Week 21 - Sword & Sorcery

I don't think I've quite recovered from all the writing from a couple weeks ago, but I'm ready to start my next book, which will be taking me into the familiar realm of sword & sorcery. It's a retelling of a book I started writing as a teen (but never finished), and changed into a short story about a decade ago (published in Swords & Sorcery Magazine as "The Soldier's Choice"). Now, I'll be starting from scratch again. It's called Ruin of the Sceptre, and here's what it's all about:

Shazia has spent her entire life training to become a warrior like her hero Lissar, queen of the mighty empire of Eltrand centuries ago. But it’s not so easy nowadays, since Shazia’s out of her depth as a freshly trained officer in the army, newly arrived into a complex world of intrigue and power struggles in the capital city of Eltrand.
 
Shortly after she starts to find her way, the holy star of the warriors’ patron god is stolen from the palace temple, and the priests foretell the fall of Eltrand unless the relic is recovered. But it’s a suicide crusade that seems futile to restore the might of the country as peace treaties break down and enemies threaten the border on all sides. Who better for the useless job than a country bumpkin no one will miss if she fails?
 
As she sets off with a small group of warriors and diplomats, Shazia’s journey takes her far from home—months of travel across the borders of numerous countries, some of whom welcome her and many others who see her as a sworn enemy or, at best, an odd curiosity. Time runs out, and the remains of her bedraggled group receive word of the fall of Eltrand in their absence. With no home to return to, Shazia decides to carry on with her mission to recover the holy star, even knowing she’ll never save her home country or the loved ones she left behind.

I'm happy to be returning to old territory this week and finally telling a story that's been close to three decades in the making. See you on Sunday when I read an excerpt from this book. Until then, have a fabulous week!