by

The Verdant Moon

In my fantasy worlds, the Verdant Moon heralds the high heat of summer. On the sea, winter’s iron clouds have long blown west and the island’s white bluffs are alive with nesting fishers and heckling gulls. The village shores idle, embraced by calmer waters, and small single-masted fishing boats rest on the beach, keels cutting long grooves in the sand.

No one lingers inside their narrow harbor homes when the markets brim with crabs’ legs and smoked redfish, squid with coiling tentacles, and the slimy innards of crusty shells. Summer brings more familiar fare from the dark-loamed farms: honeyed cakes and salty bread, ripe fruits, and bouquets of greens. Few go hungry during the Verdant Moon.

The Verdant Moon shines on the world tomorrow night, July 19th.

Excerpt from the Vernal Moon, Eye of Sun
The Dragon Soul Quartet

Treasach made the decision to sail the Seabourne onto the rocky shore of Anghard, and Morgen didn’t question the choice. The Rogue would impale her or drive her into the Narrows. The beautiful Seabourne would be lost regardless, so Treasach saved her crew.

He roared his orders with such force even Percy shut his gaping mouth and listened. In mere seconds, the men lashed themselves to the ship. Morgen swung a line around himself and the captain, tying them loosely to the helm. Arful stood at the bow, barking inanely at the gulls, and Morgen was helpless to save him.

Treasach spun the wheel and Morgen held on. The Seabourne plunged through the waves, her sails taut with wind when she slammed into the rocks that littered the shallows. The deafening impact ripped Morgen from the wheel and flung him under the line against the gunwales. Wood splintered and shrieked as the ship broke free and spun, the maw of the Narrows yawning open.

“Make for shore!” Treasach bellowed over the crush of fracturing wood, wind, and waves. The crew scrambled out of their bindings, and Morgen attempted to stand. The Seabourne smashed into the underwater shelf that would mark its grave, and the ship lurched, sending him sliding across the deck toward the sea. He caught a standing line and held on. Arful yelped and slipped over the edge as the ship groaned, cracked, and began to list.

“To shore,” Treasach yelled. For a heartbeat, the Seabourne stuttered, wedged on the rocks, but their chance of escape narrowed as she started to spin back into the current. Men scuttled down the slanted deck and dropped into the sea.

“Watch for rocks,” Morgen shouted. The water between the ship and Anghard’s shore wasn’t deep but treacherous, and the Seabourne offered small protection from the tide’s pull. He caught sight of Arful sweeping toward the Narrows and paddling for shore.

As men scrambled to safety Morgen counted them, and when satisfied, he slid from the ship into waist deep water. “Now, Captain!” he yelled for Treasach. The captain climbed over the gunwale, and before Morgen could shout a warning, he let go, falling onto a slick black rock. Treasach nearly drowned before Morgen grabbed him and hauled him ashore.

(Coming in August)

95 thoughts on “The Verdant Moon”

  1. writingworldcom says:
    August 2, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    Nice collection of words… interesting and impressive

    Liked by 1 person

  2. K'lee L. says:
    July 25, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    I sure wish I knew how you do it; this perfect marriage of words and visuals. This is stunning, Diana on all levels.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Heena Rathore P. says:
    July 22, 2016 at 4:30 am

    Your writing is so beautiful and captivating, Diana! I’m a fan 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Sean P Carlin says:
    July 21, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    I love a good shipwreck, Diana! My last screenplay, in fact, was called Shipwreck, and I may yet turn it into a novel!

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 21, 2016 at 6:52 pm

      Awesome, Sean. This is the last part of a much bigger battle at sea. I spent some time on a tall ship in preparation for the book – we even shot off cannons 🙂 You can definitely turn your screenplay into a novel…it works both ways! Thanks for the visit and have a peaceful weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Antonia says:
    July 21, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    I love your world and your writing 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  6. inesephoto says:
    July 21, 2016 at 1:06 pm

    I used to live near the sea – your description of the storm makes me feel the breeze 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Tara Sparling says:
    July 21, 2016 at 9:08 am

    I love your world, Diana. So much nicer than mine. But apparently it’s got something to do with paying tax and I have to stay here.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 21, 2016 at 6:05 pm

      Thanks, Tara. Paying tax? Our tax rate is higher, but not much different when comparing poor writers. For the rich, this is place to live. Have a great week and happy writing!

