Category Archives: Writing

Character Diaries and Information, Writing

The Drop

Leave a comment

I wrote this snippet years ago based on a game I had played with some friends.  Not sure if I want to write more…

I couldn’t hear anything but the chopper on the way to the drop.  The 5-minute light had just come on, letting us know it was time for final checks on our equipment.  When the light went red, we were over the drop site and had 10 seconds to haul ass out of here or we would land off target.

I had checked my equipment and packed my chute on the ground and, since I’d had it with me since, I saw no cause to check it again.

“No sense second guessing myself,” I said aloud.

“What?” said Tony from across the bay.  We had just gone into silent mode and the endless drone had disappeared.  I guess I had tuned out the noise and didn’t notice it had stopped.

“Nuthin, just thinkin’ out loud,” I replied.

He shook his head and combed his hair one more time before carefully stuffing it in his hood and sliding on his goggles.  He had a straight short Air Force style cut, which he tended endlessly.

“One day I might hold you down and shave that head. ”  He looked at me for a moment.  Then, he stood up.

This 6’4″, broad shouldered titan had to duck to keep from hitting his head.  He paused for a moment and glared down at me.  The gesture clearly said go ahead, little man; try.  We stared at each other for a moment and I started laughing.

“Guess I’ll have to get you drunk, first,” I managed to get out between laughs.

He grunted and walked over to his gear to prep himself for the jump.

I turned my attention to Roxie, who was still sleeping near the back.  I didn’t know her story.  Tony and I had been on several missions before with the Squadron, but she was a new recruit.  I always hated working with the “new kid on the block” ’cause you never knew what would happen.  Like what happened next.

I slapped her on the back and shouted out, “Ready to plummet 10,000 feet, sweetie?”

I was suddenly and violently introduced to the floor of the chopper as she grabbed my hand and tossed me to it.  I had read her dossier and it said “above average” in hand to hand, but this was far above that.  Before I could recover, she was on me with a knife at my throat.  The steel was cold and rather chilling.  Still, I was a friend to knives and was above average myself, so I lay there and waited.  If she were going to kill me, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity to get used to the feeling.

“Don’t you ever touch me again, or next time I will use this.”  Her voice was a whisper for only me to hear.

I snapped back, “I think you should lay off the coffee, lady!  And get the hell of your Captain, unless yer plannin’ pain or pleasure.”

As the anger welled up in her, she loosened her grip a touch.  I chose that moment to act.  I grabbed the hand with the knife with one hand and her hair with the other.  I then rolled very quickly over taking her to the deck with me on top of her.  As I rolled, I flipped the blade onto vibro and pressed it to her cheek, letting the motion jar her teeth.  The hum must have resounded in her head, although I could barely hear it even this close.

I looked in her eyes for a moment and saw no fear.  She was ready for whatever was going to happen next.  It was odd, but I was so familiar with that expression, it felt almost like looking in a mirror.

“You draw on me again and I’ll make ya use it, honey, got it?”

She nodded – real slow – her eyes still riveted on mine.  I might get to likin’ this lady, I thought to myself.  If I don’t have to kill her first.

I tossed the knife away, sticking it an inch or so into the metal bench we had been sitting on.  The hum slowly stopped and I quickly got up, in case she decided it wasn’t over.  I guess it was ’cause she just smiled and walked over to her pack and strapped it on.  I watched her for a moment and then did the same.

As I finished up the straps on my pack, I looked about the bay.  It was about time to jump.

Writing, Writing Prompts

Weekly Fiction Challenge – Week 2, February 2014

Leave a comment
Prompt: Write a story in the horror genre told from the point of view of the monster/villain. 400 words minimum, any perspective. The story must begin and end with similar lines (framing).
 
*Author’s Note:  I don’t reach or watch horror, so I have no idea how to write in this genre.  I wrote about a villain, in a style I could.  With only a week, I don;t have time to understand horror well enough.  I hope this will do.
 
Completed:   798 words. 
———————————————————————
Fucking Mortals.

A thing is put in a place for it to stay in that place. A few hundred years go by and you expect it to be there when you go back. But it isn’t.

Their lives are meaningless without goals.  I provide those goals and the tools to complete them and yet they fail.  The task was simplistic; keep the idol safe until my return.  Barely two centuries have passed and they have lost my idol.  I have stayed their immediate execution at the request of their leader so that I may hear a pathetic plea for salvation. It will do no good, but I do so love to hear them grovel for their meager lives.  As if they meant something in the larger scheme of things. This shall be forgotten.

