poor man's travel

I think if I should ever acquire a bit of money my first order of business shall be travel. The Elements series (loosely titled so because I'm not sure what it will eventually be) takes place in several worlds created by me. As much as these lands are figments of my imagination, I want them to be based off of truths. How else would I achieve anything close to realism in a world seeped with magic and fantasy?
I spent the morning watching documentaries. Namely, the National Geographic's spread on wild India and China peppered with a few episodes of Survivorman. I found these past few hours to be exceedingly helpful, particularly because I find research books dull and because I'm a far cry away from being able to afford to travel to any of these places on my own...at least, not anytime soon. If I gain any measure of success, perhaps I will beg my publishers to grant me a trip to Asia. In the mean time, these Netflix documentaries are working just fine.
I'm partly through the seventh chapter of "Submerged", a scene I found somewhat boring between Jura and Tylak. I put it aside for now but plan on attacking it tomorrow. After I spend the evening plotting out how to torture the couple in an effort to spice things up.
Coralynn, though mainly a spoiled brat, is stealing into my heart in much the same way as Kay and I think "Submerged" will feature a good healthy dose of them both.

In further news there has been no more evidence of the mouse though I know he's still out there, probably planning his next attack. There are those who argue that I just need to set up some traps but honestly, I haven't got the heart.

Meet the Character KAY

I haven't done an excerpt in a while so here is another character intro. This is Kay, she tends to be everyone's favorite. Book one introduces her but it's in book two that she really starts to shine...

Kay opened both her eyes and smiled. She leaped from her bed throwing on pants and a tunic from the day before. She pushed the sleep out of her eyes and washed her face and mouth before running outside towards the corral. The morning sun was more pink than orange as it peeked over the puffy white clouds. The clouds hung so low in the sky Kay almost felt she could reach out and grab one, well if daddy held her up.

Kay's father was the biggest, strongest and most brave around. Kay knew there was a lot more to the world than her family's acreage but she never had the urge to explore. Their homestead had everything she could ever want. Daddy had built their home himself with his own two hands. Kay often sat in his lap and stared at those hands. His fingers were long and capable, his palm big and hard. Daddy never minded when she climbed up, not even now that she was ten years and getting big for cuddles.

Mama stopped her at the gate and Kay skidded to a halt, annoyed that she hadn't woken up earlier, Mama might not have caught her.

“Where are you going, young lady?” Mama's face was warm and loving as always yet she narrowed her eyebrows in an effort to appear stern. Kay knew that Mama meant it.

“I just want to see him, please Mama? Just for a moment I'll be so quick.” Kay shone down her full smile, the one she showed her mama and daddy when she wanted them to see just how good of a little girl she was. “Please, Mama?”

Mama remained firm. “Chores first. I can't be expected to do everything myself.”

Kay wanted to ignore her mother's wishes but instead thought about all the work Mama would have to do by herself if she neglected her chores. She turned around and headed back towards their house.

Kay had to help Mama with the numerous day to day chores that kept the family functioning.

There were chicken and rabbits to feed. The garden needed constant care and Kay was in charge of watering the plants as well as harvesting the ripe vegetables. The house always needed a good cleaning and laundry was in need of a washing. It was mid morning before Mama announced that Kay had completed enough chores and was permitted to go outside to the corral.

Kay needed no further prompting and ran from the house, kicking up trails of dust as she ran up the dirt road that led to the north barn. The best barn. The building was located on the edge of their property atop a large dirt hill which stood out against the otherwise rolling green hills. She stopped short in front of the massive building. Made of shiny metal and wire the structure leaped from the ground, two double doors dominated the front of the square building. Eager, Kay opened one of the doors.

As the door opened she was immediately aware of the blast of heat that hit her skin and her lungs, the tell tale characteristics inside the north barn. She smiled at the familiar feel and smell of the room. “Daddy, are you in here?”

Her father appeared from the opposite end of the barn. He smiled and waved her over.

“Be careful now, Rumble has a bit of a temper today.”

Kay laughed, “Daddy you say that about Rumble everyday.”

