Authors are often asked what inspired a particular story. Sometimes the answer is pretty straightforward. But sometimes…
…It’s a bit of a tangled mess. Follow the story of Master of the Fleet in the making.
You have probably never heard of the Society For Creative Anachronism, but they are a group of people who love all things medieval. The clothing, foods, music, weaponry. You name it and, chances are, someone in the society will know how it was done.
This leads to tournament weekends where everyone shows up in recreated garb, eats period correct foods, an older style of language. And the feasts in the evening after the days events are fabulous and complete with entertainment.
Everyone who gets involved with the group chooses a country and time period they like. Then they build their own persona of someone from that era. My persona was from the 1200 in France. I was involved in the music of the times, played with a recorder consort, and occasionally did a little singing.
One evening a member sang the song Greensleeves. It was an a capella performance that was so poignant, I had to hold back tears, as did most of the people there.
Now, at some later point, my mind began to play with this idea. The ideas of the song, at a feast. Perhaps at the Baron’s Feast after an event. How about a bit of play acting around the story of Greensleeves?
No! What if the lady becomes angry and lashes out, makes a big scene, pulls a dagger…
All right… Many of the men who join the SCA do fighting. Some are swordsmen. What if we had a big dramatic fight. The dagger is taken away, she snatches up a sword and…When the scene ends, everyone has had an exciting evening, not realizing at first that this is part of the entertainment, until the couple on the floor take a bow. Of course, we’d have to clear it with the baron first. Get permission for a live blade on the floor…
Now, put this altogether.
What if this wasn’t a performance, but for real? And what if magic were involved? She has tried to murder the man on the floor in front of the baron and half the kingdom. He had planned to propose to her, but now the marriage is a forced one, with the baron’s approval.
Marriage in this world is magically bound by the elements. But to keep both of our two MCs safe, the baron insists on a blood oath, binding the two of them, he as her protector, she is sworn to loyalty and obedience on pain of death.
Where do we go from here?
And how do we achieve a happily-ever-after? Could be tricky…
What you end up with is a fantasy romance, a somewhat dark romance, in an alternate reality on the coast of the Pacific Northwest. Our male MC, Richard, is the wealthy owner of a merchant fleet. His magical abilities give him command over wind and water, which helps in his business.
Our female MC, AnneMarie, is a conniving seamstress who travels from place to place, relieving adoring men of their money and goods, before moving on to greener pastures.
Until she meets Richard and allows herself to get caught up in the idea of returning to her home kingdom to gloat over what she has become.
And then our fight scene at the Baron’s Feast comes into play. The fight, the oaths, the wedding…
Those in the wedding party removed their shoes to stand on earth. With hands raised, eyes to the heavens, the priest began to intone the opening words of the marriage oath.
“In the presence of God, I call upon heaven and earth, water and fire, wind and spirit, to witness the union of Lord Sir Richard LeMarnier and Anne-Marie Desplaines…”
…Bound by God and the six elements of creation, their human representatives bearing witness and completing the perfect ring of seven, the marriage was sealed by the priest, and recorded.
So there you have it. The story behind the story. Ready for an adventure?
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Thank you for joining me today.
And remember,
Always Look For the Magic…
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