The next morning I woke up to the pitter patter of bare feet upon the stone tile floor amidst the chatter of my two friends cooking. I could almost taste the air, as it was filled with the most intoxicating smell drifting up from down stairs to fill my the room. Quickly I dressed and fled the bed, flying my way down the stairs onto the main floor.
Side by side my two friends stood before a hearth built into the wall, which was in the side of the mountain. Atop the heated clay counter there were several eggs, some flat bread and a mix of various vegetables. 'Please have a seat over there at the table,' Toki said over her shoulder as I entered the room.
'Toki and I have just been discussing the passing of a legion through the valley nearly a hundred years ago,' Priscilla said, 'shall I bring you up to speed on the history Jane?' It was in that moment that I began to realize the little girl was not the same girl who had stolen away with us aboard the Bahamut, she was much, much more.
Nodding my consent I wandered into the next room nearest to the entrance to wait, there I sat down at a table and stared through the front window out into the garden. Near the cliff's edge of each terrace there was a tower surrounded by beautiful gardens. The one before me was built of thick stone bricks, it was almost seventy feet round, with many windows. The garden on Toki's terrace lay under the shadow of a canopy, there were avocado and mango trees amongst the willows. About the trees there were countless flowers, mostly the same blue, or purple roses which we grew in the forest far below. There were also many vegetable plants and berry bushes. In the distance, somewhere in the garden, babbled a brook. Priscilla walked up beside me and sat down, laying a plate on the table in between us.
'There is but one road in the valley,' Priscilla began, ' it was made by the hands of the last legion who past through on their way into the frozen Noth. When the peace treaty had been signed between Emporer and the Vampire Queen the legion along with their General, whose name is Akeldaen, had been set free from slavery in the Iron Cascade Citadel in far off in the South. The legion had crafted the road with their bare hands, they tore through the shrubs and carved their way through trees. Along the road now stood remnants of the legion, those whose souls had left them on their long passage, some were overcome with sorrow at the loss of so many of their kin in the centuries of slavery to the human king, others simply hid inside of themselves, forever silent. Several had awoken over the centuries, only one had remained in the valley, living with the Elves in the North Eastern villages, his name was Rojun.'
'General Akeldaen had sent scouts into the valley, ahead of the legion as to map the straightest road into the North. When they had at last made it to the boarders of the valley, a plan was already laid for their passage. A straight line they carved, day and night, endlessly their skinless skeletal hands worked. Where they had to fall Redwood trees the roots too were pulled up. The wood was cut into timber by the Elves and trolls, who had accepted the legions plan, though they really didn't have a choice, war with the legion or a road and wood. Akeldaen had been grateful for the help.'
As Priscilla told the story, it seemed to me that she had lived it, she was there for the whole endeavour. As the road was build, the trees clawed down with bony fists, steel claws and skeletal talons. For a moment I was scared by the intellectual strength of a little girl, whom every day seemed less so.
In earnest anticipation of,
Jane, Toki and Priscilla
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Charles & Edgarory Allyndran
When the three of us were finally sitting upon pillows around a low table in a room just next to the kitchen Allyndran began the tale of how she had arrived at the village. She was one of the first Demon to be accepted into the village, for her had existed only as fairy tale until she had showed up upon the road near the Southern boarder along of the mountains which encompassed the valley, where Edgarory's father Sevan had discovered her.
The first Demon were reported to the counsel of the three houses more than three thousand years ago by the warriors that manned the garrison before the Obsidian Gate, which was built to hold the evils of Lucifer and his Elvish followers behind it. From the walls of the Black Citadel the elves had witnessed the demons first hand, though nothing after that report ever came to the counsel, save for the week after the first, when a dead Demon had been brought North to the counsel as proof of Lucifer's twisted evils, for it was said that they were once elves.
Sevan had been a hunter, along with most of his friends, tracking a mountain sabre cat through an open glade near the road when they saw a young girl running towards them. When Edgarory had been appointed the next Red Marshes City's Travel Warrior his father had taken it upon himself to gain any news about the world outside the valley as to counsel his son. It was on just such a trip that Sevan along with his friends found themselves beyond the valley's Southern mountains. She was being pursued by three men on horseback and several on foot who lagged behind. Though they could not catch her, she was faster than their tired horses and knew how to elude the clutches of any enemy, for she had often been the prey of dangerous creatures who lurked in the darkness world below the earth.
As Allyndran had come within bow shot of the hunters, Sevan beckoned her to his side, she disappeared behind his great frame, hidden from the eyes of her captors. What transpired next was a great marvel to me, but it showed the bonds of love between the Elves and their Kin, the Demon. Sevan and his hunting party had challenged the right of ownership that the warriors had claimed, even though they were out numbered and knew nothing about the ragged looking, nearly naked red Demon which hid behind them, as a helpless peasant behind an impenetrable wall.
The lead warrior, a knight in shining mail with a white tabard over top bearing the crest of their city, an iron hammer in front of a water fall inside a silver shiled, in his hand was as shield and a javelin, the other held the reigns of his horse, at his side a double edged sword. The rest of his mean were equally prepared for warfare. 'Our claim to the Demon is true, all her kin are now under the service of our great city,' the knight said gruffly and half out of breath in the common tongue, which was English, 'release her to us and you won't be harmed elf.' As he finished two things happened, a flash of malice crossed the man's face which Sevan perceived clearly as hatred for his kind, and the warriors who had fallen behind the horses began to fall in about their leader. They were equally geared for battle, though tired from the long chase, behind them came a carriage, all about the slave wagon were Demons cramped in cages too tiny for their majestic frames.
