tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28707213053538301702024-03-13T04:14:15.944-07:00Roari Benjamin's BlogWhere Roari rambles on about this, that and the Writing thing.Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-78402171807534579172022-04-01T09:00:00.118-07:002022-04-01T09:00:00.154-07:00Fantasy Friday: Quest - Chapter Fourteen<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4Ja83j4zNtiHeM3uwUBkX1MFrvlvGwl6LDV7pk9fEfaAKxHPd59hKaz9McEOgWNlO5_WRj0V_1ia1huynqyJEhq-W3zI7VsepTB77WBZu3ggnmTZCqbhXBTDkcszywlL0DGyfYNiYEIZcVSaQiof9OAfrr15QJ-Vnu5IohwLf8jfOR6TMtbYwFdpGA/s1920/animal-g6454114c5_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4Ja83j4zNtiHeM3uwUBkX1MFrvlvGwl6LDV7pk9fEfaAKxHPd59hKaz9McEOgWNlO5_WRj0V_1ia1huynqyJEhq-W3zI7VsepTB77WBZu3ggnmTZCqbhXBTDkcszywlL0DGyfYNiYEIZcVSaQiof9OAfrr15QJ-Vnu5IohwLf8jfOR6TMtbYwFdpGA/w266-h177/animal-g6454114c5_1920.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Seconds after leaving Ziliena’s, Aria spotted Aerodar circling overhead. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">What now?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve found something you should see. Follow me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The falcon angled his drift toward the quadrant of forest they would hunt in next week. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C’mon Hunter, let’s check it out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Within a few yards of crossing the treeline, Aria felt a sense of uneasiness - a presence of Malorian darkness she’d never experienced before. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you feel it too, Hunter?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are an unusually high number of them somewhere near. And, they’re angry.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aerodar landed just ahead of them. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The source is a cave. Stay this course until you reach a cliff, then follow it to your right. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks, Dar. You’ll keep watch?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Always. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With two beats of his wings, he took his post in the air.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aria and Hunter continued on, treading lightly and alternating which of them was in the lead. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The dog came upon the cliff first, and paused to wait for his human. Aria peered over the edge, and looked over to the right. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think I see it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you feel it, though?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She closed her eyes, and listened with all of her other senses. The dark presence was stronger, closer than before. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s like there are hundreds of them together, and close.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you sure this is a good idea?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aria turned and started walking along the cliff, to the right. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m sure it’s not. But, we’ve come this far-</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A sound froze them both in their tracks. Human footfall approaching. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hunter, go lead him away, but don’t be seen, and circle back to me. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She climbed up a tree, and used her powers to camouflage herself among the branches. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man who appeared was among the higher ranking hunters from the night before. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is he doing out here?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Aria wondered to herself.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hunter made some noise in the brush ahead, and the man drew an arrow, hurrying in his direction. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moments later, Hunter was back sitting at the base of her tree. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He’s gone, you can change back now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, right.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Aria willed her pigments back to their natural state as she climbed back down. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shall we?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUcQR_sQ58_3DFNCtiKAPBgOzJ24c8QtQofPTzq1vgiMj3KBW0FjI6alGqDt9JWwsaUfHMRLGuaUopcMSf5-xc0dNHIxf3Hwnddw1Ni4bsj_wUFMWUbvdE3kySKFyqFqOWwj2uqKDXBogFooAd7Ni7t1ix_P8Qp1NYyspeY8X2Ml0p65fO_ikzfsfyw/s1920/cave-ge41af6795_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUcQR_sQ58_3DFNCtiKAPBgOzJ24c8QtQofPTzq1vgiMj3KBW0FjI6alGqDt9JWwsaUfHMRLGuaUopcMSf5-xc0dNHIxf3Hwnddw1Ni4bsj_wUFMWUbvdE3kySKFyqFqOWwj2uqKDXBogFooAd7Ni7t1ix_P8Qp1NYyspeY8X2Ml0p65fO_ikzfsfyw/s320/cave-ge41af6795_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They continued, sensing the Malorians even closer as they approached the entrance to the cave. They could hear and smell what must have been dozens of Malough’s subjects. Aria sensed they were somehow contained. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What do you think this is?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is where he went to get his kills last night. And where he’ll be again tonight. And-</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next week. Right. Let’s get out of here before he comes back.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the end of the trials, only eleven of twenty tributes were still standing. Though for ten of them, it was only just barely. The eleventh still held her head high, seemingly unscathed by the ordeal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a nod, the High Shadoar gave the order to release them from their bonds. The male servants unshackled them, as the crowds erupted in cheers, then chants of praise to Malough. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The servants each picked up one of the tributes, to carry them back inside the temple for healing. Except for the eleventh. She led the procession </span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wake up!</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Hunter nudged Aria’s head with his snout, again. And, again. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Malorians. Hunt. Kill. Win. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ummmph,” she groaned. “Not yet.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">We need to see Taura and Ziliena so you can tell them what the bird found. We need to eat, too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">She sat up. “Ah, ha! Your true motive is revealed.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve never concealed it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He sniffed the air, then cocked his head to the left. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, they’re coming up right now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Then, you’ll have your dinner that much sooner, I suppose,” she teased.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taura and Ziliena came through the door, surprised to see Aria already up. She told them about the cave.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you sure you’d recognize the man you saw?” Ziliena asked.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Of course.” Aria replied.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can confirm by scent, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hunter offered.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aria translated, “Hunter also knows his scent.” She added, “We can avoid him tonight, see what he turns in, then decide how to proceed.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What if he recognizes Hunter at the gathering?” Taura worried.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He never actually saw you, did he?”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t think so?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aria sighed. “Well, even if he caught a glimpse, what’s he going to think? The dog tattled on him? I really don’t think it matters.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Still, let's have Hunter show us who he is before you go out there tonight."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Right. Why don't you three head there now? I'll get ready and meet you."</span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p><br /></p><p>Greetings, Dear Reader! For the last couple of weeks, I've been basically living on Isiterra again, and this time it's paying off. Somehow, in this most recent whirlwind of work on Quest, I finally managed to get through the "new" chapters I needed to add, and weave the ends of those chapters into the next existing chapters in a way that actually works! I think? I also chopped up the way too bulky remaining chapters into more chapters of a manageable size - the original was 20 chapters, it's now 54. It's still a mess, but the rest is all clean up.....</p><p>Thank you for stopping by, and reading! Wishing you a beautiful day, night, or some time in the between....</p><p>∞ Roari</p>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-78386218980148608252022-03-25T17:57:00.000-07:002022-03-25T17:57:54.315-07:00Fantasy Friday: Quest - Chapter Thirteen<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoCaSSxHC817r9ag9LKxpXwoRfQZr8_NRlOMutIuNZdx0MxYgjlrcHEP2DpukRyatFt4BTkY-uVU5CkUvdAUF_kULlLqknbtIL1wfiLbNSSOMqrt_uulQHmjyqeRAvViHCQBHHCbYYFlCNIxRQSYgYOCPNQhFMqVOaxqRlfFmfm6jIX44JZ_bxc9Sfw/s4752/fire-266504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="4752" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoCaSSxHC817r9ag9LKxpXwoRfQZr8_NRlOMutIuNZdx0MxYgjlrcHEP2DpukRyatFt4BTkY-uVU5CkUvdAUF_kULlLqknbtIL1wfiLbNSSOMqrt_uulQHmjyqeRAvViHCQBHHCbYYFlCNIxRQSYgYOCPNQhFMqVOaxqRlfFmfm6jIX44JZ_bxc9Sfw/s320/fire-266504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Twelve Shadoaresses filed out of the temple at the midpoint, six coming from each side. They met in the middle and proceeded down the steps, two by two. <p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-bc4b469b-7fff-3478-6929-05aab2ad8a96"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first ten each held a basket in each hand, each basket full of fire stones havested from The Pit; they would burn twice as long and twice as hot as the same stones found anywhere else on Isiterra. The last two Shadoaresses each carried a rake. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first two reached the ground, pivoting in opposite directions, and took six paces before pivoting forward again. The others followed their pattern, and when the last two were twelve paces away from the base of the temple, they all halted, and turned to face each other. Together they poured one basket of stones on the ground before them, then the other. The rake bearers worked their way down the line, smoothing out the stones to an even layer. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The twenty tributes looked on, chins held high. Though, they did not do so with pride; they did it to mask their fear. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eight more priestesses emerged from the top of the temple, and parted for the the High Shadoar to lead them down the steps. The priestesses carried the tools of the trials: cane rods, iron brands, swords with dulled blades. The High Shadoar stopped at the third from the last step, and two of her men in waiting rushed to her side, locking their arms for her to sit upon. They bent for her to sit, and then stood upright again, lifting her up. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The shadoaresses with the Implements of Initiation continued down the steps and around the tributes to the edge of the fire stones. Carefully, they lay the Implements around the path of stones, placing the iron pieces directly on the rocks to heat them. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The twenty tributes continued looking forward, chins held high. Try as they might, they weren't fooling anyone. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> *** </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After leaving Aria and Hunter at the boarding house to get some sleep, Taura went with Ziliena back to her cottage to see if they could make any progress with the journals. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For more than an hour, they alternated between Taura reading from her mother's journal and Ziliena working on deciphering Corvin's and vice versa. Taura was about halfway through Serranna's when she stopped, and said, "Here, Zil, read this passage." Taura pointed to the place in the book. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It has been a year since we found my family lying in their own blood, murdered by Alessan - who I’m forced to believe is Malough. I don't think I will ever get the image of the words on the floor out of my mind. Corvin is determined to find his brother and either save him, or stop him. Especially now, with his own child on the way. He wants Alessan dealt with before our child is born. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I just don't know how to make him understand this is not up to him. When we find him, we can stop him for a while, at least. Ultimately, this is someone else's battle. All we can do is buy some time. We will have to find him, or her, if we are ever to know peace." </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The High Shadoar sat upon her throne of arms as she was carried down the temple steps. At the base, four other men knelt before her, and her human throne stepped up on their backs. She raised her arms and scepter into the air. The crowd fell silent.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Tonight, our tributes face the trials to become Shadoaresses of our dark master, Malough.” She paused for the wave of cheers to ripple through the crowd, laying her scepter across her lap. “These trials are the most extreme of any his followers are asked to face, and not all who face them will survive.” She paused, carefully watching the tributes before her as her words took hold in their minds. They didn’t flinch. “Now, the blindfolds and bonds.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A row of her male servants formed behind the tributes, each tying a blindfold over one girl’s eyes, and binding her wrists with heavy iron shackles. When they finished, they shoved the girls from behind, and they all fell to their knees. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now to prepare for the first phase, their feet are coated in a mixture of boar’s blood and clay from the edge of the pit.” As the shadoaresses began painting the tribute’s feet, she continued. “It will protect the feet long enough for them to control the heat, and keep it from penetrating their skin. If they cannot control it, they will be the first to perish.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now, when I tell you to rise, you will march, filing in two lines, one down each side of the fire stone bed. Once you’ve reached your position, I will order you to take three steps forward, onto the stones. There, you will remain silent and motionless until you hear my voice again.” She paused again, making sure they all absorbed what she said. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A strong batch, this one is, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">she thought. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not one has tried to run yet. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If you move or make a sound, the shadoaresses will begin using the implements.” She raised her scepter once more. “Now, rise. Your master awaits.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tributes stood in unison, pivoted, and marched to their positions. They waited, each second seeming an eternity, for their next command. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Tributes, take three steps forward.” She counted the steps out for them, “One for your loyalty.” Their right feet were at the edge of the stones. “Two for your devotion.” Their left feet were on the fire stones; several of the tributes already struggled. “And, three for your faith in our master, Malough.” All of the tributes had both feet on the stones.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Second passed in silence, save for a hissing sound from the stones on which they stood. Then, minutes. No more than four minutes passed before the first girl cried out. She was unable to tap into the dark powers to protect herself from the heat.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A sharp crack followed, as the shadoaress behind her struck her with a cane. The tribute howled, and was met with another blow. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She started to turn around, and was hit again, by two canes simultaneously. Falling to her knees, she tried to crawl, but was held back by two hot iron rods.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her screams grew louder, soon joined by the cries of two others who were losing their battle with the stones. The other tributes focused on their training, willing their consciousness to another plane, where bodily discomforts couldn’t touch them. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was only a few minutes more before the screams fell silent. Three of the tributes would not move to the second phase of the trials.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ziliena looked up at Taura. "I don't know what to say." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taura put her hand on Ziliena's shoulder. "I know. But, now I want to know why they never said anything about it to us?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"They wanted to protect you from it." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I suppose," Taura replied, looking down at the journal again. She didn't know if she was more frustrated by the fact Corvin and Serranna had hidden all of this from them, or hurt by it. Then, thinking aloud she said "What do you suppose they mean 'this is someone else's battle?'" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Well, uh, um… I mean, I'm almost certain now they're referring to Ile Lumesare," Ziliena almost whispered. "The question is whether or not they found who they were looking for." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I'm thinking they did." Taura and Ziliena both jumped and turned in surprise - Aria snuck in behind them, without them noticing. "And that's why they were killed." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"E'sareona, Aria! You scared the phiinoe out of me," Taura scolded. "Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Yes, well," she sat with them at the table, "I couldn't. Not without knowing more." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You need to be alert tonight." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Hunter's sleeping, and I'll have him with me tonight. He'll be alert enough for the both of us. Now quit changing the subject." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Fine. I don't know what you overheard, so...." Taura let Aria read her thoughts, and caught her up with all she and Ziliena had discovered. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You want to hear something funny?" Aria asked. She didn't wait for their answer. "Hunter thinks I'm the one they were looking for." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taura and Ziliena looked at her, their faces expressionless. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Gee, you two are a tough audience. C'mon. The dog thinks-" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Stop," Taura waved her hands at Aria. "We heard you the first time." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It's a little funny. Right, Zil?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ziliena shook her head. "I'm staying out of this one." Taura shot her a look. "But, ah ... No, not really." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taura sighed. "Whether you are or not can wait a few more days. If you're planning on continuing with the competition tonight, you need to get sleep now." She pulled her sister to her feet, and started turning her toward the door. "If you aren't alert tonight, you might not live to find out if the dog is right." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aria turned around, and hugged her sister. "Fine, I'll go. Only because I am actually tired now." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Right," Taura said. "Sleep well." </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That chapter was long overdue! I am resuming posting chapters of Quest at least every other week, starting today. Chapter fourteen will be up next week, after I give it another once over. (Keep in mind, these are still drafts, and subject to change.) </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wishing you a beautiful day, night, or sometime in the between....</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">∞Roari</span></div>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-8683193359874070062022-02-18T22:12:00.002-08:002022-02-18T22:12:51.698-08:00Blue Light<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">When comes the blue light hour,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">and the lightning bugs take flight,</span></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><div style="text-align: center;">the air radiates an enchanted power,</div><div style="text-align: center;">holding promise for the night.</div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f0f0f0;"><div style="text-align: center;">The bats begin to stretch their wings,</div></span><span style="background-color: #f0f0f0;"><div style="text-align: center;">in the distance, the nightingale sings,</div></span><span style="background-color: #f0f0f0;"><div style="text-align: center;">Owls ask "who?" of all the wondrous things</div></span><span style="background-color: #f0f0f0;"><div style="text-align: center;">a silvery, moonlight-drenched night brings.</div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f0f0f0; color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette;"><div style="text-align: center;">Hummingbirds and bees buzz off to bed,</div></span><span style="background-color: #f0f0f0; color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette;"><div style="text-align: center;">as a breeze dances with the moonflower,</div></span><span style="background-color: #f0f0f0; color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette;"><div style="text-align: center;">they know stars will soon sparkle overhead,</div></span></span><span style="background-color: #f0f0f0;"><div style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When comes the blue light hour.