Soul of Steel
Be still, my beating metallurgists' heart...
Ever hear that writing advice that goes, “Write what you know.”? In my day job, I’m a metallurgist with a specialty in iron and steel production. So a while ago I decided to take that piece of advice and totally warp it into my own purposes.
I’ve long wanted to find a way to extend metallurgy into my writing, and I finally found that opportunity in a story I titled Soul of Steel. I originally wrote this for a fantasy story competition, but it was much too long. I cut it down to about 1k words over the limit, but I didn’t think I could chop another thousand words out without really messing with the story, which I didn’t want to do.
I held on to it and submitted it to another open call about six months later. I got a polite rejection on that, but then turned around and submitted to yet another open call. Turns out third time’s a charm because it got accepted! Out on Friday, October 18th you can find William Joseph Roberts Presents: Magic and Mischief.
This story follows a young blacksmith’s apprentice named Duran as he goes about his daily chores, only to be interrupted by a mysterious nobleman who seems to have a lot of history with his master. A master who talks to this lord as if they are long-lost friends and of events that are long relegated to history.
That history turns into a very real threat when an evil from the past arrives and throws Duran’s world into chaos.
I really loved writing this story, especially as I could blend together magic and steel, two of my favorite things. This is also my first fantasy sale, which is a big deal to me!
Fancy a snippet?
From Soul of Steel:
Duran skipped up the lane, something he did only when out of Master Rotez' sight. The blacksmith's apprentice grinned as the warm rays of sunshine bathed his face in light. To the west the towering peaks of the Spine of Duanlesh would soon swallow the sun, but he enjoyed the feeling while he could.
He capered through the shadow of the tall windmill, accompanied by the groans and creaks of the spinning construction. He peered upwards at the edifice, entranced as always by the crimson runes etched on the face of the spinning shaft. They weren't glowing today, at least not bright enough he could see.
The elemental trapped inside must be getting some rest. Two days of rain filled the village's basin to overflowing.
He pitied the creature, shackled as it was to its labors, unable to roam free, play in the wind, or visit family. If elementals even had family. He considered that for a moment. Master Rotez had never remarked on the subject. Which was notable, as Master Rotez had a great many things to say about the mill, almost all of which were disapproving.
"Duran," he said recently as the two passed the mill, returning from the village, "imagine for a moment that I lured you into my smithy with the promise of a fantastic feast. And when you had eaten your fill, I forced you to work day and night at the forge bellows." This already sounded bad to Duran, but he continued to listen attentively. "And imagine that I only fed you sometimes. Occasionally it's even enough. Other times you go weeks between meals. I work you until you are nothing but skin and bones. And if I fail to pay attention to you for a while, well, you just die and instead of taking responsibility, I blame you. How does that sound to you?"
"Very bad, Master"
"Exactly. That is what life is like for the elemental, chained to the mill, forced to spin the shaft to pump water every time the wind fails. All to sustain a village that never spares a thought for the creature keeping them and their crops alive every summer. I can't believe the headman paid that brute of a binder to snare an elemental. Although he was very clever in how he did it." The last comment came with a reproving grumble.
I’m excited to be included in this anthology with my AlphaMercs partner Richard Cartwright. It looks to be a really interesting volume and I can’t wait to read the rest of the stories.
Soul of Steel is a cool story, and I hope you’ll pick up Magic and Mischief available now from Three Ravens Publishing!
yAY! cONGRATS!