All right. So it is rather late, andI missed a day. Not a good thing, I shall try to keep up. However, sitting here, i've been madly pounding at my keyboard. I like the way that all of this came out. I took a simple break to make sure that I still have some other creative tallent. Some of the names in the small prologue that I used are taken straight from the Seasons. The names however are in Finnish. I was flipping though a random languages on Wikipedia, looking for some inspiration on something completly differnt. I also insist that one should always learn somethign new. I found them actually in wikipedia. A wonderful sight. There is also the Omniglot site. There, they have the listings of all languages that arae written in the world. I assume that it too will play a part. tell me what you thinkof this. The Tale is completely different than that of the orriginal Oracle. I will start Oracle again in a few days.
This tale that I tell will be my last. My time upon this coil, this wheel, has almost come to a close. The wheel has spun many into my eyes and past, and I fear that I should tell of this before it all comes crashing down upon my head. My name though, you must know by now, it must seem quite a pity to you. This story is only told, so that it will be remembered. No one needs to know my name, but I fear the Ravens, so I shall not speak it. My eyes however, must have given it away by now.
However, have you eve supposed what it was that Death thinks? Yes, she is indeed a free spirit, born from the worlds beginning. She was always there, and she has her own jobs to do. She is as she ever was, but she too has her won tale. It has often been called Death’s Tale, but you shall know what becomes of it…
The woman sighed and pulled her shawl tighter around her frame. As she sat next to the fire, she stared into the flames with dark eyes. The fire was only a small blaze against the chill that winter brought, but that was to be expected, as was the person who was coming to the door. She waited for only a moment and then spoke, “Enter.” Her voice was slight, but projected across the one room cabin. There was a slight shuffle at the other end of the door and it opened, brining a chill wind in.
A man stepped through the open portal and into the small living area. He was tall and dressed against the chill of the cold, unlike the small woman sitting near the fire. “Close the door.” He obeyed her command quite swiftly and she smiled to herself. As soon as the door was shut, she bade him to come near the fire. “It is after all rather cold outside. Would you rather not be warmer inside?”
The man shook his head. “I am quite fine where I am…” She brought up a single hand to stop what he was saying. “There is no need for that,” she spoke evenly. His green eyes flickered at the gesture. Her skin was a light shade of pale, and as the firelight danced off of it, he moved a few steps closer. “Leave that horrid thing by the door.” He stopped unaware at first to what she was talking about and then realized. He slowly swung the bundle from his back and placed it by the door. He also took of his cloak and hung it on a peg near the door as well. His boots however, he left on.
“There is no need to have them on while you are in my dwelling. You may take them off. I do not mind.” Hesitating, he shook his head and left them on. “Suit you,” was all she said. “What is it that has brought you here to find me of all people?”
The man shook his head, his silver hair cascading around his neck in a common warriors tail. “The same as all others seek from you. I wish to know what it holds for me, the future.”
The woman laughed, “Yes, they all seek the future, but not all of them will be in it.” The man took a tentative step forward and the woman turned back to look on him with sightless eyes. “Stop where you are Talvi, I do not wish to harm you.” The woman looked down and Talvi sensed a slight bit of regret in her demeanor. “Talvi, what is it that you wish to know? Weather or not you will be in the future? Why is it that you wish to know of it?”
“I want to know if I become what I have always wanted…”
The woman’s eyes glowed a slight red. At that moment, she began to speak in a monotone voice:
“Broken are promises that the First have made,
Spoken and written have they not been obeyed?
Pact made with Death’s own rules,
Find that they are only mere tools.
Seasons may come to rise in power,
But it shall fail them in the critical hour.”
As she finished, she slowly slumped into her chair. Her shawl, fell limply along her shoulders. Her skin was beaded with sweat. To tell as she had had taken much out of her. She was too old to issue such. That was why she had come to live alone in the cabin anyways. She looked towards the back where bookshelves were piled with books, journals, papers and other such, all written by her hands or another when she was too week to do so. They were all of the prophecies that she had ever made. Some had been told and they had come true, others yet still had their times to come.
Talvi stood there with his deep green eyes searching the woman for signs of anything else. She just heaved breath after ragged breath for a while. He stood there patiently for a while and then said, “Is that all you have to tell me?” The woman shook her head and then said, “That is all I dare tell you. Do not ask me anymore, least I tell you something you do not want to hear…”
“So what you said was for my amusement then?”
“No, You know I cannot speak naught but the truth. Do not ask me to See anything else.”
Talvi grinned a rather selfless grin and stroked his pitched white beard. It had been trimmed to fit his square jaw and accentuate it. He was not quite used to it yet, but it would suit him. He nodded to himself a moment and then spoke. “Thank you. I shall see if what you have Seen will be reality.” The woman turned her sightless eyes on him and then spoke in a rather harsh voice, “Have I ever been wrong that you know of?” Talvi shook his head.
“Old woman, you have never been wrong, however, you are getting on in years…”
“I was alive before your great grandfather’s times boy. And don’t call me old woman.”
Talvi shrugged. “All the same, I would not take it past you that you will soon no longer be able to See. Be careful now.” With his words hanging on the air, he picked up his sword and then placed his cloak back over his shoulders and then walked out back into the cold. As the door slammed shut, the woman smiled a sad smile.
“Come out,” she spoke, “I know you are there old friend.” Within the darkness to one side of the shelves of books another figure cloaked in a black cloak stepped out into the light, a rather tight hood covered their features and upon one shoulder, sat a single raven. In one hand, the specter carried a scythe on witch yet another Raven sat.
“You ever were able to sense my presence my dear,” the figure spoke. The woman smiled and then pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders again. “Perhaps it is because you and I are old friends, but then perhaps it is because I danced out of your clutches ever again and again.” The figure laughed. “Well met indeed friend, well met indeed.” The woman smiled and motioned to a chair that she could not see.
“Please, warm yourself by this fire.”
“You know that I can feel n warmth of it, I am cold as ice itself. However, the thought behind it is accepted gratefully.” The woman nodded rather thoughtfully as the figure sat.
“Take of your hood. You should be all right in here. There will be no one else coming for a while.”
The figure laughed ruefully. “Did you See that?”
The woman smiled, “Perhaps.”
The figure shook its head and then pulled of the cowl to its cloak. A cascade of silver hair flowed out into a pair of elegant shoulders. Dark brooding eyes, completely white in contrast to the woman’s own black, were but a pale reflection of the person’s demeanor. Her lips were full and lustrous and her skin was as pale, if not lighter in paleness, that the woman who sat in front of her. As she had leaned her scythe against the wall, the Raven on her shoulder cawed and then flapped its wings to join the other that had made a perch of it.
“What you saw for Talvi, do you know when it will come about?”
“I know no more than you my dear. If I had known more, I would have told him.”
“What of the part that you did not tell him?”
The woman smiled as her gaze was directed back to the fire. “That was for you neither. It is something that will be written down, taken note of, and when the time comes Ages from now, when the wheel spins back once again to the Age that created us, even after, scholars will pore over these texts trying to find again, what has happened, what will happen at that time, and what is yet to come.” She chuckled to herself at that moment and the other woman flashed her white eyes.
“Do not try and mock me Death. I know why you are here, but I know that it is not because you need to take me. You wished for me to see the future for you too. I know. So if you remember what I told Talvi, then you should be good. After all, that was just as much for you as it was for him.”
Death’s eyes narrowed to thin slits as she peered at the woman in front of her. The woman merely smiled right back at her. She dismissed it with a toss of her head. She looked back at the shelves and sighed. Even after her death, who would take care of them? The woman nodded. “Yes, who indeed…?” Death’s head spun back to her as the woman gazed into the fire. Sometimes she wondered whether the woman was an empathic, but she knew it not to be true.
Death stood up from where she had been sitting and slowly smiled at the woman. “Is there a reckoning coming?” The woman turned sightless eyes upon Death. “Is that a question, or a Question?” Death smiled unforgiving. “It is neither,” she said, “Just a thought.” The woman near the fire chuckled to herself and nodded. “Indeed Death, we all know that thoughts are what kill people more often than not.”
Death stood up and looked at the old woman as she once more regained hold over her scythe. “I am not going to be here to take you, you know…”
The woman looked up, a startled look on her face. “Oh,” she smiled, “I know. It would be sad though. After all, we have become such good friends you and I my dear.” Death smiled, something that was meant for this woman alone, something that no other mortal had seen before. “Yes indeed, we do get along.” The raven’s cawed once, but retained their perch on her scythe. The other raven finally cawed once in the ensuing silence and flew to perch on her shoulder.
“Oh, I have some cakes in one of the cupboards for your two darling ravens my dear. Hold on a moment before you go so I can give them to you.” Both Ravens cawed in delight as the old woman got up and walked to a cupboard on the sidewall. As she pulled out the small grain cakes from the cupboard, the Ravens took wing to her side in order to have them. She held out hands and passed one to each and then pulled out two more. She slowly walked back to Death and placed them in her hand. “For later, the little dears.”
“If I’m not careful,” Death said, “you will spoil them rotten and then how will they be able to do their jobs?” The old woman made a face and waved her hand in the air. “Oh don’t be so crass. They deserve a little treat every now and then.” Death smiled once again her enigmatic smile and then spoke once more. “I hope to come back and see you old friend…”
“Don’t worry death, you will see me again. I See that.” The woman chuckled.
“I hope you are right… Oraclé.”
Monday, January 8, 2007
Saturday, January 6, 2007
The Finish of Oracle's Chapter 2
I hope that this story has not lost you as of yet, or that it seems too prevaricated. I would thougroughly enjoy any comments that you might have on the story.If you see anythign that seems out of place, then by all means, feel free to comment on it. Her eis the next part that I have written:
“Did Master Luc say anything else other than what to tell us?” Lyzanor lifted an eyebrow as Jerrak looked thoughtful for a minute. Jerrak shook his head. “No, nothing else. He just said that you would help us.”
