V.L. Locey's Blog, page 119
January 21, 2013
Tuesday Tales - Package
Welcome back! This week we`ll continue the story of The Silver Box.
Libby, Ares, and the gang are the stars of my Gods & Goats trilogy. The word prompt this week is ‘Package’ so the story will reflect the prompt. As these are original stories written in a week, some errors may be found. I do apologize for those in advance.
Please do check out the other wonderful writers after you`re done reading by clicking on the Tuesday Tales link at the bottom. Thank you for stopping in. May the gods smile upon you!
The Silver Box
*~*~*
There are caves and then there are caves. I`ve been in a few caves in my life. Matt and I had taken a day trip the first year we were married to Crystal Cave in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. It`s a gorgeous sight with all the stalactites and stalagmites, especially when you go through on the lantern tour like we did. But the glory of that cave in Pennsylvania did not compare to the sheer jaw-dropping grandeur of the sea nymph`s cave.
The walls were shimmering white rock magically illuminated from within. As you moved deeper inside the walls glowed with various rainbow shades. It was then that I realized that the entire massive cavern was crafted from mother of pearl. The touch of Poseidon was evident in this grotto, and why not? Probably his wife, Amphitrite, lounged here with the other nymphs. It would have to be worthy of a sea queen, would it not?
Harmonia crossed the ivory sand with purposeful steps. I was too gobsmacked to be resolute. I just stumbled along gawking like a kid in Willie Wonka`s candy factory. I had stepped to the edge of the dark blue pool when my partner in questing blew upon a large conch shell. I nearly came out of my skin.
“Warn a person before you go tooting your horn next time!” I gasped, heart thundering violently.
“My apologies, “the goddess blushed, placing the pink shell back on the jutting rock where it had hung.
“This place is amazing,” I said, crouching down to run my fingers over the water`s surface. “I recall reading that Achilles would visit his mother Thetis often. Do you think he came to this cave?”
“Nay, I think not,” Harmonia replied thoughtfully, “She would have gone to him wherever he was. Achilles is only half-god, so `twould be easier for her to journey to her son.”
“Good point,” I rose slowly, warm salty water dripping from my fingers. I walked over to sit on a long marble chaise, one of several that were placed near the sea. I drew in a deep breath of brine and wet sand. I could easily picture a slew of sea nymphs lounging here, brushing their hair and sharing tales of how easy mortal men are to befuddle and bewitch. A large splash tugged me from my daydreaming. I slid from the stone chaise to my knees. I didn`t have to ask if this were the queen of the seas, it was obvious in the way she rose from the depths.
The sea god had chosen well. Amphitrite was a lovely woman with dark hair to her waist, skin as pale as abalone, and eyes a deep, vibrant blue-green. She stepped from the waves wrapped in a gossamer chiton of palest green. Harmonia dropped to one knee, her chin on her chest. I quickly averted my eyes when her gaze moved to me.
“Rise consort and daughter of the war god,” she bid, her voice lilting and musical. I pushed to my feet just as Harmonia did. In the lagoon were many nymphs swimming cautiously in the dark water. Each one was beautiful and alluring as they sliced through the calm sea. “What brings you to our cavern?”
Harmonia had been chosen to speak. For some reason the gods didn`t quite seem to get me at times. I didn`t need to rile old Posie`s bride like I do Athena all the time. That I haven`t been smote by the goddess of wisdom is a pure miracle.
“Greetings Aunt, I am honored that `twas you that arrived to greet us. We come seeking a silver box that once belonged to golden-throned Hera, my grandmother. It was used by the gods to hold many evils and bestowed to Pandora.”
“Yes,” the queen of the sea said, studying me closely as she spoke, “I have heard the tale. Why do you come to us?” Amphitrite asked, waving a thin arm wrapped from wrist to elbow in pearls at the nymphs.
Splashes and sighs bounced off the mother-of-pearl walls. The sea sprites were bored it seemed.
“We believe that an Amazon may have given the box to one of your nymphs to secure passage to Troy,” Harmonia explained. “Perhaps it was given in payment, or as part of a larger package.”
Amphitrite`s delicate eyebrows puckered. “Which of mine do you think would have this package you seek?”
“We do not know, dear Aunt,” Harmonia replied with sadness.”We have been through many trials. As you can see my father`s consort is ragged and rumpled.”
I glanced down at myself. Okay, I was rather ragged but rumpled?! Damn goddesses with their magical waterproof makeup.
“She does seem rather abused,” the queen murmured, folding her arms over her ample breasts.
“Thank you for noticing,” I muttered under my breath. Harmonia hissed. The queen smiled and patted my head like I was an entertaining sea lion. Pity I didn`t have a ball to balance on my nose. Immortals, I tell you.
“You are most welcome.” She turned from us to summon the blasé nymphs to the water`s edge. Harmonia and I crept up to where the waves were gently lapping the sand.
The queen spoke to her attendants in Greek. I tried to follow things but my few scant words of Greek – Deeper, Slower, and Faster – weren`t much help here. Oh stop! If you had Ares in your bed you`d learn those words too.
“They tell me that the box you seek is in my husband`s sanctuary.”
“Please don`t say it`s at the bottom of the sea. I don`t have any gillyweed.”
The queen looked at me in befuddlement.
“No, Libby, Poseidon’s sanctuary is upon the cape of Sounion in Attica,” Harmonia explained.
“Oh well than, that`s do-able! We`ll just jump back on the fire-snorter, fly to the cape of Sounion and fetch the box!” I was getting excited now. The nymphs were staring at me openly as was the bride of the sea god.
