S is for Sprites
Hello!
It’s been a good month, writing-wise. I’m working on the second draft on Lady of Hereafter (I’m going with that title for the moment) and significantly changed aspects in most of the first scenes. It also meant ditching around three chapters and re-writing them based on my crit partners’ feedback, but I think it’s leading to a tighter and better plot. I’m about halfway through so there’s still a longish road ahead and with school starting next week, the process is going to slow down. But that’s fine. It’s one of the benefits of self-publishing as I can take the time I need to finish my work.
Here’s an exchange I enjoyed revisiting:
Situation: when Kari, the protagonist, is on the run and has pawned the only item of value she owns to have money to pay for a healer for her dying friend.
“Careful with that, girl.”
I glanced up from the ring I was examining while I waited. A tall, brown-skinned young man with unshaven cheeks and the muscular build of a fighter watched me. The hilt of a serviceable sword jutted out from beneath his fur-trimmed cloak, a cloak meant for winter.
A thick brow rose as I surveyed him. “Can you see me? That’s a first.”
Realisation made me start. A ghost? I hadn’t noticed the slight fuzziness round him—perhaps because the smell of sea-spray didn’t waft off him. If anything, he smelt of wood-smoke and pine needles. But no ghost had ever seen me before. Or spoken to me. His clothing pointed at the spectre being from the North. Was the ghost Dragonian? A magic wielder? What else would explain his ability to communicate with me?
“Were you spying on Etha?” I murmured.
The ghost cocked his head and the green-to-brown eyes danced. “Do I look the part? Buy the ring and let’s get out of here.”
“I don’t have money to waste.” A sudden thought stilled me. “Unless…”
“Unless?”
“Are you a mage? Can you cure a man with a pierced lung?”
“Why should I?”
“Because you and the ring will remain in the shop otherwise?”
His mouth tightened. “The ring needs to return to Dragonia.”
“Why?”
“My business.”
“Then of course the ring remains in Merecastle.”
I love the verbal clashes between the mage and Kari, and I hope readers will grow to love these characters too.
Now on to today’s fantasy creature…
S is for Sprite
Sprites are tiny elemental beings brimming with magic. These creatures are often depicted as guardians of nature, protecting forests, rivers, and other natural spaces. With their delicate wings and glowing, translucent forms, sprites personify the beauty and mystery of the natural world.
In many fantasy stories, sprites are closely connected to the elements, often associated with air, water, earth, or fire. They live in secluded groves, streams and forests. While small and seemingly fragile, sprites possess immense magical powers, which they use to protect the natural world and ward off those who threaten it. In fact, when provoked, they can summon the forces of nature to defend their home.
Sprites have deep roots in European folklore, especially in Celtic and English traditions. They are often portrayed as similar to fairies, with many stories depicting them as trickster-like beings that lead travellers astray or play harmless pranks on humans. Despite their playful tendencies, sprites are rarely malicious.
In modern fantasy, sprites are frequently featured as charming side characters or allies to heroes. Their small size and swift movements make them elusive, and their ability to blend into their environment and harness elemental magic makes them valuable companions on adventurous quests.
Sprites often symbolise innocence, lightness, and the enchanting qualities of nature. Their role as protectors also highlights in fantasy themes of preservation, sustainability, and respect for the earth, themes that resonate strongly in modern times. Sprites, in their gentle and playful ways, remind us of the magic that exists in the natural world and the importance of caring for it.
Even the tiniest creatures can hold great power and significance.
References: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Sprite_(creature); https://imaginarycreatureauthority.wordpress.com/tag/sprites/
Books You Might Like
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When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.
A lonely girl with a terrifying ability. The penniless soldier who loves her. And a lord with the power to destroy them both.
For seventeen years, Maia, a promising acolyte of the Goddess of Light, has hidden her unholy ability to conjure flames over her skin. But when she performs in the temple’s Summer Solstice ceremony, the Emperor’s envoy, Lord Quei, tells her he knows her secret. Quei threatens to enslave Vane, the young man Maia loves, and execute her unless Maia recovers coins that were stolen from him. He claims these will protect his memory, as well as reveal the true nature of Maia’s fire and restore her lost memories.
To save herself and Vane, Maia resorts to deceit and thievery in her search for both the coins and the truth about her fire. But if what Quei says is true, the coins will shatter all she’s been told about herself and the Goddess she reveres, and even worse, will destroy Vane’s trust and love.
FIRE DANCE is a gripping blend of fantasy, sci-fi, romance and adventure that will resonate with fans of Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series.
When protecting family means losing the one you love.
Maia and Ryse, the love of her several lives, are desperate to return to their home world. Only Ryse’s presence there can stop a war erupting between their two rival countries. But Maia’s heart is torn: their craft is too small to take them as well as all her family and leaving with Ryse means abandoning family members in a land ravaged by war and rebellion.
When on their journey to reach their craft they stop to help a galley under enemy attack, they attract the attention of Dardarin, the Lysenthean army’s general, who suspects Maia and Ryse are not who they claim to be but are in fact enemy spies. With Dardarin following their every move to entrap them in their lies and with the plight of the downtrodden Lisentheans entangling Maia in the rebellion’s web, Maia races against the clock to find a way to protect all those she cares about on both worlds—even if doing so could mean she’d lose Ryse.
Fire Storm is a compelling blend of fantasy, sci-fi, romance and political intrigue, perfect for fans of gripping adventures like Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series.
Colours of Fantasy (FREE DOWNLOAD)
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Colours of Fantasy is an anthology of short stories that range from magical realism to sci-fi fantasy. They are short enough to be easily read while commuting or during a lunch break. Read about paintings that are truer than true-to-life, or the heart-wrenching decision Poseidon’s human son-in-law has to take, or perhaps you’ll prefer a glimpse of life after an apocalypse, or a story about a space pirate with an uncomfortable past.
And if you like longer reads, Colours of Fantasy gives you a taste of Book One of two series: The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy and Fire Dance Chronicles.
Till next time! Wishing you a great two weeks with a good book!
Caroline
P.S. If you’ve read any of my novels, I would really, REALLY appreciate a review for the book/s, even if it’s not a great one! Just a rating is fine, too. It really helps other fans of fantasy to decide whether to pick up the book or not.
