2nd Edtion Ready/Easter Candy

The new edits are finally uploaded to Amazon so the second edition of “Quest for the Red Sapphire” is live and ready to download or buy in print.  It was a big effort to get there but now it’s done.  Soon I will start the edits for “Sapphire Crucible” once they come back from the editor.  For today’s blog I want to talk about Easter candy.  Growing up in a medium to large family we never had much money.  When it came to buying Easter candy that meant you received a few things and that was it.  We were ok with that even if our friends hauled in lots more.  Every year I would find my basket and the chocolate bunny waiting for me had no ears.  They hadn’t broken off in the box and fallen down.  It simply had none.  So I asked my older brother why every other bunny had ears and mine didn’t.  He told me, “You have a deaf bunny.  He’s special.”  Suddenly the bunny seemed real and I felt so badly for it.  Then I would remember that it was, after all, chocolate and was meant to be eaten.  So I would eventually get over my sorrow and eat it.  Still, it bothered me that I didn’t get that extra piece of chocolate everyone else did.  So one year on the night before Easter I went to my mother and asked, “Do you think we could leave the Easter Bunny a note and ask him to give me a normal bunny this year instead of a deaf one?  I like them and all but I’d really like a whole bunny just once.”  She was shocked and asked me to elaborate.  After I did she was furious and stormed up to my brother’s room.  After yelling I could hear through the floor, my brother came downstairs in a foul disposition and confessed that he had been getting up early for years and finding my basket.  He would eat some of the candy out of it and eat the ears off my bunny.  As punishment the next morning he had to give me his whole chocolate bunny.  I went shopping as my family’s Easter Bunny today to buy candy to fill the baskets. (I never use the fake grass.  It ends up everywhere.)  Maybe I overcompensate because we had little in our baskets but for 6 of us it cost $100.  Maybe it’s just me but that seems like a lot for candy.  Prices have skyrocketed.  The bags are getting smaller as well.  Even the bunnies are shrinking.  I must not be the only person overbuying because I’ll go in the store the day before the holiday and nearly everything is sold out.  It makes me sick to think of spending that much on candy.  Then every year there is someone in the family unhappy with the choices in their basket.  Maybe they wanted caramel or not Snickers or bigger rabbits.  It’s always something.  Then I say that next year they’ll get nothing.  We all know that’s not true.  I like to see that excited look on their faces.  It’s worth a little nitpicking. 

Sunday Excerpt, "Crucible"

When he reached the top level, he headed for the main hallway. At its end were the shattered remains of his once majestic doors. He marched down the hall as if nothing was different and entered the chamber. His Commanders were still present and the members of court managed to stand the benches upright, though in no particular fashion.

Mandrean stormed into the room and threw himself upon his throne. Then he pulled up one leg onto the seat. He braced his elbow against his knee and used the fist on the same hand to hold his pouting face. As more of his party entered, they observed the Emperor and sat quietly.

“How could this happen?” Mandrean asked rhetorically. “We are the greatest empire in the world and some pathetic half-breed nearly kills me, defaces my palace, frees my prisoner and scorches most of the capital. I curse that Linvin Grithinshield. He will pay for this. I will make him suffer more than any man has. He will be hunted to the ends of the world. In the end, he will die.” There was pure silence in the room after Mandrean spoke. He looked at his court with disdain.

“None of you did anything to prevent this,” Mandrean continued to vent. “How many times could we have killed him? Now he is gone. Well, if he thought the trip here was hazardous, he will find the journey home deadly. Pawns.” The young boys with the numbered shirts who’d represented Divisions jumped to their feet and ran with haste to their positions on the map.

Mandrean took to his feet and folded his hands behind his back. Then he paced back and forth looking southward on the map. “Generals. How will he plan his escape?”

General Maxion was the first to speak. “He is running blind. It is a miracle Grithinshield has survived to this point. He will easily be chased down by a score of Imperial Guards.”

Donorus quickly spoke in reaction. “You really are a fool, aren’t you? Did you not listen to Grithinshield’s credentials? His acts were not random. He planned his escape and waited for the right moment to act. To accomplish one of the acts from today could be called luck, but to do all he did to us was planning. He is not running blindly as you stated. “Those Imperial Guards you want to chase him are busy trying to keep our own citizens from looting the city during the chaos. Even if they were not doing so he would wipe them away like chalk on a board. He has a plan. From the sound of his record, he always has a plan. He wants to get home to Sartan. He will head south. All the forces in the Southern Province should be sent to crush him immediately.”

Tecious entered the fray with cane in hand. “That is an easy thing for you to say. Only a small number of your forces would be involved. You heard me earlier when I said my divisions were not battle ready. Even if they were, mobilizing them would take time. Placing the burden on my trainees is no way to resolve this situation.”