The dragon in question lay curled on his side in a roped off corner of the barn. He opened one lazy eye at the mention of his name but didn't move. Too old to still breed, the dragon lived there out of habit more than anything else. Rumble had been in her family decades longer than Kay, than her father even. Kay had asked her father once how old Rumble was. When he'd been unable to answer she'd demanded the answer from Rumble herself. She'd stood atop his giant magnificent snout and stomped her foot until he'd opened both of his monstrous eyes. The giant black orbs stared at her blankly. Mama had been so scared she's wept like a baby and Daddy had been so mad after he got her safely off she'd gotten a whooping. She'd been six years old. Kay felt that Rumble would never hurt her and it appeared the old dragon was content to spend the rest of his days sunbathing in various spots in the pastures outside the barn. He always returned to the barn at night.

Kay reached her father and fell into his arms. Daddy swooped her up in the air just as she'd known he would and she laughed. “What are we doing today?”

Her father was an important man. Kay had grown up seeing a constant stream of people that traveled across the Sand Sea to trade with her father. They gave furs and and gold and formed pieces of art. Some gave spices or water so fresh and clear there was none sweeter. The list of products traded always differed but the people all came wanting one thing, dragons.

“I caught a new one, she had her guard down. Drinking at the lake this morning,” he pushed back Kay's wild brown curls. “She's pregnant.”

Kay squealed with delight. She loved to watch baby dragons grow. They were born small enough to hold in her hand with shiny scales and dark glistening eyes. The grew fast though, reaching Kay's own size after just a week and they were curious and often got into squabbles with each other and their mother, testing their strength and power. They were intelligent too. They understood when feeding times were and they were aware that they had to return nightly for dinner and the security of the barn. Raised in the barn they seldom ever sought escape and dragons born at the barn were the easiest to train for breeding, probably because they imprinted with her daddy at such a young age.

“Can I see her?” Kay hopped from one foot to the other, twisting her hands in circles. “Oh may I?”

But Daddy said no and instead ordered her to look after Rumble's breakfast, arguing that the newly captured dragon needed time to adjust. The mother dragon would be chained now and though distressed at her capture she would also be nesting and preparing to give birth. Mama had informed them both more than once that Kay was under no circumstances to be placed in any dangerous situations. A newly caught mother dragon would fall under the category of such a situation. More than anything Kay wanted to watch but knew that Daddy would never let her. Probably because he was scared of Mama. Kay didn't know why her father was so frightened of Mama but she could tell that he was because he never went against Mama's wishes. Kay thought it had something to do with the way Mama would cock her head to the side and scrunch up her eyebrows, she could look pretty mean when she did that.

Kay fed Rumble, carefully setting down his portion of mixed meat, today several fat pigs and a bird, a turkey maybe? She left his meat as well as several bushels of vegetables in front of the dragon before she leaped far from the pile and shouted out, “now Rumble!”
The dragon lifted his noble head and blew a stream of fire over his offering. Once the food was sizzling and smoking he devoured his portions, swallowing the meal quickly and sniffing the air around him. Kay had heard the terrible stories of what happened to dragons across the Sand Sea and had asked Daddy about it once. His face had looked very angry and his voice was firm.

“It's not our business what happens to the dragons we sell.”

Kay had kicked at the ground while she thought over this answer. “But don't you feel sad knowing you're giving the dragons away to people that are just going to be mean to them?”

Daddy had been very firm. “We do not give the dragons away Kay. We sell them to pay for the things we need to survive. Don't you love all of your toys? Don't you love where we live?”

“Yes Daddy,” Kay had answered solemnly because she really did love her life just the way it was, she just felt bad for the dragons sometimes.

Mama was always particular to Rumble, more so after Kay had provoked him and he hadn't attacked. She saw him as a member of the family and was constantly reminding Kay that she was lucky to have such a friend in Rumble because most people never got to know dragons and no one counted one as a friend.

Daddy suspected Rumble's natural friendliness towards the family and particularly Kay was just because he was so old and though Mama would always agree it sometimes looked like she wondered.