The voice came from the bed, a soft and melodious voice. “It’s not everyday that you meet a ‘stranger far from home…’” Lyzanor continued to drink his wine, ignoring the voice all together. Jerrak shifted his gaze to the covered bed, curious.
“What brought you here to Catterinia’s? It’s not unusual to find half-breeds like myself, but you’re cesilliöa, a pure elf.” Telarai smiled at Jerrak’s question.
“I have often thought of that myself… I don’t know why I am here sometimes. Other times, I am all to sure I know why.” He turned his gaze to Jerrak and then looked at Lyzanor. He had just finished the ‘faie wine and noticed Telarai’s gaze on him.
“How old would you say I am Lyzanor?”
Lyzanor shrugged his shoulders. “I wouldn’t know. Don’t you have longer life-spans than the rest of us?”
Telarai nodded. “Indeed we do, for I am indeed very old. I used to work for Catterinia’s grandmother.”
Lyzanor’s mouth dropped at this.
“My brother was here as well, and yet we both still appear as young as we do. My brother is younger than me by about thirty years. Is this a surprise to all of you?”
Lyzanor shook his head up and down in sheer dumb amazement. Jerrak shook his head no. “Why should I be surprised at all?”
Telarai smiled vaguely.
“When we first came here, we had come due to extenuating circumstances. We did not want to come here, but it seemed the most appropriate place. When we got here, we were young; by our standards, we are still very young. We have quite a bit more time left… however; there is still the fact that we knew nobody. As we knew of this city, only because of what it was, being so close out of the mountains, that was all we knew. Well, when we got into the city, we had never seen such ever before.
“The moment we stepped inside the city, we were overwhelmed by everything, including the entry gate. It was after all, rather grand. We were used to not having any boundaries. After all, what was the need for walls if no one could find you in the first place? After only a little time here in the entire place, we lost our purse. We had been pick-pocketed.
“After some time, we found our way to this street. Here, Catterinia’s predecessor, Stazia, took us in. She didn’t require anything from us at first. She said that it wasn’t our faults…” At this, Telarai stopped for a moment and bit back his words. He wiped a corner of his eyes and Auraia came over and held his hand. Together, they were a striking pair. Now that Lyzanor knew that they were both male, he saw nothing but a strange sort of blandness in the beauty that they possessed. However, they did look a lot like each other.
Jerrak saw however, the beauty in both of them which Lyzanor could not see. The curves of each, the stillness; everything like a still life portrait. Jerrak shook his head, refusing to listen to his inner voice. He tried to listen again as Telarai continued.
“I don’t know how it started, but one day, Stazia came up to me and asked me if I would work for her. At the time that she was keeping us both inside the house, I was keeping it up so that we were not just acting like parasites on her hospitality. She and all the boys inside the house insisted that I needn’t do it, but I felt like I had to do something to repay their hospitality. So, I help around; I kept the place looking nice and helped the boys get whatever they needed. I had become like the houses keeper.
“Stazia of course did not mind. However, some of the more frequent visitors had seen me sometimes; I tried to keep out of sight a whole lot. It obviously didn’t work, because some of the regulars accused Stazia of holding back. She was worried for me you know. She didn’t know what to do, so she asked me to work for her in hopes that I would be able to stop her customer’s accusations…
“I’ve been working here ever since. Then one day, a stranger walked into the door. It was Master Luc. We didn’t know what he had come for, but when he saw me, he instantly asked me if I was a stranger far from home. I immediately said yes not knowing what it was that he had meant at the time. He had then shoved out both of his palms and showed me the crescent moons that were tattooed there. I wasn’t sure what it was that he wanted. I thought he had meant in reality.
“After that our life changed. Auraia and I talked to him for a while and then we too became a part of the network of Strangers. We help people and they help us. That is what it is here for. I doubt that anyone else could possibly know about it here in the city. I believe that we are the only Strangers here in the city.”
At this, Telaria paused for a moment as if to reflect. Turning to Jerrak, he spoke in a commanding tone of voice. “Why is it that you need our help?”
“We were being followed and we were hoping that you could help get us out of the city, and fast.” Auraia thrust out his right hand on which were tattooed the twin crescents. They had been tattooed in a silver color, the same as his own. However, his had been marred by a cut he had suffered on his hand.
“Do you know what this means?” Auraia continued to hold out his hand. “It means that we will always be here, no matter what and the other Stranger will always help us; but it is also an obligation.”
Telarai cut him off almost immediately. “Don’t speak of it as such tella mia (my dear), we are not supposed to look at it like that…” At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Auraia looked at the door and then turned to Telarai almost instantly with a look on his face. After a second knock, he bounded back to the bed and hid amongst the silk that streamed down from the canopy. Telarai went to the door and then opened it slightly.
A boy burst in. “Melody! Oh my god, this is so bad, you have to come and see this…” He turned for a moment and looked at the two men sitting on the couch. A look of pure panic crossed his face. “Oh Melody, Melody,” his voice was a moan. “They are still here! Oh God, that makes it even worse. Oh Goddess!”
The boy, who was obviously no more than seventeen summers, had brown hair that seemed down in front of his eyes like a thick carpet over his eyes. His darkened and tanned skin was a sudden contrast to Melody’s light skin. Telarai put out a hand and placed it on the boy’s shoulder. The boy was about the same height and Telarai out his other hand over the boy’s lips, pressing a single index finger to it.
“Shhh. Now tell me from the beginning what is going on.” The boy tried several starts until he finally just gave up. “You have to go see for yourself in the front hall, but for heaven’s sakes, don’t let yourself be seen!”
“You worry too much about me Sammel. I will be careful though, go back to your room and I will take care of this.” The boy, Sammel, nodded and then glumly began to leave, but before he left, he place a hand on Telarai’s cheek and spoke some soft words that he meant for no one else to hear. Telarai nodded and then spoke back in Sulinin. The boy nodded and then smiled. “I hope I will be able to live up to your expectations Telarai.” He spoke the name without an accent. This surprised Jerrak. Lyzanor however was a different story.
He had drunk too much ‘faie wine and now he was so drunk that his eyes were glazed over. He wasn’t very concerned or for that matter aware of his surroundings. Now, he was going through a pleasant buzz that kept him from reality at the moment. Jerrak poked him and nothing happened, which made him disgusted. Lyzanor couldn’t even feel if someone had touched him or not. That was the dangers of too much ‘faie wine though.
Telarai turned around and motioned for Jerrak to follow him. “My brother will take care of Nor. He’s a little bit too drunk, but I’ll need someone with me.” Jerrak nodded immediately and then cursed himself for doing so. Why did he have to go? He stood up from the couch and then moved with Telarai out the door. Sammel led them down the corridor and then paused for a moment in front of a landing.
“Stay low and listen here. I hope it all turns out alright.”
Telarai nodded and then shooed the boy off.
As Jerrak sat behind a tall plant on the landing, he could see several med dressed in regimentals of the city guard. They each had a broad sword strapped to their belts as well as the city’s golden sun emblazoned on their armor upon their chest. Catterinia was all smiles. It appeared as if she had just come in.
“Well what can I do for you folks?”
The guard in the front, a tall black haired man who had only a goatee shook his head vigorously. “Sorry Catterinia, we are here on business this time.”
“Well aren’t you always here on business, Captain Y’tell?” Catterinia’s inquiry was made from what appeared to be a truly curious look. The captain shook his head.
“Tonight is different ma’am. We are here to see Melody.” Telarai took in a deep intake of breath through clenched teeth as he was mentioned by name. Jerrak shook his head and made a motion for him to be quiet. “You don’t understand,” hissed Telarai. “It’s not you that they are after!” Jerrak shook it off and said, “Listen, will you!”
They both turned their attention to the door. Catterinia had put her hands on her hips and was giving them a mischievous look. “My, aren’t we goin’ high up tonight. And what would you want with my little Melody?”
“I’m sorry Catterinia ma’am, but he is to be arrested for treasonous acts against the crown of Nalmia.”
Catterinia blanched for a moment and then looked at the guards with serious eyes. “What do you mean ‘treasonous acts’?”
“He is to be questioned and sent to Maruch. I am sorry ma’am.”
“I don’t believe this… and to think that I let him go today!”
Jerrak took a sudden breath and turned to the boy next to him. Telarai simply closed his eyes, a semi-relieved look upon his face.
“What? What do you mean you let him go today?”
“I mean just that! I let his go on towards Luxin. He wanted a trip, and as you know, he has been working here ever so long, he’s never asked for a break ever and he has enough money to go anywhere by now and he just looked so happy when I told him that it was his right to go anywhere he wanted and oh…” Catterinia just continued on until Y’tell put a hand up.
“That is quite enough ma’am, thank you. Do you remember what time he left?”
Catterinia placed a hand on her hip and a thoughtful hand to her jaw, “I believe that he left sometime around the midday… yea, a little before midday. He wanted to get a start and reach a town… I can’t remember the name of it now, but I’m sure it will come to me.” She smiled at the guard for a moment and then nodded her head. “I just wish you had come earlier. I would have kept him behind… oh, it’s just too much.”
Catterinia lifted a hand to her face, as if to brush away tears. Jerrak looked to Telarai who had a smile upon his face as he was watching he spectacle. He nodded his head once as if to confirm what she was saying. Suddenly, Catterinia burst into muffled sobs. “He was our finest too!” The captain looked back to the other men who were with him, and a few of them shrugged. One or two of them looked uncomfortable. Y’tell put out a hand to try to comfort Catterinia and her sobbing became worse.
