Jennifer M. Zeiger's Blog, page 57

Thank You

Evening wonderful people=) If you’re stopping by for the Island’s Wrath adventure, simply scroll down to the next post.

However, this short post is to thank Andrew Hines for allowing me to guest post on his blog today.

Andrew’s someone who encourages people to reach for their dreams.

For those of you who don’t know, this last year I’ve been striving for my dream of writing. This blog is part of that. And, just recently, I’ve been invited to participate in self-publishing a short story anthology with eight other people who, in a round about way, I met because of this blog. It’s my first publication.

Anyway, Andrew allowed me to guest post to share the story and encourage other people to reach for their dreams too. Even the small steps can make a huge difference.

You can read the post, if you like, here.

Thank you, Andrew.

Blessings,

Jennifer M Zeiger

Island’s Wrath Option Bb: Climb Out

Reader’s choices have us climbing today. Let’s see if you escape the cave or fall in the attempt.

If you missed last week’s start to this adventure and would like to read the first two posts, you can find them under recent posts to the left.

Otherwise, thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy=)

Island’s Wrath Option Bb: Climb Out

Your chances of reasoning with the wolves seem to be slim since they completely ignored you when you called out to them. Plus, they’re probably too big for you to win a fight with them. The adult almost stands as tall as your shoulder.

Looking up at the top of the cage, your hands grow sweaty at the thought of climbing that high but you like climbing and it seems the better of the two options.

You’ve no idea how long the wolves will be gone, so you pick your route and start climbing the pole nearest the cave wall. The pole must be made out of a tree trunk, because there are knots all along it where branches used to be. This makes climbing a bit easier. Between the pole and the rough rock, you make it half way up before running into a difficult spot where the cave wall slants away and the pole sags with your weight.

As you consider your next move, your hands and forearms ache from holding on. As you try to hold on tighter, you start to doubt your grip as your muscles shake from the strain. You’re shaking so bad, the pole’s moving too. Shifting your weight, you make the pole sag against the wall higher up, which stops the poles from shaking even if it doesn’t stop your muscles.

Determining not to look down, you continue moving inch by slow inch upward until your can lean on the wall for support. You breathe a sigh and give each hand a rest before continuing upward.

You’re almost to the top where the hole is in cave ceiling when you hear a shuffling sound. With a last burst of energy, you climb out the top of the cave and lay on the ground for a moment, letting your aching muscles rest. Then you peek down to see what created the noise. At the base of the cage, a pup is sniffing around. He growls at the empty enclosure and then he turns and races away.

You back away form the hole to look around. Where you’re standing is a small hill surrounded by trees. In front of you, through all the greenery, you can just barely make out the ocean. Behind you lies a mass of forest too thick to see through.

A howl fills the air, ear splitting and haunting. It’s jointed by several others. The wolves know you’re gone now and will be hunting you soon.

So do you…

Bb1: Head toward the ocean?

or

Bb2: Head inland?

Blessings,

Jennifer

(Please post a comment with your choice. One vote per post please but comment as much as you like=) This makes counting votes easier. Voting will end at 8pm Mountain Time Wednesday. I’ll post whichever option gets the most votes Thursday and we’ll see how the adventure finishes!)

Island’s Wrath Option B: Stay and Build a Shelter

And the adventure continues.

If you missed Tuesday and would like to read it, you can find the post to the left under recent posts. Otherwise, just know you’re ship wreaked on an island and have decided to stay and build an shelter.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy=)

Island’s Wrath Option B: Stay and Build a Shelter

You have the things to build a raft but it could take you all day and you’re getting hungry, so you decide to stay at least the day and find something to eat.

Heading into the trees, you look around until you spot a bunch of coconuts hanging above you on a small tree. Your stomach rumbles. Thankfully, it’s not a long climb. Reaching the bunch, you nock two loose and let them fall to the ground. After cracking one open on a rock, drinking the milk and scraping the meat clean, you lay back for a moment.

Then you get to gathering the remains from your destroyed boat. From what’s left of the spar, the sides of the ship and what little driftwood you can find, you make a small lean-to shelter. You lay palm fronds over the structure and lay more on the bottom of it for a bed.

Testing the bed out, you close your eyes. Just for a moment, you tell yourself, but after your hot day in the sun, you quickly fall asleep.

***

You wake up to darkness. Rubbing your eyes, you blink a few times but the area around you is still dark…and the floor beneath you is hard. No palm fronds.

Getting to your feet, you hit your head. With a groan, you sit back down and explore the area around you with your hands. There are poles in front of you. They’re tilted over your head, so they must be what your hit your head on. Pushing on them, you find they don’t move.

Investigating behind you, you find a rock wall. It must be what the poles are leaning on. You look up, trying to see what’s above, and notice that you can see the outline of the poles. As you watch, clouds move away from the moon and you see the cage surrounding you.

You’re in a cave with a hole in the ceiling, and someone’s put you in a cage. The poles slant upward from where they’re buried in the ground but are open high above.

“See, pups, this is one animal you can hunt.”

You’re eyes swing down to find several wolves watching you through the poles. One seems to be older while the other four are exactly what the adult called them, pups. But they’re big pups. Bigger than any wolves you’ve seen before. They easily outweigh you by fifty or so pounds.

“Animal?” you ask just as you realize you’re talking to the beast. You don’t question it further because you definitely heard him speak.

“Animal,” the adult says. Then to his pups, “let’s go patrol the beach. We’ll hunt in an hour for this human.” And then they turn and leave you in your cage.

“Wait!”