Sevan put his hands behind his back to make it look like he was pondering over the words of the knight, but what he was really doing, was untying his bow and quiver filled with arrows and handing them to Allyndran. She took them, quickly tying the quiver to her belt, which was set about her tattered and dusty grey tunic, the Demon had never shied away from battle, save when it would spill the blood of any of their kin. Allyndran had been there when the war between the True Demon Udhere, birthed of magic from the lava pools deep under the earth, when the city of Twilight and Shadow was still Lucifer's. She had survived the battle at the Obsidian Gate, from the high walls she had shot arrows tirelessly even after fleeing for many days through the darkness, pursued by Udhere.
'I will give you this girl if you give me all the others whom you now hold captive there in the wagon,' Sevan began boldly 'Do you agree that any blood shed today is unnecessary, make true the deal and let us be done here.'
The Knight was not prepared for such a bold and intriguing request, for several moments he sat upon his war horse pondering, 'I know you will not give up the girl,' the Knight began, 'You have no choice but to kill us all, for if you let any of us leave this place alive, we will surely pursue your kind to enslave you just as we have done the thousand Demon who came crawling out of the darkness.' There were several Obsidian doors, magical gates, into the world underneath the earth. Men rarely ventured into the depths, just as rare was the coming forth of a so great a host of any immortal race. The Demon had come out of necessity, for the time had come for them to leave the darkness and the ever searching eyes of the counsel.
'We have the advantage, we are hunters who have the high ground, while your men are tired from their long, indeed you are not even sure of our number,' Sevan said bodly, yet there was regret in his voice 'Even if I die here, the Demons will go free.' With those words he stepped forward launching a Javelin in the direction of the wagon, he did not wait as it sailed through the air Sevan was already nearing the wall of shields as it came to rest deeply embed in the chest of the lead knight.
In that same moment arrows were fired from both sides, the hunters, whose number were nine stood their ground until their quivers were empty. Their aim was to kill the soldiers about the cages, so that if the tides turned against the men, they could not kill those trapped therein. The three elves firing from the woods were nearly invisible, for they stood naked in the forest, allowing their skin to shift with the sunlight and swaying of the forest undergrowth in the wind firing arrows freely. They were outnumbered ten to one, though almost ten men had fallen or were incapable of fighting by the time Sevan along side his best friend Jarkol meet the oncoming warriors. Sevan threw his sword at the foremost soldier, he ducked but the archer behind him took the blade full on in the face as Sevan sprang forward underneath the guard of the line of warriors coming at them, as he dove below the shield. Coming up from his role he pulled his sword from the dead man's body and spun taking off the head of the warrior he had past, pulling the sword from his mouth. Four men turned to face him, but he ran on towards the cross bow men near the wagon, protected only by three pikemen behind five men who formed a shield wall.
Of the four who had turned to give chase to Sevan, three were hit by arrows in the back, two by Allyndran. The another four of the thirteen men remaining in the charge of the archers standing in the dusty open glade, were doing battle with Jarkol who didn't even try to kill them. His attacks were merely parries ment to open up spots for Yirs to take down, who stood invisible in the forest behind him. Spinning and slicing the clumsy warriors quickly fell back as two of their comrades fell. Quickly they were dispatched, Jarkol turned to Allyndran, terror caught his eyes for a moment two warriors were stumbling towards her, as he had turned he had registered that all his friends were busy and could not come to her aid. The warrior closest to her stumbled more deeply than if he was overcome by weariness, as he collapsed Jarkol could make out the arrow protruding from his hip. The second warrior swung his shield down upon the young Demon with all his might, Allyndran leapt up and kicked the shield with equal force, her cloven hoof dented the shield and shattered the arm of behind it. The man fell doubled over in pain, in that moment terror seized him for he was not standing in front of a red horned little girl with a tail, but a powerful Demon. Allyndran closed in on him, standing above him as he knelt there helpless, she took his head off with one clean kick of her cloven hoof. She winked at Jarkol who turned back to the fight.
Nearly all the men were dead, Sevan had been wounded, two bolts through the abdomen as he had leapt over the shield wall and the pikemen, whose bodies he now stood over. They had immediately released twelve Demon who were held captive in the cages. One of the Demon, named Lirah who was a dear friend of Allyndran, was a healer who quickly looked after the wounds which Sevan had recieved, a fire was started, a bottle of rum was found and the arrows were broken off near the end of the shafts. In the end, Sevan would live, but Pireor lay dead pierced by many bolts near the edge of the glade, Yris had lost his left arm mid bicep which had been cauterized first while Jenon lay mortally wounded, she would not survive. A mound of dead warriors lay atop Drogna who had died holding the men captive in his grasp as Yris and the other archers had sent arrows into their backs.
