Authorpreneur Dashboard – Yvonne Hertzberger
Back From Chaos
Literature & Fiction
Klast, loner, assassin and spy, has no idea that his destiny is linked to the maid he is sent to rescue. But even before he can fulfill it he must wrestle with his own demons, and help Lord Gaelen unmask a traitor. Failure will upset the Balance that Earth, goddess, needs to provide good harvests, health and peace. Earth has shown Liethis, true seer, that unless Klast completes his missions, more catastrophes, like the Red Fever that ravages the population, will follow. Time is short.
Book Bubbles from Back From Chaos
Strong females
Although the story is set in an early psuedo-medieval world I do not like to keep women in subservient roles. Marja, as the only surviving member of a defeated ruling family, has some power and important decisions to make that will affect her people. In spite of a traditional upbringing she has the intelligence and strength to make these decisions.
Sex Scene
This is an excerpt from one of only two sex scenes in the book. To my mind sex scenes should further the plot and show development in the characters. The emotional atmosphere is more important that the physical elements. This little scene is actually quite amusing and brings the relationship of the two characters, Marja and Gaelen to a new level.
Gathering information
Klast, as a well trained spy, can make himself appear innocuous and knows how to get people to talk without their realising it. What better place to get the lay of the land than in a common bath house? I like this excerpt because it shows Klast's skills without actually talking about them
Tension
Lady Marja does not trust Klast because he spied against her father. But Klast is her husband Lord Gaelen's most trusted man. So when she is told by Klast she must disobey orders and leave with him to find her maid she is suspicious. Finally agreeing to follow him the guards protection her act on orders not to let her leave unguarded. Klast, efficient and pragmatic as always, knocks him out as he has no time to argue. Brensa waits for them and he fears for her sanity if they delay. This does not help Lady Marja trust him more. The tension between them builds.
What makes someone turn traitor.
Not all bad guys are just 'bad'. I wanted the antagonist in my tale to be real. And that meant, to me, that he had to have some good qualities. In this case I actually showed him to have been a loyal advisor to the current ruler's father. But when the son breaks the unwritten laws of the past it causes this man to rethink his loyalties. But he is terribly conflicted about it. He thinks of himself as a 'good and loyal' man.
Signs of unique ability
Klast is the protagonist whose destiny it is to bring the world back into Balance. This excerpt gives us insight into the latent abilities that made him such an effective spy. His powers of observation and his ability to judge whether people were honest or not proved invaluable as an adult. They were also instrumental in allowing him to deal with the curves that life threw him. Klast has turned out to be everyone's favourite character. A most unlikely hero.
Marja watches families work to repair the city.
Sometimes a world becomes more real to us when we see everyday people doing everyday things. Here I describe a father teaching his young son some carpentry and show their reactions to each other. The humble scene draws us in to what's happening.
Setting a scene
Creating a new world has its challenges. In this tidbit I try to create and atmosphere of a festival in my world. I am not one for long descriptions but some detail is needed to set the proper mood and give the reader an idea of what the scene looks like.
Another side of Gaelen
So far all we have seen of Gaelen is the young man of strength and determined honour. We have had little to relieve the pressure of war and negotiations. But every Fantasy needs a little romance and a little positive to balance all that sturm und drang. Gaelen finally has time to romance Marja. He has made plans for their 'joining' night, the time that their union is to be consummated. He wants this to be a positive experience for Marja, as he both needs her trust and cooperation, but also is somewhat smitten with her and wants her to, at least like him, if not love him. His little plan is sweet, humourous and creative. You'll enjoy it.
Who becomes a traitor?
I like to think that even villains may have good in them. Sinnath is a great example. Her we have a man who has served his lord loyally for many years. Then the some takes over and he cannot adjust to the new ways. Imagine his dilemma - to serve the new lord, as the law dictates, or to conspire against him and try to return things to the old ways. I explore this issue throughout the book. You will be surprised by how things end up.
The measure of an opponent
This is the first time Marja and Klast have a direct exchange. Marja remembers Klast as a spy in her father's court. Now he acts as guard to her new husband-to-be and this arouses her suspicion. It is another example of Marja showing courage and insight, letting us see that she is a strong woman. Klast acknowledges this in his own way. They have measured each other and Klast has found something in Marja to respect, although he is not free to say so at this point.
