Logically the guards probably would have been hot on her heels, but logic plays no part in a fantasy tale! They were either a) fighting off the cloaked man, b)re-grouping, c) Finding her address in the Fairy equivalent of the Yellow Pages or d) A mix of all three that bought her her five minutes. I'm also a little bit in love with that tiny last bit of text.
The fairy had little time to dwell on the moments past, on the man who saved her life, and the other man who'd been intent on taking it. She heard the largest horn bellow out, it shook through the trees, dragged birds from their nests and forced all necks to crane towards the skies. Straightening herself out, arms by her side, she rocketed past gaping mouths and wide eyes. Arine knew she didn't have long, by rights she didn't even have a minute, but flapping her wings with all her strength she flew straight to the first place they'd probably look for her.
Of course she didn't have the key to her own home; it was with her belongings in the Council tree, so the fairy broke into her own home. She smashed the glass of her bedroom window, using a branch from the tree she lived in. Arine was lucky to have a carved out home within a large circular tree, it was expensive but very much worth the luxury. Luxury she'd have to leave, she thought sadly as she scraped her way into her own home.
Arine didn't have a bag, that too was gone, so she grabbed a pillow case and very quickly began to throw belongings into it. It was dark within her home, the light from the few windows filtered in, but normally she kept the door open and candles lit to bring a warmth of light. Now in the dark everything looked cold and twisted. Flying down from her living quarters Arine stuffed her feet into her sturdiest boots and gave a quick glance to the window. The guards were no where in sight yet, she could hear distant yelling though.
She grabbed a few precious items that were scattered about her home, jewels, a few books and a pen. Arine then skidded into the kitchen and began to raid her cupboards, everything was off. She managed to salvage some salted ham and a couple of stale bread rolls. Better than nothing she mused for a moment until she felt a blade at her throat.
All sane thoughts scattered from her brain and she was left with fuzziness again, the very same fuzziness the Captain had given her. It quickly parted when she heard louder shouts. The guards were nearly upon her home. She'd come to far just t be beaten, so using the very little strength she had left Arine swung her pillow case hard and wide behind her and connected with the fleshy body of her attacker.
The blade clattered down and Arine turned to face her opponent, bag raised high, ready for another blow. "Arine?" A voice asked. Arine knew that voice, she'd known it all her life. The fuzziness nearly clouded her vision again but she shook it clear.
"Beaun?" Arine asked back to her younger brother. It was him, same brown inquisitive eyes, dark brown hair flopping over his face making him look silly yet lovable.
"You're alive!" He squealed and ran over to hug his sister, but then quickly held her at arms length. "I thought you were dead! You're supposed to be dead! I came here to protect your home! I thought you were here to steal!" He spoke quickly and loudly, Arine hushed him down and glanced out the window again. She could see the guards now; she had minutes, if not seconds.
"I escaped, I'm leaving Beaun, I'm going to head south, to the sea." She said, feeling sad that she was lying to her own brother. Of course she was heading north, but of course the Council would ask Beaun questions and she knew he couldn't lie. She looked back at him, wetting her lips, "how are Mother and Father?" Even as she asked she knew the answer, and Beaun's face said it all.
"They still don't believe you," he took a small pause, "You're dead to them Arine." It was a hard blow to take but she nodded curtly. "I want to ask you one last time. Did you kill her Arine?" Arine ground her teeth together, setting her jaw hard and flared her nostrils at the question.
"I did not murder Lady Lily Beaun, I don't care if anyone else believes me or not but I need to know, do you believe me?" Arine looked out the window; the guards were descending, the Captain leading the way. So much for her heroic rescuer she thought, gathering her pillow case up again. She flew up to the bedroom and made for the window, she had one foot on the windowsill when Beaun caught her up. He grabbed her hand in his and pressed their foreheads together.
"I believe you," Beaun then shoved her out the window just as her front door was broken in to. Arine thought Beaun aged beyond his years in that moment, the floppy haired boy she knew was replaced with the man she'd never know.
Monday 11 June 2012
A Fairy's Tale - Chapter 2
So Chapter 2, the introduction of a mysterious hooded figure and lots and lots of perilous fun! Not much to say about this chapter, it's a new addition, all written recently. I had to think of a way for Arine to escape, in my original notes she was mysteriously just let off. Just a "Oh, you killed someone? That's bad. Death!" Then a moment later "Wait, hang on a mo', exile!" The theory was that there's this old fairy who knows best and she needed Arine so she saved Arine in the hopes something would happen to the younger fairy...Or something? Bah, it's getting rewritten anyways!
Chapter 2:
A scream echoed throughout the land, loud and ear piercing. Blood pumped all over the weathered boards but the blood was not from Arine, no the blood and screams of pain came from the executioner as his hand fell limp and the sword clattered down. An arrow had shot straight and true through the executioner's wrist, shattering bones and ripping the skin apart. The arrow was now embedded in the big wooden door, quivering slightly from the impact.
The Captain's head shot up towards where the arrow had come from, an angered look of pure fury spreading across his face. He then began to bark orders to guards; some disappeared behind the now open wooden doors, others drew their swords. The few that had held Arine down were now scrambling to their feet as a few more arrows embedded them selves within the wood of the tree. The Captain pointed sharply to where the arrows were coming from and barked for some guards to get up there.
Within moments three guards flew high into the thicket of branches and leaves while more guards pored onto the platform from all around, some flying in, some storming through the door. The Council members were given cover and escorted away, deep into the tree to be protected.
While all this was going on Arine had managed to shuffle her way to her knees, but the wretched Captain kept a short leash on her neck rope, wrapping it twice around his fisted hand. The young female fairy was furiously working her bonds though, pulling and tugging her feet to free her ankles. With all the commotion no one was paying her any attention, not even the Captain. He was just sending more and more guards up into the tree tops with sharp tongued barks.
Then there was a creak, a snap and the top of the tree gave way, sending it plummeting along with the unconscious bodies of the many guards the Captain had sent up there, all of them knocked out clean, swords in their hands still. The weight of them all piling up had broken the branches and sent them all plummeting. In the action of it all no one saw a shadow leap from the falling branches, bounce of some intact branches and land down onto the platform before rolling out of the way of an unconscious guard.
