Nia Markos's Blog

Build a world so vivid, readers never want to leave.

“What have you found out?” Eliana inquired. “Were you able to locate Sara?”

Vanya smiled and answered, “Yes, my Queen, Sara will see you at the usual location in an hour. She asked me to tell you that she can help.”

“Very well,” Eliana responded. “I must prepare. Thank-you, please leave me now.”

Vanya did not move to leave, however. “My Queen,” she spoke, “I think I should come with you. You might need me.”

Eliana looked at Vanya, not surprised that she wanted to come with her. Her friend would follow her into any danger, but for this she needed to see Sara alone.

“I’ll be fine, Vanya. Sara can take care of any dangers that might arise. I will need you when I come back.”

Vanya bowed and removed herself from the room closing the door behind her. Once alone, Eliana changed her clothes in order to fit in where she was going. She put on the simple-styled dress worn by the humans. Facing her mirror, she adjusted the robe, running her fingers over the rough-textured, bland-colored fabric. No one would know who she was. She hoped Sara would have answers for her. To pass the time, she went over some documents that needed her attention. Once the hour was up she grabbed a heavy tartan cloak for warmth. Standing in front of her floor-length mirror, she passed her hand in front of it. Her image was replaced by a white swirling cloud. Pulling the cloak up to cover her head and hide her features, she took a deep breath and walked into the mirror, disappearing from the room.

The world she stepped into was harsh. The winds whipped at her as she faced the only building in sight. The darkness outside the inn was pierced by a single lantern that hung from the wall next to the door. The isolation of the building from the main town made it the perfect spot for their meeting. Eliana walked to the structure, and opened the door. Entering, she stood a moment, letting her eyes adjust to the dimly lit interior. In the back of the room Sara sat facing away from her, her head bent down staring at the table. The innkeeper appeared, having heard her entrance. Eliana waved him away, walking by him briskly to join Sara.

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” – William Wordsworth

Remember, behind every great writer is a cup of coffee and a mind full of ideas.

Fantasy books are proof that magic exists.

Vanya bowed her head, quickly taking her leave. Eliana took a moment to steel herself for what was to come. Knowing that she had to be strong, she gathered her courage. Two of her guards fell into step, one on each side, as she strode from the room. She made her way to the chamber that held the gateway, where Elsam was waiting. Entering the circular room, she stopped to gaze at the blood red crystal that hovered over a pedestal in the center of the room. It glowed and spun slowly, infusing the walls with a crimson-colored aura. The crystal of Eruva, shaped like a diamond, seven-inches tall and four-inches wide, was the source of power that protected the island and its people.  Her ancestors had named the precious stone, Kaemorra. In their tongue, the word meant sanctuary. Eliana, and each queen before her, had a connection to the crystal and were able to harness its power and use it when needed. Not so long ago, she herself had placed an incantation on it, blocking the entrance to the human world. She wondered how Elsam had gotten around the barriers she had built. She would find out. She had no choice if her people were to be saved.

“Elsam, I am giving you one final chance to tell me what it is you have done to the crystal,” said Eliana.

Elsam remained silent, his eyes defiant in his final moments. Very well, she thought to herself. Calling upon her power that linked her to the Kaemorra, she spoke in their ancient tongue. The words opened the spaces between times. She spread her arms wide, closed her eyes, focusing on the energy around her. The crystal released multiple rays of color from within it, saturating the cave with its light. As the light danced, it caught Elsam within its power, rendering him immobile. Eliana repeated the words again. The light grabbed hold of Elsam, his whole body convulsing from the power. It encircled him, binding him within its radiance. His eyes found Eliana’s, defiant and filled with hatred. It was the last thing she felt before the light pulled him into the crystal’s core. As quickly as the light had spread, it disappeared. Eliana looked at the Kaemorra with regret in her eyes. Elsam had been close to her, losing him was a heavy loss. His actions had hurt her more than he knew. With her guards following behind her, she returned to the throne room where Vanya had returned with news. The guards took position on each side of the main door as Eliana walked towards the only other door at the back of the room. She motioned for Vanya to follow her into her private chamber. Once she had closed the door and they were alone, she sat down on one of the chairs.

Embrace the stillness of the weekend; let peace flow like a river

Elsam did not flinch at her pronouncement. There were worse things she could have done to him. The darkness of time, having no sense of its passage, would not break him. Many had gone mad. Once cast in this vacuum, he would lie awake in an unending silence. He would not know how much time had lapsed. His strength and resolve would have to be enough to keep him on course. What his queen did not know was that it was exactly the right amount of time he needed. He would serve his sentence. Once he was released, he would be free to take his final revenge.

Eliana could see his mind working. The brief smile on his lips let her know that more was at play than what she was aware of. She needed to find out what he had done. One way or another, she had to fix what he had put into motion. Once he was confined, she would have to figure out what his end game was. Elsam was not going to win in this fight. He did not know that she had her own contacts to help her.

“Guards, take him to the gateway. I will be there shortly,” she commanded.

Her guards stripped Elsam of his sword, letting it fall to the floor with a loud clang. The sword, once out of his possession vanished from sight, fading into nothingness, abandoning its master. They bound his arms behind his back, roughly pushing him out of the throne room. Once he was gone, Eliana called Vanya to her side.

“I need to see Sara as soon as possible,” she whispered. “See if you can find her. Do so quietly, Vanya. No one must know.”

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou

Remember, behind every great writer is a cup of coffee and a mind full of ideas.

In YA fantasy, the world must reflect the emotional truths of its characters.