Meet Ensign Iol #MFRWHooks

Continuing the series of posts introducing some of my favorite people (or people I love to hate) from the sword and sorcery romantic fantasy series, the Windmaster Novels, you are invited to meet Ensign Iol, one of the star-crossed lovers in Windmaster Legend.

Physical Description

Because Lady Pelra is featured on the cover of Windmaster Legend, most of Ensign Iol's appearance is left to the reader's imagination. He is tanned and in his twenties.

Background 

Iol is a member of the trading guild, the House of Cszabo. He served as junior officer on Kilmorey. His first command, Loch Bird, didn't come with the gold bracelets of rank, but did allow him the opportunity to discover a new apprentice for his house.

More About Him (Secrets or Public)

Iol's favorite relaxing pastime is carving small figures out of wood, especially driftwood. He sketches with colored pencils obtained from his friend Conall of the Bard Guild and works with ink on shells he's picked up on the beach or tusks from artic island seals he purchased or bartered for on his voyages.

Iol is a skilled musician on the small guitar. He didn’t study music and become a bard because he loved the sea and couldn’t have two careers each which required a lifetime of study. The excerpt below is from Iol's performance at the gathering of captains. Although Iol was running the event, he was conscripted to fill-in for a missing bard. Fortunate for him, one of the other performers in the trio was his friend, a journeyman bard. And the third? The lady Pelra.

Time passed too quickly for Iol. Not used to performing, he would have preferred more time to prepare. And, he admitted, a less public venue. But, Cszabo Three had agreed to the Bard Council’s request, so there was nothing to do but study the music before him. At least, I’ve gotten Pelra to eat, if only sparingly. Determination sharpened his focus, and he returned his attention to the musical score before him. Pelra leaned in and pointed out transitions and chord changes.

“It’s time,” Conall said. Although low, his voice shattered Iol’s concentration. Turning, the bard led the way out of the maze to the courtyard.

Mere steps later, the stage loomed before Iol. It’s not that big. A tall man could hang from the quarterdeck and not reach the polished boards below. And he’d jumped that drop many times. There are only three steps.

Anxiety hissed, It’s a stage.

Reason countered, No, only a quarterdeck.

Conall climbed the stairs and turned to give Pelra a hand up. Inhaling a deep breath, Iol followed the pair and took the chair next to Pelra. After only a glance at the sea of faces staring at him from the courtyard beyond, he shifted his gaze to his friend.

Confidence and reassurance exuded from Conall. “Pelra, the composition is one of the best pieces of music I’ve heard in a long time.” He gestured at Iol, a twinkle in his eyes. “My old friend here might not be the missing Raild, but he’ll do in a pinch.” He leaned in and added in a stage whisper, “Don’t let him know, but for a sailor, he’s not a bad musician.” He straightened and picked up his own instrument. “On the beat… One… Two… Three.”

The light tones of Pelra’s flute filled the air. A chorus later, Conall’s guitar wove a counterpoint. Iol’s foot tapped the beat. His gaze remained fixed on the music, he fitted his fingers to the frets and strummed.

I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Iol.  Find excerpts for Windmaster Legend by clicking on the cover in the banner. To purchase the tale of Pelra and Iol, use the links below. 

Buy Links: One click to ebook and paperback sellers