Samuel Colbran's Blog, page 4

Blood Brothers: Part Seven

“Sorry, lads, but you are going to have to walk next to the cart.” Hermes sitting next to his wife, occasionally cracking his reins.
Asteria looked like he was about to complain, but Aldrich interrupted, “That is fine. We are used to walking.”
Orroark just jogged back from scouting, “I seen some bees just up ahead. One looks aggressive. What should we do?”
“Stop the cart, are there any different types of giant bees or just workers?” Aldrich turned to look at Hermes.
Enes nodded, “We have noticed some soldier bees occasionally roaming the fields.”
“Let us move forward, wait until….” Staring up at the sun, it was about mid-morning, “An hour then follow.”
Orroark pulled his book of slicing and chucked it on the back of the cart, and then pulled out his Big Book, “Time to ask for late fees!”
Asteria cocked a well-shaped eyebrow, “Late fees?”
“Well, you know, late fees for late books. Um, library…. Bah, let us smash the bees.” Orroark stammered.
“What does the area look like?” Aldrich asked Orroark.
“Just outside the forest we are heading for, we might be able to scare off the workers, but as soon as we are seen, that soldier one will attack.”
“Fine, I’ll head off and flank them. You Orroark head straight in, and Asteria wait then throw some magic.” Aldrich instructed.
“Time to get those returns!” Orroark roared.
With that, Aldrich went into a crouch and move off. Orroark swung his Big Book of Bashing to loosen up while Asteria started to have electricity spark between his fingers.
Coming over the small hill, they saw the crop of trees and three bees. Two were flying from each flowering branch, each strained as the bee taking the pollen. The lone bee made sweeping patrol between two, but this one was at least 6 feet long, and the stinger was massive.
Orroark moved ahead of Asteria, his weapon ready. Asteria flung out a spark of lighting, just a tiny jot but hit one of the workers. Suddenly the warrior bee flew aggressively towards Orroark.
“Why did you attack the worker!” Orroark roared as he charged to intercept the two massive bees.
“I missed, or maybe didn’t know which one was the right one.” Again another spell started to form in Asteria’s hands.
With a substantial two-handed arc, Orroark clobbered the lead bee. “No colour spray; they are immune!”
“What?” The coloured sand effect faded from his hand, “Fine!” so Asteria let off another jolt towards the worker bee and missed.
Swinging again, Orroark smashed his Big Bash into the ground, missing. Dirt erupted from the attack. The warrior bee returned to stick Orroark with his big stinger, piercing his left side flooding his body with poison.
“Damn it!” Orroark bellowed as he attacks with gusto, smashing into the side of the bee knocking it down onto the ground.
Just as he did that, Aldrich appeared and jumped upon the back of the warrior bee, striking the base of the wing. Asteria blasted the worker bee again with magic, its body spasming from the second dose of electricity.
Orroark swung his Big Book above his head and brought it down on the soldier’s head, “You forgot your book return!”
Aldrich leapt off the back of the warrior and rushed towards the other bee, slashing with his dagger, slicing off two of its legs. Asteria threw another bolt, and with a bit of flutter, the second bee dropped to the ground.
Orroark held his side, “Weak poison, at least that is one thing.”
Asteria walked up, “Hold still,” A light burst from his hands, and he touched Orroark’s side. “This should help, still a bit weak for a healing spell.”
The bleeding slowed then stopped after six seconds. Orroark smiled a tusky grin. “Did you hear my finishing move statement?”
“Book return?” Aldrich asked.
“Yeah, I smashed him with my Big Book of Bashing…. It works; I returned the book to his head!” Orroark tried to explain.
Asteria stood next to his brothers, “Don’t worry, it works. At least you hit the right bee.”
They stood there and watched the last bee fly away. Maybe this might not be as hard as the brothers thought.

Blood Brothers: Part Six

Waking up the following day, Asteria could see both his brothers already ready to go. Orroark pointed to the bowl on the table. “They brought in breakfast; I’m going out back to do my exercises.” Turning to Aldrich, “Want to spar?”

