Snippet #3

Greetings friends! I didn’t forget about this blog. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to be on vacation for the past couple of weeks. Our friends celebrated their 20th anniversary by taking a cruise for two weeks through the Panama Canal, and we got to join them. To say it was amazing is an understatement.

I’m sad for it to be over. It was nice to be somewhat disconnected for a couple of weeks – we had little access to internet/cell phones. Two weeks off, however, was two weeks off from work for me, not two weeks off from writing. One of the things I miss most is the spot I found to write. Almost every day, I would spend one to two hours up in the little coffee bar on deck nine. Abie and Angel would have my vanilla latte ready for me and I’d tuck myself into a corner, put on my headset, turn on the music, and write until the husband and our friends were ready for breakfast.

That said, I kept up on my NaNo word count, and as of this moment am over 42,000 words. I have six days to write 8,000 more, which I’m pretty confident I can do.

I got plenty done on my original story – I think a good 28,000 plus words and that makes me happy.

However, some fanfiction did shove itself in there. I know I wanted to concentrate solely on the original novel, but an idea came into my head and wouldn’t leave. It was hindering my ability to write the original work, so I decided to just get the damn idea out. Then an idea for a scene for another work-in-progress popped up – so had to work on that. I added a little over 3,800 words to an existing work in progress…and over 10,000 words of a new one shot story. Since it’s technically writing, it can be contributed to the overall NaNo total, hence the 42,000 plus words.

I’m not disinterested in my original story, however, not at all. I merely couldn’t concentrate on it with another idea dominant in my brain. I’m not sure how it is for other writers, but it’s like that for me. If I spend three or four nights thinking over the same story, I have to write it out or it will drive me crazy. Hence the fanfiction stories that took over.

Still, I’m proud of the over 28,000 words on the original. What’s amusing is that most of it is set up scenes and one action scene. This novel is turning into something huge and I can’t wait to work on the rest of it. Here’s another snippet from the original. I love love love the character of Jianbe. Grumpy, good-hearted old men are a joy to write. Set weeks after the previous scene I shared.

This, from the beginning, has always been planned to be a romance story as well as an adventure story. The romance is between two men, so if that bothers you…*shrug*…well, it shouldn’t. Deal with it, and enjoy some gay romance. As always, constructive criticism is always welcome. And I finally came up with a name for their damn species. Enjoy!

Snippet #3

“So, you caught yourself a Dynar?” Jianbe muttered, yanking off his torn and mud-spattered cloak and tossing it at his apprentice. He was in a bad mood, as it had rained the last four leagues of his travel. This cursed kingdom was bad enough, but when one had to endure rain, one had every right to be irritated at the weather.

He could see that Altraminir was bursting with the need to speak, but he had kept the boy silent the moment he arrived. Enough time for the gushing later. At that moment, all he desired was dry air and not breathing in water at every breath. His fire. A warm drink. The cat curled up on his lap. Wait. They didn’t have a cat. Curses on that too.

As if his words released him, Altraminir nodded. “Yes, Master. I caught him in the…”

“I read your message,” Jianbe grunted, lifting one sopping foot so that his apprentice could remove the boot.

“Yes, Master,” Altraminir said meekly.

Another source of irritation. When was the boy going to grow a backbone? Honestly? The potential for greatness was there, the boy merely didn’t believe in himself.

“What did you do with him?”

“He is in those dungeons on the lowest level, Master. I didn’t know where else to place him where he wouldn’t escape.”

“You didn’t bed him? There’s more ways than bars to ensnare someone.”

Jianbe smothered the chuckle that threatened to spill out when he saw how flushed his apprentice became. “No, Master. I did not think that would work.”

“You lack faith in your abilities. I realize you’ve never engaged in that sort of exercise, but it isn’t hard to learn. You master spells fairly easy, so something like that…”

“Master,” Altraminir interrupted his musing as he yanked the other boot off Jianbe’s foot, almost upsetting the old man. “The Dynar.”

“Yes, yes. Quit interrupting me.” He accepted the towel his apprentice handed to him. “Did you take care of the horse?”

