Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 374
December 6, 2015
The King's Challenge #127
TKC 127
Mirlin takes charge then, and I can kiss him for doing so. My focus has moved to Lyra, and thus I am beyond grateful that the man steps in.
As the red in our surroundings and above intensifies, Mirlin calls Kay and Manuel to him and together they summon folk to listen, to gather. Rounding up group after group, the three men shepherd people closer to the mountain top. There are caves and trees up there as well, and I see the glint of a waterfall, which translates as water enough for everyone.
Many still pour over the rim, which means Massin in general still exists. We are now beyond the deadline and the men, women and children beyond these borders are still alive. I am relieved. I am also concerned; what did Lyra expend to cause this?
“Exhausted as I am,” Hanna says to me, “I am going back today. Lyra will need us.”
Horin has a pack at his feet and checks the contents. The boy is now as tall as I am. Siri is nearby, also rummaging in a travel-stained bag Attis gave her. That boy stands waiting, a thumb hooked into the strap on his shoulder. He sends me an impish grin.
I nod. “Let me find Forest …”
Hanna lifts a brow.
“… my horse,” I grin. “You need a fresh mount also, and these three,” I gesture at the younger ones, “cannot walk all the way.”
“I will see to it,” Joseph puts in. “And know I am going with you.”
Hanna’s smile causes me to swallow my denial. “Fine. We leave in an hour.” I stride to where Mirlin gesticulates like a wild man.
He ceases when he see me, eyes me. “Will this bloody red go away, do you think?’
“I have no idea. Can you cope with this situation?”
He shrugs and laughs. “My friend, we walked far and endured much interference. I think I can handle a bunch of people in one place.”
Mirlin takes charge then, and I can kiss him for doing so. My focus has moved to Lyra, and thus I am beyond grateful that the man steps in.
As the red in our surroundings and above intensifies, Mirlin calls Kay and Manuel to him and together they summon folk to listen, to gather. Rounding up group after group, the three men shepherd people closer to the mountain top. There are caves and trees up there as well, and I see the glint of a waterfall, which translates as water enough for everyone.
Many still pour over the rim, which means Massin in general still exists. We are now beyond the deadline and the men, women and children beyond these borders are still alive. I am relieved. I am also concerned; what did Lyra expend to cause this?
“Exhausted as I am,” Hanna says to me, “I am going back today. Lyra will need us.”
Horin has a pack at his feet and checks the contents. The boy is now as tall as I am. Siri is nearby, also rummaging in a travel-stained bag Attis gave her. That boy stands waiting, a thumb hooked into the strap on his shoulder. He sends me an impish grin.
I nod. “Let me find Forest …”
Hanna lifts a brow.
“… my horse,” I grin. “You need a fresh mount also, and these three,” I gesture at the younger ones, “cannot walk all the way.”
“I will see to it,” Joseph puts in. “And know I am going with you.”
Hanna’s smile causes me to swallow my denial. “Fine. We leave in an hour.” I stride to where Mirlin gesticulates like a wild man.
He ceases when he see me, eyes me. “Will this bloody red go away, do you think?’
“I have no idea. Can you cope with this situation?”
He shrugs and laughs. “My friend, we walked far and endured much interference. I think I can handle a bunch of people in one place.”
December 5, 2015
The King's Challenge #126
TKC 126
The scarlet glow overtakes everything that is natural and normal in the world. Children suddenly possess burning orbs for eyes, skin is a sickly pink, our animals appear otherworldly, trees are hazy sentinels and rock transforms into purple manipulation.
This is great magic.
Horin falls to his knees, staring up. “Lyra is more powerful than she understands.”
Hanna snaps her gaping mouth closed, draws breath and says to him, “You are as well. You are the shield that will stand between us and the ancients.”
He sighs. “I know.”
As panic spreads, folk leave the trees to stare up into the red sky. Hanna marks this and spears me with her wise gaze. “They are in the open again, Damin Mur. Return to the rim. Stay as close to the edge as you can.”
I glance from her to Horin, to Mirlin, and shake my head. “No doubt you will tell us why, but know I am going with you to Lyra.”
Horin dips his head and smiles.
“Start talking,” I snap out, but I am uncertain whether I address Horin or Hanna.
Hanna sits on the grass. “This then.”
We close in and sit with her. Myself, Horin, Siri, Kay, Manuel and Mirlin … as well as Attis. Seeing that tousled head, I realise he too will accompany us to Lyra. There is no way I will be able to stop him.