Giving a huge yawn, Aldrich shook his head. “I am a little tired this morning, when you lot ‘helped’ with the dishes, I went to talk to the farmers Enes and Hermes. They have been working on a scaled-up hive for the bees; if we can capture the queen, they are willing to give us fifty gold pieces.” It was really 150 gold, but Aldrich kept that to himself, “But I need you two to cut down some trees so they can finish off the hive.”

Asteria sat up straight. “You promised that we will cut down trees. Why can’t you help?”

Aldrich shrugged, “I did get us ten smokesitcks and a net as well with the payment of 50 gold. Also, I am tired and need to rest if we want to go after the hive this afternoon.”

Orroark asked, “Were these the people that knew the comings and goings of the bees?” Aldrich nodded, “Damn you, Aldrich, I wanted to ask them questions.”

“They didn’t know much than you knew, so come on and eat Asteria; you have a big day ahead of you.” Aldrich smiled at his scowling brother.

They all ate and geared up. Heading out the bunkhouse, Asteria spied Teresa. “We have finished with our bowls, sorry we can’t help this morning, bees to deal with.”

“Not like you helped that much last night either, Asteria.” Teresa teased.

“That is true, but I was good company, though.” Asteria winked at Teresa then strutted off.

Orroark watched the interchange, shaking his head at his brother, Asteria. When will he just not go after every skirt available? Still, I learned a lot about different types of wood for cutlery. He then followed Asteria.

Aldrich nodded at Teresa, then jogged up with his brothers. “Okay, we head north, then take the first right path. Not far from there.”

“What tree are we using?” Orroark asked.

“Um, Trees?” Aldrich replied.

Orroark hid his sigh by checking the harness for his Big Book of Bashing. “I mean, certain types of wood would be better for a humid condition, like in a beehive.”

Asteria laughed at Orroak and Aldrich. “Aldrich, you did say that these farmers raise bees?” Aldrich nodded, “So, Orroark, you just have to chop down the trees they point out.”

“What do you mean, I will be chopping the trees down? By myself?” Orroark remarked.

Asteria shook his head, “No, no, you won’t be doing it alone.” He bluffed his younger brother.

Then the three brothers walked in silence, even though they are used to a larger town, both people and size, but this one is quite quaint. Following the cobblestone road, they took the right path, which is just packed gravel. 

Orroark pointed at the road, “You know the gravel would help with drainage, so wagons….” 

“We don’t care, Orroark. I know you like to know stuff, but it is a road.” Aldrich interrupted.

Muttering under his breath, Orroark grumbled. “Well, I think it is interesting.”

Asteria slapped his large brother’s back. “Don’t worry what grumpy is saying, but I do find it interesting that they invested in this type of road for a farmer’s track.”

“My yes, Asteria,” Orroark excitingly exclaimed, “Not even the farms around our town have this level of care for the roads.”

Aldrich started to walk faster, as he didn’t want to be dragged into talking about roads. Ten minutes later, the brothers reached the farm; the central part of the farm is filled with sunflowers, while the backfield is filled with fifteen boxes and behind that is a half-built barn.

Seeing the two gnomes doing everyday chores around their household, feeding the chickens, feeding the ponies and drawing water from the well. Seeing the three brothers, a gnome with a straw brimmed hat with a mesh veil covering his face.

“Ah, Aldrich, right?” Aldrich nodded as he approached the farmer. The farmer flipped his mesh veil up. “And these are your brothers?”

It wasn’t new that people doubted that these three were blood-related, but that is what happens when you are born from a half-orc and a half-elf. 

“Yes, this is Asteria and Orroark.” Aldrich introduced his two brothers. “And this is Hayes, over there is his wife, Enes.”

Hayes waves, “Okay then, just finishing up with hitching up my ponies. Then we are off to chop down some cedar trees.” He looked at the three, “Where are your axes and saws?”

Orroark grabbed another book weapon, this one has a beaten metal edge attached to the spine of the book, and again it is bolted into a length of wood.

“This can do the job, but we don’t have a saw,” Orroark said.

