Rival Gates's Blog, page 25
March 23, 2016
Publishing A Book
Well, it’s done. All the marketing materials for my next book are finished. That means I can send it to my publisher as soon as I hear back from my agent. At long last I will be able to send my manuscript in for editing (somewhere in the lineup). The next step in the process is to send it to my agent. She will present it to the publisher and they will accept or reject it. Since my contract owes them 3 more books, I think they will accept it. Then they will put it in line to be published. When the time comes, several months later, an editor and an illustrator will be assigned to the book. Then we will have the back and forth of what must go and what must stay in the manuscript. It’s like a tug of in a sense and can be easy or very difficult. Once the edits are approved we work on the illustration. My experiences have been very good with this part as the illustrator often sees my vision quite clearly. When that is all done it is sent through to finishing. Then you are sent you new, crisp, clean book. Then your work really begins. You have to promote it. That means appearing on blogs and getting people to review your book. There might be contests and if you’re lucky, book signings. This is your baby. If you don’t sell it, no one else will.
March 22, 2016
Tusday Excerpt, "Revenge"
“It would seem that I have chosen a battle I cannot win with
this leg of mine. You do remember the lesson about that, don’t
you?”
“Yes, school master…Fight no battle you cannot win. It was the
second lesson you taught me. It followed the one about never
underestimating an opponent. I never forgot.”
“You may not have forgotten, Lad, but you have paid them no
heed.”
Mandrean jerked his head over at Gramlick who knew he had
special privileges at that moment. The emperor’s teeth ground
together, and his face tightened.
“Tathbar knew the rule and deliberately broke it,” Mandrean
fumed. “And Grithinshield will pay for all the trouble he has
caused.”
Gramlick’s vision was failing so he paid attention to the
direction of Mandrean’s voice to maintain the illusion of sight. “I
think you give the Sartanian too much credit. Our troubles are not
his doing.”
“How can you say that?” Mandrean erupted while coming to
the bedside. “You know what happened. That man humiliated me.
He destroyed my palace…annihilated my elite guard, crushed
entire legions, and left me for dead in a pool of my own blood. Oh,
I give him credit. I credit him with creating this foul climate
throughout the empire. He has wronged me in the worst possible
ways, and he will pay for it. All will see that no one betters Lord
Mandrean and lives.
“He must die, to be sure, and his death will renew the people’s
confidence in me. The army’s morale will improve, and the
impotent group I met with earlier will pour the glory upon me like
a shower of golden raindrops. Forget the grain. The death of
Linvin Grithinshield will bring me all I desire.”
Gramlick was completely blind by the end of the oration. His
time was short. Mandrean had finally voiced his opinion, and
Gramlick had little time to get his point across.
“Boy. Grithinshield did not make the crops fail or the
conquered territory rebellious or the roads crumble or the Goblin
Nations fight. You credit the man for too much. His death will not
solve these problems. Most have forgotten the incident in the
mountains. The only person keeping this issue alive is you. You
seek revenge. That is an expensive thing that a wise emperor
knows he cannot afford.”
Mandrean was so self-involved that he paid no heed to the
faltering voice of his mentor. “I will have that revenge no matter
the cost!”
“Child, you have tried for a year to kill him. How many
assassins have returned—how many soldiers?” Gramlick began to
shake and start convulsions.
“Stay with me, schoolmaster,” Mandrean pleaded as he clasped
the general’s hand. “I need you.”
Gramlick fought to speak as his body contorted.
“There…is...more you must know. Acreas, Betrimpia and
Necromancer…. Don’t trust them.… They all want you dead for
their own…” Gramlick’s body stopped fighting and collapsed on
the bed.
this leg of mine. You do remember the lesson about that, don’t
you?”
“Yes, school master…Fight no battle you cannot win. It was the
second lesson you taught me. It followed the one about never
underestimating an opponent. I never forgot.”
“You may not have forgotten, Lad, but you have paid them no
heed.”
Mandrean jerked his head over at Gramlick who knew he had
special privileges at that moment. The emperor’s teeth ground
together, and his face tightened.
“Tathbar knew the rule and deliberately broke it,” Mandrean
fumed. “And Grithinshield will pay for all the trouble he has
caused.”
Gramlick’s vision was failing so he paid attention to the
direction of Mandrean’s voice to maintain the illusion of sight. “I
think you give the Sartanian too much credit. Our troubles are not
his doing.”
