Greetings to you all! We are five adventurers in the strange and challenging world of writing.
We call ourselves Poverty's Penmen, and, as we've adopted each other, we are now of the clan Inkfire.
I will introduce us in order of age.
The old codger among us is Theynore (I do mean that nicely). He is originally from Prethamia,
though he spent some time in Galicia. His mad pistol skills keep the villans at bay when they attack us.
He catches spelling mistakes and his skilled begging helps us reach various deadlines. Theynore's Desk Drawer
The next oldest is Isilwen. She is recorder of Hemlock (though she writes other tales as well),
and is the only one of us (so far) that is published. Her book "Trouble in the Tomb" came out in 2007.
When the villans escape, she uses her overly-long sword to fight them, and her craziness keeps us all laughing. Isilwen's Desk Drawer
And then there's me. Yep, I'm the one writing this: the Sarconian Elf turned blog secratary. When the villans get out,
I fight them with my invisible sword, and I may be the only authoress who has married a character. As an 'old married lady',
I try to keep the others in line. Justyne's Desk Drawer
After me comes my almost-twin, Kantare. He's a Trinitian Master from Trinity and had the idea for this blog.
The villans have steered clear of him so far. He lives to the east, and we don't make c-box contact much
(we're going to kidnap him), but he's added alot to our conversation and plots. Kantare's Desk Drawer
The youngest (but not least) of us is Ninwaii (given that I have the ages right). She is also from the land of Trinity,
and is actually the daughter of King Jorian. The villans have stayed away from her as well. Due to time-zone differences,
we don't talk with her much (yet ANOTHER kidnapping), but she is deffinately a valuble cohert.
There are also many characters running about here, most usually, it seemes, Jordaan, Joshuel, Thoene, Striker and Callan.
They are often joined by their coherts and have been known to be utterly crazy. Be wary, and don't let Thoene get near the tabasco sauce.
Rean-Hammon let go of her hand and said, “We can stay here and rest and then continue on.”
Eliase slowly sat down, feeling all about her in the darkness and wondering how Rean-Hammon could live like this. He sat down beside her and she was comforted with his presence, it made her feel safer.
“We will be out of here soon,” he said as though he was able to read her thoughts.
She sighed and asked, “How are you able to endure, being in blackness all the time?”
He laughed softly. “You get used to it I guess, I am not saying it is easy. Knowing I shall never look upon the sun, or the King's wondrous creation, nor shall I ever see my friend's faces.”
Eliase shuddered. “That is sad.”
He sighed and then said almost fearfully, “May I, can I please.” He sighed again and whispered, “Can I touch your face to see what you look like?” He had never dared to ask anyone before and was nervous at the thought.
She froze for a moment and then said softly, “Yes.”
Slowly Rean-Hammon reached up his hand and traced out her features. She sat very still as she felt his fingers on her cheek. She could not help but smile at his gentle touch. For a Ranger he was not rough and his hands where not hard.
He was smiling too. He could almost see her in his minds eye now. She had high cheek bones, soft rounded cheeks. Her chin was sharp but was well suited for her face. Her forehead was high and smooth, her hair pulled back from. Her eyes, he slowly traced his finger tips around them, where large and he imagined them bright. She was lovely, just as he had always thought, and for the first time Rean-Hammon wished more then anything that he was not blind and could look full upon her face.
He ran his finger tips down her cheek again and she reached up and grabbed his hand and his heart skipped a beat, and that was when he knew, he was falling in love with Eliase. He reached out his other hand and ran his fingers down her other cheek until she grabbed that hand, holding both of his.
Rean-Hammon breathed slowly and without thinking leaned forward, closer to her. He could feel her breath on his face before he realized what he was doing and sat back and blinked. He had almost kissed her! What was wrong with him? He had always held to the conviction that one should wait till the wedding to kiss and now he had almost done it!
He gently removed his hands from her and sat back as he thought. He did not want to hurt her, and what if she was not the one he was supposed to marry? How could he go and give a piece of his heart away just like that, and take a piece of hers? No he was not going to do that! And he was not going to think about it anymore until he knew for sure if she was the one, or wasn't. He would ask the King to guard his heart for him.
The room was in a constant buzz until the door opened again and Theobald entered. Everyone fell silent and bowed to their king. Theobald looked across the room and his eyes met Maddock's. Maddock grinned and him and bowed low.
