Finished Word Count: 28,546 words
Written: School year of 2008 and 2009
Revised: Summer of 2009, fall of 2010
Genre: Fantasy

The synopsis:

Cilla’s mother is kidnapped. Her father is gone. Her country is at near rebellion. The war-lord Clambus is on the brink of capturing Raeltha’s throne. Cilla sets out to save her mother, and is given a choice. Rescue Isolde, or try to save Raeltha? Is freedom worth suffering for?

The main characters:

• Placilla “Cilla” Garensdaughter (heroine)
• Clambus Taykkenson (villain)
• Tirza of Koahl (mentor)
• Aidan Clambuson (ally)

The story clip:

“No!” I stood up and darted into the tunnel that Rowan and James had gone into, slamming the door shut with a bang. I groped in the darkness and felt a wooden plank. Taking time only to throw the board at the door, I hurled myself into the tunnel, tripping over the dead bodies of soldiers. My stomach jumped into my throat every time I slipped in a puddle of liquid. Blood?

“Rowan!” I called into the darkness. I could hear fighting ahead. My fingertips touched solid stone wall on either side of me, guiding my feet. The tunnel swerved and the darkness was lifted somewhat.

A breeze brushed past my face. I walked on, stumbling in the semi-darkness. But then the darkness pressed down on me again, and clammy air filled my mouth and nostrils. I must have missed an exit.

–Copyright 2008 through 2011 by Haniya