Derek Alan Siddoway's Blog, page 2
October 5, 2017
Flag’s at half mast
Like the rest of American, I woke up Monday morning and found myself speechless and stunned at what had transpired the previous night in Las Vegas. Just three week prior I’d seen Jason Aldean in concert here at USANA and couldn’t fathom the living hell that descended upon that crowd of 22,000. Even though I had no immediate connections with anyone in attendance, it still hit close to home.
That same numbness stayed with me throughout this week, every time the events appeared on a television, phone or in conversation. But light will always shine through the darkness. I found an inkling of light by turning back to country music in the lyrics of Maren Morris and Eric Church’s heartbreaking tribute.
Seeing the healing power of these two artists and their work, I was remembered a rough poem I’d jotted down on a stray piece of paper almost a year ago. I’m not a poet and these hastily-written lines may have never seen the light of day were it not for the tragic events of Sunday night. For better or worse, whether they’re worth reading or not, I wanted to share those words.
This poem isn’t about gun control or any other hot-button political topics. It was inspired by the sight of yet another flag at half mast and everything that flag and how it is flown means for our country and each one of us living in America. No amount of words can make what happened in Las Vegas — or any other tragedy — go away, but I believe they can inspire hope and that’s a start.
The post Flag’s at half mast appeared first on Derek Alan Siddoway.
August 30, 2017
Windswept sneak peak
“This one’s dead too.”
Eva looked at Sigrid who knelt beside another one of the bodies, a look of anger and vengeance stitched into her already stern face. Lying on the ground beside her, the old man lay still, late season flies buzzing around the dried blood on the back of his head. It was mid-autumn and the sun still shone bright on Rhylance’s eastern frontier. A cloying smell of death filled the air from the heat.
Eva scanned the remains of the small outpost through the haze of dust and smoke. Charred, half-burned shacks were the only remnants of a once thriving trading village, the shells of its occupants lying wherever the arrows and spears felled them. Men and older boys made up most of the dead, along with one or two old women. Eva guessed the children and younger women had all been carried off as slaves if Eva had to guess.
“Juarag?” she asked Sigrid, twisting her hand around the hilt of her sheathed sword.
The dark-haired girl snorted. “What else? Fourth one this month. I don’t understand how those stinking cat people are hiding from our patrols. We’ve had riders in the sky all over the frontier.”
Fury let out a disgruntled cackle and clicked his beak. It didn’t take much to rile the young gryphon and Eva knew Fury had been looking forward to a fight almost as much as she’d hoped to avoid one. Instead, they ended up with the worst of both circumstances — no fight because there was no one left to protect. The orange sunlight winding through the smoke cast Fury’s blood red feathers in a fiery glow, making him look like some kind of demon as he clawed at the earth and flapped his wings in frustration.
Eva wandered through the remnants of the outpost one last time, lips moving in silence as she double-checked her count of the dead. She winced, hearing the far-off bark of a coyote, no doubt drawn by the smell of blood and death. The king’s patrols would bury the deceased, Eva knew — it was her and Sigrid’s job to scout and report, nothing more. It still bothered her that some of the scavengers would have their turn before the dead were put to rest.
Even now, after almost two full years among the Windsworn, Eva fought to breathe through her mouth and fight back the rising gorge bubbling up from her stomach. Meanwhile, Sigrid strolled through the corpses looking for tracks the way a young girl might stroll through a field searching for wildflowers. Eva didn’t know how her friend did it. She no longer had nightmares for days after upon seeing a dead body, but still felt her skin crawling whenever something like this happened.
Which seemed to be happening more and more of late. It used to be, or so the veteran Windsworn said, that the Juarag only raided in the height of summer, and focused more on stealing than killing. Now, however, they weren’t so much raids as full-blown attacks. Caught between the anvil of Rhylance’s Windswept mountains and the hammer of the Juarag coming west on the plains, the frontier had been hit hard.
“Not a single dead Juarag,” Eva muttered. By the look of things, the villagers hadn’t even had time to arm themselves with what little weaponry they might have had. Eva doubted they’d even wounded any of the raiders, let alone killed one. On the backs of their gigantic sabercats, the Juarag were opponents even a gryphon rider thought twice about tangling with.
“Seen enough?” Sigrid asked.
Eva nodded. She’d seen more than enough.
Sigrid swung into the saddle of her brown gryphon, Sven. Eva strode over to Fury, who was still sniffing around the buildings and stepped into the saddle strapped to his back where feather and fur met. Although not yet fully matured, he was almost the size of Sven and, if his wings and talons were any indicators, would easily surpass the brown before he was done growing. As soon as she settled into place, Eva felt a calm that chased away the anxiety of the battlefield. On Fury, there was hardly anything in Rhylance that could hurt her. Except for a Juarag on a sabercat, she reminded herself, once again twisting the hilt of her sword and scanning the smoking ruin for any sign of movement.
“It can’t have happened that long ago,” Sigrid said. “What do you say we take a look east before heading back to make our report?”
Eva wanted to say that was technically against their orders, but Sigrid outranked her and the dark-haired girl generally did whatever she storming wanted to, anyway. So, in spite of the nagging nervousness clenching her gut, Eva shrugged. “As long as we’re quick about it. You know we’ll catch hell if we’re back late after some wild goose chase.”
Sigrid grinned through her mess of braids and her eyes shone from behind the black liner she wore to give herself an even more intimidating look. “Of course, grandma.”
Sven leapt into the air, spreading dust and smoke everywhere. Eva felt a jerk as Fury followed close behind, wings beating with unnecessary exertion to catch up to the other gryphon and defend his pride. Airborne, Eva looked down at the village once more, hoping to find some sign of life even though she knew better by now. Nothing stirred below.
Sigrid swung her gryphon eastward and Eva followed, the early evening sun warm on the back of her mail shirt. Ahead of them lay nothing but rolling hills and empty grassland: the western edge of the Endless Plain, home of the Juarag.
