Prisoner of Conscience
May. 20th, 2009 11:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
n_wilkinsonPhew. Barely made it in time. Work sucks, lemme tell you.
But on to the fiction.
Today I bring you Prisoner of Conscience, the first in a two-part series loosely titled "Erland" after the main character. The second book -- Best Intentions -- will be discussed in a future post.
Inspired by the movie and graphic novel 300, Prisoner of Conscience tells the story of Erland, a member of the winged Maris race who finds himself dissatisfied with everything tradition has taught him. He struggles to define his own ideals, trapped between the warrior tradition dictates, and the one he is becoming. A warrior who doesn't approve of the senseless slaughter that has become the Maris way.
I've based the Maris in part on the Spartans with their war-like ideals, and on the Vikings as well. I draw heavily on ancient cultures, mixing and meshing to create my own, unique race. They are one of the three main races that inhabit the country, the other two being the four-armed Dargon and the bird-like Horu. The Dargon and the Horu are at war with each other, though it is one that has gone on for so long that neither side remembers why it started, and are only continuing because they are too apathetic to call it to an end. Neither side wants to give ground to the other for the sake of an offense no one recalls. The Maris indiscriminately fight both sides, their love for battle drawing them to fight whichever opponent wanders in their path.
Erland's tale begins when his scouting party is ambushed by a group of Dargon. Everyone of his team is killed save for himself, including his closed friend Vyalee -- who is more like a brother in everything but blood. Erland is haunted by this, as it is due to his urging that Vyalee surrenders, even when Maris tradition dictates that they never lay down their arms and never surrender. Taken captive by the Dargon and made their slave, Erland is subjected to all manner of torture as the Dargon try to strip him of his being. Even going so far as to take the symbols of his status and ability amongst the Maris -- ripping out his earrings and tearing off one of his wings.
He suffers under their rule, battling feelings of suicide and arguing against Maris tradition. He considers a war that no one cares to end. And he never once stops thinking of escape. Not even two failed attempts stop him from trying to return home, despite knowing that his welcome will not be warm and relieved.
I won't say how it ends to save the spoilers, but suffice it to say, I do believe it is surprising.
The story is entirely character-driven, as it follows Erland as he changes from the Maris his family and life have impressed into him, to a Maris that forms his own thoughts and opinions. Abhorring bloodshed, he tries to find meaning in a war that has none. And when he can't, he resolves to make some for his own. Constantly haunted by guilt, he is determined to make amends for failing Vyalee. He learns how to have strength in his own convictions.
It is a brutal and gripping story, one that doesn't restrain from describing everything that Erland suffers. The reader endures the taking of his wing along with Erland, and shares his pain as he slips in and out of consciousness. Even questions themselves the things that they believe in.
It is the first story I wrote as part of a novel-writing challenge. I didn't officially take part in NaNoWriMo that year, but I was with them in spirit. I wrote the fic in the entire month of November, all 65K of it, and was immensely pleased with the ending. It also happens to be my sister's favorite. There are hints of shounen-ai within the story, most evidenced by Erland's strong feelings for his best friend and his lack of interest in anyone else. The hints of boylove are much stronger within the sequel, but the story remains a genre fiction.
I hope to one day get this and its sequel published.
Prisoner of Conscience can be found here. Comments and questions are more than welcome.
But on to the fiction.
Today I bring you Prisoner of Conscience, the first in a two-part series loosely titled "Erland" after the main character. The second book -- Best Intentions -- will be discussed in a future post.
Inspired by the movie and graphic novel 300, Prisoner of Conscience tells the story of Erland, a member of the winged Maris race who finds himself dissatisfied with everything tradition has taught him. He struggles to define his own ideals, trapped between the warrior tradition dictates, and the one he is becoming. A warrior who doesn't approve of the senseless slaughter that has become the Maris way.
I've based the Maris in part on the Spartans with their war-like ideals, and on the Vikings as well. I draw heavily on ancient cultures, mixing and meshing to create my own, unique race. They are one of the three main races that inhabit the country, the other two being the four-armed Dargon and the bird-like Horu. The Dargon and the Horu are at war with each other, though it is one that has gone on for so long that neither side remembers why it started, and are only continuing because they are too apathetic to call it to an end. Neither side wants to give ground to the other for the sake of an offense no one recalls. The Maris indiscriminately fight both sides, their love for battle drawing them to fight whichever opponent wanders in their path.
Erland's tale begins when his scouting party is ambushed by a group of Dargon. Everyone of his team is killed save for himself, including his closed friend Vyalee -- who is more like a brother in everything but blood. Erland is haunted by this, as it is due to his urging that Vyalee surrenders, even when Maris tradition dictates that they never lay down their arms and never surrender. Taken captive by the Dargon and made their slave, Erland is subjected to all manner of torture as the Dargon try to strip him of his being. Even going so far as to take the symbols of his status and ability amongst the Maris -- ripping out his earrings and tearing off one of his wings.
He suffers under their rule, battling feelings of suicide and arguing against Maris tradition. He considers a war that no one cares to end. And he never once stops thinking of escape. Not even two failed attempts stop him from trying to return home, despite knowing that his welcome will not be warm and relieved.
I won't say how it ends to save the spoilers, but suffice it to say, I do believe it is surprising.
The story is entirely character-driven, as it follows Erland as he changes from the Maris his family and life have impressed into him, to a Maris that forms his own thoughts and opinions. Abhorring bloodshed, he tries to find meaning in a war that has none. And when he can't, he resolves to make some for his own. Constantly haunted by guilt, he is determined to make amends for failing Vyalee. He learns how to have strength in his own convictions.
It is a brutal and gripping story, one that doesn't restrain from describing everything that Erland suffers. The reader endures the taking of his wing along with Erland, and shares his pain as he slips in and out of consciousness. Even questions themselves the things that they believe in.
It is the first story I wrote as part of a novel-writing challenge. I didn't officially take part in NaNoWriMo that year, but I was with them in spirit. I wrote the fic in the entire month of November, all 65K of it, and was immensely pleased with the ending. It also happens to be my sister's favorite. There are hints of shounen-ai within the story, most evidenced by Erland's strong feelings for his best friend and his lack of interest in anyone else. The hints of boylove are much stronger within the sequel, but the story remains a genre fiction.
I hope to one day get this and its sequel published.
Prisoner of Conscience can be found here. Comments and questions are more than welcome.