“`Twould be an easy task if not for the guardian of the temple,” Harmonia sighed, shoving her helm back over her thick brown hair.
“Is there some law among you folks with golden blood that states every damned building has to be guarded by something nasty?! I mean, just once, can`t someone have a temple surrounded by butterflies or kittens?! Man, this is just so typically Greek!” I railed, stalking out of the cavern in a high holy snit.
I was nearly up to Fear when Harmonia appeared at my side. I threw her a heated look.
“I made apologies to my aunt for your rude behavior,” she said, her emerald eyes narrowed. “`Tis not the way of mortals to simply walk off without being dismissed, Libby. Surely father has explained that to you!”
“You father knows better than to even think he can dismiss me!” I spun around and shook a finger in her face. The dear thing actually drew back a step. My hand fell to my side. “I`m sorry,” I tugged her in for a hug. “I`m just tired and hungry and I want to get home and celebrate Thanksgiving. Is it too late? Did we miss it? I don`t know! I`m too busy bouncing around on a flatulent nag trying to find some stupid chest for your stupid-”
Harmonia kissed my cheek. Tranquility flowed from her lips to me. My spinal cord grew soft and pliable. The world was beautiful and this quest was beautiful. Even Fear was beautiful! I ran over to the horse to throw my arms around his thick white neck. Harmonia stopped me right before the nag kicked out with enough force to send a goatherder flying to Maine.
“Let us leave, Libby,” Harmonia said, lifting me onto the horse with ease. I lay across his back and sang the theme song from Spirit to him. His white ears flickered. “Before you do something foolish,” she added as the horse whispering continued.
*~*~*
For more great free reads by talented writers just click the link below-
Tuesday Tales
See you next week for more of The Silver Box!
Libby, Ares, and the gang are the stars of my Gods & Goats trilogy. The word prompt this week is ‘Package’ so the story will reflect the prompt. As these are original stories written in a week, some errors may be found. I do apologize for those in advance.
Please do check out the other wonderful writers after you`re done reading by clicking on the Tuesday Tales link at the bottom. Thank you for stopping in. May the gods smile upon you!
The Silver Box
*~*~*
There are caves and then there are caves. I`ve been in a few caves in my life. Matt and I had taken a day trip the first year we were married to Crystal Cave in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. It`s a gorgeous sight with all the stalactites and stalagmites, especially when you go through on the lantern tour like we did. But the glory of that cave in Pennsylvania did not compare to the sheer jaw-dropping grandeur of the sea nymph`s cave.
The walls were shimmering white rock magically illuminated from within. As you moved deeper inside the walls glowed with various rainbow shades. It was then that I realized that the entire massive cavern was crafted from mother of pearl. The touch of Poseidon was evident in this grotto, and why not? Probably his wife, Amphitrite, lounged here with the other nymphs. It would have to be worthy of a sea queen, would it not?
Harmonia crossed the ivory sand with purposeful steps. I was too gobsmacked to be resolute. I just stumbled along gawking like a kid in Willie Wonka`s candy factory. I had stepped to the edge of the dark blue pool when my partner in questing blew upon a large conch shell. I nearly came out of my skin.
“Warn a person before you go tooting your horn next time!” I gasped, heart thundering violently.
“My apologies, “the goddess blushed, placing the pink shell back on the jutting rock where it had hung.
“This place is amazing,” I said, crouching down to run my fingers over the water`s surface. “I recall reading that Achilles would visit his mother Thetis often. Do you think he came to this cave?”
“Nay, I think not,” Harmonia replied thoughtfully, “She would have gone to him wherever he was. Achilles is only half-god, so `twould be easier for her to journey to her son.”
“Good point,” I rose slowly, warm salty water dripping from my fingers. I walked over to sit on a long marble chaise, one of several that were placed near the sea. I drew in a deep breath of brine and wet sand. I could easily picture a slew of sea nymphs lounging here, brushing their hair and sharing tales of how easy mortal men are to befuddle and bewitch. A large splash tugged me from my daydreaming. I slid from the stone chaise to my knees. I didn`t have to ask if this were the queen of the seas, it was obvious in the way she rose from the depths.
The sea god had chosen well. Amphitrite was a lovely woman with dark hair to her waist, skin as pale as abalone, and eyes a deep, vibrant blue-green. She stepped from the waves wrapped in a gossamer chiton of palest green. Harmonia dropped to one knee, her chin on her chest. I quickly averted my eyes when her gaze moved to me.
“Rise consort and daughter of the war god,” she bid, her voice lilting and musical. I pushed to my feet just as Harmonia did. In the lagoon were many nymphs swimming cautiously in the dark water. Each one was beautiful and alluring as they sliced through the calm sea. “What brings you to our cavern?”
Harmonia had been chosen to speak. For some reason the gods didn`t quite seem to get me at times. I didn`t need to rile old Posie`s bride like I do Athena all the time. That I haven`t been smote by the goddess of wisdom is a pure miracle.
“Greetings Aunt, I am honored that `twas you that arrived to greet us. We come seeking a silver box that once belonged to golden-throned Hera, my grandmother. It was used by the gods to hold many evils and bestowed to Pandora.”
“Yes,” the queen of the sea said, studying me closely as she spoke, “I have heard the tale. Why do you come to us?” Amphitrite asked, waving a thin arm wrapped from wrist to elbow in pearls at the nymphs.
