An Arrow Loosed, A Leap Made, Windmaster #wewriwa

 

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Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! ​Today's excerpt is from Windmaster, the first book of the fantasy, romance series, the Windmaster Novels. To set, the scene, the crew of Sea Falcon battles pirates.  And now the SundaySnippet.

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“Ellspeth... No.” The yell wrenched from Dal’s throat. His leap toward the bridge was blocked by groups of men fighting.

At his cry, Ellspeth turned and saw an archer in the ghost ship’s netting raise a crossbow. A heavy weight knocked her away from the wheel. Her head crashed into the wooden map case. Sparks from the pain blinded her. Her vision cleared to the sight of her cabin boy lying beside her; the shaft of an arrow buried high in his chest.


End of Excerpt

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Windmaster  - Available at these online bookstores


​I hope you like the snippet I shared for Ellspeth this week. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. ~till next time, Helen

Wizard Trapped, Windmaster #wewriwa

 

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Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Visit the other participants on the list and read, and comment on their 8sunday posts.

​Today's excerpt is from Windmaster, the first book of the fantasy, romance series, the Windmaster Novels. To set, the scene, Sea Falcon has been boarded.  And now the SundaySnippet.

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“First, help Lord Dal. I can hold the wheel.” At Ellspeth’s command, the Sea Falcon’s first officer leaped the rail to land in a crouch on the deck below...

In the instant of surprise, three additional men fell before Dal’s sword. More and more invaders died before the combined forces of the wizard and the first officer. In the brief respite, the wizard gathered his magic for one last attempt to disperse the concealing fog. His sword slipped into its sheath. Blood-red runes shimmered into the air as his fingers sketched a spell.

Ellspeth held her breath and willed the air to clear. This time the dark cloud evaporated. Able to see the pirates, the Sea Falcon’s crew shifted their defensive actions—and attacked. Now pirate blood mixed on the deck with that of the ship’s defenders.


End of Excerpt


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Windmaster  - Available at these online bookstores


​I hope you like the snippet I shared for Ellspeth this week. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. ~till next time, Helen

Boarded, Windmaster , #WeWriWa, #SnippitSunday

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Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write!

​Today's excerpt is from Windmaster, the first book of the fantasy, romance series, the Windmaster Novels. To set, the scene, Sea Falcon is becalmed and a pirate flag sighted.  And now the SundaySnippet.


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​Mage light flared into being. It burned up the fog an arm’s length around Dal to reveal dark objects that were men. The green glow hovered over Dal’s head and glinted off the wizard’s sword. He swung the heavy weapon in great arcs, cutting through not only the obscuring air, but through flesh and bone. Each move severed an attacker’s limb or blocked a sword thrust. The press of a dozen halberd-wielding men forced the wizard back. With each step, the circle of the invader’s weapons tightened.

A flick of Ellspeth’s wrist sent a stiletto into a pirate’s back.


End of Excerpt
 

Windmaster  - Available at these online bookstores


​I hope you like the snippet I shared for Ellspeth this week. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. ~till next time, Helen

Unusual Weather, Windmaster #wewriwa

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write ... and read!

​Today's excerpt is from Windmaster, the first book of the fantasy, romance series, the Windmaster Novels. 

To set, the scene, Sea Falcon encounters unusual weather. But is it natural or something to do with the wizards being transported?

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Ellspeth and the first officer moved among the men, not only to help dispel the growing restlessness, but also to see if any of them had ever encountered the unusual weather they found themselves in. For three days and three nights, an unearthly fog kept the Sea Falcon trapped in an endless sea of muted sounds. Crewmen clustered together and spoke only in whispers. Her uneasiness grew so strong Ellspeth ordered weapons distributed to all hands.

The thick curtain of gray covered the area from white-capped waves to the banner that hung limp from the center mast. Only when the ship crested an especially high swell did the sailor posted to the crow’s nest get a glimpse of the star-studded sky above the haze. No matter to which heading Ellspeth steered the Sea Falcon, the haze clung to it. The miasma absorbed Dal’s magic and resisted his repeated attempts to disperse it.