On instinct, Eva glanced back and saw a black dot drawing toward them. Anyone but a Windsworn might have brushed it off as a raven or other carrion bird winging toward the aftermath of the raid, but Eva knew better.
“Rider incoming!” she shouted to Sigrid. But the girl was too far ahead to hear. Instead of calling out again, Eva reached down for a small horn slung on the side of Fury’s saddle and gave it a single sharp blast. Sigrid and Sven turned almost at once, and Fury banked with them, soaring on an updraft.
The figure drew closer and Eva recognized the charcoal black of Belarus. The gryphon had once belonged to a Windsworn commander named Celina, a woman who taught Eva almost everything she knew about combat…and then tried to kill her after becoming possessed by an ancient relic. Eva and Fury managed to defeat Celina with the aid of Eva’s own relic, a glowing white stone that had once belonged to her mother. Celina died in the exchange, crushed beneath a giant golem she’d brought to life. In a strange twist of fate, Belarus’s new rider was another of Celina’s victims, not a Windsworn, but a young Scrawl from the cold south.
As soon as she recognized the gryphon and his rider, Sigrid wheeled to the ground, Eva and Fury close behind. They landed and waited, still mounted as Belarus glided to the ground nearby. A teenage boy with blue rune tattoos covering his head, face and arms peaked around the gryphon’s neck.
“Where in the sky are you two headed?” he asked.
Sigrid frowned. “I don’t take orders from a Scrawl, Ivan. Even one who pretends to be a gryphon rider.”
Although Sigrid was only posturing, Eva knew Ivan riding Belarus was a point of contention among many of the other riders. Only Windsworn or the royal family were allowed to ride gryphons but when it came down to it, the creatures were free to bond with whomever they wished. Belarus and Ivan’s relationship was a strange one to be sure, but beyond contest.
Ivan’s face split into a wide grin and he hopped from Belarus’ back and walked over to them. Eva smiled as well, knowing how much he liked to rattle Sigrid’s nerves whenever he got the chance.
“Hello, Ivan.”
The Scrawl boy winked at Eva. “Hey, Eva. Going for a little evening flight?”
“Who’s asking?” Sigrid cut in, still frowning.
Ivan held up his rune-marked hands. “Just me. The Wing Commander sent me out here to check on the two of you, see if everything was okay.”
“Did you see the village?” Eva asked.
The smile faded from Ivan’s face. “Yeah. Guess not.”
“We’re handling things just fine,” Sigrid said. “If you can keep up, we were going to take a little peek out east before sunset.”
“Sounds like a fine idea to me!” Ivan said. “Lead on, fearless rider!”
“This is between the three of us,” Eva warned the Scrawl as he returned to Belarus. “Vance doesn’t need to know.”
“Eva, whatever happened to that quiet girl who never put a toe out of line?” Ivan asked, shaking his head in mock disappointment. “The Wing Commander doesn’t need to know? For shame!”
“It’s not my fault you’re all bad influences,” Eva said. She shot Ivan a jaunty grin as Fury gathered himself beneath her to launch into the air. “Keep up, rune-boy!”
Fury and Sven took flight, pumping their powerful wings to leave Belarus and Ivan in the dust. But the older gryphon and younger boy weren’t about to be outdone. For partaking in very little flight training, Ivan held his own and gave Belarus his head. Although the older gryphon lacked some of the the raw strength and stamina of his younger counterparts, Belarus knew how to ride the thermals and soon caught up, soaring effortlessly above Eva, Sigrid and their gryphons.
“Hope you two can keep up!” Ivan yelled down at the others
Screeching in challenge, Fury shifted his wings and shot straight up toward the Scrawl. Breathless, Eva clutched to the saddle holds, stomach dropping and heart leaping all at once. Even after months and months of flying, she still hadn’t gotten entirely used to her gryphon’s wild antics.
The three gryphons wheeled and twisted around one another, enjoying the warm skies and endless expanses of open air. Eva let out a whoop and Fury climbed higher and higher, only to pin his wings down and dive toward the earth. They sped downward faster and faster, tears streaming from Eva’s face as she screamed to keep her stomach from tightening into a knot.
With only yards to go before the crashed into the golden prairie, Fury snapped his wings open, streaking over the ground so that the grass parted behind them like a wave. Eva laughed and stretched out her arms above her head. It’d taken her a long time to get used to it, but nothing matched the freedom and exhilaration of gryphon flight.
Fury tipped his right wing and they drifted over the plains, the gryphons front talons and rear paws skimming the tops of the golden grass. Still elated from the dive, Eva looked back and saw the Sigrid and Ivan speeding down toward her. She wasn’t sure, but it sounded like they were shouting. Puzzled, Eva drew Fury to a halt and he beat his wings to hold them in position.
“Below you!” Sigrid yelled, close enough to hear.
Fury wheeled around and Eva glanced over his side. A dark figure rose in the tall grass below, twirling something overhead faster and faster until it was a circular blur. Just as the person released whatever it was they were spinning, the gryphon twisted to the side. Not fast enough.
Eva felt the length of rawhide rope and stone weight smack into her gryphon’s legs. Twisting and tangled in the bola, Fury careened into the dirt.
They landed hard, the impact jarring Eva to the side, even with her leg straps still secured. Guided by instinct born from hours upon hours of practice, her hands leapt for the two quick release buckles on her legs as Fury thrashed to free himself from the weighted rope. Ripping the last strap open, Eva kicked herself loose and leapt free from the gryphon.
As she pulled her sword free, their assailant burst from the grass in front of her, spear at the ready. Eva swallowed hard, fighting the rising fear in her. It was a Juarag, a girl about her own age, by the look of it, a wild look in her eye.