Kay sat in the dirt beside Rumble, careful to give him plenty of space while he finished his breakfast. She watched him for a moment, smelling her hands and wrinkling her nose at the smell. No wonder dragons had such smelly breath. Finished with his meal Rumble licked the ground where it had been and then sniffed at the air, flicking his forked tongue in and out before fixing one dark eye on Kay.

She held up her hands, “No more. You'll just have to wait for dinner.”

Rumble grunted and twin lines of smoke curled up from his nostrils. Kay watched them, mesmerized. Dragons could come in a variety of colors and Rumble was a deep red color that Kay imagined must be the most beautiful color in all the world.

“It's the color of rubies,” Daddy had once said, showing her a small red stone. Kay had wrinkled her nose at the shiny rock. It was pretty, and while the hue reminded her of Rumble it did nothing to capture the sparkle in his scale or his richness of color.

“You wouldn't hurt me,” she whispered softly. She stood up slowly, keeping her eyes trained on Rumble's mouth. The dragon stood unmoving. She reached out her arm, careful to unfold her fingers one by one, to keep her breathing slow and normal.

“Easy Rumble, I'm not going to hurt you.”

“He's not worried that you'll hurt him,” her Daddy's voice was calm and even. “Come away from him baby.”

Kay sighed and did as she was told, turning her back on the dragon and walking towards her father. She could feel Rumble's eyes watching her leave.

“He wouldn't have hurt me, Daddy.” Her voice was impatient but she was careful not to whine when she presented her case. Daddy always said that if she pleaded her case like an adult she would be treated like one. “Rumble has never been aggressive before. And you even said that when I stood on his nose when I was a little girl he didn't look like he was mad at all.”

Daddy smiled, showing his even white teeth. She liked when they peeked out from behind his scruffy beard. “You're still a little girl.”

Kay narrowed her eyes, “Daddy I'm presenting a case here.”

“Oh, I'm so sorry,” he smiled, lifting his arms in surrender. “Please continue.”

She cleared her throat. “Because Rumble has never acted aggressive towards me and due to the fact that we have established a relationship,” she was pleased to see Daddy's eyes widen at her using such big words. “I propose that I am allowed to try and pet him.” And try to ride him, she added silently to herself. She knew the importance of picking her battles and instead finished her case with, “please Daddy, just let me try one time.”

Her father seemed to actually be considering it, that is, he hadn't said no and was staring off at Rumble when an opening door sent in a rush of outside air. The cool air tickled her sweaty skin and Kay shivered from the goosebumps.

Her father spun around at the open doors and smiled at Mama who stood in the doorway. Though her mother respected Rumble she would never approve Kay's efforts to get closer. Kay sent pleading eyes on her father and he squeezed her shoulder before ushering her to the door by keeping a large steady palm in the small of her back.

“Is it time for me to help get lunch Mama?” She was quick to ask before Mama questioned what they'd been talking about.

“It is, why don't you wash up?” she smiled at Kay before turning serious eyes to her husband. “That's not why I came out here though. There's a buyer here.” Her tone was meaningful and Kay was aware that her parents were communicating, she was missing something and she scowled, she hated being left out. She knew better than to ask any questions however and instead scampered off to the kitchens hoping to reach home before her parents in hopes of gaining a clue on the new buyer.

She ran as fast as she could, ignoring her parents calls that she wait and pumped her tiny legs as fast as they would take her. When she reached their house she was sweaty and breathing hard. She opened the back door and skipped inside, pleased to see the visitor sat waiting inside their small family kitchen. The kitchen smelled of warm bread and Kay smiled deeply at the visitor feeling very satisfied.

“Hello,” she said ripping the corner off the fresh loaf and popping it into her mouth. Mama made the best bread, it was hot and melted in her mouth.

The buyer looked different than the others. In place of the heavy wool robes the man wore a light tunic not dissimilar to her own. His pants stopped just under his knee and ballooned slightly at the bottom. She was interested in his odd clothing but was more fascinated by his shiny bald head. The man's dark eyes slanted down at her.