Looking sceptical at the ‘tool’, “Sure, come on, I’ll chuck mine on, but it is sized to me.” Looking at Orroark bludging arms. “But I think we don’t need to worry about that. You chop, and I will say. Then we will finish building my giant hive for the bees.”

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Blood Brothers: Part Five

Finishing the pot of stew, relaxing with some mead, each of the brothers thought about what they will do with 300 gold. Orroark would buy some more books and convert some to new weapons (as knowledge is power). Asteria is eyeing a new set of clothes to impress the ladies, and Aldrich thought If I could influence those farmers, I could double my money.

Aldrich stood up, “I have to head out for a bit. There are some rumours I want to hunt down.”

Orroark looked up from jotting down some scribbles in his journal. Mostly it was the alphabet and some essential words like dog, cat or cow. “What rumours?”

“Um, there are some farmers who have been keeping an eye on the bees feeding area. It could help us with timing the raid on the hive.” Aldrich hoping his half-truth would see him through.

Orroark looked at his two brothers. “I don’t think we should kill them; they are just insects doing what nature made them do. Just because they are interfering with some trade doesn’t mean the bees need a death sentence.”

Asteria piped in, “That is what we are getting paid for, removing the bees.”

Orroark slammed his fist on the table, a crack running through the middle of the table. Aldrich shook his head; that is coming out of our reward.

“So, how will we deal with this?” Aldrich asked.

“Maybe we could ask someone to help out with the moving of the bees?” Orroark pondered out loud.

Asteria looked over at Aldrich. “What about the rumours? Anyone interested in keeping the bees, Brother?”

How much to tell them? Aldrich thought. “There are a couple who have normal bees; we could see if they are interested in having some big ones?”

Orroark nodded, “Are those the farmers you are going to talk to?”

Damn it, with my brother Orroark wasn’t as switch on as he is. “Yes, they are. I was going to talk to them in the morning.”

Asteria perked up, “Then I will accompany you.”

Orroark, eyes filled with impending new knowledge. “So will I!”

Damn it! “Of course, brothers, let us finish our mead, and we can head over tomorrow,” Aldrich said. I’ll try and leave early tomorrow, so I can work a deal before my brother interfere.

Then a knock on the door made all three brothers reach for a weapon. Forced lessons from their mother reared its head again. A small head poked in. It was Teresa.

“Sorry, just here to pick up your pot, bowls and cups.” Teresa smiled at the three.

Orroark stood up, grabbing the three bowls and stacking the cups. “These,” Raising his full hands, “Are well made.”

Teresa beamed at that, “Thank you, I made them. I wanted my dad’s inn to have the best. Took a few tries to get them right.”

“Well, you should be proud; maybe you can tell me what sort of wood you made these from. I am assuming a hardwood, to keep down breakage?” Orroark asked.

Nodding, Teresa moved up to Orroark, looking up holding her hands in the air. Her hands barely came up to his belly button, but that is usual for a halfling compared to a half-orc.

“Nah, I’ll help you. If I don’t, it will take you a few trips.” Orroark raised the cups and plates higher.

Teresa rolled her eyes, “Fine, I will just grab the pot then.”

With that, Asteria jumped up as well. Grabbing thick cloth, he held the empty pot of stew. “I’ll help too, as it would be my pleasure helping such a pretty woman.”

“Fine, come on. You going to clean all the dirty plates for me too?” Teresa asked.

Asteria look aghast with that idea, dirtying his hands. He just trimmed and clean them today in his bath. “Ahem, I think that might be a little too much….”

“Sure, gives me more time to ask about your crafting,” Orroark stated, oblivious to anything beyond the idea of learning something new.

Teresa looked at the vast thuggish looking half-orc, “Um, sure. Just know the sink is my size.”

“Well, I can draw the water or grab a bucket and help. Doesn’t bother me.” Orroak said.

Seeing Asteria’s sulky face, a spark of an idea popped into Aldrich’s head, “You should both go. I mean Asteria, you don’t want Orroark to be the only one there. He will talk Teresa’s ear off on the age of the tree or what tools she used.”

