PROLOGUE
Battles waged for the pure lust of it. Tribe against tribe. Clan against clan. Race against race.
Chaos reigned supreme over the battle-scarred lands and war-ravaged people. The drewi, the special caste among the Daoine people, wandered about the land to try and correct the imbalance the needless fighting inflicted on the innocent.
On the clearest of nights, when the drewi of all the gods and goddesses united amongst the holy circled dolmen of stones, did they receive news of their latest threat to their people and way-of-life. To prevail, they must search for the child born during the rare Blood moon.
This girl-child would have hair like wheat and eyes of smoke. Nehhain infused her battle essence into this babe so, once grown; the young woman can unite the tribes and clans of Daoine and lead them to victory of annihilation by the Siar.
All would know this child's link to The Frenzy Berserker for she will bear HER name.
Prophecy?
Or legend-in-the-making?
Chapter 1
Dew speckled the leaves silver in the misty morning light. Mighty oaks, the silent sentinels of the drewi grove, stood proud and majestic in the weak light of the sun. A black feathered form, its head bowed and hidden beneath a crimson cowl, stood solemnly within their center, bathing in the serenity the forest provided.
Another figure, this one wearing a mottled green and brown robe, emerged from the trees. Aeneas paused at the sight of his visitor, instinct telling him who it was.
"Aeneas," a feminine voice acknowledged warily. "You know why I have come."
Aeneas studied the female's posture. Her stance bespoke of confidence and strength. "Yes, Greer," humor laced his voice, "I do."
"Figured as much," Greer released a coarse snort. Age-worn fingers calloused by warfare swept the cowl off her head and shook golden-red braids free from constriction. For a woman of forty-winters, her hair still held the vibrancy of youth.
Gray-green eyes glinted. "Yeh always did have more talent in that direction than I ever did."
The male drewi chuckled and followed his brash companion's example by removing his cowl to reveal long skeins of midnight hair peppered with gray. Lines creviced the edges of his pale-blue eyes, those same eyes that softened with emotion as they touched the female's person. There was a wealth of meaning behind the look he cast her.
"You humble me, grafein [heart holder]," he bowed his head, "with such compliments."
Greer countered with a sly look. She assessed the body she knew lurked beneath those drewi robes. "Do I, Aeneas? Or do I simply speak the truth?" She ignored how her heart reacted to his endearment.
"Truth always lined your words," he responded, the smile never leaving his lips. "I see, Greer, that the years never dulled that sharp-wit of yours."
The two drewi were what Daoines called sight-seers, the perfect compliment to the others. There were few sigh-seers amongst the drewi. Greer saw what will be while he saw what had come before. Their visions worked in perfect concert. She was the other half of his soul, but the Fates decreed that they were never to be together.
His barb elicited laughter, but then she sobered. "I dreamt of the Blood Moon, last eve. We have not had a blood moon in eons, but I felt its importance." Greer shook the mini braids from her face and the action did nothing to quell the disturbing sense of precognition.
Aeneas sensed the seriousness of the situation from her fiery aura and the blatant worry in her eyes. Greer was not the type of woman to let her true feelings be known. He laid a sun-bronze hand on the nearest tree in hopes that Piest, his Woodland Goddess, would help in revealing the importance of his beloved's dream.
"And you came to me to see if I had a similar feeling?" He asked, selfishly needing to hear her verbally acknowledge the link between them.
The look she cast him was hard, but she then sighed in resignation. "Yeh know, as I do, thae we're bound together by our souls. Our powers are connected like our two goddesses decreed," the female drewi snarled.
Elation warmed his insides at her admission. His feisty grafein never lost her hot-headedness during their lengthy separation. Aeneas loved that about her nature. Even at the ripe age of forty, she reminded him of that fierce, wild beauty he fell in love with in his youth. She was the only woman to stir his body to life.
Time had not ravaged the muscular body he knew lurked beneath that feathered robe. Greer's body was a finely-honed blade, a warrior's body. She radiated an untamed wildness about her person. Aeneas closed his eyes against the regret he felt over their parting.
He had not wanted to leave her, but Piest insisted that he do so to strengthen their mystical bond. Aeneas knew that Nehhain gave the same mandate to Greer. Twenty-some years they did as instructed, so why now did their Goddesses bring them together?
Greer stood proudly erect, waiting as patiently as she could, for her companion to answer her. Guilt lashed at her consciousness. This was no time for revelation of her secrets. Finally he spoke.
"I have not dreamt such as you, but I have felt that the gods are trying to commune with their vessels." He looked her directly in the eye. What he was about to propose had only been done twice. "Piest said that we need to gather our drewi breathen together on the new moon and conduct the speaking ritual."
