Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 26
May 3, 2022
Meet The ArchMage Lord Dal #mfrwhooks
Physical Description
In Windmaster Legacy, Dal is in his early thirties. Even though men from the M’twan Mountains run to long in the leg, Dal is a full head taller than many of his kin. The scars on his forearms from practice blades and actual battles tell of his experiences as a mercenary trained before his powers asserted themselves.
Dal's black hair is short on sides and falls to just below shoulder in back. Besides his muscular frame which hints at his true strength, one of the first things many people notice about him are his light brown eyes that tend to sparkle with an internal amusement.
Desperate to get her goods undercover before the heat ruined them, Ellspeth searched the bustling docks. She focused on a man. Not because he busily shifted crates, but because he lounged against a barrel placed in the shade.
His clothes seem of good quality. Maybe he’s a local tradesman. After a second look at the well-worn loose breeches, tight vest, and leather neckband, she corrected herself. Or, the younger son of a chieftain from the Mtwan mountain region. A few quick steps took her to the loafer who watched her approach, amusement sparkling in his light brown eyes.
“You look strong. I will pay you ten coppers for the day. That is double the going rate. Payment when Sea Falcon is unloaded.”
Accustomed to an immediate response from her crew, Ellspeth’s fists clenched at his insolent stare when he ignored her and took another bite of his meat roll. His gaze holding hers, he raised his earthen mug in salute. “Do you even have ten coppers?
Background
Dal is the younger son of a mountain clan. His friendship with Fraunces, King of the Second Kingdom, started when Dal presented him with one of the favored horses from the Mtwan mountains that he had captured and broke to bit and bridle.
More About Him (Secrets or Public)
Dal became the last surviving member of the wizard’s council when a rogue mage murdered everyone on the Isle of Mages. However, even before every other trained wizard died, Dal was the head of the council.
I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Dal. Find excerpts by clicking on the cover in the banner. For more of Windmaster Legacy, find the information below.
Buy Links: One click to ebook sellers
Paperback at Amazon
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&nbs
April 29, 2022
2022 Z : Zoology
Certain letters of the challenge are harder than others. The letter "Z" is one of them. The most common "Z" word that comes to mind is Zoo. I used that for the 2020 challenge Z-word. This time instead of focusing on my favorite place to take photographs, you are invited to meet some of the creatures that inhabited Deneas' world.
Cats
Several species of large, cats stalk the land, especially at night. A single swipe of a paw could hamstring and bring down a rambler or disembowel a man. An excerpt of a camp invaded and Deneas' encounter with one of the. lethal felines.
An ominous growl echoed in the night. A heartbeat later, a second, closer one, came from where a pair of green eyes glowed from on top of the wall. ...
Slowly, so as not to encourage an attack before she was ready, she stirred up the coals, sending the orange flames higher. What had been almost invisible except for the unblinking jewels of its eyes now resolved into a large, spotted cat. Deneas weighed the stick in her hand. One swipe of the creature’s massive paws would break the wood in two.
Helwr
The aerial hunters of legend are showcased in the 2022 challenge post, H is for Helwr.
RamblersHerds of shaggy beasts called ramblers roamed the plains, leveling anything in their path. Not even knives or arrows matched the killing power of the young bulls’ horns and hooves. The adult males who ruled the herd stand taller at the shoulder than a grown man ruled the herd. Their horns were longer, sharper, and more lethal.
American Bison, aka Buffalo, were the inspiration for the ramblers. My first introduction to them, other than on Saturday morning westerns, was a grade school class trip to a family farm who had several bison. Later, I saw a small herd of them on a regular basis at a buffalo ranch near my family farm.
Another inspiration for the ramblers was Bronco, a cow-buffalo cross. He could be exasperating and frustrating. Usually by breaking out of the pasture when you want to go somewhere such as high school graduation. And of course, he refused to respond to the usual call of clanging a wooden spoon against his feed bucket.
This is the last post in the challenge. I hope you've enjoyed the trip to the world of Fire and Amulet. To make following my posts in the challenge easier, you can find all my posts at 2022 AtoZ Connections.
Fire and Amulet Buy LinksEbook: Books2Read Don't see your favorite site. Check back on the Books2Read page for additional sale sites as they are added.
