tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81335804370463933282024-03-04T21:53:07.136-08:00Fictional EscapesI write fiction, all kinds, only appropiate genres here though. Good reading for any level.BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-9872912448764474162012-03-29T18:06:00.001-07:002012-03-29T19:25:35.895-07:00Writer's Block and a Favor From My Followers<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found on google images</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Earwig Factory"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">If you’ve ever had writers block you’ll probably relate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Writer’s Block<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He sat at
his desk and stared at his typewriter. It mocked him. His head was full of
tales of daring knights searching haunted castles above rocky beaches and liars
stumbling through sentences as they promised more lies, but none of it could
spill from his fingertips onto the worn out keys of his typewriter. He’d
written a dozen novels, half of which had been published and half of those were
bestsellers, but there was something about that paper hanging from the grasp of
the type writer; it taunted him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Goblins and
princesses dashed through his head. Dragons reigned terror on unsuspecting
villagers. Hordes of barbarians looted countryside towns. Yet the paper stayed
white. He turned his head and looked over his shoulder and he could’ve sworn he
saw an assassin strike down his dog who was napping in the corner. His
imagination flowed like the rivers of Eden, but like Eden, none would know the
beauty within. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sun set
as lovers kissed in a cornfield. Daring pilots flew under bridges to escape
their enemies in a dogfight. Astronauts met intelligent life while exploring a
moon in a distant nebula. Wives were unfaithful. Husbands were abusive.
Typewriters were spilling ink onto empty pages throughout the world, but not his.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Earwig Factory"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">I know this is supposed to be a fictional blog and well it
usually is, but I’d like to share some words with my followers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I appreciate everyone who reads my
work. And if you are among those who are wondering what happens in the Assassin
series I promise you I will one day get around to writing it, but like the
character in Writer’s Block I can’t seem to get it on paper. I sat down to
write it and I pumped out Jazmin: Embedding. Sure you can ask me why, but I can’t
explain it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know exactly what is going to happen
to our three assassins. I have even seen the last sentence played over and over
and over in that oh so overflowing imagination of mine. The biggest problem
here is that I can’t seem to write the first sentence. So I’m going to ask my
readers to do me a favor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Write the first sentence of Assassin 5
in a comment and leave it in a comment. If I use your sentence all I can offer
you is my thanks and give you credit on my blog as nothing I do on the internet
is to gain a single penny (yet) so I can’t give you anything. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-9799153800816197262012-03-28T21:13:00.001-07:002012-03-30T17:30:38.295-07:00Jazmin: Embedding<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jazmin: Embedding</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Thanks for reading. Please subscribe and feel free to leave a comment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Too ugly. Too tall. Too fat.” Lord Marikh walked in front of a row of slave girls, he was followed by his scribe Tryll. “Ahh! Why is this one even here? I’ve seen at least fifty girls and only one has been worthy so far.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“M’lord,” Tryll said, “the seller has one with him. She is, uh.. exceptionally beautiful, but I think that um she might be a bit too costly. I heard him say, well uh, he called her Jazmin.” Tryll looked to the ground when Marikh turned to him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Take me to Hahg now. We are buying slaves for the Almighty Ga’ash; it is possible that one of these girls could join the Harem; we will spare no expenses. And what did I tell you about saying that word, 'um,' it makes you sound stupid. And lift your chin, you look like a sissy. None employed by the palace should look like sissies.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes Marikh.” Tryll looked at one of the slaves and was compelled to wipe her tears away, but Marikh would surely have him lashed for such kindness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tryll presented his lord to the slaver named Hahg. Hahg pushed the lowly scribe from his view of the potential buyer. “Aha Marikh,” Hahg greeted his old partner. “I can’t believe you’re working behind those walls. You should sneak me in there sometime, I might find some valuable merchandise. I’m expanding my business to the black market. I’m getting too old to be trekking slaves through deserts and stolen merchandise won’t try to escape when I'm sleeping.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re scum Hahg. Any priest would have me without a head for bringing you into this city. The City of Gold is only a two hour ride from these gates, you can stay there.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Get off your damned pedestal Marikh; you are employed by a man who fancies himself a god.” He paused. “Hell, I guess you’re here for the merchandise.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where is she?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“In the wagon. Follow me.” Hahg looked to his assistant before leaving his post and said, “Let the common folk in to buy now; the lords and ladies have had their turn.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why’d you leave a slave alone?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“She’s different Marikh, she knows her place and to put her with the common rabble would be a disgrace to the goddess Victoria.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“How dare you speak of false deities while in the shadow of the City of Gods.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Whatever, Marikh. Your mother would have had you over her knee for such talk when we children.” Hahg held the wagon door open allowing Marikh entry. “She’s in here.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ve come to buy me,” Jazmin said. Her back was to the men. She was robed in thickly weaved fine silk from head to toe and her hair was made as if she were attending a summer’s ball. There was a necklace with a black stone hanging from it laced around her neck. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why do you have a slave dressed in such lavish attire Hahg?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“She has three pairs believe it or not. She came to me only a month ago as I was leaving Nord.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can speak for myself slaver,” Jazmin said as she turned around. “The goddess Victoria came to me in a dream. She said I was to be a slave in the sea of sands. She would only call me Rousa. I am obedient to my gods and my goddess has told me to serve your gods, and so I will. I found the first slaver traveling to Dest and told him he could have my price if he took me there. I’m not a slave yet, not until I leave this wagon with you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Very well, and what makes you think I’ll buy a free woman? I am not in the business of making slaves. I only buy and sale.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You never would’ve entered this wagon if you weren’t going to buy me. And would you want to disappoint the Almighty. If you don’t purchase me, somebody most certainly will and don’t you want to be the lord that presents the Almighty with the most beautiful slave in all of Dest.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“She sure is a conceited one isn’t she, haha,” Hahg joked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Strip,” Marikh demanded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Excuse me, you are speaking to a free woman sir,” Jazmin said. She bit her bottom lip, it was a nervous habit, but any man who ever knew Jazmin couldn’t see it as such. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Three hundred,” Hahg said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you out of your mind? Every other girl out their only runs between twenty and fifty gold shillings.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lady Adira has already offered five hundred; the other lords have all offered between one and two fifty. I’m not going to sell her to that old hag if I can help it, but if you can’t offer three hundred you leave me no choice. And as I recall from my last visit to your pious little city that woman was repeatedly out showing you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fine take the bag.” Marikh dropped his coin purse into Hahg’s greedy hands. “Strip slave.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jazmin let the robe fall to the floor and took the wooden hairpin from its place letting her dark hair fall to the middle of her back. Jazmin asked, “And what will you have me wear?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t speak unless told to slave. I own you now. Hahg will provide you with rags suiting to one of such a low status. You have one minute to meet me outside; the whip is the punishment for tardiness. Don’t make me remind you.” Marikh exited the wagon and joined Tryll.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jazmin covered her chest by crossing her arms. “Thank you Hahg. When you get back to Nord City make sure my brother is safe and see to it that he treats Melisa as our father treated our mother. It will be a long time before I am likely to see any of you again.” She hugged Hahg and kissed his cheek. “Now give me those clothes. I plan on staying a virgin for as long as I can.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hahg handed her a set of sandy-brown ‘poor-man’s’ clothes, they were more cloth and rag then clothing though. “You better hurry, and I promise this will be my last time selling slaves. Whoever isn’t bought today will be taken to Miriam City to be set free. Thank you for opening my eyes. And gods be with you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I had to, for the sake of Valc.” Jazmin touched Hahg’s hand softly one last time before she exited the wagon. A single tear escaped and she let it run its course until it settled between her lips.</span></div>
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</div>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-76358841228544099082012-03-15T01:52:00.000-07:002012-03-16T15:10:31.089-07:00Assassin Part 4*<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDw9AeE_3Av4CKfnfCbB2Kq9RAT7ym15r4L52AKvQ7bhGT7i4Rcr9Hk2sAV2_UoLQPq_bR-NRXX1iSgQudd0ddahNUWMjmaS7_K-Sjlqe29JjISNNLhAwS2qQV7dvzKJLgoE_PtjvTSQ/s1600/digital-art-gallery_Hyuckshin+Kwon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDw9AeE_3Av4CKfnfCbB2Kq9RAT7ym15r4L52AKvQ7bhGT7i4Rcr9Hk2sAV2_UoLQPq_bR-NRXX1iSgQudd0ddahNUWMjmaS7_K-Sjlqe29JjISNNLhAwS2qQV7dvzKJLgoE_PtjvTSQ/s320/digital-art-gallery_Hyuckshin+Kwon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art By: Hyuckshin Kwon found on <a href="http://digital-art-gallery.com/">digital-art-gallery.com</a> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Assassin
Part 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who
the hell are you?” Captain Gray asked shouting and pointing his sword back and
forth between Sergio and Scott completely ignoring Aiya as a possible threat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“We’re
just three unfortunate travelers sir,” Sergio answered. “I thought we were
goners until you showed up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Captain
that one killed Rodyer,” one of the guards said pointing at Scott.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
was attacking my cousin, guard.” Shifting to a less defensive stance Scott
said, “I kind of would like to know why your guard, Sir, attacked my cousin and
not those things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Captain
Gray sheathed his great sword. “Rodyer, rest his soul, knew better than to
attack those which protect us in this forest. Are you and your kin not Ra
worshippers?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No
we’re not. We’re Mak worshippers,” Aiya spoke wiping dirt from her robe. “As
you can clearly see we have our reasons not to worship those murderous
creatures.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“A
feisty one,” Gray laughed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
dare allow these subjects to speak of the Greater Ones as such.” The emissary
walked around Captain Gray; she was playing with her sword. She had an athletic
body type, her satin top pressed against her arms, chest, and stomach, but
loosened around her thighs where it came to a shredded end. Her stockings
crisscrossed up her legs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
tone of the emissary’s voice was very powerful, yet somehow seducing. Her eyes
were dark green, like the forest just before the sun sets. Her mascara was
running, probably due to the humidity and heat from the now dwindling fire.
“Gray,” She said, “The Almighty would say it would be against the will of the
Great Four to kill them, but he’s not here. If they are Makian they know too
much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Your
husband is paying me Lelya, not you,” the captain countered. “I can’t just go
about killing my own people. They’ll belong to the Almighty soon enough.
They’ll come with us. If they prove trustworthy we’ll employ them, otherwise
we’ll enslave them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hello,”
Scott said sarcastically waving his hand, “you must be out of your mind. Who
the hell-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Captain
Gray looked at one of his men and pointed at Scott. The guard hit Scott in the
back of his head sending him to the ground. “How dare you talk back subject,”
the guard scolded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Scott
jumped up and charged the guard. Sergio tackled his ill-tempered cousin as the
guards and soldiers stood ready. Sergio whispered, “This is our only chance
now. We can’t screw this up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Three
of the guards began stripping the assassins of their weapons. “Let them keep
their possessions for now, they’re our guests,” Gray ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“First
mistake,” Aiya whispered to herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What
was that, girl,” Lelya snapped at Aiya; suddenly the seductive tone in her
voice seemed absent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
said, thanks mate, we talk like that in our country.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ha!”
Captain Gray laughed, “I like that girl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lelya
looked at Aiya almost jealously. Once they got back on the trail it became
clear that the number of Destian soldiers protecting the emissary was in the
hundreds. They walked northwest for about twenty minutes when eventually they
came to a series of meadows housing thousands of tents. Whatever this camp was
it seemed almost permanent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At
least now the assassins didn’t have to sneak in. A fiery smile grew on Aiya’s
face and Sergio knew why, the only time she ever got that look on her face was
while she was contemplating an assassination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lelya
left Gray’s side and talked with what appeared to be high ranking Destian
soldiers. “Put her with the other girls,” Lelya ordered one of the soldiers.
