Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 399
August 8, 2015
The King's Challenge #11
TKC 11
I ignore Damin’s statement and instead address what has befallen Attis. The boy does notdeserve this.
“Let him go, Damin. I vouch for him and he will be too frightened to say anything. Please, let him go.”
“I can be your go-between!” Attis suddenly pipes up. He releases me to stand before Damin. “Sir, I swear, we want you to change things! I can listen to stuff up there and then come down and tell you, and I won’t tell anyone.”
Damin stares down at the boy. Then he looks up at me. “How long have you known him?”
“Since last night,” I respond, hope blossoming inside me. “I trust him already and you will as well if you give him a chance. Damin, he has a little sister he takes care of.”
Damin blinks. He too has a younger sister he is meant to take care of. Siri gave me all her savings to help me manage this journey, in fact. She misses her brother.
“You know Siri would expect this of you,” I murmur.
His cheeks tighten and then he nods at the boy. “Fine, it will be as you say. Someone will be watching you. I suggest you keep your word.”
Attis hops in place, filled with glee.
I shake my head and hope the boy will be fine. “Attis, go back to your sister now,” I say and hand him his second copper. Leaning in, I whisper, “Go now. Quickly.”
His eyes round again and he nods. Taking the coin, he scuttles out.
“Let him go!” Damin shouts for the benefit of the men outside. Then he pierces me with that blue gaze. “This is no place for a lady.”
Well, stuff that. By the stars, I intend to find out exactly what is going on here.
I ignore Damin’s statement and instead address what has befallen Attis. The boy does notdeserve this.
“Let him go, Damin. I vouch for him and he will be too frightened to say anything. Please, let him go.”
“I can be your go-between!” Attis suddenly pipes up. He releases me to stand before Damin. “Sir, I swear, we want you to change things! I can listen to stuff up there and then come down and tell you, and I won’t tell anyone.”
Damin stares down at the boy. Then he looks up at me. “How long have you known him?”
“Since last night,” I respond, hope blossoming inside me. “I trust him already and you will as well if you give him a chance. Damin, he has a little sister he takes care of.”
Damin blinks. He too has a younger sister he is meant to take care of. Siri gave me all her savings to help me manage this journey, in fact. She misses her brother.
“You know Siri would expect this of you,” I murmur.
His cheeks tighten and then he nods at the boy. “Fine, it will be as you say. Someone will be watching you. I suggest you keep your word.”
Attis hops in place, filled with glee.
I shake my head and hope the boy will be fine. “Attis, go back to your sister now,” I say and hand him his second copper. Leaning in, I whisper, “Go now. Quickly.”
His eyes round again and he nods. Taking the coin, he scuttles out.
“Let him go!” Damin shouts for the benefit of the men outside. Then he pierces me with that blue gaze. “This is no place for a lady.”
Well, stuff that. By the stars, I intend to find out exactly what is going on here.
Justine's Journal #51
52 Weeks 500 Words
This is how it began: Justine (not her real name) decided to write 500 words (or as near as), anything goes, per week for 52 weeks. She would then submit it for anonymous posting, via me, her friend. Perhaps a pattern will emerge from her words, but at this stage it’s more an experiment I have agreed to share in. I’ll attempt to draw conclusions at the end of this. Stay tuned if this resonates with you.
Week 51
The second to last journal entry! I think I may suffer withdrawal symptoms after this J
Here’s an update of recent events. I attended a charity event for literacy and the support the campaign was most heart-warming. I am so happy to see how many care about this issue. The event included collecting books for schools and, although I did not attend the delivery drive, I hear teachers and kids both were over the moon.
On a more personal front, my brother is flying down for business in two weeks and we’ll be having dinner before he flies back. I can’t wait to see him!
My partner and I currently discuss finding a new place for the two of us. Mine is too small for him to move in (although he spends most of his time with me anyway!) and his is a bachelor flat. This means we are in fact deciding whether to spend the rest of our lives together. No talk of marriage, but neither of us needs that kind of formality, not yet anyway. Both of us have been burned, and we’re taking it step by step. Still, you should see the massive smile on my face when no one is looking! I feel the future is very bright and I’m loving life right now.
Around me life continues.
I saw a boy fall from his bike the other day and my entire body tensed in sympathy with him. He picked himself up and pushed his bike into a nearby driveway, so he was all right … although I did notice the tears, poor little guy.
Cold nights at the moment mean the homeless really take strain. A few of us in the neighbourhood donated old jackets and blankets to a collection charity. The days are warmer now as winter moves towards spring, but the nights aren’t. Winter may still surprise us with a few ‘events’ too. I pray these folk find shelter. I wish there was a way to deal with this problem permanently, for all of us deserve a warm place and food to fill our stomachs.
