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Since it’s July Camp NaNoWriMo and I’ll be working on Song and Shadow, I thought I’d kind of step back from posting from it for a bit and instead show you what led to writing it by introducing the adult Hierik in Song and Sword.
To set the scene: Marlia, a Paladin of Arithen, the Elven God of Justice has been arrested for murder. The “she” in the first paragraph is Lethea, the woman who runs the boarding house they are staying at.
Skipping a few paragraphs from last week. Dakkas and Kashrya are in Marlia’s jail cell with her, waiting for the arrival of the judge.
Another set of footsteps in the hallway set them all on edge, and a moment later a door opened and a tall gaunt man stepped in. He was wearing finely tailored clothes and had the air of someone who was accustomed to the finer things in life – and to getting what he wanted.
“Which one of you is the murderess?” he asked, his eyes flickering between Marlia and Kashrya.
“Neither of them.” Dakkas stood, placing himself between the man and the women. “I thought a judge was supposed to be impartial.”
“A judge is supposed to decide for himself if someone is guilty or innocent. And I always get the truth from my defendants. Now,” he looked past Dakkas, “which one of you is Marlia?”
“I am.” Marlia stood up and faced him. “But I am no murderer. I am a Paladin of Arithen, the God of Justice.”
“Indeed. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Paladin. Always such a sad day when a holy warrior loses their way and turns to savagery.” He looked at Dakkas and Kashrya. “The two of you will need to leave,” he said. “I need to question the Paladin.”
“No,” Dakkas said calmly. “I will not leave her alone with you.”
“Very well,” he shrugged. “You can stay, but do not interfere in what happens, or you too will be up on charges.”
“Don’t do anything to hurt her and I won’t interfere,” Dakkas replied, his stance easy but poised and alert.
The man paused, considering. “Is she your woman?” he asked.
Dakkas did not dare look at Marlia, knowing that if he did they would both burst into laughter. “No,” he replied. “But she my best friend’s Intended, and he and I have a blade between us.”
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?
Novel Notes 
I like the almost-laugh. It brought the whole scene to life.
Dakkas and Marlia got off to a somewhat tense start. She would have as soon killed him as look at him and it took a lot of persuasion from Pashevel (and the fact that he’s the Crown Prince) to keep any sort of peace.
I don’t think much of the judge! A tense situation. Great snippet.
The judge is Hierik, the young Human prince that Pashevel took under his wing in the last set of snippets I was posting. Quite a change, eh?
Oh … that is Hierik? Don’t like him here at all. Makes me wonder what happened that he turned so …. cold, negative.