Beth Bishop's Blog, page 16
April 17, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Five, Part One
Map, Glossary
WelcomePART ONE
My arm rested over someone warm, and I smiled, thinking that Envaal had come into my room and crawled in bed with me as he had when we were children. I opened my eyes, intending to tease him, and instead stifled the scream that threatened. Stretched out alongside me was the grite. As I watched, its side rose and fell as it slept.Slowly, I pulled back the covers and slipped from the bed. The movement woke it, and it turned its large head and...
WelcomePART ONE
My arm rested over someone warm, and I smiled, thinking that Envaal had come into my room and crawled in bed with me as he had when we were children. I opened my eyes, intending to tease him, and instead stifled the scream that threatened. Stretched out alongside me was the grite. As I watched, its side rose and fell as it slept.Slowly, I pulled back the covers and slipped from the bed. The movement woke it, and it turned its large head and...
April 14, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Four, Part Two
Map, Glossary
ExperimentsPART TWO (of 2)
In my search of the house for Maercas, I encountered Kessa. I checked her arm, and she once gain thanked me for Healing her. In the recently revived library, I found Lohen and Envaal.“Pardon,” I said. “Have either of you seen Maercas? He was not in his room.”“Not recently,” Envaal said. He glanced at my finger, and I wiggled it at him playfully.Lohen gave each of us a strange look and then said, “Commander, I should speak wi...
ExperimentsPART TWO (of 2)
In my search of the house for Maercas, I encountered Kessa. I checked her arm, and she once gain thanked me for Healing her. In the recently revived library, I found Lohen and Envaal.“Pardon,” I said. “Have either of you seen Maercas? He was not in his room.”“Not recently,” Envaal said. He glanced at my finger, and I wiggled it at him playfully.Lohen gave each of us a strange look and then said, “Commander, I should speak wi...
April 12, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Four, Part One
Map, Glossary
ExperimentsPART ONE
The following morning, I chopped wood. Although Envaal suggested I give the duty to someone else, I refused. It was only fitting that I cleaned up the mess as my penance for harming the trees. I chose a draft horse from the stables. After harnessing him and hooking up the cart, I walked him to the alley of broken trees. He waited patiently while I chopped and stacked the wood in the cart, separating it into stacks of fruit tree and...
ExperimentsPART ONE
The following morning, I chopped wood. Although Envaal suggested I give the duty to someone else, I refused. It was only fitting that I cleaned up the mess as my penance for harming the trees. I chose a draft horse from the stables. After harnessing him and hooking up the cart, I walked him to the alley of broken trees. He waited patiently while I chopped and stacked the wood in the cart, separating it into stacks of fruit tree and...
April 10, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Three, Part Two
Map, Glossary
DutyPART TWO (of 2)
That night, the family took dinner in the great hall instead of the private dining room. Father invited the Vaalhom to join us. They declined, saying they were tired from travel and the events of the day and wished to dine together in the room given to Lohen. When I entered the hall, my siblings stared as if seeing me for the first time. I ate far more than I should, but I felt as though I needed and deserved the extra fuel. Father...
DutyPART TWO (of 2)
That night, the family took dinner in the great hall instead of the private dining room. Father invited the Vaalhom to join us. They declined, saying they were tired from travel and the events of the day and wished to dine together in the room given to Lohen. When I entered the hall, my siblings stared as if seeing me for the first time. I ate far more than I should, but I felt as though I needed and deserved the extra fuel. Father...
April 8, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Three, Part One
Map, Glossary
DutyPART ONE
Envaal met me at the main gate, and as we walked to the house, I told him about the encounter. With grace and calm, Envaal endured my rant and my opinions on how spoiled and uncaring Lohen was. When my hand waving, volume, and tone startled the people we passed, he waved to them and apologized for me. I complained all the way to my room.“So, are you angry he did not recognize you, thought you were a man, or about the horse?”“Oh, be quiet,” I snapped...
