Bringing the Rains

By Meyari McFarland

Refugees from a drought that destroyed their homeland, Lesedi and her family settled in a new land with a whole new climate. Lesedi struggled to find her place not only in this new society but also in her family's weather magic. One rainy day brought Lesedi despair and hope that she never expected to find.

Bringing the Rains is a poignant fantasy short story about gender identity and finding one's path when everything changes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MDR Publishing
• Release date: Jun 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311108418

Meyari McFarland

Meyari McFarland has been telling stories since she was a small child. Her stories range from SF and Fantasy adventures to Romances but they always feature strong characters who do what they think is right no matter what gets in their way. Her series range from Space Opera Romance in the Drath series to Epic Fantasy in the Mages of Tindiere world. Other series include Matriarchies of Muirin, the Clockwork Rift Steampunk mysteries, and the Tales of Unification urban fantasy stories, plus many more. You can find all of her work on MDR Publishing's website at www.MDR-Publishing.com.

Book preview

Bringing the Rains

By Meyari McFarland

Could have waited until the weather broke, Damek said.

No, will not, Lesedi said. Days more rain. Not enough wood. Need more.

You're sure? Damek asked.

He looked over his shoulder at her, eyes wide. Even the gloom of the day and the shade cast by his hat wasn't enough to obscure the surprise. Lesedi wondered if it was because his skin was so pale, like birch wood, then whether he could make out her expression at all. The world slipped away as her mind skipped up into the clouds where the rain hung, waiting. She stumbled, nearly dropped the ax and then gasped as Damek caught her elbow, keeping her from falling to her knees.

Rain poured down on them, going from mist to torrential downpour in a second as Lesedi's grief at never, ever being able to be what she knew herself to be overwhelmed her.

Back inside! Damek gasped. Come on!

Other Books by Meyari McFarland:

Fitting In

Artifacts of Awareness

A Range of Debts Collection

The Nature of Beasts

Captured Debts Collection

Repair and Rebuild

Infinite Horizons Collection

Tales from the Dana Clanhouse

Storm Over Archaelaos

Infinite Dreams Collection 2

Published by Mary Raichle on Smashwords

Copyright ©2014 by Mary Raichle

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be emailed to [e-mail]

This book is also available in TPB format from all major retailers.

Dedication:

This story is dedicated to everyone who has struggled to find their place in the world, who questions what their gender actually is, and the wonderful people who accept them no matter what.

Table of Contents

Bringing the Rains

Dragon Rider’s Song

Afterword

Bringing the Rains

Black speckled with red, gold, green and blue in vivid stripes that zigzagged down the length of the cloth; Lesedi bit her lip until blood bloomed in her mouth as she ran her fingers through the precious stash of drapey soft fabric from Before. Before the rain stopped. Before their fields dried up, consumed by the sands. Before they'd been forced to flee to a new home in a too-wet country by the sea.

None of the fabric would do. Too dark with a black