Intro <—-* —-> Chapter Two
<<Bernard’s Perspective>>
No one likes to be disadvantaged—to be born a loser. It means you have no magic. You’re indelfy, the underside of civilization. Everyone knows they are nothing. They’ll spend their whole lives wearing ratty old coats handed down from charitable cousins, working for the right to live in a slum, forgotten by everyone who matters.
Bernard intended to change that, even if it meant bending a few rules. The plant he was carrying into the Duke’s presence was one of those rules. “It bloomed today,” he announced when the Duke looked up.
“Magic?” the Duke asked, squinting at the scrubby green bush Bernard held.
He nodded, and hefted it so the Duke could get a better look at the elegant yellow flowers peeking around the leaves.
“It will be ready to invoke within a week. We just need Amy now.”
The cold expression masking the Duke’s face softened a little. “Does she know what you want from her yet?” he asked.
Bernard winced. “I was going to talk to her about it today. She can be hard to pin down.”
He meant for more than a few minutes, if ever, but the Duke nodded with more confidence than Bernard felt. “She’ll listen to you, Invoker.”
Bernard bowed awkwardly around the plant and then turned toward the door, but before he could make it out the Duke’s voice stopped him. “You will be able to pull this off, won’t you?”
His voice was strained, and for a moment the Duke showed his age. It was unnatural to see weakness in him. He looked like a chewed up old fox, even in his human form. He wasn’t supposed to look old.
“Is something wrong?” he queried.
The Duke nodded, and lifted a thick yellow envelope with the seal of the Western Stronghold on it. “I hope you’re swift in convincing her, because without her help I have three days to live.”
Intro <—-* —-> Chapter Two
uninvoked.wordpress.com 
You’ve got the knack. Excellent writing. Keep at it and thank you for visiting my blog. I’ll be back here again. 🙂
Comment by valbrussell — March 1, 2009 @ 7:00 pm |
You’re welcome. It’s been fun running around Word Press seeing what everyone has to say. ^^ You can tell I have nothing to do on my days off.
Comment by uninvoked — March 2, 2009 @ 6:20 am |
Well. That’s it. I’m a goner. No way will I be able to not follow this now. How did you know I was a huge fantasy fan [or dork, you know, whatever you’d rather call it :P].
Anyway, this is already gripping me, and I hope very much to see more and soon!
Comment by slightlyignorant — March 1, 2009 @ 7:40 pm |
Aww, I’m so flattered. Thank you! I’m so glad you like it. I’m planning on putting a new chapter up every Sunday, and adding extras during the week if I feel like it. Since I’ll probably be lurking on your blog anyway, I’ll let you know next time anyway. ^^
Comment by uninvoked — March 2, 2009 @ 6:22 am |
“chewed up old fox” – I like that! I’m looking forward to reading more!
Comment by Helen — March 1, 2009 @ 7:55 pm |
lol, and when I reread that passage I noticed an unclear sentence. Thank you for your comment, both for the kindness and for the chance to sharpen my prose. ^^
Comment by uninvoked — March 2, 2009 @ 6:23 am |
Very good! Looking forward to reading more.
Comment by Eleanor — March 2, 2009 @ 2:56 am |
Thank you. 🙂
Comment by uninvoked — March 2, 2009 @ 6:23 am |
You have me intrigued. I will definitely stop by again. In fact, I added you to my blogroll!
Comment by toldbynoone — March 2, 2009 @ 4:15 am |
Aww. I’m so flattered! I really appreciate it. I’ll be sure to link you back, now that you’ve pointed out that great little tool. ^^
Comment by uninvoked — March 2, 2009 @ 6:24 am |
All I can say is it is a good thing I do not have a regular job or I would not be able to keep up with all the good blogs (writings) out there! I will be back.
Comment by Anne — March 2, 2009 @ 4:26 am |
Well don’t let NaBloPoMo get to your head. ^^ Come back and read when you’re not frantically trying to keep up with every other comment flooding your blog.
Comment by uninvoked — March 2, 2009 @ 6:27 am |
Amazing story, I love it! Can’t wait to read more of it.
Comment by erlenmeyerproductions — March 2, 2009 @ 2:41 pm |
it’s great to see people putting their work out there. keep it up, and thanks for the visit!! best, m
Comment by maghan — March 2, 2009 @ 7:22 pm |
ooh, tension. i like it.
“a chewed up old fox”? yeuch.
every sunday, you say? excellent. i’ll add you to my diary. 🙂
Comment by j1m — March 3, 2009 @ 12:43 pm |
Awesome! I look forward to seeing you next sunday!
Comment by uninvoked — March 5, 2009 @ 3:45 pm |
Great start here — thanks for stopping by!
Comment by inktarsia — March 3, 2009 @ 10:02 pm |
Thank you for stopping here too. ^^
Comment by uninvoked — March 5, 2009 @ 3:44 pm |
Hi, thanks for visting me! 🙂
If you want a story you gotta where a cool shirt. 🙂
Comment by goodbadandugly2 — March 4, 2009 @ 10:03 pm |
I guess I’m gonna have to go out and buy one. 😛
Comment by uninvoked — March 5, 2009 @ 3:43 pm |
Great introduction! The dialog is good, the flow of the chapter is very smooth. Are you planning to post the entire story/novel here? I’ll watch for new additions. 🙂
Comment by jglane — March 5, 2009 @ 1:44 pm |
Yes, the entire novel will be going up here. The next chapter will be available this coming Sunday. 🙂 Monday if you’re in Australia, according to my Aussie buddies.
Comment by uninvoked — March 5, 2009 @ 3:43 pm |
I really like the way you ended the chapter. Is this your first story?
Comment by bukarella — March 7, 2009 @ 8:11 pm |
It’s my first completed novel. I have four short stories published, and several more that are completed but have not yet been sent out. ^^
Comment by uninvoked — March 8, 2009 @ 1:29 am |
Hey, that’s totally judgemental! Maybe some of us like it. You didn’t even consider that, did yaa? huuh? Guess not. Loseeeeeer. 😦 yeahyeah
Comment by krabbesundae — March 11, 2009 @ 8:03 am |