by

Flood Moon

pixabay tpsdave

pixabay tpsdave

In my fantasy world, the month of the Flood Moon slides into fullness as winter wanes. The snow begins to melt, gorging streams and unleashing ice floes in swollen rivers.  The cold isn’t over and the snow still falls between sheeting rains, but as the days grow longer, bulbs thrust their green fingers from the loam in a sunny corner.

If the sky is clear, the full Flood Moon will shine tonight.

en.wikimedia.org

en.wikimedia.org

Excerpt from Flood Moon, Eye of Blind

Gallard and Percy joined brothers Hywel and Malven at the Crow’s Nest tavern. The flaxen-haired pair from Glanmor had sailed with the Seabourne for four years with nothing to show for it except callouses. Coin dripped through their fingers like seawater. The two crewmen sat half in the cask already and Percy downed his first ale, intent on catching up. Gallard ordered a slab of beef, buttered potato mash and a stinky mushroom soup. He’d swig a tankard on the backside to wash it down.

“Woulda been here afore,” Percy complained, scratching his cow-licked head. “But Gallard makin’ me tramp up and down the hill like a grounder.”

“Lookin’ for Meriel still?” the older brother, Hywel, asked.

“She’s disappeared,” Gallard replied, unsure of his next step.

“She’ll find the Seabourne if she can,” Malven said. The brothers were hard to tell apart, except where Hywel boasted the start of a thick beard, Malven’s chin refused to grow a single pale whisker. “We’re here every week. Don’t seem like she’d miss us.”

“That’s what worries me.” Gallard’s food arrived, and he swatted away Percy’s finger that scooped at his potatoes.

“Shame puttin’ her in the locks.” Percy slugged down his ale and ordered more for the table. “Too old fer me but pretty elsewise.”

The brothers guffawed, slopping their ale, and Gallard frowned as the brew doused his supper.

Tears in his eyes, Hywel patted Percy’s shoulder. “She wouldn’t give you a wink, Perce, even if she were an old sea hag with green teeth. You’re no looker.”

“My teeth isn’t green.” Percy scowled. “They’re barely near yellow.”

Hywel and Malven bent over laughing, and Gallard pushed his supper away. “You need another drink, Percy. The teasing won’t hurt so bad.” He filled Percy’s tankard and poured one for himself. Percy swallowed it down and Gallard poured him another.

The Crow’s Nest filled as the day lengthened, crewmen and yardsmen finding seats on sturdy benches. Voices rose, ale spilled across the tables and floor, and there remained enough good-natured tolerance for stumbling drunkards to keep the peace. Gallard figured Percy was already sloshed beyond the borders of hope, and Hywel and Malven made sloppy drunks, reminiscing about the old days in Glanmor when they stole crabs from  traps and steamed them on the rocky shore. Gallard remained mildly sober, enough to get them back to the ship without drowning.

**

Today I head home to the rainy Northwest, timely with the start of the Flood Moon – Hawaii’s forecast predicts high seas and, well, flooding of beaches and low-lying roads. I’ll be winging over the Pacific for much of the day, losing time as my planetary destination spins away from me. I’ve been remiss in keeping up my blogging duties, but I’ll catch up quickly tomorrow. Enjoy the full moon tonight!

83 thoughts on “Flood Moon”

  1. vidishakaushik says:
    March 8, 2016 at 3:01 am

    This is ethereal beauty. Your words have added all the more charm to gorgeous moonlight. Thank you for sharing such a lovely post. Nights will never be the same again. 🙂
    Here’s hoping you’ll check out my blog too. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  2. olganm says:
    February 29, 2016 at 11:37 pm

    Very atmospheric and vivid, Diana. Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Ali Isaac says:
    February 28, 2016 at 3:28 pm

    Enjoyed the excerpt, Diana! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Sacha Black says:
    February 28, 2016 at 4:49 am

    Love seeing your excerpts and this world you are constructing. The moon is so beautiful and awe inspiring I see why you’re using it

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      February 28, 2016 at 4:46 pm

      Thanks for visiting, Sacha. The moon is part of that “light” thing I have apparently. I didn’t pay all that much attention to it until I started writing about a world without electric lights 🙂 Thanks for the visit and have a great week!

