Eclectic writer

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Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Escape - A new Friend #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Escape #New Friend Fantasy #all ages #affinities

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com For some great excerpts. Mine is found at eclecticwriter.blogspot.Janet Lase

Excerpt:

As Alizand slipped into the outer courtyard of the palace in Cedris, the sun peeped over the horizon. Today was his fourteenth name day, but the occasion brought no joy. Though he should be declared Prince Heir, his father hadn’t spoken to the elders about the ceremony that would mark the choice. Alizand’s fingers tightened into fists. Prince Zedron had hopes his new spouse would present him with an heir who wasn’t a halfling.

The loss of this position wasn’t what troubled him this day. Today, his only friend and protector was being sent to patrol the land at the rear of the mesa behind the henge.

“Lad, I knew you’d come. My good wishes be with you on your special day.”

Alizand wanted to throw himself into Sergeant Dragen’s arms and weep, but that display of emotions wasn’t fitting for one who was no longer a child. “I wish you didn’t have to leave.”

“Prince Zedron’s orders must be followed.” The older man joined Alizand in the shadows cast by a balcony several stories above. “Gifts I have for you.” He held a chain of red-gold metal with a multi-colored crystal dangling from a loop. “’Twas your mother’s. Gave me this before she entered the birthing chamber. ‘For my son. Should you ever have to leave him unguarded, give him the stone. ‘Twill warn him of danger. Should he have an affinity, the crystal will enhance his talents.’”

Dragen placed the chain around Alizand’s neck. The swirling colors of the stone coalesced until the crystal glowed with a scarlet light.

Warmth flowed from the stone. Alizand fought a fresh need for tears. His mother had died at his birthing. He’d been raised by an ever-changing group of nursemaids and this man. “’Tis not fair for him to send you away.”

Dragen raked his fingers through yellow hair tinged with gray. “Not much in this world of ours is fair. Lad, one day things will change.” He held a sword in a plain leather sheath. “My gift to you. The naming of the sword is yours.”

Alizand drew the weapon. The sword was the color of the chain about his neck. “How does one name a blade?”

Dragen touched his weapon’s hilt. “Mine is Loyal for that’s what I swore to be.”

“Courage,” Alizand said. “That’s what I need.”

A trumpet sounded. Dragen straightened. “Must go. Be brave. Stay safe.” He pulled Alizand into a fierce hug. “You’re the son I never had and the hope of a better world.”

The tears Alizand refused to shed choked him. “Be safe.” He said no more, but remained in the shadows to watch Dragen mount his war steed and lead the patrol from the yard. Alizand thought of all the things he’d wanted today and prayed there’d be another time.

Why had the army been sent against the henge? Hadn’t Dom Jonden once been Wesren’s prince? Isn’t my father far cousin and step-brother of that Dom? If Dom Jonden hadn’t shown affinity for the elements, Zedron wouldn’t have been named House Wesren’s ruler. How could he move against his kin? The only answer Alizand had found chilled him. ‘Twas that man lately come to the palace who’d laid the plans.

Instead of returning to his chamber, Alizand scurried across the yard and entered the stable. His war steed snorted. He stroked the animal’s side. He’d chosen the near-white colt because like him ‘twas a misfit. With Dragen’s help he’d trained the stallion. Another secret they’d shared. Arrow was Alizand’sNo other could mount the horned beast.

He ran his hands along the steed’s fighting horn. “Dragen is gone. You’re all I have to keep me safe.”

A shudder rippled through his body. Without Dragen at his back, his step-mother’s sons would express their hatred in more than words. The bullies were older and stronger. Twice in the past, he’d felt their fists.

The mount lipped his hair. Alizand smiled. “If they attack me again, I’ll flee on your back and no one will catch us.” The idea of leaving Cedris wasn’t new. Until his father had taken Melena as his spouse, Alizand had been content. Since then, his life had changed. He straightened and grasped the hilt of his sword. Courage and resolve filled his thoughts.

He left the stables, crossed the yard and pressed the pattern in the stones to gain access to the inner passages. Within the walls of the north wing and tower he’d found a warren of ways and several hidden rooms. As far as he knew, he was the only one who used these corridors.

