Prism
by Matthew D.
Ryan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Fantasy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the
mystical realm of the Cavern, Akarra is Shardshaper to the quartzian people who
inhabit it. Fashioned from quartz and filled with enchanted light, the
quartzians are a strong and hearty people. Akarra is no exception. But when
destiny intervenes, she must choose between the he-quartz she loves and the
life path she lives for. Which shall she choose?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
Akarra knelt expectantly on the floor near the back
corner of Yridia’s Cave.
“Pattern matching is most important, dear,” Yridia
said.
“I know, Mistress Shardshaper,” Akarra replied,
head bowed in deference. “You’ve told me so—many times—but I just don’t see the
use of geometry.” She was tired; it had been a long training session and she
still wasn’t through.
The small but cozy cave—one in which she had spent
many long hours engaged in study—had been hollowed out in the shape of a twelve-sided
figure of exquisite design—a dodecahedron, it was called. It at once conveyed a
sense of space, mystery, and power. Much like the element it represented: the
ether. Each of the twelve faces of the shape formed a perfect pentagon—a five
sided figure of further significance and meaning. The pentagon-shaped floor, of
course, was made of clouded white quartz; the ceiling, clear. The pentagons on
the walls alternated between white and clear. There were no cracks or fissures
or blemishes; all the angles and divisions were neat, clean, and precise, thus
regulating the temperature of the room perfectly. As Akarra perused the
features of the cave, she felt contentment and peace, and her antennae glowed a
pale greenish yellow in response. This was like a second home for her. She was
the apprentice Shardshaper. One of the most respected members of the tribe.
Akarra watched Yridia move to the center of the
pentagon floor and squat down in front of her. Yridai’s yenshi robe billowed
out and she produced a crystal of transparent blue quartz in the shape of a
perfect tetrahedron. Her Heartshard. A piece of the Heart Crystal itself, the
source of the Shardshaper’s power.
Akarra could feel the Shard’s presence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Matthew
D. Ryan lives in northeastern New York on the shores of Lake Champlain. He has
been deeply involved in the fantasy genre for most of his life as a reader,
writer, and game designer. His writing has been featured at Aphelion.com and
YesteryearFiction.com. He is the operator of the web-site matthewdryan.com
which features his blog, “A Toast to Dragons,”
(http://matthewdryan.com/a-toast-to-dragons-the-blog/) a blog dedicated to
fantasy literature, and, to a lesser extent, sci-fi. He is the author of the
dark fantasy novels “Drasmyr,” “The Children of Lubrochius,” and “The Sceptre
of Morgulan,” as well as a growing number of fantasy short stories including:
“Haladryn and the Minotaur,” “The River’s Eye,” and “Escape.” His latest work
is the stand-alone novella “Prism,” a startling fantasy story of unique
character.
THE BOOK IS FREE
ON RELEASE DAY
Author’s
Smashwords Page: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/matthewdryan
Author’s
Blog: http://www.atoasttodragons.com
Author’s
Home Page: http://www.matthewdryan.com
Author’s
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MatthewDRyanAuthor
Author’s
Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/matthewdryan
Author’s
Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/579148.Matthew_D_Ryan
Author’s
Twitter Handle: @MatthewDRyan1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Matthew will be awarding a
$15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the
tour.
Thanks for hosting me today! I really appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteThe people in “Prism” are made out of quartz. Would you like to be made out of quartz?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteThanks and good luck!
DeleteThanks for hosting me today. Good night.
ReplyDeleteGreat to have everyone who visited. Good luck with the drawing.
ReplyDelete