Paperback: Amazon
~till next time, Helen
April 28, 2022
2022 Y : Yesterdays
As a change from the earlier A to Z Challenges where the letter "Y" stood for You the reader, for 2022 "Y" is for Yesterday. The word is especially appropriate with the continuing issues of COVID-19, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and all the other ills of the world. Many people seek the happier, or at least perceived happier, times of their past.
Writers have another use of what has gone before. Some authors set their worlds in times past. Like real people, our characters also have yesterdays. Events from their past can form their character or influence their actions.
Deneas' past includes her dead mother, murdered by the Head Slayer Caldar. Karst is Caldar's son. His mother went missing when he was a child. Where one becomes a helpful, useful member of the village,the other is the town bully. At least until he learns that the world outside is not what his father taught him.
Join Deneas and Karst on their exploration of the world outside the desert dunes of Darceth.
To make following my posts in the challenge easier, you can find all my posts at 2022 AtoZ Connections. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.
~till next time, Helen
April 27, 2022
2022 X : Xtras
Like the earlier challenges, the letter "X" did not want to cooperate. So, extra is changed to phonetic spelling to make it qualify.
A common error when creating a setting, especially a fantasy world, is to include too much detail. While the world's creator needs to know everything about the world they are building,the reader doesn't. Too much detail and the reader can zone out, leaving an otherwise good tale unfinished.
Description is about drawing the reader in and making them live the story with you.Too much detail strips the reader of bringing their own experience to the story. Having to stop for a history lesson, even one featuring intriguing characters, can throw readers out of the fiction.
On the other side of the pendulum, the extra details can help transport the reader out of their daily life to a place not only of the author's imagination, but also that of the reader.
If the time of year is important, a single detail can set the scene. The warmth of the rock the character is sitting on and the smell of the ripe orange fruit he reached up and picks pulls the reader in. Later in the season few fruits remain on the branches making the search for food harder. Too early and most of the fruit is green awaiting the summer heat to ripen them.
A lengthy twelve-paragraph description of the fruit's various shades of color and how to make a fermented drink is made exceeds what the reader needs to know.
Unless the character is actually making the brew. Even then not every step is needed to be included in the story.
To make following my posts in the challenge easier, you can find all my posts at 2022 AtoZ Connections. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.
~till next time, Helen
April 26, 2022
2022 W : Working Dogs
"W" is for Working Dog. A working dog is a dog used to perform practical tasks, rather than being just for companionship. Their breed heritage or physical characteristics lend itself to working. The tasks they perform can also determine what they are called such as herding dog or livestock guardian. Introducing Kir from Fire and Amulet and Faoth from MAGIC AND STEEL, a novella in the collection titled, First Change: Legends From The Eyrie.
From my childhood, the inspiration for Kir and Faoth.
Even without formal training, the collie
became quite adept at herding sheep and children.
Kir is massive, black-faced dog. When responding to danger, his hackles stand up in a golden crown around his face. The lead dog of the pack, Kir not only has to obey his master's commands, but to ensure that the other dogs do as well. They help herd the sheep from pasture to pasture and stop any sheep from wandering off. Even more important is their job as livestock guardian. Kir and his pack protects the flock of sheep from wolves and other predators.
Idwal is the official master of the flock and Kir's master. However, that is only part of the reality. The flock is the property -- and intended to be the meal -- of a dragon.
Karst opened his eyelids a mere slit. Instead of a night-filled sky or the first silvering of dawn, his gaze met the glowing green eyes of the head sheepdog. The animal clamped its teeth on the blanket and with a tug robbed Karst of the slender protection the fabric offered.“Now, Kir,” Idwal’s voice came from the darkness on the other side of the ashes. “That’s no way to greet such a distinguished guest as Slayer Karst.” He gave a harsh laugh. “My apologies. Kir doesn’t always have the best of manners. I just told him to wake you, Slayer, ‘cause we be leaving. You can stay as long as you wish. I drew the landmarks and directions to get to the upper trail in the firepit ashes.”
Karst felt more than saw the massive dog pad away in response to Idwal’s whistle.