It was a cloaked man, with no wings that could be seen, who kept his hood tight about his face. As soon as the dust settled from the fallen branches as many as forty guards began to rush this man. He had no sword, no daggers and no arrows left within his quiver; instead he used his wooden bow and a short thick pole. He took each guard as they came, taking a blow and giving three back. But he was never fatal; it was as if he merely wanted to knock the men unconscious than to kill.
Arine had little time to catch a glimpse at her rescuer, she was squealing in frustration as she worked at her wrist bonds, rubbing her hands and stretching her wrists as hard as she could. As the branch fell the Captain had dived away, dropping her leash. Arine had rolled twice, faltering both times, bashing her shoulder each time, but as her leash fell so did the sleeping guards, on top of it. She had tried pulling with her neck, using all her winged power would give but the rope wouldn't be freed. So she needed her hands back.
She glanced around every so often to see what was happening, the cloaked man was fending him self very well, he seemed to be enjoying himself almost. And the Captain had recovered, he made eye contact with Arine, her tear filled brown eyes connecting with his hate filled green. The world seemed to stop for a moment for Arine, she could see the Captain gathering to his feet, grabbing a weapon and taking flight, ready to shoot towards her. It was then Arine saw a sword in a guards grasp sticking out from the pile.
The fairy turned, lined her arms up and sliced her bonds away with a cry as the blade sliced her skin too. She didn't have enough time to undo the noose from her neck but she flew to safety from the Captain's fatal blow. Using some very precious time Arine slipped the rope from her neck but felt no relief as the Captain was at her again. He flew into her middle, sending her sprawling out on her back.
Just as Arine made it to her shaky hands and knees he sent his boot hard into her stomach. She felt sick as he did that, bile coated the back of her throat. Then a kick to the face and another to the side had her down, on her stomach, clawing at the wood, scratching it.
"You're nothing more than a traitor." He spat violently, grabbing a fistful of her hair. "Killing your own kind," He spat again. "Traitor." He dragged Arine by her hair, her arms flew up, trying to claw him off but he dragged her still, towards the edge. "You'll still die a traitor's death!" He pushed Arine so she was facing him and her bare feet balanced on the edge of the boards. He held her throat in a death like grip and readied himself to plunge his blade deep inside her chest.
In the rush of it all and the way her mind was rushing Arine didn't see behind the Captain, she didn't see the piles of bodies, some clutching wounds, other out cold, she didn't see the dark cloaked shadow quickly work it's way towards the pair or see the glint of a blade within it's hand. But the Captain did out of the corner of his eye, he heard the silence and had become suspicious and he had reason to.
But before the Captain had any chance to make a move the shadow's blade was cool against his throat. The Captain made no move of retreat, he still held Arine by her throat, tightening his grip by the second. The shadow upped it's game and bit the blade harder into his neck, forcing some blood to trickle down the metal. When again the Captain made no offer to free Arine the shadow, quick as lightening, stabbed the Captain in the shoulder with an arrow. It was a dirty move but necessary. Howling with pain the Captain released Arine immediately but the shadow held onto him with it's blade.
Then all three heard heavy foot steps and roars of the cavalry guards that had been called. Again, some were flying in and others climbing the tree. The Captain smiled menacingly and chuckled a little to himself, but the shadow twisted the arrow and it put an end to his laughter. The shadow lifted his head quickly, and nodded to Arine. He had the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever set eyes on, sharp and bright but tinged with so many emotions.
Arine went to say her thank you-s but he silenced her with a gruff "Go. Now." Arine stopped, nodded and jumped from the platform, plummeting down into the shadows of the undergrowth.
Chapter 2:
A scream echoed throughout the land, loud and ear piercing. Blood pumped all over the weathered boards but the blood was not from Arine, no the blood and screams of pain came from the executioner as his hand fell limp and the sword clattered down. An arrow had shot straight and true through the executioner's wrist, shattering bones and ripping the skin apart. The arrow was now embedded in the big wooden door, quivering slightly from the impact.
The Captain's head shot up towards where the arrow had come from, an angered look of pure fury spreading across his face. He then began to bark orders to guards; some disappeared behind the now open wooden doors, others drew their swords. The few that had held Arine down were now scrambling to their feet as a few more arrows embedded them selves within the wood of the tree. The Captain pointed sharply to where the arrows were coming from and barked for some guards to get up there.
Within moments three guards flew high into the thicket of branches and leaves while more guards pored onto the platform from all around, some flying in, some storming through the door. The Council members were given cover and escorted away, deep into the tree to be protected.
While all this was going on Arine had managed to shuffle her way to her knees, but the wretched Captain kept a short leash on her neck rope, wrapping it twice around his fisted hand. The young female fairy was furiously working her bonds though, pulling and tugging her feet to free her ankles. With all the commotion no one was paying her any attention, not even the Captain. He was just sending more and more guards up into the tree tops with sharp tongued barks.
Then there was a creak, a snap and the top of the tree gave way, sending it plummeting along with the unconscious bodies of the many guards the Captain had sent up there, all of them knocked out clean, swords in their hands still. The weight of them all piling up had broken the branches and sent them all plummeting. In the action of it all no one saw a shadow leap from the falling branches, bounce of some intact branches and land down onto the platform before rolling out of the way of an unconscious guard.
It was a cloaked man, with no wings that could be seen, who kept his hood tight about his face. As soon as the dust settled from the fallen branches as many as forty guards began to rush this man. He had no sword, no daggers and no arrows left within his quiver; instead he used his wooden bow and a short thick pole. He took each guard as they came, taking a blow and giving three back. But he was never fatal; it was as if he merely wanted to knock the men unconscious than to kill.