</span></div><div style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; font-weight: bold; text-align: right;">Originally posted at <a href="https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/2251535-Blue-Light">Writing.com</a></div><div style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">***</div><div style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Caveat; font-size: large;">Good evening, dear Reader! I hope this poem finds you well. Just a few lines about one of my favorite times of day. I wrote this one last year, and I thought I shared it here.... Well, it's here now. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Caveat; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Caveat; font-size: large;">Though you wouldn't know it, due to lack of updates here, I've been at work writing those pesky chapters I keep putting off on Quest. I'm almost ready to start posting chapters here again - hopefully to resume on Fridays in March. I'm also working on something, which I hope to have finished in the next two weeks - but I'm saving the details for when it's ready 😉</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Caveat; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Caveat; font-size: large;">Until then, wishing you a beautiful night, day, or some time in the between....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Caveat; font-size: large;">∞Roari</span></div></span>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-79906610950048619552022-01-31T17:00:00.009-08:002022-01-31T17:00:57.628-08:00Somewhere, Over the Rainbow Bridge<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz5DcJu2zDbcCzwIY8LGCdcksltT8pSNrSao3_dHPwxY-CgE6B7oqNyWY9Z2ys-ROtE3xeOWTSHtqjEJ7uka4lk6U5hVUa3vb7k9QNoFNX7r-5h62mrPxUW51p2E8TszfUq26v4vijTTwHJrwzVUzvkG7h32BrAy7UqV81m8kRUwMpA0t1DYWEpQjSnQ=s1280" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz5DcJu2zDbcCzwIY8LGCdcksltT8pSNrSao3_dHPwxY-CgE6B7oqNyWY9Z2ys-ROtE3xeOWTSHtqjEJ7uka4lk6U5hVUa3vb7k9QNoFNX7r-5h62mrPxUW51p2E8TszfUq26v4vijTTwHJrwzVUzvkG7h32BrAy7UqV81m8kRUwMpA0t1DYWEpQjSnQ=w320-h186" title="Athena, the mighty huntress, May 2008 - January 21st 2022" width="320" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">In memory of Athena, the mighty huntress</span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">May 2008 - January 21st 2022</span><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></div>If you've been here before, you probably know I'm an animal lover, as is my husband, and, in turn, so are our children. Last Friday was a rough day for all of us. Really, the last four months or so, because our sweet Athena finally began to act her age, and then swiftly declined. <div><br /></div><div>She fought with every scrap of mutt in her, but it became clear she wouldn't win this last battle, against time. She put on a brave face, and had one last Christmas. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE6dwMkhkFCHIUW3DaXU-g0FlobLfrHsbNprNaiXqFe1ZqjOaFaqZVBDFhpuy-Difbzmtq3neiyanw0raSY9vApzL8O2s2j4t7ewe0lMW_2WIkztVTM4H_oelyeIOrQCO2OtOo9Xkv9bkean1tljw-onOJp9uXaNMXG8jcQhAL_qYFVSoWC1mZKTUn1g=w200-h150" width="200" /></span>Athena was our first family dog, adopted from the local shelter, which told us they believed she was part Husky part German Shepherd. I didn't believe a word of it for a second. Without DNA testing, the closest breed I could find was a Carolina Dog, aka an American Dingo. Never knew such a breed existed, until Athena came into our lives. Whether or not she was, we'll never know, but I'll go on believing because it suited her so well. </div><div><br /></div><div>She had a wild soul, and was rather neurotic. She was also the sweetest girl, when she felt like it. I often joked that I was her "comfort animal" - but, it was true. We had an understanding. She needed my presence to be calm.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't want another yellow dog, not after my childhood Lab, Smokey. (As it turned out, he and Athena were a lot alike.) But, my husband took a liking to her over the other pups at the shelter, and she became ours. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOl_q915FOpvnguaHIFVLsiEzcQSnJ1niktcUJYDTqeZTQ1hkv-gocXLNfSb9lCHGzZr6g1kd_FEjg6FbkVKNlZkrYKyXxnJjMtdyRzx1Ja0wtSoaOcqbp957aCjrMWvVC_qYUOXI4EuP60PQkVs6TfLMkp7okoroksDA9xavkbyV21Yxd_KY1Km94PA=s3264" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><br /><br /><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOl_q915FOpvnguaHIFVLsiEzcQSnJ1niktcUJYDTqeZTQ1hkv-gocXLNfSb9lCHGzZr6g1kd_FEjg6FbkVKNlZkrYKyXxnJjMtdyRzx1Ja0wtSoaOcqbp957aCjrMWvVC_qYUOXI4EuP60PQkVs6TfLMkp7okoroksDA9xavkbyV21Yxd_KY1Km94PA=w200-h113" width="200" /></span></div><div>She raised both of our German Shepherds, Thor and Wookiee, initiating them in the way of the dog. While Thor went ahead, and was patiently waiting for her across the Rainbow Bridge, Wookiee is missing his big sister. </div><div><br /></div><div>The cats, especially Rocket, have been working at keeping him distracted, letting him "shepherd" them around the house or chasing him up the stairs (trust me, it's hilarious). </div><div><br /></div><div>Athena will always hold a special place in our hearts. Though I know she's at peace, and free from anymore pain, I'm still having a hard time adjusting to not seeing her big goofy grin first thing in the morning. That's gonna take a while.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for letting me share Athena with you dear Reader. I'm sure she'll live on in one of my stories, somewhere down the line. </div><div><br /></div><div>Where ever you are, I wish you a beautiful day, night, or sometime in the between.</div><div><br /></div><div>∞Roari</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-29257505619694982902021-12-31T15:56:00.002-08:002021-12-31T15:56:39.262-08:002021 Reflections<p><br />Greetings, Dear Reader! Here we are again... at long last. Believe it, or not, I started 2021 with "The Plan" - a set of writing goals, broken down by month, geared toward finishing a handful of projects I've juggled for way too long, and, maybe, having something new published by now. Well, let's just say 2021 didn't go exactly as I planned....</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">In many ways it turned out better than I could have imagined. Even if I didn't stick with "The Plan.It was working, for the first five weeks or so. Then, LOML threw a <strike>wrench</strike> ring on it, and asked if I'd run off to Vegas to get married! Needless to say, I dropped "The Plan" for "The Bigger Plan," and a week later we were Mr. & Mrs. W 💗</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCrm9qFZbXI5jwh414zpsZFGMlZ7vGy3K3zZAEDYH6DMmmpE604visrcOfPijjX34O5wQoMNgWRLb_oAgHuHIrBWhaCQ_KIPk0LXQkLMEkJKqnWD39TJlbMZ0NS6_K-bwDKb5VSE9TvBCMhOtNTQGG-W3ykRJOAQiO9qBFcNAkNItSMqOmMqSHU6S0yQ=s1334" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1334" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCrm9qFZbXI5jwh414zpsZFGMlZ7vGy3K3zZAEDYH6DMmmpE604visrcOfPijjX34O5wQoMNgWRLb_oAgHuHIrBWhaCQ_KIPk0LXQkLMEkJKqnWD39TJlbMZ0NS6_K-bwDKb5VSE9TvBCMhOtNTQGG-W3ykRJOAQiO9qBFcNAkNItSMqOmMqSHU6S0yQ=w320-h199" width="320" /></a>So, that was THE big event of the year for us, and we couldn't be happier. We also got some projects around the house done, our entire household was able to be vaccinated, I started a new day job, my sister and her husband welcomed a new son, our kids went back to school on campus and had their first performances (cello/clarinet) in almost two years ... it seems this year we were able to count blessing after blessing - sometimes, it seemed, in spite of the pandemic. Almost. </div><p>Though I never got back on track with "The Plan," I did maintain a presence on WDC and managed to write a few pieces I'm proud of. But, 2021 is hours from over, and I have "The Plan" for 2022 all set to go. And, it includes posting updates here at least once a month. Which I'll start working on tomorrow, because, it's time to go send off 2021 in proper fashion.... </p><p>If it's already 2022 for you, Happy New Year! For the rest, be safe, and have fun for the rest of 2021 - I'll catch ya next year 🥳</p><p>Wishing you a beautiful 2022,</p><p>~Roari </p>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-80221411337597252102021-06-18T10:35:00.002-07:002021-06-18T10:35:37.871-07:00Oceans<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zgTnMfOoA10/YMzMzNGZlzI/AAAAAAAAGVA/MWWjxC0SjcgZg1oORXHn-663s15u4LyMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s360/ocean-388927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zgTnMfOoA10/YMzMzNGZlzI/AAAAAAAAGVA/MWWjxC0SjcgZg1oORXHn-663s15u4LyMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ocean-388927.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Oceans</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Rising, falling,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>With each swell and ebb,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Just beyond the break,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Feet lifting off sandy floor,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Suspended,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Floating, drifting,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Weightless,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Insignificant </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>To the unseen</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Raw, primitive power</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Driving current veins,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Ever churning below,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Kept, in tow</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>By the moon.</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>The stars,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Innumerate,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Multiplying infinitely</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Across an endless glass surface, </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Scattered </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>By breaching behemoths</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Catching breath between</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Verses of their song,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Of love, of longing,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Their notes echoing </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>For fathoms,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Joining the chorus</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Of a vast world</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Ever moving, ever changing,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Ever shaping</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>The face of Earth,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>With only the stars</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>To bear wizened witness </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>To the artistry at work,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Over eons and ages,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>As the Oceans keep, </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>In delicate balance,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Life.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>🌊🌊🌊</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh how I long to be in the Pacific, out there, just beyond the break.... It's been far too long - since I've been in the ocean, and since I've posted here. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Life is something like the tides, I think. When things are going well, the tide is high. When they're not, the tide is out , leaving bare our flaws, self consciousness, anger and fears - all strewn about like discarded kelp, driftwood and miscellaneous debris. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been riding the high tide for most of 2021 so far, in spite of COVID-19. Somewhere amid all of the worry and stress the pandemic brought upon us, after twenty-three years, LOML and I finally decided to get married! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We pulled everything together in one week, and ran off to Vegas. Due to the pandemic, it was just us. And, aside from not having our kids, family and friends there, it was perfect. We'll celebrate with our loved ones on our first anniversary next year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My ring is a beautiful aquamarine, which gets its name from Roman for water and ocean. Also known as the mermaid's stone, sailors have carried aquamarines with them for protection when out to sea. They're also said to bring calm and happiness to those who wear them. I can say, I've never been happier than I've been since LOML put it on my finger.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, I need to get my feet back on the ground, and fingers back to the keyboard. I'm way behind on my writing goals for this year. Don't think I'll ever be "caught up," but I can try 😉</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wishing you a beautiful day, night, or sometime in the between...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Roari</div></div>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-3219336180892438132021-01-06T13:30:00.157-08:002022-01-02T19:37:53.057-08:002021: Day Six<div><b><i>*Update: 1/2/22 -This post was originally written and scheduled late night on Jan. 4th 2021 to publish on this blog on Jan. 6th 2021, without any prior knowledge of what was to occur. </i></b></div><div><b><span><a name='more'></a></span><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Then came Jan. 6th, 2021, and, from the other side of the country, I watched in horror, with the majority of my fellow Americans, as a group of insurrectionists and supporters of our then- outgoing President stormed our Capitol building, in an effort to overturn the valid results of our 2020 Presidential election. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>The events of that day have left me, like so many others, shaken, angry, confused, disgusted, and most of all sad - for this is the version of the United States of America my children must live in. Where the people who are supposed to lead instead blatantly lie, and their supporters take their word as gospel, with blind devotion to party over country. This is not how I was raised.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Over the last couple of years, I've mostly abandoned social media. Not necessarily forever, but, for the time being, for my own sanity. I'd planned on trying to jump back in last year, and then this tragic day came, and I had no interest in the ugliness I knew awaited in me the metaverse. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Fast forward to today - I'm looking forward to finishing some projects and getting them out into the world this year. I've thought about deleting the original post, wondering if, though totally unrelated, it was in poor taste. I decided not to, because to do so would be giving those who committed treason that day some kind of power they do not deserve. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Make no mistake, I 'll never forget what transpired on 1/6/21, just as I'll never forget 9/11/01. I'm just choosing to move forward, while keeping a watchful eye on the road ahead. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><i>Original post:</i></div>Belated Happy New Year tidings to you, Dear Reader! I hope this post finds you safe and healthy in 2021. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOJDHEDjMDc/X_X0jHvYZUI/AAAAAAAAGPk/JVlVPa_jYMUvwkGLFu3jiWxRPHWNbj-JQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1256/orange-juice-410333_1920%257E2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1256" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOJDHEDjMDc/X_X0jHvYZUI/AAAAAAAAGPk/JVlVPa_jYMUvwkGLFu3jiWxRPHWNbj-JQCLcBGAsYHQ/w184-h179/orange-juice-410333_1920%257E2.jpg" width="184" /></a></div>I started my new year with mimosas, which led to my brilliant idea to *plan* out my writing calender for the whole year. Hey, if it works for Robert Herjavec, it's worth a try....</div><div><br /></div><div>The idea bubbled up that morning because I saw an article somewhere on the web in the previous day, or so, about how the aforementioned "Shark" spends his last few days of each year planning out the next. Two mimosas into the year, and it hit me in the face: I need to plan my writing year - and hold myself accountable. </div><div><br /></div><div>By the end of January 1st, I had five objectives plotted, with weekly/monthly goals set to achieve the endgame. </div><div><br /></div><div>Has Roari lost her mind, you ask? (I'd need to know where it was first!)</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't generally plan much beyond the end of the week, let alone a whole month or year. So, this approach is going to be totally different for me. And, so far, I'm already behind. But, this post checks off one box, which is progress...</div><div><br /></div><div>Fantasy Friday posts with new chapters from Quest of No Return will resume soon. (Finishing it is one of my five objectives!) There will be Society news in the coming weeks as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>Until then, I hope you are staying safe and healthy in these strange times, and wish you a beautiful day, night or some time in the between.</div><div><br /></div><div>∞ Roari<br /><br /></div>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0California, USA36.778261 -119.41793249.26998350457908 -154.57418239999998 64.286538495420928 -84.2616824tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-35294008852240941352020-09-04T04:00:00.000-07:002020-09-07T22:13:33.941-07:00Fantasy Friday: Quest - Chapter Twelve<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Happy Friday! I've kept you waiting long enough, so I'll skip the intro. Here's the next chapter of Quest of No Return....</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Chapter 12</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">The second round of horns sounded. Taura still saw no sign of her sister. "I expected her to be back before now. I hope she didn't go out too far."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Na ahana, Taura. She'll be here." Ziliena reassured her. "She's fine."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I'd like to think I would know if she weren't."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hunter was licking the last traces of gravy from his plate, but the girls were both still picking at their isazas when Taura noticed Aerodar headed their way. She looked back toward the trees and spotted her sister. "Hunter, want to come with me?"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He got up, and started in Aria's direction. Ziliena said, "I'll save our table."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We'll be right back."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Aria marched triumphantly out of the woods, with something black slung across her shoulders, and dragging something else behind. She was met by some of the boys hired by the tanners and butchers to help haul carcasses. They tagged each of her kills and loaded them on a horse drawn cart.</span></span></div>
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Taura and Hunter reached her as the boys drove the cart on to the next arrival. <i>Are we still in?</i></div>
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"E'sareona, dog," she panted. "Let me catch my wind."</div>
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"Are you okay?" Taura asked.</div>
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"Yeah. I think," Aria looked around, wondering again about the strange presence she felt. </div>
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"I just, ahna, I don't know."</div>
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"What?"</div>
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"I thought I felt something ... something I knew, out there. Watching me. I don't know what though."</div>
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Taura looked at Hunter. "You didn't sneak out there to watch over her, did you?"</div>
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Hunter snorted and sat down with his back to her. <i>Tell your sister I stayed right with her all-</i></div>
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"Alright, alright," Aria interrupted him. She scratched behind his ear. "I know." To Taura, she said, "I would have known it was Hunter, besides. We were able to communicate while I was out there though."</div>
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"Is that new?"</div>
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They started walking back to join Ziliena. "I think it's the furthest physical distance away we've been. But, back to this, whatever it was, I know I know it from somewhere. But I can't for the light of Iridius remember where I know it from."</div>