Theobald held his head high as he walked across the room and to the center of the room where a short box stood. He stepped up onto this and everyone stood back up and faced him. Theobald looked at them all and then once more his eyes met Maddock and he gave him a slight nod.
Maddock moved forward until he was standing at his king's left. Theobald looked down at him and then lifting his eyes again said, “We are all gathered here today to join in the celebration of Sir Maddock and Lady Carlyss.”
Everyone smiled and Maddock and Carlyss's mothers locked hands and started to cry quietly. Kenrick stepped up behind them and rested his hands on their shoulders.
Theobald smiled and turning his head looked down at Maddock. “Before these witnesses Maddock, these your friends and family, do you openly declare your love for Carlyss?”
Maddock squared his shoulders and said clearly as his heart pounded in his chest as though it would escape, “Yes, I do.”
Theobald nodded slightly and still addressing Maddock asked, “And why do you love Carlyss.”
This was part of the old Hemlocan tradition. Each of the to be married couple would tell all preset why they loved the one they were marrying. It was believed if they shrank from doing this on their wedding day they would not be able to do it the rest of their lives.
Maddock, however, had no problem telling why he loved Carlyss, he had a hard time keeping it to only a few things. Maddock looked about the room. He knew Carlyss was in there by now, though he could not see her. He smiled at the thought that she would be listening and said, “I love Carlyss for her love for our King, for her courage and her caring, her loving heart and kindness.”
Theobald grinned openly at his friend and then asked, “And what of the Lady Carlyss?”
Silence filled the room and Maddock glanced about as he looked for her. There was a soft rustling at his left and Maddock turned his head as his heart beat faster, though he had not thought it could beat any faster. The crowd parted and Carlyss stepped forward. She was dressed in a white dress that was outlined in light blue. Her red hair was braided and twisted over her head. She was smiling and her cheeks where bright read, and Maddock knew he was going to fall over.
Carlyss moved to Theobald's other side and Theobald smiled at her. “And what of you Carlyss, do you love this man? Would you be willing to openly declare that love?”
He said it doubtfully, and Maddock smiled as Carlyss looked over at him and said, “Of course I love him!”
Theobald smiled. “And why do you love him?”
Carlyss smiled and looking at Maddock said, “His love for our King, and I gave him my heart, how can I not but love him?”
Theobald smiled and facing the crowd asked, “And does someone give this maid away?”
Thaddeus and Yorick stepped forward. “We do,” they said together.
Theobald bowed his head to them and they stepped toward Carlyss and Maddock. They shook Maddock's hand and then hugged Carlyss. And then the dance started.
The dance was more of a game. Maddock would have to try and reach Carlyss while everyone else tried to keep them apart. It was to symbolize how he was to look after her the rest of her life and no matter what always come for her.
The moment the dance started Maddock found Carlyss was swept away by her father and brother. He moved after her weaving in and out of the dancers. He would come close to her, would be within reaching distance when someone would dance off with her. Maddock would then go after her, more determined then ever to catch her.
Carlyss would smile at him when he got close and hold out her hands for him. Maddock would then press on harder, only to be pushed back. Finally he gave up being somewhat gentlemanly about it and pushed through until he was at her side.
Yorick then stepped up to her side and pulled her close. Maddock looked him in the eyes and said, “I have come for my bride.”
Yorick looked him up and down doubtfully and then smiled. “I have seen you prove yourself Sir Maddock, I give my sister to you.”
Maddock held out his hands to her as Theobald, who had been watching from his box, called out, “I now declare Maddock and Carlyss married!”
Maddock pulled her into his arms, or rather she rushed into his arms. He smiled down at her as he held her close, and then bent his head and kissed her. Everyone cheered and Carlyss giggled, but held tight to Maddock as she returned his kiss.
Without a word Maddock picked her up, sweeping her off her feet, and carried her out of the ballroom. Everyone watched them leave and smiled as the door closed on them. A moment later they all gasped when they heard a loud pop. Rushing to the door they saw Maddock and Carlyss standing in the hall facing his grinning brothers and Yorick who had bucket and a couple of Maddock's small rocks.
Maddock shook his head at the two of them and Kenrick said with a beaming smile, “We did not want you to forget us.”
Maddock looked his brother in the eyes and said, “I shall get you for this later.”