“Sure, I will join and ‘help’ out with the dishes,” Asteria added as the three left.

Now they have left. All I have to do is sneak to the farm and make the deal. Aldrich, he opened the door slightly, listening to Orroark go on about making stuff and Asteria trying to be suave to impress the halfling. My brothers can be one minded. Now it is time to make some more money!

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Blood Brothers: Part Four

Asteria was out the back of the inn, cleaning himself up. Wish Aldrich wasn’t so severe all the time. But it is so good getting this grime off me.

Didn’t take him long to finish his bath; the pre-heated water and the cost of one silver piece were worth it. Now Asteria felt normal again. It was time for him to grace the lovely Teresa with his presence again. Maybe he could, no I shouldn’t; Aldrich would tell me off if I did anything with the innkeeper’s daughter.

Back around the inn, Asteria winked at Teresa as she walked out of the bunkhouse. Flirting was one of Asteria’s favourite pastimes when he wasn’t practising his magic.

They’re sitting on one of the tables to scold Aldrich and the oblivious ‘reader’ Orroark. Wondering when he will figure out looking at pictures is not reading?

Aldrich looked at Asteria, his spoon dipping into the bowl of stew in front of him. “About time, we actually need your thoughts on the uses of royal jelly. Why is it so special?”

Asteria headed over to the pot of stew, ladled a bowl full and sat down with his two brothers. He could see the slight flush of anger rising in Aldrich’s face.

As he was about to take another spoonful, Aldrich raised his eyebrow at his brother’s antics. “Are you going to answer me?”

“Are you going to apologise for your rudeness?” Asteria retort. 

With a short growl, Aldrich said, “I am sorry, but we have a job to do. Can you please tell us why this royal jelly from a giant bee is so valuable?”

Tapping the spoon on his bottom lip, Orroark guffawed at Asteria’s tomfoolery. “Well, magic, I guess.”

“Magic?” Aldrich groaned; with gritted teeth, he continued. “Anything else?”

Laughing at Aldrich’s grumpy face, Asteria replied. “Yes, I feel like that it would have superior qualities for any healing potion. As I am not an alchemist, I can only guess from here, which could make a cure light one worth as much as 150 gold pieces instead of store price for one is 50 gold pieces.”

“How much do you think she would need for each potion?” Aldrich greedy mind started to see gold in his future.

“Ounces for each one, maybe. What do you think, Orroark?” Asteria asked.

“Well, with each pound that could make 4 to 16 of these new potions and by my research, there could be could be at least seven to ten pounds in the hive.” Orroark pushed up his wireframes.

“So we should ask for more money for each pound?” Aldrich rubbed his hands together.

“One hundred gold for each pound we deliver, and we don’t know what goes into making these potions, so why ask for more?” Orroark inquired.

“Cause it is a moneymaker!” Aldrich said with gusto.

“It is a moneymaker for an alchemist; maybe we should ask for three potions on top of the 100 for each pound?” Asteria counted. “I could swing that, I think.”

“Hmm, at least 1000 gold between us? Yeah, you are right brother, we shouldn’t push too hard.” Aldrich noted.

The three brothers sat in silence, thinking of the money they are about to make. It is equivalent to nearly a year’s wage each. This adventuring gig is worth it.

Blood Brothers: Part Three

Aldrich, Asteria and Orroark followed Darren to a neighbouring building. The door was a standard size, seven-foot-tall, and the group mistaken this building as a two-story. It seemed to be sized to their size instead of the smaller races of the town.

“Here you go, lads.” Darren pointed out with a key in his hand. “It isn’t much, but the beds and furniture are designed for big uns like you lot.”

Asteria grabbed the key, “Thank you, Milita Captain….”

“None of that lad, I’m just a retired guard from the large town up north. Thought I that this place would be quiet enough for me, but dealing with big bugs and gobos has kept me on my toes.”

Ignoring the goblin reference, “So, the mayor told us that you had the information about the job with the bees,” Aldrich stated

“Yeah, I do. The bees are held up in the covered bridge. Pain in the arse, they are.” Darren spat on the ground. “No trade wagons been in town for weeks now, and my squad is too green to deal with the bugs.”