DutyPART ONE
Envaal met me at the main gate, and as we walked to the house, I told him about the encounter. With grace and calm, Envaal endured my rant and my opinions on how spoiled and uncaring Lohen was. When my hand waving, volume, and tone startled the people we passed, he waved to them and apologized for me. I complained all the way to my room.“So, are you angry he did not recognize you, thought you were a man, or about the horse?”“Oh, be quiet,” I snapped...
April 7, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Two, Part Two
Map, Glossary
AdventurePART TWO (of 2)
Although the clouds hid the sun, I knew it was well past midday. I hoped that, if I could not prevent the attack on the horse, I would make it in time to help Lohen defend. It would be close. As if to add to the difficulty, it began to mist. If I had skill in Calling, I could link my mind with the grites’ and tell them what to do. As a child, I got much sport from Calling cats to the royal house. I saw their minds, ever...
AdventurePART TWO (of 2)
Although the clouds hid the sun, I knew it was well past midday. I hoped that, if I could not prevent the attack on the horse, I would make it in time to help Lohen defend. It would be close. As if to add to the difficulty, it began to mist. If I had skill in Calling, I could link my mind with the grites’ and tell them what to do. As a child, I got much sport from Calling cats to the royal house. I saw their minds, ever...
April 4, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter Two, Part One
Map , Glossary
Adventure PART ONE
With one meal and a full night’s rest, the Healing set my body to rights. I awoke with the sunrise, excited for the adventure with Envaal. I plaited my hair and tucked the end up inside the braid before binding it with a leather thong. I slipped into non-descript trousers and tunic as Envaal quietly entered my room carrying service cloaks. Around town, I tended to wear a royal cloak, but for a trip outside the walls, it was more prudent...
Adventure PART ONE
With one meal and a full night’s rest, the Healing set my body to rights. I awoke with the sunrise, excited for the adventure with Envaal. I plaited my hair and tucked the end up inside the braid before binding it with a leather thong. I slipped into non-descript trousers and tunic as Envaal quietly entered my room carrying service cloaks. Around town, I tended to wear a royal cloak, but for a trip outside the walls, it was more prudent...
April 2, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter One, Part Two
Map , Glossary
Didn't read part 1? Find it here: Ch1, Part1
FirstbornPART 2 (of 2)
Because Father requested I do so, I devoted myself to seeking the future. I took no food or drink. I was vaguely aware that Mother sent cousins and other ladies of the court to sit with me, but I made no attempts to interact with them. I only sat before my fire and waited for whichever would come first – a vision or exhaustion. My behavior inspired intense arguments between m...
Didn't read part 1? Find it here: Ch1, Part1
FirstbornPART 2 (of 2)
Because Father requested I do so, I devoted myself to seeking the future. I took no food or drink. I was vaguely aware that Mother sent cousins and other ladies of the court to sit with me, but I made no attempts to interact with them. I only sat before my fire and waited for whichever would come first – a vision or exhaustion. My behavior inspired intense arguments between m...
March 31, 2014
THE FIFTH: Chapter One, Part One
† denotes a footnoteMap , GlossaryFirstbornPART 1
The battleaxe tumbled end over end toward my head. I lifted my forearm, and the blade cleaved my leather gauntlet and embedded itself in my flesh and bone. “A mistake,” I called to Bromion. “Now, I have your weapon.” When I pulled the axe free, the wound did not bleed.He shook a fist at me. “Anyone but you, Jahleen, would be missing an arm.” Drawing his sword, he came for me. I swung the axe, defle...
The battleaxe tumbled end over end toward my head. I lifted my forearm, and the blade cleaved my leather gauntlet and embedded itself in my flesh and bone. “A mistake,” I called to Bromion. “Now, I have your weapon.” When I pulled the axe free, the wound did not bleed.He shook a fist at me. “Anyone but you, Jahleen, would be missing an arm.” Drawing his sword, he came for me. I swung the axe, defle...
