Looks like a posting drought is coming. Haven't really felt like working on my writing lately with school stuff and midterms coming up.
=====================================================================================
As they approached the mouth of the cave, they spotted a brown-haired woman fully adorned in plated-leather armor, fit only for the Royal Guard. Despite always being completely covered from the shoulder down, it wasn’t enough to hide the figure that many desired.
“Isn’t that—…?”
Raze eyed Kismet’s leg as they approached. “I’m rather impressed with how well you dealt with that bear. Maybe you should rest here for now.”
Kismet was taken aback. She hadn’t noticed anyone watching her. “Th—Thank you, but I’m fine.”
“Alright, follow me.” Raze stepped into the mouth of the cave, which was little more than a small wedge hidden along the cliff side.
“Wait…a bear? You were attacked by a bear?” exclaimed Lucas.
Kismet, irritable from the pain, followed Raze in silence. A faint blue glow, from the lanterns that dangled above, lit the wide, dampened path. The air was moist from the bits of morning condensation on the rocky walls, but oddly warm. Lucas’ eyes trailed Kismet’s footsteps, staring at the small bloody paw prints with worry. “Kismet, it’s only going to get worse if you keep walking on it like that. If you want, I –“
“Ignore it, it’ll heal on its own,” interrupted Kismet, gently caressing the rabbit, in attempt to distract herself from the pain.
Their destination was deep inside the gloomy cave, hidden to the side of the lantern-lit path. The mouth of the cave was long out of view and faint sounds carried through the rocky walls. A warm breeze whispered from deep within, carrying with it an unusual scent that burned Kismet’s nose.
Raze knocked on steel-reinforced, wooden door. “Hoffman, we’re here with the delivery.”
A small bang came from inside the door, along with a faint exclamation of pain. “Wh-who’s there?”
“It’s Raze.”
“Ohh, ah… just a minute.”
The sound of shuffling papers and clattering metal made Sara frown impatiently. Rahnt cracked open the door, peering out at unfamiliar faces from behind a thick steel chain lock. Behind his large glasses were deep-set, baggy eyes with dark circles that looked like bruises. The sound of hisses and rattling cages stirred from behind the researcher, causing him to jump in surprise. He pushed up the bridge of his glasses and cleared his throat. He looked at Kismet with a bit of disbelief. “O-Oh. It’s the Catheran. It must’ve been at least five years since I last saw you.”
Kismet eyed him in confusion. She couldn’t recall his thinning grey hair and long tired face. The animals in Rahnt’s residence started becoming restless. He whirled his head around, cowering away from their sudden actions. Rahnt looked at Kismet again, noticing the bloody bandages wrapped around her leg. Raze eyed him suspiciously, following his gaze to the Catheran’s leg. Rahnt snapped out of his trance, turning his attention to the General. “R-Right. Let me see the rabbit.”
Kismet stepped forward with the rabbit nuzzled calmly in her arms.
“No! Not you. Stay back,” exclaimed Rahnt.
Kismet stepped back with a sigh. The rabbit squirmed and thrashed when Sara tried to take it from her. After a moment of difficulty, Sara managed to get a firm hold of it and tried to slip it through the door. The rabbit kicked and squirmed. Watching the poor helpless animal struggle in fear sunk Kismet’s spirit.
“Geez, what’s wrong with this thing?” complained Sara.
Rahnt quickly pulled it through the door and examined it. Kismet averted her eyes as he poked and prodded the rabbit with his finger and stared into its face. He slipped the animal into a small cage. “Yes…Yes, this will do.”
Kismet peered through the crack of the door at the several animals staring straight at her unblinking. She was unable to see the animals clearly through the mess of the room, but something about them was unsettling. The room reeked of animal feces, and blood. Rahnt noticed her looking through the crack of the door and quickly began to close it. “Ah, thank you. Now if you’d please leave.”
Sara quickly stopped the door. “Hey, uh…what are you researching anyway?”
“S-Sorry, but I can’t release that information.” Rahnt forcefully shut the door and securely bolted it shut.
“Geez, that was rude of him,” snorted Sara.
“Working in a place like this? I’m surprised he’s still sane,” commented Lucas.
“Tch, whatever. And what do you think he’s doing with all those animals in there anyway?”
“It’s just as he said, classified information,” interjected Raze. “Your work is done here. Devin is waiting for your report.”
The squad saluted and left the cave. “I wonder why he even works there instead of some lab. It seems very inconvenient, and far less productive. And why did General Raze stay behind?” speculated Lucas.
Kismet sighed. “You two think too much. I’m sure they have their reasons.”
Lucas frowned. “Yeah, but it’s still a bit unusual. Aren’t you even a little curious?”
“Not really.”
Sara laughed. “Why, too many bad experiences from sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong?”
“I just mind my own business, unlike some people.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” growled Sara.
“Huh. I wonder,” edged Kismet.
Sara kicked Kismet’s wound before she continued walking out of the cave. Kismet screamed out in pain. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Lucas took a step toward Kismet while Sara stomped ahead.
“Don’t. Just leave me alone,” snapped Kismet.
Lucas followed a short distance behind Kismet, whose leg began to trail blood once again.
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Rabbit Hunting, Scene v1
Next: In the Kitchen, Scene v1
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Researcher, Scene v1
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Rabbit Hunting, Scene v1
I'll be posting less frequently now I think. Lots of school work and running out of backup material.
===================================================================================
“Argh, is this some kind of joke? Do we really have to spend our day trying to catch a stupid rabbit?” whined Sara. “Why couldn’t they just send out some hunter, or a kid, to catch the rabbit?”
Sara kicked every leaf and brush around her in frustration. “I swear, this must be his way of punishing Furball here for her stupidity, and we got dragged down with her.”
“Can we just focus and get this over with? You’re probably scaring all of the rabbits away with your crying,” snorted Kismet.
“I’m scaring them away? Have you looked in a mirror recently? You’re a damn lion—panther—tiger—or whatever—thing.”
Lucas rubbed the back of his head. “Sara does have a point…maybe we should split up until one of us manages to catch one?”
Kismet walked off. “Fine, whatever.”
The birds sang blissfully, as Sara’s voice faded into the distance. Kismet strolled between the trees, inhaling the scent of fresh oak to calm her soul. She watched the animals go about their business peacefully, as they paid little mind to her presence. Squirrels scurried up and down the trees, gathering acorns for the coming winter. Birds chattered away in the sea of red and yellowing leaves. However, their peace was short-lived. Suddenly, all the animals scurried into hiding. Kismet peered into the woods as a rabbit bolted around the brush. The rabbit leaped into Kismet’s arms and buried its face into her chest, shaking horribly. She staggered back a step as a bear trampled after it.
