tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23870427932543993422024-02-18T20:36:51.375-08:00Fan Fiction Contest 2015Fan Fiction Contest 2015Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-26309326480518277772015-09-12T16:11:00.002-07:002015-09-12T16:11:30.537-07:00All My Love by Sarah Grace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqZsX1YNxEdgnTjXfR7VbVqB_BH7WeoIopU7c9dNUWZcstiJtsH1YpadXSdgbbwJ6ZgnGNXBVpEkhE_TOlMwkW64TL3nU7gv4DjUi_zR-E6WeO8J5KOxpmx6MGwKRsypgxivF1O9NP_fb/s1600/AllMyLove.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqZsX1YNxEdgnTjXfR7VbVqB_BH7WeoIopU7c9dNUWZcstiJtsH1YpadXSdgbbwJ6ZgnGNXBVpEkhE_TOlMwkW64TL3nU7gv4DjUi_zR-E6WeO8J5KOxpmx6MGwKRsypgxivF1O9NP_fb/s640/AllMyLove.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">With all the love I have to give</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">I'll walk this path once more</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">The Fallen One at my heels,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">Severe punishment at my door.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">For though the enchantments fall away</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">His song is in your ear</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">Only for you, my daughter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">Will I face my greatest fear</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">With all the love I have to give</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">I leave you in a mortal's care</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">My dear Rose, you are free</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">Although not so fair</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">With all the love I have to give</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">I'll give it all away</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">Safety from your father's plan</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">Is all that I can pray</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">With all the love I have to give,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">I trust Him to protect you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">And someday, when it's all over</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">And the night of Moonblood is through,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">Won't you return to me?</span></div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-57271679173254948312015-09-12T16:08:00.001-07:002015-09-12T16:08:47.224-07:00A Hunting We Shall Go by Abby and Erin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq2qRXxLhkEHw8BFhAUvYwQ8KxyXeYPqYpTaYcmHil0vkLN4snky18q2qjmnj8NycFIozCnKTvaYLJbdUPP4a3dP5ygyvqBf8Ausjv0k65n503zOg57jC9QGER76XFbWwokuMgjcbNtFg/s1600/AHuntingWeShallGo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq2qRXxLhkEHw8BFhAUvYwQ8KxyXeYPqYpTaYcmHil0vkLN4snky18q2qjmnj8NycFIozCnKTvaYLJbdUPP4a3dP5ygyvqBf8Ausjv0k65n503zOg57jC9QGER76XFbWwokuMgjcbNtFg/s640/AHuntingWeShallGo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter 1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"You've lost them."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"I have not."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"You've definitely lost them."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"We are not lost!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"That's not what I said..."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"We're on a Path! We <i>can't</i> lose
them!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The motorcycle droned through the Wood Between in a bored
hum as its riders argued. Nothing new or odd here. The front wheel hit a root
and swerved. The driver growled a little to himself before shouting at his
passenger "Sam! Lume above! Will you sit down all ready?!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The girl behind him perched primly on the seat in a
standing position while using her companion's back to balance herself by
planting her hands on his shoulders. She released one shoulder to shield her
eyes and peer ahead from her vantage point. The shift in weight threw her
partner off and the vehicle swerved again.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Are you even listening to me? Hey Sam,
I'm talking to you! Sam!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Hm? What? Did you say something?"
Sam inquired, pulling her wandering mind back to the present. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Sit down!" The driver shouted. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"I can't see anything then." She
protested. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"That's my job!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"You can't track and drive!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"How else can I drive?"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"You're supposed to watch where you're going
and you can't focus on that and the prey...which we've lost by the way."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"We have not! And when have I ever gotten us
in trouble while tracking and driving?"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Do you want an answer to that? Do you <i>really</i>
want an answer to that Evan?" Sam asked as she leaned down so as to give
him a meaningful stare he could almost see out of the corner of his eye. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Do you have your notebook on you?" Evan
asked nervously. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam nodded slowly for emphasis. "Always."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Then never mind. I'll just focus on
driving."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Good idea."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Reaching back he grabbed her ankle and skillfully pulled
her down into the seat "But to do that I need you to sit." He
pretended not to notice the fact that she proceeded to glare holes in the back
of his head for lack of a comeback. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They puttered on in silence for a while after that and
Sam was determinedly fighting off a dozing fit when she noticed their pace
slowing. She sat up straighter and peered about them but was unable to get a
good look at what lay directly ahead of them so she waited until they had
rolled to a stop. Quiet filled the tense air as she waited. After a pause she
crossed her arms and scowled. "Did we run out of gas again?"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"This is it. They went through this
portal." Evan turned to grin at her with a familiar look of triumph and
embarrassment. "And we're out of gas!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam sighed wearily as she clambered off the back seat and
examined the portal. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Any idea where it leads?" Evan asked as
he put down the kickstand and came to join her. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Shaking her head Sam leaned forward and smiled a little
"no, but it's not a Fairie demesne, I can feel the mortality coming from
it. It'll be nice to be back in a human world!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"And to not have to deal with those annoying
Fairies" Evan said, releasing a relieved sigh. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Right. After last time..." Sam agreed
and they both winced at the memory. A sudden thought crossed her mind and she
straightened. "This is bad. Those two could make a real mess in a mortal
world."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"No kidding" Evan said, his frown
mirroring her own. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They stared at the Portal a moment before turning back to
their vehicle. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"So" Evan asked, voicing their thoughts
"what do we do with the bike?"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Hide it" Sam decided quickly "we
don't know what time period we're going into and we don't want to draw
attention by being terribly old fashioned."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Or new. This could be the past." Evan
pointed out. He groaned a little "seriously though, it's easier when we
actually get to use it!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"You could have used it on the way back if
you had remembered to bring extra gas! Stop pouting. Where should we hide
it?" Sam cast about for a suitable spot. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Inside the Portal obviously. We'll lose it
out here with all the shifting and mischief." Evan glared at the
surrounding Wood. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Yeah but...we don't know where we'll walk
out into. What if people see us?" Sam hesitated.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"The Wood never opens up in a village, odds
are low anyone will see us aside from some daring kids but I doubt anyone would
listen to them."</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Alright then. Ready?"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Evan put up the kickstand, grabbed the handles and
nodded. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam took a deep breath and stepped in with her partner
close behind. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Eanrin twitched his nose and preened himself, the air of
the mortal world already making him feel dirty. He let out a weary sigh and
checked the small scroll that hung around his neck once more. This ought to be
a fairly short trip; just deliver the scroll to the present King and Queen and
then he could leave. That was all, short and sweet, though he didn't much like
the idea that Imraldera was unashamedly using him as an errand boy. He
determined to have a talk with her about it as soon as he had returned. But for
now...he sniffed the air to determine the proper direction and wrinkled his
nose again before stepping out. Ah well, he resigned himself, it was probably
about time he checked in on this King Shadowhand at any rate. So thinking he
padded lightly down the mountainside and straight into a cloud of Midnight.
Every hair on his back jumped up on end and a strangled hiss escaped his throat
as he recognized the dreaded aura. But the Beasts that owned it paid him no
attention. In less than a second they had left the golden cat behind and
carried on in a reckless dash. Eanrin was left to shake and try to settle
himself after such a sudden meeting with his old foes. Sucking in several deep
breaths he sat back down to preen himself and wonder what poor soul the creatures
were hunting now and vaguely ponder if he should do something about it. But no,
he was on a mission and a sudden feeling of urgency filled him. He took a step
and then heard the sweet trill of a Thrush behind him, hastening him on his
way. That was all he needed to hear to send him dashing headlong for the castle
with surprising agility for a blind cat. But there was more his Master needed
from him and though he knew he would do whatever was required, after just
recently finishing up his last job, he felt a groan rise up inwardly. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter 2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"You've got our gear?"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Yes"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"Including money, bedrolls, time period
clothes changes and our weapons?"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"That pretty much sums up the gear."
Evan snorted. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"I'm just making sure. We've already
forgotten gas and I doubt we'll be able to secure the right kind, if any at
all, here. I'd hate to forget something else important." Sam said as,
despite already going over her check list, she went rummaging through the pack
Evan was carrying. “Food, water…”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"You know, if we don't hurry we really will
lose them!" Her partner huffed as he nearly lost his balance due to her
energetic search. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"We've already practically lost them! The
search can wait another few minutes so we don't get stuck in a dangerous
position. Remember Ragniprava? That would never have happened if we had just
remembered the rope!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Evan shuddered at the memory. "That was tough; we
nearly lost that Prince back there!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
"We did for a bit and had to call for back
up" Sam paused to huff a little over the recollection of their stinging
defeat. "This is our third big job I don't want to botch this one like the
last two. Being allowed to work in the mortal world is an honor since it takes
more finesse than with those horrid Fairies. I'm glad the Prince gave us this
job...because I'm sure He knew we would end up here." Emerging from the
pack she grinned and gave him a thumbs up "this time, we won't need to
call for help!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Returning her grin Evan jerked his thumb at the gorge
wall behind him. "Sounds good, ready to start climbing?"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam nodded, tightened the straps on her own bag and
followed him to the faint inkling of a path that rose jaggedly up the wall to
the table land above. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Twirling his hand gun expertly, Alexander glanced behind
him at his sniffling twin and frowned. “Kat, are you okay?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smaller girl
sneezed and offered him a weak smile “Just fine!” she held up her gun and
nodded to the writhing mass of dragon before them. While they couldn’t kill it,
they were capable of holding it off until the nearby town inhabitants had
evacuated. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Turning his attention back to the creature he sighed. “We
had better finish this quickly at any rate. I’m going to give us a bit of
ground, cover me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Kathrine nodded as she immediately began a barrage of
bullets that kept the flaming beast busy as her brother moved to the side;
their perfected teamwork allowing him to know where she was shooting and avoid
the missiles as he closed the distance with his target. Once he gauged himself
close enough, he let out a heavy stream of lead that pushed his foe backwards,
inch by inch, slowly gaining ground. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Alex!” Kat’s
frantic shout drew his attention to his surroundings and he leapt backwards,
narrowly avoiding a dangerously spiked tail that slammed into the dirt where he
had just been. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He raised his gun
again but found the cartridge empty. “Dragon’s teeth!” he swore as the tail
slammed into his stomach and sent him flying. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Alex! Alex are
you alright?!” Kathrine screamed as she frantically scrambled after him. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Spitting dirt from his mouth, Alexander sucked in a deep
breath and stood. “I’m fine” his irritated tone indicated otherwise and Kat
frowned worriedly but a violent cough shook her small frame and distracted her
attention.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Looks like
neither of us are in top condition.” Alex stated ruefully as he helped steady
her while keeping his gaze fixed on the enemy. “This is probably our sloppiest
performance yet. Do you think they’re almost done down there?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The last boat
hasn’t quite sailed yet. They need more time.” Kat panted, her eyes trailing
down the hill to the coast where a single pair of white sails still hung by the
docks.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Alright, we’ll
give them a good thirty minutes. Ready to move in together?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She nodded and they stood back to back, breathing deeply
and sending many heartfelt prayers for strength. A Thrush sang somewhere in the
distance and a smile tugged at both their lips. “I think that was the signal.”
She murmured.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Follow close
after me” he said as he went for another headlong charge, this time without his
sister’s shield of bullets. “Focus on destroying the wings, it won’t be able to
follow for at least a week then” he ordered.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Right!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And then they attacked in a fury of shots and lead and
fire. The dragon screamed and thrashed at them but years of perfecting their
teamwork paid off as they slid around opposite sides, refusing to create an
easy target or opening. In less than ten minutes they leapt clear and met each
other at their starting point. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where are they
Kat?” Alex asked without taking his eyes from the beast. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Out of sight!
The town is cleared! Mission complete!” she replied breathlessly and finished
with another sneeze. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good.” Quickly
sliding his weapon back into its holster he turned and scooped her up before
beating a hasty retreat into the forest. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I…I…can w…w…”
Kathrine’s words were lost in another violent sneeze followed by a cough. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“First thing
we’re doing when we get back is take you to a doctor.” Alex stated firmly.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s…” sniffle
“it’s just a cold!” She protested.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Even so I’ll be
asking for some time off until you’re better.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She took one look at his face and resigned any argument,
knowing full well he would undoubtedly have his way. Not that she really minded
the thought of being pampered a bit!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Icarus slung his bag carelessly onto his shoulder and
grinned at the blackened and charred remains of what had once been a peaceful
glade, at the center of which writhed a barely breathing dragon. It was about
as dead as he could get it and looked as though it wouldn’t be chasing after
the ships anytime soon. Movement to his left caught his eye and he watched Alex
and Kat race by. Alex looked like he was carrying his sister…again. “What a
softie” Icarus sighed as he checked his bag of explosives one last time, then
patted it happily and deemed it all a job well done before starting after him.
He met up with them halfway back to the Path and met Alex’s look of disapproval
unashamedly. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You incinerated
half of the country side…again” Alex stated the obvious.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, but my
dragon isn’t moving now!” Icarus said happily.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Kat sneezed and earned a glance from the explosive’s
master. “You feeling okay?” he queried.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, it’s just a
cold” she answered, wishing she could have remained invisible throughout the
confrontation.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Focus, Icarus,
as your superior it’s my duty to report this you know!” Alex said as he crossed
his arms and waited for the rebuttal.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Senior? You’re
only one year older than me! You’re just glad that there’s someone younger than
you to bully around!” Icarus protested.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That is not how
Knights of the Farthest Shore act and certainly not my intentions. As for other
behavioral conduct…” he glanced at the distant rising smoke and returned his
scowl to the boy before him “you’ve broken nearly all of the rules.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“One day I’ll be
the one making the rules! Just you watch and see!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you saying
you’ll be the Prince of Farthest?” Alex asked in mock curiosity as he raised a
querying eyebrow. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know what I
mean! One day I’ll be on top and then you can’t give me orders!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“People only get
‘on top’ as you put it, by following the rules. Honestly! This is why you can’t
keep a partner!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hmph! I don’t need
anyone who doesn’t know a thing about fire and powder to be hanging around me!”
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re hopeless!
I don’t even know how to report this!” Alex sighed as he dropped his face into
his hands.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A harsh cough from Kat drew them both back to the
present. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s just get
back to the Safe House. We can talk about this later!” Icarus grumbled as he
started ahead of them.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex nodded and helped Kat to her feet before moving
after him at a slower pace. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter 3</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam and Evan stared at the bleak looking town below them
and Sam let out a groan. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Know where we
are yet?” Evan asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Looks like a
recovering Southlands after the Dragon’s invasion! Could this get any worse?”
Sam moaned.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well at least we
have an idea of the time. I think we’ve got some clothes from the period…but I
don’t know about Southlander style.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll make do, I
mean, we hardly look Southlander material at any rate. We’ll just say we’re
travelers. It’s true enough.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cause I’m sure a
Dragon blistered land gets so many travelers!” Evan snorted.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll say we’re
here to help, also true.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And they’ll just
believe that coming from a couple of kids?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe, I think
sixteen was practically an adult around this time…I think, so we should be
considered at least capable young people!” she finished optimistically.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hope you’re
right” he sighed as he went digging through the bags to produce the proper time
period clothes.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam stared at them a moment before asking “Where are the
shoes?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shoes?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, Evan,
shoes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, looks like
we forgot those.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam suppressed a scream, failed and yelled her frustration
to the clear blue sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ve got shoes
on Sam, and if we hurry we shouldn’t be here long enough for anyone to notice.”
Evan sighed wearily. “Now it looks like there’s some crumbling village down
there, I don’t see anyone around so we can change there. After that we need to
find the Dogs.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam’s scream trailed off and she nodded bleakly. “You’re
right, sorry.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
He shrugged and set off for the village with the girl in
tow.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
After successfully delivering Imraldera’s message, Eanrin
was padding carefully back towards the Wood, alert and on the lookout for giant
black Dogs and, unfortunately, any hint that his next mission had arrived. Instead
he met a strange scent that caused him to turn into what smelled like an
abandoned old village. Foul Dragon fumes still clung to dark corners and lurked
in holes in the dilapidated village, but there was a strange new smell of young
mortality, fresh and untrodden like the people native to the land. Curiosity
and a reluctant acceptance got the better of him and the cat found himself
slipping stealthily through the alley ways to one particular building that was
more whole than the rest. Rather loud voices drifted through the old walls and
Eanrin’s ears twitched as he listened closely.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you ready
yet?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m ready all
right! I do worry about the shoes though.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No one is going
to notice your shoes Sam!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Right. Did you
see anything of the Dogs?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, but odds are
they passed through this way, the Path is leading through here.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I guess so…how
exactly do we have a Path following them?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“More like
they’re following one of our Paths, lucky for us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why haven’t they
left it? They can find other Paths; they’re fey creatures after all.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How should I
know?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It might be a
trap, they’re clever beasts.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll just have
to be cautious then.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m trying to
jot this down for our report and you’re not helping.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you ready
yet?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m ready
alright! Let’s go!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The door swung open and one small person stomped out
followed by another person with a lazier step. Both pairs of feet paused when
Eanrin coyly meowed and turned to look at him. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a cat” the
girl’s voice stated blandly.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a Fairie is
what it is” the boy announced irately. “We don’t have time for this.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And they would have moved on if he hadn’t changed form
just then and caught them by the back of their clothes. “Hold hard there you
two, I’ve got a few questions” he told them which did nothing to stop the
barrage of protests that rained down from the pair. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Listen mister, I
dunno what you think you’re doing but we’re in a hurry!” The boy stated firmly
as he struggled to escape.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Put me down!
What is wrong with you? Let go!” the girl shrieked as she moved and twisted in
ways he didn’t know humans could move. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who are you two?
You don’t smell like you’re from around here and you haven’t even attempted the
language.” Eanrin demanded without letting go.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re…Knights of
Farthest Shore and you’re going to be in serious trouble if you don’t let us
go!” the girl panted as she finally ceased her struggles.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I highly doubt
that. But at any rate, I suppose that makes me your senior in the field. What
are you two doing here?” Eanrin pressed. Too late did he notice the tense feel
of the youngsters in his grip. With practiced precision the girl lashed out at
him at the same time as the boy and they pushed off of him, using their force
and momentum to tumble out of his hands. He jumped backwards, narrowly avoiding
a swipe as they attacked to gain ground. Cursing his lazy senses he halted a
few feet from them to recover himself before offering a rueful smile. “That was
nicely done. That being said, please refrain from further attacks or else I
shall have to pin you both down. Now if you would just…” With a weary sigh he
caught the ankle of the girl as she swung a kick at him and proceeded to hold
her upside-down by it. Next he grabbed the boy’s fist mid-swing and held him
tight in a headlock. He waited until they had exhausted themselves struggling, before
proceeding. “Now, if you are quite done I’ll have you answer my questions. What
are you doing out here?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re hunting
the Black Dogs!” the girl moaned as she swung from his grip. “The blood is
rushing to my head! Please put me down!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Put her down you dragon
eaten hairball!” the boy shouted, swiping at Eanrin’s feet with his leg.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, since she
asked nicely” he released the girl who crumpled to the ground, clutching her
head and groaning. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You didn’t have
to drop her!” the boy huffed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Quite the
gallant aren’t you?” Eanrin asked with a small smile “What are your names?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We don’t have to
tell you, you overgrown rodent!” the boy snapped</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m Samantha
Rodgers and he’s Evan Tales. Please don’t hurt him” Sam groaned.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Only because you
said please” Eanrin grumbled. “Aren’t you two a little young to be out here on
your own? And traveling through the Wood at that? How many human’s years are
you off by?” He chuckled at their surprise “Oh please, neither of you smell
like you could possibly be from this century. You’re fabrics and skins and are
all wrong and what are you wearing on your feet?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam shot Evan a glare who in turn glared at their
captor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well the Lumil
Eliasul thought we were just fine for the job” Evan stated with a growl.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can’t argue with
that one then. So, do you have any idea where you’re prey has wandered off to?”
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Of course!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We don’t need
any help!” Sam said firmly.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well that’s
tough. You’re both liars and I’ve been ordered to help you.” Eanrin sighed
wearily “Though trust me, I rather wish I were safe away in a distant haven!
Dogs have never been my favorite part of this job!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And who are you
exactly?” Even demanded.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh gracious! I
can’t believe I forgot to introduce myself! Allow me to amend that! I am the
famed and illustrious, glorious poet of Rudiobus, Sir Eanrin. Perhaps you’ve
heard of me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh no!” Evan
sagged wearily against Eanrin’s hold.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Eanrin? As in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> Sir Eanrin of Rudiobus?” Sam asked
as her tone rose in excitement. “I love your poems! I’ve memorized whole
volumes of them!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And she’ll quote
whole volumes if you don’t stop her” Evan’s voice held a note of pleading that
fell on deaf ears.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well I’m glad
see that art is still appreciated no matter how the times change. Just how far
into the future are you two?” Eanrin asked feeling his spirits lift a little. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know the
exact difference in years but it’s pretty big” Sam said thoughtfully.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Eanrin sniffed approvingly ‘Glad to hear it, and I
haven’t bumped into you yet?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No” she said
sorrowfully “I haven’t had the chance to meet you since…”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, don’t tell
me” Eanrin stopped her with an upraised hand “it’s bad luck to know your future
and that’s a proven fact I might add.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Right. But have
you written a poem entitled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gleamdren
Fair</i> yet? It’s my absolute favorite!” She asked excitedly. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why dearest that
one’s already a classic! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">O</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gleamdren fair, I love thee true.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Be the moon waxed full or new” </i>Sam
chorused with him</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“In all my world-enscoping view,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There shineth none so bright as you.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Alright,
alright! Don’t we have some dogs to chase or something?!” Evan frantically
pulled them back to the present in the desperate hope that they would desist.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not much of a
poetry lover are you?” Eanrin asked ruefully as he released the boy.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not at all,
you’re stuff is so old and lame!” Evan huffed as he rubbed his neck.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know a certain
prince you would get along with…I can’t stand him much either” Eanrin
commented.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Evan didn’t respond as he pulled Sam to her feet and
retrieved their packs. “Let’s just go, don’t slow us down Patches!” he growled
at the Poet.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Excuse me! I
have a rather prestigious name and would have you use i…”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, yeah, keep
up Patches!” Evan ignored him as he struck off down the Path.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sorry, that’s
just something he does. Evan doesn’t use names until he has some sort of
respect for you. You have no idea how long it took before he finally started
calling me Sam!” she sighed at the thought.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What were you
before that?” Eanrin inquired.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She winced “Don’t ask.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A ways down a certain Path, hidden in the crumbled ruins
of what was once a lord’s manor; black Midnight swirled in disarray as its
owners watched the place where the Path entered. Their heavy breathing
resonated against the walls and their red eyes stared forward unblinkingly.
They were waiting.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter 4</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nearly
evening before Evan finally looked back at Sam and slowed his pace a little.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded in annoyance.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She shrugged and sent a quick glance at the Poet who had
taken the lead hours ago and held it despite Evan’s attempts at outpacing him.
“I was just thinking that the Prince wasn’t really giving us this job
ourselves. He still sent someone after us and one of our seniors at that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Evan followed her gaze and then shrugged “Honestly I’m
kind of relieved. With some experienced help, we might actually be able to get
the job done without any major problems for once.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I guess you have
a point. I should be more focused on getting the job done right than getting
the credit. Do you really think he’ll be much help though?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Evan tugged one of her ponytails lightly “Aren’t you the
history buff? This is the same cat that’s faced dragons time and again! Not to
mention evil goblins! And he took care of Una for a while!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam smiled slightly and Evan was happy to see the spring
return to her step “You’re right, I had forgotten. I guess he is a pretty good
companion to have on our side. After all, he’s seen the Dogs true forms before.
Do you really think he’s that neat?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sorta” Evan
grinned “But don’t tell him I said that!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She laughed and nodded. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Eanrin pretended he hadn’t heard them as he hid a smile
and paused, pointing to a manor on a hill nearby “I’m pretty sure I can smell
them coming from over there. I’m not sure if they’re resting, waiting or both
but it’s best to be on your guard. Do you have weapons?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes” they both
said with a nod.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good, then we
shall proceed but with caution. Stay close and don’t wander off.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Right, got it,
let’s go already!” Evan sighed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam shoved him and hurried after Eanrin with her
companion close behind. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small group
crept across what had once been a courtyard and tiptoed with utmost care into
the ruins of the manor where the midnight awaited them. It took only a few
steps from the door to be engulfed in blackness and Sam felt a chill crawl up
her spine. In three weeks, this made twice in her life, she had stood in this
same darkness and the terror of it was still somewhat fresh. She stood closer
to Evan who drew his sword with one hand and reached for her with the other. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stay close” he
whispered</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You too” she
murmured back, trying to keep her voice from shaking as she silently slid her
own sword from its sheath and took his hand. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the apparent
object of their mission was to hunt down the Black Dogs, the trio found
themselves at a bit of a loss as to what they were supposed to do with them.
Were they supposed to catch them? If so, where would they take them? If not,
were they supposed to kill them? Could they kill them?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Eanrin hoped his hair didn’t look like it felt because it
felt like it was standing straight up and he knew that all he wanted was to get
as far from this dragon eaten place as he could. But unfortunately he had a job
to do and, loathsome though it was, he continued to press forward, slowly
cautiously, until he felt them move. “Get back!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam and Evan jumped and looked to their senior only to
see two pairs of glowing red eyes rushing down on them in a roiling mass of
fury. A scream tore at Sam’s throat as Evan released her hand to better wield
his weapon, but she swallowed it down and took a defensive stance. The Beasts
were upon them and she swung her sword, feeling it slice through the darkness.
A miss. Her hands trembled as she returned to her stance and sought out the
pair of eyes that had vanished. And then, like the sun cutting though the rain,
a bird swooped by. She caught only a glimpse of it as it passed but she heard
its song, strong and sweet, resounding in her soul. A smile tugged at her lips
and she stood a little straighter. How had she forgotten? Of course He was
still there. Her hands stopped shaking.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evan sucked in a
deep breath as he skidded back two more steps and slashed at his opponent. It
was dark in here, too dark. He didn’t so much mind the lack of light but not
being able to see the walls, to know where he was stepping, how much room he
had left, was unnerving. He fought back thoughts of a shrinking room and
sliding walls, forcing himself to recall the large exterior of the manor. Even
so, breathing became difficult and one resounding thought began to fill his
mind. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘I have to get out. I have to get
out.’</i> What was that rumbling? In his mind’s eye he saw the walls slowing
moving in, the space narrowing, the air was being sucked from his lungs…the
Black Dog charged him, teeth bared and flashing white in the Midnight. Evan
stumbled back again and dodged. Then he drew a deep breath. Air flowed in and
out of his lungs. The sweet trill of a Thrush wound its way through the
darkness and Evan suddenly remembered his teacher’s advice from one of his
first panic attacks. He stretched out both hands, sword and all, and slowly
moved back one step and then forward two. Nothing, nothing touched him. He was
in a large space with plenty of room and the walls were the least of his
problems. The Dog came again and this time he side stepped and brought his
blade down, feeling his sword pierce flesh. The Dog howled and turned on him
but he felt awake now and moved with precision and skill as he stayed out of
reach of the jaw that had mauled kings and torn apart fairies. With a sudden
growl and whimper the Dog forgot him and whirled around as a new opponent
struck from behind. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can hardly smell
anything in this dragon eaten atmosphere! You there, Evan, where’s Sam?” Eanrin
demanded as he danced nimbly around the Dog, inflicting painful looking wounds
on the creature as he went.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evan, impressed by
the blind poet’s skill, took a moment to comprehend the question. As
realization sank in he felt as though the walls had suddenly leapt in on him
again as he stumbled forward and shouted into the thick midnight “Sam! Sam
where are you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
For several heart stopping moments nothing happened, and
then Sam’s disgruntled voice “I’m here and busy…what is it?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relieved he
carefully made his way toward the sound, paused and glanced back at the fight
behind him, but all he could see was more swirling darkness so he pressed
forward once more. “Are you alright?” he called.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes for now
but…I can’t find the Dog! I know it’s just waiting to spring out from some…” He
didn’t hear the rest.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a snarl a
pair of red eyes flashed towards Evan. Prepared for such an attack, he dodged,
swung hard at the passing shadow…and missed. The Dog came at him again,
releasing a strange baying howl as it did so. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Evan!” Sam’s
voice came from somewhere close by and he felt her press her back against his
“Are you alright” she panted.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fine, how are
you holding up?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s irritating
not being able to see what I’m doing!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How do you think
Eanrin feels?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can’t even
imagine…though his nose works better than mine!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Evan chuckled a little and felt the tension ease out of
Sam’s body. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can’t believe
we let ourselves get separated, it really threw me off back there” she
murmured.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Me too. Sorry
about that” he replied. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did you see the
Thrush?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
He grinned “No, but I might have heard Him. Are you ready
to press in?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ready when you
are, partner!” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s go!” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wait!” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The poet’s shout drew them up short just as two pairs of
red eyes charged them. Chaos ensued. Eanrin tried to call to them as their
world became fraught with flashing teeth, flaming eyes, and rumbling thunderous
growls. Lunging forward at what smelled like mass, Eanrin’s blade dug deep into
the hide of one of the Dogs, creating an opening Evan took, his blade finding a
hold in the beat’s chest. The creature’s howl filled the room but did nothing
to diminish the sound of a sickening crack followed closely by Sam’s scream.
And then the Dogs fled and the midnight vanished, leaving them crumpled and
confused, blinking in the evening light that poured into the ceiling-less
manor. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dropping to his
knees beside the girl Evan began bombarding her with questions but Eanrin
quickly pushed him aside. “Where does it hurt?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My…leg” Sam
panted. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
He heard her grit her teeth as he lightly ran his finger
down the offending limb and winced when he found the problem. “I’m afraid
you’re ankle’s broken my dear.” He told her gently.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can’t be” she
protested weakly “I’m fine, just twisted it is all. I can still walk. We need
to hurry and…” she trailed off into a moan as Eanrin prodded the break.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Quite broken,
you’re definitely not standing on it.” He announced, leaving no room for
argument. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then I guess
there’s only one thing to do” Evan said as he stood.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam groaned. “And here I thought we’d finally manage
ourselves!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll make the
call” he sighed. “You take care of her Patches!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Eanrin snorted but did not dignify him with a reply. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter 5</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex found Icarus lounging around the kitchen of the Safe
House, where he usually found him. The younger boy looked up from a cake he was
demolishing and asked around a mouthful of frosting “How’s Kat?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lady Imraldera
says it’s just a cold and she should be fine after some rest” Alex sighed as he
slid into a chair next to the boy. “She also says that the prince would like to
have a word with you later.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Icarus groaned “Why is it always me? Nobody else seems to
get in trouble!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nobody else sees
fit to destroy entire landscapes…and don’t blame the dragon.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Even Sam and
Evan don’t get in this much trouble and they’re not allowed on jobs on their
own! Speaking of which, I didn’t see them out on the field. Any idea where they
are? I wanted to show Evan my newest powder mix!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex frowned “No, they’re out. Lumil Eliasul’s orders;
they’re hunting down the Black Dogs.” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Icarus almost choked “What? Isn’t that a bit much for
them?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s what I
thought but…the Prince specifically choose them.” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They both mulled over this a moment before Alex sighed
“We’ll probably be called in to help sooner or later, but I hate to think of
the state they’re likely to be in by then.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hopefully it’ll
be later; I’ve still got this cake to finish!” Icarus added as he dug in more
fervently.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A quick ringing in the background made them both freeze.
They heard someone answer and exchanged glances. A few minutes later a woman
appeared in the doorway. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ah, I thought I
would find you two here. Can you head out? Sam and Evan need back up.” She said
cheerily.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex nodded and stood. Icarus sighed and would have
commenced whining had it been anyone else, but it was hard to whine when Una
was expecting something from you. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The Prince’s bride beamed at them and tousled Icarus’s
hair, coaxing a smile from him despite his sulking. “It sounds like Sam’s been
hurt; I’m counting on you both to take care of them alright? Alex, will you be
alright without Kat? I heard she was sick.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s just a
cold, she would be very glad if you would visit her though. I should be fine
working in a team. May I ask as to what is the nature of this mission? And, if
it’s not too rude, why Sam and Evan were sent out alone?” Alex queried.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Una frowned slightly “The mission…is a very delicate one.
We’re hoping for retrieval if possible.” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Both boys looked at her seriously.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sam and Evan are
going to play a major role in this and much will hinge on their decisions. You
two will be there to provide support and back up but, no matter what happens,
when the moment comes, don’t interfere.” Una warned.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How’ll we know
which moment?” Icarus asked with a frown.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ll know.”
She assured him. Then she smiled again and hugged them both “I’m counting on
you two.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Leave it to us,
Una! We’ll make you proud!” Icarus replied with a grin and a hasty salute.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We won’t let you
down” Alex agreed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Una nodded “I know!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There, that
should hold it in place for now” Evan said with another proud glance over the
bandage he had wrapped around Sam’s ankle.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She winced a little as he pulled it tight but offered a smile
of thanks nonetheless. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sure your
mother will be worried sick when she sees that.” Eanrin commented and was quick
to note a shift in the atmosphere. He frowned “She does know you’re out here
doesn’t she?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well…not
exactly…” Sam laughed a little.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Eanrin’s frown deepened “Please tell me you aren’t
sneaking around her back! What about your father, does he know?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No…they’re dead”
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Silence so pure you could almost hear the planet turning
followed that statement. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
At last Eanrin cleared his throat “I apologize. That was
terribly rude of me…”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, you didn’t
know.” Sam waved off his apology “Truth is I never really knew them. I think
they’re dead but…I sorta just grew up on the streets for the first couple years
of my life. There wasn’t really anyone around that I could call family. But
Lumil Eliasul found me when I was seven. He took me in ‘a father to the
fatherless’ as they say. He gave me a home and raised me along with his wife
Una. I became a knight because I wanted to thank them.” She sighed and her head
drooped “But I let them down again. I have as yet to complete any of my
missions without help. I…hate letting them down...they’re always so kind about
it too.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not your
fault, they know that” Evan sighed as he tugged one of her ponytails lightly. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What about you,
do you have any parents or guardians?” Eanrin asked though he doubted the
answer would be yes.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mind your own
busy Patches!” the boy snapped as he bristled.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Evan’s like me.”
Sam said as she placed a reassuring hand on her companion’s arm. “In fact,
there are a lot of orphans at the Safe House that Una runs. She takes care of
us there along with the other knights. It’s all one big family.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Speaking of which, I think your back up’s
here” Eanrin said as he became aware of two new scents.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That was fast!”
Evan exclaimed as he glanced down back the way they had come. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Looks like
they’ve still got a bit of a walk before they get here.” Sam sighed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Plenty of time
for you to get some rest.” Eanrin replied.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But…”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I agree, Sam.
We’re going to have to find some way of moving you soon and you’ll probably
need all your strength then” Evan said, crossing his arms in finalization.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam glanced at the darkening sky and sighed wearily “Oh
alright.” She laid back and closed her eyes, listening as Eanrin and Evan
quietly moved around her, arguing over something as they made a fire and
started cooking some of their supplies. She swallowed the bitter taste in her
mouth and wondered if she was hungry or tired. She wasn’t. Defeat didn’t hurt
any less the third time round apparently. She wondered what Alexander would say
when he saw the mess they had made. After all, ravaging, angry, and hurt fairie
beasts were now roaming a mortal world unchecked. She sighed a little and tried
to get comfortable. Letting her thoughts drift it wasn’t long before she was
sound asleep, despite how she felt, it had been a long day. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The first handful of stars had been cast into the
darkening sky when two figures climbed up the hill to the manor and entered the
flickering ring of firelight.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Welcome one and
all, have a seat will you?” Eanrin cheerily welcomed the boys. “I must say, you
studied your time lines a little better than these two.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We weren’t told
ahead of time where we were going!” Evan huffed before turning to the newcomers
“Thanks for coming… Oi, where’s Kat?” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She’s got a cold
and is staying home this time. We’d better wrap this up soon so I can get back
to her” Alex replied.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s kinda weird
seeing you without her, like you’re missing your shadow!” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s what I
thought! And I had to walk the whole way here with him!” Icarus exclaimed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Only since the
gorge, we rode the first part of the way” Alex corrected. He turned back to
Evan “So, what’s the situation. Where’s Sam? And who’s this?” he gestured to
Eanrin.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is Eanrin,
you know, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that </i>Eanrin. Sam’s over
there, sleeping” he pointed to the small form bundled in blankets, at the edge
of the fire’s glow. “We had the Dogs in here but…things took a turn for the
worse. We managed to injure one of them but then they broke Sam’s ankle before
they took off so we can’t pursue.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Her ankle is
broken? How did that happen?” Alex demanded in alarm.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Evan shrugged a little “I don’t know. Luckily it wasn’t a
bite so it looks like it ought to heal up ok.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is it in a
splint?” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I bandaged it up
as best I could.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Man, this is
rough!” Icarus sighed “How are we going to move with her like that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex frowned “I’m not sure but…we’ll have to proceed and
bring her with us. Catching the Dogs before they hurt another human takes
priority…but we should try to consider Sam’s safety and comfort as well. In the
meantime…” he turned to Eanrin with a smile “I can honestly say I’m glad to
meet you again though this is the first time for you. You were extremely
helpful with my studies of the art of verse!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, is that so?”
Eanrin asked interestedly.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh no, please
stop. I already suffered through this with Sam!” Evan groaned.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lume above!
Don’t start on all that Alex!” Icarus growled as he took a seat by Evan and
started sifting through the leftover dinner rations. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Eanrin wrinkled his nose at the younger boy. He smelled
much like Evan and had an annoying air about him, not to mention a vile stench
that reminded him of dragon smoke without the poison if that were even
possible. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When do you want
to move out?” Evan asked Alex.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think we
should leave that to our senior, since I get the feeling you’re not here by
coincidence” Alex said with a glance at Eanrin.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m beginning to
doubt the existence of coincidence” Eanrin sighed before waving a hand airily
“even so I don’t have much preference since I’m mostly back up as well. As soon
as possible I suppose.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex nodded “Alright. We should really figure out how we
plan on moving Sam first…”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We sleep now and
then get up bright and early to talk about it!” Icarus announced as he collapsed
on his back with a yawn. “I’m exhausted and it’s too dark to make anything.
We’ll figure it out tomorrow.” He ended this with a snore.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Evan poked him and then shrugged at Alex’s questioning
gaze “He’s out.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hate it when
he does that” Alex huffed. “Well, what do you two say?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I, for one, am
all for sleep!” Eanrin said as he transformed and stretched his fluffy body
with a yawn before padding off to curl up next to Sam.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sound’s good to
me too. It’s been a busy day.” Evan answered with a tired grin.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex sighed again but nodded in agreement. “All right,
we’ll discuss this tomorrow. But it will be early. We shouldn’t waste time.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Evan nodded as he fetched a few extra blankets from their
supplies and wrapped himself up. The last he saw was Sam’s sleeping form curled
around a golden ball of fluff, and then he was asleep. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter 6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We lost, </i>was
the first coherent thought that occurred to Samantha as consciousness returned
to her. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And it’s all my fault. If I had
been more careful I wouldn’t have tripped and the Dog wouldn’t have crushed my
ankle and then…</i> She felt like sulking so she decided to go back to sleep
for a bit. Her mind drifted and then wandered back to the last time she had
caught herself sulking, nearly a year ago. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She had hidden herself away in her favorite
place, the library, and was poring over a book of poetry when Imraldera found
her. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought you might be here” the Keeper had
said with a small smile as she peered around the stacks of books Sam had used
to barricade herself in. “Una said you and Evan got in another fight?”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t see why I have to work with that
dragon-eaten idiot!” Samantha grumbled back “Why does Icarus get to work alone?
He’s younger than me!”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes but the Prince thought you two would be
a good match. What’s gotten you so worked up this time?”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Take a wild guess.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Was it the name calling again?”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A mouse! He called me a mouse!” Samantha
spluttered. “I hate mice!”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did he actually call you a mouse or…”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No! He decided that was my name until he
says otherwise! I know it’s wrong but there are times when I just want to hit
him in the face!” She avoided looking at her teacher’s face and dissolved into
an inarticulate growl as she self –consciously fingered the offending locks
whose color had earned her the nickname.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, you know things aren’t always what
they seem.” Imraldera mused as she searched for the proper way to address with
this “I understand how you feel though…” her thoughts wandered to a certain
cat-man and her words weren’t exactly intended for Samantha. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You do?” the girl asked hopefully.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Imraldera smiled
“Yes, but that still doesn’t make it right. Not that Evan’s in the right either
but…I think he’s waiting.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Waiting for what?”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Like you Samantha, Evan doesn’t really know
how to…interact well with people. But instead of hoping for the best he expects
the worst. I suppose it’s sort of a test. He wants to see if you can put up
with his worst before he shows you his best. It’s not a really good way of
making friends but I think he’s gotten so used to people leaving him he’s
stopped expecting anything else. We need to change that.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sam stared long and
hard at the Keeper’s face and then looked back down at the book in her hands.
“So…he’s afraid?”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Swallowing hard,
Imraldera tried to explain before she got the boy into trouble. “Well…not
exactly…I mean…”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Standing Samantha
brushed off her skirts and nodded to her Teacher before heading for the door
with a purposeful stride.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wait! Where are you going?” Imraldera called
in a panic, hoping she hadn’t just given the girl ammunition against her
partner.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m going to set things straight.” Samantha
said without turning around. “I’m going to let him know that I’m not going
anywhere whether he likes it or not but he’s going to have to put some effort
in too. I won’t do all the work!” She paused in the doorway and looked back.
“I’m going to make him say my name!” And then she was gone.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marching down the
hall she strode through the crowded dining hall to the end where Evan sat alone
in the windowsill. He saw her coming and grinned “Did you find your tongue
Mouse? Where was it? Wait; let me guess, in a book?” His laughter was cut short
as she shoved a fist into his face, a hairsbreadth from his nose. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Listen Evan, you may be the most annoying
person I’ve ever met or ever will meet, but Lume help me, I’m not going to
leave!” she announced “I’m not going to run away just because you’re scared and
don’t know how to talk to people. That’s okay, I’ll help you. I can’t fight
dragons myself and neither can you, the Lumil Eliasul says <u>we</u> can work
together so it must be so! But I’m not going to do everything; for this to work
you need to say my name, Samantha!” She turned her fist around and opened her
hand, palm up, her scowl dissolving into an inviting smile. “Okay?” </i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You do realize everyone’s staring at you!”
Evan growled uncomfortably. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t care. All I care about is your
answer. Do you think we can make this partnership work?”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He stared at her a
moment and then that irritating, condescending grin returned “Sure thing…Sam.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She frowned “What’s
so wrong with my name?”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s too long.” He slid off the windowsill,
took her outstretched hand, and shook it mockingly “I look forward to working
with you, Sam. For however long you can last.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not leaving” she told him decidedly as
she returned his firm grip.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll see.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Vaguely she wondered if Evan still thought she was going
to leave at some point. It hadn’t ever really come up after that day. Voices
drifted in on her consciousness, a loudly whispered argument was taking place
somewhere over her head. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes we should wake
her up! We need to get going!” Icarus’s voice snapped with no attempt at
quietness.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know but…she
really ought to rest that leg and it’s going to get really tough for her once
she does wake” Alex protested in a soft tone.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well we do need
to get going soon but…” Evan’s voice trailed off leaving a plain note of
reluctance in its wake. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Softly, a pair of paws rested on her arm and kneaded
their claws through her sleeve. Sam opened her eyes and looked at Eanrin who,
with a cattish grin, announced loudly “Oh my, are you awake?” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The arguing ceased and Sam chuckled a little to herself
as she sat up and pet the cat. “Yes, I’m up” she said, more for the other’s
sake than Eanrin’s.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he had had
eyes, the cat might have winked at her.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“About time you
were up!” Icarus announced loudly.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good morning,
how do you feel Sam?” Alex asked as he kneeled next to her.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Alright, it
hurts a bit but…I should be fine. I’m sorry for calling you both out here just
because we…” She was silenced when Alex placed a gentle hand on her head.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s alright so
long as you’re okay.” He told her with a reassuring smile.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam let out a deep breath and smiled back.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, hey,
alright now, we need to get going!” Icarus called as he hoisted a bag onto his
shoulder.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sam hasn’t eaten
yet, will you slow down!” Evan snapped as he brought the girl her food. The
details of the night were discussed and the previous day’s happenings told anew
so that everyone present knew everything they needed to know by the time Sam
was finished. When they were ready to go, the three boys produced a pair of
sturdy crutches they had worked on that morning. Sam tried to feel relieved
that no one would be carrying her, but she couldn’t help but notice how she
slowed them down when they started moving. She was grateful for their hard work
and understanding, even Icarus didn’t complain about the pace, and eventually
found herself feeling a little relieved there were more of them. With Alex and
Icarus present, it wasn’t possible for the Dogs to escape them again. By
evening, the Path had managed to lead them to the edge of another gorge and
there, at the bottom, just outside the Wood, they found the Dogs. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We have to stop
them before they go in!” Icarus shouted as he started sliding down the slim
path on the wall.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hold on!” Alex
pulled him back and waited a minute before pointing “They’re not moving.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“One of them was
quite wounded” Eanrin commented.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe it’s
collapsed” Evan offered.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This could be
our chance!” Icarus shouted, struggling to race down again.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex glanced at Sam out of the corner of his eye. The
girl was staring down at the gorge, struggling to hide the fact that she was
panting, though her lack of comments made him think she was fairly out of
breath. He cleared his throat decidedly “So long as they’re not moving we
should take the chance to rest here and engage them later.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But they’ll be
resting too!” Icarus protested. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They won’t
recover from injuries like that with a few hours rest!” Evan announced as he
moved back to help Sam ease into a sitting position. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not to mention its
best for us to be in top condition when we face them. The Beasts are far more
dangerous than when I faced them long ago in Etalpalli” Eanrin mused as he
turned back to sit with the others.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Icarus ‘humphed’ crossed his arms, and sat down on the
edge of the gorge, watching the Dogs for any sign of movement. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The hours ticked by slowly. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam bit her lip. She knew it was her fault. No one else
was this tired. No, they had stopped for her and now they were trying to figure
out how on earth they were going to bring her down there, if they even should.
With a weary sigh she leaned backwards against Evan who she knew was sitting
behind her.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You ok?” he
asked, casting a glance over his shoulder at her.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m fine. Evan, really, but I’m totally
useless. You should just leave me up here and go get the Dogs. It’s impossible
for me to get down there and I wouldn’t be anything more than deadweight
anyways. I know this was supposed to be our mission but I’m sure the Lumil
Eliasul will understand so long as the job gets done.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Evan was silent for a long moment before asking quietly
“Are you sure?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam nodded firmly “Yes, I am.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
He sighed and then nodded “Alright. Did you hear that
Alex?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hear what?” Alex
asked as he paused in a heated argument with Icarus.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sam wants us to
go on ahead and take care of the Dogs while she waits up here.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex frowned “I don’t like the idea of leaving you up
here alone. What if something were to happen?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It can’t be more
dangerous than going down there injured!” Sam said with a wry smile. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Accept it Alex.
It’s better this way. Sam can’t do anything and she’d just get hurt more.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Icarus stated.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Bringing her
into a fight like this would be less than wise” Eanrin added. While he felt
that the decision ought to be theirs since it was their mission, he felt that
he might as well help avoid potentially detrimental situations. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex hesitated a moment and then nodded. “Alright then.
Let’s go.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group stood
and headed for the ravine. Evan paused at the top, watched everyone else move
down, and then glanced back. “You sure you’ll be okay by yourself?” he asked
Sam.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She smiled encouragingly “Yep, just make sure you don’t
leave me alone for too long!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
He nodded “I’ll be back soon.” And then he descended
after the others. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Halfway down the group entered the Midnight that
surrounded the Dogs. Clinging to the wall they slowed their pace to a crawl,
testing each foothold ahead as the narrow trail was no longer visible. By
Alex’s reckoning, they were only a few feet from the ground when something
moved. The ground trembled and a vicious howl split the air as both beasts
leapt to their feet.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Icarus! Guard
the entrance to the Wood, don’t let them escape!” Alex shouted as he pulled two
pistols out of his belt and opened fire at the flaming pair of red eyes that
was charging them. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Got it!” Icarus
answered, leaping from the path to stumble forward and find the line that
separated the mortal realm from the Between.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Eanrin drew his sword and neatly clipped the oncoming Dog
as they abandoned the trail and sought the more sturdy footing of the gorge
floor. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why is there
only one, where’s the other one?” Alex demanded as he dodged to the side and
shot at the flaming red eyes that flew past him.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if in answer,
Evan’s panicked shout of “Alex!” drew his attention back to the gorge wall
where a second pair of red eyes was scrambling over the edge. Alex felt a cold
weight drop in his stomach. From somewhere to his left he heard Icarus’s shout
of “Sam!” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter 7</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam listened to
the sounds of shouts, shots and howls, ringing in the darkness below. She
shuddered and whispered prayer after prayer for her companion’s safety.
Somewhere behind her she heard the distant song of a Thrush. Turning quickly
she caught a glimpse of the bird as it fluttered off to a different tree. She
smiled, knowing that He was here gave her the assurance she needed. She turned
back to the gorge and for a moment she stopped breathing. There, crawling out
of the gorge like a dragon from the Far World, was one of the Dogs. Her heart
skipped a beat and a scream stuck in her dry throat. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The beast reached the top of the plain and stood there
panting as it inspected its surroundings. When its red eyes alighted on her a
low rumble sounded in its chest and grew to a thunderous bellow. Midnight
surrounded her and the scream escaped her throat.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sam!” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex and Eanrin were hard put holding, Evan and Icarus
back as they tried to charge the Dog that stood on the trail, blocking their
escape. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The creature growled, snarled, and lunged at them without
leaving its position, making no move to attack.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is it
doing?” Alex asked the Poet. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Eanrin shook his head “I’m not sure but…it looks rather
like their after…”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sam!” Evan
nearly broke free of Eanrin’s hold.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why, Lume love
us, would they want Sam?” Alex demanded. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You tell me!”
Eanrin snapped.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You don’t
think…it was an escape, do you?” Icarus asked quietly.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What?” Alex
asked</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The other one
was the really hurt looking one. Do you think this one’s trying to let it escape?”
Icarus explained.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The group exchanged glances.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They…wouldn’t.
They’re neither intelligent nor kind enough to…” Alex started but stopped
uncertainly. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Aren’t they?”
Evan asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It stood there and growled and roared and barked…and
shook. Sam slowly became aware that the Dog, rather than attacking her, seemed
to be casting about for a way around her. Its eyes darted to the sides even as
its shaking, bleeding body slid wearily to the ground. Its growl turned into a
rumble and then a sharp whimper. Sam shuddered a moment. She knew that sound,
that pain filled whimper. She had cried much the same way during the nights she
had spent alone on the streets, unwanted, abandoned, alone, afraid. Despite the
animal tones in this cry, she still knew it well and she also knew what she was
supposed to do. Picking up her crutches, she struggled to her feet and then
moved closer to the Beast. The growl returned but she paid it no heed.
Shuffling forward, she got as close as she dared before dropping the crutches.
The growl faltered in confusion. Samantha sucked in a deep breath and then
hopped forward a few more steps on her good leg. She had been an expert at one
leg hopping once in the games they played at the Safe House, but she hadn’t had
painful consequences to touching her foot down then. She only made it forward a
few more inches before she sank to the ground. She looked into the glowing red
eyes in front of her and saw a frightened child. She nodded and reached out to
that child. “I know you’re there. You’ve been loved once and you miss it
because you’re alone now. I know. It hurts doesn’t it? But it doesn’t have to.
There is Someone here who wants nothing more than to love you. Will you
listen?” Closing her eyes she sought out the song she knew resided in her
heart, in every breeze and breath of life, in every drop of water and budding
flower, glistening star and moving beast.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beyond the final water falling</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Songs of Spheres recalling,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh child lost in darkness,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Won’t you return to me?”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As the last word fell softly from her lips and the last
notes of the Thrush died away, the darkness faded and before her lay, not a
beast, but a child, a thin, dirty, sobbing child. Releasing a sigh, Sam leaned
forward and pulled the small body onto her lap and hugged it tightly to her. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gentle tune
drifted down from the top of the gorge and slowly the group retreated from the
Dog. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m almost out
of bullets” Alex panted.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m almost out
of powder!” Icarus huffed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Evan swung his sword thoughtfully as Sam’s voice died
away. The others probably couldn’t see it, but to him there was an obvious
change in the Dog’s behavior. While moments ago it had roared and charged at
them with blustering bravado, it now stood still, breathing heavily, and
watching them with a guarded look that masked something greater. Evan had worn
many masks in his life and he knew for a fact that this creature was struggling
to mask its fear, and now that mask was slipping. A thought occurred to him and
he sheathed his sword.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Evan, what are
you doing?” Alex asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wait here a
moment” Evan murmured. Striding forward he headed for the Dog.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Alex made to stop him but Eanrin placed a restraining
hand on his shoulder. “Let’s see what he plans to do first” the Poet advised.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Una’s words occurred to him then and with a nod he stood
still.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Evan
approached, the Dog, instead of lunging at him, backed up two steps. The boy
smiled and paused at what he assumed was the start of the trail. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The Dog growled menacingly and crouched as though in
preparation to leap.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re a pretty
mean guy aren’t you?” Evan asked the creature “But you still helped your
sibling. You’re not as evil as everyone wants you to be. And I bet you’re not
as strong as you want to be.” He took another step towards the Dog, listening
as its growl vibrated through the air dangerously. “Looks to me like you’ve
never been pet or praised either…you’d probably take someone’s hand off if they
tried now, even though you want it.” He smiled a little more when he remembered
Sam’s proposition of friendship, she had nearly punched him to get his
attention, but she had gotten her way in the end. “Sometimes creatures like
us…”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Dog let out a
roar and leapt. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Everything seemed to slide by in slow motion. The
streaking red eyes, thunderous bellow, flashing white teeth, all streaming past
him. Evan felt himself move, step by step, out of the way and then reach out.
His hands found the creature’s scruff and he threw all his weight into it. Time
snapped back into motion and both boy and Dog went down. Evan found himself on
top and put everything he had into keeping the beast down. It was a Fairie
creature and one of darkness at that, yet a strange strength flowed through his
limbs and Evan found himself just barely able to outmatch the beast. The
creature roared, whined, snapped snarled and struggled, terror motivating it to
desperately seek escape. But at last its strength faded away and it lay still
beneath his hands. He held it there for several moments before releasing it. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Dog looked at
him, whining, pleading for mercy.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a weary sigh,
Evan dropped to the ground beside it and reached back to scratch its ears. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first the Beast
stiffened and then slowly relaxed. Its tongue lolled out of its mouth and its
tail beat the floor awkwardly as it had never had a reason to wag before. The
Midnight vanished.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glancing over his
shoulder, Evan grinned at his group. “You guys ready to go?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’d you even
call us out for?” Icarus demanded.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter 8</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
At the top of the gorge they met Sam cuddling a child and
playing hand games. On spotting them she waved and the child immediately became
the other Dog who bounded joyfully around its sibling. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m glad you
guys are all ok” Sam said after seeking everyone out and assuring herself they
had all walked themselves back.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I told you I’d
be back” Evan said, tugging her hair.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Took you long
enough!” she retorted.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey Sam, you
ok?” Icarus asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She smiled “Yup, just fine!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank goodness!”