He took the taper he’d left, called fire and lit the wick. He had until the name day feast at midday to savor his presents. He would leave the sword in the hidden room. If he wore it into the hall, Mandir or Lodar would covet the weapon. Melena would badger until Alizand gifted the sword to one of her sons, and the other would express his disappointment with his fists.

When the first summoning bell sounded, Alizand left his chamber. He’d donned the silk tunic and breeches he’d found on the bed. As he walked along the corridor, he heard footsteps behind him. His spine prickled and the scarlet crystal flared.

My Places

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Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Escape - into the caves #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Fantasy #young adult #all ages Affinities #earth, water, fire, air

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks for some great excerpts. Mine is found at https://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com and is from Escape first book of the Affinities series

BLURB:
Two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities. Each of these young teens has an affinity for one of the elements. Ash for Air, Bran for Water, Jay for Earth and Ky for Fire. During the escape, they face many problems forcing them to use their affinities by trial and error. They also meet Alizand, the son of the ruling prince of Wesren. Zand has an affinity for Fire and this will keep him from gaining the rule. Dom Senet, an advisor to his father, and once a friend of the quartet’s parents suspects Zand’s affinity. He wishes to corrupt the teen and use him to gain control of the four princedoms of the land and of the highlands. The evil dom has all four affinities. The four must reach a secret place and find teachers before the evil man discovers them

Excerpt:

Doma Calanda rose. “Ashlea, to you is the mastery of Air. The flute and this stone are yours.” Over Ash’s head, the Doma slipped a silver chain with a crystal so clear it seemed nearly invisible. “To you the things of the mind, the reading of thoughts carried in the air, the knowing of aromas, the calling of the wind, music to stir the air into patterns to influence others and to open hidden doors.”

Dom Jonden stood behind Bran. “Brandien, to you is the mastery of Water. The scrying cup and this crystal are yours.” He fastened a blue-white chain holding a clear blue stone around Bran’s neck. “To you are matters of the heart, the reading of emotions and the balancing of fluids within and without. In the scrying cup, you will see images of what occurs in the land. Potions brewed in the cup will gain strength. To you, the ability to balance unstable minds and bodies, to take and feel the emotions of others. You will be able to find sweet water, no matter how deep.”

The Doma moved to Jay. “Jaydren, to you is the mastery of Earth. The staff of living wood and this crystal are yours.” A green stone dangled on a gold chain. “From beneath the earth and above, you will know when things are right. To you, the feeding of men’s bodies. With the staff, you can enhance the growth of all plants. You can unearth the riches of the earth. Stone, metal, crystals are yours to use for the wellbeing of others.”

The Dom placed a crystal on a red-gold chain around Ky’s neck. “Kylandra, to you is the mastery of fire. The flame sword is yours to bear. Fire is light and light brings courage. You are action and will know how to fire the spirits of others. You will mesh with all manner of beasts. Fire brings both life and death. This sword can be used for war or for peace. To have one, you must face the other.”

“Now, children, the time grows short,” Doma Calanda said.

Ash watched her parents’ faces change from Dom and Doma to the visages of the ones who had loved and raised her and her siblings. Grief showed in their eyes and subtly altered their scents.

A cup appeared in her mother’s hands. “Come, share this cup. Then you must go.”

“Mama, Papa, come with us,” Ky cried.

Dom Jonden held Ky in his arms. “The henge will fall. Your mother and I must remain to see the ending causes as little harm as possible to the land and the people.”

Ash drank from the cup. Warmth infused her. She kissed her mother’s cheek and was enfolded for a moment.

“Be brave. Be wary. Trust not the ones whose thoughts are completely shielded. Trust the crystals for should you meet those who mean you harm, the stones will grow warm against your skin.”

She left her mother and went to her father. He kissed her forehead. “Go. Know you are loved now and forever. Make haste on your journey through the passage for we don’t know how long we can hold.”

Ash donned her cloak, took a bundle of torches, a packet of journey food and a flask of water from one of the shelves. She lifted her flute and played the notes her mother had taught her. The wall of stone at the rear of the chamber parted. The torch she’d freed from the bundle flared. Though she wanted to remain, at the head of her siblings, Ash stepped into the darkness.