Kismet locked her eyes on the bear. Its body, a lumbering mass of muscles, appeared slightly disfigured, the black fur littered with scars and bloodstains. The bear roared as it stood on its hind legs, towering over Kismet. It swiped at her with its razor-sharp claws. She rolled to the side, sheltering the rabbit in her arms against her body, but was unable to fully avoid the attack. Kismet cried out in pain as the bear’s claws managed to gouge her lower right leg. The bear lunged forward, pinning her to the ground. It raised its paw, ready to strike her face. She quickly elbowed its jaw with all her might, dazing the bear. Retracting her legs under the bear’s body, she raked its torso with her claws. The bear roared as searing hot blood trickled over her. The bear thrust its head in an attempt to bite her. With no other choice, she slammed her forehead into the bear. With a loud crack that filled the air, blood seeped down from the split on her forehead. She clawed the stunned bear’s face. The bear roared in pain and retreated into the woods.
Kismet stumbled back on her feet in a daze, with the rabbit still trembling in her arms. When she stood, a sharp pain shot up her leg that nearly made her fall. She limped in the direction that Sara and Lucas had ventured off to, struggling to keep her balance and leaving a trail of blood behind her. She winced in pain with every step as blades of grass brushed against her bone-deep wound. After several minutes of painful treading, she managed to find her comrades.
Lucas and Sara glanced back at the sound of Kismet’s footsteps. “Did you find one?” asked Lucas.
She exposed the rabbit’s head, still buried against her chest in terror.
“How the hell…” said Sara, in disbelief.
Lucas’ eyes grew wide, noticing the blood on Kismet’s face. He then lowered his gaze to the open wound on her leg. “W-what happened? You’re hurt!”
Lucas reached to unravel the spare bandage wrapped around his arm.
“Don’t. I’ll be fine, let’s just finish this,” insisted Kismet.
Lucas shook his head defiantly and knelt beside her, puzzled at the shape of her wound. Kismet sighed then leaned against a tree to take pressure off her leg as he wrapped it with a bandage.
“So, what happened? Did you fall or something?” mocked Sara.
Kismet ignored Sara and stared off into the trees, caressing the rabbit’s fur. Lucas stood up and helped Kismet rise to her feet. Kismet shrugged away his support and began walking toward the cave.
“Tch,” grunted Sara, as she followed Kismet.
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: The Smile of a Princess, Scene v1
Next: The Researcher, Scene v1
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Character Profile: Devin (v1)
Please let me know if you see any inconsistencies so I can fix them. I've just started typing out a timeline of everything, which I should've done from the start. I also want a new first name for Devin.
===================================================================================
Character Profile:
Name: Devin Lenaud Strauf
Sex: Male
Age: 52
Year of Birth: 1075 N.E.
Race: Human
Born into the noble family of Stauf, Devin was pressured into achieving a respectable position in the Rokan Empire. All his life he lived near Rokan Castle in the capitol city, tied into the social weave of the upper-class, and the castle itself. Being the nephew of Lady Margaret Strauf, wife of General Kaelis Atraea, Devin received a lot of attention and special treatment in the military. At the age of 20, he began studying directly under General Atraea in order to become a suitable member of the Royal Guard. At the age of 24, Devin was graced with honor of becoming Queen Natalia's Guardian shortly after being married to King Marcus. However, Devin still had much to learn and continued studying under General Atraea. Eventually, Devin was promoted to serve as the King's Guardian, and as the Silver Guard, at the age of 34 after General Atraea's untimely death.
Throughout the years, Devin grew close to General Atraea's family. He watched them grow up over the years, and eventually took in Razelin when he was 40, as if she were his own daughter, after her parents had died. Primarily being raised in the military, and guided by General Atraea, he lacked confidence in his skills as a parent and turned to raising young Razelin as her father had raised him, as an apprentice. When Devin was 46, Razelin became a member of the Royal Guard, serving as Queen Natalia's Guardian. Two years later, Devin requested to resign his position as the Silver Guard due to his age, and the firm belief that Razelin's rapid learning had surpassed his own capabilities. His request was granted and his position was replaced by Razelin. Devin continues to serve as the King's Guardian and work closely alongside Razelin.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Beastiary: Land Trapper
A random post because I had this idea after visiting an aquarium (yes, it sounds unrelated, but it isn't I promise).
===================================================================================
Land Trapper:
This large and unusual creature burrows into the ground in fields and plains with it's four sharp legs. It then backs into the hole, legs first, so that it's mouth is just below the surface. Extending from its mouth are sturdy tendrils that have a fern or brush-like appearance. Exposing this plant-like bait, the Land Trapper preys on animals that wander above its mouth. From it's tendrils sprout sharp spines that grasp the Trapper's prey. The tendrils then lower the prey into its mouth. Land Trappers consume any land animal from squirrels, to large wolves and humans.
If the Land Trapper is threatened in any way, such as the severing of tendrils, it defends itself by resurfacing and using it's mouth and legs. Despite its choice of hunting method, Trappers make a fearsome foe when they feel threatened. Their legs, strong enough to dig through stone, and sharp enough to pierce rock, can easily impale its enemies. The legs of a Trapper are encased in a rock-hard carapace, but it's body is less protected. When standing, Land Trappers average roughly 7 feet in height, reaching 11 feet with legs fully extended.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Siren's Daughter, End (v1)
And here's the end of The Siren's Daughter. I will probably take a small break from posting story content before resuming posts on my book.
====================================================================================
She kept running down the road, crying. She didn’t even look back. I slowed to a stop and stood there in the rain, watching her fade into the darkness. She was right. I should have done more to take care of them. I should have stepped up. I should have been there for Cassandra. I should have protected her. I should have taken them in…I should have kept my promise. I had to keep my promise. I couldn’t give up on it. Even though I made horrible decisions in the past, I couldn’t let it happen again. I had to find Razelin. I had to protect her. I had to care for her. She was my responsibility and I couldn’t let her father down again. I had to find her.
I walked back home to see if Razelin was there. I asked Eliza if she saw her.
“You mean to tell me that after all this time you still haven’t found her?” she asked.
“I did, but she ran off.”
Frustration filled Eliza’s voice. “Don’t you see, Devin? That girl isn’t worth the trouble. Just let her be on her own. She’s not even your child!”
Eliza used to be so understanding, so compassionate, and so supportive. It frustrated me that she became so selfish, especially when I needed her support the most, but I managed to keep my composure. “You know I can’t do that. I made a promise to take care of her, and I intend to keep that promise.”
“And you’re willing to sacrifice your life for it?” she yelled. “Your work is already suffering from having to take care of her. And what about the nights you can’t sleep because you worry about her? You’re always distracted and distant now.”
“If that’s what it takes, then so be it. But I’m sure things will improve soon. She just needs time…”
“You always say to give it time. Well I’ve given it plenty of time. For a year I’ve stood by you and watched the time go by. Apparently, time just doesn’t help. All time has done is made you more become more obsessive.”