As for the coming of spring. We feel it in the air now, but it hasn’t yet rained enough to fill the dams for summer’s dryness. While we would love to have the warmth back, we understand we need it to rain a lot before we can relax for summer. Here’s to hoping this happens, despite the terrible discomfort for those on the streets. This is such a conundrum for me. I wish for rain, but wish also for good days and nights to ease the plight of those less fortunate.
That’s me for this week. Keep smiling, everyone!
This is how it began: Justine (not her real name) decided to write 500 words (or as near as), anything goes, per week for 52 weeks. She would then submit it for anonymous posting, via me, her friend. Perhaps a pattern will emerge from her words, but at this stage it’s more an experiment I have agreed to share in. I’ll attempt to draw conclusions at the end of this. Stay tuned if this resonates with you.
Week 51
The second to last journal entry! I think I may suffer withdrawal symptoms after this J
Here’s an update of recent events. I attended a charity event for literacy and the support the campaign was most heart-warming. I am so happy to see how many care about this issue. The event included collecting books for schools and, although I did not attend the delivery drive, I hear teachers and kids both were over the moon.
On a more personal front, my brother is flying down for business in two weeks and we’ll be having dinner before he flies back. I can’t wait to see him!
My partner and I currently discuss finding a new place for the two of us. Mine is too small for him to move in (although he spends most of his time with me anyway!) and his is a bachelor flat. This means we are in fact deciding whether to spend the rest of our lives together. No talk of marriage, but neither of us needs that kind of formality, not yet anyway. Both of us have been burned, and we’re taking it step by step. Still, you should see the massive smile on my face when no one is looking! I feel the future is very bright and I’m loving life right now.
Around me life continues.
I saw a boy fall from his bike the other day and my entire body tensed in sympathy with him. He picked himself up and pushed his bike into a nearby driveway, so he was all right … although I did notice the tears, poor little guy.
Cold nights at the moment mean the homeless really take strain. A few of us in the neighbourhood donated old jackets and blankets to a collection charity. The days are warmer now as winter moves towards spring, but the nights aren’t. Winter may still surprise us with a few ‘events’ too. I pray these folk find shelter. I wish there was a way to deal with this problem permanently, for all of us deserve a warm place and food to fill our stomachs.
As for the coming of spring. We feel it in the air now, but it hasn’t yet rained enough to fill the dams for summer’s dryness. While we would love to have the warmth back, we understand we need it to rain a lot before we can relax for summer. Here’s to hoping this happens, despite the terrible discomfort for those on the streets. This is such a conundrum for me. I wish for rain, but wish also for good days and nights to ease the plight of those less fortunate.
That’s me for this week. Keep smiling, everyone!
August 7, 2015
The King's Challenge #10
TKC 10
A man emerges from the gloom to hunker before me. He gestures and the oaf behind me releases my hair. “Lyra, what are you doing here?”
I push myself onto my knees and glare at him. “Damin, nice to see you.”
Sighing, he stands. “You and the boy were asking questions about me. I am sorry, but we needed to know why.”
At least he has the sense not to offer a helping hand. Right now I will probably bite it. “May I get up?” I ask, fury causing my voice to tremble.
He nods.
As I stand, I study him. His straw hair is as untidy as ever, although not as clean as I remember. Blue eyes still have the power to pierce distances, I notice. I always feel as if Damin looks through me as well as at me. He is a little on the thin side, and I suspect that is because the fare here is sparse. He is tanned and wears forest colours.
I look away before I hit him, I am that angry. “Attis,” I murmur, “come here.”
The boy scuttles to my side, his brown eyes big as gold coins. He latches onto my cloak and I pull him in. “The boy does not deserve such treatment.”
Damin sighs again. “Unfortunately he knows too much now.”
Attis gasps and I feel him shake with fear. “If you touch him, I swear I will kill you,” I say.
A long silence ensues and then Damin gestures. The two men who brought us in leave. “He will not come to harm, but he cannot now leave here.”
“What are you doing, by the stars? Where is the Damin I knew back home?”
He leans forward. “Something big comes. You know this, for you came looking for me.”
A man emerges from the gloom to hunker before me. He gestures and the oaf behind me releases my hair. “Lyra, what are you doing here?”
I push myself onto my knees and glare at him. “Damin, nice to see you.”
Sighing, he stands. “You and the boy were asking questions about me. I am sorry, but we needed to know why.”
At least he has the sense not to offer a helping hand. Right now I will probably bite it. “May I get up?” I ask, fury causing my voice to tremble.
He nods.