“Could you tell us, Mr Darren, what is the desire of the town with these horrific vermin?” Asteria asked.

“Kill them or whatever! Just get rid of the problem.” Darren points to the inn; the sign has a lion with bat wings and scorpion tail jumping out of a bag. “Just order from my girl over there for dinner. There isn’t a place for you all on my inn, but my girl will deliver your food here.”

With that, he stomped back to the inn, leaving the brothers standing in front of the house. Orroark swiped the key from Asteria and opened the door. “Why are we standing here? I got some reading to do about these bees!”

They walked into the place; it is just one large room: two tables, a fireplace and four double bunks with hooks hammered into the wall for their bags.

“What no bath? I need to wash.” Complained Asteria.

“Dunderhead, head over to the inn and see if they have a tub.” Aldrich shook his head; he walked about, lighting the three lamps in the area. “So what are we looking at, Orroark?”

Asteria left the bunkhouse in search of somewhere to bathe. Looking down at his book of nature, Orroark adjusted his glasses with no lens in them; he only has them to make him look smart. “The giant bees have a poison sting, and unlike their small brother bees, they can sting many times.” Orroark rubs his face. “Hmmm, it seems that they are susceptible to smoke like normal bees. Can we use that?”

Aldrich scratched his chin, “Maybe, there is an alchemist here, so we can get some smokesticks made, but I’m not paying for that. Might go and talk with a few locals. What does it say about the royal jelly?”

Orroark shook his head, “Nothing but if it is magical, Asteria might know.”

“He is going to be too busy prettying himself up tonight. You stay here and read. I’ll scope out the town.”

Orroark gave a thumbs up, and he stared at the book in front of him. Aldrich headed over to see what was taking Asteria so long. There he was, leaning up against the wall talking to a young female halfling. The last thing we need has the pretty boy picking up the innkeeper’s daughter. Aldrich thought.

“Hey, brother,” Asteria looked over, his face slightly flushed. “Thought you were looking for a tub to bathe?”

“I am, Aldrich; I just got into such a captivating conversation with this beautiful woman.” Asteria wink at the small girl, who giggled and blushed.

“Sure, sure. Did you at least order dinner?” Aldrich looked up to see the sun just coming to early dusk.

“Yes, he did, um sir.” The halfling woman said. “I am Teresa; my mother is working on a pot of stew with a basket of bread. Have you lit the fire yet?”

Shaking his head, Aldrich looked pointedly at his brother. “Go wash up.” And with a lighter tone, he spoke to Teresa while Asteria walked off with his head high. “Sorry for my brother.”

“No, worries, I have had merchants and guards be a lot more forward with me than your brother,” Teresa said.

“You know why we are here?” Teresa nodded. “I was wondering if you knew anyone in the town who looks at the bees in a more positive light?”

Teresa looked thoughtful, “There is one of the farmer families, Hermes and his wife, Enes. They have a few hives of normal bees, and they are our local brewers as well. They have been thinking of building a larger hive to house the giant bees, but no one wants to try.”

“Hmm, interesting. Where is the farm?” Aldrich asked.

“Just head up the road and take the first right path, and it will lead you to their farm,” Teresa replied.

Good, I will chat with them tomorrow, Aldrich thought. It seems we can make a little more money out of this job. “Thank you, can you point me to the woodpile as we have nothing to light our fireplace?”

Teresa pointed past the inn. “Just around there, grab what you want. I should head in and check on your dinner.”

Aldrich nodded and headed over to the woodpile with gold coins clinking in his head. Yes, this will be well worth the effort!

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Review of Fred, the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes

I haven’t reviewed books lately, so I thought not just reviewing specific series that I have read but four series by one author, Drew Hayes.

To start will be his supernatural series, Fred, the Vampire Accountant. I have listened to this series multiple time on audible. Before I jump into why I love the series, I would like to shout the fantastic narrator, Kirby Helborne. His vocal range brings the series to life, and I am glad for his superb narration.