      Like

  8. Julie Holmes, author says:
    July 21, 2016 at 4:35 am

    Great excerpt, Diana, as always! So vivid! Thank you for sharing. And the moon tidbits are always fun to read. Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Lynz Real Cooking says:
    July 20, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    Always an amazing read, vivid and full of imagery! Love this!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Anonymous says:
    July 20, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    Awesome! That’s an excerpt worth reading. Looking forward to the book!

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 20, 2016 at 4:54 pm

      Thank you! The 4 books run the gamut with dragon flying, skimmers, sailors, warriors and greedy politicians 😀 If you get around to reading it, I hope it doesn’t disappoint! Have a great day.

      Like

  11. anotherfoodieblogger says:
    July 20, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    Such vivid imagery! I slept right through the full moon last night, I was so tired.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Lori L MacLaughlin says:
    July 20, 2016 at 9:56 am

    Beautifully written! I hope all the men (and the dog) make it safely to the shore. Love the images.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. dgkaye says:
    July 19, 2016 at 8:29 pm

    Wonderful, captivating writing Diana. And I love the verdant moon. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  14. hsampson says:
    July 19, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    Just Beautiful D! Thank you very much! I really enjoyed reading it!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Opinionated Man says:
    July 19, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    That is a great term and I like the sound of “verdant moon!”

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Nurse Kelly says:
    July 19, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    Beautiful, Diana. It’s such a joy to read your words. Will look for the Verdant moon tonight and think of you as I have with all the others! (Prefer your name over The Full Buck Moon any day!) 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Annika Perry says:
    July 19, 2016 at 1:01 am

    Fantastic drama; an exciting excerpt, Diana. Whilst reading it I felt as if I was watching the scene unfold – and after many visits to the magnificent rocky shores of Cornwall I imagined it there.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Ali Isaac says:
    July 18, 2016 at 11:35 pm

    Love the description of the Verdant Moon, Diana! This sounds like an action packed adventure. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 19, 2016 at 5:53 am

      Thanks, Ali. It was fun to write. Not as much fun to re-edit years later, but it’s almost ready to go. Just waiting on covers. 🙂 Thanks for the visit. Happy Writing!

      Like

  19. jlfatgcs says:
    July 18, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    Wow! Gripping story and so well written.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Steven Baird says:
    July 18, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    Wonderful, beautiful writing, Diana.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. reocochran says:
    July 18, 2016 at 3:42 pm

    This was lovely and I wild like fresh fruit and honeyed cakes. . .
    Your story shows Morgen’s and Treasach’s character and nature’s. I like the rugged story with all the men and even dog making it to this island, Diane. I held my breath as he counted heads, then they disembarked and ouch, I bet he suffered a concussion. Glad Morgen is strong enough to pull T. to shore. . .

    I usually post about the moon, used to write whole month of special days and poems for each one. It was so time consuming!
    I already have tomorrow’s moon post but it is more of an adventure with the grandies over the weekend using flashlights and the moon to find “treasures” and also play at a nearby church playground.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 18, 2016 at 6:47 pm

      Thanks for the visit, Robin, and the wonderful comment. Your adventure with the grandies sounds so fun! Enjoy the magic of the full moon 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • reocochran says:
        July 22, 2016 at 10:59 am

        The first sentence had “wild” which I know I meant I “would” like to have fresh fruit and honeyed cakes. . . sounds delicious, Diana. The moon even in the early morning’s light is so gorgeous and as it sets for day to “break” it is huge! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  22. roughwighting says:
    July 18, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    I’m a moon witch, or at least that’s what I tell myself. I’m in love with the moon and watching it wax and wane and deliver its nighttime glow. Never knew what the ‘verdant’ moon meant, though. It should shine brightly here tomorrow, when we’re expecting a cloudless day and night. Can’t wait! As far as your scene here – riveting and action-packed. I learn from you every time I read your writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 18, 2016 at 3:20 pm

      Oh, thank you, moon goddess 🙂 🙂 The Verdant Moon is from my imaginary world. I think one Native American term for it is the Buck Moon. I’m glad you enjoyed my little shipwreck! Happy Writing.