Arine had little time to catch a glimpse at her rescuer, she was squealing in frustration as she worked at her wrist bonds, rubbing her hands and stretching her wrists as hard as she could. As the branch fell the Captain had dived away, dropping her leash. Arine had rolled twice, faltering both times, bashing her shoulder each time, but as her leash fell so did the sleeping guards, on top of it. She had tried pulling with her neck, using all her winged power would give but the rope wouldn't be freed. So she needed her hands back.
She glanced around every so often to see what was happening, the cloaked man was fending him self very well, he seemed to be enjoying himself almost. And the Captain had recovered, he made eye contact with Arine, her tear filled brown eyes connecting with his hate filled green. The world seemed to stop for a moment for Arine, she could see the Captain gathering to his feet, grabbing a weapon and taking flight, ready to shoot towards her. It was then Arine saw a sword in a guards grasp sticking out from the pile.
The fairy turned, lined her arms up and sliced her bonds away with a cry as the blade sliced her skin too. She didn't have enough time to undo the noose from her neck but she flew to safety from the Captain's fatal blow. Using some very precious time Arine slipped the rope from her neck but felt no relief as the Captain was at her again. He flew into her middle, sending her sprawling out on her back.
Just as Arine made it to her shaky hands and knees he sent his boot hard into her stomach. She felt sick as he did that, bile coated the back of her throat. Then a kick to the face and another to the side had her down, on her stomach, clawing at the wood, scratching it.
"You're nothing more than a traitor." He spat violently, grabbing a fistful of her hair. "Killing your own kind," He spat again. "Traitor." He dragged Arine by her hair, her arms flew up, trying to claw him off but he dragged her still, towards the edge. "You'll still die a traitor's death!" He pushed Arine so she was facing him and her bare feet balanced on the edge of the boards. He held her throat in a death like grip and readied himself to plunge his blade deep inside her chest.
In the rush of it all and the way her mind was rushing Arine didn't see behind the Captain, she didn't see the piles of bodies, some clutching wounds, other out cold, she didn't see the dark cloaked shadow quickly work it's way towards the pair or see the glint of a blade within it's hand. But the Captain did out of the corner of his eye, he heard the silence and had become suspicious and he had reason to.
But before the Captain had any chance to make a move the shadow's blade was cool against his throat. The Captain made no move of retreat, he still held Arine by her throat, tightening his grip by the second. The shadow upped it's game and bit the blade harder into his neck, forcing some blood to trickle down the metal. When again the Captain made no offer to free Arine the shadow, quick as lightening, stabbed the Captain in the shoulder with an arrow. It was a dirty move but necessary. Howling with pain the Captain released Arine immediately but the shadow held onto him with it's blade.
Then all three heard heavy foot steps and roars of the cavalry guards that had been called. Again, some were flying in and others climbing the tree. The Captain smiled menacingly and chuckled a little to himself, but the shadow twisted the arrow and it put an end to his laughter. The shadow lifted his head quickly, and nodded to Arine. He had the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever set eyes on, sharp and bright but tinged with so many emotions.
Arine went to say her thank you-s but he silenced her with a gruff "Go. Now." Arine stopped, nodded and jumped from the platform, plummeting down into the shadows of the undergrowth.
A Fairy's Tale - Chapter 1
Chapter 1, this has changed quite a few times, the bare bones idea has always been the same, in trouble for murder, but the ideas and ways I've worded it have changed every single time I attack it. First she actually killed someone, but that seemed too malicious. Then it was accidental, but she never showed much remorse for it I thought. When I had a first draft all written up, Arine was a real Mary-Sue, and that bugged the hell out of me. She was rebellious against her upbringing, all the boys wanted her, she was terribly cheeky and rude and was always fluctuating in her emotions. Sometimes she'd come across as a feisty scrappy woman and then the next a fearful girl. And she never had an occupation, which also bugged me. (And yes, I wrote this character but I never bothered to address her faults)
Also, the Captain in this chapter needs some work I think, he's just a bit to mean. I either want to tone it down (But I love the peril!) or add some flesh to his character (one or two lines to hint at something more maybe...)
Chapter 1:
Arine, daughter of Arhun and Bettine, a brown haired, bookish sort of girl with a good standing job as a scroll scribe and was as normal and un-heroic as the days were long. But this bookish un-heroic fairy held the future of everyone within her ink stained grasp.
And it is here now we find Arine in the worst situation imaginable, in a cell, awaiting the dawn for her execution.
The young fairy was sat upon a sack of hay reading the small book of folk tales that her brother had sent her in pitied love. She could hear screams and wails coming from all around, some begging for release, others were just howling relentlessly.
With a quivered breath she continued to read again, trying to suppress her own strangled wails of fear.
The cell was small and bare, she could just about stretch out in one direction but not the other way. Kindly her jailors had provided the hay filled sack to sleep on and a bucket in the corner that was filthy and leaking.
There was a barred window high up, far from where the fairy could fly as around her slim ankle was a shackle and a length of chain. In her time here Arine had flew as high as the chain would allow and gripped the wall, savouring the fresh smell of the spring air that rolled in just above her head.
Arine realised she was itching again as she was reading. It was the dress. To ensure she'd not hidden anything with the folds of her dress Arine was stripped and forced to wear the brown woollen dress that smelt worse than the bucket.
The hole in the back for her lovely shimmering green wings was too small and the scratchy wool scraped constantly against the fleshy chords connected to her wings.
Between itching herself raw and re-reading the same line of text over and over Arine sent the book flying at the door in frustration with a pathetic wail. The little book banged against the wood loudly and sprawled across the floor with another thud.
Pitiful sobs began to escape her lips; she tried to calm herself down but after spending the past two months with a steely facade about her whole situation Arine couldn't stop herself. She lay down on the sack and curled herself up and cried herself to sleep, alternating between long wails of anguish and quick sobs that left her almost dry heaving.
Just as a wave of calm sleep washed over the exhausted fairy she was woken by heavy fisted banging against the door. Her eyes sprang open and she could see the first peek of dawn spreading throughout her rotten little cell. It was morning. Her last morning.
The heavy wooden door opened with a groan and banged loudly on the wall as the cell began to fill with green leather clad guards. One guard began to take the shackle off Arine's ankle while some held Arine in firm grips and others busied themselves getting her ready for transportation.