Now back to the review, Fredrick Frankford Fletcher, also known as Fred to his friends, is about a vampire who is living a ‘normal’ boring life as an accountant. Now you would think, why would that be interesting? This concept comes down to Mr Hayes’ creative mind and how he brings something humdrum into a thrilling and page-turning series.

This series is one of my ‘go to’ series when I am feeling down and depressed. Each book (six in total so far) is a journal-like setting. Each one has an introduction of Mr Fletcher explaining that it is okay to be dull, which give Fred, the Vampire Accountant, such a breath of fresh air on the vampire genre. He isn’t sparkly or super sexy, so no Ms Meyers or Ms Rice for Mr Fred. Drew brings each character to life in his interpretation of the supernatural world, filled with vampires, therianmorphs, mages and even dragons.

What makes this series even more remarkable is the world-building and nod to long histories of lore that these supernatural mythologies.

I would highly recommend this series, as the great Fredrick Frankford Fletcher says:

‘You will eventually discover that under the movie stereotypes, imposed mystique, and overall inflated expectations, each and every one of us is at least a touch more boring than our images would indicate. And that is not a bad thing.’

Amazon Au link here.

Blood Brothers: Part Two

Following Eli down into the small town, passing large farms budding with rye and wheat, the three lads seem to be a little peevish as they were raised next to a forest. The last few weeks have been eye-opening for them as so much land has been cleared for agriculture.
The village itself was clearly small by most standards, ten houses with only three more than one story. Eli’s short legs pumped to keep ahead of the brothers. As they moved into village proper, he headed to a more well-built building.
“Here we are, our town hall. Come on inside, and I will find my boss to talk to you as well.” Eli said as he quickly headed across the cobbled road to a prominent inn.
The door was only around six foot high, with a door nob around the knee area. Being in a predominantly gnome village, the concept as usual. Asteria opened the door and strode in with his older brother Aldrich following suit. At the same time, Orroark had to duck and sidestep to get through the small entrance.
Seeing the ceiling was at least seven foot high, Orroark blew a relief breath, “By the books, my back and neck won’t cramp up with ducking all the time.”
Asteria, a mere five foot nine specimen half-elf noted. “I hope they have some better accommodation as I am of despite need of a bath.” Sniffing the air, “we all are.”
Aldrich, with his paranoia, scoped out the area for anything unusual and kept an eye out for some tiny trinkets that could be misplaced. “With the job only stating that we will be paid only fifty gold pieces with food and board. I just wonder if the special reward noted will pay us out a heck of a lot better than the trivial amount we have been promised.”
“And you will be right.” Another gnome walked in from a back room, her hair shining like pure gold. “I am Mayor Tabitha, and yes, the special reward should be quite adequate to compensate for your adventurers’ needs.”
With another overly flourishing bow, Asteria added, “Please excuse my brother; he can be a bit mercenary when it comes to our funds. We have been sent by the Hall of Adventurers to be of service.”
Orroark piped in, “Could you tell us what vermin plagues your town.” He reached into his side bag, finding a decent volume which the title states’ Animals of the Wild (with Pictures). “The books associated with the job told us that it was a bee problem?”
“Yes, there are bees, but they are of the giant verity inside the common honey bee. Due to that nature, we do need strapping adventurers to deal with the issue.” Tabitha responded.
Aldrich came out bluntly and stated, “And what is this special reward that was offered?”
Asteria sighed by his elder brother’s greed nature. Still, it does help that he will always find the most money out of most situations. “As my brother said, and please forgive his rudeness, what do we need to look for?”
Mayor Tabitha smiled and looked up at the three, “That is fine. I, too, can be a little too forward when the situation arises, but it is simple; I am looking for royal jelly.”
Orroark roared in laughter, flipping a few pages. “Yes, by the books, here it is. Should have realised it earlier.”
The gnome looked shocked at his outburst as Orroark built more like a massive thug. Only then she noticed the small wire glasses on the edge of Orroark’s nose as he flipped through a book with unabashed joy.
Aldrich huffed, “Are you going to spit it out, Orroark or do I tell Mum you are reading again?”
With that statement, Orroark’s pale green face flashed with a deeper green. “No, no, Mum doesn’t need to know about this.” Looking worried, Orroark looked over at Asteria, who shrugged and gave a small encouraging smile. “Maybe we should let the mayor answer as she has much more knowledge than my merger understanding.”
With that, Mayor Tabitha took up the conversation. “Yes, royal jelly is found in most beehives, but the Giant bee variety is widely known as being more potent in healing properties. With even a pound of the stuff, I can increase the potency of my potions by at least one degree with little effort.”
“So, how much will you pay for this jelly?” Aldrich asked.
Asteria added, “If you please, Ms Mayor.” Aldrich scoffed at his pretty brother, fancying up the situation. “Also, do you have lodging of people of our size in the town?”
“First with the lodgings,” As Tabitha was about to answer, an older halfling of stocky build moved quickly into the town hall. “The Militia Captain and innkeeper can tell you in one moment. With the royal jelly, I am willing to give one hundred pieces of gold for each pound you recover. Now I will leave you with Darren.”
With that Mayor Tabitha, exited the room. The halfling known as Darren stepped up to the three brothers. “Well, I guess it is time for me to tell you about our problems. Please come this way, so I can show you where you will stay for the duration of the job.”
Each of the brothers shrugged and followed the stout grey-haired halfling out, each wondering different things. Aldrich looking forward to gold coins filling his purse, Orroark reading and finding out more about the bees, while Asteria just wanted a bath.

