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Shield of Namarr is a sword-and-sorcerer type fantasy WIP, set in a kingdom that suffers from magically-created, vicious creatures. Three friends bought a finding-things-lost potion, and set out to track down a stolen magical stone–they have found a river they must ride across, one at a time, with a rope around their waist in case of daggerfish attack, and as Auber crosses last, something smacks into the horse.
Shan groaned, and heard Regan yelp.
White faced, Auber urged Nemesis forward, faster, out of the water to the safety of land. The gelding certainly tried, muscles straining, nostrils flared, neck stretched out, halving the distance to the shore in a few powerful strokes of his legs.
Something hit him again, throwing up a splash of water by his side. Water churned, with a flash of silver amidst the muddy blue-green froth. He screamed, more challenge than pain, though red threads billowed on the surface of the water.
“Hurry!” Shan shouted, knowing it wouldn’t help, but unable to resist, “Get ready to pull, Reagan!”
* * *
Originally, Shield of Namarr was intended to be a very short snippet, but some things I wrote at the end raised some questions–which led to more story. I’m currently working on some world-building and character development so I can figure out where the story goes next.
Shan, Auber, and Reagan visit a Stonespeller, a mage who works mostly in animated stone, to buy a potion that will help them recover a lost stone, the Shield of Namarr, which powers a shield that keeps magically-created, dangerous creatures from entering the city they live in. Failure to return the Shield quickly will have deadly consequences for their friend, Jamie, whose life-force is currently powering the shield-spell.
caitlinsternwrites 
Nice action sequence!!
Thanks! River crossings can be fun, when there’s more than just leaves in the water.
Whatever’s attacking Reagan must be lethal and powerful. Nice 8!
Reagan’s on the shore, actually. But yes, what’s in the water is pretty dangerous. 😉
Look forward to seeing what it is.
Love the forward motion of the scene. I felt the pull and anxiety of danger with safety so close. Super eight.
I’ve watched perhaps one too many bad monster movies–they always attack when safety is close, don’t they?
Oh no! I knew something was coming but now I’m really worried. Great job with the scary action.
I bet anyone who’s read a few snippets can guess what’s in the water, but I was trying to make it a bit tense anyway. Glad it’s working!
Ah, I’m scared for horse and rider! I’m pulling for Reagan to make it across!
(It’s Auber on the horse, actually.) Nemesis and his rider are pretty tough–and pretty close to safety.
Exciting and vivid scene, well done!
Thank you! I’m glad I’ve never crossed a river quite this exciting, myself.
That’s some turbulent water!
The horse–and the attacker–are churning it up pretty well. That poor little stream is going to be muddy for a while after wards!
Intense action. Vivid descriptions. I hope that they all make it across all right!
Two of them have, at least. I make no promises for Auber. 😉
When I read, “The gelding certainly tried”, I knew it wasn’t going to go well. And then the silver and the blood . . . whew!
Excellent scene, Caitlin!
They’re not out of the river yet–but neither are they out of the fight!
Nooo, not Nemesis! Tense and potentially heart-breaking. Great snippet.
Nemesis is a pretty tough guy. Don’t count him out yet.
Eeek! That was an intense bit of action. I’m dying to know what’s in the water! Great snippet!
Bad things. Magically created bad things. 😉
Ack! So tense! Terrific 8!
Have to watch out for the monsters in the water!
Just when we thought it was safe to go in the water again… The danger is so tangibe. Great 8.
It’s never safe to go into the water. Never!
If your world doesn’t have scientists who think making mutant piranha is a good idea, it has fleshchanger mages who look at a dangerous fish and ask ‘what can we do to make this worse?’
Good grief, this is intense! Especially loved this bit: The gelding certainly tried, muscles straining, nostrils flared, neck stretched out, halving the distance to the shore in a few powerful strokes of his legs. – Wonderful description and action!
Nemesis is a bad@ss of a horse. 🙂
I hope the horse makes it. (and his rider!)
I make no promises, but the snippets will go far enough so you can know. 🙂
Great snippet! It flows well and i can’t wait to read more.
Next snippet posts very early tomorrow. 🙂