~ 27 ~
“Artorian! You explain yourself right now!” Yvessa refilled the water cup and handed it over, glaring at him as she waited for an explanation.
“Make me! …Just teasing, please don’t.” He flashed her a playful smile, though she didn’t relent in the slightest. As her face puffed up, so he quickly got back to it.
“As I was saying, I can squeeze and condense Essence down so until it fits in the tube. Even then, I can onl...
2019-11-15 15:43:36 +0000 UTC View Post
~ 26 ~
After the expedition team had left, life in the cloister fell into a very predictable daily routine. The Clerics that remained behind, while devout in their faith, settled into a more family-oriented pattern. Prayer was still daily, chants were recited and taught, but the work focus shifted over to food production and long-term stability. With so few present, the available workforce was limited to mostly Jin, Tibbins, and Tarrean.
Irene made everything op...
2019-11-13 14:44:00 +0000 UTC View Post
~ 24 ~
The changing of the season was the signal for great activity at the encampment. In particular, it was what people had been waiting for: the majority of the expedition force had served its due time, and was to be released to go home.
A predictable and set pattern repeated itself almost daily in the camp. With proper structures and fortifications now built, the cleaned-up village resembled a remote cloister. Every high noon, everyone attended the pray...
2019-11-11 16:17:46 +0000 UTC View Post
~ 23 ~
“Truly, I mean it! It’s the corruption. Allow me to explain.” Beginning his breakdown of the next topic, Artorian took another bite of his meal. “I’m deteriorating because I’m playing with corruption, and to be honest… it’s terrible for me. I don’t require a lecture or to be told not to do so, I’m very much aware that I am spending my vitality on tackling the issue. It’s honestly why my ability to roam dropped like a rock...
2019-11-08 15:43:25 +0000 UTC View Post
~ 22 ~
“Good morning, old man! How are you feeling today?” Yvessa carried the steaming bowl into the ‘medical tent’, the flap pushed aside by her elbow. The full-raiment-wearing priestess nicked the bowl against the side of the improvised nightstand before setting it down to rest. A whining set of groans were the reply from a man-shaped lump swaddled in thick blankets on the cot.
Pillows surrounded Artorian on all sides like some elaborate funeral casket...
2019-11-06 12:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
~ 21 ~
Tarrean heard a hug-in-progress and cringed. Likely because he was still envisioning the old man half-naked; that view was going to scar him.
“Artorian, great you found me. I was looking for you as well. The Head Cleric has need of you. Could we speak after? I have tasks that I am in a hurry to complete.” Tibbins excused himself with as much smoothness as he could.
“Of course, young man. Take good care of...
2019-11-04 16:50:21 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Twenty ~
Tibbins waited in front of the Head Cleric’s tent, ready with the report of the first week. What a week it had been. In fact, Tibbins was convinced that this was entirely the reason why he was being made to wait so long. The heavy cloth flap of the tent swung away, and Keeper Irene hurriedly passed him. The Acolyte snapped to a salute. He still firmly believed that the entire ‘saluting’ affair was awkward for one following the path of the priest, but ...
2019-11-01 15:09:51 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Nineteen ~
“Well I’d say I’m not clever, but I am hardy.” A feminine voice replied from the corner, one of the young Clerics that had been injured in the fray.
Apologetic breath inhaled so his words could tumble out in a hush. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry my dear. I didn’t mean to wake you. Just mumbling to myself.”
There was a moment of silence, but he could hear the woman sit up and hiss, sucking air through her teeth as she pushed thr...
2019-10-30 13:19:22 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Eighteen ~
Artorian would say he was having terrible dreams; except he was very much awake, and they weren't dreams. His perception dabbled in a deep void, boundless… yet confined.
The masses of... he was going to call it filth, twisted around in a sickening cascade of colored maelstroms. The hues outright refused to settle or get along with their counterparts. Only the brightest component seemed as if it was particularly dis...
2019-10-28 14:49:22 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Seventeen ~
Cleric Tibbins was confused, but dismissed the warning. He was evaluating one old man, not something that was exactly hard to do. “It’s not dangerous unless he is far stronger than I am, and I have the Head Cleric’s permission. What’s he going to do with cultivation knowledge with his age and condition? It’ll make for a pleasant dream at best.”
