Here’s your weekly teaser! In case you missed it, here is last week’s.
I’ve been using my own stories for this, but I’ve invited other author’s I know to join me on these. So soon you’ll have more variety. If you know an author that might be interested in being shared in my author newsletter and here, please give them this application form.
Parallel Worlds was my first adult fantasy book that I published. I love this story and love, love, love this cover. There is a standalone novella that follows this, Between the Tides, and this fall I hope to have Book 2.
Episode 2
The young soldier explained to the teachers, “Now is a moment in the ritual that others are invited to speak and add their knowledge to hers.” As MacKeritt spoke in the same language as the ritual, the soldier translated. “He says, that as always his people support Queen Arichel, which is a surprise to most of us, I expect. Although she doesn’t seem a bit surprised, nor does Captain.” The soldier seemed to be musing aloud as much as explaining. He implores her to remember her strengths and to …draw her energy from the earth and the sky. He says the Mother will always nurture her.” He shook his head. “That is not what I expected at all.”
Arichel inclined her head at MacKeritt and spoke back, clearly a formal thank you. She returned her attention to the Captain. She knelt, and he placed his hands on her shoulders, then to her head, while speaking some more formal words. Then, he took her hand and raised her to her feet. Immediately, all the men from both groups, though the second group was just a tad slower as if they hadn’t known, dropped to a knee and bowed their heads.
She spoke a single word, looking at those kneeling. Then the mood changed. All the men stood up, and most relaxed their stance. Some still seemed tense. Glancing back at the teachers and principals, she tilted her head, raised an eyebrow, and said, ‘Let’s get this party started, shall we?” Slinging a long scabbard onto her back, she stepped back from the group and withdrew a long, two handed broadsword. She swung it around and found the balance. “It’ll do.” She resheathed it. “You needn’t come, but you are welcome to watch if you want.” She strode out through the door to the hall. Her co-workers, glanced at each other in confusion, then pushed back chairs to follow. “What the hell is happening here?” whispered the Special Education teacher. None of his coworkers knew how to answer.
Passing through the hall, someone asked her, “How are you not nervous?”
“What will be, will be.” After a half moment’s pause she continued, “He’s well trained, but so am I. Don’t forget his dancing teacher learned from me.” After a slightly longer pause, she stated, “Today is a good day to die. But, I do not intend to die this day.”
Another commotion behind them caused Arichel to turn back around. Seeing the young boy running towards them, weighed down by a long bundle with some sort of silver dog’s head at one end, she quickly halted. She pulled off the scabbard and held it off to the side without looking. One of the soldiers took the sheathed sword. The boy ran directly to her, with ragged breath. She knelt down to look directly in his eyes. “Elden, Thank you.” The she pulled back the cloth, revealing not a dogs head but a gorgeous wolf pommeled broadsword. She swung that scabbard onto her back and spun back around, not even bothering to test the blade, she simply reached up and tugged slightly to be sure the blade smoothly slid.
Just before they exited the building Adovey grabbed her lightly on the arm. Immediately she turned to him and gave him a tight smile. Leaning forward she said “I love you,” and kissed him. Pulling back, she was about to turn and go, when he pulled her back.
Growling, “Fuck that.” he pulled her in for a deep kiss, tongue thrusting against her mouth, and lips hungrily devouring hers. She matched every bit of his ardor, pressing her body, and all the hilts, against him. None of the men seemed at all surprised though a few seemed a bit envious. Their kiss ended and he looked deep in her eyes.
“Yeah.” she said nodding.
“I love you, too.” he said.
Then, she turned and pushed open the doors. Most of the group came to an abrupt halt as they exited the building and saw another group of soldiers standing. Arichel however strode forward across the dirt parking spots, to the little hill. “It’s mostly flat up here.”
A tall and surprising slender soldier from the middle of the standing outside nodded approval and followed her up. “Agreed.”
The two squared off, both Arichel and Bryongan Le Bryon sideways to the sun, so neither had an advantage starting out. “Blessed met,” he said to her.
“Blessed be,” She raised her hands up, palms out and he placed his hands against hers. Then they each stepped back and rubbed their hands together.
The young soldier again cleared his throat, and then began speaking. “This is a ritual challenge as I said, and there are certain steps they do now to follow that ritual. They share the blessings as they hope the people to be blessed. They press palms together and then rub their hands together so no one has an advantage of a stickiness or oiliness hindering or helping. They have now stepped back to have room to draw the weapons of their choice to begin.
Continue reading on KindleUnlimited here or comment below to find out how to purchase a signed copy.
2 Comments