The priest I gave the idol to is aging now, having lost its power to sustain his weak mortal form.  I have considered allowing him to live to old age, after compelling him to destroy his companions before him, but I will not make this final judgement until I have heard his feeble argument. If it is as I suspect, I will be bored within moments of him uttering his first words.

Alas, I have larger issues to deal with.  Best if I get this over with.

* * * * *

“Bring him in.”

My servants jump as my voice echos throughout my audience chamber and rush to open the doors.  In comes a middle-aged man in the red robes signifying one of my priests.  The claw mark across his chest is still visible under the torn robes, albeit healed a bit since I gave it to him.

I move towards him, prompting the guards to drop him and retreat, my huge form towering over the priests limp form.  I become a shadow, eclipsing him as he lay there, a broken man.  He lifts his head to look at me and actually meets my gaze.  The insolence!

“What is your plea, Mortal.  Why should I spare you and your feeble band of pigs.”

He stares into my eyes awhile longer, unfazed by my power.  Who does he think he is, challenging me in this way?  After a moment, I raise my right claw, in a gesture that will shortly mean his demise, when his soft voice reaches my ears.

“Please, Master, spare my order, and I will bring you this idol. I know where it has gone.”

My voice became a terrifying thunder and the man’s body was pulled towards me as I stood on my hind legs, the wake of my outstretched wings dragging him in.

“You have already failed me.  What reason do I have to give you a second chance?  I can send another.”

My claw began to descend as he spoke again.

“Because I tied my living soul to the idol fifty years ago.  If I die, the idol will dissolve.  When I learned what it was and what you are, I decided to take steps should this day ever come.  Kill me at your own peril.”

I stayed my claw a foot above him, and he never flinched.  He just kept my gaze and waited.  He knew he had me.  He knew what the idol meant to me.  And, he knew I had no choice but to give him this chance.  I whirled about and headed back to my throne, the wind behind me knocking most of those in the room down.  I bellowed loudly to no one in particular as I seated myself and stared back at the man lying helpless on the floor before me.  As he righted himself to stare at me again, I spoke one last time.

“Agreed, Mortal.  Find my idol and bring it here and your pigs will be spared.  Fail me, see my idol destroyed, and you can count it as a guarantee that you will have my wrath in a way you cannot imagine.  Now, leave me!”

That last word carried force behind it, hurling him back across the room, and into the doorway.  He stood, dusted himself off, and bowed to me in allegiance.   It was a mockery, to be certain, but I stared him down anyway.  After a moment, he feebly turned away from the room and left.  My guards ran hurriedly out of the room behind him, leaving me alone.  I pondered this new development, and sighed heavily.

One day, I shall have to kill that one.  But not before he suffered and not before he returned what was mine.  It was a simple matter to unravel his soul from it, but I needed it first to complete the ritual.  And have it I shall.

For now, I shall wait with the patience of an immortal.

Fucking Mortals.

————————————————————–

Aaaaaaand Scene.  I hope it worked for you.  It was interesting to write.

Writing, Writing Prompts

Weekly Fiction Challenge – Week 1, February 2014

Leave a comment
A friend of mine invited me to do a weekly writing prompt.  This is the first.  
 
Prompt: Write a short story about a thief stealing something they personally see no value in. Minimum 200 words, any perspective.
 
Completed:  698 words.
———————————————————————

I have always enjoyed the dark. Being completely in the dark, but able to see everything else that was going on has always been a thrill for me. No one ever found me playing hide and seek, but I was good at finding nearly everyone. It was a gift.  And in the dark, I was a God.

This  job, though, needed a thrill as I could have done it in my sleep. I mean, all second story jobs have a little bit of risk, as you are generally climbing or defeating alarm systems, or sneaking around cameras and guards. Sometimes, you just wait in the dark for hours until it is time to move.  Any number of things can go wrong and you have to be on your toes and know when to leave the dark.

I needed the scratch, so I am doing the job, but as I walk to the meet to give up the goods for my pay, I find myself wondering why I had to steal this at all. I mean, they could have just bought it at the corner store and been done with it. My fee is rather steep for a cheap knockoff like this. And I just had to walk into a house and take it. No security at all and they weren’t home.