If Arine had had any fight within her she might have tried to fight her way out. But the mousy fairy rarely raised her voice in public let alone a knife. Plus the sharp blades at the guard's belts kept any stupid ideas at bay. If she was to die this morning then she would at least go with dignity, not like an animal.
So she let them bind her, first her hands behind her back in a tight rope knot. Then two slip knots, one at her waist and one around her neck. These were to ensure that she wouldn't try to fly away during the walk to the execution platform. A captain of the guards walked in, his green under tunic was longer than the others and swept by his feet with every step. He had a stern looking face that spelled it all for Arine.
He took her neck rope in his hands, gave her a once over and tugged at the rope. Arine nearly lost her balance but the guard holding her middle rope tugged too and she managed to right herself. The rest of the guards circled around her and they began her walk.
As they walked along the dungeon Arine tried to block out the shouts of anger coming from the cells. Even those who were liars, beggars, thieves and worst were angry at her. Arine focused all her efforts into putting her feet forward and not crying.
The group reached a great looking door, intricate and carved with a thousand tales. Two smart looking guards in gleaming armour moved and opened the door with some effort. It was carved straight into the tallest tree and had no metal hinges, only thick wooden ones that squeaked and creaked even after a hundred years of use.
The doors opened and led out onto a weathered wooden platform. They were at the highest point of The Council Tree, The Great Council of Fairies were seated upon carved branches that snaked through the wooden pavilion secured to the tips of the branches of the tree. Their rich silk clothing blew around from the high winds up here. There were twelve of them, varying age, sex and occupation. Some had been born into the role of Council member, while others were considered for their great contributions to fairy kind. Arine's fate rested with them.
The Guards that had surrounded Arine now moved to strategic points around the platform, hands by their sides, soldiers waiting for their commands. Only the Captain held Arine's neck rope now. A small flicker of an idea of punching him in the face and flying to freedom flew across her face but was put out as a heavy handed shove into her shoulder sent her stumbling across the floor. The neck rope tightened violently, nipping into her skin and choking her of her air. With her hands behind her Arine could do nothing except collapse to her knees, making pitiful choking sounds.
The Captain finally released the rope a little after Arine had gone a terrible shade of red. She was kneeled in front of The Council, there were twelve branch seats but only eleven present. Arine bowed her head and awaited the sentence.
"Arine of Arhun," began a tunic wearing fairy to the side of the first council member. "For the crime of murder The Great Council of Fairies found you guilty." Arine kept her head bowed. She already knew her fate. She could feel something trying to escape from her mouth, a scream or vomit she wasn't quite sure.
"Arine of Arhun, you are to be stripped of your wings and hung from the feet so you may never see the skies again." It was the worst punishment any fairy could ever receive, to be stripped of your wings was one thing, but to never see the skies again was a final insult to the traitor as it meant they would never see the heavens with their eyes, only hell below.
The young fairy was hoisted to her feet, the Captain dragging her towards the pavilion edge. Arine could feel a hysterical scream lodged tight in her throat but she just swallowed it down, clamping her jaw tight. She wanted to protest her innocence, she hadn't done anything wrong! But they wouldn't believe, The Great Council hadn't listened to her in trial; they certainly wouldn't moments before her execution.
Arine was kicked by the Captain, down to her knees and then down so her neck fell onto a block. She was dazed now, white noise played in her head as the Captains boot made contact with her head. Her arms were unbound from behind her and held straight out. A long length of rope was looped around and around her ankles so she could be strung up after.
She came to her senses just as the executioner made is way forward. She heard the slice as he sharpened his blade one final time; the sound shivered its way right through her and awakened something inside her. Her fighting spirit.
Arine began to struggle, clawing at her captors arms and shaking her head from side to side, anything to gain movement. She was shrieking now, crying out her innocence again and again. It was all in vain of course, the kicking and the struggling. There were only three men holding her down but it was enough to keep her petite frame at bay. But she had decided to not go without a fight, she'd scream out her innocence with her final breath.
Her screams were silenced though as the executioner grabbed her wing, holding the fine silky flesh to steady it as he went to slice. Guiding him self up, he took a swing back and brought his blade down.
Also, the Captain in this chapter needs some work I think, he's just a bit to mean. I either want to tone it down (But I love the peril!) or add some flesh to his character (one or two lines to hint at something more maybe...)
Chapter 1:
Arine, daughter of Arhun and Bettine, a brown haired, bookish sort of girl with a good standing job as a scroll scribe and was as normal and un-heroic as the days were long. But this bookish un-heroic fairy held the future of everyone within her ink stained grasp.
And it is here now we find Arine in the worst situation imaginable, in a cell, awaiting the dawn for her execution.
The young fairy was sat upon a sack of hay reading the small book of folk tales that her brother had sent her in pitied love. She could hear screams and wails coming from all around, some begging for release, others were just howling relentlessly.
With a quivered breath she continued to read again, trying to suppress her own strangled wails of fear.
The cell was small and bare, she could just about stretch out in one direction but not the other way. Kindly her jailors had provided the hay filled sack to sleep on and a bucket in the corner that was filthy and leaking.
There was a barred window high up, far from where the fairy could fly as around her slim ankle was a shackle and a length of chain. In her time here Arine had flew as high as the chain would allow and gripped the wall, savouring the fresh smell of the spring air that rolled in just above her head.
Arine realised she was itching again as she was reading. It was the dress. To ensure she'd not hidden anything with the folds of her dress Arine was stripped and forced to wear the brown woollen dress that smelt worse than the bucket.
The hole in the back for her lovely shimmering green wings was too small and the scratchy wool scraped constantly against the fleshy chords connected to her wings.
Between itching herself raw and re-reading the same line of text over and over Arine sent the book flying at the door in frustration with a pathetic wail. The little book banged against the wood loudly and sprawled across the floor with another thud.
Pitiful sobs began to escape her lips; she tried to calm herself down but after spending the past two months with a steely facade about her whole situation Arine couldn't stop herself. She lay down on the sack and curled herself up and cried herself to sleep, alternating between long wails of anguish and quick sobs that left her almost dry heaving.