“How can you say that?” Mandrean erupted while coming to
the bedside. “You know what happened. That man humiliated me.
He destroyed my palace…annihilated my elite guard, crushed
entire legions, and left me for dead in a pool of my own blood. Oh,
I give him credit. I credit him with creating this foul climate
throughout the empire. He has wronged me in the worst possible
ways, and he will pay for it. All will see that no one betters Lord
Mandrean and lives.
“He must die, to be sure, and his death will renew the people’s
confidence in me. The army’s morale will improve, and the
impotent group I met with earlier will pour the glory upon me like
a shower of golden raindrops. Forget the grain. The death of
Linvin Grithinshield will bring me all I desire.”
Gramlick was completely blind by the end of the oration. His
time was short. Mandrean had finally voiced his opinion, and
Gramlick had little time to get his point across.
“Boy. Grithinshield did not make the crops fail or the
conquered territory rebellious or the roads crumble or the Goblin
Nations fight. You credit the man for too much. His death will not
solve these problems. Most have forgotten the incident in the
mountains. The only person keeping this issue alive is you. You
seek revenge. That is an expensive thing that a wise emperor
knows he cannot afford.”
Mandrean was so self-involved that he paid no heed to the
faltering voice of his mentor. “I will have that revenge no matter
the cost!”
“Child, you have tried for a year to kill him. How many
assassins have returned—how many soldiers?” Gramlick began to
shake and start convulsions.
“Stay with me, schoolmaster,” Mandrean pleaded as he clasped
the general’s hand. “I need you.”
Gramlick fought to speak as his body contorted.
“There…is...more you must know. Acreas, Betrimpia and
Necromancer…. Don’t trust them.… They all want you dead for
their own…” Gramlick’s body stopped fighting and collapsed on
the bed.
March 19, 2016
Saturday Excerept, "Quest"
Rander wanted to run but could not move. He could not look Linvin in the eyes. Instead, Rander looked down and spoke in a quivering voice, “I don’t believe a word you said. You’re all talk.”
Linvin looked down, noticing Rander’s soiled trousers and gave a wry smile. “Your body says otherwise. It's finally time to see which of you is right.”
As Linvin reached for Rander, Anvar gave a shrieking scream. “Do not touch him!” Linvin paid no heed. “Linvin!” Anvar yelled again. “Harm him and I am leaving. You must show better control than this.”
Linvin paused, but did not look at his uncle. “He insulted my father and me.”
“For that, you would kill your cousin?” Anvar reasoned.
“It sounds like a good idea at this moment,” Linvin stated firmly.
“Well, I wish I had brought diapers, because the two of you are acting like babies.”
“Linvin, how can you gain the Red Sapphire and accomplish all that you must if you cannot control your temper with a pathetic little parasite like Rander? You are bigger than this. Attacking out of anger? Letting pride cloud your judgment? That is not the person the gem wanted. Deep down, the staff knows how good you are. It takes hard work to be that man. He is in you. The question is whether you will grow into the man inside you, or continue to let these petty disputes lead you astray. If you choose the latter, then go ahead and kill him.
If you do, though, then I would have misjudged you and I would leave you immediately.”
Linvin felt the burn of the scathing words in his very soul. They cut deeply and brought about shame over his actions. As his head cleared, he knew Anvar was right. Killing Rander would solve nothing, though the passionate part of him would argue the point.
Rander watched Linvin process the information. As the anger dissipated from his cousin, he smiled and looked to exploit the weakness. It was at that moment, that Anvar briskly strode over and slapped him across the face with the back of his hand. Despite his age, Anvar delivered quite a blow. He repeated the move, this time hitting the other side of Rander’s face.
“And as for you,” Anvar snorted in the face of his younger nephew, “were it not for the stench you have doused yourself in, I would put you over my knee and take a switch to you!”
“I’m too old for that!” Rander fired back. “I am a man now.”
“Then try acting like one!” yelled Anvar. “Inciting Linvin is no way to prove anything, other than the fact that you are a rotten little child with a death wish. If you are as smart as I actually believe you are, then you know that Linvin is not your enemy. When things get dangerous on this journey, as I am sure they will, you will be glad to have him by your side and not opposed to you.
“As for Linvin’s credentials, I can vouch that all he has told you is true, but do not ever let me hear comments like that from you again.”