Strong women
Marja is not your stereotypical 'lady'. Though she has no real power, and is now a political prisoner, she is astute and strong. So as her captor enters the room she sees his weaknesses immediately and strategizes how best to use those insights to use her knowledge to negotiate. The results will surprise you.
Dealing with life's changes.
Marja had been the lord's daughter. But now, as a captive, the world she knew is gone. So she understands the irony of being held captive in the same chamber that had been her haven. To top that, she has a decision to make that will affect not only her own future, but that of her conquered people. A tough spot for a young woman unused to such responsibility.
Discipline in Battle
In my world discipline, even in battle, is strictly enforced. Rape, killing or maiming of women or children is forbidden and must be punished. I have been criticized for this by one who told me it not realistic to expect soldiers not to commit these crimes. But that was a lone man. Others have told me this scene is believable. The punishment, in this case, is public flogging - BUT - the accuser must face the same if it can be proven that the accusation is false. Justice must prevail.
Klast
Klast is my favourite character. He has the uncanny ability to melt into the background so as to be almost invisible, an ability he has honed to perfection. This is your first real introduction to Klast. He is a tortured soul who has suffered much but, in spite of that, has kept his integrity. You might ask how can there be honour or integrity in acting as the lord's assassin? It's a long story and a major sub-plot of this book. I don't want to give that away.
Victory and Capture
This beginning sets the scene for the entire trilogy. While Marja and Gaelen will remain prominent characters they are not the primary protagonists. You will soon meet Klast, loner, spy and assassin. He has the primary quest, though he does not know this until he resolves some of his personal challenges. Brensa, Marja's maid, will also play a major role in helping the goddess Earth restore the Balance that has been disrupted by the war we see at the beginning of Chapter One. The Epic journey begins as the pendulum of Balance swings from chaos to balance and back with the changes fate and human frailty bring. Together these four must serve Earth and attempt to keep the pendulum from swinging too far.
Through Kestrel's Eyes
Literature & Fiction
Through Kestrel’s Eyes, the sequel to Back From Chaos in the Earth’s Pendulum trilogy begins seventeen years later. The peace that followed the end of the Red Plague is shattered when the lords of Gharn and Leith are toppled by traitors, throwing the land into chaos Liannis, the goddess Earth’s seer, her apprenticeship interrupted by the death of her mentor, must help restore the Balance. Until it is, Earth’s power is weakened, preventing Earth from sustaining the rains needed for good harvests. Drought and famine result. Liannis battles self-doubt and the lure of forbidden romance and deep loss as she faces tests that take her to the brink of her endurance. But Earth sends a kestrel that allows Liannis to see with her eyes and a white horse to carry her, both with the ability to mind-speak. Time is short. The people with starve if Earth cannot heal and the Balance cannot be restored.
Book Bubbles from Through Kestrel's Eyes
Sexual tension
Every good novel needs a degree of sexual tension somewhere. In this book it is very minor. Vernia is not a 'nice' girl. She knows what she has and how to use it to her advantage. She is only a servant but has captured the eye - and bed- of Lord Dugal. It gives her a certain power of which she takes full advantage.
A little atmosphere
Cloud and Kira are Liannis' horse and kestrel, both of whom have the ability to mind-speak with Liannis. In this scene they are looking for Klast, Liannis' father, who is in serious danger. The animals are her close companions and so she tolerates the water running down her back rather than ask Kira to fly above. These friends are a comfort to her. They are also occasional sources of amusement.
The Villain
Garneth is the prime antagonist in this tale, although not the only one. I usually like to give all my characters at least one redeeming trait but in this case I could see none in Garneth, the man who led the coup against Lord Merlost and had him killed This is our first encounter with Garneth. Liannis, as a seer, is accustomed to respect. Garneth shows his true colours immediately by both testing her abilities and being extremely rude and disrespectful.
Another side to Liannis
There are not many opportunities for Liannis to show she is only human. The situations she usually finds herself in do not lend themselves to self-disclosure. But in this scene she almost loses her temper, showing that she does not always have perfect self-control. She has reactions and feelings like the rest of us. Only her father's signal to her helps Liannis regain her control.
