Showing posts with label fairy tale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fairy tale. Show all posts

Thursday, 3 November 2016

NaNoWriMo 2016: The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles


Buenas Dias
One more sleep till that Friday Feeling Dance~ We can Do It!!

If you're a writer or even an avid reader then you should undoubtedly know what the month of November holds in store.
No, Nope I don't mean Movember haha.

It'ssssssssssssssssss NaNoWriMo!!!
Wooohoooo
Start Date: 1st November 2016
What is NaNoWriMo you ask?
  • National Novel Writing Month (often shortened to NaNoWriMo, "na-noh-ry-moh"), is an annual, Internet-based creative writing project that takes place during the month of November. NaNoWriMo challenges participants to write 50,000 words (their minimum number of words for a novel) from November 1 until the deadline at 11:59PM on November 30. The goal of NaNoWriMo is to get people writing and keep them motivated throughout the process.
This year marks my First NaNoWriMo ever! I'm so jazzed & just happy to jump in to this already established writer's fiesta. It's going to be awesome, I can't wait to meet fellow WriMo's.

Initially I was planning on typing out a YA Biopunk story filled with awesome kickass teenagers, hybrid experiments, shady scientists & an even shadier organization hell bent on "seeking the truest potential within mankind."

But alas, with the taking on of new clients, my annoying day job {hence the clients, to hopefully earn enough that I can ditch this job in favor of a full time Writing career}---I've had to prioritize my daily time. Especially with the research & worldbuilding involved.

So, like a bolt of lightning down my vertebrae, I realized I already had the perfect Novel to finish:

My very own Epic Fantasy Fairy Tale called The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles
It tells the tall tale of 3 companions. The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard

Acirassa, Eiramus & Hocirne each have compelling back stories & destinies that they've been set on. With twists & turns around every corner, they will most assuredly face their worst fears all the while attempting to prevent an all out war between the realms.

You can find each chapter link & blog post below:

Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials
Chapter 6 - Hocirne's Return

Chapter One ~ The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard
"Haha! Awesome. I'm loving it so much! You HAVE TO FINISH THIS E!!! Like seriously"~ Sumarie Steenkamp

"The story will make anyone interested for part two! It's an awesome and exciting read, thank you so much for that!"~ Elizabeth O.

"God I love the way you write. I can perfectlt picture the scene in my mind like if I'm watching a movie, it's just flawless...keep the good work!"~ Amy Jones

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Chapter Two ~ The Unicorn Queen: Ari's Origin

"You are such a great writer, keep on sharing your write ups. I will be glad to read them."~ Danne Reed

"I truly hope that vile toad gets what is coming to him sooner or later, poor Ari and I hope the human mage is ok!"~ ana de jesus

"Great read and I love the unicorn photo. I am going to go read part 1!"~ Ann B


Chapter Three ~ The Samurai: Eru's Origin

"This is not a genre I usually read, but you drew me in. I am going to go read the other part now."~ Carol Cassara

 "Amazing fantasy story and artworks! Love your writing style and creative mind :-) As always enjoy reading your post!"~ Eugenia

"I've never been into this genre but it did seem interesting enough that I finished it. I know the feeling of the girl when you see your dad walk out on you."~ Ms KathyKenny

"I seriously love the way you use words. I've tried writing several genres before so I know how difficult it is to put into words what you are thinking, but for people like you it looks so easy and the result is flawless!!I seriously love the way you use words. I've tried writing several genres before so I know how difficult it is to put into words what you are thinking, but for people like you it looks so easy and the result is flawless!!"~ Amy Jones

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Chapter Four ~ The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard Part 2


"You are extremely talented. I love fantasy fiction with wizards and dragons, but could never write this well and bring the characters to life the way you do."~ Nancy Lustri

 "Gah! I'm not patient enough for this format! lol Fantastic story! I'm very excited for the next part!"~ Melisa

 "I loved this as much as I loved the first part! I can't wait to read what you come up with next."~ Masshole Mommy

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Chapter Five ~ The Elven Trials


"You should be adding this to a book, it's very good. Teens would love it, it has everything it needs for an enchanted fantasy world that can take their imagination far, far away."~ Joanna

 "I don't even understand how you can weave such stories. It's absolutely great work."~ Ms KathyKenny

"Wow, I can't believe we're at chapter five! It's really getting more and more exciting. That was a heartbreaking scene at the end."~ Mom Knows Best

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Chapter Six ~ Hocirne's Return




"This all spun out of a conversation with your buddies? Wow, you have an amazing imagination to weave such a tale!"~ Liz Mays

"Omw, look at that 400 and something year old badass!!!! So thrilling! Can't wait to read the next chapter!!"~ Benita Govender

"Omg!!!!!! This was one great piece of writing!!! You my friend are very creative and have a way with words!"~ CourtneyLynne

Going back & reading everyone's comments was such an EPIC experience, Thank You ALL for the highly encouraging & sentimental words. You will never know just how Much I cherish them!



NaNoWriMo's main goal is to encourage creativity worldwide.

The project started in July 1999 with 21 participants, but by the 2010 event, over 200,000 people took part and wrote a total of over 2.8 billion words.


Meet Chris Baty 
He accidentally founded National Novel Writing Month in 1999, and oversaw the event's growth from 21 friends to more than 300,000 writers in 90 countries








Have you got Wattpad?