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The third, and final relay of horns sounded the end of the first round.</div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Do you think it's one of the other competitors?"<br /><br />"I can't think of another explanation."<br /><br />"Someone here, from Iselos?"<br /><br />"No, I don't think so. I would have sensed it sooner."<br /><br />"Then, from where?"<br /><br />Aria shook her head. "I need sleep. No more thinking right now."<br /><br />"Okay. But we have to wait for the announcements before you can sleep."<br /><br />"Is there food?"<br /><br />"Yes, I'll get you some." Taura turned to go get Aria's breakfast.<br /><br />Aria and Hunter went ahead to sit with Ziliena, who was sitting face down, resting her forehead on her arms. "Morning," Aria mumbled to her.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/sonja-kalee-10341199/" target="_blank">Credit: Sonja-Kalee on Pixabay</a></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ziliena sat up with a start. "What? Why?" She blinked a few times, and squinted at Aria. "Oh, I did that again. How was it?"<br /><br />Taura set a plate in front of Aria before she could respond. "She won't say for some reason."<br /><br />"I don't know how I did yet. We don't know how the rest did."<br /><br />"I counted at least thirty-two coming back empty handed in the first few hours." Ziliena said.<br /><br />"And a few with one or two small animals," Taura added.<br /><br />Aria finished swallowing the food in her mouth. "I got a fox, a squirrel, then a Koranath-"<br /><br />"A Koranath?!" Taura and Ziliena exclaimed together.<br /><br />Then, Taura said, "What was that doing out there? They don't live this far south."<br /><br />Aria shrugged. "It dropped on my head from above, and started coiling, so I didn't exactly have the chance to ask if he was lost."<br /><br />Ziliena giggled. Taura rolled her eyes, then said, "Go on. I know you got something bigger."<br /><br />"Yeah, the boar was after me, like the Koranath. I was headed back before the first horn, after I got the second fox. The boar came out of nowhere and started driving me back the way I came. I had to climb a tree, then it took three arrows."<br /><br />Ziliena was mumbling to herself and counting on her fingers. "Then you have ten, I think?"<br /><br />"Hmmm." Aria thought a moment, holding her mug of cider close, breathing in the steam. "I don't remember seeing the koranath on the list. So, I really don't know...."<br /><br />"Do you know how long until they announce the standings?" Taura asked Ziliena.<br /><br />"Oh I don't suppose it will be too much longer. They want to get to sleep too."<br /><br />"As long as I make it to tonight's round, I'm not too concerned with what place I'm in. Well, as long as I make it in, and score higher than Balthanor."<br /><br />"Agreed," Ziliena said. "He's been in need of someone to shut him up for years now."<br /><br />They didn't have to wait long for the announcement at all. "Attention hunters: as it turns out, there were quite a few contestants who came back empty handed this morning. All who turned in at least one skin will participate in tonight's event. We'll post your standings before tonight's gathering. Now, let's all go get some sleep!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br />The torches burned all the way down the steps from the temple to the ground, where the course for the trials lay in wait for the new tributes. Twenty strong, young virgins stood at the base of the temple, waiting to prove their devotion to Malough. Their bodies were only clad in a thin, black sheet fastened in place by leather cording which was also used to lash strips of leather to the soles of their feet.<br /><br />The rest of the Shadouins gathered along the edge of darkness beyond the torchlight. They were eager to witness the trials; it had been years since the last event was held.<br /><br />The tributes trembled slightly with the chill in the air. Something other than the cold caressed their skin. Something else was among them.<br /><br />Hushed voices and whispers ran throughout the crowd, growing slightly louder with each moment they passed waiting.<br /><br />Dark clouds gathered overhead, cloaking them from the five orbs of light. The orbs were not to bear witness to the trials ahead.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Still working on it, but Chapter 13 will be up <strike>by Sunday</strike> next week. Until then, in spite of everything wrong in the world right now, I wish you a beautiful day, night or some time in the between....</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~Roari</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">P.S. I also wish you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend - safe both in general and with regard to COVID-19. If you do need to get out, try to stay local, practice social distancing, and please, please wear a mask, as my family does to protect yours. We can only put this pandemic to rest if everyone does their part. 💙💚 </span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-21535983664532608842020-08-17T01:30:00.000-07:002020-10-29T08:51:06.537-07:00Midnight Ramble: In the Heat of....<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVnkWG34IYw/XzohBD-66WI/AAAAAAAAGGk/d05u6RVaWlYlEB6IJNKiIBdjZpE6y0sDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screenshot_20200816-231413.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1525" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVnkWG34IYw/XzohBD-66WI/AAAAAAAAGGk/d05u6RVaWlYlEB6IJNKiIBdjZpE6y0sDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Screenshot_20200816-231413.png" width="190" /></a>... the hot, sweaty, panting dog days and tortured, sleepless nights of Summer. Now throw some pandemic in there and slap on a mask. It makes for a lousy few months, doesn't it?<br />
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I'm sorry, where did my manners go? Good evening, Dear Reader! I hope you'll forgive my moodiness. I only love summer when I'm near water, and this year has been the driest of my entire life. It's been hot too, with no end to the triple digit days in the ten day forecast. I hope things are a little more tolerable where you are.<br />
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Online school started back up for my kids two weeks ago, and so far it's much more structured than how we ended last school year. Not having to go out in this ridiculous heat wave is one plus for distance learning! For now, we still have no foreseeable date for schools to open, and I don't know how I'm going to feel about it when the time comes. I suppose it will depend heavily on when that particular when comes to pass.<br />
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As much as I know our children need the social interaction and parents need the childcare - I just don't think it's in any way safe to consider full reopening at all this fall. Maybe in January, if -- and only if -- we have either eliminated the threat through social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks, or we have a tested, effective vaccine.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I don't think we'll have that vaccine by January. Aside from the fact these things just plain take TIME, the search for a vaccine for the common cold - which is caused by various viruses, including other strains of corona virus - has gone on for decades, to no avail. There is no effective vaccine for any of the other corona viruses known to affect <i>homo sapiens</i>. Which leads me to think it's not going to be any different with this one. Someone will eventually prove me wrong, though it could be years before it happens. Believe me, I would love for it to happen tomorrow, but we have to be realistic.<br />
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It's important to remember, it did not have to be this way. It should not have been this way. Not in the United States of America. Not when our President had the power to close borders, to allow Americans to come home under quarantine, to close schools and public gathering spaces a month earlier. The NBA Commissioner was the first to take action, for crying out loud. We need to not forget that.<br />
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Our federal leadership had the information long before the public, and had it done its job, our kids might have safely returned to school on time. It is as simple as that. Ultimately, our president failed us. Our death toll, and decades of economic recovery that lie ahead, rest on his shoulders. He called the virus a hoax, said when we were at fifteen cases we would soon be at zero-- And, he is already doing everything in his power to attempt to shift the blame from himself, while trying to take credit for any "relief" money or anything positive he can grasp onto to try to cling to his office.<br />
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I sometimes wonder if he even thinks about the fact his children and grandchildren will still be here when he's gone. Does he even care?<br />
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We should be worrying about climate change and social justice, and our kids should be in school. Instead, I am worrying about our neighbors refusing to wear masks and social distance, because they only listen to their party, regardless of who is running the show. I am worried about getting sick if I go to work. I am worried about getting my elderly parents - who should still have plenty of time - sick, and losing them too soon. I am worried about our kids getting a quality education online. Many people are worried about losing their homes. And many more of us are still worried about losing our lives.<br />
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We shouldn't have to be worried about any of this.Yet, here we are.<br />
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***</div>
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As for worrying about other worlds, I've been off course the last couple of weeks, but, I think I've righted my way again. The next chapter of Quest should be up Friday. There may be another excerpt from the Fore Shadows as well, but, I'm not promising anything!<br />
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Until next time, I wish you good health, and a beautiful night, day, or some time in the between.</div>
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~Roari</div>
Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-89376812221832462312020-08-05T23:09:00.000-07:002020-08-05T23:09:50.904-07:00Society Talk: After Escape Day....<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlIAbEJmnnI/VrfKMGDHwMI/AAAAAAAAE70/4LskrX8s3MQanUogxDlprt1QXeh0rG1_ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/people-cropped%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1026" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlIAbEJmnnI/VrfKMGDHwMI/AAAAAAAAE70/4LskrX8s3MQanUogxDlprt1QXeh0rG1_ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/people-cropped%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a>Good evening, Dear Reader! The following is an excerpt from the next Fore Shadows: Arrival <br />
1513....<br />
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We landed in the thick blanket of a starless night. I hit the ground harder than I expected, under a willow tree. The air was thick with mist, and the damp chill took but seconds to reach my bones.<br />
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Momentarily deprived of sight, I stood still, trying to regain my senses. I clicked my tongue for Artemis. But, something larger and far less stealthy than she was moving through the grass behind me. “Who goes there?”<br />
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“Shh, Sam. It’s just me,” I knew Pose’s voice before I could make out his face.<br />
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Then, Eleanor’s voice came from my right. “I’m here as well.” She stepped into view. “Now, where are the others?”<br />
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We turned, our vision slowly returning, to see we’d landed not five meters from the edge of a body of water. Fog rolled slowly across it, the breeze sending tendrils out toward us. No Traveler before us ever left word they’d been separated from their companions. None had ever traveled with a group as large as ours either.<br />
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Eleanor gasped and looked up at me. “You don’t suppose something went wrong, do you? You don’t think they might have- ?”<br />
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I shook my head. “No, they’re here. I’m sure they’re somewhere close." I looked around again. "They have to be." I couldn’t fathom the thought of being responsible for the deaths of my friends. Then, I remembered why we took the risk. “Where’s the tree?”<br />
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“Safe, with me,” Tollack whispered. He managed to sneak in behind me. “But, it’s getting heavy, so,” he placed the potted Flamella tree at my feet, “there you go, buddy.”<br />
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Relief washed over me when I saw Voorhia, Vega and Marcus were right behind him. “Is anyone injured?”<br />
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Voorhia said, “No, Sam. We made it." She leaned in to hug me. "We just landed a few feet away, and didn’t want to draw any attention by calling out.”<br />
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"The cat was right here…” Vega turned to look around behind them. “I don’t know where…”<br />
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Artemis jumped out of the grass and dropped something at my feet, before rubbing against my leg, sitting down and swishing her tail. "Merraow," she proclaimed.<br />
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“What on Earth have you got up to cat?” I stooped to pick up what she’d dropped, then realized I had a dead rodent by the tail. “Yuck!” I exclaimed, and flung it back into the night.<br />
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"So, now we're all here? No missing body parts?" Olev asked.<br />
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Tollack looked down the front of his trousers. "The important ones made it."<br />
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Pose chuckled. Ellie rolled her eyes and turned to me. "Samuel, have you any clue where we are?"<br />
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***</div>
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As always, thank you for stopping by, and reading! Wishing you a beautiful day, night or sometime in the between....</div>
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~Roari</div>
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P.S. Don't forget to Wear A Mask 💙</div>
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Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-18241777663720357322020-08-05T02:00:00.000-07:002020-08-05T02:00:02.616-07:00Countdown to Escape Day: -149 years!<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLFKvox2_v4/V6UBNFjPq7I/AAAAAAAAFQ0/xuvWQnLWeZsxiZ2R4SgbHMyoLxPrPjP5QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Foreshadows%2Bquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLFKvox2_v4/V6UBNFjPq7I/AAAAAAAAFQ0/xuvWQnLWeZsxiZ2R4SgbHMyoLxPrPjP5QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Foreshadows%2Bquote.jpg" width="320" /></a>Hello, Dear Reader! I hope this post finds you well, or as well as can be expected in these ever-changing, strangest of times. For me, the last week and a half of watching the Cubs play ball (and fly the W!) has brought back a small, incredibly tenuous, sense of comfort. <br />
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You might have noticed, I took a week off from posting chapters from Quest. It's been a little hectic around here plus I had to get the kids ready for Online School this week. Chapter 12 will be up Friday....<br />
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But, today, I'm wishing you a Happy Escape Day!<br />
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Happy - the what, you say? Escape Day, silly. It's one of the most important days in the history of the Society in the Shadow of Civilization. (see tab above)<br />
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August 5, 2169 is the day the Society's seven founding members, plus Artemis and the Flamella tree escape the from the U.C.E. on the moon by fleeing to the past. We're just 149 years away!<br />
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I realized early on in writing The Shadow Watcher, well early on after I found out where he really came from (and that's a story for another time), I would have to dive deeper into the backstory than I'd initially planned. The thing is, despite how much history took place, how many ways the world changed, for the Society, most of the time things were pretty dull. Lots of sitting around and waiting. I mean, they did research, and kept working on their ultimate goals, going forward again being among them. There just wasn't a whole lot of action. Most of the time.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LASS3iqJ1Bs/XUjPgUlTQNI/AAAAAAAAFwk/YfvNfq53x3Ylgb_UtZMyM-j8hyHt57KMwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/More%2Bthan%2Bfar%2Benough%2B-%2B2169%2Bsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="655" height="232" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LASS3iqJ1Bs/XUjPgUlTQNI/AAAAAAAAFwk/YfvNfq53x3Ylgb_UtZMyM-j8hyHt57KMwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/More%2Bthan%2Bfar%2Benough%2B-%2B2169%2Bsm.jpg" width="320" /></a>So, rather than writing five hundred years of story where not a whole lot happens most of the time, I decided to go about it by highlighting key moments in the Society's history in short story form. Fore Shadows: Escape 2169 is the first of these, and the only one I've published to date.<br />
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I know, I've promised more for a long time. They exist - they're just not <strike>finished </strike>polished and pretty enough for public consumption, yet. Though, I will share some tidbits from them later today. But, back to Escape Day.<br />
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The catalyst for this crazy plan, to run away from the Future in the past, is a pandemic - or, moondemic, if you will. A novel influenza virus, which acts as a "normal" flu among Earth's population. The moon's population is largely made up of people who have lived there for decades or their entire lives, and their immune systems have had little to no exposure to other related precursor viruses Earthlings experienced prior to the Antarctic Flu's emergence. The Earthlings had developed immunities to fight off the virus as soon as it hit them. The Moonlings did not. Dr. Samuel Marks, however found a way to save them all. And, he knew the U.C.E. would be coming for him and the cure. And he couldn't let them have it.<br />
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I'll be back later today with some pieces from other Fore Shadows stories to share. Until then, I wish you as beautiful a day, night, or some time in the between as is possible right now. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read.....<br />
<br />
~Roari<br />
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<br />Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-82975088554324771382020-07-24T03:35:00.002-07:002020-07-24T03:47:27.756-07:00Fantasy Friday: Quest - Chapter Eleven<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xi9cZiZ-9bw/XxqvxkumJII/AAAAAAAAGEw/8kZjwGB2w14P9Z3KGIPKPeXu4ZGLfe_twCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/trumpet-2878665_1920%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="559" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xi9cZiZ-9bw/XxqvxkumJII/AAAAAAAAGEw/8kZjwGB2w14P9Z3KGIPKPeXu4ZGLfe_twCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/trumpet-2878665_1920%2B2.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Happy Friday, Dear Reader! I do hope this week finds you well. I'm back with another chapter of Quest of No Return help distract you (I hope) from this crazy time in our world. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Just a forewarning, this draft is rough. I will update it at a later time, but to keep the story moving, I need to move on to the next chapter for now. Does that make sense? I think it does, but, then again, it's 3 am as I put this post together. Yeah..</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">So without anymore nonsensical babble, I give you Chapter 11.... </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">A horn blared, and the first group of hunters were released into the forest. The second group took their places on the lawn to wait for the second horn. Aria waited at the table with the others.</span><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Did you manage to learn anything else today?</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> Aria asked Taura and Ziliena.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Yes</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">, Taura replied. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">They believed her family was killed by our father's brother.</i></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"What?" Aria asked aloud. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">His brother? What brother?</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Yes. This was all years before you were born. She says they hunted him.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ziliena added, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">We don't know if they found him. Yet. We didn't get that far.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Now I'm sorry I asked," Aria said. She drank several gulps of water. "I'll have to put it out of my mind for now."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Yes, please do," Taura encouraged her.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The second horn sounded, and the second group of hunters ran into the forest.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria stood up, and said, "Well, I suppose I'll go join my group now. Wish me success." Taura jumped up from her seat and threw her arms around Aria's neck. "Watch the knives."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura stepped back, "Oh, sorry! I didn't get you did I?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"No. I didn't want you to cut yourself."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Aria-"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Shhh. I'll be fine." Aria hugged her sister and Ziliena both gently, and scratched Hunter behind the ears. "I need to go."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Be Safe!</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The Shadoaresses heard the High Shadoar's roar echoing from deep within the temple. They knew something was wrong. They knew she would summon them soon.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Two by two, they filed out of their chambers, meeting their fellow Shaoaresses, filing out from other chambers, on the stairs.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Two by two, they descended to the meeting chamber.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Two by two, they entered the chamber, and fell to their knees, heads bowed.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">They waited.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">When she stormed into the room, they greeted her in unison, "Mistress, we offer ourselves in the service of Malough."