Taking a break from The Academy of the Accord, since I’ve been posting from its books for over a year now. (I’ll come back to them when they’re ready to release. Current goal is 2020.)
So, anyhow, I thought I’d post from Song and Sword, the first novel I published, since I’m working on a sequel and need the motivation. (Man oh man, do I need the motivation!)
Some of you may have seen some of this before. I’m skipping ahead from last week, to introduce Pashevel.
Pashevel leaned back against the trunk of an old oak tree and gazed up at the night sky, raising his flute to his lips and relaxing as the music surrounded him. He closed his eyes and just played, no particular song, just music. It flowed from him and he smiled: music was his greatest joy, his truest passion, his deepest love. There was magic in music – and music was magic. At least, in the hands and voice of a skilled Bard, it was. Especially an Elven Bard.
A soft sound caught his attention and he stopped playing and sat up, returning his awareness to his surroundings. Sonata stood, her head up, ears pricked forward, her attention focused on something in the brush at the far edge of the clearing. She was alert, but not tense – whatever it was, there was no danger.
“What is it, girl?” he asked softly. She tossed her head and there was a gleam of silver where the moonlight struck her horn.
Pashevel stood beside her, following her gaze. Something white stood just inside the edge of the forest, watching them. It moved, taking a few cautious steps toward them, and Pashevel got a clearer look at it – a unicorn. “Friend of yours?” he asked. Sonata flicked an ear dismissively, and he chuckled, then quickly grew serious as he saw the figure slumped over the unicorn’s back. He started forward and stopped as the unicorn tossed his head and half shied away.
“Easy,” Pashevel soothed. “I’m not going to hurt you or your rider. I just want to help. That’s why you came, isn’t it?”
Blurb:
Pashevel: a simple Elven Bard — and the Crown Prince
Marlia: a Paladin of Arithen, the Elven God of Justice – seeking vengeance for the destruction of her village
Dakkas: heir to the Drow throne — if his father and elder half-brother don’t kill him first
Kashrya: raised among a tribe of nomadic Humans, she is unaware of her true heritage — or of the prophecy that made her mother an outcast
Their goal: build a bridge between the Elves and their outcast brethren, the Drow, reuniting them and undoing the damage caused in a time so far gone that history has become legend and legend has become myth.
But first, they have a problem to solve: how do you stop a war that hasn’t started?
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Novel Notes 
Lovely excerpt to introduce your character. Enjoyed the snippet.
Well that was a lovely snippet! I thoroughly enjoyed his enjoyment of making music, and then the smooth segue to the problem presented by the unconscious rider of the unicorn. Very well done!
Beautiful imagery, smoothly written!
Lovely music and unicorn with moonlight on its horn.
Your description of his feeling for music is beautiful.
I bought this book and loved every note, word, and song. :)
Just wanted to let you know that a week later this comment is still making me happy.
His music sounds magical.
Great scene. I love unicorns. :) :)
Love Pashevel’s entrance into the story, and I love how he treats the animals with respect. The lines about music being magic always make me smile, for there could not be something truer about them.