Drewi of separate castes rarely converged with another caste to conduct rituals. They remained staunch to their order and patron deity. His goddess's instruction on calling all the orders together for this one ritual told him of its importance. Piest already alerted him that the other gods and goddesses alerted their followers.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Drow in books
The other day, on our way home from the store, the hubs and I began talking about drows. He's well aware of my drow fascination / obsession (Sometimes I fell like I should stand up and say "Hi, my name is Raonaid, and I'm obsessed with drow.")
My hubs commented on the latest Drizzt book he's reading (by R.A. Salvatore), how great the book is, and so and so. Salvatore's Dark Elven Trilogy got me started on my drow obsession.
I made the innocent comment on how I'd like to see more drow in books, how little books there are, and how some romance authors are actually bringing them into their books.
The one author that came into mind was Cheyenne McCray. Especially her latest book which Lillie told me today she got me. Squee!! I can't wait! She's well aware of my drow obsession.
Though when i mentioned the romance authors are bringing drows into their books to my husband, McCray was in my mind. Yeah, I know Jet Mykles does drow erotica (which really floored me when I found out!).
Which got me and the hubs thinking of how many series out there that have drows. There is Elaine Cunningham's Liriel Baenre books (which I was dissatisfied with the last book Wind Walker. I guess I wanted the happily ever after for Liriel and Fyodor)
Another is of course R.A. Salvatore. Many books to be in fact. Salvatore is to blame for my total love of them. Their realm, the way women are in power, and their entire structure just grabbed me.
Then there is the series that Salvatore kinda hosted: War of the Spider Queen by various authors. Again it fed my drow needs. But then, since I got into drows I studied up on D&D's drow info. For a time an old role playing buddy I no longer associate with use to IM me up just to ask me drow questions.
That spinned off a series from the War of the Spider Queen by Lisa Smedman called Lady Penitent. This series changes everything I knew about D&D's drows... especially their pantheons. But does that dissaude me?
HELL NO! I want her to write more on this vein... to continue.
Now onto Romance authors with drows.
Cheyenne McCray has drows in her Magic series. Oh I squeed and did a happy dance when i found out about it.
Then there is Jet Mykles.
Tonight, Lillie was telling me about an ebook she won called King of the Unblessed by Michelle M Pillow.
So tell me, is there any other books with drows in them? I would definitely love to get a listing. And for those authors out... Hint, hint, nudge nudge. I want me some drow books!
My hubs commented on the latest Drizzt book he's reading (by R.A. Salvatore), how great the book is, and so and so. Salvatore's Dark Elven Trilogy got me started on my drow obsession.
I made the innocent comment on how I'd like to see more drow in books, how little books there are, and how some romance authors are actually bringing them into their books.
The one author that came into mind was Cheyenne McCray. Especially her latest book which Lillie told me today she got me. Squee!! I can't wait! She's well aware of my drow obsession.
Though when i mentioned the romance authors are bringing drows into their books to my husband, McCray was in my mind. Yeah, I know Jet Mykles does drow erotica (which really floored me when I found out!).
Which got me and the hubs thinking of how many series out there that have drows. There is Elaine Cunningham's Liriel Baenre books (which I was dissatisfied with the last book Wind Walker. I guess I wanted the happily ever after for Liriel and Fyodor)
Another is of course R.A. Salvatore. Many books to be in fact. Salvatore is to blame for my total love of them. Their realm, the way women are in power, and their entire structure just grabbed me.
Then there is the series that Salvatore kinda hosted: War of the Spider Queen by various authors. Again it fed my drow needs. But then, since I got into drows I studied up on D&D's drow info. For a time an old role playing buddy I no longer associate with use to IM me up just to ask me drow questions.
That spinned off a series from the War of the Spider Queen by Lisa Smedman called Lady Penitent. This series changes everything I knew about D&D's drows... especially their pantheons. But does that dissaude me?
HELL NO! I want her to write more on this vein... to continue.
Now onto Romance authors with drows.
Cheyenne McCray has drows in her Magic series. Oh I squeed and did a happy dance when i found out about it.
Then there is Jet Mykles.
Tonight, Lillie was telling me about an ebook she won called King of the Unblessed by Michelle M Pillow.
So tell me, is there any other books with drows in them? I would definitely love to get a listing. And for those authors out... Hint, hint, nudge nudge. I want me some drow books!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Character Interview
Good evening, we are here with...
Keiva: I am Keiva Nair Talbain
Greetings Ms. Talbain. May I say that you’ve got quite the interesting and unique name
Keiva: (smiles with a faint blush) Thank you for having me for your first Character Interview. “Keiva” is Irish-Gaelic for “gentleness;beauty”. And if you are curious about the pronunciation it’s “Keev-ah. Talbain is Rom according to my mother.
This is a normal get to know you interview, if there is any question you don't feel like answering, thats fine.
Keiva: Alright.
And thank you for taking your time to come here today.
Keiva: It’s really no problem at all.
We'll get to the normal stuff. How old are you? Birthdate?
Keiva: I am twenty-one years old, October 28
What is your occupation?
Keiva: Full-time college student, and part-time at the local hospital
Dream job?
Keiva: To become a doctor.
How is the work life for you there?
Keiva: School can be pretty stressful with the variety of people around; however, the challenge it offers me exhilarates me. Each class I take brings me one step closer to my goal of becoming a professional doctor in the correct term of the words.
Work at the hospital is great. I’ve already became a vital asset to the hospital. They tend to utilize my presence because of the calm my being there brings to the patients and their loved ones. This makes me feel that I’m making a difference.
What do you do on your time off or after work?
Keiva: Surely you and your readers would find my life quite boring… I’m a loner, much more than my brother Taran. The few friends I’ve made call me a hermit and recluse because if it doesn’t deal with the hospital or school, then I’ll be found in my apartment listening to music while I study, commune with my goddess, reading a good romance novel, or watching a good movie.
You mentioned a brother. What is his name, and do you have any siblings?
Keiva: Taranaich Marbon Talbain, Taran for short. (looks sheepish) As you can see my mother loved the traditional Gaelic names. Then I have an older half-sister named Keely; she was nineteen, starting her own family when Taran and I came into the picture.
Wow, what an age difference there.
Keiva: My brother and I were not planned. Actually, mum’s affair with our father was a spontaneous thing due to her loneliness with her then husband on active duty. It was a complicated mess, one that mother tried not to think of too much of while me and Taran
Sorry to hear. So I take it that you and Taran did not know your father much?
Keiva: When mum learned of our existence, she did contact our father. He was there when we came into the world, insisting Taran and I bear his surname. During the early days, he was a constant presence… but as we got older, his time away from us began to lengthen. He taught us what he felt we should know
Is it alright to ask you to tell us about your parents?
Keiva: Certainly! My mother's name was Zion Lorgana. She is what you would call a drui or druid. It's sort of a family tradition... and I'm the only child out of her brood to follow in her footsteps. She passed on three years ago.
As for my father, his name is Valerian Talbain. Aside from him being Rom, I don't know much more than that... Only that he passed on his lycanthropy to Taran and I.
Everyone wants to know but do you have a boyfriend, lover, etc?
Keiva: (blushes) Much to a few friends of mine’s disappointment, there is no man in my life. My friend Helena is trying hard to fix that little blight. (Meat Loaf’s “The Monster is Loose” starts jingling on her cell). I hate to bring this interview to an end but I really need to take this call. It’s Taran but thanks again for having me.
Keiva: I am Keiva Nair Talbain
Greetings Ms. Talbain. May I say that you’ve got quite the interesting and unique name
Keiva: (smiles with a faint blush) Thank you for having me for your first Character Interview. “Keiva” is Irish-Gaelic for “gentleness;beauty”. And if you are curious about the pronunciation it’s “Keev-ah. Talbain is Rom according to my mother.
This is a normal get to know you interview, if there is any question you don't feel like answering, thats fine.
Keiva: Alright.
And thank you for taking your time to come here today.
Keiva: It’s really no problem at all.
We'll get to the normal stuff. How old are you? Birthdate?
Keiva: I am twenty-one years old, October 28
What is your occupation?
Keiva: Full-time college student, and part-time at the local hospital
Dream job?
Keiva: To become a doctor.
How is the work life for you there?
Keiva: School can be pretty stressful with the variety of people around; however, the challenge it offers me exhilarates me. Each class I take brings me one step closer to my goal of becoming a professional doctor in the correct term of the words.
Work at the hospital is great. I’ve already became a vital asset to the hospital. They tend to utilize my presence because of the calm my being there brings to the patients and their loved ones. This makes me feel that I’m making a difference.
What do you do on your time off or after work?
Keiva: Surely you and your readers would find my life quite boring… I’m a loner, much more than my brother Taran. The few friends I’ve made call me a hermit and recluse because if it doesn’t deal with the hospital or school, then I’ll be found in my apartment listening to music while I study, commune with my goddess, reading a good romance novel, or watching a good movie.