The rest of the The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles will be uploaded there during the course of November 2016, so read 'em for Free while you can :-)



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Thursday, 14 July 2016

The Fairy Tale Adventures of Princess Kitara


Once upon a time. In a land far, far away. Far from the eyes of mortal men, lived the most 
beautiful Fairy Queen the Fae Kingdom had seen in a many a moon. Stories of Queen Shakira spread far and wide, stretching to the very edges of the Fae Kingdom. She was known for her incredible passion and grace, neigh a fairy in all of creation had ever been known to be as inspiring as she was to her kinsfolk.

Princess Kitara

Chirp-chirp, chirp-chirp, the morning chimes pierced into the very recesses of my mind to gently wake me from my slumber. I yawned very ungracefully, ruffled my hair more and finally got out of bed, stretching my wings ever so far. With a sluggish movement, I hovered to the balcony doors and with a deep breath, I pulled them open. I closed my eyes and smiled as the morning sun and scent
enveloped my senses. 

With a start, I caught myself and realized I had now hovered just over the balcony’s borders. I laughed, a triumphant laugh, today was the day. My 321st birthday, I was finally going to do it. For as long as I could remember, the only thing I had ever wanted in this world was to go on a great adventure, the kind that legends are made of, the kind that was both exciting and dangerous. Ever since I was little, I was taken to see every inch of Faeora, every kind of fairy and every moon since. Of course, the expeditions were planned by my mother, the Queen so the Fae Knights were always around me, suffocating my every move.

It was almost as if mother had tied them with an invisible tether to me. Knowing her, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

There was a soft knock on the door, three taps. Hoorah! It had finally arrived; I opened the door carefully and looked around nothing. Hmm, that’s odd, something pulled on my gown.

I looked down to find the tiniest and most adorable fairy girl. “Uhm excuse me miss, the master asked me to gives this to you. Uhm please don’t tells him I’m late, I like sweets you sees and well I uhm got distracted by somes.”

The way in which she talked was funny enough but looking into those big brown button eyes, how could I refuse such an honest request. “Of course, I will not (for one thing I had no idea who the master was), kindly convey my sincerest thank you to the master. And here you go.” I handed her a gold coin, “Go get distracted by a few more sweets from me, ok sweety.”

She skipped away with a large smile on her freckled face.

In truth, I really couldn’t wait to open the package. Years of befriending the right Fairies, and subtle hints, and of tiptoeing around the topic had finally yielded results. I carefully opened the package and in it, was surprisingly only two pages. I skeptically opened the first one with a frown. It was a letter from the ‘Master’.

“Dearest Kitty Kat.” (obviously a ridiculous attempt at obscuring my identity)

I venture not to think why any fairy would request such a ‘thing’ from me. However, be that as it may you once saved my favorite flower from a hardship and that I can never repay. However, consider this my attempt at such. The second piece of paper is a map to what you are looking for. Please do remember the following rules, as not doing so will most likely get you killed or worse (what was worse than being killed?):

The 1st and most important rule, do NOT fall in love with a mortal.

The 2nd and most important rule, do Not trust anyone especially those that claim to be Fae.

The 3rd and most impo-"

The rest of the letter was burnt off, hmmm that’s weird and why was every one of his rules the most important ones. But that was soon forgotten as I opened up the map, “I cannot believe it.”

It was in a place I had visited constantly but never thought to look. The bath and dress up was a breeze with magic, with a wiggle of my index finger, it was done. I grabbed my already prepared travel sack, which I disguised as a tiny ruby red ring to go on that very same index finger. Just as I was about to leave, an invisible hand stayed me. Sigh, thinking back to that day only a few days ago……

Kitara had just entered the dining hall to find her mother dearest at the window at the very end of the hall. Mother stood poised and direct, as a Queen should, most regal in her rule. With her dark and languid black hair, and piercing green eyes. Kitara would have been the splitting image of her mother had it not been for her father, The King’s icy blue eyes and deep dimples. She tried to remember a time when her mother was full of smiles and warmth; it seemed like eons upon eons ago, so much so that the memories almost seemed fake. No, the mother she knew, the mother she had come to know could never have been such a mother. 

It must have been memories Kitara had made up in her head to compensate for such happenstance. Although Kitara knew what had changed her, it was a story she had been told by almost everyone in the kingdom no one more so than by her Mother. It was the day her Mother had lost everything. You see a Fairy’s wings were her very soul and according to legend, her Mother’s wings were the most magnificent in its beauty. 

It was the day she had lost her wings and the day she had lost the King, her husband and Kitara’s father to a human hunter. According to legend, he was the only mortal to ever enter Faeora and on that day tragedy struck the Kingdom. Leaving her kinsfolk with a very healthy and pretty endless fear of the mortal world. Ever since then, Mother has been on a tireless campaign to ensure Kitara was never hurt or harmed in any way. She increased the Fae Knightship tenfold and ensured a detail of 7 Fae Knightship at all rotatable hours of any given day. They were called the Galicia and were comprised of the most heroic and stoic warriors in all the land. Sometimes you would only need those 7 to win a war and yet now they were stuck babysitting the already over-protected princess. Kitara approached her Mother reservedly, nervously fidgeting with her morning dress.

“Mother.” She bowed.

“You’re 7 minutes late Kitara, I would have taught you by now that a Queen is never late only ever early, would I not?” Her mother replied still looking out that damned window.

Kitara knew better than to retort. “Yes Mother, I am very sorry Mother.”

“Come, we will have breakfast quickly as your day is scheduled with many an endeavor.”

