Sarah Z. Creates

In the World-Building Wednesday series, I’m doing just that: using writing prompts to flesh out Talah, one of the worlds in The Sundered Realms. Images are generated using Microsoft Copilot.

Lydea shifted from foot to foot, then stopped.

It was OK to be nervous, she told herself. But she didn’t want anyone to know just how nervous she was.

She caught herself braiding her fingers together and forced her hands to her sides.

Ug. Heralt better get here soon.

As if her thought had summoned him, Heralt rounded the corner and stopped at the door she was facing. He pushed it open and gestured for her to enter with one meaty hand.

Lydea took a deep breath and followed. She didn’t often leave the city walls, and had never done so on her own. This wasn’t really leaving, though, nor would she really be on her own.

But her hands still trembled as she passed through the doorway in the wall.

The gauge room was small – and not really a room. It had a roof, and half walls would help keep out all but a driving rain, but the rest of the little room was open to the air. It had to be.

“Stop dawdling, girl, and come closer,” Heralt barked, making her jump. Grumpy old gauge keeper. No wonder so few kids were volunteering for their shifts these days.

But she inched closer as commanded.

The vyldyng grew in a huge, intricately inscribed pot that sat on a pedastle in the center of the room, high enough that you didn’t need to bend to see the plant, but low enough that it was always in view. It glowed a soft, healthy green.

“You know the colors, right?”

Lydea nodded. Everyone – even those who never set eyes on the vyldyng – knew the colors. Green was safe. Purple meant the wild magic was rising. Not a threat yet, but soon. Black … that was the color to be wary of.

Heralt grunted as if she’d spoken aloud.

“Sound the alert if the color goes black. It’s that bell to the right of the door. Make sure you water the vyldyng every hour on the hour. Use the keeper to track your time. And don’t give it anything but the water in that jug.” He jerked his chin at the jug tucked in the corner. “Stupid, finicky plant withers up and stops glowing if you give it anything else.”

He arched his bushy gray brows at her, and Lydea scrambled mentally for something to say.

Nothing came to her, but that seemed to please Heralt.

“Right then,” he said, stumping back to the door. “Make yourself comfortable. Sound the alarm if needed. Someone will come round when your shift is over.”

The door closed behind him, leaving Lydea alone with the vyldyng. Outside the walls. Alone.

She shivered and sank onto the stool near the gauge. It was going to be a long first day.

Enjoying this glimpse into The Sundered Realms? There’s plenty more! In addition to these World-Building Wednesday posts, you can sign up for my newsletter to get a FREE short story from The Sundered Realms. Or stay connected via my blog and Facebook page.