Kenrick just grinned as Maddock once again picked up his bride and carried her off. The couple was always allowed an hours peace before they went back to join the celebration. Maddock and Carlyss spent their first hour as husband and wife in the greenhouse.
Maddock nudged open the door with his booted foot and carried her inside, kicking the door closed behind him. Carlyss giggled and resting her head against his, said, “You can set me down you know.”
Maddock's heart was hammering so hard he could barely breath. “No, I shall never want to set you down again,” he said and once more kissed her.
He carried her to an old, twisted tree and sat down. She sat at his side, his arms about her, and she leaned her head against his chest so she could listen to his heart beat. He gently brushed her hair off her cheek and twisted it about his fingers. For along time they said nothing, but there was really do need to say anything, they were together and had each other.
The hour passed to quickly for them, but they returned to the celebration which lasted far into the night. When it was finally over Maddock carried Carlyss upstairs and to their bed chamber. They found someone had come in during some part of the day and had decorated it. Maddock laughed as his eyes traveled about the room which now definitely had a girl's touch to it, and laughed.
“I suppose they thought it was not quite fit for you,” he said.
Carlyss giggled. “I am not sure I care what it looks like as long as you are here.”
Maddock laughed again. “I shall always be here Carlyss, I will never leave you!”
Maddock woke early the next morning. He looked over at Carlyss who was still fast asleep beside him. He smiled and pushed himself up on one elbow, careful not to awaken her. Her red hair was pooled about the pillow, he reached over and stroked it. He still had the lock she had given him the day he had dueled Reid for her life.
He smiled as he remembered all the trails and sorrows they had faced. He smiled because, though he knew they were not over, they did not seem to matter anymore. He had nearly lost her so many times, but now, now nothing could part them.
He smiled again and traced his fingers down her cheek. She smiled in her sleep and reaching up took his hand, holding it fast as she dreamed. He gently patted her hand and grinned, too content to move.
***
Every night, for as long as Carlyss could remember, she had not been able to sleep without dreaming in some small way of the man who had called himself her father. Sometimes the nightmares where so bad she would wake up screaming, sometimes they were not, but they were always there.
Yet that night, as she lay asleep in Maddock's arms, never once did she dream about her father. Never once did he enter her dreams or her thoughts. And so that was why she slept late that day, she did not want the feeling of safety to end. Though deep down she knew it never would. She was Maddock's wife now, her father could never hurt her again.
Cheers filled the room and Theobald waited until they had fallen silent. “Let us therefore remember our King and His Son and their love for us, for us who do not deserve it.”
Once more this was met with hearty cheers. Once they had silenced Theobald looked over at Adele and said, “Also, there is one thing I would ask before we begin to eat.” And as everyone watched Theobald left his place at the head of the table and walked over to Adele's chair. All eyes followed them and Adele's cheeks turned as red as her hair, and only grew redder when King Theobald knelt beside her chair.
“Adele, I have come to realize I need someone wise and gentle to rule this kingdom with me, someone who will always be there for me. I have seen in you both wisdom and gentleness and an ability to rule well. And I have also come to realize that I love you more then I have ever loved anyone upon this earth, Adele, will you marry me?”
For a moment Adele's face drained all color, and then her cheeks reddened again, and then she almost looked ready to cry. Theobald stared up into her face without blinking, and she suddenly broke into a smile. Relief flooded Theobald and he returned her smile as he tried to stop his hands form shaking from nervousness.
“Of course I will marry you!” Adele exclaimed. “I love you!”
Theobald grinned and standing up held out his hand to her. She left her chair and stood beside him, resting her hand in his out held one. For a moment they just stood there as everyone smiled at them, and then Theobald found his voice and said, “May I introduce you all to my future bride.”
A loud cheer filled the room and Maddock grinned at the two of them. Then, while everyone started to eat Theobald and Adele slipped away so they could be alone for a while. Theobald led her up to the library where he closed the door and then led her over to a chair. Adele then noticed how red his face was.
She giggled at him as he sat in a chair across from her, rather he nearly fell into it. “You look terrified,” she said giggling gleefully.
“I was never one to make a grand show of things,” he admitted to her as he leaned forward. “But you are truly worth it.”
Adele stood up from her chair and walked over to him. He watched her until she crossed behind his chair and slipped something over his neck. His breath came in short gasps at having her so near him. Slowly he reached up and touched the small stone, hanging from a leather strap, that now rested against his chest.