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Blood Brothers: Part One

As Orroark, Asteria and Aldrich reached the top of the hill; they can finally see their destination. Two weeks previously, the three brothers were granted their first job from the Hall of Adventurers.

They needed to head to a town by the name of Bowmantle, which lies in between two major trade routes. The three brothers agreed to deal with an infestation of bees that was posted by Mayor Tabitha, a gnomish Alchemist of some renown.

“By the books, we have finally arrived!” Yelled Orroark, the youngest sibling.

Aldrich noted that there was a watchtower staked out in their path. “Calm down, Brother. It seems that your yell has stirred up the local scouts.”

“Bah, if they wish for knowledge.” Orroark lifted an odd weapon; a hefty tome bounded to a  massive club. “I will allow them to feel the unending revelation from my Big Book of Bashing!”

A gentle hand rested on his younger brother; Asteria looked up at Orroark. His hair still looked perfectly styled even though they have been on the road for two weeks.

“Dearest Orroark, calm please, this is the town for the job.” Asteria swishes back his hair, exposing the small tipped ears of a half-elf. “I understand that is mother’s way; smash first.”

Orroark’s brutish half-orcish face didn’t disguise the glint of genuine intelligence that lingered behind his barbarian ways. Looking down at his more frail brother, while swinging his weapon up onto his shoulder. “I will never “Orroark Smash”, only show them the power of knowledge.”

The eldest brother, Aldrich, only inherited the human side of both parents. “It seems to be a moot point now, as our ruckus seems to notice us by the scout.”

Jogging up towards them was a small creature with wicked lighting blue hair, a shared trait of his race; a Gnome. The three brothers started down the hill to meet this ‘scout’.

As they approached, the gnome, male and visibly armed with a spear, yelled out. “Halt, who comes to Bowmantle?”

Asteria stepped forward, as the other brothers knew he was a better face to unknown people. While he is the carrot, Orroark is the stick with Aldrich as the sneaky tripline, which no one would expect.

“My dear sir, we are the Blood Brothers, an adventurer group coming to be of assisting your mayor in the removal of some vermin.” Asteria ended his speech with a flourishing bow.

A groan from Aldrich and a chuckle from Orroark meet the confused look of the militia scout. “Um, you are from the Hall of Adventurers?”

As Asteria took another breath to break into another flowery speech, Aldrich stepped forward, “Yes, we are. Could you take us to the Mayor?”

Asteria muttered under his breath. “Blunt brother, again.”