Still, the wounded priest was shaking his head ‘no’, and crossed ...
2019-10-25 15:12:08 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Sixteen ~
Head Cleric Tarrean was pleasantly leafing through real paper once more in his personal tent. Smooth, crisp, light paper. None of this awful vellum for him! When he could get away with finery, he would. His polished, ornate armor was a testament to that. Just file such ostentatious tidbits away under some kind of basic need, and you’d find someone willing to cave and sign-off on the expense document.
After all, ...
2019-10-23 15:52:46 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Fifteen ~
The mental space collapsed into kaleidoscopic memories behind him, and every step forward pulled forth ideals, beliefs, and remembrances. This path he now walked was a recollection of all he’d done and was again willing to do. Memories knit together and the new perspective opened his arms wide, walking straight ahead as he took his first step on the path of pain. No more gates to lock his agony behind. Blackened doors burst through their chains,...
2019-10-21 14:25:23 +0000 UTC View Post
~ 14 ~
The Elder continued rising from the depths of the small coma he had been trapped within.
“You win this one as well, shiny sky orb.” The old man kept his eyes closed after stirring from slumber. He had opened them, only to find a ceiling he didn’t often see. A spike of light sunk right into his sight, and the chorus of complaining voices were wholly unfamiliar. He sort of heard most of it, but didn’t pay real attention–he wasn’t ...
2019-10-16 18:46:43 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Thirteen ~
“Alright recruit. Once again, from the start.” Armored fingers drummed with delicate impatience on the extended table in the salt village longhouse. This entire mess of a report had more holes in it than his favorite cheese, and Head Cleric Tarrean had not been able to acquire said cheese for far too long. He shook his head and forced himself to refocus. The bags under his eyes were reminiscent of crescent purple moons, and ...
2019-10-14 14:25:31 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Twelve ~
The Elder knew something was off as soon as he resurfaced. A smell in the air… it was wrong. His first breath of what should have been crisp air, instead filled his tongue with the flavor of smoke. His hearing picked the muffled cries alongside the crackling whips of wildfire. Something was burning, falling… breaking.
The crashing tear of wooden supports caused a puffy *scrumph* as the unstable home collap...
2019-10-11 17:21:19 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Eleven ~
Ideas bloomed in the sproutling’s thoughts. The plan was straightforward: make it to the cave, get the secrets, get home before morning meals. The old man just watched them with a pleasant joy as they put things together. He’d given them pieces of the puzzle, and even without being exceptionally prompted he could tell they were solving the conundrum. They had wants just like any of the adults, using those to teach them sharp thinking was just good sense...
2019-10-09 15:03:39 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Ten ~
Crickets chirped in the dark when the kids snuck in through the Elder’s window. They each hopped onto the floor, in turn shushing the next one as their feet crunched on the popping shells they’d thrown a day before.
The ruckus was anything but stealthy, and the Elder was long awake without moving a muscle, or flinching an eyelid. He hadn’t decided what scheme to pull on them yet, but at the same time really didn’t want to ...
2019-10-07 17:13:26 +0000 UTC View PostDouble chapter Monday! No real reason :P
~ Nine ~
The bonfire dance was a total success. Excess wood that had been stuffing the storage site was retrieved from the mound with drunken enthusiasm. Of course, neatly chopped logs spilled out when a few zealous drunks pulled from the bottom of the pile instead of the top. Ignoring the fact that the stack would need to be arranged properly the next day, the villagers simply knew that a continuous feed made ...
2019-10-07 17:12:20 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Eight ~
Elder Switch was seething. Her vision snapped to various members of the village, each of whom felt their laughter die when their chortling was noticed by her strained, twitching eyes. Thankfully, Boro could still be seen fiddling about in the back; providing a necessary distraction. Forced to change topics, the room hastily returned to exchanging gentle pleasantries.
Using Boro’s chatter as cover, people averted their eyes from the dis...
2019-10-04 14:17:57 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Seven ~
A coordinated hive of activity and gossip. Those were the only words that could be used to describe the bustling longhouse. Actually, perhaps a chicken coop; one where a fox was running around causing havoc. The lengthy center table was prepared for a minor feast, with enough room to seat the majority of important people who were called upon to speak.
