Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 363
February 2, 2016
February 1, 2016
The King's Challenge #194 and #195
TKC 194 and 195
There are no words to describe the quality of silence we descend the mountain in. Most are stunned by the reality of the Ilfin/Glonu wars … and how they fit into that. Yes, Kay has revealed also the ships on approach to Massin.
We must make haste across the plains to where the plateau peters off. There is the cave system and maybe we will escape the wrath of the Glonu entering our airspace if we vanish into the earth itself.
Seven days is not enough time, though. It took us longer to cross the plains to Arc, and we had the use of Horin’s light bridges. No such advantage will be ours this time.
Hope in hand, we depart the ancient stones and deceit of Arc.
Night has fallen again before all are off the mountain pass. We do not stop; we go on. This march will not allow us rest; we will walk until our feet fall off. All day we walk, in dryness, in heat. Far away there are rain clouds; too far to offer relief here. In the early dark hours Kay calls a halt. We will sleep for two hours and then go on.
I drop my pack and my legs give way. Sitting untidily on dry sand filled with sharp stones, I allow my head to sag down. I am instantly asleep.
Kay’s gentle shake awakens me. “Come on, Siri; time to go.”
My stomach is filled with acid and my eyes are gritty with weariness, but I clamber to my feet. I realise Kay must have helped me to lie down. I wonder if he slept at all. He hands me a mug of tea and a crust of bread. I swallow and chew simultaneously, I am that hungry.
“Easy,” he laughs.
“Did you sleep?” I manage to mumble.
“A little.” He takes me by my shoulders and moves me until I am facing east. “Look. What do you see?”
Squinting, I see nothing. After wiping my eyes clear of sleep’s crystals, I look again. Then again. “Camp fires.”
Kay nods. “Others are on the plain. We must be wary.”
Bugger. Have I the energy for that as well? Walking is about all I am able to focus on right now. “When has anything been simple in recent times?” I mutter.
“You are moody,” Kay grins.
I am, yes. This entire adventure has been fraught with dilemmas and conundrums; I am sick of it. Give me a warm bed in a small cottage and leave me there, will you?
He laughs at the glare I send him and then gestures. “We go on!” he calls to the night. Concerted rustles reveal we have resumed the march. Kay takes my hand and my pack and drags me onward.
The fires grow ever brighter. Whoever is out there is not moving. They have stopped for the night.
Kay takes us around them and tells us to go on walking. He doubles back to the campsite thereafter. We need to know who we are dealing with in this great emptiness. If we can see them, they will soon notice us. We are a fair-sized crowd.
My heart sits in my throat, but I lead our people on, trusting to Kay to come out of whatever he finds alive.
The unmistakable sound of hoof beats halts us. We crouch in the darkness and make as little noise as we can. Friend or foe? With or without Kay? The tension alone will floor me soon.
Swinging crazily, a lantern on a swift horse bears down on us, and then abruptly halts. “Siri!”
I shoot to my feet. “Kay!”
“Messengers, Siri,” Kay calls out, walking his horse closer. He dismounts and leads the animal in. “Messengers and horses. Enough horses. They are few, but they brought all their horses.”
I hear the glee in his voice. It is good news, indeed.
There are no words to describe the quality of silence we descend the mountain in. Most are stunned by the reality of the Ilfin/Glonu wars … and how they fit into that. Yes, Kay has revealed also the ships on approach to Massin.
We must make haste across the plains to where the plateau peters off. There is the cave system and maybe we will escape the wrath of the Glonu entering our airspace if we vanish into the earth itself.
Seven days is not enough time, though. It took us longer to cross the plains to Arc, and we had the use of Horin’s light bridges. No such advantage will be ours this time.
Hope in hand, we depart the ancient stones and deceit of Arc.
Night has fallen again before all are off the mountain pass. We do not stop; we go on. This march will not allow us rest; we will walk until our feet fall off. All day we walk, in dryness, in heat. Far away there are rain clouds; too far to offer relief here. In the early dark hours Kay calls a halt. We will sleep for two hours and then go on.
I drop my pack and my legs give way. Sitting untidily on dry sand filled with sharp stones, I allow my head to sag down. I am instantly asleep.
Kay’s gentle shake awakens me. “Come on, Siri; time to go.”
My stomach is filled with acid and my eyes are gritty with weariness, but I clamber to my feet. I realise Kay must have helped me to lie down. I wonder if he slept at all. He hands me a mug of tea and a crust of bread. I swallow and chew simultaneously, I am that hungry.
