2025 Z : Zealot #mfrwhooks

     

In the challenge, "Z" is for zealot. For the purposes of the post, the definition of a zealot is a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals.

A zealot has appeared in the fantasy worlds of the Windmaster Novels and of the dragshi. The brethren in Imprisoned in Stone was a fanatical cult determined to rule the world by any means possible. Blood sacrifices, curses and dark magic were their primary tools. Anyone with even a hint of power was forced to submit the Brethren's rule or be killed. In Dylan's case, for healing without payment in disobedience of the brethren's rules, his soul was imprisoned in stone.

The dragshi had their own zealotry to deal with for not everyone appreciated the rule of the dragon lords. Those without a dragon soul twin hated those who did. Not just because the dragshi had power, wealth, and respect, but because they were different. One such group was Groslom and his descendants. The tale of one descendent, Pyrell, is told in the novella "Forever Bound" in First Change. 

In Windmaster, a cult of clerics determined to rid the world of magic were not going to stop with the deaths of anyone who had even a hint of magic. It didn't matter if they were innocent and had no magic themselves, the friends and families of a wizard were also marked for death. The clerics planned to raze any place associated with a mage.

The following excerpt from Windmaster illustrates the depth of their hatred. To set the scene, Ellspeth arrives on horseback at her ship to find her way blocked and  stopped her horse in the shadows of the alley’s entrance. From her height she could see a squad of mercenaries gathered at the water’s edge. Craning her neck, she saw a row of  armed men in the guild colors of the House of Cszabo filling the dock. Several squads of mercenaries stood at ease in the patches of shade around the edges of the square. Nearest to her, a dozen unaffiliated sailors blocked the entrance to the alley. Even worse, a ranking member of her house council stood on the dock. And his companion? A cleric of the Oracle of Givneh.

Captain Ellspeth,” her kinsman dismissed her with a wave of his hand, “by order of the House of Cszabo I am taking command of Sea Falcon.”

“Falcon is my ship. If it goes anywhere, I will be at the helm.”

 “Enough of this.” Another’s imperious voice broke in.

Ellspeth shifted her focus to locate the speaker and settled her gaze on the face beneath the brown cowl.

“That ship needs to be purified. It is tainted by magic.”

“You want to take my ship because I gave passage to a wizard?”

“It is tainted. It will be purified... as will the crew.” Each word spit out, the tone demanded immediate, unconditional obedience.

Without looking Ellspeth could sense her crew preparing for battle behind her. Her own sword’s weight felt comforting across her thighs.

Read Windmaster to see if Sea Falcon sets sail and who would be at her helm. 

I hope you enjoyed the challenge posts. ~till next time, Helen  

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The posts from the Marketing for Romance Writers group are listed below.

If you're following other blogs in the #AtoZchallenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

2025 V : Vigil

    

V is always a hard word for the challenge, right up there with Q and Z. In the challenge, "V" is for Vigil. If you have followed me for a while you might remember that I have said on numerous occasions that some of my most productive writing has been at two in the morning while in a bedside vigil. Instead of recounting any of my bedside vigils, I thought I would share some of the dark days and nights that those who inhabit the worlds of windmaster and the draghsi have spent.

Ellspeth looked down at Dal. The stubble of a beard covered his usually clean-shaven jaw. He’s not much over thirty turns, she mused. That’s only a turn older than me. The realization forced her to look at him anew. His features, peaceful in repose, seemed a sharp contrast to the turbulence of her thoughts. She searched for the cause of her agitation. The Sea Falcon had been put back to rights. The damage, although severe, was rapidly being corrected. None of the crewman washed overboard had died, thanks to the safety lines. The ship’s cat was the only casualty. Her eyes strayed to her sleeping charge, and the unwelcome connection she felt to the man.

She was captain of the Sea Falcon. She’d worked too hard to earn it. There will be repercussions, an insistent inner voice warned. Dal is not only a powerful wizard and friend of the King. He saved your ship. That last thought resonated with her sense of duty and honor.