Linvin looked down, noticing Rander’s soiled trousers and gave a wry smile. “Your body says otherwise. It's finally time to see which of you is right.”
As Linvin reached for Rander, Anvar gave a shrieking scream. “Do not touch him!” Linvin paid no heed. “Linvin!” Anvar yelled again. “Harm him and I am leaving. You must show better control than this.”
Linvin paused, but did not look at his uncle. “He insulted my father and me.”
“For that, you would kill your cousin?” Anvar reasoned.
“It sounds like a good idea at this moment,” Linvin stated firmly.
“Well, I wish I had brought diapers, because the two of you are acting like babies.”
“Linvin, how can you gain the Red Sapphire and accomplish all that you must if you cannot control your temper with a pathetic little parasite like Rander? You are bigger than this. Attacking out of anger? Letting pride cloud your judgment? That is not the person the gem wanted. Deep down, the staff knows how good you are. It takes hard work to be that man. He is in you. The question is whether you will grow into the man inside you, or continue to let these petty disputes lead you astray. If you choose the latter, then go ahead and kill him.
If you do, though, then I would have misjudged you and I would leave you immediately.”
Linvin felt the burn of the scathing words in his very soul. They cut deeply and brought about shame over his actions. As his head cleared, he knew Anvar was right. Killing Rander would solve nothing, though the passionate part of him would argue the point.
Rander watched Linvin process the information. As the anger dissipated from his cousin, he smiled and looked to exploit the weakness. It was at that moment, that Anvar briskly strode over and slapped him across the face with the back of his hand. Despite his age, Anvar delivered quite a blow. He repeated the move, this time hitting the other side of Rander’s face.
“And as for you,” Anvar snorted in the face of his younger nephew, “were it not for the stench you have doused yourself in, I would put you over my knee and take a switch to you!”
“I’m too old for that!” Rander fired back. “I am a man now.”
“Then try acting like one!” yelled Anvar. “Inciting Linvin is no way to prove anything, other than the fact that you are a rotten little child with a death wish. If you are as smart as I actually believe you are, then you know that Linvin is not your enemy. When things get dangerous on this journey, as I am sure they will, you will be glad to have him by your side and not opposed to you.
“As for Linvin’s credentials, I can vouch that all he has told you is true, but do not ever let me hear comments like that from you again.”
March 16, 2016
2 Bad Choices
Have you ever been in a situation where no choice was a winner? No matter what you did, the outcome would be bad. That’s the situation my protagonist, Linvin Grithinshield finds himself facing in my latest book, “Mandrean Revenge.” The closest person to him in the world is his Uncle Anvar but he has been kidnapped by the evil Emperor Mandrean and his Necromancer. Linvin is given an ultimatum. He must either surrender to Mandrean for execution before the first frost or Anvar will be killed. Linvin knows they will kill Anvar anyway but he feels he cannot abandon his uncle. He must try to save Anvar. All the advice he is given is to stay home and not fall for the trap. Linvin knows Mandrean will hold Anvar as leverage to make Linvin surrender without a fight. Filled with no hope of victory, he sets off for the Mandrean Empire and his date with destiny. The funny thing about destiny is it never happens just as you plan. Linvin runs into all sorts of adventures along the way and his path changes. The story is full of excitement, intrigue, betrayal and of course, action. This is the third installment of the “Sapphire Chronicles”. In the first two, “Quest for the Red Sapphire” and “The Sapphire Crucible” Linvin, Anvar and the twin cousins Bander and Rander first meet up with the Mandreans when they are looking for the Red Sapphire. There is plenty of action to be had and lessons to be learned as Linvin becomes worthy of the gem and its power. Now it seems in the third book, Linvin is paying for any successes he had earlier. So the question remains, what would you do if you were him?
March 15, 2016
Tuesday Excerpt, "Crucible"
Though his eyes were captivated by the luminance of the stone, Mandrean’s mind felt a resurgence of energy he hadn’t felt since he served in the army. The energy sparked the most diabolical and wicked parts of his character. He felt a bond with the gem like an appendage that was missing and had been reunited. Evil thoughts of murder and conquest raced to his consciousness. At long last, he had the power to reform the world, as he wanted.
As the others in the room collected themselves Mandrean cast a cunning glare at the map, which had been left unobstructed by furniture or people. His eyes glazed over as a frenzied speech left his lips.