End of Excerpt

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Windmaster  - Available at these online bookstores

 
​I hope you like the snippet I shared this week for Dal and Ellspeth. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

Time Lost, Imprisoned in Stone #wewriwa #SnippitSunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Today's excerpt is from the dark fantasy Imprisoned in Stone. This scene follows the post, Did You Do It? After Maerva answers the wizard Tralin asks a question of her own of Maerva's parents. 

And now the Sunday Snippet.
 

Excerpt:

Maerva gulped when Tralin spun and pointed a finger at the village leader and headmistress. “You knew.” 

“No, I did not,” Suliceen objected. “My daughter never said anything to me. Tralin, I always thought your spell was the reason we had so few accidents in the village, and I believed your blessing protected our boats.”

Ruadhan rose to his feet. His cheeks turned ruddier. “My wife did not know about Maerva. I only suspected the last few years.”

The cold fear that had gripped Maerva’s heart melted in a flare of anger. She could have been a mage. Her parents kept it a secret from her.

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Buy Links: 1-Click to all Sale Sites

​I hope you like the snippet I shared from Imprisoned in Stone. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

A Wizard's Rage, Imprisoned in Stone #wewriwa #SnippitSunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Today's excerpt is from the dark fantasy Imprisoned in Stone. This scene takes place a few mornings after the post, A Question Asked? After Maerva answers the wizard, Tralin asks a question of her own of Maerva's parents. 

A sidenote on the scene. Although I am more of a plotter than pantser, especially when first starting on a work, I didn't even realize how much foreshadowing was put in last week's post and today's. 

And now the Sunday Snippet.
 

Excerpt:

Tralin’s gesture had Maerva moving into the office before her mind could override her muscle and hold her in place. A soft rustle of her robe brought the wizard to Maerva’s side, glaring at her parents. Tralin’s voice rang with authority. “Maerva sees the runes of protection I placed on the main door. They should have faded, but the spell is stronger now than when I cast it.” 

Her mother’s skin paled to an icy translucence. Maerva hung her head awaiting the beating that would be her punishment when the meeting ended.

“There is only one way the spell’s power could change,” Tralin growled. “Someone with gifts has re-spelled the doors.”

Maerva glanced at her father without lifting her head. Ruadhan did not look afraid. He looked angry that someone would challenge the authority he held over his kin and village.

A light hand on her shoulder shifted Maerva’s gaze to the wizard at her side. “Child, did you touch the marks?”

Suddenly afraid, Maerva wanted to run away and hide.

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Buy Links: 1-Click to all Sale Sites

​I hope you like the snippet I shared from Imprisoned in Stone. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

Did You Do It? Imprisoned in Stone #wewriwa #SnippitSunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Today's excerpt is from the dark fantasy Imprisoned in Stone. This scene takes place a few mornings after the post, A Female Wizard? The wizard Tralin asks a question. 

A sidenote on the scene. Although I am more of a plotter than pantser, especially when first starting on a work, I didn't even realize how much foreshadowing was put in last week's post and today's. 

And now the Sunday Snippet.
 

Excerpt:

The wizard’s low tones blended so perfectly with the sounds of the sea, they failed to startle the sea birds pecking at the sand. “Your aunt is resting well.” For several minutes she watched the gentle waves, then returned her attention to Maerva’s face. “I have to ask you something, my dear. And I need you to answer me truthfully. Do you see the blue marks on the lintel and frame of the hall door?”

Maerva shrunk into herself, but she could not resist the command in the mage’s tone and answered with a simple, “Yes.” Encouraged by the older woman’s expression, Maerva blurted out the question that had haunted her from her first sight of the glittering symbols. “What do the ciphers mean?”

An unrestrained anger flickered from Tralin. “It means Ruadhan has much to answer for.”

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Buy Links: 1-Click to all Sale Sites

​I hope you like the snippet I shared from Imprisoned in Stone. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

A New Task Imprisoned in Stone #wewrwa

 

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Today's excerpt is from the dark fantasy Imprisoned in Stone. This scene takes place the day of the mage's arrival and gives insight into Maerva's world and foreshadows what is to come. And now the Sunday Snippet.
 

