Before you explore the website of yet another aspiring historical romance author, let me invite you to taste what is lurking within the depths of my imagination. And what better way to begin than to read a sample of my first romance publication in The Enchanted File Cabinet‘s October 2012 issue? Enjoy this excerpt of “Fate and Free Will,” and be sure to search the rest of my website to savor the whole of my work.
The path for every human’s life is paved by two judges, fate and freewill. One might contradict the other at times. There might not always be complete harmony between the two. A person may decide upon fate, and fate may spin the fibers of that person’s freewill. You can’t deny life is filled with both. I know by experience. Fate and freewill intervened in my life the day I wrote the letter.
It was one of those rare privileges to have paper for my writing. I sat at my desk with the paper staring back, taunting me. The words did not come immediately.
I thought of my life and of my miserable circumstances. I thought of my dying grandmother. I thought of the people in rural Derbyshire who gave to keep us alive. I thought of my home, which could be lost as soon as the benefactors stopped giving.
After several moments, I began to write a letter and its recipient was unknown. All my thoughts, feelings, and miseries flowed onto that paper:
April 26, 1843
I have no money to my name. My only income comes from the benefactors that take pity on me. My only remaining relative is my grandmother, but she is slowly deteriorating back into dust. She coughs up blood consistently and hardly ever moves. She just lies on her bed and stares at the ceiling above her head, as if she is waiting for God himself to emerge and reclaim her soul. I am frightened for her and what she will soon face. I am frightened for myself and the loneliness that shall soon engulf my very existence.
Who ever may care, my only wish is to have a friend. If, by destiny, anyone finds this letter, I ask of you, from the deepest depths of my soul, to respond to my letter. Don’t if you only pity me. Respond because you also suffer and are in need of a companion.
From my heart,
Camilla Clematis
I placed my pen on the desk and picked up the paper. I thoughtfully revised my letter. The only background noise was the hoarse coughs of my grandmother and the troublesome way she breathed. My head fell into my hands. My pen slid to the floor. Sadness crept into my heart.
The letter was written. My fate was sealed. Freewill instructed me to enter the forests outside of the village. There was no reason for this action. It was merely a decision I made on the spur of the moment.
As I entered the woods, the dark heavens above glistened with the guardians of light. Silent soldiers peacefully swayed back and forth. Creatures of all shapes and sizes roamed about without a care. Fresh dew brushed against my calves, leaving a mark on God’s daughter.
After a time, an enormous tree came into view. The tree was so wide that it could only be measured if five men joined hands and hugged the trunk. It towered over every other tree in sight, acting as a sort of master of the forest. Many mangled limbs stretched outwards and upwards. Several birds and squirrels had created nests on these limbs.
This tree contained much knowledge, and knew the meanings of hardship. Beauty was a familiarity and age a friend. A small hole in its trunk stood out like a sore thumb. My heart skipped a beat when this was spotted. Fate demanded that the letter be placed there. Freewill requested that I move my hand.
The letter was settled into the confinements of the abyss. As I turned around, the moon gave a promise of a mysterious future. The silent winds carried me home…
(The picture of the rose was taken by Kristina Givens.)