“Hello,” his voice was low and musical. “You must be Kay.”

Kay smiled, she liked feeling important and she was. The daughter of the dragon catcher, the greatest dragon trainer that ever lived. She stood tall.

“I am.” She inclined her head but didn't demand to know the stranger's name because she didn't want to be rude. When he didn't offer it she cocked her head to the side and thought of what she could say.

“Rumble is my favorite but he's not for sale.”

The buyer's eyebrows lifted and he smiled, “Is that so?”

Kay nodded, feeling braver. “Yup, he's my friend one day I'm going to ride him and everything.”

“Aren't you scared?” The buyer widened his eyes and looked down at her impressed. “What about his big teeth and all that fire?”

Kay shrugged her shoulders. “I'm not scared, Rumble would never hurt me. Besides if he uses his fire at me I'll just move it away.”

“Kay, go to your room.” Her father had appeared and he filled the doorway. He did not look happy.

“Daddy I--”

“To your room.” He didn't even look at her, his eyes were trained on the buyer. She fled from the room but stopped just outside in the hall. She leaned against the wall and took a deep breath trying not to scream. She wouldn't throw a tantrum. Only babies threw tantrums and she was ten years old.

“What are you doing here?” It was her father's voice, he was asking the buyer.

“Is it true? Does Kay have the gift?” The buyer's voice. Kay straightened at the mention of her name.

“I asked you what you were doing here?” It was Daddy's don't ask me again voice which meant that he was good and angry. The buyer would have to apologize now.

“You know why I've come.” The buyer's voice sounded more amused than frightened. Kay frowned and took a step closer to hear what her daddy whispered.

“You can't have her,” at least that's what it sounded like to to Kay and she pressed against the wall, wanting to get closer but scared they would see her. “She belongs here. With her family.”

“It's her duty. Did you think to hide her from us?” The buyers voice was angry now. “ Did you think we would never find out?”

“You can't have her.” Her father repeated and Kay was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude. She was sorry she'd ran ahead and she didn't want to know any more about the mystery man she only wanted him to leave.

She heard a thud and the sound of scuffling and confused and frightened, she turned and ran to her rooms.

House Mouse-1 Lexi-0

I've been hard at work at revising Ignited and outlining and drafting Submerged. Sorry for the terrible excuse, "I've been too busy writing to write".

SO while I'm nowhere close to completing either project I forced myself to step away and drop a few lines. 

I've joined some writing groups via the good old social network, I'm not sure how helpful they've been, but, if nothing else, my twitter and facebook newsfeeds are now flooded with writing prompts and questions, so that part is kind of nice.

I postulate that I am a fine example of a "country girl". I live in Alabama, I love Luke Bryan's bootie, I drink sweet tea and eat grits for breakfast, and I own a fine pair of boots made from Mexican leather...and yet, my life is a lie.

Last night I treated myself to an utterly lazy evening involving a bottle (yes, a bottle, don't judge) of pinot grigio, cheese (I love cheese) and a mini marathon of The Big Bang Theory. My illusion of a perfect night was shattered when what do you suppose ran across my kitchen floor?

A mouse. A horribly tiny, not in the least bit "cute", scurrying mouse.

I screamed, wailed like a banshee is probably more accurate, and leaped to a standing position on the couch even though the mouse in question was actually several feet away.

I stared at the spot on the kitchen floor, blinking and praying that I had been wrong, perhaps I'd had too much wine, perhaps I was just seeing things...it rn across the linoleum floor for a second time.

This time I could do little more than let loose an exasperated moan and squirm further back into the safety of the couch while I stared at the cracked linoleum, terrified it would make another appearance.

It didn't.

However I had a terrible night's sleep, I kept envisioning the mouse coming into my room and crawling into bed with me, don't laugh, they can climb walls.

In short all my grand ideas of being a "country woman" are gone. A good country woman would never fear a tiny ol' country mouse. They probably wouldn't freak out over grasshoppers either but that's another story...