Chapter 6.5
“The Windy Territories lie to the North,” answered Jaala.
Katashi considered this for a moment. “You seem hesitant. There are tales of ghosts, ancient civilizations, and giant ruins but the Territories are a desolate land that hold nothing of interest.”
“Oh there are tales, my young Zealot. And there are also the Haizea who belong to a civilization that was at its zenith when our ancestors were squatting in the mud, skinning hares with stone knives.”
“The Haizea? Are they related to the Kaldone?”
Jaala let out a peal of irreprisible laughter. “Oh no, my friend. They are unlike the Kaldone in every way imaginable. Where the Kaldone are solid and brutish, the Haizea are emphemeral and subtle. Some call them ghosts, some Elementals. Either way they cannot be dealt with by the blade or the bow, at least not without some sort of aid.”
“Cuauhtemoc’s pin!”
Damn the boy is quick, thought Jaala. “The pin is one way, but force will get us nothing. As I mentioned they are nothing like the Kaldone. They only let those in who have something they want.”
“But we have nothing,” protested Katashi.
“I have something that may interest them. I hope at any rate. Now, please let’s start on our way.”
Katashi realized then that Jaala was eager to move. The man exuded anticipation and this partly amused Katashi and partly frightened him. Focusing on the pin, he allowed the tug to draw him to the North and slightly East. Away from the Shikoba tracks. Well that is one group we shouldn’t have to worry about, thought Katashi, having no idea what it was he should be worried about.
I just read through the chapters so far, and it’s really very interesting. I’m curious to see what happens next. I’ve also been posting chapters of my story on my blog, but I see you are cleverer, breaking up the chapters. Much easier to read than long ones.
Thanks Eleanor. This is a collaborative effort between Bergsteiger and I. We try and do one post a week, and we hold the entire plot, notes etc., on a shared ‘MindMeister’ mind map. Give us a link to yours so we can check it out.
eleanorbarton.wordpress.com
Most of my posts are ramblings as I try to work through bits of the story, but I’ve put up a few chapters. The novel itself is a sort of YA fantasy.