Ellspeth bowed her head. For several moments she prayed to the water gods worshipped by most of her crew. In the tradition of the Mtwan Mountains she added, “Ancestors preserve your descendent, Dal.Guard him in this world. 

“Return, Dal. Return to this world,” she whispered. Then, laying a hand on his shoulder she added, “Return to me!” 

Her eyes rose from her meditation to meet his.

~till next time, Helen 

 

Buy the Windmaster Novels at Amazon and These Sites

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

 

2025 U : Underwater

     

In the challenge, "U" is for Underwater. After her cover as a sailor is blown, Anastasia is captured by the dragon hater Broch. An additional issue Broch had with Anastasia is that Broch desired the dragon lord, Lord Branin Llewlyn. The problem was that Anastasia was Dal's predestined mate. Z Broch's punishment was to chain Anastasia in an underwater cavern just above the water line ... and the tide was coming in. Between her won resources (hidden lockpicks in her boot) and the other prisoners in the cave, Branin and the true dragon, Crisiant, all are freed from their shackles. However, the entrance to the cave is underwater.

From Windmaster:

Branin put an arm around Anastasia and guided her to the water’s edge. He sent a prayer heavenward that the iron would truly protect them all from the ancient spells. Crisiant had no other choice other than risking the water. She would not fit through the winding crevice to freedom on land. By the next evening, the entire cave would be submerged. Even if the water did not burn, dragons could still drown.

Holding her wings up, Crisiant gingerly dipped in one toe. <It doesn’t hurt. The iron works.> She turned dark green eyes on Anastasia. <Hold onto my tail, little one. I will tow you. It is too soon for you to join Branin and me in dragon form.>

“I will swim in human form,” Branin argued.

<Why?> Crisiant’s question echoed the confusion evident on Anastasia’s face.

“There is not enough space in the cave for his body if I switch shape with Llewlyn,” Branin explained. “And the entrance is too small. Crisiant, you may lose some scales getting through. Llewlyn would get trapped. Also, using my magic to switch forms could still push Anastasia into an early First Change. I will not risk it. I will not risk her.” He turned an earnest stare to Anastasia in reassurance. “I am a strong swimmer, I will be fine even without Llewlyn’s dragon strength.” Then with a tone of ringing authority hidden in the request he said, “Crisiant, take care of Anastasia.”

<Very well.> With a nod at Anastasia to follow, the blue dragon led the way into the waist-deep water. Crisiant took a deep breath and held it. In a muffled tone she counted, <One... two... three.>

I hope you enjoyed this excerpt of an underwater escape. If you enjoyed this post, related "water-themed" posts include sailing and rivers. 

 ~till next time, Helen 

 

Buy the Dragshi Chronicles at Amazon and These Sites 

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

 

2025 S : Sailing

     

Since R was for rivers, following the theme, S is for sailing. As I have said before, I really do not like being in the water. That said, more than a few vacations or special events have included some aspect of a ship and sailing.

The following excerpt from Imprisoned in Stone describes a ship board problem. It is not written from personal experience. All of my sailing has been enjoyable with good weather. The one exception was a planned sail on a wind-powered ship in San Diego. Although they always said it doesn't rain in southern California, except for the day we arrived, the day we left, and the day before, it rained the entire time we were there. When we booked the cruise, being from the northeast, we of course asked about inclement weather to be told the cruise has never been cancelled. Well, that day it was. We showed up at the dock to be told the captain said he wasn't going back out. But out tickets could be used the following day on a different vessel. Instead of a sailing ship, we toured San Diego harbor on a large, party boat in a beautifully sunny day. All said, that was probably more comfortable than the pitching open deck in a thunderstorm.

Bad weather is always a hazard.
Superstorm Sandy put many a boat miles inland,
docked them inside buildings, or stacked the boats atop each other.

