Journey to the stars and worlds of imagination: 2025 Y : Youthful Characters

In the challenge, Y is for youthful characters. The actual inspiration for the topic came from the antics of my nieces when they were young and now their children. And it brought memories of oldsters (who at the time are now 25 years younger than I am now) whose favorite saying besides "Back in my day..." was "Youth is wasted on the young."

Those sentiments may not creep into my writing, but one of the requirements for today's authors is to ensure that the characters change. And sometimes that means to grow from childhood to adulthood, or to transition through various stages of adulthood with their varying lifestyles and responsibilities.

This particularly evident in a series.The character of Anastasia of Clan Miller who started as a young woman in the first book of the Dragshi Chronicles. Then in later volumes, her youth is left behind and she became a mother and a leader of her people.

Lady Ellspeth of the House of Cszabo, captain of Sea Falcon, had already left her youth behind and was an accomplished leader at the start of the Windmaster Novels. However, while there is no youthful transition to adulthood, her later years are recorded in the successive volumes and sees her childhood through that of her children. It also sees her taking on new leadership roles as she and the archmage Lord Dal fight to same the future of magic.

From Hatchling's Mate, an excerpt of a young Talann's escapade with his father's enspelled sword, Mt'Wan Comraich. And the occasion is of another change ... the presentation of Mt'wan Comraich from the older dragon lord to his son.

The leader of the dragshi lapsed into silence. A break Talann appreciated while he tried to make sense of the formal presentation in such unofficial surroundings. “I gather my ownership, however temporary, will not be made common knowledge?”
“Told you,” Anastasia chortled. “He’s quick.”
“No, not common knowledge,” Eirwen answered. “Vivel knows of our plans this day. As do Liam and Dealan. We thought it would ease their worries for Lexii.”
“They are quite fond of you,” Anastasia said with a wink. “In fact, I believe Dealan’s exact words were that while she appreciated the extra protection of her daughter, she lamented the fact that Mt’wan Comraich would have made a fine groom gift for your wedding.”
The groan that escaped Talann broke the tension in the room. Branin’s chuckle further lightened the mood. “Trust who you wish with, whatever knowledge you choose. I know Glyn and Kynan will keep the confidence.”
One last objection surged forward. “How do you know I can use Mt’wan Comraich?” Talann pressed.
A memory filled Talann’s mind. Obviously sent by his mother, he watched two young boys playing marbles and bones, The darker haired of the two maneuvered the glass balls with the fingers of one hand, while the other hand rested lightly on the hilt of a sword almost as tall as the youth.
“I remember every resident of Cloud Eyrie searching.” Anastasia’s lips pursed before twitching into a smile. “While the entire time you and Kynan were in the storage room hidden behind a mesmer. And you had no training in the illusion capabilities of your father’s sword.” Branin’s grip tightened on Talann’s shoulder. “No, son. While you are not battle tested with the protector of Mt’wan, I know I place it in good hands.”
A resigned sigh escaped from Talann. He could not fight Eirwen, let alone his parents. His hands rose of their own accord and wrapped around the jeweled hilt. In a smooth movement, he flipped the sword upright into a salute to his father, then to his mother. “I will honor both the spirit and the right of the protector of Mt’wan.”

Talann appeared on the cover of Hatchling's Mate, one of the Dragshi Chronicles. And for a fun addition, an early image of me. (I am the older one on our Shetland pony. One of my adventures with him was to to ride bareback. The "whoa, whoa, whoaaaa" was followed by a thud as I slipped off the galloping pony onto the only rock in the plowed field.