Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 35

2021 D : Dragon

 Since I like to hang out with mages and fly with dragons, it should come as no surprise that I chose dragons for the letter "D."  

 

 

Dragons inhabit two of the fantasy worlds I've lived in: the Dragshi Chronicles and the work-in-progress I refer to as Fire and Amulet.

Trellier is a true dragon, the last of his kind, and an orphan. When he broke his shell, the rookery was filled with nothing but shattered shells and the remains of a bonfire. He has an earth magic of his own which enables him to take on human form.

He has lived amongst and has been friend to several residents of Darceth, and has acquired some human traits such as the love of good food and books. Even when in human form, he still prefers to live in a cave. Unlike the stark interior of the cave where he was born, the one he made is own is full of books and items collected from his journey around the land. His tale and that of the slayer sent to destroy him is going to be told in Fire and Amulet.

In contrast are the dragons of the Dragshi Chronicles. When certain humans are born, the dragons sing a welcome, not just for the human babe, but also its dragon soul twin. The dragon half of the paring usually signals its existence when its human mate reaches early adulthood. However, most of the dragon soul twins just watch the goings of the world from their quiet corner of the human twin's mind. 

The dragons in the Dragshi Chronicles come in a variety of colors. Beylnea is a yelllow dragon with gold eyes, while Erarien is silver. Fitheach is black and has gray eyes. Llewlyn is amber. The gold flecks in his black eyes sparkle when he is happy or flare when he is angry. 

In many ways the dragons mirror their human soul twin. Llewlyn has a black streak that stretches across his wings. The mark matches a scar that runs across Branin, his human half's back from shoulder to shoulder. As Branin is the most skilled fighter amongst his kind, Llewlyn is the largest of his. He also has a distinct personality of their own. Besides a sense of human, one of his traits is to express his opinion, and when he refers to a human he doesn't like just pictures them rather than using their name.

You can learn more about the dragshi and their dragon soul twins in the Dragshi Chronicles.

The Dragshi Chronicles - one click to estores 

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

To make following the hop easier, here is the link to all my posts. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.

~ till next time, Helen

2021 C : Customs

 

This post features some customs from the worlds of the Dragshi and The Windmaster Novels. The concept of marriage is universal between the two series, but the actual ceremonies differ depending on the culture such as the southern island or the mountain clan. 

In the Windmaster Novels, the sharing of a promise token signifies the joining of the couple. It could be of metal, wood, or even a handwoven bracelet. Dal handcarved the wooden tokens he planned to use as a betrothal. A snippit of the actual ceremony from Windmaster Legacy appeared in last years challenge.

The southern island version of handfasting from Windmaster follows:

The rhythmic drums gave one final thud as Semelen leaped to his feet; his arms raised high for attention.

“My friends, let us ask the water gods for success for our hunters and blessings for those who journey on the morrow.”

A young man, a few seasons short of his second decade, led a woman the same age to where Semelen stood. The boy’s face was solemn, the girl’s shy and wistful. The old wizard wrapped a floral vine around the pair’s wrists. His hands upon the pair’s heads, he closed his eyes and spoke a blessing in an ancient tongue. The couple departed hand-in-hand into the jungle.

A few minutes later another couple approached Semelen, who repeated the short ceremony. This couple ran off toward the beach, sleeping mats tucked under their arms.

Ellspeth slipped around the dying fire, her light tread silent on the soft carpet of short grass. Dal looked up into her eyes, now a light willow green sparkling with emotion.

“For a safe journey.” She placed a floral wreath around Dal’s neck.

Dal fought down the feelings that rose with Ellspeth’s touch. Then his eyes hooded with suppressed passion, he stood. A swift motion lifted the wreath from his neck and placed it around Ellspeth’s. Her fingers felt warm in his as he led her over to Semelen. At their approach, the islander’s brown face glowed with a broad smile.

Ellspeth laid two wreaths of entwined flowers in Semelen’s hand. “For your blessing.”

Jesmen’s coached her well. Ellspeth’s innocent face and the action he was taking tightened Dal’s chest. If only this was for real. He barely felt the vines when Semelen draped them over their wrists, then lifted one to set it upon Ellspeth’s silver curls. The old islander stretched to his full height and placed the second wreath on Dal’s dark hair. Semelen lifted his hands to the sky. His lilting words low, he pronounced his blessing in the liquid tongue of the shamans who once led the ancient inhabitants of the island. Dal bowed his head and mentally translated Semelen’s blessing.

Mountain and Sea are Bound Together
For One Year Two Lives As One
For a Lifetime Two Souls Entwined.

Dal forced down his racing pulse. I’m sorry Elle, but the prophecy won’t be denied.

