Tag: swords

Chapter 2

A few days later, Natty and Mariba stood on the southern outskirts of Neldane, beside the road leading out of town.  Natty gently scratched Bello’s shoulder, in the pre-dawn light of a crisp spring morning, as gentle breezes wafted through the leafy branches overhead. She gave a firm rub to the bend of his neck,…


Why Simply Kick the Hornets Nest, When You Can Jump Right In?

Fawnlum rushed over, as Gritcomb fought to muffle Bluntwerk, the red-bearded dwarf shouting his grief. Fawnlum lifted him off the floor, and clamped her hand over his mouth. “What is it?!” she hissed. “The Kettlecot Clan!” he sputtered, freeing himself. “Who?” Gritcomb answered, before Bluntwerk could yell again.  “A family of dwarf engineers, lost long…


Friends Face the Darkness Together

Fawnlum added a couple large sticks to the fire, very thankful the streams were still safe.  But they were not the haunt of their quarry, so after having trekked east along the Gonall for a couple days, she had led them south on a game trail. In the darkness – the pitch-black nighttime – they…


First Encounter

Caitlyn sat on the tree limb, more than 12 feet above the ground, with a small torch tacked into the trunk beside her, burning low.  She looked away from all the sources of light, preserving her night vision. Fawnlum could feel the oppressive atmosphere filling the night around them.  She glared into the darkness, then…


The New Recruit

“Why?” he asked, bewildered. “I want you to join us as our wizard,” she calmly answered. “You’ll earn your way by fighting alongside us, and get a share of the bounties.  When you’ve built up your stake and I deem it time, I’ll release you from my service.” “Find someone else,” he quickly argued, tenseness…


Now We find Ourselves in This Situation

“Right here!”  Caitlyn chirped.  “Compliments of the captain’s cabin.” The oldest of the men, who was actually younger in the face than the white of his hair suggested, came up to Fawnlum after the cages were open. “Good Lady, thank you for – “ “Wait,” Fawnlum told him, then looked at the youth. “You were…


Careful Who You Ride With

As night fell, Caitlyn and Dreighton were awakened to eat.  The captain told Fawnlum’s party to go first, in the galley space in the hold.  Steadying themselves as they climbed below decks, guided by the swaying lights of the lanterns, they let the ship’s cook serve their stew and soft-tack. “Begging your pardon, miss,” the…


First Time Overseas

After jogging northeast for four days and making good time, Fawnlum reached the port town of Rijult. Now she and the rest of her company walked briskly along the docks of the trade city, to keep up with Sienna, who had secured passage across the Brierren Channel. “You’re not putting us in a leaky rowboat,…