They sat in tensioned quiet, her mother very delicately eating while Kitara hadn’t the stomach for this morning’s scones with picanut fillings. She took a deep breath and said, “Mother, my 321st birthday is next week and you promised I would get to go on an adventure outside the Kingdo-“

A fist slammed on the table. The Queen regained her composure yet fire still burned in her eyes. “I promised you no such thing young one. You are my daughter and as such you have obligations to your kinsfolk before any such meaningless and immature adventures.” This time, she sighed and with gentler eyes said, “My dearest Kitara please do not start this again, I am only doing what a Mother must to protect her daughter. Her daughter whom she loves very much. But such a love comes with conditions; I could not bear to lose you too. Maybe in a few years or so.”

Now it was Kitara’s turn to fume, “You did not promise? You did not promise? You do exactly the same thing every time Mother; you try to guilt me with Father’s passing. I am not him nor you, I am but both of you. I want to go on an adventure! You’re not fair at all! Argggh.” She stormed off to her room vowing to follow her dream even if it meant disobeying her Mother, the Queen.

I was jolted back into the present by Sebastian, my dearest friend, and a changeling. Meaning he could transfigure into anything he so desired, his favorite form of which was a sea blue feathered sparrow.

~You best get a move on princess, we haven’t the time for regret~ he said through telepathy.

Of course, he could talk but it was his own private joke to talk into my head like we shared a secret. My ring got heavier the further away from the castle I became; it was as if a weight was on my shoulders. However my excitement at the adventure to come far outweighed my guilt. 

~Shh, you’re thinking too loud. We’re here.~

I paused at the giant white oak tree, the very tree I had spent many a day reading and sleeping under. According to the map, this was the spot, a keyword was labeled next to it “Aspermortantium.” She read aloud, suddenly the ground started to shudder and a wide arc opened at the base of the colossal tree. I looked around and with one final glance at the castle in the distance, slipped into the unknown.

Queen Shakira

Shakira stood at the very same window she had become accustomed to for the past three hundred and twenty years. It was at this very window that she had seen what had irrevocably changed her life forever. Lord Barathus, how she hated fighting with Kitara but if she didn’t be so firm, the girl would be frolicking with Mountain trolls! Such an adventurous spirit, which she cursed because it came from her. Yet she did not realize just how important she was, how vital her survival was for the Kingdom. You see Shakira was losing her Magical essence and would soon be very much mortal, ever since losing her wings the magic has been seeping out of her slowly but surely. Soon she would be no longer the Queen of Faeora, just another faceless mortal doomed to suffering and disgrace. She needed to make sure Kitara was read-

Something caught her eye; it was Kitara’s eye! At the very topmost hill with the great White oak tree. The portal had been opened! However did she?! “Captain Verhad! Captain Verhad!!!” Shouting at the top of her lungs.

The captain and a squadron of Fae knights stormed the dining hall with murderous purpose. “What is it my queen”, asked the captain.

Shakira turned her cheek to the window to avoid giving away any further concern. “I said Captain Verhad, had I not?” She waited for the footsteps to die out before turning to the Captain, fool of worry in her face. Tears now streaked her perfect face, “Kitara has found the portal!! I do not know how but whoever told her will be severely punished. You MUST go after her, I would go to but only true Fae or Mortal may pass through and since I am neither I will only hinder you by such trivialities. Please captain, save my one true daughter.” The captain was out the hall without another word, he had already staked his life on protecting her many years ago, there was no need for a remittance. Oh Lord Barathus, please do not let her know the same pain that she did all those many years ago.


Johnny Padelaki

Man, I hate this shop, I hate the smell, I hate the books, I hate my grandfather for making me work here and I hate my father for letting him make me work here. It was an antique for Christ sakes, nobody hardly ever came to an antique bookstore to buy a book, why, when you can read the latest game of thrones novel at exclusive books. Arrggggh it was so suffocating.

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to go on an adventure and as soon as I get my Anthropology and archeology degree, I am as good as gone from this squeaky old place. I could almost hear my rackety old grandpa now, “Young man, this shop has been in our family for generations. Why my father owned it and his father before him and his father’s father and his father’s father’s father. It is on sacred ground and must be preserved.” Sigh, I hated to disappoint the old man but I needed to get out of here and live my life. I was so going get a job at the archeology society of great London and volunteer for any and every expedition there was.

Crash!!!! A loud thud followed by what sounded like a mountain of books falling (yes it had happened before unsurprisingly in this heap of tattered old books). I followed the sound to the study in the back, noticing that the books had fallen to reveal a long forgotten family heirloom. The Mirror was something he was told to never ever touch. Oh well, I only had two more days before graduation, what could one-touch do. Although it felt like an uncontrollable urge, like a gravitational pull. As my fingers roamed the ceremonial engravings on the frame, it started to warm up to the touch. A force knocked me off my feet and into a shelf. I came to at the smell of lilies, my vision blurred but my curiosity of that heavenly scent pulled me forward. I blinked several times before I saw her clearly. I girl who looked no older than I did, was lying on the ground unconscious from my observations. Dark black her and the kind of beauty that would make a man’s, this man’s heart stop beating. She opened her eyelids and from them the most dazzling eyes he had ever seen.

They were a piercing blue with flakes of green, no almost whitish blue in them. It was almost as if they were dancing in her irises. I am left speechless, even as a puzzled frown formed on her beautiful face as she looked around taking in her surroundings. Wait, what the hell was going on, there is no way just no way had she come out of the Mirror right? Right? No that’s absurd.

“Good day kind sir. Forgive me but I seem to be out of sorts. Is this what is called the Earthen lands? Ouch, it seems I have hurt one of my wings, no matter it will heal shortly”.

Now it was my turned to do the puzzled frown although I imagine I looked quite foolish to this goddess from the Mirror. From a frickkin mirror? Things like this can’t just happen. “Earthen Lands? If you mean Earth, then yes. Wings? I’m sorry but what wings?”