“Your necklace?” he asked in confusion as Adele came around the chair and stood before him.
“When Yorick gave me the necklace he told me to save it and give it to the man I was to marry, like my heart. I give them both to you Theobald,” Adele said as she smiled at him.
Theobald touched the stone again. “I was watching when he gave it you,” he said as he looked up at her. “Would you believe it almost broke my heart because I thought you would never be able to love me?
Adele stared at him and then giggled softly and sadly. “I near about burned the castle down because I thought you loved Hidi and not me,” Adele said with lowered eyes.
Theobald laughed and meeting her gaze again asked, “You did? When?”
She told him about the incident and he laughed again. “I hid the burn marks with a rug,” she concluded.
Theobald smiled. “I was wondering why that rug was placed there.”
Adele knelt down before him and smiled. “I never thought I would be this happy!”
Theobald gently touched her chin. “You are happy then? Happy at the thought of having to marry a gloomy king?”
“You are not gloomy,” Adele scolded.
“You think so?” Theobald asked as he tried not to smile.
“No, you are quite cheerful!” she giggled again as she spoke and her giggle spread to Theobald until he broke out into a grin and leaping to his feet grabbed Adele's hands and spun her about the library. And outside the snow continued to fall softly upon the trees, wrapping the world in a white blanket and for a time hiding the evil that was lurking about.
And before Maddock could stop himself, he told the man. He told Carlyss’s father, mother, and brother and the three smiled and gave him their blessings. Then, as relief filled Maddock the jolly man leaned over to him and whispered coyly, “She is in the garden.”
Without a word Maddock slipped outside. Over head the moon cast her silvery light over all the earth, wrapping it in a gentle blanket. The small leaves that were trying to bud on the trees over head shimmered in the light as though little fairies had lit them.
Slipping away from the castle Maddock could still hear the music playing, the gentleness of it drifting through the night and adding to the enchantment. He smiled as his heart started to beat rapidly. He was about to tell the girl he loved, that he loved her, and all the sudden he felt faint and light headed. And yet, on he went, ducking under low hanging branches till he reached the center of the garden, and there he saw her.
She was standing under one of the few trees that had any flowers on them, in the light they were white, in the moonlight they were silver. The gentle night wind was sighing through the branches, making the flowers dance and giggle as though the wind was tickling them. As the moon light wove through the dancing branches the light seemed to be dancing over Carlyss, casting shadows and lights all about her.
Maddock ducked behind a tree as he watched her. Her face was turned upward so that the moonlight shone upon her features, outlining her rosy cheeks and bright eyes that seemed to sparkle like two stars. Her lips were turned up into a soft smile. Her red hair was pulled back in braids that crossed over her head, though some of the hair had escaped and was falling about her face and neck, outlining her features even more.
He smiled; someone had woven some of the white flowers from the tree into her braids. Her dress fell in soft folds, just touching the short green grass. She looked more lovely then usual in the moonlight he decided, and as he watched her he wondered how he could talk to her, when he could not even breathe to look at her!
***
My heart was full, my joy was over flowing, and my love for the King was unspeakable. As I stood under that tree these were my thoughts, and I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, but did neither.
“I cannot be any happier then I am right now!” I whispered up at the stars as they cast their glorious light down on me.
“Your joy is not yet full My daughter,” the voice I knew so well whispered, a soft, eager laugh followed it.
I closed my eyes and smiled sadly as I thought about him, Maddock. If only I could put aside these thoughts of love, for I knew he loved Adele. And yet, as I stood there, I imagined I heard the sound of a foot step, one I thought I well knew. I kept my eyes closed; not wanting my imaging’s to leave.
As I stood there I heard the man come closer, I heard his soft breathing and I smiled. I could picture him in my mind, his reddish blond hair looking as though it could use a good brushing, his blue eyes shinning with mischievousness and kindness, his smile that always brightened me up.
As I stood there, eyes closed, watching what I thought was my imagining of Maddock, I felt someone touch my hand, and my eyes flew open. I gasped in surprise, for there, before, stood the real Maddock! He smiled at me, though he looked nervous and pale.
“Maddock!” I whispered as my heart started to pound.
“Carlyss,” He smiled at me, and then stammered, “I wanted to come tell you how happy I am for you.”
