Today's the last Friday Excerpt featuring the Women of Foxwick. The excerpt is from the story "Magic Seeker."
You can find the excerpts from "Lady Bard" here, "Dragon Seer" here, "Lady Death" here, and "Mage Game" here.
Magic Seeker
Something—or someone—had spooked the
horses. Their frantic pawing and whinnying sent a stab of worry through Zenia’s
heart. When her mother had told her to meet her at the stables after supper,
she knew something was wrong. Had Foxwick fallen to the Lochhollowans? Did they
have to flee the castle? She attempted to hum a soothing tune to calm the
horses, but her mouth was too dry.
“Shh,” Zenia said instead as she touched each horse’s
muzzle. They slowly calmed at her voice, but her heart sped up. Where was her
mother?
The stable doors creaked and Zenia froze in place. Her gaze
flicked to the pitchfork against the far wall. If only she was closer, she
could use it for protection. Should she risk it?
“Zenia?” Her mother’s gentle voice called to her.
“Mother?”
Queen Amelia, Zenia’s mother, opened the stall door and led
Zenia’s favorite and fastest horse, White Lightning, to her. The horse was
already saddled and ready for a ride, but what was her mother doing with the
horse so late at night?
“What’s going on?” When her mother’s face came in full view,
Zenia gasped at the concern sharpening her features. “What happened? Did
Foxwick fall?”
“Let’s pray Foxwick never falls.” Amelia clutched Zenia’s
chin. “Listen to me, child. The war in Lochhollow is coming to a head. The tide
can turn either for or against us, so we must be ready. I need you to travel to
Valdale. Within a monastery upon the hill, there lives a well-renowned
sorceress. You must persuade her to help us.”
“Me?” If Zenia wasn’t worried before, she was now. The fate
of Foxwick had settled on her shoulders like an iron shawl. “But, Mother, I’ve
barely traveled outside of Foxwick. Why can’t we take my roc or even ride a
dragon or gryphon there? Surely journeying by flight would be quicker than by
horse.”
“It’s too dangerous.” Amelia glanced toward the opened
stable doors. Her hand fell from Zenia’s face, and she pressed White
Lightning’s rein into her daughter’s hands. “You won’t travel alone. Please, do
enter, Umbria.”
A woman cloaked in darkness entered the stables followed by
a unicorn, but not just any unicorn, a black one. Her hood fell away, revealing
her face. Eyes like onyx gemstones focused upon Zenia, and the princess took a
step back. Umbria laughed, a melodious tune. “Don’t be frightened. I am to be
your guide into Valdale and nothing more.”
“B-but you’re—”
“Lady Death, yes, but I am also your Great-Aunt Umbria.” She
smiled, but it didn’t put Zenia at ease.
“Umbria has business in Valdale, so she agreed to accompany
you.” Amelia stroked Zenia’s hair. “She’ll keep you safe, my love. Please, we
must do this. I wish I could travel with you, but I have to remain here for
news and to oversee the kingdom.”
Zenia knew her mother couldn’t travel to Valdale, even if
she could leave Foxwick at a time like this. If her Uncle Karden and Aunt
Adetta hadn’t left with father and her brother Ivander to Lochhollow, then they
could’ve journeyed with her. She hadn’t met her great-aunt before. Of course,
most people hoped not to see Lady Death until it was their time.
“So are you coming, Zenia?” Umbria leapt upon the unicorn’s
back. Her sword gleamed behind her in the warm lantern light.
“There’s no other way, is there, Mother?” Zenia wrapped
White Lightning’s rein around her hand.
“I fear not.” Amelia kissed her cheek.
Zenia normally skirted away from such endearments, but she
wished for a thousand more moments with her family. Those turns of the
hourglass would disappear if she didn’t go. She climbed upon White Lightning.
“Please take care of my many animals. Merryl, the butcher, typically brings
fresh meat every other day for them. We should have enough fruits and
vegetables for the others.”
“Your menagerie is safe with me. Be swift and careful. Come
back.” Amelia stepped aside. “Be sure to come back.”
Umbria lifted her head in a curt nod before turning her
unicorn around.
Zenia prepared to follow, and the two women with their
mounts raced from the stables to Valdale.
10 comments:
Too bad she didn't get to ride the unicorn!
I love Alex's comment because I had the same thought. I totally would've wanted to ride the unicorn.
Okay I giggled a little bit at Alex's comment. I was actually thinking how awesome it would be to see a black unicorn...then I realized that I've never even seen a regular unicorn. *sigh*
I really loved the sense of urgency in this scene. You could feel how important it was for Zenia to leave, but how reluctant she was. I would have been the same way.
I really enjoy reading about these women. And, yeah, I'd have wanted to ride the unicorn too.
Great excerpt! I love how you included Lady Death in the story. :)
"The fate of Foxwick had settled on her shoulders like an iron shawl." What a powerful line. Nice excerpt, Cherie. :)
I absolutely adore Umbria's description, especially the "cloaked in darkness" line. So awesomely ominous! And there's a unicorn, too?! *squees*
Lady Death is her aunt?? Intriguing. You also had me with the mention of black unicorns, rocs, and griffins.
Allison (Geek Banter)
Fantastic. Now I know what to expect when I read my copy of this. :)
I love the urgency and immediate epic feel. Not to mention my imaginative side gets all excited at the mention of a unicorn. Thank you for sharing Cherie, very nice =)
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