Faoth from MAGIC and STEEL is a puppy. Several things make her a useful addition to the pack. Her tawny hide helps her hide from predators until she is ready to attack and she has a special instinct as to what sheep will wander off. More importantly, she is not afraid of dragons. Something the guardians of this particular flock need as they are kept in tribute as the intended meal for the true dragons.
To set the stage for the excerpt. Faoth is now almost full grown and was as large as her sire. The earlier instinct for safeguarding the sheep had matured along with her body. Her talent not only alerts her master to danger, it made her indispensable as a scout. She also served a more unusual function. Her size enabled her master to use her as a focus for the illusion capability of his enspelled sword, Mt’wan Comraich. Kedar has been summoned to the office of the leader of the dragshi to be given a new assignment and he takes the opportunity to use his swords magic.
With a flick of his fingers, Kedar signaled Faoth to bow to Lilese. A single step shifted him to the side. Pleased that he could maintain two ruses at the same time, he projected his voice to where Faoth stood. “You summoned me, mistress? How may I serve?”
Lilese gestured at the younger woman. “Kedar, I want you to meet Lady Mairin Aledriwyr. And, Mairin, this is Kedar, friend and valuable ally of the dragshi.”
Before Kedar could switch places with Faoth, Mairin stood and offered a hand to where she thought Kedar stood. Keeping her part of the illusion, Faoth balanced on his hind feet and held out a paw.
“What?” Mairin shrieked at the touch of fur rather than skin.
To read the rest of Kedar and Mairin's story, click on the First Change cover in the banner.
Fire and Amulet Sales Sites at Books2Read.
To make following my posts in the challenge easier, you can find all my posts at 2022 AtoZ Connections. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.
~till next time, Helen
April 25, 2022
2022 V : Volcano and a Goddess
An introduction to the godddess and her home from Trelleir's point of view.
Each breeze brought the cold of a desert night to Trelleir's high perch on the ledge overlooking the village. The red stream of molten rock flowing from the dark shadow of the mountain on the other side of the valley appeared to hang suspended in the blackness. Its heat would offer respite from the cold. Trelleir resisted not just the lure of the vent, but also the desire to fly to the narrow shelf beneath the volcano’s rim and bask in the warmth of the bubbling pool.Fingers of fire marked openings to the tunnels where the residents of Darceth believed the Goddess held court. To the villagers, the fountain of flame that rose above the peak and mingled with the columns of smoke meant the Goddess was in her house ... and not pleased.
And the truth.
Anger surged through Trelleir’s frame and a wisp of smoke escaped his tight lips. The story of the Goddess was a lie perpetrated by Caldar to maintain control over the villagers. Trelleir thought of the many days…and nights...he had spent on the smoking mountain and never seen a human there, let alone a beautiful female with long black hair and an ivory trident.
Sales Sites for Fire and Amulet at Books2Read.
To make following my posts in the challenge easier, you can find all my posts at 2022 AtoZ Connections. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.
~till next time, Helen
April 24, 2022
2022 U : Underground
One of the things that helps make an epic quest is the character's travels. If they only go from their home to their friend's down the street, there is not the sense of a challenging journey through the world. Worlds don't consist of a single environment, unless they are like the desert planet Tatoinne or the ice planet Hoth.
To make life difficult for my characters, they usually have to pass through a variety of landscapes. Captain Ellspeth and the Archmage Lord Dal sail the high seas, and go from mountain heights to cavern depths. In Windmaster Golem, Brodie and the mages cross desert and mountains race to save a mythical city, hidden beneath a lake. The letter "L" in the 2022 challenge stands for Landscape. While Deneas has to find a way around a deadly hedgerow, Karst finds himself captured by the siren call of the singing grass.
But this post is supposed to feature a "U" phrase. My experience doesn't include the vast subterranean area within the stone that Ellspeth explored within the massive stone monolith to obtain the silver circlet. Instead mine focused on local caves or in states we visited. Some were large, well-developed tourist attrations. Others had more unique draws such as boat trips on an underground river. One thing most of them had in common was the lights-out. At one point in the tour, after warnings not to move, to stand in place, the guide flicked a switch and turned off whatever lights had been installed.