I lowered my head and smiled, “Thank you.”
We stood for a moment in silence, and then Maddock let out a pent up breath and said, “I cannot do this!”
I looked up and my eyes met his clear blue ones. Reaching out he grabbed my hand and said in a whisper, though loud enough for me to hear, “I tried to tell you many times, sometimes I could not tell you, others I tried and something would happen before I could.”
I swayed slightly and whispered feebly, “Tell me what?”
“Can’t you guess?” He asked tenderly.
I squashed the hope that rose in me. “No.”
“I love you Carlyss,” his words rang in my ears and yet seemed unbelievable.
He saw the doubt in my eyes. “’Tis true, I have loved you since they day I carried you home. Didn’t you ever wonder why I climbed that tree that day? Didn’t you ever wonder why I used to follow you about and try to get you to talk? I have always cared for you, and now I love you so much I cannot be parted from you.”
“You love me?” I managed to whisper.
He smiled. “More then ever man loved a woman. When I think of having to go through all the years of my life without you, I don’t see how I can live. Yet, if you do not love me, if you love another, I give you my blessing. Only I had to tell you.”
Tears escaped my eyes and I choked back a sob as I said, “I thought you loved Adele.”
Maddock whipped my tears away with his finger tips. “You and you only,” he said gently. “Do you love me?”
“More then I can ever say,” I smiled through my tears. “I was broken hearted thinking you did not love me.”
Maddock’s face shone the joy he felt as he clung to my hand. “Never let your heart break again sweet Carlyss, never doubt my love.”
“My heart can’t break,” I returned, “because I give it all to you.”
“I will keep it safe.”
I smiled and Maddock said gently, “Can I have this dance?”
I nodded my head, and under the blossoming tree and the silver moonlight we danced, and for a time we forgot all around us, relishing the joy and hope that can only come when two people who love the King with their whole hearts, are granted the chance to share that love together, and with each other.
I am posting a little portion from Chapter 7 to see what you all think. I desire comments to perfect this work and any constructive criticism is welcome.
***
This is an excerpt from 'Dark Prophet' by ThrillAuthor. Please do not copy it in any form or fashion. All Rights Reserved.
***
He lowered the pen, and then stopped for a second. “I wonder if this is such a good idea.” He said to himself. He decided firmly against this notion and set the quill down, etching the first “holy” words, “The true Master shall arise from the youth of the future. He will set himself apart from them and do great things to impact those around him.” Gilim lifted the pen off the page and dipped it for a fresh coat of ink and returned to the task ahead.
“He shall rise up from amongst the commoners, the poor and the destitute amongst those immigrants from far away. He shall know nothing of his powers until his tenth year, and he shall commit an act that will set him apart from others, and he will be scorned for his power. He will not be further uplifted until he has reached maturity.” Gilim reached again for the inkwell, going over the next prophecy in his mind. He wondered how long it would be before they were realized.
“Those who shall enter my house with intentions of destruction shall be destroyed by fire. Disease shall ravage their flesh and destroy their will. All who attempt this shall fail and be mocked in contempt for their failure. He who attempts the life or the destruction of the property and house and life of the Master shall also meet this fate; he who opposes the Master with words will receive this fate and will be smote within days of his blasphemy.” Gilim felt a chill run through his hand as he set the quill in its holder.
He didn’t feel like he could carry on, so he set out for a walk to clear his thoughts, and dwell on the message that he would be writing. He was secretly hoping that he could speak with Pauivian again, and ask him some questions about the future. His house lay one quarter of a mile from a small village not many people knew of. He built this house so that he could be alone and not be bothered by the questions of the people. He could hunt and fish and provide for himself. It was very comfortable living, though none would know that if they saw the outside.
Gilim walked down a path he had cut, that pointed north, away from the village, and he walked to the lake. He breathed the fresh air, and thought back to the day he had left the small village outside Latakia for adventure, and a new life. His parents had wept more than he had expected them to, and it had wounded him very deeply. He had his faith in Judaism shattered when he reached the cities of ancient Greece. He had been visited by many spirits that told him all things that were false in Judaism. At first he couldn’t accept it, but then he gradually saw the way that they were speaking.