“Yes, Master. She’s safe and warm in the stables. I’ll take your things up to your room later. Would you like to see the Dynar now, or would you like to rest?”

“I’ve been sitting on the back of that old nag for three weeks, boy. I’ve rested enough.”

Altraminir nodded, then excused himself to take the filthy outer garments to the kitchens to await laundering. Jianbe followed him so that the boy could lead him down into the bowels of the manor. The old wizard thought with amusement that he didn’t remember ever coming down here. He knew Altraminir kept the place clean – the boy was obsessed with tidiness – but he had never needed to venture into the cold, damp place. He was surprised at the amount of stores in the cellars. Altraminir kept up with that aspect of their living arrangement, and had since he hit his tenth year.

He should have grabbed another cloak, Jianbe thought, as he stomped down the flight of stairs at the end of the food stores to a thick oaken door. Altraminir placed his fingers against it and muttered the words to release the magic spells surrounding it. Impressive, he thought. The boy had gotten better.

It wasn’t as dark as he thought it’d be. Altraminir apparently felt the need to move a half dozen lamps into the corridor and cell of the Dynar. When Jianbe reached the bars to peer into the cell, he noted that the Dynar was seated comfortably on a pile of hay, a blanket drawn over his lap and one of Altraminir’s cloaks drawn about his shoulders. He was also turning the pages of a book, carefully, and staring eagerly at the pages.

Interesting. The boy was obviously taking care of his prisoner. And while Jianbe hated the thought of imprisoning anything, a clever Dynar – clever enough to escape the enslavement he was under – would need to be be kept in such a way. He was pleased, though he wouldn’t show it, with Altraminir’s thoughtfulness to at least try and make their prisoner feel as if he weren’t.

The Dynar was humming to himself, a pleasant enough sound, though the tune was something Jianbe couldn’t place. That was why he must not have heard the two approaching his prison, as it seemed he didn’t even know they were there.

“So what do we do with you?” Jianbe boomed out the question, pleased with himself at the way the Dynar jumped, the book flying from his hands, with a yelp. The young male scrambled to his feet and stood staring, open-mouthed, at the old wizard.

“Let me go?” he asked hopefully.

The cheek! Oh, Jianbe was going to like this one. The Dynar were rarely this bold with Plansier. That this one was cocky enough to say such things behind bars made the old man’s day. No wonder Altraminir was so touchy about him.

“Hmm. That remains to be seen, youngling.” He liked the way the Dynar’s eyes narrowed with irritation at being referred to as such. If only Altraminir could get some of this backbone.

“Technically, I put the tiara back,” the Dynar reasoned. “So I didn’t exactly steal anything. Locking me up like this, for not thieving, seems a little extreme.”

“I see the point you’re trying to make,” Jianbe agreed. “However, you also broke into my home. So trespassing at the very least.”

“The door was open. I was merely seeking shelter.”

“From a nice, clear night? With warm stables nearby? It doesn’t sound like you had an invite.”

“Tram would have invited me, had he known I was at the door. He’s kind hearted like that,” the Dynar said with a vague gesture at the comforts of his cell.

“Tram?” Jianbe said, twisting his tone to sound disapproving, as he twisted his head to look sternly at his apprentice.

Altraminir looked frightened. “Uh. I-it’s a nickname Lark has given me, Master.”

Jianbe stared at Tram – he wouldn’t ever be able to think of him any other way now – long enough to know he made the boy tremble. Then he merely grunted. “Do you prefer this name, boy?”

Tram glanced at Lark through the bars and nodded slightly. “Yes, Master, I do. If that is alright with you.”

“It’s your name, boy. What do I care what you want to be called?” he asked. Now, ignoring his apprentice for the moment, he turned back to the Dynar. “I guess that means you go by Lark, youngling.”

Since he had seen that Lark was irritated with the descriptor, he decided to continue to use it. You could tell a great deal about someone by pushing their triggers and seeing how well they handled it. Jianbe knew this Dynar’s future was going to become very hard very quick, and he needed to know how well this Lark handled the pressure.