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Searches (Affinities Book 3)

Friday, January 5, 2024

The Affinities Series is featured today on Friday's Blurbs #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Affinities #Escape #Havens #searches #Confrontations #Fantasy

Two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities.During the escape, they face many problems forcing them to use their affinities by trial and error. They also meet Alizand, the son of the ruling prince of Wesren. Zand has an affinity for Fire and this will keep him from gaining the rule.Dom Senet, an advisor to his father, and once a friend of the quartet’s parents suspects Zand’s affinity. He wishes to corrupt the teen and use him to gain control of the four princedoms of the land and of the highlands. The evil dom has all four affinities. The four must reach a secret place and find teachers before the evil man discovers them

Havens

The four teens, led by the mysterious birds they believe are their parents seek a place of safety where they can learn to control their affinities. They find a place of refuge with Doma Jandia, grandmother of their friend Zand. The doma plans to take them to the highlands but news of the capture of two of their friends by Dom Senet, sends them on a rescue mission. Their powers are not strong enough to defeat the evil dom. They must find a way to succeed or their friends will be corrupted forever.

Searches

Having found a safe place in a tower fortress, the four and their companions set out to find what they need to defeat Dom Senet and He Who Walks With Evil. They divide into three groups. The first group seeks the focus stones that enhance their affinities. The second group looks for the remaining artifacts, the swords, the staffs, the flutes and the scrying bowls. The third group sets out to find those with their affinities to round the groups to four of earth, four water, four air and four fire. Their strength will be needed in the final battle.

Confrontations'

Ash, Bran, Ky and Jay along with their friends have now mastered their affinities. They now control their ability to use Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The time has come for them to face Dom Senet and He Who Walks with Evil. They have learned a disturbing fact. He Who Walks With Evil is able to exchange an old body for a new one. Dom Senet wishes to obtain the secret and he is willing to sacrifice even his own son to gain this power. The four sets of companions set off to rid the doms and domas of Dom Senet’s bonds and to defeat the two evil men. Can they or will they become pawns to evil?

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Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Wednesday - Escape - Book 1 Affinities #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Fantasy for all ages #affinities #earth #air #fire #water

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Mine is from Escape at eclecticwriter.blogspot.com A fantasy for all ages.

wo sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities. Each of these young teens has an affinity for one of the elements. Ash for Air, Bran for Water, Jay for Earth and Ky for Fire. During the escape, they face many problems forcing them to use their affinities by trial and error. They also meet Alizand, the son of the ruling prince of Wesren. Zand has an affinity for Fire and this will keep him from gaining the rule. Dom Senet, an advisor to his father, and once a friend of the quartet’s parents suspects Zand’s affinity. He wishes to corrupt the teen and use him to gain control of the four princedoms of the land and of the highlands. The evil dom has all four affinities. The four must reach a secret place and find teachers before the evil man discovers them

Excerpt:

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

The Escape Plot - Part 3 #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Writing #Tip #Escape

In the Escape Plot, the beginning tells of the imprisonment. The second is when the plans are laid for the escape. Then comes the act of escaping. It's kown that after the first move, matters do not always go according to plan. During the Escape, there should be times when re-thinking is necessary and changes made. The Escape must be successful or not. I not what happens to the escaping prisoner? There must be an answer built into the plans forescape. If the plan succeeds and the prisoner escapes, the reader mut believe in this escape.

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Tuesday, July 4, 2023

The Escape Plot - Middle is featured as Tuesday's Writer's Tip #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #writing #tip #Escape Plot

The second part of the escape plot deals with the Escape. There may be an attempt that fails. The prisoner must then plan with care and then makes a second attempt. Hopefully this will succeed. There can be twists and turns sometimes making the escape seem futile but in the end, the prisoner must succeed.

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Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Meet a 2nd with a Fire Affinity #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #fantasy #earth #fire #water #air #Affinities

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Mine is Meet Another with Fire Affinity from Escape

BLURB:

Two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities.

During the escape, they face many problems forcing them to use their affinities by trial and error. They also meet Alizand, the son of the ruling prince of Wesren. Zand has an affinity for Fire and this will keep him from gaining the rule.

