Prince And Pauper, Junior And Whopper, World Made Up Of Silver And Copper...

PROGRESS REPORT

New Words: 2100 on Chapter 2 ("The Entrada") of Arizona. The opening of the chapter about the Coronado expedition into southwestern North America, and introducing the progenitor of the book's second / Hispanic family, Vasco de Alvarez.

Total Words: 67300.

Reason For Stopping: Had to get ready for work.

Book Year: 1539.

Mammalian Assistance: Vegas was on his box pile briefly, then left in a huff because I wouldn't let him get in my lap.

Exercise: Walked down to campus.

Stimulants: Dr. Pepper.

Today's Opening Passage: Vasco de Alvarez swaggered back into the cold sunlight with his clothes mostly put back on properly, his deep headache fading, and more than a little pleased with himself at his stamina over the past few days with the young mestizo who admired his short, wiry but muscular frame—she called herself Juana but acted like a Christian in name only. Almost immediately he saw the angry friar striding towards him, sandals sloshing in the street water that remained from the most recent flood.

Darling Du Jour: Most friars were angry somewhere deep inside, Vasco thought with grim amusement—at least this was his experience. He had some sympathy. Most churchmen he encountered were younger sons cheated out of estates, thrown into the stern arms of Mother Church instead, by the ancient rules of primogeniture. Vasco, the second of two sons, would have been a walking self-righteous frown today if his elder brother Augusto hadn’t felt a sincere calling to become a servant of Christ and the Virgin.

There were only three types of prayers Vasco ever sincerely sent up to God. One was protection for Augusto from the convoluted, dangerous political wiles of the Church—and that his brother not become one of those rampaging ravers. Though there was slim chance of that thanks to how their family suffered under the Inquisition’s iron gloves. And two, he prayed gratitude for being spared such a life.

Non-Research / Review Books In Progress: Cataloochee by Wayne Caldwell; The Tears of the Sun by S.M. Stirling; King and Goddess by Judith Tarr / dancinghorse.