New Story Reveal!

Here is the promised reveal of my next serial blog-story! To start with, I guess I'd better announce the title:

Swords, Sails + Scoundrels

I wanted something slightly shorter than 'If Adventure Comes Your Way' because that can be a bit of a mouthful to say sometimes, but I wanted it to be cool. And it also needed to reflect the story somehow.

As you can gather from the title, there will hopefully be quite a bit of sailing/ships in this story, as well as weapons - mostly of the sword-ly kind. I'm quite looking forward to starting so you can all find out about my brilliant plans.

Now, I have a couple new characters, and I spent ages thinking up random character profiles/blurbs that didn't give away everything that might happen but were still interesting, so I hope they'll give you a quick glimpse at what these people are like.


Louise De Corlette: 
(Yeah, I know, I know, the new ones'll come soon)

Using the cover name Conwell, she is eager to see more of the world. One time, Louise would have been daunted at such a prospect, but she is no longer the same girl that sat in the parlour with Governess Kathryn.

Now a tried adventurer, Louise finds that she has yet a very narrow field of experience. Changing status from a lady, she tries her hand at many trades; traveller, gypsy, even pirate. But her journey to Eirerandil isn’t just for fun…

Eumin Quest:

Leonora’s oftentimes companion on her Outrider missions. He's quiet and strong, the perfect kind to fight alongside Leonora’s daring courage.








Leonora Maysdaughter:

Lieutenant of the Royal Outriders and younger sister of Eumin Quest, Leonora has become well known for her adventurous ability and fencing skills

(Here come the new characters!)

Marius De Corlette:

The second of Louise’s older brothers, Marius is just twenty years of age. He and Louise were the closest of the De Corlette siblings, despite being almost complete opposites. Having left Feâ Sirih a little over three years ago to earn renown, he fell into deep trouble upon reaching the fair country of Eirerandil.

His family have heard nothing of him since the day he left.

Captain Wielder:

Infamous pirate of the Notrias Sea. Rapscallion, rebel and rascal supreme.

Although he goes by the term pirate, Captain Wielder has nothing alike with others of that kind. Since his boyhood he made adventures for himself, planning great feats and fame on the high seas. These dreams never died, and he now lives them in reality, sailing the seas in search of adventure. 

Captain Wielder is an expert swordsman, known for capturing soldiers to fight them and beat them with his gentleman-like manner – just to show off his swordsmanship skills. After which he unfailingly releases them so they can go tell the whole country about him.

Earning his widespread fame in this manner, he ceased searching for adventure, discovering that it found him plentifully without any help. Being such a renowned swordsman, the ultimate challenge for would-be soldiers is to fight and beat him. Many have tried. None have succeeded.

With gentlemanly courtesy for the ladyfolk and willing respect only for those who earn it, he sails his beloved Rift across the sea, meeting ever more famous swordsmen to fight. And beat. And release. And make his reputation grow ever more.

Gypsy Boy:

At the age of sixteen, he lived his whole life travelling the country with his parents and the band of gypsies. Unfortunate, and unexpected circumstances (a.k.a. Captain Wielder) drag him from his mother’s overindulging grasp, and send him reeling onto the wild seas.

He has the typical brown hair and olive skin of his race, but his eyes are dark blue, given by a distant Eirerandil ancestor.

A quick glance shows a sullen, quiet yet arrogant bearing and a remarkable ability to annoy people without speaking a word. But inside he really wants to be wanted by someone, to be needed somehow – he realises that no one actually likes him, they just fake it. Although some don't bother to even do that.

Though he is a fast thinker and good at quickly assessing situations, he doesn’t often share it, keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself.

---

I really can't decide if I like Captain Wielder or Gypsy Boy the most...I have such plans for them both. 
So, how to they all sound? Interesting?

And here's a random synopsis I wrote up:

“Eirerandil, a once-bright land, is marred by the presence of a terrible evil. A serial killer stalks the land, and only one person has a chance to stop him.

Louise ‘Conwell’ is excited about widening her experiences, but when she reaches her destination she realises that it’s worse than she imagined. Courageously starting off things begin to go awry from the very first. When Louise is captured by the infamous pirate Captain Wielder she discovers that allies can be found in the strangest of characters.

But with wild storms at sea, shiploads of pirates, and an elusive goal, can Louise and her friends possibly stop the killer before her long-lost brother is lost forever?”

Sadly I can't share the cover picture yet, because my artist is yet to finish, but I can say that, last I saw, it looks pretty cool.

And equally sadly, I won't be starting SS+S next week. I'll be away at my crazy cousin's farm! (Disclaimer: I never said she was crazier than me. I've been told she had her serious moments.)(besides, she goes to school. Pfft, overrated thing as it is, you've got to be at least half sensible to go there and live.) I'll be getting back next Friday and doing a post about my Camp NaNo novel, so things won't be completely silent.  (Also, since I'm leaving early Sunday morning I will check for comments Saturday night, but after that they will unfortunately remain unpublished until I return on Friday. But please comment anyway, it'll give me a nice welcome home!)

My plan is to start the week after though, so unless something bad blows up (or the cover picture still needs more time)(I think my artist is a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to her drawings), you can expect the adventure to begin then. 

If you were wondering what happened to Maree and Jack, don't worry, they actually did live happily ever after (for a while). All the Freespirits are alive and they went to live with Jack's family in the forest. But they yet wait for news of Louise's return.

Oh, I almost forgot, I drew (you are about to witness the most artistic I ever get. Except for when making pizza) a map -

And then Clare, dear sister that she is, made it epic -

It looks so amazing! I'm just annoyed at myself for smearing the 'd' of Pyre-ite Island and the 'n' of Raeyn...(Raeyn is the town right down the bottom of the coast of Eirerandil, if you couldn't tell)
I reckon the sea looks pretty cool, with all the currents and the swirling vortex around the compass (I was rather happy with how the compass turned out, I usually draw them in a slightly different style but I actually like this one heaps). The land's great too...so's the whole thing really. Thank you terribly much, Clare. :D

I believe that's all for now. Phew, I wasn't planning on this being such a long post! I hope you're as excited as I am for the first segment! *does a happy dance*

Dúinn aller!