Still, a job is a job and I keep my word. I stood in the dark alley across from the diner I was meeting my employer at, and I was keenly aware of everyone on the street. You never know when a cop might spot you, and I was a felon.  They see me, they tend to stun first and, well, they don’t ask me questions.   I just avoided them whenever possible.

I saw the kid who hired me walk into the diner about 10 minutes ago and was now as sure as I could be that no one was tailing him. I went over, entered the diner and slid into the seat across from him. Without saying a word, I dropped a small bag on the floor and slid it over with my foot.

The kid glanced at the folded copy of USA today on the table, with that “in there” kinda look, and I could see it was bulging. I deftly opened the paper and let the envelope inside it fall into my lap.

He was beaming at me from across the table and I still couldn’t figure it out. His voice was low and strong, and didn’t fit his little body. Go figure.

“Thanks, man. I really appreciate it. I have wanted that for years.”

“You could have just bought one, you know.”

“Yeah, but this one was *his*, you know?  And it should have been mine.”

“So you say.”

We sat there quietly, and I had a sip of the coffee that he had ordered for me. It was black and strong, just how I liked it. It wasn’t very good, and was now fairly cold, but the heavy bitter made up for it. The silence hung in the air, until he cleared his throat.

“Well, thanks.”

I stared at his excited grin for a moment before answering.  I am really good at letting things go, as not knowing that tends to make you do stupid things.  I don’t do stupid things, which is why I am still in business.  It was time to go, before I started asking questions.

“Don’t mention it, kid. I’ll see ya around. Let me know if you want anything else done.  You know how to find me.”

“Sure, man.  Sure.”

He was just staring at the bag on the floor, like he had the Mona Lisa in there.  I shook my head and stood up, leaving him with his treasure.  I dropped a fiver on the table for the coffee and walked calmly out of the place.

It didn’t make any sense, why the kid would pay so much for something so common, but who am I to judge. I am just happy to help, you know?

No matter, I have a *real* job waiting and I had planning to do. Back into the dark for me.

————————————————————–

And that is the end of week one.  I hope you enjoyed it.

Life Events, Mad Ramblings, Memory Catalogue, Music, Spiritual Things, Writing

Memory Catalogue: Don’t you forget about me

Leave a comment

This song hits me like a ton of bricks. As I sit in the coffee shop listening to a most exquisite 80s playlist, this song came on and several things hit me at once, all of them pretty damn awesome.

First, of course, is Breakfast Club. And all the quotes that come with it.

“Impossible, sir. Its in Johnson’s underwear.”
“Will milk be made available, for us?”
“Chicks can’t hold the smoke. That’s what it is.”
“Does Barry Manilow know you raid his wardrobe?”

And so many more. I love that movie and I will likely watch it again, very soon. But that isn’t the most powerful memory. It reminds me of walking the streets of Seattle. There is something unique about each city, and Seattle has an atmosphere that is just amazing to walk in. It is almost always wet, but not always raining, at least in this memory.

And then there is this coffee shop – and coffee, in general – that it brings to mind. A flash of things, really. All walks of life; lawyers, punks, preps, geeks, hipsters (before they had the name, duh) and more. I remember there was a suit next to a punk – cleaning his knife on the table! – and they were talking politics. It was pretty cool.

And then, then girl. The one that got away. We were on a date, but she had a boyfriend at the time, so it was just a moment away from life fro the two of us. Romantic on the inside and polite and proper on the outside. A movie, coffee and then it was over.

But I know, she didn’t forget about me.

Life Events, Mad Ramblings, Memory Catalogue, Music, Spiritual Things, Writing

Memory Catalogue: Fast Car

Leave a comment

Fast Car, performed by Christian Kane

In 1985, I was cleaning rooms in a Ramada Inn, as I couldn’t get any other job with the skills I had.  I had dropped out of college, just quit a fun job with a horrible employer, and was given the ultimatum that two months was too long for my roommate to be covering rent.

So, there I was, going room to room, cleaning up after others who were travelling, living life.  At least that was the place I was at. In my head, folks that could afford to be in a hotel room anywhere were far better off than I was.  I spent every day cleaning toilets, sinks and bathtubs in a meticulous fashion, and living in a perpetual self-induced pity party.  Who had it worse than me?  No one, right?

EDITOR: Ignorant little fuck.  Plenty of folks did. Look around.

