W is for Words

“Henri,” Justin said swiftly, giving Henri a concerned look. “I really think I ought to stay with you. I mean... look who Aidan brought with him.”

Toby felt everyone turn to stare at him and he looked away. Did he constantly need to be reminded of who he was? “Of course I do,” Henri replied. “Aidan brought with him his son, Toby and his friend Finnean.”

“Are you telling me that you don’t see-”

Henri lifted his hand, cutting off Justin’s words. “What I see are three people who are in need of a hot cup of tea and some rest. We can always discuss the circumstances of their visit later. In the meantime, your responsibility is to Laurie. I’ll make certain everyone else is settled.”

Settled?

The thought came fast and confused from Finn. Toby glanced over at his friend to see the almost panicked expression on his face. “We aren’t staying,” Finn said frantically. “We can’t be! Gabe is out there. What if Luna and Harp don’t make it in time? What if they need our help?”

He turned to Aidan and Toby could see that Finn’s panic was working it’s way into a full blown hysterical outburst. “You,” he said, pointing an accusing finger at Aidan. “You promised that we would go after them. That we would get Henri’s help and follow them.”

“Calm down,” Aidan said. “There’s no reason to get upset.”

“Of course there’s reason to be upset!” Finn nearly shouted. “Gabe still has the Pearl! You said that it would kill him. If we’re not going after him with help then I’ll go after him myself. I’m tired of waiting. My brother is in danger and I have to-”

“Finn. Be quiet!”

Silence filled the room and it took Toby a moment to realize that the words had come from his own mouth. A strange, docile expression crossed over Finn’s face as he turned to Toby. It’s the bond, he thought sadly. He’s waiting for me to give him a command.

“Interesting.”

Henri watched the two boys closely, noting the strange behavior. It wasn’t difficult to see that events were back in motion. “Why don’t you three come with me into the parlor. Justin and Laurie have other things to do. Perhaps then you’ll be able to tell me what has been happening since last we spoke.”

“It’s a long story,” Aidan sighed.

Henri smiled. “I have plenty of time.”

Word Count: 8022

The end is close in sight! Not for the story but for my word count. I think I have a good start, although in May I might begin a brand new project just to see how far it will get me. It's not the story, it's me. I need a break - take a breath from the characters and story line. I need to remember why I love them and to stop thinking that the story could be good if only I was a better writer. I need to stop thinking too far ahead and living in the end result instead of enjoying the journey to get there.

All insecurities aside, it was a good day of writing complete so I'll chalk it up as a win.

V is for Voice

“This is Laurie,” Justin said with an amused sigh in his voice. “He’s Henri’s new apprentice.”

“Does this mean that you’ve finally outgrown your position?” Aidan asked with a chuckle. Justin’s face turned red for a moment, embarrassed before he regained his composure.

“Laurie, this is Finn and ... Toby,” he introduced, hesitating when he reached Toby’s name. The name ‘Caspian’ hung in the air unspoken and it did little to make Toby feel any more comfortable.

“Nice to meet you, sirs,” Laurie replied politely, extending his hand toward Finn first and then Toby. “I apologize about the kitchen. I didn’t know that the ‘clean oven’ spell would backfire.”

“Is that what you were trying to do?” Justin said, shaking his head. “The next time you want to try out a new spell without supervision, don’t. Just wait for me. I’ve been around enough wizards that I know a thing or two about spells.”

Justin’s words were odd to Toby and for the first time he noticed the amber color of Justin’s eyes. “You’re a Wolf,” he blurted out.

“That he is,” a familiar voice said as Henri slipped into the room, handing a paper bag to Laurie. “A member of the Main Pack, actually.”

“A disowned member,” Justin grumbled, although the red color was back and he looked uncomfortable. This was clearly not a topic that Justin liked to talk about.

“I wouldn’t say disowned. I would say ‘gracefully abdicated from the family’,” Henri grinned, ruffling Justin’s hair affectionately.

