I'm taking part in Weekend Writing Warrior’s Snippet Sunday. Throughout November I'll be showcasing my NaNo project, the Sons of Herne novella series.
I'm working on Book 4, Fire of Beltane. And I'm pleased to say that this past week, on day 23, I crossed 50k and beat the NaNoWriMo challenge!
Last week, Jorandil, god of Beltane, shared some misgivings with his friend Andero as he prepared to cross the veil for the sabbat ritual. Now, ready or not, he calls forth the ancient powers as part of his duty.
Andero stood back while Jorandil flexed his shoulders, and his wings unfolded, massive and powerful, spanning his side of the veil. The wingspread would anchor him to this realm while his body pressed through the breach to the earth side.
The white silk robe he wore, trimmed with the brilliant red-gold of a Beltane fire, trailed behind him while he walked toward the pedestal of the sabbat artifact. He drew the torch from the holder like a sword from its sheath, holding it aloft while he lifted his voice in the ancient prayer.
The fire sprang to life with a whoosh, bowing to the god of Beltane with a flickering dance. Jorandil held his hand there, absorbing the power of fire and feeling the magic in the flame, beckoning him to perform his calling, crackling in sounds that conjured whispers of the ancients, before returning the torch to the pedestal holder.
“The flame of the sabbat torch has been called forth,” Andero pronounced. “The ritual of Beltane is declared.”
Jorandil closed his eyes and sent his will out to the universe through his thoughts.
“Don’t drink the water,” he heard Andero say jokingly as he pushed through the veil.
The white silk robe he wore, trimmed with the brilliant red-gold of a Beltane fire, trailed behind him while he walked toward the pedestal of the sabbat artifact. He drew the torch from the holder like a sword from its sheath, holding it aloft while he lifted his voice in the ancient prayer.
The fire sprang to life with a whoosh, bowing to the god of Beltane with a flickering dance. Jorandil held his hand there, absorbing the power of fire and feeling the magic in the flame, beckoning him to perform his calling, crackling in sounds that conjured whispers of the ancients, before returning the torch to the pedestal holder.
“The flame of the sabbat torch has been called forth,” Andero pronounced. “The ritual of Beltane is declared.”
Jorandil closed his eyes and sent his will out to the universe through his thoughts.
“Don’t drink the water,” he heard Andero say jokingly as he pushed through the veil.
What do you think?
About The Sons of Herne:
The god Herne has appointed eight of his most virile, headstrong sons as keepers of the pagan holidays. To honor their sabbat, each must join with a mortal female in a ritual to maintain the balance between worlds.
It is the year of The Thousand Seasons, and the Fates have secretly conspired to mark the end of an era by granting the gods one thing they lack--a true union of male and female that will last beyond the passion of a sabbat joining.
Herne’s sons will wrestle with the conflict between sacred duty and their own yearnings, a struggle will not only challenge their beliefs, but may threaten the success of rituals that must be observed lest the mortal and immortal worlds collide in chaos.
Herne’s sons will wrestle with the conflict between sacred duty and their own yearnings, a struggle will not only challenge their beliefs, but may threaten the success of rituals that must be observed lest the mortal and immortal worlds collide in chaos.
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For more awesome snippets, check out
NaNoWriMo Achieved!
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I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over twenty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love hanging out here on my blog and over on Twitter. Give me a comment or follow-I love chatting with people!
Fabulous description. Great writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteAn exciting snippet-one that blew me off my seat and then the comic, "Don't drink the water."
ReplyDeleteHeh heh...glad you liked that!
DeleteAwesome! Fabulously descriptive and the last line knocks it out of the park! Congrats on meeting the NaNo goal!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was so stoked to cross that NaNo finish line. Thanks for the feedback!
DeleteI love the interactions between Andero and Jorandil. Even in the midst of a grave ceremony, Andero finds the humor to give Jorandil a bit of a ribbing. Love it! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks!! Andero will be appearing in a later story as well. I do like his wit!
DeleteI loved the 'don't drink the water'.
ReplyDeleteVery powerful scene. Full of portent and promise!
Thank you!!
DeleteI loved the 'don't drink the water'.
ReplyDeleteVery powerful scene. Full of portent and promise!
Such great description, and then the last line cracked me up. Congrats on the NaNoWriMo win- I also crossed the finish line yesterday!
ReplyDeleteOh, congratulations on winning NaNo!!! Thanks for coming by to offer feedback. :)
DeleteCongrats on NaNoWriMo! Really loved the snippet today, beautiful and then the touch of humor at the end sealed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Gotta love Andero's tongue in cheek comments.
DeleteI love the details here, especially how the wings will anchor him. Another terrific snippet!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that feedback! Always good to see you stop by.
DeleteI like that joke at the end, after all that solemn ceremony. :)
ReplyDeleteHeh heh, yeah I do like an unexpected twist of humor during such moments.
DeleteNice description, with the wings and all, and then Andero's quip was the cherry atop the hot fudge sundae.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Ooh, now you've got me wanting a sundae...
DeleteI loved the description and the tag at the end was the perfect way to lighten it rather than weigh it down.
ReplyDelete