Meet The ArchMage Lord Dal #mfrwhooks

Continuing the new 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 Lord Dal.

Physical Description

In Windmaster Legacy, Dal is in his early thirties. Even though men from the M’twan Mountains run to long in the leg, Dal is a full head taller than many of his kin. The scars on his forearms from practice blades and actual battles tell of his experiences as a mercenary trained before his powers asserted themselves.

Dal's black hair is short on sides and falls to just below shoulder in back. Besides his muscular frame which hints at his true strength, one of the first things many people notice about him are his light brown eyes that tend to sparkle with an internal amusement.

Desperate to get her goods undercover before the heat ruined them, Ellspeth searched the bustling docks. She focused on a man. Not because he busily shifted crates, but because he lounged against a barrel placed in the shade.

His clothes seem of good quality. Maybe he’s a local tradesman. After a second look at the well-worn loose breeches, tight vest, and leather neckband, she corrected herself. Or, the younger son of a chieftain from the Mtwan mountain region. A few quick steps took her to the loafer who watched her approach, amusement sparkling in his light brown eyes.

“You look strong. I will pay you ten coppers for the day. That is double the going rate. Payment when Sea Falcon is unloaded.”

Accustomed to an immediate response from her crew, Ellspeth’s fists clenched at his insolent stare when he ignored her and took another bite of his meat roll. His gaze holding hers, he raised his earthen mug in salute. “Do you even have ten coppers?

 

Background 

Dal is the younger son of a mountain clan. His friendship with Fraunces, King of the Second Kingdom, started when Dal presented him with one of the favored horses from the Mtwan mountains that he had captured and broke to bit and bridle.

More About Him (Secrets or Public)

Dal became the last surviving member of the wizard’s council when a rogue mage murdered everyone on the Isle of Mages. However, even before every other trained wizard died, Dal was the head of the council.

I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Dal.  Find excerpts by clicking on the cover in the banner. For more of Windmaster Legacy, find the information below.  

Buy Links: One click to ebook sellers
Paperback at Amazon

Meet Captain Ellspeth #mfrwhooks

To start off the new series of posts introducing some of my favorite people (or people I love to hate) from the sword and sorcery romantic fantasy, Windmaster, you are invited to meet Lady Ellspeth. 

Physical Description

Normally I would either give a character's age. Or for some, beg off with the excuse that, "A lady never reveals her age." However in the case of Captain Ellspeth, while she is definitely a lady, there is another reason to keep the number of seasons she has seen a secret. Ellspeth appears in three of the four volumes in the Windmaster Novels. It would be too confusing to tell her age in each.

Ellspeth has long straight hair; bleached silver by sun from hours standing watch on ship’s deck. She usually wears it in a braid halfway down her back. When working, a pair of wooden sticks holds the braid in a curl at the nape of her neck. Silver hair is unusual for someone her age. Most people have either blond or brown hair, except the inhabitants of the southern sea where their tresses are midnight black. You have to read Windmaster to see one of the reasons for the silver.

Her eyes are green or gray that can turn steel gray when expressing strong emotion such as anger, frustration. When expressing gentler emotions, her eye color ranges from willow green to pure silver. Ellspeth has a slender frame. She is strong and has the family trait of being tall. Not only is she taller than most women, she stands half a head taller than many men.

As far as dress, when onboard ship or around town you can find her in breeches and linen shirt, sometimes supplemented by a leather dublet. That said, she has been known to dress up. An excerpt from Windmaster on the night of a party in the king's garden.

Ellspeth’s pale green gown swirled around her ankles. With each spin, she checked to make sure the hem fell back into place. Satisfied the dress would stand up to an evening of dancing, she did one final check in the looking glass. The gold captain’s bracelets on her wrists glittered in complement to the deep tan of her skin. A single strand of willow green pearls from the Aberden Sea circled her neck. She had woven a second, longer strand into her silver curls. Gone was the last vestige of frivolity she had allowed herself within the privacy of her room. A dignified representative befitting the House of Cszabo descended the stairs with pride.

More About Her (Secrets or Public)

Ellspeth's favorite food are the crustaceans found in the colorful coral rocks in the southern sea. A special treat, they are spiced with mirdar root and served with sweet honey bread.

Her favorite relaxing pastime is composing music on her wooden recorder or silver flute. She is talented enough to be a professional performer. However, she had to choose between the family trade of the sea and music. While she is not a member of the Bard Guild and perform professionally, courtesy of a friend who is a bard, some of Elle’s songs are known throughout the four kingdoms.

I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Captain Ellspeth. Find excerpts by clicking on the cover in the banner. For more of Windmaster and the rest of the Windmaster Novels, find the information below.

Buy Links: One click to ebook sellers
Paperback at Amazon / Barnes&Noble