Invocatus Rex, Part I: Xavier, Chapter III

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Title: Invocatus Rex, Xavier, Chapter III
Fandom: Original Fiction, The Witch War Histories, Vol. III
Prompt: #36 Batting a Thousand
For: by Taming the Muse
Warnings: Minor Angst and strange magic.
Rating: PG-ish
Summary: Sylvie must banish Aisling's accidentally evoked spirits (after trying to use them to her own advantage).
Word Count: 5,322
A/N: Memories mostly reorganized. Ongoing story, in chronological order, here.
A/N2: Once again, beta by meredevachon, who is as intimately familiar with this family as I am. Feels nearly incestuous some days. *g*

---

This chapter has been moved, along with all prior chapters, to my LJ, where they're located in chronological order in the IR section of my memories.

Comments

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

The other week I commented on the domesticity you evoke in the midst of all the myth and magic. Perhaps it's just another manifestation of the same thing, but there's also a great sense of intimacy between the characters which comes across - not sexual, but as people who love each other and are tied together by more than family. There are so many scenes in this chapter which made me feel this.

In the kitchen with Xavier sitting listening to Etienne and Kincaid really brought that home to me.
The respect everyone shows to Thalia, and Xavier supporting her and being her walking stick.
Sylvie asking her "Granny" if she should cast the circle
The contrast between the unity of Sylivie's family and the discord of the vision mother and son.

Just so many little details, but it's what makes the whole so much richer.

Aside from all that, the scenes with the vision Aisling and her son were fascinating and at least they were able to help real Aisling somewhat, but I wonder if it takes them any further forward in finding out about the sword.

Great update love - not that I'd expect anything else!

s x

[smwright.livejournal.com]

there's also a great sense of intimacy between the characters which comes across

I hope so. Thank you for commenting on it. Thalia is really the glue that binds them in some ways, and although she didn't play an enormous role in SA, she comes back in this one. I hope I do her justice.

The bit with Kincaid and Etienne is still awkward to me, and I want to work on it more. We'll have to see how that goes...

Aside from all that, the scenes with the vision Aisling and her son were fascinating and at least they were able to help real Aisling somewhat, but I wonder if it takes them any further forward in finding out about the sword.

Much literary cheating in the chapter to come (re: the sword). I'll be interested in your take on it. *g*

Per usual, thank you for continuing to offer the support we all thrive on. *sends you a big sloppy kiss*

[meredevachon]

You already know my feelings on the chapter, disjointed and incoherent as they were. The changes you made work very well, impressive since I didn't give you much to go on for some of them.

I think sparrow's absolutely right about the sense of intimacy and family you evoke with this story. The Peyton-Solons and their wider circle of friends draw us all into their lives with every new detail and nuance of feeling.

I still like how you worked in the prompt. At some point, we need a friendly argument between Kincaid and Declan about sports... I don't think you've written one yet, have you?

[smwright.livejournal.com]

The changes you made work very well

Glad you think so, sweetie. I think they're at least better than the original phrasing.

At some point, we need a friendly argument between Kincaid and Declan about sports... I don't think you've written one yet, have you?

No, I haven't. There's a bit somewhat later on, perhaps three or four chapters from now, between Sylvie & Kincaid on baseball, but it's not really an argument. I'm not sure how to write an argument between Declan and Kincaid on sports. I don't know enough about sports on the other side of the pond!

Many thanks again on the beta.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

I echo Sparrow and meredevachon about the family - I loved the way both Etienne and Kincaid were comfortable enough with Xavier and with each other to continue their argument after he walked in, and even as he sat at the table watching them. It takes great familiarity and trust to not be embarrassed to be caught out in such a situation.
And the relationship between the generations of women, once again secure enough to allow Xavier in, just as the men were secure enough to let him be their representative.
While shadow Aisling and her fear of her son, her lost daughter... such a contrast.
He was scary powerful, but thankfully arrogant (understandable I imagine, since he was that was inclined) and underestimated Sylive.
This was a very nice teaser to the history of the sword and the family. Presenting it like this, as a flashback of sorts, sandwiched in modern action is really good - the characters we know and love provide a grounding to the horrors of the past.
Noting your comment to Sparrow, I look forward to the 'literary cheating' to come. *g*
Nice work. Very nice.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

He was scary powerful, but thankfully arrogant (understandable I imagine, since he was that was inclined) and underestimated Sylive.

That was the story I'd wanted to write initially... the 1400-year-old story, but I found I just couldn't maintain it. Others can, and do of course, but I just didn't have it in me. I wanted Etienne (and the women, too) involved. But Dryw really is compelling... his arrogance and, as you say, the "scary powerful" way about him. I think he would have been a delicious character, but I never developed him into adulthood.

This was a very nice teaser to the history of the sword and the family. Presenting it like this, as a flashback of sorts, sandwiched in modern action is really good

I'm quite glad you approve and are looking forward to the literary cheating. Takes much of the pressure off next week! *winks* I had thought it was this week but was wrong... unless you want me to post 12K words (and I don't think you do). Minor cheating this week; major cheating next.

And I cannot tell you how welcome this lovely feedback is after the morning I've had. Thank you so much (as always). Really looking forward to the weekend and whatever reading you offer for me (as if you write solely for my pleasure!).