“Romadon will fall with ease. Let the Goblin Nations dare to interfere. I will leave their bones for the buzzards. Sartan is weak and unprepared. They too will fall with ease. Valia and the countries to the east will beg for mercy before the end. They will get no such satisfaction. Those who survive the slaughter will be my slaves building the Empire to which I am entitled.
“However, before my plans can be put into action, I must find and kill that weakling half-elf who escaped my clutches today.”
“He burned your capital and nearly killed you,” Necromancer added. “Remember?”
“I remember,” Mandrean said firmly. “His tale is about to end. Necromancer, I can feel the power of the Blue Sapphire but sense no way to use it.”
The Magician answered, “The gem said it would give you the power through the Path of the Blue Sapphire. I told you one use of the staff Linvin carried was to find the chest. The other seems to be as a conductor of the stone’s power. In order to use the full power of the Blue Sapphire, you would need to insert it in the afore mentioned Path of the Blue Sapphire, or Blue Staff.”
“Alright then,” Mandrean acknowledged. “Where is the Blue Staff?”
“I have no idea,” Necromancer answered plainly. “You have had us searching for the Red Staff and key for the chest. The Blue Staff could be anywhere. When you consider how long it took to find the Red Staff, it could be some time before we locate it, if ever.”
“Then I have all this power in my hand and I cannot even use it!” Mandrean screeched.
Necromancer held out his palms in an appeasing manner and said, “Let me think for a moment.” He looked closely at the Blue Sapphire and rubbed his chin. “I believe I could create a substitute until the real staff is discovered. It would allow you to harness most of the gem’s power and still be an even match for Grithinshield.”
“An even match?” the pompous Emperor roared. “I will be more than that. I will crush his throat with my very boot. How long will it take you to fashion the device for me to use the gem?”
Again Necromancer rubbed his chin and looked at the Blue Sapphire. “I would say it would take about two days. After that, I can explain to you how to use its power.”
“You can teach me on the road,” Mandrean replied. “Go to your work area and commence construction immediately.”
As the others in the room collected themselves Mandrean cast a cunning glare at the map, which had been left unobstructed by furniture or people. His eyes glazed over as a frenzied speech left his lips.
“Romadon will fall with ease. Let the Goblin Nations dare to interfere. I will leave their bones for the buzzards. Sartan is weak and unprepared. They too will fall with ease. Valia and the countries to the east will beg for mercy before the end. They will get no such satisfaction. Those who survive the slaughter will be my slaves building the Empire to which I am entitled.
“However, before my plans can be put into action, I must find and kill that weakling half-elf who escaped my clutches today.”
“He burned your capital and nearly killed you,” Necromancer added. “Remember?”
“I remember,” Mandrean said firmly. “His tale is about to end. Necromancer, I can feel the power of the Blue Sapphire but sense no way to use it.”
The Magician answered, “The gem said it would give you the power through the Path of the Blue Sapphire. I told you one use of the staff Linvin carried was to find the chest. The other seems to be as a conductor of the stone’s power. In order to use the full power of the Blue Sapphire, you would need to insert it in the afore mentioned Path of the Blue Sapphire, or Blue Staff.”
“Alright then,” Mandrean acknowledged. “Where is the Blue Staff?”
“I have no idea,” Necromancer answered plainly. “You have had us searching for the Red Staff and key for the chest. The Blue Staff could be anywhere. When you consider how long it took to find the Red Staff, it could be some time before we locate it, if ever.”
“Then I have all this power in my hand and I cannot even use it!” Mandrean screeched.
Necromancer held out his palms in an appeasing manner and said, “Let me think for a moment.” He looked closely at the Blue Sapphire and rubbed his chin. “I believe I could create a substitute until the real staff is discovered. It would allow you to harness most of the gem’s power and still be an even match for Grithinshield.”
“An even match?” the pompous Emperor roared. “I will be more than that. I will crush his throat with my very boot. How long will it take you to fashion the device for me to use the gem?”
Again Necromancer rubbed his chin and looked at the Blue Sapphire. “I would say it would take about two days. After that, I can explain to you how to use its power.”
“You can teach me on the road,” Mandrean replied. “Go to your work area and commence construction immediately.”