“Have those two questioned. Don’t let Gray know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes
Empress. How do you want us to keep that from the Makian Captain he asks a lot
of questions when he’s here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Leave
that to me. I didn’t marry a god, because I was shy. Now go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aiya,
Sergio, and Scott walked through the camp towards a tent that an officer of the
Elite Guard told them they would stay in when three soldiers approached them. “Is
there a problem boys?” Sergio asked. Aiya slowly reached for a blade, but
suddenly her mouth was covered from behind. Over a dozen soldiers quickly
subdued the three assassins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aiya
watched as Sergio and Scott were blindfolded while she was carried away. She
couldn’t fight. Her mouth was gagged stopping her from screaming and whoever
was carrying her was built like a rhinoceros. Eventually the cloth was taken
from her mouth and she was thrown into a huge tent with about two hundred other
women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“The
prostitutes,” Aiya said to herself, smirking. She grew accustomed to talking to
herself during countless hours of solitary training as well as hiding in empty
houses for days on end waiting for her target to return home. “Hi I’m Aiya,
what’s your name?” She asked one of the girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sergio
and Scott were bound to each other by the wrists with their backs against each
other. After about an hour of silence the blindfolds were taken off. “My boss
thinks you guys are a little bit too in touch with your combat skills to be
common travelers. So why don’t you let us what you’re doing in this part of the
forest.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“We
were hunting, this is still our country. Even you of the sand should understand
that,” Sergio replied. “Captain Gray said we were to go unharmed, and that we
could keep our weapons. He seemed eager to talk with us; you wouldn’t want him
to find out about this now would you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who
do you think ordered this?” A deep voice came from shadows. Its speaker showed
himself. He was as huge as the man that carried away Aiya, maybe it was him. He
clenched his fist and struck Scott in the stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now
why don’t we try this again,” the first soldier spoke. “What are you doing up
here? You better be honest or Beast here is going to start hurting you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
told you, are you deaf or something,” Scott snapped. “I swear it I’ll kill you
myself when we get out of this. I don’t forget names Beast.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Beast
grabbed Scott’s neck with one hand. His thumb and finger connected at the back
of Scott’s neck. “I could snap your scrawny neck with one hand son.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re
not going to do that Beast,” Sergio said with a calm demeanor. “If you started
snapping necks you wouldn’t get any answers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Stick
to punching them Beast,” the first soldier ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Captain
Gray washed his face with water from an ivory bowl and a clean towel. A slave
cleaned the captain’s body. Lelya entered the captain’s tent. Her face had been
clean and her mascara was reapplied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Leave
slave. Go back to your tent I’m sure you’re needed for something of a more
carnal nature,” Lelya slapped the girl as she exited the tent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lelya
walked to the bathing bowel and wetted the towel. She began cleaning Captain
Gray’s chest. “You are important Gray,” Lelya said as she wiped around his
neck. “A slave for you is too low.” She kissed his chest. “You showed mercy
today, many would call that weakness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
think me a fool Lelya,” Gray said stepping back. He robed himself. “You’re the
third wife of a man-god. I like my head where it is and I’m sure you do as
well. Let’s not forget the meaning of these meetings. I’m already betraying my
king I won’t do the same to a god. And if you think that a slave is too low for
me why don’t you order one of your men to go fetch me that girl we rescued.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“She
may not be a slave now, but soon enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“If
that’s the case, why’d you have her put with the morale?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
did no such thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t
lie to me Lelya. There’s very little you can get past me. This may be your
outpost, but it is, for now, still in my country. I was going to have them
questioned too; I was just going to go about it a bit differently. I guess a
few bruises won’t kill them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fine
I’ll have her fetched.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No
don’t worry about it. Like you said, she’ll be a slave soon enough. But for now
she’s not to be touched. Do you understand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lelya
exited the tent for a few seconds then reentered. “She’s being sent after and
taken to my tent Gray.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now
let’s get to business. I have charts here,” Gray said as he pulled some maps
and documents from a pack. “The dragons are being gathered next month from our,
Mak’s, daughter countries. My King is doing whatever he can. The king does not
want to be known as the king that lost the oldest country in the world to his
desert neighbors.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQ_dMU8CTtxOBaXjzjjutq-EQhgciZGqWadf2xXWGr8XCptZTG_nPUkpn33gDgGieOcospxavfsuSr9AAReEa1RATX_WB8CmUHDKLlaUE07azAQNmW2KuFYQOEYFGe6xHPg9doaH1zRs/s1600/Lelya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQ_dMU8CTtxOBaXjzjjutq-EQhgciZGqWadf2xXWGr8XCptZTG_nPUkpn33gDgGieOcospxavfsuSr9AAReEa1RATX_WB8CmUHDKLlaUE07azAQNmW2KuFYQOEYFGe6xHPg9doaH1zRs/s320/Lelya.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“We
can get to this later Gray, I want you.” She unrobed and gently removed the map
from the table. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Stop
it Lelya. You might do this to your husband, but I won’t to my wife and
daughter. Don’t make me put my armor back on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t
you want an Empress?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gray
nearly laughed. “What I want is for the emissary in front of me to robe and
finish this meeting so I can get back to the city by tomorrow night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em><strong><span style="color: red;">Art work by Marat Ars found at</span></strong></em> </span></u><a href="http://digital-art-gallery.com/picture/5013">http://digital-art-gallery.com/picture/5013</a> ********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aiya
was fighting off a lonely soldier when Lelya’s runner showed up. “Back off or
I’ll cut it off damn it,” Aiya protested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Leave
her be Esgard. Empress Lelya sent me to get her. She wants her unharmed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not
fair, she’s the only one in this tent that hasn’t been had by the infantry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lelya
will be expecting you sober during duty tonight. I’m not covering for you again
Esgard.” The runner turned his attention to Aiya and said, “Let’s go, before I
let him have you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aiya
was taken to a lavishly decorated tent. Lelya’s runner stayed with her. He
remained silent just watching the girl. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do
you know where they took my brother?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
runner remained silent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hello
I asked you something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lelya
entered the tent, “Don’t answer that soldier. You’re dismissed; I can handle
myself until your replacement gets in. Report back in the morning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes
Empress,” the runner complied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“So
you’re a hunter,” Lelya stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Aye,
that’s true,” Aiya lied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where’s
your bow?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m
not very good with a bow. I can throw a knife straighter than I can shoot a
bow. They don’t travel as fast, but I can throw five or six by the time any
archer can nock a second arrow. Now my brother, Sergio, he’s good with a bow.
He can nock an arrow in the time it takes for me to only throw two knives.
Speaking of Sergio, where is he?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
don’t beat around the bush do you? The Almighty would like that,” Lelya
attempted to get off subject again. “You know the Almighty hasn’t had a tenth
wife in about twelve years.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah
I’ve heard the stories. Her name was Jazmin right? I heard she killed two wives
before finally leaving the Almighty as you like to call him. I hear he favors
himself a god. I prefer to call him Ga’ash; it is his real name after all.
Speaking of wives, my brother has one and she would probably like to know where
he is; tell me where he is.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Just
as Lelya was about to respond a knock sounded on the post just outside of the
tent. It was probably the runner’s replacement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Enter,”
commanded Lelya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
was Esgard. “Empress,” He said. “Muhtmel said they broke one of them. He said
you better come take a look.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hunter
huh,” Lelya laughed. “Esgard stay with this one. Don’t let her out of the
tent.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
can beat a lie out of man,” Aiya yelled to Lelya as she left the tent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
shouldn’t speak to the Empress with such a tone, her husband is a god.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After
a few short seconds Aiya noticed Esgard was looking at her the way he was when
they were back in the morale tent. Aiya slowly loosened her belt and stood up.
“You’re right I shouldn’t. I know what I should do though,” she said. Her robe
opened revealing her bra. She walked to him. “Grab me,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He
complied pulling her close. His eyes widened. He had to feel many of the knives
that were attached to the inside of her robe. Aiya pushed him down and kneeled
over him. She put her mouth to his ear. “Good night,” she whispered as she
released her spring assisted blade into his temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She
put herself back together and snuck out of the tent and eventually caught up to
Lelya. She kept a safe distance from her target. Lelya stopped to talk to a man
outside of a tent. Aiya couldn’t make out what they were saying, but the man
kept pointing to his arm and Lelya looked as if she were growing increasingly
madder with every word he spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aiya
cut a large slit into the back of the tent and silently slid in. In the dark
she managed to see two figures bound together, back to back. Aiya cut the rope
that was binding the assassins. “You guys-” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Beast
appeared almost out of nowhere. His huge fist came smashing down towards Aiya.
She grabbed his hand with both of hers and was still sent to a knee. Sergio
unsheathed the scimitar from Beast’s belt and in one quick move he liberated
Beast’s head from his shoulders. Scott reached out catching the massive head by
the long wavy black hair and slowly put it down as Aiya and Sergio quietly
lowered the body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Scott’s
left arm appeared hurt. He kept it held against his chest. “Are you okay?” Aiya
whispered to her cousin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll
be fine. Let’s go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Earwig Factory"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">fOR THOSE OF YOU WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS
GOING TO BE THE LAST POST IN THE ASSASSIN SERIES I AM DEEPLY SORRY. i GUESS
THAT WOULD INCLUDE ME THOUGH. i JUST COULDN’T FINISH IT IN FOUR POSTS; THE
FOURTH WAS BECOMING FAR TOO LONG. therefore THERE WILL BE A FIFTH POST AND
HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE THE FINAL POST IN THE ASSASSIN SERIES. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Earwig Factory"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">don’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO FICTIONAL
ESCAPES AND BECOME A FICTIONAL ESCAPEE. pLEASE MAKE A COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW
WHAT YOU THOUGHT. aS ALWAYS I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE POST AND MAY ALL OF YOUR
READING AND WRITING ADVENTURES BE FULL. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://digital-art-gallery.com/picture/5013">Idea for Lelya. Art by Marat Ars</a>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-31642279484732029882012-03-09T22:15:00.000-08:002018-06-22T09:45:31.874-07:00A Mother's Last Poem<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A Mother’s Last Poem</span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>According to her parents the first word she ever uttered was ‘book.’</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kelli always wanted to learn to write like her mother did. She had many journals piled up in corners and stuffed in drawers. Some journals contained written love stories, some held memories, others held stories of monsters and heroes, and many were stained with coffee and tea. Thousands of pages of paper cluttered her bedroom. She had poems tacked to walls, her favorite quotes were written on sticky notes that now framed the room, a few romantically erotic shorts were hidden in a shoe box under her bed, and her favorite diary entries dangled from her slow revolving ceiling fan. A flash fiction story of two hundred words was framed next to a picture of her and her mother during a camping trip nearly thirteen years ago; Kelli was sixteen. </span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The picture was taken a week before the car crash. The crash killed her mother nearly instantly, it left her father in a wheel chair before he died of complications four short months later, and Kelli walked away from it without so much as a broken nail and so did the drunk driver that hit them. Her mother was writing poem at the time of the crash. Every Saturday her mother would write a poem. Some were simple. Some were complex. All were beautiful.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguf8gM269pw0WSm7BjnAZ-XKRVGim5D2ab2cSdYdJXrphO-RuIJogaPbk6wR0HMvFT2MhWbY6HWXZ2PUlPoWeWTqz6VzsGbcPqWCBryMRqSjqoyg4fPQvRhVFOpMR4HCh7dEeep1_sqkU/s1600/2222add.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguf8gM269pw0WSm7BjnAZ-XKRVGim5D2ab2cSdYdJXrphO-RuIJogaPbk6wR0HMvFT2MhWbY6HWXZ2PUlPoWeWTqz6VzsGbcPqWCBryMRqSjqoyg4fPQvRhVFOpMR4HCh7dEeep1_sqkU/s1600/2222add.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found on <a href="https://angelnjuly.wordpress.com/">https://angelnjuly.wordpress.com/</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her mother often wrote of flowers in spring and weathered light houses outlasting a storm. Sometimes she’d write a poem about their golden retriever named Charlie and their horse named Buck Roger. Though, mostly she wrote about her husband and her daughter.</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Behind that framed picture of the last camping trip Kelli had taken were the beginning stanzas of her mother’s final poem. She’d always wanted to finish it; her father had asked her to. She had written millions of words, but none, in her eyes, seemed fitting to be her mother’s last words. Tonight, she said would be the night.</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was the thirteenth anniversary of the fatal crash and Kelli knew she needed to write something or it would haunt her forever. She sat at the desk and unframed the poem from behind the picture. She read it. It told of whispering winds, of the calm found at the creek’s edge, it testified to the kiss of the forest’s mornings, and the embrace of the night’s campfires. She began to cry; a tear fell onto the poem, it wasn’t the first.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kelli put the pen to the paper. She wiped tears from her eyes. She wrote. She told of drowning in the tears of the night’s stars, of the morning’s mourning dew, she testified to the comfort from her mother’s kiss, and to the warmth of the embrace of her father’s arms. And it was beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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</div>
BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-53598019588534474692012-03-05T04:31:00.002-08:002012-03-27T19:20:11.241-07:00Tommy's Letter<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tommy’s Letter</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mickey held the gun firm in his left hand, a pen loosely in his right. He paced furiously. The cigarette, nearly out, was stuck to his bottom lip. He spit the burning cigarette butt to the floor and stepped on it. His feet were bare. He went for his pack. It was his last cigarette. He lit it and put it to his mouth. The pile of books on the table didn’t stand a chance. They flew wildly across the room. The cigarette was the best he’d ever had.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The hotel room's plaid wallpaper ran with water stains. Mold was in every corner. It was a nonsmoking room. It came with three ash trays. There was no bathroom, just a crapper and a hose port above a drain. It was a decorated jail cell with more porn glued to the walls than in any wooden hooch in Afghanistan. The smell seemed toxic. Mickey wouldn’t even use the crapper.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mickey sat down at the desk. He was frustrated, angry, depressed, drunk, and in tears. He pressed the barrel of the gun to his head. Weak, he couldn’t do it. It wasn’t time yet, there was still Tommy. He sat the pistol down next to a weathered journal. He tore out a piece. He wrote:</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRnNsVA-e9oqHHrlSSY1u4FWeWFexjO6e-IozdtvHTxAJXnd4FvIHZ3e10OMfrR4_W8h77i5aQGS7Cx8RkRXUgYYRCOGMMfPqerjL_eKqbN8ze4U1MADX6Rxd7iDbz6bTdgnRsFkxpCk/s1600/cigarette_gun_by_slim45hady-d3cxkm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRnNsVA-e9oqHHrlSSY1u4FWeWFexjO6e-IozdtvHTxAJXnd4FvIHZ3e10OMfrR4_W8h77i5aQGS7Cx8RkRXUgYYRCOGMMfPqerjL_eKqbN8ze4U1MADX6Rxd7iDbz6bTdgnRsFkxpCk/s320/cigarette_gun_by_slim45hady-d3cxkm2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Slim45hady <br />
Found at <a href="http://slim45hady.deviantart.com/">http://slim45hady.deviantart.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC";"><strong>Dear Tommy,</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC";"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This aint right, but it never was. Not any time since we came to Mexico. We never should’ve left Puerto Rico. </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC";"><strong>There’s a briefcase with 10 grand in the mattress. Flip it over you’ll find it. I’m sorry Sarah didn’t make it. I wish it’d been me instead. I love you little brother.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC";"><strong>Sorry,</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC";"><strong>Mickey</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mickey stood up. He paced a few more times. He tossed his cigarette into the half eaten bowl of cereal. The door began to open, Tommy stepped through. Mickey put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Click!</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Earwig Factory"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope you enjoyed the post. Please leave comments and feedback. Criticism is always welcome just please keep it in good taste. Oh and don’t forget to Subscribe and become a Fictional Escapee. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-15192253293803011762012-02-22T04:16:00.000-08:002012-05-24T07:41:22.882-07:00Assassin Part 3*<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sergio pocketed the letter against Sloan’s wishes. “They
just got a three hour head start is all,” He stated looking at his sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott scratched his head in confusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gave who a three hour head start?” He waited
for an answer, but his older cousin just got up and went to his room. He turned
his question to Aiya, “You read the letter. What is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Captain Gray,” She replied, “headed out at lunch time
today guarded by twenty of the Elite Guard. He’s meeting the emissary in a
hidden camp in the Ra Forest near Dryads’ Retreat.” She looked at her hidden
blade and feathered the length of it once. “I’ve never been that deep into that
forest before. I’m nervous.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You don’t believe those stories do you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Just, because I don’t worship the Ra doesn’t mean I
don’t believe they exist. Most people don’t believe in conspiracies, but here
we are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGU2aEm45jJNJKg2h4bA-SZhgi0KL1ogwLTRwqthuUHMVvRc9XIUdk519KNokjasq5HX-LRwEqHwT-jMPr26VQLrVUbtZNQZj4t77uVDKjGPY5C_TLX89uYY_LGz5P_HD-0dCszk6CZG8/s1600/Aiya_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGU2aEm45jJNJKg2h4bA-SZhgi0KL1ogwLTRwqthuUHMVvRc9XIUdk519KNokjasq5HX-LRwEqHwT-jMPr26VQLrVUbtZNQZj4t77uVDKjGPY5C_TLX89uYY_LGz5P_HD-0dCszk6CZG8/s320/Aiya_2.jpg" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aiya<br />
property of <a href="http://fictionalescapes.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalescapes.blogspot.com</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’re almost seventeen Aiya. You should stop letting
dryads and nymphs scare you,” Scott said mockingly. “You probably believe in
merpeople too, don’t you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“All I’m saying is that our government hasn’t outlawed
Ra worship. Mak is where the gods created us. We named our country for Mak.