Splashes and sighs bounced off the mother-of-pearl walls. The sea sprites were bored it seemed.
“We believe that an Amazon may have given the box to one of your nymphs to secure passage to Troy,” Harmonia explained. “Perhaps it was given in payment, or as part of a larger package.”
Amphitrite`s delicate eyebrows puckered. “Which of mine do you think would have this package you seek?”
“We do not know, dear Aunt,” Harmonia replied with sadness.”We have been through many trials. As you can see my father`s consort is ragged and rumpled.”
I glanced down at myself. Okay, I was rather ragged but rumpled?! Damn goddesses with their magical waterproof makeup.
“She does seem rather abused,” the queen murmured, folding her arms over her ample breasts.
“Thank you for noticing,” I muttered under my breath. Harmonia hissed. The queen smiled and patted my head like I was an entertaining sea lion. Pity I didn`t have a ball to balance on my nose. Immortals, I tell you.
“You are most welcome.” She turned from us to summon the blasé nymphs to the water`s edge. Harmonia and I crept up to where the waves were gently lapping the sand.
The queen spoke to her attendants in Greek. I tried to follow things but my few scant words of Greek – Deeper, Slower, and Faster – weren`t much help here. Oh stop! If you had Ares in your bed you`d learn those words too.
“They tell me that the box you seek is in my husband`s sanctuary.”
“Please don`t say it`s at the bottom of the sea. I don`t have any gillyweed.”
The queen looked at me in befuddlement.
“No, Libby, Poseidon’s sanctuary is upon the cape of Sounion in Attica,” Harmonia explained.
“Oh well than, that`s do-able! We`ll just jump back on the fire-snorter, fly to the cape of Sounion and fetch the box!” I was getting excited now. The nymphs were staring at me openly as was the bride of the sea god.
“`Twould be an easy task if not for the guardian of the temple,” Harmonia sighed, shoving her helm back over her thick brown hair.
“Is there some law among you folks with golden blood that states every damned building has to be guarded by something nasty?! I mean, just once, can`t someone have a temple surrounded by butterflies or kittens?! Man, this is just so typically Greek!” I railed, stalking out of the cavern in a high holy snit.
I was nearly up to Fear when Harmonia appeared at my side. I threw her a heated look.
“I made apologies to my aunt for your rude behavior,” she said, her emerald eyes narrowed. “`Tis not the way of mortals to simply walk off without being dismissed, Libby. Surely father has explained that to you!”
“You father knows better than to even think he can dismiss me!” I spun around and shook a finger in her face. The dear thing actually drew back a step. My hand fell to my side. “I`m sorry,” I tugged her in for a hug. “I`m just tired and hungry and I want to get home and celebrate Thanksgiving. Is it too late? Did we miss it? I don`t know! I`m too busy bouncing around on a flatulent nag trying to find some stupid chest for your stupid-”
Harmonia kissed my cheek. Tranquility flowed from her lips to me. My spinal cord grew soft and pliable. The world was beautiful and this quest was beautiful. Even Fear was beautiful! I ran over to the horse to throw my arms around his thick white neck. Harmonia stopped me right before the nag kicked out with enough force to send a goatherder flying to Maine.
“Let us leave, Libby,” Harmonia said, lifting me onto the horse with ease. I lay across his back and sang the theme song from Spirit to him. His white ears flickered. “Before you do something foolish,” she added as the horse whispering continued.
*~*~*
For more great free reads by talented writers just click the link below-
Tuesday Tales
See you next week for more of The Silver Box!
January 18, 2013
Storytime Trysts - Wind in White Birch - Issue # 3
It`s time to visit Storytime Trysts for another issue in my free contemporary romance Wind in White Birch.
Enjoy!
Storytime Trysts
January 16, 2013
Undead Thursdays - Guest Blogger - Lynn Townsend
Hello! And welcome back to another edition of Undead Thursdays, a special blog event I`m having every Thursday in January to celebrate the release of the anthology He Loves Me For My Brainssss from Torquere Press that includes my short story Two Guys Walk Into An Apocalypse.
Every Thursday we`ll have guest bloggers that have written zombie tales or articles. We`ll also have a new book review of a zombie book that I really enjoyed amid all the undead love from my fellow scribes! All in all it should be a great time getting to meet new authors and zombie aficionados.
Today I`m pleased to have Lynn Townsend as our guest blogger. Lynn has been published several times, and is one of my fellow authors in the Brainssss anthology. Take it away, Lynn!
*~*~*
A Few Thoughts on Zombies
Zombies consume.
In the end, how they came about, who controls them, if they are nothing more than the over-booked guests of hell... they consume. Brains, flesh, shotgun shells.
Zombies eat.
They have an appetite that cannot be sated. There's no internal feeling in a zombie that tells it "well, that was a tasty brain, but I think I'm done now. Maybe I'll take a nap."
Zombies never stop.
Zombies don't starve to death; ever notice that? Even when there are millions of them, and the survivors are in small bands of twenty or thirty middle-class white Americans locked in shopping malls... the zombie horde doesn't die out. It's out there... just waiting. Chewing on the walls.
A zombie can be anyone.
Your mother. Your son. Your wife. The boss at your old job that you hate. You. No one is immune. No one is safe. And you're not safe, not from yourself, not from them, and not from the people you once loved. And on top of zombie hordes, you now have a lot of other problems. As Americans, especially, we're lacking in a great deal of useful skills. Very few of us know how to raise crops, skin an animal for food, what plants are edible, how to make clothing.