It was all Telarai could do to keep from laughing. “Let’s go back to the room. We have some things to do before we can leave.” Jerrak nodded in agreement.
“Did Master Luc say anything else other than what to tell us?” Lyzanor lifted an eyebrow as Jerrak looked thoughtful for a minute. Jerrak shook his head. “No, nothing else. He just said that you would help us.”
The voice came from the bed, a soft and melodious voice. “It’s not everyday that you meet a ‘stranger far from home…’” Lyzanor continued to drink his wine, ignoring the voice all together. Jerrak shifted his gaze to the covered bed, curious.
“What brought you here to Catterinia’s? It’s not unusual to find half-breeds like myself, but you’re cesilliöa, a pure elf.” Telarai smiled at Jerrak’s question.
“I have often thought of that myself… I don’t know why I am here sometimes. Other times, I am all to sure I know why.” He turned his gaze to Jerrak and then looked at Lyzanor. He had just finished the ‘faie wine and noticed Telarai’s gaze on him.
“How old would you say I am Lyzanor?”
Lyzanor shrugged his shoulders. “I wouldn’t know. Don’t you have longer life-spans than the rest of us?”
Telarai nodded. “Indeed we do, for I am indeed very old. I used to work for Catterinia’s grandmother.”
Lyzanor’s mouth dropped at this.
“My brother was here as well, and yet we both still appear as young as we do. My brother is younger than me by about thirty years. Is this a surprise to all of you?”
Lyzanor shook his head up and down in sheer dumb amazement. Jerrak shook his head no. “Why should I be surprised at all?”
Telarai smiled vaguely.
“When we first came here, we had come due to extenuating circumstances. We did not want to come here, but it seemed the most appropriate place. When we got here, we were young; by our standards, we are still very young. We have quite a bit more time left… however; there is still the fact that we knew nobody. As we knew of this city, only because of what it was, being so close out of the mountains, that was all we knew. Well, when we got into the city, we had never seen such ever before.
“The moment we stepped inside the city, we were overwhelmed by everything, including the entry gate. It was after all, rather grand. We were used to not having any boundaries. After all, what was the need for walls if no one could find you in the first place? After only a little time here in the entire place, we lost our purse. We had been pick-pocketed.
“After some time, we found our way to this street. Here, Catterinia’s predecessor, Stazia, took us in. She didn’t require anything from us at first. She said that it wasn’t our faults…” At this, Telarai stopped for a moment and bit back his words. He wiped a corner of his eyes and Auraia came over and held his hand. Together, they were a striking pair. Now that Lyzanor knew that they were both male, he saw nothing but a strange sort of blandness in the beauty that they possessed. However, they did look a lot like each other.
Jerrak saw however, the beauty in both of them which Lyzanor could not see. The curves of each, the stillness; everything like a still life portrait. Jerrak shook his head, refusing to listen to his inner voice. He tried to listen again as Telarai continued.
“I don’t know how it started, but one day, Stazia came up to me and asked me if I would work for her. At the time that she was keeping us both inside the house, I was keeping it up so that we were not just acting like parasites on her hospitality. She and all the boys inside the house insisted that I needn’t do it, but I felt like I had to do something to repay their hospitality. So, I help around; I kept the place looking nice and helped the boys get whatever they needed. I had become like the houses keeper.
“Stazia of course did not mind. However, some of the more frequent visitors had seen me sometimes; I tried to keep out of sight a whole lot. It obviously didn’t work, because some of the regulars accused Stazia of holding back. She was worried for me you know. She didn’t know what to do, so she asked me to work for her in hopes that I would be able to stop her customer’s accusations…
“I’ve been working here ever since. Then one day, a stranger walked into the door. It was Master Luc. We didn’t know what he had come for, but when he saw me, he instantly asked me if I was a stranger far from home. I immediately said yes not knowing what it was that he had meant at the time. He had then shoved out both of his palms and showed me the crescent moons that were tattooed there. I wasn’t sure what it was that he wanted. I thought he had meant in reality.
“After that our life changed. Auraia and I talked to him for a while and then we too became a part of the network of Strangers. We help people and they help us. That is what it is here for. I doubt that anyone else could possibly know about it here in the city. I believe that we are the only Strangers here in the city.”
At this, Telaria paused for a moment as if to reflect. Turning to Jerrak, he spoke in a commanding tone of voice. “Why is it that you need our help?”
“We were being followed and we were hoping that you could help get us out of the city, and fast.” Auraia thrust out his right hand on which were tattooed the twin crescents. They had been tattooed in a silver color, the same as his own. However, his had been marred by a cut he had suffered on his hand.
“Do you know what this means?” Auraia continued to hold out his hand. “It means that we will always be here, no matter what and the other Stranger will always help us; but it is also an obligation.”
Telarai cut him off almost immediately. “Don’t speak of it as such tella mia (my dear), we are not supposed to look at it like that…” At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Auraia looked at the door and then turned to Telarai almost instantly with a look on his face. After a second knock, he bounded back to the bed and hid amongst the silk that streamed down from the canopy. Telarai went to the door and then opened it slightly.
A boy burst in. “Melody! Oh my god, this is so bad, you have to come and see this…” He turned for a moment and looked at the two men sitting on the couch. A look of pure panic crossed his face. “Oh Melody, Melody,” his voice was a moan. “They are still here! Oh God, that makes it even worse. Oh Goddess!”
The boy, who was obviously no more than seventeen summers, had brown hair that seemed down in front of his eyes like a thick carpet over his eyes. His darkened and tanned skin was a sudden contrast to Melody’s light skin. Telarai put out a hand and placed it on the boy’s shoulder. The boy was about the same height and Telarai out his other hand over the boy’s lips, pressing a single index finger to it.
“Shhh. Now tell me from the beginning what is going on.” The boy tried several starts until he finally just gave up. “You have to go see for yourself in the front hall, but for heaven’s sakes, don’t let yourself be seen!”
“You worry too much about me Sammel. I will be careful though, go back to your room and I will take care of this.” The boy, Sammel, nodded and then glumly began to leave, but before he left, he place a hand on Telarai’s cheek and spoke some soft words that he meant for no one else to hear. Telarai nodded and then spoke back in Sulinin. The boy nodded and then smiled. “I hope I will be able to live up to your expectations Telarai.” He spoke the name without an accent. This surprised Jerrak. Lyzanor however was a different story.
He had drunk too much ‘faie wine and now he was so drunk that his eyes were glazed over. He wasn’t very concerned or for that matter aware of his surroundings. Now, he was going through a pleasant buzz that kept him from reality at the moment. Jerrak poked him and nothing happened, which made him disgusted. Lyzanor couldn’t even feel if someone had touched him or not. That was the dangers of too much ‘faie wine though.
Telarai turned around and motioned for Jerrak to follow him. “My brother will take care of Nor. He’s a little bit too drunk, but I’ll need someone with me.” Jerrak nodded immediately and then cursed himself for doing so. Why did he have to go? He stood up from the couch and then moved with Telarai out the door. Sammel led them down the corridor and then paused for a moment in front of a landing.
“Stay low and listen here. I hope it all turns out alright.”
Telarai nodded and then shooed the boy off.
As Jerrak sat behind a tall plant on the landing, he could see several med dressed in regimentals of the city guard. They each had a broad sword strapped to their belts as well as the city’s golden sun emblazoned on their armor upon their chest. Catterinia was all smiles. It appeared as if she had just come in.
“Well what can I do for you folks?”
The guard in the front, a tall black haired man who had only a goatee shook his head vigorously. “Sorry Catterinia, we are here on business this time.”
“Well aren’t you always here on business, Captain Y’tell?” Catterinia’s inquiry was made from what appeared to be a truly curious look. The captain shook his head.
“Tonight is different ma’am. We are here to see Melody.” Telarai took in a deep intake of breath through clenched teeth as he was mentioned by name. Jerrak shook his head and made a motion for him to be quiet. “You don’t understand,” hissed Telarai. “It’s not you that they are after!” Jerrak shook it off and said, “Listen, will you!”
They both turned their attention to the door. Catterinia had put her hands on her hips and was giving them a mischievous look. “My, aren’t we goin’ high up tonight. And what would you want with my little Melody?”
“I’m sorry Catterinia ma’am, but he is to be arrested for treasonous acts against the crown of Nalmia.”
Catterinia blanched for a moment and then looked at the guards with serious eyes. “What do you mean ‘treasonous acts’?”
“He is to be questioned and sent to Maruch. I am sorry ma’am.”
“I don’t believe this… and to think that I let him go today!”
Jerrak took a sudden breath and turned to the boy next to him. Telarai simply closed his eyes, a semi-relieved look upon his face.
“What? What do you mean you let him go today?”
“I mean just that! I let his go on towards Luxin. He wanted a trip, and as you know, he has been working here ever so long, he’s never asked for a break ever and he has enough money to go anywhere by now and he just looked so happy when I told him that it was his right to go anywhere he wanted and oh…” Catterinia just continued on until Y’tell put a hand up.
“That is quite enough ma’am, thank you. Do you remember what time he left?”
Catterinia placed a hand on her hip and a thoughtful hand to her jaw, “I believe that he left sometime around the midday… yea, a little before midday. He wanted to get a start and reach a town… I can’t remember the name of it now, but I’m sure it will come to me.” She smiled at the guard for a moment and then nodded her head. “I just wish you had come earlier. I would have kept him behind… oh, it’s just too much.”
Catterinia lifted a hand to her face, as if to brush away tears. Jerrak looked to Telarai who had a smile upon his face as he was watching he spectacle. He nodded his head once as if to confirm what she was saying. Suddenly, Catterinia burst into muffled sobs. “He was our finest too!” The captain looked back to the other men who were with him, and a few of them shrugged. One or two of them looked uncomfortable. Y’tell put out a hand to try to comfort Catterinia and her sobbing became worse.
