The official topic for this week's post is "Gift Getting - What I Wanted, But Not Very Much." Thoughts on the first part of the topic were shared as "Best Gifts Are Personal" in the 2018 challenge.
A post that covers the good and the bad of a gift was also part of that challenge. It covered piracy (the worst gift to an author) and a review (which could be the best.) So, no talking about reviews which are gifts we as authors want, but sometimes not very much. Instead, I asked my characters to share. First up, Captain Ellspeth.
That night at dinner when the Archmage Lord Dal implied that I had the ability to work magic, it took every ounce of my self-control not to throw him overboard. Sea Falcon was my ship. I earned my command and vessel. But magic and the deep blue didn't mix, so the gift he offered meant losing everything I had worked my entire life for.
And now?
A smile twitched her lips. I couldn't imagine not being a mage.
The whoosh of dragon wings overhead told of another who wanted to share. A tall slender man walked from the dust raised by the dragon's landing. Good day, Lord Talann.I heard that the talented writers of MFRW were talking about gifts.
He pulled a small, black velvet pouch from his pocket and dumped its contents into his hand. After a brief moment, he extended it for me to examine. The gold cylinder was embossed on one end with a dragon in flight. What Talann showed me was what many would kill for, the symbol of the power of the dragshi. With that seal, a person could get food, shelter, transport, or anything he wanted.
Yes, it is the symbol of the dragshi. When my parents gave it to me, I saw a different reality than what was was generally expected. It was not the key to a treasure but a curse. A shadow darkened his face. To me, the gift meant that my parents believed I would never be a dragshi, never take on dragon form.
What does the seal mean to you now?
A genuine smile twitched his lips. A special gift from my parents, of their faith in me--and a special remembrance of my heritage.
Thanks for stopping by the challenge. Click on the title or the large cover for buy links to both Windmaster and Hatchling's Mate. Hope you'll consider adding them to your to be read pile.
More authors share their insights and thoughts in the list below. ~till next time, Helen
That's an interesting thought. I'm writing a scene now in which a character gives another a gift. It's a loaded moment, as she's both touched and alarmed by his intensity.
ReplyDeletegood luck with your tale.
DeleteI enjoyed the snippets and unique way you chose to answer this topic.
ReplyDeletethank you. It was a way to answer differently than previous challenges, and to not reveal something that might hurt someone's feelings. Thanks for stopping by.
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