Anyway, as a habit, every time I cleaned a room, I turned on the radio in the room in an attempt to drown out my own thoughts about my poor, pathetic life.  It was during this time that Tracy Chapman hit the charts with “Fast Car” and I heard it every day, sometimes more than once, during my incarceration with the hotel cleaning staff.

Somewhere in there I found my self-worth (or some of it, anyway) and rose up against my oppressors (self-doubt, personal pity, ignorance and low self-image) and quit that job.  I just walked out.  I felt great.

I had another within a few days and started moving on.  In perspective, it was actually a worse job, but my head was in the right place and I had a blast with it. It was a turning point and hearing these lyrics were the catalyst.

But, from that day forward, I hated this song and wouldn’t listen to it.  I even tried to cover it in a band I was in and failed at it.  I couldn’t sing it, and I am not entirely certain it wasn’t on purpose.

It was a window into the weaker, pathetic me.  The one I didn’t want to return to, or remember.  I pushed it back to the recesses of my mind, as something unimportant and not worthy of remembering any longer.  I just didn’t want to remember that low point in my life.

A few years ago, after hearing Christian Kane sing on a Leverage episode, I began following his career.  During that process, I saw that he had covered this song.  I was intrigued, but didn’t really want to hear it.  I still couldn’t look at me that way.

And then, I met Rachael randomly in a bar and we immediately had the truest, most honest friendship I had ever known. There was literally nothing we couldn’t say to each other and she read me like a book.  A damn kid’s book, too.

See Chris.  See Chris talk.  See Chris bitch about his life. See Rachael.  See Rachael call his bullshit.  See Chris laugh instead of emotionally run away.  See Narrator look stunned.

Through her, I became unafraid of exploring myself and who I was again.  I don’t think she understands fully just how much I value her friendship, but I hope she does.

Thank you, doll.  I won’t ever forget what you have done for me, even though life won’t let us hang out as much right now.  You deserve all the good things in life.  

So, somewhere in that process, I listened to this version and it woke up all those feelings.  I was going through another low point, much lower than before.  I spent most of my time in bars at that time, so you might get an idea how low, but this time I had a legitimate reason.  I took it to Rachael and poured all of this out.  It was cathartic.

This time, I could hear the younger me talking to the current me, like Qui-Gon appearing to Yoda, and realized that I could learn from the younger me.  I was telling myself to get out of that damned hotel and get on with my life.   EDITOR:  The bar was in a hotel that used to be a Ramada, ironically.

This time, the student was the master, and the master listened. I told the pity party to get in that Fast Car and keep on driving.  I am fine right here.

Walking the path,

Chris

Conventions, Life Events, Mad Ramblings, Music, Notification, Rambling, Writing

A mixed bag (of dicks) – 2013

Leave a comment

I have to say, that this year was a mixed bag for me. As I write this,  I considered one of these statements to open with:

I have to say, this year sucked. It can eat a bad of dicks.
I think this was a pretty decent year, despite the setbacks.
I think this year was rather Meh.

None of those captured it.  So, I think I will go with this opener.

This year was pretty much a wash. I think it only needs to nibble on a bag of dicks, but it still needs the bag. I really does.

I did some fun stuff this year, and had some changes that just sucked. Still, I am physically ok, even though I am challenged by body maintenance due to a profound of NOT taking care of it for awhile. So, let’s get that out of the way, shall we?

The Bad Stuff

Medical

I was in the hospital twice and called 911 several times to deal with an atrial flutter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrial_flutter). I was in the hospital for four (4) days and was eventually rebooted* and discharged. That was an ok experience, as I was coached by my doctor in front of my manager, saw some damn sexy nurses – I was not able to do anything about it. Mixed bag, right? – and had decent food for a hospital. I then had to lie on my ass for a week to recover from the reboot*.

* re·boot [v. ree-boot; n. ree-boot, ree-boot]
verb (used with object)
1. to restart (a computer) by loading the operating system; boot again.
verb (used without object)
2. (of a computer) to be restarted.
noun
3. an act or instance of restarting a computer.