Just as a wave of calm sleep washed over the exhausted fairy she was woken by heavy fisted banging against the door. Her eyes sprang open and she could see the first peek of dawn spreading throughout her rotten little cell. It was morning. Her last morning.
The heavy wooden door opened with a groan and banged loudly on the wall as the cell began to fill with green leather clad guards. One guard began to take the shackle off Arine's ankle while some held Arine in firm grips and others busied themselves getting her ready for transportation.
If Arine had had any fight within her she might have tried to fight her way out. But the mousy fairy rarely raised her voice in public let alone a knife. Plus the sharp blades at the guard's belts kept any stupid ideas at bay. If she was to die this morning then she would at least go with dignity, not like an animal.
So she let them bind her, first her hands behind her back in a tight rope knot. Then two slip knots, one at her waist and one around her neck. These were to ensure that she wouldn't try to fly away during the walk to the execution platform. A captain of the guards walked in, his green under tunic was longer than the others and swept by his feet with every step. He had a stern looking face that spelled it all for Arine.
He took her neck rope in his hands, gave her a once over and tugged at the rope. Arine nearly lost her balance but the guard holding her middle rope tugged too and she managed to right herself. The rest of the guards circled around her and they began her walk.
As they walked along the dungeon Arine tried to block out the shouts of anger coming from the cells. Even those who were liars, beggars, thieves and worst were angry at her. Arine focused all her efforts into putting her feet forward and not crying.
The group reached a great looking door, intricate and carved with a thousand tales. Two smart looking guards in gleaming armour moved and opened the door with some effort. It was carved straight into the tallest tree and had no metal hinges, only thick wooden ones that squeaked and creaked even after a hundred years of use.
The doors opened and led out onto a weathered wooden platform. They were at the highest point of The Council Tree, The Great Council of Fairies were seated upon carved branches that snaked through the wooden pavilion secured to the tips of the branches of the tree. Their rich silk clothing blew around from the high winds up here. There were twelve of them, varying age, sex and occupation. Some had been born into the role of Council member, while others were considered for their great contributions to fairy kind. Arine's fate rested with them.
The Guards that had surrounded Arine now moved to strategic points around the platform, hands by their sides, soldiers waiting for their commands. Only the Captain held Arine's neck rope now. A small flicker of an idea of punching him in the face and flying to freedom flew across her face but was put out as a heavy handed shove into her shoulder sent her stumbling across the floor. The neck rope tightened violently, nipping into her skin and choking her of her air. With her hands behind her Arine could do nothing except collapse to her knees, making pitiful choking sounds.
The Captain finally released the rope a little after Arine had gone a terrible shade of red. She was kneeled in front of The Council, there were twelve branch seats but only eleven present. Arine bowed her head and awaited the sentence.
"Arine of Arhun," began a tunic wearing fairy to the side of the first council member. "For the crime of murder The Great Council of Fairies found you guilty." Arine kept her head bowed. She already knew her fate. She could feel something trying to escape from her mouth, a scream or vomit she wasn't quite sure.
"Arine of Arhun, you are to be stripped of your wings and hung from the feet so you may never see the skies again." It was the worst punishment any fairy could ever receive, to be stripped of your wings was one thing, but to never see the skies again was a final insult to the traitor as it meant they would never see the heavens with their eyes, only hell below.
The young fairy was hoisted to her feet, the Captain dragging her towards the pavilion edge. Arine could feel a hysterical scream lodged tight in her throat but she just swallowed it down, clamping her jaw tight. She wanted to protest her innocence, she hadn't done anything wrong! But they wouldn't believe, The Great Council hadn't listened to her in trial; they certainly wouldn't moments before her execution.
Arine was kicked by the Captain, down to her knees and then down so her neck fell onto a block. She was dazed now, white noise played in her head as the Captains boot made contact with her head. Her arms were unbound from behind her and held straight out. A long length of rope was looped around and around her ankles so she could be strung up after.
She came to her senses just as the executioner made is way forward. She heard the slice as he sharpened his blade one final time; the sound shivered its way right through her and awakened something inside her. Her fighting spirit.
Arine began to struggle, clawing at her captors arms and shaking her head from side to side, anything to gain movement. She was shrieking now, crying out her innocence again and again. It was all in vain of course, the kicking and the struggling. There were only three men holding her down but it was enough to keep her petite frame at bay. But she had decided to not go without a fight, she'd scream out her innocence with her final breath.
Her screams were silenced though as the executioner grabbed her wing, holding the fine silky flesh to steady it as he went to slice. Guiding him self up, he took a swing back and brought his blade down.
A Fairy's Tale - Prologue
After tinkering with it a a bit, I've re worked the "Epic Tale" prologue and worked on it a little more. And given it a name!
And I realized the other day that this story has been a work in progress for ten years now...That's a little scary!
An introduction to all things.
Elves are not graceful, beautiful creatures; fairies are not small dainty beings. They are like you, or I, with good qualities and bad ones too.
It is written that once, long ago, there were five Kings, rulers of the land and rulers of the Elements Fire, Wood, Sand, Water and Air.
Now these Kings had ruled their lands well and kept their people in order, but one year decided to seek out the Goddess and ask of her a wish to make them better Kings.
They travelled on for many thousands of miles before reaching the highest point of a mountain. There they waited for a week and day before she appeared before them.
"Kings of Land, what wish do you wish?"
"I am King of Fire and I ask for beasts of flame, winged beasts that my people may tame."
"I am King of Wood and I ask for eyes to see what cannot be seen and ears that are sharp and keen."
"I am King of Sand and I ask for better feet to run upon my land."
"I am King of Water and I ask for an under water ability so that my people may live in the sea."
"I am King of Air and I ask for balance and wing so up in the skies your praises we may sing."