Deneas has two experiences with the underground. The following excerpt from Fire and Amulet is the beginning of her slayer quest.
No sense of day or night existed in the darkness of the tunnels. Deneas lost sense of time. Ahead of her, Trelleir walked in silence with only the soft scuff of leather on stone or the drip of water to break the deathly quiet. Her entire being submerged into nothing but the bright spot that was Trelleir’s torch. When they emerged from one tunnel to cross a valley to a hole in another mountain, the same blackness, both of the soul and the moonless sky weighed down their steps.
Whether the tons of stone above them magnified Trelleir’s thoughts, or the darkness that surrounded them sharpened her focus, Deneas swore she heard the unspoken maelstrom of his mind. She knew when he stepped around a rock that would trip the unwary or across a rivulet that would send a person sliding into a bottomless pit.To make following my posts in the challenge easier, you can find all my posts at 2022 AtoZ Connections. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.
~till next time, Helen
If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.
April 22, 2022
2022 T : Truth
Two of the main things that can make or break a novel are the plot and the characters. Problems can occur when the two intersect. A character has a secret that the plot demands be exposed. Decisions have to be made as to who learns the secret and when. Is the revelation to be foreshadowed or told outright to the reader? After all you don't want to give away too much too soon or ruin the rest of the story?
What I have found especially challenging is to ensure the other character's reactions upon the revelation are appropriate.
The first time I encountered an in-depth, extended deception by a character was Glyn in Hatchling's Mate. An excerpt of when a friend discovers the truth about Glyn's true gender.
Over the healer’s shoulder Glyn saw fear flicker across Vivel’s face and Lexii skin pale beneath her tan. She tried to move, to reach her friend, but was held down by Sairtem. Even that small amount of effort took all of her resources and she collapsed back. She could not fight the healer, Vivel—and Kynan.
“Let Vivel handle it,” Sairtem ordered.
Her body. My secret is out. Glyn’s gaze locked on Kynan’s. She tried to gauge his reactions to Lexii’s words. My fate will be decided in the next heartbeat. One part of her welcomed the release of her role as protector. Another whispered a single word. Failure. Her oath to maintain the disguise and to protect Lexii with her own life if necessary was forsworn.
Kynan spun on Vivel. “Her body? Lexii said ‘her body’ and was referring to Glyn.”
Sadness filled the ceoltier’s mobile face. “Kynan, you now possess knowledge known but to a few.
. . .Kynan took two steps and knelt by the bed. “All these years, you didn’t say anything.”
Slowly Glyn forced out her words. “An oath was sworn. Please, Kynan. Don’t tell anyone. I know it will be hard, but no one must know my secret, especially Talann.” She raised a hand to grasp his and squeezed with all her might. “Promise me. On your ancestors and friendship with Talann.”
The longer Kynan remained silent, the more worried Glyn became. However, she had said all that she could. The decision was his.
When you are a dragon and everyone thinks you are a human, revealing your true self has consequences. An excerpt from Fire and Amulet where Trelleir faces such a decision.
“Four to one odds,” he cursed. “Even though they only have sticks, their numbers are too many.” Strategy after strategy was evaluated in flashing thoughts. Each one was dismissed, increasing the feeling of being trapped. We can’t go forward or back. Can’t climb the cliff. That only leaves down and the river.
A test of the wind offered a hope. There is sufficient lift for me in dragon form to hold Deneas aloft long enough for us to safely reach the river’s edge.
But what about Leri? Again, the compassion Deneas’ mother had taught him interfered with dragon instinct.
As it had before, his heart argued to save Deneas.
Reality urged against it. First, that he still didn’t know how she would take the revelation of his true self. And, in the midst of battle was not the time for surprises. Not only could it be a fatal distraction, there was Sales Sites for Fire and Amulet at Books2Read.
To make following my posts in the challenge easier, you can find all my posts at 2022 AtoZ Connections. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.
~till next time, Helen
April 21, 2022
2022 S : Shepherd
S is for Shepherd. Meet Keldar from the Dragshi Chronicles and Idwal from the new release, Fire and Amulet. Although both manage a flock of sheep, the men and their lives are quite different.