“That means the same thing,” Justin said sourly.

“But it has a better ring to it,” Henri chuckled.

Word Count: 7440

April is winding down fast! Just when I think I'll have more than enough time to finish my Camp goal the days rapidly slip by. I'm at the point where it's a love/work relationship with the story. I love it, I really do, but every time I sit down to write I think of only a few words before my mind wanders. I think it might be time to break out "Write or Die". It's what really helped me during NaNo last year. It's amazing how much I can spit out when I have a time limit.

T is for Toby

“Are you alright?” Finn asked softly as they followed Justin towards the back of the shop.

“Fine,” Toby said quickly before realizing that it wasn’t Finn’s fault and it was rude to snap at him. He remembered the exchange they had before and decided to see if Finn really could hear his thoughts.

I’m sorry. I just don’t like the fact that all anyone sees anymore is Caspian.

Finn started, nearly tripping over a chair leg as they walked across the store. I... I suppose no one would like being someone they aren’t. But, this is strange. Can you really hear me?

Toby looked back at Finn and nodded. As long as you direct your thoughts to me I can hear them. I’m not sure why you can hear me, though.

Perhaps it has to do with these. Finn gestured to the markings around his neck. The guilt rushed through Toby before he had a chance to block the emotions. He hadn’t meant for Finn to know how uneasy the markings made him feel. They still didn’t know how life would change now that Finn was a bonded soul. Clearly, hearing Toby’s thoughts and feeling his emotions were a part of the bond but how far did it go?

Word Count: 7090

I'm half tempted to include my Teaching Reflections in my Word Count today. If there's one thing that doesn't seem to go away it would be reflecting on my teaching style and writing up paragraphs on top of paragraphs on how I integrate technology in the classroom, not to mention describing what I feel an effective teacher looks like. Again, I am counting the days until summer vacation. It can't come fast enough. It will be lovely when I can sit down and focus on my own writing for more than 20 minute blips during the day.

S is for Shivers

The laughter started then, mean and cruel as he felt hands push him back hard. It wasn’t physical pain but something deeper, more visceral that radiated through him. There was someone else inside of him but where? And how could he have let this happen? He prided himself on being so careful, always on the look out for the wrong sort who were out to hurt him or his brother. He hadn’t realized that the person he had to look out for was inside him all along.

But it wasn’t him. He couldn’t think like that no matter what thoughts were rushing through his mind. Even in his most violent tempers he never considered harming his brother. Finn was the only family he had left and he’d be damned if he let anyone, let alone himself, destroy that. If it wasn’t him, then what was causing him to act like a monster?

The answer came as soon as he opened his mouth. The voice sent shivers down his spine and Gabriel reeled, pulling his own self as far away from the Other as possible. The words that the creature spoke were not his own and for the first time since he was a child Gabe felt real fear. Images ran together and it felt as though he had tried to close his eyes, stop his ears - not wanting to hear or feel anything that was going on. He only just felt the blow to his head, the pain radiating numbly through his body before he slipped happily into the darkness of unconsciousness.

He wasn’t alone. It was in this dark place that he met the Other. He wanted to run, to put as much distance between himself and the creature as possible but chains sprang out of the dark void and wrapped themselves around him. He was trapped in his own mind and no amount of shouting would save him. The creature’s rasping laughter filled the space around him and he could feel hot tears sliding down his face. Gabe had always prided himself on his strength and courage but those failed him now. All he had left was the hope that he wouldn’t be forgotten. That someone would find him and give him the ability to fight back. He latched onto that thought and it kept him from slipping into despair.

He clenched his teeth together, repeating the words that gave him hope over and over again until it drowned out all other sound.

This is my body. This is my mind. I will stop you.

Word Count: 6925

I've finished the prologue and moved back to Chapter 3. I'll need a few more words today to be back on track. I took a bit of a break this past weekend but it was well deserved.