Alex sighed with relief.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They all stopped and fell silent when a new figure
appeared, loping towards them from the direction of the tree where the Thrush
had sat. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lumil Eliasul” Eanrin
murmured, recognizing the smells and aura of his Master. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The Black Dogs cowered before the approaching creature
but when he bowed his head and looked at them, they crawled to him joyously and
he bent to press a kiss to each of their faces. Then he turned and smiled at
the watching group. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t until he
had padded silently away, taking the Dogs with him. That Sam realized she was
grinning back. That look, that smile, had filled her with a warmth that
threatened to explode out of her. “Well done” he had told her. She looked up at
Evan and saw the same smile mirrored on his and everyone else’s faces.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I always knew he
was big but…he totally dwarfed those Dogs!” Icarus exclaimed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know. He had
never looked so huge before!” Sam sighed as she remembered the sight of the
Black Dogs following after the Lumil Eliasul like puppies. “Where do you think
he took them?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My guess would
be to Dame Starflower. I believe she’s one of the few people left who can speak
to them” Eanrin said.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then we might
see them again!” Sam said excitedly.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For now we
should be heading home” Alex said.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They stood just inside the Wood, their gear packed onto
their bikes and a Path at their feet.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, I wish you
all a safe journey and” Eanrin pointed to Sam and Alex “do seek me out in the
future. I’m sure we could have a splendid time of it!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will do!” she
replied with a grin.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It would be my
pleasure!” Alex answered.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Until next time
then!” the Poet said as he set off with a wave.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well then, shall
we?” Alex gestured to their Path.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Pity the Prince
didn’t heal your ankle while he was there, huh Sam?” Icarus asked as he turned
on his engine.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Actually, I
think I’ll enjoy the time off!” Sam sighed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You and me
both!” Evan said. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As they pushed off and started driving, the loud roar of
the motors drowned out most conversation but, from where she sat, Sam could
still hear Evan’s quiet question. “Hey Sam?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes?” she asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Would you still
rather I called you Samantha?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
He couldn’t see the look of surprise that crossed her
face, nor the soft smile that replaced it. He did feel her grip on him tighten
as she hugged him.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No” she
responded “Sam’s kinda grown on me. And it’s easier for everyone else too!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A sigh of relief escaped him before he grinned and sped
up. Sam laughed as they left the others behind, much to Icarus’s irritation.</div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-47537530373299246122015-09-12T16:06:00.001-07:002015-09-12T16:06:56.735-07:00A Silly Ditty by Merenwen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJByrR8wnYWWmEajNtox0qTfA7SOu7woaWqAHEDws2v6hS8svQNnqJrIhanUMa48GvCt6_9nwQSYAPAfLLdhtsT4RJsE9oWtdUpgoY4hhNWztM79Qh4C8-cMRsb4VlthxD_FvwOGxMtNr/s1600/ASillyDitty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJByrR8wnYWWmEajNtox0qTfA7SOu7woaWqAHEDws2v6hS8svQNnqJrIhanUMa48GvCt6_9nwQSYAPAfLLdhtsT4RJsE9oWtdUpgoY4hhNWztM79Qh4C8-cMRsb4VlthxD_FvwOGxMtNr/s640/ASillyDitty.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Gleamdren, Gleamdren</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Give me your answer true.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I’m half crazy—nay, I’m in love with you.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This can only lead to marriage,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Because (besides myself) only fools</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do vie for your</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beautiful, delicate hand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eanrin, Eanrin,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Give me your answer true.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m half crazy, keeping you at bay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, I love this game.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How long can you keep it up?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wish to see, for only me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And you can play it so well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">[After a curious turn
of events:]</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera, Imraldera,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Give me your answer true.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m half crazy, falling in love with you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wish this would lead to marriage,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I’m afraid of a barrage</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of rejections,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I last stole a few kisses from you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><div class="MsoNormal">
Eanrin, Eanrin,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Give me your answer, will you!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am going mad, waiting in silence for you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thought it might lead to marriage,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But then the mortal came </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And stole your heart,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But still I wait for you<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To come to your senses!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eanrin, Eanrin,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Give her your answer, please.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m half crazy, waiting for you to sing</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Truly</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of your heart-felt devotion</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To Queen Bebo’s cousin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But since I came, Lady Gleamdren<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">é</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Has yet to speak to you.</div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>
</b></span></span>Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-84016499712522811322015-09-09T16:15:00.001-07:002015-09-09T16:15:45.419-07:00Black Powder by Meredith Burton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwTZmCsUiBaVNXAz8bnxsnHbbbUhp2S6d7XLIRVcr6-1s5GusacA3i9jIwgiiO0lMxF7b_km39K7idptl1zsur7dysHoGNKiH_rT6mLCimp5ifboLblaHZ8ofu2k4rTp7imd9Y5TRZZJR/s1600/BlackPowder.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwTZmCsUiBaVNXAz8bnxsnHbbbUhp2S6d7XLIRVcr6-1s5GusacA3i9jIwgiiO0lMxF7b_km39K7idptl1zsur7dysHoGNKiH_rT6mLCimp5ifboLblaHZ8ofu2k4rTp7imd9Y5TRZZJR/s640/BlackPowder.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Dara
sang, their voices weaving in syncopated arches of melody and harmony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their song caressed the young boy’s heart,
and a tapestry of beauty unfurled before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet the Dara’s song, as intoxicating as it was, offered mere accompaniment
to the greater Song that soared around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Won’t you follow me, Jovann?</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann’s
heart pounded, though either from fear or anticipation he did not know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trembling, he stepped beyond himself, feeling
the solid reality of the mortal world melt away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Wood watched the mortal’s progress, both intrigued and indifferent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mortals were such frail creatures, so
enmeshed in Time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They tread upon
gossamer threads of existence, heedless of any misstep that could fell
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet this boy was somehow different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Wood never quite understood the
difference, but it knew that the One who had set its boundaries called this boy
to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, the Wood did not dare
make mischief.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
followed the Song, occasionally hearing the curious whisperings of trees as he
passed them by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon, he approached the
towering tree he knew so well, an ancient Grandmother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She rustled her branches in kind salutation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jovann bowed his head with respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good evening, Grandmother,” he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A trill
of birdsong filled the air, and Jovann smiled as he shifted his gaze to the
topmost branch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A brown-speckled thrush
fluttered to a branch just at Jovann’s eye level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He trilled his silver notes of greeting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hello,
my Lord,” Jovann said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“My
child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your sleep took long in coming tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Won’t you tell me what troubles you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
bowed his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He never plays with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never talks to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I-I cannot help who I am, can I?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
thrush fluttered from the tree and alighted upon Jovann’s right shoulder. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warm comfort seeped into the boy’s heart, and
he tentatively raised his left hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Might I pet you?” he asked, shocked at his daring.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
thrush sang, and within the song, Jovann heard happy consent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stroked the bird’s wings and back,
delighting in the feel of the silken plumage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The thrush’s gentle words surrounded him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your brother is trapped, my son, trapped
within himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not your
fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A person’s parentage is not as
important as the life before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet
circumstances seek to blind, and the Greater Dark lies in wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day, you will understand as will he.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must trust me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, will you see the future?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
hesitated. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The visions always brought
pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet times with the songbird were
so precious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly, he nodded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Grandmother
tree’s branches rustled, although there was not the faintest stirring of a
breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A picture rose before Jovann’s
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw a girl with a familiar face
sitting beneath a katturah tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was midday,
and Anwar shone overhead, caressing the tree with his translucent fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He beamed upon the girl, his kind eyes
reflected in the tree’s branches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A panther
crouched some distance away, and it was obvious from her indifferent pose that the
girl did not see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the creature
was running, screaming in high-pitched glee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The girl bolted to her feet and fled, gasping in terror as the creature increased
its speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the panther collided
with the girl, sending her sprawling in the dirt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann flinched,
closing his eyes against the hated sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The vision faded, and the thrush’s gentle song filled his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your sister leaves in a week’s time for the
festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Danger awaits her there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must warn her.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
swallowed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes swam with
tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She won’t believe me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one believes my visions.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Will
you try regardless?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
shuddered but nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, my Lord.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Know
that whatever path she takes, I will be with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your sister will be under my care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you understand?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes,”
Jovann whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned from the tree,
suddenly wanting to awaken.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It is
lovely here.” A soft voice stole onto Jovann’s ears, and he whirled around,
blinking in surprise when he saw a young girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was so very beautiful, but her face was oddly expressionless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I come here sometimes,” she continued in a
strange voice, a voice resembling leaves that trembled upon autumn boughs
before falling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When he comes to me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
blinked in confusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where had the girl
come from? She seemed to have materialized from nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who are you?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
girl’s impassive mask did not alter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
resembled a statue of some kind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That description is inadequate, for a statue is oddly animated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A stone carver immortalizes a person’s
expression for all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This girl’s
visage was impenetrable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jovann felt an
odd stirring within him, a whisper of compassion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He extended his hand, his fingers closing
over the girl’s own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet even as he
clasped the girl’s hand, Jovann realized that her touch was insubstantial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked closer and saw that her outline
wavered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was not truly present in
this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, was she in fact another
vision? She stood tstill, but her eyes were in constant motion as if they
sought a place he could not see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who
comes to you?” Jovann asked gently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What’s your name?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
girl lowered her head, and when she spoke, her voice was barely audible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When he comes, it is best if I do not think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I simply empty myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I hear singing, and I come here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never seen you here before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t tell you my name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t give you power over me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
frowned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did she mean? Feeling the
need to defend himself, he said, “I come when the songbird calls me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no powers.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
girl said nothing for a long moment, but then she whispered, “I hear the stars
sing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re so very high, so very
strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing can touch them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have so much, and I do not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know the priests will come to my clan
one day, seeking tribute? I will go with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll make sure they notice me.“ She abruptly ceased talking, but her
mask had slipped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jovann gasped to see a
twisted visage of pain and fury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then,
just as quickly, the mask was replaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“There is a shrine to Hulan in my mother’s garden, you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I speak to the goddess everyday, and she ignores
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day, I’ll ascend to the
stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will ask them why things must
be the way they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they do not
answer me, I will force them to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
I’ll be great.” The girl spoke these words with conviction, but her voice had once
again assumed a strangely fragile quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She stared at Jovann for a long moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“A songbird calls to you, you say? That’s such a small thing to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’d do well to listen harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other voices are much stronger than that.” Then
she turned and melted into the darkness of the night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
stared after the girl’s fading form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
mind reeled with sadness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Above him, he
heard the songbird’s continuous melody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He heard the pain in the bird’s song, and he also heard the undercurrent
of truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small thing to hear? Why,
this bird’s song was so large that the boy could never truly understand
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could only listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet what if the girl was right? “My Lord, do
I not hear enough?” he asked suddenly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
hear me, Jovann.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continue to listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Know that the Path will be very hard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight, you have seen one who has her own
journey to take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Paths you travel
will converge one day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you meet her
again, you’ll not remember this night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet for this brief moment, know that you have met one who will be a part
of your destiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will lead you home.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You go
tomorrow?” Sunan accepted the crude bowl Dianoah proffered, grimacing at the
soup within.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little more than buffalo
jerk and water, the concoction would have to suffice, he supposed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly, he sipped it, trying to school his
features into a smile of thanks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
sister laughed and grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
burnished skin gleamed, and Sunan thought yet again of Uncle Dok-Kasemsan’s
lavish home, of its splendor and beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was insufferable that Dianoah had to dwell in this dung heap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She should be treated like royalty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, she worked like a drudge alongside
Mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The injustice of it all! Yet
Dianoah laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How was that possible?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I know
you dislike my cooking, Sunan,” Dianoah said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But, the soup’s hot, isn’t it? And, after you eat it, I’ll have a
surprise for you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
smiled despite himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You mean those
flatcakes I saw when I returned today?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
frowned in mock severity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re not
supposed to peek,” she reprimanded, “and, it’s not only that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
tousled his sister’s hair affectionately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To the men of the camp, Dianoah did not exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a mere serving girl, an inconvenience
to be tolerated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet to Sunan, she was everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So, I suppose Jovann gets the choicest cakes?”
he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His features hardened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know what happened the last time Father
caught you bringing me one of the Chhayan prince’s cakes.” The last words were
spoken with contempt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Diannoah
sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Involuntarily, her mind
traversed the familiar ground, and she saw the upraised hand of a warrior, the
hand that had struck her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shook
her head vehemently to clear it of the memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Jovann told me to give the cakes to you, Sunan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Hulan’s sake, it’s not his fault that Father
overreacted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyhow, don’t you think I’d
have done it anyway? Your soup’s getting cold.” She turned to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll go see to the others and bring you your
surprise.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
felt guilt pummel him, and he lifted the bowl of soup to his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon, Dianoah returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes widened when he saw what she
brought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His sister proffered a plate,
presenting her offering as if to a king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two flat cakes reposed in a lake of honey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunan’s mouth watered, and the disgusting
soup was forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Surprise,” Dianoah
said with a grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mother and I
discovered a hive today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got stung
once, but it was worth it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
sat to with a will, licking the sweetness from his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He savored the honey and allowed himself to
truly relax for the first time that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“So, you’re really going tomorrow?” he finally asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
nodded, practically jumping up and down with excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The visiting Pen-Chans are sending a litter
for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t even know what a litter
is, Sunan.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s something upon which queen’s and lady’s
of distinction ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are carried
about by servants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncle Dok-Kasemsan
rides in a litter occasionally.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I still can’t believe Father’s
letting me go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never see girls of my
own age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder what it’ll be like?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
smiled again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They’ll talk of things
all girls talk about, I suppose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just be
yourself, Dianoah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re as much Pen-Chan
as they are.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah’s
smile wavered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m Chhayan too,
Sunan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if I make a fool of myself?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t
say that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
girl bowed her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m excited to see
the girl’s, but I don’t want to see that man who came here to the camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he came here, he stared at me and did
not speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like his looks.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
smiled reassuringly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You won’t see
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s purely a woman’s banquet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a festival for Hulan, and they invited
you as an offer of friendship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll
enjoy yourself.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
did not speak for a long moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At last
she murmured, “He told me I shouldn’t go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said I was in danger.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
frowned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Jovann.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he saw—“</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Anwar’s
elbow! You’re listening to that dreamer again? Why do you even talk with him?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re
horrid sometimes, Sunan,” Dianoah snapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You’re gone from sun-up to sun-down, and you never take the time to
even play one game with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s kinder
than you think.” Sighing, she turned away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m leaving early tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d
go despite all the warnings in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’ll be so nice to get away from you men for a little while. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would have thought that a Gruung
examination would bring Pen-Chans here of all places?” This last was said
flippantly, and Sunan allowed himself to smile at her tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to pass the extensive exam,
Pen-Chans had to familiarize themselves with all peoples and customs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunan had never dreamed that such an
opportunity would present itself to Dianoah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She deserved this outing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Anwar
guide you,” he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
sat in the spacious pavilion, the scent of jasmine surrounding her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her stomach grumbled as it worked to digest
the magnificent meal she’d eaten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
ears rang with the lovely music she’d heard, so different from the caterwauling
and crude instruments of her clan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
thought of the kindness of the Pen-Chan women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All the stories she’d heard seemed wrong somehow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet Father’s mantra whirled round her mind,
“We Chhayans were robbed of our land, of our dignity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The usurpers are little more than dung.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Movement
arrested Dianoah’s attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man
approached her, his head held high and his bearing regal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was dressed in elaborate robes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A smile was on his face, but she saw no smile
in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She recognized the young
man who had come bearing gifts to her father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Surprisingly, Father had accepted the gifts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
trust the banquet was to your liking? It must be fine fare when compared to
your usual meals.” The man’s voice broke into Dianoah’s thoughts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat beside her and smiled
condescendingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dianoah felt her
stomach clinch, and she averted her gaze from his flushed face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I was
told to wait here,” she said stiffly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
was given to understand—“</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That servingwomen
would bear you back to your hovel of a home?” The man shook his head pityingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I arranged that little ruse myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, I think it best if you remain here
with me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
bolted to her feet, her cheeks flaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“This was a trap.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man’s
look became glacial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your father seeks
to play me for a fool, but I won’t allow it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you think I didn’t notice the company of men hiding outside these
walls?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
frowned in confusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t
understand.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Of course you wouldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I think I’ll keep you here for the time
being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see what your father values
most, vengeance or his daughter.” He reached toward Dianoah’s hand, his smile
broadening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Meanwhile, there is much
more to a Hulan festival than food and music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ll dance with me, and—“</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
began to run, little knowing or caring where she went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind her, she heard the man’s laugh of
derision, and when she reached the pavilion entrance, it was obvious why he hadn’t
pursued her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two burly men materialized,
blocking her path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They held shackles in
their hands, and leers were etched upon their faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s your hurry, wench?” one of them
rasped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dianoah gasped as she felt the
cold iron of the shackles bite into her wrists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She heard measured footsteps as her captor approached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No need to worry,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ll be treated like a queen.” He
addressed the guards in cold tones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is
all well?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The guards nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They put up quite a fight, but they each
felt our blades,” one of the guards said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I made certain to send one of them back with a message.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The man nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’ll do nothing tonight, at least.” He
turned to Dianoah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If your father comes
here, I’ll slit your throat myself, just as his pathetic messenger can
verify.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t spare his guards, so
why should I spare you? While we await word from him, we might as well spend
some time together, wouldn’t you agree?” He addressed his servants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Take her to my chamber.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The guards obeyed, paying no heed
to Dianoah’s desperate struggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man
stared after them and smiled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Another of your conquests, Nalman?
She’s quite lovely.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Nalman started violently and spun
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His features relaxed as he saw a
man slide into view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man moved
oddly, as if he undulated from shadow to shadow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man smiled and extended his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Marvelous banquet, I must say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the prospect of afterward shines in your
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nice diversion from your studies.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Nalman flinched but smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Father need not know,” he said, suddenly
feeling unaccountably weary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come, my
friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s return to the celebration,
shall we? The quicker the formalities are seen too, the quicker the real fun
can begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even a prospective scholar deserves
a bit of fun.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The other man nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Quite right, lad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, before we go back to the feast, I think
I have something that might interest you.” He proffered his other hand, and
Nalman gasped when he beheld the scroll the man held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll give you what you long for,” the man said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For a price, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a businessman, you know.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Nalman blinked in wonder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought of the upcoming exam, and he saw
his father’s expectant face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your offer
comes with assurance? I’ll not be questioned? The searchers will not entrap
me?” Nalman’s voice trembled with apprehension.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The man laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Naturally not, boy! What do you take me
for?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Nalman stared at the man, one his
family had known for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, he
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is your price?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The man smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The fee can wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a feast day, is it not? Let us drink
first.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Nalman led the man to a table in
the center of the pavilion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps all
would work out in the end.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
gritted his teeth as he stood before the hated gurta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The painted tiger upon the conveyance’s side
sneered at him, its horrid teeth bared in contempt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunan tried to glare at the emblem with equal
fierceness but knew that he couldn’t manage the feat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His innards roiled, and his heart
quaked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hulan guide me,” he hissed, the
prayer more a curse than anything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He bent and peered into the tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, he was within.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
entered his father’s tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The warlord
rose as the tent flap moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His face,
though heavily painted in garish red, sagged with weariness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s the reason for this disturbance,
Sunan?” he growled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
fidgeted, lowering his eyes from Father’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I—I need to speak to you about Dianoah,” he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juong-Khla
swore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hasn’t returned.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juong-Khla
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m aware of this.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
swallowed the burning anger, feeling it scorch his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shouldn’t you mount a search? What if
something’s amiss?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“She’s fourteen
moons in age,” Juong-Khla said, “moreover, these festivals last for days.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
of the danger posed by other clans? There could have been bandits along the
way, or—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Leave
me in peace, Sunan!” Juong-Khla roared, turning his flushed face fully onto his
son. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunan cowered before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve enough problems without you adding to
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dianoah will return home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need only wait a little longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go now.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
blinked, realization bursting upon him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly,
the stillness around camp made sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Several of his father’s warriors were absent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunan now understood why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You wanted her to go to the festival in
order to attack them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
trap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You took no interest in her
welfare.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juong-Khla
glared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sacrifices have to be made,
boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the way of the world.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
turned and fled the tent, unable to bare another moment in his father’s
presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear and fury pummeled him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if—</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sunan?”
Sunan started at the familiar voice and blinked at Jovann’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boy stood with his head bowed, a look of
concern within his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dianoah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s well.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
glared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know if she’s well or
not, and obviously Father doesn’t care to find out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are you out here skulking like a rat? Shouldn’t
you be abed by now? We don’t want the privileged son to forego his beauty
sleep.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
flinched but stood his ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She’s
well, Sunan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
was a long pause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, like a springing
panther, Sunan lunged, his hand striking Jovann’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why, Chhayan rat? Why must you torment me?
She is my sister, do you hear? I should be the one to protect her! I should be
the one who sees visions pertaining to her life, not you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have gone with her to—“ Then he was
weeping uncontrollably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He realized even
as he wept that he resembled the Chhayan dogs he so despised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was, in fact, as much Chhayan as Pen-Chan,
and in this moment of debasement, he knew this was a fact he could not deny.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Someone
embraced him, and Sunan heard weeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For a moment, he thought he was imagining this, but he looked into
Jovann’s face and saw the tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt
his brother’s arms around his waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sunan wrenched himself from Jovann’s grasp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did you see?” he asked harshly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“She
was in an upper room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It resembled a
cage of some kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone stood behind
her, a hulking shadow that reached out to embrace her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I saw a small figure thrust itself
between Dianoah and this shadow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below the
cage, there was a sunlit pavilion, and two men were drinking tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both men were smiling, and they held scrolls
in their hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The men exchanged the
scrolls they held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I watched, one of
the men fell forward onto the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
screamed in pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second man smiled
and retrieved the scroll he’d given to the first man.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
frowned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You saw this in that world of
dreams, I suppose?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The songbird showed me.“</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where
is she then? If she’s safe, why doesn’t she come home?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I’m positive she’s all
right.” Jovann stood before his half-brother for another moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Sunan said nothing, Jovann trudged away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before vanishing from sight, Sunan heard
Jovann whisper, “She’s my sister, too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
he was gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Sunan stood alone for a
moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he turned toward his
tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew what he had to do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
stared around the glittering chamber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many
trinkets sparkled, but the sight of such beauty repulsed her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This place was a prison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a fool she was! Only one item caught the
girl’s eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gilded cage swung within
the window of the room, and within it, a lone dove sang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song brought soothing comfort.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Dianoah sank onto the soft bed,
trying to think clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been
here so long behind bolted doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
Anwar the man had not come to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet
he could come any time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Servants had
seen to her every need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man had not
lied in regard to one thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
treated like a queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet she was
utterly alone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After a
moment, Dianoah rose and approached the cage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The dove fluttered upon her perch, continuing to sing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You sing even when locked away,” Dianoah
whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you ever long to be
free?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Her
wings are clipped.” A voice spoke behind Dianoah, a voice tinged with amusement.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The voice, though soft, crackled with
fire.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
slowly turned around, her heart momentarily stopping as she beheld a towering
man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How had he entered her room? She’d
not heard the door open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d never
seen anyone this tall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His skin was
skull-like and whiter than leprous flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet the man’s eyes smoldered with unquenchable heat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dianoah knew that this thing before her was
not a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you?” she
whispered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
monster made no reply but reached behind Dianoah to the cage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlatching it with a taloned finger, he
prepared to reach inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She’s quite
pretty,” he murmured, “as pretty as you, my sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was captured only last week, did you
know? The young man likes pretty things as you can see.” His taloned finger
stroked the air in a circular motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Heat seemed to radiate from the limb, refracting in diamond facets that
were strangely beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stroked the
air repeatedly, his hand snaking closer and closer to the cage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
didn’t think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She simply acted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She thrust her hand into the cage, and she
drew the dove out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The monster’s talons sliced
into her wrist, and piercing pain shot up her arm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dianoah gasped but didn’t cry out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt the bird’s heart fluttering in terror,
and she clutched it protectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Leave
her alone,” she said, surprised that her voice did not shake.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Or
you’ll do what?” The monster laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Do you realize how insignificant you are? You’re a prisoner here, a
mere possession to be used for a man’s pleasure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your father will never send liberation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re alone, unworthy of any savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet I can make you great.” He leant forward,
the fire in his eyes even more pronounced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dianoah suddenly knew what this creature was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a Dragon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I provide a home for the friendless, a place
where brothers and sisters can be certain that insignificance never cloaks them
in anonymity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you not always longed
for recognition? Your father seeks the Pen-Chan secret of black powder, the ‘Long
fire,’ as he calls it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can make it
possible for you to give him what he wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thus you will receive notice from him for the first time in your
pathetic life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover, I can make you
so strong that nothing can harm you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
return for my help, you will serve me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Dragon’s words burned themselves into Dianoah’s mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She saw her father’s indifference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She saw the life of drudgery before her, a
life in which she’d never be seen as anything other than a half-breed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if she could soar? What if she could gain
mastery over any situation?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Dragon’s face drew even closer to hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Let me kiss you,” he breathed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
dove fluttered feverishly against Dianoah’s hand, jerking her from her
trance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warm blood trickled down Dianoah’s
wrist, and she suddenly remembered the talons that had sliced into her skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked at the Dragon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she stared at the pitiful creature she
held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something about the bird’s eyes
arrested her attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
intelligent, far more intelligent than any mere bird’s eyes should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, what was that clamped about the bird’s
neck? A collar of some kind? The collar was silken, and rubies and diamonds adorned
the silk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet beneath the lavish
trappings, it was a mere circlet of iron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dianoah couldn’t bear to see that hideous collar entwined about the poor
creature’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The constricting device
reminded her too much of this place, glittering without and rotted within.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trembling, Dianoah raised her hand and
unfastened the collar, flinging it to the floor in disgust.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then
the bird vanished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A strange shuddering
sensation filled Dianoah as she beheld a thin, white-robed woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman stood before her, an indefinable
expression in her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman
addressed the Dragon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Death-in-Life,
you will leave at once,” she said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Dragon stared at the woman, the fire within his eyes blazing so hotly that
Dianoah felt her heart constrict in terror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Heat seemed to fill the chamber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You,” the Dragon hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Traitor.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
woman positioned herself between Dianoah and the towering Dragon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was so slight, so insubstantial in
appearance, it seemed as if the Dragon could crush her with one blow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet he made no attempt to approach her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was yours once,” the woman said, her voice
small but strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yet my master rescued
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This child is not yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave here, or I’ll call my master’s
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure you don’t want to see
him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Dragon’s expression of contempt did not falter, but if an observer had looked
closely, they would have discerned the merest shudder course through his
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled at Dianoah, his eyes
filled with hatred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re family is
ripe for harvest, half-breed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll set
upon them all, and they’ll know pain beyond measure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your father will be mine as will your
brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fire smolders within their souls,
and I’ll fan it to an inferno.” With these words, the Dragon vanished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he did, his eyes lingered on the woman for
the briefest moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dianoah read a vow
within those eyes; a vow for vengeance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Curse you, Knight of Farthest Shore,” he hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Curse you and all your kin.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
the Dragon had vanished, the room was silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dianoah stared in wonder at the woman before her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Have no fear, mortal,” the woman said, “I’ll
take you to my master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll make
certain you are safe.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
swallowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wh-Who are you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Kulap’s
my name, young one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m one of the
cousin’s of Great Bebo, Faerie Queen of the Merry Folk.” She laughed, her laugh
as lilting as a thrush’s song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mind
you, I’m not as well-known as my other cousin, Gleamdren Gormlaith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve heard of her, of course?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
frowned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kulap
laughed once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I won’t enlighten
her to that fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She believes all have
heard of her.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That
monster called you traitor,” Dianoah said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What did he mean?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kulap
bowed her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I loved a Faerie once,
a servant in the courts of Cren Cru, the Faerie demesne of Queen Meadhbh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A queen of beauty, she was, but with a heart
so black! She delighted in bringing Faeries to ruin with parlor games of
glittering delights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The games always
housed murder at their core.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My love was
murdered by her hand.” Kulap shuddered, and tears flowed down her cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I vowed vengeance, and the Dragon found me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He offered to help me, and I accepted his
kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Queen Bebo came to me one day, for
although my new state prevented me from entering the Halls of Red and Green, I
could never fully forget my home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
lurked just beyond the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bebo told
me to listen for a song, a song sung by a humble bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve heard that song, have you not,
mortal?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
blinked in confusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Song? What song?“
Then her mind shifted to nights beside the firepit with her brother and
mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On those nights, when the sky
was clear and her father’s stories of bloodlust were stilled in favor of sleep,
she often thought she heard a thread of melody weaving around her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew that Jovann heard this melody much
more clearly than she, but she had heard it as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes,” she whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think I know what song you mean.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kulap
smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The singer of that song found me
one day, and he offered to help me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was nothing then but a roiling flame, and the pain was unendurable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Dragon says your father seeks black
powder, a fire that can destroy all in its path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the fire within me burned far greater
than that substance ever will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted
freedom from that pain, so I allowed the Song Giver to liberate me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How that liberation hurt, for his mighty
sword is a fire as well, able to pierce through pretense to the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cleaved me in two, but when I emerged from
that pain, I was whole once more.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
frowned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But, you were locked in that
cage there,” she gestured to the prison that had housed the dove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How were you captured?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kulap
smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I could not have been captured
unless I’d allowed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You needed my
song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a paltry imitation of my
master’s to be sure, but it sustained you, did it not? My master charged me to
protect you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
gasped, and tears filled her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
stared at the woman before her, seeing for the first time the garish burn marks
around the Faerie’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also saw
that the woman’s hands bore wounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
tips of two fingers were gone. The Dragon’s words filled her mind, ‘Her wings
are clipped’ Did that mean that this Faerie could no longer fly? “You allowed
yourself to be captured for me? You don’t even know me! I’m nothing.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kulap frowned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are something in my master’s eyes, a
girl of courage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not many would think of
others when tempted by the Dragon, but you saw my plight and sought to remedy
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll take you to my master, and he’ll keep
you safe.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah
nodded and held out her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kulap’s hand
closed over her own, and the two of them vanished from the chamber.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
trudged along the dirt path, inhaling the pungent odor of buffalo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gritted his teeth as his mind traversed
many possibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if he found
Dianoah, what could he do? There were certain to be guards.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Rather
late to be roaming, aren’t you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
blinked in surprise and smiled at the familiar voice, one he had heard
infrequently but one he knew well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Uncle Dok-Kasemsan?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A man
materialized from the shadows, a smile upon his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was dressed in a simple traveling cloak,
but its finery could not be hidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Well, my boy, I must say it’s rather odd seeing you away from
camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, incidentally, you’re not
adept at stealth.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
flushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I had to find Dianoah,
uncle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never returned to camp, and—“</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ah,
yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your mother sent word to me pertaining
to your sister.” Dok-Kasemsan smiled enigmatically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She was invited to a festival for Hulan, was
she not? Pen-Chan’s extended the invitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oddly, your father encouraged her to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your mother was averse to it, but she cannot defy that Chhayan dog.” He
sneered with contempt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was invited to
the festival myself as Nalman’s family has known me for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your father would use any means to obtain
what he seeks.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Vengeance,” he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Precisely.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s sought vengeance upon our race for
quite some time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if we Pen-Chan would
be intimidated by a band of rabbles.” He smiled yet again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then his face grew solemn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dianoah was unharmed, Sunan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your mother might not defy your father to his
face, but she summoned me, pleading that I help her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cover of darkness is essential for
spiriting someone away, you understand, so I had to wait until tonight to fetch
her.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan’s
heart pounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Y-You came to rescue
her?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dok-Kasemsan
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I arranged for her employment
as a servant in a prestigious Pen-Chan household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’ll be safe there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An entourage traveled with me, and they have
taken her away.” He smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had Sunan
known how to read his uncle’s fathomless gaze, he’d have seen numerous secrets
behind that smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First and foremost,
he would have seen his uncle’s confusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dok-Kasemsan had indeed returned to Nalman’s temporary residence, fully
intending to send the girl away with the small group of servants accompanying
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet Nalman’s chamber had been
empty, and not a trace of the girl could be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His sister would have his head if she knew of
this, so Dok-Kasemsan resolved that she never know.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The plan had been quite
simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dok-Kasemsan had proposed a
trade to Nalman; answers to the Gruung examination in exchange for the black
powder formula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that Nalman’s
family guarded the secret ferociously, but he also knew Nalman’s weakness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A scholar in the Center of Learning was a
position to be coveted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many had given
their lives in pursuit of that goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Moreover, as someone who was a friend of Nalman’s family, Dok-Kasemsan
knew Nalman’s father drove his son mercilessly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The prospective scholar would suffer greatly if he failed the exam.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Nalman had agreed to the exchange
and handed him the scroll that contained his family’s most cherished secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naturally, Dok-Kasemsan had no intention of
keeping the bargain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been such a
pleasure to watch as Nalman’s hopeful expression crumpled into pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nalman would soon be dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dok-Kasemsan’s niece was avenged, and his
sister was satisfied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was all that
mattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, he’d procured a secret he’d
always longed to possess.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So,
Sunan, if you were planning a covert mission of some sort, (something I’d
advise against), there is no need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
is well.” Dok-Kasemsan smiled as he saw his nephew’s taut features sag in relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now, I’ll tell you another reason I’m
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve come to offer you a choice.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
blinked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A choice?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dok-Kesemsan
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re Pen-Chan, and I can help
you discover the delights of your heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You may return home with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
care for you and place you on the road to a grand future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, you may stay here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The choice is yours.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan’s
heart leapt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Escape lay before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet even as he thought this, he saw the
concerned face of a young boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Swallowing, Sunan said, “Did you arrange for Dianoah’s release, uncle?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you drink tea with someone and—” His
voice trailed away as Sunan realized how ridiculous he was sounding.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dok-Kasemsan
laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I offer you the opportunity of
a lifetime, boy, and you’re asking me if I took time to drink tea?” He blinked,
suddenly startled as Sunan’s words sank into his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a moment, his hand flexed, and he longed
to examine his palm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The packet of gold
leaf poison had been disposed of, naturally, but—No. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was being a fool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If I’d stopped to drink anything, I’d have
drunk wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a wine drinker,
myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t abide the taste of tea.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So, all
is well?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dok-Kesemsan
nodded impatiently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, as I said
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must make your decision,
boy. Don’t forget your sister, Sunan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
Pen-Chan relatives fought for her, and her Chhayan relatives did not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t forget where your loyalties should
lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, will you give me your
decision? We can leave immediately if you’re willing.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunan
hesitated yet again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deep within the
recesses of his heart, he knew that his uncle lied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Chayan did care for his sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jovann cared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had seen this truth in the boy’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, what of Jovann’s vision? Who were the
two men in the pavilion? As Sunan pondered these questions, he also thought of lonely
nights, nights when he sat by a separate fire, nights when he stood before a
painted tent but did not enter it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would not suffer the
loneliness anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If his uncle lied,
then so be it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that moment, Sunan
knew the decision he would make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
smiled at his uncle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’d be honored to come
with you,” he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dok-Kasemsan
shook Sunan’s hand and grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Excellent choice,” he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juong-Khla
sat within his tent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He caressed the crudely-painted
dagger that lay before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan had
been so simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Send the girl to the
festival and send a convoy of clansmen to follow her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dianoah had been expected to return that
first day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clansmen would, of
course, remain behind out of sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d
been instructed to wait until the guests were befuddled with wine and then
strike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the trap had been discovered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The message rang in Juong-Khla’s mind: If you
or any of your Chhayan filth return here, I’ll slit your daughter’s throat
myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll keep her for a week and, at
the end of that time, if you’ve made no move to attack, she’ll be returned to
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have black powder at my disposal
and am not afraid to use it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juong-Khla
clutched the dagger tighter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
dagger’s blade pierced his palm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
cursed, but not from pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lowering his
head, he wept, startled that he was even capable of tears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
love her, don’t you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juong-Khla’s
head snapped upward, and he bolted to his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tall figure behind him grinned mockingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s quite degrading, really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You mortals never cease to disgust me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This show of grief does not become you,
warrior.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Who
are you?” Juong-Khla hissed the question.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
figure laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The question you should
be asking is what took me so long to arrive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know who I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haunt your dreams and your every waking
moment.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
do you want?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Your
allegiance, mortal man.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juong-Khla
stared at the black-cloaked figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
stranger’s eyes fastened onto his own, and the warlord gasped in
fascination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fire, a fire that could
destroy nations, smoldered within the stranger’s gaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You will liberate us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will help us reclaim our—“</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
blow came suddenly, and Juong-Khla had no time to react.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A taloned hand slammed into his cheek, and he
felt the unmistakable gushing of his own blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Don’t presume to command me, man,” the Dragon spat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I could crush you in an instant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I shall help you if you consent to
help me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juong-Khla’s
heart pounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For two hundred years,
his people had suffered under Kitar rule, and for generations, the cry for
freedom had permeated the very soil of their land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What must I do?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that moment, lesser concerns were
forgotten.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Dragon smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gather your clansmen and
other tribes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell them that their
savior has come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll return in a week’s
time.” He turned away and then said as if only just remembering, “And, the
secret you seek? You are aware that it resides in your very midst, are you
not?” He laughed and vanished, leaving the head of the Tiger Clan alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juong-Khla snarled and rushed from the tent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
are you saying to me?” he roared, realizing the idiocy of this question even as
he asked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Greater Dark delighted
in equivocal remarks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A soft
shuffling behind him arrested Juong-Khla’s attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grimaced as his Pen-Chan wife’s beautiful
face appeared before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it his
imagination, or was there a slight smile on her lips? “If you’ve come to
inquire about your daughter, I have nothing else to say on the subject,”
Juong-Khla growled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
woman bowed her head submissively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
just wanted to inform you that my brother has sent me a message and that Sunan
is missing,” she said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
of it?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“My
brother has taken Sunan away, Honored Husband,” she said, proffering a
scroll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Would you—Ah, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you like me to read the message he
sent?” She lifted her head, her smile broadening.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juong-Khla
gritted his teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman was
infuriating! “Why should I care what he’s written?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Because
he bears news of Dianoah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you
want to hear this news, husband, even if you deny it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to send word to him, and he took action
when you would not.” She unfurled the scroll and read aloud:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Sister,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dianoah is safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She resides with a Pen-Chan family who will
protect her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In exchange, she will work
as a servant in their household.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have taken Sunan away, for he
chose to accompany me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will live in
my house and pursue studies to enable him to become a scholar in the Center of
Learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not write for quite
some time, for I have pressing business to attend to, but I wanted to let you
know that all is well.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juong-Khla
listened to the message with furrowed brow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His features did not betray the feelings coursing through him, feelings
of relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It repulsed him that he even
had feelings for the girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would not
reveal these thoughts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A warrior did
what had to be done, and sacrifices had to be made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You waste my time with frivolous words,” he
snarled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Leave me now.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
woman nodded and obeyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked down
at the scroll, at the message that brought her pain and relief at once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank Anwar and Hulan for their intervention!
Dianoah was well, and Sunan would discover his true roots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furtively, she placed the scroll within the
folds of her robe and withdrew another.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have been dabbling in poetry
of late, sister, and thought you might enjoy this new poem I have
composed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not bother reading this
aloud, for it is for your eyes only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is a joke, you see, for we Pen-Chan are not fatalistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet it was such fun to compose, I just had to
share it.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I feel that life is long,</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sorrowful and unbearable</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I cannot flee away</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Since I am not a bird</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I have not the wings</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To fly.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
woman smiled and reread the poem again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Later, in her tent, she reread the poem a third time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, removing some well-concealed ink and a
brush, she wrote upon the scroll:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sulfur.</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Charcoal.</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saltpeter.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Reading
these words filled the woman with giddy delight, but even as she read them, she
determined to dispose of the secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anwar
and Hulan were kind, and they had rescued her daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walls of hatred she had erected in order
to protect herself seemed to tremble for the briefest moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There had been so much pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She determined not to inflict more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just knowing the secret was enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She placed the scroll in the fire and watched
the secret burn to ashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A strange
sound stole upon her, a sound she may have heard in the past but had determined
to ignore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman thought she heard
singing, the soft song of a thrush.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Will you follow me, Jovann?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The boy
passed through the entwining gate of trees before him into the arms of the
Wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The songbird had not called to him
for some time, and Jovann was eager to see his friend once more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Grandmother Tree called her cheerful greeting as Jovann approached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled at her and looked for the
thrush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good evening, my Lord.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Welcome,
my child.” The thrush sang gently, his voice filling the boy’s heart with
joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is all well?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann’s
smile faded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Father’s acting
strangely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never prays anymore, and
he’s insisting I hunt with him tomorrow.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes,”
the thrush said sadly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Great changes
are coming, Jovann.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be with
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you see the future?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
swallowed and nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, my Lord.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I have
a vision tonight that is a good one,” the thrush said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think you will like it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
waited as the Grandmother’s branches rustled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The songbird fluttered from the tree and alighted on the boy’s
shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A picture unfurled before
Jovann’s eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lunthea
Maly teemed with people from every race and culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the docks, merchandise was being
unloaded from many ships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vendors called
to passersby, and the air was redolent with many scents.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In a
house by the sea, a young woman bent over a cradle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman smiled as she rocked the cradle to
and fro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman’s young son slept
peacefully, but still the mother sang:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“Go to sleep, go to
sleep.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
My good boy, go to
sleep.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
door of the house opened, and a man entered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His clothes stank of brine, and his face was weathered from weeks of
travel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet to the woman’s eyes, he was
the handsomest of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hurried to
her husband’s side, and they embraced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“How was the voyage?” the woman asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man
smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Dara guided us well, my
love.” He sighed with contentment and hurried to the cradle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sailor bent and placed a kiss on his
son’s forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s growing so
quickly, isn’t he?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
woman nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Supper’s nearly ready,”
she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I made ginger dumplings.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ah, my
favorite!” He grinned.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
picture faded, and Jovann gasped in wonder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The woman’s face was older, but he knew who she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dianoah,” he whispered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
songbird sang in delight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She is well,
my child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took her to Lunthea Maly,
and she is staying with a ship’s captain and his wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She helps the wife prepare dumplings to sell
at market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day, Dianoah will marry,
and her descendants will be great indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of her progeny will be a Chhayan sailor who will wed a Pen-Chan
lady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The son they bear will be a boy of
tremendous courage.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jovann
smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will I ever see her again?” he
asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Your
paths are different,” the thrush said, “yet one day you will see her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That day might be long in coming, but know
that she is well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I have one more
vision to show you.” As the thrush spoke, another picture materialized before
Jovann’s eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The boy
saw a humble ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship was a
merchant vessel, and etched onto its prow was the name, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kulap Kanya.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A familiar
figure stood at the helm of the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Sunan,” Jovann said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
bird sang gentle acknowledgement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
must go now, Jovann,” he said, “but I will see you soon.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The boy
nodded and turned toward home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he
walked through the Wood, he heard the song following close behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that the future was vast, that many
paths entwined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that he did not
understand all, yet the thrush sang his never-ceasing Song, and that Song was
an ever-present guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many would ignore
the Song, but it would never die. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
fact was the only one that mattered.</div>
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</div>
</span></span>Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-64206370047951355942015-09-09T15:41:00.001-07:002015-09-09T15:41:50.462-07:00Promise by Jonathan M. Stewart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSH3d0vUQ81RB-_Gg-P6Yq4ZpU248Zq8NNgqTFaiFvHP6IUzv4KhDq2VTjl3B0iJvPN0qUOj-gM_rlBe60DMeqJG-98wtj1TLhOdFVqVITvIJjF3tNjI_y-vCZi8-kTv2vk8dvIu__W5D/s1600/Promise.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSH3d0vUQ81RB-_Gg-P6Yq4ZpU248Zq8NNgqTFaiFvHP6IUzv4KhDq2VTjl3B0iJvPN0qUOj-gM_rlBe60DMeqJG-98wtj1TLhOdFVqVITvIJjF3tNjI_y-vCZi8-kTv2vk8dvIu__W5D/s640/Promise.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"YOU HAVE FAILED. You have made the mistake."</span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"No!"</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The dragon roared. His flame leapt high into the air,
setting the trees around him alight with dancing shadows. Orange light
glittered off of a thousand droplets for a second. But then it was gone,
smothered by the dark sky. Rain drops sizzled off his human skin as it burned, threatening
to rip open and reveal his true dragon body. He fell to the ground, his mind
roiling within his head. The dark father was cruel.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He did no wrong! He would have the realm. The realm was his
already. Barely suppressing his flame he stood tall, turning a contempt full
pair of eyes to the forest around him.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">No crickets chirped, no crickets dared raise their tiny
voice while a dragon was present. The entire sphere of his vision was silent,
as quiet as a cave, except for the rain falling on the trees.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And the dragon breathed, trailing puffs of smoke from his
nostrils. His lungs rasped with every breath and his whole body shuddered.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But he smiled. His lips curled back revealing vile fangs
that did not belong in a human body.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The dark father did not know everything. Time was all he
needed, and he had plenty of time.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The dragon ripped out of the human body as he tore into the
air, beating the wind with his wings. The trees sank beneath him quickly as he
rose to the sky.</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER I</span></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CLIPSEOLAR SAT UP. The dark tendrils of the night wrapped
around him. A swirl of emotions churned in his stomach. The boy’s heart beat in
his chest like it wanted to get out of a cage and his hands shook slightly. He
pressed them deep into the folds of his blanket to make them stop.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Inside the shadows, lurking right on the edges of his
vision, he felt a strange presence that made him recoil and gag. He searched
the room, barely wanting to find anything. But no matter how hard he looked, he
could not see what it was.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The moon shone bright outside, but she only spilled some of
her silken rays in through the window and onto the crude dirt floor of the
small hut. Long, dark shadows encroached upon the silvery light from the
deepest corners of the room. The boy’s heart pounded even faster than it
already was as he looked into the strange cavities. He wanted to cry out, even
though he was not sure why. But he couldn’t. He was in the room that he shared
with his brothers, and, somewhere where he couldn’t see them, in the dark
corners, they were still asleep.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He held his lips shut tight to keep any noises from
escaping. His fear pushed his heart still faster. Summoning his courage, he sat
up on the edge of his bed, and, gripped by an unexplained force, he got down
from his bed and inched his way around the shadows. His brothers breathed
heavily on his right and on his left.</span></div>
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<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Best not to wake them, Clip, or the whole house will be up
all night trying to fix the problem. </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He told himself to be quiet as
he carefully placed every footfall, but he ignored the real problem.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If he had been accustomed to faeries and their ways Clip
would have heard his name being spoken on the wind and would have known to try
to go back to sleep immediately without further exposing himself. He was not,
however, at all accustomed to faeries. He only heard the howl of a nearby
breeze. Still, his heart continued to lurch at the words he could not
understand and his mind would not rest.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Opening the door, he quietly slipped out onto the stoop. The
wind immediately grabbed at him, playing through his hair and stroking his
cheeks. He walked towards the well at the other end of the yard. The wind
laughed at him as it stroked its fingers through his hair, pushing him and
pulling him along. Despite its games, he eventually made it to the well in one
piece.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He dropped the bucket down into the water and pulled it back
up again. The water was sweet on his tongue as it slid down his throat.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Eventually the wind slowly became bored with him—such is the
way of some faeries. It died down to a small breeze, off to chase a little bat.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the wake of the wind’s touch, Clip felt tired again. He
leaned up against the well wall, looking east through half closed eyes. The
sounds of the forest carried to him, sitting there halfway between the house
and the woods. He was not yet ready to go back in.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In all the stories he had heard, the woods were supposed to
have strange magical powers, and were inhabited by creatures that had strange
magical powers. But no one could say with such certainty.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Such is the way of Goldstone wood, so full of mystery that
hardly no one ever tried solving, he thought. His grandmother told him so once.
She said, “Nothing good comes from the Wood.” And everyone knew the fount of
wisdom his grandmother was. That was all he ever knew of the place aside from
the childhood tales he had picked up here and there, spun by a merchants hand,
or snuck behind the back of his mother.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Whether or not he believed the stories he hadn’t decided.
But it would not be because of something his grandmother said. The shadows
passing back and forth beneath the trees were enough to keep him from getting
too curious. Goldstone wood had no paths as far as he could tell, and he wasn’t
going to make any.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Even as he thought this, somewhere deep in the depths of the
ancient trees a wood thrush sang, its song trickling forth like a bubbly
stream. The silvery music floated up to the moon on wispy wings. The sudden
noise made him realize how close to sleep he was and how close to waking up
with dew all over his head in the morning.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He shook himself and stood up straight. The woods may be
mysterious in the day, but they were twice as menacing at night, he was
supposed to be asleep anyway. Turning, he headed back towards the house.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He took two steps before he fell on his face and covered his
head, trying to stop up his ears. The wind roared. The sound pierced the sky
and rattled him to his bones. But the wind wasn’t paying attention to him. A
large, black bird had just flown into the clearing and the wind was fleeing
from before it. The trees all around bent and swayed to the breaking point
under its retreat.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All Clip saw was the bird’s eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Under the tall grass he crouched, trembling, and watched as
the bird landed on the roof of the house. The bird was huge, it stood about a
foot tall on the roof of the house, but, after his initial shock, Clip decided
it couldn’t be dangerous. He berated himself for being so cowardice. The wind
was just acting up and this bird just needed a place to get out of it for a
moment.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And for some reason, a part of him desperately wished he was
right.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When the wind stopped he carefully stood back up and dusted
himself off. The bird looked down on him from its perch on the roof as he
approached the house. He felt its eyes boring into his head. Sitting as it was,
it appeared much larger than Clip had first thought. Its dark feathers seemed
to suck in all of the moonlight around it making it blend into the night as if the
whole black sky was a part of it.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a little strange, Clip thought, for the wind to blow
like that. He studied the bird for a moment. He had never seen a bird like that
anywhere before. That was a little strange too, he guessed. He knew enough
about birds, though, to know he didn’t know all the birds in the area. The bird
was obviously nocturnal as far as Clip could tell. It had huge talons, gripping
the thatch roof, probably for snatching unsuspecting morsels to eat.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">By all accounts it was a bird of prey, dangerous, but only
for those smaller than it.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Still, Clip tried his best to be unsuspecting as he
approached the house. The bird was not fooled and flew right down beside him.
Clip all but screamed, thinking its talons, smaller than him or not, would make
quick work of his face. But the bird only landed beside him, digging into the
ground instead of his face with its talons.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The eyes of the bird, as bright as fire, as hungry as a
flame, caught his and stared at him. The world around the two seemed to stop in
a second and at the same time spin through all the years, wildly crashing
through the ages in a smear. Clip wanted to look away but he could not, could
not pull his will from that of the bird’s, could not scream his agony, could
not—</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I promise,” he heard himself say, his voice choking as if
on thick poison, any battle of wills forgotten. The bird was gone instantly,
leaving barely a memory, save for a burning pair of eyes. Clip found himself
looking at the empty air. He blinked. The world suddenly seemed darker,
smaller.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A quietness like a hole hung in the Woods as Clip walked
back inside.</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER II</span></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">WHEN CLIP STUMBLED into the kitchen the next morning his
four brothers were already up, gathered around the small table eating eggs, the
poor man’s way to breakfast. Clip stood, as still as a statue, blinking his
eyes against the daylight, before he sat himself. Austeuo grinned at him when
he did sit. “Don’t worry, dad’s already left to hook up the cows.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Gritting his teeth, Clip scooted his chair up to the table.
He had completely forgotten that they were taking some of the cows to market
today. If Clip could get his hands on Austeuo, his fingers would probably fit
nicely around his neck. But he had to console himself by digging his fork into
the eggs piled on his plate instead.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You could have gone to help him yourself, no one was
keeping you here," he said through his clenched teeth. It really made no
sense for Austeuo to try to go and help harness the cows; he was too small.
Even for a seven year old he wasn’t very big.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip had to try something though.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Austeuo grinned again, only wider. “Oh, but I knew you were
supposed to go. Besides, I didn’t need to go; Mom went with him.” He shrugged
and looked down at his plate.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All of his brothers stopped eating. A solitary fork clanked,
dropped from the hand that held it. “Mom went with him?” Jacib asked.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip only stared at Austeuo. They all knew that their mother
worked harder than any of them, especially Austeuo, his pranks and laziness
taking up most of his day. But that Austeuo had the gall, among other things,
to let their mother go out and do the work that should have fallen to him, or
to anyone else but her, really made Clip want to punch him.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why did you let her go!” Clip exploded.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Austeuo looked at Clip through wide eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You could have at least waken me up. Or gotten Jacib,” Clip
said.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You could have waken yourself up.” Austeuo crossed his tiny
arms and stuck out his chin. Clip hung his head.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But he had an excuse. “I didn’t sleep well last night,” he
said simply. “There was a storm blowing all night. Didn’t you hear it?” He
didn’t mean to ask a question. He was so grouchy that he would have taken
silence for an answer. Anything else would prolong the conversation and he may
have to admit his fault for not waking up early.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On the other side of the table Jacib spoke up. “I didn’t
hear the storm, but I didn’t sleep well. I kept on having bad dreams.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Grasping onto what Jacib had said, Clip spoke up. If he
could get his brothers to talk about anything else he would be fine. At least
they wouldn’t be talking about him. He could forget about the cows and carry on
with his day.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Were you being chased by giant snakes?”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mentioning snakes was one of the best ways Clip knew to get
a response from Jacib.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He took a bite of his breakfast and tried to look coolly at
his brother, waiting for the response.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No!” Jacib waved his fork in the air. But before he could
defend himself Austeuo jumped in. He started laughing and jeering with his
small hands.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip’s two youngest brothers, sitting all the way at the
opposite end of the table, tried joining in on the fun too.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip grimaced a little. The plan had worked. All he needed
to do now was finish eating and quietly slip out. But his brothers may have
been taking the teasing too far.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Of all four of his brothers, Jacib was the easiest for Clip
to get along with. To see him in the relentless, merciless grasp of Austeuo
pained him. But no, Jacib would be fine. Everyone knew he was afraid of snakes
and they would get bored soon.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">With that thought in mind, Clip piled the rest of his eggs
into his mouth. He had to be out of the room when his brothers finished
arguing.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Grabbing his fork and his plate he stood to leave. He looked
one last time at Jacib and his tormentors, then strode out through the rickety
door into the yard.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">With the sun beating down on his back he felt better about
himself. Of course Jacib would be fine, he thought to himself. For one thing,
Jacib knew being afraid of snakes was an illogical fear.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip kicked at the grass. He was also going to apologize to
Jacib, later.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sitting down by the well he picked up the scrubber and began
scouring his plate. He would apologize to Jacib, he told himself again, later.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But later never came.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">*****</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The dragon flew through the woods, deeper and deeper, past
landmarks only one of his kind could sense. Indeed, he followed the path of his
dark father, one of the many paths woven intricately into the forest. The trees
sank away from him, falling league after league. He smiled, if only to himself.
The Wood feared his kind, the weak thing.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He had to swerve to avoid crashing into a rock that seemed
to appear from nowhere.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fire rose in his throat as he righted himself. He chuckled
hoarsely under his breath.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But although weak, the Wood is best not to be
underestimated, he reminded himself.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The wood was just as filled with the paths of those unkind
to his kind, like the merry folk of Rudiobus or—and here the dragon shuddered
mid flight—that infuriating hound, as it was with the paths of his father. He
slowed down, reigning in his headlong rush. As he did his senses caught
something, the scent of what he was looking for.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The scent of a small faerie gate.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He halted and found himself before a little pond. A low
wall, covered all over with young growth, surrounded the pond, flowering in a
tiny, solitary shaft of sunlight. He turned the structure over in his
scrutinizing eyes. It was indeed what he was looking for, the gate to the realm
he was to conquer.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Not very impressive, if he were to say so himself. Certainly
nothing like Cozamaloti falls. But he wasn’t going to complain about minor
details involving proving bravery or courage. Why was a dragon to need courage?</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He walked up to the wall. It was definitely a faerie gate.
This close he could strongly sense it. He looked down into the waters at the
trees reflected above him; but he was not in the reflection. It could have been
the angle he was at though. There was no arch or entrance in the wall and the
only way in seemed to be taking the plunge.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Something sparkling off to his left caught the dragon’s eye.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He took a second look in the pond and sure enough he saw
what he searched for. His mouth twisted into a pleased grimace. In the
reflection the little rock wall did have an arch. A tiny little thing, it
hardly looked sturdy enough to last the ages. But it fell right across the
middle of the pond. He blinked and it was gone, too late though, he had already
seen it.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He turned into his human form. It was smaller and provided a
better way to access the gate. Apparently he would have to get into the water,
Cozamaloti or not, and, aside from being smaller, the human flesh would bear
the water better than his dragon scales.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He walked up to the edge. The pond rippled as his face, so
close, finally reflected there.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His teeth flashed cruelly under the surface of the water as
he said simply: “I promise”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was funny, the things that would open a faerie gate. If
the promise of a mortal opened this one though, so be it. The dragon sucked in
his breath, ready for whatever would happen when he passed through into the
realm beyond.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He stepped off into the gate.</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER III</span></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The sun beat down on the canopy of foliage above Clip’s
head. All of the trees were in full bloom and offered their green clad limbs up
to the sky to shade travelers who happened to be passing by on the road beneath
them, of which there were few. The road cut through the forest as best it
could. Across the old path countless potholes littered the dust.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the middle of the forest, looking up at the young woods,
Clip rode down the road on the back of the little donkey cart that his dad used
to take any cows that they might want to sell to town. A string of cattle
followed behind him, loosely tied to the side of the wagon, their coats shining
under the mottled sunlight. Jacib sat beside him but every few minutes he was
having to get down onto the dusty path to kick the rim of the rear wheel back
into place.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The forest they were slowly passing by was at the peak of flowering.
A few bees and butterflies flew from flower to flower in the tree tops,
gathering nectar in the heat.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib hopped down, as springy as a lark, and ran around to
the wheel that was beginning to fall off again. As the cart rolled along he
gave the wheel the best kicks he had, his small frame shaking with the effort.
The wheel went precariously back into place and held for a moment.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"We're almost there." Clip dried his shirt sleeve
on his pant leg as he called out to Jacib.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Stopping, Jacib shaded his face and looked down the road. He
grinned. As quick as he could, he jumped back in the wagon. Clip grabbed his
hand and pulled him up. That he could get so excited to sell cows amazed Clip.
The hot, stinky creatures were pungent enough to make Clip wrinkle his nose
even upwind from them on the cart. Maybe a runny nose wasn't so bad after all.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib scooted back and laid in the bed of the cart. Smiling
up at the sun he sucked in a deep breath of air. Clip almost gagged. He thought
he heard his dad chuckle in the seat up front, but he could not tell for sure.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As the wagon rolled along, the trees gave way to thick
patches of grass. Rocks that had ripped through the earth long ages ago rested
by the roadside as the landscape slowly rose up a large hill. Whipping about,
the breath of the ocean caught their faces, salty and clear and bringing with
it all the promises of an infinite horizon. Castle Oriana was right around the
next bend, sitting atop the large hill, overlooking the sea like a stalwart
sentry protecting and delivering those promises.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The telltale signs were obvious even to people who had never
been to the castle. The road became more traveled, boot and wagon tracks packed
down the soft sand into a hard surface, like the rocks that formed the
foundation of the hill itself.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And the noise. The loud vying for attention of the merchants
and shoppers echoing off the crashing waves of the sea port. The village
Sondhold could be heard before it could be seen if someone listened hard
enough.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But being heard couldn't compare with actually seeing it. As
the cart passed under the huge gates to the city Jacib almost squealed.
Spinning around he jumped up, his head twisting, desperate to see all of the
foreign sights that were so new to him. Flags and signs hung everywhere,
dancing in the breeze, hanging from the battlements up on the castle, and
creaking over the doorways and tents and stalls. The flags waved, as if to him!
His head whirled on his shoulders.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip shrugged, he had seen all of this before.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The wagon pulled through the streets. People moved out of
the road to make a path for the cart. Their dad guided the cows through the
city, bright vendors and shops passing by slowly with merchants huddled tightly
against the structures to get out of the way of the cows.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But not too close, and they flooded back behind the cart as
if they could push it along faster.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nearly halfway through the city their father turned on the
bench up front and shouted back at them, “Come take Gray and Gleir.” Clip
barely made out what his dad had said amid the jostling crowd, but he
understood what he was wanting. They were getting to the thick of the market
place by now. The people on the road could no longer move away from the cart because
the streets were so crowded and their dad wanted to go ahead on foot to the
stalls.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, if Jacib was so eager to be here, Clip would let him
drive the donkeys through this.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib climbed up to the front of the cart and took the
reins. Their dad stepped down into the street. People flowed past him on the
crowded cobbles, trying to get to the main square.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Take the cows to the market. Clipseolar knows where to set
them up.” This last part he added looking directly at Clip.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip decided he had better be up front to help Jacib find
the way. He averted his eyes from the eyes of his father as he climbed to the
front bench after Jacib.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Their dad looked up at them. "It will take you a while
to get to the stalls. I'm going to go ahead and get the haggling out of the way
with the owner. Maybe I'll see if I can get a buyer too." He patted the
wagon by Jacib's leg.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The patrons to the market rattled about them, and their dad
melted into the mass headed for the square up ahead. Jacib slapped the reins
hard on the donkey’s backsides, following at a much slower pace.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The road twisted before them. Their dad disappeared within a
moment and Clip had to point the way out to Jacib as they passed every turn.
They were coming up to a crossing when a trumpet sounded and made them both
jump. Jacib quickly picked up the reins where he had dropped them.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Make way for the royal family!" A voice cried
down the street from them.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib grinned and turned to Clip, fully recovered from his
fright. "The royal family!" He cried almost in echo to the man
clearing the street. He stopped the cart short of the road in front of them.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The first of the party trotted in on a huge horse.
"That's the king," Clip told his brother.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Fidel." Jacib stared wide eyed at the man, at the
royalty. He wore a standard fancy robe of a slightly finer quality than that of
some of the nobles that surrounded him and he rode one of the finest mounts
Jacib had ever seen.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The king waved, being followed by a small, lanky boy,
probably the prince Felix, riding his own horse. The boy looked shockingly
uncomfortable in his gaudy… whatever it was. He kept on pulling at the huge
collar around his neck and making what he probably thought were discrete glares
at any of the shops he passed by that sold clothing wares “in the highest fashion”.
Clip and Jacib both groaned for the poor prince and they secretly hid smirks at
his misfortune.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Last of all princess Una rode by. Clip saw her for a second
then he dropped his eyes, any long suffering of the prince forgotten. She was
beautiful. Her hair was honey colored, unlike his mom or any of his brothers.
It danced about her fair face and fell on her shoulders. And she smiled,
lighting up her expression and revealing white teeth.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib squinted at her. "She looks good, Clip.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip almost blushed. No, not blush, but he did grimace. He
felt his ears tingle and he was certain they must be turning red. He could
hardly believe Jacib would be so brash.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib ignored his brother and looked again at Una. Clip sank
back in his seat as the remaining of the royal party, a few dignitaries and
such, passed by. To the rest of the world he looked as if he was asleep, maybe
a watchful eye would think his ears were a little sunburnt, but no one looked
that closely. When the party was gone around the corner and the street returned
to its regular state Jacib set the cart in motion again.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"She's got to be the best horse rider I've ever seen,
that was a girl, Clip."</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip startled up and even the most watchful of eyes would
have thought he had just waken from a deep slumber. A good horse rider? A good…
Clip crossed his arms and looked over at his younger brother, turning him over
in his mind’s eye.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Horses.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He shook his head but added to Jacib’s idea, not wanting to
sound like he had any different ideas himself. “She rides it like real
horseman…” no, he thought back, “woman,” he decided eventually.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib bounced and the whole cart trembled, throwing Clip
against the wheel. “Dad says there is no profit in horse farming, but I’m going
to do it one day.” He chewed his lip for a second before continuing. “I’ll have
some cows too, I guess.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip just ignored him as best he could while trying not to
fall into the busy street. He slumped farther down into the seat and closed his
eyes. The sun was getting lower, casting longer and longer shadows over the
narrow streets. The parade had taken more time out of their trip than the day
had left for them. The cart rolled along without picking up any more speed.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey, Clip?” Clip opened an eye to look at Jacib. He was
staring down the road and his forehead bore signs of worry. Clip sat upright
and looked down the road too, but all he saw was more people. Jacib tore his
gaze away from the distance and started looking around at the side streets.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Have we passed a turn, or are we still in the right place?”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,” Clip looked back down the street ahead of them. For a
second he didn’t recognize anything. Some of the merchants were beginning to
close shop, and some were just opening up. His eyes were drawn to a sizable
crowd of patrons gathered in front of a familiar looking tavern. The sign above
the door was unreadable at this distance, but he thought he recognized the
shape of it.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Turn right there,” he pointed to a side road two streets
down from the tavern. Jacib followed the direction. But behind the corner the
street ended. Jacib spun in circles looking around the alley, trying to find a
side street, but there was none. He turned to Clip.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip shrugged and thought back over the route they had
taken. Somewhere, they must have made one wrong move. He sighed, whenever it
was, he had probably been too busy to notice, and now he had no idea where they
were.</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER IV</span></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">THE COWS SOLD at a fair price.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The deal was made by the time Clip and Jacib finally got to
the stalls. The buyer complained the whole time during the trade about bad
service. Their father silently took the tongue lashing, bearing in mind that
the gentleman intended to never conduct business with him again.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He kept his silence the whole trip home too. He only spoke
once, as they passed the fence along the road leading to their house and he saw
a portion of it had fallen over. The remaining cows were out of that pasture
for the season, but their dad set them to the task of repairing it before they
were moved in.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The next morning found Clip struggling beneath the three
finely cut small logs that he carried. His feet walked as sure as ever across
the grassy field, catching in tufts of wheat and almost sending him into a fit
of falling. Jacib looked to him, a bundle of rope in his hands, his eyes full
of wonder, as if he could lighten Clip's mood by his own disposition! Clip
almost snorted but caught himself at the last moment.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib turned and didn't seem to notice as he pranced along.
"One of these days I'm going to ride horses as good as princess Una."
He ducked under the fence and dropped the rope he had been carrying on the
other side.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip dropped his load of logs. He hated Una. Jacib wouldn't
let the subject drop, bringing it up with any chance he got. He untied the bag
around his waist. Already Una rode horses through his head all day, smiling
with seemingly no provocation.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He tossed down his knife and went to work on the fence. A
section between two posts had fallen, probably during the wind storm a couple
of nights ago. He lifted one of the carefully crafted logs he had brought in
place of the gap in the structure.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Jacib, tie that one down," he called to his
brother. Without much hesitation Jacib quit talking and scampered over
beginning to tie the log to the post.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip stood back. Una dance before his eyes, that stupid
smile playing on her lips. He stopped and picked up a second log, hefting it on
his shoulder. She needed to get out of his head and Jacib needed to stop
bringing her back. He set the next log on the post.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Jacib, you go ahead back to the house."</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib looked at him, open mouthed. "We're not even
close to being done, Clip."</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip shoved the log in place and turned on his brother.
"I don't need you to help me."</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He coughed and played with his hair. He softened his voice
and said: "I can put up this fence. You can go ahead and play."</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib backed away. He looked at the broken fence. All of the
tools laid on the ground.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His expression flitted from confusion to Clip's face. Clip
arched his eyebrows and Jacib finally started walking off. He called over his
shoulder, "Call me if you need me. I'm going to go play with
Austeuo."</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip went back to work. He smelled his own sweat, gathering
beneath his arms and dripping down his shirt. The sun beat mercilessly on his
head. He hefted the last log onto the two posts. It was going to take a while
to tie. Jacib always did the tying and he was much faster at it than Clip.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But tie it he must.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His fingers fumbled with the rope as he tried to bind it
around the post. He licked his lips and yanked the knot he had tied. It gave
way and he fell hard on his back, knocking the wind out of him.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He silently wished his fingers the worst of luck in all of
their future undertakings and got up. He dusted off his pants and glared at the
fence. First princess Una wouldn't leave him alone and now the fence didn't
behave either. Forget that he had never taken the time to learn to tie
properly. Was Una the princess of wood as well as the land? Making fences fall
down if she wanted to cause someone trouble.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He took the knife and cut another, longer piece of rope.</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">*****</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The dragon smiled down on the little realm. He had found it
easy enough to conquer, being inhabited by beings so lost to their surroundings
that they had bent to his will easily. All he had really needed was to get into
the realm, and the boy had given him no problems when it came to that.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The monkey like creatures that lived in the sparse forests
of the realm when he first arrived made for great slaves. The dragon had to but
walk into their demise and they immediately followed his every order. The land,
however, was a feisty beast to tame. He held his grip on it for the moment, but
only loosely. He needed time to let his poison sink in and corrupt the very
foundation of the demise before he could return to the dark father with any
glad tidings.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But he smiled. All he needed was time.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Below him, in the courtyard of his new castle, the little
creatures were already finishing the last touches on the… what was it they were
doing? The dragon leaned over the balcony rail and peered at the strange structure
the sorry little wretches were so intent on fussing over.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a solid chunk of…something, he could not tell what.
As he watched them they polished off the crude block with several fine cloths,
sometimes using two of their hands and sometimes using three, balancing
themselves with the other. After a moment he got bored. It mattered little what
it was. They had the walls all finished, and were fine craftsmen if nothing
else. The dragon took to the air and flew across his new demise. It was small,
but everything about it seemed miniature so it all fit together well enough.