The head of the table was occupied by a sneering old woman currently whittling a fresh tree bran...
2019-10-02 17:14:15 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Six ~
The Elder appeared both sad and angry at the same time, causing the children to move away and give him some distance. When he noticed the change in elbow room, he stopped pacing and forced his face back to a gentle smile. “You’re not at fault, my dears. It’s how the Fringe works. The rules here are ancient.”
The oldest girl raised her hand. “Is that why you haven’t given us names?”
The old man said with a little g...
2019-09-30 17:39:46 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Five ~
Of course, the oldest was muscling his way through life! Everyone in his previous peer group was already off on the flats, and he had nobody his own age to talk to. Only the noisy children and the oldest girl counted as company, the latter of which most certainly bossed him around.
“I want this cup because it means the Elder comes to tell us stories. It means I laugh. Nobody else ever tells me why I shouldn’t do something; on...
2019-09-30 17:38:40 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Four ~
The children didn’t know where the sudden cold shiver running down their spines came from; given they were all plenty warm under the sun. Aside from the momentary discomfort, they gave it no thought as they gathered up fallen fruit into woven baskets like they were supposed to do. There were more than apples in the orchard, but some trees bore fruit they simply did not know the name for. Today, the group was in a hurry.
If they didn’t bring so...
2019-09-27 13:32:48 +0000 UTC View PostDouble chapter Monday! Woo!
~ Three ~
Past the bend of the nearest birch forest, a rather sizable caravan waited near a hastily hidden raider encampment. Lit torches hung from the cart’s sides as several bulky, scarred men tended to the horses. Hakan raised a disappointed brow at the number of her men who were patting and paying attention to the hooded cart; rather than the watch duty they had been assigned. The scarred force almost sounded like
~ Two ~
*Shkrack*! A thin wooden cup crashed against the wall in the village longhouse, fragmenting into sizable chunks. The Elderly, bossy voice shrieked; releasing a spray of spittle as the sound of a long, thin piece of wood impacted with a *switch*.
“Ahh!” A screech of pain erupted from a young voice as they were hit by a sharpened switch. The wince was as deep as the injury, but the cowering young adult bore it as silently as pos...
2019-09-23 17:44:29 +0000 UTC View Post
~ One ~
*Thunk*. The old warrior woke from a deep sleep with a pained jerk, his latent nightmares still sending the word ‘Traitor’ ringing through his skull. His forehead stung as his aged body awoke to the aching impact of a shelled nut. Right on a sore spot near the temple. It had healed over… oh, decades ago by this point.
*Plink*.
The communal gasp of several youngsters was the first sign of what was l...
2019-09-20 14:47:00 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Prologue ~
“Sir!”
A man in his early thirties looked up from the map he and a few others were pouring over, and could instantly see that the messenger had serious and grievous news to give him. “What in the abyss is going on out there? Report!"
“Sir, the front line has fallen, the main Commander has been slain. There was... there is a Mage out there!"
Various sounds of consternation filled the tent, and a few people ...
2019-09-18 15:46:18 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Nineteen ~
“Novice Mages Sam_K and Finneas Laustsen,” the Archmage intoned, his greasy voice sending shivers racing along Sam’s spine, “stand before the Council and prepare to receive our verdict.”
“Verdict!” Sam shouted in shock and jumping to his feet. “We don’t even know what we’ve done wrong… your excellency.”
He tried to keep a lid on his simm...
2019-09-09 14:32:00 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Eighteen ~
They made it back through the gates fifteen minutes before full dark set in. Cutting it close, considering the potential repercussions, but everyone was far too elated to care. The group was high off their gains of the day, and taking out the Hardcores was just the cherry on top of it all. Sure, they didn’t earn anything for taking out Headshot and his goons—Eternium dissuaded PKe...
2019-09-06 14:09:41 +0000 UTC View Post
~ Seventeen ~
The trek back to the city was, for the most part, uneventful. The party walked at a leisurely pace, getting to know each other better with every step. Sphinx hailed from Carson City, Michigan; thirty-five, divorced with no kids, despite the fact that she loved kids—obvious from her career choice as an educator—and wanted a brood of her own someday. But so far it just hadn...
2019-09-04 12:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post