Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 372
December 18, 2015
The King's Challenge #138
TKC 138
Lyra reaches across the scarred table to grip Horin’s hand. “I am so sorry this is happening to you. At your age, dealing with so much, changing so much …”
He grips her hand fiercely. “Lyra, this isn’t new to me.”
She leans forward to place her other hand over their clasp. “What do you mean?”
“I have always known this time would come.” Horin too leans in. “I know it sounds strange, but I am finally becoming myself. I am not eight years old.”
Swallowing, she stares at him. “I was there when you were born.”
Sighing, Horin sits back, disengaging their hand hold. “Damin says the same.” Both send me a glance, before again gazing at each other. “Yes, I was ‘born’ and yet it was merely a means to entry. The person I am inside spent eight years waiting to step forward, often frustrated with the limits of form …”
“You were a sunny boy!” Lyra interrupts. “Horin, I left you in Grenmassin a few weeks ago, a boy who winked at me and told me he would take care of our mother!”
He closes his eyes. “In that I failed and I am sorry.” Opening them, he says, “The day you pushed the tidal wave aside is also the day I began to assume my true form. We are connected, you and me. Every time you use your power, mine becomes more, as yours intensifies when I deploy mine.”
Lyra stares unseeingly into the distances of the mind. “How?” she asks softly, after a time.
“When Arc was formed, those who hid here did not come alone. The old ones chose a different form of longevity in the greater spaces of this world. Death, birth, a cycle of original souls through the generations to follow, until time is made new.”
Even my mouth hangs open at this point.
“Lyra, the beings of Arc are our sworn enemies.”
Lyra reaches across the scarred table to grip Horin’s hand. “I am so sorry this is happening to you. At your age, dealing with so much, changing so much …”
He grips her hand fiercely. “Lyra, this isn’t new to me.”
She leans forward to place her other hand over their clasp. “What do you mean?”
“I have always known this time would come.” Horin too leans in. “I know it sounds strange, but I am finally becoming myself. I am not eight years old.”
Swallowing, she stares at him. “I was there when you were born.”
Sighing, Horin sits back, disengaging their hand hold. “Damin says the same.” Both send me a glance, before again gazing at each other. “Yes, I was ‘born’ and yet it was merely a means to entry. The person I am inside spent eight years waiting to step forward, often frustrated with the limits of form …”
“You were a sunny boy!” Lyra interrupts. “Horin, I left you in Grenmassin a few weeks ago, a boy who winked at me and told me he would take care of our mother!”
He closes his eyes. “In that I failed and I am sorry.” Opening them, he says, “The day you pushed the tidal wave aside is also the day I began to assume my true form. We are connected, you and me. Every time you use your power, mine becomes more, as yours intensifies when I deploy mine.”
Lyra stares unseeingly into the distances of the mind. “How?” she asks softly, after a time.
“When Arc was formed, those who hid here did not come alone. The old ones chose a different form of longevity in the greater spaces of this world. Death, birth, a cycle of original souls through the generations to follow, until time is made new.”
Even my mouth hangs open at this point.
“Lyra, the beings of Arc are our sworn enemies.”
December 17, 2015
The King's Challenge #137
TKC 137
“I trust you, Lyra.”
She gazes at me. “I hope so, Damin, for I may ask of you the kind of aid you may not be prepared to easily give. But come, everyone. There is food inside.” Lyra turns and heads back to the cottage without another word.
Watching her, I hope she will glance over her shoulder at me, but she does not.
Kay comes to rest at my shoulder. “Man, I see you love each other, but I also wonder if that will be enough.”
I wonder the same, but I glare at the westerner, and set off after Lyra, leading Forest. In the shade of the trees I leave him to graze.
Horin is behind me and releases his mount to the cool and new sweet grass as well. “The others are being tactful and have chosen to stay out there for a while.”
I glance over shoulder. They remove saddle bags and talk amongst themselves. Siri is the only one looking at me. She winks encouragement. I manage to smile at her.
“Lyra, is there water?” Horin calls.
Her answer comes from inside the cottage. “There is a trough round back. The horses will find it.”
Taking my arm, for I am now reluctant to move, Horin enters the dim space, taking me with him. I feel his strength.