In this case, I, or rather, my heart, was the computer.  They gave love a bad name, and hit me with 70 Jules, and then with 150 Jules right in the kicker.  I would tell you what it was like, but the last thing I remember after they got set up was saying, “I think the Demorol is kicking in…”  I woke up some time later in my bed with my CPAP machine on.  They insist that I was hilarious through the process, and I am sure they weren’t lying.  One of the nurses told me when she came in when I asked what happened while I was out,  “Congratulations on your engagement!  I think you will love the kids!”  I didn’t bite on that, because marriage and me aren’t even friends on Myspace, no what I mean?

Anyway, that was the highlight of that experience until I read the discharge notes.  I was to stop drinking alcohol and start on a low sodium diet.  I keep it under around 1200-1500 mg per day and I will tell you this is one of the hardest things I have ever done.  But, I am discovering how to cook again and an amazing amount of new foods.  I am not going to be that guy, so I will just go to whatever restaurant folks want to go to and order low sodium stuff – like water – and make it through.  In fact, I have been for over a month and I think I am doing ok.  I will get better over time.  My heart is strong, but the reboot takes some recovery time.

The downside of all this was getting hit with hospital bills

Transportation

I couldn’t drive all year, which made most of the year difficult at best.  I missed out on lots of things and it put certain plans I had so far on the back burner, I had to turn it off.  I am hoping, now that I can get my license back (just coordinating to get the logistics done, as I still can’t drive – the irony), that I will be getting some traction on plans that I have been putting off for a long while. I will keep you posted.

The Passing of Friends

I had several friends pass along this year.  Cheryl O’Connor, Steve Bue, and Ricky Lindroos.  Although I was not close with them recently, I knew them long ago and they will be missed.

The Good Stuff

Conventions

I was able to attend/work Gencon, Glitchcon, and Arkcon this year.  I will be attending DarkCon in the next few weeks, as well.  I missed Dragon*Con, which I am mildly sad about, but I *might* hit it next year.

Gencon was overwhelming.  I enjoyed it immensely, as I was able to see some great friends there, and meet some new ones.  I spent much of my time in the gaming and vendor rooms, and then just chilling with those friends at night.  It was a great time.

Glitchcon was a lot of work (not nearly enough, though – this year will better), as I tried to do to much of the work alone.  I will be forming a team for this year, so that won’t be an issue, but this year was not up to my standards for work.  Still, people had fun, I was party to a really fun game that was written there, and it was a success. Lots of fun was had.

Arkcon:  Drunken Artemis.  ‘Nuff said.  Ok, not really.  It was a really well run game room and I hope it will be the same this coming year.  I am really looking forward to it.

People

I met some really cool people this year and will hopefully have the opportunity to do some really cool things.  We shall see.  I also plan to reconnect with folks with the license obtaining thing happening soon.  Now just to deal with the fear of driving…

Games

I spent too much money on games this year, as I was spending too much time at home alone.  So, games.  I have been playing some fun ones, but I am not used to spending this much time with them, and I feel guilty I haven’t been writing enough.

Writing

I took a class on writing and it has helped me to understand some of the ways to frame a story.  I am hoping to more writing in this next year, as I think I will do a much better job.  I have 3 or 4 books I started writing, but without a good outline, I never finished.  Now that know how to create an outline for a novel, I am hoping to get them done this year.  So, less games/TV and more writing.  Wish me luck!

Music

I am in the Walmart Associate Choir.  We perform at various company events throughout the year and it has given me the opportunity to get my singing muscles back in shape.  I have recorded a few songs this year, just to see how my voice sounded on them, but due to the copyright laws, I am not supposed to share them.   /sadface

Next year, I want to record some of my original songs, and I am looking for folks to help.  I tried learning guitar this year, but I have come to the realization that I just suck at it.  I bought a bass guitar, as I seem to be forever stuck in bass clef.  I will let you know how it goes.  Being a singer/bass player/drummer can’t hurt my chances in the long run.

This is the end

And so, as I close out the year – and this blog – I just have to say it wasn’t a great year, but I have certainly had far worse ones.  I hope your Holiday Season has been fabulous and that you made it through as well.  Hears to a better 2014!

I will leave you with the immortal words of Barry Manilow, as performed by John Barrowman, Captain Jack Harkness himself:

I made it through the rain, I kept my world protected
I made it throught the rain, I kept my point of view
I made it through the rain, And found myself respected
By the others who got rained on too
And made it through

Walking the Path,

Chris

NaNoWriMo, Writing

NaNoWriMo – Day Eight

Leave a comment

I am at Mama Fu’s in Bentonville writing away.  There is an Epic Boss Battle to end Chapter 6 that I am working through now. Within the hour, I will be putting this away and going to see a movie with some pals, so I am furiously trying to write this scene before then.  Just in case I don’t get to post later, though, here is my update for today.  I am behind about 3k words, but I am off tomorrow and I will write in spurts all day.