Hanna tells us of an ethereal woman named Sassen, of a crossroads, of a host of ghosts … and she reveals that Lyra believes we will be made slaves to the light beings from another world and time.
Silence surrounds us when she finishes with, “… and Lyra evaded me. I chose then to follow her command to return to you.”
Ours are not the only ears that heard the summation from the Messenger. Everyone in the vicinity listened, including Joseph. He falls to his knees before Hanna as she ends her tale and takes her face into his hands. “I am so happy to see you safe.”
The scarlet glow overtakes everything that is natural and normal in the world. Children suddenly possess burning orbs for eyes, skin is a sickly pink, our animals appear otherworldly, trees are hazy sentinels and rock transforms into purple manipulation.
This is great magic.
Horin falls to his knees, staring up. “Lyra is more powerful than she understands.”
Hanna snaps her gaping mouth closed, draws breath and says to him, “You are as well. You are the shield that will stand between us and the ancients.”
He sighs. “I know.”
As panic spreads, folk leave the trees to stare up into the red sky. Hanna marks this and spears me with her wise gaze. “They are in the open again, Damin Mur. Return to the rim. Stay as close to the edge as you can.”
I glance from her to Horin, to Mirlin, and shake my head. “No doubt you will tell us why, but know I am going with you to Lyra.”
Horin dips his head and smiles.
“Start talking,” I snap out, but I am uncertain whether I address Horin or Hanna.
Hanna sits on the grass. “This then.”
We close in and sit with her. Myself, Horin, Siri, Kay, Manuel and Mirlin … as well as Attis. Seeing that tousled head, I realise he too will accompany us to Lyra. There is no way I will be able to stop him.
Hanna tells us of an ethereal woman named Sassen, of a crossroads, of a host of ghosts … and she reveals that Lyra believes we will be made slaves to the light beings from another world and time.
Silence surrounds us when she finishes with, “… and Lyra evaded me. I chose then to follow her command to return to you.”
Ours are not the only ears that heard the summation from the Messenger. Everyone in the vicinity listened, including Joseph. He falls to his knees before Hanna as she ends her tale and takes her face into his hands. “I am so happy to see you safe.”
December 4, 2015
93 000+!
Thank you for visiting!
xxx
xxx
The King's Challenge #125
Part 5DAMIN
TKC 125
The din is incredible.
People scream as they run, lifting shrieking children, abandoning frightened horses and donkeys, heading for the trees.
I have Siri and Horin with me and we run as hard. I pray as I race, all the while knowing trees will not save us. Our hope lies now with Lyra, and she has mere minutes left to do something. I wonder where she is. Is she as desperate as we are right now?
The fireball grows in size overhead. We are out of time.
I notice a woman on horseback, galloping towards us … from inside Arc. Amidst the frenetic activity, I come to a halt. Horin does as well, and I have the distinct impression he ran only because I urged him to. The boy who is no longer a boy gazes with expectation towards the approaching woman.
Siri swirls around, having realised we have stopped, and hastens back. “What?” she heaves.
I point. “That is Hanna. She is Lyra’s guide.”
Kay barrels into me from behind. “Damin Mur, why are you not running?”
I glance at the man and notice Manuel is with him. I also see Mirlin further back, bent over, heaving like a winded horse. “I think she brings news.” Again I point.
Moments later Hanna falls off her horse before us. “Stay on the rim,” she gasps. “Lyra says to stay on the rim! I will explain later.”
Mirlin and I look at each other, and then both of us look to Horin. He extends a hand to Hanna to lift her to her feet. “Where is my sister?”
She gazes at the boy. “Hopefully inside the Spire. She asks for you.”
Horin smiles and nods. I realise he already understands this summons. I say, “There is not time for Horin …”
Abruptly the light changes and everyone looks up.
Massive flames skitter across the sky … and then all turns to red.
TKC 125
The din is incredible.
People scream as they run, lifting shrieking children, abandoning frightened horses and donkeys, heading for the trees.
I have Siri and Horin with me and we run as hard. I pray as I race, all the while knowing trees will not save us. Our hope lies now with Lyra, and she has mere minutes left to do something. I wonder where she is. Is she as desperate as we are right now?
The fireball grows in size overhead. We are out of time.
I notice a woman on horseback, galloping towards us … from inside Arc. Amidst the frenetic activity, I come to a halt. Horin does as well, and I have the distinct impression he ran only because I urged him to. The boy who is no longer a boy gazes with expectation towards the approaching woman.