The wolves don’t pause at your shout. The adult’s words sink in as you watch them go. They’re coming back to hunt you. Looking above you, you think that maybe you can climb out of the cave and escape. It’s risky though. It’s a long climb and a fall would be just as unforgiving as the wolves.

But the adult spoke. Maybe you could reason with him. Offer him something in return for your life.

So do you…

Bb: Climb out?

or

Bc: Try to reason?

Blessings,

Jennifer

(Please post a comment with your choice. One vote per post please but comment as much as you like=) This makes counting votes easier. Voting will end at 8pm Mountain Time Monday. I’ll post whichever option gets the most votes Tuesday and we’ll see how the adventure continues!)

Island’s Wrath

All right, this next adventure was a blast to write. Why? Because the brainstorming session involved three nieces and a nephew. And boy can kids come up with adventure ideas=) If this one seems a little crazier than normal, I say it’s because kids totally get the Alice in Wonderland type of adventure.

So welcome and I hope you enjoy.

Island’s Wrath

This was supposed to be a vacation, a calm fishing trip away from traffic, angry coworkers and an 8-5 job that somehow always comes home with you. Now you’re wondering if you should have gone camping instead.

The storm rolled in so fast, you’ve barely gotten your life vest on before the boat starts rocking heavily on the waves. Above your head, the boat’s rigging flaps with sharp snaps in the wind. The boat thrashes beneath your feet, thrown up and then down by waves that threaten to capsize your small vessel.

A particularly gigantic wave crashes over the boat, sending you flying into the seats and then up over the rail on the far side. At the last moment, you latch onto the side and pull yourself back on board.

The boat shudders in a way not caused by the waves. Fiberglass splinters and before long, the small boat’s listing to one side. You try to go below to see what’s happened but the quarters are already half full of water.

Turning to head for the life raft, a small yellow inflatable, the boat cants entirely on its side with you still on the ladder. You try to get out but things are flying and something smacks the back of your head.

***

Sand’s stuck to the side of your face. Lifting your head, you find yourself face down on a beach littered with the remains of the fishing boat.

You push to your feet and wobble a bit before getting your equilibrium. The back of your head pulses with pain from whatever hit you. The remains of the ship aren’t much but you pilfer through the bits anyway. Part of the sail’s still intact and some of the larger pieces of the spar and sides of the ship could be useful. Under a chunk of the rudder, you find a horribly weathered map. Along with these finds are the items still in your pockets: a water logged cell phone and a small swiss army knife.

Now that you know what’s left of your belongings, you decide to hike the beach up to a small cliff. It takes you a good hour and, by the time you reach the top, you’re drenched in sweat, and your tongue is sticking to the roof of your mouth.

From the cliff, you see miles of beach and greenery on the interior of the island. It’s too big to walk around in a day but you know it’s an island because of where the storm hit you.

Turning to look out to sea, you spot on the horizon a dot of land. Another island. And it’s in the right direction to get you home. But getting there could be a dangerous task. The area’s well known to fishermen though. So there’s also the chance you’ll be spotted if you stay put.

So do you…

A.Build a raft to get to the other island?

or

B.Stay and build a shelter?

Blessings,

Jennifer

(Please post a comment with your choice. One vote per post please but comment as much as you like=) This makes counting votes easier. Voting will end at 8pm Mountain Time Wednesday. I’ll post whichever option gets the most votes Thursday and we’ll see how the adventure continues!)

Washing Up Free Part Two

Thanks to Beth over at Writer B is Me for challenging me to write a story involving mermaids. I’ll admit, I usually steer clear of stories that include large bodies of water because I’ve always lived in a landlocked state and water tends to create issues for me. This was a wonderful challenge.

If you missed part one to the story and would like to read it, you can find it under recent posts.

Otherwise, thank you for stopping by=) I hope you enjoy the second part to the story.

Washing Up Free Part Two

“He’s not your only way off this island.”

Vivian held her hand out. Silvery, almost translucent scales covered her fingers.

Liz stared, fascinated, and then gave a start, realizing she was being rude. With an apologetic smile, she handed over the coconut.

Bringing the shell down on a rock, Vivian cracked it open with a loud thunk. When she turned it, a hole the size of a walnut was revealed. Rubbing her fingers together, Vivian held up a silvery scale and dropped it into the coconut. Then she held it out for Liz to take.

“He’ll want to drink first. You know he will. Might even drink it all.” Vivian flashed a smile that was all teeth. “Let him.” She turned with a splash and swam away.

Liz watched as Vivian’s tail hit the water. She shook her head. This was the same creature from the ship.

Did she sink the ship?

Cradling the coconut in her hand, she headed back up the beach. Did she care if Vivian sunk the ship? The screaming she heard the night before played in her memory. Yes, she cared.

Coming into view of Easley, Liz paused. He stood with his back to her, hands on hips. Kicking a piece of driftwood, he swung around and saw her.

“Took you long enough.” He held his hand out. For a moment, Liz didn’t see the sailor, she saw her father, hand out, waiting for her wages. She blinked and saw Easley, his lips rolled in with impatience.

You don’t have to put up with him. It was like Vivian whispered in her ear. She walked forward and handed the coconut to him. Turning away from her, he went back to whatever he’d been viewing before she returned, and downed the water from the nut. He tossed it aside when done.

Liz watched and refrained from licking her lips. They were cracked from the salt of the ocean.

“That way,” Easley pointed, “lies a string of islands that’ll get us close to the shipping lanes in and out of Verdon. Might take us five days if we swim to an island a day.”