'Brace Yourself'

So...something happened that, a while ago, I wouldn't have ever expected. I've kept you all in suspense, although most of my followers already know, because they've seen me. I almost considered not doing a post just for a certain cousin of mine (yeah, Jessica, I'm talking about you...),  because I thought it would be funny to just turn up at Christmas time and freak her out. I did rather want to see her face when she saw me. But...just 'cause I'm nice, I didn't. 
Right, so to get right to the whole point of this post:

 I Have Glasses.

Okay, it all started with the projector at church. I'd been having trouble reading it and I eventually mentioned it to someone. This resulted in a frown and a few weeks later, an eye test. To use the exact words of the Eye-Doctor-person: "You are the best case for needing glasses that I've had today." (Sorry about that very generalised summary, I could go into more depth, but it's not much of an interesting tale.)

Yeah, so after that I had to choose frames for the glasses. Those who know me will also know that I really don't like making decisions. Really. And this wasn't just any decision, it was one that was going to stay around for quite a while. In the end I decided on a black frame, nice and simple, nothing fancy, just like me really (In case you didn't know, I have a strong distaste for most things fancy).

Last Tuesday they were ready so Daddy and I, along with my three littler siblings, went down to pick them up. When I put them on I just said, "Wow." I couldn't think of anything better to say. It truly is wow-ish. Driving back home I read out about every sign we passed just 'cause I could, and commenting on all the jacaranda trees, that are flowering now, had so many flowers! The trees have so many leaves, the grass is so...umm...grassy, my feet look really small, not to mention that I can't work out if the ground looks close or far away.

Sadly, Tuesday and Wednesday were all cloudy, but finally on Thursday the sky was clear. And at night I went outside to look at the stars. So cool. I thought I could see heaps of stars before. But now? Now I can see loads more. And they're not just random blobs of light, they're actually more like holes in the sky, opening up into some other realm full of adventures and fantasy.

Naturally my sister Clare, who is also a photographer, would not allow me to do a post without pictures. So we managed to find a sunny few minutes just before the sun set the other day and she took a few photos. 

Yep. Just a few (I know, it's amazing). As I said, it was only minutes until the sun set so I am still to be subjected to a more lengthy photo-shoot. But to look on the bright side: I don't even have to pay! Which is a good thing, because I've already spent all my money on Christmas presents. Two Christmas presents (Guess what! They were books!).
I didn't really have much money to start off with. Actually I still haven't earned the money to pay my Mum back. I'm doing that at the end of this month though, so it's all sorted. I still haven't had any inspiration as to what to give any of the rest of my family yet, but I'm working on it. 

Right, sorry, I'll get back to the point.

One sad thing is that I can't show other people how much difference the glasses make. Everything looks so amazing! But if I'd always been able to see this much I wouldn't think it was amazing, it'd just be normal. I think all my siblings have tried on my glasses, most thought things looked really over sharpened, but my almost-two-year-old little sister, Ann, didn't say. She just stared at me and then smeared her hands across the lenses so I had to clean them if I wanted to see anything other than smear. I wonder why she did that? (Sorry...sarcasm runs in the family.)

Basically I have to wear my glasses all the time unless I'm doing something that's close; like stuff on the computer, reading and school work. Apparently if I wear them while doing that kind of thing my eyes could get worse. And I'm already half-blind enough, so I'm fine with taking them off. :)

 So there we go. Now you know that I have glasses. To finish off this post I think a poem (written by Skilf, naturally) about my glasses would be fitting. She wrote this as if from my point of view, after I told her about my glasses. She seemed to find it rather amusing when I mentioned the church projector being the bane of my life, as you will notice...

‘The Bane of My Life’

Oh the bane of my life, the projector.

To glasses and short-sightedness lie,

Forever to squint, or glasses to wear,

For I have the myopic eye.

Pray, come near me not, my dear friends,

For catching, my case may well be,

And you do not want to have glasses,

All the bother and annoyance, trust me.

All the smudges and all of the dust specks,

All the smears and the random chap’s stare,

I haven’t decided, but they might just be worth it,

For all that they rather impair.

For now I can see, what astonishment!

An amazing occurrence, I’m sure.

Oh the stars in the sky are quite brilliant,

Of the trees and the land I see more.

So maybe, just maybe, I don’t mind much,

Does the benefit outweigh all the blight?

I am yet unsure, but I’ll say one thing;

Glasses ain’t that bad...well, not quite.

Fare Thee Well!

Dusty Red - Skilf's Nonsensical Song

Okay. As I am still in the thinking stages of my next blog-story, I have decided to post a short(ish) piece of poetry (if you can call it that) composed by Skilf. She sent me a letter containing a while back and I think it may just amuse you.

Skilf’s Nonsensical Song

By Aforementioned Skilf

Your destiny must rest with me

I make a plea, well can’t you see

Your destiny is your density,

Be you up to my knee or one hundred and three!

A fly must fly, and a spider will spy her

A feather can’t sigh, and he cannot laugh either.

A flea’s too small, an ostrich too big,

Have you ever tried sailing a hermaphrodite brig? 

What about fighting with Apples? Limes? Chips?

I much prefer to do it with ships.

If you wish, you can float to the East China Sea

But I doubt that you’ll find your own destiny.

Because, your destiny, it rests with thee

It’s been said of me, I’m a difficulty.

But your destiny is your density,

No matter how spree or how ancient you be.

Thus ends the song of Skilf the Nonsensical.

Another thing that Skilf mentioned in her letter was that the words 'Part' and 'Aeronaut' are synonyms. Synonyms?! you ask. Aye, synonyms. She gave a whole list to prove her reasoning: 

Part
Instalment
Chapter
Episode
Segment
Fragment
Splinter
Shard
Spike
Confound
Mistake
Blunder
Error
Slip
Omission
Inadvertence
Oversight
Lapse
Wait
Gap
Fissure
Opening
Introductory
Exploratory
Trial
Pilot
Aviator
Aeronaut

So she figured that if all those words could come from a synonym of 'part' then they must all be synonyms of each other! She's quite an amusing person at times.

I hope this post dispelled some of the gloom from the ending of Dusty Red ~ The Story, because I don't want you to be gloomy.