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She paced back and forth before them in her rage for several moments before she spoke. "Iselos is making sport of killing our kind again. Their hunt is taking place as we channel our strength to our Lord." She stopped, facing them. "I have had a vision." She paused to let her subjects gasp. "Among them is an outsider, who will kill a great number, but will ultimately lose to another. He will become a great threat to our kind, and to our Master, if he survives the hunt."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She turned to the six Shadoaresses in charge of the selectees training. "The trials will begin at nightfall tomorrow. Are your recruits ready?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Yes, mistress," they replied.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"In Malough's name, at least eight of them need to pass, or this will all have been time wasted."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"May we meet our fate should we fail our Master," they swore.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"See to it they pass," the Shadoar warned, "we need to increase our numbers, and thereby strengthen our power to channel to our Master. Failure is not acceptable."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCnLotljVh4/Xxq1okF9HGI/AAAAAAAAGE8/hpFYjqaTLrsKoalLYMC7espn_FFLDba9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/forest-1031022_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCnLotljVh4/Xxq1okF9HGI/AAAAAAAAGE8/hpFYjqaTLrsKoalLYMC7espn_FFLDba9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/forest-1031022_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCnLotljVh4/Xxq1okF9HGI/AAAAAAAAGE8/hpFYjqaTLrsKoalLYMC7espn_FFLDba9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/forest-1031022_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCnLotljVh4/Xxq1okF9HGI/AAAAAAAAGE8/hpFYjqaTLrsKoalLYMC7espn_FFLDba9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/forest-1031022_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCnLotljVh4/Xxq1okF9HGI/AAAAAAAAGE8/hpFYjqaTLrsKoalLYMC7espn_FFLDba9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/forest-1031022_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria looked ahead, scanning the treeline planning her route. Beyond the perimeter torches, a mist was creeping in the woods. The chill it brought with it settled in the air, and she was glad she decided to wear her coat after all.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She checked her boots, and tightened the laces, then patted herself down to ensure her equipment was all in place. She was ready.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Her blood rushing through her ears almost drowned out the horn; it sounded far away. Aria broke away in a sprint for the trees. She reached them first.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She kept running until the brush became too thick, then froze. Going out too far, she risked not making it back in time. Staying back would narrow her chances of making a kill.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Light on her feet, she moved silently, listening. She heard a Terressan owl above her, calling "Whooo?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">A twig snapped off to her left. She drew her bow. Another snap, then nothing.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She crouched.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She waited.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She listened.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">A Malorian fox was in pursuit of a Terressan rabbit. Aria could hear the poor creature's frantic thoughts as it lay momentarily hidden. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">If you can hear me, lure it this way,</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> she said. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Just run straight ahead, as fast as you can.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The rabbit did as she was told. The fox followed and Aria put her arrow through its heart as it was about to close in on its prey.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">You'd better stay underground tonight. And tomorrow night.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> She told the rabbit.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The rabbit managed a quick,</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Thank you,</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> before vanishing the way she came.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">With the rope, Aria bound her trophy's feet together, and swung it over her shoulder. Then she and paused to listen.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She sensed the same familiar presence she felt earlier in the day.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She still couldn't place it.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Who, or what ever it was, its thoughts were shielded from her. She reached out to Dar instead, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Are you here?</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Yes.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> He swooped down and landed on a branch just overhead. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">There is another hunter close behind you, but he seems to be moving to the east now. Still, be careful.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">You as well, my friend. I'm headed for the ravine up ahead.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I'll fly over, see if anyone else is there.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">No, I'll be able to hear them. Stay on this other one for me. I can't hear him for some reason.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I'll report back soon.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">***</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Hunter, Taura and Ziliena waited at the gathering, along with a few dozen other spectators. For a while, there were several raucous groups, drinking too much foark, singing ballads of the old wars and the Twelve who were curious.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">As the hours wore on, a few more went home for the night. One by one, the rest nodded off to sleep at their tables, or on the ground under them. Hunter, Taura and Ziliena took turns dozing off here and there as well.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Suddenly, Hunter jumped to his feet. He heard Aria calling his name.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">***</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Moving silently through the woods, Aria found the ravine she scouted out earlier. Carefully, she started to climb down the vines trailing over the edge. The fog dampened everything it touched, and the vines were slicker the further she went, until she finally slipped and slid the rest of the way down.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Hitting the ground with a thud, Aria froze, listening. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">All that noise is sure to attract the wrong kind of attention,</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> she thought to herself.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">A squirrel darted away from the nearest tree; she threw a knife to end it.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She waited a moment before going to retrieve it. She didn't hear any movement, so she moved for it.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">From above, something heavy fell on her head and shoulders, and started coiling around her face. A thick, black muscular serpent. A koranath. Her first instinct was to try to throw it off.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She was already too late. It was massive, and was already sliding down ber shoulders, trying to pin her arms. She struggled to keep them loose.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Hunter, I need you now,</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> she thought, in desperation.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Despite all the distance she'd put between them, he heard her. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Summon Aerodar!</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"></span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Stunned that she could hear him, and still struggling, a few more seconds passed before she remembered he was right. She had an ally closer. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Dar! I could use a dive!</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> She hoped he could hear her.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZc7OJWj4hM/Xxq194heIAI/AAAAAAAAGFE/c1D1K0wIlDUzhQA_X-wvD645NHX5M178wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/falcon-Alexas_Fotos%2BPixabay.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZc7OJWj4hM/Xxq194heIAI/AAAAAAAAGFE/c1D1K0wIlDUzhQA_X-wvD645NHX5M178wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/falcon-Alexas_Fotos%2BPixabay.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZc7OJWj4hM/Xxq194heIAI/AAAAAAAAGFE/c1D1K0wIlDUzhQA_X-wvD645NHX5M178wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/falcon-Alexas_Fotos%2BPixabay.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZc7OJWj4hM/Xxq194heIAI/AAAAAAAAGFE/c1D1K0wIlDUzhQA_X-wvD645NHX5M178wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/falcon-Alexas_Fotos%2BPixabay.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">It had her mouth covered, and was trying to block her nose. She managed to reach the knives at her waist as she heard the sweetest of sounds, Aerodar's ear piercing screech.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Dar struck at her shoulder, she heard his talons rip at its flesh. The koranath loosened its hold just enough for her to flip the blades upward, and drive them through its coils.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The falcon came back for a second pass as the creature fell to the ground in writhing pieces. Aria quickly spotted the head, still hissing and ready to strike. She put her knife through its skull. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Thank you, Dar. You're a life saver.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">You had it anyway. But, you're welcome.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<i style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Thank you, too, Hunter. I didn't know you would hear me. It was a reflex.</i><br />
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<i style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Good new trick to have. Now focus.</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She collected the pieces of the snake in a sack, then threw the squirrel in on top. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I wonder if this will be enough for tonight.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<i style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">From the sky, it looks like you're well ahead of the pack.</i><br />
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<i style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">E'sareona! I hope so.</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">A few empty handed hunters began to wander in just before the first hint of light. They helped themselves to whatever food and foark there was to find, and started to rouse the others from their slumber.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The first horn sounded - echoed by a relay of horns into the forest. Taura and Ziliena were both fully awake, and eagerly peered toward the treeline. "I don't see any sign of her yet," Taura commented.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"She has plenty of time," Ziliena replied.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura looked down at Hunter. "You stayed right here all night, didn't you?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">He crossed his paws and lay his chin on them.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Why don't you go take care of, you know," Taura jerked her thumb toward the stables. He looked that way, then back at her. "I'll fetch you some water and breakfast. Then she'll be back before we know it."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The dog stood, wagging his tail, and nuzzled her knee before racing off for a tree or bush. Whichever came first.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">*****</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.3333px;">When will Aria return? Does she run into more trouble on the way back? Will she find out who, or what, the strange presence is? Writing Chapter 12 is underway, and it will conclude the first round of the hunt. If you want to start from the beginning, <a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/p/i.html" target="_blank">you can find all of the chapters here.</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.3333px;">Until then, thank you again for visiting my little corner of the web. I wish you good health, and a beautiful day, night or sometime in the between.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.3333px;">P.S.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.3333px;">Please, for the love of who, or whatever, you love, wear a damn mask. If you already are, thank you for trying to keep my family safe, as mine does for yours. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">~Roari</span>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-71979488814974377272020-07-17T13:37:00.003-07:002020-07-17T15:43:17.773-07:00Fantasy Friday - Quest: Chapter Ten<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2yE-VkQDfM/WQP3Qw0EAdI/AAAAAAAAFjI/yFyz5iQtb7I3paGD-T9b6XBcirikkTi3wCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/QoNR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2yE-VkQDfM/WQP3Qw0EAdI/AAAAAAAAFjI/yFyz5iQtb7I3paGD-T9b6XBcirikkTi3wCPcBGAYYCw/s320/QoNR.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Happy Friday, friends and fellow fantasy lovers! Hoping you're still coping with these strange times....</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I almost didn't make it here with Chapter Ten this week. Sleep is essential for my brain to piece words together coherently, and I've been having a terrible time falling and staying asleep the last few weeks. So, I hope you can ignore the typos, I will fix them later!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">If you're new to Isiterra, you can catch up with<a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/p/i.html"> all of the chapters here</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">******</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria lay awake with Hunter stretched out along her side. Her mind was too busy making plans for the hunt to let sleep creep in.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Though she wasn't keeping track of the time, she did notice the light outside changing colors as twilight drew near. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Hunter, you awake?</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> She gave him a gentle nudge.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">His tail thumped twice on the bed. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Is it time to eat?</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Yeah. If we hurry, we can save the girls the trip up here.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I'm waiting on you.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> He jumped from the bed and sat facing the door while Aria dressed.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She pulled on her boots, but didn't lace them up. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Do you think I'll need my coat?<br /><br />I'm planning to wear mine.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Hunter!" Aria stifled a giggle. "I'm serious."</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Bring it. If you decide you don't need it, you have the luxury of taking it off.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Always so logical," she muttered as she buckled her belt. "Ahna, I forgot to ask if you brought-"</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The rest of your knives are with the horses. I'll fetch them while you're eating.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"You have to eat, too."</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Yes, but I eat like a dog, so I'll wolf it down.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Oh ... Hunter," she squished his face in her hands and planted a kiss between his eyes. "You really must stop using the squirrels to test your material."</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Hmmph,</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> he snorted. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">You have your bow? Quiver? Assorted knives?</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Yes, yes, and," she pulled a bag out from under her bed and pulled four knives out. "Yes."</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Rope?</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Ah, that's at the stables too. Don't let me forget it." She opened the door for the dog, and locked it behind them.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria found Taura and Ziliena as they were leaving the Faire grounds to get her. "Where's Hunter?" Taura asked.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"He's retrieving something from the stables for me."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura and Ziliena both raised their eyebrows at her. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">He's bringing me some knives and rope.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Well, I'm sure he'll be along soon then." Taura said. "Let's get some food and a table before they start the announcements for the hunt."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria fixed two plates, one with an assortment of meat, fruit and bread for her, and the other heaping with Hunter's favorite meats. She spotted Taura and Ziliena at a table, and joined them.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Hunter arrived with a cloth bundle containing the knives and rope. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Thank you,</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> Aria told him as she set his plate down. "I can get more if you're still hungry."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">He looked up and wagged his tail while chewing a mouthful. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Oh, no no. This is more than I should eat. Thank you!</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria had more of an appetite than she realized, and was already halfway through her plate before she looked up and around at the crowd that had filled in the tables around them. Then, she saw Taura staring at her. "What? Do I have something," she dabbed at her face with a cloth.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"No. I was just wondering if you got any sleep? You look like phiinoe."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ziliena almost snorted her foark out her nose.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"E'sareona, sis. Thanks. No, I didn't sleep. My mind ... ahna, it just keeps spinning."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Just remember, you don't have to come in first place tonight, or tomorrow for that matter," Ziliena said. "You only have to make the first cut tonight, and be in the top 32 tomorrow."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">A voice from behind her, standing too close, said, "So which one of you is the girl who claims to be a hunter?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">In a split second, Aria was on her feet facing him with a knife at his throat. "That would be me."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Hunter was on his feet at her side just as quick. He growled.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">He put his hands up, and managed a nervous chuckle. "Whoa there, down girl."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Hunter said, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Say the word, I'll rip his throat out.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"></span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">No! They would kill you. I've got this.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> She pressed the blade against his skin, far enough to make her point. Then she twirled the blade a couple of times before returning it to her belt. She wouldn't let his eyes break from her gaze.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Is there something we can help you with, Balthanor?" Ziliena asked.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"I was just checking out my competition." He grinned at Aria. "Doesn't look like much competition to me though."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">This time Taura was faster than Aria, she grabbed her sister's wrist and stepped between them. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria, stop. Ignore him.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> With her back still turned to Balthanor, she told him, "You'd best walk away now. I won't stop her again."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria heard his thoughts, and those of a few others for a moment before she remembered to shut them out. It was more than enough to solidify her determination to win.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I can't wait for them to lose to a girl!</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> Ziliena silently cheered her on.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Neither can I.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> Aria assured her.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Oh, not again. Sorry Aria,</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> Ziliena warned.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria looked up and saw Ithitane walking over to their table. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">E'sareona, can't we eat in peace?</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> She listened for his thoughts, and was surprised. He was coming to apologize for Balthanor's behavior. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Okay, this is going to be interesting.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> she told her companions.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Hi, um, good evening, ladies," he bowed his head.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Hello, Ithitane." Ziliena smiled at him cheerfully. "What can we do for you?