Five days. Liz eyed Easley, waiting to see what Vivian’s scale would do.

“No ships before then?” she asked.

“No.”

The answer came out final, like she’d asked something obvious. Easley strode toward the only strand of trees and picked up the two boards they’d used to paddle to the island. He’d attached driftwood to each piece to make them wider.

Liz frowned. “Where’d you get the cord?”

He pointed at his feed. His boots were gone.

“Time to head out.” He held one small raft toward her but then dropped it as he keeled over with a groan. Thudding to his knees, he tilted onto his side.

“Master Easley?”

Liz ran forward and shook him but he only moaned. This close to him, she saw a shiny cast to his skin.

“Easley?”

Nothing.

“Easy as that.”

Liz spun to find Vivian laid out on the sand with her tail in the water.

“What now?” Liz asked.

“Now you leave him.”

Liz glanced at the prone sailor. His brows pinched inward while his lips moved in a silent mutter.

“Will he die?” she asked.

“Probably. It’s what he would’ve done to you. Notice he didn’t share what little food he found.”

“How will I get to Verdon without him?”

Vivian chuckled. “We’ll take you.” She gestured behind her where more mermaids broke the surface. Every color under the sun was reflected in their wild hair.

Easley groaned and rolled onto his back. Liz jumped but then realized he was still out. Something fell from his pocket, hitting the sand with a soft, tinkling plop.

Curiosity flared in Liz’s mind, and she knelt to retrieve the object. It was a silver pendant with a ruby the size of her thumb nail in the center.

Her hand crept up to her own neck. She grasped her pendant, and stared at the man.

“It can’t be.” But it was. Turning the piece to check the back, sure enough, her father’s stamp etched the silver.

This was the man she’d been contracted to marry. The man who’d run away as soon as he was old enough to crew a ship. Her father cursed the ‘boy,’ calling him a coward for running out on his responsibilities.

“Did you just want freedom?” That’s what his note said but, without ever meeting him before, she couldn’t really know. “I hate men,” she told his still form. “They either own me or abandon me. You included. Why shouldn’t I leave you?”

But could she blame him for wanting his own choice? Was she any better than him if she left him?

Hitting the sand with a growl, Liz stood and turned away.

Vivian cleared her throat. “I didn’t think you’d hesitate to leave him behind.”

“I—“ Liz snapped her lips closed. She wanted to leave him and that terrified her. She was no better than he. “I can’t. Not knowing he’ll probably die.”

Vivian rested her chin on her folded arms. “I understand.”

Liz’s head swung up. “How can you? You sunk a ship full of people.”

Vivian’s chin came off her arms, and her eyes hardened. “False. We tried to warn the ship but the captain did not hear. He sailed into the islands where the sea serpent lives. It suffers no ship in its waters.”

“The captain was sleeping…” Liz hung her head, ashamed. “I’m sorry. I saw you that night.”

“We kept you alive while you swam to the island.” Vivian met her eyes and Liz looked away from her piercing stare.

“Since you are not willing to leave him behind, what do you propose to do?” Vivian asked.

Liz hesitated.

Snapping her fingers, Vivian said, “Hurry. The serpent hunts at night. You should have a plan before then.”

“Without you to guard us, the sea serpent will kill us?”

Vivian nodded as she picked up a shell. “The serpent will spin itself around you and squeeze.” She tightened her grip and the white shell shattered.

Liz cringed. She hated that she was always dependant on someone else. Her father, Easley, and now the mermaids, but she stood no chance on her own against a sea serpent.

“Will you get us to Verdon?” she asked, finally meeting Vivian’s eyes.

The mermaid glanced at the horizon and then at her sisters. “Yes, but we must go now.” She pointed at Easley. “Drag him to the water.”

Liz swallowed. Drag Easley? He was twice her size. Kneeling next to him, she tucked his necklace into a buttoned pocket of his pants to keep it safe. Her hand brushed his knife. He’d been very possessive of the weapon but he wasn’t awake to use it if they ran into trouble. Making her decision, she unlaced the knife from his belt and attached it to her own. Then she slid her hands under his arms and heaved. He groaned and Liz cried out in frustration as she pulled him barely an inch.

“How long will he sleep?” she asked as she tried again and fell on her backside.

“All night.”

As Liz crouched and pulled on Easley again, Vivian pushed farther onto the sand to help her. She grasped his hand and pulled while Liz fell backward.

“Useless womanly muscles,” she groused and fell over again.

“Strength is not everything,” Vivian commented. “We did not protect you last night with strength.”

Liz was about to ask how the mermaids had protected them but then she had Easley’s head and shoulders to the water and she was surrounded by hands that pulled him completely in.

“Come, girl,” Vivian appeared again after four of her sisters took over keeping Easley afloat. She turned for Liz to hold her shoulder. “Hand on tight. We must move quickly.”

Vivian wasn’t lying. The mermaids took off like they too were hunted by the sea serpent. They hadn’t showed it during the day but as night fell over the water, their fear became evident in their speed and the way they looked beneath them into the depths.

“Why are you helping us?” Liz asked. Why would the mermaids help them when they themselves feared the serpent so much?

“The serpent took our home when it moved into the islands,” Vivian shouted over the waves. “If we can limit its food and drive it out, we can recl…”

A tail slapped the water. Liz gasped as Vivian dove beneath the surface. Salty water bombarded her and she let go of the mermaid.

Thrashing for air, Liz came up just long enough for one painful gasp and then something circled her waist and pulled her under. The serpent’s body covered her entire torso.

