June Storm Point – Growing by Conflict in the Arena
Growing by conflict in the spiritual arena makes or breaks a story’s characters, and us.
We enjoy our heroes and heroines, handsome and beautiful or not, whether they overcome together or are pitted against their enemy alone. Their spirit, their strengths, and yes, sometimes even their weaknesses, endear them to us—when they show themselves human, yet with a capacity for greatness.
Things we all wish for. We all wish to be brave, to overcome wind and wave and monster—to be a hero to someone, even if only in the ocean of fantasy. –Fantastic Journey pg. 51
Elisa Rae’s newest release showcases this beautifully. Whether in a literal arena or that of a court, the stakes are high, and every challenge gifts us the capacity for growth.
“I long to be free.” I blushed. “He says I am a fool, wishing for something I can’t comprehend, but I understand enough. I wish to make my own decisions and not consider what would please my master.” I clasped my hands at my waist and bowed my head briefly. “You probably agree with him.”
“Quite the contrary.” Greyson glowered at the far wall. “Freedom is precious.”
After a moment of stilted silence, he spoke again. “Be at peace. Bartle will see that Silda does nothing to harm you when reporting to her mistress. And if the servant doesn’t attend to the warnings, I will see to it personally.” His ominous tone sounded almost malevolent.
I watched his expression for a few moments, debating what kind of fae he was. There were so many possibilities. He was too large for a sprite and too small for an ettin, not to mention possessing the wrong coloring. It would be rude to ask, and considering clothing completely covered him form the neck down, he seemed to be possibly hiding his true nature.
“Lord Greyson.” A halfling with glasses tucked into the wild thatch of hair at the top of his head bowed to Greyson.
“Lord?” Panic tightened my chest. Had I been overly familiar with a noble of the Unseelie court?
“I have need of your verification of this order for three hundred barrels of Tiren blackberry wine,” the halfling explained, holding up an invoice.
“Pardon me, my lord.” I curtseyed. “I really must return to work.” I hurried off without waiting for a response, my heart thundering in my chest. An Unseelie nobleman–I had been casually conversing with a member of the court. What a fool he must think me.
The Unseelie’s Wallflower
Because freedom truly is a precious thing, fighting for it carries the most risk. And the highest reward. Never stop fighting for it, above all, the freedom to do right. This a good tale, and one you will enjoy if you like stories of fae and humans and clean, adventurous romance. You can check it out here.
If you can’t get that one at the moment, read one of your old tried and true stories where the battle was hard, the conflict stiff, and the reward worth it all. If not immediately, in the end. Overcoming the arena of hardship in so many different ways is what life is about. Think about what helps you overcome in your arenas of conflict.
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
Until next time, all the best!
Azalea