It was all Telarai could do to keep from laughing. “Let’s go back to the room. We have some things to do before we can leave.” Jerrak nodded in agreement.
Friday, January 5, 2007
I am only posting a smaller section today. I do write a lot. I will perhaps do another boook review tomorrow as I am finishing a rather interesting book tonight. Here is the next part of Oracle:
Lyzanor’s eyes widened for a moment and then realization seemed to seep through to him. “Oh Goddess! This isn’t what I thought that it would be!” At this, Catterinia laughed even harder. He turned to Jerrak and looked at him with an accusatory glance. “You knew about this didn’t you? You knew!” Jerrak put his hands up and shrugged his shoulders. “We were on a green lantern street. I thought that you knew…”
“I most certainly did not know!” The tone in Lyzanor’s voice was becoming panicked. “I don’t need to worry… there is most likely some explanation. He can’t be a ‘Melody’ can he?” He turned his pleading eyes to Jerrak. Jerrak turned to Catterinia who was wiping tears from her eyes and still chucking. She spoke to the boy:
“You better tell them both…”
The boy merely smiled and then bowed his head to his two guests. His hands had never left his lap where he had placed them when he had sat down a second time. “My name is indeed Melody, but my true name is Telarai. It is Sulinin for ‘Melody’. You see, I am a Sulinis’faie.”
At this, he lifted his head up to the two men and smiled rather winningly. Jerrak shifted his face away rather diffidently, and Lyzanor’s mouth dropped open even further.
“He’s a ‘faie!” The boy turned green eyes towards the surprised Nadirian and nodded once. Nor smacked his head and then sighed out loud. “Just my luck,” he began to mutter. “I guess that explains why he can wear something so skimpy in such cold weather…” Catterinia smiled once again; something that was beginning to annoy Jerrak, and then said, “I will leave you three to… whatever it is that you came for.” With that, she began to laugh again as she left saying out loud, “He didn’t know! He didn’t know!”
Lyzanor grimaced. “Not what I expected at all…”
Jerrak shook his head and then spoke in a low voice. “Telarai, we are both Strangers far from Home.” He still refused to look directly at the boy that sat in front of them. The boy looked up at Jerrak for a moment and then nodded. He brought both of his wrists together and then spoke rather softly:
“Follow and I shall lead. Lead and I shall follow. By the names of the gods that are uttered in the night; I pledge to help you.” He placed his left palm up and showed them a small sign upon his palm. Here, a crescent moon tattooed into his palm.
“I’m Jerrak and he is Lyzanor. We shall follow.”
Melody nodded for a second as if to confirm and was reassured when Jerrak showed him his own palm. The boy stood up for a moment and then beckoned them to follow him. “You had better hurry; follow me.”
As they exited the small garden, they passed Catterinia. The boy stopped for only a moment and then spoke to her, “Please, cover for me, we are going to use the far back room.” The woman nodded in agreement and then said, “Take as long as you like. I’ll keep watch.” With that, she bustled off into the main reception area. Telarai motioned for them to follow once again and then led them up a back flight of stairs. This took them to a second floor where he led them down a corridor of grand proportions.
There were moans of pleasure, mostly male, and some of the doors were open. However, they didn’t stop until they came to the very last door on the hall. As Telarai moved his hand to open the door, he stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “I trust then that you ran into Master Luc if you knew about this. Is it rather urgent? Is he well?” Jerrak nodded and spoke answers to both of the boy’s questions, which seemed to put him at ease. “Master Luc has been so kind to us all…”
With that said, he opened the door and stepped inside. The inside of the room was rather luxurious, but both looked around in awe of what the room was decorated with. The walls, which were painted a pale, very pale, shade of green flickered in the candle light that was provided by the many candelabras and wall scones. They illuminated a four-poster bed and a small table, complete with a couch on the side. There were three chairs and a small dresser, upon which sat another bottle of the famous ‘faie wine and three small delicate crystalline drinking bowls.
The inside of the bed rustled from behind green and crème colored silks. A face popped out from behind “Masöa iriaalea sié’ol Telarai?” (Is that you Telarai?) It was just as slim as Harmony’s and yet it had a brilliance of blues eyes and long pale hair, which had been left loose and free flowing. There was the same rounded jaw, yet powerful as well, but a little softer on the cheek bones. The skin was also much like a pale white, only in the cheeks; there was a slight rosy touch.
The face stopped and then turned towards the other two who were standing in the room. “Öre’s misiô shiö’an elurí averiéras?” (Are these people safe brother?) The face slid off the bed to reveal a full body. Almost as thin and supple and slim as Telarai was. The person hung off the bedpost, dressed only in a long white, and sheer tunic.
“Auraia elú irasias, tella mia, isiü ‘gere’aui eris’t víorês’ ïnak’.”
(Auraia don’t worry, my dear, they’re ‘strangers far from home’.)
Telarai nodded slightly and then motioned to the others. The person in the tunic bowed and then spoke to both Lyzanor and Jerrak. “Miâlora.” (Welcome.) Lacing hands together, the androgynous figure stood up. Telarai then spoke to Lyzanor and Jerrak. “This is my younger brother Auraia. Please, do sit down while I talk to him a moment.” At this, he motioned to the couch that was on the other side of the room.
Jerrak nodded and Lyzanor seemed to become more frustrated than ever. “I thought he was a girl!” He whispered as they both sat on the couch across from the bed. Jerrak shook his head and then sighed.
“Don’t you even remember where we are? This is a green lantern house. All the people in here are most assuredly men.” Jerrak huffed and then wouldn’t say anything more. As the two brothers conversed in low tones, Lyzanor glowered. After a moment, Telarai turned over to look at the two people who were sitting on his couch. He slowly walked over to the dresser and then spoke. “Would you like some ‘faie wine? It will help pass the time.” Jerrak shook his head rather vigorously and Lyzanor nodded his consent. The face of Auraia peered out from behind the silk covering the bed as Telarai poured a bowl of the wine.
As he passed it to Lyzanor, he nodded a gruff thanks and then proceeded to drain half of the bowl. Telarai waited for him to finished and then looked to his brother. The boy behind the silk nodded his head.
Lyzanor’s eyes widened for a moment and then realization seemed to seep through to him. “Oh Goddess! This isn’t what I thought that it would be!” At this, Catterinia laughed even harder. He turned to Jerrak and looked at him with an accusatory glance. “You knew about this didn’t you? You knew!” Jerrak put his hands up and shrugged his shoulders. “We were on a green lantern street. I thought that you knew…”
“I most certainly did not know!” The tone in Lyzanor’s voice was becoming panicked. “I don’t need to worry… there is most likely some explanation. He can’t be a ‘Melody’ can he?” He turned his pleading eyes to Jerrak. Jerrak turned to Catterinia who was wiping tears from her eyes and still chucking. She spoke to the boy:
“You better tell them both…”
The boy merely smiled and then bowed his head to his two guests. His hands had never left his lap where he had placed them when he had sat down a second time. “My name is indeed Melody, but my true name is Telarai. It is Sulinin for ‘Melody’. You see, I am a Sulinis’faie.”
At this, he lifted his head up to the two men and smiled rather winningly. Jerrak shifted his face away rather diffidently, and Lyzanor’s mouth dropped open even further.
“He’s a ‘faie!” The boy turned green eyes towards the surprised Nadirian and nodded once. Nor smacked his head and then sighed out loud. “Just my luck,” he began to mutter. “I guess that explains why he can wear something so skimpy in such cold weather…” Catterinia smiled once again; something that was beginning to annoy Jerrak, and then said, “I will leave you three to… whatever it is that you came for.” With that, she began to laugh again as she left saying out loud, “He didn’t know! He didn’t know!”
Lyzanor grimaced. “Not what I expected at all…”
Jerrak shook his head and then spoke in a low voice. “Telarai, we are both Strangers far from Home.” He still refused to look directly at the boy that sat in front of them. The boy looked up at Jerrak for a moment and then nodded. He brought both of his wrists together and then spoke rather softly:
“Follow and I shall lead. Lead and I shall follow. By the names of the gods that are uttered in the night; I pledge to help you.” He placed his left palm up and showed them a small sign upon his palm. Here, a crescent moon tattooed into his palm.
“I’m Jerrak and he is Lyzanor. We shall follow.”
Melody nodded for a second as if to confirm and was reassured when Jerrak showed him his own palm. The boy stood up for a moment and then beckoned them to follow him. “You had better hurry; follow me.”
As they exited the small garden, they passed Catterinia. The boy stopped for only a moment and then spoke to her, “Please, cover for me, we are going to use the far back room.” The woman nodded in agreement and then said, “Take as long as you like. I’ll keep watch.” With that, she bustled off into the main reception area. Telarai motioned for them to follow once again and then led them up a back flight of stairs. This took them to a second floor where he led them down a corridor of grand proportions.
There were moans of pleasure, mostly male, and some of the doors were open. However, they didn’t stop until they came to the very last door on the hall. As Telarai moved his hand to open the door, he stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “I trust then that you ran into Master Luc if you knew about this. Is it rather urgent? Is he well?” Jerrak nodded and spoke answers to both of the boy’s questions, which seemed to put him at ease. “Master Luc has been so kind to us all…”
With that said, he opened the door and stepped inside. The inside of the room was rather luxurious, but both looked around in awe of what the room was decorated with. The walls, which were painted a pale, very pale, shade of green flickered in the candle light that was provided by the many candelabras and wall scones. They illuminated a four-poster bed and a small table, complete with a couch on the side. There were three chairs and a small dresser, upon which sat another bottle of the famous ‘faie wine and three small delicate crystalline drinking bowls.