Just five blocks from here is where our god,” she paused placing a clenched
hand over her heart, “created humanity. Right here in Hiarlym City cousin. Our
entire country is founded on the belief that Mak is the creator. If the Ra
didn’t exist the King would’ve outlawed their worship years ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Enough you two!” Teagan quieted her only living inlaws
before they could get into another one of their pointless arguments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She’s right,” Aiya said. “We should go get ready; our
target is three hours ahead of us and I’d like to get him before he risks more
of our countrymen’s lives. We have friends in that army. Don’t forget the
matches and the kerosene. You never know when we’ll need some fiery arrows.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aiya went to her room; she was one of the few with her
own room, a privilege for the best assassins. Not having time to bathe, she
took off her wet and bloodied clothes, wiped away dirt and blood from her face
with a damp towel. She dried off and put on her undergarments on before going to
her trunk. Opening it she pulled out a white robe bearing a golden ‘V’ above
the the right breast, Aiya did not know what the ‘V’ stood for, but one day she
would. At least according to her brother she would. She laid the robe on her bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She grabbed her extra pair of leather boots from the
trunk and set those aside. She grabbed her left forearm bracer, she rarely wore
it. The bracer was leather and started at the bottom of her elbow. It didn’t
end around her wrist, but continued to her index finger where it wrapped around it coming to a point. She
tossed it on her bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Where are you? Damn it,” Aiya spoke quietly to herself.
“Ah there you are.” She grabbed a thin leather strap with a clip on either on
end. She sat on her bed and put it around her ankle. “I miss you mom.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She donned her left bracer with the finger armor and
iron reaver claw then the right with the hidden blade and then she robed. She
sat back down and strapped her leather boots onto her feet. Finally, after she
stood, she went to her glass locker where she kept her knives and black dagger.
The dagger was a gift from Prince Hamlin of Tannia, he told her that the blade was
formed from the scale of a dragon injured in combat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She opened the robe and slid throwing knives into hidden
sheathes inside of the robe and clipped three onto both of her bracers. She
sheathed the black dagger on her belt. She looked into the mirror on the wall
above the glass locker and gave herself a smirk as she lifted her hood over her
head. “Let’s go kill us a Makian Captain,” She spoke to herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She met her brother and cousin in the den before departing.
Sergio sheathed his two backswords as they left the den. “Hope you kids are up
for a run.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was dark by the time they entered the forest. Luckily
one of the moons was full and the other was partially eclipsed behind it. The
unfamiliar sounds made Aiya uneasy. Fortunately, Sergio had ventured through
the forests for many years with their father before their parents were killed.
Unfortunately, their dad forbade him from going anywhere near Dryad’s Retreat.
They had no idea what was waiting for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even on the dimly moonlit road the wagon tire tracks and
horse hoof imprints were easy to track. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ahead on the road Scott noticed a flickering light.
“What is that, Sergio?” Scott asked his cousin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s probably just a torch,” Sergio answered almost
condescendingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s too close to be a torch,” Aiya added. “It’s only
about ten yards away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There’s no way that a fire is burning that close to us
and we're just seeing it now. We’ve been on this trail for the last fifteen minutes,”
Sergio sought reason even though he could clearly see that his sister was
right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then as the flame so suddenly appeared it disappeared. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thwip thump! Thwip thump! Thwip thump! </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aiya looked between her feet where she heard
what sounded like an arrow hit the trail. That is exactly what it was. An arrow
for each of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There were three shots. If there was more than one archer we would’ve heard one single shot. You know, so they wouldn't give away their numbers,” Aiya said. “Where are you,” She
yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If that was only one archer he sure is quick. I’ve
never seen anybody nock arrows that fast,” Scott said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sergio lifted his crossbow. He attempted to look for who
shot the arrows. “Get off of the trail now!” Just as he yelled the command an array of arrows littered the trail. One arrow ripped Scott's pant leg as he dove off of the trail. There was
easily over three dozen arrows protruding from the very ground the trio had
just been standing atop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Still think there’s only one little sister?” Sergio
yelled across the trail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Only one way to find- Agh! Let me! Sergio help!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Immediately Scott and Sergio ran through the trees pursuing
whoever was swift enough to both sneak up on Aiya and then carry her away at
such a fast pace. It was hard to see what was ahead of them as they ran by the
trees, over the tangled roots, and under the low hanging branches that littered the forest, but Aiya kept screaming
giving the boys something to follow. This was probably the narrowest deer trail
Sergio had ever ran through, and he had ran through many.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Sergio jumped
over a fallen log he was tackled by what felt like a mossy tree with the force
of a bull. Scott looked back momentarily, but knew Sergio would kill him if he
gave up on Aiya so he continued forward. Something swung out from behind a tree, it felt like a thick cane when it
connected with the side of Scott’s face. He spun twice while airborn before finally
hitting the ground. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aiya was forced down against a tree. A bony figure
scratched her as it roughly used twine to tie her wrists together. Aiya finally
stopped screaming, but only because the terror that grasped her commanded
silence. She was always told that dryads resembled beautiful women and protected the trees of this forest.
The being that handled Aiya was more tree than anything else. It was made of
branches and was definitely more male than female; it had a beard of moss that
reached its knees. The thing turned and ran back the way they had came from.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a few short moments a light appeared floating
towards Aiya. The closer it got to her the more she could make out what
appeared to be a tiny winged man wearing leaves. It landed on her shoulder.
Aiya shot her hidden blade, it ripped through the twine. With one
quick move she grabbed the tiny man and pinned him against the tree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Who are you and what was that thing?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPatDr3nPzf7qpJ0LqrsU0E85DqbGvvc1GCN-X5rYSu4NPHyvsPYPCsUNZb7wyOEkwGwktKFqB6H4IlpLTzlup2i4UZ10627ccc-R4nGftx3wklEwn0lVqQb1Q9N17sWInVR6qfmBvpA/s1600/elmborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPatDr3nPzf7qpJ0LqrsU0E85DqbGvvc1GCN-X5rYSu4NPHyvsPYPCsUNZb7wyOEkwGwktKFqB6H4IlpLTzlup2i4UZ10627ccc-R4nGftx3wklEwn0lVqQb1Q9N17sWInVR6qfmBvpA/s1600/elmborn.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmborn<br />
courtesy of <a href="http://barbericfrontier.blogspot.com/">http://barbericfrontier.blogspot.com</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A tiny whisper could be heard coming from the little
man-light. Aiya was confused it looked like he was trying to yell. He kept
pointing at his shoulder and then up to hers while screaming. Aiya reluctantly put him on her
shoulder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The tiny being stood on his toes and grabbed her ear
getting as close to her ear as he could. “My name is Ghillie Dhu. You can call
me Ghillie. That thing was an elmborn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And what on Sebat are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I told you I’m Ghillie. I’m the one that tried to scare
you away on the trail. The dryads don’t like nonbelievers in their territory. You shouldn't have came here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Annoyed at the response Aiya continued the question and
answer session. “Where are we?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We’re near Dryad’s Retreat by Elm Father,” Ghillie Dhu answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The Elm Father?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah the one the Dryads protect. He is my life source.
The elmborn are his spawn, well the Dryads create them from his bark anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Where are my brother and my cousin?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They’ll be taken to the retreat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And what then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Probably gonna be sacrificed to Elm Father unless they
swear fealty to the Dryads and the other Ra.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Which way to the retreat, Ghillie?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Follow me but stay quiet the Dyrads aren’t kind to
ladies especially the pretty ones.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aiya stayed close behind Ghillie. The pixie flew right
through many spots that Aiya struggled with in the dark, but eventually they
made it. Aiya hid behind the trunk of a tree and looked towards her brother and
cousin who were forced to their knees in the center of the retreat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Milly,” said a beautiful feminine voice, “the elmborn
have brought us two travelers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I see that Mila. Look at them; How handsome are they?” Milly’s voice
was just as beautiful, but sounded completely different it was as if her voice was draped in song.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Milly stepped into the moonlight. Her body was what men
dream about and she wore nothing but a few leaves connected by twine. “Tell
us humans, what are you doing in our forest?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Couldn’t you have asked us that without beating us half
to death first?” Scott asked sarcastically. The right half of his face was covered in
blood and Aiya was pretty sure there was vomit on his shirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aiya readied an arrow. A female’s body pressed against
the back of Aiya and slowly covered her mouth. “I wouldn’t do that human,” Mila
whispered into Aiya’s ear. Startled Ghillie flew away from the forest floor and
high into the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aiya slowly released the arrow and put the bow on the
ground. “Smart move,” Mila said as she pushed Aiya into the retreat. She
grabbed Aiya’s wrist took her into the retreat to stand in front of Sergio and Scott. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Maybe now you can answer my question,” Milly said as
she ran her hand across Aiya’s throat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Don’t harm her you demon!” Sergio yelled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hehe! They all call you that right before you kill them
sister,” Mila said. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Okay, okay. We’re here to stop a meeting,” Sergio
admitted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The only meeting that's taking place in this forest is by our
worshippers, now why would I want you to stop that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Because, if this impending war isn’t stopped the Makian
Defense Ministry will cut down at least half of this forest to fight off Dest’s
humongous army. Centuries of growth will be cut down in months, dryad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mila spoke, almost singing, “Sister I believe him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We are gods. Do you not think us capable of hindering a
few saws and axes?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’re not gods. Mak is god on high,” Scott said. “His
daughter and son are the only other gods. The rest of us are merely his
creations. What have you created besides those damned elmborn?” Scott stood. “I only now
believe you exist, that doesn’t mean I’m willing to worship something that
is not a god. You’re not even fit to walk amongst the heavens with the angels
as I will one day do. Diabolus doesn’t even want you in hell. You’re stuck in
this damn forest forever aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And one day you’ll be stuck in this damn forest when
all of your precious trees are gone,” Aiya added.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We Makians love this forest. We’ll only cut it down if our
hands are forced. You’ll be forcing them if you don’t let me do this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJD4BLxEm62tX7nH4QlF9hVJDwuyvyO9BAqxl1fs-ZNWzf4AWq_sZLqe9LWzpn1O9S8soBZkO2JN5fcdLr6yPd_utTHBlsMB90F_PqSTTE3Umqlvor8E7Jsqp7u57hVnUTeruD_uXS2Y/s1600/dryad_mila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJD4BLxEm62tX7nH4QlF9hVJDwuyvyO9BAqxl1fs-ZNWzf4AWq_sZLqe9LWzpn1O9S8soBZkO2JN5fcdLr6yPd_utTHBlsMB90F_PqSTTE3Umqlvor8E7Jsqp7u57hVnUTeruD_uXS2Y/s320/dryad_mila.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milly<br />
Creator not found retrieved from <a href="http://abstract.desktopnexus.com/">http://<span id="rg_hr">abstract.desktopnexus.com</span></a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Aren’t gods supposed to protect their subjects? So tell
me now why my subjects are safe from you murderers and Mak’s subjects, you, are bound by twine
in my retreat,” Milly argued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Our god,” Scott paused clearing his throat, “rewards us
as well as protects us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ve killed many believers of Mak. Many of them are
among the elmborn that captured you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We won’t be as easy,” Aiya said, smirking. She spun around
deeply scratching Mila’s face with her claw. Mila screamed and fell back. The
wound healed immediately, but it still pained the dryad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBojTCIeWeUNItAd7YbyZBsZqZBmA2SIG0ezWxkv5TgivyvGB6GfTnkEI3JtkkiIbbydEQul8t8pS4WzRXistp0UCRF_wEf1LgLXEnZr-rSHvsl8amKsFGJ0YCWt3HuJ68V-E7QWb4VjQ/s1600/Dryad_by_igolochka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBojTCIeWeUNItAd7YbyZBsZqZBmA2SIG0ezWxkv5TgivyvGB6GfTnkEI3JtkkiIbbydEQul8t8pS4WzRXistp0UCRF_wEf1LgLXEnZr-rSHvsl8amKsFGJ0YCWt3HuJ68V-E7QWb4VjQ/s320/Dryad_by_igolochka.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mila<br />
Art by Anastasiya Igolkina<br />
<a href="http://igolochka.deviantart.com/">http://igolochka.deviantart.com/</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott and Sergio both broke the twine around their
wrists the same way Aiya had done in the forest. The dryads retreated into a hollow in the Elm
Father ordering the elmborn to attack the assassins. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott ran to Sergio grabbing a flask
from his pack. Sergio unsheathed his blades and allowed Scott to pour the
contents of the flask onto them. “Hurry with the matches little cousin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott took a match from his pack and stroked it along a
patch on his pants. He tossed the lit match onto a blade causing it to become engulfed
in flames. Sergio connected the blades causing the other to catch fire. He
turned swinging and striking an elmborn. As if the creature was made of dry
sticks it immediately caught fire and began flailing wildly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Risking injury Aiya dipped her metal claw and dagger
into the kerosene flask and ignited them against her brother’s sword. She
struck an elmborn in the eye and pulled it forward. As she advanced she stabbed
it in the back as it fell screaming to the ground. Soon the fire in the retreat
allowed increased visibility for the assassins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aiya stabbed the ground with her claw once the fire engulfing her finger became
too hot for comfort. While she was down Scott grabbed her shoulder and threw
her back. One of Gray’s Elite Guard barely missed Aiya’s neck when Scott
rescued her. Scott jumped forward punching the guard in the face. He stripped
the guard of his weapon and continued to pummel his face and stomach. The guard
fell to his knees. Sergio kicked him in the jaw. Three audible pops where
heard. The first was the sound of the guard’s jaw cracking, the second and
most quiet was the dislocation of the jaw, the third was the sound of the guard’s
neck breaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Stop!” A commanding female voice yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The three assassins were surrounded by the Elite Guard
and many Destian soldiers. The commanding voice was the emissary from Dest.