Spring Fever has definitely hit my students. Notes on Chemical Bonds have sent them into giggle fits. It's either excitement for prom (which is this weekend) or information overload. Either way, it's definitely time for summer. I'm ready, they're ready - oh yeah. It's time.

33 days left! (I think that should be my new count down)

Q is for Quietly

Justin turned to Toby and paused, visibly shocked. Toby knew the thought that was running through the man’s head before he ever uttered a word. Caspian, he thought. He’s alive? Justin took a breath, shaken by Toby’s appearance but he forced a smile onto his face as he offered his hand to Toby. “It’s nice to meet you,” he said quietly.

Why does everyone react to you this way? Toby thought, hoping that Caspian would hear it.

A long time ago I was in trouble. A pack of Wolves had separated me from the Clan. Justin protected me. My death must have been hard on him.

That was an understatement judging by the emotion on Justin’s face. He looked as though he was torn between embracing Toby or keeping his composure. It was a battle that was hard won, especially as Toby felt Justin’s hand tense in his grasp. “Nice to meet you, too,” he said, embarrassed.

“Does Henri know?” Justin asked, turning to Aidan.

Aidan nodded. “He didn’t seem at all surprised when we met him on the street. Somehow, I believe he has known all along.”

Justin cursed under his breath. “He should have told me,” he said, his voice thick with emotion before he glared at Aidan. “You should have said something. This-”

“It was safer if you didn’t know,” Aidain said simply.

That only seemed to anger Justin further. “Safer? I’m not a child anymore. I don’t need anyone to protect me. If you knew that he was alive then you should have mentioned it. Henri should have told me.” He clenched his teeth hard and it was clear he was keeping himself from raising his voice.

“Does Harp know?”

Aidan sighed. “We can talk about it when Henri comes back. In the meantime, don’t you have a student to look after?”

Word Count: 6522

Words aren't going to be coming today. Life has interrupted my regularly scheduled broadcast. Tomorrow it should resume and I will have over 7k. That's a promise!

P is for Prologue (and Pearl)

Prologue - Darkness

Quiet.

That was all Gabe could hear. It was a welcome change from the voice that seemed to be screaming at him ever since he touched the Pearl. At first he thought it had been his own thoughts. It wasn’t strange for angry thoughts to flood his mind especially when he was feeling stressed or frightened. But these thoughts had begun to frighten him. The level of violence he was imagining was unlike anything he had experienced before but it wasn’t until they turned to his brother that he knew that something was horribly wrong.

Gabe had tried to stop himself but it was as though another force had taken over. He had seen Finn asleep by the camp fire as though watching through someone else’s eyes. But those were his hands that slipped quietly to the bag that sat at Luna’s side, sliding his fingertips in and pulling out the short dagger she had brought along for protection. He was helpless to do anything, even as he knelt on top of his brother’s chest, squeezing the breath out of him. Finn’s eyes opened in disbelief, even as Gabe wanted to scream and push his own body off onto the ground. It was too late when the warm blood gushed over his own hands and he fell back, then, Luna’s screams echoing in his head as he took off at a run.

I didn’t do this. It wasn’t me. Oh gods, Finn, I’m’ sorry!

Word Count: 6522

So, I jumped to the beginning of the story since I had this idea for a different scene that wouldn't fit in the current chapter. Nothing says I can't jump around and write different scenes as I go. This one is turning out to be a bit more difficult to write than the first one. Maybe it's just that I have far more responsibilities than I did back in November, plus, I may be working too much with this one story. I'm starting to get the "I really like this story, but I'm not sure I'm telling it right" vibe. That could be a sign I should swap to something else.

For the moment, I'm pressing on! I can always swap to something new after April.

O is for Ordinary

“So, am I right to assume that Henri is still running his school?” Aidan continued, changing the topic quickly.