The inside of the bed rustled from behind green and crème colored silks. A face popped out from behind “Masöa iriaalea sié’ol Telarai?” (Is that you Telarai?) It was just as slim as Harmony’s and yet it had a brilliance of blues eyes and long pale hair, which had been left loose and free flowing. There was the same rounded jaw, yet powerful as well, but a little softer on the cheek bones. The skin was also much like a pale white, only in the cheeks; there was a slight rosy touch.
The face stopped and then turned towards the other two who were standing in the room. “Öre’s misiô shiö’an elurí averiéras?” (Are these people safe brother?) The face slid off the bed to reveal a full body. Almost as thin and supple and slim as Telarai was. The person hung off the bedpost, dressed only in a long white, and sheer tunic.
“Auraia elú irasias, tella mia, isiü ‘gere’aui eris’t víorês’ ïnak’.”
(Auraia don’t worry, my dear, they’re ‘strangers far from home’.)
Telarai nodded slightly and then motioned to the others. The person in the tunic bowed and then spoke to both Lyzanor and Jerrak. “Miâlora.” (Welcome.) Lacing hands together, the androgynous figure stood up. Telarai then spoke to Lyzanor and Jerrak. “This is my younger brother Auraia. Please, do sit down while I talk to him a moment.” At this, he motioned to the couch that was on the other side of the room.
Jerrak nodded and Lyzanor seemed to become more frustrated than ever. “I thought he was a girl!” He whispered as they both sat on the couch across from the bed. Jerrak shook his head and then sighed.
“Don’t you even remember where we are? This is a green lantern house. All the people in here are most assuredly men.” Jerrak huffed and then wouldn’t say anything more. As the two brothers conversed in low tones, Lyzanor glowered. After a moment, Telarai turned over to look at the two people who were sitting on his couch. He slowly walked over to the dresser and then spoke. “Would you like some ‘faie wine? It will help pass the time.” Jerrak shook his head rather vigorously and Lyzanor nodded his consent. The face of Auraia peered out from behind the silk covering the bed as Telarai poured a bowl of the wine.
As he passed it to Lyzanor, he nodded a gruff thanks and then proceeded to drain half of the bowl. Telarai waited for him to finished and then looked to his brother. The boy behind the silk nodded his head.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Birthday Break
I will simply take a Break today as it is my BIRTHDAY!
Happiness to me that is. I hope all of you have a wonderful day, like I will have.
Happiness to me that is. I hope all of you have a wonderful day, like I will have.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Oracle Chapter 2
This is the begining of the second chapter of Oracle: I hope you like it.
II: Catterinia’s
I think that it is safe to say that we are lost in the last place on earth people can be lost in” Jerrak threw his hands up into the air and rolled his gray eyes. “If you just let me help you…”
Lyzanor shot him a look. “I’d like to think that I know my way around a Red Lantern Lane…”
“I think that you’re too drunk on that damn ‘faie wine to know what the hell is going on.”
Lyzanor stopped and then spoke out. “I resent that!”
A woman dressed in a red skimpy dress walked right up to Lyzanor and put her hands around his arm. “Hey there hunny; can I help you relieve your stress?”
Jerrak threw himself towards her and grabbed her roughly by the wrist and jerked her off of Lyzanor’s arm.
“He’s not for you my dear… we just need some information.”
The woman sneered and rolled her eyes. “What’s wrong sweet-cheeks? Did I move into your territory?” Jerrak opened his mouth and then blushed violently. He looked to the ground and then muttered something under his breath.
“What’s that sweetie? Did I say something’ wrong… or was it right?”
“Come on,” he yelled suddenly. The woman didn’t look startled at all. She just smiled. “What’s wrong boy; am I getting a rise out of you? Why don’t you follow me and I’ll get you out of that cloak and show you…” He looked at her for a moment and her eyes widened as she gazed into the cowl.
“You… You…” she began to stammer. He looked away from her suddenly and then spoke in a low voice. “Just tell us where the Green Lane is.” She snapped her mouth shut and then just pointed in the direction of a street.
They both nodded and Lyzanor turned to look at Jerrak. “I think that she knows about your secret.” Underneath the cowl, Jerrak just scowled and pointed towards the same direction.
“Just go.”
Lyzanor shrugged and began to walk. As they walked along, he spoke only once. “How can she stand to wear such a skimpy thing then it’s so damn cold?”
Lyzanor shrugged his shoulders again and that was the end of that conversation. Finally, the street began to change only slightly. The streets looked almost the same, and so did the ‘houses’. The only thing that seemed to change was that the lanterns that were red changed to green. Another thing that seemed to change was that there were not so many people inside of the streets any longer. Of course, Lyzanor seemed to notice nothing else, but Jerrak began to get a little nervous.
As they passed by the places that were on the street, they finally came to one towards the end, in which there was a rather bawdy statue of a man playing a flute and dressed in a rather skimpy silk cloth, which draped his body. There was no one outside at first, but the door flew right open and a swarthy blonde woman stepped out of the door. She was rather plump and her smile was large indeed.
The woman was dressed in a purple dress that hung across her shoulders rather limply and her bare arms both held cuffs that were simple bands of silver with a gleaming gem in each. The woman had her hair wrapped into a rather strange bun; it seemed to be eating in upon itself, turning in towards the back of her head. On her neck was also another piece of silver jewelry with another stone, which was purple as well. At a second look however, her hair actually appeared darker than the original blonde that the green light cast over her.
She spread her arms wide open and spoke in a rather highly happy voice.
“Welcome! Welcome to Catterinia’s! Come inside!”
Almost instantly, she grabbed them both by the arms and hustled them inside. The smell of jasmine and vanilla as well as another unknown, yet rather pleasantly invigorating scent could be smelled in the air. As they were hustled over the threshold, they were greeted by the decadence of a rather classy place. The main room was not gaudy at all, or filled with columns and ugly statuary. Instead, it had simple walls that were the purest white. Silk covered the walls in all colors, but mostly purple. A single staircase led up towards an overlooking balcony, which also led down a different hall.
As they continued forward however, through an arch under the balcony, they entered another larger room in which there was another statue. This one however was in the center of a fountain. It was a young boy dressed in a form fittingly loose tunic with a single vase, out of which water was pouring out rather tranquilly into a small pond at his feet. It made a small chime that sounded almost like music.
“We are the only ones on Green Lane that can say that in our House, we have a singing fountain. It has tumblers on the inside, which the water goes through at intervals, which allows for the notes. It plays ‘Minoura’s Lament’. It’s beautiful.” The woman paused in front of the fountain with both men.
The courtyard was lit by lamps, mostly white light to reflect the silk, but there was the occasional green candle and the flickering light was almost a comfort in the small area. A single couch was set in between two pedestal-like tables, in which were small braziers where the smell of the strange incense could be smelled, wafting upon the gentle breeze from the open aired area. Above the couch was a canopy that was made in a twist on a gazebo fashion. However, it wasn’t as cold here as the outside for some reason.
The woman, whom both assumed was Catterinia, sighed contentedly for a moment. Then she turned quite suddenly and smiled warmly at both of the men. “So what is it that brings you here? Are you each looking for a companion for the night, or are you simply looking for one to share?” Jerrak twisted nervously where he was standing and the woman smiled. “Oh. So is this your first time young sir? Well, we do have some of the finest here… tell Catterinia what it is you desire and I can be sure to try and provide it for you…”
“Ah, so you’re Catterinia?” Lyzanor turned an inquisitive eye to the woman; waiting for a response. The woman smiled and placed both hands upon her breast, hands laced.
“Yes, that would be me, Catterinia Manses.” She moved her eyes to Jerrak after answering Lyzanor’s question. “You may take off your cowl sir, as we value our patron’s privacy here more than anywhere else.” Nor coughed nervously and then took a step forward in front of Jerrak, shielding him halfway from Catterinia’s gaze.
“I don’t think that would be wise my lady…”
“Oh nothing bothers me,” she replied. “Why, I am one of the few people in the city who offers up Light-touched…” Jerrak took a sharp breath. Catterinia smiled almost knowingly. “However, if being slightly secretive turns you on in this case, then I would only ask that I see your face for the safety of my workers…” She grabbed both of her wrists and held them in front of her, directly under her rather large supple breasts.
Jerrak twisted for a moment as if to make a move to leave the room and go back outside and then turned back to face Catterinia. Slowly, he removed the hood of his cloak and his white hair cascaded out and down his shoulders and to the center of his back. His hair was tinged with slight silver in the lamplight of the room. Catterinia smiled and put her hands on her hips.
“Now was that so hard? I cater to people like you all the time. As long as you pay, I have no problems.” She smiled once more and then spoke again in her normal cheerful tone, ignoring Jerrak’s white hair.
“Now what can I provide you two fine young gentlemen?” Jerrak remained silent as Lyzanor rolled his eyes. “We came here in hopes of seeing Melody.” Catterinia raised her eyebrows and cocked her head towards one side. “Ah… so you want our finest then…” She smiled her innocuous smile again and then motioned to the couch that was there beneath the canopy. “Sit and I will be right back.”
They both sat as she walked out of the room. Four small beautifully carved caryatids held up the small gazebo. They were all most likely saints of Virtues; although, statues of the virtues would be rare inside of such an establishment as well as of saints. Nor grinned lewdly and then said, “I hope Melody has a beautiful rack. Then I won’t feel so bad for being here.”
Jerrak shook his head and then spoke softly to himself something that Lyzanor did not quite catch. He then turned his down-turned head towards Nor. “Lyzanor right? Isn’t he one of the saints of the Church?”
“The Saint of Mountain Hunters; he was supposed to be an impressing figure. I hope that I take after his qualities.”
“Doesn’t the Church look down upon acts such as this?” Jerrak looked around the courtyard and spread his hands as if to encompass the whole place.
Lyzanor shook his head, a wistful smile upon his face.