~ ~ ~

 

The Windmaster Novels  - one click to estores 

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

To make following the hop easier, here is the link to all my posts. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.

~ till next time, Helen

2021 B : Bad Character

 

This year's "B" follows in the tradition of Broch and Bashim, characters who can Not even mildly be called "bad." Now the similarity between the two is merely coincidental. Broch appeared in the first two books of the Dragshi Chronicles, while Bashim haunted The Windmaster Novels.

The differences don't end at series and gender. Lady Broch was the daughter of a major land holder. However, her aspirations were larger than ruling a table-sized area. She wanted to rule the world and her means was to wed Lord Branin Llewlyn of the dragshi. In contrast, Bashim was a member of the trading guild,the House of Pirri. In fact, his older brother Malor had attained the rank of ship captain.

Not a "bad" character by spelling of his name, but by temperament and ancestry, Relliq deserves a mention. Like his ancestor Bashim, Relliq wanted to control all those with powers. And both meant to achieve that goal even if they had to kill all the adults who had come into their magical abilities and start over with the untrained mates whose powers had not yet awakened. However Relliq did plan one exception to his scorched ground policy--Kia. Their tale is told in Windmaster Golem.

 

The Windmaster Novels  - one click to estores

The Dragshi Chronicles - one click to estores 

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

To make following the hop easier, here is the link to all my posts. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.

~ till next time, Helen

2021 A + E = D

To start off this year's challenge, not only a different approach to a title, but also to showcase a work-in-progress. During the final edits of Windmaster Golem (Book 4 of The Windmaster Novels,) I discovered that I used the same name for one of the archmage's twin daughters and I did for one of the main characters in "Hatchling's Guardian." I inadvertently broke one of my naming conventions.

Now that would not normally make much off a difference because "Hatchling's Guardian"was a short story with limited  circulation. However, when the short story became the basis for my current novel, working title Fire and Amulet, one or the other characters had to receive a new name so as not to confuse the readers.

Whether to rename the work close to publication or one that had not yet begun? The decision of which character to rename was obvious... Denai of "Hatchling's Guardian" had to get a new identity. But I really liked the name and Denai was quite addament that that was her name. So what to do?

In the work in progress, Denai's name was created from those of her parents, her mother Adais and her father, Enae. The calculation A + E = D was reworked. Right now the dragon slayer sent out on the final quest is called Deneas.  While the spelling is still similar, the pronunciation is different enough that hopefully the readers don't get confused.

If you want to learn more about Denai,
her tale is part of Windmaster Golem.

Windmaster Golem - one click to estores

 
If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

To make following the hop easier, here is the link to all my posts. Just remember, the next day's post isn't live until midnight.

~ till next time, Helen

2021 A-Z Connections

Thank you for visiting Journey to Worlds of Imagination during the 2021 A to Z in April Challenge To make following along easier, the link to each day's challenge will be added to the appropriate letter as the month goes on.

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~till next time, Helen    

 

 

Hooked on First Change, Immediate #mfrwauthor

The dragshi are more than just a man or woman. Each are two beings–one a dragon, the other a human–sharing one body in space in time and able to change forms with the other at will. Their world and the adventures of the dragon shifters are recorded in the Dragshi Chronicles

Unlike the previous works in the series which related to the trader girl Anastasia and Lord Branin Llewlyn, First Change features the real story behind the legends told in the previous volumes.

Using the book quote word, IMMEDIATE, an excerpt from the dragonshifter novella, Forever Bound.

Excerpt:

Pryell looked at the people crowded into the big hall. It had taken him a candlemark to work his way through streets thick with people to reach the building where the dance to welcome the dragon shifters was being held. And then it took another half a candlemark to reach the corner reserved for those attending the succession meeting. He wondered how anyone could hear the music above the conversations.

Trumpet flourishes rang out to be overridden by the swish of cloth as people moved to open an aisle down the middle of the room. From behind the door, the herald’s announcement echoed over the now-silent crowd. “Lords and ladies, distinguished guests, leading the first dance, may I present Lady Cailin Traethaderyn of Cloud Eyrie accompanied by his lordship, Kanel of Derilton. Also serving as first pair is Lady Breana of Joward escorted by Lord Lasair Donnursach of Cloud Eyrie.”

Stretching to see above the heads of those around him, Pryell caught a glimpse of the blond haired female shifter being escorted to center of dance floor. An immediate hatred for the tall man who followed her and a strong desire to tear the dragon lord down and humble him took over Pryell. Before he could censor the thought, it swept forward. I will have that one on his knees before me. 

 As if he heard the vow, the dragon lord looked up. His gaze scanned the room.

~ * ~

Buy Links: Links to ebook sellers

Additional excerpts from the three novellas (and two bonus short stories) in First Change.