 "I have found that being gloomy often results in a feeling of gloom." - Miss Freespirit.

Wait, what!? Who is this random Miss Freespirit? Ah! I have just given you the first glimpse of a new character.... Not the main character, but the second main character. I decided to call her 'Miss' for now so I can reveal her true name and identity a little later on.... For now, I leave you with a promise that I'm thinking hard as to how to begin the next story.

Fare Thee Well!

Dusty Red - The Denouement

So. It is done. This instalment of Dusty Red is the final, last, completion, conclusion, denouement (Pronounced den-oo-mah. I believe it's French.) and just generally the end of the story...

Or is it?

Someone once said that all good things must come to an end...or must they?
As you read this last instalment you may finally realise that this is simply the beginning. The Introduction, so to speak, the Preface, Foreword.  

I can't say that the ending came easily, as my sisters will assure you. I spent all yesterday afternoon sitting on my bed with a laptop, making sounds like Chewbacca (the Wookiee) or something in mortal agony.
But I did eventually get there, I hope that you enjoy this last part of the written story of Dusty Red.

Trancos was holding Larzik at arm’s length, while the Imp-goblin beat at his long arms with his stick.

“Horrible, horrible human!” Larzik screeched. “How could you do that?”

“Larzik!” Skilf exclaimed. “What is wrong?”

Larzik hesitated and Trancos dropped him abruptly, retreating several paces.

“Horrible…cruel…double-crosser!” Larzik stuttered.

“Double-crosser?” Nainsi asked. “What do you mean?”

“He tried to step on a Twigin,” Larzik proclaimed solemnly.

Trancos held up his hands in a gesture of innocence when all eyes turned to him. “It was an accident, okay?” he said. “It happens to everyone.”

Skilf slapped her forehead and Flicks turned to her anxiously. “Something wrong?”

“Nainsi! That’s who you look like,” she looked at Trancos. “You’re related to Nainsi.”

Fred dropped onto Flicks’ shoulder. “I concur,” she said. “I’ve had a slight suspicion for a while now.”

“Oh really?” Flicks muttered sarcastically so only her Skilf and Fred could hear.

Nainsi stood stock still, her eyes fixed on Trancos. “You were dead,” she whispered eventually.

“Nainsi,” Trancos began. “I didn’t want it to be like this. But it had to be, I couldn't do anything about it. I couldn't leave my post.”

Nainsi looked down at her shoes. “I see,” she said.

“But I never forgot my sister,” Trancos completed softly.

“Your si—” Flicks clapped her hand over Skilf’s mouth before she could interrupt the reunion.

Nainsi raised her eyes to her brother. “Trancos,” was all she said before running to him, throwing her arms around his neck.

“Brother and sister,” Skilf murmured quietly when Flicks removed her hand. “I never would have guessed.”

“Nor I,” piped Larzik. “If I’d known I’d never had hit him so hard.”

“But you still would have hit him?” Flicks asked, amused.

Larzik tilted his head to one side thoughtfully. “Probably,” he said, a grin splitting his bronze skin.

Fred flicked her tail and snaked her head out in front of Flicks’ face. “I believe our Tree friends have something interesting to tell us,” she said.

Flicks turned. A Twigin was jumping up and down excitedly, pointing at the forest. Flicks frowned and looked towards the woods. She was just in time to see a regal figure sweep from the shadows.

“Queen Alwyn’Miriella,” Larzik squeeked reverently, lowering himself onto one knee in a deep bow.

The tall Dragontíre queen smiled down at him. “You have done well Larzik,”she commended him. “I must say I hardly expected that you’d continue this quest with as much enthusiasm as you started with.”

Flicks blinked slowly and cleared her throat. What, exactly, was the queen doing here?

The graceful queen turned to the four young companions. “And you,” she said. “I congratulate you on your success.” 

“Our success?” Flicks questioned.

“Yes,” Queen Alwyn replied. “What else would you call this? The enemy is vanquished: banished forever to the world of villains. The family reunited. The goal completed.”

“Oh,” Flicks and Skilf said together, somewhat sadly.

“But now!” the queen said, clapping her hands sharply. “We must get back to the palace. There are things that need to be arranged.”

“Like what?” Nainsi asked.

“Like a celebration feast,” Queen Alwyn suggested.

“Let’s go!” Fred yelped excitedly, jumping into the air.

“Are you ready? I have a rather quicker way in mind than walking, so, if you don’t mind, it might be an idea to close your eyes for a moment,” the queen instructed.

Flicks glanced around at the others and shrugged before complying. A moment later the Dragontíre queen spoke again. “You can open them again.”

“Yikes!” Flicks jumped backwards upon doing so. “How did we get here?”

 “I told you I had a faster way of travel planned,” Queen Alwyn pointed out.

They stood in the middle of an empty room in Esueño castle. The white walls and blue patterned ceiling left them in no doubt. “Now for the feast I promised,” the queen said, rubbing her hands together. She disappeared through the far doorway.

Flicks looked around at her companions, all as bewildered as she. “Erm…what do we do now?” she asked.

“Maybe we should follo—” Skilf began but a gush of rust coloured smoke pouring from under a door interrupted her. “Why do I never get to finish my sentences?” she moaned to herself as she followed Flicks to investigate.

Flicks pulled open the door, stepping aside in time to let the flood of rusty smoke billow out past her. Skilf, unfortunately, got caught right in the middle on it and it took her quite some time to cease coughing.

Flicks advanced into the dimly light room, sniffing at the queer smell of rust, smoke and other unidentifiable scents. She found Old Ron sitting happily in the middle of a pile of rust, smiling broadly at a perfectly unrusty piece of metal.

He glanced up as Flicks drew closer. “Oh, ye be back!” he beamed. “Will ye jest look at this, Flicks. It’s an Unrust Illusion. Jest like ye said!”

Flicks stared at Old Ron and then a smile crept slowly across her lips. She shook her head, “You’ll never change, will you.”

-------------------------------------------

“Now, as we near the end of this feast,” Alwyn’Mirriella, Queen of all Esueno said. “I’d like to draw several members of our company to your attention.”