And its smallness made it fortifiable.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It also helped that he was big, made that much bigger
compared with tiny things.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He flew higher and higher, reaching the farthest reaches of
the realm before he circled back. He opened his jaws and spit fire. All the
inhabitants trembled when the roar fell like thunder on their ears. The
foundation of the demise shook to the core but it held grimly to itself.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The dragon raced through the low lying clouds. He would rule
the entire realm soon enough. It would be his, earned by the effort he had put
into it, and then no one could take it without first killing him. He’d like to
see them try. He landed on the tallest tower in the whole castle and smiled
down on his little realm again.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All the little monkeys had left the castle to shelter in the
woods at his roar. The entire courtyard was empty and desolate save for
whatever it was the creatures had been working on. The dragon glided down to a
lower perch to have a look at it. He saw no discarded rags so they must have
finished whatever it was and put away their tools before he scared them off. When
he saw what they had made he smiled wickedly. Flames burst forth from his chest
and he leapt back into the air. The inhabitants of the land sunk deeper beneath
the forest canopy and hid there, shaking. The dragon flamed and circled higher
and hotter above them.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And in the courtyard, on a small pedestal, a polished statue
of the dragon watched over it all.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">*****</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Water splashed off Clip's hands. Cool tricklets rolled off
blades of grass at his feet. However much the water sparked, though, his face
was downturned. Sweat mingled with a amp presence on the brink of his nose,
dropping in drips.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib walked up behind him, coming from the house. So the
time was here, the remaining three of Clip's brothers would come through the
door soon enough. Begrudgingly he sidled over to give Jacib a spot at the well,
which he took.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Stepping back Clip buried his face in his shirt. The cool
moisture absorbed through to his hands. He dried his palms on his sleeves
before looking up at Jacib. Clip opened his mouth but said nothing before he
was unable to speak. With a yodel Austeuo marched into the yard.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Forgetting any notion he was about to say to Jacib, Clip
spun around and faced his brother.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Dad's home!" Austeuo shouted. Clip froze for a
heartbeat. The wind stirred past his face and weaved through the tops of the
trees. He should ask his dad for help. He should go to him right now and tell
him that it was too dark to finish the fence. But it was good enough to last
the night, he thought, shrugging his shoulders.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The trees waved and swayed to a stop. Austeuo looked
directly at Clip. "And he's mad at you," he snickered.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip straightened his shirt and once again opened his mouth
to speak. The words made it to the edge of his tongue before they rolled back
and fell down his throat. Just then his father stepped out of the house. He
wore the second most pained expression Clip ever experienced in his childhood.
He looked around for a moment before settling on Clip and Jacib. Clip's insides
withered and whirled about in his throat. He felt Jacib looking back and forth
between him and his dad, probably wondering why his dad was upset.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip's words hung in his throat and he swallowed hard to get
them to go down. He took a step backwards then quickly sprung into action. He
finished drying his hands on his shirt and walked towards the house as if he
was casually going in for supper. He knew one thing. He had done right. The
fence was set up properly, if not finished. He came home when the sun started
to set. And he only did those things because he knew the cows weren't even
going to be in that field for another season.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip's dad grabbed his arm at the door, and despite all his
reassurances, Clip almost fell to pieces right then. Wiping his weary face with
his other hand his father said, "Wait for a second while I wash up."
His dad let go and Clip followed him over to the well. Jacib stood beside them
and still looked confused, but he was catching on quickly, going through the
same thoughts Clip had.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip stood on his uncomfortable feet wishing Jacib would say
something. His best options were for Jacib to say something first, his dad to
spill the beans, or him to do something stupid, in that order.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">No one did anything yet, however. Austeuo ran inside the
little house and peeked through the window at the stiff trio. Jacib rocked
slightly back and forth like he wanted to sit down but didn't. He dared not
sit, he thought. The head of the house just scrubbed his powerful forearms.
Without a word he worked the dirt from a hard day's toil out of his fingers.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip stood, curling and uncurling his toes inside his shoes.
He licked his lips. What did his eternally slow father want? He licked his lips
again. The same sun that made the trees green baked any remaining moisture away
from his rapidly drying skin.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Father stood up and spun around to face his two boys, wiping
his hands dry on a small part of his shirt that was still clean. "Out by
the barn," he said, his voice slightly husky and drawing out the middle of
every word "the cattle broke out of their pens. The best I can tell is one
of the cows clean out charged the gate and busted through."</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It must have been quite a sight to see happen. For any
number of reasons a cow might get spooked and try to fly the coop. They could
dance and prance in big circles, completely terrified of their own shadow at
that point.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But to actually see a cow, driven mad by some unknown
assailant, bust through the gate was a new level of fear.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The fear struck Clip to the heart. He shuddered all the way
to the ground before he knew why. What could have done that? The giant bird he
had seen a few nights before clawed its way back to the forefront of his mind.
He could picture the bird, yellow eyes gleaming, ripping into the poor cows
locked up in their pen. He tried to push the thought away.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Had he?...</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">No. The bird, big as it was, was too small to try eating a
whole cow. The bird was a bird, after all! The yellow eyes stared at him from
deep within their soul, two black coals floating in sulphur. They told him
differently. He shook his head, trying to let his golden hair bat away the evil
image.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Whatever the reason," his father was saying,
"the cows got out into the main pasture."</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacib gave a small groan. Whether it was because he thought
they would have to round up them cows tomorrow and put them back in their pens
or because he realized the fence must not have been up, Clip could not tell.
The image of the bird wrapped around his head making his thoughts move like mud
climbing up a mountain.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He heard his father getting on to Jacib. He pressed his mind
to think. Jacib didn't do anything wrong. He struggled to remember what had
happened. And then he did.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Una.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Her stupid face. Jacib probably still wouldn't have got the
job done before dark. He was too busy fantasizing about horses and talking his
head off to work. The man of the house turned to him. He focused and felt his
knees go weak and almost give out on him. For a second he wished he was lost in
thought again. He could barely look at his dad, but the moment of truth had
arrived.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Clipseolar, several of the cows got out by the woods
where you and your brother weren't done repairing the fence. I caught a couple
of them and put them up in the barn for the time being. The rest will have to
be hunted down and caught tomorrow.”</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER V</span></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip stared across the yard at the still woods after his
father and everyone else had gone to bed. Since the night he had seen the black
bird—was it only two nights ago?—the wind had hardly blown at all. The woods
moaned and groaned but not from the wind. Clip could hardly tell of what
though.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Shaking himself he got up and began pacing. That bird must
have been faerie. The thought sprang to his mind before he could stop it, yet
it made sense. What else could make the wind blow like that? Then make it stop
for days? His head throbbed with every step, and the horrible, vicious yellow
eyes clawed at his brain.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He sat back down hard on the stoop. What else? He rubbed his
sore head. There was nothing else. There were no faeries to begin with, he told
himself. They were the tales of merchants who needed something to draw in
customers.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But the eyes burned.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No!” He beat the thought of the bird back into its place,
deep within the recesses of his mind, never to be disturbed again. He should
not worry about it.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But if it was a faerie, if he had…</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">No! He would not think of this. He had plenty to worry about
with the cows escaping.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He leaned up against the hard wall of the house and sunk
into himself, all his thoughts chasing each other around in his head. The wall
at his back felt solid. He pressed into it, trying to draw comfort from thin
air.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He sat until he lost track of how long he had been sitting
there. He finally lifted his head.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The moon was low, the trees opposite him still hid it from
the world. Without much of a thought he stood in the lengthening shadows. His
mind was numb from strain. He put his hand out to steady himself on the
doorframe and his arm almost collapsed beneath his weight.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dragon’s teeth, Clip,” he barely whispered under his
breath. He steadied himself on his own two feet and added: “Even if it was a
faerie, it will be fine.”</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When he opened the door darkness greeted him. His eyes took
a moment to adjust to the interior of the hut. The dim light of the moon cast
his shadow huge and ugly on the back wall as he stepped inside.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Austeuo and Jacib were asleep, side by side, on the cot in
the corner. Clemens sprawled against the wall, as he always slept, his feet on
Aubin’s back. If both of those boys didn’t grow up to have back issues Clip
would be amazed. The door to his parent’s room was closed. Whether they slept
or not he could not tell.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A faint wind crept past Clip, tossing the hair of everyone
in the room and catching the breath as it exited their mouths. He turned. The
shadow on the wall mimicked his every step in its own solitary world as he
moved to the cot beside his brothers.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His head fell to the pillow. The last thought on his
troubled, sleepless mind, the burning yellow eyes of a snake about to eat him.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He is running. The air pumping in and out of his lungs,
burning his throat. The sky is black, the worst kind of black. Not a star or a
moon does anything to light his steps.</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A giant creature with a tongue the color of a setting sun
chases him. Though he turns in his flight to peer behind him he cannot see his
pursuer stalking from shadow to shadow. So he focuses his thoughts, his feet,
his breathing all on out running his eminent doom.</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He flies over rocks, stumbling and tripping but never
loosing a pace until he comes to a cave mouth. The smell of burning fire pours
over him and floods his senses. For a second he hesitates. The beast draws
nearer behind him and he squeezes his eyes shut before plunging into the
cavern.</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The smoke he had smelled when he first came to the cave
mouth overwhelms him. Without knowing why, he knows he cannot turn around and
leave. He spins in the dark but behind him, like everywhere else, is black.
Somehow he senses that the beast is no longer behind him, but beside him. He
tries to move but cannot. His body is completely paralyzed.</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The creature laughs in his ear. “This is a surprise, now
isn’t it?” His eyes widen desperately, searching the darkness, but he cannot
find the speaker. Still, his sense tell him that something large is beside him,
a presence darker than the cave itself.</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I send for your realm, and here you are instead.” The voice
echoes and re-echos down the cavern. “Have you come for my kiss?”</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He does not answer. Before he can something tugs at him,
brutally pulling him off his feet, sending him flying through the air. Whatever
the creature is, it shrieks. Claws extend from the darkness trying to grab for
him. He opens his mouth in a scream before everything rushes past him and he
loses his voice.</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">*****</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip cracked open his eyes. His breath rasped down his
throat, pulling like a thorn bush into his lungs. The light of the early
morning stabbed between his mind and eyes.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What?…</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What had he just been thinking? He groaned but no clear
thoughts came to him. Fire and smoke. Claws reaching out to grab him. He
doubled over and retched, but nothing came out of his lips.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He pressed his hands to his head. What a cruel, cruel world.
The wind stirred outside and the sun peeked between the trees, falling on him,
and burning his eyes. He groaned again and licked his lips. They were cold and
dead feeling.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He was sitting like that when someone screamed. A moment
later, just on the edge of his conscience, someone picked him up. He was fussed
over and placed gently in his bed.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His mom looked down on him and she was so terrified that
Clip wanted to get up and run away from the terror that must surely be in the
room. He strained but he couldn’t move his hands that had become so cold.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Another moment later—or maybe it was a century and a half,
his agony burned so—the fussing went silent. He barely turned his head and saw
his mother talking to Clemens. In his fading vision he saw her mouth move but
couldn’t hear anything she must have been saying.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Then his vision faded completely.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The next time he woke it must have been hours later. Someone
said something about dragons. He struggled to sit up. Pain shot like a thorn
through his entire body. Outside of his window his dad was using foul language
to describe something. Clip painfully leaned closer. His vision almost
disappeared and he feared he might pass out again. However, he barely didn’t.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXsF3jwTSUbgwBVXBRZ3PwYQO5-FoTpDErUsHZYbcZtlpBcUYb0ImuYQWTOlQ5qR5IEnl3CSI6C8aRUQbJFjoveA85JhJYvQ8Gcz7vwxbPJEtkBgOScCO4zPeoHeFjQUiJOqaV1qPTNj9/s1600/Jonathan.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXsF3jwTSUbgwBVXBRZ3PwYQO5-FoTpDErUsHZYbcZtlpBcUYb0ImuYQWTOlQ5qR5IEnl3CSI6C8aRUQbJFjoveA85JhJYvQ8Gcz7vwxbPJEtkBgOScCO4zPeoHeFjQUiJOqaV1qPTNj9/s400/Jonathan.jpeg" width="266" /></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jacib went around the back,” his voice was hoarse, as it might
be from the strain of yelling too much, “into Goldstone Wood.” The words rang
in his head and rattled him to his bones.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Silence followed, but not the silence of delirium. Clip
could feel his dad’s head fall. In the silence the sound without a sound shook
Clip to pieces, carrying the pieces broken and torn, away with it. Not
Goldstone Wood. He cried and his tears fell away too, leaving nothing but sleep.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sleep for a moment.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sleep for a day.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All was quiet. All was dark. The candle by the door once
again was not burning. Clip probed his memory. Fog, as thick as cobwebs,
partially lifted from his mind and for a second he remembered.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He remembered the bird. He remembered the dragon.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What are you thinking, Clip?” He was surprised at his now
outburst of apparent fever induced delirium. Dragons were a myth. But even as
he doubted he could not shake the yellow eyes that burned in the back of his
head, dropping the fog, as thick as ever, as dark as the shadows, as still as
the air, back over his senses.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well then, what had happened? He would not be beat out
easily. He pressed through the fog to a place where his father sat outside his
window. His mother wept, her hands on her face, in the illusion. And Clip
remembered Jacib was gone. He was gone into Goldstone Wood, a place of myths
itself.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, Clip,” he told himself, “you’re delusional from fever.
Father was talking about something else and you got confused.” Barely hoping
for what he would see, he looked over to the cot where Jacib would be asleep if
he was still there.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The cot was empty.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His breathing came in gasps and the room swam and swirled
before him. He gathered himself in his arms and blinked away the tears that
sprang involuntarily to his eyes. “But Austeuo,” he tried telling himself, “was
gone too.” He looked back at the bed, dropping tears on his knees and on his
bed. Neither Austeuo or Jacib were on the other cots. And Austeuo certainly
wouldn’t go into Goldstone Wood.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip started rocking himself to sleep and almost didn’t hear
it when the cow began screaming. The agonizing, baleful noise tore through the
night sky, killing any thought of security, and ripped out and tore to shreds
his heart. But it couldn’t out run the evil snarls that chased it.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip thought he knew what made it. He tried his hardest to
put sleep, or delirium, between the horrible cries and himself. But he could
not. Finally the screams stopped. Even the echoes died away. He raised his
head; the battle was over. Resigned to his fate he got to his feet. No one else
was about, straining his ears he could not hear anyone running to see what the
matter was. Expecting to see another human soul in this horrible nightmare was omething
he had given up on.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He walked over to his window, his feet like mud, his legs
like water.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And he looked out.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The cow was dead, mauled beyond recognition. Above it stood
the dragon. Its fangs dripped, gleaming back the fire in its eyes while its
throat swallowed the moonlight, pouring out foul poison. Clip’s own throat
constricted, only taking air in sharp inhales. The dragon looked at him with
the yellow eyes of the bird. The yellow eyes of the creature that preferred the
night, the one who was a bird of prey.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip struggled for air, gasping it in at too slow a rate.
But his vision stayed with him. The dragon smiled. If an expression of joy
could ever be found on a dragon’s lips this was it. Its gruesome teeth spread
out to cover more and more of its face in a hideous display of unsatisfiable
hunger.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip almost fell down, probably never to rise again. It was
a dragon. He knew, he probably always knew, it was a dragon. He drew himself to
the fullest height his little frame possessed. The enemy of all the worlds—if
dragons were real, faeries and their demises must be too—was out his window,
preying on his father’s animals.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He gritted his own teeth, in a much less powerful way, and
clenched the window seal.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fear flooded his mind for a second, a brief moment when the
Clip of five minutes ago would have cowered away, before survival instinct
kicked in and he yelled.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His voice left his mouth quicker than he would have
expected…if he had the chance to expect anything at all. His mind was working
very slowly, responding half-heartedly to stimulus of the outside world because
of the dragon poison. But his little cry, his accusation of such a great evil,
shot through the dark and left him with more inside than he first felt.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The dragon staggered back, spewing more fumes high above his
head, its claws tearing away at the soft earth beneath its feet. Thick air
descended from its mouth, pooling in the yard, before it beat its wings and
leapt to the trees on the edge of the clearing, leaving the cow. It crashed and
plowed through the forest, cracking whole trees in two, then it disappeared out
of sight.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip sunk to his knees. How could a dragon be here? Dragons
were mythical beasts only remembered because of the tales of grandmothers. And
they could never show up without the world knowing. He heard a flutter of wings
and for a second thought the dragon was come back. He choked and turned his
head to the window.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A little wood thrush had just landed on the frame. It looked
at him from behind the shadows, but otherwise ignored him as it threw up its
voice to the freshly stilled air.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip took his legs up in his arms. He suddenly knew what had
happened, despite the dragon poison coursing in his head. The dragon had
disguised itself as a bird, a big black bird, all those nights ago, and for
some reason was stealing their cows, probably to eat.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And now it was in Goldstone Wood.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Along with Jacib.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip rocked back and forth and absent-mindedly studied the
little wood thrush. His encounter with the dragon was slowly leaving his mind,
fading into the obscurity of delusional fever. But he did remember that his
brother was gone, probably captured by the dragon. And he remembered the other
bird, the one with the eyes as bright as fire, as hungry as a flame, who was
the dragon. Strangely though, he was not afraid of the bird in front of him,
though he might should have been.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Its talons were for gripping branches, small and elegant so
it could trickle forth from its speckled belly music in the treetops. He could
not see the bird’s eyes, though he imagined them to be full; full of happiness,
full of joy, full of everything his brother took into Goldstone Wood.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip walked over to his bed, tripping and falling over
himself. He laid down and cried; cried himself to sleep to get away from
himself if possible. And he did sleep. After a while the wood thrush stopped
singing and flew over to the little boy in his bed.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Landing on his head, the little bird guarded his dreams for
the rest of the night.</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER VI</span></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">MORNING CAME too soon. Everyone else was still asleep.
Austeuo was back in his cot, presumably he had returned some time during the
night. Jacib was still gone.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip tested himself by sitting up. After he found he could
use his body he stood all the way. Some of the dragon poison still lingered in
his body and he felt weak. His limbs were exhausted and felt like they were
burning from the inside out. The room faded in and out of focus, but he forced
his eyes to hold it before him, the bed where Clemens and Austeuo were flopped,
the covers Austeuo laid on top of, and the doorway leading outside.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He heard a flutter of wings and spun around to face the small
wood thrush sitting on his pillow, still in the room from the night before. The
wood thrush flapped its wings and flew to the window, bouncing back and forth
there as if it wanted something from Clip. Clip hardly noticed though as his
eyes were drawn past the little bird to the yard outside and all the broken
trees therein.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He prepared himself quickly, slipping into his shoes, out
the door, and across the clearing. The sun was hardly up, probably about an
hour away. The clearing was made nearly double in its size by the ugly scar the
dragon had left the night before. A thick cloud hung over the whole area. If it
had been high in the sky, the sun still would have been missed.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The field was desolate of life except for the boy and the
little bird, who followed behind him. The cow was still strewn out on the lawn
as it had been left. No one must have returned for it. If the sun did not come
out it wouldn’t have been missed by many, so vacant of life was the clearing.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip choked amidst the dark fumes and lost his footing in
the thick morning mist. He fell to the ground. He didn’t even know what he was
doing out headed for the Wood. Did he plan on killing the dragon? His mind swam
inside his head once again unable to form coherent thoughts.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly the world darkened. It may have been just him, but
Clip missed the sun desperately. He thought he spun in the darkness, trying to
get a better look at his surroundings, but it may have been his mind reeling.
Colors flashed before his eyes. Brilliant streaks of red, yellow, green, and
white twirled around him.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He saw images in the air. A horde of tiny dragons flew about
him, circling as buzzards would circle a dead carcass. He scrambled about on
his weak limbs, growing weaker by the heavy, jarring placements of his hands
and knees. Desperately looking around he saw a limb, broken by the large
dragon’s hasty flight the night before, with sharp splinters on one end. He pressed
his way towards the stick hoping to fend off his assailants if he could.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But he could not.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His legs gave out. His arms fell beneath his face. The
putrid air flooded into his lungs and suffocated him to the point of
extinction. But the world still spun about him, picking up pace, flinging evil
images, depictions of nameless horrors, about him and he found no such relief.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The wood thrush landed mere inches away from his face. As he
tried to shoo it away Clip’s hand landed in a deep pool of the dead cow’s
blood. Thick black goo ran down his wrist and stained the sleeve of his only
shirt. He wiped off as much of the blood as he could into the dirt, but it
stayed.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He once more pulled his limbs under himself and got to his
knees. His vision blurred without any help from delirium as his gaze settled on
the pool of blood in front of where he knelt.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A ghostly pair of empty irises stared back at him from the
reflection. The mouth below the depressed eyes twisted, frozen in a horrid
sepulcher for the tongue. Clip startled back and hid his face from himself,
tears falling down his arm.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His father flashed through his head, wearing the expression
he had worn when he first came into the yard to tell his two sons that they had
let all the cows escape. Clip saw his own face there, dark as blood, but it was
more pained than his father’s ever was. And it showed something ugly, something
it could not hide.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was deceived. Deceived by the lies it told to itself.
Lies of innocence and of pride.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was broken. Broken by its own hands.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The dragons whirled faster about in their deadly dance. Clip
saw countless images flash in their midst, going by quickly so that he could
not retain anything he had seen once it disappeared. The little wood thrush
came back up to him again and hopped in the line of his vision.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You did this,” it spoke the accusing phrase, but it almost
sounded like a plea. Clip curled up in a tight ball at the bird’s feet. Did it
have to be true? He spoke to the dragon those many nights ago when it was
disguised as the black bird. But what did that matter? Dragons would hunt
anywhere they wanted to. Who was he to stop them?</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You did this.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">An illusion flew in front of his face. It was clearer than
any of the other ones before it, a scene full of ruined ashes. A great dragon
stood in front of a charred gate, and in front of him stood a girl. He was
talking to the girl as if she were his own, but the girl faded into nothing and</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip saw the yet unfulfilled desire deep in the great dragon’s
soul before the entire image faded away.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip thought he recognized the girl, though he knew he had
never seen her like that. He dug for the answer and found it: the girl talking
to the dragon was princess Una.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She was a friend of dragons!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You did this,” the wood thrush sang again, gently.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She had sent the dragon to him in the first place! She did
this!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You did this.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He didn’t! Clip doubled over and cried, holding his sides
with dirty hands. “Then no one did this.” But no, he could not believe that.
Dragons were evil, but he had let this happen. For the first time since he had
spoken it, he remembered his promise to the black bird. The promise he had made
on the first night he saw the black bird: “I promise protection.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Protection, cooperation, shelter.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">To take the creature in as his own.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was his fear that had led Clip to make such a promise,
his own need and desire. And it was wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You did this.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clip tried to keep tears from falling all over himself but
they came anyway. He wiped his face with his hand and looked at the thrush.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He fell over and lost himself to crying. Hot tears burned on
his face even more dreadfully than the dragon poison had burned. He coughed and
choked as putrid smoke poured out from deep within his chest. Time seemed to
stop for him while the rest of the world spun on forever and ever, leaving him
behind to die.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But he felt strong arms come around him. He looked up and
saw a prince holding him; he could be no other than the most royal of royalty.
The wood thrush was in His eyes, singing a beautiful song. Clip heard the song
and his heart rose at the sound. The prince lifted him and Clip let Him. He sat
upright in the morning air. All the smoke was gone, as well as the images of
the dragons.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, you brought this dragon here, but do you know what you
have done against me?”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Prince spoke. Clip looked into His eyes and he did know.
He knew everything. He saw a young boy hidden in those eyes and he saw a man
older than the generations of the stars themselves, both ready to forgive a
great evil.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” his lips trembled but he forced the words out.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“And will you follow me?”</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” he did not need to force the words out this time.
They spilled off of his tongue in a torrent. “Beyond my days, my master.”</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So it was that Clipseolar, a mortal, was knighted as a
knight of the Farthest Shore by the Lumil Eliasul.</span></div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-2155658713182785062015-09-09T15:27:00.000-07:002015-09-09T15:27:11.746-07:00Eanrin's Gamble by Cornelia Greenidge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiGLC0tiIi9pgMraQyc-oXtj-u7CEZLOLi0P2tIiqICi4Q6a32t-KuVuDcgTjB2tDpOCi2xoPs4EO47ABoNqCDGMg9ecfIKhRSnmhNN4YILDq82zSD7jzcID8FbT5wvd_Wv7NsFBFHOPR/s1600/Eanrin%2527sGamble.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiGLC0tiIi9pgMraQyc-oXtj-u7CEZLOLi0P2tIiqICi4Q6a32t-KuVuDcgTjB2tDpOCi2xoPs4EO47ABoNqCDGMg9ecfIKhRSnmhNN4YILDq82zSD7jzcID8FbT5wvd_Wv7NsFBFHOPR/s640/Eanrin%2527sGamble.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Prince Gervais was in a rare mood. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The princess seemed quite interested in him. Of course,
there was no reason why she shouldn’t be. He was a prince among princes after
all and, when compared to that stuffy Aethelbald, he couldn’t but be admired.
Still, it paid not to take chances with these things. That was why he was so
pleased with himself for that little serenade in the garden. He beamed. A young
woman, starved for flattering attention, could not fail to be won over by one
of the syrup songs that comprised almost all of Bard Eanrin’s early verse.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“If only she’d be
mine!” </i>He sang a few lines to himself as he walked. Once he married a noble
woman of fortune, his freedom was assured. King Fidel was, as his name implied,
a faithful man. He would be sure to look after his daughter’s – and her
husband’s – welfare. She wasn’t an unattractive girl, either, this Princess
Una. So caught up was he in these happy thoughts that he didn’t notice one of
Aethelbald’s knights, a tawny-haired blind man, crossing his path until he’d almost
run into him. He brushed past the knight and was continuing on his way, when
the man unexpectedly turned and fell into step beside him. The knight grinned
down at him.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“That was quite the song selection.” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Gervais stiffened. Something about this man made him
distinctly uneasy. “You were listening?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I’m blind, not deaf. It was hard to miss that serenade. What
made you choose it?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Surely you must know the piece.” If this knight was hoping
for information to bring back to his awkward master, Gervais had every
intention of making it difficult for him. “It is one of Bard Eanrin’s best
loved poems. It speaks only of sincerity and true depth of emotion.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man made a strange sound. It was like a cough - or a
short, choking laugh. Gervais was having too fine a day to be mocked by the
servant of his poor rival.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You believe you can do better, my friend?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I believe I have.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How about a wager, then?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would have money enough to spare when the
princess was his bride, and – while he didn’t fancy a duel with the strange
knight – this man needed to be taught a stern lesson for his insolence. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A wager?” It was impossible in this form, but Eanrin’s ears
pricked. He had observed Gervais and his men whiling time away in idle gambling,
though none seemed too keen on playing with the prince, and he had heard
Gervais was known for his persistent promises of later payment. “What sort of
wager?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A game of hazards. If you win, I will grant you a small
fortune. If I, than you must compose a song in my honor – if your verse is as
good as you claim.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The knight was familiar with hazards, a dice game of the
near world. Still, he shook his head. “I’ve played greater games for lower
stakes than this, but a fortune may be won or lost too easily. No, let’s be
more traditional.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How do you mean?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I win, and you stop pursuing the princess.” Gervais frowned
slightly at this suggestion. She was his fortune! Still, this man had
challenged him twice now, and no one could do that and walk away freely.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Very well. And if I win, -” Gervais began, but the knight
held up a hand, stopping him. “I, of course, am but a servant and cannot speak
for my master’s pursuit of the girl. Your wager will have to lie with me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Inspiration hit Gervais. He smiled broadly. “If I win, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>, my friend,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>will serve as my personal bard – or perhaps jester. It’s been so
long since I had one.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Jester?!?” The knight stiffened, affronted, but stopped to
ponder the suggestion. Any man capricious enough to risk losing his lady in
hopes of humiliating his opponent, Eanrin knew, could not love her. Gervais had
hidden depths of cruelty as well as greed. This made it even more unfortunate
that Una appeared quite besotted with him. She would learn in time, but perhaps
not soon enough. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unless</i>… Eanrin nodded,
thoughtfully. “I suppose I could serve as bard. I already have some small work
in that line, but if you’ll permit me the odd holiday, I’m sure something can
be arranged.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gervais laughed, “The odd holiday? Really, my friend, you
are more fit to be a jester. You are too amusing already! But now you must
prove your skill before we begin our game.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of Fidel’s guards, a suitable judge, was obtained. The
game was explained to him, and Gervais again urged Eanrin for a demonstration
of his skill before they played. The poet began his song.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh Gleamdrene, your
lovely face</i> –” He was cut short by Gervais. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This must be a song of your own composition, my friend. I
don’t wish to be rude, but that was one of Bard Eanrin’s.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eanrin frowned. “How could you tell?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am familiar with all of his compositions dedicated to the
beauty of Gleamdrene Gormlaith.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Really?” The poet looked surprised. “I’m not sure even I
recall every composition.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They are the ideal of romance to which I aspire.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eanrin almost choked. Amusement and concern battled for
dominance on his features. Amusement won out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, a man’s taste says a great deal about him. What about
a poem dedicated to a different lady?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That would be sufficient proof that it is not Eanrin’s
verse. The immortal bard never wrote of anyone but Gleamdrene. Please, carry on
with this piece.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eanrin chuckled. “Very well, but don’t let word of this one
travel. If it returns to the woman in question, and she learns what I made it
public for, I could find myself in some very unpleasant water.” And he began. This
place in the near world didn’t have the acoustics of the halls of red and
green, but Eanrin’s voice carried a far gentler quality than usual, and his
tone was sweet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She walked in strength
and dignity</i>,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walked in a world
apart.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She lived in grace and
dignity,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Although she did not
yet live free,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Until one day, when
forced to flee,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She caught my foolish
heart.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She walks now on the
good, true way,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Caught in the wood
between,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I walked with her
along that way,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And know that I may
truly say</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That all the things
you see today,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Are none to what I’ve
seen.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As he finished, the guard nodded. That poem would serve to
let him progress. Gervais also nodded, but more grudgingly. “I shall always
prefer the classics, but you have a nice voice and are very entertaining. So
long as you have a good store of Eanrin’s Gleamdrene pieces memorized, you
would entertain my court very well.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, those particular songs always seemed to be rather high
in demand in Rudiobus as well.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eanrin picked up the die and had them in hand when he
stopped. Perhaps it was only right to warn this foolish prince. After all, he
was a faerie, and there was a reason the people of the far world didn’t usually
gamble with cards or dice. They had an awkward knack of always winning. He
continued casually,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In the event you win this mortal game of chance, you, as a
true lover of the art, would be very gracious to allow me to return to serenade
them every few decades.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gervais had been laughing to himself at the thought of this
blind man hoping to best him, but this brought him up short – confused. Eanrin
continued, merrily unaffected. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My king, Iubdan, has always quite enjoyed those pieces, and
I confess there are very few entertainments in the worlds equal to my lady
Gleamdrene turning up her nose at my latest performance. Spoken, of course,”
here he grinned a cat’s grin and rolled the dice, watching Gervais begin to
shift uncomfortably, “from my sincerity and true depth of emotion.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
---</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barely fifteen minutes later, Gervais walked off, head
hanging, mustering his men to leave Parumvir. It was uncanny! There had been no
cheating, no apparent spells or chants over the die, the man couldn’t even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">see </i>them! The knight had evidently begun
enjoying himself, however, and he called after the prince.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We must discuss the topic of royalties before you leave, of
course.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gervais wheeled back around. “Royalties?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I generally consider my art a free expression of my
devotion to be shared with the worlds. However, I understand that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> have been putting much of it to your
own profit with the fair maids of the near world.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gervais opened his mouth to protest, but Eanrin held up a
hand. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not to worry. I’m not one to judge a man unfairly. Simply
provide me with a small payment – the going rate for a bard of my reputation – every
time you wish to serenade a young lady. Starting, of course, with that piece
you so recently used in the garden.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can’t do that! If you really are Bard Eanrin, men have
been wooing women with your poetry for centuries!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes indeed, but very few turn it into a form of monetary
gain.” He turned and began striding away, calling over his shoulder,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just see that you provide the first payment or two before
leaving. There’s a good fellow.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And he was gone. </div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><div class="MsoNormal">
---</div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once away, Eanrin finished chuckling to himself and fell –
however briefly - into a thoughtful mood. There was something about that
fellow, something familiar…that song for Imraldera - for, of course, he’d been
speaking about her - brought back memories he hadn’t considered in some time.
Memories of a young mortal maiden, of a trip through the wood between, of the
lair of ChuMana the serpent and the arrogant prince who had – Eanrin stopped.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dragon’s teeth!” </div>
<b>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</b></span></span>Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-82828567547542100672015-09-09T15:25:00.000-07:002015-09-09T15:25:05.742-07:00Guta's Soliloquy by Meredith Burton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7r8swiTORaXk07Tzj0IzdzTvCikA2DVDj3PcV9M3o5rs0TqOl7KfjjOvj88zElTZhu8e0qjlrlt5WLpygSHl8-BiuXWlj2hwNIYPlm8OWK6LcYBYgQUOVg9zDv29p93nO_aG2FQquc1A/s1600/Guta%2527sSoliloquy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7r8swiTORaXk07Tzj0IzdzTvCikA2DVDj3PcV9M3o5rs0TqOl7KfjjOvj88zElTZhu8e0qjlrlt5WLpygSHl8-BiuXWlj2hwNIYPlm8OWK6LcYBYgQUOVg9zDv29p93nO_aG2FQquc1A/s640/Guta%2527sSoliloquy.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A word spoken
so easily, a puff of breath, a single exhalation.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A word so
sharp-edged and yet so dull.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pain’s taloned fingers gouge, mutilate and shred.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The soft caress of Pain’s kiss crushes and defiles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A simple word, yet a word so wild.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You think I do not understand Pain? How wrong you are! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a beast, ‘tis true, but I had a brother
once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps you do not remember his
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to know of him, his
story can be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need only look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet you will not find the whole story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will find only fragments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen to me, and I will tell you all. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My brother and I were born in pain and blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We killed the one who bore us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twins we were, identical in ugliness,
identical in being unwanted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who was our father, you ask? You would call him a beast, and
you would be correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our father found our
mother in the Wood one day, a mortal maiden lost and alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grew weary of her after a time, as the
Faerie beasts can be fickle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he
did not leave her alone completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wanted to see his children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not
pleased with what he saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have felt
his blows on many occasions, although my brother suffered most.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite our father’s treatment of us, my brother admired him,
for he shared Father’s aspirations to rule a demesne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe he was seeking something more,
perhaps our father’s praise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
foolish! From observing my brother’s actions, I’ve learned that stealing a
kingdom is folly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brother gained
ascendency over a mortal village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
action resulted in his undoing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
learned that it is best to be alone and seek what sustenance you can.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Centuries have passed, and my father is no more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not a Faerie King, so he did not have
three lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, if you are
wondering, my father died by my hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
feel no remorse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I first feasted upon Pain the day I encountered a young
girl. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was lost in the Wood
Between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was running in panic,
heedless of the Paths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears flowed like
rivers down her cheeks, and she repeatedly pleaded for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she cried, I heard singing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone called to the girl, seeking to lead
her to safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to act
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the girl floundered past the
pit in which I lurked, I reached out and clasped her ankle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did I do this? Because she represented
all that I did not have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You call me a
monster, but cannot a monster suffer loneliness?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could not keep the mortal girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interfering Songster wrenched her from my
grasp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not dwell on that
fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will instead think of the feast
itself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever I feast, I taste another feeling beneath the pain,
one that I cannot name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That feeling
tastes so very sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, mortals
journeying through the Wood consume a golden substance that they call
honey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I have never tasted
honey, I wonder if the sweet taste of which I’ve partaken is similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told my brother of that feeling, telling
him he must taste it for himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often
met and discussed our conquests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How I
miss our talks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do not know how
bereft you are of something until it is gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You ask why I beat my victims? It is because Pain heightens
the taste of the sweetness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
certain people who struggle so mightily against me that the other feeling
rushes from them in waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, as with
all types of feasting, once the meal is consumed, the feelings vanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I continue to seek that feeling, hoping that
one day it will remain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It never does.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I still hear that interfering singer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is entangled in every story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite all I do, he cannot be silenced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pain is my companion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He is a demanding but constant master.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will feast until Lumé and Hymlumé cease to rise,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until the mountains crumble into the sea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For in serving Pain, I serve myself.</div>
<b>
</b></span></span>Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-37659228965992218252015-09-09T15:15:00.001-07:002015-09-09T15:15:38.145-07:00The Sound of Thrush Song by Savannah P. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22-HheuuvgmX-sxFHCsTlt8oOK4ulAvlZljGVABOi7UK92gw_ZGraIHDYrn3qnD9GjAwW9VAa28u1nv7myfSCVDHo2jjKS28fCkmFe0TcwYGu6s8gF5XMdp9JcbZWYpQHPZ0EiBysypnW/s1600/TheSoundofThrushSong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22-HheuuvgmX-sxFHCsTlt8oOK4ulAvlZljGVABOi7UK92gw_ZGraIHDYrn3qnD9GjAwW9VAa28u1nv7myfSCVDHo2jjKS28fCkmFe0TcwYGu6s8gF5XMdp9JcbZWYpQHPZ0EiBysypnW/s640/TheSoundofThrushSong.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
In the
stillness of the silence </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
In
the darkness of the night </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
There
comes the sound of Thrush song<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
As
the day blooms golden bright </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
In
the coldest depths of winter </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
On
the brightest summer day </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
There
comes the sound of Thrush song </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
To
lead you not astray </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
In
the worry of this lifetime </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
In
the doubts that play their tune</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
There
comes the sound of Thrush song</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
Glowing
silver as Hymlume </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
In
the midst of all the tragedy</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
In
the middle of all the strife </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
There
comes the sound of Thrush song </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
That
promises new life<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
So
when you cannot find your path </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
When
in the dark you wander </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
Wait
to hear the soft Thrush song </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
From across the Final Waters</div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-80910879005934006692015-09-09T15:10:00.002-07:002015-09-09T15:10:29.112-07:00Fey Born by Hannah Williams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b> </b></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74jv1GcFnLaCens8Uxy43Yim8I5MwMpCN2xcFHZ7mImIOzbORAmACnaIHLGRwiIoHSlYaNgZunnNEg76qeNAzUADy6iiD7uIaIeez8oS1GoGnFBEThYRhIS-I9UpG6ecmMtMituXWf5Xq/s1600/FeyBorn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74jv1GcFnLaCens8Uxy43Yim8I5MwMpCN2xcFHZ7mImIOzbORAmACnaIHLGRwiIoHSlYaNgZunnNEg76qeNAzUADy6iiD7uIaIeez8oS1GoGnFBEThYRhIS-I9UpG6ecmMtMituXWf5Xq/s640/FeyBorn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Prelude</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Though his mother had done her best
to keep him away from the villages, Swiftwing learned at a very young age that
he was not like other boys. Other boys had fathers and other boys were never
avoided with wide eyes and signs of fear and reverence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No one ever told him he was not
supposed to learn the language his mother wove with her fingers so he learned
it quicker than many a child, and when he discovered that there was another
language, one of noise that only men used, he learned that too, though it was
seldom that he heard it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But then his mother lay down ill,
and soon the day came that he could not wake her. Then in tears, he’d made his
lonely way to the village, and the men took him in as one of them. Yet he was
not one of them, for still they held him in awe and respect that they gave to
no other youth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Only once did any man dare act
against him, and it was when Swiftwing was still very young and had not learned
that the language of dancing fingers was only for women. The first and last
time he spoke it in the men’s presence, one of them struck him so hard across
the face he saw stars for the rest of the day. But the other men were provoked
to fear, as if something might strike them for striking him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So he lived amongst them, yet ever
apart. Equal, yet ever above, but ever below. And the higher they held him, the
lower he felt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The night that the Wolf Lord died,
all their reverence turned to rage. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Chapter
1</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The shadows of night had fallen upon
the South Land, and in them could be felt a darkness greater still—the darkness
of crawling fear and teeming hatred. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hunkered against the ground,
Swiftwing could nearly feel the earth pulsing with uncertainty and anger. He
lay perfectly still, listening and looking for any sign of danger. The sharp
smell of the soil beneath his cheek stung in his nostrils, and a few wandering
insects crawled across his prone body, but he paid them no heed. Perhaps no one
else would have felt the tension running through the night, a night humming
with the life of the jungle. But he felt the aches of the land as clearly as
that of his own body. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A distant cry broke the false calm.
Swiftwing’s muscles tightened in response, ready again for flight if need be.
But the cry was different than what he’d expected, far more high and child-like
than that of a man’s, and yet not that of a child nor an animal. Ever so
silently, he lifted himself up and cocked his head to hear better. Yes, now he
could hear what he expected—the rumble of warrior’s voices and running feet. He
should leave now, make certain their path did not cross his. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But he remained still, his gazing
piercing through the forests towards the first and foreign cry. What might have
caused it, and why were the warriors hunting it? In the very tip of his
hearing, he fancied he heard the song of a daytime bird, beckoning him forth
from his hiding. His heart responded to it with little thought, following its
call as naturally as that of his own instinct. He gathered himself up into a
crouch and darted through the brush, agile and cunning as a wildcat. The sound
of the unknown creature stumbling through the jungle drew him to it, and in
mere moments, he sprang onto a log and stared down into the dell below. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A woman hunkered below him,
struggling to loosen her long dark hair from where it had tangled in a thicket
of thorns. She was not yet aware of his presence, but he could see the whites
of her eyes rolling to watch for her pursuers as she jerked fruitlessly against
the branches, her effort for freedom only sounding alarms for her capture. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He leapt down from the log and
landed beside her. At his appearance, the strange terrible cry sounded
again—from her mouth. He stared, appalled. Women made no sound! They only spoke
with their lovely fingers and faces. But he could not deny the truth of her
whimpers or the terror held within them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Silence,
they will hear you!</i> he said, weaving his words with his hands, the speech
he always took around women if there were no men nearby. He knelt beside her
and grabbed for the branches, snapping them one by one with care to avoid the
many sharp thorns. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But though she made no sound again,
she shoved against him with all her strength and leapt the other direction, the
bush again yanking her to a halt with a loud rustle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I will not hurt you, I will not
hurt you,” he hissed in a whisper, realizing that she may not have been able to
see his hands in the dark. It was hard to remember that no one seemed to see as
well as him at night. Yet his voice did not comfort her. Her hands beat as his
face, nails scratching his skin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The sound of their pursuers thundered
in his ears, and in panic, he threw aside all silence and tact. Forcing himself
past her, he reached and embraced all the branches in his arms, thorns
piercing, and broke them with a heavy twist. A sharp ache bit through the bone
of his left arm, reminding him of its past injury, and he swallowed back a
curse. He grabbed the struggling girl and threw her over his shoulder even as
the first hunter crested the ridge above them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His eyes met that of the man’s, and
a snarl burst from his chest. It was not the growl of a man but that of a
beast, and it surprised even him. The man faltered, and Swiftwing took the
moment to leap for the log on the other side. His free arm grasped it, and he
flung himself and the girl over, hearing a spear thunk into the wood behind
him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The girl was still fighting, but she
was small and he was strong, and he paid her little heed as he tore through the
forest, the startled cries of monkeys and night birds hollering around and
drowning out any sound of his passing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sometime during their long and wild
flight, the woman had stopped struggling. Swiftwing at last drew to a halt and
stood still, sniffing the air and listening for any sound of pursuit. But all
was still and silent once more, and he could hardly even feel the tension of
the earth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sharp teeth snapped down on the
flesh of his wrist, and he leapt in surprise, stifling a yell. The girl tumbled
from his shoulder and flung herself around to face him, teeth still bared. And
then she spoke.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“By the Song Giver of my sister and
mother, you will not take me!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Swiftwing stood stunned, his wounded
hand limply falling from his embrace. He felt as if the entire world had gone
mute around him in disbelief that a woman spoke. A wild thought flew across his
mind that perhaps it was a trick or somehow a young boy disguising himself as a
woman, but that voice was unlike any man’s he ever heard and it’s truth could
not be denied. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How…how do you speak this tongue?”
he whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She startled at his voice, and she
seemed to peer at him through the darkness as if she had thought him someone
else and only just recognized him as a stranger. “Do you not know?” she said,
her voice rough and angry, yet somehow still the loveliest thing he’d ever
heard. “After all this time, do you dare claim to be the only man of our land
who does not know? Is this not why you were hunting me?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Swiftwing shook his head. He
disliked how she had to stare so high up at him and he lowered himself to the
ground, holding her gaze as she watched his every move. “I have not lived
amongst the tribes for a long while.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Why?” she snapped. “Are you shamed?” Scarcely had the words left her mouth
then she cowered. It was clear that she was still not used to speaking her mind.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Am
I shamed?</i> Swiftwing wondered. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I wish
I knew</i>. He wanted there to be a reason he could understand for how everyone
had treated him throughout his youth, and why they had all turned against him
and sought to kill him that horrible night now long past. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where do you come from?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I will not tell you,” she whispered.
“You’ll take me to those who hunt me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It struck him as strange that he
accepted her voice so easily. Perhaps it was because he always had understood
women’s language, and that one should now have a voice felt only right and
wonderful. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I would not,” he assured. “They hunt me
too.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her expression changed at that, and
she peered even harder at his features, with now a thoughtful and saddening
face. “Yes,” she said at last, “They would.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Every muscle inside him jolted, even
more than when she’d first spoke. What could she mean? What did she see so
clearly about him that he couldn’t? “Why do you say that?” he demanded. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She shifted. “I am from Red Clay
village.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He scowled, irritated that she
changed the subject, but her words he could not ignore. “That is on the other
side of the South Land. Have you traveled so far alone?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I have been going from village to
village,” she said. “Teaching.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you the only woman to speak?”
He did not think she could have spoken since birth. Her voice and words were
still so slurred as if unsure of how to form. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She shook her head. “No. The curse
broke the night the Wolf Lord died. All women may speak now.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The night the Wolf Lord died. The
night the men drove him away. The night women spoke. Was there a connection
somewhere that he could not imagine? There had to be. And she knew, she knew
something. But he knew from looking at her wary face that he could not pry so
far yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Is that why they hunt you?” he
prodded gently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She was silent for a while, her eyes
huge. “They are all afraid,” she whispered. “Man, woman, child, everyone. Their
god is dead, and they are afraid of change, even if it is better. I speak to
them of hope of life, and for that they would kill me. They call me
She-Who-Speaks. But to their ears I speak nothing but horror.” </span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Chapter
2</span></u></b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Swiftwing woke to the trill of a
morning thrush. Something so small and gentle should not have pulled him from
sleep, so he stealthily sat up and looked for anything else that might have
disturbed him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The very first thing he noticed was
that the girl was gone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He’d taken her to the place he
called home, a grassy corner tucked between rocks and behind thickets and told
her to sleep there, while he had gone to the tree above and secured himself in
the thick branches. Long through the night he’d heard her shifting and thought
neither of them would find any sleep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Apparently he had slept, and she had
gone. But she couldn’t have been gone for too long, for the grass was still
pressed flat where she’d lain. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He dropped down to the ground and
spotted the path she had taken through the bushes, all the dew scattered from
the leaves. He pushed through them and paused, inhaling to catch some scent of
her. Yes, there she was, not very far away at all. She must have only recently
left, which must have meant she had fallen asleep too as she would have rather
gone before dawn had come. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hurried
after her trail, keeping a wary ear and eye open for any sign of danger, for
the jungles of his land were perilous. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It did not take him long to catch
her. He silently passed her hurrying figure and went to wait for her ahead. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When she saw him seated upon the
tree fallen before her, her mouth twisted into a scowl. “Why do you follow me?”
she demanded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It is not safe for a woman to
travel alone,” he replied.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her laugh was hollow and sad. “I
have been alone for a long while now. Do not think this is my first time. I
have traveled from village to village over and over to proclaim freedom to my
people.” Avoiding his gaze, she climbed over the trunk and continued down the
path.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He fell into step beside her, and he
could nearly feel the walls fall into place between them. “Were you never not
alone?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At first, the only answer he
received was the crunch of their footsteps on the ground and the swish of
branches brushed away. “I had a dog,” she said finally. Her voice trembled, but
she steadied it before continuing. “But she was old and she died after about a
year of my travels. Yet she protected me to her last breath, and now I can take
care of myself.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Swiftwing thought back to last night
and disagreed, but he did not say so aloud. He only just kept walking alongside
her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She cleared her throat. “Which means
you can leave.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He laughed deep inside himself, but
did not allow it to show even in his eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She ground to a halt and glared at
him when he swung around to face her. “What about the men who hunt you? You
will not keep following me!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How,” he asked softly, “are you
going to make me stop?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fear leapt into her eyes at his
response, and he inwardly cursed himself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I will do you no harm,” he hastily
assured. “I only mean to see that you are kept safe.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why?” she demanded, her teeth
clenched. “Why?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He considered for a long moment,
sorting through the various reasons he felt his heart so drawn to her. She
could see something about him that he couldn’t. She knew the truth about the
women’s speaking, which meant she knew something about the Wolf Lord’s death.
And…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At last, he said, “You remind me of
my mother.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She did not answer, she did not even
blink; she only turned and walked away. But when he followed her again, she
made no protest. </span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It had been far too long since
Swiftwing had seen a village. He was startled at how his stomach turned at the
distant sight of the huts, the spiraling smoke of the fire, and the roving figures.
Why, why, had they refused to let him be a part of their lives, to be equal
amongst them? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He turned to see the woman staring
at him with far too perceptive eyes. Swallowing hard, he looked away, hoping
his skin had not turned so grey as it felt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You should remain in the trees,”
she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, they may turn on you,” he
began.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I have been here before. They
listen.” Her shoulders hunched as she spoke and her gaze darkened as she
glanced again at the villages. “It will be better for both of us if you remain
behind.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There it was, that indication that
she understood something more about him! He nearly leapt forward, caught her
arm, and demanded to know the secret, but she was already striding through the
trees. As he watched her go, he thought how no woman he’d ever seen had ever walked
with such strength, no matter how forced. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He crept through the brush closer
into the village so he could better watch and listen. By the time he’d drawn
near enough, she was already in the village center, most of the people gathered
around her. The expressions of the people were starkly contrasted, some showing
uncertain hope and respect, but most of fear and anger. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The tribes are sundered,
She-Who-Speaks!” a man growled. “What peace we had under the Wolf Lord is now
utterly gone! How can this Giver of Names you speak of be good?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Agreeing murmurs chorused in
response, but the girl shouted above them all. “Listen, listen to me again! The
Wolf Lord had us all under slavery, woman and man. Yes, there is now fear, but
there need not be. Listen, and let me tell you again. Our High Priest Wolf
Tongue was not a god, but a monster come from the Grey Wood, and he was the
Wolf Lord, turning from man to wolf at will! His hunger would have devoured us
all in the end.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Swiftwing hunkered lower still to
the ground to muffle his gasp. What was this she spoke? He knew of Wolf Tongue
and though he’d only ever seen him from afar, he knew he was a powerful and
terrible man. But a monster possessed of such power? Impossible. Yet his skin
crawled as he remembered the times he’d wandered too close to the Grey Wood and
the mystery that had reached out to touch his heart with icy fingers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The woman was still speaking. “But
we were not forsaken. Have any of you never heard music in the night, have you
not wondered at the beauty of the stars? Have you never wanted to be known by
your true name? The Giver of Names delivered the chieftain’s eldest daughter
from death and took her from this land. He gave the Silent Lady the power to
speak, and she returned and brought about the Wolf Lord’s death. And now we are
free, all of us free to speak, for yes, even you men were captive before, not
daring to love.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A heavy silence followed her words,
a few growls and grunts rumbling under its surface. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Swiftwing lay paralyzed at this new
revelation. A woman had killed the Wolf Lord? Whatever would this girl say
next? Was she mad? Yet he could not deny how her words entranced him for many
times he had wondered if he heard music in the sky, in the water, in the
thrush’s song, and he wondered where that beauty came from, for the Wolf Lord
knew only brutality, and beauty was to be taken, not cherished. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where is the Silent Lady now?” A
man’s voice suddenly demanded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“She has been called to other lands
by the Song Giver,” the girl answered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where is this Song Giver?” the man
continued. “Where is any proof to what you say? The Wolf Lord is dead, and
women speak, but how do we know you do not use this to take this world for your
own? A silent woman thinking she can rule? Not over us!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The girl paled as the man’s angry
words spread throughout the crowd, and nearly all the gazes staring at her
became hostile. “Please,” she began, her voice a tremor, “that is not my
intent. Search your hearts, do you not hear the Song Giver’s—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Witch!” the man yelled.
“Sorceress!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picked up a stone and
heaved it at her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The next moment, Swiftwing had risen
to his feet and flown across the distance between them. He grabbed the man’s
wrists before he could loose another stone and threw him to the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man hit the dust with a thud and
a groan, and everyone near drew back and looked with shock and fear at
Swiftwing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But it was only with the fear that
they might turn upon an enemy. He watched as it again transformed into the fear
of a monster.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Blight of our fathers!” the man
wailed. He scrambled to his feet and backed into the safety of his fellows, but
though his gaze did not leave Swiftwing, his words were for the woman. “You
witch, you serve him! Is this another scheme of his to rule?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Never had anyone accused Swiftwing
of wanting to rule. Startled, he looked to She-Who-Speaks for an answer, and he
was aghast to see that she gone pale grey. Her hands trembled, the fingers
moving in strange jerks. And then he realized that she was speaking to him,
speaking in the woman’s language.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Run</i>,
her fingers said. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">RUN.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then the man drew a knife, and
Swiftwing wheeled on his foot, grabbed the girl by her wrist, and ran. They
raced back to the trees, the terror of the villagers rising into a raging roar as
they came after. But as soon as he passed under the trees, Swiftwing knew that
they would be safe. He pulled the girl closer to him, then scooped her up into
his arms, despite her grunts of protest. Then he truly did run, and soon the
village was far behind them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The moment he began slowing pace,
She-Who-Speaks began to squirm until he was obliged to stop and put her down. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I told you not to come,” she
snarled, flushed and panting. She scraped aside the hair that had caught in her
mouth spoke again. “How could you go and show your face like that?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Swiftwing took a hard, angry step
forward. “Why?” he shouted. “What is wrong with my face, why does everyone fear
it?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The girl became very still. Her eyes
stared past as him as if she saw some unknown horror. Then slowly she
whispered, “You do not know?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Frustration clotted in his throat,
nearly making him choke. He had to swallow several times before he could speak,
and then his voice scraped out in a rough murmur, “No. I do not know. No one
has ever told me. Not my mother, not the men. You too feared me at first sight,
but now you don’t. Why am I different from everyone?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unwillingly, her gaze lifted to his.
“Did you not ever wonder why your eyes are yellow?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But it is only eye color,” he said
desperately. “There are many people in the tribes whose eyes are different
shades of brown. Why should pale eyes make me terrible? Because I am the only
one?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Because you are not the only one,”
she said, her lips wooden. “The only other man with yellow eyes in all the
South Land was Wolf Tongue….the Wolf Lord.” </span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Chapter
3</span></u></b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The jungles of the South Land swept
out like a blanket before him, appearing flat and unbroken, but he knew how
many chasm s scored through the earth, splitting the land into pieces. The
birds of early morning rose in glorious chorus from the trees and monkeys
wailed their wild cries, all seeming determined to ignore the pain of their
realm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But Swiftwing sat blind and deaf to
it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Wolf Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The terror, the ruler, the god of
the land. Not even the elders could remember a time when he had not ruled. He
was always there, always hungry, always devouring. So much blood had he drank,
so much flesh had he claimed. A tyrant, a monster. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His father.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As a boy, he’d asked his mother why
he didn’t have a father like other boys. The question had seemed to pain her,
so he eventually stopped asking. But now he knew, and he also knew why his
mother had refused to attend any of the ceremonies, why whenever rumor of the
High Priest came, she had taken her child and they had traveled deeper into the
forest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Footsteps crunched beside him, and
he looked up to see She-Who-Speaks standing next to him. Her face was drawn
tight with uncertainty, but true sorrow shone in her eyes. “I am sorry,” she
said at last. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Swiftwing looked back to the distant
mountains, his arms wrapping tighter around his knees. “Why did she still love
me?” he whispered. “Why did she not abandon me at birth?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The girl sighed and slowly lowered
herself down to sit beside him, joining his gaze to the horizon. “You might
have been his, but you were also hers. And in that she found a gift.” Her voice
shook as she spoke the last word. “I had a sister who loved me, but I could not
understand why, for my birth had taken away her beloved mother. Yet she saw me
as a gift and cherished me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After the silence grew
uncomfortable, Swiftwing asked, “Where is this sister of yours?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She-Who-Speaks wove her fingers
together as if seeking a hand she could no longer touch. “She left. She went
beyond this land.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He thought perhaps she meant death,
but then he remembered her words to the villagers. “Is your sister then the
Silent Lady you spoke of?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His breath drew in sharp, and he
swung to face her. “Then she killed the Wolf Lord! How? How did a maiden
accomplish it?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I did not say she killed the Wolf
Lord,” the girl replied, eyes kindling with annoyance. “I said she brought it
about.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He considered this in silence,
wondering how this was done, but the girl no longer seemed inclined to share as
she was turned away from him. She might have accepted him, but he could still
feel her resentment. Resentment he deserved. He was the son of a monster. For
that he deserved hate. Yet he did not feel hate from her, and it puzzled him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A sweet silver trill danced through
the morning stillness, bringing a brightness as real as the sun that surged
life into both the figures and the earth upon which they sat. The girl
straightened, her eyes searching hopefully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There,” Swiftwing said, pointing.
“There he is.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The wood thrush danced from branch
to branch in a tree near them, flicking his tail and whistling cheerfully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You listen to the songbird?” the
girl asked, and her surprised voice held none of the hostility always
underlying her words before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes,” Swiftwing said, his mouth softening.
“My mother always loved it. She named me for it. May you always pursue his
swift wing, she’d tell me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He looked at her then, and his very
breath was stolen at the sight. He had seen from the first that she was
beautiful. But now he saw how truly beautiful she could be. The first golden
glow of the sun caught in the stray strands of her thick dark hair, and her
face was aglow with the same light, her wide eyes gleaming with gold stars.
