It’s Starting to Feel a Lot Like Christmas

Greetings my Wednesday blogging buddies! I hope you’re all feeling amazing, productive and not too stressed in the lead up to the holiday season/end of the year. (Are we that close already?? Where did the last five months go??) As you may have noticed, I’ve been a little absent since the end of NaNoWriMo. I decided to take a week off from everything to recharge and recover from having my wisdom teeth out (it went well and thanks to all the lovely people who sent me their well wishes. You guys are the best 🙂 ) Yesterday, I started finalising the edits for Queen of Hearts before I send it out to those who volunteered to read it. It’s a tad daunting being at this stage of the process but I’m really looking forward to the next steps. I’ve also been busy packing for my overseas adventure. I’ll be studying in Edinburgh for six months and I am so so so so excited (and yes, to all those sharp eyed WIPpeteers, that’s the same uni/time frame as fellow WIPpeteer Rachel). I’m planning to start a travel blog while I’m overseas so I’ve been doing some research on that as well. So, in summary, ROW80 goals are progressing as I’d like them to although I would have liked to participate in WIPpet Wednesday last week. Alas, it wasn’t to be.

Speaking of, here is today’s WIPpet Wednesday contribution. As always, it’s hosted by the amazing K.L. Schwengel and you can check in on the other WIPpeteers here. Today’s excerpt is a sort of continuation from this scene from Queen of Hearts where we saw Patrun, working in the heat of Inbaas, find a letter with a purple seal. This letter eventually ends up in the hands of Semaia (Mai) who passes it to her brother Anjez. This is actually one of the few scenes where we get to see life in neighbouring Bashraan rather than Kara’s native Fariel. Enjoy. 🙂

The guards let Semaia pass without question and she hurried through the warren of courtyards and chambers to find Anjez. When she entered his room, she found him seated at his desk, pouring over a scroll in a foreign script.

He looked up and smiled, “Greetings, sister.”

“Greetings, brother,” she leant down and placed a kiss on his forehead, “I have news.”

“News?” he rolled up the scroll.

“From our friends in the west.”

“I see,” he lowered his voice, “What news?”

She passed him the now crumpled letter.

He unfolded it and read:

To His Serene Highness, Anjez, Prince of Bashraan and all its associated realms,

I write to warn you of an Haelean plot to gain by subterfuge the throne of Fariel. It is believed that this plot includes but is by no means limited to the murder of His Gracious Highness, Brythorn, Prince of Fariel and all its associated realms. In accordance with the treaty signed in Inbaas, born witness to by men and gods, I call you to the aid of your ally, the Kingdom of Fariel.

Further news to be delivered as it occurs. When the Haeleans threaten military action, you will be the first to know.

As always, your friend and ally, Her Gracious Highness, Karavere, Princess of Fariel and Duchess of Kandar.

“What does it say?” Mai asked, peering over his shoulder.

“It’s from Kara. She’s called to Bashraan for aid.”

“Then we must answer.” Mai replied.

“Indeed,” he nodded grimly, “we must.”