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Nothing. Oh, I, uh ..." he ran his hand through his hair an sighed. "I saw Balth being a jerk, and heard what he said when he walked back that way, and I wanted to...."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria smiled at him. "Ithitane, I don't hold all men responsible for the transgressions of one. You really don't have to apologize for him." She put a hand on his arm, and she felt he was being sincere. "We do appreciate the gesture though."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Yes, Ith," Ziliena softened toward him. A little. "Thank you."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Do any of you need anything? As long as I'm up, I'd be happy to fetch something for you, if you needed anything, I mean." he blurted. "Another drink perhaps?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"That's kind of you, Ith, thank you," Taura said. She looked at Aria and Zilinea, "I think we're all fine." They nodded. "If you'd like to sit," she gestured to the empty seat across from her, "we have room."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Oh, I-"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">A booming voice interrupted. "Good evening, brave hunters! Welcome to the tenth annual Iselos Malorian Hunt!" The voice came from a portly man on the musician's stage. "Please, if you would all take a seat, and take note. I have a few details to review before we begin."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ithitane excused himself, and went back to the table with his friends.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"What was that about?" Aria asked.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura shrugged. Ziliena said, "I have no idea."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The crowd hushed as everyone took their seats and turned their attention to the man on the stage. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Who is that?</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> Aria asked ZIliena.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ithitane's uncle,</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> she answered. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The one who runs the Iselos Inn.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">He spoke. "Gentleman, and for the first time ever, Lady, tonight is the first in a five night competition to find the greatest Malorian hunter in the region. Maybe on the continent. And this year, we have the most entrants we've ever seen. Three hundred and twenty-two brave men, and one woman, will go into the forests tonight, but only seventy of you will move on to tomorrow." He paused, allowing a ripple of murmurs through the crowd. "If you do not make a kill tonight, you will be disqualified. If you come back after the third horn, at dawn, you will be disqualified. If you use anything but a knife, longbow or snare," he paused again, and then gestured from the crowd to respond.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"We will be disqalified."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Good, we all understand each other." He looked down at a paper in his hand before looking back up at the crowd. "Now, we have made a few last minute changes to the rules for tonight, due to the overwhelming number of entrants." He paused again. "Now, with so many of you, we've decided to stagger the time you leave, and divided you up in groups based on what number you signed up on. So, the first fifty of you is group A, fifty-one through one hundred is group B," he went on to list them all.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria knew she was group B, and before she had a chance to wonder, the innkeeper said, "Then we drew groups to determine starting order. Group C will leave first, and have a fifteen minute head start. Group A will go second, ten minutes later Group F, ten minutes again before Group B, then five more minutes before Groups E, D and G in that order."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">They're going to have forty-five minutes on me!</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> Aria said.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">It won't matter</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">, Taura assured her. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">You'll be fine.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Another concern was raised and addressed. And, I know some of you don't really mind, and some others are going to mind quite a bit. But, the facts are what they are, and a decision has been made. With more than three hundred of you tromping through the forest, for this first elimination round, the dogs will have to stay behind."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">He allowed a few minutes for the grumbling. "Go on, get it out of your system. It's only for tonight."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura looked anxiously at Aria, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I don't like this.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">If she's telling you she doesn't like this, tell her I don't either</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">, Hunter said.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"It's fine.I still have Dar to watch my back. And any Terressan crennas out there." Taura still looked worried. "Really, I will be fine."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The Malorian Hunt will commence in Chapter 11 - which I'm going back to right now. If you happen to see my muse, please tell her she needs to report for duty!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I hope you are safe and well in your corner of the world, we're all still hanging on here in mine. Wishing you a beautiful day, night or some time in the between....</span></span></div>
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Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-44874541060807566972020-07-10T03:00:00.004-07:002020-07-10T13:35:47.897-07:00Fantasy Friday: Quest - Chapter Nine<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; width: 100%;"><tbody>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Happy Friday! I hope you've been well since your last visit. This week, I present Chapter Nine of Quest of No Return.... (If you need to catch up on the previous chapters, you can <a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/p/i.html">find them here</a>.)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Already familiar with the lands to the west of Iselos, Aria decided to wander south. The terrain was steeper, </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ky9tEyhRS8/XwgeauAVhsI/AAAAAAAAGDc/htMAV26b97YmYoOHdiBnbg6nG5EM0UpsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/dark-forest-1081991_1920.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ky9tEyhRS8/XwgeauAVhsI/AAAAAAAAGDc/htMAV26b97YmYoOHdiBnbg6nG5EM0UpsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/dark-forest-1081991_1920.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span></a><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ky9tEyhRS8/XwgeauAVhsI/AAAAAAAAGDc/htMAV26b97YmYoOHdiBnbg6nG5EM0UpsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/dark-forest-1081991_1920.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ky9tEyhRS8/XwgeauAVhsI/AAAAAAAAGDc/htMAV26b97YmYoOHdiBnbg6nG5EM0UpsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/dark-forest-1081991_1920.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">rockier, and gave way to sudden drop offs at the edge of narrow ravine. A faded, but familiar scent of Malorian blood was ever present. <i>So this is where they thrive.</i></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">A distinct snap behind her whipped her attention in the other direction. She was not alone with the crennas and the trees.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />She jumped up, catching the branch overhead, and pulled herself out of view. She waiting, listening with her mind.<br /><br />Somewhere near, Aria sensed a familiar presence, though she could not place who or what it might be. She waited, hoping to see who, or what, was following.<br /><br />Nearly an hour passed before Aria decided to climb back down. Whatever she'd sensed had faded.<br /><br />She started walking back toward town, when she heard the falcon's call overhead, <i>Aria?</i><br /><br /><i>Yes, Dar?</i><br /><br /><i>Hunter is waiting for you with the horses.<br /><br />Thank you, my friend.<br /><br />Will you need me tonight?<br /><br />No, Dar. Not for the hunting, anyway. I would like you to keep watch for any foul play among the other hunters, though. Apparently some of them hunt people too.<br /><br />I better go eat and catch some sleep then, You should too.<br /><br />I will. Soon. See you tonight.</i></span><br /><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Aria burst into the stable, and the yellow dog leapt up into her arms, and began washing her face and neck. </span><i style="font-size: 10pt;">Oh, I missed you, Hunter!</i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/tamiefarris-13770920/" target="_blank">By Tamie Farris at Pixabay</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /><i>I expected you to send for me the first night.</i><br /><br />She put him back down, and knelt at his side. <i>I needed you at the Cernaah, to take care of the crennas.</i><br /><br /><i>They have Kumar. He is more than capable.</i><br /><i>But, he isn't you.<br /><br />This is true. I leave big paw prints for him to fill. Fortunately, his paws are bigger than mine.</i> Aria laughed. <i>Finally. I wondered if you were going to break.</i><br /><br />"Only for you," she scratched behind his ears. "Do you have something for Taura?"<br /><br /><i>Yes.</i> He trotted back to Romburr's stall, and then back, with a book in his mouth. <i>The squirrels found it tucked away in a tree.</i><br /><br />"How strange," she mused, turning the book over in her hands. The leather cover was worn smooth and thin. If there ever was an inscription on the front, it had long worn away. "I'd better get this to her. I'll come back to get you before I go up to the room to sleep."<br /><br /><i>I'll be waiting.</i><br /><br />She slipped Romburr and Illitz each a few sugar cubes and kissed Hunter on the top of the head. "See you soon."</span><br /><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /><br />Aria found Taura and Ziliena already at a table in the tavern tent, with a third mug waitng for her. She handed the journal to Taura. "From Hunter, with love."<br /><br />She put her mug down, and flipped the cover open immediately. "Definitely Mother's writing."<br /><br />Ziliena leaned in closer. "I don't think this one in encoded."<br /><br />"I hope it has some clues to help understand Father's," Aria said. "Otherwise it's not of much use."<br /><br />Taura looked up at Zilinea, then to Aria she whispered, "Did they ever say anything about Mother's family to you?"<br /><br />"No, I don't think they did." Aria paused to take a long swallow of foark. "Why?"<br /><br />Taura's eyes darted between them again. She wanted Aria to let Ziliena hear her thoughts as well. <i>This says they were murdered. Our grandparents and their three other daughters, all murdered.</i><br /><br />Ziliena's eyes widened, Aria's narrowed. "Does it say who did it?"<br /><br />Taura's eyes were fixed on the book, scanning the next few pages. She looked up and shook her head. "She just refers to a 'him.' And says she and Father must stop him."<br /><br />Aria looked around, and listened. No one was paying attention to them. "Will you take this back to Ziliena's to study?"<br /><br />"Yes, we should," Ziliena agreed. She reminded herself, <i>Don't think about the quest.</i><br /><br />Aria heard. "What quest?"<br /><br />Taura shot Ziliena a look. "It's nothing, Aria."<br /><br />Ziliena lost control of her thoughts, and Aria picked what she was looking for right out. "You figured out they were on a quest? What quest?"<br /><br />Taura pushed up her mental walls, shutting Aria out from her and Ziliena's minds. "We don't know yet, calm down." She reached out and took her sister's hand across the table. "You have to focus if you're going to participate in this hunt. I didn't want to distract you with bits and pieces of information we're not completely certain about." <i>We were going to tell you as soon as the hunt was over.</i><br /><br />"The only thing that would distract me is the thought you might be keeping something from me, Taura. Understand?" Her sister nodded. Aria shook her head. "You're right, I do need to focus. And get a quick nap in. Can you come wake me to eat before the first round."<br /><br />"Of course," Taura smiled. "I'll see you soon."<br /><br />***<br /><br />Walking back to her room with Hunter, Aria fell into deep thought over the new revelations about her parents and her dreams. Hunter, nuzzled his head into her hand to let her know he was there to support her.<br /><br /><i>Funny how you always know Hunter,</i> she reached down to scratch behind his ears.<br /><br /><i>Have you been seeing things again?</i><br /><br /><i>Seeing things? You mean dreams?<br /><br />Yes. Well, dreams or premonitions? Have you been having them again?</i><br /><br />Aria laughed out loud. <i>Tell me, how does a silly yellow dog know anything about prophetic dreams?</i> Out loud, she said, "We're here." She held the door open for him, and then led him upstairs.<br /><br />One inside the room, he continued. <i>You taught me to know Aria. I've heard your thoughts since before we met. That's why I came to you,</i> he licked her hand affectionately. <i>Tell me about this one, it obviously troubles you.</i><br /><br /><i>This one was different, old man,</i> she sighed and sat down on the foot of her bed. "It was my mother, just as she looked on the last day I saw them. She said that I am to protect my gifts and that I am 'the one' whatever that means."<br /><br /><i>I hate it when you call me old man.</i><br /><br />"Hunter, no tantrums!" she teased. She stood up and began to pace the room. "What did she mean; I am 'the one.' 'The one' to what?"<br /><br /><i>Tell me everything she said. From beginning to end.</i><br /><br />Aria pulled out her journal and read back everything her mother had said.<br /><br /><i>One with an important destiny?</i> The dog paced around in a circle five times before laying down. <i>The most important destiny I can think of is probably-</i><br /><br />"Nope, no. Stop yourself right there. I know where you're going, and there's no way."<br /><br /><i>No way what? No way you could be the one we've been waiting for?</i><br /><br />"Is that really what you think she meant?" She couldn't say what came next out loud. <i>You think she means I'm Ile Lumesare?</i><br /><br /><i>Don't you? It all makes perfect sense to me.</i><br /><br />"No, Hunter, that's jahawi. Seriously." She paced even more frantically. "But she couldn't have...could she?" Aria stopped pacing in front of Hunter, and, knelt, taking his face in her hands. <i>She couldn't mean that it's me!</i><br /><br /><i>Why not? Your own sister has suspected as much for some time now. And, Taura is probably the smartest person I know.</i><br /><br />"It just ... it can not be. They would have told me; they should have told me!" <i>And yes I caught that last remark.<br /><br />You're the second smartest. I don't understand why you are so upset.</i> He gave her one of his big doggy, tongue hanging out grins.<br /><br />She stood again, tossing her hands up in exasperation. <i>E'sareona!</i><br /><br /><i>You are the strongest person I know. And, the best Malorian hunter, as Iselos is about to find out. I couldn't think of anyone better.</i></span><br /><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">She sighed, never ceasing to be amazed by the dog's undying loyalty and over-abundant optimism. "Let's get some sleep, and put it out of our minds for now. Like the smartest person you know told me, I need to be focused on the hunt tonight.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-57639077176618102602020-07-03T17:01:00.000-07:002020-07-28T19:47:09.137-07:00Fantasy Friday - Quest: Chapter Eight<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">As promised, the second chapter for the day.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">If you've missed the first seven, you can<a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/p/i.html"> find them here.</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Chapter Eight</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WbKtZDrHomw/Xv_F6mUUUzI/AAAAAAAAGCk/MQ9stojKXjYRtbwG7gC251M9LrD1-tFtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/nature-4816528_1920%2Bby%2BDreamyArt%2Bon%2BPixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #cccccc; clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WbKtZDrHomw/Xv_F6mUUUzI/AAAAAAAAGCk/MQ9stojKXjYRtbwG7gC251M9LrD1-tFtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/nature-4816528_1920%2Bby%2BDreamyArt%2Bon%2BPixabay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/dreamyart-512893/" style="background-color: #cccccc;" target="_blank">by DreamyArt on Pixabay</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Serranna sat on the rope swing over the pond, with that smile, dappled sunlight dancing across her face through the leaves, the playful breeze toying with her hair. She was a vision of beauty and light, just as the day she set sail with Corvin.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">When at last she spoke, Aria felt as though she could reach out and touch her. “My daughter, yours is a great and important destiny. Much more than you can possibly imagine.” Her voice was clear, soft and soothing, though Aria found her words confusing. “Your ancestry has provided you with certain gifts.”</span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Keeping her thoughts about the strange nature of the conversation to herself, Aria asked, “In the name of Terratessa, what do you mean, Mother?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Serranna smiled brighter. “From the grace of Terratessa, you hear the thoughts of the crennas and they yours. This, my precious daughter, is your most powerful and useful gift. Trust them as your eyes and ears. Let them guide and protect you, just as they have always.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She swung so that her feet reached over the land, and she slid off of the swing making a soft thump as her feet hit the ground. “Your dreams will soon allow you to peer into the future, giving you the power to change what will be,” she walked over and sat on the white boulders by the water. “Your acute senses keep you alert. There are more gifts yet to be discovered.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“But, how am I to find them without you guidance? Without Father’s?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Our guidance will always be within you. You must only remember to look for it there when you seek it.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria could feel her heart pounding with dread. The sense of something terrible to come was crushing her chest.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“My child, though you are strong, you must beware, for these gifts are both a blessing and a curse.” Serranna tucked a strand of hair behind her daughter’s ear. “Guard their secrets well, and use them to protect you from what is to come. Knowledge of your gifts in the wrong hands could be deadly for you and your sister.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">”But, what is this important destiny of which you speak? I don’t understand what any of this means!”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Do not try, nah lyka; it will only cloud your vision. Or, have you already forgotten what you have been taught?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“No, of course not, Mother. Just as you and Father taught me, I must clear my mind, and let the answers come to me.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Yes, let them come to you.” She cradled Aria’s face in her hands, and whispered, “The time is near my dearest. But do not fear.” She kissed Aria’s forehead, smiling once more before she began to evaporate.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“What do you mean, ‘the time is near’?” Aria cried out. “Time for what?” Her mother was almost gone. “Wait! You’re going to guide me through what?” Aria demanded.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Whatever lies ahead,” Serranna replied. It seemed her smile lingered for a moment longer than the rest, then, she completely evaptorated.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The close walls and narrow bed positioned two feet away reminded Aria of what was the dream, and what was reality.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Oh, there, you’re finally up.” Aria rolled over to find Taura and Ziliena standing right over her bed with their hands on their hips, scowling. “See, I told you she wouldn’t even notice I was missing. I was beginning to think I should just go off to the Market without you.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria pulled her pillow over her face, muffling her voice. “How is it another Market Faire already?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"We've been here a week. Time moves forward."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria groaned again. "Maybe I should stay in, I was scouting for the hunt last night, you know.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Ha! I heard what time you came in.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Yeah, well the orbs all set and if I ran into a wolf, or something bigger? I didn't want to disqualify myself having to kill one last night.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ziliena giggled. Taura rolled her eyes, “Uh-huh."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria sat up abruptly. "Have you two made any sense from the journals yet?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Not too much,." Ziliena said "I'm missing something - it feel like we're close. But, not there yet."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria sighed. "Last night, Aerodar said Hunter found another journal, one of Mother's. He's supposed to bring it with him today."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Hopefully it will help us make sense of this one." Taura mused. "So, are you coming with us or not?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Maybe I’ll find you a little later.” Aria turned over. “Going back to sleep now.