Come closer, they said with mind voice. Come see.

Lita stepped near, planted fists on her hips, and leaned in to inspect the scroll. One inscribed tail said “For Madam Lita.” The other asked “Do You Fancy Some Toasted Bread?”

She pulled the ribbon tail labeled with her name. Best to save the toast issue for later.

The parchment unrolled with the tick-tick-tick of a fine pocket watch. The aroma of sweet elf-kind magic puffed into her face like the softest kiss. The familiar writing inside the scroll spoke this dreadful poetry:

There once was a narfleet named Bright

Who asked Lita to take a flight

On a flying fish

Colored purplish

For a gift made smart by a sprite.

Lita squealed her delight, tucked the parchment into a pocket, and crossed the room to the balcony door. The weather was different up here than it was downstairs. Thunder muttered far away, and raindrops ticked against the belfry windows. So be it about the weather. Lita released the door latch and nudged her hip against the stubborn door to open it.

Chilly wind slapped her cheeks with stinging raindrops. A gleeful gust jerked the door out of her grasp, flung it wide open, and crashed it against the stop. The wind reversed its strategy and now refused to relinquish control of the belfry door so she could close it.

I am the author here, she hissed with mind voice. Stop it. I want to see Sir Bright, and I want my gift.

[Lita’s Note: Yes, you can hiss with mind voice. You can also scream in mind voice, but your recipient will wince, profess they have a headache, and will go take a nap instead of helping you with the screaming matter.]

Pragmatics often work as well as spells. Lita won the struggle against the wind. She pushed the door closed and felt the click of the latch into the door jamb. Lita turned.

A small airship dock stretched from the belfry balcony into the intensifying rainstorm. A bulbous one-person transport squatted at the end of the dock. A hatch opened, and a short gangplank shot out of the transport like a bullfrog’s tongue. Lita peered through the rain. Inside the transport, mellow lights showed a comfy mint-green velvet settee sitting next to a table ladened with a steaming tea service piled high with golden scones. Just inside the transport door was a table stacked with fluffy drying towels.

Her hurried walk to the gangplank took long enough for the storm to soak Lita’s tunic and pants. She drew near the end of the airship dock. The gangplank jumped, then sprouted a handrail. The handrail made a bonging noise, shimmied like a dog shaking water from its back, then mercifully went still.

She all but flew into the dry interior of the transport. The hatch clicked closed behind her.

Lita grabbed a towel, patted dry her face, and leaned over to peer out the closest window. She saw the larger airship now. Hmm. It was not a flying fish, but a whale. Hard to tell with the rain, but it just might be purplish. Lita squinted. The wheelhouse was just visible through the thicket of trees that grew on the purple whale’s back.

Next: Sir Bright’s Startling Clockwork Automata Gift

Open The Vault? Tap, tap, and tap. Yes.

Lita lifted the key that had taken her back to the castle and fitted it into the keyhole behind a book with a binding the color of old blood. Snick. The bookcase moved aside, and behind it was The Vault where Lita stashed her unpublished stories. These were the abandoned tales set aside over the many years past.

Some stories were little more than piles of miscellaneous bones that still sparkled with the energy of an idea, a scrap of a dream, or the echoes of ill-formed yet charming characters. Other stories waited, full-formed and ready to stomp through the vast grasses of the world outside—but they still waited in The Vault—their time had not yet come. But soon now.

What stories are here in the Enchanters’ alcove? Ah, here waits the full tale of Lanith, the Enchanter Grandmasters, and Church magicians. Sciomancers lure the mundane ghosts who wear carnival masks to hide their deceit. His Divine is ever hungry to enslave the Enchanter’s magic. Tredan’s cursed journal lurks in the shadows and wants to take down everything dear to Lanith.

Beyond the Enchanters’ alcove is a narrow dusty passage to the First Age of the Enchanters’ world of Sye, telling stories long before Lanith’s tale starts. Just look at the many manuscripts and papers that define the spells that Enchanters use to thread their sensual magic. The stacks stretch oh, so high.

Next Time: The Belfry with Outrageous Clockpunk Wizard Yarns

The ink of my written words ran thin while I was away; I allowed distractions to consume my wits. My fantasy worlds trailed into silence.

Time passed.