“It will get better soon, I promise,” I assured her. “Just give it a little more time.”
Eliza fought back tears, her voice strained. “What about us, Devin? What about our time? Ever since she showed up, we never have time anymore. I bet you don’t even remember what day it is today.”
I walked out the door toward the cemetery. “I can’t deal with this right now. I need to find Razelin.”
Eliza ran after me in the rain and grabbed my shoulder. "Devin. I’m tired of being second to that child. I tried to be patient, but I just can’t anymore. It’s either her or me.”
I looked into her pleading eyes. The woman I thought I would spend the rest of my life with was reaching out at me with all of her heart. Her desperation pained my soul, not because of confusion or conflict, but because there was no hesitation in my mind. I closed my eyes in a silent farewell and shrugged away her hand. I continued toward the cemetery, never looking back. I couldn’t look back. I knew what I had to do, with or without Eliza’s support. No more excuses. No more distractions. No more regrets. I had to find Razelin. I had to keep my promise.
Razelin was sitting on the ground in front of her sister’s grave. Her face hid behind her knees as she hugged her legs close to her body. Her sobbing was hardly audible through the pouring rain. I stood next to her, unsure of what to do. She turned her head slightly as she heard me approach her. After a moment’s silence, she buried her face into my chest, embracing me.
“I’m sorry, Devin. I’m so sorry…I just…I—”
I hugged her back, stroking her hair. “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about.”
It had been nearly three years since I felt her sweet embrace. It was a feeling I would never forget. The warmth it brought soothed my soul. It was a sense of comfort I had never felt before. It was the first time I truly felt like a father.
“I…I don’t know what to do. What do I do…what should I do…?” she sobbed.
“Just be strong, Razelin. Make your family proud and be strong.”
The rain died down to a light shower. She calmed herself. “Can we go home now?”
I nodded with a smile. “Of course.”
We returned to the warmth of our home. I started a fire before walking into the master bedroom, as Razelin changed into something dry. Several of Eliza’s clothes and belongings were missing. A small note sat atop the covers of the bed:
I looked around the bedroom. It looked so empty. As I changed into dry clothes, I couldn’t help but notice how little of what was in the bedroom was mine. Although it looked as though half of the room was missing, I didn’t feel lonely. I crumpled the note and threw it away before returning to the living room to check on the fire. Seeing Razelin curled up on the armchair near the fire brought a smile to my face. I draped a blanket over her as she slept soundly. I kissed her forehead and stroked her hair gently.
No more mistakes. No more regrets.
First: The Siren's Daughter, Part 1 (v1)
Previous: The Siren's Daughter, Part 9 (v1)
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Siren's Daughter, Part 9 (v1)
One more part after this!
====================================================================================
“You’re right. You deserve to know the truth.” I took in a deep breath in a feeble attempt to steady my nerves. “As you know, your mother also used to work at Heaven’s Perch. She used to sing and dance there before it became the most popular tavern around. Remember when I told you that your father was one of the main reasons Heaven’s Perch became popular?”
Razelin nodded.
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Well, your father fell for Jasmine when he first heard her sing. Ever since, he would visit the Perch at least twice a week just to see her. And well… how do I say this…Your father—if he had met your mother about five years sooner, the he would have been around more.”
She looked at me confused.
“When your father met Jasmine, he was already married.”
“Married? To who?”
“He was married to Lady Margaret, the King’s cousin,” I replied.
“The King’s cousin? But then, why?”
I sat down on the edge of the chair facing her. “The love between Lady Margaret and your father faded a few years after their marriage. They carried on with their marriage, more for political purposes than for romantic reasons, even though they no longer loved each other like they used to. However, they agreed to let each other live their own separate lives outside of the castle, for the sake of their own happiness. So in essence, their marriage became more of a legal companionship, and nothing more.”
“But once Lady Margaret learned of your mother, she became very jealous, despite their agreement,” I continued. “As time went on, she became more and more jealous of your mother, which created tension between the three of them. Your father tried to alleviate the situation by limiting the time he spent with your mother and seeing her in secret.”
Razelin walked over to the bed and sat down. “What about my sister? Did she know about this?”
I nodded. “Yes. The birth of your sister was the breaking point for Lady Margaret. Ever since then, she always resented your sister, since she was the symbol of the love your parents shared. As Cassandra grew older, Lady Margaret’s jealousy grew as well. She always went out of her way to make things more difficult for Cassandra and your mother. But your parents didn’t hate her for her actions, and they didn’t want you to either. That is why we never told you about her.”
“What about after my father died?”
“The situation worsened after your father’s death. Lady Margaret was the reason you and your family received little support after his death. When people mourned the loss of your father, they sympathized more with your mother than Lady Margaret. Naturally, this angered her, and she took it out on your sister. She prevented your sister from being able to find a job. Heaven’s Perch was the only place your sister could find that didn’t give into Lady Margaret’s threats.”
Razelin looked up at me. “I thought you told me you promised my father that you’d take care of us? Why didn’t you do something to help her find another place to work?”
“I tried,” I insisted. “But Lady Margaret held a lot more influence than I did. I had just been appointed to fill your father’s position at the time, and many felt I was unfit to do so. Following in your father’s footsteps is difficult since people always compare my actions to his.”
Her voice grew frustrated. “And what about Clyde, did you know about him too?”
I tried to keep my composure. “I only knew that he was one of your sister’s more frequent visitors, but not much more than that. Your sister voiced her concern about a few of her visitors, but that’s a common thing for anyone working in the Perch.”
Razelin rose to her feet. “So you just thought nothing of it? You didn’t think she needed protection or something?”
“I tried to offer her protection, but she insisted she was just venting and didn’t need it. And like I said, women who work in the Perch always have similar concerns about their visitors, but nothing usually happens.”
“Even if she didn’t want your help, why didn’t you help her anyway? Why didn’t you take us in even though she refused? I thought you promised my father you’d watch over us. I thought you promised to take us in, to make sure we’re safe. But now…my sister…she’s—”
“I wanted to, Razelin. I tried. I insisted, but she always refused. I didn’t have the legal right to tell her to do anything. Plus, I hardly ever had time…I rarely had the chance—”
“What about after my sister disappeared? Where were you then? Why didn’t you help me? Why didn’t you do anything?” she demanded.
“I was swamped with work; I didn’t even have a chance to leave the castle. I wanted to be there, Razelin, I swear. If I had a chance to do everything differently, I would. You have no idea how much I hate myself for everything that has happened.”
Razelin glared at me with frustration, tears trailing down her face. She ran out of the room, sobbing hysterically. She ran down the road in the rain. I tried to chase after her. “Razelin, wait!”