March 13, 2016
Sunday Excerpt, "Quest"
“Is something wrong?” he asked. Linvin’s face was red and his eyes stared fiercely at his uncle.
“Why did you not tell me we were goingthere?” Linvin demanded. Anvar sighed. “Just hear me out,” he pleaded with his palms outstretched. “I did not originally plan to go there, but when I found out we were headed this way anyway, I realized it was a good opportunity to get some help that we could trust.”
Linvin fumed, “Help? Trust them?”
“They are family,” Anvar implored.
“Family does not treat one another as they have treated me!” Linvin snarled.
“Linvin, much time has passed and you are all adults now. Do you not see that the odds of either one of us returning from this quest are low? Two extra swords will double our chances.”
“They will double our chances of being stabbed in the back!” corrected Linvin.
Now Linvin could see why Anvar held back the information. Had he known where they were headed, Linvin would not have come.
“So you just expect me to forget about all the years of fighting with them?” Linvin yelled as he pointed down the road. “All the comments they have made! All the vile things they have done to my parents and me! You are asking me to forgive those who terrorized my childhood. You are asking me to forgive those who would never forgive me.”
Anvar put his hand on Linvin’s shoulder and replied softly, “Yes I am,Linvin. I am asking you to be the bigger man. I am asking you to look at the bigger picture and let go of your hate. I am asking you to offer them your hand in peace, knowing full ~ 202 ~
well what has transpired between you. Like it or not, you need them. The master of the Red Sapphire will need to know how to swallow his pride for the greater good.”
“What you ask is not as simple as blowing out a candle,” Linvin stated as he looked into the distance to disguise a tear. “They never gave me a chance. I was never treated fairly. You were there. Do you not understand why I hate them?”
“Why did you not tell me we were goingthere?” Linvin demanded. Anvar sighed. “Just hear me out,” he pleaded with his palms outstretched. “I did not originally plan to go there, but when I found out we were headed this way anyway, I realized it was a good opportunity to get some help that we could trust.”
Linvin fumed, “Help? Trust them?”
“They are family,” Anvar implored.
“Family does not treat one another as they have treated me!” Linvin snarled.
“Linvin, much time has passed and you are all adults now. Do you not see that the odds of either one of us returning from this quest are low? Two extra swords will double our chances.”
“They will double our chances of being stabbed in the back!” corrected Linvin.
Now Linvin could see why Anvar held back the information. Had he known where they were headed, Linvin would not have come.
“So you just expect me to forget about all the years of fighting with them?” Linvin yelled as he pointed down the road. “All the comments they have made! All the vile things they have done to my parents and me! You are asking me to forgive those who terrorized my childhood. You are asking me to forgive those who would never forgive me.”
Anvar put his hand on Linvin’s shoulder and replied softly, “Yes I am,Linvin. I am asking you to be the bigger man. I am asking you to look at the bigger picture and let go of your hate. I am asking you to offer them your hand in peace, knowing full ~ 202 ~
well what has transpired between you. Like it or not, you need them. The master of the Red Sapphire will need to know how to swallow his pride for the greater good.”
“What you ask is not as simple as blowing out a candle,” Linvin stated as he looked into the distance to disguise a tear. “They never gave me a chance. I was never treated fairly. You were there. Do you not understand why I hate them?”
March 9, 2016
Odd Questions
Today is a question day. I just have some questions swimming around in my head. My first question is: why do all people look better in sunglasses. Have you ever noticed that? I am not photogenic but in the few pictures I feel I look good in I am wearing sunglasses. You can look at celebrities or normal people. If there is a picture of them with and without sunglasses, they always, always, always look better in the shades. Why is that? It was a point brought up to me by a friend years ago about Billy Joel. She said she thought he was handsome, but only when he wore his sunglasses on stage. Therefore I have decided to name this the “Billy Joel Effect.” Are we intimidated by other people’s eyes? Back in school I took a Persuasion class. (Yes, it’s a class.) One of the things I learned was that humans are subconsciously attracted to wide eyes. That is the reason turning down the lights in romantic situations is so effective. If I extrapolate, it could be said that the Billy Joel Effect is caused by what look like big eyes. I admit it’s a stretch but it’s the best answer I could figure out. Next. When you fill out an application for something and it asks what sex you are, it usually says it doesn’t have any bearing on the result. If that is so then why do they ask the question? If it doesn’t matter that I’m a man, then why go there? There must be a quota or government benefit we aren’t told about. It just seems like an odd question if it has no meaning. Moving on. Can anyone describe that new car smell? Why is it so intoxicating? Admit it. When you get in a new car at the dealer the first thing you do is breathe in deeply. That smell just makes you want to take the car home. A friend who sold cars told me they actually spray that scent in the cars. So what is it? Is it some pheromone attracting us on a subconscious level? Perhaps it triggers an effect of excitement? Whatever the smell is, it is there on purpose and I can’t even describe it to you. Lastly, when you’re out for dinner, why do women go to the bathroom together? Men NEVER go to the bathroom together. I wrote a paper in college hypothesizing that there is actually a bar in the lady’s room and tables for massages. After all, I don’t go in the lady’s room so I don’t know. There could be a whole different world in there men don’t know about. Or maybe they just want to talk about us. I like the bar idea better.