The two circled each other for a long moment. Eva studied her opponent, trying to decide how to get inside that spear’s awfully long reach. She waited for her opponent to attack, knowing that making the first move would play into the Juarag warrior’s advantage. Whooshing sounds marked Ivan and Sigrid’s landing nearby and the two rushed to join their companion. Sigrid let out a snarl and came to Eva’s side, her own spear at the ready. Out of the corner of her eye, Eva saw Ivan struggling to hack through the tangled mess of rope wrapped around Fury as the gryphon continued to struggle.
Belarus and Sven landed behind the Juarag girl. “We have you surrounded,” Eva said. She doubted the other girl understood her but wanted to at least give her the chance to surrender first.
To her shock, the Juarag nodded and rose out of her crouched stance, jabbing her spear in the ground beside her. “I give up,” she said, in a perfect rendition of their tongue.
Eva stared, confused and unsure how to respond .“What in the sky?” she heard Sigrid mutter beside her. Before she could think of a response, however, a blur of copper charged past her toward the Juarag.
“Fury, no!”
Enraged at being knocked out the sky, the gryphon dipped his head and flipped the Juarag woman into the air. As soon as she hit the ground, Fury was on top of her, slamming his front talons over her arms to pin her to the ground.
“Fury!” Eva shouted again, rushing forward to the gryphon’s side. Side heaving, Fury looked at her through narrow slits of his yellow eyes but refrained from tearing the Juarag apart.
Whatever calm the Juarag woman had before was gone. Her sun-browned face looked pale in the dying light, the whites of her eyes stark and large. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she stared up at the angry gryphon above her, the wicked curve of Fury’s beak less than a foot over her.
“Fury, back,” Eva commanded. The gryphon continued to stare at his prey, hissing.
Back!” Eva shouted again. Fury’s head whipped in his rider’s direction but Eva didn’t back down. After a long moment, Fury let out a disgruntled hiss and stepped away, but his eyes never left the Juarag woman.
“Do you speak our language?” Eva asked.
The Juarag nodded. “I know your tongue, sky girl.”
“What are you doing out here?” Sigrid demanded, pointing her spear down at the woman’s throat. “Were you part of the raid on the outpost? Are you alone?”
The Juarag woman shook her head, and Eva realized they were close to the same age. “I am…not raider,” the Juarag said. “I have come for you, the sky warriors.”
Eva, Sigrid and Ivan shared a glance.
“What do you mean you’ve come for us?” Eva asked. “Do you mean you’re a scout?”
“I am not Juarag warrior,” the young woman said. “I have come alone, seeking the…” she paused as if struggling to think of the word. “The Windswear.”
“Windsworn?” Eva suggested. The woman nodded.
“Well, you’ve found them,” Sigrid said, not moving her spear tip from the Juarag’s. “Now what do you want?”
“I have a message,” the Juarag woman said. She took a deep breath and her halting words seemed to come easier. “I have come at the bidding of a man who was once one of you. He has a warning.”
An unexplainable tingling sensation spread across Eva’s body. “What man?” she asked in a rush. “What is the message?”
“His name is Aleron,” the Juarag woman said. “His message is for your commander An-Andor only.”
“Holy storm.” Eva felt the words pass her lips but it was like someone else had said them. She staggered backwards and stumbled, landing hard on the ground.
“Aleron?” Ivan said. “Eva, wasn’t that your father’s name?”
The post Windswept sneak peak appeared first on Derek Alan Siddoway.
June 5, 2017
Windsworn sneak peak
Soot heard the thrum of gryphon’s wings and the scrape of talons on cobblestone long before the knock ever reached the door. Even so, he hesitated to rise from his chair by the fire, heaving a sigh as he did so.
The smith’s singed and callused hand paused when he reached for the door latch. He’d half made up his mind to pretend like he hadn’t heard anything when another knock came.
“Wayland! I know you’re in there.”“Who’s there?” Soot asked in a gruff voice, even though he knew exactly who it was.
“Who’s there?” Soot asked in a gruff voice, even though he knew exactly who it was.“It’s Andor.”
“It’s Andor.”
The smith sighed again and lifted the latch. Pulling the door open, the small fire crackling in the hearth revealed a tall man standing on the threshold, dressed in leathers and royal blue. Shoulder length blond hair framed a weatherbeaten and worried face, aged beyond its twenty-something years. When he saw Soot, the visitor’s piercing eyes softened and his stern expression broke into a grin.
“By the Tempest, it’s good to see you again old friend!” the man said, gripping the smith’s shoulder. He looked past Soot, taking in the small room and its meager contents.
“So this is where you ran off to,” Andor said in a low voice, half talking to himself. He glanced back at Soot, answering his friend’s unspoken question. “It wasn’t hard to find you, Wayland. What other forge in the city has a golem working in it?”
Soot grunted and shrugged his burly shoulders. “It’s the middle of the stormin’ night, Andor. What’re you doing here?”
“You didn’t have to leave,” Andor said, ignoring his friend’s question.
Before either man could speak again, a baby’s cry filled the darkness in the street. In the flickering torchlight, Soot made out a pale grey gryphon, standing stock-still in the middle of the yard.
While Andor walked around the gryphon’s side toward the sound of crying, Soot approached the creature’s head.
“Hello Stormwind,” he said, running a hand down the gryphon’s beak. The gryphon gave a small scree in recognition and leaned into the smith’s touch.
A few moments later, Andor appeared, holding the wailing bundle. Soot looked down at the child, a frown creasing his brow and jerked his head toward the cottage. Inside, Andor sat down in one of the chairs by the hearth, rocking the infant until it fell silent once more.
“Thank the winds,” he said. “I’m not cut out for this parenting business — I guess I should count myself lucky she slept that long.”
Soot sat down across from the pair, never taking his eyes off the swaddled baby.
“Is that?”
Andor nodded.
The smith’s throat bunched into a knot. “Marien?”
“Didn’t make it,” Andor said, voice breaking. Tears welled in his eyes.
