Inspired by: Master of Tides – Lindsey Stirling
Brought to you by: The Figment
Hello friends!
So tonight I have a few things to post about. For newcomers to the blog, welcome. For old hands, I hope the world is well with you. For my writer friends I have an interesting proposition that has come to my attention. I’ve blogged before about the magazine Holl & Lane. I still cannot say enough good things about these amazing people and what they do. They are hosting a writing competition called the Heart & Soul Book Awards. Check it out here. I know I will be participating. Keep an eye on the time if you want to do it! The deadline is June 15.
I am getting started on edits for Shadow’s Journey. Prologue and Chapter 1 are done but need keyed. January is such a crazy month for me. My full time makes for lots of overtime and business need. So the job that pays the bills takes priority for now. And, in two and a half weeks is my five year wedding anniversary. Ten years together, married for five is astounding to me. So suffice to say the early part of the year is busy for reasons not related to writing.
February 1 is also right around the corner which means…you guessed it. The February edition of the Maeseloria Monthly! For those readers that have been keeping up, I have added a new feature titled 3 Questions. I will take submissions for this feature as well as Sandra’s Corner. Your questions and character may appear in the next issue or subsequent issues of the newsletter. You can contact me with questions or submissions at sjhults@bex.net . I look forward to hearing from you!
With that being said, I want to announce the return of The Figment and the weekly writing prompt. This week’s prompt is Lindsey Stirling’s Master of Tides. Check it out in the link above and please, enjoy the little snippet below.
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She hated the rain. Lily Eisen scowled as she moved through the night in search of some sort of peace. Life as of late was not easy nor fair. She was struggling. Her left hand was bare again and, once again, Fate dealt her a losing hand. The irritation that flashed in her emerald eyes was far from minor. She promised Isabelle she would return with the dawn but even now she felt her promise flounder. Travel in the North during their rainy season was a challenge to say the least. The damp made her method of travel difficult. Limbs and rain soaked earth would cause lesser trackers to slide or reveal their position but she trained in all weather. Her favorite Shadow had seen to it. He helped her survive the night. For a short time, she felt the warmth of Light and love. Now, she wondered if that brief stretch was simply a fallacy.
Challenges rose and love failed her. Lily shook the thought away and focused on her mission. Christiana sent her with specific instructions. Find holes in their defense. She was nearing the edge of their stronghold. The Queen had equipped her with enough gems to hide her mental presence from the adepts around her. This was now her duty to maintain her physical silence. Her eyes skimmed the shadows as she moved closer to the castle. The gardens spread across her line of sight. The Queen specifically mentioned this area as a weak point.
The pin-prick of a blade at her shoulder set her cursing and her opponent laughing. The feminine warmth behind the tones told her who her captor was. “I will do you the courtesy of assuming you are not here to do harm, dear girl.” Tatiyana Jade spoke and nudged her forward into the gardens. She, Dominic and Sion had addressed the security issues within their portion of the realm after the war ended. When they stepped into the gardens, she sheathed Hope then chuckled. “No movement gave you away. Your humanity did.” At Lily’s puzzled look the little warrior explained. “When one has a Kindred in residence it usually tends to help locate people new to our little corner of the world.”
Lily shook her head. “I see. Then I cannot be faulted.” She shot back cheekily as she sheathed her own weapons. “I come with a message. You and your brother’s presence is required at the capital. Her majesty needs your help with your cousins.” At Tanya’s puzzled expression Lily simply shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine, my Lady. I am only the messenger. “
“Very well then. Let us see to what the Queen requires of us.” Without further word, Tatiyana proceeded to the sprawling house that seemed to loom before them. A slack-jawed Lily watched as Sion Jade ambled from the shadows with that same irritating mix of elegance and arrogance that all Jade men seemed to wield. “Even in times of peace, I am rarely without some level of protection.” Tanya’s tones were absent and sarcastic as Sion just laughed. “Go see to a room and a warm fire, brother mine. Do so before I make you eat your arrogance again.”
“You are quite welcome to try again, sister.” He teased her and ducked her incoming wallop with such a speedy accuracy that Lily was dumbfounded. “I will see to our guest as you’ve requested. “ The grin that tugged at the corners of Sion Jade’s mouth was far from what was often seen when he and his sister were in residence at the palace.
At Lily’s surprise, Tanya just smiled. “You’ve never seen my cousins spar?” When Lily shook her head, the tiny woman steered her through the garden and into their home so she could dry off. “I suspect that is what summons you have come to deliver. The whole realm felt that level of magic. She seeks to draw our adversary.” Lily’s expression confirmed Tanya’s suspicion and when the woman handed over a message sealed with the Queen’s emblem, the tiny Sorceress did not seem surprised. “He never was one to take duty well when such matters impact him personally. Walked out on everyone did he?” Lily did not give a verbal response but merely held up her bare left hand. “I see. Very well. Return home at dawn if it pleases you. Sion and I will see to them as the Queen as requested. “
More to come soon!
Sandra Hults 
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