First: The Siren's Daughter, Part 1 (v1)
Previous: The Siren's Daughter, Part 8 (v1)
Next: The Siren's Daughter, End (v1)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Siren's Daughter, Part 8 (v1)
This is...part 8 right?
===================================================================================
When I saw Devin’s face, my body froze in shock. To see a familiar face after so long… a face that I trusted... I was overwhelmed. I was at a loss for words. I didn’t know how to react, or what to say. I could only stare back at him, confused and frightened, yet relieved.
Clyde regained his bearings. He pushed me back against the glass cabinet, which caused it to shatter and shower over me. Small shards of glass pierced my bare back as I fell forward on the ground. He grabbed the vase from the table near him and smashed it into the side of Devin’s head. Devin stumbled in a daze from the blow as blood seeped down from the side of his head. Clyde pinned Devin onto the ground, strangling him.
“You should’ve minded your own business,” Clyde growled.
I watched in horror as Devin struggled for air. I had to do something. I had to help him. I grabbed the knife from amidst the pile of glass and stabbed Clyde’s back. Again, and again, I stabbed him. I knew I had done enough, but I couldn’t stop myself. I could do nothing but weep uncontrollably as I watched myself stab him over and over again, until my body wore itself out.
* * *
Razelin looked back at the mirror and gazed at her reflection. She lightly touched her cheek, as if she were unsure if it were real. I wanted to comfort her in some way, but I was speechless. I hadn’t the slightest idea of what I even wanted to say, much less how to say it. How was I supposed to respond to such a story? Having learned the truth about her mother and sister’s occupation…having undergone such atrocities… what could I have possibly said to comfort her?
“All my life people have been hiding things from me. Even my sister kept things secret from me.” She turned toward me. “Why, Devin?”
“We wanted to protect you,” I assured her.
“Protect me from what?”
“You were young, Razelin… we didn’t want to ruin your outlook on life—”
“And what good did it do me?” she demanded. “Tell me, what did hiding all of those things do to help me? Did it help me to not know what my sister did? Did it help me when she wouldn’t come home all night and I was left worried, not knowing where she was? Did it help that I didn’t know about her work, or her frequent visits from Clyde?”
I averted my eyes in shame and shook my head. Razelin was right. In the end, hiding everything from her only ended up making her life worse. If she had known about Clyde, and the fact that he was a potential threat, she could have avoided her cruel fate. It was naïve of us to believe that shielding her from reality would grant her a happier life. And because of that, she suffered for our ignorance.
“What else has everyone been hiding from me?” she demanded. “Why did my father rarely visit? Why did no one ever talk to me about him?”
I swallowed nervously as I rubbed the back of my hands. “Your father was a very busy man. He was usually at the castle serving as the Silver Guard.”
“I know you’re not telling me something.”
I gazed into Razelin’s eyes, searching for the little girl who always used to greet me with a smile full of life and energy, but that little girl was gone. She was growing into a young woman, one who had experienced cruelties that none deserved. She wanted to hear the truth, and would settle for no less.
“You’re right. You deserve to know the truth.”
First: The Siren's Daughter, Part 1 (v1)
Previous: The Siren's Daughter, Part 7 (v1)
Next: The Siren's Daughter, Part 9 (v1)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Siren's Daughter, Part 7 (v1)
I need more sleep.
====================================================================================
I ate every bit of food Clyde left for me. I had to regain whatever strength I could for my escape. After what felt like two weeks, my opportunity arrived. The sound of someone banging on the front door carried down into the basement along with a man’s voice.
“Clyde, hurry up! The General is already on his way. We have to go!”
Clyde swore under his breath as he tossed me aside and stumbled up the stairs. The front door slammed loudly as he rushed out of the house. Fortunately, his careless habits continued, once again leaving behind his basement. The moment of my escape had finally come.
Climbing up the stairs from the basement left me out of breath. My body throbbed and ached. Merely walking was a chore from having been in that basement for several months. As I managed to round the corner at the base of the stairway, someone began trying to unlock the front door.
“What the hell are you doing? We have to go!” said a man’s voice.
“I forgot to lock the basement. Damn lock, open!” came Clyde’s voice.
“The basement? Why would you need to lock your basement? Well, whatever. I’m going ahead. I don’t want the General on my ass.”
I began pulling myself up the stairs in fear, dragging myself one step at a time. I felt the blood pumping through my veins as I struggled to make my way up the stairs as quickly as possible. The front door slammed shut. I heard Clyde dart toward the basement as I neared the top of the stairs.
“Damn it, she’s gone!”
I reached the top of the stairs and staggered into the bedroom in front of me. I stopped in my tracks, gazing into the mirror that sat across the room. A torrent of emotions drowned me as I stared at the tortured, starved figure that looked back at me. Scars and bruises covered my body. A hint of every bone was visible underneath the battered, pale flesh that clung to it so desperately—the emblem, roughly etched into my chest.
I became blinded with rage as Clyde’s hurried footsteps climbed the stairs. I wanted nothing more than vengeance. For all he had done to me…For all he had done to my sister…He deserved to die.
With a surge of adrenaline, I charged into Clyde once he reached the top of the stairs, causing him to lose his balance and teeter backwards. Clyde flailed his arms, grasping at whatever he could to save himself from falling. Although he managed to grab one of the thin wooden rail supports, it snapped under his weight and left him rolling down the steps. The supports didn’t break under my weight as I grabbed them, but my grip was too weak to stop me completely from sliding down the stairs. Luckily, his crumpled body broke my fall, leaving me with only minor injuries. A small pool of blood formed under Clyde’s head as he groaned in pain, grasping his right arm.
I ignored the pain and scurried into the kitchen nearby to grab a knife. I couldn’t give him a chance to recover from the shock of the fall, so I rammed the knife into his leg. Clyde screamed out in pain, staggering backwards into a stool in the den. He fell to the ground with a loud crash, his leg oozing with blood.
Banging came from the front door, followed by a familiar voice. “What the hell is going on in there?”
I was running out of time. I had to kill Clyde before the other person could stop me. With what strength remained in me, I leapt onto him in a desperate attempt to stab his heart. I put all of my weight into the attack, but Clyde was able to resist despite his injures.
“Clyde, what the hell is going on? I’m coming in,” called the voice.
“No, don’t!” Clyde yelled back.
I pressed down with all my strength, but it was hopeless. My withered body was no match for his athletic physique. Despite the fact that the situation was clearly in my favor, I remained powerless. I strained and strained until tears streamed down my face, but the blade wasn’t going any lower.
The front door smashed open. A man ran in and pulled me off Clyde, stripping me of any hope of escaping. The man stared at my face in disbelief. “R—Razelin?”