March 8, 2016
Tuesday Excerpt, "Revenge"
Linvin placed his hands on his hips and surveyed the view.
Ascending stands rose on the right and left of him holding the
elected assemblymen. King Trigonan sat impatiently on his throne
before Linvin and was the first to speak.
“Good day to you, Lord Grithinshield. Or should I say, ‘good
evening’? I am told you kept me and this entire body waiting while
you counted your money. Is this so?”
Linvin chuckled with no sign of intimidation and responded,
“As with all lies and hearsay, there is a morsel of truth to your
statement. I was managing a conflict within my company, and the
parties took longer to settle their differences than I had expected.
My tardiness in no way reflects my respect for you or this body. If
I have offended anyone in this great room, I am truly sorry. Should
you wish it, I will take leave of you and set another appointment
whenever I happen into town again.”
The king’s expression changed from mild anger to frightened
alarm. “There is no need to reschedule, Lord Grithinshield. We
were merely eager to seek your council on some matters.”
“Then, by all means,” Linvin said as he moved closer to
Trigonan. “Let us talk. I see that you have decided to increase the
size of the army as I had suggested. Have you settled on a troop
level?”
The king looked to his advisors and then answered, “There is
not a set number in mind, but we want to be prepared in case we
need to summon our militia if war arises.”
“Militia,” Linvin repeated with repulsion. “Do you mean to tell
me you have purchased arms for an army you have not and do not
intend to raise?”
An anonymous voice from one of the stands cried out, “Armies
cost money and are of little use unless there is war. They simply
drain the treasury. What is your complaint, Grithinshield? You are
being well paid. Isn’t that what this was all about?”
Linvin glared angrily at the boisterous mob. “Once again it
seems my words are misunderstood. The Mandreans are a
significant threat to our national security. Militias carrying even
the finest weapons are no match for trained legions. Did you not
heed my warning two years ago?”
Trigonan raised his hand to silence the assembly. “Lord
Grithinshield, this room took your words most seriously when you
were last here. In the time since, we have taken measures to assure
our continued safety from the Mandrean threat.”
Linvin produced the staff holding the Red Sapphire and stood at
attention. “Exactly what steps have you taken?”
The king looked nervously at his cabinet and then spoke.
“Aside from the afore-mentioned arms buildup, we have begun
paring down Thornhaven Forest.”
Linvin’s eyes widened at the utterance. “Exactly how much
have you ‘paired down’ the forest?”
King Trigonan stood tall with his hands behind his back and
spoke as he paced before his throne. “We have created a highway
wide enough to march two-hundred men abreast straight into the
Unclaimed Territory. The forest is no longer a barrier for us.”
“Or them,” fumed Linvin. “The very fact that Thornhaven was
virtually impenetrable to an army was what saved our nation the
last time we tangled with the Mandreans. Now you clear a road
they could easily use to invade Sartan. And rather than train an
army of sufficient size to protect us, you plan to rely on militia?”
Ascending stands rose on the right and left of him holding the
elected assemblymen. King Trigonan sat impatiently on his throne
before Linvin and was the first to speak.
“Good day to you, Lord Grithinshield. Or should I say, ‘good
evening’? I am told you kept me and this entire body waiting while
you counted your money. Is this so?”
Linvin chuckled with no sign of intimidation and responded,
“As with all lies and hearsay, there is a morsel of truth to your
statement. I was managing a conflict within my company, and the
parties took longer to settle their differences than I had expected.