Soot ran his good hand over his bald head and covered his face. After a moment, he cleared his throat and looked up at his old friend again with tears of his own.
“Adelar’s won’t speak with anyone,” Andor continued. “He shut himself in his room and ordered her out of the citadel as soon as he found out Marien died.”
Soot rose for the door, hand tightened into a fist. “Enough is enough! I’ll pound some sense into him if it’s —”
Andor raised a hand to quiet his friend. “Soot, please. You’ll wake her. He’s beyond reason. I… I’m not leaving her with some strangers. He’ll change his mind someday, realize what a thunderstruck fool he’s been. But for now, she can’t stay.”
Soot’s face changed from outrage to horror as it dawned on him what his friend was asking. “Oh no! I can’t, Andor, I don’t know the first thing about babies. You take care of her!”
“The Gyr is no place for an infant,” Andor said. “Please, Soot, just for a little while. I’m certain —”
“If anyone, her father should be the one to raise her!”
Andor shook his head. “That’s impossible.”
Soot raised the capped stump where his right hand should have been. “You know how hard it is to be a one-handed smith? Even with Seppo, it’s all I can do to keep up, let alone try and raise a child. I’ve given enough to your stormin’ family and the crown.”
Without realizing it, Soot towered over Andor, chest heaving. His friend looked up from his chair, still holding the baby. When he spoke, it wasn’t in the barking tone he used to command his riders, it came out so soft, Soot almost didn’t hear it.
“I wouldn’t ask you to do this for Adelar. This is for Marien.”
Only the snap of coals in the fire broke the stillness.Soot’s shoulders drooped and he nodded. Before the smith could change his mind, Andor placed the bundled child in his friend’s scorched arms. Soot stared at the sleeping baby, captivated as Andor reached into the pocket of his royal blue uniform. The gryphon rider pulled out a white stone set in silver on a matching chain.
“Marien wanted her to have it,” Andor said. “She gave it to me almost a week ago — almost…like she knew.”
Soot stared at the white stone as it spun on the chain twinkling lights of sky blue, blue and gold. He nodded to Andor to lay it on the table, still holding the swaddled infant in awkward arms.
“I’ll see to it you’re sent whatever you need,” Andor said, stopping at the door. “But Soot — she can’t know. Not anything. Understood?”
The smith replied with a grunt, still trying to figure out how the night had ended with him holding a newborn. Andor reached for the door latch.
“And Soot…thank you. You don’t know what this means.”
“Wait,” Soot said as Andor stepped into the street where his gryphon waited, clawing at the cobblestones. “What’s her name?”
Andor paused and stared up at the night sky. “Evelyn. Marien named her Evelyn”
What do you think? Leave a comment below and let me know!
Eva has never swung a sword. She’s never flown through the open sky on a gryphon or dreamed of being a hero. She’s content with a quiet life — two feet firmly on the ground, working in her foster-father’s forge. But that’s all about to change.
When Eva discovers a young thief hiding in her woodshed with a stolen gryphon egg, the shy, timid girl is forced to leave everything she’s ever known to become Windsworn — elite warriors who ride fierce gryphons into battle. As she struggles to learn the ways of the Windsworn, Eva finds herself caught in a plot to destroy the gryphon riders and plunge the kingdom into war, a plot that somehow involves her deceased parents. In the face of growing danger, can Eva conquer her fears and unravel the secrets of her past in time to save the Windsworn?
The post Windsworn sneak peak appeared first on Derek Alan Siddoway.
January 5, 2017
Vikings Season 4 Episode 16 Review (Crossings)
Vikings Season 4 Episode 16: Crossings
Official Synopsis: Bjorn’s fleet sails onward and launches a surprise attack. Back in Kattegat, Lagertha continues in her quest for power.
Review
With the sole focus being on Ragnar last week, Crossing had a lot going on to catch us up with everyone else.
The Burden of Ruling
At first glance, it looks like Lagertha has her act together. She’s taken back Kattegat with relatively little bloodshed, disposed of her most hated enemy and is beloved by her new/old subjects. Of course, that was before Ivar returned.
Vowing vengeance against his mother, Ivar puts Lagertha in a tight spot. Her love for Ragnar prevents her from killing her sons, but at the same time she knows she cannot maintain rule with them alive.
As the episode progresses, I’m not sure that even matters to her.
In the bedroom scene, Lagertha once again allows her regrets from the past to resurface while conversing with Astrid. She’s back in her and Ragnar’s old bed, but it’s not the same. She’s queen, but despite all of her shieldmaiden badassness, you get the feeling she finds the position empty, since she can’t be Ragnar’s queen.
When Ragnar speaks to her in the night, Lagertha cries out to him, lost within herself. If he isn’t returning to sit in the hall beside her, then what is left? As much as she cares for Astrid, the shieldmaiden will never fill the emptiness Ragnar left behind.
I once was lost
Meanwhile, another one of our old friends has lost his bearing. When we open up to Bjorn’s fleet, Floki admits to Helga he is an “empty vessel, I need something to fill me up.” Unlike Lagertha, I found this surprising, given that Floki’s character has only been motivated by Ragnar’s love since the show started. Now that he knows he has that, it’s interesting that he’s looking for something. In the mosque scene, when he saves the worshipers from Harald and Halfdan, we’re ironically led to believe that it’s a religious rebirth he’s after. Wouldn’t that be something?
Even so, he’s adamant about not having another child or having Helga keep the Muslim girl, who is sure to be a catalyst down the road. The only thing keeping Halfdan from killing Floki is Harald’s respect for the boat-builder. If Floki finds a new religion, he may not last long.
Speaking of Harald and Halfdan, they’re up to their old fair-weather tricks again. Depending on how Bjorn proceeds now that they’ve found the Mediterranean, their coup may come sooner than later. I’m betting either Hvitserk or Rollo meets their end from the brothers.
