Catalyst: Guardian Rising
Musing, Writing, Ideas for "The Guardian Stories", the first of which is "CATALYST - Guardian Rising"
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Monday, December 21, 2015
HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUEEN VIVIENNE!!
It's the Winter Solstice, which means it's also Vivienne's birth night. Tonight, Minnlin will travel through a snow storm to make sure the Guardian's birth happens exactly as prophesied.
For a special treat, here is the story of Vivienne's birth straight from the horse's mouth:
"CHAPTER ONE
Born from Death
In my nightmare, Devon gathers his cloak and sword, smiles
at Hana warmly and says, ―Be patient. I should be able to find them at the
field tent.‖ He smiles at the queen, and leaves to search for the king.
Hana stares at the door, now closed behind his departing
figure. Her brow furrows just for a moment as she debates whether or not to
fasten the bolt. Deciding the men downstairs are protection enough, she turns
back to my mother. Worried, she tries not to let the queen know how serious the
situation has become. My mother writhes in the transitional pains of labor on
the bed, drenched in sweat, her hair soaked. Her breathing has become ragged
and uneven. Every contraction brings waves of agony crashing down upon her
slight frame. She screams as unexpected and powerful contractions threaten to
rip her into pieces.
Katarina is panting as Hana washes her face with cool
water—cool water that, by some strange illusion, I feel on my own face. ―I
don‘t think I am going to be able to do this, she moans to Hana. ―I am too
tired. I don‘t have the energy to do this.
Hana croons to her as one would a small, frightened child:
―Of course you will have the strength, my lady. All mothers are afraid when
they give birth to their first child. It is an experience not comprehended
except by those who have already been blessed. Everything will be fine.
My mother smiles faintly at Hana. Even though they have
only been together a short time, my mother understands she and Hana are very
much alike in temperament and spirit. Both are empathetic Healers, although
Katarina is struggling right now to bring her own training into focus. My mother‘s
senses tell her she is bleeding too much. Tired, she cannot find the correct
pressure point as she searches within her memories to recall how to constrict
the blood vessels with elemental energy. The pain of each contraction is
evident in every fiber of her body. Her gaze keeps darting to the door, waiting
for my father to walk in.
The sound of men and horses clattering to a stop drifts up
from the front courtyard even through the closed windows. The wind suddenly
switches direction, coming no longer from the West, but instead from the North,
and the cold deepens. The clouds close in, heavy with thick, wet mountain snow.
The full winter moon hanging bright in the night sky becomes overshadowed as
the heavy snow begins to fall and stick. Hana tosses more logs on the fireplace
to keep the chill from the room. Hearing voices and thinking Devon has found
the king, Hana throws open the door of the bedroom. And that‘s when my
nightmare really starts.
Three darkly cloaked soldiers race up the stairs and through
the open door, throwing Hana against the far wall near Katarina‘s laboring
body. She slides down to the floor and stares up in horror at the nightmare
walking through the door. Into the room behind these soldiers strides a tall
man, dressed in the robes of a Druid Master, with three more soldiers bringing
up the rear.
Hana recognizes the druid immediately, but Katarina is too
weak at first to notice who the intruder is—but it doesn‘t take her long to
finally see him. Both women are deeply frightened; fear the only thing keeping
them from crying for help. Though they do not say his name out loud, I know
only one person would be brave enough to risk the wrath of Philippe or Der and
his brothers to appear at this house at this time. It is Minnlin, the renegade
druid, with his personal cadre of guards. Somehow they have slipped past all
the sentries and guard posts to come here. This means they are here for only
one thing—the baby … me.
But why?
The guards signal for Hana to drop her weapons, if she is
holding any, and to step back from the bed where my mother lies.
―No. Hana lifts her chin stubbornly. ―The queen is in dire
need. She has lost too much blood. I am a Healer. I must help her deliver the
child now or both may well perish.
The guard looks at Minnlin for direction. He nods his head.