In the murky water, she could make out hands trying to pull the coil off of her but the serpent continued to tighten its hold until her vision blurred.

She tried to push outward against it but, as always, her strength wasn’t enough. Strength is not everything. Vivian’s voice whispered in her ear.

Her arms were pinned against her sides. Easley’s knife dug into the inside of her arm and her hip. She couldn’t get her fingers to the hilt.

Useless.

The serpent’s body spasmed just as Liz tried for the knife one last time. Her hand slid up and her fingers closed around the handle. With one quick jerk, she pulled it free of the sheath and pointed it outward.

Moments later the serpent squeezed in on her again and Liz thought the knife wasn’t enough to phase the creature. Pain radiated from her ribs and the little bit of air she had left rushed from her lungs. Her vision narrowed.

Then the serpent’s coils loosened and fell away.

Liz sank farther into the water. She tried to move her arms, tried to get her legs to kick, but nothing happened and darkness closed in. She lost all sense of motion.

Breathe, girl.

Sucking cold air in, Liz whimpered as her lungs expanded painfully.

“There, now relax and let us get you home.”

The voice was Vivian’s. All Liz knew was there were stars above as she lay on her back and her body hurt everywhere. But she was alive.

***

Liz sat drinking tea while looking out of the one window in her home. The view wasn’t much, just the stables of the Merliona estate, but she loved it. She sat in the home she’d paid for. When the wooden floors creaked, she imagined the house was trying to speak to her.

Someone knocked at the door. It was probably Master Merliona. Liz paid for her home by sowing for the elderly man.

Opening the door, she froze.

Easley’s lips rolled inward in what she guessed was frustration. She almost cringed back but then squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.

“Yes?”

He pulled a flower from behind his back. It wilted like a violet bell.

Liz’s hand shook as she reached for it. When Easley woke after the mermaids left them in Verdon, he’d been angry. Spitting, shouting angry. But then he’d realized they were in an inn, and he was dry and warm…and he had no idea how he’d gotten there.

Liz wouldn’t tell him. It wasn’t her place and Vivian made her promise not to tell. She didn’t want humans hunting the mermaids.

Perhaps that created intrigue for Easley, perhaps he just liked her. She wasn’t sure but ever since that morning in the inn, he’d brought her a flower randomly each week.

She hadn’t accepted one yet.

Closing her fingers around the delicate stem of the violet bell, Liz smiled. Easley sighed, and smiled back.

“Walk?” he asked, offering his arm.

As Liz stepped out the door, she noticed he wore her father’s necklace. It didn’t bother her like it used to. This outing, and any other interaction with Easley, was her choice.

The End

Blessings,

Jennifer

P.S. I love feedback, so if anyone has suggestions, questions, or comments on what they like or what doesn’t seem to work, please let me know. Just be gentle to my poor thin skinned feelings. Thanks.

Washing Up Free Part One of Two

Welcome to Tuesday. This story came about after input from Beth over at Writer B is Me.  Thanks, Beth, for the feedback. I promise, there’re mermaids=)

Since I’ve changed the posting schedule, the posts this week are a little longer to accommodate the same story length that I was posting  in three days. Let me know if it seems too long.

Otherwise, thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy.

Washing Up Free

“You don’t have a choice,” her father said. “The boy ran off. That leaves you in my care until I find a new suitable match.” He spun on his heel and stalked away, slamming his bedroom door at the end of the hall.

Liz swallowed the familiar lump in her throat. There was no “new” suitable match. Even if she liked someone her father chose, no one would have her. Not after the first boy ran instead of marrying her.

Gah! She didn’t want a suitable match. Liz stomped down the hall and entered her room. She stared at her bed while she leaned back against the door, and then made her decision.

Dropping to her knees, she dug beneath her bed until she found her flowered duffle bag.

“I won’t be property.” She threw several pairs of clothes in and pulled open the drawer next to her bed for a tie for her hair. Her hand paused over a folded letter. His letter. Her hand crept up to the ruby necklace she wore. Growling, she pinched the hair tie and slammed the drawer shut. He’d rejected her. Left town.

Peeking into the hall, she made sure her father was still hiding out in his room. He was. No big surprise.

The docks weren’t far and she had enough, barely, for passage. It was time to try life on her own.

***

The ship swayed and creaked beneath her feet. Waddling across the dark deck, Liz caught herself on the outside rail.

She’d never get used to the motion. At least it didn’t make her sick like some of the other passengers. The woman she bunked next to was positively green since they left port.

That’d been two days ago and still the woman moaned and retched. Liz didn’t blame her but neither could she stand the smell.

“Hey, Chap!” Hollered the heavily bearded man at the helm.

A sailor paused before going below. “Yeah?”

“Tell the Captain something’s caught in the rudder. Can’t keep course and we’re heading into the islands.”

“Capt’n’s sleeping, Easley. He’ll skin me for waken ‘im.”

“Chap, I’ll skin ya for disobeying!”

Easley’s bellow made Liz cower against the side. Like he sensed her watching, his head swung around to stare at her.

“What’re you looking at, girl?” he asked.

Chap took the opportunity to disappear below deck.

Liz shook her head and scampered away. She didn’t like Easley, he’d stared at her when she boarded like he was considering how easy it’d be to rob her. She’d tucked her necklace away but he’d still seen it.

Reaching the nose of the ship, Liz leaned out and breathed deeply of the salt air. It spoke to her of adventure and of a second chance.

Closing her eyes, she listened to the beat of the waves against the hull. The rhythm thudded evenly like a drum. Thud, thud—thud, thud. After Easley’s shouting, the rhythm was soothing. As she listened, the deep tones were joined by a lighter patter, like hands beating against the thick wood.