Cruising the Mississippi out of Memphis TN

The issue with on Wayward Bound is that a fanatical group of clerics put a curse on the vessel. Maerva has to use her limited training to save the ship, its crew, and her brother the vessel's captain. The inspiration for the clearing spell came from an episode of the television series, Sea Quest, where a grizzled sailor used an old sea chanty to rally the crew after the submarine is struck by lightning and is dead in the water.

Taking a deep breath, Maerva released it and cast her spell. Her voice rang with the full force of her will. “Clear our decks, we’re a sailin’. Curse be gone, our sails a fillin’. Crew be well, that we’re orderin’. Command, it shall be.”

Arcil carried the chorus in a rich bass. “Away ho, darkness leavin’. Away ho, Dawn be rising’. Away ho, curse be leavin’. Command, it shall be.”

Off key or out of tune, one by one the rest of the ship’s complement joined in. Even though the words were different, the tune of an old sailor’s chanty made it easy for the crew to lend their voices—and determination.

She kept everyone singing until raggedness entered their voices. Her grasp tight on Gareth’s fingers, she gathered the will of the crew, added her and Gareth’s magic, and threw it in a final thrust against the squirming mess. It vanished, leaving behind only the spray-covered boards. Maerva turned to Gareth to tell him, but the ship’s bow dipped into a trough sending her into his arms.

No motors, just the whistle of wind through the rigging.

I hope you enjoyed this insight into a trouble of sailing in a fantasy world. ~till next time, Helen

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2025 R : Rivers

     

Next in the challenge is R for rivers. The inspiration for the post comes from my writing life. Although too many of my works have been created in hospital rooms and doctors’ offices, my favorite places to write were outdoors under the blue skies, especially in the serenity of a waterfront perch.

Rivers and coastlines have also crept into the fantasy worlds I love to visit. The Delwaree River in the Dragshi Chronicles paid homage to the Delaware River that I grew up near. And in later years, that I bicycled the canal tow path alongside the river.

Delaware River Bridge, Frenchtown NJ

 

Rivers play an important part in the Windmaster Novels. In Windmaster Legacy, Dal and Ellspeth and their party are stranded on one side of a raging river. Even though they admitted the height and ferocity of the current was not usual, the ferry boat captains have agreed to make one trip across. Here is the start of the crossing.

A spot on the pier with shelter from the spray provided a clear view not only of the Ilar, but also of the ferry and the waiting passengers and fàlaire. Dal placed Ellspeth on his left. Her presence provided a reassurance he was not yet used to, but treasured anyway. Barris stood on Dal’s right side. The boy radiated such tension Dal fought down a smile at the youth’s determination. Murdo, standing at the ferry, held a bright orange scarf above his head. After a quick glance at his wife and apprentice, Dal returned his gaze to the fluttering signal flag. Wind whipped his lowered voice out into the distance.

“Air unsettled now be calm,
White capped waves be still.
High mountain storms and rain to cease,
Currents slow and floods to ease.

Selah so mote it be.”

Ellspeth’s soft tone joined Dal’s on the second chorus. His promise token warmed in response to her magic and dispelled the early morn’s chill. Barris’s light tenor came in. Dal noted with half his attention how Barris carefully enunciated the spell. By the second repetition of the incantation, the wind no longer blew in fury. The scarf in Murdo’s hand hung limp in the now-calm air.

You will have to read Windmaster Legacy for the rest of the journey.

In recognition of these precious places, a photo array from lakes and rivers I have sat beside.

Raritan Bay, note lower Manhattan on the horizon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee

Crescent Lake,Pennsylvania

~ I hope you enjoyed this excursion into my writing life. till next time, Helen 

 

Buy the Windmaster Novels at Amazon and These Sites

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

2025 P : Passengers

    

In the challenge, "P" is for passengers as illustrated in an excerpt from Windmaster. It also reflects on guild house politics.  