First: The Siren's Daughter, Part 1 (v1)
Previous: The Siren's Daughter, Part 6 (v1)
Next: The Siren's Daughter, Part 8 (v1)
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Siren's Daughter, Part 6 (v1)
What should I make my website look like?
====================================================================================
Ever since that day, I had given up hope. I came to accept the fact that no one would save me from the nightmare that had become my life. Shrouded in darkness for so long, I began to fear the light, as it only ever meant one thing. No longer did I resist. No longer did I beg for mercy. Ever since that day, I would just lie there. No longer did I care about being cold. No longer did I care for the scarce scraps of food he would give me. I only ate when the hunger became unbearable. No longer did I care for my life, as my life had become nothing but a living nightmare.
In time, he finished inscribing me with his knife. Clyde’s family emblem glistened with fresh blood on my chest as I lay on the floor in the lantern’s glow. He grinned with content at his work, as it forever labeled me as his property. But I no longer cared. Despite the fact that he would often accidentally leave the basement key behind, I no longer had the energy to escape. I had given up hope.
Sometimes Clyde would talk to me at night, usually when he gave me his remaining scraps. I never cared to listen to what he had to say. It was often mindless droning, or ranting about how things never go his way, and every time I listened, I felt nothing but frustration toward my situation. However, one night was different.
“Sometimes I wonder just how popular you would have been if you followed in your mother’s footsteps. Given your lineage, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were more popular than even she was.”
For the first time in what felt like months, words came out of my mouth rather than sobs or screams. My voice sounded so weak and strained that I wasn’t even sure if I was speaking. “My…mother?”
An awkward look struck his face. He smiled a happy, yet sad smile as he became lost in his memories. “Jasmine was really something special. She was the first person to really make me feel happy. She was like the eye of a storm—the prize at the end of a race. I went to Heaven’s Perch every night to enjoy her company and listen to her sing.”
At the time, I only knew that Heaven’s Perch was the place that my sister used to work at. But that was when it all began to make sense. I didn’t want to believe it. All I had known was that Mother and Cassie used to dance at Heaven’s Perch. I cringed at the thought of learning what they have hidden from me. Sadly, it came.
“But after she died I didn’t know what to do,” he continued. “She kept me going; kept my spirits up. Luckily, Cassandra came along about a year after. She made me forget all about Jasmine. I thought Jasmine was something, but wow, Cassandra was amazing. She would make me feel like I were the only person in her life. Just seeing her made me smile, and being with her was absolute bliss.”
Clyde sat on the crate near me as he continued. “She would always greet me with a smile, and I would tell her stories. She always loved my stories. Normally the women at Heaven’s Perch wouldn’t work overtime outside of the tavern, but Cassandra did. A few nights out of the week she would come back home with me, sometimes until morning. Waking up next to her felt…right.”
Clyde shook his head and clenched his hands. “Then one night I decided to confess my love to her. I asked for her to stay with me, and told her that I would take care of both you and her, but she panicked and tried to run away.” I could feel him look down at me, as if I would reply. “Why would she try to run away? We were perfect together. Why didn’t she want to stay?”
Emotions I had forgotten in the endless darkness began to seep back into me as Clyde continued. “I didn’t want to lose someone so dear to me yet again. I had to take control. If I let Cassandra run out that day, she would have never talked to me again. She should have never tried to run away. I didn’t want to have to force her to stay, but I didn’t know what else to do. She should have never tried to run away.”
His voice began to tremble as he fought back tears. “Every day she would beg me to let her go. Every day she would try to run away. I kept getting more and more frustrated…I didn’t want to. I swear…I didn’t want to.” He punched the wall, splitting the wood. “We were perfect together! She should have never tried to run away…”
Anger and sadness ate away at me as he walked out of the basement. The reason my sister was missing…the reason she was dead…it was all because of him. She didn’t do anything wrong. She never hurt anyone. She was the kindest person I knew. And yet—. That was when I made up my mind. I had to escape. I had to make Clyde pay for everything he had done. No longer was I just going to lie there and let him use me as he pleased.
First: The Siren's Daughter, Part 1 (v1)
Previous: The Siren's Daughter, Part 5 (v1)
Next: The Siren's Daughter, Part 7 (v1)
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Siren's Daughter, Part 5 (v1)
Part 5.
=====================================================================================
He gripped my arm tightly, his fingers digging into my flesh. I kicked and screamed, helplessly, as he dragged me into the basement. It was dark, cold, and damp. I soon gave up screaming as we reached the bottom of the stairs and entered the darkness. Tears streamed down my face in terror as he threw me onto a crate. I trembled with fear, reaching out for anything on the crate to steady myself, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Shut up!” yelled Clyde.
The back of his hand slammed across my face. He lit a lantern that sat on one of the crates in the basement. The dim light lit the room, but it was still too dark to see anything well. I felt blood trickle out from the side of my mouth, slowly dripping down my chin. I hardly even felt the pain through the terror that filled my body.
“You and your sister…why don’t you both want to stay? Why must you both try to deny me such blessings?”
He slammed his palms onto the crate to the sides of my head. “I never wanted to do this, but I cannot lose something yet again. I give and I give, but never get anything in return. Well, no more. I am tired of being taken advantage of. You will begin by giving me thanks for my generosity.”
I tried desperately to writhe away as Clyde attempted to force his lips onto mine.
“No! Stop! What are you doing?!” I cried as I managed to slip out from under him.
Clyde caught my arm before I could reach the stairs. “You’re not going anywhere,” he said, throwing me back onto the crate.
He pinned my arms down against the crate over my head until I grew tired from the hopeless struggle. He released his hold on my arms and began tearing my clothes. I pushed out at him weakly, kicking and screaming for the help that would never come. A surge of pain brought my cries for help to an end as he hit me across the face.
“Shut up!” he yelled, pulling out his knife and holding it to my throat. “No one is going to hear you. The harder you make this, the more painful it will be, understand?”
What have I done to deserve this? At that moment, I knew not what to fear more, life or death. I sobbed uncontrollably. Clyde trailed his knife down away from my throat, dragging the blade down my torso and to my legs. He tore what little clothing remained with his knife and brought it back up to my chest, licking his lips with unblinking, wide open, eyes.
I stared at him, terrified. “W—what are you doing?”
His eyes focused on his blade hovering over my chest, as if possessed. He lowered the blade tip below my right collarbone, and punctured the skin. A thin trail of blood soon dripped down my body as I begged him to stop. Clyde slowly dragged the blade down the side of my right breast, creating a long incision. Every bit of movement made the pain worse as he continued to cut me for what felt like an eternity. Slowly he would drag his knife through my skin as I clenched the crate in agony. Suddenly, he retracted his knife and grinned maniacally at the cut he created. For a brief moment, I had thought he had his fill of sadism that night, but I was wrong.