Most beautiful of all was the wondrous smile curving her lips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I was named for the songbird as
well,” she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“She-Who-Speaks?” he said in
bewilderment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,” the girl said. “Fairbird. My
name is Fairbird.”<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-62119622560044344192015-09-09T15:09:00.002-07:002015-09-09T15:09:42.744-07:00Fallen Kingdom by Sarah Taleweaver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0PIvAE-D0y-seXsFv3B01zuzOs-qw9a3yk6pudNy58puCI5ZqkappOORUhGyOAtHf88iL3zM932QmcvC3FzGSfdnrX7x5j3FJcmTFTd_0_lysc8eP73kodWwG3zPgdfWS-lJg6dQ2xNL/s1600/FallenKingdom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0PIvAE-D0y-seXsFv3B01zuzOs-qw9a3yk6pudNy58puCI5ZqkappOORUhGyOAtHf88iL3zM932QmcvC3FzGSfdnrX7x5j3FJcmTFTd_0_lysc8eP73kodWwG3zPgdfWS-lJg6dQ2xNL/s640/FallenKingdom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once I had a kingdom;</div>
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Fair it was, and full of life.</div>
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Winged folk, immortal, bright,</div>
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Flew free among its many towers.</div>
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Yet among the joy I had not my love,</div>
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And without him all this was not enough.</div>
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</div>
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Once I had a kingdom;</div>
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A reign of terror it was, and like no other.</div>
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No seat or throne had I but,</div>
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People ran like rabbits before me;</div>
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They cursed my name and shivered at their boldness.</div>
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But I flew too high and was thrown down,</div>
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My wings stripped, my power caged,</div>
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For their fear could not replace lost love,</div>
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And my kingdom still was not enough.</div>
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</div>
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Once I had a kingdom;</div>
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Broken and bleeding it was, and full of death.</div>
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Its people burned to blackened bones,</div>
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Its towers shattered and fallen,</div>
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Its empty streets twisted and hungry.</div>
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Yet to fill my emptiness, quench my bitter wrath,</div>
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Even this destruction was not enough.</div>
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</div>
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Once I had a kingdom;</div>
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A land of Flame it was, and full of fear.</div>
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A land brought to its knees before my tower,</div>
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Its people whispered my name in reverence;</div>
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They bowed before me as their goddess.</div>
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But it lasted no more than did the others;</div>
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The revenging waters came to flood the land;</div>
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They washed away the Flame,</div>
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Broke apart the kingdom that could not be enough.</div>
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</div>
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Once I had a kingdom;</div>
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Fair it was, and full of joy.</div>
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Yet bitterness burned it to ash within me,</div>
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For nothing could satisfy my ache.</div>
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Everywhere I turned I found emptiness;</div>
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Everything I took became nothing.</div>
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Yet ever I refused what would have satisfied,</div>
For Love of One would have been enough.<br />
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-64118286542575092012015-09-09T15:07:00.000-07:002015-09-09T15:07:08.628-07:00Heartless by Rosalee Anne Brown<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQt5mp4zExf8ZP6eigjasKbvqzcNGKpCufyNyO9n3B6tp8Y-mN0wjUUqvP24H1PqpBCHQlq2uAxCcn5PkdvUz2ix4DqolFaWDb2qePvnh-DOAeHacxSUUZZzTbK027AKJPcn2fynJXw7U/s1600/Heartless.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQt5mp4zExf8ZP6eigjasKbvqzcNGKpCufyNyO9n3B6tp8Y-mN0wjUUqvP24H1PqpBCHQlq2uAxCcn5PkdvUz2ix4DqolFaWDb2qePvnh-DOAeHacxSUUZZzTbK027AKJPcn2fynJXw7U/s640/Heartless.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></span></b></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Lady Fair,</span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Heart in hand,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Her fortune she be told.</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In a scale of gold,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Eyes of flame seeking,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Beloved.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Humble Prince,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Seeking his Beloved.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Her hand he did ask.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">With blushing cheek, she did refuse.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A Gambler with silver tongue,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Woo her he nearly did.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A turn of a card, a word of the Prince,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Empty coffers were revealed.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A Fool tumbled from above,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A theatrical plea,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Princess laughed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Jester turned floor scrubber</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Won the Lady Fair.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A Duke of no mean girth,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A 'Beastly Lout' he was.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In jest the Fool did insult.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Fool disguised Prince,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Discharged in disgrace,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Revealed his identity.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dragon besieged land.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He departed with a promise.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A gift of the heart freely given.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A forlorn Princess waited.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Dragon cloaked in black,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">To wake the flame in breast,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A kiss he sought.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Heart in hand,</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Freely given to the wrong man,</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A promise to trust broken.</span></span></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A kiss to be desired,</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A flame in heart kindled,</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Flame devoured soul,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Heartless</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">She became.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">On wings of terror she fled.</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Jester-prince she hunted.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Betrothed to another</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">he betrayed.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">World of burning ash</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Land of dragons</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Entered she</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Her home.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A knight came in the darkness,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">His life for hers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Scale covered shame,</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He loved.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Fleeing homeward</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Burning heat</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Turned against the Dragon.</span></span></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">She fell broken</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">against the sand</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">gentle hands did soothe.</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I Love you.</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Heartless Dragon</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Hollow, fire and ash</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Must die to self,</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">to live again.</span></span></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Silver sword</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Prince did pierce her fiery breast</span></span></div>
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</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Ice met flame.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Fire fled.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Prince faced Death-in-Life</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sword in hand</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dragon held heart</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He beheld.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Through fire and smoke</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Prince stood strong</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dragon pierced hide</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">came crashing down.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Prince won Lady Fair</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">No longer Heartless</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Together at last</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Beloved found.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span> </span></div>
</b></span></span>Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-56260629362509858482015-09-09T15:06:00.000-07:002015-09-09T15:06:29.867-07:00Hri Sora's Lament by Meredith Burton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbsm6mVCl-leQ-BxSIRwaaCHaUSLEOYXZz-HPCmRS9D93Ij0q88MFAWp6b0VPA-249SaV1T82lu8UmPTyRt9IZ8FxxfIkQSXRY-OHzTEZAOF2vcpy-3IGZ9j1cXEuEo_knO5I2saNezPY/s1600/HriSora%2527sLament.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbsm6mVCl-leQ-BxSIRwaaCHaUSLEOYXZz-HPCmRS9D93Ij0q88MFAWp6b0VPA-249SaV1T82lu8UmPTyRt9IZ8FxxfIkQSXRY-OHzTEZAOF2vcpy-3IGZ9j1cXEuEo_knO5I2saNezPY/s640/HriSora%2527sLament.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I waited eagerly for your coming beside the gleaming falls</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
My heart a tumult in my breast:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long last you came on a day of grace</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And together we walked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With clasped hands and entwined hearts</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We drank of love ‘neath vaulted skies:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But poisoned whispers stole our carefree days</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And you refused to stay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Parasite’s kiss of death so strong,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why did he not take me as well?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My journey in the Wood was all for naught,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My savior left me in tears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A queen I am but nothing of merit,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A ruler alone to guide and protect;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I walked with him but never flew</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For his presence bore me up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ah Etanun, Etanun, was my love less worth</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Than a calling from One I cannot hear?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An orphan I am upon my perch</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I lack the strength to fly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A heart can mend if given time</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crooked and cracked though it may be:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To think that mortal passions ruled my soul</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My father’s kiss set me free!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I shall use my wings, so very strong</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My strength; the only way to forget the pain,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shall carry me: but I wait, while the falls</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Entreat me to return.</div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span>Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-71006425321917555842015-09-09T15:04:00.000-07:002015-09-09T15:04:04.028-07:00River Rising by Kayla Nicole Austin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5uwma3BVVPDXyBTOYawU-awP9mZf1y6C6erV83pYKTQVoHvJ0b6-ch8Za4JYrwXTZEUF3R4dWsbqOSWsiEe9kl0n9a_A4uzHsSWxaeu7IgWwNrriYnELfWFv7TjaK9E6dGJ9VTz0-pkw/s1600/RiverRising.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5uwma3BVVPDXyBTOYawU-awP9mZf1y6C6erV83pYKTQVoHvJ0b6-ch8Za4JYrwXTZEUF3R4dWsbqOSWsiEe9kl0n9a_A4uzHsSWxaeu7IgWwNrriYnELfWFv7TjaK9E6dGJ9VTz0-pkw/s640/RiverRising.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter One: The Skeleton Forest</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The haft of the spear
was smooth and sure in his hand. Jeru let his fingers work over the seasoned
wood, taking his mind off the hot, dry earth scorching his feet and the hot,
blazing sun scorching his head. A line of skeleton trees guarded the horizon,
providing his only compass on the barren landscape. Somewhere behind him lay
the farm and the village, both as lifeless as the trees before him. Even the
Great River, life-source of his forefathers, had shriveled to a damp brown
strip of mud below the banks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru had carried some
of that mud with him when he left his hut in the star-glow of the early
morning. When the sun hung low in the east, he had sucked the last of his
water-stores dry, and now the taste had soured in his mouth from mud to sand.
He was too parched to sweat in the heat of midday. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No water, no
food-stores, and nothing but dead crops and dying livestock in the village
behind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He had never been so
near to the skeleton forest. No villager had. But tales of death and eternal
wandering mean little to a doomed man. Jeru marched toward the forbidden
horizon with purpose in his stride. He was hunting for the river.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In days past, the
skeleton trees had lived and flourished, fed by a mighty torrent as wide as the
reach of the Sun. Stories were told, too, that a forest still existed beyond
the dead wood, where this ancient river still ran beneath the blooming canopy.
Of course, these tales were centuries old, details haggled over by the old
women of the village; Jeru had sat on many a knee and listened, fist in his
mouth, as the storyteller used the flames of the fire to throw gruesome shadows
on the ground, crying with an eerie voice to imitate the sound of lost souls
trapped within the wood. It was a poor rope to cast to a drowning man, but Jeru
had no other hope to grasp. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Drowning man,</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> he thought. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ha, ha</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As he drew nearer, the
skeleton trees began to loom tall enough to pierce the sky with their bony
fingers. They seemed to huddle together in bunches, roots barely clinging to
the cracked ground. Jeru leaned in past the first pale trunk and searched for
any sign of life. A stale, hot breeze swept by him and rattled the dead
branches, echoing down the wood for an eternity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru gripped his spear
until the knuckles of his hand stood out. If there was life down there, it was
deep within. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His hand waved a
farewell to the landscape behind, and he drove himself into the bone-white
world ahead. Dying here, or dying there; what did it matter? A few miles in,
and his own skeleton would be added to the graveyard. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The spear served as a
walking stick to lever him up and over the twisted roots, and the open savannah
quickly disappeared, shut out by the pale bones of giants. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru had nearly
crested his tenth mile when he had to rest. The trunk of the nearest tree
cradled him as he slid down to the dusty earth, turning his face away from the
sun for a while and closing his eyes. His tongue was too swollen to speak, so
he could count himself glad that he was alone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I won’t have any farewell words, </span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">he thought. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ah,
well. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He knew in his bones
that he wouldn’t be able to get up again. Every throb of his heart felt like
the wingbeat of an injured bird, slowly losing strength as the lifeblood flowed
out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then, he heard it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The tiny voice of a
living thing, singing in the forest of the dead; birdsong trilling from above. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru opened his eyes.
Three years had passed since he last heard birdsong, before the river had begun
to die and the drought seized the land. His eyes scanned the tree branches,
hungry for a sight of the singer. A flash of speckled white and brown appeared
for the briefest of seconds, and beyond that, a sight of green.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Using the spear, Jeru
hoisted himself up and stumbled forward, heart pounding painfully in his ears. The
song called from the left, and he veered after it, cutting a diagonal slice
through the trees. In a flurry of brown wings, the little bird lifted off its
branch and swooped further in, still singing its melody. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru kept the bird in
his vision, knocking his knees against trunks and protruding roots in his
haste. He caught the gaze of a bright golden eye seeking out his own, piercing
and almost frightening in its intensity. Then his foot fell into a crevasse
between two roots, and he plunged face-first through a gap in the trees, spear
flying from his grip. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His mouth filled with
moist dirt, and his hands slapped against a thick layer of leaves. Jeru spat as
he pulled himself up, and then felt every muscle in his body tense he wiped the
loamy soil from his face.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The skeleton trees
were gone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru snatched up his
spear from where it had fallen, holding it at the ready as he turned in a slow
circle. The forest lived and breathed around him, green and vibrant and real.
The trees around him were so tall and majestic, they seemed to swallow his vision.
He squinted against the watering in his eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Strangely enough, the
ground around him was clear, though he was hedged in on all sides by the Wood. The
Path led away from his standing place and into the unknown. Jeru hesitated,
looking at the forest behind him, and then began to follow the Path.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The silence that
greeted him was different than that of the Skeleton Forest. This place was
alive, and the quiet hush of the Path nearly unnerved Jeru. He paused for a
moment, listening. Over the unnatural pounding of his heart, he almost though
he could hear the sound of running water, and the twitter of birdsong.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Path must lead to the
river. Jeru hurried on again, following the call of the water deep into the
wood, until he stepped into a clearing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Around him, the forest
stirred awake, suddenly chorusing with all the sounds a living wood ought to make.
A thousand voices sang in the dusky green light. Jeru glanced behind him, but
the Path had vanished. Instead, there was a vast pool of dark water, a gentle
spray washing up the rocky sides as the water swirled past the brim. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru approached the
whirlpool cautiously. While not the river he was expecting, it was certainly a
source of water. Swinging his water gourds off his back, he undid the tops and
kneeled at the water’s edge. The current seemed strong and unnatural, but his
thirst was stronger. He dipped his gourd into the current.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The strength of the
water seized him like the arm of a giant. The gourd swirled out of his grasp,
and the whirlpool lashed out and ripped him from his perch on the edge. His
spear was left behind, harmless, on the bank. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Water filled how
mouth, mocking him for his hapless thirst as he was dragged around and around,
and then under. His arms were pinned and useless against the might of the
current. Light from above dimmed and went out as the curtain of water closed
over him, sealing him into his watery grave. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru had failed his
people, drowning in the water that was meant to save them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter Two: The Waterfolk</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The might of the full
moon bore down over the palace gardens; Kiriel could feel it stirring in her
blood, strengthening her hands as she coaxed tiny jets of water through the
veins of her plant. The flowers slowly unfurled and bloomed under her fingers,
the flush of purple racing from their centers to coat every broad petal. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri stood up and
brushed grass and dirt from her skirts, flinging the dampness off the material
with a quick stroke of her fingers. From her vantage atop a series of tiered horticultures,
she could see a small slice of the gardens as Hymlume settled herself into the
twinkling sky. The King was holding full court tonight, as he did whenever the
Great Lady’s face was unveiled. Many Fair Folk wandered the vast grounds, some
natives of Kiri’s demesne, and others visitors from afar, come to see the wondrous
Eternity Garden of the King of the Watermen. Fables ran in the Far World and
the Near that King Telenor boasted the most beautiful palace grounds of all
Faerie, and fables meant much in the Far World. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Many of the most
skilled waterfolk were at work tonight, including Kiri, ensuring that every plant,
tree, and shrub was thriving in perfection. Directly below, another gardener
pulled and pushed a flowering crabapple into a fantastic sculpture. What
exactly it resembled, Kiri didn’t know, for the water escaped the gardener’s
motions and the tree collapsed under the strain. The Faerie raised his hands
high in frustration.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Stifling a smile, Kiri
extended a hand toward the misbehaving plant. Even from this height, she could
feel the water, and gave a tug. The crabapple responded to the flow and shaped
itself into many graceful loops, curving around the confused waterman.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri laughed and
ducked out of sight, bounding down the opposite side of the layered terraces. A
world of perfection flashed past her as she made her way toward the palace and
out of the grounds, everything still and flawless in Hymlume’s glow. Kiri’s
bare feet rejoiced at the dew on the grass and sent sheets of it flying. It was
a small rebellion in the midst of so much order, but Kiri would never wear
shoes like the rest of the court. Let them lift their noses at her; she was a
lowlander, after all. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Some days, she missed
the wild friendliness of her own home; natural and untamed, like Goldstone
beyond. There was high honor in the King’s court, but it could leave the bitter
taste of homesickness in her mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri skirted the edge
of the palace, sweeping up a wave of water from a fountain pool to lever
herself on top of the wall. When she released it, the water sloshed back
towards its basin, but not before catching a visitor unawares. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Dragon’s Teeth,” a
man swore from below as the wave slapped him across the face.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri leaped down and hurried
away, the gleam of Hymlume’s light laughing after her. Past the spacious
grounds at the front of the Palace and into the twilit forest she ran, ducking
and weaving among the whispering trees. She could feel the water rising in the
trunks, awakening to the moon’s call.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A larger source of
water raged in the near distance, making her palms itch in anticipation long
before she actually heard the roar of the Falls. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When she burst into
the clearing, the familiar sight of the gateway greeted her; the great
waterfall that seemingly descended from the sky, swirling and pouring into the
river that fed the entire demesne. The cool spray cast itself at Kiri’s feet,
driven by the night breeze.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri cupped her hands
over her mouth. “Tao!” she shouted above the roar of the Falls.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Who’s there?” Another
waterman appeared on the other bank. “Kiri? Is that you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Who else do you think
it is, you moon-maddened imp?” Kiri flexed her wrists and swept up the water,
carrying herself across the river. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“All quiet tonight?”
she asked her brother when she landed on the opposite shore. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tao drew himself up
tall and crossed his arms over his chest, his right forearm resting underneath
the gleaming silver guard’s ensign that clasped his cloak below the shoulder.
“Of course. Not a tremor of a disturbance from the gate tonight. Any faerie
would be mad to approach the whirlpool at Hymlume’s coming.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri smiled. “I know
of several folk with questionable sanity that wander the Wood on nights like
this.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Well, they would have
me to deal with.” Toa glanced at the source of the river, a frown creasing his
brow. “Do you know whom the King received at court today? That Cat-man from
Rudibous.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sir Eanrin is here?
What for?” Kiri had never met the famed poet, but she had heard many tales of
his adventures in the Near and Far Worlds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No one would say; and
you wouldn’t believe the fuss he made coming in. Had to have five guards
bending the water away from him so he wouldn’t get wet and complained about the
Hylial Gate the entire time. What business that faerie has coming to our
demesne if he hates water so much, I can’t even begin to fathom. Do you hear
that?” Tao ended his rant and cast a piercing look at the Falls. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri could feel
something heavy crossing through the gateway, caught up in the water. “Look!”
She pointed at a dark shape that suddenly dropped into the Falls from the
invisible entrance. “Someone did enter the whirlpool.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tao rushed to the
water’s edge. “What kind of fool---”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His words were cut off
as Kiri plunged into the powerful current. Heaviness pressed around her on all
sides as she gained her bearings and cut through the might of Hylial’s
outpourings. Ripples danced from her fingertips and pulsed all around her body,
cocooning her body against the full fury of the Falls. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She watched as the
dark shape sank into the depths, racing beyond her sight. Kiri shot forward
with a powerful thrust, summoning the water behind her to hasten her descent.
The River was deep; so deep that even she might lose her air before reaching
the bottom. The stranger would probably be dead long before that point.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hymlume’s light began
to fade as Kiri reached out to grasp the arm of the stranger. They hovered in
the pulsing silver current for a moment, caught in the ethereal gloaming of the
river. Then Kiri gathered the water in a maelstrom beneath them, and they
soared upward. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tao had her by the
arms before she even broke the surface. He hauled Kiri up the bank, cursing
under his breath, not even looking at the stranger sprawled at the edge of the
water. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Tao, let me be; I’m
fine.” Kiri shook her brother off, scrambling down to the stranger’s side. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Don’t touch it!” Tao
shouted after her. “Stay back; can’t you see---?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The heavy aura of
mortality hit Kiri like a slap of ice. She stopped, looking down at the
motionless form beneath her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She had never laid
eyes on a human before.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He was dark, and
strong, and would have been a head taller than Tao if he had been standing. But
under his tattered robe, his chest was quiet and still. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“He’s dead.” Kiri’s
own breath caught for a moment, and then she knelt at the mortal man’s side.
There was water inside him, where there should not be. Her fingers hovered over
his lips, and a stream burst from his mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He lurched forward,
coughing and thrusting her away from him as he spat up the rest of the water in
his lungs. Kiri stood, hands and clothes still dripping from the River, and
glanced at Tao as he approached.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’ll call for an
escort.” Tao reached for the shell horn at his waist. “We must bring him to
Telenor.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter Three: A Call for Aid</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru had died. The
spirits of the River were gathering around him now, ready to take him to his
final reward. He could see their pale, watery faces and shining liquid eyes; he
could feel the cool, ghostly aura hovering from the tips of their willowy
fingers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then one of them
slapped him across the back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“There, there. You
still have some water inside you; cough it up.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What denizen of the
spirit world was this?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru keeled over in
the grass and vomited up all the river water within him, as well as his last
meal. If this was the realm of the dead, it felt unpleasantly similar to the
land of the living. Jeru wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and looked
up at the creature that had hailed him into this place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She stood against the
moonlight, slight and fair; colorless hair fell away from her pointed face in
waves. Her eyes gleamed, uncomfortably bright with the silver of the night
skies. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Who are you?” he
said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She was a maiden of
the mist, unreal. He must have fallen asleep at the water’s edge.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His dream answered. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I am Kiriel of
Telenor’s people. Of Hymlineal.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’m Kiri; welcome to
Hymlineal.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s enough!”
Another mist-creature, this one not so agreeable, emerged from behind the
first. “Don’t talk to him until the rest of the guard gets here. He may prove
to be violent.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You’re not afraid of
him, are you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Somehow he broke
through the wards of the gate. We don’t know what kind of power we’re dealing
with.” The taller creature cast untrusting eyes in Jeru’s direction. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“He can’t be very
powerful if he nearly drowned himself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">New voices carried
through the silvery trees, echoing across the river. An entire host of the
strange people came into view, swarming across the water and gathering around
Jeru in a swaying, damp crowd.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Are you the guardians
of this river?” Jeru looked from one set of shimmering eyes to the next.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Um,” said the girl.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yes,” said the
irritable man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Then we are saved.”
Jeru closed his eyes and slumped against the ground.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">~~~~~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Cool, smooth stone
pressed against his cheek. Jeru’s fingers slid across the glassy surface of the
floor as he pushed himself up; his own figure stared back at him, wavering in
the half-light of cold lanterns. Pale reflections of blue, silver, and white
hovered nearby, leading up to their flesh-and-blood compatriots that were
gathered around Jeru in a distrustful half-circle. Beyond the people, at the
head of the room, sat a powerful man on a glasswater throne.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Here, in this alien
hall beyond the river, lay the salvation of his people. Jeru bowed low to the king
and raised his hand beseechingly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“My Lord,” he croaked,
and the words strangled themselves out. All of the river that he had swallowed,
and still his throat broke in thirst. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Water,” he spoke
again, and the crowd tittered. “Water.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“He suffers from
thirst,” one of the creatures said, looking shocked. Perhaps it was a malady
that these people had never seen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Here,” said another
voice, and Jeru turned to find a familiar face smiling up at him. The girl from
the river offered him water cupped in her hands. As he stared, the trembling
sphere of liquid rose from her fingertips to his, and Jeru held the water and
drank. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Thank you,” he said,
and as she turned away, he noticed the layer of loamy earth clinging to her
bare feet. Everyone else in the room wore shoes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The crowd had fallen
into a hush, and Jeru look up to see that the king had risen from his seat. His
stance was not particularly threatening, at least not in the way of a rival
chieftain facing down another, but he swept an aura of power about himself as
the folds of his sapphire mantel settled about his feet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Who are you, Mortal?
What are you doing in my lands?” His voice carried like the force of the River.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru did not tremble.
It had been many years since he ceased to fear the wrath of man, when instead
he had the insatiable maws of the drought haunting his footsteps, overshadowing
his life from childhood to manhood. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I came looking for
help,” he said truthfully, meeting the eyes of the king.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The voice of the crowd
sprang to life again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You were searching
for Hymlineal, Mortal?” the king said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No; I was searching
for the River. My people need it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Why?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The River is the life
of our land. It began to wither and die, years ago, and now it is gone. Every
well has gone dry; our lives dried up with them.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The damp night breeze gusted
through the echoing hall as Jeru’s last sentence ended. Here, in this cool,
quiet place, his words sounded distant and strange. A myth from a far-off land.
The taste of sweet, fresh water still hung on his lips. “Please; we are almost
gone. Can’t your people help us?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru couldn’t hear the
whispered words of the Fair Folk around him. His eyes were fastened on their
king.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The man’s eyes clouded
with uncertainty. “You should not have come here,” he said, his voice quiet
among the crowd. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The taste in Jeru’s
mouth turned bitter. “You must come to us!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And do what?” The shoulders
under the sapphire robes shrugged, as though in helplessness. “The turning of
the Near World does not concern us here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru was trembling
now. “But---”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The king of Hymlineal
turned his back. “Leave my demesne.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru started forward
with a wild gesture as though to throw himself at the king’s feet, but a cold band
of water snapped around his chest, binding him in place. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Put him on the other
side of the gate,” the king said as he settled into his throne, grimly
straightening the folds of his robe. “And take a stronger guard to secure
Hylial against him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru’s shout was lost
in the crowd as several pairs of hands grasped him by the shoulders and dragged
him from the room. The pale courtiers and their glassy hall vanished from
sight, sealed off as the outer doors slammed shut. None of the guards spoke as
they hauled Jeru across the smooth lawns and past the softly murmuring
fountains of crystal perfection. The forest closed around them, fraught with
living birdsong. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then the guards threw
him beneath the waterfall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru remembered
nothing of that upward journey. In the next instant, he lay next to the foaming
whirlpool, clutching at the muddy earth as he gasped for breath. The guards
were nowhere to be seen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The pool of water
mocked him, laughing as it swirled beneath his bitter gaze. Jeru briefly
considered jumping right back in, but he had a feeling that he would simply
drown this time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Out of the corner of
his eye, he caught a shifting glimmer of light. Jeru whipped around to face
whatever creature was slinking from the shadows of this monstrous forest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The girl from the
river stood before him, her pale garment---or maybe her skin---shimmering
softly in the twilight of the trees. Her head scarcely came up to his shoulder,
but her stance was strong and she gazed at him without fear in her eyes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru took a step back.
“What are you doing here?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The girl’s brow
furrowed. “You wanted help, didn’t you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I…” Jeru’s heart
began to beat faster and faster, a war drum summoning him into action. “Yes!
But, your King---” He glanced at the drinking horns that she had strapped
around her torso. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A spark of mischief
glinted in the girl’s eye. “He didn’t expressly forbid any of his subjects to
help,” she said, and then her expression sobered. “Besides, you’ll never find
your way through the wood again on your own. The Paths can be dangerous,
especially for mortal feet. I don’t know how you found Hymlineal in the first
place.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I followed a songbird,”
Jeru said, and the explanation seemed palatable enough. The girl gave him a
curious look.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ah, well; we can’t all
expect the same luck.” The girl---what was her name again?--- glided to the
edge of the clearing on silent feet and stood before the dark mass of the Wood.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru slunk after her,
hesitatingly stopping at her side. “What---?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You think of home,
Mortal Boy,” she said, taking his arm; Jeru shivered beneath her touch. “I’ll
find us a Path.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter Four: Silent Death</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The further down the
Path they went, the harder Kiri could feel her Demesne tugging at the invisible
cord that was hooked somewhere deep in her center. She had never gone far from
Hymlineal and the River, and certainly never crossed into the Near World. The
water that coursed and bled through the ground and the Wood around her was
strange and alien. It echoed with a different heartbeat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri didn’t know what
would await her at the end of the Path. Truth be told, she didn’t know what
would be waiting for her at home either, except a furious brother. Tao couldn’t
imagine why she would endanger her position at court to go chasing down a
fool’s errand in the Mortal Realm. His guard’s ensign was everything to him.
He’d told her this as he seized her and shook her by the shoulders; she’d been
tempted to drown him in the nearest fountain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri’s foot stepped
from the green of the Wood and sank in a patch of sand. Every drop of moisture
around her suddenly vacated the premises, and she tottered forward, sinking to
her knees against the dead trunk of the ashen tree before her. She was dry and
hot; a brittle leaf under the awful eye of the Sun. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Lume…love us,” she
gasped, turning her face away from the sky. Never had she seen him burn so
brightly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Are you well?” Jeru
bent over her, keeping what he probably considered a safe distance of several
inches.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri groaned. “Dragons
eat it; the whole world is burning. Why do you live in this horrible place?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“My village is that
way.” Jeru pointed through the skeleton trees in a vague direction. “And the
heat really is going down. It’s nearly sunset.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As she struggled to
her feet, breathing in dusty air through her mouth, Kiri looked up and saw the veracity
of the world around her. The ground truly was dead; barren of life as a tomb.
She couldn’t feel the beat of a water source anywhere. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She glanced at the
water horns at her waist. “I’ve brought a cup to fight a blazing fire.” But she
followed Jeru through the dead forest, placing one bare foot after another on
the blazing sand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">By the time they
reached the border of the trees, it felt as though her soles had been scorched
off, and she stood panting beside Jeru, bent double and blinking eyes that
refused to water. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Your skin is burning
already,” Jeru said, untying the stretch of cloth that cinched his robe at the
waist. “Lay this over your head; it’ll keep the worst of the sun off you.” He
held the cloth--- which might have once been brightly dyed, but was now mostly
brown---out to Kiri. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She hesitated only a
moment before taking it and wrapping it around her head and shoulders. Stars
knew where it had been, as raggedy as it was; it smelled thickly of mortality,
and something richer, earthier, and not altogether unpleasant. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As Kiri shifted back
and forth on her stinging feet, Jeru glanced down at her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It’s a long way back
to the village,” he said. “I’ll carry you, until the sun is gone and the sand
cools.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri didn’t like this
arrangement at all, but she could feel the blisters starting to form on the
bottom of her soles. “If you think you can manage,” she said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I carried my sister
for weeks when she fell ill. You’re lighter, by the look of you.” He reached
out and grasped her wrists, bending down as he hoisted her up onto his back.
The threadbare fabric of his robe scratched her knees as she settled onto her perch.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The water horns
thumped against Kiri’s sides as they went, swaying with Jeru’s steady rhythm.
He kept a swift pace despite the Water Sprite clinging to his shoulders. When
Lume dipped below the far horizon and Hymlume appeared above the other, he let Kiri
slide down onto the cracked earth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“There it is; Naairu.
All that is left of us.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A cluster of mudbrick
houses peeked out from behind the nearest hill, dark against the Moon’s
searching rays. The dry breeze stirred the silence; nothing more. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“My home is in the
center of the village,” Jeru said as they approached. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Stretching beyond the
houses were low stone and mud walls, ringing fields that lay fallow and dead.
The buildings were like a gathering of tombs, their empty, dark windows staring
blankly at Kiri as she passed. She didn’t ask where the villagers were. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru led her to the
largest dwelling, pushing aside the door-flap for her to enter. An even
stronger scent assaulted Kiri’s nostrils, as though death were hovering in the
room. Vague shapes were outlined in the moonlight, scattered around the
confined space of the house. On a cot by the door, a human form nestled into
the rags on which it was lying, breathing so lightly that Kiri thought for a
moment that it was already dead. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She reached trembling
hands toward the creature, her fingers gently brushing the air around its face.
A powerful wave of heat pulsed from its skin, too hot even for these dark
mortals.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru hovered over her
shoulder. “Her name is Nia, my sister. She came down with the sickness a few
weeks ago. It’s been devouring my people one by one, ever since the River began
to run dry.” His words quavered, and Kiri felt something hot and damp fall onto
her neck. “If there is any---”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We have never had
sickness in Hymlineal,” Kiri broke in, her eyes fixed on the feverish girl.
“Never. I…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She stormed out the
door, flinging the flap aside with one hand and reaching for her water horns
with the other. Perhaps, somewhere deep in the ground, were seeds that had lain
dormant over the years and were still waiting. She would find them. The seeds
that she had wrapped up in her mantel were bursting to grow, though she didn’t
know how they would take to the earth in the Near Realm. Kiri reached inside
the folds of her outer dress and flung some of the precious vessels to the
wind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then, she loosed the
flood on them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The water horns were
Tao’s, and they held much more than she would have first guessed. Kiri remade
the earth with water of Hymlineal, healing soil and coaxing roots from the
seeds to thrust downward. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The power of the full
moon ran through her fingers as she worked the lifeblood through the newborn
plants, strengthening stems, unfurling leaves, and driving roots ever deeper.
With every step she took, green shoots burst from the ground beneath her feet,
creeping across the space in front of the dark house. Water glistened in silver
arcs, swept every which way by her hands. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The dry breeze rustled
through the young stalks and blades of green that now spread outward from the
house. Kiri sent the last of her water rushing through the trunk of the tree
that now guarded the door. Its leaves shuddered as the veins on the broad
undersides swelled with liquid. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri’s fingers stilled,
aching at the tips with fervor, and her breath trembled in her chest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The garden she had
created was still surrounded by a wasteland. It would last perhaps a day, and
then wither and die. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes filled and spilled over, the
saltwater tracks stinging her sun-scorched skin. She wiped her face with a hand
that was rough with grains of sand and grime. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A soft sound of
astonishment carried from the doorway of the house. Jeru stood inside the
frame, his dark eyes wide and round. In his arms, he cradled Nia’s body. Kiri
couldn’t see if the girl still breathed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“This is a miracle,”
Jeru whispered, stepping onto the grass as though it were hallowed ground and
stopping under the outstretched branches of the silver tree. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It isn’t enough,”
Kiri said, chest heaving. “I can’t fix it; I don’t know why I thought I should
come.” Curse her own arrogance, to think that she---a faery childe that had yet
to pass her first century---could mend something older and wiser sprites would
not attempt. “I am sorry.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It’s beautiful,” Jeru
said, laying his burden to rest in the grass. “Thank you. We will rest well
tonight.” His smile gleamed sincerely, but it trembled at the corners of his
mouth. As he bent to fold his sister’s hands over her chest, his shoulders
loosened as though in resignation; done fighting, emptied of strength. Brother
and sister looked almost peaceful under the moonlight, the protective arms of
the tree reaching over them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Death would come to
snatch it all away before another sunset.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’ll see myself
back,” Kiri said, and the empty water horns slapped her backside as she turned
heel and fled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Several hundred yards
vanished beneath her feet when she remembered that she had come here from the
opposite direction. A hazy, shapeless voice somewhere in her head told her that
she ought to stop, but she didn’t. Her rebellious feet reached out for the next
step---and found empty air. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri plunged down the
sharp incline of hard earth, hitting first on her shoulder, and then striking
face-foremost and skidding down the bottom of the slope. Muddy slime, a bare
memory of water, smeared down the front of her dress as she landed. Both sides
of the embankment rose high above her. This was the bottom of the river, or
what used to be.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Driving her fingers as
deep as she could into the damp soil, Kiri searched for any sign of the mighty
current that once ran through this ravine. “Where are you?” she said, her voice
raw and dry. “Why did you abandon them?” Her breath came rapid and urgent as
she pressed her head against the earth, listening. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no trace of it anywhere. The
heartbeat of the land had dried up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I don’t understand,”
she said to the earth. “Why did I come here? Why did I have to try?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A high, clear note
trilled in the night breeze. Scrambling up onto her knees, Kiri scanned the air
for any sign of the first living animal she had heard in this desolate place. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The skies were empty.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The birdsong came
again, this time from behind, echoing up the length of the ravine. Kiri wavered,
looking down the deep riverbed as it traveled out of sight. She had used all
her water, and now had nothing to defend herself until she returned the Wood. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The bird’s call hit a
more urgent note, and Kiri’s feet answered of their own accord. She raced down
the middle of the river’s grave, throwing up stiff spats of mud in her wake;
Jeru’s sash slipped off her head and dangled loosely around her shoulders, the
ends trailing behind. Suddenly, she knew what it was that called her around the
bend. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There was no Thrush
waiting for her around the first turn, or the second, or the third. Kiri
expected to see it any moment, but its song was always ahead of her, calling
her further down the riverbed. She crossed over a mile chasing the invisible
voice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then she stopped,
pulling in long, slow breaths and straining her ears for the sound of her
guide. It came from above her now, somewhere near at hand. She glanced along
the steep banks of the ravine, and saw a flash of speckled feathers by the
light of Hymlume.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Where are you?” she
shouted, and her voice rang against the cliffs around her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As the echoes faded,
another sound thrummed up to her through her feet, rolling deep and steady in
the earth. Kiri’s chest tensed, and she hardly dared to move for a moment, afraid
she would lose the sound of it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then she flung herself
down, palms splayed over the mud, and listened. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Down, down, deep in
the ground, lived the heartbeat of a river. How far away, Kiri couldn’t say,
but the tips of her fingers tingled in answer, and the power of the water
pulled at something in her center. This was a mighty river, and ancient. It had
wandered in the dark below for many ages of men, and now it was calling to her
on the surface.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She looked for the
Thrush, but it was nowhere to be seen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hands out and facing
the earth, Kiri closed her eyes and reached within herself, finding the cord
that stretched from her center to the roiling water below. Then, summoning
every drop of strength in her being, she pulled. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the depths, the
river roared in answer. Heat blazed in her plexus and her hands, and sweat
broke out from her forehead to her feet. She could feel the water rising to
meet her. Her hands trembled, and then her arms began to shake violently. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The cord grew taut,
tightening Kiri’s lungs so that she could hardly breathe. As she gritted her
teeth and clung to the water, the cord snapped. She screamed as she crumpled to
the ground, legs folding beneath her like fish fins. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I can’t do it,” she
gasped, slumping over. Every last fiber of energy had been drained from her
body. The river was too deep in the earth for her to raise on her own. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She would have to go
back to Hymlineal, and beg a hand or two. Maybe someone from the lowlands;
someone who wasn’t at court. Kiri frowned. Not Tao, either. Even then, she
wasn’t sure if any of her people would have the strength to lift the water
through so much earth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kiri glanced skyward. Perhaps an even greater
force was needed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She gingerly lifted
herself on legs that threatened to tumble, and pointed her nose in the
direction of the nearest Path. One hovered on the edge of her senses; she would
have to hope that it lead toward home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter Five: Kiri’s Audience</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When Kiri arrived at
Hylial Gate, she found the waters boiling in fury. They rose well above the
stones that kept the gate in place, swirling in the particular direction of a
man that gleamed scarlet in the half-light of the wood. Brushing off his
perfectly-dry tunic, the man inclined his head slightly toward the members of
the guard that were struggling to keep the gate from leaping from its pool.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That man must have
said something cutting indeed to make Hylial surge with such violence. Kiri
wondered if he really was the famed Sir Eanrin, quick of wit and tongue. He
seemed to have lost his charm when faced with the waterfall. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I shall leave you to
it, then,” said the golden-haired bard, and he strode out of the clearing,
glancing with surprise at Kiri as he passed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A great arm of water
smacked one of the guardsmen and sent him sprawling onto Kiri. She groaned
under the weight, and then groaned even louder when she saw whose elbow was
digging into her ribs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Kiriel?” Tao frowned
down at her, mild astonishment flickering across his flushed face. The pool
quieted, and the other men looked at them with something like apprehension
before diving back through the gate. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There was a pause in
the living silence of the Wood. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“So?” Tao began,
carefully straightening his cloak and ensign. “Did you heal all the flaws in
the Near World during your excursion? Do you congratulate yourself in ending
the sufferings of the Mortal Realm through use of your great wisdom and prowess?
Oh, don’t be modest,” he said, looking fiercely into her eyes. “Do tell.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I did find a way to
save them.” Kiri’s voice was low and strained. “I came back for help.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Telenor wants to see
you; he isn’t pleased.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You won’t come with
me?” Kiri hadn’t realized until that moment how much she wished her brother
would side with her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tao’s brows furrowed
for a moment, and then sagged apart. “I have watch,” he said hoarsely, and
turned away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri was too stunned
to shout after him as he plunged into the whirlpool, leaving nothing but angry
water in his wake. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Dragon-eaten, two-faced---”
Kiri slapped the pool with a heavy wave. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then she tucked her
face into her skirts and began to wail. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tears soaked her
dress, raining from the cloud of anger, weariness, and helplessness that
enveloped her. Tonight, she knew, was the worst of all her young years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What’s all this racket
about?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri nearly screamed
as something warm and furry brushed against her back. She whirled around to
find herself face-to-face with the largest orange beast she had ever seen. The
cat’s poised pink nose was barely an inch from her own. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hello,” she said,
sniffling. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The cat-man sat back
on his furry haunches and flicked his ears to the side. “Ah. You’re the girl
who drenched me in the garden. My evening was perfectly safe and dry up to that
point.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A dim memory of last
night’s escapades hovered in Kiri’s mind. “A river of pardons, Cat.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Thank you, but I’ve
had enough to do with rivers tonight,” he said, tail lashing against his side.
“Why were you crying just now? What can one of Telenor’s people possibly have
to trouble her?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I can’t raise the
river.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The cat’s ears
flattened. “Never mind, I shouldn’t have gotten involved.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Their whole land is
dying because the river dried up.” Kiri paused. “I found another, flowing deep
in the earth. I…just wasn’t strong enough to raise it on my own. Now I don’t
know what I should do.” Her chest shuddered as she drew breath. “I can’t leave
them to die!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ah. This would be
about that mortal boy that barged in earlier. What else are you going to do?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Find help! I…” An
image of Tao’s retreat into the pool flashed through her mind. “Though I don’t
know where to look.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Among your kinsmen?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I can’t return to
Hymlineal if the king is angry with me. I might not be able to return to the
Near World!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blinking almost
languidly, the cat lowered its golden-eyed gaze. “Do you, by chance, remember a
faerie by the name of Adric? He’s one of yours, I believe.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri frowned,
searching back in the shoals of her memory. “I had heard---yes, he was a
Waterman from Hymlineal. A former guardsman, I think. But didn’t he leave for…”
She softened her voice, “Isn’t he a knight of Farthestshore? I’ve only ever
heard rumors.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’ve a faint---mind
you, only a faint--- acquaintance with the man. He prefers such wet climates.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri clasped her hands
at her waist. “Then you can ask him to come and help!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ears flying back
sharply, the cat began to edge away. “I don’t remember volunteering my
assistance. Besides, I’m not your errand boy.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“But you are a knight
of Farthestshore, aren’t you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You don’t call upon
that Name?” The hair at the tip of the cat’s tail stood on end.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri looked solemnly
into his gleaming yellow orbs. “I do,” she said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He blinked once, and
then sighed and looked as wretchedly forlorn as only a cat can. “Very well,” he
grumbled in a voice that was undoubtedly meant to incite guilt. “I probably
know where to find him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Will you be long?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“A Path had already
opened up while you were speaking. I was hoping that it would disappear.” The
cat grinned sardonically and rose gracefully to his feet. “Ah, well. Meet us at
the border of this village you’re so concerned over. I’m sure you and your wet
kinsman can commiserate together and solve all the world’s problems.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri stood. “Are you
certain you’ll be able to find the place?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With an impatient
flick of his tail, the cat turned to the eaves of the forest. “Believe me, I
wish I couldn’t. My Prince never leads me astray.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In a golden flash, he
bounded onto his Path and vanished, leaving Kiri alone in the clearing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A trill of the
Thrush’s song sprang from the forest canopy, and she smiled. Well, not quite
alone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter Six:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Song of the River</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Voices surrounded
Jeru, as soft and brittle as the wind through the grass, which was already
growing frail in the dry heat. The remnant of his people gathered in the oasis,
murmuring with wonder as they reached bony, trembling hands toward the delicate
fronds of the hedges and ran their fingers over the lawn. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Fruit!” screamed a
child in a strained, rasping voice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru looked up at the
tree and saw one more gift that Kiriel had left them. Clusters of round, firm
fruits the color of sunset dangled in the breeze, leaning toward the
outstretched hands of the villagers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Seizing one of the
juicy spheres, Jeru bent down toward the prone form of Nia as she rested with
her back on the trunk. She couldn’t chew it herself, so he mashed the fruit in
his hand and pushed the mixture into her mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He held his breath.
She remained motionless for a moment, but then her jaw began to work, painfully
from side-to-side, and her throat moved as she swallowed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Whether Kiri left some
of her magic in the fruit, he didn’t know, but Nia’s eyelids fluttered as he
fed her more of the paste. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then, she opened them
for the first time in weeks. Soft brown orbs looked up into his and fixed there
in recognition. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Will she return?” Nia
whispered, reaching out to him. “Will the river spirit come back?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru held his little
sister close. “I don’t know. But we owe her this one night, this time of
happiness.” Tears sprang to his eyes as he looked upon the beautiful night,
warm and silvery in their oasis; perhaps the last he would ever see. “We may
rest in peace.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Suddenly, the tree
behind them shifted to the side. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At least, it seemed
to. Jeru thought it was making room for the multitude of trees that appeared
behind it. Then the extra forest vanished as quickly as it had come, and three
people stepped into the oasis.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With a thrill of hope,
and something akin to terror, he recognized the first as Kiri.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second was a slender man with a long face
and gleaming eyes that seemed like, in some way, to Kiri’s.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The third person was a
cat, for a moment. Then he stood taller, and his jaunty, outlandish scarlet
robes rose up with him, and he was a golden-eyed man with an unsettling curl in
the corner of his mouth. Jeru squinted. Or perhaps he was still a cat, or both.
Whichever he was, he looked extraordinarily pleased with himself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri’s face turned
toward the man in scarlet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You didn’t have to
come all the way, Sir Eanrin,” she said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The man’s eyes flashed
in the moonlight. “Curiosity,” he murmured, glancing around at the villagers.
“I can’t let you watery folk have all the excitement. Besides, you’ll be doing
all the work.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru stood and bowed
to the newcomers, and Nia rose with him. “Welcome to Naairu, Great Ones.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Great Ones?” The
yellow-headed man grinned. “I like these folk.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The moment Sir Adric
appeared alongside the cat-man, Kiri knew she was in the presence of a master
waterman. Power radiated from his core, deeper and more ancient than any of
Telenor’s elite guardsmen. She felt young and foolish standing next to him,
like a slender creek running beside the sea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He hovered near her
shoulder like some imperious guardian as she grasped Jeru’s hand in greeting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You’ve returned,”
Jeru said, his eyes wide with disbelief and lit with a flame like hope.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Of course I did. I’m
not finished yet.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Voices tittered in the
background, growing louder as the other people gathered on the lawn pressed
closer. Awe filled their dark eyes, and one withered old woman reached a hand
that shook like an aged leaf toward Kiri.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“River guardians,” she
whispered, tears washing her dusty face. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yes,” Kiri said,
raising her voice so all the crowd could hear. “We’ve come to return your river
to you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She felt a heavy pressure
as Adric laid a hand on her shoulder. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It won’t be easy, little
one,” he said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No,” Kiri clenched
her fists. “But I didn’t come all this way on my own, Sir Adric.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Just so.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri scrabbled down
the dry riverbed until she reached a place where she could feel the river below
the surface. Adric followed at her heels, his thin brows furrowed in
concentration, and Eanrin stayed up on the bank.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“To safely observe,”
he said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the village, those that felt well
enough to travel, gathered behind him. Jeru stood at their front, his sister
perched high on his back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The call of the river
below thrummed faintly in Kiri’s veins. Sir Adric faced her from across the
valley floor, his hands held out, and palms down. He nodded as though listening
to the water below, and then raised his voice so it would carry across the distance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It runs deep in the
earth, as you said.” He paused, and made a pulling motion with his hands,
straining so that his knuckles stood out. “It’s so deep, I think it would
exhaust both our reserves if we tried to bring it to the surface.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri’s heart
plummeted. “But, I---”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We will have to call
on another, more ancient voice to raise the river. One who pulls and guides the
seas herself with her song.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For a moment all the
worlds, both Near and Far, held their breath. Kiri lifted her eyes to Lady
Hymlume gliding through the midnight skies above, perhaps pausing to look down over
the brittle creatures beneath her summit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sir Adric, I…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You are young, and
perhaps have not learned to discern the voices of the heavens.” His tone
softened, and he stretched his arms toward her. “But try, Kiriel. Seek out her
song. She knows more of the nature of your power than you do yourself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri’s hands quivered.
None of the Great Light’s voices had ever been distinct to her. Among the
oldest and wisest Faerie kings and queens, there were some rumored to commune
with the lord and lady of the sky. But even Telenor, of her people, did not
claim that power.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Gathered around
Hymlume were her children, the stars, though they waned pale next to their
mother’s silvery fullness. But in the hum of their cadence, Kiri could find no
melody, no words. It was all a colorless noise to her ears.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She reached out her
hands and gave a tug on the river deep below, feeling the water gush upward in
response. Already she was tottering with fatigue, worn to unraveling from her
nighttime adventure. Adric was right; they would never make it. The beat of the
river was as distant as an echo.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Opposite Kiri, Adric
strained with all his might, the veins standing out from his otherwise
impassive face. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then, Kiri felt the
feather-light touch of wings on her neck, and a tiny voice trilled in her ear. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Above the earth-bound verse receding</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The song of strength receiving</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Won’t you follow me?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hymlume’s song
suddenly filled her ears with tingling rush. It wove into the Thrush’s melody,
arching round and round with its silver thread, weaving the spell tightly into
place. Kiri understood why she had never been able to understand it before. She
had been missing the most important part.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As the stars sang a
shimmering descant, and the voice of the Thrush still echoed through her mind,
Kiri began to hum Hymlume’s harmony. The pull of the moon raced through her
veins like never before, throbbing with power that seemed too much for her body
to encompass. The ground beneath her feet began to shudder with the force of
the water rushing to the surface. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Minutes dragged by as
Kiri and Adric fought the river. A hot sweat broke over Kiri’s brow, and she
wondered if even now there would be strength enough in them to succeed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As her knees
threatened to cave and her hands grew numb from the power flowing through them,
the ground began to buck and heave.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Someone screamed from
atop the bank. Kiri whirled around as a geyser of water shot skyward, ringing
Hymlume’s shape in a misty arch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Run further down!”
Adric shouted, waving to capture her attention. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri nodded, a fierce
smile breaking over her face, and she followed him down the length of the dry
riverbed, holding her hands out from her sides as she dragged the water along.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A sound like the crack
of lightening split the air as the ground beneath them erupted into a watery
inferno.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Get out of it!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Adric’s cries were
faint above the scream of the waters as they ripped through the earth and raged
down the valley, snatching Kiri up in the flow. She thrust her hands out,
pushing back as the river rolled and shook her, trapping her below the surface.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As she wove the water
around herself, trying to redirect the river’s fury, a concussion of a wave
even larger than before pounded Kiri, snatching the air from her lungs. It
ripped her downwards, flipped her head over heels, and slammed her against the
riverbed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri’s head connected
sharply with the hard earth, snapping back in a haze of pain. Then the water
faded to black.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter Seven: New Paths</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru saw the salvation
of his land pouring like molten silver from bowels of the earth. Then he saw
the savior of his people fall beneath the onslaught of the river like a star
snuffed out of the sky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Get everyone back!”
The pale waterman said as he clambered from the teeth of the river and onto
solid ground. “It may overflow the banks.” Then he glared at the surface of the
raging water. “Where is she? Didn’t she climb out?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru heaved Nia off
his back and steadied her with his hands on her shoulders. “Stay here, little
one, no matter what happens.” He pushed her toward one of the older women, and
raced for the line of water. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Don’t you dare,
mortal boy; you’ll drown!” The man in scarlet made to snatch at his robe as he
passed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adric was already in the water, fighting the
current. Jeru ran to the place where he had last seen Kiri and plunged in,
immediately ripped sideways by the arm of the river.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Pandemonium reigned.
The water, murky with dirt, filled his mouth and snatched at his robe. It was a
miracle that Jeru was able to force his head above the current, buoyed only by
the memories of his childhood spent learning to thrash in the water when the
river had still flowed through his country.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Something soft coiled
around his foot. Jeru dove down, following the strip of fabric into the
maelstrom. His hands closed over the arm and shoulder of the body caught in the
grasp of the tide, and he gripped them tightly, thrusting off the riverbed with
both feet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">They broke surface
near the shore, and the waterman caught them and hauled them up. Jeru staggered
up the rest of the way, holding his burden close, while Kiri’s kinsman held off
the rising flow of the river.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The body in Jeru’s
arms was still and lifeless. His sash hung limp and ragged off her shoulders,
the wet fabric trailing to the ground as he walked. Jeru laid her beneath the silver
tree that had blossomed under her hand only hours before that evening.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“She’s dead, isn’t
she?” Nia’s voice quivered as she knelt at Kiri’s head. “How could a river
spirit drown?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moon sank low in the sky, and the first
glimmers of sunrise woke in the east.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jeru looked to the
cat-man, who stood to the side with his jaw clenched and his face grim.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Let me through.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The villagers shifted
aside to let the waterman approach. Drenched from his grey locks to his
tattered boots, the man lowered himself to the ground and raised Kiri up with
one arm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With a swift pull, he
jerked his free hand from her mouth and outward. A stream of water followed,
and Kiri lurched forward, coughing and heaving the river water from her lungs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A collective shout
went up from one side of the crowd to the other, and Jeru knelt at Kiri’s side
as she blinked and opened her eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“This seems familiar to
me, somehow,” he said, tears of joy pricking at his vision.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri’s smile beamed
like the coming rays of dawn.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">~~~~~~~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I will hope, from
here on out, to never cross paths with any Fey Folk so affiliated with rivers,
and seas, and wetness in general.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sir Adric hid a smile,
small that it was, that cracked at the corner of his mouth. “We can never know
where our Paths will lead us, Eanrin. It is our privilege to simply follow
them.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kiri brought up the
rear of the group, pausing to look one last time on the village of Naairu, no
longer bearing the pallor of death like a shroud.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Adric turned toward
her. “Would you like us to accompany you back to Hymlineal, little one?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Gazing into the forest
that was opening before them, and then at the village behind them, Kiri hovered
at the edge between more than one world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sir Adric?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yes?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I do not wish to return to Hymlineal.” Kiri
held her hands out, palms up, toward the two knights of Farthestshore. “I want
to go with you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Adric’s eyes grew
serious. “Are you certain? That is no trifling decision to make. What about
your people?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Eanrin coughed behind
his hand, but somehow Kiri knew that he was smiling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’ll return to
Hymlineal, someday,” Kiri said, and she thought of Tao. There were wounds that
needed to heal between them. “But now my Path leads elsewhere. You said
yourself, we can but follow.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You would like to
meet our Prince?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I think I already
have.” A strain of music floated past Kiri’s lips; remnants of the Thrush and
Hymlume’s song. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A Path opened before
them, unfamiliar to Kiri, but with a destination that called her heart home.
Just as the trees closed in behind them, she looked back on the Near World and
saw a lone sentry standing watch over their departure. Kiri held the sash that draped
round her shoulders close.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’ll be back,” she
promised.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Epilogue: The
Name of the River</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Is that all,
Grandmother?” Vika’s lower lip puckered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nia leaned over the
cookfire, spearing the fish that lay roasting among the coals and turning them
over. “Why, yes. You asked me how the river got its name, and I’ve just told
you. The Kiriel, after the little river guardian that raised it from the
earth.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Was she really a
spirit?” Pazu glanced up, knife poised over the crude little spear that lay in
his lap.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’ve never met
another, so I couldn’t tell you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’d like to meet a
spirit of the river,” Pazu said thoughtfully. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Vika tossed her black
braids impatiently over one shoulder. “But did she ever come back,
Grandmother?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nia smiled softly to
herself. “You would have to ask your Uncle Jeru about that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Is that why he never
married?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Turning slowly on her
stiff hip, Nia regarded Pazu with surprise. “I don’t know, Pazu. Perhaps that
is so.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I shall ask him.”
Vika scurried away from the fire pit, hopping across the village grounds and
vanishing from sight around the great silver tree that guarded the chieftain’s
house. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Pazu stood more
slowly, holding his spear aloft in the sunlight. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And what is that for,
Pazu?” Nia asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He turned toward her,
his eyes as serious as his great-uncle’s. “When it’s finished, Grandmother, I
will take it with me to search out my Path.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Beyond them, just out
of sight over the green hill, the river laughed and gleamed in the face of the
sun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-30258479253894680522015-09-09T13:46:00.000-07:002015-09-09T13:46:51.934-07:00My Aching Soul Does Wander by Rebecca Skuban<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFswMDkr5-b_mzv2vHpZk1rJF2HvCqom6zDfYH-8yepGj8WI1dHdg-RDO6Xg5mBrx0LjdUEXm1pT3rnmwYYGqu5r60wHUF-iwp5IORB2S5g4f-MDK-TnEUuVOaigGHvspCiiUR1SYjPbH/s1600/MyAchingSoulDoesWander.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFswMDkr5-b_mzv2vHpZk1rJF2HvCqom6zDfYH-8yepGj8WI1dHdg-RDO6Xg5mBrx0LjdUEXm1pT3rnmwYYGqu5r60wHUF-iwp5IORB2S5g4f-MDK-TnEUuVOaigGHvspCiiUR1SYjPbH/s640/MyAchingSoulDoesWander.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>
</b></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My aching soul does wander hopelessly;</span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It seeks to sate insatiable desires</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For that which never shall fulfilling
be.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These things, obtained, will burn in
hungry fires,</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Flames, dwelling where your love should
lodge instead.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But I will flee to places far and wide</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While lying voices fill my throbbing
head</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And hopeful echoes soft are thrust
aside.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A sweet captivity I did refuse</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And so I run in bitter freedom now,</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blind in my flight, as I did darkness
choose.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But you shall find me, ashes on my brow</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And kiss the one who from you tore
apart-</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For I am yours, beloved of your heart.</span></div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>
</b></span></span>Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-23243313629488720022015-09-09T13:41:00.000-07:002015-09-09T13:41:36.688-07:00The Unseen Attendants by Savannah P. <br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqOc1oGn0CHN41JgRXUoZWazi_Ns1RSX292Bbr1pS_e0PHVp_ZO2FPaHxjcAha0UwVgMGbRm9UzbkUdx5fFYqcXKGyDTrAeV-4ULRK8svFwxelDPwOypVanhBKfG0I-HHY2KeAnGOXQVV/s1600/TheUnseenAttendants.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqOc1oGn0CHN41JgRXUoZWazi_Ns1RSX292Bbr1pS_e0PHVp_ZO2FPaHxjcAha0UwVgMGbRm9UzbkUdx5fFYqcXKGyDTrAeV-4ULRK8svFwxelDPwOypVanhBKfG0I-HHY2KeAnGOXQVV/s640/TheUnseenAttendants.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Glorielle skipped into the room, petal-pink wings fluttering
behin<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>d her as she called out in her young, sweet voice.
“Dame Imraldera?” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The lady turned to small child, placing a
quieting finger to her lips. Glorielle’s already large blue eyes grew wider
when she saw a group of other Faeries gathered around someone lying on a bed.
She tucked her light hair behind one ear and cocked her head. “Who’s that?” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera smiled gently. “He is the prince of
Parumvir, and his name is Felix.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh.” A mortal boy. She had never seen a mortal
before, and couldn‘t contain her curiosity. Tip-toeing closer as the Faeries
moved away, she asked, “Why is he hurt?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He was attacked by a dragon.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even young as she be, Glorielle knew how
dangerous it was to have dragon poison in you. Kneeling beside the boy’s
bed and peering curiously into his face, she asked. “Will he live?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“ … I think so.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The boy suddenly groaned, and Dame Imraldera
stepped closer. “You are awake.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The boy grimaced, before his eyes focused on
the lady standing over him. “Who are you?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am Dame Imraldera; my Prince brought you
here and asked me to care for you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And I’m Glorielle,” the young faerie
brightly said. She became thoroughly confused when the prince ignored her and
continued to speak with Imraldera. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your what? Where is here? What’s happened?”
His voice tightened with panic “I … where am I?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle perched a hand on her hip, and said
with childish innocence. “He doesn’t have very nice manners.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the Faeries, Celetta by name, leaned
closer. “He can’t hear you, love. He can’t hear or see any of us Faeries.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why not?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because he’s a
mortal, Glori.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh … It’s sad that
he can’t hear us. I could cheer him up!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle pitied the boy, who looked like he
was trying not to cry as he said. “My father? Una?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dame Imraldera gestured for someone to bring
her a wet cloth. “My Prince will care for them, child. Sleep now.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle quickly grabbed the needed object and
handed it to Imraldera, who gently touched it to the boy’s eyelids, and he sank
into sleep. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who’s Una?” She asked, bouncing on the balls
of her feet as she spoke. She never could sit still.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“His sister, the princess.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s worried for her.” With a nod of her head,
she made it a statement instead of a question.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wouldn’t presume otherwise.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“When will he hear me?” Glorielle wanted to
meet the mortal, this strange prince who looked nothing like her prince. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He won’t ever hear you, love.” Imraldera said,
a soft smile playing on her lips. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh.” Disappointment lingered on her face,
before she brightened and fluttered into the lower boughs of the tree, where a
Faerie named Elwind was perched. “Then I guess I’ll just talk to you!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera shook her head and silently laughed
as the cheerful child peppered the Faerie with question about the mortal boy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* * * * </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle visited the sick room many times
after that, never certain herself if she came to see the mortal prince, or talk
with Imraldera and the Faeries. But today she came to tell a story. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And then!” She crowed in her best theatric
voice, clinging the tree with one hand as she precariously perched on a branch.
“The princess shouted in fear, and tumbled down the cliff, and was never seen
again!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a dramatic swoon, she tumbled down from
the tree and collapsed in a heap into Dame Imraldera’s arms.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera couldn’t help it. She laughed.
Glorielle looked up at her with a pout on her face, choosing to ignore the
other Faeries whom she knew were hiding smiles. “But it wasn’t supposed to be
funny!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh,” the woman
said, as Glorielle eased out of her arms. “You tell a very good story.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That seemed to make the child happy, “I do,
don’t I?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whirling in a circle, the faerie girl’s fingers
brushed the top of a water pitcher, and would have sent it crashing to the
ground if Dame Imraldera hadn’t leapt up and caught it. Glorielle blushed and
her wings trembled with embarrassment, “Sorry.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No harm done,” Imraldera placed the pitcher
back where it was, “but we don’t want to wake him. Why don’t you play quietly
for awhile?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Okay, Imraldera.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* * * * </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle continued her frequent visits, it was
fun to be Dame Imraldera‘s center of attention while the Faeries cared for the
strange mortal boy Felix. But in the back of her mind, she knew that Felix
would wake someday soon, and things would change. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She just didn’t expect it to be today. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Skipping ahead of Dame Imraldera, she parted
the ivy so that the woman could step in, and quickly followed behind her. But
as soon as she slipped into the room, she noticed something was wrong. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Felix wasn’t in his bed. He was standing by the
window, and his attendants lingered by the tree. Imraldera’s voice held
surprise when she said, “Your fever has broken at last.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle scampered up the tree and perched on
a branch, watching the boy with curious eyes as Dame Imraldera offered him
water. She couldn’t help but giggle when Felix asked if the water would do
anything to him. And neither could Imraldera, or perhaps the young girl’s
laughter was just contagious. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The boy accepted the water and drank it
quickly, before handing the silver bowl back to Dame Imraldera and asking a
question. “Are you a Faerie?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle’s pursed her lips as she retorted.
“Of course she’s not, silly boy!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera sent the girl a gentle warning look,
but shook her head at Felix. “Mortals cannot see Faeries within the Wood.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can see you.” He said. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you cannot see the Faerie attendants
around you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle brightly counted the Faeries on her
fingers. “Celetta, Elwind, Lyra, Semara, Isiro, and me!” Her face suddenly fell
serious, and she cocked her head as Felix glanced quickly over his shoulder.
His eyes seemed to stare right where she sat. “Can he really not see me?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Semara placed an arm around the girl’s shoulders and
gave her a gentle squeeze. “He really can’t, darling.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Felix turned back to Imraldera and stated. “Then you
are not a Faerie. But can you see them?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dame Imraldera’s eyes strayed back to
Glorielle, which made the girl giggle. “I can.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then you’re not mortal?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She smiled, and Glorielle couldn’t tell
if she was smiling because of her or Felix. The young Faerie fluttered to her
feet and daintily walked across the branches of the trees as Imraldera checked
the Prince’s wounds. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dangling her feet of the branch in a bored way,
she asked, “Imraldera, I wish I could tell him a story. I’m sure he would love
my stories.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera paid the tiny girl no heed as she
tended to the prince. Glorielle sighed and decided that she was quite bored.
Bounced off the branch, she fluttered down to the unsuspecting Faerie below her.
Celetta caught her in ready arms, planting a quick kiss on the girl’s forehead
before setting her on the ground. Glorielle giggled, then waved a goodbye and
fluttered through the ivy. </div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><div class="MsoNormal">
* * * * </div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next morning, Glorielle was back in the
Haven and humming to herself as she skipped around the room. Singing in her
clear voice, she amused Imraldera as she tended to her patient. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Beyond
the Final waters falling </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> The Song
of Spheres recalling </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> You whom
I chose to save </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> We can
never be tore apart </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the attendants, Isiro, looked
affectionately at the sunny girl, who was scaling the tree to reach the utmost
branches. “For how much you sing, little one, you might as well be a bird.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle grinned down at him, teetering
precariously where she stood. “I could be a bird.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Could you now?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I could, I’m sure of it!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera watched the tiny fairy pace the
branch, trying to think of a way to prove Isiro right. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Felix’s voice suddenly echoed in the room.
“What’s that look for?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What look?” Imraldera blinked and turned away
from the Faeries and back to the prince. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That faraway,
no-longer-paying-attention-to-what-you’re-doing look. Like you were suddenly a
thousand miles away. “</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, no! I am very much present.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good, because you’re got a knife in your
hand.” Felix added, “What’s wrong?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was listening, that’s all.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To thin air?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She laughed, and went back to work.
“Remember, I can see and hear what you cannot, Prince Felix.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle pouted as she popped onto a
lower branch, blocking out Imraldera’s conversation with the mortal prince as
she replied to Isiro. “Okay, maybe I can’t be a bird. But I can be a princess!
