Serenity Helzerman

Serenity Helzerman is one of the winners of the 200 Subscribers Competition. Check out her blog, Serenity Helzerman.

Below is her snippet, The Windswept Sea, that won the competition.

The Windswept Sea

Alaric Fearthr’s lips moved, yet no audible words were formed as he bent over his drawing. His dark hair curled against his bronze skin was brushed back by the sea breeze. The smell of salt filled his nostrils as his gaze darted between the scene of the Gemlet Ocean before him, and the leather sketchbook in his lap. So concentrated was his attention that he did not notice the closeness of his hound till the animal sniffed his writing hand, coldness jerking the boy’s gaze to his companion. His forehead creased in concern as he glanced at his sketch, grateful the picture hadn’t been ruined. He gave his friend a scolding scowl, which the hound knew all too well and responded by lowering his head in his paws, eyes contritely seeking his master’s forgiveness. 

The boy’s face relaxed into a broad grin and he swiftly patted his dog’s matted fur. All is forgiven, Danger. His lips moved in words that could not be formed, but Danger seemed to understand what none else could. He gave a bark that the boy could not hear but nonetheless, it warmed his heart.

Danger settled at his legs, pressing his paws into his hands once more, content to be at the boy’s side. The boy once more gazed at the windswept sea. He could not hear the sounds of the wind rippling through the grass, or the roar of the ocean in the cliffs below him, but that did not matter, for he had never heard them. He could view, smell and taste the sea, and that was enough to satisfy his longing. 

His gaze studied intently the edges of the Revod Cliffs that continued in crooked, rocky outcroppings for two-hundred miles to the edge of their country, . Those cliffs had called to him almost as much as the sea did. There was a mystery there. Another idea sparked in the boy’s artistic mind and he began to draw fiercely, finishing the touches of the waves and the sea. Then he opened a new page and began to draw the cliffs first, then brought in the ocean once more. 

Advertisement

The wind picked up, sending his hair swirling. Pure delight spread across the lad’s face as he lifted his head to the sky, feeling the last touches of the sun’s rays peeking behind grey clouds. He opened his mouth to taste the salt on his tongue. Oh, what a beautiful creation You have made, Seeker. The moment of surreality passed and the lad returned his glowing brown eyes to his sketch. Biting his pencil softly, he stared at it for a moment before brushing the edges of his pencil across the top, naming the sketch with a satisfying nod: The Windswept Sea.