Monday, January 02, 2006

War of the Gyro

Bede has written a novel called The War of the Gyro. It takes place in a fictional world called Talislanta.

The story features swashbuckling heroes, terrifying adversaries, and a whole bunch of other neat things that can only be described with breathless gerundives. Bede will be posting a new chapter every few days, and welcomes your comments on this version that he calls "Beta 1." Here is the first paragraph of the novel:

A swordsman was singing a song. And because he was 1500 miles from home in a strange city where he knew no one, and because he guessed the natives wouldn’t appreciate Zandu love songs here, he was singing to his sword. As he strutted across the plaza, he tapped accompaniment to his song with boots of tanned sky lizard hide trimmed with black lace. A stiff sea breeze ruffled his white shirt, and he pulled his jet velvet cape closer against the chill. Halfway across the market square, he stopped at a metalworker’s stall and scrutinized his face in the bottom of a polished brass pot. It was a pleasant face, with a touch of piquant humor that both invited trust and hinted at mischief. His hair was thick and dark and his beard was black and came to an elegant point. But his good looks were marred by one imperfection, a pale scar that extended from the corner of his left eye across his cheek and under his jaw, giving his face a hint of cruelty. He combed his curls back and plucked a gray hair from his beard. He checked his teeth, his earrings and his collar. He was on his way to deliver an insult, and he wanted to look his best.

6 comments:

Liz said...

Dang, is that swordsman single? :)

I would love to be a fly on the wall of your home. It must be extremely enriching and entertaining.

Saints and Spinners said...

Nonny,
The swordsman is indeed single, though I keep proposing scintillating scenes with the female hero. Bede is not entirely opposed.

I'd love it if you were more than a fly on the wall of our home.:)

Unknown said...

You all give me way too much credit. Thanks. :) And Nonny, yes he's single, but as you'll see, later in the story you might have to fight a daring warrior woman to get his attention.

Anonymous said...

ok. the last line rocks. what a great way to start a story.

Liz said...

Tony: Bring it on! And we do not give you to much credit. The story rocks so far. Plus I'm now convinced your the most romantic man in the world.

:-P

Saints and Spinners said...

Lady Hearteater,
The picture of the guy is Rudolph Valentino, the original IT boy of cinema.:) It's so weird that I'm now older than Valentino when he died. It would have been interesting had Valentino lived. I think he would have left acting and directed movies.