“Easy,” he laughs.
“Did you sleep?” I manage to mumble.
“A little.” He takes me by my shoulders and moves me until I am facing east. “Look. What do you see?”
Squinting, I see nothing. After wiping my eyes clear of sleep’s crystals, I look again. Then again. “Camp fires.”
Kay nods. “Others are on the plain. We must be wary.”
Bugger. Have I the energy for that as well? Walking is about all I am able to focus on right now. “When has anything been simple in recent times?” I mutter.
“You are moody,” Kay grins.
I am, yes. This entire adventure has been fraught with dilemmas and conundrums; I am sick of it. Give me a warm bed in a small cottage and leave me there, will you?
He laughs at the glare I send him and then gestures. “We go on!” he calls to the night. Concerted rustles reveal we have resumed the march. Kay takes my hand and my pack and drags me onward.
The fires grow ever brighter. Whoever is out there is not moving. They have stopped for the night.
Kay takes us around them and tells us to go on walking. He doubles back to the campsite thereafter. We need to know who we are dealing with in this great emptiness. If we can see them, they will soon notice us. We are a fair-sized crowd.
My heart sits in my throat, but I lead our people on, trusting to Kay to come out of whatever he finds alive.
The unmistakable sound of hoof beats halts us. We crouch in the darkness and make as little noise as we can. Friend or foe? With or without Kay? The tension alone will floor me soon.
Swinging crazily, a lantern on a swift horse bears down on us, and then abruptly halts. “Siri!”
I shoot to my feet. “Kay!”
“Messengers, Siri,” Kay calls out, walking his horse closer. He dismounts and leads the animal in. “Messengers and horses. Enough horses. They are few, but they brought all their horses.”
I hear the glee in his voice. It is good news, indeed.
January 31, 2016
The King's Challenge #193
TKC 193
An unholy silence settles upon the ancient rocks around us, as if deafening us to everything familiar, every reality we are able to imagine.
Kay mentions it first. “Something happens on the other side.”
I realise where his thoughts are. “You desire to return, to help them.”
Long minutes pass in our own kind of silence and then he answers. “Truth is, I wish to go in to grab Mirlin and Manuel, and then I wish for the three of us to run until there is no possible way to find us.” He swallows. “The three of us did everything together; we have known each other since childhood.”
I stare starkly up. I do not mean enough to him for him to change his mind about he expected of his life.
He glances down with a half-smile. “But that is wishful thinking. A different future awaits, one with you in it … I hope.”
I am such a girl, for huge smile plasters itself to my face. How obvious can one be? Blushing, I look away.
Kay touches my cheek. “I want to see how you feel. You are the reason I hold onto my sanity right now. Please do not hide from me.”
Goosebumps assail my arms. I blink up at him. “Please talk to me when your burden is too heavy.”
This time he smiles wide. “Deal, Siri Mur.”
Laughing, I clamber onto a boulder in much the way Lyra did earlier. “Listen, everyone. As soon as the sun rises we will make our way down the mountain.”
Murmurs of agreement sound. I notice adults, men and women, move to the gathering of children to collect their young. The ones who are unclaimed gaze around with big eyes wondering where their parents are. Their minders will help them cope, hopefully.
Kay hops up next to me. “Before we go, there is something you need to know.” He launches into an explanation about the Ilfin and Glonu.
The adults’ eyes are soon larger than those of the children.
An unholy silence settles upon the ancient rocks around us, as if deafening us to everything familiar, every reality we are able to imagine.
Kay mentions it first. “Something happens on the other side.”
I realise where his thoughts are. “You desire to return, to help them.”
Long minutes pass in our own kind of silence and then he answers. “Truth is, I wish to go in to grab Mirlin and Manuel, and then I wish for the three of us to run until there is no possible way to find us.” He swallows. “The three of us did everything together; we have known each other since childhood.”
I stare starkly up. I do not mean enough to him for him to change his mind about he expected of his life.
He glances down with a half-smile. “But that is wishful thinking. A different future awaits, one with you in it … I hope.”
I am such a girl, for huge smile plasters itself to my face. How obvious can one be? Blushing, I look away.
Kay touches my cheek. “I want to see how you feel. You are the reason I hold onto my sanity right now. Please do not hide from me.”
Goosebumps assail my arms. I blink up at him. “Please talk to me when your burden is too heavy.”