“My men would be at risk also,” Donorus reminded. “The one route he knows to go home is at the mouth of the river where my men are stationed.”

“He nearly escaped them beforehand,” snapped Tecious. “I doubt that with his new power he would have any trouble displacing your men.”

“At least my troops are in fighting condition,” baited Donorus. “It sounds like you cannot even train your own divisions anymore without them dying of old age first.”

“I know your men are well trained,” barked Tecious. “I trained them. Just like I have trained every division in this army. You simply are unwilling to sacrifice any of your men. You would rather throw away two unprepared divisions than risk your precious, if undeserved reputation.”

“I still lead my men from the front lines,” Donorus proclaimed as he looked at Tecious’s cane. “When was the last time you led anyone in battle? You just sit back and let the rest of us protect you. A Great General, indeed.”

Maxion sided with Donorus in the argument and attacked Tecious. “You are a coward if you think your soldiers are not ready. Perhaps you simply do not want it exposed how incapable you have become.”

“Stay out of this,” Tecious yelled at Maxion as he shoved him back. “With Sartan being to the south, your forces are unaffected by this emergency. So stick to what you do best. Nothing.”

“Enough,” yelled Mandrean. “I am in the mood to kill someone. If Grithinshield is not to be had, I am inclined to settle for you gentlemen. Now shut your mouths while I think.”

Saturday Excerpt, "Quest"

Linvin stumbled through the wood as daylight arrived to show him the way.  With every step, Linvin knew he was a little bit closer to being able to put the heavy carcass down.  The thought made the weight bearable for a time.  It was not long, however, before those steps made the weight greater and his strength fade.

When it seemed Linvin could go no further, he heard the rippling of the wind on the water of the spring ahead.  His heart was lifted as he summoned all his strength and forced his legs to finish the march.

When the clearing came into view, Linvin stopped and did not move.  The boar fell to the ground as though Linvin simply forgot it was there.  His eyes beheld a sight he could never have even imagined.  Anvar, Bander and Rander were surrounded by goblins.

Anvar lay face down on the ground alongside four goblins he presumably had killed before being overrun.  The twins were bound like steers and were propped against the login the camp.  From time to time a goblin, appearing to be their leader, would prod one of his captives with the blunt end of a spear and yell at them.  Linvin was too far to understand what was said.  He guessed that either Bander and Rander did not speak or else their answer was not acceptable, because the Leader struck them most severely moments later.

As the interrogation continued, Linvin climbed a tree to stay out of view.  From his vantage point, he peered through the leaves to see the clearing.  He took stock of the situation.

The goblins were not of the same variety as the Marsh Goblins he had fought years before.  Their skin was closer to the color of mud than the sage-green complexions he had seen in Valia.  A mark on their foreheads clearly identified them as belonging to the Cangon Clan from the Goblin Nations to the far northwest.  Known to be primitive, even by goblin standards, they nevertheless outnumbered all the other clans combined.

Their stature, too, was different than their southern brethren.  Cangons were more squat and rounded.  Though similar in height, the Cangons far outweighed the others.  With short arms and legs, they were known to prefer spears to using swords.  The band making camp before Linvin, however, bore both weapons as well as custom-fit leather armor to handle their girth.

In all, Linvin counted twenty goblins still alive.  Several stood guard in a perimeter while the others lit fires in hearths they looked accustomed to using.

Linvin fixed his gaze on Anvar and hoped to see any sign of life.  His uncle did not stir.  The distance was too great to be able to tell if he was breathing.  Linvin momentarily despaired.

What have I done? he thought to himself.  I have led my only remaining family to their deaths.  They trusted me to lead them and I led them into peril.  What was I thinking?  This was the only water around and I did not even consider that it might attract others here as well?  I am a fool, but the fool is not the one paying for the lapse in judgment; they are!  I should be down there with my kin.

His self-pity was short-lived.  He knew he must act.  Every moment, the morning light grew brighter and his chance of being discovered increased.  Bander and Rander still appeared to be alive, for the time being at least.As Linvin watched them suffering, a great rage brewed within him.    He clenched his fists and gnashed his teeth.  I will annihilate those miserable slugs!  Not one shall escape my wrath,but I must keep my composure. It is time to act.

Trailer

My publisher, Solstice Publishing has put out a book trailer of new (and 2^nd edition) books they have recently put out.  Mine is the last one shown.  That is actually just fine with me as I believe in the law of recentsy.  In other words, you remember what you last saw or heard best.  Here is the link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExiZQQrD-9w The new edits should be up any time now and then I will be having a special sale.  Enjoy this until then.

