After Viviane and Jareth return from Clan Belfort, Viviane struggles with her Talents. But she is not alone. Her nephew, Connell, the newly chosen heir of her home clan, is having troubles along the same lines. Partly because he doesn’t understand why he needs Talents. And partly because he misses his old friends from home.
At the Gather in Belfort, some of those old friends, jealous of who he has become, accuse him of cheating at a ring toss game. When they grab him and start to harm his friend Nelly, he reacts by using his Talent to protect her. He is sure his grandfather will be angry.
Let’s check in on Connell.
“But I wasn’t supposed to get into any trouble,” he explained.
“As far as I can tell, you didn’t go looking for trouble. Trouble came looking for you.”
By the time they caught up with the family, they were making their way toward the entrance
on the way to the manor.
“First Lord,” the guard called.
“Yes, Greg? What is it?”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Connell spoke up. “I was in a bit of trouble today.”
“Before he takes responsibility, he did nothing wrong, sir,” the guard said.
“Perhaps someone can tell me what happened,” the first lord said, looking around for someplace
to sit. Finding a bench close at hand, he sank down onto it. With a shake of his head, he looked
up at Greg.
Once again the man explained the situation, and once again emphasized that it wasn’t
Connell’s fault.
“Well, Grandson, if it wasn’t your fault, why would you take responsibility?”
“If Nellie hadn’t been with me, she wouldn’t have skinned her knee and been scared.”
“Did you do anything to warrant their accusation?”
“No, sir. Cheating is wrong. I just got lucky.”
“Did Nellie like the teddy bear?” his grandfather asked with a twinkle in his eye.
“Yes, sir. She’s naming him after me. But I used my Talents to keep her from getting hurt.
Was that wrong?”
“Connell, was there any other way to keep him from kicking her?”
“Um, no. Two of the other boys held my arms, and I couldn’t have reached her before she got
kicked.”
“Then you did well. How do you feel about your Talents now?”
Connell stood and pondered the question for a few moments.
“Think about it this way. When you are first lord, and someone comes with the intent to harm
either members of your clan or clan
property, wouldn’t you like to know you have the ability to do something about it?”
“Of course.”
“Are you beginning to understand the use for Talents?” he asked softly.
Looking deeply into the first lord’s eyes, Connell nodded. “Yes, sir. I am. But I still didn’t cheat.”
“I never thought you had, Grandson,” the man said seriously. “Let’s go clean up and see what we
have for dinner.”
Yes! The paperback for 
This time of year is the perfect time to read. Cool evenings, warm fires, something nice to drink. And a good book!
Yes, as of September 1, 2017, the Esperance Books on Smashwords and Barnes and Noble will go up to their regular pricing.
Or perhaps magic, mischief, and mayhem…
