Windward shore, p.28
Windward Shore, page 28
part #3 of The Dancing Realms Series
I hugged her. “I promise.”
I’d miss her. A hint of melancholy floated upward in my chest, but Star distracted me by pointing out toward the ocean. “Here he comes.”
Framed by the lowering primary sun, Makah mounted a gust of wind and floated, her side fins shimmering like mirrored scales. Brantley stood proudly on her back, chest lifted and arms cast out as if embracing the sky. After a few weeks of tender care, he’d recovered fully. Occasional itching along the scar was the only lingering reminder of all he’d endured.
Starfire and Aanor slipped away, leaving me to savor the view.
Makah glided closer and settled onto the sea again, and Brantley’s knees softened to keep his balance. They were a team now. With the Maker’s help, I’d stopped blaming myself for Navar’s death, for Brantley’s wound, for losses I couldn’t prevent. Instead, I focused on caring for my husband every way I could and nurturing the baby that continued to grow within me.
Brantley waved, but didn’t steer directly toward me. Makah was herding a large school of copper fish, and together they drove them toward the shore of Windswell. Even out of sight, I could picture the children running with baskets to catch the bounty. Whoops and cheers carried on the breeze.
I walked slowly back to our cottage, rubbing my back. It had been aching for weeks now, but today the pain went deeper. Fiola had made me a wider tunic, but already my belly strained the seams. It wouldn’t be long now, and our little dancer or herder would join the family of Windswell. I grabbed a lenka from the basket on the table. Beside our bonding cup, a glowing blue stone rested—a precious reminder of the light the Maker could bring, and a token that warmed my heart with its reminder of the people of the foelands.
Just after I settled into my chair by the hearth, Brantley bounded in. “No messages from Saltar Kemp today?”
I giggled. “She knows I’m not going to travel like this.” Then I sobered. “If she does need help later, I won’t be able to go. I won’t leave our babe.”
Brantley leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. A twinkle lit his eyes like a flicker of subsun on the sea. “I’ve been thinking about that.”
He pushed away from the doorway and rummaged in a lower cupboard—one I’d stopped using since bending had become too difficult lately. He pulled out a bundle wrapped in fabric and thrust it toward me. “Here. I made you something.”
Puzzled, I pulled away the fabric and held up a leather pouch with straps and buckles. “A new backpack?”
“No.” He took it from me and shook it out, showing me the design. “It’s for the babe. If you need to ride Makah up to Middlemost, this will carry our child against your chest.”
I lifted my gaze to his face—all eager and hopeful and awaiting my reaction. My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes. “But you . . . but I . . .”
I lurched to my feet and hugged him.
He kissed me soundly, then stroked my face. “The dancers will always be part of your life. Did you think I didn’t understand that? We’ll find a way for you to help them.”
“I love you,” I said simply. Was there anything as precious as the support of a good man?
He rested his forehead against mine. “You stole my words.” He kissed me again, but I pulled back and gasped.
“Brantley, I think you’ll need to let Brianna know we’ll miss her dinner.”
“What? Why?”
From the table, the blue stone winked a flicker of added brightness. I rubbed my back again. “I do believe we’ll be busy tonight.”
His eyes widened, and then he gave a shout of joy.
As another wave of cramping rolled through me, I grinned. I had the feeling that the adventure that was about to begin would be the most exciting and fulfilling yet.
THE END
GLOSSARY
ALCEA FLOWER—Delicate, sweet-scented blossoms.
ATTENDANTS—Servants who work in the Order.
BOG RAT—small rodent that lives in low-lying areas.
BRESH—A flaky, buttery roll. Luxurious treat eaten by dancers.
CALARA REED—Well-rooted, supple reeds growing near water. (Calara pattern is one of the most complicated.) The pulp is used as a gently scented soap for linens.
CENTER GROUND—The huge open field in the very center of Meriel, where the dancers of the Order perform the patterns that keep the island turning around its core.
COPPER FISH—Small, glittery fish that swim in large schools and provide food for rim villages.
DAYGRASS—a soft, mossy grass that springs up overnight.
ECCO COVE—One of the foelands; under Larcy’s leadership. Their veskals have red sails.
FERN PATTERN—Includes curling frond shape with arms, turns moving from center “stem.”
FOELANDS/FOELANDERS—The term used by clans on the cluster of islands to refer to other islands in the group or their people.
FOLESHILL—A midrange village; one of the villages refusing to support the new Order.
FOREST HOUND—A wolf-like beast almost as big as a pony, usually with amber eyes; a feared predator.
FORMS—Various levels within the Order’s school. First-form children are generally around seven years old and work up through the ranks to the fifteenth form (twenty-one years of age) and if successful can join the Order as dancers. Some dancers later become saltars.
FOUNTAIN FISH—Pink-and-green-striped bronze fish, kept as pets or in fountains.
HALYARD’S HULL—One of the foelands.
HERDER—One who herds fish from the ocean waters so they can be gathered by rim villagers.
HONEYBIRD—Tiny, nervous, bright red bird.
LANDKEEPER—A person who gardens, farms, cares for plants.
LANTHRUS—A plant with prickly leaves that cause blisters and fever, but when dried is useful for pain.
LENKA—A small, yellow, tart and sweet fruit with a small oval pit inside.
LONGKNIFE—Common long-bladed tool and weapon used by herders.
MAKER, THE—The Creator of the oceans, the island worlds, and everything in them.
MEADOW BLIGHT—A serious illness that causes fever, trouble breathing, and often death; frequently lingers for weeks.
MERIEL—The name of Carya’s world (the island floating in a vast, featureless ocean universe).
MIDDLEMOST—The largest city, in the center of Meriel, surrounding the Order.
NEWLAND—The term used by the cluster of island people to refer to Meriel.
NOVITIATES—Girls training to become dancers of the Order.
ORDER, THE—The organization of novitiates, dancers, saltars, prefects, and attendants that direct the course of the world through the dance. Located in the very center of Meriel, in a large edifice that encircles the center ground. They pass down the patterns through the generations. Recently reformed.
PATTERNS—Precise dances and formations named for various natural elements or plants.
PERSEA FRUIT—Knobby-skinned, meaty fruit with a pit.
PREFECT—Support staff for the Order school, they enforce rules, help saltars, etc.
RIM—The undulating outer edges of the island worlds.
RIMMERS—Sometimes derogatory term for those who live in rim villages.
ROGUE’S AERIE—The tallest of the foelands; under Cole’s leadership. Their veskals have blue and green sails.
RUTISH PLANT—A tuber that has a pebbly green skin and is good in stews.
SALIS—A midrim village that protected castoff dancers in the past; one of the villages refusing to support the new Order.
SALTARS—The leaders and top teachers of the Order.
SALTCAKES—Dry, crumbly biscuits.
SCAVENGEWOOD—One of the foelands; under Mander’s leadership. Their veskals have white sails.
SHADOWSWELL—A midrim village near the channel.
STAR RAIN—A periodic magical occurrence on evenings when stars burst in the air and glittering light rains down.
STENELLA—Dolphin-like sea creatures with long necks and wide spreading side fins that can glide over the water as well as dive under.
SWEET WATER—Ocean water that tastes sweet and citrusy. Loved by the rim villages, but feared and filtered by those in the inland towns.
TANGLEROOT—The matted, intertwined vines that form the outer edge of the islands.
TENDER—Someone who cares for domesticated animals, especially ponies.
TSALLA—Sweet ocean water brewed with herbs.
UNDERTOW—Rim village where Carya was born.
VESKALS—The sailing crafts that the raiders use to travel between islands.
WHITECAP—A rim village Carya visited in the past; one of the villages refusing to support the new Order.
WINDSWELL—Rim village where Brantley herds/leads and lives with Carya; located near the mouth of the channel.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Heartfelt thanks to my agent, Steve Laube, who encouraged this series and fights for a place in this world for unusual stories. Eternal gratitude to my editors, Reagen Reed and Lindsay Franklin, who bring so much care, respect, and wisdom to making my stories stronger. Huge appreciation to Trissina Kear and Jordan Smith for all their hard work helping readers find these books. And cheers to Kirk DouPonce for bringing images to life with remarkable covers.
My love to the friends who have prayed with me as I work. I am blessed by every circle of support. The “church ladies,” Bible study small groups, writing retreat buddies, the Dancing Realms Facebook group, my Book Buddies, family, and so many dear friends. This series exists because of all of you. Special thanks to critique partners who gave input on various chapters, and to Chawna, Patrice, and Michelle for in-depth feedback on the full manuscript.
Ted, you continue to believe in me when I’m plagued with doubt, and your example of faith and integrity inspire me every day. Every good thing in each character had its inspiration in you.
Above all else, thank you to our Maker who lifts us up. May we rejoice each day in knowing His love.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Sharon Hinck writes “stories for the hero in all of us,” novels praised for their strong spiritual themes, emotional resonance, and imaginative blend of genres.
She earned an MA in Communication (with a major in theatre and thesis in dance) from Regent University and spent ten years as the artistic director of a Christian dance company. That ministry included three short-term mission trips to Hong Kong to teach and choreograph for a YWAM dance/evangelism team. She taught classical ballet and liturgical dance for twenty years, and led workshops on dance in worship.
She’s been a church youth worker, a dancer/choreographer, a church organist, a homeschool mom, and an adjunct professor of Creative Writing for MFA students. One day she’ll figure out what to be when she grows up.
When she’s not wrestling with words, she enjoys speaking at churches and conferences and has taught at Minnesota Christian Writer’s Guild, the national conference of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and Realm Makers.
A wife, mom of four, and grandmother of three, she lives in Minnesota and is a member at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church.
She loves visitors at sharonhinck.com.
Sharon Hinck, Windward Shore