That night they ate a deer which they had killed earlier that day, while Allyndran slept the remaining hunters and demon discussed their next course of action. The following morning Sevan, Yris, Jenon a wounded male Demon named Pelagor and Lirah went South along the road upon the horses they had freed from the warriors. They had guised themselves as knights of the Iron Hammer Cascade Shield, taking whatever weaponry suited them. The dead elves were laid to rest by the Demon and the men were burned in the usual manner a victor offered to the victims who lay dead.
Sevan and the others were never seen again, though more than a hundred and fifty Demon had made their way up the road and into the valley, for more than twenty years they had lived with their Kin in the City of the Red Marshes. The tale of the hunters who went beyond the road to rescue those being enslaved never faded into legend, it was always on their lips.
In all hopes of returning,
Charles with Edgarory
The first Demon were reported to the counsel of the three houses more than three thousand years ago by the warriors that manned the garrison before the Obsidian Gate, which was built to hold the evils of Lucifer and his Elvish followers behind it. From the walls of the Black Citadel the elves had witnessed the demons first hand, though nothing after that report ever came to the counsel, save for the week after the first, when a dead Demon had been brought North to the counsel as proof of Lucifer's twisted evils, for it was said that they were once elves.
Sevan had been a hunter, along with most of his friends, tracking a mountain sabre cat through an open glade near the road when they saw a young girl running towards them. When Edgarory had been appointed the next Red Marshes City's Travel Warrior his father had taken it upon himself to gain any news about the world outside the valley as to counsel his son. It was on just such a trip that Sevan along with his friends found themselves beyond the valley's Southern mountains. She was being pursued by three men on horseback and several on foot who lagged behind. Though they could not catch her, she was faster than their tired horses and knew how to elude the clutches of any enemy, for she had often been the prey of dangerous creatures who lurked in the darkness world below the earth.
As Allyndran had come within bow shot of the hunters, Sevan beckoned her to his side, she disappeared behind his great frame, hidden from the eyes of her captors. What transpired next was a great marvel to me, but it showed the bonds of love between the Elves and their Kin, the Demon. Sevan and his hunting party had challenged the right of ownership that the warriors had claimed, even though they were out numbered and knew nothing about the ragged looking, nearly naked red Demon which hid behind them, as a helpless peasant behind an impenetrable wall.
The lead warrior, a knight in shining mail with a white tabard over top bearing the crest of their city, an iron hammer in front of a water fall inside a silver shiled, in his hand was as shield and a javelin, the other held the reigns of his horse, at his side a double edged sword. The rest of his mean were equally prepared for warfare. 'Our claim to the Demon is true, all her kin are now under the service of our great city,' the knight said gruffly and half out of breath in the common tongue, which was English, 'release her to us and you won't be harmed elf.' As he finished two things happened, a flash of malice crossed the man's face which Sevan perceived clearly as hatred for his kind, and the warriors who had fallen behind the horses began to fall in about their leader. They were equally geared for battle, though tired from the long chase, behind them came a carriage, all about the slave wagon were Demons cramped in cages too tiny for their majestic frames.
Sevan put his hands behind his back to make it look like he was pondering over the words of the knight, but what he was really doing, was untying his bow and quiver filled with arrows and handing them to Allyndran. She took them, quickly tying the quiver to her belt, which was set about her tattered and dusty grey tunic, the Demon had never shied away from battle, save when it would spill the blood of any of their kin. Allyndran had been there when the war between the True Demon Udhere, birthed of magic from the lava pools deep under the earth, when the city of Twilight and Shadow was still Lucifer's. She had survived the battle at the Obsidian Gate, from the high walls she had shot arrows tirelessly even after fleeing for many days through the darkness, pursued by Udhere.
'I will give you this girl if you give me all the others whom you now hold captive there in the wagon,' Sevan began boldly 'Do you agree that any blood shed today is unnecessary, make true the deal and let us be done here.'
The Knight was not prepared for such a bold and intriguing request, for several moments he sat upon his war horse pondering, 'I know you will not give up the girl,' the Knight began, 'You have no choice but to kill us all, for if you let any of us leave this place alive, we will surely pursue your kind to enslave you just as we have done the thousand Demon who came crawling out of the darkness.' There were several Obsidian doors, magical gates, into the world underneath the earth. Men rarely ventured into the depths, just as rare was the coming forth of a so great a host of any immortal race. The Demon had come out of necessity, for the time had come for them to leave the darkness and the ever searching eyes of the counsel.
'We have the advantage, we are hunters who have the high ground, while your men are tired from their long, indeed you are not even sure of our number,' Sevan said bodly, yet there was regret in his voice 'Even if I die here, the Demons will go free.' With those words he stepped forward launching a Javelin in the direction of the wagon, he did not wait as it sailed through the air Sevan was already nearing the wall of shields as it came to rest deeply embed in the chest of the lead knight.
In that same moment arrows were fired from both sides, the hunters, whose number were nine stood their ground until their quivers were empty. Their aim was to kill the soldiers about the cages, so that if the tides turned against the men, they could not kill those trapped therein. The three elves firing from the woods were nearly invisible, for they stood naked in the forest, allowing their skin to shift with the sunlight and swaying of the forest undergrowth in the wind firing arrows freely. They were outnumbered ten to one, though almost ten men had fallen or were incapable of fighting by the time Sevan along side his best friend Jarkol meet the oncoming warriors. Sevan threw his sword at the foremost soldier, he ducked but the archer behind him took the blade full on in the face as Sevan sprang forward underneath the guard of the line of warriors coming at them, as he dove below the shield. Coming up from his role he pulled his sword from the dead man's body and spun taking off the head of the warrior he had past, pulling the sword from his mouth. Four men turned to face him, but he ran on towards the cross bow men near the wagon, protected only by three pikemen behind five men who formed a shield wall.