This time he smiles wide. “Deal, Siri Mur.”
Laughing, I clamber onto a boulder in much the way Lyra did earlier. “Listen, everyone. As soon as the sun rises we will make our way down the mountain.”
Murmurs of agreement sound. I notice adults, men and women, move to the gathering of children to collect their young. The ones who are unclaimed gaze around with big eyes wondering where their parents are. Their minders will help them cope, hopefully.
Kay hops up next to me. “Before we go, there is something you need to know.” He launches into an explanation about the Ilfin and Glonu.
The adults’ eyes are soon larger than those of the children.
January 30, 2016
The King's Challenge #192
Part VIISiri
TKC 192
“All is well! Come!” I shout, hoping the others will hear me through the barrier. I have taken my courage in hand and trust Lyra and Horin know what they are doing. I am alone outside of Arc.
Around me the night is still and cool, and wholesome. Until this moment I had not realised that sense of peace was in fact missing inside the bowl of mountains.
My relief is almost overwhelming when one of the women steps through with a child holding onto each hand. Swiftly all the children are gathered, and then Kay exits. He looks for me first, and my heart skips a beat.
“Let us move to that outcrop,” he says as he approaches. “It will be warmer for them.”
Together we herd the young to a jumble of large boulders, and then watch as men and women leave the confines of Arc. These are the Ilfin, and they are now free. Again my relief threatens to overwhelm me.
As I bend to listen to a girl asking about her mother, Kay grips my upper arm.
“It’s closing,” he whispers.
I see it too. The oval of darkness is shrinking. “Hurry!” I shout to those still to come through, but it is doubtful they are able to hear me.
The doorway between us and them snuffs out then.
We stare into a beautiful valley, such as it was when we first arrived, and see no people. Kay mutters about even the view being a damn mask, and he is right. What we see is not real.
I gaze up at the westerner at my side. It is up to us now. We are the leaders of this much reduced host.
He lowers his head to look at me. “We go east. Horin tells of a cave system.”
I know of it, yes. “Let us go.”
TKC 192
“All is well! Come!” I shout, hoping the others will hear me through the barrier. I have taken my courage in hand and trust Lyra and Horin know what they are doing. I am alone outside of Arc.
Around me the night is still and cool, and wholesome. Until this moment I had not realised that sense of peace was in fact missing inside the bowl of mountains.
My relief is almost overwhelming when one of the women steps through with a child holding onto each hand. Swiftly all the children are gathered, and then Kay exits. He looks for me first, and my heart skips a beat.
“Let us move to that outcrop,” he says as he approaches. “It will be warmer for them.”
Together we herd the young to a jumble of large boulders, and then watch as men and women leave the confines of Arc. These are the Ilfin, and they are now free. Again my relief threatens to overwhelm me.
As I bend to listen to a girl asking about her mother, Kay grips my upper arm.
“It’s closing,” he whispers.
I see it too. The oval of darkness is shrinking. “Hurry!” I shout to those still to come through, but it is doubtful they are able to hear me.
The doorway between us and them snuffs out then.
We stare into a beautiful valley, such as it was when we first arrived, and see no people. Kay mutters about even the view being a damn mask, and he is right. What we see is not real.
I gaze up at the westerner at my side. It is up to us now. We are the leaders of this much reduced host.
He lowers his head to look at me. “We go east. Horin tells of a cave system.”
I know of it, yes. “Let us go.”
TKC Collage 15 (Horin's story 2)
Considering where episode 191 ended, it is time to shift to a new point of view, don't you think?
Therefore, the final images for Horin's story :)
Therefore, the final images for Horin's story :)
January 29, 2016
The King's Challenge #190 and #191
TKC 190 and 191
Ignoring the panic behind us, ignoring even Lyra’s manipulation of the elements – which is not as easy to do – I face the oncoming ethereal horde with my own army of ghosts arrayed behind me.
The deactivated orb is still in my left hand. As I am about to shove it into a pocket, I feel vibrations overcome it and glance at it when I can barely afford to divide my attention.
The instant I look at it, it bursts into emerald brilliance.
Yes!
I throw it up, setting it free to act as it wills. It knows what to do.
Lyra abruptly screams, causing me to flinch, but she merely adds voice to an enchantment.
Focus, damn it, I tell myself.
Peripherally, I notice the panic behind us come to an end upon Lyra’s scream. I have not the time to give it attention, but sense how deliberation sets in there. Men and women find weapons and gradually approach the scene of battle.
