As the Lords of Nordhiem takes shape, currently at 75k words, I realized it's time for a snippet. An older chapter, here we revisit Andro and his infatuation with a certain Randa (not to worry, folks -- it's still a fantasy). Enjoy:
Frost hung thick
and the night deepened. Those about the fire had no complaints, tossing logs into
the heady blaze. Ashes soared into the sky swiftly snuffed out by an autumn
wind. Folks came and went – the heartiest not ready to call it a night. But
Randa had enough and stood to depart some time before midnight. Andro was quick
to offer escort. She shrugged her shoulders in her usual impassive manner. He
took it as ‘yes’.
“Randa,
where are you headed?” hollered Rogan. He could not resist but laugh at the
poor display of Andro chasing at her heel. “The road is the other direction!”
“I know my
way, Rogan. I wasn’t drinking tonight…not as much as you, at least!”
“Then where are you going?” wondered Andro at her
back as they left the others behind.
“Over here,
beside the lake. It is happening again,” she said.
The night
was cold and clear. The stars were dazzling without the moon to guide them.
Randa stepped up to the grassy shoreline and gazed westward. Andro never tired
of looking into those eyes, but this time he turned to see what her surprise
was all about.
“There it is
– so beautiful. Several times this week now,” she said, staring across the
horizon where green lights danced like some late verdant sunset.
“What is
it?” Andro asked.
“Whatever it
is captures my heart. What goes on in the wide-magical world?” she answered.
Andro
scratched his head, more concerned than mystified. “That way is Sindelware. It
is said their Jewels are great gleaming emeralds…”
“I know
that, Andro. I am no half-wit.”
“Randa, of
course not. I wouldn’t ever call you something so…awful.”
She broke
her trance and gave Andro a thoughtful glance. “Thank you. You have always been
nice to me.”
“Well, I…”
“And you
know many roads and wayward paths,” she continued. “What an adventure to seek
out the source of the lights. How exciting to discover something new.”
Andro
thought better of it, if not for the fact Sindelware was nearly as dangerous as
Asenrael. But this was Randa speaking. “I’d be happy to show you…one day.”
“One day?
Tonight, Andro – I want to see it all tonight. Then show me Thalon, Lyle, Larin
and onto the Sea of Nahron. I have seen maps – many such charts hang in Mayor
Hall’s chambers. I love them.”
“We have
something else in common.”
“Indeed we
do,” she said smiling, “and all this time I didn’t see it.”
The words
were kind, but cruel in a way to Andro’s ears. She hadn’t noticed much that
concerned the young Rhine, despite his attempts at gaining her attention. But
this was a new day, and he was nervous and glad all at once with every minute
spent together.
“Come, let us
watch the lights from the bench in Bolin’s yard. Much warmer that way,” he
said, and to his surprise she agreed.
Side-by-side
they sat, staring into the west where an occasional green glow flashed across
the skyline. The stars above shone bright upon the sweep of the lake and offered
Andro a dose of courage. He placed an arm across Randa’s shoulder and she
leaned in, stilling her cold. No dream ever played it better.
When it was
time to take her home, Andro walked as her escort. The hour had grown late.
“So, do you really wish to travel? We can make a short trip to Marist tomorrow.
They must have seen the lights too.”
“I am too
tired to think about it…too much wine, I suppose,” she replied. “Ask me again
tomorrow.”
Andro nodded
as they reached silent Persimmon Lane of her home.
“Shall I walk you to your
door?” he asked.
Randa looked
nervously one way, then another. “Someone is certainly up waiting for me. You are
better off leaving me here.”
He realized the moment was fleeting. Andro positioned himself so he could face her. “Thank you for a
wonderful night.”
But her
reaction was timid…uncertain. She mustered a smile and kissed him on the cheek
– short but sweet. Andro nearly fell over.
“Thank you.
Good night, Andro.”
With that,
she turned and ran home. Andro watched until she made it through her front
door; then he too, as one floating on a cloud, hurried off to his own bed.
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