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Journey the high seas, and from mountain heights to cavern depths on an epic quest. But be warned, before a destiny is fulfilled, decisions must be made. Choose well. 

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Hooked on Hatchling's Mate, Temptation #mfrwhook

To set the scene, against all orders, Talann swam across a flooded river to save women and children stranded on a hill. Rescued after the barge capsized on its final crossing, Talann remains unconscious.The posts that led up to this scene are at raging river, breathe, and race to safety.

Excerpt:

Two paces took Glyn to the recently-vacated chair and she sat down only to bounce back up a heartbeat later. It wasn’t the warmth left from Lexii’s hands still lingering on the wood arms that prevented relaxing. The urge to pace was too strong. Neither the food nor the notebook awaiting the latest tale requested by the ceoltiers worked to overcome the tension in the room—and her body. Finally, giving in to the reality of her own exhaustion, Glyn leaned against the wall. No matter where she looked, her gaze returned to Talann. 

The stubble of a beard covered his usually clean-shaven jaw. He is too pale, Glyn swore.

Now a different desire, the unwelcome intrusion that had occurred to frequent of late, rose. Go to him.  

I cannot give in, Glyn resolved. I cannot break my persona, too much depends on maintaining the ruse. 

And what happens, honesty added, when Talann learns the truth that has been hid all these long years? 

The one answer that appeared could not be tolerated—the loss of a friend. 

As she had done more often these past few seasons for the strength the words provided, Glyn silently repeated her vow to protect Lexii up to and including her own life. This time, it was easier to resist the desire to run the back of her hand along Talann’s jaw. 

The silence in the room sounded a clarion call. Talann’s breathing was so shallow it appeared as if was not asleep, but dead. A finger on his wrist showed a pulse, one too weak and erratic for the strong-willed man. Glyn had to admit the reality of Lexii’s fears. Talann was not fighting. 

Head bowed, she cast a silent prayer to the universe to save him. In the tradition of her trader clan, she added, “Ancestors preserve your descendent, Talann. Guard him in this world.” The lack of response forced a more drastic approach—one that threatened her oath of service. “Return, Talann. Return to this world,” she whispered. 

Laying a hand on his shoulder she issued a final command. “Return to me!”

 ~ ~ ~
Hatchling's Mate - From their birth it was expected that Talann’s and Lexii’s destiny would be entwined. However fate had other intentions. Lexii and Talann could not stand to be together. And caught in the middle, Lexii's bodyguard, Glyn, risks everything, including her one chance at love in the name of duty.

Ebook Available at:
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Lottery for Life #MFRWauthor

 

Welcome to the MFRW challenge. This month's topic is "An event where Luck played a part."

The tale of Mirabeesh, Empress of Eruichin, immediately came to mind when I read the topic. Before the rule of dragon law, the head daxa, the one who spoke for the god Tagachim, was second in power to the emperor. And he was the one who controlled what female would be chosen to marry the mountain god either by being thrown into a volcano or sealed in an ice cave.

A woman between the ages of seventeen and fourty was chosen by lottery, which is where luck comes in. Tiles bearing the names of unwed females or those who have failed to produce a child in five years of marriage were mixed and a random pick made.  Or at least it was supposed to be random. However, the head daxa had a specific woman in mind to be selected diovi.
 

Excerpt from Fire and Ice:

Xelme pulled a jade cube from the bowl and held it aloft. “Tagachim’s demands must be obeyed or fire will flow from the mountain. The ice will melt and rivers of burning rock shall submerge the city.” He spun to show the token to the crowd and returned his attention back onto Mirabeesh. “There is one here who meets the age—and is childless.”  

Mirabeesh wanted to run, but couldn’t move. The urge to plunge her blade into the daxa’s heart ballooned into life. Anything to silence Xelme, to stop him from saying the name associated with the token. In the end, she remained still.

Xelme radiated satisfaction as he announced his selection, “Mirabeesh, come forth.”

Roars ripped from the throats of the palace guards and the assembled townspeople prevented Kai’s low growl from being heard by any but her. She lay her hand over the fingers tight on her arm. “My lord, it is the law.” 

Tendons bulged, his grip turned into bands of iron. He let out his breath in a gush, releasing his grip.  

“It is all right, my love,” Mirabeesh whispered. “I understand.” She walked to stand at the end of the line of white. The embroidery and light blue color of her gown stood out, a flare against other diovi. 

Two red-robed men grabbed for her.  

Her glare stopped them in mid-action. They dropped their arms and stood in attentive silence. Instead of presenting the image of captive and captor, they became humbled servants.

