Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)
The WIP is an epic portal fantasy, which is undergoing a final edit and will be released after Star Cruise: Outbreak in the April/May 2016 time frame.
Sandy and Mark have been transported to an unknown world. This snippet is from quite a bit further in the novel, after tey’ve left the mysterious mountain oasis, in the company of some new friends… Sandy was bitten by a snake named Sherabti, went into the green light with a woman unknown to her and now is sitting in a room she’s never seen before, with four women who seem to think Sandy is someone else…the Lady of the Star Wind…A new player, Haatrin, has entered the chamber and scolded the Moon Sisters.
Thunder rumbled outside the room, and the sisters cringed away as the newcomer hobbled closer. Haatrin bowed her head but appeared less afraid or in awe than Amrell and her Moon Sisters, “Grandmother Nuet, this interruption is unfortunate but may also have potential. We may have a new Lady of the Star Wind.” She gestured toward Sandy as if presenting a rare treat.
Now the crone’s attention switched to Sandy, who instinctively bowed her head as she would have to her own grandmother, the Outlier Empress. No question, but this newly arrived being commanded respect, whoever she might be. The name had a familiar sound as well. Remembering the altar in the abandoned village, Sandy speculated whether she drifted in a venom-induced dream, constructed from bits and pieces of her recent experiences. But this crone facing her could never be mistaken for a fertility goddess.
The woman pointed her staff at Sandy, “Have you nothing to say?”
Nuet is hardly your kindly gramma LOL. There’s still quite a bit left to happen in this scene, so a few more weeks on it. Then I’m thinking maybe I’ll give you a teaser from STAR CRUISE: OUTBREAK, which I haven’t shared here at all.
I think she erred on the side of speak only when spoken to. 😀 Great snippet, Veronica. Now I’m terribly curious.
So, Sandy comes with her own pedigree–granddaughter to the Outlier Empress…
Interesting snippet–not sure if she’s in a venom induced state–lucid dreaming, perhaps? You have me curious, Veronica!
I love the bit about wondering if she’s imagining all this. Inner turmoil and conflict with oneself can be the most interesting kind of tension.
“My grandmother always told me that if you don’t have anything nice to say…” Hopefully Sandy isn’t as smart-mouthed as I am!
New Lady of the Star Wind, eh? I wonder if that’s a great a thing as one might think. I’m kinda hoping for a venom-induced hallucination on this one. LOL!
I always hate waking up in a strange place, and meeting strange people. Sounds like this batch of introductions might take on a bit more dangerous flavor.
May not have much to say, but I’ll bet she’s thinking plenty.
So curious as to who this new woman is. Will she help Sandy? Looking forward to reading more from this scene! 🙂
I bet the woman won’t want to hear what Sandy has to say.
Sounds like interesting times ahead for Sandy! This old lady seems more sinister than grandmotherly, though maybe she’s both!
Going to be interested in what she has to say – in this situation my tongue would be tied into knots.
Tweeted.
The atmosphere and world-building in this snippet is fantastic!
Love, love, love this portion of the story plus did I read “crone?” Life has come to this. I guess I too am a crone at my age. Hugs to my pal, Ms.V.
Well, with all she has to take in and wonder about, who’s got time to talk? Loving this story and looking forward to more!
I bet she has plenty to say, but is it wise to say it? This is quite the predicament. Glad you’re going to keep sharing!
I too was wondering if this was a venom-induced dream. But apparently not. I’m not trusting the grandmother and I don’t blame Sandy one iota for not talking!
Nuet – Nut – cool 🙂 Am so enjoying these excerpts, Veronica. Maybe dreams are the only way one gets to meet Nuet? Or not a dream after all? Have to keep reading to find out!
~Marcia
Great inner turmoil. Dream or not, she better say something. lol Enjoyed the snippet.
At least she wants to hear what Sandy has to say.
I think Sandy should err on the side of caution with her response.
I’ll be sure to check in next week for it.
Please don’t stop this story yet, Veronica!
This old lady sounds like a straight shooter!
I’m very curious now. Is she someone they’ve been waiting for and Sandy doesn’t know it? You spin fantasy so well and do such a great job world building.
I’m really very curious about what Sandy’s being groomed for, here, and whether this is real (my bet), or merely dream…I’ve had dreams with this level of complexity and detail, which might in part explain the storytelling passion.
I’ve missed a few of these, and I’m not likely to actually get “caught up” because I’m in the middle of so many things right now, but I always love stopping by, because there’s always something that spurs my imagination.
Uh- oh. I feel like this elderly lady isn’t going to be very helpful towards Sandy. Can’t wait to see what she says to the last line.
Thank you, everyone, for the comments and for being so engaged in the scene, which makes it really fun for me! I figure we’ll go all the way to the end of this scene, so you’ll have some of the answers for this specific encounter. (Meanwhile, poor Mark…but he’s on his own right now LOL.)
I want to know what Sandy has to say. So intriguing!
Bet that surprised her. Someone wanted to hear what she had to say.
She just can’t win, can she? I wonder if she would have been scolded for speaking out of turn if she hadn’t stayed silent.
Very tense, well done.
Good thing she remembered to bow! I wonder what Sandy will end up saying? 😉
What a wonderful imagination you have. This story is fascinating and I definitely want to know more.
That’s a strange way of introducing herself. I wonder what she is expecting from Sandy. Personally, I think Sandy should be the one asking for explanations.
Oooh, thunder rumbling outside at her entrance. Very ominous for this woman, love the air she gives off to make even Sandy know she deserves respect and bows her head.
I’m also beginning to wonder just what purpose or job the Lady of the Star Wind has if these people think she could be a new one. What happened to the old one?