He continued on through many of the towns and villages along the coast, until one spirit told him to go inland and build a house. He did so and lived happily, until a couple of days ago when he first met Pauivian. He explained that he was to be the father of the religion that would over take the world. At first he wasn’t going to go and by into a false religion again. He had tried that once and he said so to Pauivian. The demon reiterated his prophecy and Gilim was still quite skeptical of this endeavor that this demon was pushing his way. Pauivian told Gilim to go home and mull over the prospects, and then come back in two days with his answer.
***
Please let me know what you think.
Tanna Togaen and God Bless!
~ThrillAuthor (Theynore)
P.S. Please visit my home site, the Creative Desk, and check out some of my other writings; while your there, please comment on my writing. Please, Please, Pretty please? It is cruicial to the survival of my writing. Not THAT cruicial. But it will help if I get comments to improve the books I am working on. I have also made a bio (FINALLY!) so pleeaasse check that out too!
Later in the morning, they were able to move out to the practice field. Drawing swords, they faced each other, but Crystal sensed that there was something different about this particular duel. Alec's face was expressionless, his eyes hard and unreadable. Crystal dropped quickly into a comfortable, defensive stance. Alec swung at her, and she parried, surprised at the ferocity of the blow. Alec dropped back, eyeing her emotionlessly. Crystal realized that this duel was very nearly for real. Her mistakes would not be corrected but exploited to Alec's advantage, and he would not hesitate to give her the harmless nicks and cuts that he had so far avoided. She knew that Alec would not seriously hurt her, but he would test her to her limits.
Alec remained motionless for what seemed like an eternity. Crystal fought to control her impatience and tried to occupy her mind with studying the practice field for obstacles out of the side of her eye. Then Alec sprang at her, engaging her in a more vicious duel than she had yet experienced. She dropped to the defencive. Slowly, as a rhythm came out of the blows, she tried for the offencive. The duel raged on, domination swaying back and forth. Alec held nothing back but slammed every trick and combination he had ever learned against Crystal's defense. She held her own well, however, and he had yet to touch her with his blade. Suddenly she rushed at him with a somewhat improvised and unexpected combination. His guard was knocked aside for the briefest moment, and the tip of her sword ripped the shoulder of his tunic. He felt the slight trickle of blood down his arm.
Unbeknownst to the two combatants, a large group of spectators had gathered on the edge of the practice field. Not a sound came from them; it was rare, even here, to see such an incredible display of skill.
Alec spun and switched styles. This threw Crystal off, and Alec gave her a cut on the arm, but she recovered with stunning speed. Crystal thought she saw the slightest glint of pleasure in Alec's so far emotionless eyes. Neither knew quite how long they had fought, only that they were drenched in sweat and coming to a point where they would have to hold their own by sheer will-power. Finally, Crystal came at Alec with a combination that she had not yet tried. She burst through his guard and, before he had a chance to recover, sent her sword flying towards his head. She turned it at the last second, and the flat of her blade slapped softly against Alec's cheek. They stood there, motionless and heaving, for a moment. Then Alec lowered his sword.
"There is nothing more I can teach you," he said. "You are as skilled with the blade as most that I have seen."
Crystal dropped her sword arm, and both she and Alec were startled by loud cheering from the edge of the field. Students swarmed around them. The boys shouted exuberantly and pounded Alec on the back so hard that he nearly had the wind knocked out of him while the girls squealed with delight and scurried about like butterflies. The instructors stayed to the side, observing the impromptu festivities with regal approval.
Crystal saw Thera pressing through the crowd towards her. She gratefully grabbed her friend's hand. Thera half dragged her exhausted roommate from the crowd and helped her up the stairs to their room.
By Kantare Bandoine:
“Let us hurry back to the walls Glyn, they will need us once the attack is renewed.” Ninwaii finished the last bit of water from the bucket Glynzora had drawn for her, and then her maid lowered it once more for herself. The city well was located on the east side of the city, so it was necessary for anyone who needed a drink to go away from the battlefield to the opposite side. There was no gate here, so Amstar did not fear an attack in this area. It was one of the strongest of the entire city.
“Do you not find it strange, mistress, that the enemy is making no sound after a defeat such as that? You’d think they left in their shame of being beaten by a handful of villagers.”
“These monsters have no shame,” Ninwaii responded coldly. “They only have a mind to kill and destroy. But never mind, Glyn; that sort of thing is for Amstar to deal with, not us. Come, let’s go back; this place unnerves me somehow.”