“That is what I call myself.”

“Then I shall call you that. I like to call people the things they prefer to be called. Makes things easier, don’t you think.”

Lark crossed his arms and pursed his lips. “I guess I can agree with that.”

“Don’t guess. Either agree or disagree. Guessing never gets you anywhere.”

“Then, yes. I agree.”

“Smart boy. Did Al-, I’m sorry, Tram, here tell you why we’re keeping you under lock and key.”

“No. I imagine it’s so I don’t escape before you can question me.”

“Wise deduction.”

“There’s something strange about this place, and from Tram’s reaction, I gather there’s something strange about my being able to find it. So I assume you want to figure that out.”

“Again, wise deduction.”

“Since this place is a mystery to me,” Lark added, drawing his lips into a slight smirk, “I decided to stay and find out myself what’s going on here.”

Yes, cheeky. He most definitely would like this boy. He could tell Tram did already. “Tram, in my study, on the topmost shelf of that bookcase where I keep prophecies, there’s a scroll wrapped in red silk. Can you fetch it for me, please?”

Tram nodded and dashed off. Jianbe waited until his footsteps had faded before returning his attention to the Dynar, who took the opportunity to speak up.

“Can I ask a question?”

“You may ask. Whether I answer is up to me.”

“Fair enough,” Lark grunted. “Do you plan to send me back to the Plansier?”

“Do you think I should?”

“Of course not,” Lark retorted. “I’m surprised Tram didn’t, but I imagine he doesn’t do much without your guidance.” There was a pause before Lark spoke again. “I thought when you arrived, you’d send me back right away.”

“I have questions I need answered before I do anything.”

“Why should I answer them?”

“I think you’ll want to. You’re a curious little youngling, so I should think you want to satisfy your own curiosity.”

Lark stared at him, head tilted as he considered Jianbe. “If you plan to send me back, can I ask one favor?”

“And that is?”

“Kill me instead.”

It took a great effort for Jianbe to not show his emotion on that request. “Why would I kill you, youngling? I don’t make a habit of such practices.”

“I know you’re a great wizard. Tram has hinted at least that much. I know you know a spell or potion that can make it quick and painless. I asked Tram,” he said, waving in the direction Tram had disappeared, “but I now know he’s too soft-hearted to do something like that. You, on the other hand, seem more inclined to reality. You’re not Tram. You know what I’d be going back to, so I would think you’d do it as a mercy to me.”

Jianbe could tell he was serious, and he had no illusions as to why this Dynar made the request. Simple death would spare him a lot of pain, should Jianbe decide to return him to the gem mines and his enslavers. He rubbed at his chin as he stared into the bright eyes of Lark, weighing what he planned to say. He must win the trust of the Dynar.

“I won’t kill you,” he stated, holding his hand out to stop the protest he could see coming. “I don’t plan on returning you to the Plansier either. Those pretentious fools think too highly of themselves, sitting there atop their gem and gold piles and lording it over the other races of this land. Them and their high opinions of themselves.”

The surprise on Lark’s face was worth everything to him, considering Jianbe was speaking of his own people, and he continued. “There’s more important things simmering on this world than the amount of wealth one damned being can gather to himself.”

The Dynar looked quite uncertain of himself now. Jianbe knew why, and also knew the distrust that had begun to crumble with Tram was fully falling away now that he had spoken. “What sort of things?” Lark asked.

“Things that should become clear in time, youngling. I believe your presence here will set in motion a chain of events that will decide the fate of the world. How’s that for a weight on your shoulders?”

As if that weight settled upon him, Lark’s shoulders drooped at Jianbe’s statement. Only for a moment, though, and Jianbe’s estimation of the Dynar went up another measure as the shoulders lifted and his spine straightened. Yes, this Lark could be a great compliment to his Tram. And, if his evaluation of the Dynar were accurate – and Jianbe prided himself on his ability to see into the heart of beings – Tram would be a good influence on him. Whether the two would develop merely a strong friendship or, as Jianbe believed, as lovers, he knew this partnership was destined to be.