By what I could only assume to be noon, he left me lying on the damp wooden floor. The light from the small lantern died out and left me in the darkness. I cried for hours until I passed out from exhaustion, as blood trailed from my mouth, chest, and between my legs. Everything that had happened felt like some horrible nightmare, one of which the end could not come soon enough.
Day and night no longer had meaning to me. Darkness and anguish filled every waking moment. During the day, it would be cool and humid, and at night, it would be damp and freezing. Sometimes it would be so cold at night that I wouldn’t be able to stop shivering, and, as much as I hated to admit it, sometimes yearned for Clyde’s nightly perversions just so I wouldn’t freeze to death.
Day after day, I would lie in the basement, staring into the darkness. Day after day, I was always left there to be used whenever he pleased. Every time he descended those stairs, tears would well up in my eyes, as he would find some new devious way to satisfy his sadism. And every night, after he’s had his fill, he would end with another addition to the scar on my chest. The way he would grin hideously with delight every time he carved away at my torso with his knife haunted my mind. At times, he would even lick the blood that seeped from my wounds.
A few weeks after Clyde had first imprisoned me, the carving on my chest began to form a familiar picture. That night I managed to undo the band fastened around his arm while he was lost in his lustful actions. I quickly examined the band before he realized I had taken it off, which resulted in a small beating. Lying there in ache, the image of his family emblem—what would be the final product of the markings scarred onto my body—clouded my mind. I felt as though whatever little bit of life and self-worth that remained in me died out with the light from the lantern.
First: The Siren's Daughter, Part 1 (v1)
Previous: The Siren's Daughter, Part 4 (v1)
Next: The Siren's Daughter, Part 6 (v1)
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Siren's Daughter, Part 4 (v1)
Part 4. At this rate, there'll probably be 6-8 more parts.
====================================================================================
It’s been nearly three years since Mom passed away. It seemed unreal to me. Every day when I woke up, I always expected to see her making breakfast for us. It always felt as though there were a hole in my life, one I could never really accept. However, Cassie always stayed strong. She always gave me a smile that raised my spirits and made me forget about the troubles in life. Even though we were both really close to Mom, I never saw Cassie cry about her death. She always told me that we needed to be strong and make Mom proud of us.
After Mom’s death, we continued living in the house. Cassie found a job so we could keep the house and to take care of me. I wanted to help her, but she kept insisting she was fine. Every day, she would work from morning until late at night. I remember every day after school I would try to stay up until she came back home, but usually she’d come back so late I’d fall asleep before then. After she worked for several months she would sometimes not even come back home until the next morning, and would only have time to check on me before she went back to work.
But then one day Cassie didn’t even come back to check on me. One day soon became two, then three, then a week. I knew something was wrong so I went out and tried to look for her, but I didn’t even know who to ask. Day and night, I would look for her. Everywhere I went, I would ask people if they saw her, but no one knew where she was. For weeks, I searched for her, but was never able to find her.
I lived off the streets in the city, picking up whatever food I could find to keep my energy up so I could continue looking for Cassie. Regrettably, I had to steal food on occasion from the street venders. It’s not that I wanted to; it’s just that there were times when I was too hungry. Then there was one time when I was caught stealing bread. Clyde, one of the soldiers, was off duty and nearby. He saw me a vender catch me stealing, so he quickly covered for me by paying for the bread and saying I was with him. He offered me supper after. I normally wouldn’t have accepted, but hunger overwhelmed me.
Over dinner, Clyde talked with me. He said he knew I was Cassie’s sister because I looked a lot like her. He told me how much he adored her, how beautiful she was, and how she always made him smile. After supper, Clyde offered for me to stay at his house for a bit so I wouldn’t have to live out in the streets. I was hesitant at first, but he seemed to know my sister so I decided to accept his offer. For three days, I recovered in his home before continuing my search for my sister. He would talk to me every time he was home, asking more about me, and telling me about himself. But my days of relaxation soon came to an end.
It was the morning I decided to resume my search. After waking up, I descended the stairs and saw Clyde making breakfast in the kitchen.
He smiled at me. “Good morning.”
“G-good morning.”
“Have a seat, breakfast is almost ready.” He gestured to the table.
I sat down and averted my eyes. “Thank you, for everything you’ve done for me.”
“Anything for Cassie’s little sister.” He set our plates on the table and sat down across from me. He smiled at me periodically while we ate in an awkward silence.
“I feel a lot better now. I think I’m going to start looking for my sister again,” I announced as I finished my last bite.
He stopped eating. A serious look struck his face. “Why don’t you just stay here? You’ve been through a lot. I can look for her for you.”
I got up and headed toward the door, eager to continue my search. “I have to find her.”
Clyde approached me as I reached the door, irritated. “That’s it? You’re going to leave just like that, after I’ve given you a place to sleep, and food to eat?”
“I-I’m sorry. I don’t want to be a burden for you anymore.”
He stepped within a foot from me. “You know, you’re a lot like your sister. She too suddenly tried to leave. It’s rude to just leave like that, especially without even properly thanking your host.”
“I’m sorry. I really do appreciate everything you’ve done for me—” I turned the doorknob in a panic and tried to open the door.
First: The Siren's Daughter, Part 1 (v1)
Previous: The Siren's Daughter, Part 3 (v1)
Next: The Siren's Daughter, Part 5 (v1)
Saturday, April 4, 2009
The Siren's Daughter, Part 3 (v1)
Part 3 is here. Vote on the poll!
===================================================================================
She nodded hesitantly, never taking her eyes off the house. The door creaked loudly as we entered. Although looters had stripped the house, the shattered vase, the broken glass cabinet, the trails of blood...they were all still there. The event I had witnessed in this very room would forever scar my mind. The screams and cries haunted the air, sending chills down my spine. I couldn't even imagine the anguish that Razelin was going through.
I looked back at Razelin. She slowly crept into the room, stepping lightly behind me. She looked around nervously, clinging to herself as her body trembled uncontrollably. The cries must have been deafening to her. Her breathing hastened. Her hands gripped her pendant tightly. "Devin, please. I changed my mind. Let’s go home."
Here eyes were glossed over and full of fear. The way she cowered against the wall, the way her eyes darted around unblinking… it crushed my heart. Having agreed to put her through such fear and pain...was I a terrible person? Did I do the wrong thing? No, she had to push through the storm. She had to face her fears. She had to face her past.
I looked at her sympathetically. "I know this must be difficult for you, but you must learn to face your fears."
She didn't complain. She didn't nod. She did nothing—nothing but stare at the bloodstained floor. She stared and stared. She didn't even seem to breathe. After a long moment's hesitation, she began following me through the house.