My tardiness in no way reflects my respect for you or this body. If
I have offended anyone in this great room, I am truly sorry. Should
you wish it, I will take leave of you and set another appointment
whenever I happen into town again.”
The king’s expression changed from mild anger to frightened
alarm. “There is no need to reschedule, Lord Grithinshield. We
were merely eager to seek your council on some matters.”
“Then, by all means,” Linvin said as he moved closer to
Trigonan. “Let us talk. I see that you have decided to increase the
size of the army as I had suggested. Have you settled on a troop
level?”
The king looked to his advisors and then answered, “There is
not a set number in mind, but we want to be prepared in case we
need to summon our militia if war arises.”
“Militia,” Linvin repeated with repulsion. “Do you mean to tell
me you have purchased arms for an army you have not and do not
intend to raise?”
An anonymous voice from one of the stands cried out, “Armies
cost money and are of little use unless there is war. They simply
drain the treasury. What is your complaint, Grithinshield? You are
being well paid. Isn’t that what this was all about?”
Linvin glared angrily at the boisterous mob. “Once again it
seems my words are misunderstood. The Mandreans are a
significant threat to our national security. Militias carrying even
the finest weapons are no match for trained legions. Did you not
heed my warning two years ago?”
Trigonan raised his hand to silence the assembly. “Lord
Grithinshield, this room took your words most seriously when you
were last here. In the time since, we have taken measures to assure
our continued safety from the Mandrean threat.”
Linvin produced the staff holding the Red Sapphire and stood at
attention. “Exactly what steps have you taken?”
The king looked nervously at his cabinet and then spoke.
“Aside from the afore-mentioned arms buildup, we have begun
paring down Thornhaven Forest.”
Linvin’s eyes widened at the utterance. “Exactly how much
have you ‘paired down’ the forest?”
King Trigonan stood tall with his hands behind his back and
spoke as he paced before his throne. “We have created a highway
wide enough to march two-hundred men abreast straight into the
Unclaimed Territory. The forest is no longer a barrier for us.”
“Or them,” fumed Linvin. “The very fact that Thornhaven was
virtually impenetrable to an army was what saved our nation the
last time we tangled with the Mandreans. Now you clear a road
they could easily use to invade Sartan. And rather than train an
army of sufficient size to protect us, you plan to rely on militia?”
March 6, 2016
Sunday Excerpt, "Crucible"
Necromancer once again hovered down the makeshift hallway toward his seat. “I only did so at the request of his Eminence. As you know, I cannot refuse his commands. Still, you are right. I did destroy the doors to free our beloved Emperor after that scoundrel Grithinshield imprisoned him in his own throne room. After that I had nothing to do with Linvin grating the Imperial Standard in the hall, destroying that beautiful staircase, killing all those soldiers, skewering the Head Jailor, freeing the Princess of Romadon, demolishing the top of the tower and torching our Capital. No General, I cannot take credit for those acts. Oh, by the way. If you intend to send any messages, I would wait. It would seem our former guest ran off the horses at the message depot and killed the guards.” The smug sorcerer quietly sat on his small, backless chair.
Necromancer’s comments refueled the fire burning inside Mandrean who stormed over to address his servant. “You have questions to answer here as well.”
In his usual sarcastic tone Necromancer answered. “As always, I am at your disposal.”
“Why did you not tell me the Red Sapphire would not serve me, but it would kill me if I touched it with so much as a finger?” Mandrean demanded. “Perhaps you wanted me dead? Maybe that was your plan all along? That would suit your purposes well, would it not?”
Necromancer casually raised a hand and waived it in his master’s face as if the notion was laughable. “Come now Most Magnificent One. You know I cannot do you harm in any way. I also cannot lie to you.”
“You did lie to me.”
“I did no such thing,” Necromancer corrected. “I read on the chest the Red Sapphire resided within its right side and its master would have incredible power. You insinuated from those statements you could be its master. Nowhere in the writings did it say only Linvin could wield the gem. There was no lie in my statements.”
“Perhaps not,” Mandrean retorted. “I sense an omission of the full story in your details.”
Necromancer changed the subject as he looked at the pawns. “Just how do you plan your revenge against Linvin for his crimes against you, My Emperor?”
Necromancer’s comments refueled the fire burning inside Mandrean who stormed over to address his servant. “You have questions to answer here as well.”