Just as the two maidens turned to leave, however, Glyn heard a muffled rustled at the base wall behind her. She instantly strung an arrow, and aimed it in the direction of the noise. “What is it Glyn?” Ninwaii asked. The sound stopped for a moment, but Glynzora stilled kept her arrow in place. Just then, an enormous Blaedo leapt from a hole that had just been made at the foot of the wall with a savage roar. A second later he fell dead with Glyn’s arrow stuck between his eyes. At that moment, dozens of other holes opened up, and Blaedos came pouring out. Ninwaii and Glynzora stood their ground for a moment, trying hard to hold the beasts back as long as possible. Arrows sang from Glyn’s bow, and the black blood of many Blaedos dripped hissing from Ninwaii’s trident. Sheer numbers beat back Ninwaii and Glynzora very quickly however, and the two were forced to retreat. Avis had taken them completely by surprise.
By Theynore:
The thundering of hooves behind them put the adrenaline in all of their veins. The drive to escape the same fate of those preceding them was much bigger than the dangers behind them. The road ahead split into three different directions. “Let’s split up. They won’t catch all of us if we do that!” shouted Milkov. They charged down each lane, disappearing from the site of each other. Jordään knew that they all had a good chance at making it now as he spurred his horse to go just a little faster.
The horsemen behind them split into three groups and followed each of the boys. Jordään had two riders barreling after him with swords drawn. They were at least three horse lengths back, but the horses they rode were warrior horses, able to go twice as fast as his own horse when persuaded. Rounding a corner they entered a small canyon that narrowed as it reached the end. “Maybe I can lose them in this!” Jordään thought to himself. Even as he went over this possibility, he could see that it would be nearly impossible. Boulders were piled at the end of the canyon; there was no escape.
He urged his horse faster as he reached for the blade his father had bestowed upon him. In a flash he turned his horse around and slashed at the first rider. The blade landed on his skull with a loud CRACK! Not a sound uttered from the body as it hit the ground. Using the opportunity and speed he brought his blade back up in a flash and caught the second rider off guard. The steel flashed in the mid-morning sun and landed in the soft fleshy part of his neck. The inertia of this move carried through and sliced the head clean of the rider’s shoulders.
The headless body sat there for a second, and then slid off the saddle onto the ground, pouring crimson blood like a stream from the new wound. Jordään decided it would be best if he tried to follow one of the other trails to see if he could help his friends. Bearing in mind that some guards might have been left to make sure that none other than the pursers came out. Seeing none at the fork he took to the middle trail and spurred his horse into a full gallop. It took only minutes to get to Milkov, though it seemed like hours. The sight that met Jordään’s eyes was a surprise as he turned the corner.
There was Milkov, fighting three Red Guards on foot, a fourth dead closer to Jordään. He had a shield, probably taken from the dead guard, and this was probably the only reason he was still alive. Taking the initiative, Jordään charged in and plunged his sword deep into the back of the guard on the right. He circled around and dropped to the ground, lunging as he went at the guard on his left.
“What took you so long?” Milkov asked. “Oh, you know, I had to get some food from the market.” Jordään said sarcastically as he parried with the guard. Fighting hard for ten minutes, it was becoming clear that no true decision was going to be made in this duel. All was seeming to start to go down hill for Jordään as he started to get weaker and weaker, his strength waning, bit by bit. The guard could see this and made a daring, yet foolish, swipe at Jordään’s head. Jordään saw the move and ducked, causing the blade to miss his head by only fractions of a second.
Making this move, the guard left himself exposed; and seeing this, Jordään plunged his sword up, under the armor of the guard and into his stomach. The guard let out a slow groan of pain and then slumped over, dead. The guard fighting Milkov stared at his dead companion for a moment, stunned. This gave Milkov enough time to strike a viscous blow to his neck. He fell face-forward and landed with a distinct “thud”. “If there are twice as many guards after Yulhon, we have to get there quick,” Jordään said as he raced for his horse. Milkov mounted his trusty steed which was around the corner having a grass lunch.
Milkov followed Jordään as they sped up the path to the junction. They both took a hard right and went to the aid of their friend, in what danger they did not know. It did not take them long before they caught up to Yulhon, in a deadlock fight with a very bulky guard. The clashing of the swords resonated to them as they went in to investigate, much slower than they had arrived. They could see three bodies on the ground, and Yulhon’s horse nearby.