From sea to shining sea
Bjorn is satisfied with pillaging the city, yes, but it isn’t until they lay eyes on the Mediterranean that he celebrates his accomplishment. We have scant time to revel in the achievement, however.
To paraphrase another great show, “dark wings bring dark words” to the sons of Ragnar. The ravens beat Ragnar’s voice on the wind and soon after, Odin himself appears to each of the brothers. He brings confirmation of Ragnar’s death, yes, but also a strong hand of comfort.
I’m interested to see how Bjorn will respond. Knowing his father is dead, will he return home just as his dreams are about to come to pass? As Ragnar eerily foretold in his last meeting with his eldest son: you will have to make your own choices, live with your own mistakes. Will Bjorn do what Ragnar could not and abandon vengeance in the face of untold wealth and fame?
This week, we got the grand ending Ragnar deserved. It gave me chills listening to the Vikings of Vikings roaring out his last words in the wake of the storm. In the end, Ragnar got what he wanted: his legacy will live on, written with the blood of his enemies.
The post Vikings Season 4 Episode 16 Review (Crossings) appeared first on Author Derek Alan Siddoway.
January 2, 2017
Vikings Season 4 Episode 15 review (All His Angels)
Watch Vikings Season 4 Episode 15 here
Official Synopsis: Ragnar and Ivar plot against the Saxons and reach a new level of understanding.
Vikings Season 4 Episode 15 review:
In the ongoing battle of wits between Ecbert and Ragnar, it seems Ragnar gets the last laugh. After last week’s episode worked to show the friendship between the two old rivals, Ragnar turns around and sends Ivar home with instructions to exact revenge, not on Aella, but on Ecbert. The double-cross brought to mind the phrase “it’s just good business.” Does Ragnar like Ecbert? Yes. Does he respect him? Probably. None of this matters, though, because Ragnar can’t allow the slaughter of the settlement to go unpunished, tarnishing his legacy. It’s important enough he’ll die for it.
But one quick note before we get to that. I thought the scene with Ivar and Alfred playing chess was an excellent piece of foreshadowing. Ivar thinks he’s got the upper hand then Alfred turns around and surprises him. I got the feeling Ivar won’t make the same mistake the next time the pair face off against one another. This was an excellent extension of the broader metaphorical chess match going on between Ecbert and Ragnar.
I enjoyed the continued discussion of faith between Ecbert and Ragnar. After confessing he is faithless, Ecbert asks him why he’ll carry his masquerade of pagan piety to the grave. Ragnar’s answer is one of his greatest lines of the series: “Because my sons believe it, and my people believe it.” Although Ragnar will curse the Seer and disavow Odin himself, he’ll turn around scream about Valhalla and Valkyries to all the witnesses at his execution. All the while Ecbert smiles on, with no clue what’s coming, a victim of Ragnar’s greatest gambit.
Til death do us part
Then came the moment we’ve anticipated and dreaded all season. Ragnar’s death was executed (no pun intended) to perfection. It reminded me of the execution scene in Braveheart, although it felt heavier and less inspirational. This was an intentional move by the show’s creators. As Aella tortures Ragnar in the hopes of making him confess his sins, you’re horrified by what he’s going through, but you don’t exactly sympathize with him. The flashbacks make us miss our favorite Viking and all the good times we’ve shared, but at the same time, we’ve known all along he had it coming. Ragnar hasn’t been a hero in our eyes for a long time.
In a way, the entire Vikings show has led to this moment. Ragnar’s death is the catalyst for one of history’s greatest invasions, but it would be meaningless without three and a half seasons establishing his rise and fall from power. We had to experience the legacy to appreciate it. No matter what he became, what Ragnar Lothbrok left behind was greatness.
Give in to your hate
And thus completes Ivar’s fall to the dark side. Between Ragnar’s parting words to his son and Ivar learning of his mother’s death, his path is set. It pains me to say it, but Lagertha’s day are numbered. I’m predicting she and her shieldmaidens come to a less than glorious ending, unfortunately.
In the final scene of one of the series’ greatest episodes, the meaning is clear as Ivar crushes the knight in his hand. Blood is coming.
The post Vikings Season 4 Episode 15 review (All His Angels) appeared first on Author Derek Alan Siddoway.
January 1, 2017
2017 Author Resolutions/Best of 2016/Most Anticipated of 2017
The end of December/first of January is one of my favorite times of the year. I really enjoy sitting down the last week of the year to reflect on where I’ve been, then taking the first week of the new to figure out where I’m going. Makes me all maudlin and sentimental thinking about the journey behind and the journey ahead.
With that said, here’s a quick toast to you: the readers and supporters out there who lifted me up when I couldn’t see past the futility of this crazy writing game and encouraged me to keep on keeping on. I appreciate your kind words and overall awesomeness. Let’s drink of cup to days of auld lang syne, or as Kenny Chesney puts it:
Well they say the sea is rising, well that’s alright with me
Cause there ain’t no other place than on the sea I’d rather be
And that second coming’s comin’, it’s right around the bend
And someday could be any day this world is gonna end
But that’s alright, that’s okay
There ain’t nothin we can do about the whole thing anyway
It’s a hang on kinda ride, we’re spinning through space and time,
Rockin’ this big old rock just trying to have some fun
So let’s drink another beer, here’s to another year,
Let’s take another crazy trip around the sun
2016 by the numbers
If you’re an author or someone interested in the nuts and bolts of the author biz, you can find my full 2016 recap here.
