Tag Archives: Song and Sword

A bit of a reunion in Song and Sword this week, picking up from last week’s post.

“We gained a new companion in the night,” Pashevel told him.  “Someone who is very anxious to speak with you.”

Dakkas felt a cold clutch of terror, remembering the voice – so familiar yet so elusive! – from the dungeon. But Pashevel knew about him, knew that he had been the one behind the torture – surely he would not have invited him to the camp! 

 “Calmly, friend. There is nothing to fear. You are safe.” 

“But who…”

Pashevel smiled and stepped to one side, directing his gaze out to the clearing in front of their shelter. Sonata’s blue-black coat was a dark shadow in the morning; Justice glowed white and gold next to her. And with them was a third unicorn, his coat gleaming a rusty red in the morning light, and Dakkas gave a cry of pure joy. “Rebel!”

Marlia half-woke and looked to see what had roused her. As always, her eyes sought Pashevel first, and she followed his gaze. Dakkas stood, leaning into the chest of a unicorn, kneading his withers. The unicorn tucked his head, pressing it against the Drow’s back, holding him there, and she could not help but smile as she lay back again, still exhausted. She turned her head to find Pashevel watching her, a knowing smile on his lips, and she scowled and rolled over, pulling the blanket over her. 

Pashevel chuckled softly; she didn’t want to admit that he was right, but he would win her over. She just needed a chance to get to know Dakkas the way he had, needed to see what he had seen.

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?

Available for Kindle at Amazon

and at Smashwords for everything else

Find more great reading
at the Sunday Snippet group.

More from Song and Sword.  I’m thinking I might use Camp NaNoWriMo next month to get back to work on the sequel.

Dakkas was awakened by a hand on his arm, shaking him gently.  “What–?” he sat up, looking around wildly.

“Shh.”  Pashevel held a finger to his lips as he nodded toward the sleeping women and motioned for Dakkas to follow him.

Careful not to disturb Kashrya, Dakkas eased out from under the blanket, and blinked. “It doesn’t hurt,” he whispered.

“Marlia woke up a couple hours ago and healed you. She’s going to need a long rest before she’s fit to travel.” He stood and helped Dakkas to his feet, guiding him away so they could talk without disturbing the women.

“What’s wrong?”

“We gained a new companion in the night,” Pashevel told him.  “Someone who is very anxious to speak with you.”

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?

Available for Kindle at Amazon

and at Smashwords for everything else

Find more great reading
at the Sunday Snippet group.

More from Song and Sword.  Dakkas asked Pashevel why he was helping them when he didn’t even know them.

Pashevel shrugged. “You needed help,” he said easily.

“But I’m a Drow!” Dakkas protested. “No one helps a Drow.”

A smile played over Pashevel’s lips as he shrugged. “I help those who have need,” he replied. “As does Marlia.”  

Dakkas shook his head. “I saw the look in your eyes when you realized what I was.”

Pashevel looked down. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “That was a knee-jerk reaction, and I apologize for prejudging you.” He looked up, meeting the Drow’s eyes. “Will you forgive me?” 

Dakkas stared at him in disbelief. An Elf apologizing to a Drow? He looked at the hand Pashevel had offered him, and reached for it, grasping the Elf’s forearm, feeling Pashevel’s long slender fingers wrap around his own arm, the touch firm but gentle, mindful of his wounds.

“Now, eat, my friend,” Pashevel said after a moment. “And sleep. And in the morning, call your unicorn.”

Dakkas nodded, slowly releasing his arm and turning his attention to the bowl of stew. The rich meaty taste of it filled him with warmth, and a slow feeling of contentment came over him as he glanced over at the women, both sleeping peacefully.

“I don’t think I can sleep,” he said.

Pashevel chuckled. “Dakkas, my friend, you are about ready to drop.  I’ll be surprised if I don’t look up and find you face down in your soup.”

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?

Available for Kindle at Amazon

and at Smashwords for everything else

Find more great reading
at the Sunday Snippet group.

Returning to Song and Sword for a while, until I decide on something else to torture you with and picking up from last week.

Pashevel settled Marlia on her bedroll and then took Kashrya from Dakkas, holding her as he slid from Sonata’s back, noticing the way he moved, the way he leaned against the unicorn for support. “He’s about done in,” Pashevel thought as the Drow reached for Kashrya. Silently he handed her to him, letting him carry her to the blanket he had laid out for her, shaking his head in admiration at the sheer determination that kept him on his feet.

“Come, friend,” Pashevel invited when he had gotten Kashrya settled. “They’ll both sleep now, so let’s get you some real food.”