We become parasites.
We live off the decaying corpse of the society we once were. Old canned goods become our staple. You need a new pair of shoes? Drop into the local ruined wal-mart and grab a pair off the shelf. Clean watewon't be a problem for decades, with so few people left in the nation. Bottled water is everywhere.
Everything we wanted so badly becomes useless.
My dad was a nuclear engineer. He worked for decades at a nuclear power station. I asked him one time how long it would take, if the zombie Apocalypse happened, for the reactor to shut itself down. Not melt down, necessarily, but just shut itself down... stop running. "It's not the shutting down that's problematic with a nuclear power station, it's the keeping going..." Zombieland (as much fun as that movie is) and its amusement park that they can just jump start the generators? Not happening.
Zombies are the ultimate monsters.
Because in the end... they are us.
***
I am fascinated by zombies. I've got a ton of zombie-related paraphernalia; coffee cups, brain-shaped gelatin molds, bumper stickers. I've written two romance stories about zombies, and I'd probably write more if I saw more Submission Calls... My first zombie-themed romance was included in Sommer Marsden's Coming Together: Hungry for Love collection. And I'm pleased as heck that W.O.L. was included in Elizabeth L. Brooks' He Loves me For My Brainsss... The world W.O.L. takes place in has haunted me for several years. I expect we'll see more stories from the Knights of the Red Cross...
For more of my work, please see my Paid By the Weird Blog or my Facebook page...Lynn Townsend
And a final warning: Do not get between a writer and her coffee. Just sayin'.
*~*~*
Thanks so much for dropping in for a chat about the undead, Lynn. Next Thursday Elizabeth Brooks is slated to drop in for a discussion of things undead. See you next week zombie fans!
January 14, 2013
Tuesday Tales - Picture Prompt
Welcome back! This week we`ll continue the story of The Silver Box.
Today we have a picture prompt and the story is written to reflect the image and must be 300 words. As these are original stories written in a week, some errors may be found. I do apologize for those in advance.
Please do check out the other wonderful writers after you`re done reading by clicking on the Tuesday Tales link at the bottom. Thank you for stopping in. May the gods smile upon you!
The Silver Box
*~*~*
It was a nice change of scenery.
Living in the mountains of Pennsylvania my feet don`t tread on sand often. Unless it`s at the swimming area at Lake Ironbottom.
I was taking a much needed break seated at the water line with the sea foam lapping over my toes. My arms dangled over my knees. I inhaled the smell of salt and seaweed.
All the while I was warming myself on the white sand I was thinking of the rolling mountains of my home state. There, tucked amid the majestic snow flocked pines, is a small stone cottage. Within that cottage is the man who holds my heart.
If I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine the smell of wood smoke tickling the cold winds as they rustle through the naked oak and beech. If I forced myself to block out the roar of the surf I could almost feel his breath on my neck in the middle of a cold, dark night.
I inhaled sadly and rose.
The sooner we found that silver box the sooner I`d be home in Ares` arms.
“Ready?” I asked my wing-woman. Harmonia bobbed her head and we walked towards the mouth of the sea nymph`s cave.
*~*~*
For more great free reads by talented writers just click the link below-
Tuesday Tales
See you next week for more of The Silver Box!
Today we have a picture prompt and the story is written to reflect the image and must be 300 words. As these are original stories written in a week, some errors may be found. I do apologize for those in advance.
Please do check out the other wonderful writers after you`re done reading by clicking on the Tuesday Tales link at the bottom. Thank you for stopping in. May the gods smile upon you!
The Silver Box
*~*~*
It was a nice change of scenery.
Living in the mountains of Pennsylvania my feet don`t tread on sand often. Unless it`s at the swimming area at Lake Ironbottom.
I was taking a much needed break seated at the water line with the sea foam lapping over my toes. My arms dangled over my knees. I inhaled the smell of salt and seaweed.
All the while I was warming myself on the white sand I was thinking of the rolling mountains of my home state. There, tucked amid the majestic snow flocked pines, is a small stone cottage. Within that cottage is the man who holds my heart.
If I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine the smell of wood smoke tickling the cold winds as they rustle through the naked oak and beech. If I forced myself to block out the roar of the surf I could almost feel his breath on my neck in the middle of a cold, dark night.
I inhaled sadly and rose.
The sooner we found that silver box the sooner I`d be home in Ares` arms.
“Ready?” I asked my wing-woman. Harmonia bobbed her head and we walked towards the mouth of the sea nymph`s cave.
*~*~*
For more great free reads by talented writers just click the link below-
Tuesday Tales
See you next week for more of The Silver Box!
January 11, 2013
Storytime Trysts - Wind in White Birch #2
It`s time to head over to Storytime Trysts for the second issue of Wind in White Birch, a free contemporary romance read.
Enjoy!
Storytime Trysts
January 9, 2013
Undead Thursday - Book Review - Alice in Zombieland
Hello! And welcome back to another edition of Undead Thursdays, a special blog event I`m having every Thursday in January to celebrate the release of the anthology He Loves Me For My Brainssss from Torquere Press that includes my novella Two Guys Walk Into An Apocalypse.
Every Thursday we`ll have guest bloggers that have written zombie tales or articles. We`ll also have a new book review of a zombie book that I really enjoyed amid all the undead love from my fellow scribes! All in all it should be a great time getting to meet new authors and zombie aficionados.