Dom Senet, an advisor to his father, and once a friend of the quartet’s parents suspects Zand’s affinity. He wishes to corrupt the teen and use him to gain control of the four princedoms of the land and of the highlands. The evil dom has all four affinities. The four must reach a secret place and find teachers before the evil man discovers them

Excerpt:

Mandir grabbed his arm. “Happy name day, halfling.”

“Where’d you get this?” Lodar reached for the stone. He yelped. “You dare hit me when you have no armed guard at your back?”

“I did nothing.” Alizand struggled to keep fear from his voice.

Mandir’s ebony eyes glittered with menace. “Where’d you get the bauble?”

“A gift from my mother.”

Both boys laughed. “Do they dead walk?” Mandir asked.

Lodar dug his fingers into Alizand’s arm. “Give me the crystal.”

“No.”

Mandir whirled Alizand around. “You dare deny us?” He reached for the stone and stumbled backward. He rubbed his hand.

The second bell rang. Lodar twisted Alizand’s arm behind his back. “Give me the pretty or I’ll break your arm.”

A door closed with a bang. A tall man with flowing fair hair emerged. When Lodar released Alizand, he nearly fell. He heard the thud of boots as the bullies retreated. “My thanks, Dom Senet.” Alizand stared at the crystal on the man’s chest. The colors swirled red, blue, green and clear.

“Name day greetings, Alizand, son of Zedron, son of the House Wesren.”

Alizand kept his gaze on the Dom’s stone. He sidled away.

“Where did you get the crystal?” The man’s sonorous voice bristled with curiosity and veiled threat.

“’Twas my mother’s.” Alizand looked up to see the man’s pale blue eyes narrow.

“So the tales are true. Though you haven’t the startling coloring of most halflings, you have the eyes. Perhaps we share a kinship. Something to think on, Prince Heir.” Dom Senet stroked Alizand’s crystal.

Alizand swallowed. “The feast … I’ll be late.”

“Then let us hurry,” the Dom said. “Hide the stone beneath your tunic or that greedy pair will pry it away. ‘Twill protect you from all but me. I’ve keyed it to mine.” He smiled. “No matter where you go, I can find you.”

My Places

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My Places

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Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Meet One with an Earth Affinity #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Fantasy #air #water #earth #fire #twins

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Meet one with an Earth Affinity at eclecticwriter.blogspot.com from Escape is mine

Blurb:

Two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities.

During the escape, they face many problems forcing them to use their affinities by trial and error. They also meet Alizand, the son of the ruling prince of Wesren. Zand has an affinity for Fire and this will keep him from gaining the rule.

Dom Senet, an advisor to his father, and once a friend of the quartet’s parents suspects Zand’s affinity. He wishes to corrupt the teen and use him to gain control of the four princedoms of the land and of the highlands. The evil dom has all four affinities. The four must reach a secret place and find teachers before the evil man discovers them

Excerpt:

Jay waited until Ash had Ky on her back before he rose and began to tap the way along the path. His thoughts drifted to his parents. Surely by working together, they were stronger than the Dom who walked the road to darkness. What was happening at the henge? Bran had seen the first wall fall. Had the other walls been breached? Would they see Mama and Papa again? They’d said so and he would hold onto that promise.

Just beyond him, there seemed to be a wall. He tapped the tip of the staff against the blockage. Inch by inch, he moved through the dense fog. Suddenly, the light of the sun blinded him.

“Jay, where are you,” Ash and Bran called.

“I’m out of the illusion.” He turned and thrust his staff into the mist. “Grab the end.” He felt a tug on the staff. He walked backwards. Like corks being drawn from a bottle, his siblings appeared. He slumped against the stones.

Ash moved past him. “Up, Jay. ‘Tis not far now.” She paused. “I smell smoke, men and beasts.”

“Where?”

“On the grasslands beyond the mesa wall.”

“Can they see us?” Bran pulled Jay to his feet. “Have they found the ponies and the supplies?”

“Let’s find out.” After letting Bran and Jay take her sister, she picked her way around the rocks to an opening in the palisade.

They emerged into a box canyon. Jay looked around with interest. A group of ponies grazed on the browning grass. At the far end, water tumbled over rocks into a stone basin. He noticed a fire circle. Where were the promised supplies? He lowered Ky to the ground.

“Where are the things they said would be here?” Jay asked. “Ky’s like ice.”

