Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 18

Hooked on Windmaster Golem Ear #mfrwhooks

An excerpt from Windmaster Golem using the #bookqw word, "Ear," of the first physical meeting between Lady Kiansel and Brodie the weaponsmith. To set the stage, Brodie is sent on a special assignment by Lord Dal.

Her back against one of the columns that surrounded the courtyard, Kia watched the line of pilgrims snake through the golden doors on their way into the temple. None of them matched the description Brantly provided of her escort. The urge to pace kept trying to take control of her feet. Time was short to get to the wizard’s isle and Brodie still hadn’t appeared. Once again, she exerted her will and remained where she was. 

Something drew her attention to a figure leaning against a pillar at the back of the courtyard. He was surrounded by pilgrims, but his clothing and attitude set him apart. In fact, Kia noted, he appeared to be patiently waiting for the pilgrims, allowing them into the temple first. 

The last of the pilgrims entered the doors and Kia hurried after them. The senior cleric on duty tolerated no tardiness and once he shut the doors allowed no one in. And, Kia thought, that includes me. I’d have to walk around the entire building to use the postern door. 

 “Excuse me, miss. I have a message for the Oracle. Could you please escort me to him?” 

Startlement at the voice near her ear halted her mid-step. The speaker was the man from the shadows. Yet she felt no fear, only a curiosity as to who he was. He stepped closer, bringing his face into the light. Warmth that nothing to do with the sun crept up Kia’s back, heating her neck. This is my escort. She scanned him with a new eye, noting his easy stance and the hilt of the sword peeking above his shoulder. 

He held out his hand. “My name is Brodie.” A smile lightened his previous expression. “And you are, Kiansel. In the name of the Archmage, Lord Dal, and his lady, the mage Ellspeth, you are welcome to attend the council fire on the Isle of Mages.”

As soon as her fingers touched his, a shock raced up her arm. It will be an interesting trip.

~ * ~

 

Magic animated the golem. Can someone without powers stop them?
 

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Blue From Hearth and Sand #WeWriWa #snippetsunday #SnipSun

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write ... and read.

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, an excerpt from Echoes From The Valley, a tale from "Echoes From The Valley," a short story in the multi-genre anthology, Hearth and Sand.  The story was inspired by a night at a military reenactment held on the site of a Revolutionary War battle. And now the Sunday Snippet using the #BookQW "Blue."

 Excerpt:

The setting sun cast blood-red streaks on the lines of small white tents that covered the meadow. Men in blue jackets turned gray with the dust of marched miles rested for the night around a hundred small campfires. Without the spectators, the re-enactment camps became solitary havens for the weary soldiers just as those wartime ones more than a hundred and fifty years ago.

My long skirt softly swished a path through the ankle-high grass as I walked. The shawl clutched tightly around my shoulders offered little protection against the evening dampness. An occasional soldier would touch the brim of his short-billed cap as I passed. There were few women in the camps, and always acknowledged, even on the eve of battle.

* * *

 

Hearth and Sand: Stories from the Front Lines and the Homefront

Buy Links:   One Click Link to major book sellers.

Click here for more on the stories within Heart and Sand.

Hooked on Windmaster Golem, Finally #mfrwhooks

An excerpt from Windmaster Golem, using the bookqw "Finally." To set the stage, Kia, sister to the Oracle of Givneh. is returning from a shopping trip beyond the temple walls during the time of nightmares.  

Excerpt:

Cold enveloped Kia. Her hand stopped in mid-knock. Although she knew no one was in sight, she still looked over her shoulder and scanned the street. Use of the postern door was restricted to senior members of the temple. I will not betray Brantly’s trust in me, she thought. Neither Brantly my brother, nor Brantly the Oracle of Givneh.

Ghostly fingers caressed her hair. The touch slid down her arm, not a lover’s touch, but that of an icy wind. The feeling of a presence was so strong she put her back against the wall. What heat the stones retained from the noon-day sun did nothing to warm her skin—or soul.

No one is there, reality encouraged.

No one you can see, caution answered.

For long moments she stood watching the street. Finally, the bags of vegetables she had purchased at the market grew heavy. “This is ridiculous,” she growled. “There is no one there.” This is just a case of nerves.

A toss of her head cleared an errant strand of hair from her face. A whispered incantation to cloak herself from the prying eyes of villagers and she knocked.

The hidden door slid open to reveal the same young soldier who was on duty when she left earlier that morning. “Greetings, mistress.” However, instead of the usual wave, he brushed past her and scanned the street.