She turned to the table at which sat the honoured guests of the feast: Flicks, Skilf, Nainsi, Trancos, Larzik and, of course, Fred (who was enjoying herself immensely). “Nainsi and Trancos have asked that I give them no reward and so I simply thank them wholeheartedly for their hand in saving or realm.”

The crowd of Dragontíre cheered and then waited for their queen to speak once more.

“The Imp-goblin, Larzik Veiltgrangil, has done deeds worthy of great ballads and lays. Therefore I have made it possible that he be knighted!”

The crowd roared enthusiastically. Larzik almost fell from his seat in shock.

The queen turned to him, passing him a short sword with a graceful curtsey.

Larzik took it and the Queen continued. “I hereby declare you Sir Larzik! If any Imp-goblin is deserving of this title, it is you.”

Larzik stumble back to his seat and collapsed into it. “I can’t believe it,” he muttered over and over again.

“And Flicks and Skilf, Dragontwins, were a pivotal part of the overthrowing of evil,” Queen Alwyn said. “I offer them the greatest reward of all. Whatever they ask of me, I shall grant them.”

Flicks looked uncertainly at Skilf as the queen looked questioningly at them. “I can’t think of anything,” she whispered. “I guess I could go back home.”

“To Asturialia or whatever you said it was?” Skilf asked.

“Yeah, Australia.”

“Well,” Skilf said. “If you’re going, I’m going too.” She looked up and raised an eyebrow at the queen. “We’d like to go to Australia,” she said decisively. “Maybe we’ll find something interesting to make into an adventure there,” she murmured in an aside to Flicks.

“Very well, since that is your wish,” the queen said, nodding as if she’d expected as much. “Whenever you want to leave, I will be happy to assist you.”

“How ‘bout later tonight?” Skilf asked cheerfully.

-------------------------------------------

“Are you sure you don’t want to come, Old Ron?” Flicks asked.

“I be sure o’ it,” he nodded. “Look at all the rust I be havin’ ‘ere. Mebe ye’ll come an’ visit again,” the rust-worker suggested.

Nainsi hugged Skilf and Flicks quickly. “Thanks for everything,” she said, smiling. “And do come visit. Just every now and then, so we can keep in touch.”

“We’ll do our best,” Flicks assured her.

The newly knighted Larzik stepped forward. “It’s because of you that I can become a knight,” he said gratefully.

“Say nothing of it,” Flicks brushed his thanks aside.

“My descendants will be forever indebted—”

Skilf raised her eyebrows. “Literally, say nothing of it,” she added.

“Where’s Fred?” Flicks asked, glancing around for the little dragon. 

Everyone else shrugged, mimicking her action of looking around.

“Well, if you’re ready to leave,” the queen began.

Flicks and Skilf nodded.

The Dragontíre queen raised her hands but a green blur forestalled her.

“Wait for me,” Fred panted, collapsing on Flicks’ shoulder. “I’m coming too.”

“You are?” Flicks and Skilf asked in unison.

“Of course,” Fred looked hurt, as only a dragon can. “Did you think I’d want to stay here?”

“I never doubted you,” Skilf hastily reassured her.

Flicks snorted derisively. “So you say,” she looked back to the queen. “Now we’re ready your majesty.”

The queen raised her hands and a vivid golden light shot through the room.

Flicks blinked and glanced around. She stood in the remains of Ron’s Rust and co., the summer sun burning down on her head.

Skilf looked around her. “So this is Australia?” she stuck out her bottom lip. “Not bad really, not bad.”

Fred flapped her wings and jumped down onto the red dust. “Very hot,” she remarked, glaring up at the sun. 

“It normally is in a desert,” Flicks pointed out. She ran her fingers through her hair ruefully, “I’m going to need a new hat, I left mine in Rocos somewhere.”

“Well, I suppose that’s basically the end of the fantasy adventures,” Skilf commented somewhat sadly.

Just then a familiar sound caught their ears. A piercing screech erupted from behind them. Flicks and Skilf spun around as, from the ruins of Old Ron’s cottage, a cloud of Leafits and Twigins rose into the air, rushing towards them with a joyful shriek.

“Or not,” Flicks said.

~

Thus ends the telling of Dusty Red. As you can see the story has basically only just begun but I shall have to inform you that I haven't received any more updates from Skilf as to their current activities. Updates from Skilf? you ask.

Oh, did I forget to tell you? Well, I'll tell you now, Skilf occasionally sends me a few words of either prose or poetry (which she is none to good at I must admit) and it was she who told me of all these adventures of which you have been reading. I may show you a few snippets of her work every now and then when she sends in more... I have one particularly amusing poetry piece that I'm sure you'll enjoy, perhaps I'll post it next Friday...(Notice the perhaps.)

Since I have officially finished Dusty Red I would greatly welcome any comments bearing on the subject of another story. I know that not all of you are good at things like this (not saying that I'm terribly good either) but I'd be happy for any random ideas...story plot...characters (although I do have vague ideas for them)...or other random things that you'd like to see in a second Serial Choose-Your-Own-Adventure story.

Thanks everyone for sticking around for twenty-six weeks or so. I really appreciate it. :D I'm going to be busy for a while, thinking up more information on the next story, so...

Fare Thee Well!

Dusty Red - Instalment Twenty-five

The other week I mentioned the fact that we are nearing the end of Dusty Red. Today I am sorry to inform you that there is probably only going to be one or two more instalments before there is no more. 

Sorry. 'fraid that means there's no instalment 100...

All good things must come to an end and that is true of Dusty Red. But it will never really end so long as there is someone who remembers it. I'd be happy to continue, but if I did it would just be making things up. Once a story is ended, it is ended...

But as I also mentioned the other week, I will be starting a new story. I don't know what yet, but I'll work it out. If anyone has any cool ideas for story goals, characters, or anything like that I'd be happy for any ideas. (This is not saying that I don' have any story ideas at all, I've got plenty of them, but I just don't know of one to make as a 'serial choose your own adventure story'.)

Anyway it isn't finished yet. Option one got the votes this week, and I was quite interested to see how this part ended up. So here it is!

Trancos drew his sword in a fluid motion, twirling it in his fingers with practiced ease. “I’d be happy to oblige,” he said, pulling his cloak off and tossing it to the side.