They search Hana for weapons. Once she is pronounced unarmed, Hana breaks
through his grasp and races to the side of the bed. Checking my mother‘s pulse,
she turns her head to address the men.
―She is failing. The baby must come. Now! Do you have any
Healers with you?‖ She makes her appeal to the dark man standing over her.
Minnlin judges Hana with his eyes. No feeling of malice
hangs around the man, no raw lust and hunger for power is displayed across his
face. Only the certainty of a man who knows what he is doing and working hard
to achieve his ends. No matter how much those ends will cost. Finally, in a
quiet voice, he replies, ―I will deliver the child.‖
Hana stares at Katarina and then at Minnlin and then back
to Katarina. Before she can protest, a soul-rending scream comes from my
mother. There is no more time for discussion.
Minnlin crosses the room, discarding his robe to one of his
guards. Kneeling beside the bed, he places his hands first on her heart then on
the bulge of her belly that is me. Concentrating while humming spells to
himself, he seems to be listening to the energies of the queen‘s body. Hana
stands beside the bed, anxious to know what is happening, even more anxious
that Devon and the king will not arrive in time to save everyone.
In one fluid motion Minnlin stands up and turns to face
Hana. ―I need lots of warm blankets, hot water, gauze, scissors, and some
auguere.
―Auguere?‖ Hana raises one finely pointed eyebrow. ―That
herb does not ease childbirth pains. It is for headaches.
―Auguere also constricts blood vessels, and once the child
is delivered, I must attempt to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible.‖ He
states this calmly, as some people might discuss the weather. ―If we cannot
stop the blood flow in time, Katarina will bleed out and nothing either of us
can do will save her.
―Save my daughter … at any cost, Katarina whispers. ―She
is the one who must live. My life means nothing; only hers is important. Her
eyes bore into Minnlin, as though reminding the druid of a secret promise known
to only them.
―Peace, my lady. Everything will be all right, Hana croons
into my mother‘s ear. ―I will keep watch for new arrivals, she says pointedly,
sure Katarina understands what she means. Then she turns to the guards in the
room. ―I don‘t think anyone‘s mother would be proud to know they raised their
son to spy on a woman giving birth, especially when that woman is the queen.
Get out of here unless you are specifically trained as a Healer.
The six men look at Minnlin for direction. He waves five of
them from the room. The last goes to the fireplace and brings over the warmed
towels. His dark gray eyes glance at Hana, mocking her.
―I was trained as a Healer before leaving the Fortress to
follow Lord Minnlin, he informs Hana. She glares but moves over enough to
allow a small space for him beside the bed.
Now is the point at which my nightmare becomes blended with
the horrible reality that is the night of my birth. For many years of my
childhood, the nightmares never progressed past this point, the memories
blocked by some wall erected within my mind in self-defense. As I grew older, I
began to wonder why I couldn‘t move past this blockage. Eventually, when I did
figure out how to remove the wall, I would come to wish things had stayed as
they were. I was blissful in my ignorance.
Minnlin looks into my mother‘s eyes, his dark purple eyes
fixated on her gray eyes, as another version of that same secret look I had
noticed previously again passes between them. (All true Mystics have some shade
of purple eyes. The color is related to the elemental energies that run in our
veins, allowing us to tap into the powers and mysteries contained in the world.
The darker the shading of the purple, the stronger the Mysticism gift in that
person. Similarly, all Healers have gray shaded eyes, while those who are born
to War Craft have the ability to make the whites of their eyes darken to
prevent reflected light betraying them to any enemy that might be around.)
Minnlin bends over the bed, murmuring spells over my mother while running his
hands over her belly. At last he straightens up and speaks to the guard and
Hana.
―The child is backwards. We must turn her or they will both
perish.