He feels it too. Her unease growing stronger, Kia stepped over the threshold into the darkness of the building. Hurry up and close the door, she silently urged. Then she sent a prayer winging skyward that the sanctuary of the temple would stop whoever, or whatever, spied on her.As the door closed, the image of a silver cord being squeezed filled her mind. With a snick, the lock bar slid into place. With the door secured, the eerie contact vanished.

I have to speak to Brantly. As the Oracle he can explain what happened.

You already know the answer, fear retorted. Someone used magic to track you.

But who? And why?

 ~ ~ ~
Windmaster Golem -A rogue mage with an army of clay soldiers under his control means to take over the mythical city beneath the lake—and to rule all mages. And the one he wants most is Kia. Brodie’s assignment? Protect her. But how can a man without any magic of his own fight a curse or protect a friend from an invisible stalker?

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Out and About - Book Goodies

A fun mini-interview at Book Goodies about Windmaster Legacy. https://bookgoodies.com/windmaster-legacy-by-helen-henderson/ #fantasy #romance 

Hooked on Fire and Amulet, Balance, #mfrwhooks

A few lines from Fire and Amulet using the BookQW "balance."

To set the stage, Deneas is on her quest. The wide sandy beach narrowed to strip of coarse sand mixed with pebbles and broken shells. Waves crashed against a staggered row of rock pillars standing between the cliff face and the deeper water before retreating to make way for the next row of waves. She was going to brave the water and stones to continue on.

Excerpt:

The hypnotic effect of the deep roar of the long rows of waves against the beach made it hard to think. Deneas shook her head to clear the cobwebs. Counting the heartbeats between the swell and the resulting explosion of spray allowed her to calculate how much time she would have to cross each sentinel stone.

Her world narrowed to quick dashes, long leaps, and using all her strength to hold on to slick rocks. Sea spray soaked her hair until water ran down into her eyes. A toss of her head cleared her vision. One wave, then two, rolled between the stone she balanced on and safety.

A deep breath and she leaped. Wet sand clutched at her. Two rolls brought her up against a piece of driftwood. When the sparks cleared, she stood and worked her way around the headlands to a wide beach with a row of undulating dunes covered with clumps of scrub grass.

Determination filled her frame. She looked at the last place her mother had described. A jagged stone outcropping so tall she couldn’t see the top without going wagon lengths out into the water towered above the beach. Four large black circles interrupted the sheer wall. The lowest offered access from the water. Each of the upper entrances had a ledge extending from it and a winding series of narrow steps connecting the different openings.

“I made it, Mother,” came out in a whisper that was quickly snatched away by the breeze.

Except for the difference in their entrances, the site reminded her of Trelleir’s sanctuary. She winced in pain at the knowledge she would never see it or its owner again.

~ * ~

Having a slayer as a friend is dangerous when you’re a dragon.

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Helping Others on the BWL Blog

Over on the BooksWeLove Blog, I'm sharing some thoughts on volunteering.
~till next time, Helen

Hooked on Fire and Amulet, Everyone, #MFRWhooks

 

A few lines from Fire and Amulet using the #bookqw EVERYONE. To set the stage, fate led Karst to a deserted cabin in a mysterious valley.

Karst stood on the porch and looked out at the thick gray cloud that once again covered the valley. Unbroken by the sun, the heavy damp chilled any exposed skin, keeping everyone near their fires. Bare feet sent the cold up his spine until he clutched the blanket tighter around his shoulders.

The fog absorbed the sound of both voice and craft until he felt he was the last man alive. Only the occasional muffled hoof fall broke the sense of total isolation. As he had for the past sevenday, he cursed the weather that delayed his leaving even as he welcomed the excuse for more meals with the traders.

Besides the good food and company, they had already been a source of information. Feldt had revealed the reason few traders took their wagons to Darceth. The ruling council and its leader were as likely to confiscate the wares as to bargain for them.

Karst came up with another justification for not taking to the trail besides the weather. Feet sore from the forest’s tripping roots felt better that morning than they had since his father sent him on the cursed quest. Several more days of rest and he might even be able to keep his boots on for more than a candlemark or two.

Trapped by an uneasiness he couldn’t pinpoint, he returned to the confines of the logs.

~ * ~

Having a slayer as a friend is dangerous when you’re a dragon.

Available in Ebook or Paperback at Amazon
Additional sites at Books2Read

 


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Hooked on Fire and Amulet, Free For Now, #mfrwhooks

 

A few lines from Fire and Amulet continuing the underground journey.

