Picking up from last week with the final snippet from this scene from one of the books in The Academy of the Accord series.   (The series is still a work in progress and so is this scene.)

A few notes first because regardless of where this scene ends up it’s dropping you into the middle of a book in the middle of a series.

The Academy of the Accord is a school that trains both wizards and warriors.

Wellhym (and Kordelm) are in charge of the first year cadets and are the seconds in command of the school’s garrison.

Jorsen is a first year cadet – roughly 10 years old. He is… sort of a laughing stock, picked on by kids that are more coordinated.

Marsden is the commander of the garrison. Vinadi is the headmaster of the school.

A Warder is a warrior with an instinct to protect wizards. (And I need to find a different word for “Warder” because it’s kind of hard to pronounce.)

The usual rough draft and creative sentence structure warnings apply.

We pick up from last week — Wellhym has Jorsen back on an even keel, but there is still work to be done.

“So,” Wellhym said, his voice shifting to a lighter tone as he pushed off from the dike and jumped lightly down to the stream bed.  “Now, how about helping me move some of this deadwood out of here? We’ll get the wizards to come levitate it up later and get it cut into firewood for the winter.”

“Can’t the wizards levitate it up from the stream?” Jorsen asked as he joined him.

“They could,” Wellhym replied, watching the boy from a corner of his eye.  “But sometimes physical labor is a good thing – a healing thing.  Chopping wood, for instance.”  

Jorsen stared at him for a moment.  “You knew?”

Wellhym grinned.  “Son, one thing you’re going to have to learn is that when there are wizards around there are very few mysteries that can’t be solved.”

Jorsen flushed, but Wellhym laughed.  “And you are too much like me,” he added. “Even before Cair did a spell I had a feeling it was you.” He ruffled the boy’s hair affectionately.  “Take your boots off, roll up your pant legs, take your shirt off, and go splash water on your face to cool your eyes, and then get to work.”

“Yes, sir!” Jorsen was grinning and Wellhym’s heart lightened: the boy wasn’t giving up – and he would not give up on him.

I’ll be posting snippets from something different next week, but I hope you’ve enjoyed this peek into The Academy of the Accord and a glimpse at a couple of the people who call it home.

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Picking up from last week with another snippet from one of the books in The Academy of the Accord series.   (The series is still a work in progress and so is this scene.)

A few notes first because regardless of where this scene ends up it’s dropping you into the middle of a book in the middle of a series.

The Academy of the Accord is a school that trains both wizards and warriors.

Wellhym (and Kordelm) are in charge of the first year cadets and are the seconds in command of the school’s garrison.

Jorsen is a first year cadet – roughly 10 years old. He is… sort of a laughing stock, picked on by kids that are more coordinated.

Marsden is the commander of the garrison. Vinadi is the headmaster of the school.

A Warder is a warrior with an instinct to protect wizards. (And I need to find a different word for “Warder” because it’s kind of hard to pronounce.)

The usual rough draft and creative sentence structure warnings apply.

We pick up from last week — Wellhym has just told Jorsen that he’s a lot like he was at his age: awkward, uncoordinated, and more of a danger to himself than to others.

(The “them” that is mentioned is the school leaders — Wellhym is recounting a meeting they had about the new students.)

“You, sir?”  For the first time there was a spark of hope mixed with the disbelief in Jorsen’s voice. 

“Like you, I had the strength, but not the grace.  And I reminded them of that fact and assured them that you would grow into yourself.  Do you know what Marsden said?”

Jorsen shook his head.

“Make sure you keep him alive until he does.”

Jorsen managed a smile and Wellhym reached over and gave his shoulders a squeeze.  “I have faith in you, Jorsen. Don’t let me down.”

“I – I’ll try not to, sir.”

“The only way you can let me down is by quitting.  As long as you’re trying, you’re making me – making all of us – proud.”

“Y-yes, sir.”

There was a choke in the boy’s voice and this time the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes were ones of pride and determination.

Want to read more snippets from some really great authors?
Check out Sunday Snippets on Face Book.

Picking up from last week with another snippet from one of the books in The Academy of the Accord series.   (The series is still a work in progress and so is this scene.)

A few notes first because regardless of where this scene ends up it’s dropping you into the middle of a book in the middle of a series.

The Academy of the Accord is a school that trains both wizards and warriors.

Wellhym (and Kordelm) are in charge of the first year cadets and are the seconds in command of the school’s garrison.

Jorsen is a first year cadet – roughly 10 years old. He is… sort of a laughing stock, picked on by kids that are more coordinated.

Marsden is the commander of the garrison. Vinadi is the headmaster of the school.

A Warder is a warrior with an instinct to protect wizards. (And I need to find a different word for “Warder” because it’s kind of hard to pronounce.)

The usual rough draft and creative sentence structure warnings apply.

We pick up from last week — Wellhym has just told Jorsen that he couldn’t hear what the other cadets said to him, but he has a pretty good idea what it was.

“They’re right,” Jorsen burst out, his voice choked. “I don’t belong here.  I should just go back home and…”

“No.”

The quiet authority in Wellhym’s voice silenced him.

“You’re a Warder, Jorsen, we need you. The wizards need you.”

“No.  I’m no good and I never will be. I’m awkward and clumsy and trip over my own feet and I’m more of a danger to myself than any enemy ever could be.”

The boy was shaking and Wellhym resisted the urge to reach for him, knowing that was not what he needed. Instead, he held the boy’s gaze with his own.

“Maybe you are,” he agreed.  “Now.  But you’ll grow into yourself and you will be a force to be reckoned with.  Do you know how I know?”

Jorsen shook his head, struggling to calm his breathing.

 “I know, because the day all of you arrived, we – the school leaders – had a meeting to discuss the new recruits, and it was decided that, yes, you did look like you were apt to trip, fall on your sword, and do yourself in. But it was also decided that you were a lot like me at that age – awkward, not sure how to use your body, and, as you said, more of a danger to yourself than anyone else.”

(I’m really unsure of that last line.  I don’t know if it should read the way it does or if it it should be “not sure how to use my body, and, as you said, more of a danger to myself than anyone else.”)

Want to read more snippets from some really great authors?
Check out Sunday Snippets on Face Book.