 

Almost Bought a Dog

The new edits to “Quest for the Red Sapphire” should be posted to Amazon within the next week.  I will keep you posted.  A new editor has been assigned to “Sapphire Crucible.”  We will start work on that next week as well.  Work on book 4 continues as time allows.  But the real reason for this blog is that my daughter has just about broken me on the puppy situation.  I have been saying flat out “No” to a puppy for over two years now but I’m finally starting to crack.  It all started when my wife started saying I should look into the cost of a fence for the backyard and that she would like one.  I knew right there she had given in but I would remain strong.  Now enter my youngest daughter who is 13.  She is 40% adorable, 40% salesman and 20% devious.  When you add that up I think I have shown great determination by holding out this long.  She wanted to just go look at puppies.  I came along to say no to any request.  The store policy allowed us to play with a total of 3 puppies.  The first one was a labradoodle.  It was cute but frisky.  My wife and daughter have allergies to some dogs and they had a little trouble with that one.  I played the role of dream-crusher and ordered the staff to take the puppy away and bring another.  The next one my family picked was maybe a terrier but to me it looked like something you sweep dust off the floors with.  It was small.  It was really small.  You could step on it in the middle of the night and kill it by accident.  While it liked being held, I always say the dog picks its owner.  Back to the display case with her.  Then I was asked to choose and I saw what my heart desired.  It was a big, 9 week-old golden retriever.  I let the family hold the gentle giant first to see how their allergies were.  Then they offered her to me.  I held the dog and she was the spitting image of my golden I bought growing up.  She licked my hand and rubbed noses with me.  I was in love.  Then I checked on my wife and daughter.  They were both breaking out in hives and my wife’s nose was running.  I suddenly remembered having to give up my dog to my mom when I got married because of the allergy issue.  There was no way I could have her; fence or no fence.  Sadly I handed her back to the clerk.  For some reason, the only dog my wife and daughter don’t problems with is a pure bred beagle.  I don’t know why that’s the case but it is.  So today I have to call about fences.  Once that happens I fear it is just a matter of time before I crack and we have a dog.  I love dogs.  They’re just a lot of work. 

Sunday Excerpt, "Crucible"

Linvin ducked low and ran with speed and stealth. His goal was to reach the place where the search parties would join before they arrived. He made good time and reached his goal just ahead of the torches. Then he laid down flat on the ground close to the plants and covered himself with dried leaves from the stalks. Next he had to calm his breathing. It was a tactic he’d been taught as a scout during his youth in Valia. By the time the searchers came together, Linvin was camouflaged and silent.

A bright light shined over him and he thought for a moment he’d been discovered. Through his disguise he saw a Mandrean Goblin Soldier walk so close he nearly stepped on Linvin’s head. The soldier, however, had his eyes to the front where the others were gathering and paid no attention to the pile on leaves at his feet.

Several rows over all the soldiers were coming together and trampling down a grand area of corn to make room for their numbers. More and more goblins arrived until Linvin could no longer keep count.

When their number had all gathered in a circle, one called out. “Has anyone found anything?” A chorus of voices began to clamor in response. Though it was difficult for Linvin to pick out any particular voice he could hear all the answers were in the negative. After a few moments the first voice yelled, “Silence. We have been following some fresh tacks headed south. They could be the escaped prisoners we seek or they could be some farmers out trying to protect their corn from animals feeding overnight. Regardless, that is our best lead right now. So that is the path we will follow.”

“This is madness,” one of the goblins called to him. “Even if the tracks are from them, they could be right next to us and we would never see them. We should go back to the barracks and try fresh in the morning.”

“Perhaps that is how you do things in your Company,” the first voice said. “In mine, we follow the trail until it goes cold.” An argument ensued and the bickering spread to all the goblins.

Linvin’s opportunity had arrived. He waited for the goblins to begin shoving one another and then made his move. Emerging from his pile of leaves, Linvin crouched and watched the action not more than five rows away. He spied a window through the rows where he had a clear view of the action. Then he looked to the right and found another. Removing a stone from his pocket, he took great care in aiming. He flicked the rock through the air with a snap from his wrist. It passed through the corn and hit a goblin on his fingers holding a torch. The goblin shouted in pain and dropped the flaming stick. His cry went unnoticed among those fighting around his position.

When the flame contacted the dry stalks, however, the fuel combusted quickly and began to spread. Linvin wasted no time picking a target on the other side and again struck the hand holding the torch. As before, the flame hit the ground and ignited the overlapping kindling. With his work done, Linvin stayed low and ran for the hedgerow. He did not look back until he reached cover. When he finally turned to view his handiwork, he smiled with satisfaction. The fire had become substantial before the mass of soldiers realized they had fires on both sides that were spreading. With the flames leaping from one row to the next it was impossible for the goblins to try to contain. They broke ranks in terror and ran in every direction. Some had unknowingly caught fire and were spreading it across the field as they ran.