That sounded dirty.

Anyway, back to see if my hero can kill the Bastard of a Dark Elf that is the Master of the Wail.  I will include another excerpt below, with some of the steps leading up to it.  I hope you enjoy it.

Today:

9737 Words!

 

Excerpt:

As I passed the two guards just outside the Zone, I noticed once again how much power these two just casually wielded at the end of the street. I mean, the aura of a wizard is an easy thing to see if you know how to look, but it was also fairly simple to mask it or at least make it seem less than it was. The guard I was looking at was a taller Elf wearing a leather tunic and carrying a staff with a large emerald set into the top. The power from that thing alone was enough to make most men quake, but it paled next to the mage holding it. This guy could level a city block without breaking a sweat.

Then you looked to his left and there was another just like him. Battle mages the both of them and they somehow became guards of the Blood Zone. There was absolutely no way anyone was going to bring violence past these two powerhouses. They smiled a lazy smile as I walked past them and nearly startled me when he spoke.

“The Orcs are a bit frisky today. Killed 17 people this morning already.”

“Thanks, masters, but I am here for one purpose and I don’t think a few Orcs are going to slow me down.”

“Nope, I don’t suppose they will. I remember you from a few days ago. But, we decided we like you and we’d like to see you come back out alive.”

“Again, thank you. You honor me with your praise. I will do my best to live up to it.”

“See that you do. And give Faeltir our regards.”

His smile was a mile wide and yet somehow not mocking me. I stumbled over my words as I continued on.

“I…uh…will. Good day, sirs.”

They went back into their previous conversations and I saw money change hands between them. I am not sure what the bet was, but clearly one of them expected something from me. Maybe it was just because I came back. I didn’t have time to reflect on why due to the spear that flew past my head and headed at the pair of wizards. The spear dropped to the ground in front of them and they didn’t even break conversation.

I however, spun to my left and turned to face the spear thrower only to see my friend Kami surrounded by about five Orcs that seemed interested in his demise. I pulled Mana up from inside me and brought forth a bit of lightning between my fingertips. I let it build there for a moment while I watched the scene.

Kami was holding his own, but had been wounded several times and was bleeding from most of them. I now could see the five Orc that lay near his feet and a several more that were hurling spears from the nearby patio in front of Graal’s Lair. Kami took one down with a swift thrust and stepped to the side as another spear made its way to his heart. With a practiced motion, he let the sidestep turn into a spin and carry his blade into the one behind him until I could hear a loud thump from the hilt of his blade slamming into the Orc’s ribs. The missing spear made its way into a third assailant and made it scream like a beast. As it fell, I moved my gaze past Kami to the patio.

I took aim at the spear throwers past Kami and let loose my lightning. It arced over the battle and into the nearest hurler with an impact that would make Giants jealous. The monster was hurled back into the others as my electric burst followed, like a snake to the kill. Three more were burned before it was through, leaving but two still standing and able to fight.

I let them see the fire that I had replaced the lightning with and they froze and just stared at me. I used this moment to glance at Kami and saw that he finishing another one and the remaining combatant was considering running away. I let go my fireball into the patio with a casual gesture and started walking towards the last one standing by Kami, drawing my blade as I did.

The explosion on the patio made quite a bit of noise and the rest of the Orc over there were screaming in pain making the last guy in front of us very unsteady on his feet. He was Orc, though, and it was unlikely he would give up to two elves staring him down even though they had just slaughtered nearly a dozen of his kin. It was more likely he was going to fight back to die with some semblance of honor. I saw him steady himself and move into a guard position ready for our assault.

I really had respect for this one, as he didn’t run. I have seen greater beings flee from me after they know what I could do and more importantly, what I would do, but this creature stood ready and willing to fight. I almost didn’t want to kill him, but that would be far worse for him. I would give him the death he deserved.

At this moment, Kami stepped up and put his blade out to his side, blocking my way.

“This one is mine.”

“Come, Elf. Show me what you can do.”