I make a lovely princess.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lyra laughed, “That you do, Glorielle. That you
do.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Only moments later, and well into the
middle of Glorielle’s newest act, a tall Faerie rushed into the room. His
strong face was filled with urgency. Dame Imraldera turned to him, facing away
from the boy that stood on the other side of the room. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Chikato? Is something wrong?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The broad-shouldered fairy nodded
gravely. “The boy’s father, Fidel. He has just been taken by the Dragon.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle paused, one hand hanging onto the
tree as she prepared for her deathly fall. As Lyra reached a helpful hand to
push the girl back onto the branch, the child whispered. “The Dragon?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera suppressed a gasp, but she couldn’t
say a word with Felix standing nearby. Chikato seemed to see her questions in
her eyes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s alive. But …” Chikato shook his head. “Do
not worry. Our prince will save him.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera didn’t make a sound, but her furrowed
brow and worried eyes spoke in great measures. “Felix?” She called, urgency
ringing in her tone. “Felix, I’ve just received word of your father.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The boy whirled away from the window, and
Glorielle darted up higher into the tree as Felix’s hand reached to grasp it
where she had perched moments ago. The sudden news seemed to startle him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What?” He demanded. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He has been taken. By the … the Dragon.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Alive?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle crept lower as Felix sank to the
ground. “Is Felix all right?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Semara opened her arms for the normally chirpy
fairy girl to jump into. “He’ll be fine. He’s just relieved … and worried.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At the same time?” Glorielle was
puzzled. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The prince suddenly snapped. “You must
let me go.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera’s eyes radiated pity. “Felix, I-” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You must. He’s my father!” Glorielle jumped as
the boy slammed his fist into the ground. “You cannot make me sit here a minute
longer when my father’s life is in danger!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Felix, there is nothing you can-” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t tell me that, he’s my father. That
counts for something. I can help; I know I can.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dame Imraldera seemed to be slightly
fazed. “The Prince will-” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Aethelbald isn’t here.” Felix took a deep
breath. “When was the last time you heard from your master? Honestly.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera bowed her head. “Not in a long time.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle looked up into Semara’s face as the
Faerie lady put her down. Speaking quietly as Imraldera tried to explain the
effects of the poison to Felix, she asked. “But Prince Aethelbald is coming
back, isn’t he? So why does it matter?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Semara looked to Elwind, who shrugged. “To him
… it does.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh.” Glorielle looked down thoughtfully, but
her train of thought was broken when Felix’s voice suddenly changed from
angered to hopeful. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you will let me go?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle was surprised. “You’re going to let
him go?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imraldera chose to ignore the fairy, instead
responding to the boy. “I will.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The prince leapt up, pounding the fist
with his air, before grabbing the very startled Imraldera <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in his arms and spinning her so that her tunic
and flowing trousers swirled. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle giggled and clapped her hands as she
bounced merrily. “Oh Imraldera, oh Imraldera!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Felix set the lady down and smartly kissed her
cheek. “You will see,” he said, excitement in his eyes, “I’ll save him, I truly
will. And I’ll come back before the year is out, fit as anything, and you can
do whatever you need to do!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle skipped in circles around the prince,
her petal-like wings waving happily, though he couldn’t see her. Shouting into
thin air, he called. “Attendants! Invisibles! Can you get me some real clothes?
Something other than this nightshirt! And boots and things. And a sword! Don’t
forget a sword! A sharp one!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle froze, one foot in the air. “ … did
he just talk to us?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Semara laughed. “Yes, but he doesn’t know who
is here. But still, we best follow his wishes. Come little one, you can help.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glorielle sang happily as she left the room
with the others. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beyond
the Final Waters falling</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> The Song
of Spheres recalling </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> You whom
I chose to save </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> We can
never be torn apart </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</span></span>Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-78241646799415252502015-09-09T13:37:00.000-07:002015-09-09T13:37:17.410-07:00Queen of Ghosts by Merenwen<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTGAlfFLf5rU4AsQ19Af_gdxnzBNUOvj_wcW_p-JvwZiRq7hitgib3tA_mrKo36wwjzU5NxDAnIUP6MiER7LN-1zbizNBT0U0P-AbSCXGjKWkwJtwVg6ZtqugZprOSFovOE9ArwpKzLEb/s1600/QueenofGhosts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTGAlfFLf5rU4AsQ19Af_gdxnzBNUOvj_wcW_p-JvwZiRq7hitgib3tA_mrKo36wwjzU5NxDAnIUP6MiER7LN-1zbizNBT0U0P-AbSCXGjKWkwJtwVg6ZtqugZprOSFovOE9ArwpKzLEb/s640/QueenofGhosts.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
This city is mine:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Red stones burned black,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Towers high felled,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The land enticed with a taste of Death.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Etalpalli.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The people, so beautiful, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
On whom no hold the earth could claim,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Burned in my fury. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Ghosts I rule now, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Echoes and screams of dreams lost.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The Pit is filled with their cries,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A coldness in the midst of the leering sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Etalpalli is my demesne. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The streets I roamed, burning with the hatred</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That had given this land a thirst for blood.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The graves, the horrible graves! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
For a moment my fire freezes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Etalpalli! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
This was not meant to be!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Etalpalli!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Faces dear, wings spread in glorious flight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A crown, a mound, and the Bronze. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Faces torn thin in resistance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The fire overtakes me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A queen of ghosts,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
They follow me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Etalpalli.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-42996025975208464922015-09-09T13:32:00.001-07:002015-09-09T13:32:27.908-07:00Seabreeze by Melanie J. Morgan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUSF__uEsMv1W8QeEZhHUEgGgeda31Uoqh3iPdIfc7mDVjpYnptHrgk8Wy3ziX43M0tVLzuQCLuW78GHQCuldghbL1BbeEwbhS_-lz8b98bDbdMeO0KoU_thwOJKgoeVtUbF9eEA_ipFt/s1600/Seabreeze.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUSF__uEsMv1W8QeEZhHUEgGgeda31Uoqh3iPdIfc7mDVjpYnptHrgk8Wy3ziX43M0tVLzuQCLuW78GHQCuldghbL1BbeEwbhS_-lz8b98bDbdMeO0KoU_thwOJKgoeVtUbF9eEA_ipFt/s640/Seabreeze.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
dreadfully long time ago, far longer than most accountable historical records
have kept, the oceans were not always as men know them now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back then, the ocean was violent and
terrible, and sailors dare not take to the sea out of sight of the shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nowhere near as horrifying as it had
once been, but still far too dangerous for fishermen to forego thanking the
waters for its generosity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a wild
and tempestuous thing then, and seafarers of the time would laugh at the
suggestion of an oversea voyage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back
then, it had been different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The change was slow, so
slow that most did not see it at all until it had already passed, and to this day,
no one could ever tell from whence it had come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It began in the days when the Brothers Ashiun walked upon the lands, when
the foes of old trembled before the sight of sword and lantern; when a single
meeting shaped the oceans into what they are today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A single meeting that one would never find in
any history scroll or stretched on any tapestry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No carving or statue would know its likeness and
no bard sing its tune; any evidence would be lost forever, unless one already
knew where to look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<b>
</b></span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<b>
</b></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc4dLGkrw_0Ymik4vn6j_68w8qW8oR_04UYh6mPqmrlhUEDxc_Sgiwc-A0rEItK9TeNI_S3-VgzC_zCOR2XJiDmUNE0XX-7vtjvZcIPg83zUpqEZ5YsEYhfEzLtOGIxEDip1Tlwok_I0b/s1600/Seabreeze+Title+Page+-+Melanie+Morgan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc4dLGkrw_0Ymik4vn6j_68w8qW8oR_04UYh6mPqmrlhUEDxc_Sgiwc-A0rEItK9TeNI_S3-VgzC_zCOR2XJiDmUNE0XX-7vtjvZcIPg83zUpqEZ5YsEYhfEzLtOGIxEDip1Tlwok_I0b/s640/Seabreeze+Title+Page+-+Melanie+Morgan.jpg" width="502" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
the life of a maid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly, it was an auspicious
thing, to be personal handmaid to a king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not so, mind you, in this case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To be handmaid to the Mherking was another matter entirely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, that wasn’t to say that he was a bad king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought of his demesne and cared about his
people a great deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which was precisely
the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cared too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it wasn’t as though he was kind or
patient about it, let alone worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No,
he never worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was scrupulous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meticulous and critical; he was positively
finicky!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<b>
</b></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Still, none of that
would ever mar the constant frown on his features, as if he always practiced
the fierce expression so the artisans would never make a mistake when carving
it in stone after he passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Final
Waters forbid they should ever portray the Great King of All Oceans with a
smile upon his face; he would cause a cosmic typhoon from his grave at the mere
mention of it.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<b>
</b></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nonetheless,
his meticulousness was lost in the mere shadow of his petulance; and the
cantankerous king’s cynicism was matched only by his pride and arrogance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t take long for the maid to figure
out that he was bitter about something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
it was, he would never give hint to, so for a time, she had made the mistake of
trying to figure it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, until
she was so flummoxed, she wondered if he was bitter about his arrogance or
proud of his bitterness.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No
one ever dared bring it up to him; that would be sheer suicide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For, while he was quite august and
astonishingly good-looking, with his prismatic azure skin that shone in gold
and turquoise in the light of the sun, his structured face and chiseled form
carved by the sea itself, and an opalescent river of white that flowed from his
head and glistened like starlight, he was arguably the most fearsome monster
the oceans had ever known.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Or,
at least, he used to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over many years
of aging history scrolls and decaying libraries, the terror of the Mherking had
dulled to a legend, save to those that actually knew him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And not a soul among them would ever dare awaken
the creature within again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even still,
his presence alone was enough to shake a banquet hall quiet; his chilling
reptilian eyes and rows of serrated teeth a testament to the beast he had once
been.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
short, the Mherking was a pretentious, fussy, resentful old soul trapped in the
body of an infuriatingly handsome man.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
handmaid came into his service new and hopeful to acquire a job of such
standing, yet it was only a matter of days before she was dishearteningly
accustomed to his…eccentricities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
true that all Faerie lords, kings, and queens had them, and most of said
eccentricities made fey royalty, self-proclaimed or legitimate, difficult to be
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The handmaid honestly had no
idea why she had thought the Mherking would be much different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The older maids and soldiers had told her
that the Faerie King had mellowed over the ages, and was simply a bit vexing in
these later years.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Truth
be told, she might eat her own fins the next time someone told her that it used
to be worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man was positively
exasperating!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the pay was decent and
it was her only hope for a better station, so she resigned herself to her
dismal reality.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eventually
it became a bit of a game, really, to see exactly how predictable he was, and
it didn’t take more than a matter of weeks for her to be able to predict his
responses to most situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, when
the messenger arrived to deliver the invitation to the Celestial Ball, held at
Queen Bebo’s castle, the maid saw his answer coming the moment the messenger
entered the throne room.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
Majesty scoffed, half in amusement and half in thought, “Now, that is
something, isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The land dwellers having
another <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">party</i> celebrating something
they couldn’t possibly comprehend.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Mherking never liked balls, much less dancing, unless they were held in his
courts, at which even then he would barely sit and watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never explained his reasoning, and no one
ever dared to ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in this
instance, a dangerous smirk danced on his lips and a deep, wicked chuckle
rumbled in his throat, “Even so, it may all be worth it to watch that feline
make an utter fool of himself the entire evening.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
king’s low musings ceased as he addressed the messenger, “Very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inform Queen Bebo that I’d be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">delighted </i>to attend.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With
that, the messenger fluttered away and the Mherking rose from his throne and
pointed at his handmaid.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You.”
He called, “Yes, you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prepare the hot lotions
for my back and the scrubs for my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
make sure to get them from the southern gardens this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going out.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
was customary for the Mherking to check on the borders of his kingdom himself,
as he no longer trusted anyone else to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So he left without another word, disappearing into the tides on a Faerie
Path all his own.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Mherking’s Path emerged at a nameless stream in the Wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instantly, he could feel simply by the streamwater’s
ripples that something was off on the border of the lake and the River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only natural to investigate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could hear the River’s whisper when he
passed near its shore; that inviting, tempting whisper that desired nothing yet
too much all at once.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Closer.</i></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
ignored the River’s cries and walked leisurely in the direction of the
lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would have emerged from the
lake itself, no doubt, but he could easily sense a presence wading in its
waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Faerie by the scent of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ideal plan would be to catch the
perpetrator by surprise and drag it into the lake before it could sense him and
flee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Land dwellers were always so
useless when it came to water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this
way was so much more entertaining.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Closer.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The River continued.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Its
plea went unheard as the Mherking muddled about a strategy in his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did the Faerie know that it encroached
dangerously on the borders of his realm?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It probably wasn’t a Faerie king or queen, otherwise he would have felt
its presence far earlier.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Closer!</i></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
River was desperate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Utterly desperate
for attention of any sort, whether it knew its intended victim or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, the Mherking did look at the
River, just long enough to sneer.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Silence,
filth.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
River did not speak to him after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
the slow, wordless gurgling of the River finally subsided, he could feel the
draw of the lake water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It spoke to him
on a level that he and his people recognized like the voice of a dear friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a comforting sound, a voice that
swelled with the lapping of the small waves on the shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even now, as its waters were being polluted
by a foreign body, its voice was soft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, though he could hear the voice of the lake, as always, its
words made very little sense.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
night was cool and fresh, just the way he liked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, cleaning a warm night’s nasty mucky
land scum from his feet was more trouble than it was worth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hymlumé observed him quietly from her perch
in the sky; he gazed up at her and scoffed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Since
when did they start throwing a ball for you, old friend?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if to disregard your suffering…” he
mumbled.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
as always, she was silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the Faerie
King shook his head and moved on, with the full intent to discover and attend
to the intruder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moment he came upon
the clearing, only indignation filled him.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hymlumé
bathed the stranger’s feathers in a light that spared no detail, and her glow
on the stranger’s skin only made the Mherking wonder if the mischievous moon thought
him too stringent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the stranger did
nothing to acknowledge his presence, he stepped closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stranger’s wings ruffled with the breeze.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An
Etalpallian.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
was one of the Sky People doing here?</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
wings looked rather delicate, the skin even more so, and the limbs were thin
and smooth, so he easily concluded the intruder a female.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had gotten worked up over a flighty female
Etalpallian bathing her feathers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
almost laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of all the things to get
worked up about.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So,
as any Great Faerie Ruler worth his salt would do, he approached the situation casually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All it would take would be to spew a few
intimidating words to scare the little birdy off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sauntered over to the shore right where
the trees subsided and leaned on one leg, crossing his arms in an aloof and
portentous manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A position that would
undoubtedly emphasize the Faerie King’s threatening presence.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Frightfully
cool for a bath tonight.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To
his surprise, the winged woman did not turn around at his remark, but spoke
loudly back to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A chipper,
fluttering voice, sounding decidedly like a songbird in the morning.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A
little late for a visit as well.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
raised his eyebrows, “You were expecting someone?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Etalpallian turned around, wrapping her wings about her and wading to shore to
grab her tunic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easily slipping into the
tunic and lacing it up without unfolding her wings, she smiled at her visitor,
and her eyes glimmered mischievously in the moonlight.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You,
actually, Your Majesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rumor had it you
would show up if someone meddled about your borders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though, I thought you’d be here sooner, so I
got bored and took a bath.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Mherking’s eyes narrowed, “You know it is useless to draw me away from my
palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do other winged vermin intend to
ambush my demesne in my absence?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
dark and foreboding essence slowly washed in like the tide, a presence that
descended upon the Mherking as if he had summoned the most petrifying depths of
the ocean simply by thinking it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drew
closer and leaned his head towards her, a sadistic smirk peeling across his
face and baring his rows of razored teeth, “Any who venture into my demesne
without my permission drown when their lungs fill with blood and water, and
they helplessly fall like a stone to the ocean floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even a Faerie king or queen could not survive;
the ocean is relentless.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
this, she gave an unladylike snort, followed by a fit of laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waited, feeling just a tiny bit
uncomfortable at her amusement.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
laughed until she coughed, “They told me you were a handful.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Clearing
her throat, the winged girl sat down on a huge boulder that jutted out over the
lake and patted the space beside her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the Faerie King stood planted firmly where he was, she shrugged and
elaborated, “I am a personal servant to Etalpalli’s royal family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Lady’s condition has the advisors
concerned, and they have tasked me with a quest to ease her suffering.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
sea king’s frozen expression cracked with a thunderous guffaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Faerie maid, clearly startled, waited
while the strange man sunk to a seat on the boulder she had claimed as her
perch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His expression was mirthful but
the gleam in his eyes lacked all warmth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His laughter died down with a smirk, “Is that so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the Great Ytotia’s lover, a noble knight
of Farthestshore, still spurns her affections?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh, how the proud have fallen, that he should flee at the very sight of
her!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
nearly snorted at the declaration, as if she chuckled at a jest privy to her
alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking’s amusement,
however, was short-lived, as he inquired with a suspicious lift of an eyebrow,
“So, what, did the advisors send you to find someone to take her to the ball or
some such nonsense?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her
answer did even less to keep him in a good mood, “Well, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They believe it will lift her spirits, though
I could not see how they could believe <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>
would be a suitable candidate.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Slightly
intrigued at her nonchalant insolence, the Mherking sniffed, “Insulting those
you wish a favor from, such fine etiquette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did ‘Your Lady’ teach you that?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Is
that a yes?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Far
from it.” He spat, “It would take the Hound himself to persuade me to escort Etalpalli’s
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">most eligible</i> maiden to something I
do not even wish to attend.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
do not wish to go?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Brilliant
deduction,” he jabbed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
this, she giggled again, bringing her hand daintily her lips, “I must admit I
did not think you would be quite this miserable.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Mherking blinked at her, “I beg your pardon?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
winged woman continued, heedless of his bewilderment, “I cannot say I do not
find it both amusing and tragic.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Mherking rose to his feet, “Must you prattle so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noisy little magpie…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have refused your offer, return to Ytotia
and leave my borders in peace.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
hopped from her seat on the boulder and effortlessly hovered much closer than
he would normally allow, “Now now, I’m not finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a proposition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A wager, if you will.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now,
the Mherking was not typically one for wagers, especially since the last
debacle with that fluffy swaggering brigand, but if it would silence the flying
mouth without causing a war, he would simply have to teach her that little thrushes
do not trifle with Faerie kings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
sooner he entertained her, the sooner he would finally be able to go about his
life in peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
is your wager?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
grinned, the impish glint still in her eyes, “There are eight full moons until
the Celestial Ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will meet you here
every full moon, and if I can convince you to dance with me before the
Celestial Ball, you must be My Lady’s escort for the evening.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Mherking waited for more than a few moments for her to continue, but she never
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, feeling prompted by the
sudden silence, he rose his eyebrows, “Is that all?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would by far be the easiest
wager he ever accepted.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
if I should win?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A
reward?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmm, well, you’ll never have to
see me again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ll no longer loiter
about your waters!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So,
it is not a wager, it’s a threat.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
thought for a moment, “Yes, that about sums it up!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
grumbled, “Very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beginning in seven
days when Hymlumé bares her full face, I will meet you here every full moon,
when the tide is high, until the Celestial Ball.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
sly smile lingered on the winged one’s visage when she spoke, “Do not try to
elude me now; I will simply stomp about your borders until you pay attention to
me.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
king’s exasperation was evident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
sighed, “Very well.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
gave him a parting smile and a “See you then!” before dropping to the ground
and leaping into the air with a massive flap of her cerulean wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The motion blew a gust of salty air into the
Mherking’s face and left him scowling into the night.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
had he gotten himself into?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
how?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it would be an easy win and
she would disappear forever from his life, but until then he still had to
tolerate her nagging for another eight moons…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Needless
to say, it was the first time his handmaid was utterly baffled when the king
arrived late and retired to his chambers without so much as ordering her to
scrub the mud from his feet.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
first moon, it didn’t look like he would come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She waited a great deal and watched the moon’s face rise in the
sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had just dropped from her perch
on the boulder and into the lake when the water began to ripple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was gentle at first, a slow ripple rising
from the depths and floating outwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The ripple began to bubble, then, and the lake gurgled as something rose
to the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gurgles turned to
roaring waves in one concentrated area, and for only a moment, that one spot of
the lake glowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then all was silent for
a great and heavy pause, waiting in great anticipation for something.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qSMdrJhMhIXPp8JJXMnQqQzX8UddsSqf4Ph2juygwjXXAEA2FLFwMyEwQU3hB56d9YNiH1druK4hm8W4JGcifKezEyuR0d_KAa6qmHDUcODuBJYzPxfG2R-OR7ohCI584-vbPGMXrct_/s1600/Seabreeze+-+1st+Moon.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qSMdrJhMhIXPp8JJXMnQqQzX8UddsSqf4Ph2juygwjXXAEA2FLFwMyEwQU3hB56d9YNiH1druK4hm8W4JGcifKezEyuR0d_KAa6qmHDUcODuBJYzPxfG2R-OR7ohCI584-vbPGMXrct_/s400/Seabreeze+-+1st+Moon.jpg" width="313" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
moment the Mherking ascended from the Deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His white hair gleamed in Hymlumé’s light, and water cascaded off his
majestic form, allowing the light to shimmer against his scales.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
he approached the shore, he lifted an eyebrow and she closed the mouth she did
not know hung open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, even as he
caught her stare, she showed no embarrassment and weightlessly hopped up to her
boulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never touching his feet to the
damp earth of the shore, he heaved himself to a seat on the other end of said
boulder.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
few moments of silence prompted her to speak first, “So, where did you come
from?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
king nearly rolled his eyes, and spoke as if explaining to a child, “The water
has Paths the same as the land does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any
stranger can get lost on one and meet a terrible fate in the same manner, with
differing technicalities, of course.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
nodded in understanding, “The sky is that way as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the air currents can be a bit more
forgiving than the Paths of the Wood.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her lingering
eyes on his face and an awkward silence brought about an even more awkward
subject matter from the Sky Woman.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You know, they
also warned me you were dangerously handsome.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Did
they now?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
approached her statement with the most curiosity he could muster, which was to
say, none at all.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No
need to be so languid about it, Your Majesty!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
have very little interest in the attractions of chittering—”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do
you wish to know what I think?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
broad shoulders slumped, “Not particularly, but why do I feel as though you
will tell me nonetheless?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Suddenly
she was far too close once again, standing behind him and bending over to shove
her face much too close to his own while she scrutinized his features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then her thin fingers poked and pinched his
forehead and the space between his eyebrows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instinctively, he jerked his head backwards and his webbed frills
flared.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
just stared at his face and frowned, “I think you much too surly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you keep frowning like that, those
wrinkles on your forehead will stay there forever, Faerie king or not.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
time, his hand jerked to swat her away, and she nimbly hopped back to her end
of the boulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Growing irritated, he
snarled, “Was there not a purpose in dragging me out here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or are you holding my pride hostage just to
irritate me?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
winged one giggled, “A bit of both, I suppose, but I digress.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
girl rose effortlessly to her feet and extended her hand to him, “Will you
dance with me, Your Majesty?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
waited just long enough to watch her eyes brighten with hope, “Not a chance.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
feeling of triumph rose in him as he watched her whole being droop in a very
slight disappointment, followed by her feathers ruffling in frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking embraced the victory with a
smirk and a satisfied sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Settling
into his position, he eyed her with a decidedly smug and cruel expression, “Is
that all, now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a nice scrubdown
and a massage awaiting my return to the palace.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
impish girl’s large eyes flashed a roguish twinkle, “Preening, eh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Etalpallians are some of the best masseuses
in the Far World, why not relax a bit and let me do it?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
snorted, “Not a chance.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
moment, then, “Frankly, you’re certainly not what I expected…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
did you expect?” he sighed flatly.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A
trident…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where’s
your trident?” she pressed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not where you can find it…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do
you even have one?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another
sigh, “I fail to see how that is any of your business, but yes, I do, and no,
you cannot see it.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
shrugged and sat down, “Well, it was worth a try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me then, do you ever dance at parties?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
hard gaze drifted out to the sky, “No.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why
not?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
loathe dancing.” Was all he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given
no explanation, the girl gave a little huff.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why do you hate
dancing?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He shot only his
eyes towards her with a subtle and fearsome scowl that carried all the wrath of
an ocean’s fury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, she was
suddenly apprehensive about prying any further into the matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The winged woman
smiled and sighed, “I love dancing.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know you will
not cease your chittering until you tell me, so I might as well entertain you,
despite how I may regret it…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why</i> do
you love dancing?” he huffed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She smiled, and
cast her gaze on the moon’s pale face, “My favorite is the traditional
Celestial Dance.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I regret it already...” he muttered while she
spoke.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You know, the
one supposedly modeled after Hymlumé’s legendary dance with Lumé, to the tune
of the Song of Spheres?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His insides
churned at her answer, but the Sea King said nothing after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took his pause as a sign to continue, and
brought her knees to her chest as she talked, rocking back and forth on her
heels.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They say the
dance was created as a testament to their love, and a memorial to the first
dance the two shared together.” She glanced at the distant Mherking, who was frigid,
as though he existed half a world away, conversing with the stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew, of course, he was merely trying to
ignore her, as she saw his hands clench every time she talked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which, in turn, made her want to talk all the
more.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“To me, that
dance is like a promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An oath of
commitment and compassion.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her reluctant
companion rolled his eyes at her naiveté, but she paid him no heed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stood from her seat and padded softly to
the edge of the boulder, reaching out over the lake as she aimed for the sky.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I can just
imagine Lumé extending his hand to her, ready to take all her sorrows upon
himself in exchange for her smile.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s the
first remotely veritable thing you’ve said these last agonizing moments.” He
interrupted with a dry, stifled laugh.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Excuse me?” she
blinked.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Never you mind,
little flighty one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go on about your
delusions, there is not a soul about who could think less of you.” The king
quipped.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dragon’s teeth,
you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> miserable!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He suddenly rose
to address her at a height from which he was more comfortable: towering over
her, “What fine language for a lady of the Sky Court!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, but, you said you were a maid, didn’t
you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That certainly sheds some light on
things!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Sky Woman
didn’t concede, “Were you always this pleasant, Your Majesty, or is it an
acquired trait?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If this is your
way of achieving victory, I am sorely disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought you would present me with a better
challenge.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Oddly enough,
the king seemed both agitated and entertained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wasn’t often he encountered someone who dare to verbally spar with
one such as him…without the rendezvous ending in the boiling of organs, that
is.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The girl heaved
a sigh and sat back down, dangling her legs over the edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sufficiently enjoying the night’s success,
the Mherking sank to a seat as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
the two lapsed into another awkward silence, in which the woman struggled to
find something to say and the man struggled to find an excuse to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A silence that subsequently stretched into
hours of awkward agony.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
man managed to break it first, “Well, noisy magpie, you failed this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do hope you have a better case next moon,
your first attempt was rather pathetic.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sighing,
she knew it best not to push the matter just yet, “Very well, Your
Majesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shall hold you to your oath
and see you next moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try not to be
late next time.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Giving
him a sweet smile, she took to the sky, leaving him alone by the lake as the
first flush of morning drew in the mists from the mountains while the full moon
began its descent over the horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Mherking stood alone on the boulder on the shore, left with only a sickening
feeling that this was only the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That one night had been endless torment, and he had agreed to seven more
outings just like that one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, it
made him feel quite ill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would have
to tell the cooks to add extra Sea Holly to his meal upon his return.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
second moon brought more dismay than the first, for now he knew what to expect,
and had weeks to dread its coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
a complicated matter with Arpiar had distracted him just enough for him to
forget his disfavor towards his scheduled lunar engagement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually the political matter grew so
loathsome that meeting with the demanding, mercurial woman actually seemed like
a preferable option.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
punctuality was infinitely better this time, as the idea of arriving early and
sitting by the lake alone for a while with no councils and no birdies soothed
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, he never took into
account the fact that he never really knew when she would get there, or if she
had ever actually left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, his dream
of time in blissful solitude was shattered the moment he glimpsed familiar
cerulean wings sprawled out over the rock.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Etalpallian girl was splayed out on her back on her boulder, staring up at the
twilight and tracing her finger over the patterns of where the stars would
undoubtedly appear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether she heard his
movements in the wake of the waves or felt his approach, he was unsure; but by
then, he’d simply relinquished any concern for his sanity in the wake of the
oncoming dusk.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
time she moved the moment she noticed his presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sprang up and darted over to the edge of
the boulder, waiting for him to come ashore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was that carefree smile on her face once again, and he inwardly
groaned, wondering what had possessed him to think this was more tolerable than
a megrim-inducing strategy meeting.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
are early, Your Majesty!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
waded over to the boulder, his response saucy and caustic, “Yes, a decision
that I immediately regret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I apologize for
being so punctual; perhaps I should leave and we can resume another time, or
not, if you prefer.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
uttered an improper growl and reached out to grab him, “You wouldn’t dare!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get your Royal Highness back to shore and
make yourself comfortable.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
easily dodged her flailing hands, but meandered over to the overhanging rock
nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he was settled, she
leaned towards him expectantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he
said nothing, she prodded, “So?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are
you so early?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
could ask the same of you.” He grumbled.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
ignored him, “Well, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i> infer
that you simply enjoy my company, but considering you don’t seem to really
enjoy <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anything</i>, I quite doubt that to
be the case.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Provoked
to retort, he suddenly realized he had nothing to retort with, and simply lifted
his eyebrows and stroked his short beard, “No, no, you’re right on the mark
there.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
girl leaned far too close once again, and tilted her head, “So?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are you so early?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
easily answered, “I didn’t sense your fetid stench in the waters today so I
thought I’d have some time to myself if I came early.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
drew back from him and huffed, but her curious expression replaced her
displeasure in mere moments, “So why did you need time to yourself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ruling the oceans becoming a burden?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
sneered, “It is more communicating with nuisances, like nosy magpies, that becomes
the burden.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
winged one scrunched her nose, “Are you going to keep calling me that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not my name, you know.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
wouldn’t remember your real name anyway, and this one suits you better…Magpie.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Magpie”
snorted in discontent, an action that only caused the grin to widen on the
Mherking’s face as he leaned his finned elbow on his knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So as not to delay the inevitable, the
Mherking motioned for her to go on, “Well, come now, Magpie, I have not the
time for your dallying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is your
ploy this time?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
girl had puffed out her cheeks in exasperation at her dubbed nickname until he
mentioned the reason for their appointments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As if suddenly struck by a grand idea, her face gleamed instantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made a little gasp, then cleared her
throat and curtseyed before him.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Will
you dance with me tonight, Your Maj—”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not
a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You tried that one already,
try again.” He yawned.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If
you refuse to dance with me, Your Majesty, I will simply have to dance for you,
until you change your mind.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
rolled his eyes and murmured, “Hymlumé help you with that one.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wypYcs8MLKeir1KGe2jDnTWjRikk4ZP0gesm4kOcqGWwYtdAaqPMmJEd4XrMiVo0RTnifpB0pgzaCQ5axkmCswAq3GhMdZOhqIbn_HtI5r2sVhbiIKTrNNMJ4l6QVpjxyfPKeZQfV1on/s1600/Seabreeze+-+2nd+Moon.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wypYcs8MLKeir1KGe2jDnTWjRikk4ZP0gesm4kOcqGWwYtdAaqPMmJEd4XrMiVo0RTnifpB0pgzaCQ5axkmCswAq3GhMdZOhqIbn_HtI5r2sVhbiIKTrNNMJ4l6QVpjxyfPKeZQfV1on/s400/Seabreeze+-+2nd+Moon.jpg" width="313" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Be
that as it may, she once again paid him no heed and stood on the edge of the
boulder with her back facing the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hymlumé, as if in cunning defiance to his words, bathed the girl in an
elegant silhouette, the breath of night illuminating the faint shadows of her
legs through the layers of fluttering crimson sheer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As his eyes lingered just a moment too long,
he knew.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
little fowl had it planned from the very beginning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
the wind struck the chords of the lakewater and sang whispers through the
reeds, the girl began, right on cue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
recognized her form instantly as a variation of the Celestial Dance of the Song
of Spheres, the same dance that he had explicitly explained to her just last
moon that he loathed with every fiber of his being; well, more so than all
other dances that he simply despised.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
followed, however, would remain unrecorded by history scrolls, tongues of
legend, and romantic bards alike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
only the lake, the moon, and those that walk at night as witnesses, it remained
alive only in the Mherking’s memory, where it would linger for all time, long
after all other recall had crumbled to sand and ashes.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her
movements began slow and delicate, from the bend in her elbows to the arcs of
her wrists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes were closed as she
listened to a song only she could hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With more grace than a swan on the water, she took her dance to the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To
dance like a land dweller was indescribably stifling and stuffy, so much that
it was insulting to a dance itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
dance like a sea dweller was to be a warrior unbound by duty and obligation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One had to be strong, and the invisible anchors
of land and body held no oppression over the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To dance like a sky dweller was another issue
altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">However, the way
this sky dweller danced was unlike anything he’d ever witnessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many others of her ilk would soar by in
their arrogance, or even deign to dance with the land dwellers as a method of
charity to the less fortunate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She moved with a
soul of freedom the likes of which he’d seen only thrice in millennia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a willow branch in the breeze,
birthed by the winds of liberation and drifting on the zephyrs, only to float
across the lake with lissome finesse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wasn’t even sure if she still knew he was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never once opened her eyes, and a joyous
smile was etched across her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adroit
and lithe, she swayed to a mute rhythm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely
she must have heard something he did not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Feathered wings
swished and sheer skirts billowed, accentuated by the curves and lunges of
slender limbs, and she took care not to let her feet touch the lake, much less
the dry ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The moon’s light
caught every feather and sent a scintillating iridescent burst off her wings
with every move she made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stardust
shimmered off the lake as she threaded it through her fingers and took it with
her, whirling it about her like ribbons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just once, she dipped her foot into the lake water and flung droplets of
starlight into the air, where they settled like glistening dewdrops on her
short, windswept mane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hair and
feathers became the sea that reflected the night’s shroud, speckled in radiant
beacons from afar, its radiance with its own lustrous aquamarine glow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sapphire and byzantium of the lake
stirred on the water’s surface, and the lapis and zaffre from the sky lent
itself to her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she took them
both and, in merely a breath, wove them into one.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
would never admit it, not even to this day, but for just a moment, his
shoulders relaxed while he watched her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And for only that small instant, he allowed himself to think her
beautiful.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The next moment
easily shook him from his delusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
after she had finished, she glided over to the boulder, skimming the lake’s
surface with her toes, and hopped up to the rock with her elbows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bit her lip in excitement and waggled her
eyebrows in mischief, “So?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Care to dance
with me <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now</i>?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And with that,
all attraction he had for her vaporized faster than a pool of rain in a
dragon’s den.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His subsequent
urge to leave, sit in disgusted silence, and respond with a teasing remark all
at once eventually resulted in his immediate departure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had grabbed his cloak and flown in the
other direction to keep him from leaving, but all her weight amounted to about
a feather and a half to him, so he ended up shaking her off with just a
rotation of his shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As her hands
slipped and she fell back to the boulder with the force of her tug, he
descended into the lake, giving a parting wave over his shoulder just before he
disappeared into the water.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When he returned
to his demesne, he was grieved to find the Arpiar situation had only corroded
further, and would require far more repair than he would have liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make matters worse, there had been a
drastic increase in reports of disappearances over the past couple moons, and
there were still no leads in the matter.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Much to his
dismay, he found himself thinking of the magpie often, many times in the middle
of crucial meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her aesthetic form
and carefree smile, and that chirping laugh that tickled, that is, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grated</i>, his ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far be it from the Great King of All Oceans
to admit that visions of a beckoning birdy were beginning to seem like a
welcome alternative to brainless yapping dignitaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farther still be it that he should admit he
was beginning to look forward to their rendezvous, if only to entertain himself
with a verbal sparring partner that he actually didn’t feel the need to stab in
the eyeballs.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He wouldn’t
deny, however, that he most definitely felt the need to stab <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">something</i> up until he saw her legs
dangling off the rock on the night of the third moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he saw her, the feeling subsided, but he
knew it would return with a vengeance the moment she opened her mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he approached, he saw her curled up on the
rock, in a manner that suggested she was asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking hoisted himself up on the
boulder next to her, trying not to splash her and, consequently, wake her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He enjoyed the momentary silence and would
continue to do so until the noisy Etalpallian would inevitably wake up and tear
his eardrums asunder with her incessant squawking.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He enjoyed the
silence so much that his mind was beginning to drift into concocting ways to
keep her from talking, even if that meant he himself would be forced to speak
the whole time.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Needless to say,
the girl was surprised to awaken from her slumber to find the towering figure
of a fierce marine king stationed next to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His reptilian eyes glinted like a trove of forgotten gold at the bottom
of the ocean, and his attention held fast to some indistinct point in between
the lake and the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She slowly rose to
a seat and watched the unearthly Faerie man in silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He belonged with the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He belonged with the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That much was for certain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had no real reason to keep meeting her
like this…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yet, he
surprised her again when he spoke first.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It was the land
dwellers that saw fit to choreograph ‘The Celestial Dance’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They filled it with twirls and dips and
turns, everything they deemed to be “beautiful” to the eye and the light in the
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not fault the land feyfolk
for wanting to create something gorgeous as a tribute to Lumé and Hymlumé, but
to claim it a replication of their first dance is…well…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His eyes drifted
downwards then, “It is nothing less than an insult upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hymlumé would have been furious at the
disregard and disrespect for her lover, regardless of how he would, in turn, grin
and brush off the matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, if
they actually still spoke rather than just the rumored rhymes whistling about
the Wood.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Long ago, dance
was a call to arms, a symbol of strength, brotherhood, and heritage to my
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any remnant of that sentiment
died many times ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not enjoy
dancing, the land dwellers have made it something for parties and jests,
something fools do to impress their Queen and woo their women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nobility of dance and warfare of kings
and queens is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the land
dwellers stand about with their wine and extravagant attire, using their
frivolous balls as an excuse to coquet and fribble about in inebriated ignorance.”
He spat.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When he paused,
she would’ve given anything for him to keep talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cross edge she was familiar with never
left, but a softness and vulnerability crept into his tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound of sincerity in his voice was
unmistakable, something that sounded so strange from him, yet it had her
mesmerized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she fumbled about,
reaching for anything that would get him to continue.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hymlumé sounds
like she must be a remarkable Queen.” Her voice was quiet as she drew herself
closer to him.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He spared only a
glance towards the magpie, seeing her tuck her knees under her chin like a
child listening to a nursery tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
sides of his mouth tugged into what could almost be mistaken as a smile, if one
looked at his face in the moonlight at just the right angle.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I imagine she still is.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His first four
words carried far more weight than she had ever anticipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one time, he had been honest with her,
no sarcasm, no witty comebacks, and no games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She had no idea what had come over him, but she would never complain
about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he said no more, she
scooted a little closer and bent forward to look him in the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weight of his statement had given rise to
such a consuming, slow-burning curiosity in her, she could not help
herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted to know this Mherking
that sat before her, staring with desolate eyes into the distance.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your Majesty?”
she gently asked, “How old are you anyway?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You sound as if—”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s enough,
Magpie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You asked why I detested
dancing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have your answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more tonight.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yet, despite
what sounded like parting words, he never moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This side of him unnerved her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so unnaturally silent, without
complaint or criticism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a moment,
she saw before her a king, a man, and the umbra of a broken spirit, all at
once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hand trembled as she reached
across the small divide between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She felt him twitch when her fingertips brushed over the smooth scales
of his arm.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The wind came to
her aid and carried her whisper to his ears, “I am sorry…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For what she
apologized, she was unsure; but she suddenly withdrew her fingers, an action
that did not seem to induce a reaction of any kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not at first.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His gaze was
continuously glued to some distant place, but his low voice finally reached out
to her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You may do as
you wish, but do not speak tonight.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was oddly
gentle, the way he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gentle and
despondent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a moment of thoughtful
deliberation, she took this as his way of asking her for her company.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Both her hands
slowly wrapped around his muscled arm, gliding over the ridges of his scales, which
were cool to the touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she
couldn’t bear the look in his eyes any longer, she leaned her cheek on his
shoulder and nuzzled once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She heard him
give a barely audible snort, inevitably to blow her wild, crested mane out of
his face, but he never did anything to stop her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After a little
while, she feared discomfort on both sides, so she tilted her head and opened
her mouth to address him, but was promptly greeted with the rumble of his voice
reverberating through his chest.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“One word comes
out of your mouth, and I leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I
understood?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She gulped and
settled back into his shoulder, tucking her legs in close and grasping his arm
tighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He huffed through his nose
twice, agitated that he had to get her hair and feathers out of his face again,
but he did not speak after that.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He stayed at the
lake all night that moon, until the oncoming of dawn gave him an excuse to get
her fluttering snore out of his ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His touch was easy and slow as he slid out from under her, prying his
arm from her grasp with utmost care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
laid her down on the boulder, carefully wrapping her wings around her, and all
the while grumbling to himself about how careless she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave one last look at the girl whose
feathers ruffled with each snuffling breath she breathed, then rolled his eyes
while descending below the lake’s surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For only a moment he allowed himself to wonder how long he would have to
fuss with a mass of imbecilic diplomats and pointless meetings before he could
go up to the lake for another rest.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The palace had a
tough time figuring out what had become of their king of late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed quite off, and very often, distant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was still persnickety as ever, possibly
more so, though the details he often chose to focus on were most odd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ordered his servants to remove all things
remotely red from his sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This his
servants easily deduced as the result of dealings with Arpiar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely seeing crimson would only make his
mood even more unbearable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that any
of them would ever suspect that the color would remind him of the fluttering
skirts of a noisy bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there were
details like what shape and color the drapes in the Great Hall needed to be,
and a drastic deviation in his lightrock color preference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dealing with
Faerie kings and queens was a tiring and unpredictable venture regardless of
demesne, but the Mherking was always meticulous about specific things in a very
methodical manner, so for his normal preferences to suddenly change on a whim
may signify something deeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course,
it was a truth of life that all Faerie kings and queens were, at their core,
unpredictable, so his palace staff members were a little puzzled and more than
a bit anxious as to whether they should even gossip amongst themselves about it
or not.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His personal
handmaid, however, knew something must be amiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he was alone in his chambers, he often
just stared out the windows, something the other, older handmaids hadn’t seen
in eons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time he would have
kept himself busy reading the day’s reports and correcting the scribes’ grammar
when all other matters had been settled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And whenever the handmaid would ask him what he needed, normally he
would list off a multitude of complaints, but lately he barely acknowledged anyone
who came into his chambers any more than necessary.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking’s
mind was indeed very far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
situation with Arpiar would have no easy answers, and the delicate balance between
peace and conflict with the even more unreasonable kings and queens of other
demesnes left no room for errors in judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They would be absolutely insufferable if this whole issue wasn’t solved
by the Celestial Ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The numbers of
his people that had vanished had grown to be quite a concern, especially since
there were still no leads in the matter, though the Mherking was beginning to
have his suspicions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suspicions that
could only result in mayhem.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yet, the even
greater concern was keeping the obnoxious pestilential magpie from bursting in on
his thoughts and parading upon his contemplations on important kingly matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He managed, though, under the condition that
every moment he thought of her, he would think of another way to make her
miserable and leave it at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
seemed to work well enough.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Especially when
he saw her perched upon the boulder like an anxious jay on the fourth moon.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You look like a
lovesick fledgling.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking’s
booming voice jolted her from her thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His approach was slow, and he gave her a mildly amused raise of the
eyebrows.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did the stars
grant your wildest dreams, Magpie?” he teased.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I told you,
that’s not my—Oh, forget it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fine,
“Magpie”.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes then darted up at the stars, and she
laughed, “Don’t be silly, Your Majesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stars cannot grant anything.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nearing their
boulder, he smirked, “You might be surprised.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When she blinked
at him, he shook his head and asked, “So I see the beasts neglected to eat you
while you slept, though I suppose your snoring would frighten away even the
Wood’s most fearsome creatures.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She puffed her
cheeks, “Have you had enough amusement at my expense, Your Majesty?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think perhaps I should have my share.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He leaned on the
boulder, opting not to leave the comfort of the lake this time, “Be my guest,
Magpie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do your worst.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She shot him a
malicious smile and shrugged, “Suit yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But first, will you dance with me tonight, Your Majesty?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not a
chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try again.” He immediately
replied.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are much
too serious, you know.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Sea King
snorted, “You accuse me of harassing you for my own amusement as you hold me
here against my will then accuse me of being too serious?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are going to have to do better than
that.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I should use a different approach.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Is there not
somewhere better for you to be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely
Ytotia must have a better use for you than to pester me to be her escort for an
evening…” he eyed her with a lifted eyebrow.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A strange sound
that almost sounded like a nervous laugh drifted on the wind, but she never
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She changed the subject.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I want to see
your trident.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That again?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And I want you
to show me how to use it!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Even if that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were </i>possible, the answer would still be
no.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What do you
mean “if it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were</i> possible”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bet you don’t actually have one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I bet all the legends and stories of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘The Great Mherking, King of All the
Oceans!’</i> were balderdash and you’ve actually been trying to deceive me all
this time!” </span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It matters not
if you actually believe me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not
satisfy your meddlesome tendencies and show you my trident.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She was silent
for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too long, by the
Mherking’s standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he made to look
up and investigate the cause of her silence, he felt her fingers on the frills
over his ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The contact made him gasp
and jerk away from her, almost stumbling from the sudden movement.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He snarled, “Do <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> touch the fins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I care not who you are or where you come
from, Magpie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is punishment for
all who attempt something so crude.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She brought her
hand over her mouth as he straightened himself.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Last one to
make such an error had his fingers devoured by something even I no longer dare
to release from the dungeons.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So I can’t touch
the frills?” she managed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That about sums
it up.” He grumbled.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At that, he
heard a strange squeaking sound come from her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her hand was over her mouth, and her eyes were glued to him while her
shoulders bounced and halted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple
snorts escaped her, and it was then that he realized that she was laughing.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Faerie man
narrowed his eyes with a dangerous pressure, “What ails you, Magpie?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A pressure that
she apparently wasn’t intimidated by; her laugh only seemed to seep through her
hands further while her eyes were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mysteriously</i>
glued to his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most specifically,
the very fins he had just yanked from her grasp.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pfft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My apologies, Your Majesty…It’s just—your
frills…they flare out when you are cross…Look, it’s so—”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She pointed at
his flared fins, and with that, her fit of laughter was imminent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fins unconsciously contracted and clamped
against his skull while he sent a brooding scowl down at the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound of her hysteric laughter only made
it worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did he let her get to
him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And over something so…silly?</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are you sure I
can’t touch them?” she giggled.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He growled and
exhaled, “Indubitably. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that you have
had your laugh, noisy one, have you anything else?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Magpie
immediately stopped laughing and brightened, “Of course I do!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She laid on her
stomach and rested her chin on her hands, waggling her feet back and forth in
the air, “Sometimes you gnash those dreadful fangs of yours together and it
makes this horrid scraping sound.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Excuse me?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She reached down
to try to press her finger against his mouth, an action he easily dodged, and
retaliated with a sharp, “What <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> it
with you and touching?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She withdrew her
hand and smiled, “Oh, and I suppose you detested every single moment last moon
when you never once complained about me touching you.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of course I
detested it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’d have complained, you
would undoubtedly have started squawking, which I detest further.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She leaned
forward, biting her lip in anticipatory victory, “There’s another thing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are an atrocious liar!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Go ahead and
explain that one to me, I am dying to hear your reasoning.” He folded his arms
across his chest and waded back towards the boulder.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KqCmIwjxogzFMwvEDoMy6-93V2PCaLomGIW2dQc-3xvKl0jJk0eyEJJy866J0m9iXS4iIRXc6SjgOPBR-82T8-SEp2a2lMsIsL34F_KMveZ8BcRRTWrkfjpdjh4Cp85yFJHsc3OIf6IP/s1600/Seabreeze+-+4th+Moon.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KqCmIwjxogzFMwvEDoMy6-93V2PCaLomGIW2dQc-3xvKl0jJk0eyEJJy866J0m9iXS4iIRXc6SjgOPBR-82T8-SEp2a2lMsIsL34F_KMveZ8BcRRTWrkfjpdjh4Cp85yFJHsc3OIf6IP/s400/Seabreeze+-+4th+Moon.jpg" width="313" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She leaned over
until she was face to face with the Mherking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Magpie gave him a triumphant smile while he raised his brows at her,
unimpressed and waiting patiently for her reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when she gave none, he was left to
stare into her dark eyes without an answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As he did, he saw the reflection of the ocean and the depths of the
skies all at once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood in the lake
and she leaned over the boulder, held in an unbreakable eyelock, both so close
and worlds away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, unbidden and without
his authorization, he exhaled as an accompanying thought arose in his mind; a
suggestion of the beauty of the Etalpallian’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought should have been immediately
subdued, but he need not waste the effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It faded the moment she grinned and started speaking.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you know why
you still tolerate me, Your Majesty?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One moment to
quiet his mind and readjust was all he needed, “Of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only tolerate your for my own amusement.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She nearly fell
from the boulder as she lurched forward, “Exactly!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When he blinked
at her, she righted herself and cleared her throat, then leaned in close to his
face with a confident grin, “You’d be utterly miserable without me.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He would never
underestimate his adversary again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was speechless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words could not express
how much he wanted to wipe the smile from her face, but he stayed the night
nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone had to keep the
birdy’s head under the clouds, after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It had absolutely nothing to do with her ridiculous claim or some such
nonsense.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He never had the
time to think of her after that, let alone plot some sort of revenge for the
previous moon’s travesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between strategy
meetings with his generals, councils that went on for days, and audiences with
everyone from foreign diplomats to local cooks, there was not a moment to spare
on frivolities of any sort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had not
been this overworked in centuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
worse yet, it was all infuriatingly and unnecessarily troublesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From having to
explain to the tailors for the thousandth time that a formal suit for an event
like the Celestial Ball had to include both brocade and hand-embroidered silk
with gold and silver thread, all from specific demesnes, as a diplomatic assurance
to the less than stable kings and queens with whom he shared a fragile peace;
to trying to explain to his new blacksmith why he wanted Birdcage woven mail
beneath his scale mail, despite the fact that his own scales alone could serve
as a grown man’s plate armor with ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not to mention the venture of explaining to his servants that there was
nothing strange about him using the term “Birdcage” when he always referred to
it by “King’s Braid”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that was one
minor frustration.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Messages poured
in like a tidal wave regarding the Celestial Ball preparations, the situation
regarding Arpiar, developments in the missing persons crisis, troop
assignments, border reports, census accounts, citizen concerns, and even
inquiries about suitor arrangements and heir production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After this long, he honestly couldn’t fathom
how they could still be pestering him about that last one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">An heir?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did they really think him that old?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did they fear he would die simply because no
one else had remembered or lived long enough in the Far World to see if Faeries
had an expiration date?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly…he was
surrounded by imbeciles.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He knew he
should have stayed home the fifth moon; home, in a luxurious palace, where he
could barricade himself in his chambers with a heated bath and a massage, until
the dignitaries found him, at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That may have been one reason why he found himself out at the lake that
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was unsure when he had become
so capricious, but if he could blame it on the magpie, he most definitely
wouldn’t waste the opportunity.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I thought you
hated touching.” </span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her voice
interrupted his thoughts, so he growled at her, “I do, but I despise this headache
far more, so quit talking.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rolling her
eyes, the winged girl was quiet and adjusted her companion’s head on her lap,
an action he greatly protested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently, however, her silence could only hold so long, “You know, I
never would have thought—”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What did I tell
you, Magpie?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wouldn’t stop badgering
me, so I agreed to let you attend to my headache if it would keep you
silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I believe you have a job to
do.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His retort
wasn’t nearly as venomous as he probably had hoped, and its lack of malice
caused an unusual sort of smile to cross her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking never opened his eyes during the
exchange, so her strange expression was lost on him, especially in his pained
state.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her thin fingers
were gentle and soft through his hair, and her nails would brush his scalp in
such a way that soothed him like none of his palace servants could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man’s white hair was like liquid silk
through her fingers, like she was gliding her fingers through running
springwater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long, flowing, and
beautiful, it was, something she really should have expected in light of his regal
and perfectionist nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
certain that he didn’t grasp the intimacy of the situation, or simply didn’t
care; but who was she to deny him, even if he had come to her that night with
nothing more than the words “Lend me your lap.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The atmosphere
eased her mind and calmed her spirit, ebbing into the same air that she had
breathed a couple moons before, the first time he let her touch him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She softly stroked his hairline, and his sigh
of approval was all she needed to know she was doing well to quiet his
throbbing mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the more
relaxed she became, the less she paid attention, and her hand brushed his
frills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remembering his warning, her
hand jumped backwards, as she scrambled for an apology.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He interrupted,
“Just keep quiet and stop worrying so much.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She sighed in
relief and chuckled, “You are starting to sound like me now.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking moaned,
“A dreadful thought.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well,
did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> ever think you’d be lying near
the shore, beneath the stars, in the arms of an Etalpallian woman?” she
whispered.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
groan, “Do not remind me.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
her hands resumed their work, and the Mherking released another audible sigh,
the Sky Woman’s attention drifted elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The smile slowly faded from her face and her eyes locked on the man’s
content expression, then darted away when she could no longer bear to look at
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed to truly be enjoying the
silence, so it killed her to break it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet, she found herself doing so anyway.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her
voice was far less jovial than usual, “I could still be some kind of spy or
something, you know.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
was greeted with an amused raise of the eyebrows.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Trust
me, Magpie, many have tried to assassinate me over many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far longer than most historians
remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know not what has become of
the assassins now, but I do hear boiling eyeballs can be quite painful.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
said nothing more, and her hands were tender and soft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air became so unnaturally quiet; he could
feel the blood pumping erratically through her fingers and he could hear the
rippling of the waves on the shore shift to match his own heartbeat, as it
always did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her fingers began to shake
in her work.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One
did not live as long as he had, especially a Faerie king, and not know when a
woman was troubled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he need not fret
about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magpie couldn’t keep silent
about anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he did hear her
voice, however, it was much quieter than he had anticipated.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
cannot take it any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so—so
sorry, Your Majesty…I have done you a great injustice, and I have been most
cruel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sorry…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, so sorry.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
opened his eyes and gazed up at her for the first time in a long while, and the
pressure of his eye contact was too much to endure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could be silent no longer, so she hid her
face and bore her soul.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I—I
lied to you…I am not a maidservant to Etalpalli’s royal family...and I was not
sent to find an escort for the Queen for the Celestial Ball…I actually haven’t
been back home in a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> long
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a coward…I could not bear my
life there anymore and I ran away… instead of facing my troubles…To this day I
have not the courage or resolve to go back.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
this, a small smile crossed his face as he closed his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a while, he did not speak at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His lengthened silence would be the least of
her punishments for her actions towards the Great King of the Oceans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After he resolved that she had waited in
agony for his response long enough, he finally spoke, his voice coming in like
the low rumblings of the tide.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
knew you were lying, Magpie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew from
the very beginning.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
made a little gasp and started to say something, but he held his hand up to
silence her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“After
all, no court would send only a single maiden to ask the favor of one such as
I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even the most vulgar of scullery
maids would never address a Faerie king thusly.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
comforting but arrogant smile stretched across his face, an action that nearly
made her laugh, though he would never tell her such was his intention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still lying on her lap, he stretched his arms
behind his head, “So,” he began, “why did you lie to me anyway?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her
eyes dropped, “I’m so sorry, Your Majesty…I um…I was…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
was only when he felt warm saltwater fall on his face that he realized exactly
how serious it was to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He opened his
eyes and watched as she continued to speak, trying her hardest not to break down,
but it was far too late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dam had already
burst.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
had been so…so lonely…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lonely</i>?</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
was a noble cry that took her features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her face only scrunched a little as tears slowly leaked from her eyes,
never more than one or two at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She stared out at the lake, and her eyes shimmered in the moonlight with
all the tears she had succeeded in reigning in; whether she refused to blubber
on his account or her own, he couldn’t be sure, but the sight of a pursed line
instead of a smile upon her lips wasn’t becoming of an annoying, cheery magpie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She frantically wiped her eyes and tried to gain some semblance of
self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coughing and clearing her throat,
she continued to speak, her voice shallow.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Rest assured…you
would not have stayed had I told you the truth…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Mherking gave a nod and a shrug, “Well, that’s true.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Most
would think his reply rather curt and his efforts lacking in the act of
comforting a crying woman, but most would not notice his hand rising behind her
back and settling on her wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
shuddered at his sudden touch, and his rough fingertips caressed each feather
with agonizing slowness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The atmosphere
grew quiet and consolatory, but ever somber.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ergo,
you left to find someone to keep you company?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And wandered the skies and the Wood in search of anyone who would do?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
shook her head vigorously, “N-No, I came looking for you in particular…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
hand grew slower but more deliberate on her primaries, and the feathers fluffed
pleasurably in reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, she said no
more.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So
he asked, “Why me?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
time, she took a great, long breath and took many a moment to begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, when she gave her answer, her voice
was quiet, clear; stretching wide over the lake in naught but a whisper as
stray tears coursed down her face.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Because…you
were the only one that I knew would come…even if it was merely to investigate
the intrusion on your borders…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
silence between them then was filled with the unspoken, so they silently
resolved to simply not speak at all after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all, there was so much, and yet still nothing to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air was charged yet oddly comfortable, a
state he was content to linger in until she felt the need to once again break
the quiet.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
have no reason to be here anymore, Your Majesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have no reason to see me again, there is
no wager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all a lie…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
answered without hesitation, “We made a deal, Magpie.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Mherking sat up then, just enough for him to draw in close so she could tell he
was serious, “And a king never goes back on his word.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
did nothing to argue against him after that, at least on that point, so he
easily laid his head back down on her lap and motioned for her to continue “easing
his headache” while grumbling about her mouth ruining all the work she’d
already done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just about barked at
her when she giggled about him “never wanting her help with preening”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His protests finally died with a defeated
moan when she teased him that his forehead wrinkles had actually disappeared
for a moment.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
one were picky, one could argue that the moon stays full for three nights or
so, and if one were efficient, one would be ahead in his work, and if one were
in good company, one might argue the possibility of staying with such company
longer than originally planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily,
or unluckily, depending on the perspective, for the Etalpallian woman, the
Mherking was incredibly picky, most efficient, and in decent enough company for
him to convince himself to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely
things would not unravel so that they would actually need his presence, not
with his excessive preparations.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Little
did he know that the matters at hand would go so awry so fast that even the
Great King of the Oceans would admit out loud that he was wrong.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
how horribly wrong he was.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
inhaled deeply as he stood in the armory, fitting his breastplate and pauldrons
to his mail while his servants fussed about him, trying to attend to his armor
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waved them all away from
him; he would bare the weight of his demesne alone, and take on that weight
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking would be as the
troops beneath him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could no longer
act the king and reason with his peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least not one such as the adversary he now faced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no diplomacy now that could bargain
with madness.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He did, however,
close his eyes and allow the servants to place the crested battle helmet over
his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The helmet clanked against his
colossal collar, a mellifluous sound that heralded the establishment of the
final instrument of the harmony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
metallic clinks and clunks of his gauntlets and vambrances sounded; they had
awaited this moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a long
time since he had prepared for battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If politics had devolved into carnage, if it no longer allowed the
parley of kingship, there was nothing else that could be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he could no longer act the king, he would
act the monster.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The large,
intricate armor of the Ocean King was enough to make a man’s blood run cold far
before the ancient Faerie summoned his mighty trident or monstrous
double-bladed battle axe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to see the
Mherking in full armor approach atop a bulwark in the midst of battle, drenched
in dirt and blood and carrying an earthquake with every thunk of his axehandle
in the soil; it was a sight very few lived to tell tale of in their hearths and
taverns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For, as soon as one saw the Mherking’s
approach on the battlefield, all the stories of the Ocean’s Jaws returned with
traumatic clarity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moments when the children’s
tales and forgotten legends of the “Great Beast Beneath the Sea” ceased to be a
fantasy.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">To dare
challenge the Mherking and invoke his rage was an action that required a level
of arrogance and foolishness some did not think possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But those who knew the truth were growing old
and the young grew ever bolder; even the rumors of the Great Coliseum had
drifted into tales for fey babes and firesides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the fey world came to know the Mherking as a “grumpy curmudgeon
that never drank his tea after the sun set below the sea”, as the bards spun
it, a matter that the Mherking had wanted to settle with one philandering bard
for decades now, the fey had seemed to forget why so many feared the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It wasn’t a
matter of his pride as a warrior, for that had been rent asunder long ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, he would not stand for the pain and
mutilation of his people, and he would rain a great torrent down upon those
foolish enough to invoke the rage of the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And so, at the eve of battle, he could only think of a fair feathered
lady once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew without question he
would live through the battle victorious, but he also knew he would miss the
full moon.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So he bid all
his servants to leave him, and he sat on the stone, alone in the armory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a mere sweep of his hand he summoned his
trident, the massive instrument torn from the Mherking’s very soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three-pronged spear was far more than
simply a tool to him, it was a loyal companion, one that he would have
preferred to never have to use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its
vitrescent surface pulsed faintly with an auroral glow, refracting light across
the armory floor whenever it would hit a crack in the staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cracks and fractures that had long since
healed over, but never disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
he spoke to the trident.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What has become
of us, old friend?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He paused,
appreciating a moment of dour silence, with nothing but the rhythmic hum of his
trident as company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, he stood
and stretched out his trident to touch the water at his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he spoke, the pulsing light of the trident
began to spread in ripples on the water.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Listen close,
now, this message I send </span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">To a lake by
which the River’s voice doth break and bend,</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Where sits a
maid of smiles and sorrows,</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Restless wings and lips awaiting
moons of time’s tomorrows,</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The maid who
came by breeze of dusk,</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And looks upon the sea for the foolish
king in whom she’s put her trust:</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Magpie, friend of wind and sea</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pay close heed to these waters that
call to thee,</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For when these words find your ears</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let them ease your conscience and
calm your fears.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The night Hymlumé’s face doth shine</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Whose presence absent from the lake
art mine.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oceans will rise and duties call</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But let not your mind be troubled at
all;</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When seas have calmed and storms
subsided</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next moon will come and wrongs be
righted.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pay no heed to how my words doth
rhyme,</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Else you shall never need fear your
words<span style="color: red;"> </span>next time!</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With naught an
extra moment to muddle over the details of his message, he released it into the
water, where the ripples carried it off to its destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely she would laugh at him next moon, and
he would have not a word to deter her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With one final
sigh, he released his trident and it disappeared as it touched the water,
awaiting the next time it would be summoned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adjusting his armor as he stood, he took his massive double-headed
bardiche from the wall and slung it over his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would serve him best on the battleground
he was about to walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he joined his
men’s ranks, he could feel their bloodlust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The death and torment of their brothers and sisters at the hands of the
land dwellers’ vanity ignited a boiling rage within them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spilt blood of their comrades would seep
into the skin of those slaughtering poachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bloodstains would afflict curses upon the murderers, their children,
and their children’s children; no line would be spared the cursed wrath of the
oceanfolk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking knew the pain
and anger of his people more deeply than they knew themselves, but the thirst
for battle suddenly sickened him.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It had been
days, and the battlefield still reeked of blood and carnage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It soaked into the soil and bled into the
water, ensuring the land itself would not forget what occurred for decades to
come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stench of decay crept through
the air as a gruesome reminder to keep wandering minds from ever thinking of
happier things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wails and weeping
that still echoed through the valley would ring in the Mherking’s ears for
countless sleepless nights afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a massacre.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His bruises
jabbed and his bones still ached from the battle; his head spun a little and he
saw red as his consciousness drifted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goblin
poison of that caliber was not to be trifled with, even by someone as immortal
as he.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even as he sat on a large
rock by the water, unable to stand, he would not allow a single healer to
attend him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made no difference how
long it had been, the healers still had their hands full with the wounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Faerie war was very different from that of
the mortal world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faeries made certain
their adversaries did not heal so easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But as a Faerie king, he would heal far faster than most, so he refused
all medical attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Most of the
troops had already left for home, but he resolved to stay, make sure his people
would all return safely, and finish the matter off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“General.” He
croaked and tried to rise, then decided against it and sat back down, leaning
on the handle of his bardiche for support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The general, a handsome but mute gentleman with silver skin, torn fins,
and a scarred face, trudged over to his king as promptly as his shaking legs
could take him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The king would not fault
his general for his trembling; stonehearted and grievous was any man not shaken
by bloodshed, regardless of age or experience.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“General, have
the troops finished transporting the wounded and the bodies of the deceased?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The general
nodded.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How about the rescued
prisoners?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ones left alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have they all been returned home and given
medical attention?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another nod.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please finish evacuating everyone then report
back to me.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The general
nodded again, then saluted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before he
made to leave, he paused, and gave his king a hesitant clap on the
shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking appreciated the
man’s gesture of comfort far more than words could have expressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he called to the general as the
silver-skinned man walked away.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Actually, General.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The general stopped.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“On second
thought, why don’t you go home?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can
handle the rest of things here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
longer you linger, the longer I will be forced to tolerate your riotous lady
clamoring in my ears about your absence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, quite frankly, I think I have enough noisy women in my ears as it
is.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At this, the
general just gave a slightly roguish smile and refused his king’s order with a
shake of his head, then went about his business securing perimeters, rounding
up the remaining troops, and sending them home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the very few that dare refuse him and live to tell the tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the Sea King was quite sure if the
man <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i> tell tale of it, the
general’s chances of survival would dwindle quite rapidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking shook his head, complaining to
no one in particular, “Why do all the people I surround myself with have to be
so absurdly troublesome?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yet, even when
his troops were cleared, the Mherking scoured the area time and again, just to
make sure everyone had been evacuated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, with all matters complete, he stood in the water near the shore and
summoned his trident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a firm grip
he raised it high into the air and plunged it into the water, uttering an
ancient command as a lock and seal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
shockwave swept the valley with a flash of light and a salty gust, then all was
quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As soon as he
departed, Arpiar would forever be locked to his demesne, so none of his people
would ever drift into its waters again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
to be safe, he rigged a communication current that would alert him if anyone
should try to sniff about his borders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before he could leave, however, his thoughts could no longer dwell on
returning home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the moment he felt
her presence from the water at his feet, not the moment he smelled her blood on
the tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even from leagues and realms
away, he knew it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without a thought, he dove
into the sea, and allowed his Path to take him away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He burst forth
in an eruption from the lake, coughing and heaving with the effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lake’s voice rippled with the waves, and
he could hear remnants of his message that remained in the waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He removed his helmet as his eyes darted across
the lake and over the shore; the scent of her blood had vanished and he no
longer felt her presence in the tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fear quaked him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t have
been the only one to smell her blood, and he took far longer than he would have
liked in getting there, so something could have easily gotten her…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking’s
breathing grew suddenly frantic at all the possibilities raging about his
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought of never seeing her
again made his core tighten and ache.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His vision
blurred and he shook his head to clear his senses, the lake’s waves growing
rough with his thick breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Suddenly, in his haze he heard a voice.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your Majesty?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With his foggy
vision he managed to make out movement on the rocks, followed by a splash.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Magpie?” his
hoarse voice heaved and cracked.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTGyndPE-IYlwsBh96xRQCtUjezYH3pDrQ_ayvcbMwrpZtYql1-vL-PhQ9HYLdkuN50vQCO0bTZyRHCeUoG5t0B8uBNhtX2uYe9LrolINgloszPIxSx9zsQlOjIvGaqfwAuo8F2e2hCYK/s1600/Seabreeze+-+6th+Moon.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTGyndPE-IYlwsBh96xRQCtUjezYH3pDrQ_ayvcbMwrpZtYql1-vL-PhQ9HYLdkuN50vQCO0bTZyRHCeUoG5t0B8uBNhtX2uYe9LrolINgloszPIxSx9zsQlOjIvGaqfwAuo8F2e2hCYK/s400/Seabreeze+-+6th+Moon.jpg" width="313" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He heard a mild
whimper and more splashes, and he quickly waded over to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they reached each other, he fell into
her arms and she immediately collapsed under his armored weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both plunged into the shallows, utterly
drenched but laughing in their relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He took a moment to look down at her while his vision cleared;
appreciating her smiling face more than any sight he’d seen for a long, long
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hands rose to bury themselves
in his bloody, tangled hair, and her smile was flawless.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re all
right…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her fluttering
voice was a songbird after a storm, and he reveled in every moment of it.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Even in the
seemingly endless moments that they were sprawled on the lakebed, breathing the
same air in ragged puffs of simultaneous pain and solace, there was a heavier
matter at hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite her protests,
The Mherking managed to scoop her up and carry the dripping birdy ashore, until
they both collapsed as soon as he set foot on their massive rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She rolled to look at him and growled, “Why
did you carry me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can barely stand
on your own!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He scowled,
“You’re bleeding.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She tucked her
legs close to her body, glared at the ground, and mumbled, “I was waiting for
you and I cut my foot on a rock in the lake.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He harrumphed,
“I noticed.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He then ran his
hand through his hair and sighed, “Come, let me tend your wound.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She looked over
his ghastly appearance and glowered, “As you bleed all over my skirts?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hardly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You must let me tend to yours first!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fine…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She shook and
fluffed her wet feathers while he took off what armor he could, until his low
grunts caused her to hop over and finish taking off his cuisses and his
breastplate herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched her
while she worked on his greaves, and grumbled when she forced him to remove his
mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After surveying his condition, she
found a few cuts on his head, a nasty gash on his leg, and a stab wound in his
side and she subsequently hissed at the sight.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How long has it
been?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Three days
since battle’s end…four, if you count today.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her heart
ached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it had been that long and his
wounds were still this bad, the battle must have been like the Dragon’s Flame itself.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How long was
the battle?” she asked as she began to rip parts of her skirts into strips.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Seventeen
days…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m sorry…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stop
apologizing, chirping one, it’s unlike you!” he grouched.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She simply
rolled her eyes and sighed, “So is there any special water you’d like me to
wash them with?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His spirits
lifted just a tad, he whirled a finger and the lake gushed forth a geyser that
fell into a perfect floating orb of liquid beside him, “As a matter of fact,
yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This water can help draw out the
poisons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But first, you’re still
terribly soaked in that grimy mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d
allow our fry to bathe in that filth before I’d allow it to touch an open
wound.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He then took the
liberty of instantly drawing the “filthy” water from her hair and clothes and
flinging it back into the lake with a simple flick of his wrist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She merely shook her head at his melodrama
and tore a large piece of her skirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Folding it neatly, she hesitantly dipped it into the eerie floating
bubble of water and lifted his tunic to clean his wounds.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The wounded
Faerie man stopped her and pointed to his head, “Where were you raised, noisy
one?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always clean the head first, lest
you get worse toxins in my eyes!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She sighed again
and closed in on him, gently dabbing the cloth on his cuts, “Enough of your
theatrics, else I may stick you in the eyeball with this thing by accident.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Folding his arms
across his chest and releasing a malcontented huff, he allowed her to clean his
wounds without interruptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While he
sulked, she decided that probing him for answers was an acceptable course of
action, “So, I got your message.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did you
now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then why are you still here?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hush!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the one asking the questions!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i>
in the Wood did you send that message anyway?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He exhaled
slowly so he could explain to the Sky Woman in the same way he would a child,
“All water can carry messages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the
Wood itself, water is alive.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then why did
you have to—”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Allow me to finish
for once, Magpie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many bodies of water,
though different in character, are utterly incoherent and often filled with
mischief or prone to distraction, so when you tell it to carry a message, you
must be most specific so it cannot misdirect your message for its own
amusement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also quite lofty when
it comes to diction, so you have to be very traditional with it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His tone had
drifted to a more serious note, as if he truly wanted her to understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She nodded as she worked, until he grasped
her wrist and held her still to look him in the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice was quiet, “Lastly, and this is
very important, because water ebbs and flows in rhythm, the receiver will only
be able to understand the message if it’s spoken in rhyme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise, the water turns it into a garbled
mess and will watch gleefully as the receiver tries and fails to understand
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ever </i>need to leave a message for me, do as I said, and be clear,
and the message will linger about the lake for as long as a few moons.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She swallowed
and nodded, taking his directions to heart then returning to cleaning his
wounds once the Mherking released her wrist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He continued, this time with less severity and more informational lecture,
“Often water will listen to the voices of the fey, but my people are the only
ones who can send messages across distances by water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I alone can send them across realms and
demesnes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why you heard my voice
so far away.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When she
finished cleaning his head, she tore another piece of cloth from her skirts and
shifted to his abdomen, lifting his tunic to clean the festering poison and
blood from the wound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He inhaled sharply
when he felt the water and poison meet, and she apologized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook his head at her apology and ordered
her to resume her work, gently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
time, it was he who broke the silence.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So if you
received my message, I ask again, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why</i>
were you still here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is far past the
full moon…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A nervous laugh,
“Well…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He narrowed his
eyes when she wouldn’t give him an answer, “You shouldn’t have waited so…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Magpie sniffed,
“And you shouldn’t have come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did
you know I was still here, anyway?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Briefly glancing
around for a proper response, he resorted to shifting his eyes out to the lake
and far away from her, “I could feel your presence, and smell your blood in the
water…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She paused to
blink up at him, “All the way from…wherever you were?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The reptilian
eyes shifted to the ground, and the man answered after a pause, “…Yes.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A hush fell
between them, a close, vulnerable quiet in which the fortresses surrounding each
of them eroded away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, she was
the first to break it, resuming their usual pattern, “So, where were you?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Meddlesome
little pest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>War was something a
creature like her should never hear of. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All blood and screams and anguish, nothing fit
for the ears of even Etalpalli’s most impertinent hatchling, regardless of age
or maturity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not want her to know
any more than necessary, not even from where he had come.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It matters
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poison meant for my people works
fast and drives deep; it dries all liquids and rots the insides to mush, beginning
with the mind, until one can no longer function and wastes to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More of my men have died from the poison than
from the battle itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of those
infected we could not get back to the demesne in time to retrieve enough
healing water and salves...We are a proud and strong race, Magpie, but we are
not invincible, and Arpiar has had access to our people for far longer than I
had been aware.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You were
battling with Arpiar?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, Dragon eat
it…” he cursed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” he
sighed, “we were in battle with Arpiar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Facing the mutilation and torment my people endured at the hands of
those <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ogres</i> wrought only bloodshed
and ruin.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did you…win?”