Now it was her turn to frown again, she glanced behind her back and so did I. “Do you not see them?” I shook my head. “-hmm that is most peculiar. I am princess Kitara, daughter of Queen Shakira, protector and savior to all the Fae, successor to the throne and protected by the Galicia. And who might you be kind sir?”

I blinked a few times trying to remember and understand that. “I’m Johnny Pedalaki and uhm no title,” I said nervously hoping I didn’t have soot all over my face from the explosion or whatever it was that brought this girl into my life.

The front door was pushed open with such force that the bell on it rang then broke, then fell to the floor, “Gimme all yo money!!- wait, hey no one is here. I thought you said there was always some kid here Henry.” Said the first guy.

“Dammit man don’t use my name! He’s always here. Be careful, he knows some kinda Kung Fu shit I ain't never seen.”

I rolled my eyes and looked down at Kitara, holding out my hand and muttering, “Mirror explodes and beautiful girl pops out then the store gets robbed by anti-geniuses, man when it rains it pours.”

Kitara piped up, “I am not familiar with that expression Johnny Padelaki no title”.

I put a finger to her lip, marveling at her and said: “It’s just Johnny, whoever are you?”

“I am princess Kitara, daughter of Queen-“

I smiled and interrupted “Never mind, come with me and you have to be quiet.” I pulled her towards a very old closet, she was behind me now, and God she smelled good. I felt dizzy but at the same time, I was not going to let anything hurt this undeniably beautiful creature. I motioned for her to stay put. Henry and his partner entered the room looking around. Firstly they only had a baseball bat and each of them had no protective clothing on, what morons. I burst out of the closet like a barbarian, man since when did I get this reckless. I threw myself at Henry, I knew this guy, he grew up down the block from me and now here he was trying to steal from me and hurt what is mine. I don’t know where this rage came from, maybe it was from all those years in the shop who knows but I pounded fist after fist at his face. A loud pop rang in the air followed by a sharp pain at my side, which was only superseded, by the most excruciating and exploding pain I had ever felt, I toppled off to the side off of Henry’s bloody face. Clutching my own side in agony and to avoid losing any more blood. Damn this frickkin hurt, no one ever says how much it hurts. The guys in the movies always make it seem like nothing and get up. I couldn’t even see straight let alone move.

I heard the closet door open again and Kitara stepped out, I tried to get up but cursed, I was useless I couldn’t even save her. Man, why had I been so reckless? Henry’s accomplice, let’s call him DonkeyFace said: “Well looky what we have here, damn you look fine baby come give daddy some sugar.” I could see enough to tell

Kitara was pissed. She rushed the guy, no not rushed actually flew at the guy and grabbed him by the throat with one hand lifting him up. DonkeyFace was choking for air, then she wiggled her index finger and he crumpled to the ground like dead weight. She turned to me with concern in her gorgeous eyes, man what I would give to never have to see that worry in her eyes ever again.

“Arrgggh, sorry I’m so useless,” I grunted, disappointed in myself.

Kitara knelt down and gently hovered her hand over my wound. Miraculously I watched in awe as the wound closed, I felt the bullet inside me dissolve into sweet nothingness. “I am so glad you are in good health Just Johnny, you have been so kind to me and I like your eyes, I wish to see nothing ever bad happen to you” I chuckled, She liked my eyes? I frickkin loved her eyes! She placed her hand over my heart and closed her eyes; wow was she going to heal my soul or something now. Her eyes popped open with delight, she smiled and it just melted my heart “You have Fae blood in you, it’s faint but still there.” Again it was my turn with the Willy Wonka puzzled frown,

“Uhm that’s weird, maybe it was a transfusion or something. Am I in trouble?”

She laughed, it was the most entrancing sound I had ever heard, “No silly, it cannot be transfused it is part of who you are. And no you are not in trouble and now neither am I hahahah.” Kitara stood up and magically produced a large ivory colored sword that shone like the moon. “Dearest Johnny Padelaki of no title and my savior. By your forefather the Fae Bronson (Hey! That’s my great granddad's name), and by my Mother before me, I dub thee Fae Knight of the Royal

Bloodline. Do you denounce all in the name of your Queen and kinsfolk? To swear only to serve and protect those you are charged with in innocence?”

Silenced prevailed, my mind was so jumbled but hey if it meant I got to see more of her what the hell. “Uhm I guess so.”

With that, she plunged the sword so deep into my chest that I’m pretty sure it came out the other side!


*************
Authors Note

Sorry! No Zemlja Dosta Chronicles this week, giving you some time to catch up on the story.
Here are all the chapters:
Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials
Chapter 6 - Hocirne's Return

The Fairy Tale Adventures of Princess Kitara was written as a bedtime story. I asked my big sister what she wanted for her birthday, told her she could have anything and she said she wanted a story. So, abra kadabra, voila here's the bedtime story I wrote.

Part 2 of this story will be released next week as it was just too long to put in one blog post and hopefully, it's entertained you enough to look out for next weeks release.

Photography by AlfonzoWords
~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres
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Wednesday, 6 July 2016

The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles: Chapter 6


Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials

Chapter 6 - Hocirne's Return

The brutally battered, bloody and bruised bodies laid strewn all across the beach front. Ari was sickened at the sight of it. In the center stood, Kcin tall and blood with a wicked grin on his face as if to say "Here I am! Slaughterer of Elves, look at my masterpiece."

Eru was no help to Ari's sheer rage, she was beside herself with the scene and had crumbled to here knees. "You Distrosted MONSTER!!!" She shouted at the top of her lungs not caring who heard.