Next to him stood Aiya’s next victim. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sewZibDamGCLdl1vCahuMFLJtrDoYLqCPmSX41yVDAXP1ARa4AflkAE0AaBifyWK2xWNNUhU-QRvdQKl6gTxV4TA52SfNOAuUrPhbFnxNbz3EG9F6soQeN3h7bjJQ8FMkQLzKOhaMXQ/s1600/Medieval_time_fantasy_wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sewZibDamGCLdl1vCahuMFLJtrDoYLqCPmSX41yVDAXP1ARa4AflkAE0AaBifyWK2xWNNUhU-QRvdQKl6gTxV4TA52SfNOAuUrPhbFnxNbz3EG9F6soQeN3h7bjJQ8FMkQLzKOhaMXQ/s320/Medieval_time_fantasy_wallpaper.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Gray<br />
Picture found on <a href="http://good-wallpapers.com/">http://good-wallpapers.com</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">---Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this post please subscribe to Fictional Escapes and Become a Fictional Escapee<o:p></o:p></span></div>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-58663689417611006032012-02-11T18:54:00.000-08:002012-02-13T00:35:33.993-08:00In Jamion's Torpor*To understand this next post you must understand that this is neither the beginning nor the end of my story. It is a part of something greater as most things are. You probably remember my post titled A Sneak Peak Courtesy of the Author, now titled Councils and Storms. This is another part of that story. This occurs after that post. The beginning of this post starts in the middle of the chapter I took it from. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Pictures to be added.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">A loud shrill caw sounded from above. All of the demons immediately
stopped attacking, took a knee, and bowed their heads. Leah scooted back onto
her feet and into the center of the circle where the rest of the group was
standing ready to fight, they were prepared to die but not without a fight. The
shriek sounded again sending them to their knees covering their ears. Not even
that helped. Paul’s nose began to bleed from the sound.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Three cloaked demons flew in and landed standing around the
humans and elf. They stood fifteen feet tall. Their black cloaks were hooded
and went straight to the ground and appeared to disappear into the forest
floor. Their cloaks were opened, but seemed empty, except for the head. It was
human in shape with beady red eyes, but that was all one could tell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">The cloaked demons started speaking to the beastly looking
demons. The language wasn’t native to Sebat. It was full of clicks and shrieks.
And other sort of noises some even impossible to be made by a human. At the
same time the cloaks lifted up revealing nothing, but air. Another loud shrill
and the horned demons turned back and ran into the forest. The cloaks floated
back to a standing position and turned inwards towards the team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Paul, stood. “Who in bloody hell are ya?” He yelled raising his
axe. One of the cloaked demons screamed sending Paul flying fifteen feet through
the air before he landed on his head. He laid there unmoving, blood trickled
from his brow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Jamion stood next. “We mean you no harm.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Was that laughing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Look just let us know what you want with us. If-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">A bony arm formed out of thin air. A finger the length of two of
Jamion’s fingers, but half the width was put over his lips quieting him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">The three cloaks surrounded Jamion and closed him in it. It was
dark, true dark. There was only black, just black and nothing else. Jamion
looked up six beautiful green eyes looked down into his. The darkness turned to
light, bright powerful white blinding light. The eyes lowered themselves. Three
naked winged women stood around Jamion. Were they goddesses? They didn‘t have
any reproductive organs he noticed, no nipples even. One had pink wings,
another red, and the third had white.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">The first one spoke, “Jamion. My name is Dalia. Your wife was
named for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">The second. “I am Naomi. The statue in the City of the Sun was
erected in my name. I remember watching as you stared in awe. I was flattered.”
Her red wings flapped softly forward covering her breasts. Then back revealing
herself again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“I’m Miriam. A city in Marini was named for me and,” she crossed
her arms in a whining manner, “the unfortunate wife of King Nord as well,” said
the one with white wings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“So you’re not demons. Or are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“No,” said Dalia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Then why hurt Paul?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“That was Naomi, she has a bit of a temper. He will be fine. I
promise,” Dalia assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Well what are you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Angels. Warrior angels. We’ve brought you here, because this
war is affecting more than just Calaprinia, Nord, and Marini. Soon Dest will be
involved. The country Rin and its people will form armies and march into
Southern Marini. The entire elven realm will bear arms. The entire world will
be at war Jamion. That is unless you can stop it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaV9GDialZ7olzZhwlAaceSwb2PkA6LfZ0fLzFzNO1CM___QWyYwoP64B8YbLlZtIaitMWuYHkbVGCfQiBbZlhhDoi8ylW3N_glkY9_2NV0UL9Zfl5kkVoXdtM-CJIketibfngDFzGn4A/s1600/236146-Sepik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaV9GDialZ7olzZhwlAaceSwb2PkA6LfZ0fLzFzNO1CM___QWyYwoP64B8YbLlZtIaitMWuYHkbVGCfQiBbZlhhDoi8ylW3N_glkY9_2NV0UL9Zfl5kkVoXdtM-CJIketibfngDFzGn4A/s320/236146-Sepik.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">found on 1zoom.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“It goes deeper as well. Those gods you called false in the
dungeon are real. As real as your gods, our gods. I’ll have you know just
denying them in our great lords names had them sending an army of demons our
way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">The white light surrounding Jamion started to form objects. A
huge golden gate standing sixty feet high and eighty feet wide drew closer. An
ivory wall went out in both directions as far as the eyes could see. The ground
was made from smoothed diamond. A guard dressed in pure golden armor and
crimson cloth opened the gate allowing the four in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Where are we? Is this- is this heaven?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Miriam grabbed his hand and said, “Just wait until you can see
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“My eyes are open.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Dalia grabbed his other hand and said, “Aye, but only the dead
can see heaven. The ground a wall and a gate are not all our heavenly kingdom
is made of.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">They took flight, at first it frightened Jamion. He was used to
flying, but usually his trustworthy Frollin was under him or on the way to
catch him. Naomi flew behind him; she reached forward grabbing an ankle. She
could’ve easily flown to him but she acted as if she were climbing up his back
stopping at his shoulders. “Over there is a garden, there are statues of the
gods and even some lucky Calaprinian royalty, Valcian royalty, and Marinian
royalty. And most Mackian Royalty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Who?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7nbOcDtk7chY6XnYmYYYP4PLUvsBr1dP1Np59IE4f4bl3saTAUlWOBUPH9uFJbmgCECxo_HrpnHqvYmMsRFK5k2niNEedOQxxl6Fzh35slD_0tk5bbSHb58NPXhEdiu32-lA3JXeutQ/s1600/187080-SweetAngel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7nbOcDtk7chY6XnYmYYYP4PLUvsBr1dP1Np59IE4f4bl3saTAUlWOBUPH9uFJbmgCECxo_HrpnHqvYmMsRFK5k2niNEedOQxxl6Fzh35slD_0tk5bbSHb58NPXhEdiu32-lA3JXeutQ/s320/187080-SweetAngel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">found on 1zoom.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Mak is a country on the other side of Dest. It was once a
grand empire, It stretched over the desert that is now Dest, the Jungle area
you now call Rin, of course it covered the entire coastal region you call home,
even the arctic tundra. Everyone called themselves Mackian,” Naomi explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">They stopped and simultaneously took their hands from him. He
floated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Dalia grabbed him and pressed her lips to his, she disappeared.
Miriam turned him around and kissed him as well, she also disappeared. Naomi
grabbed him and kissed him, she vanished. He floated in thin air. The three
angels came back and wrapped their wings around him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">When they brought their wings back they were standing on a blood
soaked battlefield. As if time was in reverse here people started to stand.
They were in the center of a battle that was going backwards. Jamion began to
recognize the area. They were in Miriam City’s central park. The city was
burning, streets were flooded with blood. Time stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Why are you showing this to me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Dalia pressed her body against Jamion’s. “This is what’s to come
if you don’t stop Nord.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“And what if I can’t stop him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNDrPttOZKjeG75aM8gcnDBs-YtnCJZCTfy9HCufwGK-bHFImrdr-FoxFXjS8GXQKa7yP5clG5WPTD7_LgzdGfKuUch_z9Kc18QJWcbZnqHbjiwn1Q-wsx9yuGE5Rd_bOyXZIY2XUoFU/s1600/255195-jugra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNDrPttOZKjeG75aM8gcnDBs-YtnCJZCTfy9HCufwGK-bHFImrdr-FoxFXjS8GXQKa7yP5clG5WPTD7_LgzdGfKuUch_z9Kc18QJWcbZnqHbjiwn1Q-wsx9yuGE5Rd_bOyXZIY2XUoFU/s320/255195-jugra.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Depiction of a battle<br />
found on 1zoom.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Then you must fight him when things escalate. This is just one
of the battles we’ve foreseen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Miriam’s wings softly flapped as she walked. “It’s hard to tell
though if they’ll all even happen. If only one will happen, but the one thing
we know for sure is that this is avoidable, maybe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Those words confused Jamion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALAZowQr9igP2EoBIFYJtJ9p3TwXEElIAiJSZ0JLgB0TaXSmSP7Lkg3wd0gSOtmb4IWgC_17AXUVy2D3O-1lExsvHys5eLpcCXgB7AOs2n9EJmur7Oc-ZDs7oy29fipN_Hva6Q_whbqs/s1600/Jamion_NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALAZowQr9igP2EoBIFYJtJ9p3TwXEElIAiJSZ0JLgB0TaXSmSP7Lkg3wd0gSOtmb4IWgC_17AXUVy2D3O-1lExsvHys5eLpcCXgB7AOs2n9EJmur7Oc-ZDs7oy29fipN_Hva6Q_whbqs/s320/Jamion_NEW.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamion<br />
Property of <a href="http://fictio6nalescapes.blogspot.om/">http://fictio6nalescapes.blogspot.om</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Jamion looked around the battle field. Demons of all different
types were waving weapons around shouting war cries, winged demons were
fighting with dragons. Armored angels in armor decended from the heavens wielding swords. He looked south towards the university. A small team dressed
in Calaprinian uniform looked battle torn. A girl no older then thirteen was
leading them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Miriam continued. “Or heck,” she sighed, “maybe it’s not
avoidable, but we, you have to try.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Daddy.” Jamion swore he heard his daughter’s voice. “So as soon
as you wake up come see me.” Suddenly he missed his family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Naomi walked up behind Jamion, she whispered into his ear, “Time
to wake up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-46156317333026720322012-02-07T01:07:00.001-08:002012-03-04T01:03:03.149-08:00Assassin Part 2*Author's notes: It's been a while since I've posted anyhting. I reread my first post title Assassin and decided to keep it going. So if you havent read that one yet you should read it before reading this. I also recommend rereading Assassin for those out there who have already read it. This will not be the final post in the Assassin series. I hope to have another posted by this time next week. Sorry I've been away so long. Hope you enjoy.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<div align="center">
<br />Assassin Part 2</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aiya, Sergio,
and Scott stood around a terrain model of mud, dirt, and pebbles depicting the
barracks compound. Using a stick Aiya drew a heart where she believed the Guard
Captain’s quarters to be. She took a knee and began talking about the compound;
she used her stick to point at areas of interest and to make an occasional ‘x’
where she suspected a heavy guard population to be located. Sergio interrupted
his sister kicking the dirt map.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnybjrPQotg-Rvr6Eep6kkoqLPbCflcGA24HYm8UDULOodK2X9qB6hsqqgMyI9h2Wt7VOzsjif3TO4WyH-_i8whuzV7Ot_cBDZKcBsRAfbe2KK179ioQt0QzmsHBLMnWcGtQK4E0pniv0/s1600/Aiya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnybjrPQotg-Rvr6Eep6kkoqLPbCflcGA24HYm8UDULOodK2X9qB6hsqqgMyI9h2Wt7VOzsjif3TO4WyH-_i8whuzV7Ot_cBDZKcBsRAfbe2KK179ioQt0QzmsHBLMnWcGtQK4E0pniv0/s320/Aiya.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aiya<br />
Image found on google.com creator unknown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“After what you
just did this morning do you really think that attacking Captain Gray is a good
idea?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I took out the
Ra Priest for that very reason, brother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m not
following.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott explained,
“Remember last year when the contracts for the Ra Priests started surfacing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Aye, I
remember,” Sergio said running a hand through his shoulder length hair, “get to
your point.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Nobody expected
any mercenary that lives inside Hiarlym’s walls or even all of Mak to carry out
those contracts. They’ve been considered swept under the rugs. And now that
Aiya has taken one of the priests out the rest will be heavily guarded. On top
of that we’re in the clear I’m sure the guards suspect a merc did this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So you think
this will leave the captain ill protected.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That was the
plan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Wait you knew about-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Shh.” Aiya
cautioned as she stood grabbing a bow and an arrow. She pointed towards a large
tree which partially concealed an entrance into a flooded grotto. The three at
an arms distance away from each other. Scott cracked his knuckles then clenched
his fists. Sergio dual wielded daggers. Aiya stood in the center, her left leg
forward, her left hand carried the bow still at her side while her right held
the nocked arrow in the bowstring which had still yet to be tautened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Show yourself!”