Of the four who had turned to give chase to Sevan, three were hit by arrows in the back, two by Allyndran. The another four of the thirteen men remaining in the charge of the archers standing in the dusty open glade, were doing battle with Jarkol who didn't even try to kill them. His attacks were merely parries ment to open up spots for Yirs to take down, who stood invisible in the forest behind him. Spinning and slicing the clumsy warriors quickly fell back as two of their comrades fell. Quickly they were dispatched, Jarkol turned to Allyndran, terror caught his eyes for a moment two warriors were stumbling towards her, as he had turned he had registered that all his friends were busy and could not come to her aid. The warrior closest to her stumbled more deeply than if he was overcome by weariness, as he collapsed Jarkol could make out the arrow protruding from his hip. The second warrior swung his shield down upon the young Demon with all his might, Allyndran leapt up and kicked the shield with equal force, her cloven hoof dented the shield and shattered the arm of behind it. The man fell doubled over in pain, in that moment terror seized him for he was not standing in front of a red horned little girl with a tail, but a powerful Demon. Allyndran closed in on him, standing above him as he knelt there helpless, she took his head off with one clean kick of her cloven hoof. She winked at Jarkol who turned back to the fight.
Nearly all the men were dead, Sevan had been wounded, two bolts through the abdomen as he had leapt over the shield wall and the pikemen, whose bodies he now stood over. They had immediately released twelve Demon who were held captive in the cages. One of the Demon, named Lirah who was a dear friend of Allyndran, was a healer who quickly looked after the wounds which Sevan had recieved, a fire was started, a bottle of rum was found and the arrows were broken off near the end of the shafts. In the end, Sevan would live, but Pireor lay dead pierced by many bolts near the edge of the glade, Yris had lost his left arm mid bicep which had been cauterized first while Jenon lay mortally wounded, she would not survive. A mound of dead warriors lay atop Drogna who had died holding the men captive in his grasp as Yris and the other archers had sent arrows into their backs.
That night they ate a deer which they had killed earlier that day, while Allyndran slept the remaining hunters and demon discussed their next course of action. The following morning Sevan, Yris, Jenon a wounded male Demon named Pelagor and Lirah went South along the road upon the horses they had freed from the warriors. They had guised themselves as knights of the Iron Hammer Cascade Shield, taking whatever weaponry suited them. The dead elves were laid to rest by the Demon and the men were burned in the usual manner a victor offered to the victims who lay dead.
Sevan and the others were never seen again, though more than a hundred and fifty Demon had made their way up the road and into the valley, for more than twenty years they had lived with their Kin in the City of the Red Marshes. The tale of the hunters who went beyond the road to rescue those being enslaved never faded into legend, it was always on their lips.
In all hopes of returning,
Charles with Edgarory
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
World's Over Journal XXV Majestic Hall
When I reached the top of the steps Priscilla was sitting upon her knees beside the large male troll whose spear was upon the ground as he too sat comfortably, cross legged under the shadows of evening's twilight. They were discussing historical events after the Last War as I approached. Toki saw the perplexed look upon my face, turning to me she touched my shoulder and with a fang filled smile said 'all will be explained in due time.'
Only after Toki had finished speaking did Priscilla become aware the two of us standing so near by. Maybe I had imagined this, but it seemed to me that Priscilla was deeply aware of everything around her, in ways I didn't yet understand, had she waited to acknowledge us until after she had finished her conversation, out of respect for the troll sitting beside her? 'Have any pleasant dreams Jane,' she asked with a brilliant smile and a kind wink, 'can you smell the feast, the sent is seeping through the citadel's front door and the windows above.' With that she got up and the four of us started off towards the main gates.
As we neared the gate Toki ran ahead of us the last few feet and put her four fingered hand upon the etched stone, after speaking softly the gates began to open. I looked away as the firelight from inside streamed out, the citadel doors were built into the site of the mountain, they were set upon a large flat stone courtyard which lay at the top of the dual crescent stair case. Beautiful and terrifying how large the citadel truly was, for I couldn't see how high up the last of the hundred terraces was, upon which was set a tower of stone surrounded by amazing gardens.
I turned my gaze from the twilight which had engulfed the vale towards the citadel doors, slowly my eyes adjusted to the fire light within. I was the last to enter through the threshold into the troll city. Inside the gate we stood amidst several pillars of stone in a shallow hall at either end was a crescent stair case which lead into the hall beyond. Beyond the pillars in front of us the firelight streamed set within a massive inner hall. We stepped forward together and slowly began to realize how large the hall was. The crescent stairs wound their way along the outer walls of the great hall as they grew larger and wider as they rose. There were several levels to the great hall which the stairs gave access to. Along each layer were many doors, some larger led into homes, storage spaces, armouries while other much larger doors lead you down passages to the upper terraces.