Anger colored Ellspeth’s thoughts so much that passersby on Stratven’s cobblestoned streets moved aside to avoid contact with her. Blinded by her uncontrollable fury, she barely noticed. “How dare he?” Two porters looked up at the venom in her voice, then at her glare, bent back to their work. “The Sea Falcon is mine!” Ellspeth snarled. “Just because he’s a council member of the House of Cszabo doesn’t give Third the right to change my orders. As if I would sail without resupply and shore leave for my crew.” 

Although she pictured what she would like to do to the object of her rage, she refused to even name the man in her rant and used his position title instead. “Wool and dyed fabric. He wants me to take the Falcon for a load of wool and dyed fabric instead of paying passengers. Passengers whose fares were paid by the king! I’ll get the council to back me. Third may have more rank, but I have the king’s request.”

I hope you enjoyed this insight into the world of windmaster. ~till next time, Helen 

 

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If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

 

2025 O : Obsidian

    

In the challenge, "O" is for the black stone, obsidian. The archmage, Lord Dal, is on an isle in the Southern Sea. His old friend, Semelen, has joined Dal at a mountain spot used for meditation. The purpose of the visit was to help Dal uncover who murdered everyone on the Isle of Mages.

Warning - the subject of loss might be upsetting to some. From Windmaster:

A swig of fresh water from the gourd he carried refreshed him enough to finish the climb to the ceremonial ledge near the mountain’s summit. He spotted a small pyramid of coral rocks. “This is it,” he said to a furred nose peeking out from between the thick ferns. 

Just beyond the marker, an outcropping, worn smooth by weather, formed a natural bench. Eons ago, islanders had carved the symbols for— fortune... happiness... and love—in the green-flecked volcanic rock. Dal folded his lanky frame to the ground in a single lithe movement. Despite the lava’s rumbling deep within the earth, he could sense a serene timelessness in the rock wall. His eyes closed as he sank into meditation. 

Dal’s consciousness floated downward into the volcano. Closer and closer he moved toward the gaping maw of a lava tube. The haunting notes of Ellspeth’s tune floated up from the dark depths. The blue glimmer of runes on the tunnel walls beckoned him into the darkness even as it lit his way. The sound of the flute led him through chamber after chamber filled with obsidian statues, their blank-faces marred only by the flash of fire where eyes would have been. Dal could almost feel the heat from their implacable anger.

The runes stopped at a pool of black water. A scene he knew well, the island heart-home of all mages, formed in the unnatural mirror. The concentric rings of wood and stone cottages seemed so real that he could see the feathers on the eagle in the council room’s stained glass window. Pushed by a southerly wind, a yellow cloud sifted over the island. Dal moaned at the scattered bodies left in its wake. His eyes strained in vain to see movement. Even in sleep, his hands clenched at the memory. Anger and pain vied for control, as the sulfur smell mingled with the remembered stench of hundreds of funeral pyres. Fires he had set to send the dead, those closer to him than kin, to their final rest. 

“I’ll avenge your deaths,” he swore. “If it takes the rest of my days.”

~till next time, Helen 

 

Buy Windmaster at Amazon and These Sites

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

 

2025 K : Kimeshi

 

   

Next in the challenge is "K" for Kimeshi.  In the world of the dragon When certain humans are born, the dragons sing a welcome, not just for the human babe, but also its dragon soul twin. The dragon half of the paring usually signals its existence when its human mate reaches early adulthood. However, most of the dragon soul twins just watch the goings of the world from their quiet corner of the human twin's mind. 

Kimeshi's human soul twin is Mirabeesh her story has been told in several posts including Diovi, Mirabeesh so this one will focus on the dragon half of the pairing. 

In many ways the dragons mirror their human soul twin. When Kimeshi awakened, Mirabeesh thought the lilting tone in her head sounded so similar to her own her own, she had known it all her life. Mirabeesh had the long dark hair of her kind, and her dragon soul twin reflected the coloring.