Xelme grunted his displeasure, but kept any other response he wanted to make to himself. He dropped the green token into the tube. Making a show of his movements, he tied the lid in place with gold wire and held the container above his head. Despite the crowd of thousands, except for the pounding of her heart, Mirabeesh only heard the clatter of the diovi markers. Instead of reflecting the sun, the wood absorbed it. No longer a tube it became a black arrow, the symbol of destiny—and death.  

A drumbeat and two acolytes stepped from the shadows. The youths carried a metal globe mounted in a wooden frame. Light flashed on the polished bands. Xelme adopted a solemn demeanor. “No hand of man will decide who will be diovi. Tagachim will select his own bride.” After the prelate’s gaze raked each of the women before him, he slid the container of tokens into a slot in the middle of the wire cage and secured it with more gold wire. Deft movements slid a long handle into an open slot in the frame. One by one, first the acolytes, then their masters took three turns at the handle. Rattles accompanied each spin of the globe.

 Mirabeesh closed her eyes and wanted to cover her ears. Each clash of token against wood sounded like a death knell. An eerie silence forced her to open her eyes. Xelme held the tube in one hand, the lid in the other. Smiling, he tossed the lid back into the selecting globe. His tongue licked his lips. “Let those presented for sacrifice prepare to meet their god Tagachim.” 

 Slowly, inch by inch, the temple leader tilted the container until a single cube dropped into his hand. He raised his hand above his head, but kept the marker hidden. A cat with a trapped mouse he toyed with the crowed. Although his expression reflected the solemn occasion, Xelme’s eyes sparkled with pleasure. “Tagachim has selected his new bride,” the daxa intoned. 

 Inevitability darkened Mirabeesh’s soul. Even before the ruler of the temple revealed the cube, she knew the color—and whose name it bore.

  ~ ~ ~ 

 

First Change: Legends From The Eyrie
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~till next time, Helen

Be sure to see how the other authors answered the question. https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/

Hooked on Hatchling's Mate, Ride to safety #mfrwauthor #mfrwhook

 To set the scene, against all orders, Talann swam across a flooded river to save women and children stranded on a hill. After successfully taking across a rope that served as the foundation to tow a barge back and forth. The women, children, and horses across, Talann is returning to the safe side of the river with his stallion, a mare and her very skittish colt. The makeshift barge capsizes and its precious contents are tossed into the raging waters. Even after his friends get him breathing again, the danger is not over. The saga continues...


Excerpt:

Glyn looked beyond those gathered around the small fire to the motionless body covered with blankets. Kynan and Uaine bracketed Lexii, who sat on an upturned block of wood. Carys, the village healer of Coneighre described in hushed tones the various injuries sustained during the flood rescue. Only Uaine did not reflect the worry on the healer’s face.

“Talann has to get back to the village as soon as possible,” Carys said. “But, he can’t take the bouncing of a wagon.” The older woman’s gaze flickered to Talann, then circled to Lexii. “No reflection on you, m’lady, or to your dragon soul sister, Beylnea, but Talann’s bones are barely knit together and cannot stand much strain.” Anger replaced the earlier worry. “Two of the boys have broken bones that requires my and Lexii’s attention. And, several of the young girls have bad cases of winter cough. If I get the tonic prepared soon enough, they will recover.” Her fists clenched and her eyes darted from the fire to the shelter housing the sick children and pale Talann. “Even if we can get him to the village, I must stay here.”

<Lexii?> Glyn reached out with a thought narrowed only to the dragshi. But, the question that needed asking refused to be voiced.

<Glyn, if you know how to save Talann, of course, you may go,> Lexii answered. <He needs you more than I.> Her tone brightened. <And it is not as if you leave me unprotected.> Switching to voice, she addressed the group. “Carys, if we get Talann to Coneighre, what care will he require?”

“Just keep him warm. I believe once the shock wears off, he will wake up on his own.”

“Then I have an idea,” Glyn said. “Create a wooden frame between my mare’s saddle and the one on Ohlmar.” At the doubt on the healer’s face, Glyn explained, “It is little known outside of the dragshi, but the seidheirn can match their gait, synchronize their steps. Even though we can’t take advantage of their full speed, we’ll still get to the village faster than men on foot, and with a lot less jostling to Talann.”

With a rapidness that showed the need—and the respect given to Talann—Kynan and Uaine prepared the carrier and set the blanket-covered wounded man upon it. Traces from an old harness securely tied him on the improvised stretcher.
 ~ ~ ~
Hatchling's Mate - From their birth it was expected that Talann’s and Lexii’s destiny would be entwined. However fate had other intentions. Lexii and Talann could not stand to be together.

Ebook Available at: Amazon   Kobo  Walmart
One click to more ebook stores

Paperback:  Amazon   Barnes&Noble