Winter Solstice Offerings (an ELIXIR BOUND short story) by Katie L. Carroll

This takes place before the events of ELIXIR BOUND. Siblings Katora, Kylene, and Bhar Kase are performing their annual celebration of the Winter Solstice.

“Do you have the acorns and your offering for the sacrifice?” Bhar asked with an impish grin and a glint in his blue eyes.

“Sacrifice?” Katora raised her right eyebrow and thumped her younger brother on the shoulder. “You know the Great Mother doesn’t approve of sacrifices. I do have all but one of the offerings, and Kylene should be getting it right now.”

Bhar laughed as he ran deeper into the trees of Faway Forest. Katora shook her head in annoyance and wondered if Bhar would ever be serious about anything. She shifted her backpack and followed his indelicate footsteps. The trees were completely bare, their fallen leaves crunchy under her boots.

She stopped in a small clearing. Bhar stood in the center, a series of stacked rocks interspersed at regular intervals around him. She dropped her pack outside the rocks and sat inside the circle, legs crossed.

Katora had been coming to this place on the Winter Solstice for as long as she could remember. Her two older sisters used to participate in the ceremony, but they had recently moved out of the family home. They now held their own traditions. This was the first year they wouldn’t be there, and Katora wasn’t sure she wanted to be there either. Maybe she was getting too old for such traditions.

Still, Katora would honor the Great Mother with Bhar and her younger sister, Kylene. As Katora thought of her, Kylene loped into the clearing, cheeks rosy and long blond hair wild. Quick puffs of breath escaped her mouth in the crisp air.

“I’ve got it.” From her pocket, Kylene pulled a small nut ending in woody cap. “It wasn't easy, but I found a late hold-out from a young oak.”

Katora help up her hand, and Kylene tossed the acorn. Katora caught it easily and set it on the ground next to three others, each one collected during a different season. A hearty vine with withered essenberries also lay on the cold dirt. As Kylene sat, her gray cloak, the same color as the cloud covered sky, fanned out behind her and touched Katora’s cloak at the corner.

“Let’s begin.” Katora rubbed her chapped hands together, souvenirs from years of farming. “Bhar, you did bring the trowel, didn’t you?”

Bhar produced the tool from his pants pocket. “Of course. Do you even have to ask?”

She grinned and glanced at Kylene, who failed to hide a smile. They both knew Bhar needed to be asked. He took his place next to his sisters. Behind him, his cloak touched each of theirs and completed the circle.

“Please present your items,” Katora said, tapping her offering of the vine.

A playing card—the queen of hearts—appeared in Bhar’s hand, seemingly from nowhere. With a flick of the wrist, he tossed it among the acorn, the withered offerings from past seasons, and the essenberry vine. Kylene kissed a worn leather-bound book and gently placed it on the ground. The three siblings grasped hands and closed their eyes.

Katora chanted, “Mother Nature, we gather and return the fruit of the seasons. Take these and our personal offerings from our hearts to yours. As the cold of winter takes hold, offer in return safe passage to spring.”

A moment of silence passed before Bhar forced the shovel into the hard dirt and began to dig a small hole. Except for the scrape of the trowel, he worked in complete silence, the forest quiet as it fell into the sleep of winter. Katora and Kylene deposited the offerings into the hole. All three scooped the soil back over the hole and patted it down.

They grasped hands again, fingernails caked with dirt, and hummed. Katora’s alto was slightly out of tune, but Kylene’s soprano rang in perfect pitch. Bhar’s solid bass completed the trio. Their melody pierced the silent forest and rose to the top of the trees and beyond. A gust of wind swirled through the clearing, lifting their cloaks in the air behind them.

Katora’s eyes widened as Kylene’s hand gripped hers tight. Bhar turned his face to the sky. Katora felt her hair fly about her face as she watched Kylene’s locks do the same. Still, they kept humming. When their tune finally ended, the wind abruptly stopped.

A long sigh escaped Katora, deflating the pressure in her chest. Nothing like that had ever happened during the ceremony.

“What was that?” Kylene asked in a whisper.

“A coincidence,” Bhar said with no trace of his playful smile.

Katora pounded her fist on the ground. “That was no coincidence. I’ve always been a bit skeptical that the Great Mother paid any attention to our little ceremony. But now…I believe she does.”

“Yes.” Kylene nodded her head repeatedly. “I always believed she did, but this is a nice confirmation of our faith.”

Bhar blew into his hands. “I’m cold. Let’s go home and heat up some milk and chocolate.”

Kylene’s brow wrinkled as she said, “It is cold. And we must be home before dark.”

“I’ll catch up with you two.” Katora gathered up the pack and waited as her siblings left the clearing.

Kylene's soft teasing of Bhar about his offering could be heard through the trees. “What is Mother Nature going to do with a playing card?”

“More than she’s going to do with a book,” Bhar said. “Definitely more than she’ll do with an essenberry vine. Katora’s offering was the worst.” Kylene laughed at the joke as their voices faded away.

Even with no one there to hear her, Katora was compelled to defend her choice. Every essenberry vine on Kase Farm was a gift from Mother Nature. The vines provided a means of wealth, and therefore survival, for the family. She said a silent prayer to the Great Mother, thanking her for all that she did to take care of them.

Just as she stepped back into the trees, Katora spotted a small bluebird perched high up on a leafless branch. Its beady eyes stared down at her. The bird opened its beak wide and let out one sharp chirp.

“You coming?” Bhar’s shout echoed through the forest.

She glanced back up at the oak tree, but the bird had vanished. As she jogged to catch up, Katora felt Mother Nature’s presence. It wasn’t only in the physical bounty of the forest, but also deep inside Katora’s own heart. She breathed deep and the winter air felt fresh instead of cold.

***

Want to read more about the Kase siblings and their adventures in Faway Forest? Check out Katie's YA fantasy ELIXIR BOUND.

Katie L. Carroll is a mother, writer, editor, and speaker. She began writing at a very sad time in her life after her 16-year-old sister, Kylene, unexpectedly passed away. Since then writing has taken her to many wonderful places, real and imagined. She wrote her YA fantasy ELIXIR BOUND so Kylene could live on in the pages of a book. Katie is also the author of the picture app THE BEDTIME KNIGHT and a contributor to THE GREAT CT CAPER, a serialized mystery for young readers. She lives not too far from the beach in a small Connecticut city with her husband and sons. For more about Katie, visit her website at www.katielcarroll.com.

Spotlight on Katie L. Carroll

Today we are spending a little extra time getting to know Lightning Quick Reads author, Katie L. Carroll.

Thanks for hanging out with us today, Katie. Can you tell our readers a little about you, please? 

Katie: I’m a mom first, author second, and then a million other things after that (including but not limited to reader, editor, soccer player, blogger, and tea lover). Most of my days are spent in sweatpants or pajamas, hanging out with my two boys (ages 1 and almost 4) and sneaking in some work when I can. Some things I’ve done that are more exciting than that are vacationed in Tahiti twice (once during a tsunami!), run a marathon in Alaska, and walked the streets of London perusing bookshops. I live not far from the beach in the same small Connecticut city I grew up in.

If you had to pick only one moment that spurred you to write professionally, what moment is the most defining or inciting?

Katie: That’s an easy but tough question. Easy because I know exactly what spurred me into writing professionally; tough because it’s an emotional story to tell. (How much time do you have?) In short, my little sister Kylene very unexpectedly passed away at the age of 16. I was 19 and in college studying to be a physical therapist. The loss forced me to reevaluate what I wanted to do with my life and the answer was write books. Later I realized I wanted to write books for young people. The dedication page of my first published book ELIXIR BOUND reads, “To Kylene. In life you were a sister, friend, and confidant. In death you are a sister, friend, confidant, and muse.”

Wow, Katie. That is very emotional. Thank you for sharing such a personal story with us. Does the majority of your work focus around or within a single theme? If so, what is it?

Katie: Not really. I like to think of myself as more of a renaissance writer than someone who focuses on one area. I work on the story that is burning to get out of me, the one I can’t stop thinking about, no matter what themes or topics or genres it fits into.

What are you currently working on?

Katie: I’m currently working on a very dark YA thriller tentatively called BLACK BUTTERFLY. I just finished a first draft and have a few more scenes to write and some stuff to fix before I send it out to beta readers for feedback. Thematically it deals with whether or not people can really change when given a second chance. I won’t say more than that for now…

What is one of your favorite authorial moments from your career so far?

Katie: My nephew and sister threw me a surprise party the day my first book released. It was small and at my parents’ house, but there was a cake and flowers and a framed book cover. It took a very long time from when I first started writing after my sister died to when I had a book published, so it was really nice to be recognized by the people I love for my accomplishment.

That’s so sweet! Share with us a five year and ten year goal for your writing career.

Katie: I’m constantly working on being a more efficient writer, so my goal is to write quicker, and always to get better at writing. I’d like to find an agent to help me place my work and hopefully be published by a larger house than the ones I’ve already published with. I guess that’s a five-year goal. So much has changed in publishing since I started pursuing publication a little over ten years ago, it’s hard to think that far ahead. I guess I just hope I’m still writing and publishing books (in whatever formats exist) in ten years.

Do you write what you read? Watch? What are your favorite television shows and movies?

Katie: I absolutely write what I read. Aside from writing the type of books I love to read, I think it’s important to know what’s already out there, not to compare your books necessarily, but to see what different directions you can go as a writer and also to push yourself to a new level by being inspired by other works. As for favorite television shows, right now I’m into Big Brother, Suits, Madam Secretary, and Pretty Little Liars (though I kind of have a love/hate relationship with that last one). Favorite movies are lots of Disney ones, The Shawshank Redemption, The Dark Knight, and Bring It On.

If you had one week away from any and all responsibility what would you want to spend your time doing?

Katie: I would totally sit on a tropical beach with a fun, fruity drink reading a book.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Katie: I can kiss my elbow, which I once read makes me a princess!

Lol! A princess, huh? It’s impressive either way. Where can readers find you online?

Katie: You can find me online at my website http://www.katielcarroll.com/, twitter https://twitter.com/KatieLCarroll (@KatieLCarroll), tumblr https://twitter.com/KatieLCarroll, Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6467018.Katie_L_Carroll, and my Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Katie-L.-Carroll/e/B0094IXK0Q.

Thanks for joining us, Katie and we appreciate your contributions to Lightning Quick Reads!

Odeletta, Princess of Spring by Katie L. Carroll

The change was not gradual as most changes in nature are; it was swift and irrevocable, coming in a fit of emotion.

Blanchardwood wasn’t always a frozen wilderness. The woods once flourished under the tender tutelage of Odeletta, Princess of Spring. In the forest’s heyday, the soft feet of the Princess blessed its earthen paths. Her tender touch perpetuated flower blossoms and energized the forest animals.

As she meandered through the forest in the form of a woman, as was her preference—human senses proved the most sensitive to the wonders of the forest—she spied a being she had never before seen. Its hard face and spicy scent contrasted with the fuzzy creatures and sweet aromas she knew so well. The being approached Odeletta and smiled, showing smooth, white teeth. Apprehension welled up inside of her until she recognized the crest that adorned the being’s chest plate. She knew he must be a man.

“I see you wear the noble crest of my mother’s people, my lord,” she said.

He bowed. “I hail from the western shores. I have brought a message to you from your mother, the Great Mother. She was reluctant to let a man into the forest, but I heard the beauty of Blanchardwood was unparalleled by any sight in nature and had to see if it was true, and she allowed me to come.”

“Does my home live up to your expectations?”

“Almost.”

Odeletta clenched her fists in anger, her face flushed, and the forest waned under her rage. The man laughed.

“Don’t be upset, my Princess. The forest is breathtaking, but I have met one other natural beauty that surpasses it.”

“Impossible.”

He laughed again. “I am trying to pay you a compliment, but I see your love for your home has blinded you to your own beauty.”

“You mock my home and my face.” Odeletta was beginning to think she didn’t care for men.

“No, I only long to learn more about both. Forgive me if I have been blunt and offended you. I have had a long journey and wish to find a bit of food and a place to rest. Then, I will share your mother’s message with you.”

“Of course, you are in my mother’s service and so you are also in my service. It is my duty to show you the utmost hospitality. Please do not let my sensitivity be perceived as rudeness, my lord.”

“Princess, I understand. You simply love the forest so much that you cannot bear to hear an unpleasant word spoken of it. Love that true is an admirable quality.”

Odeletta softened a little; the trees brightened and the birds sweetened their song.

She led the man through Blanchardwood, so named for blooms of the dogwood tree that blanketed it in white in spring. Along the way, she learned that his name was Fyren. He had served Odeletta’s mother for many years, traveling all over the Great Peninsula to convey Mother Nature’s messages. The day passed quickly for Odeletta as she listened to his fantastic stories of adventure. It was only as the sun began to set that they reached the heart of Blanchardwood, the city of Kristalis.

The city sat at the point where the vigorous Eirome River broke into two, the eastern side flowing to the Greater Ocean and the western side south to Faway Forest. Its only building was a palace made mostly of glass so instead of obstructing the forest views, it reflected them.

Odeletta welcomed Fyren into her home. They broke bread, shared wine, and laughed the evening away. So entranced with her new companion was the Princess that she forgot all about her mother’s message. She gave him the room with the best view of the eastern river, and he made himself at home, wooing the Princess, who had never left her humble forest, with tales of the world. In turn she entranced him with her gentle voice that could entice a riot of colors out of the forest flowers.

Many days passed, the full bloom of their love coinciding with the summer solstice. On a bed of dewy grass, they lay, observing the longest day of the year come to a close with a fire of sunset in the sky. The stars twinkled on one at a time, but Fyren had eyes only for Odeletta.

He ran a long finger along her cheek, softer than a rose petal and a blush to match. “My beautiful rose,” he whispered.

She smiled, and the trees seemed to glow green. “Yes, my love.”

Fyren’s hand paused mid-stroke. “You love me?”

“Of course.” The forest pulsed with life and color as if to prove her love for him.

“Then you won’t mind if I kiss you.”

In response, she closed her eyes and leaned toward him with parted lips. His mouth crushed down upon hers. She gasped for breath, but not out of passion. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. Odeletta tried to pull, but he held her face to his until he had his fill.

An icy pain pierced her heart and traveled through her body to the very tips of her toes. Her hair went from golden to stark white. The ground around her froze, ice spreading through the forest faster than a wildfire. The river crackled as it froze solid.

Shaking, she huddled in the fetal position and whimpered, “What is happening to me?”

Fyren looked down upon her, a tower of authority, his eyes alight with glee. “Love is not only an admirable quality, it is the most powerful emotion in the world. And love from a daughter of Mother Nature, well, that kind of power is nearly insurmountable.”

“M-mother.” The word came out in a shiver, and Odeletta remembered why Fyren had come to her forest in the first place. “Sh-she had a message for me.”

Fyren crouched down and caressed her changed hair. Odeletta was too weak to move away. “She did indeed. But I was not the one who was to deliver it. No, I dispatched of that weak lord myself and stole his clothing.” He stood again, exerting the full power of his height. “I am Lord Fyren, but I do not serve Mother Nature. If she had been able to send you a message, she most assuredly would have warned to not stay far away from me.”

He ripped off the chest plate bearing Mother Nature’s crest and casually tossed it to the ground. “I serve myself, and you have just given me the power of love’s true kiss. Your mother and I have an old feud to settle. She is often called the Great Mother, but I will see to it that she will come to an end that is far from great.”

Bending to kiss her cheek, he whispered, “I am sorry it had to come to this for you. You truly are a beautiful creature.”

A soft snow began to fall, quickly whipping up into a blizzard. With purposeful strides, Lord Fyren left sweet Odeletta—once the Princess of Spring and now the Ice Queen—shivering in the courtyard. Spring would never again come to Blanchardwood.

***

This story comes from the mythology of Katie's YA fantasy ELIXIR BOUND, which is available now in paperback or as an ebook. 

Katie L. Carroll is a mother, author, and editor. Her YA fantasy ELIXIR BOUND has been described as “The Lord of The Rings with a YA fiction twist.” She is also the author of a picture book app called THE BEDTIMEKNIGHT. Her latest project is a collaborative, serialized middle grade mystery called THE GREAT CONNECTICUT CAPER, which is being released chapter-by-chapter starting in January 2015 and can be read at http://ctcaper.cthumanities.org/get-ready/. Katie worked as a puzzle magazine editor for Penny Publications for eight years before becoming a book editor for MuseItUp Publishing. For more about Katie, visit her website and blog at http://www.katielcarroll.com or follow her on Twitter @katielcarroll.