For a full recap of my 2016 author busi
Estimated rough draft words (for books only): 100,000+
Words published: 105,000+
Words revised: 175,000+
Books published: 3 (Into Exile, Swords for Hire, Golden Mane)
2017 Goals
Do the work
I’ve spent the last three years learning the ropes and, while there will always be new innovative things to test and learn, 2017 is the year I put my nose to the grindstone. It’s my year to live on Dagobah and carry a creepy little green dude around the swamp, on my back. Whereas 2016 found me wandering and roaming a bit (not a bad thing — I learned and grew a TON this year), 2017 is going to be laser-focused. The majority of the year will be devoted to writing and publishing to market a new young adult fantasy series called the Gryphon Riders Trilogy. I’m pouring everything I’ve got into this. There’s obviously a ton of things that go with this that I haven’t listed, but you’re welcome to follow along here as I undertake what I’ve called Bestseller Quest. I’m writing all three of these books at once, and then publishing on a short schedule — one book every month and a half or so. I anticipate all three will be out before 2018.
Maintain Balance
Toward the end of 2016, I really got into a rhythm. Writing, exercise, reading time, getting to bed early, hanging with friends and family. I’m making much better use of the time I have and want to continue to hone my productivity throughout 2017. Things are gonna get balls to the wall crazy this year, and I don’t want to fall off the wagon.
Best of 2016 (in no particluar order)
See my Top 10 movies of 2016 here (I’m the middle list)
The Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan (audiobook version): An original, intriguing concept and the first audiobook I ever listened to on Audible.
#AskGaryVee Book (audiobook): A kick in the pants that’ll inspire you no matter what you’re passionate about.
The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence: Solid trilogy conclusion and some of my favorite fantasy characters ever.
Dead Boys by Gabriel Squailia: Weird and unique, another excellent concept executed just right.
The Builders by Daniel Polansky: I cannot say enough good things about this book. BUY IT. Polansky’s writing is action-packed and punchy.
Ryan Pancoast (artist): Discovered this guy’s art about a month ago. It blew my socks off.
Life Debt: Star Wars Aftermath by Chuck Wendig: Solid follow-up to Aftermath. Love this series and Wendig’s style.
Sharp Ends by Joe Abercrombie: This guy does character soooo well.
Walt Disney, An American Original by Bob Thomas: An inspiring origin story about all the blood, sweat and tears behind the Mouse.
Star Wars: Rebels Season 3: If you like Star Wars and you don’t watch this show, WATCH THIS SHOW.
Game of Thrones Season 6: What a fantastic build and payoff. This is storytelling at it’s finest, arguably eclipsing even the books.
Hell on Wheels Season 5 (series finale): Great wrap-up to (in my opinion) and under-appreciate series. Gonna miss Cullen Bohannon.
2017 Most-Anticipated
Star Wars Episode VIII: Need I say more?
The Legion of Flame by Anthony Ryan: Shaping up to be even better than his Raven’s Shadow series
Red Sister by Mark Lawrence: He never disappoints. Looking forward to seeing what Mr. Lawrence does with a new world.
A Gathering of Ravens by Scott Oden: Lots of good buzz about this one. Plus I love me anything Norse Mythology related. Also sounds like an interesting concept.
Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames: Who doesn’t love a story about some ornery old men getting back together for one last job? (See The Builders in Best of 2016)
Star Wars: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn: So glad he made it into the official Disney canon.
The Fall of Dragons by Miles Cameron: Still need to read Plague of Swords, but this is one of my all-time favorite fantasy series.
Logan: You had me at the Johnny Cash song in the trailer. Expecting it to be a Top 3 movie of 2017.
Prey for the Gods: A friend told me about this game and I immediately supported it. Too bad we’ve got to wait until the end of 2017 to play it. Might be the only game I buy in 2017.
Beauty and the Beast: This cast will deliver a GINORMOUS hit.
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword: Really, really hope this isn’t a flop. I want it to be good so bad. Check out the trailer.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Could be my favorite Marvel film of all time.
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman: Just found out about this. Will likely be the first Gaiman book I read (I know, I know). Seecommentcommend about Norse Mythology.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales: I love this series, but ticked that they bumped Star Wars VIII for it.
The Winds of Winter by George RR Martin: Do I even need to say anything here? Lets just hope it comes.
Game of Thrones Season 7: How can it get any better? It will, but how? Seriously, my mind may explode.
The post 2017 Author Resolutions/Best of 2016/Most Anticipated of 2017 appeared first on Author Derek Alan Siddoway.
December 27, 2016
Vikings Season 4 Episode 14 review (In the Uncertain Hour Before the Morning)
Vikings Season 4 Episode 14 Review: In the Uncertain Hour Before the Morning
Official Synopsis: Lagertha attempts to fulfill a long-held ambition. Ragnar negotiates an unexpected concession from King Ecbert.
Recap:
I don’t even know where to begin — although short on action, this was one of the most pivotal episodes of Vikings to date, right up there with Ragnar’s fake funeral in the first half of the season when Rollo, Floki and Lagertha conversed with his casket. This is why I watch Vikings.
Long live the queen
First, Lagertha’s takeover. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, eh? Aslaug’s death caught me off guard — I fully expected Lagertha to let the queen go. In that last moment when we saw her face, I looked for Aslaug’s fox grin, not an arrow to the back. Reflecting on the act, however, it was the only sensible move for Lagertha to make. There was no way Aslaug would sit back and be content losing her throne. Even so, I’m not expecting Lagertha to last much longer. The question will be how she meets her end — I don’t see anyone betraying her again, and I also don’t think the sons of Ragnar will do it.
Son of none
As a brief side note before we get into the real meat of the story, I think we can expect much more from Magnus. Was Ragnar lying about not being his father? I’m not sure. I do know that no matter who much of a cry baby he seemed, he’s likely to toughen up and get his revenge. I’m looking forward to seeing where they take his character.
A larger, bolder strategy
The scenes between Ecbert and Ragnar were masterfully done. We got a full spectrum of emotions: happiness, anger, regret, camaraderie and despair. Things wax surprisingly philosophical between the pair of kings in their drunken conversation. These are two men who have used religion when it was convenient and are now finding in their old age that they cannot cling to these rotting foundations of faith. Despite all they’ve achieved, they wonder if it meant anything; if their legacy will survive.