Both were stunned when they heard the sword of the guardsman crack, and then witness the blade of Yulhon pierce through to his back. Yulhon kicked the lifeless figure over and walked to join the others. “What a show, huh?” mentioned Yulhon sarcastically as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “I guess you don’t need our help then,” Jordään said. They all gave a laugh, and a sigh of relief. They mounted up and turned back the way they came.
Let me guess. Commas are not your friends. Well, they're not mine either, but some general rules can help make all that sticky punctuating lots easier. My assistance in this endevor was the book 'Jensen's Punctuation' copyright, 2000 A.D., Third Printing, 2005 A.D.
Periods
Yep, those little dots. They are placed at the end of sentences that aren't exclamitory (ending with a exclamation [!] point) or interogative (ending with a question [?] mark.)
They're also found after abbreviations like Dr. and Mrs.
Question Marks
They look like this. *holds up exhibit A* ( ? ) Tada! They are used after every question.
Exhibits B and C
But how had the information leaked out?
"Why did you let that happen?"
Exclamation Marks
Exclamation marks are little vertical lines with dots under them. *holds up exhibit D* ( ! ) They are used after (I quote from Mr. Jensen) "interjections or expressions of strong or sudden emotion."
Exhibit E
The bull got out of the south pasture!
Now we get to the villanous Commas
A comma is used after the name of the person who is being addressed.
Exibit F
Jack, can you pick up some milk on your way back from class?
Commas are used to 'frame' appositives.
Exhibit G
Mrs. Brewer, their aunt, came over with a cake.
Commas are used to 'frame' expressions, words and phrases that could be dropped without messing a sentence up.
More Exhibits for your viewing enjoyment
The horse, however, did not like the idea.
Will, who goes to science with me, likes to hike.
Now, to understand the next comma rule, you must understand coordinating conjunctions.
They aren't that hard to remember when you use the acronym 'FANBOYS'.
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
These are used to join two simple sentences into a compound sentence and the like.
However, you can see them in two kind of sentences:
1. We came into the house and sat down.
2. The tree swayed in the wind, yet it did not fall.
How do you know when to use the comma in these? Remove the coordinating conjunction and make put periods after the two phrases it joined.
1. We came into the house. Sat down.
2. The tree swayed int the wind. It did not fall.
Notice that the second sentence in pair one is incomplete, but the second sentence in pair two is. If the coordinating conjunction is joining two complete sentences (sentences containing both a noun/pronoun and a verb, aka independent clauses), you put a comma before the coordinating conjunction.
Commas are used when you make a list.
Bring paper, pencils, a pen, and an eraser.
Commas set off introductory adverbial phrases and clauses.
Before we even reached the battle, we could hear its thunderous roar. (clause)
After dinner, pa had me wash the dishes. (phrase)
Commas are used to set off direct quotations from words telling who the speaker is.
"There is no hope for us now," he said.
"No," she said, "there is much hope."
He replied firmly, "No. All is lost."
The comma is used to set of a clause that turns a statement into a question.
You know how to do this, don't you?
Simicolon
It is placed between two independent clauses that have no coordinating conjunction.
Don't go in there; it is a bad place.
I've left out some more sticky rules, and, obviously, did not tell about the colon, the apostrophe, the underline, quotation marks, dashes, parentheses, brackets, capitalization and they hypen, but these are the basics of punctuation.
-Dark Prophet
-The Field of Green
-Eyes
-Six Feet Under
-The Forgotten
-The Silesian Chronicals
>>The Prodigal
>>The Blunders of Royalty
>>Revolts,Rebellions & Home
>>Civil Unrest
>>A World in Flames
~by Isilwen~
-Hemlock
>>Rebellion & Gallentries
-Marshall Family Adventures
>>Scandal in the Seplacuar
>>Culprit in the Castle
-Shadow of His Wings
-The Lord is My Shepherd
Completed Books/Novels
~by Justyne~
-From A Forgotten City
>>Sarconian Highway
>>Sarconian Scout
>>Sarconian Warcraft
~by Isilwen~
-Hemlock
>>Dispair & Hope
>>Treason & Loyalty
>>Truth & Steadfastness
>>Invasion & Valor
-Marshall Family Adventures
>>Misadventure on the Mountain
>>Peril with the Pirates
-Inklings - A story of Friendship