      Like

  5. teagan geneviene says:
    February 27, 2016 at 8:53 am

    This was lovely, Diana. You made it so real for me that I had to step back to prevent the ale from splashing on my shoes 😀 Mega hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. blondieaka says:
    February 25, 2016 at 3:46 pm

    I love moons also and last nights sitting here on the beach was a beauty. Love your excerpt about the Flood Moon conjured up memories from my colourful youth of scrumpy cider….great descriptors 🙂 I love how you weave such magical fantasy 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  7. philosophermouseofthehedge says:
    February 25, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    ” losing time as my planetary destination spins away from me.” Great description.
    Nothing like a night sky to find out who you really are.
    Cool story!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. joyindestructible says:
    February 25, 2016 at 12:08 pm

    Hi D., I stopped in because I’ve nominated you for “The Blogger Appreciation Award” it comes with no obligation but please see my new post at http://www.joyindestructible.com/2016/02/25/spreading-joy-by-the-warmth-of-appreciation. I love your beautiful blog, I’m fascinated by your moons, and so appreciate your encouragement. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. reocochran says:
    February 25, 2016 at 11:39 am

    I really like how you created this Full Flood Moon story. Wonderful and you are a talented fantasy story weaver, D! ♡

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      February 26, 2016 at 7:27 am

      Thank you, Robin. The snippet didn’t really mention the Flood Moon, but its a favorite of mine from that part of the book 🙂 Thanks so much for the sweet comment. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

      • reocochran says:
        February 26, 2016 at 9:29 pm

        The unique language style is reminiscent of when there was a “Songcatcher” who took a gramophone and recorder into the Tennessee hills and found various European language roots. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        • D. Wallace Peach says:
          February 27, 2016 at 7:26 am

          Well, that’s cool! What an interesting observation 🙂 I try different phrasing to make the dialog seem a little less American. Occasionally, my characters’ way of speaking leaks into my own voice too. Thanks for the comment 🙂

          Like

  10. tedgiffin says:
    February 24, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    I enjoyed the snippet… Specially the hag joke on that poor fellow. I thought it cleaver that the others laughed as if a punchline with the writing itself. I laughed, and then, read, and the characters chuckled.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Robert Matthew Goldstein says:
    February 24, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    Beautiful…

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Jacqui Murray says:
    February 24, 2016 at 10:50 am

    I love when characters use nature to mark time and more. I’m writing a novel from the deep past when that’s all people had–natural surroundings–to drive their decisions. This is quite helpful.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      February 24, 2016 at 12:54 pm

      Cool Jacqui. Most of my books are pre-technology and I have to routinely remind myself that they can’t see at night without fire (or moonlight) and have few ways to mark time, among many other challengess. It makes me appreciate light switches 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. inesephoto says:
    February 24, 2016 at 5:17 am

    Happy for your well-spent holidays 🙂
    It is amazing that you can picture the past in such detail. Sounds like magic to me.
    I remember those night walks along the beach, the full moon, the sea of silver. No need for any additional light.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      February 24, 2016 at 7:38 am

      I tried to take a picture of the full moon, Inese, with the palm trees and silver sea, but it didn’t work at all. I just have to rely on my memories and imagination. Not so hard. Thanks so much for the visit. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Nurse Kelly says:
    February 23, 2016 at 11:25 am

    I think it would take me quite some time to transition back to reality after a trip like that! Glad to hear you are home safe and sound, and what a treat to read a magical post like this after seeing the gorgeous moon I saw in the sky last night! I enjoyed it this morning as well, with Jupiter by its side. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  15. heylookawriterfellow says:
    February 23, 2016 at 7:04 am

    This is fantastic! And that yellow teeth line made me snort.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. thelonelyauthorblog says:
    February 23, 2016 at 6:30 am

    You painted an amazing picture. Everything so vivid. A pleasure to read.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Julie Holmes, author says:
    February 23, 2016 at 4:36 am

    Great scene, Diana! There’s nothing quite like seeing the moon rise bold and brilliant over the horizon, especially when it gets that cool orange cast from haze.