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">As soon as she heard the door shut behind them, Aria reached under her bed and sat up with a journal. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I mustn’t forget anything.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> She knew her dreams were no more than conjurings of her mind. She also knew they were manifestations of memories, of lessons taught by her parents, who now, even in death, still guide her. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ahane, why do they speak in riddles though?</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura waited until they were downstairs before saying, "We can't tell her any more until after the Hunt is over. I don't want her distracted."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"I won't tell her," Ziliena agreed. "But, we both know she could pick it out of our minds. We need to keep her focused."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"If she brings it up, we have to change the subject. If she has any idea what our parents were really doing-"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Say no more, Taura. I know. I mean, you have me, but, she is your family."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"All that I have left."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">When she finished, Aria tucked the journal back under the bed, and then sat back up. She knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep with the noise from the Market, so she didn't try. She didn't want to go to the Faire either. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Maybe I should go scout the terrain for the Hunt in the light of day.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> She dressed, took her bow, and locked the room as she left.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Slipping quietly down the back stairs of the boarding house, she let herself out the back door and onto the narrow path running behind it. It appeared everyone was off to the Faire already, as there was not a soul to be seen.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She spotted Aerodar perched on the roof. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Dar, you did tell Hunter to be here today, right?<br /><br />He left at dawn. I flew out a little while ago and spotted him not far away. He should be here soon.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> The bird glided down and perched on her shoulder.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Good. Would you go find him, and stay with him the rest of the way? Bring him to Romburr and Illitz.<br /><br />Of course.<br /><br />Let me know when you get back.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The falcon took flight, climbing high in the air and disappeared in the direction of home.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura and Zilena wandered the faire, sampling some sweets from Chaalise's tent. "This is so..."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Divine?" Ziliena offered. "I know. Chaalise is a wonder with candies and sweet meats. Stay away from her cakes though."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Why?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Waaaaaaay toooooooo much, of everything. I'll leave it at that."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The girls giggled as the stepped into the baker's tent, not noticing who else was already inside. "There you are, Taura." Ithitane flashed another of his far too bright grins. "I wondered what became of you and your sister. You never checked in at my uncle's boarding house."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ziliena responded, "Oh, sorry, Ith. I'd already arranged and paid their lodgings for them. I think they're satisfied with where they are for now."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Yes," Taura confirmed. "So much so my sister is sleeping in. She doesn't do that very often."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"I see," there was a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Well, can I buy you a glass of fara? Or, a mug of foark if you prefer?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Oh, no, Ith. Sorry." Ziliena looped her arm through Taura's. "She's mine today."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura looked back at him over her shoulder as they walked away. "Maybe tomorrow."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Once they were far enough away, Ziliena said, "Taura, please don't encourage him."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"I'm sorry, I-"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Don't be sorry. I know, it's your nature to be kind. That's why I love you!" She sighed. "It's just, well, I feel like I have to protect you from...."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"From what, Zil? From the big scary boy?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"From people who aren't as kind as they pretend to be." They were near the musicians, playing an upbeat tune. "Oh, I like this song. Will you dance with me?"</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Sure," Taura smiled. "Let's go."</span></span>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-85859340688564682682020-07-03T03:00:00.000-07:002020-07-10T02:43:45.205-07:00Fantasy Friday - Quest: Chapter Seven<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.3333px;">It's Friday again, which means more chapters of Quest of No Return! Yes, this week I have two more for you...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.3333px;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.3333px;">If you need to catch up, you can find the previous <a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/p/i.html">chapters here.</a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"></span></span><br /></span>
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.3333px;">***</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“I’m sure we’ll find Ziliena at the weaver’s,” Taura said as they joined the crowd moving along the rows of vendors. “She mentioned something about a new pattern she wanted to have woven. She’s probably standing over the loom.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“That wouldn’t surprise me,” Aria smiled. She didn’t know Ziliena well, but she knew enough to know Taura was right. “Let’s stop by the tanner’s first.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura quickened her pace to keep up. “You aren’t serious, are you?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Of course I am. I came here with you on the promise I’d get to hunt.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“You can hunt without becoming the prey for being out doing it!” Taura protested.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">When hunting Malorians, the hunter is always prey.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"I'm serious, Aria. We've been here, what, an hour? and you've already been warned off."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"By a silly Keeper boy who's probably never actually killed anything before." Aria rationalized </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">It was a pathetic scare tactic, nothing more.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“I still don’t like it,” Taura persisted.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“E'sareona! It's going to take a lot more than, 'women don't enter' to frighten me off, Sis. You know me better than that.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria followed the scent of boiling dyes and leather to the tanner’s tent, which was almost empty. Finding the tanner himself was a simple task, he was toward the back of the tent, lightening a black Malorian hide to be dyed another color.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Pardon me, sir. Can you tell me where I might sign up for The Malorian Hunt?” Aria inquired.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Without looking up, he asked, “Are you signing up for your brother?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“No. Don't have one.” She folded her arms. "I'm the hunter."</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">This time he looked, for a long moment before the corners of his mouth began to twitch upward.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Sure, darlin’, sheet’s tacked over there on the post,” he waved his arm in the general direction. He didn’t know Aria could hear him think, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I can’t wait to see this</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Thank you.” She strode confidently over, took the quill from the inkwell, and signed her name. Number sixty-four.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">As Aria read over the rules, Tauria asked, “How many do you expect to enter?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Oh as many as two hundred, maybe two fifty will sign up,” the tanner answered. “They have to get through the qualification round first, though. Next week's Faire, the first night they'll cut about half of them - weed out any with no kills, and the bottom scores. The next night will be added to the first night and the top thirty-two will participate in the main hunt the following week.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Tauria asked, “The top number of skins?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Yes. Well, top points,” he said.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Points?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Points are based on size and difficulty of the kill," he clarified. "A bear is worth four, wolf three, deer two, rabbit one, you get the idea.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria turned her attention back to the conversation. “It says each hunter is allowed one dog, a longbow and knives. It doesn’t say how many knives?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“As many knives as you like, but they may be no longer than a hand.” With a nod to her small stature, he added, “That’d be one of my hands, not yours.” Aria nodded in response. He continued, “No cross-bow or sword. It starts the night before the first day of the Faire, and the winner is announced on the third day. Half will be eliminated the first night. After the second night, only six will remain. The winner will have the top total points at the end of the third night. “</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Sounds fair enough,” Aria mused. To Taura, she thought, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I’ll have to send for Hunter</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Oh, the scoring is as fair as can be. It’s the other entrants you’ll have to be on the watch for,” he warned.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Hearing this for the second time, Taura grew even more concerned. “What do you mean?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">He leaned over his work on the table, and whispered, “The last several years, there have been injuries, and sometimes deaths, that weren’t the work of the Mal-”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Tauriiii!” Ziliena’s squeal cut through the tanner’s booth. “You actually came! And you dragged Aria out too. Finally!”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria turned back to the tanner. “Thank you for your help, sir.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">He nodded and raised a hand. “Good luck to you, darlin’. I’ll be looking for those hides.” </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Even if she has all the luck there is, it still mightn't be enough.</i><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria pushed his thoughts from her mind, and turned her attention to Ziliena, who babbled on as they left the tent. “I’m so glad I found you!” She embraced both of the sisters emphatically, then linked each of her arms through one of theirs, “Come with me girls, I’ll make sure you feel right at home.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">***</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Outside the tent, Ziliena paused to whisper to Aria, “I haven’t been able to tell you yet how sorry I am….”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Oh, Zili, you don’t have to,… it’s-”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“I know. But, I am sorry.” She leaned over to hug Aria again. “And, I wanted you to know.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Thank you.” Aria forced the lump back down her throat and willed herself to smile. “Are you ready to get us out of here? We’ve got to find a place for the horses, and ourselves.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ziliena guided them through the nearest exit from the Market Faire grounds, and into Iselos. Taura looked up and noticed they were nearing Ithitane’s uncle’s boarding house, The Iselos Inn. “Is this the only house with rooms available?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Gah! No!” Ziliena spat. “I’d put you up to sleep in a stable before I’d send you into that sty!”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Do I hear a hint of disdain for your fair Ithitane, Taura?” Aria taunted.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“What?” Ziliena’s horrified expression was almost comical. “Do yourselves a favor, and stay away from that swine.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Why?” Taura asked.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ziliena shook her head. “His whole family, they call themselves Terressan. But, I - and others, too afraid to speak - believe the spirit of Malough speaks to them.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">They quickly moved across the road, and passed the Inn before Aria commented, “I didn’t realize the dark spirit had grown so powerful.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Oh yes.” Ziliena whispered. “The elders are saying the time is nearing.”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura shuddered. “But to be that strong already?”</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I told you he was no good.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> Aria told Taura. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">We can’t trust anyone here.</i></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Don't forget to check back later today for the next chapter! </i></div>
Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-12011642032057719362020-06-26T08:00:00.000-07:002020-07-17T15:46:40.745-07:00Fantasy Friday - Quest: Chapter Six<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; width: 100%;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="left" class="norm" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">To view previous chapters, <a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/p/i.html">click here.</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
<br />
Chapter Six</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Upon entering the open air tavern, which was just inside the entrance to the marketplace, Aria got a sense things weren’t as much the same in Iselos as they seemed.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Several small groups of men were gathered at the tables, with steins of foark in hand, as to be expected. But, instead of sloshing their drinks around and slapping their knees while throwing their heads back in laughter, they sat with their heads drawn together, speaking in muted tones.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
<i>I can’t hear them.<br /><br />I thought you didn’t want to,</i> Taura smiled.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
<i>I don’t. I’m just surprised I can’t.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Taura laughed, giving herself away.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">
<i>You have something to do with this?<br /><br />I thought an extra filter might help. Maybe it would make staying more tolerable?</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Though Aria appreciated her sister's intentions, she was annoyed she did it without permission. <i>Don’t do that without telling me first next time. For now I’d rather be able to hear what’s going on.</i>Her eyes darted around the crowd. <i>Here,in the tavern tent, right now, particularly.<br /><br />Sorry.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Taura lifted the dam she'd placed on her sister's mind, and the voices flooded in. Aria had to concentrate hard to focus on any one particular voice, otherwise the noise was no different than what she could hear with her ears. <i>Thanks.<br /><br />Anything good?<br /><br />Not really. Want to start out with a drink?<br /><br />Sure. Might lighten your mood.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
As they walked to the barkeep, ordered their foark and waited, Aria felt several sets of eyes on them, which followed as they moved to a table at the edge of the tent.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
<i>The table behind you finds your riding trousers flattering.<br /><br />I’ll bet the one behind you has similar thoughts on yours.</i> Taura humphed and took a deep drink.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“Perhaps,” Aria smiled wryly. “Maybe this isn’t going to be so bad.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“Told you so.” <i>Still nothing?<br /><br />The hunting tournament starts the night of the next alignment of the orbs. That’s what, a week away?<br /><br />Two I think.<br /><br />Perfect. That'll give me time to get familiar with the terrain and local crennas.</i> Aria looked up and saw a young man approaching behind Taura. <i>Don't look! We have a brave one coming in.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“Excuse me ladies,” he brushed sandy strands back from his face and he gazed down at Taura.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Aria’s foot tapped Taura’s shin under the table, “Oh, ummm, yes?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“I was wondering … I mean … well, you’re not from around here, are you?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Taura answered. “Yes, well, no.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“What she means is, we used to visit more frequently, and haven’t for awhile." Aria explained. "But, we’re considering staying for some time now.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
He flashed a brilliant set of teeth, so white Iridius would envy them, for Taura. “Really, have you found a place to stay?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“Not yet.” Taura played coy. It annoyed Aria.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“My uncle owns one of the best boarding houses in Iselos. And, I happen to know he has some rooms available. That is, if that’s what you're looking for.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Aria cleared her throat. “Thank you, it's so kind of you to offer assistance. I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced?” She noticed his friends seemed to be getting a fair dose of enjoyment from their encounter.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
His cheeks flushed, “Forgive me. It's Ithitane. I- I'm Ithitane.” He extended his hand to Aria first, before shyly taking Taura’s. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Taura favored him with a smile, “I’m Taura, this is my sister Aria.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Aria kicked a stool out from under their table. “Please, won’t you sit down and join us?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
"Thank you." He sat down.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
"Taura and I only just arrived and haven’t met with any of our acquaintances yet, but I'm curious about the word around town. What’s passing for fun these days?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“Well, Market Days, but that’s a given." He paused for a drink. "Then, there’s the tournament…”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Taura caught on quickly to her sister’s plot. “What tournament?” Aria continued.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“The Malorian Hunt. It’s just over two weeks away now. Three nights, most skins wins!”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
<i>Ugh,</i> thought Taura. “What's the prize?” she asked.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“A fine sword and three knife set forged in Lakien, two hunting jackets, and the purse, of course.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“How much is that?” Aria was intrigued. They didn’t necessarily need the coins right now, but she didn’t know how long her father’s stash would last living here.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“I believe it's 1200 whole pieces. Enough to live on for a year, or two if you had to.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Aria whistled long and low. She weaved her fingers together behind her head and looked to Taura, “What do you think?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“Sounds like something you could get in to.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Ithitane looked confused, “You aren't thinking of entering?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Aria shrugged, “Why not?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
He stared down at his own mug, rubbing the handle with his thumb. “It’s … not the sort of competition women enter.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“Why is that?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“Well, it’s dangerous for one …” Aria’s laughter cut him off.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“My sister is fast friends with danger,” Taura explained. “It has a knack for finding her.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“I meant that some of the, um, contestants … they don’t exactly play by the rules. They aren’t afraid to kill to win.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“Oh,” the sisters breathed in unison.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
Taking a long drink, and a moment to reflect, Aria told Taura, <i>No matter, I’ll hear them coming.</i> Then she whispered to Ithitane, “Where I come from, I’ve fought Malorian packs for my life; a few hunters are nothing for me to fear!” Taura stifled a giggle at her sister’s bravado.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