“Of course,” Justin sighed, shaking his head. “Just when I think one has left us he takes on another pupil. Laurie is in the back right now. He’s made a bit of a mess with the oven, as you can see.”

Justin gestured to his shirt that was covered in black streaks. Finn caught Toby’s eye and the two started to laugh. After the last few days and the stress they had been under, the ordinary way that Justin spoke about a messy kitchen sent them into peals of laughter.

“It looks as though you’ve started a school yourself,” Justin observed, watching as the two boys attempted to pull themselves back under control.

“Not a school, actually,” Aidan replied, putting his hand on Toby’s shoulder. “This is my son, Toby, and his friend, Finnean.”

Word Count: 5684 (So close!)

Working up to the last rehearsal before Opening Night (hey, another O word!). It's made finding time to write a little difficult but I managed to squeeze in a few words today. I think I need to change my final word count goal. If I can hit 10k by the end of this month I will consider myself a winner (especially with everything going on in my life). Even one more word is a word I didn't have yesterday.

N is for Normal

There was one object that caught Toby’s eye. It didn’t look like much at first glance but Toby felt drawn to it. It was a small pendant on a chain laying on a small table. It was difficult to see as the table was covered in bits of colored stone in an ornate mosaic but Toby could make out the pendant even from a few feet away. It called to him, much as the Pearl had the first time he had entered the wizard’s house. But it was different this time - the voice that called him was far more soothing than before.

Toby took a step towards the table before he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to see Finn staring at him oddly. Don’t touch that. I have a bad feeling about it.

It was Finn’s voice in his head. It wasn’t the first time that he heard another’s thoughts that didn’t belong to him. It was strange how normal it was becoming that he didn’t think twice to answer Finn.

It’s not the same as the Pearl. The pendant feels different.

The expression on Finn’s face, however, wasn’t what Toby expected to see. The other boy’s mouth dropped open and he stammered. “Did you...” he started, completely bewildered. Toby didn’t have time to explain. There was a loud bang and a door in the back of the shop opened wide, smoke spilling out into the shop.

Word Count: 5465

Ooo, a stretch today! But it still works so I'm not going to split hairs. Normal works well, especially because it's something that Toby won't ever feel again at least not in the way he expects.

Thank you for all of your comments! It's incredibly encouraging to see that people are following along. This is a new endeavor for me and so far I'm seeing only positives. And while I may not reach the ultimate CampNaNo goal - I'm still calling it a success. I'll just keep writing every day and hit 6k tomorrow, I think I can, I think I can.

M is for Magic

“There are magical items in here?” Finn asked, glancing to look at Toby beside him. He knew exactly what Finn was thinking - if the antique shop was haven for magical objects then perhaps there was something in here that could help Gabe. It wasn’t far-fetched. They were here to ask for Henri’s help, after all.

“Aye,” Aidan nodded. “And Henri sometimes forgets to move the more touchy objects to the back room. Just keep your wits about you in here.”

Finn shifted closer to Toby as they walked through the cluttered aisle, doing their best to keep their bodies from touching even the most innocuous item. To Toby, the entire store looked like someone’s living room. There were tables and chairs set up as though they were inviting him to take a seat. Lamps of all shapes and colors were strewn around the room, some with strange bits of speckled glass in their shades. Old armoirs and bedroom chests were pressed up against the walls hiding secrets behind their dark wooden doors. The entire room had a musty, ancient smell and in between the normal detritus of household things there appeared to be hidden gems tucked into corners that only the most observant would notice.

Word Count: 5040

 Whew! Made it over the 5k mark and the beginning of Chapter 3! It's been a bit of a rollercoaster in my personal life. I'm currently sitting at home with a sick kiddo. On the bright side, at least I can work on the story - maybe, perhaps, if I'm lucky. My goal is to get to the next thousand word mark by tomorrow. Drum roll please...