The Goddess obliged them; she gave the King of Fire his beasts and named them "Dragon." She gave King of Wood his sight and his ears and named him "Elf Kind." For King of Sand she mounted his body upon the body of a horse and named him "Centaur." For King of Water she gave him a promise that underwater he would transform into what she called "Merpeople." And finally for King of Air she gave him strong thick wings and perfect balance with the name "Fair Kind."
The Kings went back to their Lands to share their gifts and all was well for many, many years. But squabbles began to break out amongst the races. Differences began to appear and land was being taken from all around. Wars began to start, battles to the death. The Five Kings were no better and would continually fight with one another, just to prove who had the better gift.
The Goddess looked on at her World, bodies lay piled up as a Great Battle happened throughout all of the races. The Lands were scorched, the water polluted, woods chopped, sands kicked and the air filled with awful smog. She ceased the fighting and created great boundaries of the lands, The Goddess, angry and scorned, then told the Kings that their gifts would be taken and their world destroyed unless a peace treaty was signed there and then. The Kings accepted this offer gratefully and went back to their lands, separate ways, never to live in peace together ever again.
So the King of Fire took his beasts and riders to the North, across the seas, where there were many high mountains to rule over. The King of the Sands also went across the seas, but to the East, where he ruled over the sandy countries, riding the dunes and rocks with his hooved kind. Then the seas were ruled by the mighty Mer-King, building a vast and beautiful city beneath the blue oceans where
He and his Mer-Kind swam free.
Then we have the Kings of the Forest Elf Kind and of the Air, Fair Kind. There was no land to west and only icy coldness to the south, the Elves and Fairies would have to share the largest spread of land together.
A large border wall was put in place, laws decreed and both kindred kinds each went their separate ways once more.
The elves were fast in building sprawling cities, vast in size and height as well as technologies. There was very little of elvish land that wasn't made of woodland or forest and their cities adapted to this, winding around the natural, building their buildings around the trees and roots. The elves too adapted and from a young age an elf could swing freely from branch to branch without a moments thought or pause.
The Fairies however took their time; their cities were small in comparison and the way of living a little more rustic. But they nurtured the growing of the tallest trees, some so tall that the tops were sometimes lost in the clouds. And within these nurtured trees they lived, some preferred tree houses nestled among the branches and others lived within the tree itself, hollowed out and made into a home.
Over time the fairies began to evolve, separating into two kinds; the Woodland fairies with their shimmering green leaf like wings, councils and democracy and the Flower Field Fairies with their colourful petal shaped wings and a more liberal way of living.
And this is how we find our selves now, many hundreds of years from the first Kings of kinds to one forest fairy named Arine.
And I realized the other day that this story has been a work in progress for ten years now...That's a little scary!
An introduction to all things.
Elves are not graceful, beautiful creatures; fairies are not small dainty beings. They are like you, or I, with good qualities and bad ones too.
It is written that once, long ago, there were five Kings, rulers of the land and rulers of the Elements Fire, Wood, Sand, Water and Air.
Now these Kings had ruled their lands well and kept their people in order, but one year decided to seek out the Goddess and ask of her a wish to make them better Kings.
They travelled on for many thousands of miles before reaching the highest point of a mountain. There they waited for a week and day before she appeared before them.
"Kings of Land, what wish do you wish?"
"I am King of Fire and I ask for beasts of flame, winged beasts that my people may tame."
"I am King of Wood and I ask for eyes to see what cannot be seen and ears that are sharp and keen."
"I am King of Sand and I ask for better feet to run upon my land."
"I am King of Water and I ask for an under water ability so that my people may live in the sea."
"I am King of Air and I ask for balance and wing so up in the skies your praises we may sing."
The Goddess obliged them; she gave the King of Fire his beasts and named them "Dragon." She gave King of Wood his sight and his ears and named him "Elf Kind." For King of Sand she mounted his body upon the body of a horse and named him "Centaur." For King of Water she gave him a promise that underwater he would transform into what she called "Merpeople." And finally for King of Air she gave him strong thick wings and perfect balance with the name "Fair Kind."
The Kings went back to their Lands to share their gifts and all was well for many, many years. But squabbles began to break out amongst the races. Differences began to appear and land was being taken from all around. Wars began to start, battles to the death. The Five Kings were no better and would continually fight with one another, just to prove who had the better gift.
The Goddess looked on at her World, bodies lay piled up as a Great Battle happened throughout all of the races. The Lands were scorched, the water polluted, woods chopped, sands kicked and the air filled with awful smog. She ceased the fighting and created great boundaries of the lands, The Goddess, angry and scorned, then told the Kings that their gifts would be taken and their world destroyed unless a peace treaty was signed there and then. The Kings accepted this offer gratefully and went back to their lands, separate ways, never to live in peace together ever again.
So the King of Fire took his beasts and riders to the North, across the seas, where there were many high mountains to rule over. The King of the Sands also went across the seas, but to the East, where he ruled over the sandy countries, riding the dunes and rocks with his hooved kind. Then the seas were ruled by the mighty Mer-King, building a vast and beautiful city beneath the blue oceans where
He and his Mer-Kind swam free.
Then we have the Kings of the Forest Elf Kind and of the Air, Fair Kind. There was no land to west and only icy coldness to the south, the Elves and Fairies would have to share the largest spread of land together.
A large border wall was put in place, laws decreed and both kindred kinds each went their separate ways once more.
The elves were fast in building sprawling cities, vast in size and height as well as technologies. There was very little of elvish land that wasn't made of woodland or forest and their cities adapted to this, winding around the natural, building their buildings around the trees and roots. The elves too adapted and from a young age an elf could swing freely from branch to branch without a moments thought or pause.
The Fairies however took their time; their cities were small in comparison and the way of living a little more rustic. But they nurtured the growing of the tallest trees, some so tall that the tops were sometimes lost in the clouds. And within these nurtured trees they lived, some preferred tree houses nestled among the branches and others lived within the tree itself, hollowed out and made into a home.
Over time the fairies began to evolve, separating into two kinds; the Woodland fairies with their shimmering green leaf like wings, councils and democracy and the Flower Field Fairies with their colourful petal shaped wings and a more liberal way of living.