Hana blanches at the words. Being trained originally as a
Warrior, she has only mastered the most basic of Healing knowledge. However,
being raised in the countryside, she has seen horses and cows with breech
babies. Most times the mother died. She thanks the heavens my mother is
delirious, thus unable to process the danger she and I are in. Nodding more to
herself than to the druid, she takes the few short steps to the bed, holding
down Katarina‘s shoulders. Minnlin has removed his sword, and washed his hands
and forearms. He sits next to my mother‘s right leg. He motions for his man to
grab her left knee.
―No matter what, do not let go, he cautions both Hana and
the guard.
Both nod their understanding. They know what he is
attempting will cause immense pain to the frail woman lying, already past her
endurance, on what can be described as her deathbed.
Taking a deep breath, Minnlin pulls back the covers.
Carefully, he seeks to turn me into the correct birth position. With his left
hand he presses on the top of her womb while pulling me gently by my arm.
Katarina begins shrieking in pain, worse than any sound previous. Even the
guard averts his gaze. Tears well in Hana‘s eyes, blinding for a moment the
vision of what she was already afraid to see. Blood begins to gush forth, more
than it seems one small body can bear to lose. The screaming echoes off the
walls, reverberating until there is no other sound. Finally, after what was a
very short time but which seemed to have lasted forever, Minnlin closes his
eyes and takes a deep breath.
―I am ready to begin guiding the baby down the birth canal.
Hana, let go of her shoulders and be ready to wrap the child. My hands will be
busy trying to save the queen‘s life.
Hana rushes to the fireplace, grabs several towels and
returns to the bedside. Shuddering from her distaste at being so close to the
one who has caused so much death and pain in the Five Kingdoms, she kneels
beside him. She looks up at the druid, nodding in response to his raised
eyebrow.
Minnlin looks into my mother‘s eyes. The look she gives him
probably constitutes why I have nightmares about this night. It is the look of
someone who knows she is nearing death, one who has lost all hope of saving
herself. She is allowing her husband‘s mortal enemy to deliver her only child.
She has given all her hope to me. All that remains is to hold on long enough to
see the birth through. With a curt nod in Katarina‘s direction, Minnlin begins
guiding my head down the birth canal. Slowly at first, then with more
confidence, I begin to appear. Head first, then shoulders. After the shoulders
the rest of my body slides out easily.
Minnlin cuts the umbilical cord, ties it off, and hands me
to Hana. She wraps me tightly in the clean, warm towels, and brings me around
to the top of the table, where my mother can see me. One look and one smile is
the sum total of my interaction with my mother prior to death. When she tries
to raise her hand to stroke my head, she is simply too far gone. As Hana grips
me closer I can see the light extinguish in my mother‘s eyes. After struggling
with every portion of her earthly body to bring me into this world, there was
nothing left for her. My mother is dead. And I appear to be alone in a room
with my father‘s mortal enemy.
Minnlin reaches over and closes my mother‘s eyes. Head
bowed, he doesn‘t look like the most dangerous enemy of the Kingdoms; he looks
like a broken, grieving man. But how did he know my mother? How did he know I
would come this day? How did he get this far behind the front lines? But the
most important question to me was never asked out loud: why did he come to
deliver me? What is so special about me? "
Excerpted from "CATALYST - Guardian Rising", published by Keith Publishing, all rights reserved.
Friday, February 22, 2013
A Glimpse Into the Future
The
Ten Families
The
ruling class within the Eastern Empire is governed by a council comprised of
members from the original Ten Families. Each family controls a specific region
within the empire. The emperor can be a male member of any family, but once a
ruler is cursed with no male heir, then upon his death the other Nine Families
will put forth a Challenger to compete for the Throne in a contest decided upon
by all parties.
At
the time of the ascension of Vivienne to the title of Guardian, Adal of the
Family Fisal is emperor of the East. His son is Crown Prince Zhan, a strong
contender for his father’s throne. But dissension is growing among the families
lead by General Yuan and his Family. A lesser House, it has been seven
generations since the Family Yuan ruled the Empire and the general is anxious
to change the future. But to challenge Adal is to bring the other Families into
open warfare.