L is for Lamb

The shops were odd, making it all the more clear that they had left the human part of the city and entered a different realm. Places that seemed almost normal if it weren’t for a few well placed words such as Han’s Butcher Shop: Raw Rabbit - ask for a free sample inside.

“You don’t think they actually eat it raw, do they?” Finn asked.

Toby shrugged. “If they are Wolves I wouldn’t put it past them.”

Finn wrinkled his nose. “I don’t know how they could do that.”

“Just because you can’t think to stomach raw meat doesn’t mean everyone shares your temperament,” Aidan said. “I’m sure they’d feel just the same about the way you enjoy chocolate.”

“Given the choice between raw rabbit and chocolate, I’m taking the chocolate every time,” Toby pointed out.

“A wise choice.”

Toby turned, startled at the unfamiliar voice. It was the man’s smile that he noticed first. It was an amused turn of his lips, as if the man had been expecting them for quite some time now. The hair at his temple was greying but he didn’t appear any older than his early thirties. His blue-grey eyes, however, seemed to hold far more secrets than any man had a right to know.

“Henri,” Aidan said, walking over to shake the man’s hand. “I thought your shop was farther down the street.”

“It is. I’m just here picking up a bit of lamb for dinner,” Henri  said, winking at the two boys who were looking apprehensive. “I cook it first, however. You don’t have to worry about any raw meat tonight.”

Word Count: 4325

That wraps up this week! Tomorrow I'll be posting a Sunday Wrap-Up and Monday continues the A to Z madness. I'm glad that even though this week has been incredibly busy I've still managed to increase my word count. By Monday, I should be at the 5k mark. Not a lot, but more than the beginning of the month. I still call that progress.

K is for Kind

It’s because they sense me.

Toby jumped and had to stop himself from turning his head around when he heard the voice. Caspian had been silent until now and he wasn’t quite used to the knowledge that he wasn’t the only person in his own head.

What do you mean? Toby thought. How could they sense you?

They don’t like Cats. Their kind never has, to tell the truth. I was afraid of this when I realized we were heading to Donegall.

Their kind?

Toby watched as the people walked by, looking to see if there was any difference in their appearance. There was nothing that indicated they were a different race other than humans. A young woman holding a small girl’s hand drifted past and Toby grinned, giving the small girl a wave. The young woman looked up at him before pulling the girl away, crossing to the other side of the street. It was then that he saw it - the flash of gold irises in the woman’s eyes. There was only one race that had those markings.

Wolves.

Word Count: 4004

Happy Friday! I think it's redundant to say it's been a busy week. Next week it will be even crazier! The good thing is I've been keeping up with the blogging and that is an accomplishment. One thing at a time.

G is for Gates

Toby wondered if the gates weren’t meant to keep invaders out but to keep the citizens of Donegall in. It was a sobering thought as they reached the gates. The black iron bars felt foreboding as they passed beneath them. He stifled a shiver as he walked into the circle of the city. Four large statues stood guarding four archways, each leading to a different section of the city. It was difficult to tell but the statues looked as though they were people - two male, two female and one a young girl. There was something else as well. It was as though Toby could feel someone watching them closely. He stopped and stared at the stone figures, his gaze stopping at the young girl. There was an expression on her face that Toby couldn’t place. At first he thought it might be a small smile, as though the statue held a hidden secret but as he watched the face contorted into a look of great pain and her lips were twisted to hold back a silent scream.

Word Count: 3528

It's the beginning of the day! I'm hoping to break 4000 before I leave work today. If all goes as planned (which it rarely does) I should meet it easily.

F is for Finn

“What’s the matter?” Finn asked, breaking Toby out of his thoughts. “You look worried.”

The markings on Finn’s neck were more prominent in the daylight and that added another burden to Toby’s shoulders. What had he done to his best friend? It was impossible to know as no human had ever worn the marks of a Bonded Soul. Harp hadn’t been much help, barking at him to keep his thoughts to himself instead of answering any real questions.

