At a Crossroads

Every book has plot points—midpoint, rising action, climax, etc.

Plot Point One is the first turning point to a novel. It is the crossroads in which the main character opts to take a road-less-traveled-by.

In yesterday’s letter, I revealed the purpose of Dire Wolf Publishing and a bit about the book I have been working on these past two years.

Junior archeologist, Valencio DeCaria, has to make a decision. He is at that crossroads. Does he follow Dr. Cumberland’s slow, methodical path to success? Or does he take the journey of self-discovery, a fast track to his life’s ambition?

Cumberland knows Valencio went to Paris to find answers. The snooty, sophisticated legend within his field, Dr. Jonas Cumberland, instructs Valencio to “pick up an old book for me. It is in Montmartre on Rue de la Mire. Here is the address and title…”

The following is an excerpt from Plot Point One in which Valencio succumbs to Cumberland’s request until he happens upon a second book—one that sends him spiraling onto a different course.

Using his limited knowledge of French, he opened the book to the tale and attempted to decipher as much of the story as he could muster. The pieces, so far, fit with perfection.

There, in the opening paragraphs was King Louis IX. The king had sent forth a noble knight to the Holy Land in 1270. “La Pierre Grand” was in four fragments. He understood the words “gold lettering etched by the angel who sat there.”

Everything was present.

For the first time, the name of the noble knight who carried away the sacred stone appeared before Valencio’s eyes:

MARTINOT.

His mind was ablur. Without realizing his involuntary movements, he held the reddish book in his left hand and, in his right hand, Cumberland’s book. He elevated both books in front of him as if to compare their weight.

It is all or nothing.

He cast his gaze toward the door. The bustling of Paris continued forward despite the weight he felt across his shoulders.

Valencio picked up Kaelyn’s painting and walked out of the shop. Stepping onto the cobblestone streets of Montmartre, he looked up at the blue sky and took a deep breath.

Left was the upward slope, the stone steps that had brought him there, and Painter’s Square. Left was the daunting task of returning to Cumberland, the streets of Jerusalem, and Belinda.

Right was the downward path, light on the steps, and easy on the legs. It bore the haunting path of uncertainty, risk, and potential life-changing fortune.

Facing that way, Valencio tucked the painting beneath one arm and a book beneath the other. He headed down the steep, cobblestone incline toward his hotel, De Gaulle Airport, and the rest of his life.

Cumberland’s book remained docile and neglected on the musty countertop.

Pupdate: Jennifer is en route to Albuquerque. She should arrive there sometime Saturday. OH! And there is a chance she may have found a home for Henry! Hope it works out.

My pen name is Gabriel Paulson. If you like my writing, you can find more by going to Amazon:  

https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Keepers-Jacob-Lake-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B09FLZQ2SX