The blood on the floor and walls brought back horrendous memories, memories of which could only have been worse for young Razelin. As I looked at the sprays of blood that littered the room, I noticed more blood near the stairway. Curiosity overwhelmed me. I wanted to learn what exactly happened in that house. She reluctantly followed me as I ascended the stairs, tightly wrapping her cloak around herself. We reached the guest bedroom. The full-length mirror taunted her from across the room. Razelin, drawn to the mirror, became lost in her own reflection. Even though the image of a sweet fourteen-year-old girl stared back at her, I knew she saw something different, something more horrifying. She saw not the girl that looked into the mirror, but a shadow of the past.
It was at that moment that Razelin had finally faced her past. It was at that moment when my wish had finally come true, to learn the truth about what happened in that house a year ago. She finally decided to tell me what had happened to her. Her story...her memories...they left me speechless, confused, and frustrated. I know I wished to learn the truth, but I soon came to regret it. Her story, the one story I longed to hear, was soon the one story I longed to forget. Razelin averted her eyes and drew in a heavy breath, as she began to tell me her story.
First: The Siren's Daughter, Part 1 (v1)
Previous: The Siren's Daughter, Part 2 (v1)
Next: The Siren's Daughter, Part 4 (v1)
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Siren's Daughter, Part 2 (v1)
Here's part two.
====================================================================================
I stepped over the short trimmed grass and packed dirt. It was strange; cemeteries always seemed to change a person’s mood. Simply walking between the graves often left one solemn and reminiscing, even if they were blind with rage when they first arrived. Yet, every time I walked through a cemetery, I couldn’t help but feel guilt and regret.
I found myself walking to the same spot I walked to every time I visited that cemetery. At least once a week I would visit their graves with Razelin and we would pay our respects in silence, sometimes for an hour. When I saw her kneeling in front of her sister’s grave, I realized what troubled her. I draped her cloak around her and knelt down beside her.
She wrapped herself in her cloak as a cold breeze blew past, never taking her eyes off her mother and sister’s grave. The inscription on her sister’s tombstone stabbed at me like a dozen knives.
1094 N.E. – 1114 N.E.
“It’s been a year, hasn’t it?”
She nodded. “I remember when Mom used to teach us how to dance.”
“The three of you used to perform for us when I visited with your father. I looked forward to it every time,” I reminisced.
“We really did love to dance. Even after mom died, my sister and I would dance when she wasn’t working. She would also tell me all of the interesting stories she heard from travelers she met.”
She shuddered suddenly, gripping the silver pendant that dangled around her neck, her cloak pulled tightly against her body. Her eyes brimmed with tears. “It’s my fault…If she didn’t have to take care of me, then—”
I wanted to hold her and comfort her, as I’ve wanted to many times before. Every time I saw her cry, every time I saw her sad, I wanted to comfort her, but I never could…not after what I witnessed in that house. Doing so would only bring her discomfort and make her more distant than she already was. Knowing not what to do, I tried to comfort her with words. “Neither you, nor your sister, asked to be put into that position.”
“I know…it’s just, if she didn’t have to worry about me, then she wouldn’t have had to work so much. Then maybe… maybe it wouldn’t have happened…”
I forced a stern tone. “Don’t blame yourself, Razelin. Neither of your parents would blame you for the things that have happened, nor your sister. And I know they wouldn’t want you to blame yourself, either.”
She continued staring at her sister’s grave, caressing her silver pendant. Her eyes glistened a sweet but hollow beauty. Her face was oddly haunting, bringing words of her father’s to mind. "After I became your father’s apprentice, I was ordered to arrest a man for slave trading. When I found him, he was with his two children. A son and daughter, no older than eight. When I told him the charges he faced, he tried to attack me in front of his own children. I had no choice but to defend myself, and I ended up killing him.”
Razelin looked at me puzzled as I continued. “His children’s cries…their faces…they haunted me every night. That was when your father told me, ‘The world is a painful place, but you did a good thing. While you may have brought his family sadness, you saved dozens, if not hundreds, of potential victims to his slave trade. Our job is to make this Empire the best we can for people. It’s a hard role to play, one with many sorrows, but someone must bear that weight on their shoulders. Fear and anguish only breaks a person if they let it. So stay strong.’”
She lowered her gaze in silence, contemplating her father’s words. The wind gently lifted her smooth light brown hair.
“I may not know what happened, but you can’t let it ruin your life. Accept your past and let it make you stronger.”
Her eyes slowly found me. Anxiety crept over me when I looked into her grave expression. After a moment, she averted her eyes, whispering weakly, almost inaudibly. “Can you take me there…?”
I stared at her in disbelief. Ever since the day I found her there, I’ve wondered what exactly what happened in that house. I had my suspicions, but what I feared most was learning that my suspicions were correct. My body cried out at me to decline her request. Taking her to that house would undoubtedly bring back horrific memories. However, I think it was the fear of finding out the truth that frightened me the most. No, I couldn’t decline. It’s just as her father had said. If Razelin was willing to face her fears, then I had to be as well. I closed my eyes and nodded.
We walked down the paved road into the residential district. The sun descended beyond the horizon, the sky glowing a luminous red. The long shadows of the trees and houses loomed over us as the chilly winds licking our flesh. I glanced at Razelin who walked beside me, still clinging her pendant. As we grew closer to the abandoned house, she began to tremble violently. We stood in front of the threshold, staring at the faded wooden walls of the house. Dark green vines began encroaching upon the walls from its base, creeping into the battered windows.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
First: The Siren's Daughter, Part 1 (v1)
Next: The Siren's Daughter, Part 3 (v1)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
History and Lore: Rokan Naming Conventions
Here's a little bonus post I decided to write because I wanted a different naming scheme for more depth in characters. Unfortunately, with this, I just made thinking of names 33% more difficult! So please if anyone has suggestions, please please please give them. I've also decided to possibly post a part of The Siren's Daughter one per day, instead of every other like I originally planned to, just so you can all read it faster (since it's already finished now).
===================================================================================
Rokan's Naming Conventions:
Traditionally, Rokan follows a naming convention for their middle and surname, designed to easily distinguish which families a person had descended from. The convention for naming are as follows:
First Name -
Decided by one's parents, or legally changed only through a tedious renaming process through the government.
Last Name -
Upon marriage, the person who comes from the least prestigious or wealthy family (at the time of marriage) undertakes the last name of their more prestigious spouse. The person's, who's last name has changed, original last name then becomes their middle name, and their previous middle name is truncated to it's first letter.
Upon birth, the child inherits the last name of their most prestigious parent.
Middle Name -
Upon birth, the child receives the original last name of their less prestigious parent as their middle name.
Upon marriage, the least prestigious spouse truncates their original middle name to it's first letter, replacing it with their original last name.
Divorce -
All names are reverted back to their original names prior to the marriage.