You mentioned a brother. What is his name, and do you have any siblings?
Keiva: Taranaich Marbon Talbain, Taran for short. (looks sheepish) As you can see my mother loved the traditional Gaelic names. Then I have an older half-sister named Keely; she was nineteen, starting her own family when Taran and I came into the picture.
Wow, what an age difference there.
Keiva: My brother and I were not planned. Actually, mum’s affair with our father was a spontaneous thing due to her loneliness with her then husband on active duty. It was a complicated mess, one that mother tried not to think of too much of while me and Taran
Sorry to hear. So I take it that you and Taran did not know your father much?
Keiva: When mum learned of our existence, she did contact our father. He was there when we came into the world, insisting Taran and I bear his surname. During the early days, he was a constant presence… but as we got older, his time away from us began to lengthen. He taught us what he felt we should know
Is it alright to ask you to tell us about your parents?
Keiva: Certainly! My mother's name was Zion Lorgana. She is what you would call a drui or druid. It's sort of a family tradition... and I'm the only child out of her brood to follow in her footsteps. She passed on three years ago.
As for my father, his name is Valerian Talbain. Aside from him being Rom, I don't know much more than that... Only that he passed on his lycanthropy to Taran and I.
Everyone wants to know but do you have a boyfriend, lover, etc?
Keiva: (blushes) Much to a few friends of mine’s disappointment, there is no man in my life. My friend Helena is trying hard to fix that little blight. (Meat Loaf’s “The Monster is Loose” starts jingling on her cell). I hate to bring this interview to an end but I really need to take this call. It’s Taran but thanks again for having me.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Character Interview Saturdays
Since I had a full day today... Character Interview will be posted tomorrow. Sorry for not sticking to the schedule. The past two days have been busy and such... The character being interviewed is one of mine.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Rambling Thursday - Untitled
I wish I could say that I was a normal woman. The fact of the matter is I am far from normal, not even close to the mark. There are two sides of my nature, and the two often conflicts and wars on the other.
I am what you call an anomaly, a freak-of-nature. Even my druid mother is not certain how I and my older twin Taran came into existence. Lycanthropy is not suppose to be inheritable or so the dusty tombs say.
-----------------------------------
Rao's commentary - Yeah, so I cheated on my first post to Ramblings Thursday. Why i wrote this in first person POV? Dunno, just the character insisted.
First-person is extremely difficult for me to write. I'm more comfortable writing third person... but for some reason I liked this beginning. That first line kept insisting on being written..
I am what you call an anomaly, a freak-of-nature. Even my druid mother is not certain how I and my older twin Taran came into existence. Lycanthropy is not suppose to be inheritable or so the dusty tombs say.
-----------------------------------
Rao's commentary - Yeah, so I cheated on my first post to Ramblings Thursday. Why i wrote this in first person POV? Dunno, just the character insisted.
First-person is extremely difficult for me to write. I'm more comfortable writing third person... but for some reason I liked this beginning. That first line kept insisting on being written..
Ramblings Thursday
Since I really don't get too much traffic on here, I decided Thursdays will be "Ramblings Thursdays. Where I'll post some lame * ducks and dodges her friend's smacks* writings of mine.
Warning... There may be some that won't go too far. There may be a few that might. Just depends on the whims of my fickle muse. Some posts will be what inspired me of the day.
I don't get to write very much anymore. Too much distractions that just interrupt me.
AND, to put this out there for one and all, I have no drive or desire to be published. Absolutely no interest. Another, I know I suck at grammar, spelling, and other stuff. It's just for fun, to relieve the imagination build up in my head. A way to express some creativity.
Mm, since I'm doing Ramblings Thursdays.. Friday's are going to be dedicated to my friend Keeshe to post some of her wonderful artwork up. So yeah, Friday's will now be known as Keeshe Fridays. Hehe.
Now to search something to put up for Ramblings Thursday
Warning... There may be some that won't go too far. There may be a few that might. Just depends on the whims of my fickle muse. Some posts will be what inspired me of the day.
I don't get to write very much anymore. Too much distractions that just interrupt me.
AND, to put this out there for one and all, I have no drive or desire to be published. Absolutely no interest. Another, I know I suck at grammar, spelling, and other stuff. It's just for fun, to relieve the imagination build up in my head. A way to express some creativity.
Mm, since I'm doing Ramblings Thursdays.. Friday's are going to be dedicated to my friend Keeshe to post some of her wonderful artwork up. So yeah, Friday's will now be known as Keeshe Fridays. Hehe.
Now to search something to put up for Ramblings Thursday
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