Snippet for #SFFSat from Grand Master's Pawn

Welcome to another Saturday of Science Fiction & Fantasy snippets exchanged by writers. http://scififansat.blogspot.com/ 

Join us to read snippets from the works of different writers in Science Fiction and Fantasy. 

Today, I will continue the sequence in Grand Master's Pawn from last week's snippet. Violet and her companion, Taranis, escape their alien attackers by climbing a vertical cliff. 

Snippet:

          Looking up at the vertical rock face, she shuddered, “I don’t see how to climb up.” She stared at her companion, her eyes wide with alarm, and imagined compassion in his face.

“In my youth, I enjoyed climbing mountains,” he said, and almost smiled. “I’ll tell you where to place your hands and feet.”

She glanced down at the red-shelled attackers, bit her lip, and swallowed her fears. “All right,” she said, scrambling to her feet. “Show me the way. You’re lucky I don’t suffer from vertigo.”

He nodded, “Good! First, we walk along this ledge to the crevice. You go first.” 

Violet edged cautiously along the ledge, which narrowed as she proceeded, until it was a mere lip the width of her foot. Guided by Taranis, she faced the cliff and pressed against the rock, clinging to the tiniest projections. She placed one foot after the other, gritting her teeth and remembering not to look down. The ledge narrowed until it was only wide enough for her toes, and she crept slowly on her tiptoes, grateful for the support of his arm on her back.  

 

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SFR Brigade Showcase – The Chess Motif in Grand Master’s Pawn

Welcome to the March Showcase

At the start of my Blog Tour, I will describe the chess analogy for my new release, Grand Master's Pawn. The key themes in this story are: perseverance, the search for truth, and the power of kindness.

This novel channels Lewis Carroll with humor and weird characters. The Pawn, Violet, is “Alice Through the Looking Glass.” She ports to different planets on missions for her Grand Master. Initially naïve, she gains power and allies until she confronts the Grand Master(s).

There are four missions. In the chess analogy, the first move takes the pawn to the fourth square on the board. Each mission is a chess move, so the fourth mission takes Violet to the seventh square. She experiences a transforming experience, although her true promotion to queen will occur in Book 3 of the trilogy.

The story acquired the White Mother and the Red Queen, almost by accident. But, the chess analog breaks down, as in “Looking Glass.” There are twelve Grand Masters, not eight for the chess pieces. I wanted a good mix of humans, male and female, and alien Grand Masters. Eight was not enough to eliminate some in each book, and leave some at the end.

The main characters have secrets. Violet has hidden her psi talent for half her life. Her Grand Master is represented by the griffin avatar with blue eyes and a Darth Vader voice. Does he have a man’s body, or is he an alien or artificial intelligence? Violet doesn’t know. She doesn’t believe him when he says it is impossible for them to meet.

Excerpt

He growled, “Why did you block off my vision several times?” 

“Grand Master, the dragon lord Ythris wished to talk in private,” Violet replied calmly. She had anticipated his question and used the dragon’s clever suggestion.

His gruff voice grew sinister, “You are unwise to thwart me, Violet Hunter. How did you block me? Why in thunder can’t you tell me the truth?” The griffin’s eyes flashed electric blue, blinding her.

Violet covered her eyes with her hands and shielded strongly. After a few minutes, she grew curious and peeped through her fingers. The blue fire had dimmed in the uncanny stone eyes. She lowered her shield very gradually, alert for another attack.

No assault came until she shut off her shield, and then he played a new tactic. Impelled by psi force, Violet shot into the air, shrieking as she flew towards the ceiling. Her rapid ascent halted just before she hit the ceiling. She slammed on her physical shield and hung in midair, rotating slowly under his power. He was playing with her!

She yelled, “Stop it! Put me down, or else I’ll never tell you the secret of the dragons.”

Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM
 

Please comment and return to read the other contributions at SFR Brigade Showcase.

Science Fiction & Fantasy Saturday - snippet from Grand Master's Pawn

Welcome to another Saturday of Science Fiction & Fantasy snippets exchanged by writers. 

My contribution this week is from Grand Master’s Pawn, which will be released on March 5th.

The pawn, Violet, has just returned from her first mission to the planet of Erebus, where she acquired 3 crystals: two sapphires and an amethyst. 

Excerpt:

A familiar ebullient voice called, “Hello, my fellow pawns!” and Gary sauntered from the stone path to their table. A large ruby glinted on his neckband, almost matching the fiery red of his hair. He touched a finger to the red jewel and boasted, “My Grand Master rewarded me with a valuable gem.” 

Violet blinked at the flash of red. “Very colorful!” she said, disgusted by his ostentation. An alarm rang in her mind and she stiffened. Did Gary have the crystal stolen from the Elyrians?

“You were correct about the diversity of the Grand Masters, Lira,” he said, nodding at the cat-like alien. “My Grand Master is female. She admires beauty above all else.”

His words struck a dissonant chord in Violet’s critical mind, while she said, “I am glad she treats you well.”

“Oh, she pampers me with riches,” Gary said with a disdainful smirk. “I’ll be able to retire in luxury after the first year of my contract.” He stared at Violet’s neckband and taunted, “Your pawn collar is still plain metal. Is your Grand Master a miser?” 

Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM

Please return to SFFSat and read the other snippets.

Your comments are welcome.