SFFSat 28/6/14 - Sorrel in Silver

This is my snippet this week for SFFSat. SFFSat is a place where a number of authors post snippets from their written works, and give the opportunity for comments, support and encouragement. Please also explore the other blogs that are part of this set - you can find the information here. 

I'm delighted to report that I've completed the draft manuscript for Sorrel in Silver, the third volume of Sorrel's saga. It needs editing and tidying up, but the plot is complete. To celebrate, I'm going to post half a dozen snippets from the new book over the next few weeks, with luck to build up everyone's interest before it is published.

This time Sorrel realises that the world around her is not as solid and stable as she thought...

The ground began to shudder under us. At first it was just a slight shiver, making the water ripple wildly. Then there was a deep rumbling roar, like heavy balls rolling on a wooden bowling ground, and I saw the trees begin to shake. The water was splashing, the Cygnet tilting from side to side. I had my legs well apart, trying to keep from tumbling over. Griffyn had stumbled to the ground already, and Wrack was struggling to stay upright. In the distance I saw the west tower of Tolgrail shiver, and then slowly, agonisingly, slump out of sight as it crumbled. With an ear-splitting screech, one of the trees on the bank of the river toppled sideways and slammed into the water.

The ground was still shuddering, if anything moving more. Griffyn's face was white, and he was shouting something, but over the roar of the tortured earth I couldn't make out his words. The light changed around us, shadows suddenly moving – I looked south, and realised in disbelief that one of the gigantic lantern trees, over a mile from us, was toppling. I couldn't hear the sound of its plunge into the jungle, but the world was suddenly darker around us as its illumination was extinguished.

As always, comments appreciated!