Excerpt:

Maerva held her breath and tried to become invisible. When needed, she assisted with the nursing, and everyone said she did it well, but it did not come easy. How could she help in a healing? Especially with a female who called herself a draoch–the traditional title for a wizard? Suliceen taught that magic belonged to men. That a woman’s only power was the ability to bring life into the world. The contradiction always confused Maerva. If a girl could sail as well as a man, why couldn’t she do other things as well? So engrossed in her reflection, she forgot her surroundings until she heard her namee.
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Buy Links: 1-Click to all Sale Sites

​I hope you like the snippet I shared from Imprisoned in Stone. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

A Female Wizard? Imprisoned in Stone #wewrwa

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Today's excerpt is from the dark fantasy Imprisoned in Stone. This scene takes place a few mornings after the post, Keep Quiet. The awaited visitor arrives while Maerva is making the breakfast batter and the newcomer is not what Maerva expected. And now the Sunday Snippet.
 

Excerpt:

Noise in the doorway pulled Maerva's gaze from the bubbling pan. A tall, slender female casually leaned on a walking stick. The hem of her robe was dust-covered from travel as was the heavy sword that hung alongside her leg. Suliceen rushed over to greet the newcomer. “Greetings, Mistress Tralin. Would you like to break your fast?”

The woman Maerva now understood was the expected mage shook her head. “Thank you, Suliceen, but not at the moment. Perhaps, after I’ve seen to Beatreas. However, I could use someone to help me?”

Suliceen’s glower scanned the room as if searching for someone. Maerva held her breath and tried to become invisible.

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Buy Links: 1-Click to all Sale Sites

​I hope you like the snippet I shared from Imprisoned in Stone. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~till next time, Helen

An Intruder, Imprisoned in Stone #WeWriWa

​Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write ... and read!
Today's excerpt is from the opening scene of the dark fantasy Imprisoned in Stone.

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Maerva opened eyes to a darkness, not only of her room, but of the soul. The sense of a presence held her motionless, even though she knew no entry was possible through the closed door or shuttered window. Air whispered over her skin as if someone touched her cheek. A breath later, the impression of an intruder vanished.

 The roar of waves crashing against the cliff, something she had heard since birth, comforted Maerva and pushed away the residual fear. Deep breaths removed more of the tension from her body, even though her skin remained clammy from perspiration. The moon reappeared from behind its filtering curtains of haze. No longer obscured, the low-hanging globe sent a shaft of white light streaming through the window. The beam moved up the wall beyond her bed, turning the darkness into a shadowed frame. Glimmering letters written by a ghostly hand resolved into words.

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Buy Links: 1-Click to Sales Sites

​I hope you like the snippet I shared from Imprisoned in Stone. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads. 

~til next time. Helen

Burial at Sea, Windmaster #SnippetSunday, #WeWriWa #8Sunday

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the weekly hop for everyone who loves to write ... and read!

​Today's excerpt is from Windmaster, the first book of the fantasy, romance series, the Windmaster Novels. 

To set the scene, Sea Falcon was attacked by a pirate ship. Thanks to the skill of the crew and the archmage's magic, the ship won the conflict. But it came with a price. And now the SundaySnippet.

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Excerpt

Dal stood silent while Ellspeth considered the offer. At her nod, they joined the crew gathered around the sail-wrapped body. Deep breaths, Ellspeth told herself. The crew must not see your pain. Jon honored his house... and you.

Dal’s somber rendition of the words of final journey seemed far away. She hardly noticed when four crewmen took the wizard’s place at the opening in the rail. Her fingers moved of their own volition to send the flute’s haunting refrain over the water. On the dirge’s final note, the crew tilted the board. A solitary ripple marred the surface of the lake when the body dropped into its dark depths.

End of Excerpt
 

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Windmaster  - Available at these online bookstores

 
​I hope you like the snippet I shared for Dal and Ellspeth this week. Be sure to read the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and the #SnippetSunday authors for more great reads.

 ~till next time, Helen