Inside is a table and mismatched chairs, with a counter along one wall. A rough log ladder leads to a loft space spanning half the cottage. A small hearth opposite is in use, and Lyra is there, stirring something in a large cauldron. Whatever she is making, it smells heavenly. My stomach rumbles.
“Sit.”
We sit.
“How did you find this place?” I ask.
“I was led here after leaving the Spire.” Lyra leaves off stirring and joins us. "I assume we are to talk together first? Should Siri not be here?”
“I trust you, Lyra.”
She gazes at me. “I hope so, Damin, for I may ask of you the kind of aid you may not be prepared to easily give. But come, everyone. There is food inside.” Lyra turns and heads back to the cottage without another word.
Watching her, I hope she will glance over her shoulder at me, but she does not.
Kay comes to rest at my shoulder. “Man, I see you love each other, but I also wonder if that will be enough.”
I wonder the same, but I glare at the westerner, and set off after Lyra, leading Forest. In the shade of the trees I leave him to graze.
Horin is behind me and releases his mount to the cool and new sweet grass as well. “The others are being tactful and have chosen to stay out there for a while.”
I glance over shoulder. They remove saddle bags and talk amongst themselves. Siri is the only one looking at me. She winks encouragement. I manage to smile at her.
“Lyra, is there water?” Horin calls.
Her answer comes from inside the cottage. “There is a trough round back. The horses will find it.”
Taking my arm, for I am now reluctant to move, Horin enters the dim space, taking me with him. I feel his strength.
Inside is a table and mismatched chairs, with a counter along one wall. A rough log ladder leads to a loft space spanning half the cottage. A small hearth opposite is in use, and Lyra is there, stirring something in a large cauldron. Whatever she is making, it smells heavenly. My stomach rumbles.
“Sit.”
We sit.
“How did you find this place?” I ask.
“I was led here after leaving the Spire.” Lyra leaves off stirring and joins us. "I assume we are to talk together first? Should Siri not be here?”
December 16, 2015
The King's Challenge #136
TKC 136
I scramble off my horse and run. Lyra disengages from Horin when she sees me coming and opens her arms wide. Moments later she is in my arms. We say not a word; we merely hold each other, faces buried in hair and necks, breathing each other in.
Horin clears his throat.
Laughing, Lyra lifts her head. She holds my face. “I missed you.”
Somehow I understand she speaks of more than the recent parting, the one that brought her and Hanna to Arc first. This is about Grenmassin also. “I intend to stay at your side from this moment on, I …”
She placed a finger over my lips. “Do not make promises, Damin. Not only is the future able to change in a heartbeat, but this place uses promises against us. Shh. I know your heart.”
Laying my hands on her cheeks, I draw her near and kiss her gently. “My heart is filled with joy,” I murmur against her lips.
“As mine is,” she smiles, and softly kisses me again.
“I sense three entities,” Horin’s voice intrudes.
I lift my head to him to see him gazing towards the trees. Glancing in that direction, I see nothing. Sighing, Lyra moves away. She actually steps backwards a few paces, away from all of us. I immediately feel uncomfortable; she seems to choose sides in her actions.
“Lyra?” Hanna murmurs somewhere.
“Hello, Hanna … and Joseph. Siri! You are safe as well …” Lyra lapses into silence. Briefly she closes her eyes. “There are three here, yes, and many more beyond these rock walls. This is a haven, and they keep the watch.”
Kay draws his sword.
Her two-eyed gaze rakes him. “Put that away. Metal cannot touch them.”
The sound of sheathing follows, and then more silence.
“They will not harm us, not unless we prove untrustworthy,” Lyra says then. “They seek to help us, and I seek to help them. If dealing with the Waiting is too much for you, turn around now and go back.”
I scramble off my horse and run. Lyra disengages from Horin when she sees me coming and opens her arms wide. Moments later she is in my arms. We say not a word; we merely hold each other, faces buried in hair and necks, breathing each other in.
Horin clears his throat.
Laughing, Lyra lifts her head. She holds my face. “I missed you.”
