I had a conference today, which was extremely helpful but has left me with an information overload! Fortunately, I thought to print my novel last night and took it with me to work on during the times I wasn’t busy . Given that, I arrived at the venue an hour early, the print out was invaluable as I managed to add some key detail to a couple of short scenes I had already written. I am behind in my word count but I hope to have some time on the weekends to start making up some time.
I have finally decided on a choice of story and have named most of my main characters. Part One is well on its way to completion, although I still have a few scenes to write. I will post a short excerpt below.
***
Princess Kellyn of Rycroft ran along the corridor, her sandals slapping on the ancient stone. Men from the palace guard were milling around, armed with bow, sword and shield. They nodded to her as she passed and she returned the gesture.
She had been in the fields helping to gather the harvest when the bell had rung to signal an attack and she had only just managed to make it into the citadel before the gates closed. The gate guards had told her the attackers were on the southern side of the fortress but that another three squads were moving in from the Southwest.
Reaching the family quarters, she slowed. Her mother was in the nursery with her two younger brothers. Rhett and Rhylan were in the crib they shared, watching as Niara donned her armour.
“The gate guards estimated almost there were almost two hundred men in the first wave of soldiers and that there were more waiting in the trees,” she told her mother. “They said we need more people on the walls. I think I should be out there helping them.”
“Kellyn, we’ve had this discussion before. You’re twelve, not twenty. You’re not joining the fighting. I forbid it.”
“Let me help the mages – I may only be an apprentice but Father says my skills are progressing.”
“Your gift for magic is strong, Kellyn but it is still largely untrained. Besides, the majority of spells that you have learnt are basic ones that any mage could counter.”
“I could work with the healers, then – you know they could use another set of hands to help settle the wounded.”
“I want you to watch Rhett and Rylan.”
“But we’re outnumbered! You and father will need my help.”
“We’re almost always outnumbered.” Niara sighed and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Stay with your brothers and guard them well, my darling. Perhaps you can fight next time, hmm?”
She watched her mother leave. It wasn’t fair. Her brother was only a year older than she was and her father had permitted him to enter the fighting, so long as he was under the close supervision of one of the trusted Watch Captains. She had spent just as long training under the supervision of the Watch Commander and her skills were just as good as Lachlan’s were, if not better.
Disgruntled, she sat on the toy chest and waited.
