Sunday Snippet: Rule of the Son

Had a rough week with an ear infection and a cracked tooth. The antibiotic is definitely helping but functioning with a fuzzy brain from discomfort is not fun.

I did get a lot of Batman: The Animated Series episodes in. I started with season one number forty-eight and ended with sixty-four. I'm not all the way through "Paging the Crime Doctor" yet but should finish it up today.

Again, there were a few forgotten but so good episodes. "The Mechanic" and "The Man Who Killed Batman" are two that were excellent. Interestingly, Sid the Squid is mentioned later but it's not the same character from "The Man Who Killed Batman."

Two of my favorite two-parters were in this bunch, "Robin's Reckoning" and "Shadow of the Bat." I loved both. The first because it dives into Dick's backstory and shows how much Bruce and Batman care for Dick / Robin. The second because it introduces Batgirl. Another two-part arc with Ra's and Talia, "The Demon's Quest," is also pretty solid.

I also forgot about the second concluding (I think) episode "Day of the Samurai" that wrapped up Bruce's history with his instructor and rival.

"Zatanna" is another one I always enjoy. I love seeing the journey Bruce took to become Batman. I also enjoyed "Read My Lips" that introduced the ventriloquist. One I forgot about is "Fire From Olympus," which feels a little out of place in the Batman realm but I kind of like it because of that.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Rule of the Son, book three of the tentatively titled Chronicles of Pythia series.

Here's the mini-blurb:

With help from the Book of Pythia, Aleina Foyle and Alston Saddington establish a new colony and end their journey to find a new home. Now that their goal is achieved, they have to return the essences of Aurora and Apollo to the dieties, which creates a dilemma—the couple is called to create the new government and both are exhausted … until Pythia comes up with a solution to help them out.

And a preview snippet…

The oracle Pythia greeted the couple entering through the mists. "Hello. Welcome back." She clasped their hands and helped them cross the threshold into the non-mortal realm.

Aleina Foyle and Alston Saddington wouldn't be able to stay long, but Pythia needed to speak with them face-to-face. She only hoped they understood why she'd brought them to her under false pretenses.

Aleina gave Pythia a tight smile. "You didn't mention how wild and bumpy it would be to get here." She paused a moment. "Is that because we're losing the essence of Aurora and Apollo?"

Alston stayed silent, as he usually did. He roamed the perimeter of the stone grotto, his gaze sweeping from left to right then up and down. The man would always try to get his bearing before he did anything else.

Pythia returned Aleina's smile. "I apologize for the journey. Although, it shouldn't be anything you're not already used to." She waved Aleina toward the small table surrounded by comfortable chairs. "I have to commend you and Alston for a job well done. You've accomplished what no one thought you could." And they had one more task ahead…

If they agreed to help one more time.

Alston made his way over and settled back into one of the chairs. "Where are the deities? Aren't they supposed to be here so we can transfer the life-force back?"

Pythia gave an inward sigh. Leave it to Alston to jump ahead several steps. And cut her timeframe short.

Aleina reached out and placed her hand on his forearm. "Patience, Alston. We just got here." She slid her gaze to Pythia. "But our time will be short, won't it?"

Pythia lifted her chin. "Yes, mortals can't remain in the grotto for extended periods." They shouldn't be able to exist on the immortal coil at all.

Rising, she paced back and forth, knowing what needed to be said but not quite how to say it. Something of a conundrum for an oracle. And, well, she didn't have a lot of time to get the couple on board before Apollo and Aurora came to retrieve their essences.

Returning to the chair, she seated herself on the edge. "I haven't thanked you yet, so please accept my gratitude for tireless effort in getting humanity to its new home."

Aleina tilted her head to one side after exchanging a sideways glance with Alston. "There's more, isn't there." She made it a statement instead of a question.

Pythia hesitated… "Well … yes."

Alston spoke, his words a low growl. "What else do you want us to do?"

This is a fun series. I'm taking some creative license and mixing genres, which I love to do.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye