"The Skysles of Wyn'Auren"
Here it is! A teaser from my current book, THE SKYSLES OF WYN'AUREN. I'm approaching the three-quarter mark in it's progress. =) I've truly been enjoying the writing of this fantastical story, discovering it's creative depth and mystery as I go, as if I were truly there with my characters. The following is an old folksong sung in the Hills of Ceda for many generations, called "The Lady of Lampyn Tree." Jenna is singing it for the orphaned boy, Rardyn, on his ten-year birth solstice:
“All it takes is someone to show you how, and a little practice, Fish. Changing which holes you cover or leave open changes the note. Watch.”
I played a melody that was common to the Hills. It had only about five notes to remember, and was rather catchy. After playing it a few more times, I handed the Ome back.
Rardyn put his fingers where I showed him, and blew. After only a few tries he seemed to have it mastered.
Using both my hands and feet I kept a nice rhythm to the song, and his eyes widened merrily when I started singing the words that went with the tune. There were several verses to the song, which was called,
“The Lady of Lampyn Tree.”
“In the fairest Hills of Ceda, the journey begins with me
In my lonely quest to find the Lore-ish Lady of Lampyn Tree
I walk the shelly shoals to climb the heights of Calea
The helpful natives there will skiff me off to Narya
Busy merchants for a price will to faire Adoma take me,
But I’d have given all I own to find the Lady of Lampyn Tree.
The shining ports I find there will deter me from reaching Ryth,
But the castle of Noyr beyond her is nigh a thing of myth.
Isle of Dystn, easy to pass, but sacred flower grows deep,
I will search all of Feymera for the Lady of Lampyn Tree
Eda and Nandi, faire sisters of Sea Folk kin,
There I must tread lightly, for they fear to let me in
Arin welcomes visitors, they find trade in growing seed,
Perhaps they know wherefore to find the Lady of Lampyn Tree?
Twi and Ewon side by side, the mother and her child,
Neither holds the answer but the milk flows free and mild.
Upon fiery Fera, I dare to tread my feet,
I risk the wrath of Scholars to find the Lady of Lampyn Tree
I travel swiftly crest to the Isle of Naet beyond the gate,
And there found myself a boat for to take me on to Daet,
Among the clever lilies I find a king to carry me
All within my lonely search for the Lady of Lampyn Tree.
Along the way to Orloth, across submissive seas
Haero floats forgotten, drenched in misty sleeves
But deep within her stairway, hidden light’s the key
A mirror of the bosom of the Lady of Lampyn Tree.
Thetos makes the pathway to Ira and her Mount
But adventure truly waits at Netu and the Fount
The beast who chases the unwary for to flee
Kneels alway before the Lady of Lampyn Tree.
In Etu dwells the faeries that carry me to Zeni
And like walking on the watyr I float away to Ifri
Shadows cover Atra, and treacherous her reefs
No living thing could dwell there, not the Lady of Lampyn Tree.”
Rardyn and I faltered simultaneously, exchanging a look, but he indicated with a nod that I should go on. He took a breath and continued playing.
“I bow my way through Idra, respectful of guarded wey
Fya and Esye, both near reflections of wise Ushin’s eye
In Tera I find the meadow hills from which flows golden honey
Perhaps it’s here I’ll find a clue to the Lady of Lampyn Tree
Upon dear Ryna roams the flock with the finest of faire fleece
Isoa is filled with stones but no my searching will never cease
Lyroa is quite small but she reflects the sky and sea
Has she ever stood upon these shores- my Lady of Lampyn Tree?
I find my way to Lona, who’s said to boast a star
And the feathers from the birds of Idi are said to take you far
I’m hoping in Narae I’ll hear a fish that sings for me,
But I mustn’t get distracted from the Lady of Lampyn Tree
The Isle of Manah shines unresolved, sadness doesn’t fly
So I take my first step on the silken sands in the Ruins of Arai.
Across the watyr I strain my eye, what is it that I see?
Have I truly come full-circle? Where then the Lady of Lampyn Tree?
It is the fairest of all, my home, returned to Ceda forever more
And with my hungered heart I see the answer, and the door
Within my hearth and reach I find the truth that sets me free
For tis there that waits my lady, the Lady of Lampyn Tree.”
“All it takes is someone to show you how, and a little practice, Fish. Changing which holes you cover or leave open changes the note. Watch.”
I played a melody that was common to the Hills. It had only about five notes to remember, and was rather catchy. After playing it a few more times, I handed the Ome back.
Rardyn put his fingers where I showed him, and blew. After only a few tries he seemed to have it mastered.
Using both my hands and feet I kept a nice rhythm to the song, and his eyes widened merrily when I started singing the words that went with the tune. There were several verses to the song, which was called,
“The Lady of Lampyn Tree.”
“In the fairest Hills of Ceda, the journey begins with me
In my lonely quest to find the Lore-ish Lady of Lampyn Tree
I walk the shelly shoals to climb the heights of Calea
The helpful natives there will skiff me off to Narya
Busy merchants for a price will to faire Adoma take me,
But I’d have given all I own to find the Lady of Lampyn Tree.
The shining ports I find there will deter me from reaching Ryth,
But the castle of Noyr beyond her is nigh a thing of myth.
Isle of Dystn, easy to pass, but sacred flower grows deep,
I will search all of Feymera for the Lady of Lampyn Tree
Eda and Nandi, faire sisters of Sea Folk kin,
There I must tread lightly, for they fear to let me in
Arin welcomes visitors, they find trade in growing seed,
Perhaps they know wherefore to find the Lady of Lampyn Tree?
Twi and Ewon side by side, the mother and her child,
Neither holds the answer but the milk flows free and mild.
Upon fiery Fera, I dare to tread my feet,
I risk the wrath of Scholars to find the Lady of Lampyn Tree
I travel swiftly crest to the Isle of Naet beyond the gate,
And there found myself a boat for to take me on to Daet,
Among the clever lilies I find a king to carry me
All within my lonely search for the Lady of Lampyn Tree.
Along the way to Orloth, across submissive seas
Haero floats forgotten, drenched in misty sleeves
But deep within her stairway, hidden light’s the key
A mirror of the bosom of the Lady of Lampyn Tree.
Thetos makes the pathway to Ira and her Mount
But adventure truly waits at Netu and the Fount
The beast who chases the unwary for to flee
Kneels alway before the Lady of Lampyn Tree.
In Etu dwells the faeries that carry me to Zeni
And like walking on the watyr I float away to Ifri
Shadows cover Atra, and treacherous her reefs
No living thing could dwell there, not the Lady of Lampyn Tree.”
Rardyn and I faltered simultaneously, exchanging a look, but he indicated with a nod that I should go on. He took a breath and continued playing.
“I bow my way through Idra, respectful of guarded wey
Fya and Esye, both near reflections of wise Ushin’s eye
In Tera I find the meadow hills from which flows golden honey
Perhaps it’s here I’ll find a clue to the Lady of Lampyn Tree
Upon dear Ryna roams the flock with the finest of faire fleece
Isoa is filled with stones but no my searching will never cease
Lyroa is quite small but she reflects the sky and sea
Has she ever stood upon these shores- my Lady of Lampyn Tree?
I find my way to Lona, who’s said to boast a star
And the feathers from the birds of Idi are said to take you far
I’m hoping in Narae I’ll hear a fish that sings for me,
But I mustn’t get distracted from the Lady of Lampyn Tree
The Isle of Manah shines unresolved, sadness doesn’t fly
So I take my first step on the silken sands in the Ruins of Arai.
Across the watyr I strain my eye, what is it that I see?
Have I truly come full-circle? Where then the Lady of Lampyn Tree?
It is the fairest of all, my home, returned to Ceda forever more
And with my hungered heart I see the answer, and the door
Within my hearth and reach I find the truth that sets me free
For tis there that waits my lady, the Lady of Lampyn Tree.”
"One of a Kind" --Children's picture book
"Red Fuzzawuzz was feeling blue, is he one of a kind, or are there two?"
"Everyone has felt out of place and or lonely at some point in their life, so Red Fuzzawuzz is a lovable character with the kind of journey to self-discovery and friendship that everyone can relate to. I sought to create a beautiful little tale to bring a smile and a measure of comfort to those wandering souls seeking such worthy treasures."
~Diana J. Davidson
You can purchase this colorful book on Amazon, or at NeverlandPublishing.com
Here's what others have to say about her book...
"We are all unique, but similar feelings and experiences connect us. One of a Kind is a journey into a mystical world of color and imagination. Using a musical poetic prose for a charming creature called Red Fuzzawuzz to explore the question, "Am I the only one like me?", Author/illustrator Diana J. Davidson's words captivate listening attention, while her bright illustrations are a visual feast to stimulate the imagination. You won't be disappointed with this beautifully illustrated rhyming read." --Yvonne Moore BN, MSc. (MFT), PhD (student) (Author of Smemory and The Book of Names)