They stared each other down for a long moment. There was no movement, no sweat, no fear. Two warriors, poised and ready, planning to end the other as soon as someone flinched. I was trying to figure out who it would be when suddenly Kami moved forward faster than I have ever seen him. The thrust was true and the Orc almost didn’t move before it hit him. He feebly parried after the blade hit home, his weak swing clanging against his killer’s blade and falling limply to the ground. He dropped to his knees, as Kami pulled the blade out.

He looked up into the Elf’s eyes and brought his blade up over his chest in a salute. A moment later, he fell forward in a heap at Kami’s feet. The Elf leaned down and wiped his blade on the fallen Orc’s tunic and sheathed it in a practiced motion. He then walked over to me with a deep smile on his face.

“So, what’s for lunch?”

NaNoWriMo, Writing

NaNoWriMo – Day Five

Leave a comment

I might keep writing tonight, but for now I wanted to post this in case I don’t. I had a sad moment in my first story and had to write my way out of it. It was a very difficult moment for me, but I enjoyed getting through it. I am going to share a little bit of the story, after the standard graphic of my progress, so you can get a glimpse of what I am writing.  But only a snippet.  I would like to reveal it as a whole when it is done this year, so we all have something to hope for.

Also realized, it is unedited, as I don’t want to edit just yet. That is a problem to solved by a novelist, which I am not yet.

Today:

7047 Words!

 

Excerpt:

“The Master of the Wail requests your presence at his table and this complimentary glass of his finest Elven wine.”

She held it there in front of me for a time, until she realized I was neither intimidated or even interested in the offer or the wine. A moment more passed, with us just staring at each other. A bead of sweat formed on the side of her head and began slowly running down her cheek. Her eyes showed pure terror, as she leaned in a bit closer.

“Please, sir. If you don’t come, he will…make me dance. And that would be the end of me.”

Her deep green eyes invaded mine with the kind of terror that I have only seen on people that realize why I have come to see them, that I am a Grey Guard. Although none of this fear was for me, but for Faeltir, the Master of the Wail. She was going to be killed if I did not have this drink and sit at his table.

“Please sir, he will call for me soon. You can’t just let me die over a glass of wine.”

“In fact, my dear, I can.”

I let that sink in for just a moment, as I locked gazes with her and let her see the depth of my troubled soul. Her eyes widened and her will was nearly destroyed, as she realized she was undone.

You see, I have what they call an iron will and I can resist any torture, any pain, any intimidation. For I follow Omni and my purpose is clear. Do his bidding and I will be rewarded in his domains after my death. I have had nearly all my bones broken and my blood spilled and still I gave up no secrets or relinquished ground in a debate.

“I will not, however, let that happen. Let your Master know I will be there in a moment.”

As she walked away, I watched her leave. She was not trying to hurt me. She was simply trying to live under the rule of a tyrant, who would threaten her life to get to me. I knew I was capable of letting her die, and still, my heart stirred. After a hundred years of service, the people I met recently had changed me. I still worked for the Church, but they had given me things to ponder that forced me to suspend my mission to kill them and walk with them for a spell to see if what they said was correct.

That my God was not my God. That my God was an usurper and my true God would return if I helped them.

It was a hard concept to handle and I was still working it through. I spend far too much time in the field to be easily swayed and I had skills that could pierce lies and flesh to complete my goals. But in my time I have let many innocents die, under the guise that they were unbelievers and didn’t deserve my mercy.

Could I turn away from this quest? If they were correct and I killed them, I would be preventing any chance of the True God returning. But if I helped them, then the Usurper the Church told me they worshipped would return and take control of all that I have fought for over a century now. I had nearly lost count of the years.

What to do now?

“Drink the wine.”

—————————-

Back to it.  Chau, friends.

NaNoWriMo, Writing

NaNoWriMo – Day 4

Leave a comment

Long day with friends and recovery from friends the night before. I feel better, and I got a little writing in today. Tomorrow night, I shall get more, but I am exhausted and I need to work tomorrow. A short update with the new word count and I am off to bed.

5376 Words!

NaNoWriMo, Writing

NaNoWriMo – Day 3

Leave a comment

I am struggling with various and sundry emotional issues and I just can’t seem to write anymore.  I am getting a few words here and there but it is really hard today.  I will try again later, but I have got to get out of this house, if I can make it happen. It is unlikely.

So, here is today’s count, without any further adieu.  Chau.

4775 Words!