Sniperscope sneered. “Your funeral,” he muttered.

Trancos raised an eyebrow. “So you say,” he replied coolly. 

Flick stood up and glanced over at Nainsi, who stood at the fringe of the trees. Flicks looked from Trancos to Sniperscope. The king was tall and broad shouldered, his arms looked very strong as he swung the huge sword in a glittering arch. Compared with him, Trancos looked much smaller.

Yet Trancos had the strength of youth on his side, Flicks considered, and there was something odd about him. Something that she couldn’t quite place.

Trancos dodged a slash from Sniperscope and lunged forward with his lighter and faster blade. The king only just managed to block it in time.

“What’s going on?” Skilf shouted, emerging from the forest at that moment.

Flicks turned around. “They’re fighting,” she said lamely. You should be doing something, she berated herself, don’t just stand there, think up something clever!

“Watch out!” Nainsi yelled, diving to the ground.

Three arrows whizzed through the air, passing close to the three girls.

A trio of soldiers burst from the woods, dropping their bows and drawing swords as they went. Larzik grabbed a stick off the ground and charged at the nearest soldier and started attacking him with a vigour quite unexpected for his size.

Chaos ensued.

Trancos and Sniperscope slashed at each other with a smooth skill the three soldiers seemed to lack. Nainsi and Skilf dived into the fray after Larzik.

Flicks crashed right into a fourth man emerging from the forest and retreated hastily from his rapid strokes. She ducked as a green blur swooped low over her head and the man fighting her looked up. Only to receive a large clod of dirt in his face as Fred soared, triumphant, back up into the sky.

“Good one Fred!” Flicks yelled.

Fred whistled cheerfully in response, before disappearing back into the forest.

Skilf was exchanging punches with one soldier that she’d managed to disarm and Flicks unthinkingly picked up the man’s sword.

Another soldier descended on her. “Let’s see how good you are with that thing,” he roared.

Flicks found herself in a frantic battle, trying – and, amazingly, succeeding – to defend herself.

“Yahooo!” Fred called, as she dropped a hard dirt clod on the head of the soldier fighting Flicks. “We should do this more often,” she called, retreating back into the sky.

Flicks, momentarily unoccupied, glanced around to see a smirking figure emerge from the trees. “Kendal!” she yelled.

His hand was thrust deep in his pocket and Flicks remembered that he probably still had his gun, and, like as not, he’d still have at least one bullet left. Flicks dived forwards, grabbing his arm and tackling him to the ground.

Skilf noticed them struggling and, dealing one last blow to her soldier, ran to help.

Larzik, thumping at a soldier who was desperately defending himself with a completely inadequate sword, blinked as a brilliant idea occurred to him. One of the best ideas he’d ever had before.

He paused in his battle and let out an ear-splitting shriek. Without waiting to see if his idea would actually work, he returned to the startled soldier.

Flicks heard his shriek even from underneath both Skilf and Kendal and her eyes widened. “Bless that Imp-Goblin,” she grunted. “I thought he said he couldn’t speak that language.”

“You have been training well,” King Sniperscope admitted, as he parried a sidestroke from Trancos.

“I haven’t been wandering aimlessly around all these years you mean,” he replied without hesitating in the slightest.

Just then, all in the clearing were distracted by a shrill shriek, not unlike that one Larzik had uttered half a minute before. Only this one was louder, as if spoken by more people. Or rather, more Twigins and Leafits.

A cloud of green and brown swirled through the air, descending like a whirlwind on the battle in the clearing. The tiny tree people screamed a battle call and attacked the four soldiers. But only the bravest dared approach Kendal and Sniperscope.

“Flicks!” Fred’s voice echoed in Flicks’ mind. “Flicks, I’ve got an idea!”

Flicks tumbled out of the fray, coughing as she nearly inhaled a passing Leafit. “Sorry,” she muttered.

The Leafit paused and bowed in midair, waving a hand cheerfully.

“Flicks,” Fred called, circling up above, “Follow me!” She zoomed off into the forest.

Flicks ran to keep up with the swift dragon. “Could you slow down at all?” she panted, crashing through the undergrowth.

Fred slowed for at least three seconds then resumed her breakneck pace.

Flicks burst out of the trees. The Touch Stone was up ahead, seeming to glow even brighter now. 

“The Magic Rune Stones,” Fred said, landing on the ground beside them. “Maybe we can do something with them.”

Flicks nodded and began piling them up. She noticed a leather pouch a few meters away and stuffed them inside that, pulling the drawstrings closed.

Fred grabbed the bag in her claws and rose into the air, flapping her wings steadily, struggling to lift the heavy load.

“You sure you’re alright carrying that?” Flicks asked. “You’re only small.”

Fred snorted, but didn’t seem to have the energy to reply further than that. She set of in the direction of the battle once more.

Flicks began to follow her but then stopped, looking back at the glowing Touch Stone. She hesitated a moment and then ran to it, picking it up.

A queer tingling sensation twined up her arms and she nearly dropped the precious stone.

“Coming?” Fred asked from the fringe or the trees.

“Yeah,” Flicks called back, starting to run after her, the silvery Stone clutched under her arm.

As Flicks neared the clearing she heard the shriek of the Twigins and Leafits redoubled. And then it fell silent.

Flicks raced forward, hoping that nothing terrible had happened.

“Ah, look at that! It’s the Tiller kid finally coming to join us,” Kendal sneered. Then his eyes narrowed. “And would you guess what she’s got under her arm. The very thing I needed.”

Flicks stared blankly at Kendal, her mind was refusing to comprehend what was happening. His gun was in his hand and the barrel was pressed against Skilf’s forehead.

Skilf was standing, frozen to the spot, as was everyone else in the clearing.

Flicks opened and closed her mouth silently for a few seconds but she could see no way out of this situation.

“So,” Kendal said. “All you have to do is hand that Stone over and I’ll let your friend go. If you refuse…” he left the sentence unfinished and smiled mirthlessly.

Flicks looked around the glade, The four soldiers were looking rather worse for wear but were all still standing. Nainsi and Larzik stood silently side by side, the Leafits and Twigins shifting uncertainly on the ground around them.

