Sunday Snippet: Feeding the Fury

Geez, half of May is gone and I have no idea where it went. At least the weather has somewhat improved and feels more like spring heading into summer.

Had a fairly decent week of work and television viewing. Finished up a project and completed another one.

I started a new episode of Blue Heelers and got about halfway through. So far, it's an interesting one.

I caught the penultimate episode of No Offence. I have a feeling the finale is going to be a doozy. I'm looking forward to starting the third series.

I finished up the second part of Silent Witness. I should be ready to move on to season eleven in the near future. I think I have one more two-parter to watch.

Watched another arc of Classic Who. Once again, I got a little annoyed with Four. There's something about his arrogance that rubs me wrong. Pretty decent four-part series of episodes leading up to the six-part finale, which I'm looking forward to.

Caught another episode of UFOs: The Lost Evidence. This one focused on pilots and astronauts that had experiences seeing unidentified flying objects.

Watched a couple of The Muppet Show episodes. Don Knotts and Zero Mostel were the guests. I'd forgotten they had a new opening for the second season. I'm kind of partial to the first season's opener.

Caught another episode of The Hardy Boys. I like this show. For me, there's a lot of nostalgia because it harkens back to phones with cords, unorganized or unstructured days, eight-bit video games, and hanging out with friends. The mystery and dangerous stuff is icing on the cake.

Also started another episode of Peak Practice. Jack's in Africa and Beth and Will are trying to manage the practice while they wait on a replacement doctor. I have a feeling this episode might end up being a sad one.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Feeding the Fury, a novella where my main characters join forces to defeat a harsh antagonist.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Larue and Wade displease the Fury and she orders them to battle each other in the pyre. But the two top mages decide they won't kill each other for her pleasure, instead they'll invoke the Rite of Phoenix and if they survive, the Fury will have to abdicate her throne.

And a preview snippet…

Larue strolled the perimeter of the training room, observing her novices work increasingly difficult spells. "They're such a good group." She enjoyed this class so much.

Making another circuit, she paused and helped one of the youngest students adjust her technique. "Hold your palm level, don't curve your fingers." Larue demonstrated the proper method.

The pupil gave her a wide smile. "Thanks, Larue. I always struggle with the right placement." She practiced several times, gaining confidence.

Larue grinned. "There you go. And trust me when I say you'll appreciate the nuance." She waited a beat. "Especially when curved palms bring forth something completely different. Instead of a fire ball you end up with what amounts to a snow cone."

The group laughed then all eyes went wide when a portal closed behind Wade. They'd been so engrossed none had noticed it opening.

Wade quirked an eyebrow. "Listen to her. She's right, you know. Getting a handle on the subtleties now will save your ass in the future." He moved to stand by Larue's side.

She waved the novices back to their practice. "I'm pretty sure you just made everyone's day by dropping in." Her gaze narrowed. "Why did you?" Not like him to intrude during lesson-time.

He shook his head. "I didn't make their day. You did. You're well-liked and this group kind of worships you." He started for the exit but angled his head around. "As they probably should." He gave her wide grin before leaving her space.

The compliment warmed her even if he'd dodged answering the question. She loved teaching and watching talent bloom in the younger wards. Their struggles and achievements reminded her of how hard but rewarding magick could be. This class especially made her proud.

She frowned. "I hate that their talent will be used to keep Helena in power." A kick of guilt landed in her chest.

Larue had no place to go when she couldn't control her power and Helena had taken Larue in. She learned control and discipline and quickly advanced up the ranks. Becoming the top female mage surpassed anything Larue thought she'd accomplish.

"I found a home here." But lately she'd been unsettled.

An itchy, edgy uncertainty crawled in her mind. Something big loomed on the horizon and Larue felt the pull whenever Wade entered her vicinity. And when Helena went on a rampage, which seemed to be more frequent lately.

Larue dismissed the novices because her concentration had been broken and they'd worked hard today. She gave each an encouraging word on their way out. Why didn't Helena foster this kind of reward system?

Larue snorted. "Because she has people like me who do." Even when Helena had given Larue a place to stay and learn, others taught her.

Helena had better things to do, like arrange pyre tournaments where she pitted mages that had fallen out of favor or those she'd grown bored with against each other or had them go up against her current champions. Larue earned her top spot by defeating her predecessor who promptly ended up banished to another realm.

She still had reservations about that. "Maybe that's why my gratitude only goes so far." She could be next on Helena's hit list, top spot or not.

Her mind went back to Wade's unexpected appearance in the class. He fascinated Larue but she never gave any indication she might be interested in anything more than friendship. Wade could have his pick of anyone in Helena's orbit, including the Fury herself. And … Helena made it clear she'd soon have him and no one dared deny her.

I love this story. Larue and Wade are ready for change and they'll have as much as they can handle in the near future.

That's it for this week.

 

Cheers!

Skye