After a moment Eru piped up, her face lowered in defeat "How could you kill your own kind like this? With no remorse."

Then Kcin did the one thing that sealed his despicableness, he laughed. He began pacing, giving them sideward smirks while swaying his massive onyx sword about. "Do not presume to judge ME Eirumas! Or what was it they called you in the Old Tongue,-" His eyes darkened in victory, "Ah yes, 'KinSlayer' was it? The bloodied bodies of your fallen folk may be laid bare before you feet in the thousands! And all that at the behest of your Father? That's, that's where we discompare. You killed for your kingdom and your unworthy title holder of a father. Whereas, I, no I kill for myself."

Unheld tears streaked down Eru's cheeks now as she shook her head, Ari could tell that she did not believe his words, so kind was her heart to believe in the best of folk. She sighed deeply and asked, "What do you get out of this Monster?"

Annoyance flashed on Kcin's face for a moment and then it was gone, "Simple, I deliver unto the Queen of the North, that there Looking Glass and one, how did she put it? One Green Haired warrior princess. And I get a lifetime supply of Opium from her mines." His smile at the last words told her that this "Opium" was valuable to him.

Ari balled her fists in outrage, no one was taking Eru from her not as long as she held breath within her breast. She moved forward to charge when he appeared instantly before her and backhanded her to the ground, her whole body shook from the force of such a simple gesture on his part and her neck felt loose upon her head. "Do not dishonor yourself my thinking you have a chance fighting me woman. Eru was my only challenge today. It's why I sent her through the Trials. See the kicker, isn't the Mountain Troll you faced, it's what that idiotic place does to you afterward. Saps all your strength it does."

Eru was on her feet now, sheer rage reflected in her demeanor but the spell's toll could be seen on her skin, her once earthy glow no longer reigned true, a dull pale white now took its place. Kcin sensed this and snapped his fingers. Time literally began to slow all around them, even the ocean's powerful waves were halted in their beauty.

An old decrepit man appeared, unshrouded ever so slowly by a swirl of mist. His face held no emotion. He wore only a simple dark gray cloak with long nailed toes sticking out the bottom. Pure white hair draped across his head, flowing as if under water.

Ari tried to move, well anything at this point and nothing happened it was like her whole body not her own anymore and nothing worked as it should. She could tell Eru had this very same problem, except Eru seemed to be moving just a tiny little bit. She was reaching for her Katana! The one Ari had never seen her use no matter how dire the situation. The old man regarded her with a raised eyebrow, the furtherest extent of his expressions so far. Still, it seemed it would take Eru eons before she could do anything worthwhile.

Kcin looked down at Ari with a smirk of victory, "It would appear your escort has arrived your majesty. Meet Father Time."

Art Credit
***
Ari felt completely exhausted and defeated as she was forced to trail behind the old man. He walked with painstakingly slow movements, then again he did literally possess all the Time in the world. No matter how much she screamed, how much she struggle, nothing could stop the sight of Kcin leaving with Eru in golden chains, her beloved katana now thrown to the ground behind them. Thankfully the old man, who called himself Pilav by the way, had allowed her the solace of taking the katana with her. 

Even though they seemed to be moving at a snails pace, before long she noticed that they had passed Thorumdawn's tavern, the very same tavern she'd met Eru. How had they traveled so far, so quickly?
"Time moves for no man but I you see, everything slows and flows, blows and tows where I wish it. Thus is you confusing on the distance covered." Was he reading her thoughts? He frowned.
"You are on a quest to free the one you love yet the love I just watched being taken from you is not the love you quest to free. Peculiar, very peculiar. Tell me spriteling, what does love mean to thee? For such things are a mere blink in mine eye. Seen it once, seen it a thrice, 'tis all the same. Ends with such brutal tragedy or such boisterous victory."

In that moment, with her personal time zone affected by Pilav's presence, Ari was caught completely unawares at his unexpected burst of conversation with her. "Love is all." That's it? That's all she could manage to say to the Father of Time?! Yet he nodded & stroked at the saggy and aged skin of his chinny chin chin, deep in thought.  

"Where are you taking me? Why was I not taken to this Queen?" Ari began an internal dialogue not bothering with words anymore, seeing as he could read her mind and all. 

"That queen is a mere mortal pawn. It would seem this self-proclaimed Toad King, mistook his value of you and wants to possess you once more-" Pilav winced at the outburst of Ari's thoughts. She was beyond furious now. Since when did that slimey tadpole possess her?

She calmed her thoughts enough, "Why not let me go then? What could the all-powerful father of time have to gain from bringing him what he desires?" A part of her cried out, this could be her one chance to see Hterag once more. But no, no she couldn't leave Eru at the mercy of that usurper of a Queen. She had to go back for her friend, her Sister.

Pilav sighed and palmed at his face, "I was there at the birth you know, of all things but before this, I existed too. Eons upon Eons of footfalls upon all realms, none have proven above or before me. So I invite you this; of what heed would you take to should a mere passingly of a breath had it asked you for a favor? This Toad King has me bound by unspeakable and ancient magic that I thought lost to the ages. Thusly you nor I have a choice in the matter."

All Ari could do, was pray, pray to all the Asoscia Gods in sincere, pleaded and bended-kneed requests.

Hocirne pushed through the air with annoyance in his wake, calling over his shoulder "-alls I'm saying Merly, next time you want to send me to alternate realms and spheres atleast remember to mention the toxic mud or dragon's nest we might stumble into!"

Merlin's laughed echoed through the air behind him, "Oh laddie, such is not within my power. Old Wizzie was that sole owner and now you as well."