Yes, Ilfin will always fight rather than surrender.
The enemy is upon us.
Raising my sword, I step into the first line and swipe the blade side to side. Heads roll. And then the entire horde is among us.
Soon all sense of time evaporates. All there is, is muscle memory and rage. My body moves as it knows how to do, while the fury of the Warrior assumes battle station. I slice, chop, swipe and stab. I run, brace, duck and dance. An ancient war cry erupts from my mouth, words I am unable to translate, they are that old. Alongside me, the ghostly Ilfin scream it also, and tear wispy heads from ethereal bodies. The orb dances and darts in, killing Glonu ghost after Glonu ghost. An eerie screech accompanies each killing, one that fills me with dread, yet I am glad of its terrible actions. The orb is, after all, an extension of my inner Warrior.
Shouts and grunts behind reveal the battle is now everywhere and all are in it.
Lyra is untouched. She stands with arms up in an island of calm, while chaos surrounds her. Glonu attempt her barrier only to disintegrate. Electric bolts seek targets and find them, leaving a smoking pillar in the stead of a light being. Hail smashes open faces. Gusts of icy wind cleave into torsos to rip the Glonu apart.
We are not untouched, however. Men have the heads wrenched from their necks. Women are disembowelled. Ever swifter, the defence behind us loses strength. My host dissipates as their souls are crushed into oblivion. I am covered in blood and gore, and some of it is mine.
Sunbeams highlight the horror. Dawn has arrived, and the battle is nowhere near an ending. It will end only when we are dead; this horde will not retreat until it is so.
I hear Damin utter a mighty cry to the left. Relief floods as I see him hurtle closer with his unit streaming alongside him. They tear into the melee. While not exactly fresh, given their night just passed, they have greater will at this point and that will make a difference.
The orb is rushing at me. I see its light grow ever closer. By the stars, the time has come. Stepping aside, I throw my arms wide. The orb smashes into my chest, a sharp agony that almost has me losing my stance. It burrows under my ribcage, a searing pain that attacks every nerve in my body. I scream, but I do not falter.
Then it is gone and the terrible wound on my chest closes as if it did not happen.
I straighten. No more fear. No doubt. No compassion either.
The Lord Enris Makar wades into battle with his muscles expanding, growing ever taller. He knows no mercy.
Horin is dead.
Ignoring the panic behind us, ignoring even Lyra’s manipulation of the elements – which is not as easy to do – I face the oncoming ethereal horde with my own army of ghosts arrayed behind me.
The deactivated orb is still in my left hand. As I am about to shove it into a pocket, I feel vibrations overcome it and glance at it when I can barely afford to divide my attention.
The instant I look at it, it bursts into emerald brilliance.
Yes!
I throw it up, setting it free to act as it wills. It knows what to do.
Lyra abruptly screams, causing me to flinch, but she merely adds voice to an enchantment.
Focus, damn it, I tell myself.
Peripherally, I notice the panic behind us come to an end upon Lyra’s scream. I have not the time to give it attention, but sense how deliberation sets in there. Men and women find weapons and gradually approach the scene of battle.
Yes, Ilfin will always fight rather than surrender.
The enemy is upon us.
Raising my sword, I step into the first line and swipe the blade side to side. Heads roll. And then the entire horde is among us.
Soon all sense of time evaporates. All there is, is muscle memory and rage. My body moves as it knows how to do, while the fury of the Warrior assumes battle station. I slice, chop, swipe and stab. I run, brace, duck and dance. An ancient war cry erupts from my mouth, words I am unable to translate, they are that old. Alongside me, the ghostly Ilfin scream it also, and tear wispy heads from ethereal bodies. The orb dances and darts in, killing Glonu ghost after Glonu ghost. An eerie screech accompanies each killing, one that fills me with dread, yet I am glad of its terrible actions. The orb is, after all, an extension of my inner Warrior.
Shouts and grunts behind reveal the battle is now everywhere and all are in it.
Lyra is untouched. She stands with arms up in an island of calm, while chaos surrounds her. Glonu attempt her barrier only to disintegrate. Electric bolts seek targets and find them, leaving a smoking pillar in the stead of a light being. Hail smashes open faces. Gusts of icy wind cleave into torsos to rip the Glonu apart.
We are not untouched, however. Men have the heads wrenched from their necks. Women are disembowelled. Ever swifter, the defence behind us loses strength. My host dissipates as their souls are crushed into oblivion. I am covered in blood and gore, and some of it is mine.