You can learn more about the dragshi and their dragon soul twins in the Dragshi Chronicles.

From "Fire and Ice" the story of Kimeshi's emergence and Mirabeesh's first change.

Purple symbols merged with a silver mist, solidifying into a rope that rose from the ground to disappear in the clouds. Mirabeesh reached for the cord, but her mind remained too confused from the cold and Xelme’s abuse. The rope remained beyond her grasp.

<Do not fear,> Kimeshi sang.

All fear at the unknown vanished. Her soul joined another’s, not in the way of man and woman, but stronger. Mirabeesh was herself, and also Kimeshi. They were one. There was the sensation of weightlessness, then of being part of another. Black, not her gown, but those of dragon’s wings crossed her vision. The cold of ice was replaced with the sensation of air on her face.

~till next time, Helen 

 

To read "Fire and Ice," get First Change: Legends From The Eyrie at Amazon and These Sites

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

2025 J : Jon or John

  

Next in the challenge is "J" for Jon. Or is is John? The similar names appear in different worlds. The name "John," which ultimately derives from the Hebrew name "Yohanan" meaning "God is gracious." "Jon" is a short form of the name.

Jon appears in Windmaster as the cabin boy on Sea Falcon. Although sold by his mother into service to the House of Cszabo, he was loyal to the ship and crew. Especially to its Captain Ellspeth who he thought of as an older sister. This loyalty resulted in the following snippet.

From Windmaster:

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.

You've read the price of Jon's loyalty. Read Windmaster to see his actions. As an additional note, Ellsworth used the name Jon when she disguised herself as a male.

As far as John? The name is borne by several family members through the generations. Its use was not set in a fantasy world, but a science fiction tale near of the future. Passengers on tomorrow's trans-continental orbiter discover what can happen when humans abdicate control. When the artificial intelligence pilot changes the flight schedule, one passenger, a holdover from an earlier time in aviation, shows the resilience of human spirit as he overcomes the errant technology to save the doomed flight.

From "Live or Surrender to Technology" in Hearth and Sand: Stories From The Front Lines and the Homefront.

The aircraft reached cruising altitude and the last of Chippi’s strength deserted him. After a final pull on his seat belt, he dropped off into a sleep that was neither restful nor deep. From a habit born of years in the cockpit, one part of his mind retained an awareness of his surroundings. The bustle of flight attendants taking food orders and dispensing drinks served as a connection to the life around him. The plane’s tilt as it entered a steep bank pulled Chippi to alertness. With flights now computer controlled to avoid weather fronts, he knew the steep turn indicated a major problem. Before he could summon an attendant, a computer voice, one almost indistinguishable from a true human’s, came over the aircraft’s message system. “Good afternoon. This is the Captain speaking. Due to inclement weather, there will be a delay in landing. The seatbelt light will remain on until the weather clears.” Chippi looked out the window. However, instead of storm clouds, he was greeted by a clear blue sky. The view below disturbed him even more. This isn’t right, he thought. The NorPac dike follows the coastline from MexCal to Puget Sound. It should be just off our starboard wing. But the massive structure that held the Pacific Ocean at bay and served as the foundation for the desalination plants was not visible from either side of the craft. Only a vast unbroken expanse of water appeared in the viewports.

A several hundred-foot plummet tossed a flight attendant into the empty seat across from Chippi. Moments later a steep climb careened a passenger into her, turning the pair into a tangle of arms and legs. With each violent movement, passengers who weren’t buckled in were tossed about the cabin like leaves in a tornado. The lock on an overhead compartment, stressed beyond its limits, snapped. Briefcases, portable video projectors, and other sundry items flew out of the storage compartments and pelted passengers.