Marriage after loss of spouse -
In the case of multiple marriages, in which the previous spouses lives had passed, if the person re-marrying had inherited their last name from their previous spouse and their new spouse is of higher prestige, the last name of the re-marrying spouse is then replaced, with no change to their middle name.
Note: All truncation is only used in documentation. They do not discard the name. When asked for one's full name, all four names must be provided.
Format is as follows: FirstName Par2LastName Par1LastName SpouseLastName (if they are more prestigious)
Example:
Razelin Viselle Atraea marries Lydia Mitalis Rokan --> Razelin V. Atraea Rokan, Lydia Mitalis Rokan
Razelin and Lydia have a child (don't ask how) --> Garret Atraea Rokan
Garret marries Sara Frei Styles --> Garret Atraea Rokan, Sara F. Styles Rokan
Garret and Sara have a child --> Derek Styles Rokan
Garret dies --> Sara F. Styles Rokan
Razelin and Lydia divorce --> Razelin Viselle Atraea, Lydia Mitalis Rokan
Razelin marries Sara --> Razelin Viselle Atraea, Sara F. Styles Atraea, Derek Styles Rokan (unchanged)
The Siren's Daughter, Part 1 (v1)
Here's the first part of the third short story (which is actually my very first one redone from a few years back).
===================================================================================
“Eliza, we’re back.”
I was caught off-guard when Eliza greeted me with a passionate kiss. She smirked at me devilishly. “Dinner is just about ready, so take a seat.”
I cleared my throat, flushed with embarrassment as I glanced back at Razelin. She trailed behind me in silence, lost in thought. Eliza, humming an upbeat song, set our plates in front of us. Her dishes were always delicious, but this time in particular looked and smelled exceptional. My mouth salivated at the sight of the stuffed pheasant breasts accompanied by an assortment of roasted vegetables. Eliza returned to the table with her own plate and a basket of buttermilk biscuits, sitting beside me.
“The food looks absolutely delicious, dear.”
“I’m glad. I spent hours making sure it would be just perfect.”
Clink. Clink.
Cutting into the pheasant, I watched Razelin poke at her plate with the same melancholic expression she had when we came home. The sweet juices of the stuffed pheasant filled my mouth as I ate a piece.
Clink. Clink.
Eliza’s cheerful mood quickly disappeared. “Is there a problem?”
Clink. Clink.
She seemed not to hear Eliza’s words as she continued poking at her plate. What could be bothering her so much? She was usually one to have a hearty appetite, and rarely did we ever get to enjoy such beautiful meal, yet she seemed to have no interest. “Razelin, what’s wrong?”
“May I be excused?”
Without even waiting for a response, she stood and headed toward the front door.
Eliza bolted up. “Where do you think you’re going? Sit back down and eat your food.”
Her words pierced the air like needles, but Razelin seemed unfazed. She continued out the door into the setting sun. I stood to go after her, but Eliza grabbed my arm. “Just let her come back on her own. Let’s not let her ruin the night for us.”
Reluctantly, I lowered myself back into my seat. It’s been months since I’ve seen Razelin so distant and depressed. Naturally, she has her mood swings once in awhile, but never so severe. Throughout the day, she appeared to be her usual focused self, but by the time we reached home…I wanted deeply to know what she was thinking. Was it a way for her to cry out for attention? No, that couldn’t be it. She never enjoyed being the center of attention.
“You’d think she would’ve learned some manners growing up, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re raised by a couple of entertainers,” said Eliza, her mouth half stuffed with food.
My face heated with anger. “Do not speak ill of her family. Her mother and sister were wonderful people.”
“I swear. All you men fall head over heels for those Perch women. It’s like they cast some spell over you, those sirens,” she snorted. “And now look at you. Even the child has you under her song. It’s like she’s eating you alive, the way you worry about her every second of the day.”
“I made a promise, Eliza. I’ve already failed him once, and I don’t intend to fail him again. The least I can do for him is care for his daughter in his stead.” I stood from the table.
She watched me with tear-stung eyes. “Wait, you’re not going to look for her, are you? You don’t even know where she went.”
I draped my silver-embroidered cloak around me, grabbed Razelin’s plain red one, and walked out into the city. Oddly enough, the distant sounds of vendors closing shop, and travelers heading into the taverns, lulled my frustrations. Two years after I became General Atraea’s apprentice, I promised him I would watch over his family if anything were to happen to him. It bothered me that Eliza, who has been with me for nine years now, half a year engaged, couldn’t understand why I had to care for Razelin. I must admit, I was afraid. I didn’t know how to be a father, and I really wanted Eliza’s hand in helping Razelin recover from all that has happened. Regardless, I had to do my best, whether she helped or not.
Next: The Siren's Daughter, Part 2 (v1)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Ambrosia, Scene v1
A new record! I'm the kind of person who gets easily distracted, so I tend to take a long time to write something, but I managed to finish this in 41 minutes! (Yes, I know it's still long). This takes place after The Smile of a Princess.
====================================================================================
Kismet watched Delphi sleep, her chest rising and falling. Somehow she always managed to become mesmerized by the young princess' peaceful slumber. She broke from her spell when a subtle whisper tickled her ear. She strained to make sense of it, but it was of no use. Her eyes scanned the room warily. The room was just as it had been hours ago when Delphi first closed her eyes.
Again the haunting whisper came, louder but still incomprehensible. Kismet crept about the room on light feet. The dim red moonlight seeped in through the closed glass-paned window. Shadows loomed about the room, shadows that were all too familiar to the sleepless Catheran.
Upon the glazed wooden surface of Delphi's jewelry table lie a new stone that Kismet has never seen before. It seemed to dimly shimmer a blood red in the darkness, a haunting beauty that drew her closer. She found herself reaching for the stone, possessed by her curiosity. The smooth polished surface felt warm to the touch. She could've sworn it felt as though it were pulsing, as though it were alive. Gazing closer into the stone, an overwhelming heat surged through her. She screamed in agony as her vision escaped her. Clinging tightly to herself, her blood felt as though it were boiling, her core felt aflame, as she was enveloped in darkness.
Beyond the darkness she heard Delphi call out her name... screaming. Her screams soon died out, and the shouts and cries of several people deafened Kismet's ears. Her blood began to cool, her body felt doused, and her vision returning. She found herself being restrained, her captors' faces a blur.
Delphi, still lying on her bed, was surrounded by a small group of people. Kismet trembled in shock when she caught a glimpse of young princess' half-eaten body. Her sleeping gown, once a heavenly white silk, was now drenched in a deep red. A pool of blood formed below the tip of her hand, which dangled lifelessly from the side of the bed. From the bed was a trail of blood. Kismet traced it with her eyes as it led to where she was being restrained. She looked at her hands, covered with fresh blood. A surge of horror shook her body as she slowly licked her lips.
The warm crimson blood tasted like ambrosia.