Ash turned. “This way.”

Bran caught her hand. “Let’s fetch them. You can scent which packs we should open.”

Jay reached for the twin bond. Ky wandered in a nightmare of being lost in the dark. He sent her images of the bright meadow. Slowly, her dreams changed and she slipped into normal sleep patterns.

Bran turned. “We’ll need a fire. Sure wish Ky could start one.”

“There should be a starter in one of the packs,” Ash said. “Jay, fill our water flasks.”

Though he didn’t want to leave Ky, he rose and carried the four flasks to the pool. Then he gathered wood. Once Bran and Ash returned with two packs, one containing a fire started, Bran set the wood ablaze.

Bran heated water in a pan. He poured it into the scrying cup and mixed an assortment of herbs in the water. “Ash, let me try this on your hand.”

The mark on the back of her hand had remained scarlet and hadn’t shrunk. Bran applied some of the solution.

“Hey, it’s gone,” Jay said. “Will it work like that for Ky?”

“Hope so, but hers is larger and I think deeper.”

Jay unwound the cloth. Bran dipped it in the solution and wrapped the bandage

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Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Meet One with a Fire Affinity #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #fantasy #earth #air #water #fire

Join the authors at MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts Mine is found at eclecticwriter.blogspot.com Meet One with a Fire Affinity from Escape

Blurb:

Two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities.

During the escape, they face many problems forcing them to use their affinities by trial and error. They also meet Alizand, the son of the ruling prince of Wesren. Zand has an affinity for Fire and this will keep him from gaining the rule.

Dom Senet, an advisor to his father, and once a friend of the quartet’s parents suspects Zand’s affinity. He wishes to corrupt the teen and use him to gain control of the four princedoms of the land and of the highlands. The evil dom has all four affinities. The four must reach a secret place and find teachers before the evil man discovers them

Excerpt:

“How can we pass it?” Ash said.

Ky rose. “This task is mine.” “I could move the rocks,” Jay said. “But that would take a long time. I’m just learning.”

“How?” Bran asked.

“With fire.”

Ash shook her head. “Fire did destroy some of the fibers, but look what happened to me.”

“I’ll use the flame sword. That’s different than a torch.” She handed her cloak to Bran and unsheathed the sword. As she thought about sending fire through the blade, she hoped she could master the flame. The only time she’d used the lessons her parents had given her had been when she’d set her fear, anger and grief free. “Fire can help and fire can harm.” The web was a thing of evil. Could she call forth anger without triggering other emotions?

Jay touched her arm. “Will the twin bond help?”

She shook her head. “Don’t think so, and you’d better all stay here. I don’t want to burn anyone by mistake.”

“Be careful,” Ash said.

Ky walked around the bend and for the second time confronted the web. She jammed the torch in a crack in the rocks and studied the intricate pattern. She wished she’d asked Bran and Ash if a living creature had spun the web and if it lingered. She had no desire to face something from a bad dream.

Ash had tried to burn away the strands that clung to the rocks and had been burned. The center, Ky thought. That’s where she’d start.

She raised the sword and called fire. Tiny flames danced along the blade. She drove them together until a line of fire extended from the sword’s tip. As she glided toward the web, the strands seemed to quiver. Was the web a living thing? If so, ‘twas evil.

The tongue of flame touched the circle in the center of the weaving. A puff of dark smoke stained the air. Then with a rapidity she could scarcely believe, the center blackened. The darkness spread along the web lines. The smoke grew heavier, billowed and flowed toward her. She coughed. Her eyes watered and the sword wavered.

Back, she thought. The smoke stole the air she needed to breathe. Help!

A gust of wind came from behind her. The smoke cleared. Ash, thanks, she thought.

The fire had gutted a large part of the web. A few strands still formed a barrier near the ground. Though exhaustion threatened to swamp her, she gathered the flames and moved to clear the rest away.

The flame touched the red line. One end of it whipped toward her. The end touched and wound around her wrist. Ky screamed. The flame from the sword moved in a blinding pattern of light.

An exquisite pain shot from her wrist to her shoulder. The sword fell from her hand. Ky felt dizzy and she wanted to lose the contents of her stomach. Blackness engulfed her.

“Ky.”

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