Siri swirls around, having realised we have stopped, and hastens back. “What?” she heaves.
I point. “That is Hanna. She is Lyra’s guide.”
Kay barrels into me from behind. “Damin Mur, why are you not running?”
I glance at the man and notice Manuel is with him. I also see Mirlin further back, bent over, heaving like a winded horse. “I think she brings news.” Again I point.
Moments later Hanna falls off her horse before us. “Stay on the rim,” she gasps. “Lyra says to stay on the rim! I will explain later.”
Mirlin and I look at each other, and then both of us look to Horin. He extends a hand to Hanna to lift her to her feet. “Where is my sister?”
She gazes at the boy. “Hopefully inside the Spire. She asks for you.”
Horin smiles and nods. I realise he already understands this summons. I say, “There is not time for Horin …”
Abruptly the light changes and everyone looks up.
Massive flames skitter across the sky … and then all turns to red.
TKC Collage 11 (Lyra's story)
Lyra's POV has now reached a certain point, and now it is time to return to Damin and the others on the rim of Arc. Has Hanna reached them in time? We will find out soon :)
To finish off Lyra's story, here is the collage showcasing her episodes:
To finish off Lyra's story, here is the collage showcasing her episodes:
December 3, 2015
The King's Challenge #124
TKC 124
How much time passes before I awake, I cannot say. Groaning, for I fell awkwardly, landing on a bent arm, I sit up.
Red glows overwhelm everything.
The ‘command centre’ is lit in shades of scarlet, causing the blinking buttons to appear mauve and amber. I feel as if I have awakened into a different world, possibly even a different time.
After finding my feet, I move to the nearest window. I am still here. At the very least, the rock in the sky did not hit Arc. It may have elsewhere, in which scenario the heavens will soon fill with debris and blot the sun.
I stare out, searching for a sign.
The bizarre red light in encompassing, but it has nothing to do with debris in the atmosphere. After studying the phenomenon for a while, I realise it is a shield, but whether it envelopes only Arc or the whole of Massin? I have no answer.
Perhaps Damin and Horin will know. The time for reconciliation is soon. If Hanna followed my directive, she will bring Horin to me. I smile. Damin will, of course, insist on coming.
I close my eyes to see what is beyond ordinary sight, but it is dark to me now. I have lost my powers? Shrugging, I turn for the exit. I do not bemoan the loss; I will be relieved to know it gone.
My feet are fleet descending the spiralling stairs. The light cathedral below is no longer magical to me; I seek air, some normality, and desire to be free of this place quickly. The tunnels await me, though, and I am afraid I may lose myself in them. Without my talents I cannot see or hear the others beyond; I will have no guides.
“Can you hear me?” I ask as I enter the antechamber.
This way, my lady,the darkness whispers, and a small glow appears.
Never have I been this relieved. The talent is theirs, and I am thankful for it. “Do you know a place where the ancients cannot see us?”
Amusement floats upon the air. Indeed. Come.
How much time passes before I awake, I cannot say. Groaning, for I fell awkwardly, landing on a bent arm, I sit up.
Red glows overwhelm everything.
The ‘command centre’ is lit in shades of scarlet, causing the blinking buttons to appear mauve and amber. I feel as if I have awakened into a different world, possibly even a different time.
After finding my feet, I move to the nearest window. I am still here. At the very least, the rock in the sky did not hit Arc. It may have elsewhere, in which scenario the heavens will soon fill with debris and blot the sun.
I stare out, searching for a sign.
The bizarre red light in encompassing, but it has nothing to do with debris in the atmosphere. After studying the phenomenon for a while, I realise it is a shield, but whether it envelopes only Arc or the whole of Massin? I have no answer.
Perhaps Damin and Horin will know. The time for reconciliation is soon. If Hanna followed my directive, she will bring Horin to me. I smile. Damin will, of course, insist on coming.
I close my eyes to see what is beyond ordinary sight, but it is dark to me now. I have lost my powers? Shrugging, I turn for the exit. I do not bemoan the loss; I will be relieved to know it gone.
My feet are fleet descending the spiralling stairs. The light cathedral below is no longer magical to me; I seek air, some normality, and desire to be free of this place quickly. The tunnels await me, though, and I am afraid I may lose myself in them. Without my talents I cannot see or hear the others beyond; I will have no guides.
“Can you hear me?” I ask as I enter the antechamber.
This way, my lady,the darkness whispers, and a small glow appears.
Never have I been this relieved. The talent is theirs, and I am thankful for it. “Do you know a place where the ancients cannot see us?”
