I mean the one in the world of Lord Sir Richard Lemarnier. The one on the Northwestern coast of what we call the USA, in an alternate reality.
Let me tell you about this world. Grab a cuppa and join me!
The world of Richard and Anne-Marie is a world of magic. Most people are born under two different elements of magic. One corresponds with the year in which they are born. The other from the month. Most people have very little ability and can’t actually train to use them effectively.
But for those who can, they are a boon to society. Crops are grown with the aid of people who can control water and earth to nurture plants. Ships are guided and protected by those with control over wind or water. Suspects are questioned by those trained to use their abilities with spirit.
Those who are adepts use magic to bind contracts, blood oaths, and vows. Priests having abilities with heaven and spirit bind marriages using the elements of creation in the presence of heaven. Vows or oaths bound with blood carry their own penalty when broken.
Richard Lemarnier is Master of the Fleet for his family’s shipping firm, as well as the owner since his father died. In this capacity, he controls wind and water to help shape the weather when necessary to help his ships out at sea. With a little ability inherited from his mother, he has a bit of telepathy to use as well.
Imagine seeing the various air currents as slightly different colors or textures and being able to manipulate them. You could create a small breeze or a raging storm, depending on how much power you had to call on. And the same with water. You can speak to it and bend it to your will, shift the currents or calm the waves. With control over both wind and water, you could create a storm or calm one.
Richard had fallen for Anne-Marie and asked her to marry him, but she kept putting hiim off. Not refusing, exactly, but not accepting either. So when she asks him to come with her back to her home kingdom for the fall festivals, he figures it would be a good time and place to ask once more.
But after too much wine and excitement, things get out of hand at the feast, leaving them bound not only by marriage vows but by a blood oath, as well as an oath of fealty from Anne-Marie to Richard. He is bound to be her husband and protector, and her loyalty is sworn to Richard. Onlh an adept of at least the rank of Baron can unbind the spells.
Anne-Marie had no intention of marrying Richard. But how can she escape now, with all the spells binding them together?
And who is trying to destroy Richard’s company? Anyone with the kind of power this enemy shows should have been bond by the guild oath, forbidding them to do harm with their abilities.
What will it take for Richard to win his lady’s heart and keep his company safe from attack on the high seas? And are the two related?
Read MASTER OF THE FLEET this weekend!
How about a snippet?
Those in the wedding party removed their shoes to stand on earth. With hands raised, eyes to the heavens, the priest began to intone the opening words of the marriage oath.
“In the presence of God, I call upon heaven and earth, water and fire, wind and spirit, to witness the union of Lord Sir Richard LeMarnier and Anne-Marie Desplaines…”
They made it through the ceremony without complications. He used the ring he’d bought for their betrothal for her wedding ring. She used his signet ring for his. These represented Earth. Candles lit during the ceremony represented fire, the couple was sprinkled with water, and the kiss represented an exchange of spirit. As the ceremony continued under the stars, the evening breeze swept around them, caressing them and adding its seal to the union. Arcane symbols bound their vows to each of the elements.
Bound by God and the six elements of creation, their human representatives bearing witness and completing the perfect ring of seven, the marriage was sealed by the priest, and recorded.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
And please…
Don’t Forget...
…to Share the Romance…
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