“No, only the Malctun zealots believe that. Although they are a part of the church, it doesn’t mean that I have to like them. I follow Nadiria. She does not mind a little getting to know of other people in a more than just friendly way.”
“Well, you’re in for a surprise…”
“What? You’ve met Melody before? So… is she good-looking?”
“I’ve never met Melody… but I’ve heard stories…”
They sat in silence for a few moments and then Catterinia came back. “I present to you… Melody.” She made a dramatic flourish and suddenly, a man walked forward into the small courtyard. Lyzanor gasped and Jerrak seemed indifferent.
Lithe of curve and white almost as the newly fallen snow, the boy stepped into the courtyard wearing a flimsy tunic of sheer silk that was wrapped in the traditional style of the Grelcians; a short skirt like which wrapped around his waist which also supplied a length of cloth that wrapped over one of his shoulders and left the other one bare. He was indeed not small at all, but had his muscles finely oiled so that he would appear to glitter in the light that was produced by the lamps. His slim waist was hinted at by the cloth that he was wearing. His legs were powerfully muscled in their own right, as if he had at one time been a runner.
His appendages, however slender, gave off an air of strength though. His jaw line was rounded and only slightly squared as it made a small jut from the rest of his face. The jut would have been hard place to spot and notice however, unless someone was actually searching for it. His eyes were a swimming green, which matched a blonde hair that was slightly long and tied back behind his head. However, there were just enough stray wisps that accentuated his normally curved ears and deep-set brow.
In his hand he carried a small tray with two finely crafted crystal bowls and a crystal oinochoe. The bowls were wide and had gold filigree around the top edges that had been made to look like a complex knot work known to be practiced mostly in the mountains around Septi and Luxin. The boy slowly kneeled and placed the tray upon the small table that was to Lyzanor’s left side and then proceeded to sit upon a faldstool that had been cleverly hidden in the flora that surrounded the courtyard. He silently poured what appeared to be ‘faie wine into the two bowls and then offered it up to the guests. They both took the bowls; Jerrak with a pleasantly crafted smile and Lyzanor with a little apprehension.
As the boy settled back down again, this time in front of both of them on his knees, Jerrak slowly sipped the wine. Lyzanor looked at the boy, who looked back with an anticipatory glance at both Jerrak and Lyzanor. It was immediately replaced by a small look of curiosity, which made no furrow in his brows. His eyebrows lifted up only slightly, not disturbing the rest of his face as his lips twitched rather quickly and quite suddenly. Hs face then became an impassive mask, which Lyzanor found slightly unsettling.
Lyzanor turned to face Catterinia who smiled one again innocuously. “I hope everything is to your liking so far…” Lyzanor shook his head and then proceeded to look around. He turned to the pump woman and then asked, “Where is Melody?” Catterinia looked at Lyzanor with a strange look and then tilted her head to an angle. Nor growled and then spoke up once again. “We were told that she would be here. Where is Melody?” At this, Catterinia laughed out loud.
Jerrak slowly took another sip of his wine as the youth looked in a different direction with a slight redness in his cheeks. As Lyzanor continued to look at Caterinia with a look of confusion, Jerrak placed his wine at the other table and then pointed to the youth who was kneeled before them.
“That, my dear friend, is Melody.”
II: Catterinia’s
I think that it is safe to say that we are lost in the last place on earth people can be lost in” Jerrak threw his hands up into the air and rolled his gray eyes. “If you just let me help you…”
Lyzanor shot him a look. “I’d like to think that I know my way around a Red Lantern Lane…”
“I think that you’re too drunk on that damn ‘faie wine to know what the hell is going on.”
Lyzanor stopped and then spoke out. “I resent that!”
A woman dressed in a red skimpy dress walked right up to Lyzanor and put her hands around his arm. “Hey there hunny; can I help you relieve your stress?”
Jerrak threw himself towards her and grabbed her roughly by the wrist and jerked her off of Lyzanor’s arm.
“He’s not for you my dear… we just need some information.”
The woman sneered and rolled her eyes. “What’s wrong sweet-cheeks? Did I move into your territory?” Jerrak opened his mouth and then blushed violently. He looked to the ground and then muttered something under his breath.
“What’s that sweetie? Did I say something’ wrong… or was it right?”
“Come on,” he yelled suddenly. The woman didn’t look startled at all. She just smiled. “What’s wrong boy; am I getting a rise out of you? Why don’t you follow me and I’ll get you out of that cloak and show you…” He looked at her for a moment and her eyes widened as she gazed into the cowl.
“You… You…” she began to stammer. He looked away from her suddenly and then spoke in a low voice. “Just tell us where the Green Lane is.” She snapped her mouth shut and then just pointed in the direction of a street.
They both nodded and Lyzanor turned to look at Jerrak. “I think that she knows about your secret.” Underneath the cowl, Jerrak just scowled and pointed towards the same direction.
“Just go.”
Lyzanor shrugged and began to walk. As they walked along, he spoke only once. “How can she stand to wear such a skimpy thing then it’s so damn cold?”
Lyzanor shrugged his shoulders again and that was the end of that conversation. Finally, the street began to change only slightly. The streets looked almost the same, and so did the ‘houses’. The only thing that seemed to change was that the lanterns that were red changed to green. Another thing that seemed to change was that there were not so many people inside of the streets any longer. Of course, Lyzanor seemed to notice nothing else, but Jerrak began to get a little nervous.
As they passed by the places that were on the street, they finally came to one towards the end, in which there was a rather bawdy statue of a man playing a flute and dressed in a rather skimpy silk cloth, which draped his body. There was no one outside at first, but the door flew right open and a swarthy blonde woman stepped out of the door. She was rather plump and her smile was large indeed.
The woman was dressed in a purple dress that hung across her shoulders rather limply and her bare arms both held cuffs that were simple bands of silver with a gleaming gem in each. The woman had her hair wrapped into a rather strange bun; it seemed to be eating in upon itself, turning in towards the back of her head. On her neck was also another piece of silver jewelry with another stone, which was purple as well. At a second look however, her hair actually appeared darker than the original blonde that the green light cast over her.
She spread her arms wide open and spoke in a rather highly happy voice.
“Welcome! Welcome to Catterinia’s! Come inside!”
Almost instantly, she grabbed them both by the arms and hustled them inside. The smell of jasmine and vanilla as well as another unknown, yet rather pleasantly invigorating scent could be smelled in the air. As they were hustled over the threshold, they were greeted by the decadence of a rather classy place. The main room was not gaudy at all, or filled with columns and ugly statuary. Instead, it had simple walls that were the purest white. Silk covered the walls in all colors, but mostly purple. A single staircase led up towards an overlooking balcony, which also led down a different hall.
As they continued forward however, through an arch under the balcony, they entered another larger room in which there was another statue. This one however was in the center of a fountain. It was a young boy dressed in a form fittingly loose tunic with a single vase, out of which water was pouring out rather tranquilly into a small pond at his feet. It made a small chime that sounded almost like music.
“We are the only ones on Green Lane that can say that in our House, we have a singing fountain. It has tumblers on the inside, which the water goes through at intervals, which allows for the notes. It plays ‘Minoura’s Lament’. It’s beautiful.” The woman paused in front of the fountain with both men.
The courtyard was lit by lamps, mostly white light to reflect the silk, but there was the occasional green candle and the flickering light was almost a comfort in the small area. A single couch was set in between two pedestal-like tables, in which were small braziers where the smell of the strange incense could be smelled, wafting upon the gentle breeze from the open aired area. Above the couch was a canopy that was made in a twist on a gazebo fashion. However, it wasn’t as cold here as the outside for some reason.
The woman, whom both assumed was Catterinia, sighed contentedly for a moment. Then she turned quite suddenly and smiled warmly at both of the men. “So what is it that brings you here? Are you each looking for a companion for the night, or are you simply looking for one to share?” Jerrak twisted nervously where he was standing and the woman smiled. “Oh. So is this your first time young sir? Well, we do have some of the finest here… tell Catterinia what it is you desire and I can be sure to try and provide it for you…”
“Ah, so you’re Catterinia?” Lyzanor turned an inquisitive eye to the woman; waiting for a response. The woman smiled and placed both hands upon her breast, hands laced.
“Yes, that would be me, Catterinia Manses.” She moved her eyes to Jerrak after answering Lyzanor’s question. “You may take off your cowl sir, as we value our patron’s privacy here more than anywhere else.” Nor coughed nervously and then took a step forward in front of Jerrak, shielding him halfway from Catterinia’s gaze.
“I don’t think that would be wise my lady…”
“Oh nothing bothers me,” she replied. “Why, I am one of the few people in the city who offers up Light-touched…” Jerrak took a sharp breath. Catterinia smiled almost knowingly. “However, if being slightly secretive turns you on in this case, then I would only ask that I see your face for the safety of my workers…” She grabbed both of her wrists and held them in front of her, directly under her rather large supple breasts.
Jerrak twisted for a moment as if to make a move to leave the room and go back outside and then turned back to face Catterinia. Slowly, he removed the hood of his cloak and his white hair cascaded out and down his shoulders and to the center of his back. His hair was tinged with slight silver in the lamplight of the room. Catterinia smiled and put her hands on her hips.
“Now was that so hard? I cater to people like you all the time. As long as you pay, I have no problems.” She smiled once more and then spoke again in her normal cheerful tone, ignoring Jerrak’s white hair.
“Now what can I provide you two fine young gentlemen?” Jerrak remained silent as Lyzanor rolled his eyes. “We came here in hopes of seeing Melody.” Catterinia raised her eyebrows and cocked her head towards one side. “Ah… so you want our finest then…” She smiled her innocuous smile again and then motioned to the couch that was there beneath the canopy. “Sit and I will be right back.”