“Glorious.” Anvar commented.

“They do not even know what happened,” Linvin said as he took to his saddle. “Now is our moment. Burst onto the road and ride east with all the speed these horses have left.”

“Won’t the goblins see us?” Bander asked.

Linvin took his place in the lead and answered. “No. When it is dark and you stare at a bright flame your vision becomes restricted for a short time. You lose the ability to see in the darkness. Make sure not to look at the blaze. While they run from the flames, we will ride invisibly out of danger. Now, go as fast as you can.”

The party burst onto the road and galloped to the east. Though they were riding away from the fire, the light behind them continued to grow. Bander looked back and saw the entire field engulfed in flame. A great fireball leapt into the sky.”

Linvin scolded him. “Do not look at it. We do not care about what is behind us. What matters is in front of us.”

Bander looked ahead, but could see only blackness. “I can’t see anything.” he shouted.

“I told you not to look at the flames.” Linvin yelled in frustration. “Rander, ride beside your brother and hold his reins. Anvar, do the same for Miri.”

Sayurday Excerpt, "Quest"

He didn’t know how long he slept but a grunting sound awakened him.  His sleepy eyes opened to see two wild boars below him, digging in the ground for food.  There was what he presumed to be a male and a female.  Using their sharp tusks they foraged, unaware of Linvin’s presence.

What luck! Linvin thought with excitement.  One of the thick beasts could feed his party for some time.  Linvin then realized there was bad news as well.  While he had been asleep, he had dropped his bow and arrow.  They lay not far below him on the ground.  He did not dare get down to retrieve them.  Once the element of surprise was lost, his chances of slaying one of the beasts were next to none.

Linvin lay forward on the branch and grabbed for his bow.  It was still out of reach.  Linvin did not want the opportunity to pass,so he took a risk.  The bow was not that far out of his grip.  He decided the best thing to do would be to lock his legs around the tree limb and hang down in order to retrieve his weapon.

Crossing one foot firmly over the other, he straddled the branch and turned upside down.  There was one simple flaw in Linvin’s hastily conceived plan.  When his head went down, all the arrows in the quiver on his shoulder fell out onto the ground.  They made a loud noise as they crashed down.

The boars’ heads popped up from their digging and saw Linvin hanging upside down from the tree.  The female turned and bolted for cover.  The male reacted in a very territorial manner.  He may have been protecting her or his area, but either way, hewas enraged.  Snorting violently, he charged the intruder.

Linvin was caught off guard.  He had to act quickly.  Grabbing the bow and an arrow from the ground,he tried to get a bead on the rushing boar.  Linvin had never tried to shoot from such a position before but had no choice.  Taking quick aim, he drew and loosed the arrow.

Due to the odd angle, the arrow took an arc toward the ground.  Luckily, the boar was close enough that the arrow hit him in the shoulder on its downward curve.  For a moment, the beast staggered.  Then fury took hold of him once more.  Screeching wildly, he moved in on Linvin.  With a swipe of his head,he knocked Linvin to the ground.  Not wasting any time, he tore his tusks into Linvin’s chest.

Linvin was being shoved around like a ball.  His great mass was easily thrown by the stout foe.  Every time Linvin tried to move out of the way, the boar seized hold of him again.

After literally being thrown several paces, Linvin’s hand came to rest on a loose rock slightly larger thana grapefruit.  When the boar came at him, Linvin smashed the rock down on its head.  Again, the beast staggered.

Taking the initiative, Linvin used both hands and cracked it on the skull again and again.  Blood poured from the wound as Linvin continued to pound with all his might.  At last, the pig moved no more.  Its skull was crushed.