The lowest level of the great hall, beyond the pillars in front of us, was a large rectangular courtyard, filled with gardens of twisted grey trees with white flowers instead of leaves, a multitude of mushrooms and odd vegetables surrounded them amidst blue rose and black berry bushes. There was a pathway down the centre of the garden and one on either side along the walls wherein was set many hearths from which the fire light poured out from, lighting the courtyard. At the far end of the hall there was a large table upon a raised dais, there sat a very large and ancient troll upon a throne, he raised his hands and beckoned us forward.
As we walked through the majestic gardens, tiny fire bugs began to stream around us like a flying river of flame. They were pouring out from the hearths along the walls, which were now dark, they insects had been the fires we had seen. The stream of fire circled around us as they ascended on their way towards the table before the throne. When we finally reached the steps all the hall behind us was dark and empty, as if the moon had been availed by a tide of obsidian clouds passes over a sleepy beach.
There were three large tables atop the dais above which the fire flies circled, set in a triangle before the throne, each could seat more than a hundred people on each side; though no one sat there, the tables were set for a magnificent feast. The ancient troll sat there alone, silent in his tall stone chair, his hair was white and long, braided much like Toki's was. His lower tusks protruded out from his green skinned face, his yellow cat like eyes searched me for a moment until found Priscilla, they lingered upon her as a look of intrigue came over his face. Wrapped about him was a long brown robe over which was a red and white vest and matching kilt. He wore no jewelry or crown, nothing that would let you know he was any different from the rest of his kin, who had begun pouring out from doors on either side of the hall.
Battle maidens and blacksmiths came streaming into the hall, with them the young came as well, each of them bearing plates of pastries filled with fruit and meat or bowls of sauces, some spicy others salty, some were sweet. The colour pallet of food set out before us was astonishing, for the hall showed no sign of colour beyond the tan stone, grey tree trunks and wooden doors. The trolls were so unique from one another that it was hard for me to take in their individual features, for I was famished, and anyone that knows me, knows that once I cave in to the cravings of my stomach the world about me gets lost. It was a magnificent evening, I could not remember the last time I had ever seen so many smiles or heard so much laughter. Priscilla and Toki sat to my left, while Kensori who we met as the troll statue, sat upon my right.
After dinner we were ushered down many corridors and up several flights of stairs to a garden terrace. Toki's home was at the end of the terrace, built into the side of the mountain. Her simple two story stone home had two bedrooms upstairs and a kitchen on the main floor. Priscilla and I snuggled in to bed and fell fast asleep.
In earnest anticipation of,
Jane
Without Charles
Only after Toki had finished speaking did Priscilla become aware the two of us standing so near by. Maybe I had imagined this, but it seemed to me that Priscilla was deeply aware of everything around her, in ways I didn't yet understand, had she waited to acknowledge us until after she had finished her conversation, out of respect for the troll sitting beside her? 'Have any pleasant dreams Jane,' she asked with a brilliant smile and a kind wink, 'can you smell the feast, the sent is seeping through the citadel's front door and the windows above.' With that she got up and the four of us started off towards the main gates.
As we neared the gate Toki ran ahead of us the last few feet and put her four fingered hand upon the etched stone, after speaking softly the gates began to open. I looked away as the firelight from inside streamed out, the citadel doors were built into the site of the mountain, they were set upon a large flat stone courtyard which lay at the top of the dual crescent stair case. Beautiful and terrifying how large the citadel truly was, for I couldn't see how high up the last of the hundred terraces was, upon which was set a tower of stone surrounded by amazing gardens.
I turned my gaze from the twilight which had engulfed the vale towards the citadel doors, slowly my eyes adjusted to the fire light within. I was the last to enter through the threshold into the troll city. Inside the gate we stood amidst several pillars of stone in a shallow hall at either end was a crescent stair case which lead into the hall beyond. Beyond the pillars in front of us the firelight streamed set within a massive inner hall. We stepped forward together and slowly began to realize how large the hall was. The crescent stairs wound their way along the outer walls of the great hall as they grew larger and wider as they rose. There were several levels to the great hall which the stairs gave access to. Along each layer were many doors, some larger led into homes, storage spaces, armouries while other much larger doors lead you down passages to the upper terraces.
The lowest level of the great hall, beyond the pillars in front of us, was a large rectangular courtyard, filled with gardens of twisted grey trees with white flowers instead of leaves, a multitude of mushrooms and odd vegetables surrounded them amidst blue rose and black berry bushes. There was a pathway down the centre of the garden and one on either side along the walls wherein was set many hearths from which the fire light poured out from, lighting the courtyard. At the far end of the hall there was a large table upon a raised dais, there sat a very large and ancient troll upon a throne, he raised his hands and beckoned us forward.
As we walked through the majestic gardens, tiny fire bugs began to stream around us like a flying river of flame. They were pouring out from the hearths along the walls, which were now dark, they insects had been the fires we had seen. The stream of fire circled around us as they ascended on their way towards the table before the throne. When we finally reached the steps all the hall behind us was dark and empty, as if the moon had been availed by a tide of obsidian clouds passes over a sleepy beach.
