and occupying the area. ...
AttackPART ONE
We rode hard and rested little but with excellent results. Only two nights later at midnight, the troops made it to where Lady Mahlia had posted men on the road to watch. I sent Maercas to see about the Lady and appointed four of my men to stand guard with those from Vaalhom. From the Vaalhom, we learned the layout of the guard, and I ordered more of my troops to spread throughout the wood to make camp, fully encircling and occupying the area. ...
May 7, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Eleven, Part Two
Map, Glossary
ProposalsPART TWO (of 2)
When we returned to the royal house, Fen bid me good day, and I took my midday meal with Envaal and my father in the family study. While we ate, my father outlined for me the pros of marrying Lohen. Vaalhom could certainly benefit from more of my presence. I would be there to oversee the construction of the new outposts as well as to practice military maneuvers with the army. If our enemies knew the Fifth was in Vaalhom on a more re...
ProposalsPART TWO (of 2)
When we returned to the royal house, Fen bid me good day, and I took my midday meal with Envaal and my father in the family study. While we ate, my father outlined for me the pros of marrying Lohen. Vaalhom could certainly benefit from more of my presence. I would be there to oversee the construction of the new outposts as well as to practice military maneuvers with the army. If our enemies knew the Fifth was in Vaalhom on a more re...
May 6, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Eleven, Part one
Map, Glossary
ProposalsPART ONE
At the feast, I listened while Rayna recounted my Calling of the unkray for Kessa. I sat between them, doing my best to be polite and contribute to conversation. The few times I made eye contact with Envaal, he looked blank. When the feast concluded, I danced and found that what little I learned from Mother was enough to prevent me from embarrassing myself. I danced with a few cousins before I found my way into Maercas’ arms. It cert...
ProposalsPART ONE
At the feast, I listened while Rayna recounted my Calling of the unkray for Kessa. I sat between them, doing my best to be polite and contribute to conversation. The few times I made eye contact with Envaal, he looked blank. When the feast concluded, I danced and found that what little I learned from Mother was enough to prevent me from embarrassing myself. I danced with a few cousins before I found my way into Maercas’ arms. It cert...
May 5, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Ten, Part Two
Map, Glossary
MeetingsPART TWO (of 2)
I found Fen and Rayna waiting for me between the staircases. As I approached them, Rayna curtsied.“Can I be of some assistance?” I asked. “Pardon,” she said. “If you are busy…?”“Not at the moment.”“Jahleen, are you quite healed?” Fen asked.“I now only have the memory of it.” I lifted my tunic to show them I had no scar. Fen reached out and traced a finger over where the wound had been. He withdrew his hand quickly and said, “Fo...
MeetingsPART TWO (of 2)
I found Fen and Rayna waiting for me between the staircases. As I approached them, Rayna curtsied.“Can I be of some assistance?” I asked. “Pardon,” she said. “If you are busy…?”“Not at the moment.”“Jahleen, are you quite healed?” Fen asked.“I now only have the memory of it.” I lifted my tunic to show them I had no scar. Fen reached out and traced a finger over where the wound had been. He withdrew his hand quickly and said, “Fo...
May 4, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Ten, Part One
Map, Glossary
MeetingsPART ONE
The frigid morning air poured over my body. I was numb and stiff from sleeping on the floor. I felt the warmth of the grite along my back, its breath on my neck, and one of its paws across my waist. Although I was still a bit tired, I had to get up and prepare for the morning meeting with Father and the other leaders. When I pulled away from the grite, it mewled softly and curled into a tight ball. I stretched out my aching limbs and...
MeetingsPART ONE
The frigid morning air poured over my body. I was numb and stiff from sleeping on the floor. I felt the warmth of the grite along my back, its breath on my neck, and one of its paws across my waist. Although I was still a bit tired, I had to get up and prepare for the morning meeting with Father and the other leaders. When I pulled away from the grite, it mewled softly and curled into a tight ball. I stretched out my aching limbs and...
May 3, 2014
Progress!
I have this manuscript I've been working on for almost four years. I wrote about fifteen pages of it in one hour and then let it sit. Other projects came along or demanded attention. I had a kid. I finished my PhD, got a job, moved. Et cetera.
Now, I'm giving Camellia's story a break so I can be sure I like how book 7 ends and figure out what she should do next. While that cooks, I decided to go back to this little story. This story that Fluffy says is the best thing I've ever written. He's pr...
Now, I'm giving Camellia's story a break so I can be sure I like how book 7 ends and figure out what she should do next. While that cooks, I decided to go back to this little story. This story that Fluffy says is the best thing I've ever written. He's pr...
THE FIFTH: Chapter Nine, Part Two
The end of chapter nine marks the halfway point in the novel. To those of you who have been reading, thanks, and I'd love to hear your feedback, if you have any.
Map, Glossary
CuriousPART TWO (of 2)
I stopped in front of Fen's room and knocked lightly on the door. Expecting him to be at the dance, I was already opening his door when he called, “Come.”I silently cursed. I had counted on his absence and not that he would be hiding out in his room the way I had been. I needed the...
Map, Glossary
CuriousPART TWO (of 2)
I stopped in front of Fen's room and knocked lightly on the door. Expecting him to be at the dance, I was already opening his door when he called, “Come.”I silently cursed. I had counted on his absence and not that he would be hiding out in his room the way I had been. I needed the...
May 2, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Nine, Part One
Map, Glossary
CuriousPART ONEChapter NineCurious
It was just after three-quarters day when Bromion, Usnel, Yasid, and I delivered the bodies of the fallen to the burial overseer for preparation and burial in the cemetery behind the royal house. Yasid would see that the families received pensions. I asked Usnel to select additional men for the three outposts nearest the western crossroads. I saw Bromion back to his house and promised myself to find time to patrol those outposts...
CuriousPART ONEChapter NineCurious
It was just after three-quarters day when Bromion, Usnel, Yasid, and I delivered the bodies of the fallen to the burial overseer for preparation and burial in the cemetery behind the royal house. Yasid would see that the families received pensions. I asked Usnel to select additional men for the three outposts nearest the western crossroads. I saw Bromion back to his house and promised myself to find time to patrol those outposts...