I enjoyed seeing these two interact without all of the treachery and double-dealing. We got Ragnar and Ecbert in their most genuine, authentic states, more real than they’ve been perhaps with anyone else, ever. Men like these don’t gain power and achieve greatness without a price and as the conversation turns to their mutual love for Athelstan we see the cost weighing heavily upon them both. Ragnar hasn’t ever forgiven himself for Athelstan’s death, even if he forgave Floki. Even without him telling Ecbert, you know Ragnar’s death will weigh on the King of Wessex just as much. Aside from Alfred, Ragnar is likely the only person Ecbert has ever really loved. When he kneels before the altar, he expresses legitimate sorrow for Ragnar’s death and indeed, is confesses he is unable to give the order.
But alas, the pair of old warmongers are ending their dynamic duo with a slam-bang finish. Ragnar will create the catalyst for his sons to vicariously carry out his revenge all the while allowing Ecbert to squash out Aella once and for all.
There’s only one problem: will Ivar settle for anything less than the total conquest of all England?
The post Vikings Season 4 Episode 14 review (In the Uncertain Hour Before the Morning) appeared first on Author Derek Alan Siddoway.
December 18, 2016
Vikings Season 4 Episode 13 recap (Two Journeys)
Vikings Season 4 Episode 13: Two Journeys
Watch here
Read last week’s recap here
Official Synopsis: Ragnar and Ivar face a difficult decision in regard to their crew. Bjorn has an unexpected reunion.
Recap:
This episode had a lot of things going on with intense action all around. I admit I was a little disappointed that the baptism by hurricane didn’t give Ivar the use of his legs. I wasn’t surprised, either, but have a hard time believing he’s ever going to rise to prominence in the Viking society as he currently is. I know they want to place an emphasis on his cunning, but it’s still a warrior society where power is held by strength. Historically speaking, Ivar likely suffered some leg injury during his life to get the name “Boneless” or had a kind of brittle bone disease, but he was still able to stand and fight. His character reminds me of Sand dan Glokta in Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy — an awful person you can’t help but root for, who succeed despite their raw deals. Based on Ragnar trying to get him to accept his lot in life, I don’t think we’ll see much physical change in Ivar and it will be interesting to see how the show handles this moving forward.
The end of the road
Ragnar’s plans are dashed just like his ships on the English beach. It seems he’s finally accepted his fate. After leading his ragtag band on a wild goose chase, he and Ivar slaughter them in their sleep. For me, this seemed counterintuitive to Ragnar’s quest for redemption, but I guess self-preservation won out, at least until he can get an audience with King Ecbert. There is no going back now. Although he tells Ivar he doesn’t accept the judgment of the gods, that’s exactly what he’s doing by giving himself up.
A cripple by any other name
Ivar is a cold-blooded killer. In spite of his handicap, he’s not a bad warrior, at least when his opponents are asleep and unsuspecting. When he confronts the last girl, I got the feeling he would have spared her, before his encounter with Margrethe anyway. The relationship between Ragnar and Ivar has reached its peak, just when Ragnar is about to exit this world. Ivar understands his father and his admiration has grown to love. I’m interested to see how Ivar navigates this foreign land and wins his freedom. It would also be interesting to see Ivar and Alfred meet, since they’re both heir apparent of their respective cultures. I wonder if Magnus will come into play, too? The way things are set up, it will be years still before the great Viking invasion of England. I’m betting we get treated to another fast forward at the end of this season.
A woman scorned
Lagertha’s vengeance is a long time coming — almost too long, if you ask me. Why is she just now deciding Aslaug isn’t fit to lead? Did she hold back all those years out of respect for Ragnar? It doesn’t entirely make sense. The confusion continues when she orders the attack to stop. Is it because she regrets her decision or because she thinks she’s won and wants to spare her future subjects? It appears Aslaug is going to surrender, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if she flips that sword around and stabs Lagertha with it. This is going to make for an interesting family dynamic when Bjorn gets home — especially since Torvi sided with Lagertha.
Family reunion
Speaking of Bjorn, I’m glad that they brought him and Rollo back together. The whole dungeon thing wasn’t much of a cover up — we all knew he was going to set sail if he got the chance. The boat initiation threw me off a little bit, though. On one hand, I didn’t think that they’d wack Rollo off that fast, but on the other, I could understand it. The move reminded me of the Iron Islanders in Game of Thrones — drowning their new kings before they can take they crown. It felt like some kind of Vikings baptism, and also a little bit of payback from Bjorn and Floki. I still don’t think born-again Rollo will survive the trip. He’s a prime example of the grass always being greener on the other side of the fence and he’s irrevocably changed sides now.
The post Vikings Season 4 Episode 13 recap (Two Journeys) appeared first on Author Derek Alan Siddoway.
December 7, 2016
Vikings Season 4 Episode 12 (The Vision) recap
Vikings Season 4 Episode 12: The Vision
Watch here
Read last week’s recap here
Official Synopsis: The Kattegat locals chide Ragnar that the gods have deserted him as he struggles to crew his voyage to Wessex. Bjorn prepares to fulfill his dream of sailing to the Mediterranean.
Recap
The hits just keep rolling in for Ragnar. In the midst of looking for a raiding crew, he gets publicly shamed. Although he had it coming, it’s still hard to see Ragnar this way, begging for followers. Bjorn stings the blow a little by offering his father ships, but that’s only after he admits he’d like to settle things with Rollo. It’s beginning to look like Ragnar’s luck really has run out. He’s living on the outskirts of town like a beggar and when Harald and Halfdan show up, it’s yet another blow against our beloved Vikings.
Sigurd is a total piece of work, but you get the impression from the dinner scene that this is the result of a broken home — the boys are well aware of their mother’s rocky affair with Harbard and Sigurd at least hasn’t forgiven. Aslaug’s favoritism toward Ivar has created a rift between the brothers that Margrethe continues to widen.