Today`s undead treat is my book review for Alice in Zombieland by Nickolas Cook, with artwork Brent Cardillo. Lewis Carroll and Sir John Tenniel are also listed as writer and artist, and justly so for their touch is very heavy in this retelling of the classic tale.
Right off the bat we see that things are quite different in this upside-down world. Alice begins by following the Black Rat down the gaping mouth of an open grave where she tumbles and tumbles and falls and falls. Upon landing she finds herself in a rotten sort of undead nightmare filled with rotting flesh and craziness. As she ventures deeper into the land of zombies she comes across familiar yet very different characters. As an added problem, as Alice is adventuring in Zombieland she discovers that her hair is falling out, her skin is rotting, and she can`t stop thinking about nibbling on people she encounters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling. It was the small details that kept me so amused. The Mad Hatter`s tea party for instance is wickedly clever and filled with all the required things: Alice in a pinafore (Although it`s getting rather bloody and gory), an assortment of tea cups, and ample food to share. What the food is I`ll leave to your imagination.
If you`ve read the classic by Mr. Carroll and are looking for a darker, bloodier, zombie-filled version of the tale (who isn`t?) your book is here. A solid 4 star read for any fan of the undead and tea parties with insane hatters.
January 7, 2013
Tuesday Tales - Gift
Welcome back and Happy New Year! This week we`ll continue the story of The Silver Box.
Since we`ve been gone for a few weeks, why don`t we recap? Hera asked Libby to find her chest, the same chest that was given to Pandora by the gods. Libby and Harmonia set off on one of Ares` war horses to the land of the Amazon`s. They encounter a tiger then meet the fabled warrior women. After being led to their city Libby`s relationship with Ares is discovered by the queen of the Amazon`s, Otrere. The queen wants to kill her rival. Harmonia argues and gets Otrere to agree to a fight to claim the war god and his attentions. And that`s where we`ll pick things up today!
Libby, Ares, and the gang are the stars of my Gods & Goats trilogy. The word prompt this week is ‘Gift’ so the story will reflect the prompt. As these are original stories written in a week, some errors may be found. I do apologize for those in advance.
Please do check out the other wonderful writers after you`re done reading by clicking on the Tuesday Tales link at the bottom. Thank you for stopping in. May the gods smile upon you!
The Silver Box
*~*~*
You`d think a woman going into battle would at least cover her tuppie.
After being led into a round area behind the palace that greatly resembled the Coliseum only made of native material, I caught sight of the Amazon queen. Otrere obviously thought I would be a pushover, since she wore no armor of any kind. Her boob was bouncing about free and her tight dark rump was uncovered. She hadn`t even covered her lady parts. She stood about twenty feet away from me with nothing more than a very angry sneer. I adjusted my helm as the crowd of Amazon`s gathered in the seats surrounding us trilled.
That sound must be a starter`s gun in Amazonian culture. Otrere ran at me, her lips drawn back in a fearsome manner that made her look like an insane panther or Grace Jones, take your pick. Both are equally scary. She was fast, I`ll give her that. I danced aside to avoid her charge. Then I slapped her naked ass with my celestial bronze sword as her bare feet kicked up dust in an attempt to stop.
Oh the things she said. I didn`t need an English-Greek translator to know she took great offense at my playful swat. Okay, it wasn`t a playful swat. It was a shot hard enough to crack like a wet towel. The woman lost her mind (or what little she had left) at that moment. Her eyes grew wide, her nostrils flared, her body gleamed in the sun, and then she screamed like a drunken banshee and made another charge at me. I got my shield up. Her forearm slid under the circlet of silver. The heel of her hand clocked me under my jaw. I went down hard. My helm tumbled to the dirt. I nearly dropped my sword.
Otrere dove on me as if I were a pot roast and she hadn`t eaten in weeks. The first punch got me beside my left eye. It hurt like a bitch. I mean, it really rattled my cage. The women in attendance screamed in glee. I could just hear Harmonia shouting at me over the din the Amazon`s were causing. Tossing my arm up to block the next right, I jammed the hilt of my sword into her stomach. She snarled and clobbered me soundly with a left that opened up my lip while tossing my brain like an endive salad.
The woman shrieked in my face. “What did she say?!” I shouted.
Harmonia replied quickly. “She said you are not worthy of his spittle let alone his seed!”
That statement made me mad. I spit the blood pooling in my mouth into her leering face. She went totally berserk, which was a good thing for me. Ares once explained that there are two ways to hinder an opponent. One is brute strength and godly powers which he has but I do not. The other is to befuddle them by invoking their wrath. Once a warrior is beyond reason he – or she in this case- makes stupid mistakes.
In her bloodlust Otrere raised both arms over her head – her fingers woven together to make a huge fist – and I took the open shot she offered me. Using the hilt of my sword I lambasted that bitch right between her glowing golden eyes. I heard the crack of her nose breaking. It was still echoing around the palace walls when she toppled to the right, rich red blood streaming from her nostrils. I staggered to my feet and threw my sword arm into the air.
“I came, I saw, I kicked her ass!” I screamed like a wild woman. The Amazon`s were deathly still. Harmonia gathered me up from behind, her strong arms lifting my feet from the packed dirt. She swung me in circles until I begged for a respite. The goddess pecked both my cheeks then grabbed my hand and held it over our heads.
“You all have seen this woman defeat your queen. As daughter of the god of war, I pronounce that from this day forth no female shall claim to be property of Ares save this mortal!”
The Amazon`s, knowing they had best cheer or possibly invoke the wrath of a god, clapped politely. Otrere came around as Harmonia was lowering my arm.