They both sat as she walked out of the room. Four small beautifully carved caryatids held up the small gazebo. They were all most likely saints of Virtues; although, statues of the virtues would be rare inside of such an establishment as well as of saints. Nor grinned lewdly and then said, “I hope Melody has a beautiful rack. Then I won’t feel so bad for being here.”
Jerrak shook his head and then spoke softly to himself something that Lyzanor did not quite catch. He then turned his down-turned head towards Nor. “Lyzanor right? Isn’t he one of the saints of the Church?”
“The Saint of Mountain Hunters; he was supposed to be an impressing figure. I hope that I take after his qualities.”
“Doesn’t the Church look down upon acts such as this?” Jerrak looked around the courtyard and spread his hands as if to encompass the whole place.
Lyzanor shook his head, a wistful smile upon his face.
“No, only the Malctun zealots believe that. Although they are a part of the church, it doesn’t mean that I have to like them. I follow Nadiria. She does not mind a little getting to know of other people in a more than just friendly way.”
“Well, you’re in for a surprise…”
“What? You’ve met Melody before? So… is she good-looking?”
“I’ve never met Melody… but I’ve heard stories…”
They sat in silence for a few moments and then Catterinia came back. “I present to you… Melody.” She made a dramatic flourish and suddenly, a man walked forward into the small courtyard. Lyzanor gasped and Jerrak seemed indifferent.
Lithe of curve and white almost as the newly fallen snow, the boy stepped into the courtyard wearing a flimsy tunic of sheer silk that was wrapped in the traditional style of the Grelcians; a short skirt like which wrapped around his waist which also supplied a length of cloth that wrapped over one of his shoulders and left the other one bare. He was indeed not small at all, but had his muscles finely oiled so that he would appear to glitter in the light that was produced by the lamps. His slim waist was hinted at by the cloth that he was wearing. His legs were powerfully muscled in their own right, as if he had at one time been a runner.
His appendages, however slender, gave off an air of strength though. His jaw line was rounded and only slightly squared as it made a small jut from the rest of his face. The jut would have been hard place to spot and notice however, unless someone was actually searching for it. His eyes were a swimming green, which matched a blonde hair that was slightly long and tied back behind his head. However, there were just enough stray wisps that accentuated his normally curved ears and deep-set brow.
In his hand he carried a small tray with two finely crafted crystal bowls and a crystal oinochoe. The bowls were wide and had gold filigree around the top edges that had been made to look like a complex knot work known to be practiced mostly in the mountains around Septi and Luxin. The boy slowly kneeled and placed the tray upon the small table that was to Lyzanor’s left side and then proceeded to sit upon a faldstool that had been cleverly hidden in the flora that surrounded the courtyard. He silently poured what appeared to be ‘faie wine into the two bowls and then offered it up to the guests. They both took the bowls; Jerrak with a pleasantly crafted smile and Lyzanor with a little apprehension.
As the boy settled back down again, this time in front of both of them on his knees, Jerrak slowly sipped the wine. Lyzanor looked at the boy, who looked back with an anticipatory glance at both Jerrak and Lyzanor. It was immediately replaced by a small look of curiosity, which made no furrow in his brows. His eyebrows lifted up only slightly, not disturbing the rest of his face as his lips twitched rather quickly and quite suddenly. Hs face then became an impassive mask, which Lyzanor found slightly unsettling.
Lyzanor turned to face Catterinia who smiled one again innocuously. “I hope everything is to your liking so far…” Lyzanor shook his head and then proceeded to look around. He turned to the pump woman and then asked, “Where is Melody?” Catterinia looked at Lyzanor with a strange look and then tilted her head to an angle. Nor growled and then spoke up once again. “We were told that she would be here. Where is Melody?” At this, Catterinia laughed out loud.
Jerrak slowly took another sip of his wine as the youth looked in a different direction with a slight redness in his cheeks. As Lyzanor continued to look at Caterinia with a look of confusion, Jerrak placed his wine at the other table and then pointed to the youth who was kneeled before them.
“That, my dear friend, is Melody.”
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Next Section
All right. As promised earlier today, here is the next section of Oracle. As a side note, these could possibly get longer and longer as of note.
A sigh escaped the hood and the new figure made a move to remove his hood. Luc quickly spoke. “I would not remove your hood if I were you friend, as your hair will be the center of as much speculation as my eyes…” The man quickly put down his hands and Lyzanor could see a grin. “Many thanks to you my fellow traveler. Tell me, are you a stranger far from home?” At this, he slightly raised his own palm.
Luc tapped the table once. “I am indeed; lead and I shall follow.” Luc raised his palm and showed a small sigil concealed there. Lyzanor however could not see it. As he slowly sipped his ‘faie wine, it struck him, the comment that Luc had made. He sputtered on the wine he was drinking. “You’re…!” The man turned to him and looked at him inquisitively.
“Does this have to do with my name? After all, I haven’t given it.” He smiled broadly from underneath the cowl’s covering and said, “My name is Jerrak. I know it doesn’t seem like much of a name, but considering, it could have been worse.”
Lyzanor shook his head. “I don’ believe this,” he began. He then lowered his voice to a dull hiss and spoke two words:
“Light-touched!”
Jerrak shifted uncomfortably. He looked around to make sure that nobody had heard what Lyzanor had proclaimed. No one heard, or no one cared. As he shifted again to try to make himself comfortable, he glared at Lyzanor. “Tell the whole flamin’ place why don’t you…”
A white hand rose to silence him. “Peace Jerrak, I’m sure he meant no harm. You are indeed quite unexpected to him. My name is Luc and his is Lyzanor, you may call him Nor for short.”
“You are Luc? Then truly I am indeed in luck. I have been looking for you.” Luc made no motion, and Lyzanor’s eyes burned with a passion against Jerrak. At his gaze, Jerrak looked at the table as if he had done something eternally wrong. Luc slid a hand up to stop Lyzanor as he began to leave. “Please, don’t blame him for something that he had no control over. I’m surprised you could even tell…”
Lyzanor jerked his arm away from the stranger. He took a good long look at the cowl without a face. He stood there for a moment, trying to fathom what it was the man under the cowl wanted. Not figuring it out at all, he nodded and sat back down. “It was the ‘Stranger far from home’ question that tipped me off. Only they ask such a question. We have had quite a few of them come further north, to where I live. I have had to turn them away. All know that they are infinitely bad luck.” Lyzanor looked at Jerrak and then said nothing else. Luc frowned under his hood and spoke once more, this time turning his attention to Jerrak. “You came here; obviously to see me; what is it that you were looking for?”
“Actually, I was looking for sanctuary as it were. These people have hunted me for such a long time. I just don’t know what they want! All I know is that they are trouble and that I shouldn’t trust them.”
“Do you know who they are?” Lyzanor’s question caught Jerrak off guard, but he quickly recovered. He cast his eyes down, looking at the table. “No. I don’t know who they are.”
"With your luck, it could be because of what you are." Lyzanor took another swallow from his bowl. “Were you followed?” Luc's question was also unexpected.
“I’m not quite sure…”
“That is quite all right,” said Luc. “However we must take precautions as if you had been. I’m not sure who it is or why they would want you when there are thousands of other Light-touched in this place, but I am quite sure that you did something of notice. I would hate to ever be noticed by… well. We need to get you, as well as ourselves out of here.”
Lyzanor lifted a single eyebrow at the comment that Luc had made. “Now that you have come to see us, they will no doubt think that we are in cahoots with you. I don’t doubt that we won’t be only because now we are involved…” As the white cowl that was Luc turned towards him, he lifted his hands and shook his head no.
“I am not going to get involved in this. None of my business. I am here only because of Nadiria’s call.”
“The Church called you, not Nadiria. If you want to live to see that wish of the Arch Prelate fulfilled, then you will help us.” Luc’s voice was dangerously low. Lyzanor’s eyes went slightly wider and he looked at Luc for a minute and then said, “Was that a threat?” His eyes went thin and his voice went strangely into a growl.
“No, it was a promise that if we don’t get out of here soon, that everything is going to go to shit.” Luc’s voice was flat, matter-of-fact. Jerrak looked around nervously and spoke in a hurried tone. “Please, I know that you can help me, but I need this help now obviously. How are you going to help me?” White porcelain hands tapped the tabletop.
“I have planned for this you know.”
Both people at the table looked at him and Lyzanor once again raised his eyebrow. “You have planned for this?” He sighed and took another gulp of his wine. Seeing as he had finished it, he called the tavern wench over again. “Get me another of this wine.” The wench smiled again. “One more… coming right up…”
“How could you have possibly planned for this at all? There is no way unless you knew that Jerrak here was coming.” Lyzanor crossed his arms across his chest and gave Luc an accusatory stare. “How do we know that you’re not the one who is after our friend here.” Luc chuckled silently to himself under his cowl. How quickly things could change with just a little bit of suspicion. “So he’s ‘our’ friend now is he?”
Lyzanor scowled at Luc. “You know what I mean.”
Luc shook his head. “No, I’m not quite sure what you meant, but do tell. I always have loved stories.”
At that moment, the girl came back. Lyzanor lifted his eyes as the wench came back with his second bowl of the ‘faie wine and left it on the table. He nodded his head and handed her another four coppers. The barmaid smiled at him. Lyzanor took a gulp of the ‘faie wine and then smiled back at her.
Luc waved her off. She rolled her eyes and then moved on. “Here is the plan. I am going to need you both to leave together. Go down the street until you see the District…”
“You don’t mean,”
“Yes Jerrak that is exactly what I mean. Go down the Green Lane and search for Catterinia’s. Ask for Melody. Tell Melody that you are a Stranger far from Home and Melody will help you.” Jerrak blanched.
“Well then, as soon as I finish this wine…”
Luc shook his head.