Liz’s eyes snapped open as she realized the waves couldn’t be making the sound. Leaning farther out, she came face to face with liquid green eyes surrounded by blue specks. The eyelashes were white. They blinked.

Sucking in a breath, Liz held it, mesmerized by the intelligence and beauty in the face. Wow. She pulled back, overwhelmed, and then leaned forward again, hoping her imagination wasn’t running away with her.

In a silvery flash, the creature disappeared.

Leaning out farther, Liz tried to spot the creature again but only waves rolled below.

The ship lurched forward and Liz lost her balance, slid farther over the rail, and latched onto the side at the last moment as the ship lurched again and her feet swung into the air.

“Help!”

Her voice was lost in the shouting of the sailors above. She’d never been known for her strength. Even hauling a wash bucket stretched her abilities. Her fingers let go without her mind’s permission, leaving nail marks in the wood of the railing.

Screaming, Liz hit the water with her mouth open. Salty, freezing ocean bombarded her. She was pushed one way, then the other until, miraculously, her head popped out of the water.

Liz sucked in air to scream but the sound died in her throat.

The ship canted on its side and, now that her equilibrium was back, she could hear the screaming on board. Several figures plunged over the deck and splashed into the water. They were the lucky ones. With a rending crack of splintering wood, the ship buckled and sank like something pulled it down.

Liz swiped at her eyes. This isn’t real. But even as the waves tossed her around, she still saw the lines. Something was attached to the ship. She could see the rock the ship had run into. Splinters and debris floated around it, but she could also see the last bit of the hull.

With an unnatural jerk, the last part disappeared, giving off a sucking sound.

Liz cried out. So many people were on board but there was nothing she could do. She could barely swim herself, much less go diving for people.

A head popped out of the water, spluttering through a large beard. Liz hesitated. Easley. She didn’t really like the man but there wasn’t much of a choice. It was either face the ocean or face the man. She’d rather face the man. At least she kind of understood him.

“Master Easley!” A wave smashed into her, shoving her under with her mouth open again. Flailing for the surface, her hand smacked something, and then she was grabbed and pulled upward.

“Of all the—“

Liz cringed at the bellow. She tried to push away but Easley wouldn’t let go.

“Stop thrashing or I’ll dunk you.”

Liz stilled. Looking up through her lashes, she gauged his face. His eyes bulged in a face so red, Liz wondered if he’d been burned. His lips were rolled inward to the point that all she could see was beard.

“No ship goes down like that,” he said. “What happened? How’d you end up out here?’

“I…I don’t’ know,” Liz stuttered, partially from fear and partially from cold. She couldn’t feel her toes anymore and her fingers ached with a bone deep pain.

“You had to see something!”

“Som…something pulled it down.” Liz finally managed to free herself by suddenly pulling away. She put several feet between them before stopping.

“Pulled it down?” Easley glanced around but even the others who fell from the deck didn’t make it. Nothing moved but debris.

Grabbing a broken board, Easley shoved it at Liz. She dodged just in time before it hit her chest. Finding one for himself, he hugged it against his chest.

“Get kicking,” he ordered. Then, to himself, “fates hate me. Leave me with a useless girl and…” he continued muttering.

Liz didn’t protest. Men didn’t like to be contradicted. She kicked to follow the sailor, hoping he knew where he was going.

***

He did, in fact, know where he was going but kicking to the first island took until the wee hours of the morning. It was a spot of land so small Liz could walk around it in a matter of a few minutes. She didn’t care. It was land and that’s all that mattered. She crawled onto the gritty sand and collapsed. She’d lost feeling not only in her feet, but her legs and hands and arms. That only made the burning in her shoulders worse.

Easley didn’t let her sleep, however. Kicking her legs, he said “get up.”

Liz cried out. Where his boot connected felt like thousands of needles stabbing her. He stepped back with a hand resting on the knife in his belt.

“Why?” she asked as she sat up.

Easley assumed she was asking about getting up. Really she was asking about everything. Why’d he kick her? Why’d she have to move? Why’d the ship sink on the eve of what was supposed to be her new life?

“Something sunk the ship,” he said. “Trust me, there’s only a few creatures strong enough and they’re not pleasant. Now walk around the island, see how big it is.”

Groaning as she pushed off the sand, Liz asked “what about you?” It was a mistake. She knew it as the words left her lips.

“Get moving!” He stepped toward her but Liz scrambled to her feet and started walking before he could deliver another kick.

“I should know better.” She kept the words low so Easley didn’t overhear. He was a smaller man than her father but that didn’t matter. The temperament was the same, and he’d demand obedience.

Liz just wanted her own choice, the freedom to work her own farm or own her own shop. The village would never allow such a thing, though. She was her father’s until he married her off. Period.

But they said in Verdon, a woman was her own person. Could own property and have a say in who she married. Liz wanted it so bad she ached with the thought.

Sitting down out of sight of Easley, Liz pulled her hair off the neck and stared out at the ocean that now sat between her and Verdon. She was no sailor. Easley was her only chance now. Put up with him until then. In Verdon I never have to see him again.

Pushing to her feet, Liz continued on until she rounded the island and Easley came back into sight. He sat against a downed tree holding a small coconut. Spotting her, he held it out.

“Open it.”

Liz couldn’t help herself. She glanced at his knife.

“Ain’t getting my knife,” he said, seeing her look. “I won’t have it dulled.”

“But—“ she cut off as he stood up in a rush.