“Now that you have been shown who has claim to my father, I would ask you a question. I warn you, Otrere, to reply truthfully. I am weary of your temper tantrums,” Harmonia warned the queen.
I would have called trying to kill me a wee bit more than a tantrum, but I wasn`t going to split hairs. Sorry, poor choice of words given the company we were keeping at the moment.
“Ask of me what you will, daughter of my beloved battle god,” Otrere mumbled contritely, her fingers dancing under her stately nose to catch the running blood.
Harmonia walked over to the queen, sharp green eyes boring into amber ones. “Where is the box of the all-gifted?”
Otrere`s finely plucked brows knotted.”We have not had possession of the silver box for many seasons. It disappeared at the same time Penthesilea left our ranks in shame. We assume she used the box to secure safe passage across the great sea.”
“Wait,” I interjected when Harmonia looked ready to slap the ruler of the Amazon`s into next week, “She might be telling the truth. I remember your father telling me about one of his daughters being cast out of the Amazon`s for killing her sister accidentally. Penthesilea left her country – this land and her people – and somehow ended up participating in the Trojan War. Trying to alleviate her sin, the Amazonian tried to kill Achilles while wearing a mask. Of course he easily defeated her and removed her mask. When he saw the beauty she possessed he instantly fell in love with her as she lay dying in his arms. To honor her beauty and courage he handed over her body to the Trojans and ordered she be buried with royal honors.”
“And this means what in relation to our quest?” Harmonia asked. Otrere had stalked off, her shame sending her into the arms of handmaidens. Most of the others who had come to see me get killed had shuffled off in disappointment.
“Achilles is the son of the sea nymph Thetis. It makes sense that if you were crossing an ocean you`d seek out the favor of the Nerieds, right? Maybe Hera`s box was given to the nymphs as payment for a safe trip.”
“Aye, perhaps.” Harmonia said thoughtfully, “`Twould be sensible to call upon those who include Amphitrite, the wife of my great-uncle Poseidon. If this is the case, we must journey to the silvery cave of the Nerieds and call forth the female spirits of the ocean. You are quite intelligent for a mortal woman, Libby! I can see why father is drawn to you!”
“Thanks,” I smiled then bent over to retrieve my helm. “I`m more than just a pretty face,” I said jokingly.
“Oh aye, father often says that he loves you not for your substantial breasts or rump, for you have none, but for your skills in cooking and banter.” She whistled loudly around two fingers. Fear came galloping into the open-air stadium, all white tail and mane and stinky horse cloud.
I thought about commenting but let the idea go. What was the point? “Okay, let`s go see if we can find a little mermaid! Think she has a hot crustacean band?”
Her bewildered expression was a gift that would keep me chuckling for hours.
*~*~*
For more great free reads by talented writers just click the link below-
Tuesday Tales
See you next week for more of The Silver Box!
Since we`ve been gone for a few weeks, why don`t we recap? Hera asked Libby to find her chest, the same chest that was given to Pandora by the gods. Libby and Harmonia set off on one of Ares` war horses to the land of the Amazon`s. They encounter a tiger then meet the fabled warrior women. After being led to their city Libby`s relationship with Ares is discovered by the queen of the Amazon`s, Otrere. The queen wants to kill her rival. Harmonia argues and gets Otrere to agree to a fight to claim the war god and his attentions. And that`s where we`ll pick things up today!
Libby, Ares, and the gang are the stars of my Gods & Goats trilogy. The word prompt this week is ‘Gift’ so the story will reflect the prompt. As these are original stories written in a week, some errors may be found. I do apologize for those in advance.
Please do check out the other wonderful writers after you`re done reading by clicking on the Tuesday Tales link at the bottom. Thank you for stopping in. May the gods smile upon you!
The Silver Box
*~*~*
You`d think a woman going into battle would at least cover her tuppie.
After being led into a round area behind the palace that greatly resembled the Coliseum only made of native material, I caught sight of the Amazon queen. Otrere obviously thought I would be a pushover, since she wore no armor of any kind. Her boob was bouncing about free and her tight dark rump was uncovered. She hadn`t even covered her lady parts. She stood about twenty feet away from me with nothing more than a very angry sneer. I adjusted my helm as the crowd of Amazon`s gathered in the seats surrounding us trilled.
That sound must be a starter`s gun in Amazonian culture. Otrere ran at me, her lips drawn back in a fearsome manner that made her look like an insane panther or Grace Jones, take your pick. Both are equally scary. She was fast, I`ll give her that. I danced aside to avoid her charge. Then I slapped her naked ass with my celestial bronze sword as her bare feet kicked up dust in an attempt to stop.
Oh the things she said. I didn`t need an English-Greek translator to know she took great offense at my playful swat. Okay, it wasn`t a playful swat. It was a shot hard enough to crack like a wet towel. The woman lost her mind (or what little she had left) at that moment. Her eyes grew wide, her nostrils flared, her body gleamed in the sun, and then she screamed like a drunken banshee and made another charge at me. I got my shield up. Her forearm slid under the circlet of silver. The heel of her hand clocked me under my jaw. I went down hard. My helm tumbled to the dirt. I nearly dropped my sword.
Otrere dove on me as if I were a pot roast and she hadn`t eaten in weeks. The first punch got me beside my left eye. It hurt like a bitch. I mean, it really rattled my cage. The women in attendance screamed in glee. I could just hear Harmonia shouting at me over the din the Amazon`s were causing. Tossing my arm up to block the next right, I jammed the hilt of my sword into her stomach. She snarled and clobbered me soundly with a left that opened up my lip while tossing my brain like an endive salad.