King Sniperscope was grinning evilly, leaning on his sword. Trancos stood in an agony of indeciscion a pace or two from the Manirusan. 

“You have no other choice,” Kendal said. “Pass me that stone or say bye-bye to your so called Dragontwin.”

Flicks swallowed but a half-hearted plan was beginning to form in the back of her mind. “Okay,” she replied. “I’ll give you the Stone and you’ll release Skilf. How do I know you’ll keep your promise?”

Kendal sneered. “You’ll just have to leave it up to chance I guess,” he returned scornfully.

Flicks took a deep breath. Her plan probably wouldn’t work, it was crazy anyway, but doing anything just now was just as crazy. May as well die heroically, she thought philosophically.

She glanced around at Nainsi. Nainsi nodded slowly, she too, it seemed, had a plan of some sort.
She bent down and whispered something to the tree people around her feet and they jumped into the air with a yell.

Kendal’s finger tightened on the trigger. “Tell them to get down!” he bellowed at Nainsi.

It’s now or never, Flicks thought and threw the Touch Stone.

At exactly the same moment, Fred swooped down and dropped the whole bag of Rune Stones on Sniperscope’s head and Ciara (who had been sitting in a tree watching the action) leapt down onto his shoulder.

The Touch Stone sailed across the gap and struck Kendal on the shoulder. 

White light exploded in the clearing and Flicks staggered backwards, shielding her eyes from the brightness. Blue light mingled with the white, causing the light to grow still stronger.

Then the light faded and disappeared, wafting away on the breeze.

Flicks blinked her watering eyes and looked around, stunned.

The four soldiers were lying face down on the ground, their hands clasped protectively over their heads. Nainsi and Trancos were just regaining their feet like Flicks.

Kendal and Sniperscope were nowhere to be seen.

“Skilf!” Flicks cried, running to the spot where Kendal had stood.

Skilf was lying on the grass, still and silent.

“No,” Flicks gasped. “No…Skilf.”

Flicks brushed the hair from Skilf’s face and placed her fingers to her neck, trying to find a pulse. She couldn’t.

Tears obscured her vision and Flicks blinked rapidly to clear them.

“You must be terrible at first aid,” a voice murmured.

“Skilf?”

Skilf rubbed her eyes and sat up. “Last I checked that was my name,” she groaned. “What was that light?”

“I think it had something to do with the Touch Stone,” Flicks replied.

She helped Skilf to stand and shook her head slowly. “Where did Kendal and Sniperscope go?” she asked.

“No idea,” Skilf said. “Hopefully he was banished to the world of villains from which there is no return.”

“Skilf! Are you alright?” it was Nainsi who spoke, hurrying across the clearing.

“Yeah, fairly okay—” she began but a squeaky screech interrupted her.

~

1. The Leafits and Twigins rose into the air and raced toward Flicks and Skilf. “They’re cheering,” Flicks realised, a grin sliding across her face.

2. Trancos was holding Larzik at arm’s length, while the Imp-goblin beat at his long arms with his stick.

3. A tall figure appeared just inside the shadow of the trees.

~

I really enjoyed writing this instalment for some reason, also it's slightly longer than normal. I hope you all liked it too, and don't forget to comment to vote for your favourite option.

Fare Thee Well!

Dusty Red - Instalment Twenty-four

Howdy everyone! How was your week? We had another birthday this week. This time it was my oldest younger brother's (Hope that made some sense) seventh birthday. So, Happy Birthday Samuel! 

This instalment is 1,001 words long, just a random fact for you. Also option one was voted in by all my lovely voters. Oh, and I found the random 'Trancos Identity' guesses amusing. Some of you weren't far from the mark. :D In this part you'll get to find out even more, and perhaps you want to take a second guess...

Now to the story!

“What are you doing here, of all places?” the dark shadow asked tiredly, his voice reaching them easily across the distance.

Flicks felt the blood drain from her face. How long had he been standing there for?

The shadow leant against a tree. “Well?” he asked. “What are you doing here?”

Nainsi and Skilf both looked to Flicks. “What?” she hissed. “Why should I answer?”

Skilf frowned. “I dunno, I just thought you might have a good idea.”

“I’m not planning on waiting forever you know,” the man continued. “I was entrusted with the guard of this clearing and I don’t plan on letting you four run away with The Stone.”

“It’s the guard,” Larzik whispered. “We are doomed! He’ll kill us all. Best to attack now before it is too late. Perhaps we will have some chance.”

Larzik turned around and picked up a stick. “I don’t think that’s a good—” Fred began but Larzik interrupted with a shriek, “ATTACK!!!!!!”

Ciara leapt from Nainsi’s hands and, with a ferocious yip, streaked across the gap between them and their watcher, launching herself at the shadow’s face.

“Aaahh!” he gave a strangled shout and fell back.

“Ciara!” Nainsi cried and ran towards the struggle. Flicks, Skilf and Larzik followed close behind.

Another yell erupted from the man and Nainsi paused in her run to grab up a stout stick, as thick as her forearm.

The shadowed man was struggling up ahead, Ciara attacking him with astonishing speed and skill.

Nainsi was the first to reach the pair. The man was, at that moment, shaking his hand desperately to rid himself of the ferocious fox.

Nainsi jumped forward and swung the stick at him. It cracked into the side of his head with all the force of Nainsi’s fury behind the blow. 

The figure crumpled to the forest floor.

Nainsi bent down and picked up Ciara, stroking her soft fur. The Phenik fox slowly began to calm, her growls changing to a purr. 

Flicks, after a moment’s hesitation, knelt down beside the unconscious man. Tugging his cloak out of the way, she rolled him over onto his back.

Her mouth dropped open and she sat back on her heels. The man moaned softly and Nainsi glanced at Flicks. “Has he got any—” she broke off, staring at the man’s face.

Skilf moved forward. “Who is it?”

“I...I think it’s Trancos,” Flicks replied in a dazed voice.

Skilf’s eyes opened wide and she looked down. “Yes, I’d say you’re right.”

Trancos groaned again and his eyes flickered open. It took him several moments to focus on his surroundings and when he did he scrambled to a sitting position in shock. “Wh – what happened?” he asked.

“Umm,” Flicks said, wondering what to say.