In
a bid to force a new competition for the Empire, Yuan approves the
assassination of Adal and his son Zhan. While the emperor is killed, the crown
prince escapes. Mortally wounded he makes his way to the Priory of Cassandra
where he meets Kai, daughter of Family Heret. Kai is the only virgin daughter
in the Ten Families; her fate is to be married to the next Emperor.
Zhan has known Kai all of his life; their
fathers are best friends. For most of her twenty-four years it has been assumed
Zhan would be her husband. Now with Yuan’s treachery spreading rumors of Zhan’s
fratricide, only a miracle will save the young prince’s throne and love from
being ripped away and given to a lesser Family. Forced to flee the empire to
save his life, Zhan promises to return for Kai.
But
General Yuan has an ally none of the other Families have met, a druid exiled
from his place at the Druid Fortress, a man whose attempt to wrestle control of
the Books of Forbidden Knowledge has already toppled one kingdom and brought
unimaginable power forth in the person of the Guardian. Alastyre has survived
and intends to unleash the full might of the Eastern Empire upon the other four
Kingdoms.
At
the time of Vivienne’s conquest of the Pinnacle Valley, the Families are firmly
divided into two camps: those who support Family Yuan and those who support Family
Fisal. They are as follows: For Family Yuan is: Yuan, Asan, Shaud, Landa and
Bechts; For Family Fisal: Fisal, Heret, Pavan, Vasra and Tshen.
So
the stage is set, for a world war encompassing the Five Kingdoms. For the
Prophecy of Aedan still stands hanging over the earth, awaiting the touch of
purifying fire to gift the land with the promised second rebirth. The path of
destiny has been set.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
New Characters and a New Storyline
Zhan - Crown Prince of the Eastern Empire, talent - Warrior.
Kai, daughter of the Regent of Heret, Eastern Empire, talent - Healer (empathic).
Zhan's father is murdered in a coup instigated by the head of the Imperial Army, General Yuan; who seeks to place his own nephew on the throne. On the run for his life, Zhan intends to defect to the West and ask Vivienne to back his claim to the Eastern throne.
Kai is the only daughter of the emperor's best friend, the regent of Heret. Gifted with the talent of enhancement, she can grow a mighty oak within weeks, but her talent can be deadly to humans. Destined to wed the next emperor will she stay with Zhan, her childhood crush, or hide from Yuan and his strange nephew Narum?
Two strangers whose lives will intersect with Vivienne and Devon before the final showdown between the Guardian and Alastyre.
Friday, November 9, 2012
On A Related Note
Sometimes I find pictures that remind me of my characters, and as they appear I will post them here for your opinions. If you agree with my selections, let me know. Likewise, if you don't like my choices, tell why not. I'm open to discussion.
For my first choice - Devon:
The clothing is wrong, he should be in leather pants and a linen tunic, but here is our hero, waiting beside the lake for a clumsy 16 year old acolyte to follow the wrong set of tracks. Waiting under the tree for true love to awaken, Devon only wants to see Vivienne again.
So, what do you think?
For my first choice - Devon:
The clothing is wrong, he should be in leather pants and a linen tunic, but here is our hero, waiting beside the lake for a clumsy 16 year old acolyte to follow the wrong set of tracks. Waiting under the tree for true love to awaken, Devon only wants to see Vivienne again.
So, what do you think?
Labels:
Book,
Catalyst,
Characters,
Como,
Devon,
Fantasy,
Guardian Rising,
Science Fiction,
The Guardian Stories,
Vivienne,
War Craft
On a Related Note...
Starting Today -
I am participating in Carrie Ann's Blog Hop titled "Autumn's Harvest". More than 200 authors and bloggers are sharing their musings on fall. Each one has a prize available, including FREE books, so come along. WARNING: Not all sites are suitable for children, so watch out!
Hope over to www.blonde-not-dumb,blogspot.com to join the celebration of the harvest!
But that's not all....