In his usual sarcastic tone Necromancer answered. “As always, I am at your disposal.”
“Why did you not tell me the Red Sapphire would not serve me, but it would kill me if I touched it with so much as a finger?” Mandrean demanded. “Perhaps you wanted me dead? Maybe that was your plan all along? That would suit your purposes well, would it not?”
Necromancer casually raised a hand and waived it in his master’s face as if the notion was laughable. “Come now Most Magnificent One. You know I cannot do you harm in any way. I also cannot lie to you.”
“You did lie to me.”
“I did no such thing,” Necromancer corrected. “I read on the chest the Red Sapphire resided within its right side and its master would have incredible power. You insinuated from those statements you could be its master. Nowhere in the writings did it say only Linvin could wield the gem. There was no lie in my statements.”
“Perhaps not,” Mandrean retorted. “I sense an omission of the full story in your details.”
Necromancer changed the subject as he looked at the pawns. “Just how do you plan your revenge against Linvin for his crimes against you, My Emperor?”
March 5, 2016
Saturday Excerpt, "Quest"
Linvin was astounded at Anvar’s condition. “You are unaffected by the Racik?”
“On the contrary,” Anvar explained, “I could tell from the first sip that the drink was more than I could handle.”
“But I saw you drinking all night,” Linvin protested.
“Indeed you did,” Anvar answered. “You saw me drinking water. Newminor was so preoccupied with you that he took no notice of me dumping his liquor and refilling my cup with water. I see that you took a similar approach to the evening’s festivities.”
Linvin nodded. “He was far too sharp of an individual to match wits with in an altered state.”
“He was sharp,” Anvar agreed, “but I did not trust him. His blatant attempt to intoxicate the group made me suspect that he had an unseen motive. That motive had become quite clear with the sunrise.”
“He was clearly a thief,” Linvin recounted, “but I cannot help but wonder if there was more to his charge than he told. What if he was sent to get the key?”
Anvar stretched and then searched the saddlebags for some pork. “As odd as it sounds,” he began, “I believed him. The key was the only item of value he could find to take. He admitted to being a thief, and I think there is little more to his story. Besides that, with our sentry performing a lackluster job, he could have easily returned in the night and stolen it again or even killed us all. He did neither. By the moonlight, your heart told you to set him free. Why would the sunlight tell you differently?”
As opinionated as ever, Anvar restored Linvin’s faith in his decision to spare the gnome. Deep in the recesses of Linvin’s mind, he held an unwilling admiration for Newminor. The gnome was a person who said what many others may have thought but would not dare to speak. Instead of following the herd, he struck out on his own without a heading. Rather than fret about the future, he viewed it with anticipation. Such a carefree existence pushed Linvin beyond admiration into the realm of envy.
“On the contrary,” Anvar explained, “I could tell from the first sip that the drink was more than I could handle.”
“But I saw you drinking all night,” Linvin protested.
“Indeed you did,” Anvar answered. “You saw me drinking water. Newminor was so preoccupied with you that he took no notice of me dumping his liquor and refilling my cup with water. I see that you took a similar approach to the evening’s festivities.”
Linvin nodded. “He was far too sharp of an individual to match wits with in an altered state.”
“He was sharp,” Anvar agreed, “but I did not trust him. His blatant attempt to intoxicate the group made me suspect that he had an unseen motive. That motive had become quite clear with the sunrise.”
“He was clearly a thief,” Linvin recounted, “but I cannot help but wonder if there was more to his charge than he told. What if he was sent to get the key?”
Anvar stretched and then searched the saddlebags for some pork. “As odd as it sounds,” he began, “I believed him. The key was the only item of value he could find to take. He admitted to being a thief, and I think there is little more to his story. Besides that, with our sentry performing a lackluster job, he could have easily returned in the night and stolen it again or even killed us all. He did neither. By the moonlight, your heart told you to set him free. Why would the sunlight tell you differently?”
As opinionated as ever, Anvar restored Linvin’s faith in his decision to spare the gnome. Deep in the recesses of Linvin’s mind, he held an unwilling admiration for Newminor. The gnome was a person who said what many others may have thought but would not dare to speak. Instead of following the herd, he struck out on his own without a heading. Rather than fret about the future, he viewed it with anticipation. Such a carefree existence pushed Linvin beyond admiration into the realm of envy.