The woman shrieked in my face. “What did she say?!” I shouted.
Harmonia replied quickly. “She said you are not worthy of his spittle let alone his seed!”
That statement made me mad. I spit the blood pooling in my mouth into her leering face. She went totally berserk, which was a good thing for me. Ares once explained that there are two ways to hinder an opponent. One is brute strength and godly powers which he has but I do not. The other is to befuddle them by invoking their wrath. Once a warrior is beyond reason he – or she in this case- makes stupid mistakes.
In her bloodlust Otrere raised both arms over her head – her fingers woven together to make a huge fist – and I took the open shot she offered me. Using the hilt of my sword I lambasted that bitch right between her glowing golden eyes. I heard the crack of her nose breaking. It was still echoing around the palace walls when she toppled to the right, rich red blood streaming from her nostrils. I staggered to my feet and threw my sword arm into the air.
“I came, I saw, I kicked her ass!” I screamed like a wild woman. The Amazon`s were deathly still. Harmonia gathered me up from behind, her strong arms lifting my feet from the packed dirt. She swung me in circles until I begged for a respite. The goddess pecked both my cheeks then grabbed my hand and held it over our heads.
“You all have seen this woman defeat your queen. As daughter of the god of war, I pronounce that from this day forth no female shall claim to be property of Ares save this mortal!”
The Amazon`s, knowing they had best cheer or possibly invoke the wrath of a god, clapped politely. Otrere came around as Harmonia was lowering my arm.
“Now that you have been shown who has claim to my father, I would ask you a question. I warn you, Otrere, to reply truthfully. I am weary of your temper tantrums,” Harmonia warned the queen.
I would have called trying to kill me a wee bit more than a tantrum, but I wasn`t going to split hairs. Sorry, poor choice of words given the company we were keeping at the moment.
“Ask of me what you will, daughter of my beloved battle god,” Otrere mumbled contritely, her fingers dancing under her stately nose to catch the running blood.
Harmonia walked over to the queen, sharp green eyes boring into amber ones. “Where is the box of the all-gifted?”
Otrere`s finely plucked brows knotted.”We have not had possession of the silver box for many seasons. It disappeared at the same time Penthesilea left our ranks in shame. We assume she used the box to secure safe passage across the great sea.”
“Wait,” I interjected when Harmonia looked ready to slap the ruler of the Amazon`s into next week, “She might be telling the truth. I remember your father telling me about one of his daughters being cast out of the Amazon`s for killing her sister accidentally. Penthesilea left her country – this land and her people – and somehow ended up participating in the Trojan War. Trying to alleviate her sin, the Amazonian tried to kill Achilles while wearing a mask. Of course he easily defeated her and removed her mask. When he saw the beauty she possessed he instantly fell in love with her as she lay dying in his arms. To honor her beauty and courage he handed over her body to the Trojans and ordered she be buried with royal honors.”
“And this means what in relation to our quest?” Harmonia asked. Otrere had stalked off, her shame sending her into the arms of handmaidens. Most of the others who had come to see me get killed had shuffled off in disappointment.
“Achilles is the son of the sea nymph Thetis. It makes sense that if you were crossing an ocean you`d seek out the favor of the Nerieds, right? Maybe Hera`s box was given to the nymphs as payment for a safe trip.”
“Aye, perhaps.” Harmonia said thoughtfully, “`Twould be sensible to call upon those who include Amphitrite, the wife of my great-uncle Poseidon. If this is the case, we must journey to the silvery cave of the Nerieds and call forth the female spirits of the ocean. You are quite intelligent for a mortal woman, Libby! I can see why father is drawn to you!”
“Thanks,” I smiled then bent over to retrieve my helm. “I`m more than just a pretty face,” I said jokingly.
“Oh aye, father often says that he loves you not for your substantial breasts or rump, for you have none, but for your skills in cooking and banter.” She whistled loudly around two fingers. Fear came galloping into the open-air stadium, all white tail and mane and stinky horse cloud.
I thought about commenting but let the idea go. What was the point? “Okay, let`s go see if we can find a little mermaid! Think she has a hot crustacean band?”
Her bewildered expression was a gift that would keep me chuckling for hours.
*~*~*
For more great free reads by talented writers just click the link below-
Tuesday Tales
See you next week for more of The Silver Box!
January 5, 2013
Storytime Trysts - Wind in White Birch
I`m so excited to be kicking off 2013 as a member of two free reads groups. Today we`re heading over to Storytime Trysts to begin a new serialized story starring Dana Prescott and Jonah Big Deer. The response to those two new lovers was overwhelming and I couldn`t leave folks hanging. So all you fans of Jonah Big Deer, your man is back and ready for romance!
I hope you enjoy the premiere issue of Wind in White Birch. I apologize for the lack of a romantic picture with this post. Blogger is acting up and won`t allow me to insert an image.
Storytime Trysts
January 2, 2013
Undead Thursday - Guest Blogger - Kevin Coolidge
Hello! Today I`m very excited to kick-off Undead Thursdays, a special blog event I`m throwing every Thursday in January to celebrate the release of the anthology He Loves Me For My Brainssss from Torquere Press that includes my short story Two Guys Walk Into An Apocalypse.
Every Thursday we`ll have guest bloggers that have written zombie tales or articles. We`ll also have a new book review of a zombie book that I really enjoyed amid all the undead love from my fellow scribes! All in all it should be a great time getting to meet new authors and zombie aficionados.