Sergio commanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The guard that
Aiya had pushed over the wall emerged from behind the tree. In each hand he
wielded a crossbow. He pointed one at Sergio, the other at Scott. Immediately
Aiya readied the bow pulling the bowstring back and aiming in on the guard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, no, no,”
the guard said. “Put that-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You don’t tell
me what to do. You put those down now!” Aiya shouted scaring a bird from its
nest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Kill him Aiya!”
Scott shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The three
continued yelling demands at each other. Sergio stood silently. He waited for
the opportune moment to strike. The guard stayed vigilant, not once did he look
away from the three assassins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Shut up all of
you!” Sergio’s call demanded silence, and so it was received. “We can work out
some sort of a deal. I’ve seen you at the market with your wife. You have a
daughter. She’s about three, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You leave my
family out of this sell-sword.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He thinks us
mercenaries, cousins,” Scott laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I can’t let you
kill my captain. The only deal you’re getting out of me is to be taken in
alive. Just walk right back to the gate and turn yourselves in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“To be tortured
and hanged. I think not,” Sergio attempted to debate. “Look you might kill two
of us, but you’d end up dead as well. Now picture this,” Sergio paused, “what’s
your name?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Lieutenant Grolif,”
He stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You pull those
triggers and end my life and my little cousin’s life my sister will end your
life-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I can’t allow you
to kill Captain Gray.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Don’t interrupt
me again Grolif. After she’s killed you she’ll see to it that your wife is buried
with you if they can even find you. Your daughter will be an orphan. The
captain will end up dead regardless.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So what are
proposing here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Put the
crossbows down Grolif.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To Aiya’s
surprise he complied by throwing the crossbows behind him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He’s seen our
faces. He has to die.” Scott stated<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Please no, oh
gods what did I just agree to?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aiya stepped
closer to her target. “We’ll put you some where they can find you. We’ll make
it look like you died a hero, so your daughter can be proud of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sergio lowered
Aiya’s arms. “We’re bringing him with us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We’re doing
what?” Scott asked argumentatively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If anyone knows
the inside of those barracks it’s him. And according to our source the captain
leaves for his meeting with the Emissary from Dest tomorrow morning so we have
to get this done tonight, lives are counting on it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What’re you
talking about? Have you not been receiving the news, we’re currently at war
with Dest. Why would Gray be meeting with anybody from that country?” Grolif
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Damn,” Aiya
said, “Gray is one sneaky bastard. His lieutenants don’t even see what he’s up
to. He’s getting paid off by a Dest Emissary to leak information from troop
numbers to legion movements and even the dragon patrol routes. Next month he’ll
be promoted to Legate and have even more information to give.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You guys are
out of your damn minds. Gray is loyal to the king beyond any man I know. And
dragons, those creatures haven’t been around in nearly a century.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott wiped away
the terrain map. “You are stupid, aren’t you? I’m nineteen and I know the
stories of the riders are true. I’ve met Tulaq and Yufi. The dragons are back
my blind friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Whatever, let’s
get going.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I give the
orders around here Grolif,” Sergio said. “We’ll show you the proof of treason
when we get to our den.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“How is there
proof?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Believe it or
not we know how to intercept letters, and eavesdrop,” Aiya said, “It’s what we’re
trained to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back inside the
walls the four entered the bakery and walked up the stairs. Scott opened the door
to the Assassins’ den letting the other three in first. The room was a wide
open space equipped with training equipment and couches for relaxing. A kitchen
was on the far side of the room; a man and a pregnant woman prepared a large
meal even though they were the only people in the den. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The woman walked
towards Sergio, kissing him when she reached him. “I was worried sick about
you.” She looked towards Aiya, “You too. You’re still just a baby to me. I
remember changing your diapers when I was your age.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I know Teagan.
You seem to remind me more and more the closer you get to shoving that baby
out. But we’re still busy Teagan. Do you know where Sloan is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She’s in her
room sweetheart.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Show Grolif
around will you and send for his family,” Sergio asked of Aiya. She replied
with a nod.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“How young are
you?” Grolif asked Aiya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ll be
seventeen in five days.” Aiya grabbed Grolif by his hand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“C’mon you have letters to see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They entered one
of the many doors on the left side of the den. Five bunk beds and one single
bed filled the room. A girl no older than ten years old sat on the single bed
reading a book titled Victoria’s Realm, a book Grolif only read as required
reading when he was in the military’s university. Her legs dangled inches away
from the floor. The girl bookmarked the page before looking up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Who’s the guy
Aiya?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Someone I
almost killed Sloan. Do you have those letters nearby?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I wouldn’t keep
them anywhere else. Which one do you want?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Any letter that
proves Gray’s treason will do just fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh I
intercepted this one just this morning. It should suffice. Will you give it to
Sergio when you’re done with it? Make sure I get it back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No problem
Sloan.” Aiya skimmed the letter then handed it to Grolif.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sloan go and
grab your brother for me. I have an errand for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Aww man, why
can’t I do it? I’m just as good as he is at errands.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It won’t be any
fun, trust me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So it really is
true. What I don’t understand though is why do a group of mercenaries care
about this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“One: we’re not
mercs, we’re assassins. Two: you already know way to much about us and if it
were up to me you’d be dead so enough with the questions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“When do I get
to see my family?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“When Michael
gets here I want you to tell him your address. He’ll run and get your wife and
kid. You’ll be staying with us until Sergio comes up with a plan and we don’t
want your wife going to your chain of command when you don’t come home tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“This room is
where you’ll be staying. Sloan is the room officer so you’ll have to do as she
says when in here, but keep in mind that you can feel free to spend time in the
den. Welcome to your new home Grolif.” Aiya took the letter back and walked to
where her brother and cousin were sitting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ve got some
urgent news guys,” Aiya said as she handed the letter to Sergio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What is it?” Scott
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-14482144728170691022011-11-23T16:51:00.000-08:002012-02-08T23:53:22.659-08:00A Warrior's Motivation*<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The beach sand was drenched in the blood of the fallen. the sky was orange and pink to the east, dark blue to the west, and in the middle above the sky was a beautifully eerie clash of colors stained with scavanger birds. Hungry and growing impatient the vultures and crows above began descending while the victors remained on the battle field collecting their dead and wounded. A vulture which was turned red with the blood of its frehly dead meal ate unaware of what walked towards him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nocking arrow to bow Perci took aim. He stopped; planting his feet into the ground he released the arrow. It flew straight cutting through the death clenched air. A second later the vulture fell to the ground twitching as it died from the arrow piercing its neck. Perci knelt next to his fallen comrade. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The man who lay dead next to Perci, clad in leather armor around the waist, shins, and forearms, had been stabbed through his unprotected gut and sliced deeply in his chest. "Taamoiis, you fool. You weren't supposed to die yet. Well come here," Perci said as he picked Taamois' lifeless body up from the sand, "the collector's will see you home to your wife. You once told me it was unwise to talk with a dead man. I hope you were wrong friend. I'll send note back with you for Craddais and his sons that your grave is to be near your father's at your estate and not in the village’s cemetery."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Perci finished walking back to the camp and laid Taamoiis on the wagon with the fifty or so other fallen men of his army. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You knew this man lord," asked a collector.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Ha, yes I knew him. We suckled from the same tit. His mother was my nurse maid... many years ago," Replied Perci.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"My condolences lord."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"The title is Commander, collector, but thank you." Perci dipped his quill, which he kept as close to him as his dagger, in the blood of one of his own wounds and wrote on Taamoiis' leather. "Ensure the grave keeper reads that message when you return him to Chorian."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Perci turned to his men who were busy tending to their wounds and praying for the friends which they had lost. His beard was curly, long, and brown with gray scattered throughout. His eyes were green and surrounded with sleeplessness, a scar adorned the right side of his face surrounding his eye like a crescent moon. His hair touched the tops of his shoulders still pressed from the helmet and sweat.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He was adorned in Black leather armor. His chest piece was braided; the braids weaved from the edges and snaked towards the left side of his chest where the braids were tied to a circular steel plate with eight rings on the outside of it. The steel plate immortalized the face of his wife; gold fell from the top of her head depicting her blonde hair. The rest of his armor matched the braided leather and fully covered him overlapping at joints to allow for more fluid movement.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although his body armor was leather his helmet and shield were both steel, forged from the same fire at the same armory where his chest plate was forged. The shield and helmet both depicted different parts of the same battle. The shield depicted his great grandfather's army shielding themselves from the onslaught of a barbarian horde. His helmet is to be read from the wearer’s right side around the back and to the left. It began with an epic battle depicting his great grandfather's army slaughtering hordes of barbarians until the last one was killed. Directly in the center of the back was his great grandfather stood beheading a barbarian chief. Continue reading and you see peace that eventually ends with the grounding of his families flag on the ground of what is now Chorian.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_CAc7aCxzJe79oWV8ykxNJnXA-4Q9_pbHvGYoZ0-uqMHiJ2i_w5zlOQEgXv0KBjavUe3KmN58uWUnSwUKuJHuzlaX86y2L61nNWD7vYRiJ1KsTXuylljrwQ0oAaFALmiFoZ8dI1beTU/s1600/Perci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_CAc7aCxzJe79oWV8ykxNJnXA-4Q9_pbHvGYoZ0-uqMHiJ2i_w5zlOQEgXv0KBjavUe3KmN58uWUnSwUKuJHuzlaX86y2L61nNWD7vYRiJ1KsTXuylljrwQ0oAaFALmiFoZ8dI1beTU/s320/Perci.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perci</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Perci's men stood in front of him. They were looking at their Commander who was holding his helmet lazily as blood dripped onto it from a slowing bleed. Perci watched them looking at him as they waited for him to speak. For the first time since he was a boy he was nearly brought to tears. He had never lost so many men in battle and never a man so close to him as Taamois.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He lifted his war hammer. "My Warriors!" He yelled as loudly as he could. "We've entered Hell. Those mountains to my back are the supposed back walls of Hell." The range he spoke of was still a three days march away and that would be without the barbarian forces blocking their way.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He continued, "For the first time since our ancestors built Chorian, Miklahid, and Gorf on the outskirts of the barbarian lands we venture further into the barbarian's territory. For years they've ransacked our villages, stolen our cattle like the dogs they are, on occasion raped our women, and killed our children or worse have stolen them."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Perci threw his massive war hammer into the ground so that the hammer stuck into the ground and the handle pointed towards the heavens. "Tomorrow we move deeper into these cursed lands, as we move south away from the ocean we go into a land in which no civilized being has returned from fully limbed. We don't know what evil magic awaits us. We don't know if the Gods will favor us; they've long forbidden us going into the forsaken lands, but the agony the people who live within them have caused us has finally called for blood. We still have much to conquer and if today was a taste of what's to come ahead we may not come back." The crowd roared.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Those girly men that call themselves Intruian senators have refused to send us aid in our war. We will show those politicians with blood or victory what it means to love and protect ones home. As our wives long for our return our blades and arrows and spears will keep them safe. As our sons play among the pastures we will trample the pastures of our enemy. As our daughters pick tulips in our gardens we will set fire to the barbarian's. As our elders pray for our safety, our ferocity will challenge the gods to stand with us in battle."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Perci looked at the pile of bodies that swelled behind him. "Tonight warriors," he cried, "drink and eat to the fullest. For tomorrow we kill them all!" <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
</div>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-60895793190684524932011-11-10T20:43:00.000-08:002011-12-24T00:38:55.834-08:00Grimly Afraid<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Myra, I'm going down the street to grab some coffee, you want anything?" A thin, gray haired, sorrow eyed man yelled from the front door of his downtown apartment to his wife who was just exiting a steam filled bathroom.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Iced soy latte please. Thank you John," She replied as she ran naked from the bathroom to the towel closet in the hallway just past their teenage son's bedrrom.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
John shut the door behind him and mumbled to himself, "Damn woman likes everything hot except for her coffee."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He walked down the hall to his building's only elevator, it only fit four people and that's only if two of them were young children. The narrow hallways made him claustrophobic, and in the old fading paint he saw all the things he feared come to life, he shrugged it off not understanding this new found paranoia.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
John made it to the elevator and pressed the down arrow turning it red, he watched as blood oozed from the button. He blinked and the blood was gone, just the red light shining through the plastic arrow in the button remained. <em>Ding! </em>The elevator door opened. A pitbull jumped up onto its hind legs barking at John while its owner pulled back on the leash laughing at John. The owner was shirtless with a beer in his other hand; he was covered in tattoos of skulls, dogtags, and rifles.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
John jumped back and began breathing heavily, his heart dropped, and he would have sworn his life just flashed before his eyes. "I'll use the stairs," he said putting one hand in front of him as he stumbled to his left. He ran down the three stories to the ground floor hoping to beat the elevator.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>Ding! </em>John stopped in his tracks, the elevator was between him and the exit. He had watched a pitbull kill a boy back where he used to live. This image began to repeat itself over and over in his head. A young polish boy, his best friend and fellow adventurer, ran jumping fences not daring to look back as the dog chased them snarling and barking. There was a small opening in a chainlinked fence in front of them that other kids had made with bolt cutters, John ran through it slicing his left shoulder (he still has the scar). His friend jumped onto the fence, but the pitbull was fast to grab the boy's leg.<br />