I trudged over moors and mountains to my castle in the Northern Realms; as a traveler I returned to a ruin with the key as a torch to reawaken the way. I kindled the castle’s cold hearths and swept away the accumulated filth of neglect. The relit lanterns again warmed my study.

My sleep is still heavy with shadow-wrought omens, but for the first time in a decade, the ink flows. The once-abandoned stories resume their breathy whispers. Again, I will transcribe the eager words of the beguiling Enchanters, and mad clockwork wizards.

Next Time: Lita’s Literary Skeletons

Previously:

• Welcome to the Dreadful Poetry Book Release Party
• Searching for Auntie Em in Dreadful Poetry
• The Dreadful Poetry Cake

We had so much fun today during the Dreadful Poetry book launch party, hobnobbing with the wizards and talking with the naughty woodland fairies that made us blush. Bright’s cake that he made from magical powders was tasty, and the champagne tickled our noses.

Kadmeion’s Auntie Em has summoned her pumpkin coach. See it waiting for her over there, by the forest’s edge?

Here are some cookies to take with you, Gentle Reader, fresh-baked just this morning by Wizard Kadmeion. Not to worry, he went out early and bought some proper flour. He put a gentle spell on their box that will keep them warm all the way home. Tuck your hands around the box, and the spell will keep your fingers warm, too.

Marty has your cloak right here. Bundle up. The snow is falling again outside.

Don’t forget your Dreadful Poetry book. Curl up tonight in front of your fireplace, and join the boys on their adventures at the university. We told Auntie Em that you would read about her part in the story. And be sure to think of Bright the next time you see a butterfly.

To all, Lita wishes you a magical goodnight.

Previously:

• Welcome to the Dreadful Poetry Book Release Party
• Searching for Auntie Em in Dreadful Poetry

Brighton M’Choakenchilde is the seventh son of a seventh son elf prince. He came into his magical ability after meeting Wizardling Kadmeion in Dreadful Poetry.

In addition to being Kadmeion’s assistant, Bright is their airship mechanic. He has his father’s handsome elf features. Bright’s magic is scented with sweet pine, and the gentle aroma of violets.

Lita: The cake for the Dreadful Poetry book release party is lovely. It looks just like the book cover. Did you start with a cake and make it look like a book, or did you do it the other way around?

Bright: I started with a cake. Sort of.

Lita: Explain?

Bright: We were all out of flour, and Kadmeion told me last night that the party was today. I improvised by using some of our magical powder stock instead of flour. I found it difficult to change the bright colors into a presentable cake, but I tasted the batter before baking. It came out fine.

Lita: What magical flavor is the cake?

Bright: Chocolate.

Lita: Will eating the cake turn your guests into something, um, unnatural?

Bright: It will make everyone unnaturally happy to read a story about our college days.

Lita: We each will have a piece of cake please, and some of the champagne. While you’re serving, tell us about the significance of the butterflies on the book cover.

Bright: [The elf-kind serves us chocolate cake, and glasses of chilled champagne.] My first high magic enchantment was to create a butterfly. I could not have done it without Kadmeion. He took on my case when no other wizard or sorceress would work with me.

Lita: Will you show us the spell?

Sir Bright cups his hands, and sings a short wizardry spell. A dot of his magic glows like a candle’s flame within the shelter of his palms, then morphs into a blue-and-green butterfly. The magical creature flutters about, and perches on Gentle Reader’s champagne glass. The butterfly is lovely, and the cake is delicious. We thank Bright for his Glamour-filled elf-kind magic.

Next time: Dreadful Poetry Book Launch Party Ends

Previously: Welcome to the Dreadful Poetry Book Release Party

Wizard Kadmeion’s aunt, Sorceress Emily (“Em”), is a renowned magical horticulture practitioner. Her specialty is growing root vegetables into human shapes. Magicians seek out her wares so they can animate the tubers with minor demons. These flora homunculi are popular as garden workers.

Lita: Em, we are so pleased you could join us today at Kadmeion’s affair.

Auntie Em: I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Who is this lovely person you’re with, Lita?

Lita: This is Gentle Reader.

Auntie Em: Enchanted to meet you. Did you two hear that Kadmeion searched for me during much of his Dreadful Poetry story? I was quite the star, and I wasn’t even there.