To kick things off, today I`m thrilled to have a good friend of mine, and the co-owner of my beloved Indie bookstore From My Shelf Books & Gifts, Kevin Coolidge. Kevin`s article was published in the spring 2012 issue of Z Magazine,The First Magazine For Zombies By Zombies, and he was kind enough to share it – and a lovely image of himself in the final stages of the infection – with us.
*~*~*
It’s Not Awful; It’s Offal!
by Kevin J. Coolidge
“It’s a meat locker in here!” yells your wife from the kitchen. The very thought causes a little puddle of drool to run down your stubbled chin. You imagine the air filled with the savory smell of roast beef. Reality shatters your glorious repast. Your wife is just complaining about the low setting of the thermostat. You are out of work, out of luck, and out of TrueFlesh. Even when you are dead, you can’t seem to get ahead. You miss the daily grind, and the dead end job, complete with a crawling commute and bad office coffee, but for you the Recession isn’t over.
A lot of zombies, myself included, have sustained themselves for long periods of time with an extremely low food budget, and so can you! We both know that Top Ramen isn’t an option. You need your minimum daily requirement of protein, and that means sweet, succulent flesh. It doesn’t, however, have to be grade A prime rib. It doesn’t even have to be human.
You are no redneck, road-kill warrior waiting out your miserable existence in a trailer park. You don’t have to scrape your dinner off the interstate. You are a member of polite society, but you are feeling the pinch. What to do?
As a student of history, I looked to the natives of this great country, the American Indian. Native Americans utilized the entire deer—from the meat for eating, to the tendons and intestines for bowstrings, nothing was wasted. The modern American wastes too much and that includes your local butcher shop, ER, or morgue.
All those delicious innards—liver, kidney, intestines and yes, tasty, tasty brains—can be yours for the taking. For example, the average adult intestinal tract is 30 feet long. Life is so fragile, so fleeting, and no surgeon ever takes the time to put all 30 feet back into the abdominal cavity. If you don’t grab it, it’s just going to go to waste. All it’s going to take to appreciate nature’s fresh-slain bounty is a couple of great recipes.
Now, just because you are cooking with castoffs is no reason to skip the seasonings. Make life a fiesta, and get a little tripe for Mexican night. Tripe is used in Mexico for many dishes, but one of my favorites is Menudo, a soup that will get dinner started and your taste buds jumping.
If you are entertaining mixed couples, you may want to use the traditional cow’s stomach. I happen to be married to a beautiful breather, and love means sacrifice. But it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your primal hunger. Of course, sometimes you just have to have tea with your inner demons, or a beer with the beast within, so grab your scrubs and shamble to your local ER for a little something for you … Thus, I present you a mixed recipe for mixed couples…
Ingredients:
3 lbs honeycomb tripe (or 3 feet of salvaged intestine) 2 lbs pigs’ feet (or human feet, any size, but toddlers are most tender. Hey, the corpses wear shoes, and no one checks, honest) 1 large onion, peeled and chopped (just add zonions and it’s zesty)1 ancho chile, roasted, seeded, peeled and coarsely chopped 2 poblano chiles, roasted, seeded, peeled and coarsely chopped (I use real chilies. No substitutes here for me. Sometimes, you just have to feel the burn)2 cups dried hominy (hominy, zominy)5 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped (they don’t call it the stinking rose for nothing)1 tablespoon oregano (slows spoilage, and will add life to your death)5 peppercorns (I like to avoid sodium, but spice is nice)water (you are going to boil it. So it doesn’t matter where you get it. Not like you have to worry about dysentery)
Preparation:
Cover intestines/tripe with water. Soak overnight. Place in a pot, cover with two to three inches of additional water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for two hours, adding more hot water as needed. Drain well; shred intestines into pot. Add feet, peppercorns, garlic, and oregano. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and add hot peppers, and serve piping hot.
Serve this soup with tortillas and chopped onion and cilantro. Makes a great appetizer. Remember, recessions may be temporary, but hunger is forever.
Kevin J. Coolidge is the owner of "From My Shelf", a proudly independent, eclectic bookstore in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania with its own zombie section of books and gifts. He writes a weekly column for the local newspaper, called “Cat Tales: Writing About Reading.” He’s the author of “Hobo Finds A Home”, a children’s book, and editor of the short story collection, “Of A Predatory Heart” which does not contain zombies.
From My Shelf Books & Gifts
*~*~*
Thank you so much Kevin for sharing your article and recipes with us. If I ever find myself a member of the undead army, I`ll know who to go to for new ways to prepare dinner!
I hope to see all you zombie fans next Thursday for my review of Alice in Zombieland by Nikolas Cook. Then we`ll have author K.T. Hicks here on 1/17, author and editor Liz Brooks on 1/24, and author Georg Veramme to finish our month of Undead Thursdays on 1/31.
It`s Release Day!
That`s right, you can get your copy of He Loves Me For My Brainsss today! Inside this compilation you`ll find many tales that give a twist to the conventional zombie romance story.
You`ll also discover my short Two Guys Walk Into An Apocalypse. A M/M romance starring Paul Cooke and Gordon Moretti, who face off against zombies with only cat named after a famous city, a senile neightbor with a love for Tennyson, thier love and killer wit
He Loves Me For My Brainssss
There are tales for every taste in this anthology, and I`m sure one will tickle your taste buds. Okay, I`ll stop, I promise. *Winks*