There were three large tables atop the dais above which the fire flies circled, set in a triangle before the throne, each could seat more than a hundred people on each side; though no one sat there, the tables were set for a magnificent feast. The ancient troll sat there alone, silent in his tall stone chair, his hair was white and long, braided much like Toki's was. His lower tusks protruded out from his green skinned face, his yellow cat like eyes searched me for a moment until found Priscilla, they lingered upon her as a look of intrigue came over his face. Wrapped about him was a long brown robe over which was a red and white vest and matching kilt. He wore no jewelry or crown, nothing that would let you know he was any different from the rest of his kin, who had begun pouring out from doors on either side of the hall.
Battle maidens and blacksmiths came streaming into the hall, with them the young came as well, each of them bearing plates of pastries filled with fruit and meat or bowls of sauces, some spicy others salty, some were sweet. The colour pallet of food set out before us was astonishing, for the hall showed no sign of colour beyond the tan stone, grey tree trunks and wooden doors. The trolls were so unique from one another that it was hard for me to take in their individual features, for I was famished, and anyone that knows me, knows that once I cave in to the cravings of my stomach the world about me gets lost. It was a magnificent evening, I could not remember the last time I had ever seen so many smiles or heard so much laughter. Priscilla and Toki sat to my left, while Kensori who we met as the troll statue, sat upon my right.
After dinner we were ushered down many corridors and up several flights of stairs to a garden terrace. Toki's home was at the end of the terrace, built into the side of the mountain. Her simple two story stone home had two bedrooms upstairs and a kitchen on the main floor. Priscilla and I snuggled in to bed and fell fast asleep.
In earnest anticipation of,
Jane
Without Charles
Monday, January 30, 2012
Charles & Edgarory Dinner with a Demon
Allyndran, who was standing with her back to us over a hearth, upon which sat two boiling pots and a simmering pan which I could see vegetables upon. Upon first glance it struck me that Edgarory must have a different use of the word kin than I did, for she looked nothing like him, apart from being red.
The kitchen in which she was cooking was at the far end of the house, down a hall along which had several doors on either side. A faint light, as from a single candle, shown from each one of the rooms through the screens. All the walls were like the doors, merely thin white sliding screens. The frame was built of eight large beams of red Arbutus or giant Manzanita timber, four were pillars used to hold up the four beams upon which sat the roof of black shingles. The house was indeed a work of art much like the rest of the village.
Beside the hearth where Allyndran was cooking over a sliding door was open and I could see out into a garden as the twilight sun shafts faded with the end of the work day in the village. Beyond the garden's farthest gate was lane of black and grey cobble stone, though this one was larger than the one I had come into the town upon, perhaps it was the main road? Along the lane went a steady numbers elves and a their kin, as Edgarory called them, they were coming up from the lower terrace where the blacksmith and other shops were.
My attention came back into the house as Allyndran addressed Edgarory over her shoulder. 'You're both just in time, Edgar please set the table with the dishes on the counter there,' her voice was fair, almost young though she was immortal, cheerful and modest of tone, yet she had spoken with an enchanting authority. She had short auburn hair which didn't even fall below her ears, I couldn't make out her face in the firelight as it shown off her neck and arms. She wore a black tunic and a long thick kilt, much like the hakama some of the other villagers wore. Edgarory entered the kitchen picked up the chop sticks and plates which were upon the counter next to the hearth and disappeared out of sight into the next room.
As soon as Edgarory had left Allyndran turned to address me, though what exactly she said was lost to my ears for I was spell bound by what stood before me, for surely she was no elf, but an obsidian demon, whose skin flashed with shades of deep eggplant purple; why hadn't I noticed her form before, had I been blind, truly under some spell or had her features been hidden by the red hearth. What I had originally thought to be ears protruding high above her head upon second glance I could now see were horns. While her ears rose about four inches above her head her horns rose another four, they began their accent not from her forehead, but just in front of her ears upon the top of her head. They were sleek and rose at a slight angle leaning out just as her ears. Her face was beautiful, eternally young, cheerful and wise, she looked much like an elf, fair and noble. Her face was thin, much like her slender body though not overly so, which made her high cheek bones all the more a dominant feature, she had thin pouty lips set magnificently underneath the most radiant eyes I had ever seen. They were not so unlike a human eye save that they no true pupil. The iris was no single shade of at a time, they changed from various shades of grey to almost white as the light reflected upon them.
I was woken out of the spell of Allyndran's mesmerizing beauty of her voice, 'It is your first time seeing a demon,' she asked. Looking down in shame I noticed her tail then, which hung loosely up against her Hakama pants, which looked much like a long dress, but was more like a kilt, yet they were pants. As my eyes followed down to the end of her tail I noticed that her calves were like those of a ram and her feet were black cloven hooves.
'Yes, mam,' I said shyly for I could not recall how long I had been staring at her, 'though I would not call you a demon.' Though I had said that at the time, she was surely a demon, as men of old called them. She was red, had a tail, the legs of a ram, horns, long ears, fangs hidden behind her lips only half seen as she spoke. I realized then, that all the knowledge of the immortals I once held from the days I could not longer remember must fade away, perception was key and mine was jaded by a time out of mind.