she winced at her wording.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If you ask if
we were victorious, it offends me that you doubt.” He let her off with
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No need to lecture her on the
nature of war right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His expression
grew solemn and distant.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We were unable
to extinguish them completely, but we held their castle long enough to rescue
those still alive, and bear the deceased away from that unholy, grisly
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the waters and beat their
borders back, and sealed off any connection to the demesne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, unless another has elected to wear its
skin, the water in that place will remain dead until I see fit to open a Path
again.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He paused, and
his voice grew solemn, “Still, no matter of healing water can mend what has
been done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great cry will come from
the deep when my people hear of what we have seen; when they see how few of us
have returned.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When her fingers
rested for a still moment on his abdomen, he took her gesture for one of
consolation, but her eyes swam with turmoil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even so, her hand eased his spirit, and he relaxed beneath her
touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a few moments before her
hands moved to clean the wound again, an action that earned a low groan of
misery from the supposedly indomitable King of All Oceans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat there and gnarled, completely
incomprehensible, for he would never tell the birdy that she had pressed that
infernal rag against his infested wound just as he had made to reach for her
hand.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This time,
however, her voice calmed the tide within him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She whispered, “I’m sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
just thinking…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“About what?”
his low voice returned.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well…about my
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do hope they fare well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your compassion and commitment to your people
is vast and deep; and mine…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He bent forward
and hushed her, “That’s enough, do not think of it now, Magpie.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The girl’s large
eyes lifted to meet him, and begged to ask him questions, but he would allow no
more of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He snapped his fingers and
pointed to the rag in her hands, “I believe you have a job to do.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When she looked
in his eyes then, the kingly arrogance had subsided, and a trace of kindness
had settled beneath the aureate irises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was just a hint, but it was enough to warm her from toes to
wingtips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She reached around him to
bandage his newly-cleansed wound, and she could smell the salt and the steam
from his neck, a scent that wouldn’t be so bad were it not tainted with the
smell of his blood and the dreadful stench of the poison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a deep breath, and in it she felt a
slow wince.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His breath hitched for just
a moment over her shoulder before releasing and ruffling the soft down on her
shoulder blades.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He must have
been in a great deal of pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet still
he led his troops for days as the poison festered in his system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made sure everyone was safe back home then
came to her without ever seeing a medic himself, she knew, considering she had
to do it for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proud, stubborn,
selfless thing.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Part of her
shuddered at a sudden thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had
no idea how much of that poison was still drifting around in his body, and a
bit of “healing water” may never be able to cleanse that much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, while she held him in a docile state, she
suggested softly, “Your Majesty, I think you should go to the Haven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never be able to get all the poison
with a ball of water and bits of my skirts.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Needless to say,
he was not fond of the idea. </span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll be
fine!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No reason to get those bothersome
brothers involved!” He carped, nearly spitting in indignation at the mention of
them.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking’s
peevish tenacity had been reawakened from the depths as he glared at her, and
all at once every bit of the kingly arrogance had returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sighed and lingered close, securing the
makeshift bandage and resting her hand against him.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Please…” she
whispered.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His eyes darted
away from her, mumbling something about “impertinent whelps”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She moved on, tearing the fabric of his trousers
around the wound, an action that he initially vehemently objected; the last
thing he needed was shredded linens on top of the aftermath that awaited him
back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ignored him and soaked a
new cloth in the water given to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
nasty hiss shot through his teeth at the contact this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Iubdan’s beard,
woman!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Magpie bit her
lip while cleansing the wound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying to
find something to say while he recovered, a smile came to her face.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You know…I
actually thought you looked really handsome in your armor tonight…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She expected him
to have a snide remark just waiting behind his teeth, but he was quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Curiosity finally led her to look at his face, where he wore a shrewd
smirk and a raised eyebrow.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did you now?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking’s
simper extended across the air between them until an identical one curled
across her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She paused from her
work to look him in the eye through thick eyelashes.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Have you…grown
fond of me, Your Majesty?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She gently
blotted the wound while waiting for a clever comeback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sudden pressure spooked her a bit, and she
glanced upwards just in time to see him lean in and reach out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His cold fingertips brushed the feathers near
her ear first, then extended to thread themselves through her short hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feathers ruffled at his touch, and her
eyes anxiously searched his face for an answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A sarcastic quip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An
explanation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smile remained, but his
eyes were unreadable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she leaned her
face into his hand as her eyes drifted closed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her skin was
pliant beneath his palm, and his touch was tender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled when she felt the webs between his
fingers against her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sea King
stroked her hair and feathers until her feathered crest flared, and when he was
satisfied, he shifted so she’d open her eyes just a little. He leaned in close,
just as she had done so many times before.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not a chance.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The night stilled,
and the voices and noises of the wood had hushed their mouths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the lake’s ripples had died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quiet dragged on, but in it were a
thousand spoken silences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For in those three
words, flamboyant and tremendously vexing romantic bards could draw any number
of unspoken sentiments, any number of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">other</i>
three words that could have been placed in their stead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether any of them were applicable was
anyone’s guess, but Magpie was not a dimwitted woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meaning of his words was not lost on her,
and her keen perception only furthered both his admiration and frustration.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Whatever you
say, Your Majesty,” she whispered, her breath fluttering on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tearing her face away from his hands and
watching mirthfully as his fingers twitched in disapproval, Magpie’s grin
grew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His perturbed glower was only
interrupted by her replacing the wet cloth on his leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She promptly finished cleaning the wound, and
he begrudgingly thanked her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Sky Woman
did attempt to clean the rest of him up a bit, but he refused her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If I came back
to the demesne looking like a mountain spring, they’d have suspicions over
where I’d been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must endure it this
way.” He explained.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She simply
chuckled, “Oh, so I am your secret lover?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your hidden mistress?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He snorted,
“Don’t flatter yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just too
much trouble to get them off once they start badgering me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather like you in that way.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She shoved him
with her elbow, and he released what sounded like the beginnings of a laugh.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, and no one
will be suspicious of the Etalpallian muslin wrapped around your stomach?” she
inquired.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He had no
comeback for her that time.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She wouldn’t let
him stay longer than one night that moon, and she would hear none of his
excuses until he could go back and try to get his wounds cleaned properly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In exchange, after the Mherking had cleaned
and wrapped her foot, he ordered her to stay off it as much as possible,
despite her protests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they spent
their remaining time sitting side-by-side on the tip of the boulder,
overlooking the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the air
smelled fresher that night than it had for a very long time.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If the dress fragments
she had used hadn’t been soiled with blood and sweat, he may have considered
keeping them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, he, quite
clumsily, re-bandaged the wounds himself when he reached the demesne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did have a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No need for any suspicions to be flitting
about his courts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that any of them
would have had the time to gossip anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The castle swarmed with cheerless activity and all the healers were
still swamped with poisoned soldiers, so he figured it best to wait to seek aid
for his wounds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would do far better
under these conditions for far longer than his people would.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When he did
manage to see a healer, or, more accurately, when a certain general convinced
the court to spring a healer upon him and give him very little choice, the
healer’s conclusions were less than comforting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, whatever time he didn’t spend cleaning up the aftermath, he
spent brooding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between the two, the
rest of his people couldn’t tell if he was back to his usual cantankerous self
or not.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Though, it would
be relevant to mention the fact that they had confined him to the palace to
keep an eye on his condition, which, in turn, would easily contribute to
general grouchiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, of course, it
was only a select close few that knew of the King’s condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wouldn’t do for the whole palace, let
alone the whole kingdom or further, to know that the Mherking was under the
weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he played the part, and no
one outside said select few caught on to the ruse.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But doing so was
growing rather difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seldom saw
clearly and he often grew lightheaded and occasionally had to retire
early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never retired early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His handmaid could easily see his condition
worsen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mind was clearly elsewhere
and his senses had dulled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes he
didn’t even notice her come in, let alone hear anything she asked him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, at the healer’s behest, the only thing
she could do was try to force him to go to bed early instead of pouring over
paperwork he was too dizzy to read.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After a few weeks
of this, though, others in the palace had begun to become concerned.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Magpie tried not
to worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She really did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He explicitly ordered her not to worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told her he would see a healer and
everything would be fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he was
such a terrible liar…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He was
late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hadn’t been late without
informing her since the first moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
if he didn’t get any help and he had already passed because he was a
recalcitrant cretin that “didn’t need help from anyone”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t even know how many lives he had
left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he had lost one, did he still
have one or two and was simply taking his time in getting there? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps he decided spending time with her
wasn’t worth it after all?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most likely,
there was a tremendous amount of work to do, so perhaps he just didn’t have
time.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But what if he
only had one life left?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if he was
actually gone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And since she was
currently unattached from any demesne, she would never hear if he actually died
or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if she would just sit there
and wait forever never knowing if he lived or died?</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She stood by the
lake for what seemed like a stagnant eternity, pacing, sitting, standing,
fidgeting, and pacing some more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, she settled to stand and lean against a specific tree that had
the best view of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sighed
deeply and often, eventually resulting in talking to the moon herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hymlumé didn’t answer, of course, but she
heard a song on the breeze, and it comforted her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That is, until the
Sea King’s head breached the lake’s surface, his breath just about as heavy as
it had been last moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was about to
run to greet him, but she stopped at the water’s edge and watched the gleaming
prismatic monstrosity that emerged from the water with him.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His trident.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A titanic beast
at least a head taller than its rather sizable master, the trident stored just
as much light as it refracted, splattering moonbeams in all directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its light pulsed slowly and rhythmically, and
the waves of the lake shifted to match its beat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would have sprinted over, no, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">flew</i>, but one detail held her frozen.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He waded towards
her slowly, with his head held high and as much royal strength and elegance as
he could conjure, but a barely noticeable halt in his step and a tight grip on
the instrument didn’t escape her attention.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He was using it
as a cane.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With everything
inside her, she wanted to bolt out to him; her hands shook and her wings
quivered, aching to do something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
she knew his pride would suffer, so she would wait in misery and watch him come
ashore while he tried not to let her see the limp in his step.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When they
finally arrived face to face, the conversation began with the deepest and most
complex of sentiments to ever be uttered in conversation.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hello, Magpie.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hello, Your
Majesty…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She breathed deeply
and strung a huge grin on her face, “So did you finally decide to bring your
trident with you to show me how it works?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Etalpallian
took to the air and hovered around him; once again, far too close, though this
time, the victim of her lack of personal distance was his trident.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why don’t you
try to take a guess?” he asked.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her smile
brightened, “Yes?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He gave her an
admonishing look. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pouted and recited
with a sulky, “‘Not a chance.’ ”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good birdy.” He
smirked.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She wrinkled her
nose and tried to find another route, “So can I touch it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will it zap me if I touch it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks so beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it made of glass?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can it control the waves?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can I make a tidal wave with it? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait—Wait!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t let it go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stop!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry, I’m sorry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Summon it back!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be good, I promise!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He nearly
laughed and re-summoned his trident from the water, and she glided over to the
boulder, waiting for him to join her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
reached the boulder, and, with a flick of his trident, a surge of water came to
his aid, lifting him to the rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
gave her a look as if he was trying to look majestic, but he couldn’t fool
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew he didn’t have the
strength to get up himself.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once he was
properly seated beside her, his trident lying over his lap, she decided to attend
to business posthaste.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You didn’t go
to the Haven, did you?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He gave her a
strange look, “Why would you say that?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, come now,
Your Majesty, we’ve already established you’re an awful liar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I need to point it all out.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“ ‘It all?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What, pray tell, does ‘it all’ mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m back to perfect health, Magpie. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faeries heal in the blink of an eye; I should
hope you know that by now.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let’s not fool
ourselves, here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re walking around
with that poison still inside you and acting as if nothing’s wrong!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What I choose
to do should be none of your concern!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, then I
suppose it’s none of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your</i> concern
that I’m going back to Etalpalli!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I suppose s—what?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His infamous
retorts died on his lips.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She sighed
slowly, “I’ve been thinking over the last few weeks…after I got your message before
the battle saying you wouldn’t come…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Magpie’s eyes
wandered to the lake, “Well, I saw how much you loved your people, how much you
gave to rescue them, even if you have strange ways of showing it…But <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i>…I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">abandoned</i>
mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without a care to what I could do
to help them, I ran off, just because my life wasn’t going the way I wanted it
to…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She looked at
him then, “Your commitment, even when you despised everything you did, the
things you did even when you didn’t feel like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, I know, ‘King’s duty’ and all that,
but…it really inspired me…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A deep breath,
“So, I’m done running away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more
lies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to face whatever awaits me.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A long pause and
a low response, “That’s…probably for the best.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She jerked her
head at him, “What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our deal’s not off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still have one more moon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you try to get out of this!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The man
shrugged, “It was worth a try.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now you’re
definitely starting to sound like me.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He flicked her
nose, “Well, let’s just hope I don’t start to smell like you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you’re gone, it’s going to take forever
to get the stench of your nasty feet out of my lake.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Excuse me?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This time he did
laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first full genuine laughter
she had ever heard from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she
thought it a beautiful sound.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I had to sneak
out of my own palace tonight…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She laughed,
“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">am</i> your secret mistress!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He shook his
head, “Delude yourself all you like and let me know when you come back to
reality, would you?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His jest didn’t
faze her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, what did
the healers say?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did you—No, I’m fine, I told you!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’d be saying that if there was a mace
through your decapitated skull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
obviously locked you up to keep you from gallivanting off and making it
worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I don’t want you here
anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go back home and go to bed!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A smirk, “Oh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That actually makes me want to stay…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t give me
that; let me see your wounds then!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prove
to me to you’re all right!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He changed the
subject, “Heh, I’d be happy to let you see my trident now, if you wish.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her eyes
brightened, “Really?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She huffed and
turned away from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They grew quiet
but the air was comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, once
again breaking the pattern, he spoke first.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You haven’t
asked to dance with me lately.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It surprised
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never thought he’d bring it
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It actually made her chest ache a
little.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“As if I have the
right to do that…Besides, it’d be rather heartless to ask you in this
condition.” She digressed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking’s ornery
reaction was immediate, “What condition?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m perfectly fine, woman!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">No matter how
she pushed, he wouldn’t budge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last
thing she needed to know was that the healers agreed with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she ever found out someone else thought
she was right and he was…less right, he would never hear the end of it.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So he switched
the subject back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, she hadn’t
even allowed him to make his original point.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You sound like
you’re not too ecstatic about the deal anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dancing with me, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you still
even want to do something like that?” he asked.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of course I
do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just what?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ask me again
when you can walk without the trident.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He spluttered,
“When I can—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Lady</i>, I can assure you
I wasn’t asking!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A playful grin,
“Oh, you will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He gave up
trying to reason with her, “Whatever you say, Magpie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though, I promise you I do not intend to
yield to this particular desire of yours…ever.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The girl looked
quite literally crestfallen, easily catching his serious tone on the
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had strictly told her many
times how much he hated it, and the memory burned just a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He opened his mouth as if to say something, but
there was nothing to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For half a
moment he considered that he should have held his tongue or chosen his words
differently, but it was true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they
both knew it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at her, he knew
she understood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dancing with her, or
anyone for that matter, was something he just couldn’t do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not anymore.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The winged woman
licked her lips and frantically searched for a new topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It pained him, seeing her scramble to cover
her disappointment before he could see it, even if her efforts were in vain.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Y-Your
trident…could I just touch it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
little?” she faltered.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He thought it
over, and subtly nodded, tilting it so it’d be within her reach.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just be
gentle…” The Mherking whispered.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She eyed him
with a confused expression but did as she was told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up close she could see its reflections
morphing on its surface, like glowing water in a cove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moment she touched it, ripples erupted where
her fingers were, spreading over the whole instrument and bouncing off the
confines of its staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That same moment,
she thought she saw her companion twinge from the corner of her eye, but when
she looked, he seemed the same, so she passed it off as her imagination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did begin to hear something strange,
however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A slow, deep thumping sound,
that she only heard when the trident was close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When she glanced at the man for an explanation, he gave none, neither
would he look back at her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are…you done?”
his voice was soft.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He took the
trident from her and let it fall from his hands, and immediately it melted into
a liquid state, falling with a splash into the lake.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So Magpie…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s not my
name, you know.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> your real name?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She winked, “You
wouldn’t remember it anyway.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He could never
tell if her irksome intricacies vexed him or entertained him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so simultaneously both that it only distressed
him further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, before he could
turn to her and return the banter, he saw the serious expression on her
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The lines in her
mouth and the way she bit her lip said she was nervous; and the contemplative
expression she wore told him her thoughts far before she could open her mouth
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he filled the space to ease
her mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he nearly wanted to shove
a spear through his foot, for what spilled from his mouth was entirely
different from what he had actually wanted to say.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s almost
dawn.” He said.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know.” She
replied.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your family
probably misses you.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m not so
sure…but thank you.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A pause, then
she asked, “Are you going to leave?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He smiled, “You
wouldn’t let me stay even if I wanted to…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She smiled
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was right on the mark on that
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magpie hopped up, then offered her
hand to him, “Come on, get up and let me say goodbye.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He waved her
hand away, doing his best not to let her see how much of a struggle it was for
him to stand on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because he
wasn’t what he once was didn’t mean he didn’t still have his dignity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magpie didn’t seem to take the gesture
personally, and he mentally cursed her for seeing through him so easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When the Faerie
man had risen to his feet, he found himself swiftly yanked towards her from
behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had enfolded her wings
around him, drawing him near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched
her in momentary confusion, but she gave him no clarification and did nothing
to draw away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead she took another
step and leaned her fingertips on his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He noticed she wouldn’t look him in the face, and for a second he
reasoned that it could be the height difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A foolish thought indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She leaned her forehead against his chest.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m finally
going home…” she breathed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How long have
you been gone?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She released a
sour laugh, the kind he was far too familiar with, “I can’t even remember…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It had been so
obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How had he missed it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands clenched at his sides as he
realized he truly knew nothing about her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A spritely Etalpallian girl with big eyes and wings like the ocean; an
impudent, cunning little thing with no manners and a big mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never knew her name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t know her age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the fact that she came from Etalpalli was
the only history he had any evidence for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He could guess and theorize all he liked, but the truth was clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this time, and one could argue that he
didn’t know her at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The notion made
something tighten inside him as he looked down at the Faerie clutching his tunic.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She breathed and
turned to him then, and a sheepish and all-too-genuine smile crept shyly across
her face, “I guess that’s another reason I’ve enjoyed my time with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve given me something to look forward
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You gave me a life again…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Magpie…” was
all he could say.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He rose his
hands then, but he was completely perplexed as to what he was supposed to do
with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easily seeing his momentary
lapse in charisma, his companion took his hands and placed them both on either
side of her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She held them there,
though he was unsure if it was tenderness or to keep him from pulling away from
her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let me ask you
something, Your Majesty.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She didn’t wait
for him to give her permission, “Tell me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why did you keep coming here after you knew I was lying?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t give me that ‘King’s honor’ bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A liar knows her own kind.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her eyes were
earnest, so he inhaled to regain his nonchalance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought for a moment.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The man held her
in eyelock, and his deep voice rumbled from his smile and through the small
space between them, “Well, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> were
the one that said I’d be utterly miserable without you.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She beamed like
a child, hardly containing the hope and innocence that he had never seen in
full bloom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at her now, he could
see it, easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he wondered how many
times she had slaughtered herself from the inside to keep the world from doing
it for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many times she sat in
corners alone reasoning that she was unworthy of anyone’s attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many times she was simply passed over by
those around her until she was convinced that not even the Hound himself would
care to look at her, no matter how she begged for his attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the point that she had abandoned
everything she knew and come to the shore of a forgotten lake as a last resort
to see if even one person would pay attention to her, no matter how many lies
she had to tell to get him to stay.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But the grin
that she currently gave him, unfettered and free, was as contagious as it was
beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had he paid attention, he
would have felt a few stray warm drops of liquid leak from her eyes and trail
down his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The joy spread so far
across her features, filling her so fully that the pain squeezed out her
eyelids from the lack of space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he
was far too wrapped up in her smile to notice.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She chirped,
“All right, then, I’ll give you something before I go.” </span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Magpie’s wings
clenched around him, tugging him into her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He released her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then stood
on her tiptoes, using his shoulders as leverage, and brushed her feathered
cheek against his jaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hair and
feathers fluttered against his face, and she pulled back before he could jerk
his face away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled that liar’s
smile again, and said, “It’s the way Etalpallians say goodbye to friends and
family.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then she bit her
lip again, “So, next moon then?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
about…after the Ball?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will I see you
again?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IxODzc7LLPxnjzNyrXTAhf7-616az73d4I2kxuNc8PSCSA5P6cs_BKRPc9ft0UOMC2pWNrJcxRDRiRlcvLucfNSjWPJPwvU0JvehWM5HHl862oaua_0Yvoq1r5qyNbCUsl2QrKgif08b/s1600/Seabreeze+-+7th+Moon.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IxODzc7LLPxnjzNyrXTAhf7-616az73d4I2kxuNc8PSCSA5P6cs_BKRPc9ft0UOMC2pWNrJcxRDRiRlcvLucfNSjWPJPwvU0JvehWM5HHl862oaua_0Yvoq1r5qyNbCUsl2QrKgif08b/s400/Seabreeze+-+7th+Moon.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He grinned then,
and replaced his hands on her jaw, “Not a chance.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And he only continued
to grin when she called him a liar.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
wasn’t a stupid man, nor was he a hermit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knew the Etalpallian customs, including the one they used to say
goodbye to friends and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he
knew what her gesture meant to their culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And she couldn’t have said it better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A liar knows his own kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But her secret
was safe with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Every now and
then, he’d wish he had her courage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
moment before she flew away, she gave him that smile again, full of compassion
and light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lake and the moon and the
stars…none of them had ever looked so beautiful than that moment when he saw
all of them in her eyes.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He would spend
every waking moment that followed wishing, wanting that he could give a
thousand immortal lifetimes to go back to that instant and yield to the fervor
in his spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To sweep the sky’s avian
windfall off her feet, hold her face, and kiss her until all the grief in the
world sank into the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yet, far too
often, the mind crushes the only desires it should heed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
returned home to be greeted with a grave predicament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A number of his troops still suffered from
their battle wounds, and all the healers in the realm couldn’t remove all the
poison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the court finally convinced
him to send word to the Ashiun brothers and ask for aid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The injured were in a condition far too
critical to move, so the only option left would be to allow the knights of
Farthestshore into his demesne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he
would not allow them to heckle him into tolerating treatment himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was perfectly healed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He was also, as
Magpie had acknowledged long ago, a liar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His dizzy spells had grown worse and he could barely walk, even with the
aid of his trident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hearing
continued to suffer and his eyesight dwindled quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time the knight of Farthestshore
arrived, he wasn’t even sure who had come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He could only barely make out the green and white, and a voice that
distinctly didn’t sound like either of the brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did sound somewhat familiar, however, and
the thought was not a pleasant one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless,
no matter how much the visitor spoke, the Mherking still couldn’t place whose
voice it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only news that reached
through his haze was that the brothers couldn’t be reached and this knight
would be attending to the wounded in their stead.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And attend to
the wounded was exactly what the knight did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The troops recovered in strides, while the Mherking’s condition
deteriorated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knight approached him
personally a couple times, inquiring about his health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking immediately refused, and went
about his business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It only made the
restlessness worse now that that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thing</i>
was prowling about his halls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He appreciated
the concern, truly, but the knights of Farthestshore meddled far too often, and
the nagging only worsened his condition.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He anxiously
awaited the time he could leave and endure nagging far less grating on his ears
for a while.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He had never
waited for her before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he arrived
early on that eighth moon, it didn’t surprise him that he was alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, at first he wasn’t even sure,
considering he could no longer trust his bleary eyes to tell the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he saw, heard, and felt no movement, he
concluded that he had just been early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was very possible that she would have a difficult time coming back
after returning home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even so, he
was certain she would come, regardless of her current situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would bet his life on it.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting there on
their boulder that night, watching what he could only discern to be a few
clouds crossing over the moon, brought back many memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good memories, bad memories, recent memories,
and ancient ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled, “Never
thought that I would recover, did you, old friend?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hymlumé hung her
head as the clouds veiled her face.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
honestly never thought he could tire of tranquil silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now it irked him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What could she be doing that would make her
so late?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it didn’t hurt so much, he
would have eased the tension through a series of impatient growls, pacing, and
the incessant tapping of fingers and feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What was more, the fact that he could do none of those things enraged
him.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Soon his head
began to throb, and his stomach churned uncomfortably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easing himself into the water, he laid on his
back and closed his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was when he
heard it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even through dulled ears, he
heard it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A voice, broken, and
inconsistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He scanned the skies, not
that it would have done any good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unable
to see clearly, he yelled her name to the heavens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, his name for her, anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He received no direct answer, but he
continued to hear a faint voice.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That was when he
realized the voice he heard came from the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes darted down to it in sudden
comprehension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A message.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He closed his
eyes instantly, and he let his hands settle on the water’s surface, allowing
its waves and ripples to approach him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With every ounce of strength he could summon, he cleared his mind and
tried to allow the lake’s message to reach his dulled ears.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Over and over,
he listened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words, when they did come,
were choppy, infrequent, and unintelligible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For half the night, he convinced himself that it was his hearing and
that he just wasn’t hearing it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was nearly dawn when he convinced himself of the truth.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And it was just
like her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So like her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had specifically told her that any message had to be left in rhyme,
and she’d mucked up the delivery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
would be nigh impossible to understand what she had said now, as water never
carried it properly if it wasn’t in rhyme.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Still, despite
the headaches, the dizzy spells, and the sickness, he stayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all three days, he stayed, laying on the
boulder and staring at the sky in vain, waiting for a speck to appear among the
clouds with the melodious sound of her voice.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By this point,
the palace staff had grown accustomed to his unexplained disappearances every
month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man deserved some privacy,
and he’d boil them all where they stood if they ever asked about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knight of Farthestshore, however, was
another story.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">No sooner had
the Mherking entered his halls did the scolding blur of green and white start
pestering him about his whereabouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Three days away from the demesne had done nothing to aid his condition.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He could barely
have been considered conscious when the healers started yapping at him about
how his webs were dry and peeling and his scales were beginning to fall
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He let the healers do what they
could, but he wouldn’t have been caught dead with that agonizingly familiar
pest hovering around him with songs and lectures.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Sea King
knew he was far too hard on the knight, whoever it was that he couldn’t seem to
remember, but it was far too late to yield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Most his
remaining soldiers were on the mend, and it looked about the time that the
knight should leave, yet said knight lingered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He thought the knight would continue to loiter until all were
sufficiently healed, or until the Mherking relented to treatment; then a
messenger arrived at the palace.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The King figured
it must have something to do with the Celestial Ball, which was scarcely more
than a week away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The messenger had most
likely come to ensure the king’s attendance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had been awaiting this messenger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had begrudgingly resolved to inform Queen Bebo that he would be
unable to attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been more the
kingdom’s decision, really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had
taken it out of his hands and he could barely see or hear to stop them until
they clearly and adamantly informed him that he wasn’t going to go.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, at the
messenger’s arrival, the king was not in a pleasant mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was sulking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was sulking terribly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He refused to see the messenger when he
arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He figured through his illness-stricken
mind that the messenger would understand that he wasn’t going if he never
allowed the messenger into the audience hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last thing Queen Bebo’s people needed to know was that he was ill.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He didn’t take
kindly to going back on his word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it
didn’t help the matter when the knight of Farthestshore tried to reason with
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exactly what the knight was saying,
he had not a clue, but if the knight was trying to get him to go or, more
likely, get him to endure treatment, the Mherking would not have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the knight had grown tired of trying to
speak to the king who, in his delirium, ordered the knight away with a voice quite
a bit more venomous than necessary, the knight gave up.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">However, his
hazy vision saw another colored blob rush over to talk to the green and white
blob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The green and white blob, which he
had deemed must have been the knight, dashed out of the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knight must have forgotten to talk to the
messenger about the knights of Farthestshore at the Ball, the Mherking reasoned;
they would probably want a couple stationed there for political solicitation.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A few minutes
had passed when he felt a presence enter his throne room unannounced and
unauthorized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The messenger had
returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the knight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The messenger tried to deliver his message,
but all the Mherking heard was a garbled mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Infuriated at the turn of events and the fact that he could barely
function under his failing senses, his voice boomed through the halls, telling
the messenger to inform Bebo that he would not attend the Ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, the messenger tried to talk some
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frantically, even.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it only made the Mherking’s anger fester
further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ordered his guards to escort
the messenger out of the palace, which they did, and he was finally able to
relax in silence.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Until a couple
days later when an incessant deafening ringing plagued his ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The noise gave him a constant piercing
headache, and his eyes throbbed any time he opened them.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The night of the
Celestial Ball passed slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or at
least, he thought it was the night of the Ball, he couldn’t quite tell what day
it was anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever day it was, he
spent it in his rooms alone, trying not to hear a woman’s ancient voice in his
mind that he barely endured every year around this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appeared in his mind even over the sound
of the ringing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He preferred to have his
ears torn out with the poison than to hear that voice again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how many years it had been, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">she</i> kept coming back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he drew the drapes and plunged his rooms
into darkness, blocking the moonbeams that filtered in from the surface.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He dismissed all
company, even his handmaid, from his room for days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time he laid on his bed, alone in
his cavernous chambers and staring unseeing at the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to get it together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the very least before the full moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she knew he was still ill, she would
probably drag him to the Haven herself, and he might not have the strength to
stop her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He may have
allowed them to keep him from the Celestial Ball, but he wouldn’t allow them to
keep him inside on the night of the full moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though they hadn’t verbally agreed on it, he couldn’t see why she
would miss it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there was nothing
wrong with their meeting time, there should be no reason why she wouldn’t be
there.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But she
wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he finally managed to arrive
at the lake, coughing and wheezing at the effort it had taken, there was not a
living thing to be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that he
could actually see anything anyway, but it made no difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called to her until his throat was raw,
then leaned on his trident as if it was the only thing keeping him
standing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He only stood upright long
enough to drag the trident’s head in a sweep across the water’s surface, an
action that caused him to stumble at the loss of stability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trident’s ripples spread to the boundaries
of the shore on all sides and returned to him with no report of any life in
which he’d take interest.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It took him
almost an hour to make it to shore that night, by which time he was so sick he
had no choice but to collapse to his knees before he made it to land and heave
gushes of blood and water into his precious lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking barely pulled himself off his
trembling legs and to the boulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
never made it to the top, for his strength failed him.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So he sat on the
rock’s base, leaning his back on the boulder and his head on his trident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fins flared and ears perked when he heard
a voice on the tide, suddenly hoping perhaps she’d left another message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He listened hard, putting all the effort he
had into hearing past the dreadful ringing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually, he dipped his staff in the tide to sense the water’s
vibrations.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The conclusion
brought a sigh and sag of his shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What he heard was the same failed message from last moon still drifting
in the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, however, he kept
the staff of his trident in the lakewater and focused as hard as he could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With his trident, perhaps he could piece
together what her message had been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
poured all his strength into it, to no avail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He tried to summon the lake’s memory and even tried to threaten it, but
the lake remembered nothing other than what it had already given him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Sea King finally
sat back in exhaustion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stared at the
sky as long as he could, until his eyes grew heavy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For hours he shook his head to keep himself
awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t fall asleep now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to wait for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew she would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed to hear her voice, however muffled,
and see her smile, however blurry, and feel her touch, however painful.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He couldn’t
allow himself to fall asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he
closed his eyes and played her goofy grin and joyful chitter over and over in
his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he had to recover for
the sake of his demesne, but his demesne would fare without him if it ever came
to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would recover on his own,
for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t bear to see her
frown the next time he saw her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Couldn’t
bear to see the worry in her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
was only a passing illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would
have to be very attentive if he wanted to be in better health when he saw her
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he grew tired of trying to
motivate himself, he decided to entertain his mind by trying to figure out what
she could have been up to that night.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was likely
that she had gotten quite busy with her life back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That had to be it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, that had been what the message was
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They probably threw a grand party
when she came back home, complete with good food, mild scolding, and week-long
celebrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any of the
responsibilities she had before she left had probably gone neglected, and she
would have to take weeks to tend to them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Likely she was sitting impatiently somewhere while working, whining and
grumbling about having to do so much.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The image made
him smile, and he slowly drifted out of consciousness with her face in his mind
and her voice in his failing ears.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was morning
when he opened his eyes again, only to see a familiar sight right in front of
his vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That little imp’s face was
so beautiful, even when she looked like trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She was actually
here.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She had come.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What the magpie
said, he couldn’t catch, but her smile was just as vibrant as it had been two
moons before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hands found his
temples, and his headache melted in seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She wore the most beautiful flowing dress, light and fluttering, that
gleamed and shimmered like stardust.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And all the pain
seemed to flow out of him just looking at her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She bowed her
head over and over, an apologetic expression painted on her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He figured by her mouth movements that she
must be apologizing and talking far too much, as she always did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It eased his spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to ask her what had happened and
how she was so late, then he wanted to tease her about it; but he knew he
probably wouldn’t be able to hear her answer anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A detail that burned and frustrated him to no
end, for he actually ached to hear her words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even so, she looked happy to see him, and that was enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little too happy, in fact.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She hopped to
her feet and made an elegant curtsy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then she extended her hand to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She said something then, and he knew she had probably just asked him to
dance again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How he had yearned to hear
those words from her once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing
her now, the temptation to take her hand burned strong, and his hand made the
first twitch, but he pulled away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
if he had taken her hand, he would disappoint her in his condition, and she’d
find his weakness instantly.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maybe someday,”
he said to her, “try again next moon?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Magpie shrugged
and looked on him with a sheepish smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What she said, he couldn’t hear, but he guessed from her body language
that she couldn’t stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she yanked
him into a reckless embrace, her small limbs clamped around his back and
burrowing her hands into his tunic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Etalpallian nuzzled her face into his chest as if to emphasize her show of
affection; then, without warning, she flew away before he could say anything
about it.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
opened his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was still night, and
he couldn’t have been asleep more than a couple hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The headache returned with a vengeance, and
his stomach roiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had never come,
and it had simply been a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All a
dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A trick of the Wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook it off and leaned back on the
trident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps his attraction had gone
too far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He struggled to
shift positions, then let his foot hang in the water, ordering the lake to wake
him if <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anything</i> should change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lake would listen with no qualms, as an
ill Mherking was very unpredictable indeed, far more so than usual, and far
more terrifying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drifted in and out
constantly those three days, every time waking to the same landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even resolved to stay a day extra, which
left him in hardly a functional state.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At the end of
the fourth day, he wondered if she had simply forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or if he simply was no longer worth the
effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps their little meetings
would bore her now that she had her family back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She no longer needed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps she had a strapping Etalpallian raptor
awaiting her return, and she fell for his charm and striking plumage
instantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps they had married and
she had forgotten all about the moonlight trysts with the pathetic Ocean King.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For some reason,
his insides smoldered and the liquid-like prism of his trident boiled at the
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Left completely irrational from
the poison that gnawed on his system, he fumed with rage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would she need him at all after she went
home?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All Sky People were the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They only needed something until they found
something better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The airheaded folk
were so prone to distraction that it was a wonder she hadn’t left sooner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t believe he never understood before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would he ever think she was
different?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That someone could tolerate
his difficulties?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That someone had truly
understood him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was just like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her</i>.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With far less
effort than one would expect, the Mherking returned to the sea, fueled by the
sudden fury that coursed like the poison through his veins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the lake shuddered in terror at his
departure.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Every day that
followed was a living nightmare for every living thing in the palace, from
chambermaid to the Mherking himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was not a soul that he could not make as miserable as he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water that everyone used on a regular
basis had grown tepid and murky with filth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Any water that came near the King himself became black as night; until
it turned to tar.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The knight of
Farthestshore returned to a dark fog looming around the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knight tried asking the staff what had
happened, but the staff wouldn’t answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When the knight
burst into the audience chamber, the Mherking sat lounged on his throne, draped
over his trident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The King looked
positively ghastly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes were
clouded and unfocused, his skin was grey and lacked all luster, he had lost
quite a few scales on his arms and neck, and a deranged smile was engraved on
his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His trident had turned completely
black.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How did
everything go so wrong so fast?</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The King’s eyes
widened the moment he noticed the knight’s presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Faerie ruler tilted his head, his wide
eyes and mad grin easily giving him a quite unsettling presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A snarky laugh came from his mouth and
stopped halfway, further adding to his lunacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well if it isn’t
the mighty knight of Farthestshore…” The Mherking’s voice was little more than
that of a hissing serpent, and black mist curled from his mouth as he spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the Faerie King tilted his head further
as his wide gaze focused on the knight directly, a sinister smile peeling
across the Mherking’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
voice that came from the broken king then was something that did not originate
in any world the present fey had ever seen.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“…You’re too
late.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was merely a
moment before the chill that had rushed up the knight’s spine evaporated with a
surge of rage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knight strode
unflinchingly forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The King’s rabid grin
vanished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without a word, he left his
throne and stormed out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
knight ignored the guards’ warnings and sprinted after him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knight caught up and seized the Mherking
by the shoulder, shoving him against the wall.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What happened?”