“It’s nothing,” Toby shrugged, not wanting to speak his thoughts out loud. “I’m tired, that’s all.”

Word Count : 3333 (Deja vu)

It's been a busy day filled with tee ball. I hope to find an hour or so to sit down and write again today. It's funny - I find more time to write when I'm at work then when I'm at home.

Thanks to all who have left such wonderful comments! I'm really enjoying this blogging challenge and meeting so many interesting minds. With one week down and three to go I'm certain there will be even more surprises and spectacular blogs to come.

E is for Eirre

Toby had never seen the gates of Donegall but he had heard of them. It was standard practice for the orphaned boys to attend school. It was required if they hoped to still have a bed that night. Toby didn’t remember much from those studies but what he did remember had to do with the History of Eirre - especially the capital city.

The city was a fortress and the one area where all four races lived and worked, although times had changed over the past twenty years. An uneasy peace had fallen over the city after the Fall. The Red Flame, an elite band of Wizards had taken control, casting out the other races from the inner city. The Wolves were placed at the head of the Guard tasked with policing the non-magic humans and the other sub-races. Many Cats and Magpies lived on the outskirts of the city, if they still lived there at all. But that was as it should be. Wizards were the best equipped to rule over Eirre and they were all better off with the Magistrate in command.


Word Count: 3333 (It's a magic number)

The story is moving in an interesting direction. While I have a general idea for the direction I am enjoying the little surprises that are popping up. This is a great distraction from my usual fretting over the submissions I've made for Book 1: The Raven's Pearl. I'm still crossing my fingers on that but it may be a good thing it hasn't been picked up yet. I will keep finding that silver lining!

D is for Donegall

The capital city of Donegall was divided into sections, each dedicated to one of the Four gods. A statue of each graced the open gates, protecting the city in case of attack. It had been years since the gates had been used and the statues themselves showed signs of their age. Many who passed beneath their outstretched arms rarely gave the statues any thought - the identity of the stone monoliths were lost to time.

Beneath the arms of Taia, the child, was a ivy covered door. It was a nondescript door, easily looked past and forgotten to those that had little business to be there. But to those in the know, the door contained a very special stronghold. The door remained locked and only a select few that knew the password could convince the ivy to release it’s iron grip and allow the person entrance. Once inside, the person could disappear without detection. It was used by many over the years for a variety of purposes - good and bad. The current password holders could not proclaim to be either but only observers, watching and waiting for the best moment to strike.

Word Count: 2243

I've changed the capital city in my world! I like Donegall better, although this means I must go back and edit the first book to fit. One of the benefits of not publishing the first book yet means I have more wiggle room and I can fix any continuity errors that pop up. Still a bit behind in my word count but I figure as long as I continue to write every single day, no matter what I end up with at the end of April it will always be more than April First.

C is for Caspian

“He’s back,” he said simply, hoping that the tremors stayed out of his voice.

“Which he?” Her voice was serious. Good, perhaps she would listen to him for once.

“Caspian.”

The name made Jesse visibly whiten and she sat down on the dusty chair that was thankfully just behind her. “No,” she said, shaking her head slowly. “He can’t be. He’s dead. That’s what Luna and Aidan said; that’s what Henri told us.”

“He believed two country wizards whose loyalties are questionable. It doesn’t matter. David believes he is alive and you know the lengths he will go to find him.”

“Just because the Magistrate thinks Caspian is alive doesn’t mean that he is,” Jesse reasoned, even though to Alex it sounded as if she was in denial. “If he was alive all these years we would have heard something.”

“I’m not entirely sure about that,” Alex said with a frown. “He is a Cat, after all. They take care of their own.”

Word Count: 1639

Still plugging away! I'm behind but the flow is slowly coming back. Plus, I'm starting to get the feel for the direction this book will go. I find it interesting that it's started out with Caspian being spoken about in hushed tones. Something tells me that what I thought was the Fall in the last book is really only the beginning of the story.