Introduction: wherein the little mermaid questions the great shape shifter:
“How does one shed their skin and become human?” she asked the great shape-shifter. “The last time I tried to go ashore the dogs howled most frightfully and drove me back into the sea.”
“I don’t know how it happens,” he replied.” It’s not a pleasant experience at all to feel your pelt peel back and to emerge in terrible spasms- but oh! the freedom of having two legs to run with abandon on the shore- not as fluid as diving into the foam, nor as powerful as cresting the wave of course- but strangely exhilarating nonetheless. It was where I first came to understand the power of desire.”
“And yet the surf will always call you back home, so you must leave your skin in a safe place where the gulls and carrion creatures cannot worry it. But mostly, beware of men. They are the most cunning and deceitful of God’s creatures. Their whole lives are consumed by desire. – You must remain vigilant, for if you lose your skin or it is stolen, you can never return to the sea and you will eventually waste away with grieving.”
He sighed, “But then perhaps it is different for the mer folk.
The Siren’s Bones – chapter one
On that relentless wave of the final contraction a baby girl was at last delivered. She was still inside the amniotic sac and when the midwife broke it open she flopped out like a tiny porpoise. The nurse said a caul birth was a sign of good fortune and indeed she was a beautiful child at first glance. Outside, the wild Atlantic storm had finally broken and when the infant was taken to the window for a closer examination, the sunlight glinted on her wet hair like green gold. It was then observed that three fingers of her otherwise perfect little right hand were webbed…..
Inspired by a trip to Point No Point
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Ohhhh a great Chapter One! I must have missed this one when it first published 😉 Have a great weekend, sweetie!
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thanks so much Christy!! I know Sarah loved this story so I’m very pleased you might read it too! Enjoy your weekend too. I’m still getting organized lol!
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A captivating scene to start off your story. So much wonderful imagery in such a short piece.
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so pleased you like it Millie!!
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Such a lovely story and now I can see why you’ve written a series on “The Siren’s Bones”. I’m sure it was talking to you…out loud. 🙂
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so pleased you like it Norma! Thank you!
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🙂
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I was trying to spot where the first chapter of “The Siren’s Bones” was,and at long last here I am and start my journey …
I am looking at your first image and I can sense how your inspiration started.It came like a foaming surge and flooded your soul.The little beauty was born and a little sea-star decided to adorn her soft silky hair …
You captivated me,I ‘ll gradually move forward to the next chapters …
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thank you so much for even taking the time to read my posts and catch up!! Take your time my dear and I’m looking forward to your next one too!!
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PS I am so happy you like the first chapter!
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And I can imagine what is going to follow … !
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🙂
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That entire coast between Sooke and Port Renfrew is so inspiring. Love the starfish in your siren’s sea weedy hair…
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thanks Eliza!! It really is and so a story began! Do check out the rest of the chapters when you have time!!
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Beautiful work, so magical!
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many thanks!
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*oops LOOK 🙂
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🙂
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Love what you’ve created here Hannah with story and imaginative picture ! She has such a lovely faraway ook in her eyes ….
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so pleased Poppy and many humble thanks!!
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Lovely, Cybele. Your photos and words cast a wonderful “spell” on the reader!
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thank you so much Patti, inspiration is returning slowly but I need to be more disciplined lol. The second chapter is up on the blog! Hope you will like that one too.
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Reblogged this on Br Andrew's Muses and commented:
I’ll reblog this first edition and then link them through
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These photos are amazing!
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thank you Amy!
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The most amazingly beautiful pictures! And your story has me hooked and waiting with bated breath…
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I’m honoured especially coming from you Ali!! It’s so funny I write so disjointedly the end before the beginning etc etc, – then try to put it all together- More to come in installments 😀 ❤
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That’s so magical and spine-tingling in a pleasurable way. I want to know more. Such lovely picture, too.
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oh so glad you liked it Sarah, installments to come lol!
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Beautiful shot of the wave breaking and such an intriguing montage of the mermaid! Love all the bits and pieces used to create texture in her hair 🙂
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Many thanks Sarah!
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Wonderful imagery, look forward to seeing how this unfolds!
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thank you Katie!!
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I love your imagination, Hannah!
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very honoured Sue!
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My kind of story…
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so glad!!!
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Where is the rest? You have whet my appetite and provoked my curiosity!
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Thank you my friend!! I seem to do it this way in bits as is my usual!! I so often begin with the end first. lol! More will come!
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Oh great start! The images are wonderful! I especially like the mermaid. Haunting, and beautiful. I love the starfish as a hair ornament!
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thank you Deb!! I will try to keep the inspiration flowing!
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Awesome. 🙂
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Thanks Mav!
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more….more more
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thrilled you want more!! I will try!
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Very intriguing story about the child with webbed fingers. Amazing images! Inspiration is a magical thing. 🙂
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Many thanks Olga!! hopefully more coming!
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How wonderful – another story emerging. I look forward to reading more.
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oh great!! my first story comment in a long time. I hope I can keep it up!!
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Good luck.
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