"Mother toad, you drive me bonkers. Then let's be glad I'm leading this time, and no-" Hocirne was cut short when the appeared before an OLD man and his charge. And he thought Merly was old but this guy was seriously beyond imagination old. Ancient was a more profound word, how could anyone look this old? His charge appeared more clearly as if shrouded in mist before and Hocirne's breath caught. 

"Ari!" He exclaimed. Ari opened her eyes in bewilderment and was almost toppled over as Hocirne barreled into her for a hug. 

Catching himself, he backstepped and palmed at his now shaggier hair. "Heh, sorry about that. It's just been 400 years since I last saw you! Merly wasn't kidding about the time difference."

The overcasted clouds began to shift and he felt a tugging sensation in his gut, it emanated from the old man. Ari grabbed at his arm, "Please, please do not anger Pilav." Hocirne squinted down and now noticed misty chains attached from Ari to this Pilav, stretching through his belly explaining the cold pit that filled there. All that made him do was think of food, decadent, and mouth watering food. 

Pilav raised an eyebrow, he thought the wrinkles in his face were going to crack at the strain. "What mysterious being are you? My presence seems naught but to make you hungry. Peculiar, very peculiar."

Hocirne rolled his eyes, "Yeah yeah I get that alot gramps. The name's Hocirne. Now may you please release my friend here so we can go fill my belly with aunty M's best homemade cafflewaffles."

Pilav began pacing, but so slowing he must have not moved an inch in ages. Hocirne tapped at his feet.  "Hmm Ho'rin, familiar with this name Time has not been. Where reign thee?"

He got tired of this charade instantly, 400 years was a long long time and no amount of patience had been wasted so the thought of spending a second here irked every fiber of his being. He mentally shifted through Ari's memories of her time with Pilav seeing that the blasted Toad Kings hand had been played. He concentrated on the misty chains tethering Ari to Pilav, silently conjuring forth the Old words, the chains shattered as well misty chains could shatter he supposed. 

Pilav moved then, so fast it appeared a blur. Red misty now flew out at Hocirne, hitting him square in the chest with the force of a boulder. He was thrown into a nearby tree demolishing it in his thrust.
Art Credit: Tira Owl
He got up, dusting the splinters of his newly washed wizard robes the princess of Amdala had made for him. Annoyance flashed and he chuckled, "You call that hit old man? A baby mountain troll hits better that you!" He thrust out a hand, no flashy sparks needed. Pilav was sent up into the air, while there, he swayed his hand hoping the old man would get vertigo and thrust back downing, sending Pilav hurtling to the ground so hard that it left a crater once the dust settled. 

He grabbed Ari's hand and in a flash of lightning, the three of them stood in his now completely destroyed barn. 

Ari touched at her nape, breathing heavily. "How, how in the seven pointed kingdoms did you do that!?" 

But Hocirne couldn't think, he could breathe in fact when he saw Eru's katana. Her one, truly prized possession now on the back of Ari. "Don't....no...Don't tell me..." All the energy sucked out of him, the ground beneath him fell away and his knees landed soundly below an abyss. 

She came over in hurried exclamations, "No, No! She's not dead Hocirne, she's not. She's just been taken by a vile dark elf named Kcin. To the Queen, the very same queen that ordered your mother's dea-"

What was left of the barn was completely leveled, destroyed with but a thought from Hocirne. He got up with murder ablaze in his oceanic eyes. 

"Kcin is a dead man."

*****************
Authors Note

While joking with some great friends, the basis for this story was formed. I wrote out Part 1 as a test version to see how it would all play out.
Thusly, we chose to name this forthcoming collection - The Zemjla Dosta Chronicles.
Zemlja Dosta means "The Land of Plenty" in Bosnian. Thanks Sumarie-chan :-)

Hope you enjoyed reading chapter 6!
Tune in next week for chapter 7 won't ya :-)

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres
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Wednesday, 29 June 2016

The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles: Chapter 5

DeviantArt Cred: ignisfatuusii

Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials

Ari looked out as the sun set over the horizon, she pondered at the spot where the tormented Hocirne had been just a moment ago. To be so young and to have lost his mother in such a brutal fashion, she felt such heartache for him. 

"We should head back to the nearest tavern for now, they might have rooms to lay rest for the day." Eru looked defeated as she gathered up what remained of their supplies. 

A sharp sound caught Ari's attention, the baby dragon was beside her. Looking up at her with mournful slitted yellow eyes. Sigh, another motherless child for her to deal with. "Little one, what shall we name you hmm? Tarlock? No that's doesn't sound right. I know! I will name you after your mother begone. Brieme."

Without their horses, they were left to walk alongside Brieme towards the tavern. "That's a wonderful name Ari. Say, what ever did you do back there with the guards? The last thing I remember was you singing a most ethereal song." Eri asked as they picked up pace with the wind's tide. 

"My papa called it the Maiden's Melody, not heard in a hundred centuries prior. They had thought the gift lost to the ages until I began singing on my 200th centenary. The melody manipulates the emotions of others, meaning I can make them feel whatever it is I want them to feel." Ari frowned at that admittance and Eru's bewildered reaction, in her land it made her special, an outcast. Here it made her more so. Ari closed her eyes and pictured her realm once more. 
DeviantArt Cred: Nagatuki

***
Ari and Eru walked into the tavern, weary of the road they had traveled, longing for a moment of peace where they could each reflect on what had just happened.

“Why do we have to wait for him? I thought you said he’s some sort of great wizard that could help, not a stumbling block to get Hterag back.” Ari continued her rant as they searched the busy tavern for an open seat. 