      Liked by 1 person

      • roughwighting says:
        July 19, 2016 at 4:32 am

        Oh, wellll, I’ve just told a hundred of my closest friends that it’s called the Verdant Moon, so you have just begun a new term in this universe, as well as the one in your “imaginary” world. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  23. anisioluiz2008 says:
    July 18, 2016 at 10:41 am

    Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. vanbytheriver says:
    July 18, 2016 at 9:47 am

    Wonderful, rich writing, Diana. And thanks for the full moon warning !! Which came first….your story concept or the info on the verdant moon ? Just curious. 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 18, 2016 at 10:05 am

      They came about the same time, Van. I used the moons to separate the sections of the book as I was writing in order to keep all the different tracks running parallel. It’s sort of two stories that collide, so the structure of the moons also adds some cohesion at the beginning when the reader is going back and forth from one story to the other. 🙂 Thanks for reading my little shipwreck! Have a great week. ❤

      Liked by 3 people

  25. Caroline Clemens says:
    July 18, 2016 at 8:48 am

    Reblogged this on AUTHOR and commented:
    Thanks for this piece. Descriptive action and beauty.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Richard Ankers says:
    July 18, 2016 at 8:26 am

    Reblogged this on Richard M. Ankers and commented:
    Wondeful writer writing wonderfully. Please read.

    Liked by 2 people

  27. Richard Ankers says:
    July 18, 2016 at 8:25 am

    Wow! Roll on August. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  28. thelonelyauthorblog says:
    July 18, 2016 at 7:59 am

    An amazing story so beautifully expressed. A pleasure to read.

    Liked by 2 people

  29. Morgan says:
    July 18, 2016 at 7:43 am

    I love the description your writing is perfection

    Liked by 1 person

  30. amreade says:
    July 18, 2016 at 7:36 am

    Your descriptions of the seashore under a verdant moon are just beautiful. I will be on the watch for it tomorrow night. Thank you!

    Liked by 2 people

  31. Morgan says:
    July 18, 2016 at 6:53 am

    Moonlight always beguiles me, so you had me with the title, but I love this post, giving a bit of back history into your stories and providing a teaser, too 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  32. balroop2013 says:
    July 18, 2016 at 6:19 am

    Never hear of the ‘verdant’ moon…would like to look at it! It must be more fascinating when it stands on the ocean! Thanks for sharing your fantastic excerpt, looking forward to more! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  33. nonsmokingladybug says:
    July 18, 2016 at 6:02 am

    What a beautiful story that leaeves me wanting to read more.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Heartafire says:
    July 18, 2016 at 5:36 am

    Such lovely and graceful writing D. A beautiful read and painting by Monet. I shall be gazing at the verdant moon ! <3. Have a lovely day!

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Traveling Rockhopper says:
    July 18, 2016 at 5:27 am

    Beautiful 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  36. The V Pub says:
    July 18, 2016 at 5:09 am

    I shall be moon gazing on the 19th! Your excerpt is like your others – it puts me in another world. In this case, the moments after a shipwreck. From the moaning of the ship to the slick black rocks – it brings back powerful reminders of when when I used to live near the coast.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 18, 2016 at 5:49 am

      Thanks so much for reading, Rob. I’ve lived on the east and west coasts now and the rocky seashores are my favorite. Sensory opulence for sure (though I wouldn’t want to crash a ship there!). Have a wonderful, peaceful week, my friend. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • The V Pub says:
        July 18, 2016 at 5:55 am

        I used to love sailing out of Newport. Once the harbor was cleared, the sounds of the ocean would take over. From the screech of the gulls, to the waves colliding with the hull, it was wonderful. Sans the ship wreck, your piece brought me back. Thanks, Diana, and have a great week!

        Liked by 2 people

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