About St. Patrick's Day

Last night I took the family out for dinner and could not help but notice all the police out and about.  Then I remembered it was St Patrick’s Day.  I came home and checked out the Rival Gates Facebook page and Twitter and they were both lit up with commentary about the “holiday.”  It made me curious.  I had never looked into St Patrick’s history and seen if it had a connection with drinking.  I read that he was British and taken captive by Irish pirates at a young age and used as a slave.  During his enslavement he worked as a shepherd and converted to Christianity.  He escaped 6 years later after hearing a call from God and found his way back home.  Years later in the 5^th century he became a cleric and returned to Ireland to spread the word of god.  He eventually became a bishop in the land where he was once a captive.  Never accepting payment or gifts for his acts he found Irish society unwilling to protect him and was even held as a prisoner for a short time.  He died on March 17^th, 492 A.D.  In the 7^th century he became known as the Patron Saint of Ireland.  It’s an interesting story, to be sure, but there was nothing about green beer in there.  I suppose like many of our holidays, it has become commercialized to the point where the original meaning is buried to an unidentifiable depth.  Irish have not always had such an easy time in America and I am proud to say I am part Irish and part German.  When people ask me what that means I tell them, “It means I can hold my beer and I don’t care what you think about it!”  St. Patrick’s Day has become a day to celebrate the Irish in this country and I see no harm in that so long as people are responsible in the way they behave.  Still, many of the Irish I have known were hard working, decent people.  Why are they only thought of for drinking?  My German side of the family drank just as much as my Irish side.  I guess that’s a question to pose around Oktoberfest.   In the end this is just an excuse to party.  Who doesn’t love a good party?  Mind you we were off the streets by 8:30.  I just wish that somewhere in the revelry the actual saint who gave his name to this day could be remembered.  He would seem to be a remarkable man, indeed.  

The Good and The Bad of Cell Phones

Cell phones are one of the greatest inventions to come along since the air conditioner.  It’s hard to imagine life without them.  If the dog runs away and everyone goes out looking for her the one finding her can simply call everyone else home.  In the old days, the dog would be at home asleep while people were still looking for her.  Every day I see people shopping and they take pictures of what they want to buy and send them to their significant other.  That person weighs in and the buying decision is made.  Who here has gone to the grocery store and called home to see if there was anything else you needed?  You can send your kids out in the neighborhood to play and then call them on their cell when it is time to come in for dinner.  Those are the most basic uses.  I know people who play games until the battery dies and then plug it in and play some more on their phones.  They give directions.  They tell us who sings a particular song.  They text.  They Twitter.  They are a phone book and a yellow pages all in one.  So what could be the harm of these phones?  I can walk into my living room and no one even says “Hello” to me.  They don’t look up from their phone screens.  Then there is the price.  I see commercial after commercial about how cheap it is to join a certain service but when I’d do the math, it would come out about the same price for my family.  That’s where they get you; with family plans.  And then you can’t break them anyway without a huge penalty.  One company will pay the penalty for you but their service is high priced and poor quality.  That’s another problem.  I’ve known people who went on the plans with the cheaper companies but the service was poor and the coverage was inferior to say the least.  They ended up switching back.  After all, what good is a cheap cell phone if you can’t talk to anyone on it?  Someone said to me the other day, “If I could go back in time I would buy shares of Verizon.”  She has a point.  You either pay more for better service or pay slightly less for poor service.  Even if you go with the second route, however, you are still paying a lot of money for a cell phone.  They used to be relatively inexpensive.  Now they have data plans and renewal fees.  And you have to have a case or it’s going to look terrible after a couple of drops, not to mention damaged.  Then there’s insurance.  You’re going to drop your phone.  It’s going to happen.  When it does it very well might break because these things are very touchy and temperamental.   To buy a new one without a plan is around $500.  That means you need insurance and that’s another addition to your bill.  These phones are great.  I can’t imagine life without them.  But man, are they expensive.  I don’t have the answer.  Maybe one of you has a good story to tell.   

Sunday Excerpt, "Crucible"

Bander had been standing by Miri and happened to look behind them. “I never will understand farmers,” he said. “Here they have a beautiful day in which to work, and they decide not to harvest until after the sun sets.”

“Whatever are you talking about?” Anvar asked as he joined his nephew.

“See,” Bander said as he pointed at the field. “Look at all those torches. It would have been much easier to work during the day.”

Anvar was immediately alarmed and fetched Linvin. “We have a problem to our rear,” he told their leader.

Linvin briskly walked to the edge of their cover and peered out at the field to the north. Though the sky had become completely dark, hundreds of torches were moving through the rows and lighting the field. They came from the north, east and west. The torches to the sides were spread apart at equal intervals. The ones to the north, however, were moving single file down the exact route Linvin’s party had traveled.

Rander joined him. “What’s going on?” he asked. “Are they actually trying to harvest in the dark?”

Linvin rubbed the region between his eyes in frustration. “Tell me Rander, do you never tier of being wrong? That is a search party closing in on us. The group to the north is following our trail. The others are methodically eliminating the possibility that we may be hiding just out of sight in the field.”

“They are everywhere,” Rander said in a panicked voice. “We won’t outrun them on foot. We must take to horse.”

“The beasts are done in after the day’s march,” Linvin said. “Though we could ride a short distance, if we tried to escape that way, those soldiers would be close enough to hear us and see us take flight.”

“Then how should we proceed?” Anvar asked.

Linvin thought for a moment as he watched the search pattern. Then he ran to the other side of the hedgerow and took note of the road running east and west. Returning to the others, his plan was set.