His smile was forced. “Well the information is all posted at the tanner’s booth: sign up, rules, prizes and so on.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“We’ll have to stop by,” Aria threw back her head as she finished her drink. “Almost ready?” She eyed Taura’s almost empty mug.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“Sure, uh, which boarding house did you say it was?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“The ‘Iselos Inn,’ creative, I know. It’s across from the other end of the marketplace.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“We’ll have to check it out then, thank you.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
He smiled again, genuinely this time, “Maybe I’ll see you around?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
“Maybe.” Aria replied. She had Taura on her feet before she could open her mouth. “Thanks again.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
As they walked out of the then, Aria said, <i>That got annoying quickly.<br /><br />You didn’t have to be rude.<br /><br />You didn’t hear what he was thinking, or his friends for that matter!</i> “I'm sorry, Tauri. Forget the name Ithitane, he’s not the one for you.”</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-71795454752886445182020-06-26T03:00:00.000-07:002020-06-26T18:06:42.005-07:00Fantasy Friday: Quest: Chapter Five<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">To view previous chapters, <a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/p/i.html">click here.</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Chapter Five</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura rose before dawn the next morning, and set out for the stable. </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ziliena's plan better work,</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> she thought to herself as she saddled Illiz. "All set, girl?" Illiz nodded in response. Taura mounted the horse and took the reins. "Let's go home and get Aria. You know the way!"</span></span><br />
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<div align="center" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria was surprised when Aerodar announced Taura was spotted on her way home. "That was fast," she muttered.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She would have sent word if anything was wrong</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">, he rationalized.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Yes, she probably would. Unless she couldn't."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><i style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Illiz isn't running for her life. I can assure you, they're fine, and almost here in fact.</i><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Thank you Dar. I guess I'll get some food ready for them both."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
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<div align="center" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria was almost finished in the stable when Taura and Illiz arrived. "Welcome home, you two. Did you forget something?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura slid out of the saddle and down Illiz's side. "No, I missed you and had to come right back."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Now I know something's amiss." Aria started unbuckling Illiz's saddle. "Ziliena wasn't able to translate it?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"No. Well, not yet, exactly." She whispered, "Thank you," in Illiz's ear. </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Let's go inside and talk. I'm starving.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
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<div align="center" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura started mopping up the last of her soup with chunks of bread. "That was delicious, Sis. Thanks."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Your welcome. Now, will you tell me what's going on? Where's the journal?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Relax, Aria. The journal is still with Ziliena, she's still working on it." Taura took a deep breath, and sighed. "We realized it's going to take longer than we thought to make sense of it, and that you might be able to help provide some insight here and there to-"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Ah, I see now," Aria interrupted. "You want me to go back with you. Right?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Yes, I do."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"We've already been over this a thousand times, Taura." Aria threw her hands up in frustration. "I do not want to go back to Iselos. At. All." She stormed into the common room, and started pacing around in thought.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura gave her a moment before following. “Nearly a year has passed, Aria. You can’t believe Mother and Father intended for us to wither away here, all alone.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria stopped pacing around the common room, spinning on her heel to face Taura. “Fine, dear little sister, fine." She'd grown tired of this argument. "If moving to Iselos so you can find a suitor is what you wish,” she bowed at the waist, brushing the floor with her right hand, “it is what you shall have.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“This has nothing to do with men!" Taura shot back, exasperated. "Though now that you bring it up, Mother did hint at something for awhile before they left. Something about us, well, you in particular, coming to a certain age...”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Remind me again, what book defines such an ‘age’ where we're to find a man and join with him?” Aria scoffed.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura ignored the jab. “Look, I just think that some contact with other PEOPLE would do you some good. You’re too isolated; you haven’t even gone into Iselos once since-”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“I know exactly how long it's been." She clenched her fists at the thought. "I don’t like dealing with people, Taura, you know that. Crennas are straightforward; I always know where I stand. Even good people lie with the best of intentions." She sighed. "I grew tired of hearing one thing come out of their mouths while something else is coming out of their brains rapidly.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“So don’t listen.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“So easy for you to say.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“What is that supposed to mean?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“I can’t turn it off anymore, Taura. At least not with Keepers. It’s been that way for two years now. Maybe three. That’s why I stopped going.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Well, don't you think you need to learn how to block them out?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria shrugged. “Besides, IF I go, who will protect the Cernaah? And the crennas?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Crennas protect themselves in the wild each day, Aria."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"But ours have become accustomed to our intervention."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"They also have each other to count on. And, there hasn't been an attack here since, oh - I can barely remember it. Before you were old enough to fight? They don't know where this place is now, and they'll have less chance of finding it with us in Iselos."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Or, they will discover we're there, and trace our scent right back here."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Now, those chances are almost none, and you know it. Besides, you can talk to Hunter.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Not from that far.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Yet. Ugh!" Taura smacked her forehead with her palm. "It’s not like we’re never coming back. Think of it as an extended stay. Like we used to do in Brookvale.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“And, what are we supposed to do there?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Ziliena said they're looking for help at the learning hall, and she knows of a couple of rooms for boarding.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Well, the learning hall may work for you, but you know I don’t have the patience for that sort of thing.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“Ah, but what town isn’t in need of Malorian Hunters to bring in meat for the butchers, and furs and skins for the trades?” With her hands on her sister’s shoulders, Taura massaged Aria’s ego as well as her muscles. “Ziliena also said the annual hunting competition is coming up soon."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"What competition? I've never heard of it."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Well, neither had I, but she said it's become a big thing in Iselos. Hunters from all across Terressan travel to participate. Ziliena thinks you could win."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"And you?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Me? I, well, I mean, with all of your experience, you’re sure to be one of the best they’ve seen.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“I’m already one of the best they’ve seen. They just don’t know it was me who tracked and killed most of the pelts Corvin brought in.” Aria pulled away and turned to face Taura again, but this time there was a spark in her eyes. “Like I said, we’ll go.”</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Over the next two days they made their preparations and said their good-byes. Aria sensed that Taura was having a more difficult time than she expected, but also knew her sister was right; they needed some time around other people.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">On the third morning, they rose at dawn and saddled Romburr and Iliitz.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I hate that you must stay behind,</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> Taura rubbed Liia between the eyes while resting her forehead on the horse’s neck.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">You know I can’t go back there.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> Liia was owned by a man in Iselos who used crops and whips, forcing her to pull carts too heavily laden for one horse. After five years of laboring under his cruel hand, she escaped to the forest, seeking refuge in a safe haven a sparrow once sang of - the Cernaah.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<i style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I know, they would recognize you, and ... I don't want to think of it. But, it's already settled. I’ll see you in two weeks.<br /><br />If you haven’t forgotten me by then.</i><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Smiling, she patted the horse’s neck. </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Impossible.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“E’sareona!” exclaimed Aria. ”The way you two go on. Hunter’s staying behind, too, you know.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“For now,” Taura shot back, locking eyes with her sister.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">“This was your idea.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<i style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I know.<br /><br />Regrets?<br /><br />None yet. Ask me later.</i><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The bright morning and warm breeze did little to improve Aria’s disposition. She found herself fighting the urge to turn back to the Cernaah, though she reluctantly allowed Romburr to continue following Taura and Iliitz on the course to their new home. Aside from the crackle, crunch, clomp of the forest floor beneath eight hooves traveling at various gaits, they rode in silence, each keeping her thoughts private.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">From the edge of the largest clearing, Iselos unfolded before them and Aria felt as though she was waking from a dream. Directly before them lay the marketplace, full of people hustling about from tent to brightly colored tent, reminding her of insects swarming in and about their nest. Market Faire days were held the sixth, seventh and eighth days of each week in Iselos, and Aria groaned audibly as she realized that if they had waited two more days they could have avoided the events and quietly slipped into town.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The multi-hued flags and tent tops flapped gently in the breeze, giving off a sense of gaiety. Two groups of musicians played, each at either end other grounds. Between them gathered the whole town, plus travelers, all chattering and bartering. Their voices mixed with the music, creating a chaotically harmonic resonance.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">As they approached the west end of the activity, it seemed to Aria that Iselos was as she had left it – bustling with activity and full of Keepers. Keepers who did not trust Siyens, which is why their family had always kept their lineage a secret from the few friends they had here.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">To her sister, Taura appeared free of any reservations about their decision. The truth was, despite the feigned expression of excitement she wore, she too was frightened by leaving everything she knew. But, she also knew neither she nor her sister would keep their minds in tact much longer in the confines of the Cernaah.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">They dismounted outside of the grounds, and tied off the horses in the one of the designated areas. Taura pulled a sixth-piece from the small leather pouch tied to her belt, handing it to one of the boys hanging around. “There’ll be another for you if my horses have been fed and watered when I return.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The boy’s face lit up. "Yes, miss." He eagerly scampered off to fill the troughs.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/2020/06/fantasy-friday-quest-chapter-six.html">Continue to Chapter Six</a></span>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-44540178872785956982020-06-26T00:00:00.000-07:002020-07-17T18:06:27.582-07:00Fantasy Friday - Quest: Chapter Four<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">To view previous chapters <a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/p/i.html">click here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">***</span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZg3tL5O-ks/WQ0Y1tsqmGI/AAAAAAAAFjs/UELZxUmHzB8tjs-nR7ol59TXgrLY0aVSwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/QoNR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZg3tL5O-ks/WQ0Y1tsqmGI/AAAAAAAAFjs/UELZxUmHzB8tjs-nR7ol59TXgrLY0aVSwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/QoNR.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ilitz carefully made her way through the dense forest protecting the Cernaah. When they came to the road to Isleos, the horse quickened her pace to canter. They reached a stream an hour or so later, and Taura gave a tug on the reins. "Whoa, girl." Taura dismounted and Ilitz turned her head to look at her for instruction.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Oh, yes, we'll rest for a few minutes, Ilitz. Thank you," Taura patted the horse's neck. "Go on, drink, please." She stepped back and let the horse drink. "I'm sorry, I'm no good at this. I'm spoiled, being able to talk to Liia; I guess I forgot you can't hear me."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ilitz threw her head back with a laughing snort, and turned to nuzzle Taura's arm with her head. </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">You don't have to apologize.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"I can't hear you either, so show me 'yes.'" The horse bobbed her muzzle straight up and down. "And, 'no'?" Ilitz rolled her head from side to side, ears flopping, then struck at the ground with her left foreleg. "Good. That's a start." Taura patted her neck again. "Drink up, graze a little. I'm going to eat." Ilitz nodded again, and turned back to the stream.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The last time Aria was in Iselos, she went with her father to sell some skins and purchase some provisions. It was about a year before he and Serranna set sail on their last quest.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">As they walked along the main road, she started hearing the whispers. They began quietly, in the back of her mind, but grew louder as she and Corvin passed buildings. When she opened the door at the tanner's shop, the voices of all six men inside reached full volume, though only one was actually speaking. The thoughts in his head diverted from the words on his lips the moment he looked in her direction. It was the first time she ever thought of her ability to hear the minds of others as a disability.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She swore she would never return.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria busied herself the rest of the morning in the garden, harvesting vegetables and preparing new rows for planting. She could sense the crennas unease around her - they didn't know if they should leave her alone, or stay close by. Except Hunter, for he, as always, knew just what to do.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">He worked alongside her, running the baskets Aria filled back to the cabin and returning with empty ones to be filled again. He left her to her own thoughts just long enough. Returning from the cabin for at least the twentieth time, he said, </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Aria, you would have told Taura to call it a day an hour ago.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">She'd been so focused on what she was doing, she hadn't realized how sore and stained her fingers were. </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I suppose I might do something like that.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">That's it,</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> he shoved her with his head, making her lose her balance and land on her rear in the dirt. </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Time to go for a swim. Cool off. Wash up.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Alright, old man. You talked me into it." She scratched affectionately behind his ears. "Last one in finishes stacking the firewood!" She took off, the yellow dog letting her get a few strides out before racing after and passing her.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">As she caught the first glimpses of Iselos peeking through the trees, Taura told Ilitz her plan. "With any luck, Zilinea will be able to make some sense of this, and we'll be headed home in a few days. If it's going to take her longer, we're going to go back and convince Aria to come to Iselos to help." The horse stopped, signaling to Taura she knew her rider was holding something back. "Yes, Ilitz. I'm planning to convince her anyway I can to come, at least for a few weeks. She needs - I don't know what, but I know she isn't well."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Illitz nodded in agreement, and resumed trotting along the trail.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura left Illiz in the care of the stable boy, and went straight to Ziliena's home. Aria sent Aerodar ahead with a message to let Ziliena know to expect her. She smiled when she found her friend knelt down, tending her garden. "Looks like you could use a break."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Taura! You startled me!" Ziliena jumped up and hugged her fiercely. "You're earlier than I thought you'd be...which is the perfect excuse to stop in the garden for the day."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Oh, we could keep working out here, if you'd like. I don't want your garden to fall into disrepair."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Ha! No, it's too warm out by now, ahnacerae. Come, show me this journal your sister wrote about. We have the place to ourselves for now."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Zilena shared her small tidy house with her grandmother, father and three brothers, and it was only on rare occasions they were all out at the same time. "I'm glad you brought this to me, Taura. I've missed your visits." She buzzed around the kitchen, putting a pot of stew on the fire.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"I know, I'm sorry it's been so long. I- well, I don't like leaving Aria alone. She refuses to come here, and I can't understand why."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Setting two mugs of sweetwater on the table, Ziliena motioned for Taura to lay the journal on the table. "Now let's see what we have here."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Together, they pondered a single page for hours, making very little sense of it along the way. "I'm sorry, Taura. I suppose I should have known if you had trouble with it, it wouldn't be easy."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"We made far more progress than I would have on my own." Taura sat back and ran both hands through her hair. "What I don't understand is all of their secrecy. Why would our parents go to such lengths as to devise this code? To keep what ever is written here from us?"</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Maybe they weren't trying to keep it from you and Aria."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Who else was going to find that journal?"</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"That's probably exactly what they were thinking."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Taura paced around the room for a minute, muttering to herself. Then, she stopped. "Yes, I think you might be right." She started pacing again. "So, now I have an even bigger problem."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"What?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Trying to convince Aria to join us here while we figure this out. She really doesn't want to leave the Cernaah."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">They both thought in silence for a moment, and just as they looked at each other again, Ziliena's eyes grew wide. "Dahnasarae, Taura! I think I have the perfect solution."</span><br />