Shrieks from those so attacked added to the pandemonium. In the midst of the chaos, the computer pilot’s cheerful voice again greeted the passengers. “Good afternoon. This is the Captain. Due to inclement weather, there will be a delay in landing. The seatbelt light will remain on until the weather clears.” Chippi, who had seen airplanes go from human pilots to human-supervised computer pilots and eventually to artificial-intelligence systems knew the movements were not a normal reaction to the weather. The meteorological advances of the last fifty years, now allowed experts to dampen the more severe weather interactions of the uppermost air currents. As a result, air travel was safer than at any time since Charles Lindbergh made his historic flight across the Atlantic Ocean. “It’s finally happened,” he muttered. “One of those darned computers finally broke. We always said people should have stayed in the cockpit.”

Two Johns and an early me

A later image of the John  (aka Dad) who was the inspiration for John Chippi in “From "Live or Surrender to Technology" in Hearth and Sand: Stories From The Front Lines and the Homefront.

~I hope you enjoyed these thoughts on Jon /John. till next time,Helen

Buy Windmaster at Amazon and These Sites

Buy Hearth and Sand at Amazon and These Sites 

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

2025 G : Guilds

   

Next in the challenge is "G" for guilds. At its core, a guild is an association of artisans and tradesmen who oversee the practice of their craft. Groups can also be restricted by region.

The Ceoltier Guild in the dragshi chronicles is the training and governance body for those who would be teachers, historians, and arbiters of Justice. Like medieval guilds, their ranks were apprentice, journeymen, and masters. Brown cloaks with green lining marked their rank. Different shades indicated apprentice (light green color of new hay); journeyman (alpine meadow in summer); master (dark green color of jewels from the western mountains). No one will attack or physically harm a guild member. They would find themselves ostracized, with nowhere to hide, or the victim of sarcastic tunes people can't get out of their minds.

There was also a non-traditional level called a special. These were students that were not part of the guild. As such, they would have no road, no journeying. And even more important, did not have to be male. Anastasia as well as both male and female dragshi lords received training at the Ceoltier Hall as special students.

~till next time, Helen 

 

Buy the Dragshi Chronicles at Amazon and These Sites 

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

2025 F : Freedom

   

Next in the challenge is "F" for Freedom. To illustrate both freedom and the opposite, being imprisoned, snippits from Windmaster Legend.

To set the stage, Leod has been placed under house arrest for bringing a weapon into a joint celebration of the trading houses. Even worse, he attempted to assault a member of his house and threatened a senior member of another trading house. Adding to the humiliation, Leod considered himself a future leader of his guild council and perpetually used his family's power and influence to get whatever he wanted. The excerpt concludes with what will be at least a temporary freedom.

From Windmaster Legend:

For the fifth time that day, Leod paced the exterior wall of the compound. It had taken a handful of silver to purchase his release from ship arrest. But the transfer to the main compound had not turned into the freedom he had envisioned. He had only traded one cell for another. Unlike the guards who kept the docks secure and who for a few coppers would look the other way for a candlemark or two, those at the main compound could not be bribed nor tricked.

The guards finally relaxed the house arrest to allow him into the rest of the compound. This freedom allowed more than fresh air and sunshine. It meant he had access to the outside world. “And apprentices to obey their superiors,” he laughed. “Now if that darned first-year boy would learn to return with my meal in a timely manner.”

A flash of color showed the youth returning. He had a bag in one hand and a sheaf of paper in the other. “Sorry for the delay, master. Fifth of the council caught me returning from your errand.”

“Follow me,” Leod ordered. He took a seat on a bench beneath a shade tree. “Give me my meal, then report.” “Fifth wants you to go to the lumberyard.” The boy waved the papers. “Here’s the list of items you are supposed to pick up and deliver to the ships as marked. The wagon will be here shortly. The horses were just being hitched up when I passed the barn.”

Unlike Leod who deserved the restriction of his freedom, the following excerpt deals with Iol, captain of Loch Bird ... and as far as Leod was concerned, the reason for all his problems. It was Iol who got his own command when Leod was given a garbage scow. Even worse, Pelra, the one woman who Leod couldn't charm, bully, or conquer, chose Iol as her mate.