Somehow I understand she speaks of more than the recent parting, the one that brought her and Hanna to Arc first. This is about Grenmassin also. “I intend to stay at your side from this moment on, I …”
She placed a finger over my lips. “Do not make promises, Damin. Not only is the future able to change in a heartbeat, but this place uses promises against us. Shh. I know your heart.”
Laying my hands on her cheeks, I draw her near and kiss her gently. “My heart is filled with joy,” I murmur against her lips.
“As mine is,” she smiles, and softly kisses me again.
“I sense three entities,” Horin’s voice intrudes.
I lift my head to him to see him gazing towards the trees. Glancing in that direction, I see nothing. Sighing, Lyra moves away. She actually steps backwards a few paces, away from all of us. I immediately feel uncomfortable; she seems to choose sides in her actions.
“Lyra?” Hanna murmurs somewhere.
“Hello, Hanna … and Joseph. Siri! You are safe as well …” Lyra lapses into silence. Briefly she closes her eyes. “There are three here, yes, and many more beyond these rock walls. This is a haven, and they keep the watch.”
Kay draws his sword.
Her two-eyed gaze rakes him. “Put that away. Metal cannot touch them.”
The sound of sheathing follows, and then more silence.
“They will not harm us, not unless we prove untrustworthy,” Lyra says then. “They seek to help us, and I seek to help them. If dealing with the Waiting is too much for you, turn around now and go back.”
The Fantasy of Form II
AS promised, images from my files to showcase the male side of inspiration :)
December 15, 2015
The King's Challenge #135
TKC 135
After two hours Kay tells me the trail vanishes behind us we go forward. He says he cannot catch anyone doing so, not even a shadow seen peripherally. It appears the ghostly host is with us. And they want no one to follow us.
I say not a word, for Siri’s sake. For mine as well, I admit.
Around sunset we enter a narrow defile. Rock is sheer on either side, and we are forced into single file. I like it not. This is the perfect place for an ambush. Kay whistles under his breath behind me, but it isn’t a comforting sound. The man is clearly as unhappy as I am. Ahead, Horin lifts his left arm into the air, with his thumb on display.
He tells us we are fine in that gesture, not to worry.
I bloody hope so.
The defile widens after half an hour and I breathe easier. Amber light summons us into a small meadow surrounded by the same sheer rock. There is no way out, other than going back.
Kay reins in beside me. “Not liking this.”
Neither do I. We remain unmoving with the defile at our backs, using eyes and senses to investigate every rock and shadow. There seems to be no threat. Horin casually dismounting and allowing his horse to graze proves it even more.
To the right, nestled under giant trees, I notice a stone cottage. It is cleverly camouflaged in the shifting shadows of moving foliage.
Kay draws his sword.
Right. Best be prepared. I reach for my dagger …
“Horin!” a woman’s voice shouts out, her tone filled with joy.
Lyra?
“Lyra!” Horin shouts in response, and moves across the meadow as a woman leaves the shadows of the trees to run towards him. They meet and clasp together, laughing and crying.
By the stars. Lyra. Never has my heart thundered this hard.
After two hours Kay tells me the trail vanishes behind us we go forward. He says he cannot catch anyone doing so, not even a shadow seen peripherally. It appears the ghostly host is with us. And they want no one to follow us.
I say not a word, for Siri’s sake. For mine as well, I admit.
Around sunset we enter a narrow defile. Rock is sheer on either side, and we are forced into single file. I like it not. This is the perfect place for an ambush. Kay whistles under his breath behind me, but it isn’t a comforting sound. The man is clearly as unhappy as I am. Ahead, Horin lifts his left arm into the air, with his thumb on display.
He tells us we are fine in that gesture, not to worry.
I bloody hope so.
The defile widens after half an hour and I breathe easier. Amber light summons us into a small meadow surrounded by the same sheer rock. There is no way out, other than going back.
Kay reins in beside me. “Not liking this.”
Neither do I. We remain unmoving with the defile at our backs, using eyes and senses to investigate every rock and shadow. There seems to be no threat. Horin casually dismounting and allowing his horse to graze proves it even more.
To the right, nestled under giant trees, I notice a stone cottage. It is cleverly camouflaged in the shifting shadows of moving foliage.
Kay draws his sword.