“Anvar, have everyone in their saddle and ready to ride when I return.”

“Return from where?” Anvar inquired.

“Their teams will meet up in the middle of the field,” Linvin said. “I will go there to buy us time.”

“I thought you wanted to avoid a fight?” Bander asked.

“So I shall,” Linvin answered. He reached down on the ground and picked up two stones of the size used in a sling. “This is all I will need. Now wait for me. I shall not be long.” In a moment, he was gone. It was as though the night consumed him in an instant.

Linvin ducked low and ran with speed and stealth. His goal was to reach the place where the search parties would join before they arrived. He made good time and reached his goal just ahead of the torches. Then he laid down flat on the ground close to the plants and covered himself with dried leaves from the stalks. Next he had to calm his breathing. It was a tactic he’d been taught as a scout during his youth in Valia. By the time the searchers came together, Linvin was camouflaged and silent.

Saturday Excerpt, "Quest"

“Why did you bring us to this place?” Linvin asked.

Anvar paused for a moment. “I wanted the three of you to see what was lost here. Remember the price paid for your freedoms. Remember the dead, but learn from them as well. To do so, will prevent you from joining them quickly.”

“Come,” Anvar continued, “let us resume our journey.”

As Anvar put his foot in the stirrup of this saddle, Rander took hold of his arm. “Is this the place where our father died?”

Anvar pulled his arm free and took to his saddle.

“It is hard to say with certainty when your father met his demise.”

“We know he died in the war. Just tell us, please,” begged Bander.

Anvar sighed and answered, “This was the last place he was known to have been. I think it is safe to say he lies somewhere in this field. I brought you here with the intent of revealing the news to you. Then, I reconsidered because I was not sure you could handle such a report. I am sorry, my dear nephews.”

The twins looked at one another and wept. They scanned the loose stones for some sort of marker. Only the obelisk stood with purpose.

Wind blew the tears at an angle across their faces. The droplets fell upon the rocks, cleansing the dirt from the surface.

Linvin wept for the twins. Though never close to their father, they were at least civil to one another.

At last, Rander spoke, “does mother know of this?”

“She knows that he died in the war,” Anvar said. “Any more than that, she did not want to hear. I imagine his loss had something to do with the way she coddled you both. Linvin, being a soldier himself, only fed her dislike of her nephew. It was in the years after your father’s death that she taught you to distrust the military and fighting in general. Perhaps now, you can fully appreciate how difficult it was to allow you to go on the quest.”

Rander was closest to his mother and realized her pain. Even so, questions needed answers. “You were here, weren’t you, Uncle Anvar?”

“Where I was, is not for you to know,” Anvar gently scolded. “It is enough to say that I am confident in my facts.”

“That’s not good enough!” cried Bander. “Answer Rander’s question.”

Anvar turned his horse to the road and calmly responded, “Accept my answer or don’t. Regardless of your resolve, that is all the information I can give you. Now, take to your saddles and return with me to the road.”

The cousins looked at one another in silence. Anvar did not look back as he returned the way they had come. His nephews soon followed. They brimmed with questions and skepticism but knew better than to engage in a battle of wills with their uncle.

When Were You Happiest

So I was just sitting at the auto repair shop waiting for them to finish my oil change this morning when I started watching one of the morning news shows in the waiting room.  They read a story in which they disclosed that the age when the average person was most happy was 34.  It sounded like a very arbitrary number but I’m sure they had some sort of study to back up their statement.  It started me thinking.  At what age was I happiest?  Before I was old enough to go to school, my mother worked in the home.  That was a magical time.  We had picnics and went for walks in the woods and baked all the time; it seemed.  Then again, once I started school I was able to make new friends outside the family or my siblings’ friends.  It was new and exciting.  As I went through school I was given ever-increasing amounts of freedom.  That was pretty special too.  Middle school was a break from the monotony of elementary school and high school felt like I had come to life.  I could pick some of my classes and had more time for friends and socializing.  Then came college.  At first it terrified me.  Then my parents went home and I felt fine.  I was treated as an adult for the first time in my life and I loved it.  The classes were harder than I anticipated but Michigan State was a great place to grow.  There were lots of activities and places to go and the girls…wow!  I understood why people always said, “Pretty girls go to State.”  Parties were like nothing I had ever seen before and it was generally nice to be around people of your same intelligence level (not high or low) with shared interests.  Then I met my wife.  She was shy.  I was outgoing.  She liked science.   I liked English and humanities.  She liked the Greek system.  I…did not.  She Liked me.  I liked her.  I asked her to marry me before someone else noticed her.  She agreed and I put a ring on her finger ( a small ring).  She was off the market.  Now all I had to do was graduate and get a job.  Both took a lot of work.  After graduation I took a terrible job but there wasn’t much out there for Communication majors.  It was good enough to get married.  Maybe that was the best time?  We started a family right away and I saw each of my children be born.  That was very special…and pretty messy if I’m being honest.  Why can’t babies come out all clean like on TV?  The jobs kept improving and I was happier with each one.  Then came the day I kept my word to my mother and published my first book.  The editor’s copy is still sitting a few feet from me.  Then the second book came out and soon I will have a third.  When was I happiest?  Boy, that’s a hard one.  So many things have gone well in my life, it is hard to choose.  I’d like to say I can’t pick one and for an actual age, that’s true.  However, I was the happiest ever when my wife agreed to marry me.  That tops the list.     