<br />
The dog who was later killed by an older boy continued to bite into the screaming boy until he stopped screaming. John yelled at the dog from the other side of the fence to stop as he screamed for help. A group of teenage boys nearby were smoking cigarettes leaning up against a 1960 cherry-red Austin-Healy and one of them saw what was going on. He quickly ran to the help the kid while another friend went to a nearby store to call for help. The older boy stabbed the dog in the back of the neck splitting its spine in two, but it was too late, the young Polish boy was lifeless.<br />
<br />
A young girl stepped outs of the elevator, not a shirtless titan of a man. She was holding a puppy, a black lab. She saw John by the stairs and asked, "Are you okay Mr. Edwin." He didn't reply, he only stood there. "Mr. Edwin. Hello John. Anyone home up there?" She asked tapping the side of his head.<br />
<br />
"Oh hi Kristen. Yeah I'm fine I uh."<br />
<br />
"You sure you don't need anything I can go get Mrs. Edwin. You don't seem fine."<br />
<br />
"No Kristen I'm good, I just had a bad memory resurface is all. Tell your parents I said hi when you get back from your walk."<br />
<br />
"Will do if you tell Eric hi for me," She replied with a wink. "Oh and Happy Halloween." The young girl turned around placing the not so sure footed puppy on the ground. The young dog slipped as it ran to keep with its owner.<br />
<br />
"Uh, Yeah you too, happy Halloween."<br />
<br />
John Followed Kristen out of the apartment building, but turned right instead of left like she had. He found his way into the middle of a crowd of flowing people and his senses seemed hightened. He was aware that the lady next to him was wearing the same cologne that he wore back in the 1970s all through high school and college and that a bum sitting on the street curb had four kittens tucked into his jacket keeping them warm. A man bumped into him as they passed each other and as if a switch in his brain had been turned on he began to worry.<br />
<br />
He was unsure of what he was worry about, but it soon became clear to him that something wasn't right. About twenty feet in front a man tapped a woman on her left shoulder as he walked around her on the right side. He blinked and the woman turned into a man. And when the woman turned into a man he looked back to his left. A hooded figure punched the man in the face forcing him to look down and to the right where, suddenly he wasn't in the city anymore.<br />
<br />
He was in his old neighborhood watching another shakedown. A hooded figure punched the man in the face forcing him to look down and to the right where a pistol slowly pressed against his forehead. The hooded man went through the victims pockets and took everything<em>. Bang! </em>Blood flew everywhere and the man fell to the floor lifeless.<br />
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He was back in the city. The man turned back into a young woman who to her surprise saw a hooded man pointing to the ground in front of her. She turned foreward to see a young man on one knee in front of her. John couldn't make out what was happening, but it soon became clear.<br />
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The young woman jumped up and down in joy as she screamed, "I will! I will! I will!"<br />
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The young man placed the ring on his fiances finger and the two kissed as many looked on in a circle around them applauding the love of two strangers. John though couldn't stop looking around. It was as if he were being followed. </div>
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Walking through the crowd and down two more blocks proved uneventful until he entered the coffee shop. It was empty. An eerie empty. This place was usually packed, but not this morning. There were three people in the shop. One barista stood at the register while another two strung black and orange decorations all over the inside of the coffee shop.<br />
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He walked to the counter to order his coffee. The girl at the register smacked her gum together occasionally twirling it in a finger as she hit the buttons on the register, "One black coffee and a loarge Soy-"<br />
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She was cut off when a teenage boy with guaged earlobes and a purple mohawk pushed John out of the way, "This'll only be a second old man."<br />
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John knew what was coming next. He was twenty five years old waering the white polo with the shell emblem on it standing behind the counter collecting money from the cute red haired green eyed Tracy Adams. <br />
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"Move," A man pushed the girl to her feet and grabbed John by the collar as he held a knife to his throat demanding the money in the registar. John fumbled as he managed to take the entire drawer from the register and handed it over to the thief. Tracy hit her head as she fell to the ground and had to take an ambulance to the hospital and John was fired that night.<br />
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John punched the kid square in the jaw sending him to the floor. A folded note fell from his hands as he went down.<br />
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"Oh my God!" The girl at the register yelled. "Stop it, that's my boy friend you idiot."<br />
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Several minutes later John was outside explaining to the police why he struck the teenage boy in the face. The kid helped John explain to the police the entire situation and how it was all just a big misunderstanding. The barista gave John his coffees for free after everything had calmed down.<br />
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John was feeling better now that he had his coffee and was on his way back to his apartment building. He turned to open the door to his building and just as he looked up he saw a black cloaked figure with a pointed hood. "I told you I'd get you, haha," A familiar voice came from the cloak.<br />
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John dropped his wif'es coffee and stumbled backwards tripping over a bike rack and he fell into the road. Eric threw his hood off and ran towards his father. "Dad!"<br />
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To this day John swears thats Eric's black cloak turned white and his scythe turned to wings and the hand that reached out was only using his son's body.<br />
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Eric grabbed his father's wrist and pulled him back onto the sidewalk just as a fast moving bus whizzed by them. Eric helped his father to the ground and offered him a bottle of water. John wiped the sweat from his brow as he tried to slow his breathing and stop his heart from coming out of his chest. He felt like both hugging his son as well as beating him. Soon his vision wasn't so narrowed and he could stand again.<br />
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John wrapped one arm around his son as they walked back to the apartment and said, "Son you're the first good thing I've seen all day."<br />
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</div>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-8414140027355648602011-11-10T08:32:00.000-08:002012-02-13T00:35:45.346-08:00Councils and Storms*<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><em> -</em>Before you read what is below I will let you in on a little something. The characters and story you see written below you aren't like my other fictional escape characters and stories. This story is only a chapter to something much greater. These characters hold a special place in my heart, some more so than others, but what writer doesn't have favorites? I hope you enjoy what you are about to read.- </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Your Royal Elven Highness, Queen Lyla,</span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leah<br />
Picture property of <a href="http://fictionalescapes.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalescapes.blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">I feel the pressing urge to write to you explaining the horrible cause for my ordering of the kidnapping your youngest child. It has been brought to my attention that during the rescue of Prisoner Jamion of Calaprinia your services were rendered in his aide. I ask that you return the murderous traitor in trade for your daughter. If you choose to not return Jamion yet exile him from your realm with the written promise to myself that you will never render him aide for as long as he lives nor his children or grandchildren I will return you your daughter a defiled daughter. If you choose to keep him safe I will be forced by newly written law to behead her and not give her proper burial. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">In case you wonder what the law is. It is written in the Punishment for Treason Vol. 2, page 658, paragraph 2. It states: Any man or woman who does not comply with the wishes of Nordian Royalty in matters concerning national security hence forfeit the right to life and of a proper burial. Any barters or negotiations in which Nordian Royalty allows his subject(s) to enter into will be done smoothly and within the realm of Nordian Royalty’s wishes and commands.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">I expect a messenger on my doorstep with either Jamion in custody or a written compliance to exile Jamion from your realm within two weeks time. That is when I fetch for your daughters return to Nord and consequences taken whether they be simple exchange, defile and return, or the capital punishment for treason against Royal Majesty King Nord.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">x. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Blackadder ITC"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Blackadder ITC";">His Royal Majesty King Nord</span><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“He’s brought nothing, but war and its horrible death to our doorstep. You’d think he’d be more of a help than a burden to our people. It was through our doing that he was rescued in the first place.” Darrian, the elven general’s eldest son and member of the Half Elven War Council spoke out against Jamion at the weekly meeting in Her Majesty’s chamber.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“How could you be so unfair, Darrian you appall me. Is he not the man searching for my sister at this very moment,” Love said lashing back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Queen Lyla sat at the end of the table listening to the heated debates spreading like wildfire across her table.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Like I said earlier, Princess. If not for Jamion she would have never been taken like this. You don’t kidnap royalty unless the ransom is royal itself.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“So you would give into the demands of this sickening note Nord sent to us.” She scowled waving the oil stained parchment that was Nord’s letter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Better Jamion’s blood be on my hands then that of Princess Leah. Can you, her very sister, not see that? You’re a blind fool if you can’t.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“How dare you speak to me-” Love calmed herself. “I love my sister far more than the lot of your brothers and father could ever love this entire tribe. Kingdom. Realm even. I trust in Jamion and his team. Is Dalia not the descendant of King Edward the very brother to our Queen Eve. Our two people belong together in harmony. And after all these thousands of years you wish to tear it in half and throw it all away. King Paua would turn in his grave.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Then let him turn,” The general interrupted the princess’s history lesson. “Let the dust that was once his body toss and turn until it is pure flesh and blood once again.” He paused, rubbing his head. “You must understand Your Highness that the life of one elven princess is worth a thousand King’s of Calaprinia. And technically the country does not exist. So Jamion and Dalia are naught but the Royal family that managed to lose a five thousand year old kingdom in the blink of an eye.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Master Mage Longmire interrupted, “Now general that’s not fair to say. They were attacked on two fronts and fought relentlessly for years before the loss of the war, which was stolen from them a year after the treaty had been signed. Now as for the business of the present,” Longmire continued addressing Lyla, “Your Highness. I have spent sleepless nights trying to sight Jamion with far vision. Ever since they entered the sea storm I have not been able to watch him. I believe he may be a dead man at sea. Yet even if he is alive how can we contact him. So the real problem here is to get Nord to hand over the princess without the knowledge or whereabouts of Jamion.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Lyla pushed her chair back and stood up slamming her balled fist onto the table, sending bits of golden dust flying from the table and slowly resettling. “Master Mage you tell me you can’t find Jamion and you think he is dead. Yet your far vision hasn’t been able to spot my daughter since the night you so graciously came from the Pearl City. What was that, three days after her capture? So do you think she is dead?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“No your Majesty, I do not,” Longmire admitted. Even though his blood was pure elven, he respected the queen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Then can you honestly tell me and my council that you think Jamion is dead, because your vision fails you yet again. Is it possible that Jamion is in the same area as my daughter and away from your line of sight?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Yes Ma’am. That is a possibility, but a human out of my reach is not likely either, they‘re far easier to reach. Your Majesty we should tell King Nord that Jamion left that night out of guilt. Shame.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Love looked at the Master Mage rolled her eyes and blew out a long steady breath. “And what will we tell him when she returns and he finds out Jamion and the others are out looking for her? What then sir?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“We simply say we had not the slightest idea of the man’s intentions.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“No!” shouted the queen. “I am no liar not even to my enemies. Giving Jamion up to Nord is out of the question.” She grabbed her ink and a piece of parchment. She scribbled for a few seconds, folded the paper and tossed it to the general. “Take that to the damned fool.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Ronald read the letter aloud: “This is war you ignorant fool.” He shook his head. “Your Majesty, must we resort to such a temper when the life of our princess, your youngest daughter, is at stake.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“He kidnapped my child for heaven’s sake! Yes, I will be blunt with the man!” She sat in her chair, rested her arms on the table and sighed. “Have that message delivered immediately. Spare no time telling Nord just how we stand.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“<i>We</i>,” shouted the general. “I will not have more of my men lost to this foolish, pointless war.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“<i>We </i>will do as our queen orders, general. Or do I need to find another person to lead <i>my </i>men into battle. For Leah’s life, do as I tell you and I’ll not hear another word of disagreement from any of my staff do you understand me.” The queen was harsh, harsher than anybody, even her closest subjects, had ever heard her before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">As the members of the Military Council and the master mage exited, Love walked to her mother’s seat to comfort her. “Mother, Leah will be safe. I know it in my heart Jamion will not rest before she is found and safe. Every morning he grows closer to finding her. I know it.”</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen Lyla<br />
Picture property of <a href="http://fictionalescapes.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalescapes.blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“I just hope you’re right, dear.” A tear rolled down her face. “I love her so, very much. I love you all. It was hard enough to lose a husband and then have your brother join that school in Aurora City and I’ll be damned before I see my children pass before I do. Damned,” she finished in a whisper, a shallow cry almost. Regaining her composure she said, “Do those blasted fools who lead my men into battle not see that Nord is trying to rip us apart. Never in the history of our people have I heard or known an elf with such fragile ties and bonds. Could you imagine what our Great King would think of this blasphemy?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“No mother I cannot. And I will not even allow you to think of inviting Great King Asher into this mess.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Oh Love, we will see. He may be our only hope. Can you be off to your business now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish to sleep, dear.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Yes mother,” Love said, her hand slowly relieving her mother’s forearm as she backed away, nearly in tears as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">As she walked past her sister’s room she felt the warmth of her sister’s embrace, though she knew it wasn’t there. There was nothing there and had been for over a month now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">She entered her own room. Rascal, her pet chipmunk, stood on his hind legs over her head board. “What trouble have you been into today Rascal? Giving the girls a run for their nuts I suppose.” She laughed, knowing the animal hadn’t the slightest idea what she’d said. But, besides Leah, he was her best friend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">She sat at her desk; Rascal joined her cuddled on her thigh. “I’ll show that damned Longmire a thing or two about the far-sight of the third vision, Rascal.” She took a dried sunflower petal and crushed it with a petal of dried dragonscale, a flower that bloomed only at night and only on islands that floated with their tops above the great sea and their bottoms beneath it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">She put the dried mix of flowers onto a saucer and added a drop of liquid that was from a mix of one cup water and one of her own tears. She used her index finger to stir the mix together. What she wanted to see most is what she would see if the watched party was either willing or unaware of the magic. In this case it was probably both.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Jamion,” she spoke out loud to herself and Rascal, “Let me see you.” She dipped her finger into the dry leafy mix and licked it, swallowing. Her face cringed at the taste. She closed her eyes and concentrated on Jamion.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love<br />
