Dan Melson: July 2018 Archives
This is a piece from the middle. I woke up early this morning and did almost 1000 words, the most I've done in a sitting since we lost Ziggy. First draft here, so not likely to be the final form
******
The elder children's turns ended with a touch against them, so Ilora and Esteban would have a chance to heal before continuing. I might have been a spouse of a Great Family, but I was still their Mom, and they were still my kids. I made sure they healed themselves fully and correctly, and that they filled their energy reserves back to full while they were waiting for their next turn. And I helped them watch and learn from their elder siblings. See how Esteban never lets up? He's making Daddy work to beat him. Four phrases later, Asto allowed Esteban to score a touch on his thigh, before the riposte slashed Esteban across the cheek, ending his turn. Had it been a real duel, Asto's weapon would have sliced Esteban's head in two and disrupted brain function. The kids knew what was at stake - there was no crying about the Game of Houses or the preparation. They were ready to offer Esteban help with healing, but it wasn't necessary. He immediately clamped down on the blood vessels on the left side of his face He'll be as good as new in just a few minutes, I told the others, while Ilras was taking his turn. I helped wipe the blood away while counseling Esteban, just because a touch is a chance to drain your opponent doesn't mean every touch is a good touch. What good is something they can heal in two seconds if it lets them kill you?
Yes, Mama, Esteban replied, in a tone of infinite patience, letting me know he'd absorbed the lesson already, thank you very much. Silly Mama. He had a competitive instinct Ilora lacked, for all her sunny personality. My first pregnancy had more than its share of challenges, including a duel that would have killed me if Esteban hadn't been a part of it. I worried less about Esteban than I did the others. He'd be ready for adulthood in plenty of time.
Asto's splinter wasn't taking breaks longer than necessary to change blades for a new opponent. He didn't have to breathe, and he could draw plenty of energy via matra to keep himself going. And the splinter had all of my husband's knowledge and skill. But he knew the kids were still kids. After three turns each, he called a halt, and the kids cheered. Play with us, Mama! they all demanded.
I was confused for a fleeting moment, until Asto told me, I promised to teach them Natural State Survivor after three rounds.
Well, it wasn't often Mama got to do something fun as part of being Mama. They didn't have to ask a second time. Natural State Survivor it is!
Kusaan del: It means 'finger of fate'. When it points at you, do you step up, or do you quietly step aside?
Life in the Empire has finally settled down. The last of the ston rebels have taken amnesty, and re-joined civilization - or have they? A massive terrorist attack kills millions and the trail leads the investigator straight to a remote world with no known Imperial contact - a world known to its inhabitants as Earth
Book One of Rediscovery, a 'tight' trilogy of novels plus a sequel, set in the Empire of Humanity, where ships move millions of light-years in quantum time, medical technology can keep you young and healthy indefinitely, and unshielded planets can be destroyed almost without noticing, but people are still human - or a little bit more
Available on Amazon and most other online retailers
Buy My Science Fiction Novels!
Dan Melson Amazon Author Page
Dan Melson Author Page Books2Read
Links to free samples here
The Man From Empire
Man From Empire Books2Read link
A Guardian From Earth
Guardian From Earth Books2Read link
Empire and Earth
Empire and Earth Books2Read link
Working The Trenches
Working the Trenches Books2Read link
Rediscovery 4 novel set
Rediscovery 4 novel set Books2Read link
Preparing The Ground
Preparing the Ground Books2Read link
Building the People
Building the People Books2Read link
Setting The Board
Setting The Board Books2Read link
Moving The Pieces
Moving The Pieces Books2Read link
The Invention of Motherhood
Invention of Motherhood Books2Read link
The Price of Power
Price of Power Books2Read link
The End Of Childhood
The End of Childhood Books2Read link
The Fountains of Aescalon
The Fountains of Aescalon Books2Read link
The Monad Trap
The Monad Trap Books2Read link
The Gates To Faerie
The Gates To Faerie Books2Read link
Gifts Of The Mother
Gifts Of The Mother Books2Read link
The Book on Mortgages Everyone Should Have!
What Consumers Need To Know About Mortgages
What Consumers Need to Know About Mortgages Books2Read
The Book on Buying Real Estate Everyone Should Have
What Consumers Need To Know About Buying Real Estate
What Consumers Need to Know About Buying Real Estate Books2Read