And this is how we find our selves now, many hundreds of years from the first Kings of kinds to one forest fairy named Arine.
Wednesday 8 February 2012
Epic Tale - Prologue
Right. This is it.
Bare with me.
This is the first time I've ever done this.
I'm actually uploading parts of Epic tale.
And I want the truth(?)
I mean give me criticism but be constructive about it!
The prologue has always been the hardest part for me, it needs to set the back story up more than anything, because my fairy and your fairy could be very different kinds of fairies all together! So this is sort of supposed to set everything up.
Not overly happy with the poetry but it's meant to be a story within the story (The main character is reading it)
So yes, let me know what you think!
"Once, long ago, there were five Kings, rulers of the land and rulers of the Elements Fire, Wood, Sand, Water and Air.
Now these Kings had ruled their lands well and kept their people in order, but one year decided to seek out the Goddess and ask of her a wish to make them better Kings.
They travelled on for many thousands of miles before reaching the highest point of a mountain. There they waited for a week and day before she appeared before them.
"Kings of Land, what wish do you wish?"
"I am King of Fire and I ask for beasts of flame, winged beasts that my people may tame."
"I am King of Wood and I ask for eyes to see what cannot be seen and ears that are sharp and keen."
"I am King of Sand and I ask for better feet to run upon my land."
"I am King of Water and I ask for an under water ability so that my people may live in the sea."
"I am King of Air and I ask for balance and wing so up in the skies your praises we may sing."
The Goddess obliged them; she gave the King of Fire his beasts and named them "Dragon." She gave King of Wood his sight and his ears and named him "Elf Kind." For King of Sand she mounted his body upon the body of a horse and named him "Centaur." For King of Water she gave him a promise that underwater he would transform into what she called "Merpeople." And finally for King of Air she gave him strong thick wings and perfect balance with the name "Fair Kind."
The Kings went back to their Lands to share their gifts and all was well for many, many years. But squabbles began to break out amongst the races. Differences began to appear and Land was being taken from all around. Wars began to start, battles to the death. The Five Kings were no better and would continually fight with one another, just to prove who had the better gift.
The Goddess looked on at her World, bodies lay piled up as a Great Battle happened throughout all of the races. The Lands were scorched, the water polluted, woods chopped, sands kicked and the air filled with awful smog. She ceased the fighting and created great boundaries of the lands, The Goddess then told the Kings that their gifts would be taken unless a peace treaty was signed there and then. The Kings accepted this offer gratefully and went back to their lands, separate ways, never to live in peace together ever again. The end."
Bare with me.
This is the first time I've ever done this.
I'm actually uploading parts of Epic tale.
And I want the truth(?)
I mean give me criticism but be constructive about it!
The prologue has always been the hardest part for me, it needs to set the back story up more than anything, because my fairy and your fairy could be very different kinds of fairies all together! So this is sort of supposed to set everything up.
Not overly happy with the poetry but it's meant to be a story within the story (The main character is reading it)
So yes, let me know what you think!
"Once, long ago, there were five Kings, rulers of the land and rulers of the Elements Fire, Wood, Sand, Water and Air.
Now these Kings had ruled their lands well and kept their people in order, but one year decided to seek out the Goddess and ask of her a wish to make them better Kings.
They travelled on for many thousands of miles before reaching the highest point of a mountain. There they waited for a week and day before she appeared before them.
"Kings of Land, what wish do you wish?"
"I am King of Fire and I ask for beasts of flame, winged beasts that my people may tame."
"I am King of Wood and I ask for eyes to see what cannot be seen and ears that are sharp and keen."
"I am King of Sand and I ask for better feet to run upon my land."
"I am King of Water and I ask for an under water ability so that my people may live in the sea."
"I am King of Air and I ask for balance and wing so up in the skies your praises we may sing."
The Goddess obliged them; she gave the King of Fire his beasts and named them "Dragon." She gave King of Wood his sight and his ears and named him "Elf Kind." For King of Sand she mounted his body upon the body of a horse and named him "Centaur." For King of Water she gave him a promise that underwater he would transform into what she called "Merpeople." And finally for King of Air she gave him strong thick wings and perfect balance with the name "Fair Kind."
The Kings went back to their Lands to share their gifts and all was well for many, many years. But squabbles began to break out amongst the races. Differences began to appear and Land was being taken from all around. Wars began to start, battles to the death. The Five Kings were no better and would continually fight with one another, just to prove who had the better gift.
The Goddess looked on at her World, bodies lay piled up as a Great Battle happened throughout all of the races. The Lands were scorched, the water polluted, woods chopped, sands kicked and the air filled with awful smog. She ceased the fighting and created great boundaries of the lands, The Goddess then told the Kings that their gifts would be taken unless a peace treaty was signed there and then. The Kings accepted this offer gratefully and went back to their lands, separate ways, never to live in peace together ever again. The end."
Monday 6 February 2012
100 Challenge 21. War
Nope.
Don't Ask.
I don't know either.
Total run away twist of Firefly/Titan A.E
...
Just gunna sweep this under the carpet and hope you don't notice. I just need to move on. I'll re-write something when I get fired up again...
Although, best opening lines ever? That's the first thing I thought about when war was mentioned...
War. Huh! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing! Say it again! *sings*
Ahem. I might be a little tired.
Excuse me.
100 Challenge - 21. War
21. War
"War."
"Huh?"
"What is it good for?"
"Absolutely nothing." The two drinking bums giggled to themselves, before raising their glasses together and downing their small shots of fiery spirit. They both refilled from the glass amber bottle and toasted again. One of them turned in his seat, a merry look upon his face and raised his glass to a shadow in the corner of the bar. He then turned back to his drinking partner, swallowed his drink, ready for another round.
"Absolutely nothing." The shadow mumbled, sipping his drink.
"What you say Cap'n Kale?" A larger man asked the shadow.