Trancos reached a hand to his head, pulling it back as he felt the sticky heat of blood. He looked back at the four people around him, then froze.

Nainsi, her expression fixed, stared back.

Flicks stood up, looking from Trancos to Nainsi and back again. Then she glanced at Skilf who shrugged uncertainly.

Trancos struggled to his feet, swaying uncertainly. “N-Nainsi,” he said.

Nainsi stepped backwards. “No...No...” she shook her head slowly, fear and shock on her face.

“Nainsi I can ex—”

“NO!” Nainsi shouted and spun around and ran.

“Hang on!” Flicks protested and set off through the trees after her.

“Do you know her?” Skilf asked Trancos.

Trancos paid her no heed, instead he stumbled forwards and crashed through the undergrowth in the direction Nainsi had taken.

Larzik and Skilf gave each other a sidelong glance and then ran after the others.

“Oi! Nainsi, wait up!” Flicks called. 

Nainsi was stumbling along ahead, pushing through the ferns and bracken that grew up under the trees.

Fred jumped off Flicks’ shoulder and rose into the air. “Something’s wrong,” she said. “Something’s really wrong.” She whizzed off through the trees, disappearing in a green blur.

The trees were thinning and Nainsi burst from them and into the sunlight, Flicks just meters behind. Flicks saw a movement out of the corner of her eye and yelled a warning, jerking Nainsi backwards.

A sword swished through the air previously occupied by Nainsi.

A tall, broad-shouldered man stood in front of them, holding a massive, two handed battle sword. “Delighted to meet your acquaintance,” he said, lunging forward with the point of the sword.

Flick jumped backwards. “I guess this might not be the best time but, who are you?” she asked.

The man paused. “I am,” he said haughtily. “Sniperscope Asesino. King of the country of Manirus and ruler to be of these very lands we are now standing on.”

Flicks remembered one line of the prophecy with sudden clarification: Though target they be for Sniperscope. Obviously this was the Sniperscope that was supposedly targeting her and Skilf. Not a nice situation.

“Oh,” she gasped. “I’m afraid I don’t feel so delighted to meet you.”

King Sniperscope swung the sword in a bewilderingly swift motion and Flicks dropped to the ground to avoid the razor blade.

Nainsi was backing slowly away, unnoticed by Sniperscope as of yet.

Flicks rolled to one side as the sword descended toward her. But the Manirus king was too fast and he predicted to movement and Flicks found herself lying on the ground with a sword at her throat.

“Choose your last words carefully,” the swordsman snarled.

Flicks took several deep breaths then whispered one word.

“Ice-cream.”

Trancos appeared behind Sniperscope.

He swayed for a second, blinking his eyes to clear the fog that was an after-effect of the transportation.

Some sound alerted the tall Manirisian and he spun around, forgetting Flicks in his surprise.

“Sir Trancos,” he growled softly. “So you have returned after all these years.”

Trancos narrowed his eyes. “On the contrary,” he replied. “It is just that you have finally found my abode.”

“We have unfinished business,” Sniperscope snarled. “It has come to a time when we must settle past troubles.”

~

1. Trancos drew his sword in a fluid motion, twirling it in his fingers with practiced ease. “I’d be happy to oblige,” he said, pulling his cloak off and tossing it to the side.

2. “Now, now, Sniperscope,” a voice came from the trees. “Don’t get distracted in revenge. Remember the deal?”

3. Flicks, who had scrambled to her feet, felt a light tap on her shoulder and she turned her head curiously... 

~

Okay, thanks for reading, everyone! You may have noticed that I'm trying to bring back the Prophecy. So if anyone needs reminding of what it was I'll put a link right here (The link goes to part 13 in which Flicks and Skilf read the prophecy).

Have fun choosing your favourite option!

Fare Thee Well!

Dusty Red - Instalment Twenty-three

I almost forgot it was Thursday this week...almost. But luckily I did remember, so that's all good. :D
At the beginning of writing this, I was just typing the completely random things that came into my head and hoping that they made some sense. But after a while I began to see snatches of clarity through the fog in my mind and it got slowly easier. By the end I was going on fine. Actually, I had trouble stopping! 

Option three won the vote by one, so it was a close thing. I'm hoping I didn't put too much of 'glowing blue stones' in it as that one wasn't voted in. I didn't even plan to put it in...it just...happened...
I nearly deleted it but then I was just like, "Nah, I'll keep it. It doesn't really matter anyway. It's better than nothing." So I kept it.

And here is the result of my thinkings and writings/typings: Dusty Red Instalment Twenty-three. I hope you enjoy!

A pedestal about a meter in height stood in the middle of a circle of stones. Resting on top of this stand was a large crystal rock, glowing with an unearthly silver light.

Flicks’ heartbeat quickened. “Is it magic,” she breathed, her voice barely audible.

Skilf shook her head, enraptured by the sight of the stone. “I dunno,” she replied before falling silent once more.

Larzik was trembling all over and seemed to be trying to say something but he only managed a squeal and then dived to the ground, hiding his face in his hands.

Flicks blinked and pulled her eyes from the stone. “What’s wrong,” she asked, kneeling down beside the quivering Imp-Goblin.

“It mustn’t be, it can’t be, it shouldn’t be, it couldn’t be, IT CAN’T BE!” Larzik shouted at the ground.

“What can’t be?” Nainsi asked.

“The Stone,” he moaned softly. “I have looked upon The Stone and now I must die.”

“Why should you die?” Flicks urged him. “What do you know of this stone?”

“It is The Stone,” he groaned pitifully. “And I looked at it, therefore I will die.”

“What stone?” Nainsi, Flicks, Fred and Skilf asked together.

“That stone,” Larzik raised a trembling finger and pointed at the glowing rock on the pedestal.

“But what is that stone?” Skilf asked, staring closer at it.

Larzik squealed again. “Don’t touch it Miss Skilf! Or surely you’ll die instantly!” After a pause in which Skilf took a hasty step backwards, he continued, “It is The Stone. The Touch Stone. The most powerful thing in the world.”

“That sounds dangerous,” Flicks murmured. She straightened and looked back at the Touch Stone.

“I think there’s at least some truth in what he’s saying,” Fred said slowly, flying up to her perch on Flicks’ shoulder.

