more of this thought...

[deird1]

Suppose there's a Dark Mage. He takes a five year old girl as his apprentice, because she has innate ability. But he's not interested in teaching her to use her abilities wisely - more in getting as much raw power out of her as he can. He mistreats her, exploits her, and eventually discards her.

Then, the sixteen year old ex-apprentice (somewhat used to tripping out on magic, with a history of doing some quite nasty stuff that hurt people) is left to starve on the streets, with a heck of a lot of mental scarring. And she is found by another man, a weaver by trade, who takes her in, cares for her, and teaches her to weave. She grows up, moves on, and has a happy life.

...and that's the prologue.

Our story begins when a 30 year old woman - professional weaver, and mother of three - realises that the Dark Mage has been growing in power. And that she is exactly who the world needs to stop him.



Questions? Comments?

Comments

[schneefink]

Sounds like fun!

Reading the first post I was most concerned about the baby. Why would she take her baby with her, if there are trustworthy people that can take care of her other kids? It would be (presumably) extremely dangerous! So I'd expect there to be a good reason (idk, maybe the baby has magical abilities too and that's why the other guardians can't take care of it, something like that.) I also think it'd be a challenge tension-wise, because I'm not the biggest fan of plot armor but being worried about the baby the entire time would also not be much fun.

[zeborah]

I assume age: anyone can look after a child old enough to eat solid food, but a baby needs a wetnurse and one may not be available, willing, and/or affordable.

The only other fantasy I can think of that brought kids along for the adventure was Patricia Wrede's "Caught in Crystal" (one of a series but the only one I read and I thought it stood alone). Of course it happens all the time in real life. Getting the tension right probably is a challenge and why it's not done so often but I think it's worth the effort - I'd certainly read the heck out of it.

[deird1]

I assume age: anyone can look after a child old enough to eat solid food, but a baby needs a wetnurse and one may not be available, willing, and/or affordable.

That's where I was coming from, yes.

I think the challenge of getting that right is making me more interested in writing it than I would otherwise be - which is fun. I'll have to think it through carefully, though.

[deird1]

Good point, thanks.

I would clearly have to balance that fairly carefully.