by Bryan Fields
Martin and I joined the ladies for the actual tea party itself, served on my grandmother’s china set. It was a resounding success, and we took several pictures for the girls to post on their social media pages.
While we were eating, Martin said, “I really like the statue with all the animals in the living room. It looks like they’re having a tea party too.”
Rose nodded. “They are. It’s from a book my mother read to me when I was little. It’s not one you’ve heard of, though. I mean, it’s not in English.”
The girls perked up. “Can you read it to us before naptime?’ Kylie asked.
I held my breath and did my best not to respond. My concern was still obvious to Rose, and her twinge was just as obvious to me. I said, “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather hear a story you know already?”
Martin gave me a look far older than his years. “No. I want to hear new stories. There are so many out there I haven’t heard yet.”
Rose smiled at him. “Yes, there are. Let’s go upstairs and get ready for nap time, and I’ll read it to you.” Rose showed the girls up to our bedroom and got them tucked in. Martin perched on the edge of the bed, sitting cross-legged and leaning forward to take the story in.
Rose opened Looking for Home and began reading. The twins made it to chapter two before falling asleep, but Martin sat and listened until Rose finished. Rose and Martin tiptoed out, closing the door behind them. Rose asked, “Well, did you like the story?”
Martin nodded. “It was really good. If you translated it into English, I think I could get my agent to take a look at it.”
I managed not to spray soda all over my monitor. For a kid in grade school, Martin had this networking thing down.
Rose shook her head. “I don’t think I could do that. I didn’t write them, and I don’t think the author’s family would let me do anything with them. Besides, I’m not a writer.”
“You are if you write,” Martin replied. “That’s what I did. All you’d have to do is write it down the way you read it to us.” He stopped for a moment before adding, “I know you love that story. Kids around the world should have a chance to love it too.”
Rose sighed and looked away. “I shouldn’t give in to emotional blackmail, but, fine. I’ll try to get in touch with the author’s family.”
“No,” said Martin. “Do it, or don’t do it. Saying you’ll try is an empty promise.”
Rose was silent for a long time, doing her best to shield her emotions from me. I thought about going to check on her, but it seemed better to wait. Eventually she did drop her defenses, and for the first time in several weeks, she had a bit of her old sparkle back. “You win,” she said. “I’ll do it.”
And so she did. After Martin and the girls went home, Rose went back through her mother’s portal and contacted Ereth Sul’s family. They initially turned her down, having just sold the publication rights to Aiyliria. Rose pointed out their contract with Aiyliria only covered their world. Dragon lawyer talked to Elven lawyer and eventually a Dwarven banker got involved, but in the end Rose got the rights to publish the books on Earth and still had a bit of hoard left over. She couldn’t get the rights to Alar’s artwork, but we could work with that.
It took Rose a month (on this side) to come up with a translation she was satisfied with, and Martin’s agent asked for her full manuscript based on his referral. His agent passed the book to another agent at the same agency, who signed Rose to a contract three months later. It took another two months to sell the book to a publisher.
Rose had four more books translated by the time we found an illustrator. One of the artists Ember models for turned out to be Danya Cullan. She was an A-lister with a huge portfolio of covers for fantasy novels and gaming products. I’d been a fan for ages—I even had her calendars in my office. Rose finally decided her style was, “as Elven as a mere Human is going to get” and signed off. Everything was in place and the machinery was finally grinding away. Tranquil Heart, Tranquil Paw was on its way to the children of Earth.
Rose also managed to wrangle an important concession out of the publisher while negotiating her contract; she convinced them to allow her to narrate the audiobook version. It wasn’t what she’d originally had in mind, but in the end, Rose was able to read her favorite story to her children…all of them.
About the Author
By day, I’m a mild-mannered IT tech; by night, a writer who spends too much time in online games. I grew up reading classical authors such as Verne, Burroughs, Wells, Haggard, and Lovecraft, often in conjunction with large doses of Monty Python, Wild Wild West, and Hee-Haw. My current influences include Doctor Who, Girl Genius, and An Idiot Abroad.
I began writing professionally as a member of the content design team for the MMORPG Istaria: Chronicles of the Gifted. My first published short stories appeared in the anthologies The Mystical Cat and Gears and Levers III in 2012.
I live in Denver with my wife, Noelle, and daughter, Alissa. The three of us can often be found prowling around Istaria, Wizard City, and the wilds of Azeroth. I also make occasional side jaunts to scavenge bits of ancient technology in the radioactive ruins of the Grand Canyon Province.
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Dedications
Dedicated to my wife Noelle and our daughter Alissa for their patience, encouragement, and needed reminders of how strange and wonderful life can be.
To Graeme Smith, for good advice and valued suggestions. Gratitude, Elder and Wise.
And to my parents, Doug and Betty Fields, for always being supportive of my efforts-even if they didn’t quite get what they were supporting.
My father didn’t get to see this story published, but his sense of humor and gift for finding the right word at the right moment have been an inspiration all my life.
For that, and more, I will always be profoundly grateful.
Acknowledgements
The list of people who helped with this book is long, and I apologize in advance for any omissions.
Many thanks to Jason Murdick for taking a chance on a silly quest about a dead parrot; to David Bowman for advice on how adventures should and should not go together; and to Rick Simmons for giving me a chance to work alongside some amazing creative talents.
Thanks also to Liz D-M, the original wearer of the ‘Kiss Me Twice’ shirt, for giving me a great opening scene-even if it did take me thirty years to write it down.
I’ve had the good fortune to have a number of beta readers providing suggestions and feedback from the earliest versions of these stories. You have my gratitude for your patience, sharp eyes, and brutal honesty.
Lastly, my deepest thanks to my wife Noelle, for knowing when to raise an eyebrow and ask, “Are you sure you want to say it that way?”
Life With a Fire-Breathing Girlfriend © 2014 by Bryan Fields
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, or events, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
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eBook ISBN: 978-1-77127-478-4
First eBook Edition *January 2014
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