1st 5 Pages Feb Workshop - Watson Rev 2

Cristy Watson

Middle Grade Fantasy

Awakening Dawn

Pitch:

Salt comes from the first clan who survived the Great Flood, the Sky-Seekers, but will his fear of heights prevent him from climbing the Cliffs of Ironrab as part of his Quest Ceremony and bring shame to his family? To add to this dilemma, his hopes of becoming an Orator are dashed by his father who has other dreams for his three sons.

Saturnia is suddenly thrust into becoming the leader of the Moth-People, but with her wing hanging limply at her side, will her people accept her in this new role? Many of her clan have slipped down the Glacier, unaware of the impending danger as they sleep in their cocoons.

When Salt and Saturnia meet, both are striving to prove their worth as descendants of great families, but neither are sure how they will fulfill their destinies. In the past, their clans fought against one another for the land in the Forbidden Valley. But now, there are other things for them to worry about, like the Great Shadow Beast hovering above the slippery slopes of the Glacier. Can they rescue the last survivors of the Moth-People, and in turn, save themselves?

Chapter One – Salt Sky-Seeker

The Cliffs of Ironrab

Today I must climb the cliff that dropped me from its rock face like a speck of dirt. A speck of dirt to be stepped on by my older brother. Slate is sitting by the fire, a smug look on his face as he wolfs down his breakfast. He knows he will succeed on the climb up Ironrab. He’s done it many times before. But as I sit down across from him, he shakes his head. He thinks I will fail again.

As Father bites into his trout pie, he turns to my younger brother Seed and says, “I have asked the clan council for permission for you to join your brothers today and they have agreed.”

“I can climb the cliffs of the Great Mountain with Slate and Salt,” Seed jumps up, his eyes wide. “Even though my Quest Ceremony is still twenty-three moons away?”

Ruffling Seed’s thick, black hair, Father chuckles. “Yes. Then I will have three boys conquering Ironrab today.” Father smiles at my younger brother and then at Slate. When he looks my way, I see disappointment flash across his face before he turns his gaze back to my siblings. “Three boys to bring pride to our family name of Sky-Seeker.”  

Father couldn’t know what happened the first time I faced the Cliffs of Ironrab, could he?

Father stands and places his arm around Seed, but my younger brother is so full of the heat of summer, he cannot stand still for long. Like a wolf pup ready to pounce, he bounces on his toes, excitement at Father’s news lighting his face. Giving in, Father lets Seed go, and watches as my brother runs off to tell his friends he’s joining us.

When I was young, I thought Father had only enough love for one son, Slate. But then Seed came along and I realized I was mistaken.

Flames burn my cheeks. My very name is something that upsets my Father and I don’t know why. When others run and throw spears, pretending to be warriors in a great battle, I climb trees to listen to Grandfather share stories of our past and how we came to be called, Sky-Seekers, descendants of the clan that reaches for the Sun! Father always interrupts Grandfather’s story at the best part to tell me I must join my peers, ignoring my protests.

I wipe my sweaty hands along my pants to dry them. Like with my younger brother, Father wanted me to be ready for my Ceremony today, so he sent me to practice thirteen moons ago. He wanted me to be the best climber. Only Slate witnessed the entire scene. He alone knows what happened that day.

My brow knits into a scowl while I watch my brother gather more wood for the fire. Slate’s muscles ripple as he carries the heavy load before dumping several logs onto the embers. As the fire catches and the flames soar, our shadows leap out and cast an eerie story along the tree trunks. Slate’s shadow grows larger and larger, until it consumes mine. I turn to see him grinning as he steps in beside me.

“Do you have your Quest picked for tonight’s Ceremony?” Slate smirks. His request to eventually lead our Warriors was accepted during his Ceremony. He often sneaks up on me to prove his prowess, when I am spying on the Elders to hear Grandfather share forbidden tales of the past.

“My father will be honored if Salt claims the role of Orator,” Mother smiles, as she wraps the food left from this morning’s meal in salted leaves. “You see how he follows your Grandfather, always repeating his stories.”

My Father stands abruptly, “Salt, you are a Sky-Seeker, not a Story-Teller. You know that Orators are sedentary, like the dust left behind by the avid climbers. Why must I always ask that you follow your brother’s lead?”

“Because I would rather…”

Father cuts me off, “Tonight, you know what you must do at your Quest Ceremony, but first you will ascend the Cliffs of Ironrab.”

It’s as if my gut is being squeezed between the jaws of a cougar, so I focus my gaze on the crackling fire, the flames feasting on the new dry wood and I think about my dream from last night. I dreamt that I made the climb up the Cliffs of Ironrab – and that Father gathered me in his arms and swung me around with joy. But to suggest I might inherit Grandfather’s place in our tribe at tonight’s Ceremony would only burn shame onto my father’s brow. 

An acrid burn blisters my throat as I reluctantly head to our hut and dress in the ceremonial clothes I must wear for the climb. I hate the way the pants are too tight around my stomach. I am stuck wearing Slate’s old outfit. Though I have no choice but to wear the vest as well, I will take it off at the bottom of the Great Mountain, away from Father’s disapproving glare. It will be hot later in the day and I am sure, like last time, I will be stuck on the Cliffs of Ironrab, while the scorching Sun climbs higher and faster than me.

I close my eyes and try to picture my hands and feet gripping the rock face. But my hands slip, and my eyes shoot open. No, I cannot let the same thing happen today!

“Are you ready, brother?” Seed bounds into the hut, grinning widely. “Timber gets to climb, too! Aren’t you excited?”

“I’m excited for you. I know you’ll have great success today.”

Because it is not time for Seed’s Ceremony, he doesn’t have to change his clothes. He grabs a water pouch from the pine table and runs back outside. A huge sigh escapes my belly.

The Seven Moon Festival begins with a long walk to the Great Mountain. The elders remain in our village to prepare for the evening feast, while lean bodied youth run along the path, barefoot. I wish I could stay back with Grandfather, hearing more about the time before the Great Flood. But I put one foot slowly in front of the other – toward my fated destiny.

Ahead, Slate marches down the forest path with determination and strength, his hands knotted into fists, while Seed skips, his energy light and ready for the challenge. My feet shuffle along, stirring up the dusty leaves, and I have trouble keeping up with my brothers. Other youth pass me, sometimes knocking into my shoulders as they go by. And the whoops and cheers of my peers drown out the calming sounds of the birds and chirping squirrels.

I hear the echo of Grandfather’s deep voice booming through the forest. His resonating words from last night still sit along the branches of the Cedar trees: “Our ancestors named their tribe, Sky-Seekers. We come from this line of heroes.”

I step out of the forest into a wide span of sand and shrubs that stretches to the Great Cliffs of Ironrab.  My stomach turns. Today is the most important day of my life, but as we approach the Great Mountain, a windstorm begins to brew inside me just like the last time I faced this cliff. I begin to shake like a winter storm that blows the dying leaves clear off the trees.

Yet, I must face the challenge that lies ahead.