Sunbeams highlight the horror. Dawn has arrived, and the battle is nowhere near an ending. It will end only when we are dead; this horde will not retreat until it is so.
I hear Damin utter a mighty cry to the left. Relief floods as I see him hurtle closer with his unit streaming alongside him. They tear into the melee. While not exactly fresh, given their night just passed, they have greater will at this point and that will make a difference.
The orb is rushing at me. I see its light grow ever closer. By the stars, the time has come. Stepping aside, I throw my arms wide. The orb smashes into my chest, a sharp agony that almost has me losing my stance. It burrows under my ribcage, a searing pain that attacks every nerve in my body. I scream, but I do not falter.
Then it is gone and the terrible wound on my chest closes as if it did not happen.
I straighten. No more fear. No doubt. No compassion either.
The Lord Enris Makar wades into battle with his muscles expanding, growing ever taller. He knows no mercy.
Horin is dead.
January 28, 2016
The King's Challenge #189
TKC 189
As I run, I understand the resident sorcery of Arc depleted my orb. We are not meant to leave here. Some of us now have, while others are being interred into oblivion to the south. The ethereal host is furious.
I come upon Lyra as I hear panic erupt behind me. The Ilfin trapped with us are aware of approaching death.
Lyra stands braced, hands thrown up and out. Her fingers are aglow and crackles of light swirl around her fingers. Damn, it is her Warrior talent. It will end her life far sooner than necessary, as mine will fell me before a life is lived.
I crash into her. “Use your Elemental powers!” As she stumbles, I catch her. “Lyra, I am already compromised; allow me to do this. Shield us with the elements.”
She stares at me for just an instant and then nods. Straightening, she lifts her arms. Again her hands glow, but now the electricity is missing. Throwing her head back, she gazes up, fingers curling.
Lightning bolts smash into the earth between us and the host. Hail thunders down.
Ignoring her manipulation, I stand forth, sword drawn. This is a blade forged on another world, infused with the ability to strip masks from pretend friends … and to pierce the veils surrounding beings without substance. Simply put, it kills ghosts.
We are here.
My heart almost ceases beating when I hear those words. This night is filled with too much emotion and too many surprises, and thus a few moments elapse before I understand.
The Ilfin of Arc are with us. Those already dead. Those enslaved and awaiting their freedom.
I give a grim smile to the ether around me. Clearly the enslavement had not reached their souls also, despite what the slave masters believe. The ancient Glonu only thinkthey harness souls into eternity.
“I see them!” Lyra shouts above howling wind and cacophonous thunder. “I see you, friends!”
“They are with us!” I grin manically.
The first true battle of this time and place begins then.
As I run, I understand the resident sorcery of Arc depleted my orb. We are not meant to leave here. Some of us now have, while others are being interred into oblivion to the south. The ethereal host is furious.
I come upon Lyra as I hear panic erupt behind me. The Ilfin trapped with us are aware of approaching death.
Lyra stands braced, hands thrown up and out. Her fingers are aglow and crackles of light swirl around her fingers. Damn, it is her Warrior talent. It will end her life far sooner than necessary, as mine will fell me before a life is lived.
I crash into her. “Use your Elemental powers!” As she stumbles, I catch her. “Lyra, I am already compromised; allow me to do this. Shield us with the elements.”
She stares at me for just an instant and then nods. Straightening, she lifts her arms. Again her hands glow, but now the electricity is missing. Throwing her head back, she gazes up, fingers curling.
Lightning bolts smash into the earth between us and the host. Hail thunders down.
Ignoring her manipulation, I stand forth, sword drawn. This is a blade forged on another world, infused with the ability to strip masks from pretend friends … and to pierce the veils surrounding beings without substance. Simply put, it kills ghosts.
We are here.
My heart almost ceases beating when I hear those words. This night is filled with too much emotion and too many surprises, and thus a few moments elapse before I understand.
The Ilfin of Arc are with us. Those already dead. Those enslaved and awaiting their freedom.
I give a grim smile to the ether around me. Clearly the enslavement had not reached their souls also, despite what the slave masters believe. The ancient Glonu only thinkthey harness souls into eternity.
“I see them!” Lyra shouts above howling wind and cacophonous thunder. “I see you, friends!”
“They are with us!” I grin manically.
The first true battle of this time and place begins then.