The wick in the thin slab of wax tilted. The last spark flickered out, plunging the room into complete darkness. Curses learned at the wharves escaped Iol’s tight lips. If the guards had provided a full-size candle it would have lasted most of the day. However, they only stuck a short stub in the high sconce. “More of Leod’s machinations,” he growled. “That one has much to pay for.”

While the barred windows and locked doors of the storage building usually sufficed to incarcerate sailors who had committed some infraction or imbibed too much on shore leave, the council had decreed different arrangements for Iol. His prison was a windowless, ten-foot square room in the back of the barn. Even shallow breaths reminded him of the previous occupants—recalcitrant stallions sequestered before gelding.

The fragile hope that Faeld would be able to gather support to overturn the verdict vanished before the first cold meal. Whispers the guards meant for him to hear made it clear the councilman’s hold on his position as Third Seat was tenuous. No release would be coming from that direction. “Nor from the Bard Guild,” he growled. A message sneaked in from Conall stated their petitions were rejected. In fact, only his rank and the fact he had four senior journeymen with him, prevented the master from a physical assault.

Darkness of the soul—as well as that of the body—surrounded Iol in a cocoon as tight as a coffin.

~till next time, Helen 

 

Buy Windmaster Legend at Amazon and These Sites

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.

 

2025 C : Caves and Caverns

   

Next in the challenge is "C" for Caves. One of the results of planning for this challenge, and from introspection with the new year, a realization crawled its way out of obscurity. Writers are often told to write what they know. Until I started looking for topics to match the A to Z, I had not realized how much of my personal experience had crept into the worlds of imagination I share with readers. An example is "Caves and Caverns." I had not realized how many caves and caverns I have toured over the years.

Image by Hans from Pixabay.

When dating my future husband, local spots such as the Lost River Caverns (Hellerstown, Pennsylvania) and Crystal Caves (Kutztown, Pennsylvania) provided a date destination. Later, we walked Howe Caverns (Howes Cave, New York) and rode a boat deep in the cave. Among our vacation destinations over the years was Lurray Caverns (Lurray, Virginia.) Although I did not know it at the time, these experiences leaked into the later written tale.

To set the stage of the excerpt, Lord Dal has ridden off to to divert an attacking force, leaving Ellspeth to find the magical talisman on her own. After fighting a carpet of living grass and the mental attacks of a rogue mage, she enters a hidden entrance in an ancient rock plateau.

From Windmaster:

The shadow of the talisman’s spirit separated from the wall. Without a break in her playing, Ellspeth bowed to the animated creature. It knelt on one knee in response, then with a kick of its heels, leaped back into the wall.

Ellspeth almost missed a note at the amazing sight, but managed to keep the song true. When she finished, she tucked the flute behind her belt. It only took four steps to reach the spot where the spirit disappeared. This time instead of hard rock, Ellspeth found the wall was not solid. A thin veneer curved from the middle of one wall to the opposite corner. Trusting the spirit to lead her, she circled behind the slab. The light from her torch cast an eerie reflection in the narrow space, but it showed her something more—a way deeper into the cave.

The floor’s slight downward slant provided a natural direction to follow. After a series of twisting turns, the last remnants of daylight trickling from the entrance disappeared. Soon the faint glow of torchlight became her sole illumination.

Deeper and deeper she walked, through chamber after chamber. In some, miniature versions of the spire rose from the floor, a trap to the unwary. A sense of unease aided by the weight of tons of earth on top of her grew stronger the further Ellspeth traveled. Each time a drop of cold water fell down from the ceiling onto her neck or some other spot of bare skin, she jumped. Her head ached from several whacks on low overhangs or one of the many plinths that hung down from the ceiling.

Time lost all meaning in the eternal shadows within the monolith.

~I hope you enjoyed this journey into my writing life (and the excerpt). till next time, Helen 

 

Buy Windmaster at Amazon and These sites.

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.