In all hopes of returning,
Charles with Edgarory
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
World's Over Journal XXIV Toki
Our long trek through the forest ended at the bottom of the broad stone steps which lead up to the citadel gates, there we stopped for a drink of water at the most majestic carved stone and bronze pool of water, this well, if you could call it that for there was no guess as to where the water came from, seeing how it was a rather shallow pool. In the center was a very large statue of a troll on a pedestal of iron and bronze, though I could not tell what the statue was made of. The silent troll whom stood there looked not unlike Toki, a warrior, surely he was not a king for he wore no jewelry to indicate status nor did a crown adorn his head. Now that it came to me, I could not recollect if the statue had been in the centre of the staircase when we walked up, it may have been availed by an enchantment of invisibility, for any such magical thing I deemed to be accessible on this new age of earth.
The troll was only slightly taller and thicker of muscle than Toki, he wore no shoes about his double hinged pale white, cat like feet. He wore no pants or tunic to cover up the multitude of scares which he seemed to wear with a great amount of pride, only about his waist did he wear a type grey of kilt, though it was longer than those the Scott's once wore, for it hung below his knees, to his double hinged mid calf. His right hand was upon a dagger's hilt still sheathed which was stuffed into the top of his kilt, his left hand had a firm grasp on a great javelin, much like a spear save that the one held by the troll was obviously only meant to be launched at an enemy at a distance, not to be thrust or held overly long when an attacker was closing in. The blade was thin, long and there were two of them fused together to make a cross, it reminded me of an arrow, and not a spear at all. The shaft was short, only half as tall as the troll holding it, at the bottom end of the javelin were four feathers which were all the same, from the tip they were black which faded into brown, then orange and finally white. His upper body was defined by thick muscles and many scars, many tusks protruded out from his closed mouth. Two large tusks which were the size my index finger, sped up from his lower jaw up towards his defined cheek bones, three smaller ones just inside of the twins protruded as well, though they were but half or less as in size, the upper tusks set in the upper jaw were the same size as these. His eyes were enthralling, just as Toki's were, the iris was orange or yellow, I could not tell though maybe it was both at once, the pupil was slit like a cats, though with a closer glance the iris' were dotted with small black dots. His hair was long, though it was pulled back in one great braid that hung half way down his back.
After retrieving my consciousness from a trance the magical statue held over me, for how long I did not know. Toki was laying in the tall grass just off the path while Priscilla was sitting on the stone wall of the well washing her feet off with water which he was using from her canteen. I threw myself along side Toki disappearing amidst the grass, losing myself once again to no particular thought at all as I stared up through the gap in the Sequoia canopy to the haze high above, the sun would be set soon and twilight would be upon them.
After short period I began to sit up, for my body ached from the long days trek, as my eyes grew level with the grass I saw up Priscilla standing face to face with Toki on top of the right set of stairs. Steadily I began to stand, bracing myself upon my bow, I turned to face the path which he had come into the vale upon while I unstrapped by cloak from its tied bundle about the bow, which I held between my neck and shoulder as I slung the cloak over my shoulders and sealed it with a bronze broach, which used to be the knocker upon the door to Freya's home. As I turned back I noticed Toki's feet in the grass beside me, quickly filled with panic and fear I looked up to the stone platform before the gates. Priscilla was now sitting upon her knees before...
The statue, it was gone, Priscilla was sitting before the troll that had been the statue! As the fear of a trap set in, the troll turned and as he did so too did Priscilla, a smile drew across her face and she waved at me. Toki was on her feet in a flash, staring at me, eyes wide with shock, it was almost a horrid sight, her pale white skin face which defied the mind's ancient, long past, societal view to redefine beauty, reflected my fear in a most terrifying way.
Her fascinating teal eyes were wide, overly so, so that the white beyond the iris could be seen. A terrifying sight her eyes set amidst her face of hideous features as her skin was pulled back tight against her jaw and cheek bones with tension, this made her lower jaw twin tusks seem more menacing, a threat, to me even! While her fangs seemed as the talons of an eagle. Then all at once the face of terror faded and the Toki was beautiful again. Then she began to chuckle, not in a malicious way, but as if an inside joke had just been had that I was very much oblivious too. Over Toki's shoulder Priscilla and the male troll were laughing as well. As if Toki had sensed my thoughts and fears which she was reflecting externally with her face just to mock my failure to perceive and react to the real scenario about me and not my fears.
'You are in a new world now Jane,' said a calm voice very close to me, but I did not at first register it's personification, 'to be able to adapt is key to surviving for you; not only your body to the situation but also your perception. If you think and take in the world as you once did, so long ago in the age of man which has long since faded from this valley at least, then you will surely fade from think world. Sinking back into old memories, provided that your memory does come back that is. If you are able to find enough of them, then there you will reside in comfort, much like watching yourself in a one way mirror upon the wall. Reliving those memories until you can no longer live in this world, being filled with sorrow you'll eventually simple keel over and be dead. Charles would soon follow you during an unending season of mourning.'
The voice faded off and I was able to register reality as it was before my five senses once again. Toki was looked over her shoulder at Priscilla and the troll whom sat beside them. The voice started again, though this time it seemed more distant, 'Priscilla is two fold lucky you know,' the voice paused as Toki turned back to face me, 'Long ago, before she fell into the bonds of the endless sleep in the steel crab she had been introduced to the pure water. Which changed her through the hundreds of years of slumber, if not longer, Priscilla is no longer a child, her soul is old, even more so than my own. I may be several hundred years old, but she...' the voice trailed off once again, but only for a moment. 'Priscilla has witnessed the entire soul frame of the undead, which we will discuss, you and I, in greater detail after a hearty meal at the tables in the great hall of my city.'