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<a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/2020/06/fantasy-friday-quest-chapter-five.html">Continue to Chapter Five</a>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-27842319684430450882020-06-25T14:59:00.000-07:002020-06-25T14:59:05.146-07:00Well, here goes....I've been away, not only from the blog, but Facebook and Twitter too, for what seems like forever. Okay, I've peeked at Twitter here and there. Every site has changed its design. Everything feels like I'm having to learn it all again, and with my inability to really focus on anything for the last couple of years... Yeah. It's been a slow start getting back into it all. <div><br /></div><div>Not only has everything on the internet changed, but so has the whole world outside. There is so much pain and anger, strength and resilience flying around so fast..... I'm at a loss for words. </div><div><br /></div><div>But, I am back at my writing thing. I know it's not going to cure COVID, fix police brutality or remove anyone from office. However, I do hope it might entertain, or at least temporarily distract, someone from their troubles for a little while. So, starting tomorrow, I'll be back to posting weekly chapters from Quest of No Return. And, because I've been away so long, there will be three chapters tomorrow. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also working on the Society - there are some new Fore Shadows up in my <a href="https://www.writing.com/main/portfolio/item_id/1999118-Society-in-the-Shadow-of-Civilization" target="_blank">WDC port</a>, if you'd like to check them out. (They're not done, but they are there!) </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for stopping by, and reading! Please know that I hope you are safe and well, wherever you may be. My usual sign off doesn't seem to feel quite right, given the state of the world - and yet, I still wish for your day, night or sometime in the between to be as beautiful as it can be, in the here and now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Roari</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-51658028092147396862019-08-05T18:01:00.000-07:002020-07-28T19:52:13.476-07:00Countdown to Escape Day: -150 years away!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLFKvox2_v4/V6UBNFjPq7I/AAAAAAAAFQ0/xuvWQnLWeZsxiZ2R4SgbHMyoLxPrPjP5QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Foreshadows%2Bquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLFKvox2_v4/V6UBNFjPq7I/AAAAAAAAFQ0/xuvWQnLWeZsxiZ2R4SgbHMyoLxPrPjP5QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Foreshadows%2Bquote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fifty years ago, when Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong planted an American flag on the Moon, they had no idea they were also ensuring an escape plan - set to go down two hundred years in the future - would go off without a hitch. Yes, that means Escape Day is only 150 years away!</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a>Getting a flag to the moon really was a secret mission in itself. Apparently there's a pesky treaty which essentially means no nation can claim land in space. But, think of the pictures! Of course, we couldn't pass up a photo op, o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">r, fodder for the conspiracy theorists,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> like that. So, a young engineer named Tom Moser was told to make it happen. Among those he enlisted to help was the Technical Department, which was responsible for the flag pole.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is where the Society hijacks the story, and one of their members infiltrates the team working on said flag pole. He ensured a receiver is stowed securely within. Then, the pole was loaded into the Moon Lander, and the rest is, as the Society says, how history happened.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What those outside of the Society don't realize is that with the receiver securely planted fifty years (and a few weeks) ago, 150 years from today it will play a part in helping the founding members<i> <a href="http://bit.ly/10yV0XL" target="_blank">Escape 2169</a></i> and establish the <a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/p/for-seventeen-years-samantha-marquet.html">Society in the Shadow of Civilization</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZI9IkK3tzks/XUjO4FEhbyI/AAAAAAAAFwY/zWNky8Ez9jAbIE-Vr4XUulGpQFWdwPJQwCLcBGAs/s1600/Escape%2B2169%2Bifs%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="694" height="202" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZI9IkK3tzks/XUjO4FEhbyI/AAAAAAAAFwY/zWNky8Ez9jAbIE-Vr4XUulGpQFWdwPJQwCLcBGAs/s320/Escape%2B2169%2Bifs%2Bsmall.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been a year since I've posted here, and there are too many <strike>excuses</strike> reasons why, so I <a ebates-serp-link="title" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sesquicentennial" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sesquicentennial&ved=2ahUKEwjI8Lm4_ezjAhWQFzQIHf_LALoQFjABegQIDBAF" style="background-color: white; color: #660099; cursor: pointer;"></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">won't get into them. I couldn't miss celebrating Escape Day though, especially this milestone year - it's only 150 years away. It's sort of a reverse sesquicentennial, I think? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For those who don't know what all of the fuss is about, here is the description for <i>Escape 2169</i>:</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once he saved the Colony's population from a deadly virus, Dr. Samuel Marks knew the U.C.E. would uncover how his friends accomplished their mission. The lab's vaccine was a lie; Samuel's unsanctioned research yielded the miracle cure. When the U.C.E. discovered it, they would take it. Now the only option he and his friends have left is to Escape 2169.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soon to be included in a collection titled <i>Fore Shadows: Volume 1 </i>(more on that soon!)<i>, Escape 2169</i> is available as a stand alone short story at the following:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/10yV0XL" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1vmtE0f" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/YVx1jZ" target="_blank">iTunes</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/fore-shadows-escape-2169-a-society-in-the-shadow-of-civilization-short-story" target="_blank">Kobo</a></span><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/1oFb8MX" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Smashwords</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for dropping by to celebrate with me! As always, I hope you're having a beautiful night, day, or some time in the between....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Roari</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Apollo11MoonLanding/story?id=8113235&page=1" target="_blank">ABC News</a></span></i><br />
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<br />Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-49061283819126324852018-08-05T15:00:00.000-07:002018-08-05T15:00:11.196-07:00Happy Escape Day! (Only 151 years to go!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlgi0XOuRLg/W2ddvp9_D9I/AAAAAAAAFsw/tvfzVpAXe-s_Yu7qN8ClXBqpARQn1ZGLgCLcBGAs/s1600/More%2Bthan%2Bfar%2Benough%2B-%2B2169%2Bsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="655" height="232" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlgi0XOuRLg/W2ddvp9_D9I/AAAAAAAAFsw/tvfzVpAXe-s_Yu7qN8ClXBqpARQn1ZGLgCLcBGAs/s320/More%2Bthan%2Bfar%2Benough%2B-%2B2169%2Bsm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One hundred and fifty-one years from now, Dr. Samuel Marks and his accomplices will travel more than six and a half centuries to escape the consequences of saving 100,000 lives. In doing so, they formed The Society in the Shadow of Civilization, and began work to protect themselves from the Future they had to flee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The original Society members first celebrated the day in 1514, and so the tradition continues....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O1QZM5W" target="_blank">Fore Shadows: Escape 2169</a>, Samuel relates the events that take place in his final hours on the moon. His rationale for the decision to travel to 1513 is two-fold: 1) they won't affect evolution, and 2) they'll have time to plan how to protect the Flamella tree from the U.C.E. before they eventually reach 2169 again. Assuming the U.C.E. doesn't catch up with them, some time else, first. See? It's all perfectly logical. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you had to escape to the past, when would you choose to arrive? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing you a Happy Escape Day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roari</span>Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-76276291678355449792018-06-29T14:00:00.000-07:002019-08-09T18:00:22.075-07:00#FantasyFriday - Quest: Chapter Three<br />
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It's Friday! And (long past) time for another chapter in Quest! (If you haven't read the first two, you can start <a href="https://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com/2018/02/fantasyfriday-quest-chapter-one.html">here</a>.)<br />
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Some time has passed since Chapter Two, and the orphaned sisters have settled into their new normal. Until a visitor comes to Aria in her dreams....<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chapter 3</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Someone shook Aria’s shoulder, disturbing her sleep. She turned her head on the pillow, opening her eyes. Corvin was kneeling beside the bed, with a finger to his lips. He rose, pointing to the ladder down from her loft. She got up and followed him down.<br /><br />He led Aria to the cramped little room behind the kitchen they used for storage. There, Corvin pulled back the rug and pointed for Aria to lift the floorboard. She struggled to pull it free, falling back into the wall with the board in hand when it came loose. <br /><br />Aria leaned the plank against a shelf, and knelt down to look in the hole below. All she saw was a book. A thick, brown, hide-bound journal. She flipped through the first pages, and recognized both of her parent's handwriting, but not the language. <br /><br />She looked up at Corvin. “What does this mean, Father?”<br /><br />He only smiled in reply. Aria saw a great sadness in his eyes as he faded into the shadows. <br /><br />***<br /><br />In the morning, Aria woke to find the journal next to her bed. “How?” She tensed up, startled.<i> It was just a dream</i>. Puzzled, she flipped through the pages, as she had the night before. She still didn’t know what language it was written in. <i>What on Isiterra does this mean?</i><br /><br />In the very back of her mind, Aria realized she should take comfort, knowing her parents were still trying to guide her. But, in the eighty nights since they perished, this was the first time either had appeared.<br /><br />Aria got up and put on a lightweight, tan skirt, long enough to just brush the ground, and tunic of the same fabric, dyed deep blue. She picked up the journal and climbed down to find Taura.<br /><br />“Good morning,” Taura cheerfully greeted Aria as she stepped in the kitchen. “Were you wandering in your sleep last night?”<br /><br />“Well,” Aria paused, not sure where to start. “You might call it that. Why?”<br /><br />“The storage room was open, is all. I asked Hunter, and he walked over to the ladder. I assumed he meant you were responsible.” <br /><br />Aria turned to the yellow dog laying next to the hearth. “You turned me in! I thought you were on my side?”<br /><br /><i>What side? She asked who opened the door. I told her as best I could</i>. Hunter sat up so Aria could scratch behind his ears. <i>I’m always on your side</i>. <br /><br />“Uh-huh,” she mumbled, running her fingers through his fur. <i>People talk time now</i>. “Yes, Taura, I guess it was me. But, it was strange.”<br /><br />“What?”<br /><br />“It was a dream, but in it, I woke up and Father was there. He didn’t say anything, and led me down here, to find this.” She handed Taura the journal. “It was next to my bed when I woke just now.”<br /><br />Taura sat down on the hearth bench, opening the cover. Her eyebrows knit together as she looked at the first entry. “This is really confusing.”<br /><br />“E’sareona, you’re telling me!” Aria agreed. “I can’t even tell what language-”<br /><br />“That’s what I mean.” Taura interrupted. “It’s not just another language. It’s in code.”<br /><br />“Code?”<br /><br />“Well, sort of.” Taura looked at it for a few moments. “It’s a blend of languages, making it even more difficult to translate.”<br /><br />“But, you can. Right?”<br /><br />“I’ll do my best.” Taura stood, and started to wander off with the journal. She stopped at the doorway. “Oh, but I have to harvest in the garden today.”<br /><br />Aria waved at her to go on. “Don’t worry about the harvest. I’ll take care of it.”</span><br />
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<br />Though Taura had studied many languages with her mother, she was far from fluent in most of them. The one language she was able to pick out from the journal was an obscure dialect of Underdwellish she wasn’t well versed in, so she wasn’t able to learn anything from it before Aria returned. Though, she had an idea of how to decipher it.<br /><br />“Aria, I need to take the journal to Iselos,” Taura blurted when Aria came through the door.<br /><br />“What? Why?” Aria was caught off guard, but quickly understood. “You think Zilinea can help?”<br /><br />Taura nodded. “She’s kind of an expert in Underdwellish.”<br /><br />“Well, of course. It comes naturally for her.” Aria knew her sister’s friend would be helpful, as she was not only an instructor at the Learning Hall, her grandmother was half Underdweller. “When do you want to go?”<br /><br />Taura sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know? As soon as possible, I suppose.”<br /><br />“Then you’d better go pack your things. I’ll have Illitz saddled for you at first light.” Aria felt a pang of loneliness already. </span><br />
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Though Taura was up before first light, Aria still beat her to the stable and had Ilitz ready to go. "Eat with me before you go?" Aria asked.</div>
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"I packed some bread and fruit to eat on the way." Taura stashed the bundles of food and clothes she carried in the the saddle bag. "I'm not hungry yet." She didn't let the flicker of disappointment in her sister's eyes deter her from her plan to leave as early as possible. "I'll be back in no more than a week." She hugged her sister fiercely. "I promise."</div>
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Aria didn't want to let go. Taura had been back and forth to Iselos several times in the months since Corvin and Serranna died, but she never stayed for more than two nights. "You better." She stepped back as Taura mounted her saddle. "Expect to see Aerodar following you, and he'll be-"</div>
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"At my window each night for a note. Got it."</div>
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"And-"</div>
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"Aria, I will be fine."</div>
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Aria sighed. "Ilitz, take good care of her."</div>
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<i>Always</i>.</div>
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Aria patted the horse's hindquarters once more as she carried Taura out of the stable. She followed them out and watched them trot through the Cernaah toward the west gate. Two bears waited for them to approach before taking the ropes used to control the gate into their mouths. They walked back, pulling the gate up, and waited for Taura to ride through. Once the gate was closed, Aria walked back to the cabin to eat alone.</div>
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***</div>
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We'll meet Zilinea and get a glimpse of Iselos in the next chapter.</div>
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Thank you for reading! I hope you're having a beautiful day, night or some time in the between....</div>
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Roari</div>
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Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-9236321482851020822018-04-13T23:08:00.001-07:002018-04-13T23:08:55.040-07:00Artemis, Herself<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFqfuR5I-8c/Ws7Vam1RjeI/AAAAAAAAFqU/LlXPcA5kprIELH5GtdTSiqTyja22EWOAgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Artemis%2BHerself.jpg" width="234" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you may know, in the fictional world of the Society, Artemis (Sam's/Samuel's cat) is an important figure. She was the one to show Samuel the truth of his work - that he had created a power far greater than he imagined.<br /><br /> In the books, if not for Artemis and her accidental revelation to Samuel, there would be no Society in the Shadow of Civilization.<br /><br /><br />In reality, if not for Artemis, herself, - aka Miss Mis, Phantom, Her Highness or The Shedder - the books wouldn't exist. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z0RqQcsc3ys/Ws6bNDIISnI/AAAAAAAAFpI/oGn9q0Wy8Ikvt_Sj6CYNaIEusx8jtw2EgCLcBGAs/s1600/20160408_163359_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z0RqQcsc3ys/Ws6bNDIISnI/AAAAAAAAFpI/oGn9q0Wy8Ikvt_Sj6CYNaIEusx8jtw2EgCLcBGAs/s200/20160408_163359_resized.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not that she helped with any of the typing or formatting. Her contributions mostly consisted of sitting in my lap, kneading her claws in my leg when I would start to nod off, and keeping my seat warm when I got up to take a break. Nonetheless, every detail about the fictional Artemis - her tree climbing prowess, her attentiveness to her human, her possessiveness of said human, and her conversational skills - are all 100% drawn from the living, breathing purr-ball I've been blessed with for nearly sixteen years. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LyFivNcGySo/Ws6cH7blG1I/AAAAAAAAFpg/J8YkDWh_Ox0dVIr3zxaqPVN8pm0Ir1PjwCLcBGAs/s1600/HP%2B2003%2B151.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LyFivNcGySo/Ws6cH7blG1I/AAAAAAAAFpg/J8YkDWh_Ox0dVIr3zxaqPVN8pm0Ir1PjwCLcBGAs/s200/HP%2B2003%2B151.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />This bit of black and white fluff appeared in Mom's yard one day, almost a year after Dad passed away. LOML and I were watering the plants when he heard her cries just a few feet from where I buried my dog, Smokey, five years earlier. I scooped her up in my arms and the purring started, almost instantly. Artemis chose me as her human. And, I've been thankful she did every day since. <br /><br />At the time, Mom and I were the only residents of the house, and she happened to be out of town for a few weeks. When she came home, I announced, "We have a cat!" And, yeah, it didn't go over so well, at first. After Smokey died, my parents didn't want any more pets in the house. Not because they didn't love animals - just the opposite. They had loved and lost so many over the years, they didn't want to go through it again. <br /><br />Miss Mis stayed outside a few months, until I had her spayed. Then, she had to stay inside for her stitches to heal. From that point, and for the duration of our time there, she became an outdoor kitty by day, and indoor by night. I bathed her daily, which she didn't like, but accepted as a necessity, and she would climb the ladder up to my loft bed to sleep on my pillow, right against my head. <br /></span><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AM285K8dPlo/Ws6bNB-TYhI/AAAAAAAAFpE/wKsSLSWdX5wi0EgAGHcRdT-PSYgixdUywCLcBGAs/s1600/Artemis.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AM285K8dPlo/Ws6bNB-TYhI/AAAAAAAAFpE/wKsSLSWdX5wi0EgAGHcRdT-PSYgixdUywCLcBGAs/s320/Artemis.jpg" width="179" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, she's an indoor cat, who wanders out on the porch with me occasionally, but otherwise is perfectly content to curl up in a sunny patch on a chair or sofa. When my lap isn't available, of course.<br /><br />The estimated life expectancy for a "domestic" cat in the "wild" (on the streets) is somewhere around five years. Kept indoors, it's extended to twelve - eighteen years. Some lucky cats even stretch their nine lives well into their 20s. <br /><br />Last week, I was harshly reminded of the cruel fact I have no Philosopher's Stone to feed her, and Artemis will, one day, be gone. She became so ill, so suddenly, she was literally withering before our eyes. I really thought we might have to say our last goodbye.<br /><br />Thankfully, with lots of love and a new dietary regimen, for now she seems to be on the mend. In fact, each day she is acting more like her usual, demanding self. Which is wonderful - every nagging "maaaow" gives me hope we might still celebrate her Sweet Sixteen next month. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So, next week, I'll be getting back on track with my writing schedule, and will (hopefully) be sharing the next chapter in Quest with you next Friday. Though, admittedly, I still have a lot of work to do on it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing you, and your furry friends, a beautiful day, night or some time in the between.... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Roari</span><br />
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Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870721305353830170.post-13592746218781973112018-03-07T10:08:00.001-08:002018-06-14T02:17:27.012-07:00Book Birthday ~ The Shadow Watcher turns 4 today!Time flies, doesn't it? I can't believe it's been four years since The Shadow Watcher was released!<br />
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So far, Sam's story has reached beyond the US, and has been read in Australia, Canada, Japan, Germany, and the UK. I can't adequately express what that means to me, but, it's an amazing feeling!</div>
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I really just wanted to take a moment to thank you, Dear Reader, for your support (and patience in waiting for book three). It means much more than you know.</div>
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Wherever you are, I hope you're having a beautiful day, night or some time in the between...</div>
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Roari</div>
Roarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04676688333104441761noreply@blogger.com0