Idwal is a gray-bearded oldster. The flock he manages is Trelleir's property. However as long as there are sheep for his meal when he comes calling, Trelleir allows Idwal to keep whatever coins he makes from the flock's wool. A few lines from Karst's meeting with Idwal.
Karst took in the shepherd with a glance. The other man didn’t carry a sword but held a tall staff with the familiarity of a well-used weapon.
The next morning, things don't go as Karst planned. To start his day, Idwal's head dog pulled Karst's blanket off.
“Now, Kir,” Idwal’s voice came from the darkness on the other side of the ashes. “That’s no way to greet such a distinguished guest as Slayer Karst.” He gave a harsh laugh. “My apologies. Kir doesn’t always have the best of manners. I just told him to wake you, Slayer, ‘cause we be leaving. You can stay as long as you wish. I drew the landmarks and directions to get to the upper trail in the firepit ashes.”
Karst felt more than saw the massive dog pad away in response to Idwal’s whistle. Moments later, the only sound was the buzz of the biting insects flying above the grass. Rage surged through Karst’s frame. “What about my breakfast?” he yelled.
Only a chuckle reached his ears.
We meet Kedar as a mere youth of sixteen and as agile as the sheep he cares for. Yet, his responsibility exceeded his age. He cared for the special flock of sheep the dragshi kept as tribute (and meals) for the dragons who lived on the high ledges above Cloud Eyrie. In fact, he had worked with this flock since he took his first steps. For saving one of the true dragons when a pride of mountain cats attacked, Kedar received additional training. Acting as a messenger and special agent for the dragon lords gave him the opportunity to travel and exposure to the finer things of life.
The excerpt is from the gryphlor attack.
Kedar focused on the snarling creatures in front of him. A swing of the staff broke the closest one’s leg. Crying, the wounded animal limped away. Using the momentum of his attack, Kedar advanced on the second gryphlor. This time, the sturdy wood staff that moved a sheep down the trail or pried a hoof loose from a rock, whipped down onto the middle of the gryphlor’s back, breaking it. Unable to move its rear legs, the cat struggled to rise. Only the tip of its ears rose above the grass before a second blow ended its life.
Fire ripped Kedar’s side. Blood flowed from a rip in his tunic. He turned to see a brown blur. While the two gryphlor had kept him occupied, a third had moved unseen through the tall grass. His teeth gritted against the pain, he hobbled in a circle to keep the remaining cat in sight.
To see the rest of Kedar's destiny and how he becomes the first man to wield the magical sword, Mt’wan Comraich, click on the First Change cover in the banner for buy links and a free read of the first chapter.
A SIDE NOTE: One of the dogs that assist Kedar with the flock and later in his special assignments is Faoth. The puppy is also featured in W : Working Dogs later in this series.
From my childhood, the inspiration for Kir and Faoth. Even without formal training, the collie
became quite adept at herding sheep and children.
If intrigued by this post and the ones that came before, click on the Buy Links below for the entire tale of Deneas and Trelleir.
To make following my posts in the challenge easier, you can find all my posts at 2022 AtoZ Connections. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.
~till next time, Helen
If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants
April 20, 2022
2022 R : Rahu
A dragon is a dragon until it is not. The image of a dragon taught by Caldar and his council was a fearsome winged creature who breathed fire. Deneas and her mother encountered another kind of dragon, one which lived in a river.
Alligators and komodo dragons formed the basis for what became the rahu. A slender flat shape; thick, scaled skin from the long, rounded snout to the massive tail. Yellow stripes that ran from the line of spikes that marked the spine blended the creature with its environs.
An excerpt from Deneas' fight with the rahu.
The water dragon opened a baleful eye. Deneas felt the heat of its hunger. Its snout lifted into the air; lips bared to show two rows of yellow triangular teeth. The creature rose on its short legs just enough so its belly cleared the ground. A low rumbling hiss filled the air.
Deneas stopped in mid-step. “Is this normal behavior?”
“No,” Marth said. “We usually keep our distance and if the rahu see us they slide back into the water.”
Sales Sites for Fire and Amulet at Books2Read.
To make following my posts in the challenge easier, you can find all my posts at 2022 AtoZ Connections. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.
~till next time, Helen
