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Demira Daughter of Storms
SGA Publications 2014--Shceduled Fall Release
ISBN-13: 978-0987320278

 

An excerpt from the Sequel to Natira, Child of the Clouds; Demira Daughter of Storms: 
​
It was the day. Throughout the city of Elesiam, people woke early, knowing that this was no day to loll in bed. Indeed, many had not been to sleep at all. Palace slaves had been abroad all night, hanging banners, putting down a layer of silver sand along the route between the Palace and the Temple of Garis, checking the fountains that would run with wine later in the day, setting up tables for the free feast that would be distributed to all citizens, and stringing garlands of flowers between buildings. They were watched by crowds of eager citizens dressed in their finest. 
Most had waited all night to ensure prime viewing spots among the throng. Although there had been many citywide celebrations in the past ten-and-seven years, this occasion was unique in Abonyia’s history.

On this day, Queen Natira of Abonyia and her Consort, Lord Asaao, would formally declare their Child, Dermiria, co-ruler of the land. Never in the history of Abonyia had a Child ascended to the throne while his or her parents still ruled. It had always been a tradition that a ruler who could no longer raise the clouds and bring the precious rain would step down, allowing a new ruler to reign alone. But Natira, a Queen who had created so many new traditions, was about to create one more. And while the people crowding the streets welcomed any opportunity for a feast, some wondered if their revered Queen had finally gone too far.
 
 
“I don’t like it,” one woman commented to her friend as they stood in front of a early-opened sweet-seller’s stall, each munching on a square of fresh ants’ comb honey. “The Gods will be displeased.”
 
Her friend snorted. “What do you know of the Gods’ will, Tilkarol?” she asked scornfully. “When was the last time that Garis spoke directly to you?” She delicately licked the last of the sun-gold honey from her long, tapered fingers. As she did so, she admired the star ruby ring adorning one finger, a gift from her latest lover. “The Mighty One Natira has cared for this land like a mother cares for a newborn babe. Abonyia has never known such peace, such riches. I can remember a time, not so many seasons ago, when I could not afford ten-day-old bread, let alone honey to top it, and I for one never wish to see those days again. I do not question the Lady’s wisdom. If she feels that the Child Dermiria should be raised to the throne, then I will bow in the dust at her feet.”
 
Tilkarol stubbornly shook her head. “Merlys, I know as well as you what good times we have enjoyed,” she snapped, “but that does not mean that they will continue. Why should the Child share the throne with her parents? The law has always been thus—a Child ascends the throne only when the ruler can no longer bring the clouds. If the Queen does not wish to admit that her powers are no longer…”
 
“Shut your foolish mouth,” Merlys hissed. “The Queen’s powers have not waned. She brought a deluge at Second Planting, not more than two sixdays ago. She does not need to step aside for a Child with greater powers.”
 
“Then why raise the Child to the throne?” Tilkarol asked again.
 
“The Queen told us why,” Merlys rolled her eyes. “If you spent more time at the Temple and less in the baths and the shops, you would have heard the proclamation.”
 
“What?”
 
“The Queen ordered a proclamation read at all the Temples a sixday ago.” Merlys looked smug. “I was worshipping Selek that day, and I heard what the Callers had to say. The Queen wishes Dermiria to share the Onyx Throne so that she can learn statecraft at her parents’ side. In addition, our lands have grown so great that one person cannot oversee them all. 
 
The Child’s brother, Lord Avitcko, will leave for the Yellow Lands after the next harvest, there to rule as the Queen’s lieutenant, as has been ordained since his birth. The Lord Consort Asaao is still overseeing our new kingdom in the Great Mountains, and of course, Lady Constanzia is too young yet for such responsibility. So the Child Dermiria will help her mother rule Abonyia. Then when the day comes—and may it be far in the future!—that Queen Natira wishes to lay down her burden, there will be trained hands to take it up. I think it is a splendid idea.”
 
“I’m sure the Queen lives for your opinion,” Tilkarol sneered. She shook her head, her mountain of curls in danger of toppling over her face like a sandslide. “I still think it is dangerous and perhaps impious as well.”
Merlys sighed, rolling her eyes at her friend’s stubbornness. “But you’ll still bow to the Child as she takes her place,” she reminded Tilkarol. “We all will."
 
-----END EXCERPT-----
​Demira Daughter of Storms is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2014 through SGA Publications.
 
PUBLISHER'S STATEMENT 2 MAY 2016:
SGA Publications has no plans to publish ​Demira Daughter of Storms.
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