“No, you must go now, if even to stave them off for a few moments. Chances are that Jerrak most likely was followed. I will help get him out of this mess. I know what is coming.” Jerrak shifted in his seat, looking around as if someone were watching him. Lyzanor lifted his eyebrows as Luc trailed off his remark.
“Then let us go. We should leave now.” Jerrak looked around once more and nodded to Lyzanor. Lyzanor shrugged and then gulped the contents of the bowl. The honeyed wine went down rather fast and like fire. He grimaced and then placed another three coppers on the table. “Make sure that she gets these.” Luc nodded as Lyzanor turned to the now skittish Jerrak. “Let’s go now. We’ll find Harmony. Don’t worry. After that, I am off to find my call to Nadiria.”
Jerrak shook his head. “The name is Melody…”
Lyzanor nodded once and then shrugged. “Oh.”
As they stood up Luc smiled in his hood. “Both of you be careful and don’t get into any trouble while you are out there.” Jerrak nodded solemnly as he pulled on his cowl. Lyzanor brought the cowl of his hood up, and then left it down around his shoulders.
A sigh escaped the hood and the new figure made a move to remove his hood. Luc quickly spoke. “I would not remove your hood if I were you friend, as your hair will be the center of as much speculation as my eyes…” The man quickly put down his hands and Lyzanor could see a grin. “Many thanks to you my fellow traveler. Tell me, are you a stranger far from home?” At this, he slightly raised his own palm.
Luc tapped the table once. “I am indeed; lead and I shall follow.” Luc raised his palm and showed a small sigil concealed there. Lyzanor however could not see it. As he slowly sipped his ‘faie wine, it struck him, the comment that Luc had made. He sputtered on the wine he was drinking. “You’re…!” The man turned to him and looked at him inquisitively.
“Does this have to do with my name? After all, I haven’t given it.” He smiled broadly from underneath the cowl’s covering and said, “My name is Jerrak. I know it doesn’t seem like much of a name, but considering, it could have been worse.”
Lyzanor shook his head. “I don’ believe this,” he began. He then lowered his voice to a dull hiss and spoke two words:
“Light-touched!”
Jerrak shifted uncomfortably. He looked around to make sure that nobody had heard what Lyzanor had proclaimed. No one heard, or no one cared. As he shifted again to try to make himself comfortable, he glared at Lyzanor. “Tell the whole flamin’ place why don’t you…”
A white hand rose to silence him. “Peace Jerrak, I’m sure he meant no harm. You are indeed quite unexpected to him. My name is Luc and his is Lyzanor, you may call him Nor for short.”
“You are Luc? Then truly I am indeed in luck. I have been looking for you.” Luc made no motion, and Lyzanor’s eyes burned with a passion against Jerrak. At his gaze, Jerrak looked at the table as if he had done something eternally wrong. Luc slid a hand up to stop Lyzanor as he began to leave. “Please, don’t blame him for something that he had no control over. I’m surprised you could even tell…”
Lyzanor jerked his arm away from the stranger. He took a good long look at the cowl without a face. He stood there for a moment, trying to fathom what it was the man under the cowl wanted. Not figuring it out at all, he nodded and sat back down. “It was the ‘Stranger far from home’ question that tipped me off. Only they ask such a question. We have had quite a few of them come further north, to where I live. I have had to turn them away. All know that they are infinitely bad luck.” Lyzanor looked at Jerrak and then said nothing else. Luc frowned under his hood and spoke once more, this time turning his attention to Jerrak. “You came here; obviously to see me; what is it that you were looking for?”
“Actually, I was looking for sanctuary as it were. These people have hunted me for such a long time. I just don’t know what they want! All I know is that they are trouble and that I shouldn’t trust them.”
“Do you know who they are?” Lyzanor’s question caught Jerrak off guard, but he quickly recovered. He cast his eyes down, looking at the table. “No. I don’t know who they are.”
"With your luck, it could be because of what you are." Lyzanor took another swallow from his bowl. “Were you followed?” Luc's question was also unexpected.
“I’m not quite sure…”
“That is quite all right,” said Luc. “However we must take precautions as if you had been. I’m not sure who it is or why they would want you when there are thousands of other Light-touched in this place, but I am quite sure that you did something of notice. I would hate to ever be noticed by… well. We need to get you, as well as ourselves out of here.”
Lyzanor lifted a single eyebrow at the comment that Luc had made. “Now that you have come to see us, they will no doubt think that we are in cahoots with you. I don’t doubt that we won’t be only because now we are involved…” As the white cowl that was Luc turned towards him, he lifted his hands and shook his head no.
“I am not going to get involved in this. None of my business. I am here only because of Nadiria’s call.”
“The Church called you, not Nadiria. If you want to live to see that wish of the Arch Prelate fulfilled, then you will help us.” Luc’s voice was dangerously low. Lyzanor’s eyes went slightly wider and he looked at Luc for a minute and then said, “Was that a threat?” His eyes went thin and his voice went strangely into a growl.
“No, it was a promise that if we don’t get out of here soon, that everything is going to go to shit.” Luc’s voice was flat, matter-of-fact. Jerrak looked around nervously and spoke in a hurried tone. “Please, I know that you can help me, but I need this help now obviously. How are you going to help me?” White porcelain hands tapped the tabletop.
“I have planned for this you know.”
Both people at the table looked at him and Lyzanor once again raised his eyebrow. “You have planned for this?” He sighed and took another gulp of his wine. Seeing as he had finished it, he called the tavern wench over again. “Get me another of this wine.” The wench smiled again. “One more… coming right up…”
“How could you have possibly planned for this at all? There is no way unless you knew that Jerrak here was coming.” Lyzanor crossed his arms across his chest and gave Luc an accusatory stare. “How do we know that you’re not the one who is after our friend here.” Luc chuckled silently to himself under his cowl. How quickly things could change with just a little bit of suspicion. “So he’s ‘our’ friend now is he?”
Lyzanor scowled at Luc. “You know what I mean.”
Luc shook his head. “No, I’m not quite sure what you meant, but do tell. I always have loved stories.”
At that moment, the girl came back. Lyzanor lifted his eyes as the wench came back with his second bowl of the ‘faie wine and left it on the table. He nodded his head and handed her another four coppers. The barmaid smiled at him. Lyzanor took a gulp of the ‘faie wine and then smiled back at her.
Luc waved her off. She rolled her eyes and then moved on. “Here is the plan. I am going to need you both to leave together. Go down the street until you see the District…”
“You don’t mean,”
“Yes Jerrak that is exactly what I mean. Go down the Green Lane and search for Catterinia’s. Ask for Melody. Tell Melody that you are a Stranger far from Home and Melody will help you.” Jerrak blanched.
“Well then, as soon as I finish this wine…”
Luc shook his head.
“No, you must go now, if even to stave them off for a few moments. Chances are that Jerrak most likely was followed. I will help get him out of this mess. I know what is coming.” Jerrak shifted in his seat, looking around as if someone were watching him. Lyzanor lifted his eyebrows as Luc trailed off his remark.
“Then let us go. We should leave now.” Jerrak looked around once more and nodded to Lyzanor. Lyzanor shrugged and then gulped the contents of the bowl. The honeyed wine went down rather fast and like fire. He grimaced and then placed another three coppers on the table. “Make sure that she gets these.” Luc nodded as Lyzanor turned to the now skittish Jerrak. “Let’s go now. We’ll find Harmony. Don’t worry. After that, I am off to find my call to Nadiria.”
Jerrak shook his head. “The name is Melody…”
Lyzanor nodded once and then shrugged. “Oh.”
As they stood up Luc smiled in his hood. “Both of you be careful and don’t get into any trouble while you are out there.” Jerrak nodded solemnly as he pulled on his cowl. Lyzanor brought the cowl of his hood up, and then left it down around his shoulders.
The Quest of Shortness
One should always have a place to start when begining a new project or journey. Currently, I have realized that perhaps, I should get some short fiction published first and have started to look at a few magazines (both online and in hard print) and been checking out their submission guidlines. Some of the places I have heard of before. There is Black Gate Magazine (which is sadly at this moment not accepting any submissions), and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Both are well respected; the MFSF being around since 1949. Another magazine is called Realms of Fantasy ( http://www.rofmagazine.com/ ). Needless to say, I have a small sizable listing of said magazines. Believe it or not, there are a lot more Magazines in the UK and Canada then there are in the United States. Perhaps I should start up my own magazine at some point.
Well, I have made the next part of Oracle here. I know I am not putting it in Chapter submissions, but not everyone has the whole time of day to read hundreds of thousands of words in one sitting. People like to be instantly gratified, so I am jugling that with the small parts that i am putting in here. Perhaps at the end of every week, I'll recap in one large post all that I have typed durring the week... then perhaps not. I want oyu to read the whole of the postings.
Even still, I have more fun writing the small snippets than the blog itself sometimes, but it's writing and I enjoy it no matter what the words say. As a side note, I have also just found the perfect book in my quest here: "Novel & Short Story Writer's Market" . It comes out every year and is very very good. I will put in the third excerpt of "Oracle" later tonight.
Well, I have made the next part of Oracle here. I know I am not putting it in Chapter submissions, but not everyone has the whole time of day to read hundreds of thousands of words in one sitting. People like to be instantly gratified, so I am jugling that with the small parts that i am putting in here. Perhaps at the end of every week, I'll recap in one large post all that I have typed durring the week... then perhaps not. I want oyu to read the whole of the postings.
Even still, I have more fun writing the small snippets than the blog itself sometimes, but it's writing and I enjoy it no matter what the words say. As a side note, I have also just found the perfect book in my quest here: "Novel & Short Story Writer's Market" . It comes out every year and is very very good. I will put in the third excerpt of "Oracle" later tonight.
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