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

[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*