“Figure it out.”

Backing away, Liz turned only when she was far enough from him to be sure he couldn’t hit her.

“And I’m worthless?” she went back to a small cove she’d seen on her short walk. One side harbored an outcropping of rocks. Finding one with a sharp edge, Liz smacked the coconut on it. “Lazy, worthless, deman—“

“You don’t have to put up with him.”

Liz stilled with the coconut above her head. Looking over her shoulder, she met blue-speckled, green eyes. The woman’s hair hung in waves around her face and was the color of seaweed.

Liz gaped. She wanted to step forward to see the rest of the woman but she was afraid to, and the rocks obscured everything but her shoulders and head.

Resting her arms across a rock, the woman placed her chin on her arms and grinned at Liz.

“Name’s Vivian,” she said, “and you don’t have to put up with the bearded man.”

Liz glanced up the beach before stepping closer.

“What do you mean?”

“He’s not your only way off this island.”

To Be Finished on Thursday…

Blessings,

Jennifer

P.S. I love feedback, so if anyone has suggestions, questions, or comments on what they like or what doesn’t seem to work, please let me know. Just be gentle to my poor thin skinned feelings. Thanks.

Beings of the Lovely Hills Options Aa1: Sit with Nightwalk until Morning

Thursday and the end of the adventure rolls around=) Thank you to everyone who participated in this adventure. I love seeing how everyone votes and their reasoning.

For those of you who might have missed the rest of the story, you can either read it by clicking on recent posts or just know that you ended up at the Lovely Hills Resort and are now sitting with a dragon to see it he’ll either eat his mate’s eggs or help them to hatch.

Thanks you for stopping by and enjoy=)

Beings of the Lovely Hills Options Aa1: Sit with Nightwalk until Morning

“I’ll sit with you,” you tell Nightwalk, accepting the claw he’s holding out.

His golden eyes blink, perhaps in surprise, and his lips pull back in what might be a smile.

“You’re braver than most,” he says. “Pull out the eggs. They need to be heated.”

“NO!” Lily shrieks before Nightwalk tightens his grasp and her words cut short.

“Don’t kill them,” you say, feeling the poor cat’s pain.

Nightwalk glares at the felines but thankfully loosens his grip. “Pull out the eggs, human.”

You do as he says and he curls his long tail around the three eggs. Lowering his head over them, he sucks in a deep breath that expands his broad chest. At first you think he’s about to chomp down on an egg and eat it. You’re about to rush in to grab the cats when Nightwalk lets loose a gout of flame.

It goes on and on until the dark scales of his tail glow with heat and the eggs are shiny.

“Are you cooking them?” you ask in shock.

A deep chuckle rumbles from his chest. “No, human, I’m helping them hatch.”

And he pulls in another breath to start again. You step back as the heat hits your face. When you look back again, Lily and Norman have singed whiskers and fur.

“Can I hold them?” you ask, gesturing at the felines before Nightwalk sucks in another breath.

The dragon swivels his head around and laughs at the singed cats.

“Serves you two right,” he says and lets them go. They back away and bolt. “Run as fast as you can,” the dragon’s words echo in the valley, “for my hatchlings will hunt in the morning.”

He laughs again before returning to warming the eggs.

“The hatchlings will hunt the cats?” you ask.

“That’s how they learn,” Nightwalk answers, “they hunt smaller beasts. Why do you think the cats didn’t want then hatched?”

You nod and sit down as understanding comes to you. Now that you’ve a bit of distance from the dragon, his fire leaves you pleasantly warm.

Sitting down, you lean against a tree to wait.

***

A loud cracking wakes you as dawn graces the horizon. Rubbing your eyes, you stand and peek at Nightwalk’s tail and the eggs. The gray sphere has a crooked line running end to end. As you watch, the egg shakes and then, with a sharp snap, the egg splits end to end to reveal the arrow shaped head of a gray hatchling.

It looks like an oversized gecko as it stretches and crawls free. Sniffing around, it approaches you and snaps its jaws.

“No, youngling,” Nightwalk rumbles, “hunt elsewhere.”

The hatchling grumbles and turns away. You breathe a sigh because, even though it just hatched, the baby’s big enough give you a lot of trouble.

As you watch, the other two eggs hatch and then the three babies take off to find their first meal.

“Too bad the cats are good at evasion,” Nightwalk rumbles.

You chuckle.

After retrieving your bag from cabin number three, you head out of the resort. The lobby lady just grins at you as you leave, like she knows you’ve had an interesting night and she finds it funny.

Every once in a while, you stop back at the resort to see how the hatchlings are faring. The cats still try to get you to help out in their schemes but you usually just ignore them. And just to keep from thinking yourself crazy, you hang onto the Nightwalk’s claw.

The End

Blessings and have a wonderful weekend,

Jennifer

Beings of the Lovely Hills Option Aa: Agree to Help

It’s Tuesday! And that means it’s time for the third part of the adventure. Reader’s have spoken and we’re now agreeing to help two cats save dragon eggs.

For those of you who missed the beginning of the adventure and would like to read it, you can find the first two parts under recent posts to the left=)

Otherwise, thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy=)

Beings of the Lovely Hills Option Aa: Agree to Help

Photo courtesy of Sebring’s Snapshots.

Lily and Norman stare at you with their unblinking eyes.

“You guys are creepy, you know that?” you say.

They give what you guess are shrugs. Looking back at the dragon below, he’s pulled out three large round objects.

“If you’re going to help,” says Lily, “now’s the time.”