the knight demanded.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Mherking’s head lolled and his eyes rolled, “How was the Ball, oh knight of
Farthestshore?” he rasped.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
Celestial Ball…How did it go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regrettably
I was unable to attend, not that any of those <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">land dwellers, </i>let alone anyone else, actually missed me.” The
Mherking chuckled.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
knight was completely flummoxed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had the
King gone completely mad?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had the poison
overcome his ancient mind already?</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
knight floundered for words to try to explain in a way the Mherking understood.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Your
Highness…there was no Celestial Ball…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Of
course there was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a few weeks
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> what you left for, I presume.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
knight couldn’t explain why this was becoming more and more difficult.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Did
you not hear the messenger?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent him
back in to give you his message after I heard it myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to take my leave immediately in light
of the news.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“News?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What news?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
was easy to tell that the King had not heard the message at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a trace of confusion in his crazed
expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knight took a deep
breath and grasped the King’s shoulders tightly.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Your
Highness…Queen Bebo canceled the Celestial Ball in light of Etalpalli’s
destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what the messenger
had come to tell you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came asking for
your aid…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Paralysis
took the Ocean King.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For
a time, all he did was lean on the wall as his mind tried to comprehend what it
had just heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
wasn’t possible.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His next
reaction was instant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes cleared
immediately, and the indestructible mask of the Great Mherking, King of All
Oceans shattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fifteen colors of
wordless horror swelled across his features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He stumbled backwards and sank against the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His open mouth moved often, but no sound
emerged from his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes filled
with panic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knight wondered if the King
had even heard correctly, but before the knight could double-check, the
Mherking was gone.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Great King of the Oceans jabbed the currents on until they could take him no
faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He surged through realms and
waters at blinding speed, until the current hurled him through the barrier of
the lake with enough force to break a mortal’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sudden stop caused him to lurch and cough
blood into his mouth while his eyes burned from the strain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky was overcast and the moon hid her
face in the shrouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lake had grown
bleak and bathed in shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His lungs
exploded with the sound of her name as soon as he broke the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stumbled and floundered to regain his
feet, all the while his eyes never stopped their movements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“MAGPIE!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They scanned
everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Magpie.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Back and forth
and back and forth, up, down, everywhere.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Magpie!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
waves grew rough and the world began swim around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around and around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Answer
me!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Around
and around…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Magpie!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She had to be
here.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Magpie.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He knew it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She had to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Magpie!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He turned and
turned, jerking about to find her.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come out!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She had to be
here…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Magpie!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He screamed her
name until he thought his throat would dissolve to ashes.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Magpie…” </span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By then, his voice
had withered to a wheezing hiss.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With all his
power he willed his blurry eyes to clear, an action that fuzzed his vision in
and out in panic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A vicious throbbing
rocked his system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spun, around and
around, his eyes wrenching to every perceivable inch they could see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could barely breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His chest heaved and burned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any moment he thought it might collapse.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nothing…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nothing…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nothing…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And the silence
killed him.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His lips started
moving without even thinking, starting at a whisper.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Turn.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Spin.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wrench.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The waves grew
to great swells that broke dangerously in an escalating summoned storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking’s great claws clenched to mighty
fists, and his voice was like thunder over the waves.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac-cmeVJO0D6CdbSifPBu0hhTt2VHgytXMRUwKx0Ji0KRm1yp_06yjmKmkvFpuj-YPOyzi42Gjs4NAjpuhp3i9E-51CAaJAtdW4D54eUHqzyvfo1f3K_l5YK6hOg3dIjVVt8cswV1p6JS/s1600/Seabreeze+-+10th+Moon.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac-cmeVJO0D6CdbSifPBu0hhTt2VHgytXMRUwKx0Ji0KRm1yp_06yjmKmkvFpuj-YPOyzi42Gjs4NAjpuhp3i9E-51CAaJAtdW4D54eUHqzyvfo1f3K_l5YK6hOg3dIjVVt8cswV1p6JS/s400/Seabreeze+-+10th+Moon.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He whirled
around over and over, his great fists clashing like mountains against the
monstrous tides.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His voice rang
in emphasis with every pound of his fist through the swells.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No! No! No!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The waves
crashed and boomed, only moments away from arousing the whole lake into a
cyclone.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hymlumé’s Blood
and Fury, No!”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His lungs heaved
and choked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No air reached them, and he
sputtered as if the world itself had decided to stifle the air in his throat.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Completely
unable to function, he could just barely summon his trident, which felt faint
and brittle in his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew it
would shatter if he put any weight on it, so he dropped to his knees and let
the surf crash over him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the wrath
he wrought upon the lake began to settle, he had only enough energy to drag
himself ashore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waves continued to
pound him relentlessly in the aftermath, and he sunk to his elbows on the shoal
as blood streamed from his mouth.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hauling his
practically useless body to the boulder was impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how he tried, he could do nothing
but crash back to his knees with a splash of sand and water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he knelt like driftwood on the banks, convulsing
while his lungs ached for air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His body
was riddled with ceaseless tremors, and he had to swallow blood so he could breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he finally regained some semblance of
sanity, he reached out with quivering fingers until he touched the rolling
water beneath him.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His trident materialized
once again and found his hand, and he lifted it out of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking buried its staff crookedly in
the sand, and it was impossible to tell who supported who.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trident’s pulse was weak and dim in its
currently colorless depths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man
never looked at the instrument; he no longer had the strength to even lift his
head, so it hung lifelessly from his neck.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m sorry…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">To whom he
apologized, it was unclear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it
sounded no different from a man who would apologize to an entire cosmos and
never expect redemption.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m sorry…” he
repeated.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m so sorry…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His breathing accelerated
again, fast and heavy, building in heartbreaking crescendo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lifted his head to the sky and the earth
trembled.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A tremendous
crack erupted, and the earth shook from its sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking’s once-magnificent trident
splintered straight down the middle.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A deafening roar
burst from his throat and into the sky, a piercing thunder that shattered the
heavens and shook the earth from its roots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In it echoed something ancient; the rupturous squall of a colossal
giant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The roar rang
through the Wood and the Mherking’s massive trident cleaved in half, from top
to bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking grasped the
instrument tightly, and it stayed in place, the two halves paired together but
infusible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the Faerie King’s shout
bellowed through the skies, liquid dripped from the cracks in the trident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One could barely hear the voice of the man
over the sound of the beast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for the
first time in millennia, the world knew the great cry of the Leviathan once
more, whose howl alone could turn the land to ruin.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The trident’s
trickle never quelled; instead, liquid cascaded from the trident’s cracks in a
great flood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand shook on its
handle, and the warm water that streamed forth shuddered at the movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The river billowed from the trident even
after the thunderous roar had died on his lips.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He doubled over,
holding to his broken trident with both hands and leaning his forehead against
it as if it were his lifeline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
breath was uneven and shallow, and the trident’s water flowed into the tide in
which he knelt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dying Mherking knelt
on the banks all night, alone, save for his last companion: a fractured spear
that could dissolve into sea foam with the slightest breeze.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Very few knew
the lake as it was then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone that
knew it then could never come up with a reason for a change such as the one
that occurred that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And most would
not care to think of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as
anyone would know from that point onward, things had always been this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None in the days that followed would ever
suspect; for according to all surviving written history, that secluded lake in
the Wood had been filled with saltwater since its creation.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Wood sounded
troubled once again that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last
few nights had been dark and foreboding, so the man had closed the shutters in
expectation of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His expectations
proved right on point when the pattering of the downpour reached his ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been in the study, pouring over
scrolls by candlelight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lantern burned
brightly by the window, casting light in the study and streaming through the
cracks in the shutters, so those out in the storm would feel welcome by its
light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently he was supposed to be
expecting a visitor and needed to stay behind, though he felt a bit useless
doing nothing in the aftermath of such a crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sorrow deep within him did not help the
matter, and he was anxious for a distraction more potent than recording
history, which held little comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
feelings found no solace in the fact that the task at which he’d stationed
himself was the task of recording the actions of those that he felt required
his aid the most whilst he loitered about the study.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, if the man
was to expect a visitor, then await a visitor’s arrival he shall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had already readied what salves and
supplies he could, just in case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
really hoped it wouldn’t come to that, and the visitor would simply need
shelter, a nice meal, and perhaps some company, but chances of that these days were
slim.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It wasn’t long
before an uneven knock at the door signaled the visitor’s arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the man opened the door, the visitor was
draped lifelessly against the doorframe, fingers digging into the wood for
support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it was impossible to tell
if the man was surprised at the visitor’s identity or not surprised at
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked the soaking visitor up
and down gave a long exhale, “If I may, Your Majesty…You look terrible…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was the
truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking quite frankly looked
like a corpse dredged up from a shipwreck somewhere long ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood, dirt, and grime served as the Faerie King’s
royal garments, and where one wound ended and another began was an unsolvable
riddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only riddle more confounding
than that was how the Mherking had managed to get to the man’s doorstep at all.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking’s
eyes were glazed and pained, and he tried to muster enough venom to snarl at
the man, but it sounded like a plea instead, “Do not call me that, Akilun…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For the first
time in which Akilun had seen him, the Mherking was unusually silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One could usually feel his menacing presence
during other silences, but this silence dragged like the tail of a beaten
dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Faerie King barely had the
strength to make it to a chair, let alone the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Akilun had to throw the King’s listless
muscled limb over his shoulders and nearly drag him to the cot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Akilun could tell just by looking at him that
the King wasn’t exactly thrilled to be there.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But he collapsed
in the cot and allowed Akilun to examine his condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knight of Farthestshore never asked how
the Mherking had fallen into such a grievous condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether that was because Akilun was less
invasive than his brother or if that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">other</i>
knight had sent word ahead of time, the Mherking was unsure.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Either way, it
didn’t matter anymore.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He allowed the
soft-spoken Ashiun to inspect all the evidence of his illness and clean him up
accordingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Akilun was rather perplexed
that the obstinate Faerie had let him even look at his wounds, but the King’s
mind was far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very far away indeed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
wished she had just stayed a lying coward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least she’d still be…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He swallowed
painfully.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thousands of
scenarios danced about his skull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had he
only convinced her of this or that, had he simply invited the girl to stay at
his demesne when he found out she probably didn’t have a place to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had he not gone to her on this moon or that
moon, had he never agreed to her ridiculous wager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wager that ended up getting her
killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had he just done this, or said
that, had he acted on his instincts and rescued his people from the goblins
sooner, had he taken her back home with him like he should have, had he found
her a place to stay somewhere, anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Had he just said what he had wanted to say before she flew off for the
last time…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anything</i> to keep her from
leaving…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anything</i>…to keep her from
going back to Etalpalli…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Maybe she’d
still be…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Everything just
seemed so agonizingly close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if all
he would have had to do was reach out and turn back time with his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like it had just happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like he could touch it and change
everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, when he reached out, an
invisible wall, like the ocean surface that separated her world from his,
greeted his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A wall that could
never crumble and could never be breached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And he could close his eyes and see her smiling on the other side of it,
right there, just waiting for him to make what happened “unhappen”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, no matter how he beat the wall,
begged and pleaded, that barrier would never fall.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
turned and began to walk away, and he started banging on that wall.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Magpie!”</i></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She didn’t seem to hear him from
the other side.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Magpie, come back!”</i></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No
matter how many times he called, she never answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never even heard him, and just kept
walking.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Magpie, please!”</i> his voice broke.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
kicked and banged and screamed, begging for her to return, but it was too late.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All he could do
was stand there on the other side, pressed up against it, and watch as his mind
imagined in stunning clarity a thousand ways she could have died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All he could do was stand and watch, over and
over, crushing, burning, bleeding, tearing; and his mind concocted all the ways
she could have screamed in anguish and repeated them, over and over and over,
in his ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So even when he stood
before that wall in his mind and closed his eyes or turned his face so he
wouldn’t have to watch all the ways his mind could kill her, he couldn’t stop
hearing it.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Any ringing that
had been left in his ears morphed into the constant sound of how he imagined
she must have screamed.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And no matter
how close it was, no matter how close she seemed, no matter how easy it should
be to go back, he could do nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nothing at all.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When he opened
his eyes, he shivered in the night air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everything ached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyesight
seemed to be a bit better, though his ears still rung with a woman’s wails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Akilun was at his bedside when he awoke, a
bowl of warm water and a cloth in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The knight had been cleaning the wound in his abdomen, which, after over
four moons in the Far World, had grown grossly infected; past the archaic
Faerie King’s currently failing healing capabilities.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
moaned, and Akilun lifted his eyes, “Feel any better?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Enough to want
to give you a good blow to the face and run a spear through my head…” the King
rasped.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Akilun allowed
himself a small smile, “I’ll take that as a yes.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once again, the
Mherking thought the man would ask him what happened, and once again he never
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the Mherking inquired, “How long
have I been unresponsive?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Akilun took a
moment to calculate, “Well, you’ve been sleeping for about three days now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure if you’d pull through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whatever ails you does not seem to be
merely physical…your sleep was fraught with...”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know…no need
to give me a full report.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
thought Akilun might ask why he hadn’t come earlier, but the knight didn’t say
a word about it.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So…where’s that
impulsive headstrong brother of yours?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would have thought he would have disturbed me long ago…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Akilun looked as
though he had suddenly been struck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
shook it off quickly with as much subtlety as he could muster, but not quickly
enough to bypass the Mherking’s suspicion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Akilun’s eyes lowered, “My brother isn’t here right now…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hardly
accustomed to other people not giving him information instead of the other way
around, the Mherking raised his eyebrows but did not pry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even a man of Farthestshore should be allowed
privacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Mherking felt Akilun’s
expression of concealed anguish so deeply that he felt, when he looked at the
far-too-gentle Ashiun, he stared into a looking glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the thought infuriated him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When Akilun had
finished cleaning and re-bandaging the wound, he rose from his seat.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You should
probably get some more rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This might
take a while longer.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The sudden flash
of images at the suggestion of sleep made the Faerie King cringe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking found himself mumbling under his
breath while the knight of Farthestshore walked away from his bedside.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Would that I
could, but rest is what I fear.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His fears
weren’t unwarranted, not by any means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For every time he closed his eyes, the nightmares lurked in wait amongst
the crevices of his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, every now
and then he would hear a vague voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Something that sounded akin to a song, trying to pierce through the
mental prison in which he suffered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
the days passed, the nightmares still came, but they grew shorter and quieter,
and he heard that song more frequently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whenever he would awaken, he could never remember any of it, but his
eyes had cleared and his hearing had improved.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was in these
days that the Mherking’s atrabilious qualities returned at full capacity for
the first time in millennia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Mherking honestly couldn’t fathom how Akilun had been so patient with him,
especially since he grew less agreeable with each passing day he was
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely the knight had much better
things to do than babysit a cranky old sea monster all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the man never complained about being
stuck with such unpleasant company, which made the Mherking feel better and
worse at the same time.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When he was well
enough, the Mherking convinced his keeper to let him visit the lake on the full
moon, under the condition that Akilun remain within a reasonable distance.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
still had a great deal of trouble walking, and Akilun had lent him a sturdy
walking stick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would take a good deal
of time for his trident to mend, and he dare not use it in its current
condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He carefully sat down on
their boulder and hung his legs over the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a word the
entire time he was there.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He knew without
a doubt that she would not come.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But he sat there
nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listening.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There it
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard it faintly on the
waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closed his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He breathed the air deeply and listened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that he could never understand it
didn’t bother him anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat on the
edge of the rock like that for hours, just listening to the sound of her voice
still lingering in the breaking of the waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To him it was the most beautiful sound in the world.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your Majesty…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The call came
all too soon, but the Mherking did not turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would enjoy this moment to its fullest.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s time to
go…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know,
Akilun…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
delayed turning around as long as he could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When he did rise to his feet, heaving his weight onto the creaking wood
of the walking stick, he saw the elder Ashiun holding his lantern up, waiting
patiently for the Faerie King to join him.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Akilun had only watched
him for only a few moments, seeing the invalid sitting down on a boulder that
overhung the edge of the lake and staring out at its surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Neither man said
a word on the way back, and neither felt the need<span style="color: red;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a quiet
return journey, and Akilun slowed his pace for his companion, though not enough
to walk side by side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Akilun allowed the
Faerie man to lag a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
abundantly clear that the Mherking needed some time alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mherking trailed behind the
lantern-bearer, completely immersed in a world of his own making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This world, however, was far different from
the chaotic darkness of the one in his dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This one was empty and numb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
silent place bathed in white mist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was filled with nothing in particular, only a vague sense of melancholy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All the
Mherking’s energy and sorrow had drained from him over the last few days, until
that vague, misty melancholy was all he felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had made a decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the
lakeside would be the only time he would mentally allow himself to think of
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise, he didn’t know if he had
the fortitude to go on without the burden of her death weighing on his
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he were honest, he feared his
judgment would be impaired by her memory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But the utter
truth was he knew she couldn’t be forgotten.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Akilun did not
make a single comment on the Mherking’s absent state, not even when they
returned to the Haven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the Mherking
appreciated the man’s silent company far more than he’d probably ever
admit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was as if Akilun himself
understood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What exactly it was that the
man understood, Akilun never said a thing, but the sense of camaraderie ran
thick as oil in water.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The first time
Akilun spoke after that was bandaging the Mherking’s healing wounds that night,
“It’s been quite a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poison
wounds are looking well, and your healing abilities seem to be regenerating
rapidly.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
snorted halfheartedly, “It would have healed faster if you hadn’t stuffed that
gruel down my maw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I wouldn’t have
had to stay in this forsaken hovel for so long…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At this, a ghost
of a smile crept across Akilun’s face, “And if <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> had come any later, I’m not sure how much I could have done…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Faerie
sniffed, “As if losing one life really matters that much anyway.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Akilun sighed,
“With all due respect, Your Majesty, I believe that every life is
precious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how many you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all—.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Akilun, please,
if I hear one more nugget of ‘wisdom’ out of your mouth, I’m seriously
considering just boiling your tongue,” the Mherking interrupted.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Akilun just
sighed, then slightly smiled and shook his head.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
groaned, “Honestly, please tell me you do not spend all your days alone in this
musty shack coming up with this tripe, Candle Bearer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not wish to have to pity you any more
than necessary.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The elder Ashiun
barely gave a visible reaction, save another smile and a shake of the head at
the Mherking’s nickname for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
is, until he replied, “I honestly fail to see how different it is from you
holing yourself up in your glorified cave for a few thousand years until
politics drag you out kicking and screaming.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Easily catching
the Faerie knight’s subtle uncharacteristic smirk, the Mherking was almost
ready to give up and throw his head in the boiler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How pathetic must he have become that even
the gentle Akilun should have the courage to tease him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever expression was on the Mherking’s
face seemed to induce a mild, almost rueful laugh from his caretaker, then said
caretaker took a pause before speaking again, “I for one, am glad you decided
not to give one up.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking’s
eyes narrowed, his voice suddenly shifting, “I didn’t do it for me…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Akilun allowed
another heavy pause, “I know…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Akilun gave no
explanation, and the Mherking did not question him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much or what else they talked about while
the Mherking recovered, neither ever disclosed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And if the Mherking ever actually told Akilun about the reason he came,
or if Akilun ever knew about her, the knight of Farthestshore never told a soul
until the day he died.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Lights Above Us,
hurry up already!” the older handmaid scolded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their king had just approved the hiring of additional hands not long ago,
what with the flourishing demesne and multiplying workload about the palace,
and the new handmaid was having a difficult time trying to adjust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The older handmaid scoffed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been in the King’s service since
before she could remember, and she knew for a fact she was never this clumsy in
her youth.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The young
trainee skittered out of the room to catch up with her teacher, dropping
bundles of folded linens in the process, earning an aged sigh from the latter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old handmaid never looked any older than
she had in many, many years, and her appearance was as youthful as it always
was; but around the hopeless neophyte she trained, she couldn’t help but feel
the age in her heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly, the old maid
thought she might cuff the girl if she was this sloppy in the King’s presence.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh, the life of
a maid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be handmaid to a king was an
auspicious thing indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially so,
in this case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be handmaid to the
Mherking was a position of honor and dignity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That wasn’t to say he was an especially exceptional king; quite the
contrary, in fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had known more
bloodshed, deception and violence than any great king should ever have to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had made countless mistakes, or so he
claimed, that forever barred him from the title of a “Great King”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, he may not have been a great king, but
all that truly knew him would call him a good one.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite no one
ever recalling his years, the Mherking was just as handsome as everyone had
always remembered him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A solemn face,
neither smiling nor frowning, was consistently etched across his features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were times, however, when his staid
countenance slipped, and something of an expression would creep across his
visage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one had ever asked him about
it, of course, nor did they dare, for to awaken a storm from the calm sea was a
reprehensible act indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Even in his most
expressive of times, the Mherking was a complete enigma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He, like most of the fey folk, never seemed
to age, but a permanent furrow stayed between his eyebrows, and a faint line
could be seen on his forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
lines that a Faerie with his immense power could heal without a second thought,
so there was no chance that they were unintentional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why the Faerie King chose to keep these
features, no one knew, but they never left his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gave his face a pensive hue, and the
King’s quiet nature coupled with his expression always made it seem like he was
in deep thought about something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes it was clear that he thought of whatever matter someone
presented to him at that moment, other times his thoughts seemed somewhere very
distant.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When he did
speak, his voice emerged in a low rumble, like distant thunder after a storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many times it was serious, and almost gentle,
at least in comparison to the Mherking that the old handmaid remembered from
generations before.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Some of the
younger staff would think the King in a sour mood when his voice would rise and
he would make a critical or sarcastic remark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the old handmaid knew better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She saw the tiny tug of his mouth, and she knew, and it brought relief
to her heart every time he did so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
only times the King made snide, rude comments was when he was in good company or
high spirits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old handmaid would
often scoff to herself when others would take offense to the King’s
incivility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The witless simpletons
couldn’t even tell when he was happy.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sometimes he
would talk to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long ago, it was not
necessarily directed at her specifically, but he would speak into the distance
in the confines of his chambers when she happened to be in the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lately, he would ask her how her day had been,
and how her mother fared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever she
would ask her own questions, he would never answer, but she figured he would
say something if ever he needed to do so.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking’s
power had intensified significantly over the ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether the growth had been mental, physical,
or spiritual, it was difficult to say, but he no longer tried to check his own
borders every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He trusted his
guards to do their jobs, and would sit alone in his chambers instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, the old handmaid wondered
occasionally if it was not an issue of trust at all, but a matter for which he
had no need of his guards, but simply employed them as an extra
precaution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For it seemed that no matter
what news anyone brought him, he was unsurprised, as if the water itself had
brought him the message before the messengers even entered the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">However, once a
month, he would disappear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three days he
would be gone, and no one knew where he went, for the Faerie Path he traveled
was known only to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The newer staff
always tried to figure it out, but would soon give up when they could come to
no conclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anytime anyone would ask
him where he was going as he left the palace, his answer would always simply be
“Out”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Those three days
were sacred and mandatory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ocean’s
rage upon he who dare interrupt the Mherking from his sanctuary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever happened to those that did was
unknown, but the offenders would be unwilling or unable to speak of it
afterwards.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Three days,”
the older handmaid instructed, “Three days a month he leaves with the final wax
of the moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His linens must be clean
and put away, the chambers and the study must be spotless, the lightrocks must
be polished, the past three days’ reports must be waiting on his desk,
organized by date and category, a hot bath must be drawn, and a hearty meal
must be prepared for the moment he returns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No questions, no excuses.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
inexperienced little neophyte tried to open her mouth in inquiry, but the elder
maid shushed her immediately, “Ah ah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
questions, no excuses.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
would never say a thing upon his return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s how it always was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
full moon the King of the Oceans disappeared and came back three days later
without so much as a word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually
the palace staff just grew accustomed to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was no more than how the palace functioned on an ordinary basis.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And so it came
to pass, the day arrived that a certain messenger knocked at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The messenger’s identity and proposition was
something that surprised nearly everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whether the King was surprised or not, no one could tell, but his answer
surprised them far more than the question did.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When the
messenger had left, the Mherking rose from his throne, leaning close to his old
handmaid with a husky whisper, “I’m going out.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s early,
Your Majesty…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know…have a
nice bath ready for me when I get back?” his order came in the form of a
question.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of course, Your
Majesty…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And then he was
gone.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A great, massive
loch sat nestled in the nook it had carved for itself in between the mountains
long ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was smaller once, before
the rain and wear caused it to double in size and engrave itself into the
valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the head of the massive loch
was a bluff, the name of which Faerie cartographers had been arguing over for
centuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bluff boasted an
impressive promontory, a massive hunk of stone ensconced at its tip.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a welcome
sight for friend and traveler alike, for the loch held no malice to those who
came to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One such visitor, a face
the loch recognized well, would come periodically, and used to sit upon that
headland and dangle his legs over the edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In more recent years, the visitor had adopted a slightly different
routine.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He had arrived
early this time, the loch noticed, for Lumé had yet to set below the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The visitor entered through the Wood and
walked out to the tip of the precipice, as he always did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing on that rock, he took a great, deep
breath and began to skillfully descend the cliff face, down towards the
coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he stepped out onto the
beach, the gravel crunched and shifted beneath his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He strode easily into the loch’s waters;
then, as he always did, he simply strolled down the beach for a while, allowing
the waves to lap at his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chose a
small boulder amidst the place where the tide and shore converged, as he always
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, as always, the first thing he
did was speak a greeting.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hello, Magpie.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He was answered
only by the breaking of the waves on the shore, but it did not discourage
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a sad smile, one reserved for when he
felt at peace enough to allow the royal robes to drop.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You would call
me a liar if I told you the events of late…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He shook his
head in near disbelief, a more nostalgic smile replacing the sad one.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The Prince of
Farthestshore himself came to the palace today…to invite me to his wedding in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">person</i>…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He chuckled this
time.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He also
suggested I start making preparations for a possible coronation of some sort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even said it’d be nice if I trimmed my
beard and attempted to be sociable, though I’m relatively certain that he may
have been jesting…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking ran
a hand through his shortened seaswept hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You would
surely howl in laugher at me right now, wouldn’t you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allowing thrushes to trifle with me so…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Staring out at
the loch then, he couldn’t help but smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Memories of her beaming face and twittering voice danced about his mind,
and he closed his eyes to take it all in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The days and nights they had passed on that lake in the throes of
conversation; the times he would sit as she would talk the day away, the
scrawny elbow that jabbed into his ribs when he made a snarky comment, the way
both sun and moon shimmered through her hair and made her eyes simply
irresistible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The few times they had
spent in silence, with naught a worry in sight; when two people, so very
different but far too alike, allowed themselves to bask in one another’s
company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The noble king let his walls come
down then, and did not stop the surge of romanticized visions from washing over
him with all the brilliant detail that his spirit could muster.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Many who visited
the loch claimed there to be some sort of fey magic upon it, or that the waters
had been so old and full of memories that the water itself couldn’t help but
overflow with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gave the loch a
haunting aura to those who heard tales of it, but those who had experienced it
only knew a chill of sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth
was that those eerie tales weren’t as far off as many would have liked to
believe.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But the Mherking
reveled in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally, when he
breathed deep enough, he could still catch a whiff of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In those moments just when the tide rolled in,
he could still smell the whisper of her scent still lingering in the
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And if he
focused just enough, something would echo in the crash of the waves on the
rocks, and curl in the whisper of the breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The still small sound of a laugh or the fragments of a voice, faint but
pure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those broken parts of the last
message she left so many ages ago…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All this time,
the lake had kept those things close, through all the changes it withstood and
every hardship it endured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of the
mystery woman’s voice and scent had faded with the shifting of the sands, even
as the lake had tried desperately to hold onto them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its memory faded in and out, but it managed
to cling to just enough to wait for the old Sea King to walk its shores every
moon and listen, and hope he could hear all of it in the days he spent on its
banks.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking had
heard many things upon those shores, some of which he could sit and listen to
over and over, and others that were too painful to receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This particular evening, though, as Lumé
bathed the loch in brilliant colors and Hymlumé emerged to welcome the night,
he heard something he never expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Something that brought back far more than he could anticipate at once.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My favorite is the traditional Celestial Dance.”</span></i></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It began with
the whistling of the breeze against the cliffs, then the hush of the reeds on
the eastern shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rumbling of the
waves came next, until he heard exactly what they were creating.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You know, the one supposedly modeled after
Hymlumé’s legendary dance with Lumé, to the tune of the Song of Spheres?”</span></i></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…She moved with a soul of freedom the likes of which
he’d seen only thrice in millennia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“To me, that
dance is like a promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An oath of
commitment and compassion.”</span></i></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…She never once opened her eyes, and a joyous smile
was etched across her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adroit and
lithe, she swayed to a mute rhythm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Beyond the
Final Water falling…”</span></i></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can just
imagine Lumé extending his hand to her, ready to take all her sorrows upon
himself in exchange for her smile.”</span></i></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The Song of
Spheres recalling…”</span></i></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…Surely she must have heard something he did
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“When all that
fails is set before your eyes…”</span></i></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He heard it…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Won’t you
return to me?”</span></i></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The song that
she had danced to all those years ago…</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It had been the
real thing.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The song he heard
then was no cheap fabrication with halls and instruments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the real thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song that had brought the celestial
giants to their knees, the song that split the heavens, the very song that he
had sent, at Farthestshore’s behest, across the oceans to whomever needed its
sound.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All this time,
it had been the real thing.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And he wept.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
thought of many things when he was at the loch every moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had thought about nearly everything one
could possibly think to ponder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he
believed his thoughts had finally reached a possible conclusion.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You were lying
to me right up until the end, weren’t you?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He looked out
over the loch, and a sad chuckle left his lips, “You kept saying near the end
that you were the one that needed me, that I was the one who gave you your life
back…but…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’d be utterly miserable without me.”</span></i></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“All along, you
were right the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the
other way around…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The loch had
grown dark and Hymlumé had asserted her possession of the night sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her children emerged from the darkness,
twinkling in the deep abyss.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This time, the
Mherking looked up to face the moon again.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know we have
had our share of troubles, but you will take care of her on the other side of
that Water, won’t you, old friend?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
as I have seen to yours…See that she doesn’t cause any trouble?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwhhXkiHZfBPOvNW6cDawvZavzAgCvDczPp6zcYfISdmZzOM3oOpaBMl5OD2ooukjGmJIxrfAh8zULE8xGFaIU1cUAKA0TJsO_8bYfJPXIlufqRpLk0gOiQ58DIJp4pn6ZL9J-cOxE072/s1600/Seabreeze+-+The+Loch.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwhhXkiHZfBPOvNW6cDawvZavzAgCvDczPp6zcYfISdmZzOM3oOpaBMl5OD2ooukjGmJIxrfAh8zULE8xGFaIU1cUAKA0TJsO_8bYfJPXIlufqRpLk0gOiQ58DIJp4pn6ZL9J-cOxE072/s400/Seabreeze+-+The+Loch.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Satisfied with
the moon’s answer, he believed himself finally ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time had come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned to face the loch and said, “I can
walk without my trident now, Magpie.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then he bowed
with more resolution and nobility than even the folks of Rudiobus had seen in
their grand and magnificent halls, even if it was a little stiff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a slow and intentional moment, he extended
his hand towards the water.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, My Lady,
would you do me the honor?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The elder maid
had carefully instructed her apprentice of all the things she had to do before
the Mherking’s return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trainee was
slow and far too careless, but they had managed to get everything done and slip
out of the bedchamber just as the King approached it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old handmaid didn’t even have a chance to
educate the novice on proper conduct towards the King upon his returns to the
palace, but she hoped she had been clear enough that the girl wouldn’t do
anything rash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hoped too much.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The girl had an
exhausted but cheery smile on her face as she bounded far too casually up to
the King.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Welcome back,
Your Majesty!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, where did you go?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The old handmaid
wanted nothing more than to throw herself in a boiling kettle and send herself
away to the Near World as an enchanted stew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never </i>asked the Mherking where he goes
during those three days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Never</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was about to snag the little whelp by the frills and drag her away
to give her a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">long</i> and unpleasant
lecture on conduct when the Mherking did something that the old handmaid would
never forget.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He shook his
head towards his old handmaid, “No need to worry…”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A gentle,
wistful smile crossed his face and a weight lifted from his shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His golden eyes gleamed, and he looked from
the young maid to his old one.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I went dancing...”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This time, the subtle
smile shifted to a rare but modest grin, “Can’t show up to the Prince’s wedding
rusty, now can I?”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mherking
then squeezed around his handmaids, one joyful and the other completely
dumbfounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he passed his
flabbergasted maid, he rested his hand on her shoulder and whispered, “Thank
you for bearing with me all these years.”</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then he was
gone, leaving a currently empty-headed and eternally thunderstruck old handmaiden
in his wake.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Somewhere, deep
in the Wood, there lay a great loch nested in the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If one just so happened to find it, one could
sit on its shores and enjoy a peaceful moment away from the worries of the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if one paid just enough attention,
and listened with one’s whole heart, one could still hear a whisper of a
woman’s voice on the waves from a time long ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A time when the world was young and the seas
were wild and violent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A time long past,
when a single meeting of two very different worlds shaped the very fabric of
the oceans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an impossible
meeting from the very beginning, doomed by their very nature to be as different
as the sun and moon, always so close, but too far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Wood was an impossible place, where
the wind and the sea laughed at their skeptics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And in one instant, in a clash of fins and feathers, an untold story
wove itself into the fabric of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moments
whose historian wasn’t an artful scribe or melodious bard, but a forgetful lake
that could barely remember more than a few unintelligible sounds spoken by a
nameless woman in her last words to a hopeless man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nameless woman whose influence would never
be captured in statues or tapestries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A compassion
that had no evidence to speak of, unless someone already knew where to look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rumor had it if
one visits that loch on a night when the full moon shines over the water, one
may be able to see a figure sitting on a boulder at the foot of a bluff, gaze
turned to the sky, listening to a voice and a song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least, that’s what the whisper in the
River might say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to believe the
voice of a River would be a foolish thing indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it might be that that place will remain a
secret lying deep within the hinterlands of Goldstone Wood, where the two may
have danced in dreams alone, every moon when Hymlumé’s face was full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That place where the Sea meets the Sky and
all the storms go silent.</span></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">FIN.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>
</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-29594677925315210252015-09-09T13:27:00.000-07:002015-09-09T13:27:03.968-07:00The Prince Collecting Competition by Hannah Rogers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa81o2Mcjrg4wTgkBGTLhdwE258qdRYvOeBCSBZL_oVF6kdxf9iNkQAXLkdMP8ApIQS7tD8Un31B9CgsIvGOTQxZQ7gsk5S38lqm27FY08imV67hdLWJUljkx57N7g5mWSeOg__qRviFv/s1600/ThePrinceCollectingCompetition.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa81o2Mcjrg4wTgkBGTLhdwE258qdRYvOeBCSBZL_oVF6kdxf9iNkQAXLkdMP8ApIQS7tD8Un31B9CgsIvGOTQxZQ7gsk5S38lqm27FY08imV67hdLWJUljkx57N7g5mWSeOg__qRviFv/s640/ThePrinceCollectingCompetition.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Tiger-man’s cheeks would have turned red in anger if his
dark complexion would have allowed it. “Oh, I could ring that dragon eaten
cat’s neck!” He made a twisting motion with his heavily ringed fingers for
emphasis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chu Mana’s snake body curled
around the branch if the accommodating tree they lounged in. As they traveled
the Between, the Lord and Lady’s paths crossed on their way home from the realm
of Arpiar where they had attended the Queen Varvare’s coronation. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a hissing laugh, she rested her chin on the tip of her
tail as one might rest their chin in the palm of one’s hand. “Did I ever tell
you he dropped by not too long ago?” The Faerie Lord paused in the midst of
curling his mustache with the tips of his fingers, intrigued. “Oh?” He hated
the sound of his own voice, rewarding her with curiosity. He should have
disinterestedly let her ramble on. “Yes,” She continued. “He paid me a visit a
few hundred years ago-or perhaps it was a few thousand? Well, it doesn’t matter.
As I was saying. He arrived with a mortal slung seemingly dead over his
shoulder, requesting one of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my </i>princes
to wake her-for she was a princess you see and a filthy one at that! One of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my own princes. </i>Luckily, my least
favorite of all of them was the nearest one, but now I am quite tempted to
swallow him up myself! Ever since that day, he has not drawn breath from croaking.”
At this point, Rignaprava had mastered the disinterested air, and continued to
curl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“At least <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> didn’t get your eye cut out of your head.” His passion began to
simmer. “I only have one more life to live in my full array of glory! Someday,
I will set the Black Dogs on that dratted poet’s back side and have him
retrieved for my collection. He is not a prince, but I would be glad to see him
stiff and stone, forever to suffer my revenge!” He was standing now, expertly
balancing on the thick branch. “If his eyes weren’t already gone, I’d wrench
them out myself!” Just the thought of such delicious revenge made him sit down
to polish his emerald hilted dagger with his handkerchief. Then he realized it
was the same handkerchief Chu Mana had dropped when she was caught secretly
inspecting his prince collection for dust during last year’s competition.
Quickly stuffing it violently back where it came from, he looked at his
reflection in the blade. Chu Mana decided not to chide him about it. After all,
he was still suffering great humiliation from losing his eye to a ‘house cat’.
Suddenly, he jumped to his feet once again. “And to think he had the nerve to
ignore my presence at the coronation! I at least expected him to show some sort
of acknowledgement in terror as I walked passed. But no! He simply acted as if
I wasn’t there, singing and dancing and conversing without a care!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chu
Mana tsked. “He caused you to lose an eye <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and
</i>a prince. You must not sleep well at night.” There was a hint of
condescension that Rignaprava tried not to huff at. “I never sleep!” He said.
She did nothing to break the silence, but masterfully maintained a superior
aloofness. Even though he lived in constant solitude, the silence that presently
flooded the air was unbearable. He changed the subject. “Well, I will be ready
for the Goldstone Wood Prince Collecting Competition. Don’t you worry. Oh, no.
I’ve got a list of princes I plan on getting and no, there’s no way for you to
trick me into hinting to you again. I learned that long ago.” If Chu Man had
had a foot, she would have stomped it. “I plan on winning this year’s
competition,” he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Alright, but I do claim rights to Prince Gervais of
Beauclair. I recently heard he was a charming mortal.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rights!” The Faerie Lord choked out. He mentally kicked
himself for not even thinking of Prince Gervais. “Whoever gets him first has rights,
I say. And I believe I am to be the more likely of the two of us to acquire
him, being fully man you see. No lack of limbs.” Chu Mana scowled viciously at
him, and when your bite is poison, it is quite unsettling. It was true. It
would be very difficult to catch a prince when you had a body of a snake and no
arm or legs. But, she reminded herself, this was all part of the game. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well,” said Rignaprava, transforming into a tiger as he
leapt from the tree. “I must away. The competition is tomorrow, so there is no
time to waste.” His whiskers quivered in their follicles and one thing that he
knew was that you must always heed your<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>whiskers. Chu Mana’s glowering stare made him
uncomfortable. “Happy prince hunting, Chu Mana.” he swept a huge paw as he
bowed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And the same to you, Lord Bright as Fire.”
She hissed as she turned to snake form. They parted ways, Tiger anxious to
capture the prince that would make him win, and Snake who laughed on the inside.
Lord Bright as Fire had taken the bait. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The vines whispered greeting to Rignaprava as he strode
toward his overrun palace, not bothering to retract his claws from making cruel
slices in the ground. His throat continuously rumbled, a singular thought
consuming him. Prince Gervais. A Highly valued commodity for prince collectors
in the Far World. Who were his other competitors? Well, no one in the history
of prince collecting had ever come near to bask in the shadow of his (and maybe
Chu Mana’s) achievement. “No one, NO ONE is going to have Prince Gervais but
ME!” he roared at the waterfall triplets who laughed at his fury, as they
always did. “I must start now if I am to catch him first!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then a thought struck him. It made his whiskers curl. Every
whisper died at the sight of the tiger smiling, exposing two rows of razor
sharp, gleaming teeth. “yesssss,” he said, unaware how like Chu Mana he hissed.
Any intention of going after Gervais was suddenly forgotten as Lord Bright as
Fire soundlessly stalked out of his realm and into the Between. The tiger
devoured the path he was set on with only one thought consuming him: find
Leonard the Lightening Tongue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chu Mana chuckled to herself in devious pleasure as she was
hullooed by her croaking princes. Her undulating body wove between pillars
jutting from the swampy mud. Her chuckle grew to a satisfying laugh that out
did the frogish choir. Coiling around her favorite pillar, the tallest one
overlooking her slimy realm, she hissed through smiling venomous teeth.
“Tomorrow I will once again claim victory when the judges see my far
outstanding collection. Rignaprava will be so entirely occupied with getting Prince
Gervais that he will not think of anything else!” She chuckled again at her own
cleverness. “Only I wish those sylphs would make haste and retrieve Prince
Lionheart before he reaches the Near world.” Her smiles suddenly turned to
frowns and growls that made the nearest frogs squeak in a humiliating pitch that
they would later blush over that shamed the name of frog. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Little did Chu Mana know the Tiger Lord was already on his
way to find Prince Lionheart. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rignaprava used his highly sensitive nose to track down the
Fool who he knew to be on his way home from the coronation. Leo’s trail was
fresher than he’d originally thought. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But,
</i>he thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he is mortal. And mortals
are always slow.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The tiger chuckled to himself at his own cleverness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whispers quickly silenced his laughter and caused
him to groan instead at the unfortunate fate that he knew was about to befall
him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who is that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Tiger?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s
pull his whiskers!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sylphs suddenly burst from the bushes and created a
miniature hurricane, circling around him. Rignaprava made no effort to conceal his
deep hatred for the sylphs. Baring his teeth, he snapped at the wind-like limbs
and roared ferociously. Like the irritating waterfall sisters in his realm,
they only laughed at him and yanked on his sensitive whiskers. “Be gone! Go
away!” he growled. They mimicked him in small, giggling voices that infuriated
him even more. “Dragon kissed nuisances, GET OUT OF MY WAY!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s too loud.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Maybe
we should pull his tail to shut him up?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He broke into a run, not waiting to see if they would follow
through with that proposition. The sylphs would have followed, but a familiar
voice called to them. Rignaprava stopped short and looked behind him to see Chu
Mana emerging from the trees with an angry expression directed toward the
sylphs. “What are you doing? I told you to go directly to--” the tiger moved,
and she saw him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ah, Lord Bright as Fire. I did not expect to see you in
this part of the Wood.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I could say the same for you,” he said, noting how her
composure slipped for a moment. “What <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are
</i>you doing in this part of the Wood, might I ask?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The prince!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The prince!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Princcccce!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She wildly waved the sylphs away with her tail. “Gathering
information in my search, as you might expect. What are you doing here?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My sources tell me the prince has been traveling on the
road to—“a paw flew to his mouth, feigning an accidental slip of secret
information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chu Mana chuckled. <br />
“You know, you never were one to keep secrets.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I speak my mind. I do hate beating about the bush,” he
countered. She nodded slowly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>“Stay out of my way, if you don’t mind.” He
added hastily as he turned and trotted out of sight. Chu Mana made sure he was
out of ear shot before she turned vehemently to the sylphs. With a savage hiss,
she said, “Do you think you have all the Time in the world?” with an undaunted
laugh, they said,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Time?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Time, ha!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you don’t retrieve him within the next 12 hours, I will
set the Black Dogs on you!” Because the threat of being tracked by the Black
Dogs was such an overused expression among the fey folk, the sylphs weren’t
much frightened. “No worries!” They said. She was not reassured, but angrily
hissed at them again. “Remember your reward!” And she turned back into the
wood.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rignaprava growled a hum to occupy him as he walked. Tracking
this mortal was simple and not as tedious as he had anticipated. He noted with a
hint of anxiety that, even if Time had no effect in the Wood, the sun would
surely be going down in his own demesne. The Competition was tomorrow evening.
Not much time to capture a prince who could be possibly guided by the Thrush.
The tiger picked up his pace at the thought and tried to decide whether or not
he should stop for a few hours to rest. He’d been traveling for at least half
the day, and his paws, he was ashamed to admit, were getting a little sore. He
sat every few hours, thinking he would rest for a while, but a breeze would
drift toward him with Chu Mana’s scent on it, and just the thought of her would
urge him on. He would not, could not lose to her again. It would be too much to
bear. The humiliation! He stood once more and set his deadly jaw in determination.
He had to win! His competitive thoughts were interrupted by a rustling and Chu
Mana’s scent was very near. As he suspected, her head appeared in the branches
above. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lumѐ love me, what is it this time?” He shouted, quite
irritated at her persistence to intercept him. He thought he’d sent her on her
way after Gervais with that ‘accidental slip’. For a moment, panic seized him
and he asked more vehemently, “I say, Lumѐ love me, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what is it this time?!</i>” Chu Mana seemed puzzled as well, annoyance
written loudly across her pointy features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Lord Bright as Fire! Imagine seeing you out and about again! Still
chasing that prince are you, even in these late hours?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rignaprava perceived the roundabout way she answered his
question with another question. “Yes I am, as I told you not 3 hours ago. Why
don’t you stay out of my way! I am determined to get to him first, and neither
you, nor the Wood, nor fatigue will stop me!” He didn’t wait for a response,
but turned and bounded away, a race to get the prince, though they did not know
they were both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not </i>after prince
Gervais.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chu Mana felt a little panicky herself. Prince Lionheart was
very much on the way to the Southlands where Prince Gervais was visiting. How
on earth was she to secret Lionheart away without Rignaprava’s notice? Especially
when the sylphs were determined to not understand the word ‘stealth.’ The tiger
would most surely hear them and find out her plan if he hadn’t already.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t rely on those dragon eaten sylphs if I want to get
the prince before Rignaprava sees me. I’ll have to take my chances and nab him
myself!” And so she set out, weaving between trees and slithering rapidly along
the ground, heart racing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Faerie Lord calculated that it must be near midnight in
his realm. He groaned. His paws ached and his muscles twitched for lack of
water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He consoled himself as he
stretched on the ground that Leonard was only a few miles off. He could catch
him before Chu Mana saw him and be back just after dawn. He stood once more,
his limbs grudgingly obeying his command to walk. With a grunt, he heaved
himself into a run again, trying not to think of how tired he was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chu Mana’s snake receptors estimated that prince Lionheart
was close. Very close. But with horror she realized that so was Rignaprava.
Lionheart was still in the Wood, she could capture him before he stepped foot
in the Southlands. If she let Rignaprava get ahead, he would leave the Wood
long enough for her to get Lionheart before he returned with Prince Gervais.
With a sigh of relief, she slowed, rationalizing that she did not need to race to
get Lionheart. Rignaprava was after Gervais in the Near World, while she was
tracking Prince Lionheart in the Far World. Two completely different locations
that would safely separate them. Once she kidnapped the prince, Rignaprava
could do nothing as the rule book stated: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Once
the prince has been officially kidnapped by his captor, he/she retains all
rights of the prince from that point forward</i>.” Chu Mana allowed a smile to
spread across her face as she leisurely made her way toward her prince. He
would be helpless in her power before dawn! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rignaprava could feel victory just a mile away. He could
also see Chu Mana’s mortified expression when he would win the contest. He forgot
his aching legs and spent muscles as his thoughts were delightedly absorbed by
his coming triumph. While Chu Mana was stuck with Prince Gervais, that puny,
good for nothing mortal, he would bask in adulation, his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Winner of the 306<sup>th</sup> Annual Prince Collecting Competition</i>
trophy gleaming in the light. The Fool was only a half mile away now, and the
tiger took special care to not crash explosively through the brush. He knew how
to be stealthy, and his senses honed into focus. Like an arrow closing in on
its target, so Lord Bright as Fire was closing in on his prey. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chu Mana’s smile twisted into a grimace as the scent of the
prince and the tiger were overpowered by the awful scent of…Oh what was that
cursed fellow’s name? He wasn’t a gypsy…She tried to remember. A peddler? That
was a little closer. And wasn’t he a goblin of some sort? He was a sorcerer or
something close to that as she remembered. For at times he wasn’t horribly ugly
as all goblins were, which was an accomplishment. But no matter how much
enchantment was used, no one could ever disguise <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that </i>smell. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rignaprava could see the prince now, stumbling every so
often from exhaustion. “He’s probably not as worn out as me!” he huffed, not
knowing how the prince<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had been pierced
through by the horn of the Fallen Unicorn, then restored to life again by the
Prince of Farthestshore. Dying was not a light thing. And coming back from
death was not like coming awake. Dying really takes it out of you, and all the
more for a mortal. If Rignaprava had known, he might have found sympathy for
him. He knew what it was like to lose one of your lives. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rignaprava had circled the Fool now and waited for him to
walk straight into his clutches. Crouching low to the ground, ready to spring
out, he hesitated. Realizing that pouncing on the prince might make him scream
and run, he thought it best to address him man to man. “Man to man, ha!” he thought.
“More like Immortal Faerie Lord to filthy mortal princeling.” He transformed
into his human form, turban and all, and peaked from behind a tree. He suddenly
drew back again when he realized Lionheart might recognize him from the
coronation. He took his turban off and with great reluctance, he took out his dagger
and painfully shaved the mustache from his upper lip. Taking a deep breath and
hoping Lionheart had a bad memory, he drew the prince’s attention. “Psst!” He
said. The mortal paused mid stride and looked around. Rignaprava quietly and slowly
stepped out of the brush, careful not to surprise the Fool. “Hello, mortal,” he
addressed him in the friendliest tone he could muster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lionheart took a few steps back upon the tall
man’s appearance. “Have no fear, good sir,” The tiger-man said casually. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lionheart’s head pounded. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where have I heard that voice?</i> He thought. The man’s dark skin and
green accented attire made the prince sure he’d seen the man before. It was on
the tip of his lightening tongue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have been sent by the new queen of Arpiar to escort you
back to her realm.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His heart skipped a beat, just before alarm bells went off
in his head. Rose Red? She’s asked for him? “Does she wish to speak to me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was something savage in the man’s eye as he said,
“Yes, and her Majesty wishes for you to accompany her for dinner this evening.”
Doubt crept into Lionheart’s mind. Rosie was still shocked from the last few
days’ events and it was not like her to seek anyone’s company during a time of
recovery. Well, she would perhaps seek Beana’s company, but that was a big improvement
from himself, he thought…And that voice was so familiar. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well?” Rignapava tried to maintain his syrupy tones to
disguise his usually thundering voice, but his patience was wearing thin. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Um, do you have any official, say, papers or a ring perhaps?”
In the prince’s experience, his men always wore some sort of badge to signify
their official authority. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man’s voice snapped. “Because the Queen has only been Queen
for a few hours, she has not had the time to devote herself to such frivolous matters!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I see…what was your name again?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rignaprava brushed the matter aside. “Names are not
important. Now come with me.” He made a move to grab Lionheart’s arm, but the
prince took a step back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Names are very
important, especially when dealing with royal business. Just give me a name and
I will be satisfied.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Fine! All right! My name isss…Ragniflabbin. There. Happy
now?” Again he reached out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ragniflabbin?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rignnaprava then knew he’d made a mistake. The name he’d
made up was far too close to his real name, dragon’s teeth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ragniflabbin. Ragniflabbin…Where have I heard that?
Ragni--” The tiger man seized Lionheart’s arm and began to drag him away from
the path he was on. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You let me go right now, or I will have your Queen banish
you! Unemployed!” He added the unemployed part unnecessarily as his arm was
verily wrenched from its socket. Just as Lionheart thought it would be twisted
from his shoulder, his captor stopped suddenly, causing the prince to crash
into him as one might crash into a brick wall. Chu Mana’s snake form slithered
from the line of trees just behind them. For a moment, Rignaprava was too angry
to speak, but he recovered quickly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Chu Mana!” He gasped.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rignaprava!” She hissed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rignaprava!” Leo squeaked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“IT IS LORD BRIGHT AS FIRE TO YOU!” Why couldn’t people
address him by his proper name? First the poet, then the snake, and now the
boy. Was there no end to their disrespect?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s where I’ve heard your voice…” Leo then realized how
he first met Lord Bright as fire. How terrified he’d been of that monstrous
tiger. Now he was too tired to be terrified. Getting stabbed by a unicorn never
really made one want to leap about with bravado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just hoped he wouldn’t get turned to stone
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I found him first, so I legally have all rights to him!”
said the tiger man, cutting off the circulation from Leo’s arm. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You have no idea how much effort I put into getting him!
Sleepless nights, and, and, and SYLPHS!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Effort schmeffort, I say. I’ve got him, and you can’t stop
me-”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A horrid scent filled the faerie’s olfactory sensors as
Torkam emerged from the trees, whistling merrily as though he didn’t have a
care in the world. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hello my lord, lady, and-” he paused at Lionheart. “sir.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Be gone, we don’t want any of your tricks.” Chu Mana spat.
The goblin held up his palms to quell their suspicions that he was there to
confuse everything with his illusions. “I am not here to sell you anything,
although I do have some lovely ointment you might like to try, in trade for
only-”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let me guess,” cut in Lionheart, “Some hair from our
heads?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No need to be bitter, princeling. I have to make my way
somehow.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“GET ON WITH IT!” Boomed Rignaprava, on four legs now, in
his tiger form. It took Lionheart a moment to realize his arm had been
released.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All right, all right. I am here simply to inform you that,
after over hearing you for the past mile or two, the Prince Collecting
Competition has been cancelled this year.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“WHAT!!?” Thundered the tiger.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What?” Seethed the snake.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What?” Yelped the prince.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is true. Judge Denellio is getting married or something
to that affect, and all his fellow judges have been invited.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lionheart thought it best to take advantage of his
would-have-been-his-collector’s distraction. After the Prince of Farthestshore
knighted him, his mind was rather dazed by the whole ordeal, and if it hadn’t
been for the cloudiness of his mind, he might not have been so calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though tweaking the goblin’s nose might have
made him feel better for all the trouble he had caused him, Lionheart thought
it best to find an escape from this tangled mess. Creeping toward a pathway
that had suddenly opened up before him, Lionheart heard a faint silver voice coming
from above. Looking into the branches, he saw a wood thrush and knew he would
be safe on his journey home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You mean to tell me that we travelled all this way, and
went to all this trouble for nothing?” Chu Mana towered above Torkam, hopefully
sending fear rattling through his bones. He remained undeterred, however. “That
is what I am telling you. Everything has been cancelled. You would have seen
the message left for you if you hadn’t been at the coronation.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And we’re supposed to just take your word for it?”
Rignaprava scoffed at the notion. It was widely known that next to dragons,
Torkam was least of all to be trusted. “Well, I don’t see what else you are
supposed to do, seeing as your prized prince has disappeared.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They looked around and, to their horror, saw no sign and
smelled not a scent of the prince. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chu Mana coiled and hissed with all her worth. “Dragon’s
teeth, tongue, tail—“</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“BE QUIET!!!!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>The End</div>
<b>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</b></span></span>Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-59317896527443770842015-09-09T13:25:00.000-07:002015-09-09T13:26:22.142-07:00The Last Dance by Sarah Grace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEpjPMh2-IJJEGGepS6PpQnAaM4K34WTD8hTFSxtoidTLeuNafQaBmK869283o4fjStC59wWOnP6TLWNNjdS6bpEo3SKWRIjRbZ_qQDR_yjhq7qNVT5H9eNDAm98UZpM840J2YsFvwkaN/s1600/TheLastDance.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEpjPMh2-IJJEGGepS6PpQnAaM4K34WTD8hTFSxtoidTLeuNafQaBmK869283o4fjStC59wWOnP6TLWNNjdS6bpEo3SKWRIjRbZ_qQDR_yjhq7qNVT5H9eNDAm98UZpM840J2YsFvwkaN/s640/TheLastDance.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imraldera stood against the wall in the merry halls of
Rudiobus, feeling more awkward than she ever had. Her eyes trailed over the
joyful scene in front of her: the golden haired men and women dancing
arm-in-arm with motley animals, the king and queen looking on with smiles on
their immortal faces, the snub-nosed beauty glaring down at her suitors
distastefully on a dais, and a scarlet-clad, blind poet singing his heart out
to the aforementioned beauty. </span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></b></span></span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The crowds laughed at his attempts, and he laughed along
with them, in all actuality not caring whether or not Gleamdren was really
paying attention. He turned away from her once his song was finished (the song
had a simple rhythm and a mocking tone) and made a smooth exit towards
Imraldera's isolated wall.</span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></b></span></span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Enjoying the party, old girl?" He asked, a smug
smile on his cheery face. </span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She glared at him, standing on tiptoe until she could see
the organized chaos behind him. "I was, until you blocked my view."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"That's not how you enjoy a party." Eanrin shook
his head, crossing his arms with mock disapproval. "You're supposed to
dance."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I don't see you dancing," she pointed out,
rolling her dark eyes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I was. I believe I danced with every lass out there,
excluding two." He grinned now, a Cheshire grin that Imraldera decided was
cute in an annoying sort of way. "You, and Gleamdren. I could go ask the
beautiful, sweet, charming, splendid Gleamdren for the last dance, I
suppose..."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Then go." Imraldera's face betrayed nothing.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"...But I thought I'd ask you instead, as I greatly
prefer your company to hers," and his smile shrank to a fond smirk,
causing Imraldera's heart to skip a beat.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Really now?" She asked, sarcasm lacing each word.
"What if I said no?"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Then I'd ask again," he replied, "but you
won't say no. Will you?" Cats can sometimes look extremely pleading, and
although Eanrin wore his man form, it changed nothing. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imraldera's lips twitched, and she almost gave in to the
smile that was threatening to tear her face apart. Instead, she scowled but
said, "Fine." And then she accepted his proffered hand and allowed
him to lead her to the center of the room. All eyes turned their way briefly in
wonderment. Eanrin had danced with every lass in the room, to be sure, but he
had just remarked that he was saving his last dance for Gleamdren! Why was he
dancing with this mortal woman, of all people?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gleamdren saw them as well, though she pointedly Did Not
Look at Eanrin. She glared at Imraldera, biting out softly though her teeth,
"That silly mortal."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Queen Bebo watched them with a serene smile on her face, but
if one looked past the serenity, they would see a smug sort of satisfaction in
her eyes. Her husband, King Iubdan, saw that satisfaction and laughed quietly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Seemingly oblivious, the two dancers continued their
uncomplicated dance. Alright, perhaps only Eanrin was seemingly oblivious;
Imraldera flushed and glanced around, embarrassed by their gazes. "Why are
they looking at us?" She whispered.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eanrin shrugged daintily. "How should I know?"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Stop pretending!" She hissed. "You may not
be able to see their glares, but you can feel them."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I really couldn’t care less," he remarked. He
dipped her suddenly, and she gasped, nearly kicking the dancers closest to
them. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When she came back up, she snapped, "You're
impossible!"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"So I've heard." He tossed his golden hair in an
infuriating manner.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The dance ended soon after, and he released her hands,
clasping his own behind his back. "Thank you, Imraldera." His tone
wasn't sardonic for once, and even Imraldera wasn't immune to his charms.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Begrudgingly, she admitted, "I...enjoyed it."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Of course you did." His flashy grin returned full
force, and he turned away, offering no further thanks.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imraldera rolled her eyes again and retreated to her wall,
becoming a spectator once more. The dancing had finished, and now the Rudiobans
were talking and awaiting the imminent feast. It wasn't all that interesting, but
Imraldera feigned fascination to distract herself from her boredom. She wished
more than anything that she was back in her Library, scribing or reading or
just relaxing.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Then do us all a favor and leave."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imraldera came out of her thoughts abruptly, her eyes
refocusing on the face before her. "Lady Gleamdren," she greeted
politely, curtseying. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Mortal," Gleamdren spat, her nose wrinkling. Her
nose was already turned up enough and then some, and this sneer did not improve
her features. "Why are you in Rudiobus? You don't exactly belong."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Eanrin did me a favor recently," Imraldera
explained in a level voice, "so I agreed to come with him to your
party."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gleamdren's expression greatly implied how little she cared
about Imraldera's reasons, but she feigned sympathy. "I am sorry, indeed.
That cat," her voice dripped with hatred, "is a silly beast, and you
are a silly, oblivious mortal. I understand his smile might be pretty and his
immortality and title might be enticing, but casting a mortal spell over him
was low."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"His --what?" Imraldera's brows knit together
before understanding dawned on her face. Because she was kind, generally, she
refused to laugh or even appear amused. "Ah. I see."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Stop that," the older maiden snapped, waving a
thin, manicured hand. "I abhor high-and-mighty attitudes in mortals. You
are nothing. Ean --er, that cat is making a fool out of you."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imraldera bowed her head, running her tongue over her lips
so that she would not smile. "Lady Gleamdren, please accept my sincerest
apologies for being a mortal."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"You sound like him," Gleamdren snarled, dropping
all pretense of kindness. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Raising her gaze, Imraldera replied softly, "That's a
terrifying concept, Lady Gleamdren. We do not need two Eanrins, to be
sure."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gleamdren's hands clenched and unclenched, her glare
murderous and full of petty jealousy. "You're insufferable. Mortals don't
belong in Rudiobus, so you'd better leave."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I will keep that in mind," Imraldera answered
coolly, gifting her with a slight smile. Gleamdren heaved a long-suffering sigh
and swept away rather rudely, her snubbed nose turned up into the air.
Imraldera rolled her eyes slightly, almost pitying her. She was startled
suddenly at the light chuckles that emanated from behind her. She whirled
about, coming face to face with a dazzling grin and golden hair.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"What are you doing?" She nigh shouted, crossing
her arms over her chest. Eanrin laughed again, his face alight with merriment.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"That, m'dear, was the best part of this party."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mock horror struck her features suddenly, and she placed a
hand over her heart, her eyes dancing.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Oh Lume. You are rubbing off on me."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Good. I like me." He grinned, inclining his head
towards her conspiringly. "I like you, too."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imraldera refused to answer or even to smile, but on the
inside, she was beaming.</span></span></div>
</b></span></span>Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-83919782778896499642015-09-09T13:17:00.000-07:002015-09-09T13:17:45.343-07:00Saving Song by Sarah Taleweaver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOES7yIsOuR9me9VYJcq7alIaqvUhpfJsX8XhrVSPhN4b43kPWRXRqBeqf5MPJQIxYppEW56u20CFTf6H9T_1Y22_1TLPwvYOJghLxMhd-0XvM4njbI4MjGLskNZ2arxUJomEIzBUS4xpB/s1600/SavingSong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOES7yIsOuR9me9VYJcq7alIaqvUhpfJsX8XhrVSPhN4b43kPWRXRqBeqf5MPJQIxYppEW56u20CFTf6H9T_1Y22_1TLPwvYOJghLxMhd-0XvM4njbI4MjGLskNZ2arxUJomEIzBUS4xpB/s640/SavingSong.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">She walked alone through the Wood, and it drew back before
her. Tree branches rattled in revulsion as she passed, and grass beneath her
feet withered in her heat. Misty forms among the treetops, light as breezes,
peered down to watch her pass, but they did not swoop down to tease and torment
her as they once might have. They knew better.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></b></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where did
she go? She knew not. She cared not. She’d given up on such questions long ago.
Her father’s Path stretched beneath her feet, and she let it take her where it
would: through the Wood, through mortal villages and towns, through the
occasional Faerie demesne. All were the same in her fire-dimmed eyes. None gave
her what she sought, just as her father’s Village had not. Nowhere could she
escape the shame chasing her.</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Only the
fire kept the shame, the memories, at bay. The images and voices burned, hidden
among the flames that filled her. Yet they would not, could not, fall away into
ash. </span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For how
could fire burn away fire?</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet still
she wandered, searching. She had heard something, once, a snatch of melody. It
had sprinkled water on her fire, making her shame painfully clear for a moment-
and yet, without words the song had sung of release from that same shame. She’d
heard it but once before she flamed with anger at having what she hid exposed.
And yet, later, she wished she had not. Nothing, not even her father’s promise,
had ever given such hope as that one hint of song. So, she wandered and
searched and hoped to hear it once more.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A cool
breeze- strange in the Wood’s eternal stillness- brushed past her. And on it
rode the melody, a bird’s song that whispered of hope and something else
forgotten. The dragon-girl stopped, raised her head and stared as if she could
see the song. Eyes red with fire blinked slowly. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The song . . .</i></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
whispered past again, and the dragon-girl snarled in pain. Each note was
horrible, a knife in her soul, cutting at the deadness there. But at the same
time, each note was beautiful, a star turned into music. And even the pain was
relief, in a way, after years of fire-filled nothingness. She felt almost . . .
alive.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But the
memories burned bright, and the fire rushed up to try to choke them, filling
her mind with flame and smoke so she could barely hear the song. And, the fire
reminded her, she could not listen for long, for the song brought her shame
into sharp focus. And that only brought pain more unbearable than the fire. At
least, in her oblivion, there was no pain.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Or was
there? The dragon-girl clenched her fists, trying to think through the fire’s
poison. Was the ache of nothingness not pain as well? A pain that turned
everything else to emptiness and flame? Was this half-life worth living?</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No. No, it
was not. The fire was not enough. But was the song?</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A fourth
time the song passed by, and she made up her mind. Into the Wood, off her Path,
she leapt, fighting past fire and common sense. A new Path opened up at her
feet, familiar though she could not place why. She rushed down it, driven by
something deeper than the fire.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sooner than
she expected, the Path drew her out of the Wood and into the Near World. Her
steps slowed as she realized where she walked, but still she followed the Path
until it stopped atop a barren hill. Below her lay the ruins of what might once
have been a city or a fortress: shattered walls of burned stone, crumbling ash,
and bones, some fire-blackened and others picked clean and white.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The dragon
girl swayed. “No.” Shame and memory rushed up, hotter than the fire. “No, not
this place.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She drew on
her fire and it burst within her, trying to burn away the images, the voices,
the scent of death. She writhed, then stretched and morphed into the form of
the dragon. Tattered wings drove her into the air and then down upon the ruins.
She poured out her flame upon them and tore apart what remained of the walls
and ground bones into dust that mixed with the ash. Yet when she finished, her
shame burned hotter than ever.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She sank to
the ground and dwindled to a girl amidst the ash. This time, when the song
whispered past once more, she nearly did not hear it, but then she lifted her
head to catch the words in the piercing notes.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Beyond the Final
Water falling,<br />
The Song of Spheres recalling,<br />
When fire of the past cannot be quenched,<br />
Won’t you return to me?”</i></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
dragon-girl curled up, eyes clamped shut so she could not see the destruction
around her. “I can’t return.” Her voice was rough with flames and disuse, and
black with despair. “I betrayed everyone; how would they take me back?”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Who
did you betray?”</i></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The dragon-girl growled. “You
know.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Tell
me.”</i></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">What did it matter, if she told
him? The knowledge beat like her burned-away heart once had. The flame had gone
too low to hide the memory of her shame. “All of them. My people. The ones I was
supposed to protect.” She opened one eye to see the thrush sitting on a nearby
stone. “You.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What
did you do?”</i></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">“Why do you care?” The dragon-girl
shut her eye again. “You should hate me.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Yet
I do not.”</i></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The dragon-girl did not answer.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The thrush flew to a stone closer
to the girl. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Do you wish to escape your
shame?”</i></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">“That’s what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he</i> asked too,” the dragon-girl muttered into her folded arms. “At
least he didn’t lead me back to the shame’s source.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Fire
cannot burn away fire. The only way to escape what you have done is to face
it.”</i></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">“That’s not an escape.” The dragon
snarled. “I should roast you. You can’t help me.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I
can, but only if you allow me to. Will you let me? Or will you cling to the
fire?”</i></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The dragon-girl sat in silence a
long while. The thrush waited patiently. At last, she spoke, not looking up. “I
was a Knight of Farthestshore. You know that. I was a guardian here. Supposed
to protect the people of this city- they didn’t know the danger they were in.
But I didn’t like my assignment, so I ignored it. And then when the danger came
. . . I wasn’t there. I came back and found a battle raging. The people I
should’ve protected being slaughtered. And there was nothing I could do.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">“And then . . . then the Dragon was
there. Maybe he’d brought the danger all along and I didn’t recognize it- but
he said he’d give me a way to escape what I’d done wrong. Said he’d give me
power to set things right. So I took what he offered. But I burned too much.
And this is all that’s left.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">She could see it, hear it, if she
let herself. Her flames, eating the city, devouring all within, whether mortal
or faerie. The screams, the crack and crackle of flaming buildings. The scent
of ash and burning flesh.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">“So.” She opened her eyes and
challenged the thrush with her stare. “Can I escape that shame? Or do you
punish me for what I’ve done by offering me false hope?”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The
hope I offer is not false.”</i></span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">In the space of a thought, the
thrush became a shining man still sitting on the blackened rock. “Your shame is
great, but what you have done can be forgiven.” He stood. “Let the dragon die,
and your shame will die with it.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">“Let the dragon die?” the girl
echoed. “You wish me dead?”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">“Only that you may be saved. Only
that you may live.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The dragon-girl curled into herself,
averting her gaze, digging claw-like fingernails into her arms. “Is there no
other way?”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">His voice was gentle, sad. “There
is not.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">She curled still more. The fire
rose jealously within her, urging her to flame and flee. To go on as she had
and hope that, in time, the shame burned away and the emptiness would be
enough.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">She knew the hope was false. She
knew she could not go on as she had. It was a living death, and this her only
chance at true life or death. Yet to die . . .</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">“I cannot do it myself.” She knew
this was an excuse. “I have not the power.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">“I know. You must let me do it.”</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">She rocked back and forth,
wrestling between the urge to run and hold on to her sorry half-life and the
desperate desire to be free. At last, she uncurled, sat straight, and closed
her eyes. Through choking flames, she forced out the words: “If there is no
other way . . . do it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">~~~~~~~</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She walked
alone through the Wood, and it let her pass. The tree branches rustled,
whispering to each other. Misty forms among the treetops, light as breezes,
peered down to watch her pass, but they did not sweep down to toy with her, for
they saw the Path she walked and knew better.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where did
she go? She knew not. But she knew on whose Path she walked; he had set her on
it himself after he freed her. It was, she knew, a Path she should have been
walking for years, but that was all right. She would make up for lost time,
wherever the Prince’s Path led her.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the back
of her mind, a vague memory of burning shame, of the pain of death, of flames
trying to hold her fast. But far more clear was the freedom she felt now, the
relief of leaving the fire behind, and the song that had saved her and now
filled her mind.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beyond the Final Water falling,<br />
The Song of Spheres recalling,<br />
When new life beats within your heart,<br />
Won’t you follow me?</i></span></div>
</b><b>
</b></span></span>Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-89197095607203011502015-09-09T13:07:00.001-07:002015-09-09T13:07:43.850-07:00Standing Forth by Meredith Burton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgPq1cYY88h7B3vbprIFe3DxhSr1LzwhmxxT0M4d8eKquWz1nr-13_cgVYrqj-ue_soJYY-nSteKgVXR956nRM-yJ1l0-sRooSEVGUx_qtJ8jrXP_35A7uRw37CnQcXVHnoh7xpaH7-8l/s1600/StandingForth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgPq1cYY88h7B3vbprIFe3DxhSr1LzwhmxxT0M4d8eKquWz1nr-13_cgVYrqj-ue_soJYY-nSteKgVXR956nRM-yJ1l0-sRooSEVGUx_qtJ8jrXP_35A7uRw37CnQcXVHnoh7xpaH7-8l/s640/StandingForth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Our woman’s lot, my mother says,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
To bear children and not use our heads.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Yet words have sprung before my eyes,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Bringing me hope and freedom to try.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
CHORUS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A moment has come,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
One I never believed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Should I do nothing</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Or say that I can read?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The Smallman King who hid away,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Gave me courage to think and say</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
My thoughts despite disagreement and pain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In turmoil I wait, for a choice must be made.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
REPEAT CHORUS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
BRIDGE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Know your place, the lot life casts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Do not make a scene when the danger is vast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Yet no one else will take a stand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Perhaps a weakling has a place in the Song-Giver’s plan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Our woman’s lot, my mother says,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
To bear children and not use our heads.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Yet words have sprung before my eyes,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Opening doors to adventures untried.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Tag: Opening doors to adventures untried.</div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-15835559613395926542015-09-09T13:06:00.002-07:002015-09-09T13:06:39.786-07:00The Bean In Between by Hannah Williams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWGvxQBo3nsj1yHmAAVqyn1xZeDBsjkhzL-ylMugipwwrhR3TeM1TGXGHCzERppgw_Lo4fSTYTtDRjMvwE35y1GsMnSvMVVb-0ZJLeffwyI-jVBXh6BpqKgPQ_rVk0ujPhVaTn2lg20Gn/s1600/TheBeanInBetween.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWGvxQBo3nsj1yHmAAVqyn1xZeDBsjkhzL-ylMugipwwrhR3TeM1TGXGHCzERppgw_Lo4fSTYTtDRjMvwE35y1GsMnSvMVVb-0ZJLeffwyI-jVBXh6BpqKgPQ_rVk0ujPhVaTn2lg20Gn/s640/TheBeanInBetween.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Deep in the Wood Between, where only
the bravest might wander, a tree was discovered, a most magical tree with
bright red berries and inside these berries were two seeds. Whoever discovered
them brought them back to the worlds woven into the Wood, and soon all manner
of folk were speaking of the wondrous coffea tree and seeds which they
mistakenly called beans. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was soon discovered that these
beans could be ground into a fine powder and turned into a drink, and soon all
manner of folk were drinking this wondrous coffee. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some liked it strong, some liked it
weak. Some liked it hot, and some liked it cold. Others preferred tea. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But the great evils of the
far-reaching world liked it as served in a small brew tucked away in a dark
corner of Goldstone Wood. There Vartera mixed the drink in her great cauldron,
and everyone evil agreed (with a great smacking of lips) that she was a far
preferable barista as compared to their first, the late Meadhbh (whose drinks
disagreed with any stomach, even wicked ones). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This highly exclusive brew was known
as THE BEAN IN BETWEEN, and it drew villains from Far and Near, not only for
its most excellent drinks, but also for its excellent company, for even
villains sometimes like to sit down and relax and chat with friends—though
these chats might turn ugly at an alarmingly swift pace. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One never knew who they might find
inside the brew, for the Wood was a most independent entity and it had a habit
of staying out of Time, which meant any folk from any Time, past or future, might
accidently get thrown out of their proper timeline.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Such an example could be found in
two shadowy figures hunkered around<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> a table in the
darkest shop corner. One might have easily told from their features that they
were brothers, that is if one could have seen any features at all. They were
known amongst fairy folk as beaters, and as even villains liked to keep their
distance from them, the only real conversation they could find was with each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They weren’t interested in
coffee, but it was a fine place to talk (talking being a relative term of
course, as most wouldn’t consider their dark tongue to resemble anything called
talking). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mortals are no more than a
mouthful,” the one called Yukka complained. “They perish so swiftly, I barely
taste their pain.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If only for the days of old,” his
brother Guta replied. “The days of faerie feasts.” (One must be informed now
that they had never in any history been invited to a feast. They were the sort
that liked to crash a party, and by faerie feast, they meant feast on faerie). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For the most part, Evil likes to be
absorbed in itself, but every once awhile something interesting will catch its
ear, and the beaters’ speech struck the Dragon’s ear, and he found it
interesting. Or irritating. He swung away from the counter in a billow of smoke
and the heat of his scowl burnt the beaters all the way from across the room.
