I’m so excited to be doing Voice Week again! This year my voices will need a bit more context than last year. I always try to use voices from a project I’m already working on. Last year, this helped me infinitely. I hope this year will be the same.
These voices come from the fantasy novel I’m wrapping up called Winds Blow. The context required here is a brief description of the fantasy elements present that might be confusing in such a small piece.
1. The term “ward” is here used as a gender-neutral replacement for “lord.”
2. Every character is fireblood, earthblood, airblood, or waterblood. Some characters possess elemental magic, but some do not.
3. That’s pretty much it. Enjoy!
The Rose of Ashbrook is a bastard, and a fireblood bastard, moreover. I knew fireblood bred savages! I simply had no proof until now because her mother is so damn hospitable. The Rose came to me in the midst of the Storm of Storms and asked me to shelter her and her warriors. Of course my gracious heart welcomed my youngest son’s betrothed into my loving home, and she abused me. Well, she will know how Ward Amandín of Water’s Edge handles wily little wenches like her. She will be drowned in the sea. Death in armor: a soldier’s death. She should be grateful I let her maintain her dignity, not that she had much to begin with.
christina kann 
A nice peek at your novel. I am interested in your characters and will certainly be back to read more.
Thanks!
Cool! I get the feeling this vengeful ward is maybe not just a victim in this – that maybe the Rose isn’t as bad as he paints her, and that he’s not quite as gracious as he paints himself. I’m very interested to read more. : )
Ward Amandin is indeed a little dramatic. Thanks so much for reading!
Oh my, sounds like a Ward scorned, a very powerful voice, and completely captivating, cannot wait to read more.
Thanks so much for reading!
Wow… Someone’s got an axe or two to grind. I get the impression of a lot of pride. I want to know other sides of the story, too, as this sounds like a definite case of “unreliable narrator.”
Gotta love an unreliable narrator, eh?
Someone is PISSED. The anger and righteousness came shining through
Glad to hear his feelings are clear. Thanks for reading!
Love how the Ward calls him/her self gracious. I’m not sensing much grace here. An interesting voice – you clearly know this character very well, which always helps.
Thanks! VW always helps get into characters’ heads that I don’t know too well at the beginning.
I love the righteous indignation, and your word usage… “wench” and “savage.” They give a clear picture of Amandín’s opinion of Rose.
“Righteous indignation” – that’s perfect. That’s totally perfect.
A mother (?) protecting her son? Not someone to be toyed with. Interesting.
It’s a father, although that doesn’t really matter in the end. Definitely not someone to be toyed with. Thanks for reading.
I do love a good fantasy! There’s a real sense of discrimination and arrogance here. I wonder if we’ll hear from the Rose…? Nice work. 🙂
Glad you picked up on the discrimination element. Thanks for reading!
I love the voice and lingo. Nice fantasy feel going on here, and still a very distinct voice. I picture a big, tough woman.
Thanks! The lingo’s my favorite part. Thanks for reading.
Nice bit of world building there, and the wrathful mother-in-law came across really clearly 🙂
Good to hear. Thanks for reading!
Some serious venom there! Hell hath no fury, as they say.
Indeed! Thanks for reading.
This has a rustic feel to it. Nicely written, I am not sure if I side with the narrator… I will wait for other voices before I decide. Nicely written!
Love that you said “rustic.” Check out today’s installment to get some more insight! Thanks for reading
Whoever the Ward is, I wouldn’t want him pissed at me…I wonder if there’s a true reason for this ward’s hatred of the firebloods, or if it’s some perceived slight, the way most things usually are…
Ah, the delightful frustration of an unreliable narrator. Thanks for reading.