Picture property of <a href="http://fictionalescapes.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalescapes.blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">He sat high in a crow’s nest on a tall ship welcoming the salty sea air as they pushed north into dangerous waters. A storm was on the northern horizon. This storm would bring snow, hail and fifty foot high waves. It would test them, but it stood between the ship and Leah so that was the route they’d take.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">An unexpected sight for the crew, Farra emerged from the water and circled the boat a few times and then flew north and a bit eastward as if she were leading them. It puzzled Love as to why Leah and Farra weren’t together, but she accepted it. No journey was without obstacles along the way.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Tony and Paul were at the helm arguing playfully about who should take the helm. The whole world would know by the looks of them that Paul was bred for such a task and that Tony hadn’t the slightest idea for life at sea. Zack held onto a mast at the head of the ship and looked north towards his secret love, Leah.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">It had been two days of clear sailing since they left the tropical islands behind. They sailed fast. The winds were with them and Frollin had the anchor chain in his mouth pulling the boat as fast as he could to get to Leah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Another day passed and rain began to drizzle on and off. Another day it began to get noticeably colder, the sky greyed and a steady rain saw them properly wet. On the last morning of the trip to the Arctic Circle a storm broke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">It was wild. No ordinary sailor would dare try these waters in this storm, but these weren’t ordinary sailors. They were tried and true, tested through, blood spilling pirates who everyday had to prove their weight against a man a third their own size. They didn’t just weather the storm, they welcomed it, challenging it head on. And they did so beautifully. As if the storm were naught but a sneaky gust of strong wind on a clear day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Then it began to hail. They stayed their posts, most of them bruised and bloodied. Punishment for fighting fifty foot swells in a hail storm, but it was how they earned their keep. It was how they proved to one another that they belonged in this brother hood. Paul and Captain Rummy stayed in the elements shouting orders and steering the helm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Tony had his eyes glued to the window amazed at the pride and joy these low-lifers had in sailing and overcoming Mother Nature herself. Every pirate knew that’s where a true treasure was buried, in the eye of the storm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Zack cupped his mug of tea in both hands to stay warm. The expression on his face was dull, lifeless. But it wasn’t the weather, no. He had been like this since they set out to find Leah from the tropical island.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Concerned Jamion finally broke the silent lid on the topic. “What’s been bothering you so much lately, friend?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Oh me,” Zack replied after a few seconds. “It’s nothing. Getting old is all.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“You’re three months younger than I am, we’re not old. We’re forty. So really, what’s bugging you?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Can you leave it be?” Zack finished his cup and filled it to the brim with rum seized from the other side of the world. He took a swig. It burnt as it went down his throat, but he liked it and liked the way he’d feel after the cup was finished and dry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“No,” Jamion said firmly, “I will not let it go.” He calmed his speech. “You’re a member of my team, I need you on your toes and I don’t need you to fret. And I‘m your friend you can tell me what’s bothering you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Ah, James. You think I won’t be swifter than a hawk on the kill, do you?” He said rhetorically. “After all we’ve been through together. Fifteen years of fighting side by side, imagine it’d been longer if you didn’t go and get yourself imprisoned. Tell you what James that rescuing you I did last year weren’t the only missions I worked out over the last five years. I didn’t go and forget how to fight.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“I never thought you had friend, wouldn’t dare imply such a thing. Honestly I believe I know what’s bothering you, what with all the gallivanting you’ve been doing with her this last year. I’m not blind, just wanted to hear it from your own mouth.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Tony looked back from rain battered window. “Her? What’s this talk?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Jamion looked at his little brother. Thirty five years old and still just as nosy as the day he was born. “You mind taking off for a bit let us talk in private.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">His mouth dropped and head cocked. “You want me to go out there in that? Three waves have washed clear over the deck and they’ve all came from different directions. How in the hell would you expect me to survive that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Hold on to something. I was asking you to walk downstairs, Tony. Don’t want to go and explain to Sara how I let you die in a storm.” He snapped his elbow straight and pointed to the hatch in the floorboard leading to the winery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Oh go and get drunk. Tell me when I’m allowed back in… Y’majesty,” He added jokingly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Look,” Zack sighed as the word came out. “Just because Tony’s not in here, doesn’t mean I’m gonna spill my guts to you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">He wanted to. He desperately wanted to tell his best friend about the feelings he had towards the elven queen’s youngest daughter. But there was that law, that stupid law: No Half Elf of half human and half elf will reproduce with any other race whether it be human or elf or dwarf; we will forever maintain are balance of half elf half human. He remembered the law to the tee. It went on to say something such as: our race will allow any mix of half elf and half human that is newly come to join are happy and blessed people… But that wasn’t the important part, it was the first part that concerned him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“If it’s Leah that has turned your eyes to stars you could bring her home. That law only applies within the elven realm. You could bring her to Calaprinia.” Jamion threw an educated guess into the air.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“You know me to well Ja-” They were tossed from the seats when the ship was abruptly forced directly on its side. Everything that was not tied down or locked in a cupboard fell from one side of the cabin to the other. Tony yelled from the ‘liquor locker’ as they had grown to call it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Man overboard!” A voice called from outside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“It’s the helmsman!” Another yelled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Another powerful wave smashed into the front of the boat. The mast holding the crow’s nest cracked in half, splintering horribly. The crow’s nest fell forward slicing jaggedly through a sail. It crashed hard onto the deck splintering where it had landed. Wooden shrapnel flew in various directions. Still the pirates fought mercilessly against all odds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">When the ship became somewhat stable and Jamion was able to stand upright again he put a hand on Zack’s shoulder. “Go check on Tony, Paul’s overboard.” Jamion burst out into the wild weather. He ran to Bootless Bill a strapping young pirate who was always barefoot. “Which way is Paul?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“He flew off the port side. I’d imagine he’s gone and dead to the storm-” another wave crashed onto the deck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Captain Rummy shouted orders as he took over the helm. It was dark. Rain and hail showered the icy seas and the ship along with it mercilessly. Lightning bolted out from the sky above. Thunder roared tirelessly. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Frollin, where are you? </span></i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Jamion asked as he ran portside and jumped into the icy cold water below. Before he was halfway down the side of the ship a wave caught him midair and threw him into the side of the boat.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">We’re above the clouds where it’s sunny. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">There was no reply. Frollin looked at Farra and they dove. Lightning crashed into the bodies of the beasts sending sparks flying off of them. As soon as they were through the clouds Frollin and Farra saw the two bodies floating in the sea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Farra dove towards a frightened Paul. Frollin dove towards Jamion who appeared lifeless and sinking, being tossed in the storm like a rag doll. At this time Jamion and the ship had separated by more than a quarter mile. Paul was even further. A wave hit Frollin in the back as he dove with wings by his side. Even the powerful dragon was pushed helplessly into the roaring waters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">After regaining himself Frollin looked around the icy water for his rider. There he was just coming to. Jamion kicked up towards oxygen. The waves continued to keep him under the water. Frollin dodged iceberg after iceberg until he finally came under Jamion and secured him in the saddle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">A rush of warmth overtook him. He was breathing. He now shared vision with his dragon and searched for Paul. They flew above the water still searching until they saw Farra floating in the water clenching onto a body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Love sat in her bedroom viewing this terrible sight in her mind. She spoke words of the ancient elven tongue, magical words. Rascal Jumped from her thigh and ran under her bed. The mirror in her room turned to water and drenched her desk. The flame from her candles blew in all different directions. Thunder roared and a bolt of lightning shot from candle to candle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">The sky began to clear. Waves calmed. The temperature rose. Dumfounded, yet accepting Jamion flew in towards the unconscious Farra and Paul. With both talons extended Frollin Picked the duo up. Frollin sat Farra and Paul above the helm, an area not destroyed by the storm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">The ragged group of pirates cheered at the return of good weather and the brave Jamion and Paul. Even Rummy found himself shouting “Hoorays” and clapping. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Paul stood and ran to the unconscious Farra’s face. “Don’t die. Leah will have my head if she finds out you died saving me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Jamion jumped from Frollin to the helm’s deck. He touched Farra and she stirred.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Oye, thank the gods,” Paul sighed. “She’s hurt, she might need to lay here a while, but she’s gonna come around.” He looked into one of her silver eyes. “Thank you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">As the sun shined down on the crew they continued north while fixing the deck. They tossed unusable wood into the ocean below and lowered the torn sail. It was their sail. The jagged line ripped through the body of their mermaid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Tony had gotten a horrible knot on his head from a bottle of gin that flew across the liquor locker. He sat upright when his brother entered the cabin. “Heard you nearly drowned trying to save Paul.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Probably more of a foolish decision then anything. I just jumped over board and got smashed into the side of the ship.” Jamion poured four glasses of scotch for his team from a bottle that survived the terrible storm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Much obliged,” Paul said, his thick northern accent breaking through as he took the glass from Jamion. “Don’t suppose someone was watching after us do you. I mean the way that storm just stopped was beyond miraculous. Those clouds extended further than the eye could see in any direction.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">Zack sat in a wooden chair with wheels on the legs. He rolled himself back and forth. “Maybe. We’ve gotten lucky in the past, but never like that. I never saw a storm that big in my entire life. What do you make of it James?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">“Can’t rightfully say. Either the gods have finally taken a liking towards us or there’s a mage somewhere who likes us. I sometimes think it’d be nice to conjure something out of nothing. Lucky bastards.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans";">The four continued to talk the day away until night fell and they let sleep take their bodies over.</span></div>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-90077715448031746302011-11-06T20:46:00.000-08:002012-03-05T19:54:49.972-08:00Red Snow<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Red Snow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The pain in his shoulder kept him
down. It had bothered him for years, but never this bad. This was the coldest
winter he had been in since fighting his way through the arctic when he was
still young, the summer after that winter is when he first injured his
shoulder. Blood dripped from his mouth to the snow below him turning the snow
below him maroon in the moon light. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Leave him Sonny, he's not
worth killing. He's worth leaving for dead; the wolves will get him if the cold
doesn't," The old man with the scarred face called from the dog sled as he
spun his .45 revolver around his finger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtIJlM8nhn_L8MHygM88RTBh8FRrSZAzElyG-3PA6mUCgJrk1KSYQW8V67lJaUh_xmhZ8aYHqEaA3C9OQG99BwT-gFvs8GqR6Pf4eMXvNbs_UXyIVKTcPG1NE8ZCkkeyKD5KELZmDjvg/s1600/Uncle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtIJlM8nhn_L8MHygM88RTBh8FRrSZAzElyG-3PA6mUCgJrk1KSYQW8V67lJaUh_xmhZ8aYHqEaA3C9OQG99BwT-gFvs8GqR6Pf4eMXvNbs_UXyIVKTcPG1NE8ZCkkeyKD5KELZmDjvg/s320/Uncle.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank<br />
Picture property of <a href="http://fictionalescapes.blogspot.com/">http://fictionalescapes.blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sonny kicked the man in his face one
last time, "Come around my girl one more time ol' man, and I'll make sure
I don't leave any room for livin' Hock."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hock crawled through the snow to his
jacket that was covered in Sonny's urine. Holding his shoulder he managed to
stand and watch as Sonny and his uncle faded away into the white vail of slow
falling snow. His blood began to freeze on his face. He limped around looking for
the other clothes Sonny stripped him of and threw around the small patch of
tundra that was striped with Hock's blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Sarah!" Sonny yelled
towards his house, "get the hell outside and get my damn dogs fed."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Warmly robed in the furs of many
wolves Hock had killed over the years to keep her warm Sarah came out barefoot
and stepped shin deep into the fresh powder. She kept her head down when she
addressed Sonny saying, "I put their food in the barn tonight, it's warmer
in there."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Well take them over there,
woman. Is this gonna be what marriage is like? Am I going to have to tell you
to do everything or are you just going to do it?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She remained silent, holding back
tears she whistled for the dogs to follow her to the barn. One of the young
huskies ran from the barn to greet his mother back from her day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Hey puppy," Sarah said
through a knot in her throat as she picked him up, "you'll catch your
death in this cold. Your food is on its way." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oCcrs7ALIAQCHFbANF0a-x-mmBkfbSjd7tYNdQyspGsk8qUiv77unmkhnH6LfB7jVge8aGNUR_bFZ1cqj6sPC3_qgj42lvOurZEEBOIlxZhzH_TtXbEDAficOYhJlohixNFZidg7B7A/s1600/Sarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oCcrs7ALIAQCHFbANF0a-x-mmBkfbSjd7tYNdQyspGsk8qUiv77unmkhnH6LfB7jVge8aGNUR_bFZ1cqj6sPC3_qgj42lvOurZEEBOIlxZhzH_TtXbEDAficOYhJlohixNFZidg7B7A/s320/Sarah.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah<br />
picture courtesy of <span class="title"><a href="http://www.zindy-zone.dk/">http://www.zindy-zone.dk/</a> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The inside of the barn was cold, but
warmer than the inside of the house, because of all the animals. As she exited
the barn and closed the lock Sonny's uncle surprised Sarah throwing her against
the barn door. "Take it off."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She held her robe close, "I'm
undressed underneath this Frank, I," she stuttered, "sir."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I don't want anything Hock
made in a house I built." Frank grabbed ahold of the robe and tried to rip
it from her. He finally managed to get it from her. She fell to her knees
trying to cover her chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Stop it," she begged.