As I stand, I study him. His straw hair is as untidy as ever, although not as clean as I remember. Blue eyes still have the power to pierce distances, I notice. I always feel as if Damin looks through me as well as at me. He is a little on the thin side, and I suspect that is because the fare here is sparse. He is tanned and wears forest colours.
I look away before I hit him, I am that angry. “Attis,” I murmur, “come here.”
The boy scuttles to my side, his brown eyes big as gold coins. He latches onto my cloak and I pull him in. “The boy does not deserve such treatment.”
Damin sighs again. “Unfortunately he knows too much now.”
Attis gasps and I feel him shake with fear. “If you touch him, I swear I will kill you,” I say.
A long silence ensues and then Damin gestures. The two men who brought us in leave. “He will not come to harm, but he cannot now leave here.”
“What are you doing, by the stars? Where is the Damin I knew back home?”
He leans forward. “Something big comes. You know this, for you came looking for me.”
August 6, 2015
The King's Challenge #9
TKC 9
Further in, firm ground increases. In some areas the wooden walkways surrender to gravelled paths. There are more homes as well, ramshackle wooden affairs of up to three levels. They teeter alarmingly and I hasten past those.
People are simply everywhere. The noise is astonishing. Everyone needs to shout, whether in greeting to someone, summoning a child or sharing a juicy piece of gossip. By the stars. Yet no one seems to listen or hear, and therefore the level of sound climbs even more.
Slop is tossed into the marsh. The smells are mind altering. I am thankful for my hood; no one can see the disgust on my face.
The greatest press of people is upon a rocky outcrop, apparently. Situated quite a way in, it is also the only part of the lower city that survives the annual flooding. As we approach, the walkway becomes a series of steps.
The moment we step onto level ground a man nabs Attis and another grips me from behind. Attis kicks and flails, but the large man lifts him and strides away with him. I shout, but a hand clamps over my mouth and I am frogmarched forward.
Screams of abuse come at us from either side of the rocky path. We are definitely unwelcome here.
After an eternity of uncontrolled movement, I am shoved into a two storey building; a mixture of wood and mud and broken panes. Attis is tossed through the doorway after me. We collapse together on a foul floor. I see dried blood under my hands. Is this where they torture and kill people?
“Remove her hood,” a voice commands from further back in the gloom.
My face is yanked clear of its concealment and my tormentor holds my head up by my hair.
A hiss sounds. “Lyra?”
Further in, firm ground increases. In some areas the wooden walkways surrender to gravelled paths. There are more homes as well, ramshackle wooden affairs of up to three levels. They teeter alarmingly and I hasten past those.
People are simply everywhere. The noise is astonishing. Everyone needs to shout, whether in greeting to someone, summoning a child or sharing a juicy piece of gossip. By the stars. Yet no one seems to listen or hear, and therefore the level of sound climbs even more.
Slop is tossed into the marsh. The smells are mind altering. I am thankful for my hood; no one can see the disgust on my face.
The greatest press of people is upon a rocky outcrop, apparently. Situated quite a way in, it is also the only part of the lower city that survives the annual flooding. As we approach, the walkway becomes a series of steps.
The moment we step onto level ground a man nabs Attis and another grips me from behind. Attis kicks and flails, but the large man lifts him and strides away with him. I shout, but a hand clamps over my mouth and I am frogmarched forward.
Screams of abuse come at us from either side of the rocky path. We are definitely unwelcome here.
After an eternity of uncontrolled movement, I am shoved into a two storey building; a mixture of wood and mud and broken panes. Attis is tossed through the doorway after me. We collapse together on a foul floor. I see dried blood under my hands. Is this where they torture and kill people?
“Remove her hood,” a voice commands from further back in the gloom.
My face is yanked clear of its concealment and my tormentor holds my head up by my hair.
A hiss sounds. “Lyra?”
August 5, 2015
The King's Challenge #8
TKC 8
The day is warm despite the gloom, although it may be the humidity rising off the marsh that creates this sense of discomfort. Despite the heat, I delve into my pack for my cloak. I throw it over my dark travelling dress, although ‘dress’ is inaccurate. The robe is split in front to allow for breeches. The cloak is to hide my face, as suggested.
Why are folk here wary of different eyes? I was born this way; there is nothing special about me. Certainly no one needs to fear me. Still, it is a truth, even back in somnolent Grenmassin, folk step to the other side of the way when they see me approaching.
Taking a breath, I ask Attis if he will lead me further. He has now brought me to the lower city and therefore our deal is done. It takes him an age to answer. First he gazes at me for a long time, eyes unblinking, and then he studies the old man again behind his book. I do not know what he receives from the old man, for I keep my focus on the boy, needing him to understand he is able to trust me.
