Amber's Year of Grace

Amber's whole body felt like it was twitching with energy. I'm nervous, she insisted to herself as she stared out over the arid landscape below her window. With a growing feeling of excitement and dread, Amber realized it was finally time for her to leave the small dwelling she shared with her parents and begin her Year of Grace. This the most important day of my life, she thought.

Amber had been preparing for this day for months. If she were chosen today by the mysterious Desiree, Amberwould go with them to their home in Cavernest. There, she would work hard for the next year, doing anything the Desiree hope they would offer her the honor of joining their ranks.

The Desiree, a mysterious society of desert women, were much loved in Autimn Sands, the region where Amber had lived all her life. The Desiree had a special bond with the desert, and with dune lupines, the beautiful wolflike creatures that protected Autumn Sands.

Amber had seen the Desiree before, when they traveled to her hometown of Medab in the past to collect girls to begin their own Years of the Grace. Amber could't imagine what it would feel like to become one of them. If she were allowed to stay on at the end of the year, Amber would bond with a dune lupine cub and begin her training to become one of the Desiree.

Ever since she was a little girl, Amber wanted to join the Desiree. Still, she knew the Year of Grace would not be easy-the days would be long, and the work would be hard. A tiny part of her was worried that she knew little about what the Desiree really did in their home city of Cavernest. What would Amber be asked to do? What challenges would the next year bring?

Amber felt a squeeze on her shoulder. She turned ti see her mother, Karie, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes as she smiled down at her daughter. "Are they here ?" Karie asked. "Have they arrived yet?"

Amber shook her head. "Not yet, Mom."

Karie stroked Amber's hair and gazed out of the window with a faraway look in her eyes. "This year will change you forever, Amber," she whispered wistfully.

Amber jumped up so suddenly, bumping her mother's hand away. "Mom!!" she said with a jolt of excitement rushing through her body, "I think I spot them. They're finally here!"

Reviews

[Angel]

When I was your age, I was an avid scifi fan. I still think most of my education came from guys like Isaac Asimov and Harlan Ellison.
This has the beginning of a really fantastic scifi. I do hope you will finish the book.
I am so looking forward to reading the rest of it. If and when you do add more chapters, drop me a note, please? And I promise I will be waiting to read!
Great write! Fabulous!
This is one for my library!