"Please. Please, that is all I have left of him. That is it all and Sonny
doesn't know that, please. He's already killed him, I'm begging you. I know
you're not as cruel as your nephew."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As much as Frank didn't want to
admit it, the girl was right. He mumbled curses under his breath. He threw the
robe back at her. "Get to my nephew, he's waiting on dinner."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It's been prepared sir."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Prepared yes, but not served.
He'll want his food warm, girl."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Yes sir. Thank you sir."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She wiped tears away as she walked
back through the snow. Sonny didn't like to see tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hock watched the sunrise for the first
time since it set in the middle of November. As the sun rose as he traveled
south out of the tundra. Spring was nearing, but it was still winter and in
winter everything froze. He thought of his Sarah to keep going. She was the
only woman he loved for the last twenty three years. He knew of an old shack
where he often stayed while hunting white fox and ice fishing; it was only half
a day’s journey from where he was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hock limped through the vast open
white. He was an expert in this area of the world, he knew exactly where he was
and where he was going. Hours had passed, but he finally reached the shack that
he called 'North Tree'. After changing clothes he went to the kitchen where he
found a large pot. He limped outside and filled the pot with snow. He melted
the snow over a wood fire and washed himself with the water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He splashed the water on his face
and winced in pain. He hadn't shaved in a week and so he spent many minutes scrubbing
blood from his beard. After cleaning he slept. <br />
<br />
Hock stayed there a few nights letting his wounds mend and hunting fox and
rabbit with the cabin's bow. After a week had passed he took his shot gun and a
box of shells from their hiding place underneath the floor boards. He walked
out of the cabin with two days’ worth of food, warm clothes on his back, and
his shotgun slung over his shoulder behind his back.<br />
<br />
"Oh you must be so excited, Sarah," the seamstress Mary exclaimed.
"Everybody in the entire village wanted to be Sonny's wife and then he
leaves town for a few months and comes back with you. You are so beautiful,
have I told you that yet." Mary rarely stopped talking.<br />
<br />
"Yes Mary, you've told me a million times this morning," Sarah looked
at herself in the mirror. She loved this dress. She dreamt as a child of
wearing this dress, but feared wearing it now more than anything. Her
grandmother wore this on her wedding day as did her mother, but she'd rip it
apart if she could leave Sonny.<br />
<br />
"Did you hear," Mary continued, "Mrs. Blumly walked in on her
husband and sister in bed together last week. And the Sheldon twins got caught
stealing chocolate from McFreely's store again, they're nearly fifteen you
think they'd no better. Oh and look at that woman out there." Mary pointed
her short chubby finger towards the window at a girl dressed as if it were the
middle of summer and spring was only a week old. <br />
<br />
"Aye, I see her Mary. Who is she?" Sarah hated the gossip in this
town, but it kept her mind away from Sonny and her wedding that as only two
days away.<br />
<br />
"I hear she's a prostitute from down south. Came up here to see family or
something. Now I know we've got a fair share of problems, but we don't have any
whores in our families. I personally think she's up here with those business
tycoons. You know the ones I'm talking about, they're always hanging around
Frank. I guess that make sense seeing as Frank owns three quarters of the
town."<br />
<br />
Mary kept talking, but Sarah tuned her out. She watched the prostitute walk
into Sonny's closed butchery across the road. She wasn't surprised or even
disappointed in her groom to be. She knew Sonny was still sleeping around with
every girl who threw herself at him. She even heard them coming in and out of
the house some nights. She was trapped and in her head Hock was long gone and
dead.<br />
<br />
Hock was finally south of the arctic circle where the trees grew closer and
closer together and the animals were more abundant. He walked the entire night
until sunset revealed the village he was looking for. His Sarah was less than
three hours away. He walked faster now. The snow was not as deep here and the
ground was beginning show in some places. <br />
<br />
<i>Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!</i><br />
<br />
Church bells rang. What little snow hadn't melted from the bell was flung off
of the bell as it swung back and forth.<br />
<br />
The bells rang again. Hock knew this meant a wedding was about to take place.
He entered the village. It was completely empty save for dogs running around
the buildings looking for scraps of food. Hock walked down the center of Main
Road heading straight to the church.<br />
<br />
"If any man or woman shall object to this marriage, do so now or forever
hold your-" The priest was interrupted by the abrupt opening of the church
doors.<br />
<br />
"I told you Hock that I would kill you," Sonny yelled down to Hock as
he left the altar and stormed towards Hock.<br />
<br />
Just as Sonny raised a fist to strike Hock, Hock put the barrel of his shotgun
to Sonny's chest and pulled the trigger. The crowd mostly ducked behind pews
and fell silent as their ears rang.<br />
<br />
Frank yelled at the top of his lungs, "Hang the murderer."<br />
<br />
The crowd began to grow furious and eventually fought the enraged Hock to the
floor of the church as he yelled, "Sarah!" Sonny's dead body laid in
the middle of the church, the crowd dragged Hock out the front door leaving the
shotgun at Sonny's side, only Sarah and the priest remained motionless at the
altar.<br />
<br />
The moment Sarah dropped her bouquet the rest of time seemed to slow down to
her. The priest tried to grab her and take her away from the angry mob, but
without looking at him she rejected his offer and slowly walked to Sonny.
Wordless she grabbed the shotgun and walked outside to see Hock standing on a
stool with a rope around his neck beneath the hanging tree.<br />
<br />
Sarah pointed the gun at the man tying Hock's wrists behind his back. "Let
my father down ass hole or I swear on my mother's grave I'll end you,"
Sarah demanded.<br />
<br />
"Sarah no!" Hock cried out jumping from the stool trying to save his
daughter.<br />
<br />
<i>Bang!</i><br />
<br />
It was too late Frank pulled the trigger on his .45 revolver shooting Sarah
point blank in her back, the bullet ripped through her heart. Hock tried to
yell out and cry as he watched his daughter fall dead to the snow below them
but the rope had a firm grip around his neck. He swung about like a crazed dog,
but that just made the choking worse. Soon he calmed down and became still with
the occasional jerk until he passed. The crowd, unsure how to carry on, circled
around Sarah watching quietly as her blood stained her grandmother's dress and
transformed the snow below them into red ice.<br />
</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
On that beautiful spring morning it began to snow. It is said that the snow
that fell was red snow. The villagers called it Sarah's snow believing it was
her heart crying for her father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133580437046393328.post-10937322292653929342011-11-06T05:35:00.000-08:002012-02-07T17:04:03.731-08:00Assassin*<div style="text-align: justify;">
She waited in line for that small cracker that
would call for the killing of its giver. Her senses tingled as they always did
while she waited for the moment she would strike. She could feel the calm that
settled in the church. She could smell the sweat that flowed down the sinful
woman behind her. She could taste the staleness of the church air. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Her white robe and hood concealed her face. She
grew another person closer to the priest every few moments. Light from an open
window shined directly onto her as the rest of the church was lit through
stained glass save for the doors which were wide open as they always were
during service. She took another step closer to the priest. She stepped out of
the bright Sunday morning light glittering with dust that found chaos when she
stepped away before slowly settling down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Good morning servant of the high ones,"
Said the priest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She opened her mouth allowing the priest to place
the cracker on her tongue. "Forgive me Father for I will sin. I am called
Aiya."<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Come close servant of the high ones, Aiya.
Tell me what happened." He pulled her in close so she could whisper into
his ear, making her job all the easier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I said: for I will sin. Rest peacefully
Father." She rubbed his cheek and stabbed into his jugular with her hidden
blade attached to her wrist. "Find Utopia with haste for the hawk of the
Great Fire will hunt you."<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Aiya pulled the blade from the priest's neck.
Blood splattered onto her face and hood. She unhooked her clasp releasing her
robe letting it fall over the priest as she laid him to the mosaic he stood on
before running towards the doors. When the crowd realized what had happened
women began screaming and crying, the church guard surrounded the body, and the
city guard was quickly alerted of the assassination.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As Aiya exited the church the city guard where
already gaining on her. She looked around for options. The street to her left
was completely empty (an easy route to run through, but she'd be target
practice for archers). Straight ahead of her were advancing guards and directly
behind them was the bell tower (it would be a fight, but no archer would dare
shoot into a crowd of guards, and the tower was a route to the cities
rooftops).<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She ran straight into the oncoming guards. She
slid to dodge a broadsword. While she was still on the ground she sliced the
Achilles' tendon of the guard. She rolled forward and stabbed into the clavicle
of another guard with her knife and pushed off of him running passed the
remaining guards and into the tower.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The assassin finally made it to the first level
of the tower which was higher than the roof of its neighboring building. Going
to a window she jumped down to the rooftop. Aiya ran jumping from red rooftop
to red rooftop escaping her pursuers. Her knife was still wet with the priest's
blood. His blood splattered on her face and top. She looked back, one
of the guards was, to her surprise, closing the gap between them quickly. The
blood was still wet and still dripping from the tip of her blade. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sergio was below on the streets enjoying a
chocolate filled pastry when a drop of blood landed on his breakfast. He looked
up to see a guard jumping from one building to the other. Apologetically
looking at his wife he gently touched the top of her forearm and raised his
hand at Scott who was working at the bakery. Sergio immediately began to run down
the narrow road and turned left when he got to the nearest intersection.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Scott threw his apron off as he ran towards the
staircase. As Scott ran towards the roof, Rascal the two year old boxer ran
down nearly tripping the young baker. He grabbed his hood hanging from a
display of antlers in the room with the door to the terrace. He made it out to
the terrace, at the same time the slowest guard jumped onto the terrace meeting
a hooded Scott.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Do you know what is funny sir?" Scott
joked with the guard as he grabbed him by his collar. "Your friends will
just assume you slipped and fell while chasing her." Casually Scott pushed
the guard back and looked over the ledge as the guard fell to his death.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Aiya looked back again. That guard was fast, he
was now only about twenty seconds away from catching her. She looked ahead at
all of her options as she ran. A ladder leading up to the top of the city's
wall was only two buildings away (more guards, but an easy way out of the
city), a spiral staircase leading to the streets (heavy patrols, more
concealment in the Sunday crowds), or stop and quickly take out this guard
before the others caught up (an unwanted fight with an unknown enemy and the
other guards weren't that far behind).<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She made it onto the ladder. She was only half
way to the top by the time her nearest pursuer was getting onto it. When she
made it to the top she attempted to kick the ladder back, but it was locked in
place. City guards began to close in from either side, she turned and looked
down one hundred feet to the ground below. Twenty yards south she could jump
down into the Inka River which flowed west out of the city.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sergio found his way up onto the wall through a
badly guarded tower near where he knew his sister would go (She loved diving
from the wall down to the river). He raced north towards his little sister
still separated by one tower and nearly fifteen guards all racing towards the
priest's killer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After eliminating guards one by one Scott left
the rooftops to avoid being spotted and ran towards the river. Acquiring a
docked gondola, he quickly set out into the river heading west toward the small
opening in the gate for the cities many small river boats. He kept the hood
donned in case the boat's owner realized his taxi was missing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Aiya looked left and decided to run towards the
guards to the south (it was the only way to get into the river). Blade in hand
she sprinted as fast as she could hoping to make it to the jump spot before the
guards, but today she wouldn't be that lucky. A guard raised his sword above
his head, Aiya quickly stabbed her spring assisted blade into his chest and
spun around him going immediately to her knees to avoid a swinging broadsword.
She stabbed her dagger into the inside of her attacker's thigh and stepped up
and forward stabbing into his side as she kicked another guard in the throat
before being tackled from behind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sergio climbed to the top of the tower separating
him from his sister. Peeking over the side he counted only one guard who had
his bow ready, but not yet nocked with an arrow to avoid striking a fellow
guard. Quietly Sergio lifted himself over the ledge and snuck up behind the
guard. He grabbed the back of the guards head and hit it against the stone
ledge. The guard fell to the ground bleeding from his head. Sergio grabbed the
guard’s knife and bow. From the tower he shot three arrows into guards as they
gained on his sister.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The guard that tackled Aiya had her pinned and
raised his knife wielding hand above her face; he was taunting her like a child.
"I'm going to kill you assassin. I'm going to kill you slowly tonight
while you're safe in your cell after my men and I have had my way with
you." 'Swip!' An arrow flew into her tacklers shoulder. He yelled out a
blood curdling cry. Aiya grabbed the arrow pulling it from his body. Blood
oozed out onto her chest. She stabbed him in the neck with the arrow before
pushing him to her side and rolling forward pulling the guard who had been
chasing her close to her body. She kissed him and threw him over the ledge as
he was taken away from his guard. She looked over the ledge to see that she
didn't send the guard to his death, but to the very river she was about to jump
in. After several seconds of not surfacing Aiya figured that he got pulled down by the current or was caught on a rock. More guards were incoming as Sergio ran towards his sister who stood over
ten dead and wounded guards, many with arrows in them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I thought you were going to assassinate the
Captain tonight in his home." Sergio stated grabbing his sister by the
wrist before she could jump.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"What makes you think I'm not brother?"
She asked with a smirk before swan diving into the river below.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"A Ra Priest than, you're kidding me,"
Sergio sighed before jumping off the wall leaving the guards
looking over the ledge.<br />
<br />
Scott followed, eventually. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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</div>BridgesStevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385654875203307410noreply@blogger.com0