Allergies

As a writer I like to use personification in my work.  It adds a little something extra I find.  In real life I find myself personifying something as well; allergies.  When I was younger it seemed like almost no one was allergic to anything.  Sure there would be the kid at school who couldn’t go out at recess because a bee sting could kill him but for the most part there just weren’t allergies to speak of.  Then pollen became the rage.  Everyone including yours truly to a certain extent was allergic to pollen.  Along with it came ragweed and a host of other nasal allergies.  All sorts of scents gave problems.  One girl I know is allergic to the smell of lilac.  The monster grew.  Then food allergies came to light.  At first I thought these were restricted to third world countries where they were allergic to milk but the problem grew fast.  Lactose intolerance was a term that entered our daily lives.  Even my son has it.  Then there were nut intolerances, egg intolerances, iodine allergies (shellfish and surprisingly nearly every Chinese food) and the latest to strike my family, the dreaded gluten intolerance.  The monster became enormous.  Two of my children have that one.  Our meals are planned based on what child will be around to eat.  If the gluten free ones are out, it’s pizza time!  Bring on the pasta!  You get my point.  My kids don’t like Chinese food and my wife is the iodine problem so if I want Chinese food I pretty much have to go by myself.  It just seems like more and more of these allergies are coming out to get us.  A friend of my daughter is allergic to the red color dye in food.  How did a doctor figure that one out?  Were these problems not around before and we have become more sensitive as a society?  Are foods being prepared in a different way or grown with some genetic enhancement that causes reactions?  Are we finally diagnosing things they slapped the wrong labels on in the past?  And if you subscribe to that theory, who is to say they are not putting the wrong labels on these illnesses now?  Perhaps only genetically modified wheat causes gluten problems.  Perhaps only cows given growth hormones produce milk that is lactose intolerant.  It sounds farfetched but so did all of these allergies 20 years ago.  It’s interesting which things are not on the allergy list.  Take corn for example.  It is one of the most genetically modified foods on the planet, yet I never hear about a corn allergy.  Then there is meat.  I don’t hear about allergies to beef, pork or chicken either and they have all been modified since before I was born.  Regardless of the source, that allergy monster keeps gobbling up new items to be allergic to.  It seems like every day I hear about a new one.  The beast is moving faster than science as there is no way to combat many of these allergies other than staying away from them.  There has been much more success on the nasal ones than the food type.  Likely the reason is they have had longer to study them.  Hopefully science will get this under control before the monster strikes again.     

Sunday Excerpt, "Crucible"

While he others bedded down the horses and exchanged stories, Linvin tended to Miri. He removed her bloodstained robe like a doctor examining a patient. She was more of an injured comrade than a voluptuous woman at that moment in his mind. He cut the sheets into long bandages with the help of Falconfeather. Then he set about cleaning her wounds. Using his own robe he washed her cuts. Though he was relieved they were not still hemorrhaging, Miri had clearly lost a considerable amount of blood. The fact she remained unconscious gave him more reason for concern. He wrapped her torso with bandages and then wrapped sacks around her to keep her warm. Her breaths were shallow but they were still breaths. When his work was done Linvin sat back against the barn wall and looked at the beautiful princess, wrapped like a mummy.

Anvar brought him some water. “How is she?” he asked.

Linvin took a drink and returned the water skin to his uncle. “I really am not sure. I have seen more than my share of wounds on the battlefield but nothing like this. Her entire back side has been scathed. None of her ribs are out of place but I am certain the breaks are inhibiting her breathing. I will watch her tonight, but if she does not wake by morning, I fear she may never. All of it is my fault.”

“How can you say that?” Anvar asked in shock.

“You were right, Uncle. I could have finished Hugon much quicker. I could have spared her some of this pain and perhaps her life if I had not sought vengeance. Once again I lost sight of the bigger issue and failed.”  