“She’s terrified of him,” Sigurd says after he convinces the girl to tell him about Ivar’s inability to satisfy her.
“So am I Sigurd,” Ubbe says. “So am I.”
The going away party promises a showdown of the ages between Aslaug and Lagertha. I would say Ragnar’s return is the catalyst, but we saw Lagertha and Astrid prepping before he ever showed up. Was she waiting for Bjorn to leave all along? “I never forget anything.” It’s going down.
I’m really loving the growing relationship between Ragnar and Ivar that I touched on at the end of last episode “You’re a loser,” Ivar says as they watch Bjorn sailing out of the fjord. “Why don’t you come help me lift, cripple boy?” There’s a foreboding moment when Ivar looks at a coin of King Ecbert, a shadow of the reckoning to come.
There’s not a lot going on with Bjorn (yet), although I expect that to change next week as he reunites with Rollo. You really get the feeling he’s come into his own now as he sails off to make a name for himself and fulfill his destiny. The real question is who’s not going to make it back from the trip?
With Bjorn gone, Ragnar returns to Kattegat and continues to embarrass himself, buying sailors. I would doubt their loyalty, but judging by the storm at the end of the episode, not many of them will make it to England anyway.
The dynamic characters are what makes Vikings an amazing show. Aslaug is pissed and ready to give Ragnar hell, but when the confrontation between them finally goes down, it’s surprisingly tender. Her venom melts away in the face of his sincerity. That’s really been the focus of the first two episodes: people living with the mistakes of their past and coming to terms with their ghosts.
On the other end of the spectrum is Ivar, who still learning to deal with his demons. He’s another great example of awesome characterization: part monster, part broken young man who just wants to be loved (not pitied) and wants to prove himself. You can’t help but root for him during his heartfelt talk with Aslaug when he tell her he’d rather die as a man for a day than live a lifetime in pity.
In the following scene, when he hobbles toward the longboat and stumbles, we see his determination. Later on, this is even more apparent when he admits his terror for water. Aslaug has come to an understanding that she’s got to let him go, no matter the outcome. We also see Ragnar’s tough love as he refuses to help him up and has only one thing to say:
“Hurry up, we’ve got a tide to catch.”
And then all hell breaks lose.
The post Vikings Season 4 Episode 12 (The Vision) recap appeared first on Author Derek Alan Siddoway.
Vikings Season 4 Episode 12: The Vision recap
Vikings Season 4 Episode 12: The Vision
Official Synopsis: The Kattegat locals chide Ragnar that the gods have deserted him as he struggles to crew his voyage to Wessex. Bjorn prepares to fulfill his dream of sailing to the Mediterranean.
Recap
The hits just keep rolling in for Ragnar. In the midst of looking for a raiding crew, he gets publicly shamed. Although he had it coming, it’s still hard to see Ragnar this way, begging for followers. Bjorn stings the blow a little by offering his father ships, but that’s only after he admits he’d like to settle things with Rollo. It’s beginning to look like Ragnar’s luck really has run out. He’s living on the outskirts of town like a beggar and when Harald and Halfdan show up, it’s yet another blow against our beloved Vikings.
Sigurd is a total piece of work, but you get the impression from the dinner scene that this is the result of a broken home — the boys are well aware of their mother’s rocky affair with Harbard and Sigurd at least hasn’t forgiven. Aslaug’s favoritism toward Ivar has created a rift between the brothers that Margrethe continues to widen.
“She’s terrified of him,” Sigurd says after he convinces the girl to tell him about Ivar’s inability to satisfy her.
“So am I Sigurd,” Ubbe says. “So am I.”
The going away party promises a showdown of the ages between Aslaug and Lagertha. I would say Ragnar’s return is the catalyst, but we saw Lagertha and Astrid prepping before he ever showed up. Was she waiting for Bjorn to leave all along? “I never forget anything.” It’s going down.
I’m really loving the growing relationship between Ragnar and Ivar that I touched on at the end of last episode “You’re a loser,” Ivar says as they watch Bjorn sailing out of the fjord. “Why don’t you come help me lift, cripple boy?” There’s a foreboding moment when Ivar looks at a coin of King Ecbert, a shadow of the reckoning to come.
There’s not a lot going on with Bjorn (yet), although I expect that to change next week as he reunites with Rollo. You really get the feeling he’s come into his own now as he sails off to make a name for himself and fulfill his destiny. The real question is who’s not going to make it back from the trip?
With Bjorn gone, Ragnar returns to Kattegat and continues to embarrass himself, buying sailors. I would doubt their loyalty, but judging by the storm at the end of the episode, not many of them will make it to England anyway.
The dynamic characters are what makes Vikings an amazing show. Aslaug is pissed and ready to give Ragnar hell, but when the confrontation between them finally goes down, it’s surprisingly tender. Her venom melts away in the face of his sincerity. That’s really been the focus of the first two episodes: people living with the mistakes of their past and coming to terms with their ghosts.
On the other end of the spectrum is Ivar, who still learning to deal with his demons. He’s another great example of awesome characterization: part monster, part broken young man who just wants to be loved (not pitied) and wants to prove himself. You can’t help but root for him during his heartfelt talk with Aslaug when he tell her he’d rather die as a man for a day than live a lifetime in pity.
In the following scene, when he hobbles toward the longboat and stumbles, we see his determination. Later on, this is even more apparent when he admits his terror for water. Aslaug has come to an understanding that she’s got to let him go, no matter the outcome. We also see Ragnar’s tough love as he refuses to help him up and has only one thing to say:
“Hurry up, we’ve got a tide to catch.”
And then all hell breaks lose.
The post Vikings Season 4 Episode 12: The Vision recap appeared first on Author Derek Alan Siddoway.