Dakkas nodded, too weary to argue as he joined Pashevel at the fire. He took the bowl of stew that was offered, the scent making his stomach growl. He paused, looking up at Pashevel. “Why are you doing this?”

The question caught the Bard by surprise. “Doing what?”

“Helping us. Giving us food and shelter and healing. You don’t even know us.”

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?

Available for Kindle at Amazon

and at Smashwords for everything else

Find more great reading
at the Sunday Snippet group.

Returning to Song and Sword for a while, until I decide on something else to torture you with and picking up from last week.

“Nevertheless,” Pashevel said, touching Sonata’s horn, “there’s no sense hurting when help is easily had. Come.” He held out a hand to help Dakkas to his feet. “Mount Sonata and I’ll hand Kashrya up to you.”

Dakkas looked at him, startled. “She agreed to carry me?”

Pashevel nodded as he lifted Kashrya. He looked at Dakkas, struck by a sudden thought. “You have a unicorn?” 

Dakkas stood next to Sonata, stroking her neck gently, inhaling the sweet scent of her. “Yes. I – I did, anyhow. I don’t know what’s become of him while I – we…” He could still hear Rebel’s screams and tears filled his eyes.

Sonata swung her head and gently touched Dakkas with her horn, and he felt her permission to mount, felt an assurance that it was all right, that… Startled he took a half step back. “I think she’s trying to tell me that my unicorn is all right, that Rebel is all right…”

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?

Available for Kindle at Amazon

and at Smashwords for everything else

Find more great reading
at the Sunday Snippet group.

Returning to Song and Sword for a while, until I decide on something else to torture you with and picking up from last week.

Skipping ahead a bit from last week.

Justice tossed his head, looking intently toward the hilltop. Pashevel followed his gaze and saw Marlia wobble and half fall, saw Dakkas move to catch her and help her to the ground. “Must be done,” Pashevel murmured. “Let’s go get her and bring her down here.” Justice was closer, so he reached up and touched his horn, asking a question. The unicorn lowered his head in acquiescence and Pashevel vaulted lightly onto his back. Justice shifted into an easy canter, Sonata at his side. 

Dakkas looked up as they approached. “She just fell,” he said, his voice worried and a touch defensive. 

“I know,” Pashevel said, sliding off of Justice. “Sometimes when a healing is especially intense, it drains her.” He picked her up and lifted her onto Justice where her instincts took over and she gripped the unicorn with her legs even as she slumped forward over his neck. “Come on, Dakkas, let’s get them down to the fire. The wind is picking up and the last thing we need is for them to get a chill. Or you either,” he added, nodding toward the Drow’s back. “Marlia can take care of that once she’s slept.”

“It’s nothing,” Dakkas protested. He deserved the pain, the scars – neither would ever match the pain and scars that would be on his heart when Kashrya left him.

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?

Available for Kindle at Amazon

and at Smashwords for everything else

Find more great reading
at the Sunday Snippet group.

Returning to Song and Sword for a while, until I decide on something else to torture you with and picking up from last week.

Pashevel bowed. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.” He knelt and gently spread a blanket over Kashrya, covering her. “I’m going to set up a campsite over there.” He indicated a spot surrounded by boulders. “It’s a bit more sheltered from the elements, and a little less exposed than this hill top.” He saw a startled and guarded look in the Drow’s eyes, and smiled sadly. “I don’t believe either of you got those wounds from a cave in,” he said softly, “which means that there may be some enemies about.”

Dakkas nodded, glad that the Elf – Pashevel – was not pressing him for information. He wasn’t ready to talk about it yet, but once he knew that Kashrya would be all right he would tell them anything they wanted to know.

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?

Available for Kindle at Amazon

and at Smashwords for everything else

Find more great reading
at the Sunday Snippet group.

Returning to Song and Sword for a while, until I decide on something else to torture you with and picking up from last week.

Sadly he [Dakkas] stroked Kashrya’s hair as he began to sing to her, the same lullaby he had been singing when the Elves had arrived. He was going to lose her. Once she realized that he was a Drow, once she realized that she could go with the Elves, to find people that would accept her… He had no illusions as to which she would prefer – an outcast member of an outcast race, or the Elves. He hung his head, not wanting the Elf to see his tears.

“Here.” Reflexively he looked up, his eyes falling on a travel cake. “I’m thinking you need something to tide you over while I get some supper started.” Hesitantly he reached for it, glancing up to try to read the Elf’s expression. “I don’t bite.”  There was gentle humor in the voice, and a deep understanding. “My name is Pashevel.”

“Dakkas.” He took the travel cake and broke off a bite. “And this is Kashrya.”

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?

Available for Kindle at Amazon

and at Smashwords for everything else

Find more great reading
at the Sunday Snippet group.