Invocatus Rex, Part I: Xavier, Chapter X

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Title: Invocatus Rex, Xavier, Chapter X
Fandom: Original Fiction, The Witch War Histories, Vol. III
Prompt: #42 Cafeteria (still reeling over having to work this one in)
For: by Taming the Muse
Warnings: None really.
Rating: PG-ish
Summary: The Healer’s in trouble, and The Mediator comes out of retirement.
Word Count: 3,908
A/N: Ongoing story, in chronological order, here.
A/N2: Brief mention of a character who would be well known if it hadn’t been Declan telling the last story. Marcus Antonius was the scribe for the seer who handed down the original (so far as anyone knows) prophecies regarding The Healer. The other new names really are new. *g*
A/N3: I tend to think of Xavier’s world as shades of grey, although that’s really Lucie’s world. The angst in the first part of this story is often heavy-handed intentionally. This is, however, Xavier’s last week with narration. Next week, Lucie takes over for the next ten chapters, and things become less angst-ridden but far darker. Hope I’m up to the task.

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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

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

You do like hurting Xavier, don't you? And you do it so well - Two struck me, piercing my composure so swiftly I didn’t realize I was wounded until I moved on to the next picture. That is such a wonderful turn of phrase.
I love this too - Etienne gazed at her in what could only be described as awe and reverence. I remember a good friend telling me that the first time he saw his daughter, he had never felt such intense love and such intense fear as at that moment. You capture that feeling.
But I want to hit Gavin. If I was Sylvie I'd be thinking my father was dead, the way he broke the news. But the way you preceded the news with the light hearted banter was very effective.
What a testament this is - If Lucie fell apart on us, all hope was as good as lost. Poor Lucie.
So having turned the world upside down, I have to wait a week to see it begin to turn back? *sits back to wait, practises patience*

[smwright.livejournal.com]

You do like hurting Xavier, don't you? And you do it so well
He's a pleasant one to hurt, because he takes it so well.

I remember a good friend telling me that the first time he saw his daughter, he had never felt such intense love and such intense fear as at that moment. You capture that feeling. Thank you. It's one of my more favorite phrases in the three books. In fact, that whole bit was originally written with the lot of them visiting Lucie's parents in America, and Xavier saw the photos on the wall in the house. When that trip ended up not happening, I still had to write the photos in just to have that phrase. I'm very vain!

Hitting Gavin would not be good! (even if it were understandable) Remember, or perhaps you don't fully grasp it, they're like brothers, were raised together practically. He wouldn't really be able to take her feelings into account in that moment. Or anyone else's for that matter except perhaps Lucie's.

And yes, poor Lucie. Poor Lucie indeed. *rubs hands with relish*

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to get to read this all week, but it was worth the wait. Well, that really was a chapter of 2 halves wasn't it.

I loved the sense of family evoked by Lucie's photos and again it throws Xavier's position as an outsider into such sharp relief. I really do ache for him to find a little peace.

Lucie's reference to "the children" make me smile, as she's talking about two very adult people, but then when Kincaid bursts through the door giving Sylvie a piggy-back, I realise that perhaps Lucie has a point. It was another lovely "nomal" moment which again kicks Xavier in the guts - you are cruel you know!

And wow, really wasn't expecting Jonah to come back out of the woodwork, but of course zealots never disappear, they just lurk in the shadows until the next opportunity to strike presents itself.

This new development looks like it's going to throw off all their plans to investigate the history of the sword further, although I do wonder if the attempts to regain Etienne will somehow illuminate the other quest as well.

Final comment - Xavier may be the outsider, but proves he really is part of the family with his actions with the investigator and the offer of the monetary help.

Really great set up. I can't wait to see what happens next. And I'm very curious about how different Lucie's viewpoint on things is going to be be when you switch narrators.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Well, that really was a chapter of 2 halves wasn't it. The way these three books are written (and the way the fourth is begun), it's odd. I'm certainly not aspiring to Bakhtin or Dickin's level, but each of mine is told in precisely the same manner, three POVs, ten chapters for each. Thus, often, a chapter is lengthy and covers more than one central plot point. The crafting was difficult.

And all Xavier's angst... I really should do that little one shot to explain it all...

And Jonah... well, that's easily explained now that he's back. I couldn't very well go 300-400 pages with only a ghost as a villain! And why create a new one when there was such a tempting one sitting so readily to hand? As much as I loved the love story in SA, I was never happy with the overall story; it was too easy for them, Sylvie and Kincaid. In some ways, IR is my attempt to rectify that.

This new development looks like it's going to throw off all their plans to investigate the history of the sword further I really am doing quite a bit of reworking each week as the prompts come along. Identifying plot holes, weaknesses (Maz inadvertently pointed out a huge one), etc. You're right in your comment, of course; things are thrown off. What can compare to The Healer's safety? Still, we don't abandon everything permanently. :)

And I'm very curious about how different Lucie's viewpoint on things is going to be be when you switch narrators. Basically 2/3 of SA was told from Declan's POV, and I've done nothing with the telling of the first book. So, IR is the first anyone out here has seen of this story in its conceived format. I, for one, enjoy the changes. Until book IV, no one's POV duplicates; so, this is Lucie's first starring role, so to speak. I love her voice in many ways, although she's very different from the others. I hope you like her, too. So, far, all you've gotten are men. Dear, I hope it's not too much of a shock!

As ever, I'm thrilled when you can make it by. Thanks for all the wonderful insight and comments. Now up back to look at Narcissus... I think I have just the right location for it. Hope so anyway. *bites nails*