“Right. I’ll help. What do I do?” You’re not fully sure why you agree to give a hand but both cats start to purr, thrilled, so at least they’re happy with you.

“We’ll create a distraction. While Nightwalk’s not paying attention, you move the eggs. There’s a cave farther down the valley. Take the eggs there and we’ll meet you.” The cats creep forward.

You pull your pack off while they’re headed toward the dragon. Pulling it open, you scrounge around until you find your sleeping bag. Good thing you needed it while visiting the family.

The cats race at the dragon from both sides of his head while hissing and spitting. He rears back with a roar that shakes the ground beneath your feet. Snapping at Lily, he misses her by mere inches as she changes direction so fast that you miss where she went until you spot her racing up a tree to the left.

Norman takes the opportunity to launch himself onto Nightwalk’s head. The chubby cat sinks his claws into the edge of one eye lid and continues to hiss and spit.

You’ve got to give it to the cat, he’s got some guts.

Nighwalk shakes his head hard and Norman’s body whips around. Somehow, he doesn’t loose his hold. The dragon steps around to smack the side of his head against a tree.

You sling your pack on and gather the sleeping bag into your arms. Racing forward, you duck under Nighwalk’s tail as he swings around to smack his head against another tree.

Reaching the eggs, you try to shove one into your sleeping bag. It must weight about fifty pounds. Groaning, you shove harder and get the egg to roll into the bag.

Moving onto the second one, you shove hard and hear the eggs clink together as it rolls into the bag too. Hopefully the shells are more resilient than a typical egg because there’s no way to keep them from hitting each other.

Turning to the third egg, you have it half way into the sleeping bag when you feel hot breath on your back. You look over your shoulder to find nostrils the size of your head.

“What’d they tell you, human? That I’m out to eat Lady Silverscale’s eggs?” The voice rumbles. The sound’s so deep you can feel it in your rib cage.

“That’s right,” you say, still pushing against the egg in hopes it’ll give and roll into the bag.

The nostrils snort hot breath. “Of course they did. There are only two dragons at the Lovely Hills. Who do you think father’d those eggs?” Nightwalk turns his head so that one large eye is fixed on you. The orb’s golden with emerald green flecks.

“I don’t know if male dragons eat their young,” you admit.

“Fair question,” the dragon says.

You hear a gurgling hiss and glance down to see Lily and Norman held in the front claws of the beast. He’s not squishing them but neither are they comfortable.

“I’ll make a deal with you, the eggs should hatch come morning as long as they’re kept warm. Fiery warm. I’ll sit here with you until they hatch. You can watch and if I move to eat the hatchlings,” he breaks a claw off and you cringe at the sound, “you can attempt to keep them safe.”

He holds the claw out to you. Looking at his other paw, you see the cats shaking their heads but they’re not brave enough to speak up. Who’s telling the truth? The cats or the dragon?

Do you…

Aa1: Sit with Nightwalk until morning?

or

Aa2: Try to Rescue the Cats?

Blessings,

Jennifer

(Please post a comment with your choice. One vote per post please but comment as much as you like=) This makes counting votes easier. Voting will end at 8pm Mountain Time Wednesday. I’ll post whichever option gets the most votes Thursday and we’ll see how the adventure finishes!)

Beings of the Lovely Hills Option A: Make Something Up

Welcome to almost Friday. We’re on the back half of the week and so today presents the second part of our adventure.

If you missed Tuesday, feel free to check out the post under recent posts.

Otherwise, read on and vote at the end for how you’d like to proceed, but choose wisely, for the Lovely Hills has some strange creatures.

Beings of the Lovely Hills Option A: Make Something Up

The cat purrs as it waits for you to answer. The soft rumbling carries to your ears as you consider a response to the riddle.

“Phoenix?” you guess. It’s got wings and is ash when it’s reborn. You’re not sure about the feared thing but it’s worth a guess.

The cat chuckles. “Creative, but we haven’t had a phoenix in the Lovely Hills for some time. Try again?”

You get up for a glass of water while you think. The cat didn’t act like a phoenix was an odd answer, so going with mythical creatures might be on the right track.

As you sip from your water glass, it hits you.

“Dragon!” you say.

The cat purrs and starts kneading the coverlet. “I knew you were a sma-”

Something darts into the cabin through the open window. “He’s found us! Hurry out the back!” And whoever it is keeps running for the rear of the cabin.

The cat on the bed shrieks, jumps straight into the air, and takes off after the newcomer. “Come on,” he shouts over his shoulder, “you don’t want to be here when Nightwalk arrives!”

“Nightwalk?” You’re awake enough now to grab your bag as you follow. Past the kitchen you find the bathroom and after that is a rear door to the cabin.

At the door sits the cat from the bed and beside him is a cat with white splotches. They’re both looking at you to open the door. Pulling it open, you follow the two felines through.

As you pull the door closed, you hear a crash against the front of the cabin. There’s splintering of wood and a frustrated roar.

“This way,” whispers the white spotted feline.

You hurry after her into the trees behind the cabin. The cats stop only after passing cabin five and running down into a little valley behind the resort.

“Think we’ve lost him for now, Norman,” the white spotted one says. In the light from the moon, you can now see this cat’s smaller than Norman, who has a decided pouch to his stomach.

Norman just flops onto his side.

“A dragon? What’ve you gotten me into?” you ask.

“Lily, how’d he find us so fast?” Norman asks the white splotched cat.

Lily glares at him. “You, dumby. I went back to the nest and found where you’d rubbed against the entrance. You may as well have shouted to him who took the eggs. That’s why I came to help you tonight.”

