A storm is brewing in Châlus-Chabrol. King Richard the Lion-Hearted and his loyal men are days away from conquering the castle of the Viscount Aimar V. What could cloud their vision? With the might of Richard’s forces, could a small gift end his reign? What storm will be unleashed?

What happens when a dedicated soldier is misdirected, when serving his beloved king has a disastrous outcome? Sir Geoffrey is one of King Richard’s most trusted men, his shield, his defender. How will this shield cope when his king makes a fatal blunder? Can anyone, including Geoffrey, weather this storm?

Echoes of Small Things is Paper Lantern Writers’ fourth anthology and the premise of these nine stories of historical fiction revolves around one small thing – a word, gesture, date, or item that creates huge ripples for the characters, echoes going forward in history.

My fictional Dahlquin characters, set in thirteenth century Ireland, jumped to life, hands raised, “pick me, pick me”. Especially some secondary characters whose stories must be told. Just ask them. I started outlining and playing with ideas, character arcs, and plot. Oh yes. The echo of a small thing.

Then, someone strongly requested that this year’s stories MUST revolve around a real event or real historic figure. Quel domage! My Dahlquin setting is well-researched and captures the details of the thirteenth century, Henry 111 is king of England…but my beloved characters are all fictional, as are their adventures (I wanted to say our adventures but thought against it).

Dahlquin jettisoned, I dug deep. Who or what did I want to write about?

Taking on a well-known historical figure was a challenge on its own. The life of King Richard is well documented and there is plenty to read – my own collection of history books as well as academic sites online offered plenty. However, I found his last ten days are shrouded in myth and legend. Source materials were conflicting as I researched (which we historical fiction writers LOVE to do.) Studying or writing, engulfing myself in the Middle Ages is bliss. Still, I am writing a short story, with a 7500-word limit, about one fictional character’s life altering experience, not a definitive biography on the monarch.

Let the story unfold and the tempest rage: The Storm. A volatile, pugnacious knight comes to grips with the echo of one small thing he can’t escape.