Amusement floats upon the air. Indeed. Come.
Characters will do as characters do
They have minds of their own!
December 2, 2015
The King's Challenge #123
This is the longest single episode yet! This is Lyra's moment and it deserved more than 300 words!
TKC 123
I am shaking.
My mind hurtles from thought to thought.
Why am I here? Who gave me this duty? Why me? Did I ask for this? What do I do? How do I do it? I do not know what to do!
My hands tremble so much, my fingers bounce on the blinking lights before me, unable to rest on something long enough in order to discover some form of tangible purpose inherent.
The fireball grows ever brighter and larger.
It is in your mind.The thought sears to the fore. Sassen said success lies in my mind. Focus.
I straighten, close my eyes and allow my hands to fall back to my sides, consciously relaxing my fingers. Breathe. Think.
A Sage sees. I see where the giant rock will impact. Far to the north in the mountains. The debris field will cover the sun for years. Massin will die.
A Healer feels. I feel the agony of not only the sentients of Massin, but also the dread from every living thing. Even the trees are aware of life’s end.
A Rainmaker summons …
My eyes snap open. Summon.
An Elemental knows.She is all, everywhere. She sees, feels, summons and directs.
I follow my instincts, and move to the northern view. There I stand with my hands splayed over the lights and dials. Staring at the fireball, I empty my mind.
I see fire and death.
I feel the awesome wind in the wake of its unholy trajectory.
I summon the magnetic field surrounding our world, the one ever protecting us from bombardments emanating from outer space, and shove at it, elongating it, twisting it. I create an invisible catapult, swinging the cradle below and behind the hurtling rock. A steep curve of ions shimmers upon the shuddering field around our world.
Ready.
My hands smack down.
Sirens scream around me, but I deafen those senses. Light pulses in crazy patterns, but I focus on the view both in my mind and in the window. Blue lightning tears upward, racing from the ground, hurtling from the walls of the Spire, sizzling from the apex, to become an additional field of energy … of direction.
Sweat drips from my every pore.
The invisible cradle rushes up on the burning asteroid, scoops it from behind and tosses it onto the ion slide. This slide goes up into the darkness of vacuum, not down into the breath of a world, and I pray it is strong enough and steep enough.
I ‘see’ the rock hit the mighty chute of reverse manipulation … and then darkness enfolds me. I have given everything.
TKC 123
I am shaking.
My mind hurtles from thought to thought.
Why am I here? Who gave me this duty? Why me? Did I ask for this? What do I do? How do I do it? I do not know what to do!
My hands tremble so much, my fingers bounce on the blinking lights before me, unable to rest on something long enough in order to discover some form of tangible purpose inherent.
The fireball grows ever brighter and larger.
It is in your mind.The thought sears to the fore. Sassen said success lies in my mind. Focus.
I straighten, close my eyes and allow my hands to fall back to my sides, consciously relaxing my fingers. Breathe. Think.
A Sage sees. I see where the giant rock will impact. Far to the north in the mountains. The debris field will cover the sun for years. Massin will die.
A Healer feels. I feel the agony of not only the sentients of Massin, but also the dread from every living thing. Even the trees are aware of life’s end.
A Rainmaker summons …
My eyes snap open. Summon.
An Elemental knows.She is all, everywhere. She sees, feels, summons and directs.
I follow my instincts, and move to the northern view. There I stand with my hands splayed over the lights and dials. Staring at the fireball, I empty my mind.
I see fire and death.
I feel the awesome wind in the wake of its unholy trajectory.
I summon the magnetic field surrounding our world, the one ever protecting us from bombardments emanating from outer space, and shove at it, elongating it, twisting it. I create an invisible catapult, swinging the cradle below and behind the hurtling rock. A steep curve of ions shimmers upon the shuddering field around our world.
Ready.
My hands smack down.
Sirens scream around me, but I deafen those senses. Light pulses in crazy patterns, but I focus on the view both in my mind and in the window. Blue lightning tears upward, racing from the ground, hurtling from the walls of the Spire, sizzling from the apex, to become an additional field of energy … of direction.
Sweat drips from my every pore.
The invisible cradle rushes up on the burning asteroid, scoops it from behind and tosses it onto the ion slide. This slide goes up into the darkness of vacuum, not down into the breath of a world, and I pray it is strong enough and steep enough.
I ‘see’ the rock hit the mighty chute of reverse manipulation … and then darkness enfolds me. I have given everything.