Lita: I know all about it, Em. Remember that I am Kadmeion’s scribe, and he natters at me using mind voice. The wizard and I have coffee together in the early morning, and I transcribe what he says while we chat. Gentle Reader will learn about your part in the story the normal way by reading the book.

Gentle Reader: [Methinks Auntie Em is as daft as sitting on stilts while doing some knitting. Ask her why she has grass for hair.]

Lita: Love your new hair style, darling. Usually, you wear mushrooms and leaves on your head. Is that Kentucky Bluegrass you have on today?

Auntie Em: This is Fine Fescue. [Auntie Em pats her head with a manicured hand. The elegant long fingernails are painted pine-tree green.] I don’t need as much water now when I shampoo, because the grass is drought resistant.

Kadmeion and his Auntie Em excuse themselves. They step away to talk with the other guests. Sir Bright comes over, and invites us to join him. We follow him across the room to the buffet table. Hungry? Time to eat something.

Next time: The Dreadful Poetry Cake

Glad You Came

Love your beautiful hair and outfit, my dear. Is that big purple and white flower on your dress enchanted? Oh, it giggles, and smells like good luck. Yes then, it’s the perfect thing to wear today to the wizard’s affair.

See that homunculus with the three legs standing just inside the door? That is one of Sir Bright’s clockworks creations. Disregard Marty’s somewhat frightful face that looks like a metal triangle. Hand your cloak to him. Marty will remove the snow with a brush made of dragon eyelashes, and hold your garment in the atrium until it is time to go.

The rest of the guests are gathering in the forward lounge. Kadmeion, his elf assistant Bright, and the wizard’s cynanthrope familiar Furgo are here. The woodland fairies flit about, are always ready to perch on your hand, and talk about their naughty ways. Wizard Morton from the university arrived earlier, along with a few Magic Guild cronies.

Before you go inside, take a moment please, and step to the display table over here. This will take only a moment.

Spells Transport Your Copy to You

Get your very own copy of our wizard’s latest story, Dreadful Poetry. Today is release day!

Dreadful Poetry tells about the wee bit of trouble the boys had while at the university. Bright was not always a mage, and Kadmeion had quite the time of it with his field study. For a while, it seemed that both of them would land in magician’s prison.

Thank you for the small amount it takes for the wizards at Amazon to fuel the transport spells that whisk an eBook immediately to you. Their clever enchantments will deliver your book to these magical locations around the world: US, UK, CA, AU, and IN.

Look Who Just Arrived

Kadmeion’s Auntie Em just stepped in. Let’s give her a few minutes to greet her favorite nephew. Oh, look. The wizard is bringing her over to say hello to us.

Next post: Searching for Auntie Em in Dreadful Poetry

The affair will be this Saturday, the 17th of December, starting at sunrise, here on Lita’s blog.

Wands, broomsticks, and pointy hats are not required. Refreshments will be served. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Don’t miss out on the clockpunk fun. Pre-order Dreadful Poetry now.

Uncover Your Eyes Now

Take a deep breath, remove your blindfolds, and look over here. This is the book cover for Lita Burke’s latest story, Dreadful Poetry.

In Dreadful Poetry, an elf prince’s son teams up with a disgraced wizardling to clear their names with the Magic Guild. Read more about the story in the back-cover blurb.

You Are Invited

Join Lita here on her blog for the Dreadful Poetry book launch party on December 17, 2016. The lads will be around to talk about their adventures. Kadmeion will explain who his Auntie Em is, and Bright will tell us about the life of a clockworks mechanic on an airship. Come as you are. Refreshments will be served. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Next Airship Departs Soon

Reserve your spot on the wizard’s airship for the next trip to the plate-shaped ocean world where islands float far above the sea. Seats are available by pre-ordering Dreadful Poetry now on Amazon US, UK, CA, AU, and IN.

Now is the time for a few good Gentle Readers to join our ranks aboard the AS Patsy Nottle for the Dreadful Poetry cover reveal party!

December the 7th at early morning

Berth #1 – Pier A at the Lita Burke Aerodrome

Hosted by Wizard Kadmeion, Sir Bright & Their Crew

Dreadful Poetry is available now for pre-order on Amazon.