Eventually Attis nods.
I want to ask why he would do so, given the dangers, but he grips my hand and pulls out into the gloomy day. After leading me rapidly across the walkway we negotiated earlier, he halts at a crossroads and releases my hand.
“I want to see the Marsh Devil,” he whispers.
Immediately I wonder if I am now able to trust him. Maybe he will take word of Damin’s location back to the authorities in upper Normur. Maybe this is a bad idea.
“Lyra,” he says, “I swear on my little sister’s life, I will tell no one.”
(This image is from Legend of the Seeker to show style of dress)
The day is warm despite the gloom, although it may be the humidity rising off the marsh that creates this sense of discomfort. Despite the heat, I delve into my pack for my cloak. I throw it over my dark travelling dress, although ‘dress’ is inaccurate. The robe is split in front to allow for breeches. The cloak is to hide my face, as suggested.
Why are folk here wary of different eyes? I was born this way; there is nothing special about me. Certainly no one needs to fear me. Still, it is a truth, even back in somnolent Grenmassin, folk step to the other side of the way when they see me approaching.
Taking a breath, I ask Attis if he will lead me further. He has now brought me to the lower city and therefore our deal is done. It takes him an age to answer. First he gazes at me for a long time, eyes unblinking, and then he studies the old man again behind his book. I do not know what he receives from the old man, for I keep my focus on the boy, needing him to understand he is able to trust me.
Eventually Attis nods.
I want to ask why he would do so, given the dangers, but he grips my hand and pulls out into the gloomy day. After leading me rapidly across the walkway we negotiated earlier, he halts at a crossroads and releases my hand.
“I want to see the Marsh Devil,” he whispers.
Immediately I wonder if I am now able to trust him. Maybe he will take word of Damin’s location back to the authorities in upper Normur. Maybe this is a bad idea.
“Lyra,” he says, “I swear on my little sister’s life, I will tell no one.”
(This image is from Legend of the Seeker to show style of dress)
August 4, 2015
The King's Challenge #7
TKC 7
The old man gets up and leaves his book. I have the feeling this is an unusual event for him, for he gives the tome quite the look as he rounds his scarred table to come towards me.
“Girl,” he says, “I do not want to know who you are, but I must warn you. Many folk are wary of the two eyes and will stand aside for you, even help you. More will seek to kill you, for fear is better set to rest that way. If you insist on heading further into the marsh, hide your face.”
I smell his sour breath, and it churns my stomach, but as he is being kind I do not allow it to show. “I hear you and thank you, but I must find Damin. What do you know of him?”
Attis, I notice, stands in the doorway as if guarding it from listening ears. The boy, if that is what he is doing, is wise beyond his years.
“Damin Mur has a price on his head, girl. Up there …” The old man gestures at the higher city. “… they call him the Marsh Devil.”
When Attis gasps, I understand this is bad. “What does that mean?” I ask, swallowing.
“Girl, he is the underground leader, a revolutionary stoking others to rise against the authorities. The marsh hides him, for many agree Normur needs change. If you go in asking about him, you will lose your head. Why do you seek him?”
I feel the need to sit. There is no strength in my legs. “He is my betrothed.”
The old man stares at me. “Girl, he has turned his back on all matters relating to Grenmassin. Best for you would be leaving this place.”
I cannot. This is not merely about my future.
The old man gets up and leaves his book. I have the feeling this is an unusual event for him, for he gives the tome quite the look as he rounds his scarred table to come towards me.
“Girl,” he says, “I do not want to know who you are, but I must warn you. Many folk are wary of the two eyes and will stand aside for you, even help you. More will seek to kill you, for fear is better set to rest that way. If you insist on heading further into the marsh, hide your face.”
I smell his sour breath, and it churns my stomach, but as he is being kind I do not allow it to show. “I hear you and thank you, but I must find Damin. What do you know of him?”
Attis, I notice, stands in the doorway as if guarding it from listening ears. The boy, if that is what he is doing, is wise beyond his years.
“Damin Mur has a price on his head, girl. Up there …” The old man gestures at the higher city. “… they call him the Marsh Devil.”
When Attis gasps, I understand this is bad. “What does that mean?” I ask, swallowing.
“Girl, he is the underground leader, a revolutionary stoking others to rise against the authorities. The marsh hides him, for many agree Normur needs change. If you go in asking about him, you will lose your head. Why do you seek him?”
I feel the need to sit. There is no strength in my legs. “He is my betrothed.”
The old man stares at me. “Girl, he has turned his back on all matters relating to Grenmassin. Best for you would be leaving this place.”
I cannot. This is not merely about my future.