Anvar recalled his words on the ride earlier in the day. He observed the agony of his nephew and sought to console the weary warrior. “My words were meant to inspire you to become greater, not to tear you down. Though it sounds like criticism to want you to be greater, you have lost sight of the fact I am acknowledging you are great already. From your account, Hugon did the bulk of his damage before you ever engaged him in battle. Perhaps you could have ended the melee more quickly but I doubt Miri’s condition would have been much better. You are not to blame for this situation. I see now my lesson, which was intended to make you aspire to be better, only sewed the seed of guilt in your mind. For that I am sorry and wish I could take back those words.

“You are, however, dwelling on the negative. Had you not gone back for her, to keep your promise, she would most assuredly be dead. Whatever happens from this point forward, you did save her life. You are an honorable man and I am proud to call you my nephew. Only such a man as you would have been chosen for the Red Sapphire.”

Linvin’s head jerked up as he heard the words. “Do you think the Red Sapphire can heal her?”

Anvar shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea. I know my powers help me to heal very quickly but I have never been able to transfer that curing power to another. You said you are able to communicate with the gem. Now might be a good time to do just that.” On that note Anvar took to his feet and joined the others.

Saturday Excerpt, "Quest"

“After losing consecutive battles, the shattered remnants of the King’s army huddled in the deepest corner of this crescent, with their backs to the trees. Though battered and exhausted from the prolonged conflict, the combined might of what remained of the Mandreans’ grand army bore down on the vastly outnumbered Sartanians to deliver the final blow. Legion after legion of Mandreans, marched down the field to attack the army of Sartan. The very soil shook like thunder beneath their feet. Drums and horns filled the air with a deafening sound. The event struck terror into even the bravest men. It truly looked like the end of Sartan.

”The Mandrean general had ordered his full force to advance and not stop until every elf, dwarf and human in opposition lay dead. He watched from the back, with his entourage, as his soldiers pressed out of sight, to the Sartanian line. Confidence brimmed as they were on the verge of total victory.

“The general had underestimated his adversary. It is said, that a call had gone out throughout Sartan and every person with a bow was called to this tree line.

They hid in the trees along the deepest part of the crescent and waited. When the Mandreans neared the army of Sartan, the archers in the trees began firing their arrows and hurled death upon the invaders from three sides. The Mandrean ranks were so tight it was said a blind man with a bow could not miss. Wave after wave of arrows cascaded down on the helpless army. They could not retreat because of all the men charging behind them. They could only storm the Sartanians entrenched at the edge of the field. Soldiers on both sides were cut down like grain with a sickle. It was the attacker however, who took the greater blows. Line after line of Mandreans fell from an invisible enemy.

“Unable to see the battle lines, the Mandrean general threw all his reserves into the crucible of death. His men fought bravely and continued to advance in spite of horrific losses.

“It is said that the general had just become aware of the situation when a stray arrow struck him down. His lieutenants hesitated and argued in his stead. All the while, the arrows flew and the men fell. Some of the Mandreans made their way to our line with devastating results. Even with the support of the archers, the line nearly broke.

“As twilight neared, the Mandreans had lost the bulk of their army. What began the day as divisions and legions of men, from the massacre, numbered little more than a brigade.

“The setting sun brought a moonless night. Cries of pain from the thousands of wounded were carried on the chill of the evening air. Sartan’s battered warriors took torch in hand and searched the fields. Those from their own army, who could be saved, were carried to a nearby camp. Any found that were beyond saving or from the other side, had their throats slit forthwith. It was described to the King, as an act of mercy. Others called it vengeance. Like so many things, its description depends upon one’s point of view. Regardless of the title given the act, few wounded survived the night.

“In the morning light, the scale of murder became apparent to the victors. It was said that there was not a blade of grass to be seen through the rubble of rotting corpses. Some say one hundred thousand and others say many times that, died on this field, on that single day.”

Back To Editing

I want to thank everyone for their patience while I was away dealing with the death of my father.  In summary, he was a great man and our loss is heaven’s gain. Thank you to everyone for their prayers and support.   As for writing, I hope you all had a chance to read my interview on Kelly Smith Reviews.  If not here is the link again http://kellysmithreviews.blogspot.com/2015/03/author-interview-rival-gates.html  I wrote the interview before hearing about my father.  It’s a nice piece and Kelly does such a wonderful job on her blog.  It’s worth a read.  I am proofreading the final edit of the second edition of “Quest for the Red Sapphire.”  The new version should be up on Amazon in about a week, depending on how fast I go.  Well, I had better get back to it.

My Interview

Hi fans.  I’m back.  I had done an interview for Kelly Smith Reviews and it has just come up for publication.   You can read it here.  http://kellysmithreviews.blogspot.com/2015/03/author-interview-rival-gates.html  It’s an easy read so relax and enjoy it.