To set the stage, Trellier shows Deneas a magical place at the end of the labrynth.

The circle of pale light that marked the end of the latest tunnel grew larger with each step. It provided just enough brightness to silhouette Trelleir’s frame. “Not long now,” he said.

Deneas barely heard the encouragement above the low rush of water. She breathed a sigh of relief. If it hadn’t been for Trelleir’s stolid support, the journey through the interminable darkness would have been unbearable. Softly voiced directions in her ear and his hand on hers guided her around one last series of stone pillars and onto a narrow ledge. “It will take a moment or two for your eyes to adjust."

Repeated blinks cleared away some of the haze. Several more revealed that the world outside wasn’t shrouded in fog, she was looking at it through a living curtain of water. The tunnel opening was behind a waterfall. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

“Welcome to the outside world.” Pride filled Trelleir’s voice. Leading the way, he headed down stone steps carved by water. And, Deneas realized, also by man. The walkway ended at the moss carpet of a clearing. He dropped his pack and waved for her to do the same. “We can take a good rest here. No one from Darceth outside of your mother knows of this place’s existence.”

~ * ~Having a slayer as a friend is dangerous when you’re a dragon.

Available in Ebook or Paperback at Amazon
Additional sites at Books2Read

 

Hooked on Fire and Amulet, Underground Ends, #mfrwhooks

Continuing the post, "Ahead," a few lines from Fire and Amulet. To set the stage, Trelleir leads Deneas through an underground labrynth.

Dawn found them stopped in a shadowed crevice. Trelleir gestured at a flat rock that formed a natural bench. “Time for a rest.” He glanced at the sky. “We’ll make camp and break our fast. Since we’re three valleys over from Darceth, and none of the residents ever come this far, we’ll be safe for a few candlemarks.” He struck firestone to rock and created a fire. A comforting glow danced on the walls pulling Deneas’ thoughts away from the previous days’ events.

She watched Trelleir add water to a pan of ground meal and a few moments later the enticing smell of hot cakes filled the air. He flipped them to brown the other side, then scooped them onto plates. Taking one, he handed her the other. “My cooking may not be that of your mother’s, but it will fill the emptiness within.” His gaze seemed to pierce to her soul. “While we eat, we can decide where to go next.”

She snagged a rolled-up parchment from her bag, and one-handed spread it on the rock between them. She laid a finger on a spot farther down the mountain range. “First, I need to go here. Then after I decipher more of my mother’s notes, I’ll decide on the next part of the journey.”

Trelleir’s smile melted some of the chill around Deneas’ heart. “Agreed. If Caldar or Karst were to ambush Geren and his wife that is the one place far enough away from Darceth so that the rest of the villagers couldn’t interfere. Once Geren and his family are through the pass, those from Nawddmir will make sure he is safe.”

From his chuckle she knew the surprise must have shown on her face.

“No, you didn’t voice your wish to make sure Geren remained safe,” Trelleir said. “You told me he was leaving Darceth and that you gifted him your house. I figure Caldar wouldn’t take the insult without at least attempting to answer it.”

~ * ~

Having a slayer as a friend is dangerous when you’re a dragon.

Available in Ebook or Paperback at Amazon
Additional sites at Books2Read

 

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Sea Tribute, Windmaster #SnippetSunday, #WeWriWa #8Sunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write ... and read!

​Today's excerpt is from Windmaster, the first book of the fantasy, romance series, the Windmaster Novels. 

To set, the scene, Sea Falcon was attacked by a pirate ship. Thanks to the skill of the crew and the archmage's magic, the ship won the conflict. But it came with a price. And now the SundaySnippet, a tribute to a lost sailor.

* * * *

Excerpt

A crewman’s cry of surprise at the two shipfish who rose alongside the ship broke Ellspeth’s inward focus. She felt the crew’s awe as the sea creatures’ whispery sounds repeated the funeral dirge. Their silver bodies surged upward to balance on split tails. “Almost like the King’s Guard,” a grizzled crewman at the rail offered. His observation of an honor guard came true when two more shipfish surfaced—the body balanced between their large back fins. The Sea Falcon’s crew stood motionless while eerie whistles echoed across the lake. When the final note of the unusual dirge faded away, the shipfish and their cherished burden slipped out of sight. Full dark had settled upon the still lake before the crew sought their bunks.

Unwilling to move, Ellspeth stood alone at the bow rail.

End of Excerpt
 

* * * *
 

Windmaster  - Available at these online bookstores

 
​I hope you like the snippet I shared for Dal/Ellspeth this week. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen