Sharp Dark Things V - Queen Aurelia

Since the middle of May I've been completely caught up in getting the first 50 pages of SDT honed and ready to send off to Cape at Random House. I haven't felt so nervous since my competitive skating days. But I breathed deep and finally clicked SEND on Wednesday 25th. Just thinking about it makes me hyperventilate ever so slightly.

So it's been a huge relief to work on the blog, especially as Sarah has delivered yet another stunning drawing. I can't wait to see what she has to offer when I next meet up with her.

Here is Sarah's Queen Aurelia.

Aurelia was never meant to rule Faetaera. She trained with her father's guards and planned to travel and meet adventure before it met her.

But the War to End All Wars put a stop to that.

“Aurelia stood to receive her father, laying her sword on the stool she had occupied. Her legs no longer feeling that they belonged to her, she forced herself to take the necessary steps to embrace him.

“Should you be here father? The battle surely needs you more than I.”

“ Aurelia, it is time for the kingdom to pass to my successor. There is no time to observe the customary mourning. I must transfer my magics to you now.”

Queen Aurelia can do no wrong as far as Sprax is concerned. His faith in her is absolute.

"…Everything was noise! - CLASHES and SMASHES -SPARKLES and FIZZES - CRACKLING MAGIC from all sides of the world - The world turned upside out and inside down and then there was…nothing - Absolute nothingness - Not even stars or moons or suns or…clouds - But queen Aurelia, she was bravest...”

And, of course, Larell is in love with her.

And maybe she is a little in love with him too.

“Despite the unsightly stains upon his tunic and face and the reek of smoke emanating from his hair, his soft doe eyes told her that compassion was at his core. He was so serious she felt the need to smile so as to make him smile in response.”

And who in their right mind could blame her. I'm a little in love with him myself.

The burden of leadership lies heavy on Aurelia's shoulders as she bears the weight of a secret which makes her reign even more arduous. In order to keep her world safe she is going to have to turn to Larell and little Sprax much more than she ever anticipated.

With grateful thanks to Sarah Pennock for the drawings in this and subsequent blogs.

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