    Ah, back home. Take that first day to regroup, then back to the tasks at hand. Welcome home!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Khaya Ronkainen says:
    February 23, 2016 at 2:24 am

    Brilliant story, and what a vivid scene!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. patriciaruthsusan says:
    February 23, 2016 at 1:57 am

    Good story, Diana. You found a great picture to go with it. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Annika Perry says:
    February 23, 2016 at 1:51 am

    Diana, wonderful writing and you manage to transport the reader immediately into that tavern alongside Percy and Gallard, capturing the very essence of the meal, ale. The setting is superb, the vernacular realistic. Hope you had a good flight back and that the weather is kind to you.😀 Time to load all those photos onto the computer!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Kate McClelland says:
    February 22, 2016 at 11:56 pm

    Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Susanne says:
    February 22, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    What a vivid scene that was. Made me thirsty for beer!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Steven Baird says:
    February 22, 2016 at 2:27 pm

    Magical writing, Diana. I have a sudden taste for ale and a slab of beef. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Mary J. McCoy-Dressel says:
    February 22, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    Viewing a full moon never gets old. I love the concept of your Moon trilogy. Enjoyed the excerpt and the images you chose to go with it. Safe travels.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. roughwighting says:
    February 22, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    I’m in Kauai right now, and last night’s moon was AMAZING. Not sure I’ve ever seen it so huge. Didn’t know it’s called the Flood Moon. Yesterday during the day we had lots of wind and showers off and on. Today – warm and luscious. Happy Homecoming to you.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. joannesisco says:
    February 22, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    I love your moons … you make them come alive.

    … and I also love the expression you used “sat half in the cask”. I’ll have to remember that one 😉

    Liked by 2 people

  27. anotherfoodieblogger says:
    February 22, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    Happy travels! Hopefully you’ll get some sunshine when you get back.

    Liked by 2 people

  28. davidprosser says:
    February 22, 2016 at 12:08 pm

    I was going to carry on reading, enjoying it as I was, but I couldn’t seem toget past a slab of beef and buttered mashed potatoes.
    I hope your winging is over and you’re safely back at home planning your next blog post.
    xxx Massive Hugs xxx

    Liked by 3 people

  29. Bernadette says:
    February 22, 2016 at 10:07 am

    Beautiful moon with writing to match. Safe travels. Those blonds will be happy to see you, I bet.

    Liked by 2 people

  30. Carrie Rubin says:
    February 22, 2016 at 8:48 am

    Safe travels home to you. Hope you get some time to unwind from your vacation. We all need to ease back into things or it feels like we never had a vacation at all!

    Liked by 2 people

  31. Windmills of My Mind says:
    February 22, 2016 at 8:29 am

    A new beginning to a chapter writing or unwritten? Enjoyed much!

    Liked by 2 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      February 22, 2016 at 8:58 am

      Thanks so much. These excerpts are all from my trilogy that’s sectioned by Moons. It’s published, but I haven’t really started marketing it yet, because I want to repackage it as a tetralogy with the first stand-alone book – more than you wanted to know! Ha ha.

      Liked by 4 people

  32. kimwrtr says:
    February 22, 2016 at 8:25 am

    Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.

    Liked by 2 people

  33. MichaelLachmanWrites says:
    February 22, 2016 at 8:06 am

    That was a really well written scene. Sometimes I hate living in the city. The moon is the only natural light I can ever see at night. Thanks to countless streetlamps and neon signs, seeing stars has always been a rarity for me. But the moon is always there.

    (As it happens, I’m always aware of when there’s going to be a new moon or a full moon, as the moon plays an important part in my religion.)

    Liked by 2 people

  34. joyindestructible says:
    February 22, 2016 at 7:53 am

    I adore your moons. You have caused me to see the moon in a new, fun way.

    Liked by 2 people

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