Larzik lifted his head. “O’ course there’s truth in it!” he said shrilly. “It’s all truth.”

Nainsi endeavoured to frown and raise an eyebrow at the same time. This amounted in an expression of mystified confusion.

Flicks looked up from the stone and turned around. “Larzik,” she said. “You just replied to something Fred said.”

Larzik sat up. “I did?” he asked in wonderment.

“You did,” Fred said, yawning widely.

Now Larzik leapt to his feet. “I ‘eard her! I really did!”

“Would anyone care to explain?” Nainsi asked.

“I can ‘ear Fred talking!” Larzik exclaimed. “I couldn’t afore, but now I can!”

“I told you you’d be able to do it if you actually tried,” Fred pointed out almost smugly.

“What are the smaller rocks around the table thingy?” Flicks asked, leaning over to study them more closely.

Skilf joined her and her eyes widened. “They’re – no I don’t believe it! – they’re the Magic Rune Stones!”

“The ones you buried?” Flicks asked.

“Aye, just those ones,” she stopped and tilted her head to one side. “But I wonder why they aren’t glowing.”

Nainsi drew nearer. “These are the Rune Stones?” she asked.

“Yup,” Skilf agreed, picking up one of the smooth white rocks.

Larzik moaned and buried his face in the ground once more.

Flicks too, picked up a rock and turned it over in her hand. A strange rune had been carved on the surface of each rock, thus gaining them the name Magic Rune Stones. “Is one missing?” she asked Skilf. “Maybe that’s why they’re not glowing.”

Nainsi picked up a rock, tossing it in the air and catching it again.

Flicks glanced over to her then jumped backwards, almost falling over. Nainsi’s leather pack – which she’d somehow managed to retain – was glowing blue. Ever so slightly, but it was glowing.

So was the stone in Flicks’ hand.

Nainsi dropped her stone and stood abruptly. Skilf too had noticed the faint light. She stared at Nainsi. “Is there one in your pack?” she asked levelly.

Nainsi spread her hands. “I certainly didn’t put any in there,” she replied. 

“Then why was it glowing?” 

Nainsi shrugged. “I’ve no idea,” then, seeing that Skilf looked less than convinced she continued. “You can look through my pack if you like. I don’t care. I didn’t put any rocks in there.”

Nainsi placed the pack on the ground and opened it invitingly. Skilf still looked uncertain, after all, Nainsi had been her friend ever since she could remember and she didn’t want to change that now.

A cream-coloured bundle of fluff stirred sleepily and jumped from the backpack. Skilf jerked back in surprise and Nainsi grinned. “Don’t worry, that’s just Ciara, my Phenik fox.”

Skilf raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t know you had a fox,” she remarked.

Ciara tumbled around the ground, chasing her tail, completely oblivious to her audience. Then she stood up and trotted over to Nainsi.

In doing so she passed quite close to the Rune Stones and Flicks yelped in surprise. “It’s her!” she cried. 

Skilf stared blankly at the young fox, and then picked up a Stone. She picked it up then extricated Ciara from Nainsi’s arms and put the fox down right next to the stones.

Again, they began to glow with a brilliant blue light. Ciara, too, began to glow. Nainsi started to laugh. Flicks joined in.

“Oh,” Nainsi said between giggles. “That is the funniest thing I’ve seen for ages. I think—” she couldn’t go on again for some time because of laughter. “—I think she swallowed one!” At this Nainsi collapsed on the ground in howls of laughter.

Flicks pressed her hand to her mouth and mastered herself so she could speak. “Oh, Skilf, let Ciara move away from the rocks. Please,” she managed before her control broke and she returned to her laughter.

Ciara, on being released, bounced away from the rocks and both stopped glowing. Nainsi struggled to her feet, wiping tears from her eyes. Ciara wiggled her overlong ears and ran to her mistress, yipping with pleasure. 

“What do you think the Touch Stone’s doing here?” Flicks said, hiccupping from her mirth.

“I don’t know,” Larzik said. He seemed to have regained his spirit again and was now feeling brave enough to look at The Stone again. “It is said in Esueño that it is kept in a safe place, guarded by,” he hesitated then continued. “No one knows what.”

Flicks looked around, suddenly nervous. The trees on this side of the wall were just as thick as on the other, and a wind stirred the upmost branches. The shadows beneath the trees moved with the branches, as if they themselves were being blown by the wind.

Wait! Was that just her imagination or was that shadow darker than all the rest? Flicks blinked and narrowed her eyes, but the shadow was gone.

“How d’you know it’s even guarded at all?” Skilf asked after a surreptitious glance around.

Nainsi looked sidelong at her. “If you had possession of the most powerful and dangerous rock in the world would you leave it unguarded?”

Skilf opened her mouth to reply but then realised that there was nothing she could say back to that and decided it might be better if she kept it shut.

“I have a strange feeling,” Flicks said, interrupting the conversation uncertainly.

“What do you mean?” Skilf asked, glad of any distraction.

“I feel like...Like we’re being watched,” Flicks furrowed her brows.

They all glanced around but saw nothing. “I can’t see anyone,” Skilf replied.

“But that doesn’t mean there’s not someone there,” Nainsi added. 

“You’re probably just imagining it because of what Larzik said,” Skilf said, concealing her own nerves beneath confidence. 

Flicks wasn’t listening though. Her eyes were scanning the tree line. “There!” she cried. “Someone’s right there!” Or should that be something? she wondered.

~

1. “What are you doing here, of all places?” the dark shadow asked tiredly, his voice reaching them easily across the distance.

2. Sensing her Mistress’s fear, Ciara stiffened in her arms, the hair on her back rising. She growled, baring her teeth in the direction of the shadow. 

3. A throaty growl rumbled out from the forest and the blood drained from Flicks’ face. She realised that whoever had left the Touch Stone here certainly hadn’t left it without a guard.

~

Now, along with voting this week (This question is completely out of curiosity) it'd be really cool if you could tell me who you think Trancos is. (I've been meaning to ask this for a while.) Just any random ideas of who he might possibly be....I think I'll be quite interesting to find out what you think of him.
But for now...

Fare Thee Well!