“Ah yes,” he said, his dark teeth flashing. “Guta and Yukka. I’ve been meaning
to talk to you. You’ve been stealing some of my prey.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is impossible to say they tried
to look innocent. Perhaps they became offended or at least defensive. “Broken
hearts abound around us,” one argued. “Surely you can use that to your gain.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Dragon smiled, and several of
the less stout villains fled from the shop. “You’ve been taking the best of the
crops.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is a universally acknowledged
truth that great evil never likes to submit to an evil greater still, and Yukka
hissed back, “We shall feast on whoever we choose and we will go wherever we
like.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>More folk fled the shop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ah, Yukka,” the Dragon said,
smiling still. “Have you ever thought of going to the Netherworld? I hear the
Black Dogs are gracious escorts.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Escort dogs who and where?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The smile fell from the Dragon’s
face. Yes, now that he thought about it, the Black Dogs were not born yet in
Yukka’s Time and apparently, he had not encountered them in the Between. Bother
it, Time was such a messy thing and any threats of oncoming doom could fall
most flat when one wasn’t careful. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A very cool laugh lilted through the
air, cold enough to deaden the heat of the Dragon’s presence and send a shiver
through every bone. “Careful, brother,” a voice whispered. “Careful which games
you play. Your tongue may well speak before you think.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Dragon turned and glared to
another corner of the shop where a winter mist had gathered in the shadows
about a small table. Seated there was a lady, tall and terrible, so great that
one might have first thought that she towered far above the brewery even though
she sat so gracefully inside. The winter mist was her long white hair, which
drifted in a slow unseen breeze and bit like frost. The rest of her, skin and
dress, were dark as night, and only her white eyes could be seen in the
shadows. On the table before her were a set of dice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sister,” the Dragon greeted, his
smile returning, but looking more like a grimace of pain or a leer of rage. “In
the pleasant Time from which I have just hailed, you were locked away, no more
than an unhappy memory. I’d rather hoped it would last forever.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“In your dreams,” the Lady said
mockingly, and indicated the dice with a sweep of her hand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The beater brothers forgotten, The
Dragon stalked over to the table and sat upon the stool, stretching his long
legs out to the side. His shoulders hunkered around his head like batwings as
he bent down to finger the dice. “How did you know I wish to play?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You always want a game,” the Lady
said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s for a boy,” The Dragon said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Man, woman, boy, girl, I care not
which,” the Lady replied, her voice flat and freezing as ice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Everybody still brave enough to be
in the coffee shop leaned forward in their seats to watch the dice roll. Even
Vartera stopped mixing her drinks and stretched her body over the counter to
see. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But then quite suddenly and rudely,
the game was interrupted by the sound of the door banging open. Every evil gaze
flickered vengefully to the intruder and then every evil gaze blanched. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Filling up the doorway stood the
impressive figure of Etanun Ashiun, his flashing sword held ready in his hand.
Sir Etanun Ashiun, Knight of Farthestshore and decidingly All-Around Good Guy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The sign says VILLIANS ONLY!”
Vartera shrieked. “Don’t think that you can come in just because you got a
little dragon-poison-crazy.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This party is over,” Etanun said
grimly, his sword slashing to the side.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Dragon narrowed his eyes to
observe the knight more carefully. Which part of Time he came from was critical
to whether the Dragon would stay or fly through the roof. But yes…yes, there a
certain tension and deeper shadows to Etanun’s features, a sickly gleam hidden
in the depths of his eyes, and yes, a fading scar on his neck could just be
seen. Dragon-poisoned. Whether for the first or second time did not matter, but
the Dragon hoped it was the second. He rose from his sister’s chilly corner and
swept over to Vartera’s counter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A drink for my friend, Etanun,” the
Lord of Death in Life said, then leaned casually back against the counter,
elbows propped behind and ankles crossed, and cast a friendly look the knight’s
way. “So Etanun, I hear you’ve been having girl trouble.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Etanun threw a dark look at all the
staring villains, but he stepped from the threshold and came to the counter,
his frown deepening. “What do you know of it?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Plenty,” the Dragon said, then
called to Vartera, “Extra shot of Villiana.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Extra shot of what?” Etanun
repeated, startled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Vanilla, what did you think I
said?” the Dragon replied. He decided to risk the chance that he was speaking
to Etanun Twice Poisoned and said, “So major jealousy issues, hmm?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Etanun slumped onto a stool with a
heavy sigh and raked his hand through his hair. “Ytotia killed my One True
Love.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s just sad,” the Dragon said.
“I mean, you hear about girls fighting over a man, but killing? Who would have
thought it?” He accepted the drink from Vartera with a smile then slid it over
to Etanun. “So tell me more. How have you been handling that? I mean, talk
about the guilt.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I had no idea Ytotia was going to
turn into a dragon just because I turned her down!” Etanun exclaimed, slamming
his hand down onto the table. “I mean, how was I to know she’d obsessed over me
so? I was just being a gentlemen!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’ll teach you to be nice to a
girl again, huh?” the Dragon chuckled. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It wasn’t my fault!” Etanun
retorted angrily. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Of course it wasn’t,” the Dragon
soothed, scooting the drink a little closer with a long claw. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Etanun absent-mindedly took a swig
while he continued on, “And now all the Houses of Lights are burned down and
the worlds are in disarray just cause some crazy faerie queen had a crush! Who
would have thought someone so small and fragile could have turned so
destructive?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The fire in the Dark Father’s eyes
lit in eager pride. “Oh, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I know</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really wouldn’t have thought it either. The
transformation was so extreme, I impressed myself.” The gleam in his eye
sharpened, and he cocked his head like a bird considering a treat. “Just
imagine if someone already mighty and powerful gained my strength as well.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That would be a disaster,” Etanun
muttered, taking another drink. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mm-hmm,” the Dragon purred, mouth
curling up into a hungry grin, and everyone evil in the room stiffened in
expectation of the Dragon claiming the knight as one of his Children then and
there. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But they were again suddenly and
rudely interrupted by the door swinging open. Bright light burst in, and nearly
every villain shrieked and dove for any available shadow. When the light
concentrated, those who weren’t momentarily blinded could see Akilun Ashiun
standing in the door. Sir Akilun Ashiun, Knight of the Farthestshore and
decidingly Undisputed Good Guy. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He strode through the room to the
counter, the lantern in his hand swinging with grim resolve. “Etanun!” he
exclaimed upon seeing his younger brother seated next to the Dragon. “I thought
you’d come to break up the party, not join in!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh, don’t be such a mother hen,
Akilun,” the Dragon scolded. “Etanun’s not a child.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ignoring the Dark Father, Akilun
snatched up Etanun’s coffee and sniffed it suspiciously. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s just coffee, Akilun,” Etanun
said in haste.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Akilun raised a disbelieving
eyebrow. “Have you checked who’s serving the coffee?” he asked with a dramatic
gesture to Vartera. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nqeY7J7-ZGPwOcLtbbb85bPJQINHbBH_ezUOf3VkhFUDIF2m0KsNSt5hZ_FOM0ygbBXldjM3bg7iBh-Xc0nXwYDgKU0udXA1sG0yipWCp8WTZBENo6MmD1Rmq312iCdSPN1MykhwEMl9/s1600/The+Bean+In+Between+by+Hannah+Rogers.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nqeY7J7-ZGPwOcLtbbb85bPJQINHbBH_ezUOf3VkhFUDIF2m0KsNSt5hZ_FOM0ygbBXldjM3bg7iBh-Xc0nXwYDgKU0udXA1sG0yipWCp8WTZBENo6MmD1Rmq312iCdSPN1MykhwEMl9/s400/The+Bean+In+Between+by+Hannah+Rogers.jpg" width="299" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Dragon groaned. “Ugh, I’m so
glad <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> don’t have a bossy big
brother.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Akilun threw him a swift glare, then
took Etanun’s arm and pulled him to his feet. “We’re leaving. Once I’m quite
sure you’re not poisoned, we’ll destroy this place.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned to go, but found himself nose to
nose with none other than the Lady of Dreams.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her white hair and eyes glowed in
the light of the lantern, but there it turned into a deathly radiance. The rest
of her remained dark as ever, not reflecting a glimmer. “Ah, Akilun,” she
whispered. “The wiser of the Brothers. Hot-headed siblings are so difficult to
deal with, are they not? I have discovered many similarities between us. You
bring Hope and I bring Dreams. They are not so very different.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Akilun’s mouth pressed into a hard
line, and his grip on the lantern tightened. “We have been through this debate
before, Life-in-Death. You know they are vastly different. The Hope I carry is
grounded in the faith of Lumil Eliasul; the Dreams you offer will lead nowhere
but Death.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So you say, but have you
considered--” the Lady began.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the two began to argue, the
Dragon took Etanun’s other arm and tugged him back down onto the chair. “Looks
like they will be a while yet,” he said. “Isn’t it so annoying when siblings
act as if they’re smarter than you? My sister’s so arrogant, it makes me ill.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Those sitting still in the coffee
shop sipped their drinks and watched the exchange with fascination. The
Brothers Ashiun caught with the Lady and her Dark Brother? What would follow?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No one ever got to find out, because
quite suddenly and rudely, they were interrupted for a third time by the door
banging open. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I say, looks like we discovered a
rat’s nest, old girl!” And in stepped Eanrin. Sir Eanrin, Knight of
Farthestshore, Bard of Rudiobus, and Owner of so many other Titles that it
would be tiresome to list them all. Clad all in scarlet he was, with a scarlet
cap perched upon his yellow hair. His golden eyes gleamed in his fair face, and
his mouth was twisted into a cattish smile. Indeed, some looking at him saw not
the man but the cat he was also, orange, fluffy, and equally charming. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Behind him came Dame Imraldera, also
a Knight and the Keeper of the Haven besides. Though a mortal, her exotic
beauty did not dim beside the Fey Folk, and she met every eye in that room with
calm. “So it is true,” she said. “Evil does like company.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Easier for us, ta-ha,” Eanrin said,
setting his hands on his hips. “All right then, you despicable lot, it’s over
now.” He paused and took a sniff. “Ah coffee, is it? I say, I haven’t had a good
cup of coffee and cream in some while…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Have you bothered to see who’s
serving the coffee?” Imraldera said, waving a hand towards Vartera. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Very excellent point, princess. All
right then, you monsters, say your prayers if you have any, because the time
has come—” His speech broke off, and his eyes rounded to huge golden discs. A
strange meowling growl tore from his mouth and then he bounded across the room
to where Etanun sat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You!” the Bard cried, glaring at
Etanun. “I thought you died when the tower fell! A fine thing for you to show
up here, amongst like company! You, Sir, are an absolute disgrace to
Knighthood, I say! And I demand an explanation from you for sending Imraldera
off on a mission without consulting me! Why, I never—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m sorry,” said Etanun, his brow
furrowing in confusion. “Do I know you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpwWWl7wxGNFc_RK0sqqCEGg2WVgDfWciDs1in98HZRwivSoTgYAMpyjhroDaXEuaEW3vu7S3b7GY2i7_tYciGXVjfpFJ9q2sylPDJbDMGpPVeWT94u1K80pN3cK7IaRm7GpqtBboMUDh/s1600/The+Bean+In+Between.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpwWWl7wxGNFc_RK0sqqCEGg2WVgDfWciDs1in98HZRwivSoTgYAMpyjhroDaXEuaEW3vu7S3b7GY2i7_tYciGXVjfpFJ9q2sylPDJbDMGpPVeWT94u1K80pN3cK7IaRm7GpqtBboMUDh/s400/The+Bean+In+Between.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Absolute outrage contorted Eanrin’s
features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you---Why, I’m a fellow
Knight!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sir, there are no other Knights
besides my brother and I,” Etanun said sternly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You conceited thing! The Prince
made me one and you don’t have the authority to say I’m not! Well, what about
the War of Rudiobus, hmm? What about that! I’m Sir Eanrin of Rudiobus!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh,” Etanun said, recognition
dawning. “That’s right. I’m sorry, I can never tell the Little Folk apart.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eanrin’s jaw nearly dropped to his
chest and his eyes rounded yet more in feline fury. He tried to form words, but
all he could manage for several moments were sputters and hisses.
“Why---why---why! Why, I wear <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">scarlet</i>!
I’m the Bard, I’m the Jilted Lover of Lady Gleamdren, I am—” and here his very
voice trembled with wounded dignity—“I am utterly UNIQUE! How dare you insult
my individuality! You Sir, are a—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In his tirade, he’d lifted his
finger and shook it under Etanun’s nose, and Etanun started frowning down upon
it. Before Eanrin was quite finished, Etanun pushed the finger away with firm
force. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here things might have turned very
ugly indeed, and all the villains watched with keen interest and excitement,
but they were sadly disappointed in their hopes, for at that moment, Imraldera
and Akilun rushed over and caught their respective fellows. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Eanrin, Eanrin, that’s enough, what
are you going on about?” Imraldera exclaimed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do you not see, old girl, this is
that cad who sent you off to get captured…” Eanrin’s voice faded away as he
stared at Akilun, standing beside Etanun and very much alive. He blinked and
blinked again, and then his face paled. “Oh Lights Above,” he groaned.
“Imraldera, do you know what this means?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That I’ve finally met my favorite
Knight?” Imraldera said happily. She bestowed one of her lovely smiles upon the
eldest Ashiun. “Sir Akilun, I must tell you how much I’ve admired your work.
You’ve been an inspiration and a model for me ever since I discovered your
books in one of the old havens.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Lady Imraldera,” Akilun said with a
bow. “I’ve heard the Songs prophesy of you, and I must say it is a great honor
to meet you ahead of Time.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eanrin glanced back and forth
between the two of them rapidly. The growing suspicion and hurt in his eyes
collapsed in a wounded wail. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Akilun’s</i>
your favorite Knight? What about me? What about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> work?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh what are you fussing about,
cat?” Imraldera said, frowning. “You haven’t even had coffee to excuse this
ridiculous behavior.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Speaking of coffee,” the Dragon
roared over Eanrin’s next outburst, “how about a round for all our good
knights!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Bean In Between erupted into a
chaos of shouts and protests. Villains yelled complaints about how this used to
be a more exclusive party, Vartera yelled about how it was VILLIANS ONLY, and
the knights called out things like, “We shall not take a sip from your brew,
foul Dragon,” and “I’m not at all convinced it was actually coffee! How dare
you try to poison me, you worm!” and “Ridiculous behavior, really! I was
defending you!” and “How by Lumé were you defending me? It sounded to me that
you were defending yourself!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In all the chaos, nobody heard the
door open again and nobody saw a new person standing in the entrance. But
though he did not yell, everyone heard him speak.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good day to you,” said the Prince
of Farthestshore.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A silence deader than the
Netherworld fell upon everyone in the brewery, and they turned horrified eyes
to the speaker. The villains didn’t dare move, and the knights looked rather
abashed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Akilun was the first to move,
dropping quickly to his knee. “My lord,” he said, “What would you have us do
with this place?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Before any answer came, the Dragon
scoffed. Of course, the Dragon scoffed, eager to prove that his blood had not
curdled at seeing his greatest Enemy before him. “Oh, Eshkan,” he said. “How
typical of you to spoil the party. Don’t you ever let your Knights have any fun
or must you keep them on a tight leash all the time?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh, they are most welcome to stay,
if they wish,” the Prince said with a pleasant smile. “I was simply coming to
inform them that they might want to drop by Farthestshore’s Fountain before the
crumpets and cream are gone.” He lifted one said crumpet glazed in cream as he
spoke and took an appreciative bite from it. “Oh, and the tea and coffee are
getting cold.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ll go make some more then,”
Imraldera said, hurrying past him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An expression of disconcertion came
across the Dragon’s face. “Farthesthore Fountain? What sort of trick is this?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh, I’m sorry, have you not heard
of it?” the Prince said, his face as innocent as a lamb. “It’s a new service
the Knights are now offering at the Haven. We serve all kinds of delicious
drinks and fare to nourish any wandering traveler or weary knight.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Speaking of which,” Etanun said, “I
feel in need of some iced cream to cleanse that awful brew from my mouth.” He
cast an uncertain look at Eanrin. “Care to join me, friend, before we go back
to our own Times?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eanrin hesitated for only a moment,
before he resigned his scowl with a shrug. “Well…I suppose….it is iced <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cream</i>.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They sauntered out together after Imraldera,
chatting about various adventures and exploits.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Prince cast one last gaze around
the shop, his beautiful eyes finding each and every villain hidden in the
shadows. And his gaze filled with pity for those who had lost their way,
corrupted by empty promises from the Greater Dark. “If any of you ever want
refreshment,” he said, “do come.” And he turned and left, Akilun at his side.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All the glorious light swept away
with them, and everybody evil was left sitting in the bleak Bean In Between. There
wasn’t a sound save for an occasional creak and the drip of a spilled drink. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then some unknown person muttered, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I </i>want to go to the Farthesthore
Fountain.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Dragon scowled. “Oh, do shut
up.” </span></div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-76499460938389979842015-09-09T13:05:00.001-07:002015-09-09T13:05:28.183-07:00The Sacrifice of Love by Sarah A. Jury<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FSY7ylbtmzR92jGX58wnVKPifxa0nP1SumPuuz91iqcd6aXevdUXj-k-5DU9Jjy6hLnj-CpgoifXlad17XhEun1G4mNU9M4skuyRs7Ncxkv9-zSA7LsH4qItzxNgTLNQ5DmJ7r_3e8j3/s1600/TheSacrificeofLove.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FSY7ylbtmzR92jGX58wnVKPifxa0nP1SumPuuz91iqcd6aXevdUXj-k-5DU9Jjy6hLnj-CpgoifXlad17XhEun1G4mNU9M4skuyRs7Ncxkv9-zSA7LsH4qItzxNgTLNQ5DmJ7r_3e8j3/s640/TheSacrificeofLove.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The last rays of sunlight danced across
the ocean waters and cast deep shadows over Oriana Palace. Bustling down one of
the dark and empty hallways<span style="color: red;">,</span> Nurse muttered to
herself. Suitors, who needed them! Really all they did was get her Miss Princess
all in a dither, complaining about her clothes (more than usual) and keeping
secrets from her. Bother and nonsense, that’s what it was.<span style="color: red;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nurse knocked on Princess Una’s heavy
wooden door. No answer greeted her old ears, so she turned the knob and pushed
the door in. Going briskly about the room, Nurse tidied up the lovely chambers
which hardly needed it. The balcony door banged as a harsh sea breeze moved it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“For Lume’s sake! Why can’t Miss Princess
keep the doors and windows closed? It won’t be my fault if she catches her
death of cold.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Meeeow?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nurse jumped as a whiny voice sounded by
her ear. The Princess’s blind, orange cat, Monster, sat grooming himself on top
of a bureau. He flicked his tail at her and meowed again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Impatiently, Nurse snatched at the impudent
cat. Nimbly Monster dodged and hissed as he slipped out the balcony door, barely
missing getting his tail smashed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dragon-eaten feline!” Nurse muttered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Perhaps all cats weren’t so bad, Nurse
thought to herself as she paused, looking out the window at the raging sea
beyond. She had once known a very clever cat who had managed to make a simple
village maid fall in love. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Water was a wonderful thing; it kept one
clean and cool. It also kept one alive. And it was beautiful. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna loved and longed for things that
would delight her senses; like water that sparkled in the sun-light or meadow’s
that waved golden and green in the wind. However not many things in her life
seemed remarkable to her. The village, Forereach, where she lived in was a
friendly enough place, but it was not the least bit glamorous or exciting. Luna
and her older sister, Gretta, lived by themselves near to the town but didn’t
concern themselves with the goings on except for market days. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Every morning she heard Gretta get up,
start the fire and head for the river with the water buckets slung over her
shoulders. And then Luna would sneak off into the forest in search wonders and
playthings. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It wouldn’t be fair to call the sisters
gypsies, for they were quiet, tame creatures, who would never think of robbing
passers-by or putting on shows. But they did ramble around from town to town
with no kin or friends to speak of. And Luna, the younger of the two, could be
rather wild at times. But Gretta had the odd habit of being what her sister
called sullen. However, Gretta would reply to her little sister that she had
more sense than Luna ever would and that counted for far more than charm. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As the two sisters wandered from town to
village they came upon the quaint little village by Goldstone River, not many
leagues from Palace Oriana in Parvirum. The kind people there took pity on the
girls and allowed them to stay in the abandoned shack at the river’s edge. There
they stayed by the water and lived as the naiads of folk-lore; swimming and
fishing and harvesting the wild fruits. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Usually Gretta hurried to fetched water,
but on this bright, late spring day she wished to stay by the shaded water’s edge.
Green and yellow light filtered down over the rivers cold water. Somewhere
above her she heard a bird sing. She didn’t know which kind it was, for she had
never bothered to learn their names and patterns; Luna could have told her but
the other girl was nowhere in sight. It was a pretty song nonetheless; it
almost sounded like words… almost.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A hubbub of shouts erupted from around a
bend in the river. Rising from the soft grass, Gretta sauntered around the
corner and was met by a shocking scene.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna was wading halfway to her waist in
the freezing water. She was splashing about and struggling toward an object in
the middle of the river. Behind her a boy had emerged from the forest foliage
and was running toward the river bank. As he did so he shouted to Luna to stop.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Water slapped Luna in the face and
dragged at her long skirts, despite this, she struggled on toward the bobbing
sack in the middle of the stream. The burlap sack, which had caught on a downed
branch, bobbed up and down with the streams current.<span style="color: red;"> </span>As
she plunged forward, Luna was partially aware of her sister’s voice mingled
with an unfamiliar one yelling at her to stop. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I must get it! I just know there are
kittens inside and I won’t let them drown!” She snapped to herself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly the whole world caved in on
itself in an icy avalanche of blue-green water. The ground had disappeared from
under the girl’s feet and she felt herself being dragged down by the sheer
weight of her sodden skirts. Luna’s mouth opened in an involuntary scream but
water raged into it before any sound could escape. Blindly she kicked out and flailed
her arms but still she sank down, down, down. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A sharp pain lanced through Luna’s right
wrist as fingers latched onto it. Then she felt a strong arm slip around her waist
and the water began to speed past her. Breaking out into sunlight again, she
choked and gagged for breath. A tender hand brushed the hair from her face, but
even as she blinked water from her eyes she couldn’t see who her rescuer was
for he had struck back out into the water and was swimming swiftly away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh Luna! I thought you’d gone and got
yerself drowned!” Gretta’s motherly arms enfolded her sister like a warm
blanket. They crouched together and softly wept as Luna shivered. <span style="color: red;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When Luna glanced up she saw a stranger
walking toward her holding a burlap sack. He smiled and placed it at her feet.
His golden-brown skin shone in the sunlight as water droplets dripped off his
wet black hair. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deftly, the boy loosed the bag and held it out
to the girls.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I thought you might be wanting this.” He
said in a voice that smiled even more than his green eyes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reluctantly, Gretta let go of her sister
and reached for the bag. He let her have it, but then he just stood there as if
waiting for something. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come on Luna, we had better be going,”
Gretta muttered to her sister. Luna started to protest, but the boy interrupted
them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hold on a minute,” The boy cried. “Won’t
you let me have a look at ‘um? After all, I did save both them and your sister.”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna stood rather shakily to her feet
and scooped up the bag. Walking over to him she sat down again and patted the
grass beside her. The boy grinned and flopped down. Reluctant to be the last to
see what the bag held, Gretta scurried over and sat down next to her sister and
away from the stranger.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you think their dead?” The boy asked
and Gretta realized the bag must contain kittens some wretch had tried to drown.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’d rather think not,” Luna said in her
soft sweet voice. She looked at the bag and her hands hesitated at the sacks
opening. He smiled coaxingly at her and, placing his hands just above hers,
opened the bag. As he slid his hand inside Gretta nudged her sister and Luna
scooted back, away from the boy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The first sorry kitten was very much
dead and the sight of it made Luna sick. The second matted fur ball was almost
enough to make even the stoic Gretta cry. She turned her head away. The boy
took the last soggy kitten gently in his dark hands. It twitched.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey, I think this little fellow is
still alive, what hoe!” He chirruped. With tender fingers, he massaged the
shaking form.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gretta curiously watched the boy work
life back into the kitten’s body and the water out. Her admiration lasted only
long enough for her to be sure the creature would live. Then she stood and pulled
Luna to her feet, reading to depart. Luna looked about ready to faint and she
turned toward their home without a murmur.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Wait now won’t you?” the boy called to them
again. He held out the kitten in his hands. “I ain’t gonna keep this thing.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But you saved it.” Gretta called curtly
over her shoulder. Luna seemed not to have heard and she walked farther on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well of course I did, I’d be a monster
if I sat by and let an innocent creature die. Besides I couldn’t save your sister
and then let this little fellow die anyway when I knew I could save it. But,”
he shrugged and grinned cheekily. “But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna keep it.” <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rolling her eyes Gretta cursed under her
breath, “Dragons teeth! What in Lume’s name am I gonna do with it? I don’t even
like cats! And Luna wouldn’t know how to take care of it even if it could tell
her itself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A feeble “meow” broke the awkward
silence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh fine!” Gretta threw up her hands.
The boy beamed and proffered the fur ball. With barely another look at her he
nodded curtly and strode off whistling as if nothing had ever happened although
his clothes were still dripping wet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh bother,” Gretta murmured looking at the
shaking kitten. “What am I gonna do with you and Luna?” <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What were you thinking, Luna?! You
could have gotten killed! And for what: A puny little fur-ball?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna dodged her sister’s tirade as she
always did and just laughed at her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’s so tiny<span style="color: red;">.</span>
I’m sure he won’t eat much.” She suggested, pounding up some nuts and putting
them in a bowl with water that was heating over the small hearth. The shanty
had been almost completely empty when they had found it except for the fire
grate in one corner. This had been a curious thing to fix.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maybe so, but we need every penny we can
get so that you can go to Dame Lilly’s school.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh yes, about that,” Luna said as she
munched thoughtfully on a nut. “I was thinking maybe instead of trying to do
something with my life maybe I’ll just become a wandering gypsy and play and
sing for folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like singing and I’ve
always wanted to travel.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gretta looked up sharply. “NO! You
can’t. It’s not respectable for a girl your age. Besides what would I do
without you?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I dunno. Maybe you could go learn how
ta’ be a lady in waiting at Dame Lilly’s instead of me.” Luna said reflectively.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fetching an old woven basket Gretta
handed it to Luna and pushed her head first out the cottage door. “Don’t be absurd!
Me work’en with royalty! Ha! Get along to the market and use what little sense
you still have!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna skipped down the grassy path
picking flowers along the way and pinning them up into her hair. A few minutes
later Gretta walked down the same path but she neither skipped nor picked
flowers. Instead she listened to the bird’s song and tried to understand it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Beyond
the final water falling,</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Song of Spheres recalling.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
at last those who have loved long must depart, </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Won’t
you return to me?”</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Surely she was losing her mind! Birds
can’t speak; but never mind now, the sun was shining and she was heading to her
second favorite place, the market. In a moment she heard a pitiful,
high-pitched meow behind her. Turning she saw the kitten trotting after her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh go away you nuisance.” Gretta
hissed, “No! Stop following me! Fine. Fine, come along if you must. Now be
quiet!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The market was bright and festive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tents, pavilions, and shops sprawled out
across the dusty square.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everywhere
people chatted and bartered, sold and bought. Peasant, merchant, and traveler
all mingled together and their skins blended into a beautiful palate of creams,
pinks, browns, and golds. Gretta thought she even momentarily spied a Faerie,
but she blinked and the illusion was gone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A man passed her with lovely golden-brown
skin showing under his long black hair and open shirt front. His complexion
reminded her of the boy she had met earlier. Briefly she wondered where he was
and where he’d come from.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey! Come back here you pest!” The
kitten had gotten<span style="color: red;"> </span>ahead of her and was scampering
away into the crowd. Heavy boots tramped dangerously close to the little body
and Gretta indecisively chewed her lip. Throwing up her hands, she awkwardly trundled
after her sister’s cheeky pet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Slipping around a burly beer-peddler
Gretta saw Luna wondering around up ahead. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Luna! Wait up a moment!” She panted.
“Your pesky little kitten’s followed me here and run away. Why don’t you do
something useful and look for him?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna muttered something about the only
pesky thing around was and trotted off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It wasn’t until she reached the
fire-breathers tent that Gretta caught sight of the kitten. Snatching it up,
she berated it. “Don’t do that again you hear? You little pestilence! Oofph!” She
ran smack-dab into a grinning golden faced, green eyed boy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dragon’s teeth! Why did it have to be him?
Why couldn’t it have been one of the normal, mud chucking village boys she
always had to fight away from her sister?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well hey ya! I know you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, um, oh.” Gretta bit her tongue
when she realized the boy from the river was talking to the cat. He leaned
forward and stroked the splotchy tabby’s head and tickled its chin.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And how are you?” He queried turning
his luminescent green eyes up to meet hers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gretta stiffened. “I be doin’ jist fine
no thanks to you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He laughed, which confused her. “Glad to
hear it. Say, have you named this little rascal?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Without thinking she answered, “He’s
Pest, I mean a pest, er yes just Pest I ‘spose.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The boy nodded in satisfaction. “Clever
name for a clever cat,” he said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’s not very clever,” the solid girl
countered. “He keeps running off from me.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ah,” the boy tapped his nose, “and
running to his rescuer.” He laughed; it was a tinkling, merry sound and almost
made Gretta forget to be reasonable. But her sensible nature took over and she
moved past the frivolous boy toward a colorful cheese and dairy tent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Much to Gretta’s annoyance the boy
followed her. “Haven’t ya got anything better to do than follow me around like
a puppy?” <span style="color: red;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Would you rather I run off like a
kitten? Come ‘n, how ‘bout you show me around since I’m here?” He gave her a cajoling
smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fine!” Gretta hoisted the squirming
kitten into her apron pocket. “Well come along then...What’s yer name?” <span style="color: red;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ferdinand,” the gold skinned stranger
said loftily. But then he winked and added childishly, “But you kin call me
Fern.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay…Fern, this is a market, um yeah. Ah,
I don’t know what else want me to say. I’m not good at this sort of thing.”
Gretta absentmindedly rubbed the purring kitten.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ah well, it’s nothing I haven’t seen
before. When you travel as much as I do you see plenty of markets and bazaars.”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gretta looked him up and down. Certainly
he was from some faraway place; surely he had seen many wonderful and striking
things. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where have you been?” She asked looking
past him and poking around at the booths.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, all over. Most recently I was down
at the edge of Goldstone Wood. Have you heard of it?” Fern asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of course.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Right. Well it’s rather close to Palace
Oriana so I...”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oriana! That’s where Luna wants to work
some day!” Gretta babbled. Pest squirmed under her suddenly tight grip.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why? Why’d she want to work there?”
Fern asked politely. He looked around the bustling market square in search of
the pretty girl he’d rescued the day before. He couldn’t see her, but he felt
she was near and his heart lightened. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s gonna go to a school where
they’ll teach her how to be a maid or nurse. All their students, well almost
all, get hired to privileged families, but I think she could easily get a place
at the Palace. She is very clever when she puts her mind to it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A new admiration rose in Fern’s mind for
the peasant girl. Not unlike him, she was determined to change where the world
had placed her, be it as it may that they had very different methods of going
about it. The feeling he had gotten when he first laid eyes on her at the river
returned. Warm, with a spark of understanding. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s
time to move on now.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dragon’s teeth! That blasted voice in his
head again. It was a hot and painfully persistent voice. Ever since he had left
his father’s presence the voice had encroached upon him, no long restrained by
his father’s power. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No,
I don’t want to leave yet,” The boy hissed under his breathe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What was that?” Gretta asked looking
oddly at him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh nothing,” lied Fern forcing a smile
as his head began to pound.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gretta shrugged and turned. “Okay. It’s
getting late and I should go find my sister.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fern nodded, massaging his temples. The
golden sun was reaching out to the horizon, its beams warming and burning all
before it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Meet me here again…please.” Fern added
hastily.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shrugging again, Gretta ran off chasing
Pest, who had leapt out of her pocket and was scurrying across the almost
deserted market. Fern saw Luna then. She sat on top of the meeting house roof
and was nibbling a pear. The sun caught wisps of her hair that floated<span style="color: red;"> </span>about her face and made her look like an angel. When
she turned her head down and saw him, a beautiful smile spread across her face
and she waved. Scampering down the roof Luna jumped off and into an empty wagon
beside the building. Then she ran to Fern and stopped just short of him. Her
wide innocent eyes peeked up at him and she stared like a baby chick waiting
for its mother to feed it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well hiya again.” Fern grinned. “I
think your sister’s looking for ya.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh is she?” Luna sounded disappointed.
“I guess I had better go find her then. I heard you tell her your name’s Fern.
That’s a mighty nice name.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not half so nice as Luna.” Fern replied
sincerely. His green eyes pierced her grey ones as he looked solemnly at
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A sudden chilly breeze sprang up and
Luna shivered. Her slight frame had little protection from the weather save her
light dress and the wind penetrated it most mercifully. Without a thought for
himself Fern shrugged of his seaman’s jacket and placed it around the girl’s
shoulders. Then, before she could either thank him or refuse the gift, he
turned and walked briskly away into the gathering darkness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fern had left his coat with Luna, but he
had inadvertently taken her heart away with him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The weeks following their first
encounter passed sweetly for Fern, Luna, Gretta, and even Pest. Often the three
new found friends met at the river or the weekly markets. Fern entertained the
girls, (mostly Luna) with stories of his escapades and far-reaching adventures.
In return they offered him what little food they could spare and Luna showed
him many secret places she had discovered in the forest. And she also let him
play with Pest, (who adored the boy).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Slowly Gretta began to trust the kind
and open lad. And Luna let her love of her sister spill over and engulf the
boy, too. Even Fern could ignore the hot voice long enough to enjoy the sweet
and sour girls’ amusing company. He had never had any true friends in all his
travels; he had been either a curiosity or a nuisance to people. But now, he
knew these honest, simple girls would trust him and it was such a pleasant
feeling that he thought he didn’t want to lose it for anything.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My, it seems as if I’ve always lived
here.” Fern said as he lay on his back gazing up into the cloudless blue sky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s only been four or so weeks.” Luna
replied, without looking up from her mending. Fern rolled over and pushed
himself up on to him elbows. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Has it?” He inquired. His white teeth
flashed as he smiled. “Have you been keeping track?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna blushed. “No, not really, I just
have a good sense of time. Gretta says it’s ‘cause I’m a born housekeeper and
know how to get things done.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hmm, Grettta has some strange idea’s.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No she doesn’t!” Luna thrust her chin
in the air. “Well, maybe a few,” she added grinning back at the boy. “But never
mind about us; I want to hear about you and how you can to be here.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A shadow passed over Ferns face as he
looked away from her. “Maybe another time, it’s not the kind of story for a
bright day like today.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do tell me,” Luna coxed, but glimpsing
the frown on his face she quickly added, “But if you’d really rather not that’s
fine.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He turned his deep and suddenly strange,
veiled eyes toward her and gave her the slightest smile. “Thank you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Luna gazed into his eyes she felt as
if he was trying to tell her without words about his past. She saw sorrow and
longing, then a sudden flash of defiance. Jumping to his feet, Fern called out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ah look! Here comes Gretta.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Emerging from the forest fringe, Gretta
came striding toward them, her arms swinging and slappig the grass away from
herself as he plodded through the tallest patches. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What in Time’s name do you to think yer
doing? Running off and leaving me to do everything by myself! Luna, you ought
to know better. Really Fern, I think yer ruining her!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna and Fern laughed together, but they
stopped quickly when they saw how cross Gretta was. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, come on Gretta, we were just having
a little fun. Besides, I wasn’t doing nothing, I was mending!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gretta sniffed. “Oh yes? And what about
him?” She pointed a finger at Fern. He swept off an imaginary hat and bowed so
low to her that his face disappeared in the tall grass. When it reappeared he
was grinning broadly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I, my lady, was entertaining this young
lass with my rubbish and nonsense!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Rubbish and nonsense, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rubbish and nonsense</i>, the nerve!” Gretta
muttered and flounced off. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come on my dear poet and chief
mischief-maker, shall we go and do something useful for a change?” Luna said as
she gathered her needle and threads. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly she felt Fern’s hand slip into
hers. Startled she looked up and found herself looking into the gentlest eyes
she had ever seen. Then one of Fern’s eyelids drooped in a wink and he drew her
away with him in the direction Gretta had taken. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Somewhere behind them a wood thrush
sang, but Luna was too preoccupied to heed its song. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The river’s song babbled in Fern’s ear and the
sun danced over his closed eyes making patterns on his eyelids. Somewhere near
him he could here Luna humming softly as she made a daisy-chain. Could it be
just two months ago that he had meet her here for the first time? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Come
to me</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The voice shattered Fern’s peaceful
thoughts like a shoe stomping an unsuspecting ant. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, go away.” Fern muttered, throwing
his arm over his head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m
waiting for you little prince. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The voice was hotter than ever. Fern’s
chest heaved in an effort to block it out. Annoyed by the movement, Pest dug
his claws into the boy’s chest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Owww!” Ill-temperedly Fern pulled the
kitten off himself and tossed him some distance away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Is everything alright?” Luna looked so
concerned with her brow all wrinkled up and her soft grey eyes wide. Not
wanting to scare her, Fern decided to tell her a story to change the subject.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh yes I’m fine. Say, did I ever tell
you about Shippening?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna laughed. “Only about a million times,
Silly.” She sighed. “And about Southlands and those other places with such odd
names I can’t remember them. And your friend…what was his name?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, you must mean Fabian. Yes, he’s a
good old sport.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna sighed and her eyes glassed over as
she stared unseeing into the distance. “I wish I could meet everyone you’ve
talked so much about. And go to those places or anywhere other than here.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Really?” Sitting bolt upright Fern
gazed at her, his eyes were alight and it was easy to tell he was planning
something. “Tell you what, how ‘bout I take you there? We could leave tomorrow
and see ever so many places on the way. I ‘spose Gretta could come with us if
she wanted to.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Up until he mentioned Gretta, Luna had looked
thrilled. Then she shook her head and threw the rope of flowers away from her;
it had broken in her excitement. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No Fern. It’ll never work. Gretta
wouldn’t let me go, besides it’s much too far for me to walk and where would we
get any food?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The fever in his mind raged and became
over powering. The dragon’s voice cooed and screamed in turn, drawing the torn
boy to him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Look, I’m going anyway, and you can
come. Who cares what Gretta says? I would make sure you had all you needed and
I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” Earnestly the boy took her hands and
stared into her eyes. “Luna, I…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fern don’t go! Don’t go; I can’t follow
you. Please don’t go!” Luna begged. Where the tears had come from she didn’t
know, but there they were coursing down her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When had she learned to love so fiercely? And
why had she chosen to love him when she knew all along that he was a wonderer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But you can come with me Luna!” So he’d
gone ahead and done it, Fern realized. He had fallen in love with the girl who
could never understand what drove him away. No, he couldn’t do this to her. She
was too good and innocent. She must never be touched by the Dragon as he had
been so many years ago. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re right, Luna. You can’t come.
Stay here, you’re a smart girl. Go work in the Palace like Gretta say’s and
forget about me. Just…just forget about me!” Dropping her hands he whirled and
strode away without looking her in the face again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fern! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fern</i>! Where are you going?’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shippening.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?” Gretta appeared out of nowhere,
“But that’s leagues from here. You can’t go!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna pushed Gretta aside and ran after
Fern. She almost collided with him, but he heard her and turned around. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shhh,
Luna, please don’t cry. I must go. I must be free from…from…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i>.” Fern said rubbing his head. He
turned his green eyes on the girl’s honest face. She was pretty, but far better
still, she was good and intelligent and innocent. And she was his friend.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll come back…sometime.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You can’t leave, Fern, you’re my only
friend and I need you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The boy heard the sob in the girl’s
voice, even though she tried to hide it. His heart tightened. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leave
her, you fool! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have to go, I have to, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have </i>to! Forget it pal. Go to your
school and Palace and forget about me. You don’t need me. And…and I don’t need
you!” His teeth ground together and his eyes closed tightly to shut her out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then Fern turned and ran, his dark hair
flying in his face and mingling with the moisture running down his burning
cheeks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gretta watched him go. Anger boiled
inside her and she rushed to her sister’s side. Throwing her strong arms around
Luna, she held her as sobs racked the smaller girl’s body. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is wrong with him? Why won’t he
let me help?” She gasped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’s nothing but a dirty, lying and
heart-stealing thief!” Gretta snapped, but instantly regretted it when she saw
her sisters face. It had flushed a dark pink and a deep frown had fallen over
her brow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No! No he isn’t!” Luna shouted pulling away.
“I’ve seen it in his eyes. He said he’ll come back and I believe him!” Promptly
she turned from Gretta. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed Gretta
was losing both her friends in one fowl swing. She would not have it! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Look, I’m sorry-“</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sorry won’t make him come back, now
will it!” Luna cried. Tears were back in her eyes, but they were angry ones
this time. Grabbing her grass-stained shirts, the girl fled into her forest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Great glittering grass-snakes! What am
I going to do with these children?” Gretta muttered resentfully to the empty
fields and forest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The colors in the trees and sky seemed
to have faded since Fern had first seen them so many months ago. The road too
appeared unfriendly to him as if were tripping him on purpose as he stumbled on
his way out of the village. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I must reach
Shippening and then everything will be alright again</i>. This impression kept
popping up in the boys mind, but he had no idea where it came from. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he had stalked off, Fern had snatched
up his satchel which had been lying near him. In his state of mind he had not
noticed how much heavier than normal it felt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Argh, this thing’s not worth carrying
around. I think it’s gonna break my shoulder. Although,” He said to himself
with a grin.” If it does I could have a wooden one put on and everyone down in
Shippening would think me a real adventurer! Oh bother!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He tripped again and lost his grip on
the satchel. It went bouncing away and landed with a thud in some brambles.
Then, to Fern’s great surprise and incredulity, it began to thrash about
wildly. Always curious, the lad scattered over to it and began disentangling it
from the thorns. With a quick flip of his wrist the bag jerked loose and a
splotchy, multi colored fur-ball fell out. It glared up at Fern with a look reproof.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fern grinned and laughed out loud with
pleasure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pest, my darling! Boy am I glad to see
your fuzzy face.” Then his own face darkened. “Luna must not know you’re gone.
You can’t stay with me, no, you ‘ave ta go back right now!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pest turned up his nose and began to
lick his immaculate paw. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now don’t you try ‘in give me any cheek
young fellow, I know what’s best fer ya.” The kitten turned to him with a look
that clearly said, “Oh really?” in a most sarcastic cat fashion. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well you can’t come with me. I wouldn’t
even like Luna do that and by Iubdan’s beard I won’t let anything happen to her
yet! Not even the loss of her cat.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked sadly down at the kitten; it stared
unblinkingly up at him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, even you can’t come with me; I must
face my fears and failure alone.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But must you, really?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The voice came from behind him and was
soft and sad. Fern spun around and stared wide eyed at the figure before him.
It was a young man, hardly much older than himself. But the look in his eyes
told of wisdom far beyond his years. He was gazing keenly at Fern and had his
arms crossed over his plain green tunic. His travelers garb was worse for wear,
but he didn’t seem to mind for he stood with a princely bearing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fabian! Wha-what are you doing here?”
Fern’s mouth dropped open and a very unpleasant dryness filled his mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The young man walked toward him, his sad
expression never changing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“To find you, my friend, what else? To
try and warn you, and if not warn you then stop you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stop me?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes. If I must.” Fabian said in a level
voice. His dark eyes flashed momentarily. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You don’t understand! You never have.
No one does!” Fern cried. “I chose to leave because I didn’t want anyone to get
hurt. Do you think I want this stupid voice in my head always telling me to do
things I know are wrong? I must be rid of it and there is only one way!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No!” Fabian grasped Ferns shoulders and
shook him. “It’s you how never understood! We all tried to tell you over and
over again! The dragon poison cannot be removed by you!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How would you know?” Fern spat, but he
searched his former friends face; he had never know him to lie before, but
people can change…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Remember Ferdinand, I lived with the
scourge of the dragons too. I may not have the poison in my blood, but I have
seen other with it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes? So have I!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fabian ignored him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“-and I have seen what the Dragon does
to men. Tell me, what has he promised you? Wealth? Power? Ha! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Freedom</i>? It is nothing but lies my
brother! He can give you nothing but death! Death and slavery at his claws end.
This cannot be what you want Ferdinand<span style="color: red;">.</span>” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fern’s eyes stung and his throat felt as
if someone where digging their fingernails into it. He dropped his gaze from Fabian’s
piercing stare. Something in them reminded him of Luna’s. Was it their
intensity or depth or purity? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, what difference does it make? Did
you just come here to tell me that I’m going to die?” He crocked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Letting go of him, Fabian stepped back. His
dark eyes swam and a single crystal drop slide down his golden-brwon cheek. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Brother! I have come to tell you that
you don’t have to die! The poison doesn’t have to conquer you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If you are here to tell me to go back
to my father’s, I won’t!” Fern snarled. His green eye’s had a sick yellow tint
to them. The poison was seeping closer and closer toward his heart. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,” Fabian shook his head and sighed.
“Although I wish you would. But listen for a moment; You can be heal completely
outside of your father’s kingdom. I know one,” he said after a pause in which
Fern remained stony in silence. “I know one who can heal you. But Fern,” He
stared at him intensely.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Finally Fern looked up. Their eyes met.
Fire and water. Calm and stormy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This
is no quick fix. You won’t be able to return to that girl you have learn to
love. Not until you are completely healed, otherwise who know what could happen
to both of you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fabain gazed intently at Fern once
again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are you willing to trust me once again,
brother?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dame Lilly had instructed many girls,
but few had been as calm, collected and efficient as the two sisters that came
to her one frosty day in late fall. The eldest girl was solemn and behaved like
a mother duck sometimes. The other, younger girl worked hard and managed
complicated tasks with great skill for one so young. Despite this they both had
their faults. The elder, Gretta, had a huge mistrust of anyone, especially
boys. She chased the tailor’s boy away on numerous occasions and upset the
Duchesses son most dreadfully when they visited the school. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The younger sister, Luna, was bubbly
most of the time, but had fits of great melancholy and often disappeared at
random and most inconvenient moments. Gretta apologized for her and said she
wasn’t used to being cooped up in a house mopping floors and the like. As much
as Dame Lilly felt sorry for them she still had her rules and they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">must</i> be followed! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The whole school had been terrible upset
when the two untamed girls had popped up on the spotless doorstep of: “Dame
Lilly’s school for promising young ladies”. But since then there had been
hardly a mishap, (Except the Duchesses son and the tailor’s boy and a few
awkward scolding’s.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gretta?”
Said Luna one afternoon as she polished a poker set by the fire in Dame Lilly’s
third sitting room. (She had three.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hmmm?” Replied Gretta through a
mouthful of rose stems she was shoving into a gilded vase. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How long has it been?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How long has it been since what?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, well…since I- I mean we-first met
Fern?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gretta slapped the last rose in place
and spun around to face her sisters back. “Whatever do you want to know for?”
She snapped, sounding harsher than she meant to. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just-just because…” Luna kept her eyes
on the shiny metal in front of her. “I was just thinking. What do you suppose ever
happened to him?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Whatever it is I bet it’s no good. I
mean it Luna!” Gretta shook her head. “When he came I thought he might be
running away from something and now I’m sure. You can’t trust a man who won’t
stay to fight his own battles.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maybe he couldn’t stay.” Luna suggested
faintly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Luna dear, I always knew you were
loving, but I never saw how absolutely and rather ridiculously loyal you are,
too. I admire that, I really do. Just don’t give your loyalty to someone who
doesn’t deserve it alright? Next time I mean.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gretta added hastily. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But Luna wasn’t listening. She was
staring out the window at the sun which was breaking out from behind the
clouds. It spilled its glorious golden light over the trees and pebble paths in
the garden. Luna could just glimpse the cliff-tops beyond the forest line. When
they had first arrived at the school she hadn’t realized how close it was to
the ocean, hardly more than a brisk walk away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let’s go look at the ocean shall we
dear sister?” Luna said<span style="color: red;">,</span> standing suddenly. Startled
by the unexpected request, Gretta followed her sister numbly out of the house.
Halfway up to the cliff edge she stopped and almost stamped her foot. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Wait now just a minute! What do you
think we’re doing leaving our chores unattended like this? It ain’t fitting and
dutiful I say.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh come on, I’ve just got this feeling
that I must go see the ocean right now.” Luna wheedled. “Besides, it’ll only
take a minute.” <span style="color: red;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your minute tends to look a lot like my
hour.” Gretta muttered taking a step backwards.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Nonsense! Please? I’m dying to see the
ocean, just this one last time…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Alarm bells exploded in Gretta’s head.
“What do you mean ‘one last time’? We live here now. You could see the ocean
any day you please!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, haven’t you heard? We’re to be
moved to the…” But Luna didn’t get to finish her sentence. A little streek of
oregne, black and white fur was dashing up the path toward the ocean. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pest! He’s finally back! Oh, Pest!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna ran pell-mell after her long-lost
cat. But as she broke out into the barren cliff top she saw up ahead a scene
that banished all thoughts out of her mind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Farther up the slopping, rocky cliff-side,
five men were struggling together. It appeared to be a four on one fight, but
it was difficult to tell as they were all moving with such rapidity. However,
four of them were garbed in fine clothes which had the look of royal guardsmen
about them. The other one, who was struggling valiantly against them, was
unmistakably Fern. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stop struggling, your lordship!” Luna
heard one of the guards yell above the crashing of the surf. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come quiet-like and it will be better
for you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s right! Your father is mad enough
as it is without you putting on a show like this, your highness!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ferns voice cut through the melee loud
and clear. “I will not go back! Am I such a dog that my father must send mercenaries
after me? Unhand me this instant or I shall be forced to use violence!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna gasped. What where these stately
ruffians doing to her Fern? Picking up her skirts and plucking up her courage,
Luna prepared to fly into the fray. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A hand descended upon her shoulder.
Whirling around Lune stared at her sister with flaming eyes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not now Gretta! I must go to him. Can’t
you see he needs our help?” Wrenching herself free, Luna sprinted toward the
high peninsula on which the fight was happening. Gretta dashed after her, like
a cat chasing a squirrel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As they neared, to Luna’s horror she saw
a weasel-ly looking guard draw a small and lethal looking stiletto and advance
on Ferns unprotected back. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fern!” Luna shrieked. For a moment all
the men’s attention shifted to her. All save one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With a cruel upward cut the weasel-faced
man drove the dagger up into Ferns ribcage. For a horrifying moment the world
seemed to stand still for Luna. The waves beside her stopped their torrent. The
wind ceased to howl. The sun stood still, trapped at the very edge of the horizon.
And Fern gazed straight into her eyes as a look of pain spread across his
beautiful face. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then the world spun back into motion.
Running, running as if the whole world was about to fall apart, Luna dashed toward
Fern. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As soon as the other guards realized
what had happened they spun to face the betrayer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dog! Would you try to kill your own prince?”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes! And I still shall!” The man
reached back his arm for another thrust. Luna was not very tall yet, but she
threw all her weight into the man. For a moment they tottered on the cliffs
edge. The sea sent hungry wave leaping up at them. Then Fern, with what
strength he could muster, launched himself at them. Luna felt herself about to topple
over the edge and thrust out her arm to Fern, a silence scream on her tongue.
But as Fern’s hand was about to grasp hers, Luna was flung away from the wave’s
edge as blur of red hurtled past her in an exchange of momentum. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna turned her head just in time to see
Fern dangle in midair as he desperately tried to reverse himself. She saw the
weasel man falling, a scream plastered on his shocked face which was drowned
out by the roaring water. And she saw the person who had saved her falling,
falling, falling…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GRETTA</i>!”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Luna collapsed on the rocks she could
barely hear the three separate splashes. Two for the two people in the whole
world she loved the most; and one of the person who had caused their deaths.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was still hope.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There is always hope, Luna told herself.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Circling around, she picked her way to
the waters shore where the water lapped more gently and Lune hated it less.
Wading out into the cold ocean she gazed across the dark expanse. The sun had
finally set. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A glint of gold shone off the moon as it
rose. Then nearer still, a red piece of fabric bobbed up over a wave crest.
Could it be? Luna splashed forward, dashing the water from her eyes. Seizing
the limp form, Luna hauled it with all her might to the beach and collapsed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Gretta?” She choked on the words as
they spilled out her mouth. “Please, Gretta, wake up.” Tears did nothing to
revive the still girl. She lay in Luna’s arms with hers eyes closed and her
hair bobbing gently up and down in the water. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, the faintest flutter shook her
eye-lids.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They opened and a soft smile hovered
over Gretta’s cracked lips. Bruises were turning purple all over her battered
body and a trickle of blood ran out of her mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Luna…is that you? I’d hoped you’d come.
It’s awfully lonely out here without you.” Her words rose and fell in time with
the surf about her. “Is it night? I hadn’t even noticed.” She parted her lips
to say something more, but only a hushed sigh escaped them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Gretta don’t die, please! I need you.
It’s all my fault. I should have been the one to fall. I shouldn’t have…” Luna
let her head fall onto Gretta’s chest which no longer rose or fell even as the
water pulled and tugged at it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A void rent Luna’s heart and she felt it
was too much for her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When she looked up next, the girl saw a
boy floating face up toward her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">No!
Not him too! </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When she reached Fern’s side she could
tell he was still alive, but just barely. Blood streaked the water around him
and his face was deathly pale. His ruddy golden-brown skin looked odd in the
moonlight. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Throwing her arms around him, Luna wept
from the bottom of her heart. He smiled up at her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Guess I lost my balance back up there.
I lost it the first time I saw you, too. ‘Spose I’ve never quite stopped
falling since.” He managed a wink, but the blood on his face threatened to keep
his eyes closed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fern look at me,” Luna cradled his face
in her shaking hands, heedless of the blood that stained them. Suddenly she
broke inside and an avalanche of tears wetted Fern’s face. He only smiled
faintly and tried to place his hand over one of hers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m so sorry Luna. I should have told
you everything from the beginning, but I-I was scared you wouldn’t want me. And
then I thought that if I loved you that meant I had to leave.” He coughed and
grimaced. Luna opened her mouth to speak, but he stopped her by putting a
feeble hand over her lips. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, please let me finish. I am sorry I
left and made such a mess of my return. But I am not sorry that I ever loved
you. I still love you Luna. And I always will. Please don’t forget what it
means to love. You have a big heart, dearest, and-and…” Another coughing fit
seized him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna tried to pull him up. “WE have to
get you out of here.” She said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“NO, no Luna forget about my-“</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll never forget about you!” Luna
sobbed, sounding harsh in her own ears. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s not what I mean,” Fern chocked, but
continued to stare at Luna as intently as his eyes would allow. They had begun
to glaze over and Luna could feel him slipping away for her as she pulled him
closer to herself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Luna, just remember that I-I…love…”Fern
smiled and his eyes fluttered as Luna leaned closer and bent her head down to
his. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You…” The last word was so soft it was
barely a breath on Luna’s cheek. Luna pressed her lips into Ferns forehead and
let her tears wash his face clean. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A dark cloud drifted over the moon and
the night went black as the waves washed the two limp forms out to sea. Luna
stared after them wishing she could follow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Somewhere inside of her a hard callous
began to grow and from itself around her wounded heart. Perhaps this way, she
thought, it might stop beating and cease the hurt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The rain was cold as it mingled with
Luna’s tears. The rings around her eyes were the color of poppies and Luna
could feel the cold and sympatric gazes on her back as the village folk hurried
passed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It had been days since she had seen Dame
Lilly or any of the girls at the school. She had just wondered away not seeing
or caring where her feet took her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna jumped slightly as a genlt hand
touched her shoulder. She looked up into two dark, brown eyes set into a
driping wet golden skin face. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Miss Luna?” His voice was so kind and
smooth it reminded Luna of the way water felt running over her hand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How do you know my name.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His mouth turned up in a small smile.
“We had a friend in common. I thought he would want me to take care of you
somehow, if I could.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Without anyotherword he helped her to
her unsteady feet and lead her away into the rainy fog. The rain and her own
tears made it impossible for Luna to tell where she was going, but see did not
care. When the young man pulled her to a stop Luna stood still and was vaguely
aware that he was now talking to someone standing opposite her under a tall
hedge and gate. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Here she is.” The young man said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I thought you said you was a
housekeeper.” Said a skeptical voice from the mist. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She is, but right now she is suffering
from lack of food and mostly from, well…a broken h-“ His voice dipped down so
low that Luna couldn’t hear him. Then he spoke more loudly. “My good sir, you
will accept her into your serve in order that tis kingdom and that one from
whence I come shall remain on good terms.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Er, yes sir. My king and queen will be
most happy to take her in.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The young man turned back to Luna and
took one of her hands in his and kissed it softly. “Fare thee well, and may
love find you once again.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I can never love again,” Luna
whispered, but he had already disappeared into the darkness and shadow. And Luna
let one last tear slip from her eyes. Then, it was as if a door shut upon her
tear-ducts and they overflowed no more. And over her heart closed a darkness
blacker even than the night she stood in. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thus, Luna began her serve to King Fidel
of Parumvir and his Queen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The new Queen of Parumvir glided down
the hallways of her splendid palace and bestowed sweet smiles on all she came
across. She wondered and guessed at the thoughts behind the faces of her
servants as she passed them. She had not been Queen long, but already she had
won the love and loyalty of all her subjects, for she was kind and wise. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When Luna had
come to the castle, the Queen had taken her under her wing. Luna could see that
the Queen of Parumvir was wise; indeed perhaps as wise as the Faerie Queen Bebo
of legend.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It might have been Luna’s devotion to
duty that put her so prominently in the Queens’ service. In any case, she
hardly was allowed to leave the Queens side whether it was for a walk in the
gardens or waiting on her as she dressed or just keeping her company as the
Queen did her embroidering. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Many evenings Luna and the Queen sat together
by the roaring fire and the Queen embroidered while Luna listened to her wise
counsel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was one of these evenings when the
Queen called Luna into her chamber. Gently as always the Queen spoke to her
maid. This time it was a rather startling revelation of her future plans. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You may have noticed or heard the
gossip, my dear Luna, that Parvumir will be receiving their first royal baby
soon. Yes, that’s right dear.” The Queen’s eyes crinkled in a smile as she the
saw the surprised look on her maid’s face. “And because you have served me so
faithfully and well, I want you to be my baby’s nanny, their nurse.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luna gave a little start of shock. “For
Lume’s sake, why? I beg your pardon! But Your Highness, I don’t think I could
do that, care for a child I mean,” She looked down at her hands. “I’ve found it
rather dreadful to love people.” She bit her lip. Oh, now she’d done it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh
Luna, there are different kinds of love. My love for you and my love for my
king are different. It’s not that they are less or more, they are different. I
do not know what it is that has caused you to lose faith in the power of love,
dear one, but I trust that you will learn to love again. Will you try now, for
my sake?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Love seems a terrible waste of time to
me,” Luna muttered trying to deny the dead and empty feeling inside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Nonsense my dear! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You </i>are not a waste of my time.” The Queen brushed Luna’s hair.
“You may go now. I think my time has almost come and I need to rest. Think
about what I’ve said,” Her voice drifted off and her eyes fluttered shut as
sleep overwhelmed her over worked body.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When her time did come she gave birth to
a darling, blonde, tiny girl. With a serene smile the Queen of Oriana Palace
placed the cooing baby princess into Luna’s uncertain arms. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Take her now Nurse, while I rest a bit
more. See? My little Una loves you!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The baby girl giggled and gurgled as
Nurse gently rocked her. Her smile was like warm and brilliant sunshine as she
gazed up at Luna. And as time went on, that sunny smile began to thaw Luna’s
long forgotten, broken and frozen heart.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">And she thought
maybe, just maybe, she could learn to love again.</span></div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-91521674901788422702015-09-09T13:03:00.003-07:002015-09-09T13:03:58.376-07:00The Beloved by Rosalee Anne Brown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXyTgIBL8htSwnMKjoG-cD7DFlFuXiZ1Rbj-xg6KBUP7n7V20Ll9NXC0mr9iiqB_3RwR42t1xThQJIx57LEiJ7MYQPHonyEJdH3M8bjz5nIroUFSY4sUTml3yn_7HOOBodT8Vt0iTF914/s1600/TheBeloved.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXyTgIBL8htSwnMKjoG-cD7DFlFuXiZ1Rbj-xg6KBUP7n7V20Ll9NXC0mr9iiqB_3RwR42t1xThQJIx57LEiJ7MYQPHonyEJdH3M8bjz5nIroUFSY4sUTml3yn_7HOOBodT8Vt0iTF914/s640/TheBeloved.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Princess Una</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Innocent, Young</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dreaming, Longing, Trusting</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Giving her heart away, Loving her faults</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Searching, Loving, Protecting</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Humble Wise</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Prince Aethelbald</span></span></div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387042793254399342.post-18520604827280516952015-09-09T13:03:00.000-07:002015-09-09T13:03:20.875-07:00Transformation by Meredith Burton<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8qp6F_ZGOfr-qjgRih_I14ldzTje_gkTxdihRVKQDk3ECydmaDRyXLFtByXfwl-rqWnFUfNKateyWn5E5JjFhOf05MaxDVZExnf8R99Ipz6Tj2KY_pcD2rdhWVcdA5KKbyacOcjHD95x/s1600/Transformation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8qp6F_ZGOfr-qjgRih_I14ldzTje_gkTxdihRVKQDk3ECydmaDRyXLFtByXfwl-rqWnFUfNKateyWn5E5JjFhOf05MaxDVZExnf8R99Ipz6Tj2KY_pcD2rdhWVcdA5KKbyacOcjHD95x/s640/Transformation.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The acolytes serve, both day and night,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A goddess so strong, so towering and bright.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Yet one stands alone, above all the rest,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
One the High Priestess has chosen as the best.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I am that one, so small, so unadorned,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
One with soul so drab and hair unshorn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
By day I light fires, so flaming with life,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Fires that cleanse and burn away strife.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A shift in the air, a whisper of change,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A thread of strange music that speaks of great pain,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A song that beckons, a blue light that shines,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That bids me follow toward a journey that unwinds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A journey onward, to a foreign land,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Toward danger and fear, one I cannot understand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Yet the days roll on, and the dark nights unfurl,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And the music continues never-ceasing, as gleaming as a
pearl.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The Priestess bids me go, to seek the wielder of Strength,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The one who twice slew our defender,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thus I shall obey, though nothing I am,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
For a daughter obeys an absent mother’s commands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
My hair gently flows, like rippling waves of tears,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s softness and shine, so vibrant it appears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The shears they slice, the pain it screams!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The cascading braid upon the ground that so brightly gleams.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A boy I become, bound and unsure,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
But within, my woman’s heart, a flame so pure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The temple behind, the road before,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And ever within a Song so unsure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
All around the gleaming Song, the blue light so near,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Something that calls, that seeks to hold my fears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I go forth, my woman’s heart ablaze,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
For, though a Mouse I am, the Song calls another name.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Sight-Of-Day, a name so strange,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
For I, like all my sisters, am blind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Yet blindness brings strength of an unseen kind,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
For the Song is heard within the soul and mind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A Song that transforms all who hear, that says its perfect
love will cast out fear.</div>
Maids Hannah and Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829504765617857010noreply@blogger.com0