"Nothing Brick, not a thing, must be hearing things again." Kale flashed a smile and shuffled in his seat, straightening himself up. His eyes flashing upwards to the door, then to the window and then to every body within the room, he was never relaxed, was always alert to everything about his presence. Brick on the other hand was taking up much of the seat opposite, He couldn't help it mind, Brick was a huge man, dark skinned with large muscles and very little fat. He stood over six and a half, shadowed everyone he met with a menacing look in his eyes, which faded after a good few pints.
Kale on the other hand was lean, he was by no means scrawny, but then again he was in no way the peak of muscular stature. Kale saw it that if he could run a good while before getting wheezy, then he was doing alright.
The door to the dreary bar opened and a cloaked figure walked in, dragging a small silver case on wheels behind them. The fancy grey cloak hood was dropped and a rush of gold locks fell on porcelain white skin. Kale nodded to the new comer and motioned them over. They ordered a drink from the barkeep and made their way over.
"Fancy?" Kale asked, not bothering to rise from his seat to greet his acquaintance. Fancy was a New Breed and it's not that Kale didn't trust New Breeds, but well, Kale Roth didn't trust many people.
"I've asked you to stop calling me that." Fancy said as he sat down in chair next to Brick, opposite Kale. He then shook off the grey cloak to reveal a smart silk grey suit.
"Well I ain't calling you Fer-Raednathavy," Kale said with some difficulty. "Fancy suits you fine. Now what have you got for me Fancy?"
The New Breed narrowed his pale eyes at the insulting Human, but the arrival of more drinks softened the mood a little. He then lifted the case onto the table, moving their drinks out of the way and clicked it open, towards Kale, making sure no drunks could see in.
Kale oversaw what was in the case, a little lump catching hard in his throat. Behind a thick sheet of lit up glass was a genuine square of grass, couple of inches by a couple of inches complete with soil, straight from the grounds of Earth. Kale longed to open the glass and touch the fine green blades, rub them between his fingers, take in their fresh scent, but he had a buyer who was willing to pay highly for this square of turf, so Kale thought better of his longing.
The reason this square was worth more than a grand old painting or sculpture was because of what had happened twenty one years ago. War
Tuesday 13 December 2011
100 Challenge - 20. Fortitude
Boo.Yeah! 2 in one week, a roll is happening! (Cursed it now mind!)
Had some fun writing this, I'm on a medieval/peasant-Lord thing at the moment (Merlin's fault!) So when i thought about it, and the word "Fortitude" I liked the idea of something to do with "courageous Knight" in some way, and this was tapped out.
Make your own back story up. It's pretty easy to
(Little bit of a mature theme, death 'n' all)
Had some fun writing this, I'm on a medieval/peasant-Lord thing at the moment (Merlin's fault!) So when i thought about it, and the word "Fortitude" I liked the idea of something to do with "courageous Knight" in some way, and this was tapped out.
Make your own back story up. It's pretty easy to
(Little bit of a mature theme, death 'n' all)
20. Fortitude
There was a horrid crunch as I felt bones break and muscles rupturing. Blood then began to flow freely, hot and sticky against my skin, cooling very quickly in the day’s breeze. The offending sword was sharply removed and I heard gasps from all around.
I could feel myself swaying, my legs going numb far too quickly for my liking. My breathing becoming a chore, laboured and heavy while moans and gasps escaped my lips. A hand grabbed my shoulder tight, my offender, dragging me close to him so he was speaking into my ear. I steadied myself up against him, a bloody hand on his fancy clothes, tightly gripping.
“And what, dear Francis, did that prove?” My eyes widened as his hissed words came at me. God, so much pain, make it end, Gods. Another moan flew from my now bloody mouth. So much pain. “You’ll die and I’ll still do whatever I want to her.” My fear filled eyes darted to Juliana’s. She looked so lost, a deer caught in a trap. “Trying to be the courageous knight in armour?” He pulled me closer, the movement caused so much pain that I wailed out. “You’re nothing but a peasant, an ant compared to me.”
I placed my bloody hand on his face and dragged his ear close to mine. “Never kick an ant’s hill.” My breathing was so painful, rasping gasps now. Lord Bale just shoved me hard, one shot to the shoulder that a smarter man would have been able to defend against, but my feet and my brain were no longer connected so I stepped back a few times before falling down heavy, my arms taking a little of my fall.
I smelled Juliana before I saw here swim into vision, she always smells like summer roses and lavender. She propped me up a little on her, her fair hair falling down in smooth locks. I reached out and played with one a little, my blood smearing over the golden strands.
“Why Francis?” Jen asked, pain scratching at her voice. I could see tears rolling down her face. I convulsed slightly as my insides began to shut down, a moan from my mouth. I could no longer feel my legs and my lungs felt like they were made of lead, every breath so heavy. I took her hand and brought it to my lips and kissed it. I wanted to tell her how I felt, how much I cared for her, how I cherished everything she was and ever would be. I wanted to say that I wasn’t sorry for our love, but I was sorry that she was married to that awful brute.
“Juliana!” I heard Lord Bale shout; he then grabbed her arm roughly and threw her to her feet. I fell back to the floor, my head painfully knocking against the dry mud floor. I saw him tightly grip her arm and slap her hard across the face, her hair flailing wildly across her face. He shook her hard now, screaming in her face. He raised his fist to throw a punch but a strong arm held it back.
I’d love to say I found some strength, some second wind, but I was still sprawled out on the floor, life ebbing away. Instead my words had rung true, “never kick an ants hill,” and my village people were revolting. The men folk had found their strength and courage to fight back and were now surrounding and chasing after Lord Bale. I could heard their roars of anger and a faint cry from that horrible man.
Juliana came into focus again, her face reddened from the slap, a feisty anger in her eyes that I’d not seen in some time. She planted a kiss upon my dry mouth as my eyes flickered back and forth. My body was moments away from sleeping eternally; I was making pathetic sounds, moans and squeals as the pain worsened. It was so much, too much, Gods, God help me, save me. I tried to breathe again but it was too painful.
“You were so brave!” Juliana said, hugging me into her. I felt her tears plop against my pasty skin. She leant down, placed a tender kiss against my cheek, her hair spilling down like a curtain against us and whispered “I love you, my courageous Knight.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)