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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’ve found a river, ride across one at a time, with a rope around their waist in case of daggerfish attack, and as Auber crosses last, something attacks the horse. Shan yells at Reagan “get ready to pull!”
Regan nodded, jaw tense, fingers clutching the mare’s reins, waiting for the right moment to tug Blaze into motion.
Auber’s gelding lashed out with his hooves, hampered by the silt-filled water around him, and jerked again from another impact. This time, instead of regaining his footing, Nemesis collapsed under the surface.
When he surfaced, snorting, a moment later, Auber no longer sat on his back.
Frantic, Shan hauled on the rope as Regan urged Blaze backwards, the rope jerking out of Shan’s hands when the animal finally pulled away. For a moment, their efforts had no effect, the rope disappearing into the churning water as Nemesis thrashed and bellowed, fighting for the shore.
Several heart-wrenching moments later, Auber broke into the open air, hair soaking wet and plastered flat. Batting at the water, Auber kicked, foot catching something under the water, raising a flash of silver scales as a daggerfish leapt clear.
* * *
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.
I love this- so suspenseful! this is such an effective action sequence. *takes notes*
Thanks! I feel sorry for the horse, but he’s a fighter.
Powerful. My heart lurched when Auber fell in the water. I knew you’d save him, Caitlin. Read sighs with relief.
Well, Auber’s not quite out of the water yet… but they’re working on it pretty hard.
Very well paced and full of suspense. You had me engaged the whole way through.
Thanks! It ended up harder to get across the river than I thought. The things we do to our characters!
Yes indeed we put them in tight situations
Great action scene! Completely pulled into it.
Thank you! If you got pulled in, I hope you have a rescue rope! 😉
Exciting and very visual!
Thanks! Auber is doing a drowned rat impression right now. 🙂
Sounds like Auber’s not in the clear yet. Those fish were what they were afraid of, and now they’re here…
They mentioned daggerfish, which pretty much means they were going to see some. Something always pops up when you hope you’re safe!
Oh wow, extremely tense! I could see the entire sequence from your excellent description…great snippet.
There’s a bit more to go, then things relax–until they run into some different critters.
Nice, I like it! I like the premise of the story as well. Looking forward to reading more of it! (I hope Nemesis makes it through ok, those damned Daggerfish!)
Nemesis has the advantage of being pretty large–there aren’t too many freshwater fish that can take down a horse.
Holy daggerfish! My heart is pounding! Great tension and I love the last line. I still worry for Nemesis, but keep my fingers crossed that he can fight his way to safety;).
Nemesis is a fighter, but the daggerfish aren’t done yet.
I love how you bring this scene to life with all the dramatic, tense details.
It’s a tense situation–especially for Auber.
enough small fish can kill. Think of pirhannas.
Oh, yes. The question is–how many daggerfish are in the river?
Gah! Daggerfish!
I held my breath until he took one, Caitlin! Way to crank the tension! 😀
Underwater is bad for humans, with all those requirements for air.
I figured Auber had to end up in the water, or all those precautions would be for nothing. 😉
Very exciting scene. Daggerfish bring to mind sharp teeth and very bad outcomes. Hope the horses make it safely across too.
Two horses (and riders) are safe across, only Nemesis and Auber are in the water–but they’re really close to the shore now… So close, and yet so far!