“I said he is a great wizard. He is. But he needs training. Did you see the havoc he can create with untamed magic? Be patient. Things will work out as they should” Eru walked toward an open table and sat down. The air in the tavern was foul, reeking of breaths soaked in ale and humid bodies tired after a hard days work. 

“He will be back in due time, and then we will continue on our mission to find your Hterag.” 

Ari acknowledged the waitress walking in their direction with a fresh ale on her tray, the waitress made her way over. “Oh my, what brings such fair ladies to a tavern such as this? Be careful who you meet in places like these ladies, there are a lot of wolves in sheep’s clothing. But then again, I guess there’s a lot of sheep in wolves clothing ey?” The perky waitress gave a slight chuckle and started to turn around. Ari looked at Eru with disbelief, it was the first mortal in this realm that freely spoke to them. The waitress swiftly spun back to the two and whispered, “You might want to cover your hair, you're gaining a lot of attention from some dangerous folk.” 

On that note she was called away to another table. Eru immediately covered her hair with her cape and looked around the room. One by one making a summary of the collection of mortals, their weapons and a guess at their agility and combat ability. Once she summarized everyone, she felt at ease with herself. She would be able to defend herself, Ari and the waitress if need be. Finally her gaze fell to Ari, looking back at her with a questioning look “I’ve finished my ale, you haven’t touched yours or said a word about our situation. What will we do?” 

Eru sighed deeply and wiped tiny beads of sweat off her brow “I wish I had all the answers Ari, I truly do. But we have to be patient. Have you seen anyone looking at us?” 

Ari smiled guiltily and glanced around the tavern “Who is sitting there at the far corner? She can’t keep her eyes off of us.” Eru smiled, so Ari noticed and took in her surroundings even though she did not show it. Pride. It was a feeling she had long forgotten, left behind in a land far away, a land she was starting to think she’d never reclaim. Eru pushed back the thoughts clouding her view of reality in this moment and looked at the woman sitting in the corner. She was dressed neatly, the difference between her surrounding and attire was striking. She was out of place, but somehow Eru thought this woman was right where she wanted to be. “Don’t stare at her Eru! It’s rude” As if the woman had heard their conversation, she slowly lifted her head, and looked right into Eru’s eyes. 

Ari stood up “I’m going to go talk to her” Eru and Ari have only been a team for a few days at most, but Eru knew how this would end. There was no stopping Ari when she had her mind set, so the best she could do was hastily down her ale and make her way over to the woman to make sure that Ari didn’t get herself into a sticky situation by losing control of her emotions.

"Oi, why are you staring at us mortal? I demand answers." Ari stood there hand on hip ready to take on the world. 

The woman chuckled, her big beady neckles danced upon her ample bosom. "Verily, I apologize. I am named Valencia, I hail from the southern kingdom and I was told to wait for your here."

"Wait for who? Us? Why?" Eru asked in perplexion. 

"I was beseeched to wait for the green haired gaijin and her pinked haired companion. You see I am on a grave mission from my queen. It is urgent that I must speak with thee." Valencia's heavy set golden bracelets jingled as she moved to make room for them as her rather large frame took up most of the room of the booth. 

In a surprising turn of events, Valencia told them her mission. To retrieve the Looking Glass from an Elven clan in the mountains. In exchange, her queen was prepared to offer them a way to Ari's realm. Eru regarded the woman suspiciously, who did this queen know of their plan to visit another realm. What was more disturbing was the lack of stories Eru had heard about the southern queen. Every other kingdom was afresh with gossip on their royal rulers, yet not a whisper of this one. "I thought the elves went extinct a millennia ago."

Valencia smiled politely, "I know not of such things but my queen has arranged an escort for you."

***
"Do you trust her Eru? You ought to be more careful in your deals youngling, I've only been a short time in this land and your fellow mortals have had terrible behavior." 

Eru sighed, "I am cautious Ari, but this is our only option at the moment. Take heed, our escort should be arriving shortly."

Eru and Ari waited beside the Spirit waterfalls, the vapor of falls carried to them dampening their hair. Thunder and storm brewed in the east, an iron stoned castle in its wake. Brieme who had been playing gleefully in the falls, came galloping to tuck his head under Ari's arm as the thunder boomed in the distance. A time later when the storm hit them, they took cover at a near by ledge, looking out into the storm for their assigned escort who appeared to be frustratingly late. 

Suddenly, though not entirely like, an elf appeared in the same way that Merlin did. As if through the very fabric of the air. He glanced back at the iron stoned castle and pulled at his obsidian cloak. 

DeviantArt Cred: Martaemilia
His was long and dark, with the sudden contrast of piercing ice blue eyes framing his eyebrows. The armor under his cloak almost swirled with the storm as it connected. 

Ari regarded him coldly but Eru could not help but stare. He did not look like any man she had seen before, then again this was no man before her but an elf, an elf in blackened armor. "You must be the escort, well don't just stand there. Introduce yourself."

The elf smirked at Ari's demand as if a child has just asked him for a sweet. "The name's Kcin of the Remerb clan. Forgive my lateness, those mountain trolls can be a pain to deal with."

"Mountain trolls? First elves now mountain trolls. I was told the mortals ruled these lands and that such beings were driven to extinction in eons past." Eru inquired, unsure as to why her heart beat loudly as he stepped closer to them. Something about him resonated with her at her very core.

Kcin chuckled heartily, "It's true the humans do outnumber us fair folk but alas our extinction has been the subject of political hogswash, meant to give a sense of safety. Come, we must journey a day's trek towards the eastern mountains if you wish to reach the entrance to the Elven lands."
Kcin gestured for them to follow as strode off into the storm without a care. 