Cruelty to animals
I love animals and birds of all kinds and can't abide cruelty to them. But the reality is that not all people share that view. Here I use a graphic example of how one nasty character mistreats his falcons. But don't be alarmed. He gets his come-uppance and the birds are each dealt with in the most appropriate way. Not a happy scene, but necessary for making my world seem real.
Foreshadowing
Rellnost is the heir of the deposed ruler of Lieth. He is only ten years old and has been fostered with the seer's parents to keep him safe. This little piece gives us a hint of trouble to come. He is arrogant and demanding. What will this mean for his future? Can this attitude be modified or will it get worse?
It's hard to be a seer
Liannis, as seer, is constantly bombarded by the emotions of people around her when she is with many. While she has learned how to control this to a degree, it is not easy, especially when she is in the city. What does help her is if she can isolate herself within stone walls. The castle has such a room reserved for her. Here he remembers her difficulty and offers to meet there for dinner instead of the more open lord's apartment.
Roles of influence for women
Of course, in early medieval societies, even imaginary ones, we must not stretch the boundaries of credulity for the differences in power for men and women. But I wanted to allow opportunities for women to have influence and power. Liannis, the protagonist in this boo, is one such. As a seer she is welcomed to all meetings of the advisory council to the lord. She is respected and often her opinions are considered above those of the other advisors, who cannot have her particular insights. Of course, not all people agree with this. So Liannis must deal with those attitudes as well. The ways in which women can influence society is one of the central ideas I play with in my books.
Meet Kira
Kira is a small kestrel, and gives the book its title. She provides pathos and sometimes comic relief. Liannis, the books main character is a seer who can occasionally communicate with animals via mind-speech. In this case the kestrel also allows Liannis to see through her eyes when she flies away. This enables Liannis to see things she would not ordinarily be able to. Readers have told me they are very fond of Kira. She has a special role in the story, adding a more 'human' dimension to what is occasionally dark and difficult.
A seer's gift
Some seers in my world have the ability to 'mind-speak' with certain animals. In this case Lord Gaelen wishes to gift Liannis with a horse. But Liannis knows she will bond with her mount and that means she needs one that will have the capacity for 'mind-speak'. Not all animals have this. Her choice of horse results in some of the most amusing moments in the book and offers comic relief from the heavier parts.
Getting to know Corrin
Liannis still has to dance carefully around Corrin, as she is not certain what sort of man and leader he is. When he discards the ankle chains before taking her along on the journey to Bargia, it is a sign that he is not cruel and will not use undue force. It allows her to trust him more.
Who is he?
Corrin is young, inexperienced, and the victim of treason. He is in hiding while he attempts to gather support. I like Corrin, who we soon discover is the rightful heir to Gharn. He has a lot to learn and his youth helps us to forgive his impatience and his mistakes. You will grow to like him, too
The Swing of the Pendulum
In book Two, "Through Kestrel's Eyes" I decided that it needed to to be told from the point of view of the new seer, Liannis, a young woman just coming into her full powers. Her training is cut short by the death of her mentor, leaving her full of doubt as to her role and her position as seer. She wonders why her training was left this way, whether it means the goddess, Earth, has decided against using her, whether she has failed somehow. This theme repeats throughout the story as events challenge both her fortitude, her dedication to her duty and her understanding of her role as she is repeatedly tempted by a vision that, to her, makes no sense. Hence I felt this would do well written in the first person. Liannis' personal journey finds its parallel in the historical events that unfold on the One Isle. We see conflict, turmoil, change and chaos. And we see the effects of these events on the environment, as pesonified by Earth and as shown historical events. Book Three, "The Dreamt Child" will swing the pendulum back again and answer a host of new and challenging questions.
Through Kestrel's Eyes: Book 2 of Earth's Pendulum
Book One began in Chaos and ended in relative Balance. Now, seventeen years later, the pendulum begins to swing back to chaos as people make choices that injure the goddess Earth, hampering her ability to maintain health and prosperity. We begins with Liannis' coming of age and into her full powers as Earth's seer. The challenges she faces in her search of her own identity and balance parallels those same challenges for her world. Just as we, inhabitants of our environment face challenges and choices, (shown in the story as Earth and the One Isle) so Liannis faces doubts and challenges in her quest to be Earth's emissary and help Earth restore Balance. But this is not only a morality tale. There is adventure, crisis, great personal loss and even some romance. All the elements of real life, told in a fantasy I hope you will enjoy.