The gnome perked up by Asteria’s mutterings. As he looked up at the three while leaning on his spear, “You are brothers?”

Aldrich, Orroark and Asteria looked at each other. Before the more savvy brother answer, Orroark with a glint of menace and a half snark. “By the books, don’t we look like it! These are my elder brothers, Aldrich and Asteria, and I am the future scholar barbarian Orroark. And who be you to be judging us when you have been rude by not introducing thyself.”

“I am sorry… I am Militiaman Eli; please follow me to the town hall.”

Orroark broke into a guffaw. Asteria nodded with Aldrich, spying Eli’s coin pouch. They followed the Militiaman into Bowmantle.

Part One: Getting back to my roots

So next Sunday will be the first day of my ‘going back to my roots.’ I will be introducing three new people to dungeons and dragon. Still, I have found some interesting concepts and want to write a side by side short stories on their adventures. I will first start as an introduction to future games.

I would introduce each character and break into the story after the first game on the 11th of April.

The three players are the children of Karraaaggg, the Half-Orc Barbarian (Mum, 7ft tall) and Jazerith, Half-Elven Ranger (Dad, 5 foot 8 inches).

The oldest child is Aldrich, a roguish man of the grand age of 27. He inherited from his mixed-race parents only the human side—a bit of a trouble maker and a disappointment to his father not following in his ranger’s ways.

The next Asteria, a half-elven like his father but was born with magic from a long lost dragons’ bloodline. Being the prettiest of all the children and 21 years old. You can find him down either in the fields practising his innate magic or down at the town centre as he is a bit of a ladies man.

The last is Orroark, a strapping 16-year-old half-orc like his mum and did follow/forced to become a barbarian, but he loves to read. Unfortunately, Karraaaggg knocked sense (literally), so he cannot read. A wandering scholar told him in passing that knowledge is power, and the best way to knowledge, can be found in books. So now he uses books as his weapons.

Now, they are off into the big bad world searching for adventure!

Why I have lost the will to Write.

Pullout my laptop and wireless keyboard, blowing off the dust and then waiting for the computer to boot up, which was like waiting for a 386 to come alive (that is an old person reference). It made me realise that I might not have done any writing for a long time. There are reasons which I will touch on in this blog, but I don’t want to make this a morose blog, only a learning experience for future self-published authors.

If we have to start anywhere, it would be the dedication page of my novel, Lake Merrin. It states:

 I would like to dedicate this to my friends. Kstar, Hobbit, Khaos, Carebear, Raccoon and Kiba. As this story would not have existed without you.

Obviously, my friends had a hand in helping the world-building Favinonia but supported my writing of the said novel. Lake Merrin was published in 2017, and many things have changed. Only one of the six is still a friend, two outright slammed my creative expression, and the others fell to oblivion. I only realised this when a now close friend mentioned ‘How was my writing going?’, and I cried for the loss of passion for my creative spirit. Again this is only one of the reasons.

The next section of my dedication I will like to state is:

 I would also like to thank my Publisher, believing in me.

I will not name my Publisher, but a simple search would find the name of the company. Did they support me? My oath they did, even when I should have been thrown aside because of my depression. The thing is, they started small, and I felt comfortable talking to my publishers about my hopes and dreams of future works. Unfortunately, they have gotten so large and focus on more non-fiction that they are no longer a fit for me. I will remember the past fondly, but I can’t live in their publishing present.

The next is about selling my books, and yes, I do have multiply published books. You hit a wall as a self-published author, libraries and bookstores. They will not accept your book period! There are other ways to move your blood, sweat and tears, creative expression, Conventions. They, unfortunately, are hit and miss. Each year I barely made back the money to pay for the booth, let alone the books, flyers and other expenses.

With all this negativity, where should I go from here? My decision was to start back to my roots, which was dungeons and dragons. Creating stories that a few can enjoy and maybe motivate my flagging creativity. I do have some fans, not many, but they have been very passionate about my books. All I can give them is an undying thanks.

I hope future authors learn that there is a wall, and sometimes you have to go back to basics to get through to inspire your passion and creativity. #passioninspirecreate