The trek was long and hard, through sleeted snow and burnt rock. Kcin had no intention of stopping even they struggled through the harsh conditions. Worse still was his insistence on climbing a damned mountain top. It took them longer than a day to reach its zenith but alas the survived. The view from atop the peak, was breathtaking. Lush greenery sprawled out as far as the eye could see, decadent waterfalls streamed through the burnt rock of the distant mountains. Upon their descent, Kcin held up a hand and hurried them behind a boulder. 

Thundering footsteps could be heard, the noise of armor echoing as it did. Before Eru, a marvelous yet impossible sight awaited her. Golden warriors marched in complete unison as if of one mind. In the lead was an Elven woman with luminescent blue-purplish eyes.
DeviantArt Cred: jasontn
Kcin grunted, "Hellfire! Varda has decided to go ahead then."

Ari pushed at Kcin's shoulder, "Decided on what exactly?"

Kcin palmed at his face in tiredom, "The invasion plan, they attack at dawn. The dawlish clan will march unto the east pointed kingdom in full force and annihilate its ruler."

Eru clutched at her chest, remembering all to well the carnage war always brought. "I don't understand, the stories, elves are supposed to be naught but peaceful delicate beings. Recluse and in tune with nature." 

"It's true we elves descend from the fairies of old but alas these later generations have evolved beyond those limitations. They are bred for nothing but war and war is what they will bring unto this world. We must hurry to their vault before all is lost."

Kcin led the way towards the shoreline, and presented to an eastern facing mountain side. 
He took out a piece of white rock and began drawing intricate symbols upon the bare rock. 

"What is this elf doing now?" Ari whispered whiling absent-mindedly patting on Brieme's scaly head. His tail wagged out in furious appreciation. 

Eru shushed at Ari as they watched Kcin finish off the symbols with an appraising glance. "Ah, that should do it. Eru, you're up."

"What do you mean. I'm up? You've brought us this far. You go."

Kcin eyes glazed over as if he was encircled in an altogether unpleasant memory. 

DeviantArt Cred: takeyourhatred
"The trials within call for a warrior of pure heart and fierce loyalty. It will not allow an elf from another clan to enter." He explained. 

Eru sensed that that wasn't the entire story but lamented on completing the task. As she got up to stand before the symbols, Ari stood beside her with a determined expression. "Warrior or not, I didn't come this far to sit out here like some pampered queen. We do this together." Eru's chest inflated, never had she experienced such friendship before nor had anyone been willing to risk their life with her outside of battle. 

Kcin uttered an incantation and a doorway erupted through the rock sending debris everywhere. Eru and Ari stepped into the narrow cavern, startled as the doorway closed loudly behind them. Even though Eru had been trained to fight in the blind, even her vision could not pierce the darkness around them. Ari began to literally glow, every inch of her became illuminated in glorious white light. "That's a new one." Eru marveled. 

Ari shrugged and urged them forward, until the happened upon a large dome like cave. Surprisingly the floor beneath them was all made of glass, it bottomed out into an abyss below. "Great, how in the transenoble tails are we suppose to find a Looking glass amidst all this other-"

"BBBRRRRRRROOOOAR!!!" The rocked ceiling above them quivered and splintered as a massive sound erupted from the gloom of the cave. A gigantic monster came pounding towards them, it's heavy footfalls causing cracks to appear in the glass. 

Ari shrieked and shrunk back in terror, "Who the hell leaves that thing to guard a place where the floor is made of bloody glass?!"

From Kcin's earlier descriptions during their trek, Eru summed that this was a mountain troll. Green blistering skin and all. It had on a sheer loin cloth for cover around the midsection with a belt made out of skulls. Eru didn't miss a step, her body taking over in muscle memory. This is what she knew, this is what she was chosen for. She pushed Ari out of the way and sidestepped the beast as he went barreling into the cave wall, sending chunks of burnt rock flying out around him. 
She lifted off her heels, calculating now that her speed would win them this. Eru danced around the giant to an attempt to anger and disorient him further. This time when the beast came barreling towards her, she effortlessly scalled the far cave wall, defying gravity as she went. Just as the giant was to reach her, she flipped out curving her body in the air as she landed upon the giant's shoulders. She withdrew two hunting knives from the small her back in quick succession and drove them into either side of the beast's pulsing neck muscles. It took but a minute for the beast to feel the acid and poisonous touch of her blades. A gift from her father of course, dipped in manticore venom and fermented in summer sun. The giant went crumbling down causing large fissures to appear in the glass floor. Eru bent over, breathing deeply from the exertion. Those muscles were thick and had stripped much of her strength. She turned to notice Ari smiling broadly with a piece of glass within her hands. 

"I found it!" She exclaimed. 

***
Ari had to practically haul Eru out of the cave, she was completely drained from more than just that battle yet they did not know from what. All Ari cared about was getting them out from there. As the door to the vault opened, they both gasped at the sight before them. A legion of elves, all....dead. Bloody bodies were strewn across the beach and in the center of them stood Kcin with a dark expression that now claimed his face. 

DeviantArt Cred: arsinoes
"No, it cannot be." Eru said as she fell to her knees. "He's a dark elf."

Kcin smiled sickeningly, "The Baboon Queen will be most pleased at your success."


*************
Authors Note

While joking with some great friends, the basis for this story was formed. I wrote out Part 1 as a test version to see how it would all play out.
Thusly, we chose to name this forthcoming collection - The Zemjla Dosta Chronicles.
Zemlja Dosta means "The Land of Plenty" in Bosnian. Thanks Sumarie-chan :-)

Hope you enjoyed reading chapter 5.

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres
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