Right. Best be prepared. I reach for my dagger …
“Horin!” a woman’s voice shouts out, her tone filled with joy.
Lyra?
“Lyra!” Horin shouts in response, and moves across the meadow as a woman leaves the shadows of the trees to run towards him. They meet and clasp together, laughing and crying.
By the stars. Lyra. Never has my heart thundered this hard.
The Fantasy of Form
In the spirit of Writing World, I delved into my image files (I have many files!) and thought I'd share a few of the female fantasy forms I have on file. Images such as these inspire me, whether or not I write about them. Sometimes it's the eyes, sometimes jewellery, often dress, frequently it's the feeling evoked ...Tomorrow I will share the male side of inspiration :)
December 14, 2015
The King's Challenge #134
TKC 134
Horin’s revelations accompany me as we move deeper into Arc in the morning. He said more after telling me about his soul, and now I attempt to deal with what he revealed. So much so, I do not consciously notice Kay guide his horse to ride alongside Siri, although I see them riding.
Hanna leads with Joseph, while Horin trails us a fair distance behind.
The massive smiles that erupted on seeing the world in colours as we know it, has now abated. Despite the silence, I sense much relief. Neither Attis nor I said a word about Horin’s interference. It is better not too many realise how much power he really possesses.
Two days later we arrive at the same crossroads that set Lyra onto a different path. It is before sunrise and the moon is visible.
No one sees or hears or even senses the ghostly host Hanna told us about, but something else awaits us.
“That wasn’t there before,” Hanna mutters, staring at a cairn of white stones in the centre of the crossing.
Joseph gets off his horse to walk around the pile of rock. “It indicates direction. See there? The dark stone denotes the way.”
I see a line of darker stones on the facet facing the river. “We cross the river? Who would have left this here?”
Hanna gazes up at me. “Lyra, or someone on Lyra’s behalf.”
I twist my neck to see where Horin is. He is close enough to have heard us. “What do you think?”
“It’s Lyra,” he says quietly, and urges his mount forward to the river’s edge, crossing directly over without halting. The water is shallow.
We follow.
Horin waves Joseph to him. “Can you track Lyra?”
The Messenger leans over the neck of his horse, and nods after a while. “She has left clear indicators.”
“She wants to be found,” Attis states.
I am not as certain Lyra leaves a trail, but I keep quiet. Let us see where this leads. I send Kay a look, and the westerner immediately understands. Others are able to read sings of passing also; we must be wary. Kay falls back to take up the rear.
Horin’s revelations accompany me as we move deeper into Arc in the morning. He said more after telling me about his soul, and now I attempt to deal with what he revealed. So much so, I do not consciously notice Kay guide his horse to ride alongside Siri, although I see them riding.
Hanna leads with Joseph, while Horin trails us a fair distance behind.
The massive smiles that erupted on seeing the world in colours as we know it, has now abated. Despite the silence, I sense much relief. Neither Attis nor I said a word about Horin’s interference. It is better not too many realise how much power he really possesses.
Two days later we arrive at the same crossroads that set Lyra onto a different path. It is before sunrise and the moon is visible.
No one sees or hears or even senses the ghostly host Hanna told us about, but something else awaits us.
“That wasn’t there before,” Hanna mutters, staring at a cairn of white stones in the centre of the crossing.
Joseph gets off his horse to walk around the pile of rock. “It indicates direction. See there? The dark stone denotes the way.”
I see a line of darker stones on the facet facing the river. “We cross the river? Who would have left this here?”
Hanna gazes up at me. “Lyra, or someone on Lyra’s behalf.”
I twist my neck to see where Horin is. He is close enough to have heard us. “What do you think?”
“It’s Lyra,” he says quietly, and urges his mount forward to the river’s edge, crossing directly over without halting. The water is shallow.
We follow.
Horin waves Joseph to him. “Can you track Lyra?”
The Messenger leans over the neck of his horse, and nods after a while. “She has left clear indicators.”
“She wants to be found,” Attis states.
I am not as certain Lyra leaves a trail, but I keep quiet. Let us see where this leads. I send Kay a look, and the westerner immediately understands. Others are able to read sings of passing also; we must be wary. Kay falls back to take up the rear.