Norman’s ears go back and he sinks his belly to the ground. “Oops” is all he says.

“What have you gotten me into?” you ask again.

Lily sits on her haunches. “We made a promise to take care of Lady Silverscale’s eggs while she’s building a new nest. She’s had some trouble with Master Nightwalk eating her hatchlings.”

“So why do you need me?”

“We can’t move the eggs and obviously, Master Nightwalk’s onto where we hid them.”

Norman sidles up to your leg and leans in. “Please, help move them.” He gives you that unblinking stare. At least it’s not vapid like the lady in the lobby.

“Why didn’t you just ask the lady in the lobby to help you?”

Both cats hiss. “She’s not all there, if you hadn’t noticed.”

“Right. All right,” you agree.

Both cats give a rumble of delight at your response. You follow them farther into a valley where a small creek’s running.

The cats freeze in front of you. Just ahead, at a spot where the creek pools, a large shape’s ruffling in the underbrush.

“No, no, no,” Norman whispers over and over again. “He’s already found the eggs.”

As you watch, you make out wings like a gigantic kite and a head with jaws that could eat you in one bite.

“What do we do now?” Norman asks.

Lily hisses at him and looks to you, “payment for a room was to move the eggs. It’s a little more complicated now. I promise you’ll get a good night’s sleep if you stay. Heck, we’ll even pay you now if you help us.”

She stares at you, waiting for a response.

Do you…

Aa. Agree to help?

or

Ab. Walk away?

Blessings,

Jennifer

(Please post a comment with your choice. One vote per post please but comment as much as you like=) This makes counting votes easier. Voting will end at 8pm Mountain Time Monday. I’ll post whichever option gets the most votes Tuesday and we’ll see how the adventure continues!)

Beings of the Lovely Hills

Welcome to the start of a whole new adventure. Read on and vote at the end for how you’d like to proceed but choose carefully for the world isn’t quite as it seems=)

Beings of the Lovely Hills

After almost falling asleep behind the wheel on your way home from visiting family, you decide to stop at the next place to rent a room for the night. Miles of road and trees go by before you see a sign advertising the Lovely Hills Resort. Great, a resort. The price will probably be exuberant but it’s better than getting into an accident, so you pull onto the road for the resort and park in front of the lobby, which happens to be a large log cabin with gigantic flower beds lining the front. Sunflowers taller than you grace those beds.

Slinging your pack over your shoulder, you enter the lobby and approach the counter.

“Is there a room available for the night?” you ask.

“Welcome to the Lovely Hills Resort.” The lady behind the counter gives you an empty smile. You wait but she just continues to give you that vapid grin.

“May I have a room?” you ask again.

“Of course,” she grins and hands you a key. No payment, no ‘please sign these papers,’ just a brass key.

“How much do I owe for the night?” you ask.

“Owe? What do you mean?”  Vapid grin.

You let it go. The key’s engraved with a number three. You decide to go look for room three without directions.

Stepping out the back door of the lobby, you find yourself surrounded by tall trees that smell sharply of pine. Three trails covered in wood chips fan out from your feet. There aren’t any signs telling you which way to go, so you simply head down the right hand path.

The day’s ending, so you hope to find room three before the sun sets and leaves you in darkness.

A building appears up ahead to the right of the path. As you draw closer, you see it’s a log cabin with large picture windows, a peaked roof, and a chimney. On the door is a number ten.

Turning around, you head back, realizing the numbering system probably runs left to right from the lobby. Reaching the lobby again, you head off down the left hand path and breathe a sigh of relief when the first cabin you come to displays a brass number one.

Continuing on, you pass number two and finally reach number three. You’re eyes droop with exhaustion. Shoving the door open, you drop your pack onto the floor, close the door and lean against it with a sigh.

The cabin’s furnished with heavy, dark wood furniture with leather cushions and boasts hard wood floors and lush ornate rugs. At this point, you wouldn’t care if it just had a bed and a bathroom.

You trudge to the four poster bed and fall onto it, groaning in pleasure.

You’re just this side of sleep when something brushes your cheek. You brush it away but it returns. Blinking, you find the cabin dark. You must have fallen asleep for a little while. Rolling onto your back, you wait for your eyes to adjust and when they do, you make out a small shape sitting on the bed beside you. Two shiny eyes blink as they watch you.

“Welcome to the resort,” purrs the shape.

“I’m dreaming,” you rub your eyes and look again but the cat’s still there.

“No dream. Just the start to a fabulous journey. Answer me this, human, what’s small at first, winged at birth but feared by all when the end of its life falls?”

“What?” You’re still groggy from lack of sleep. Rubbing your eyes, you protest, “I just stopped in for some sleep. I’m not here to play games.”

The cat chuckles. “You’ll have plenty of time to sleep but you’ve yet to pay for the room. Payment around here takes a different form than money. So answer the riddle.”

Those shiny eyes stare at you unblinkingly. You remind yourself never to have a staring contest with a cat.

“Small at first, winged at birth, feared when it dies?” you mutter, thinking over the riddle. Nothing comes to mind but, as you stare at the talking cat, you realize the answer might not be part of your normal world. You could make up something mythical or just admit you don’t know.

So do you…

A. Make up something?

or

B. Admit you don’t know?

Blessings,

Jennifer

(Please post a comment with your choice. One vote per post please but comment as much as you like=) This makes counting votes easier. Voting will end at 8pm Mountain Time Wednesday. I’ll post whichever option gets the most votes Thursday and we’ll see how the adventure continues!)