We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
I am participating in Carrie Ann's Blog Hop titled "Autumn's Harvest". More than 200 authors and bloggers are sharing their musings on fall. Each one has a prize available, including FREE books, so come along. WARNING: Not all sites are suitable for children, so watch out!
Hope over to www.blonde-not-dumb,blogspot.com to join the celebration of the harvest!
What do you
love about Autumn and Fall? What does it remind you of? What about reading? Do
you think it's a good subject to read? Tell us your favorite Autumn
stories! Well, we authors
are ready to share our favorite Autumn stories and why we love snuggling in the
cold. *wink* Starting on Friday and ending on Nov 12th, over 200 Authors and Bloggers will share their
favorite things about those sexy men we know and love.
And while we do that, we are EACH doing a
giveaway. Yep. There will be over 200 giveaways on each blog hosted by that
Author or Blogger.
But that's not all....
We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
Now what
are those prizes?
1st Grand
Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand
Prize: A $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand
Prize: A Swag Pack that contains 10+ paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover
flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
The Nature of Insecurity
Book Two of the Guardian Stories is ready for the last edit before submitting, oh happy day! This story has been up and down on my ladder of attention for most of this year. Now all I need is to work my way through my fabulous editor's suggestions and Vivienne will be ready to continue her adventure across the Kingdoms in search of Devon and her enemies.
Becoming a writer has been a dream come true in many ways. Perhaps the most drastic change has been in my relationships with other people. I have never been the most gregarious one in the group. Now as I find myself writing and promoting, I've made friends with other writers around the country. I admire each of them, not just because they are living their dreams and writing, but they all seem so confident about their abilities.
Big confession time here people: I have always been insecure. There are a variety of reasons, some of which are environmental, others are organic. When in college I found out "Speech Class" meant to give one, not just write one, I dropped the class rather than face my fear of public speaking. Even now, giving speeches or being on a question and answer panel requires days of mental preparation.
I used this crippling sense of unworthiness when formulating Vivienne. Born into a man's world, asked to complete a hero's quest, daunting tasks for anyone, much less a woman whose sense of self-worth is crippled and weak. Only as she grows in experience will confidence begin to mature. Much the way I feel as I navigate the oceans of literature.
Identifying with characters is important. If we don't feel their struggles then we cannot adequately tell the story to others. One of the things I insist in all my personal book choices is a good story line. I call it "The Well Told Tale". The characters I spend the most time listening to are the ones with which I feel the most in common. Such as Vivienne.
What other elements are required for a story to grab your attention? I'd love to know what entices other readers. Leave your thoughts and let's start a discussion on elements. Every story needs them, what happens when they don't meet your expectations?
Becoming a writer has been a dream come true in many ways. Perhaps the most drastic change has been in my relationships with other people. I have never been the most gregarious one in the group. Now as I find myself writing and promoting, I've made friends with other writers around the country. I admire each of them, not just because they are living their dreams and writing, but they all seem so confident about their abilities.
Big confession time here people: I have always been insecure. There are a variety of reasons, some of which are environmental, others are organic. When in college I found out "Speech Class" meant to give one, not just write one, I dropped the class rather than face my fear of public speaking. Even now, giving speeches or being on a question and answer panel requires days of mental preparation.
I used this crippling sense of unworthiness when formulating Vivienne. Born into a man's world, asked to complete a hero's quest, daunting tasks for anyone, much less a woman whose sense of self-worth is crippled and weak. Only as she grows in experience will confidence begin to mature. Much the way I feel as I navigate the oceans of literature.
Identifying with characters is important. If we don't feel their struggles then we cannot adequately tell the story to others. One of the things I insist in all my personal book choices is a good story line. I call it "The Well Told Tale". The characters I spend the most time listening to are the ones with which I feel the most in common. Such as Vivienne.
What other elements are required for a story to grab your attention? I'd love to know what entices other readers. Leave your thoughts and let's start a discussion on elements. Every story needs them, what happens when they don't meet your expectations?
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