So it was that I came to realize that in this age of the earth I, a human, was an outcast from a long forgotten era and that the Troll, who had been my companion at my side for several days, was not daft or primitive as I had presumed. That Toki had been reserved on purpose, getting to know me without me detecting it, that I had been naive to believe I was somehow superior simply because I was human, and came from a history of technology, thoughts of sophistication were merely selfish justifications of a past I no longer wanted to be associated with. The pale beautiful face which held features both delicate and powerful behind which was a soul imbued with precision awareness and intellect which I didn't even attempted to understand, was standing before me, a troll no less ( I chuckled at the thought of muted species ism, which I knew should be suppressed forever), was more worthy of friendship and trust than I had ever guessed.
'Come along dear, you can discover more magic beyond this small revelation inside,' a voice called out, beautifully soft and comforting to hear, yet twisted with a harsh raspiness which was compensated for by being spoken in a whisper, though it carried clearly to present itself to my ears, though I was more than fifty feet away. It was then that I noticed that I had dropped my bow, I picked it up and the quiver of arrows, which I slung over my back, and walked with great speed to meet my friends before the gates of the great Troll city.
In earnest anticipation of,
Jane
Without Charles
The troll was only slightly taller and thicker of muscle than Toki, he wore no shoes about his double hinged pale white, cat like feet. He wore no pants or tunic to cover up the multitude of scares which he seemed to wear with a great amount of pride, only about his waist did he wear a type grey of kilt, though it was longer than those the Scott's once wore, for it hung below his knees, to his double hinged mid calf. His right hand was upon a dagger's hilt still sheathed which was stuffed into the top of his kilt, his left hand had a firm grasp on a great javelin, much like a spear save that the one held by the troll was obviously only meant to be launched at an enemy at a distance, not to be thrust or held overly long when an attacker was closing in. The blade was thin, long and there were two of them fused together to make a cross, it reminded me of an arrow, and not a spear at all. The shaft was short, only half as tall as the troll holding it, at the bottom end of the javelin were four feathers which were all the same, from the tip they were black which faded into brown, then orange and finally white. His upper body was defined by thick muscles and many scars, many tusks protruded out from his closed mouth. Two large tusks which were the size my index finger, sped up from his lower jaw up towards his defined cheek bones, three smaller ones just inside of the twins protruded as well, though they were but half or less as in size, the upper tusks set in the upper jaw were the same size as these. His eyes were enthralling, just as Toki's were, the iris was orange or yellow, I could not tell though maybe it was both at once, the pupil was slit like a cats, though with a closer glance the iris' were dotted with small black dots. His hair was long, though it was pulled back in one great braid that hung half way down his back.
After retrieving my consciousness from a trance the magical statue held over me, for how long I did not know. Toki was laying in the tall grass just off the path while Priscilla was sitting on the stone wall of the well washing her feet off with water which he was using from her canteen. I threw myself along side Toki disappearing amidst the grass, losing myself once again to no particular thought at all as I stared up through the gap in the Sequoia canopy to the haze high above, the sun would be set soon and twilight would be upon them.
After short period I began to sit up, for my body ached from the long days trek, as my eyes grew level with the grass I saw up Priscilla standing face to face with Toki on top of the right set of stairs. Steadily I began to stand, bracing myself upon my bow, I turned to face the path which he had come into the vale upon while I unstrapped by cloak from its tied bundle about the bow, which I held between my neck and shoulder as I slung the cloak over my shoulders and sealed it with a bronze broach, which used to be the knocker upon the door to Freya's home. As I turned back I noticed Toki's feet in the grass beside me, quickly filled with panic and fear I looked up to the stone platform before the gates. Priscilla was now sitting upon her knees before...
The statue, it was gone, Priscilla was sitting before the troll that had been the statue! As the fear of a trap set in, the troll turned and as he did so too did Priscilla, a smile drew across her face and she waved at me. Toki was on her feet in a flash, staring at me, eyes wide with shock, it was almost a horrid sight, her pale white skin face which defied the mind's ancient, long past, societal view to redefine beauty, reflected my fear in a most terrifying way.
Her fascinating teal eyes were wide, overly so, so that the white beyond the iris could be seen. A terrifying sight her eyes set amidst her face of hideous features as her skin was pulled back tight against her jaw and cheek bones with tension, this made her lower jaw twin tusks seem more menacing, a threat, to me even! While her fangs seemed as the talons of an eagle. Then all at once the face of terror faded and the Toki was beautiful again. Then she began to chuckle, not in a malicious way, but as if an inside joke had just been had that I was very much oblivious too. Over Toki's shoulder Priscilla and the male troll were laughing as well. As if Toki had sensed my thoughts and fears which she was reflecting externally with her face just to mock my failure to perceive and react to the real scenario about me and not my fears.
'You are in a new world now Jane,' said a calm voice very close to me, but I did not at first register it's personification, 'to be able to adapt is key to surviving for you; not only your body to the situation but also your perception. If you think and take in the world as you once did, so long ago in the age of man which has long since faded from this valley at least, then you will surely fade from think world. Sinking back into old memories, provided that your memory does come back that is. If you are able to find enough of them, then there you will reside in comfort, much like watching yourself in a one way mirror upon the wall. Reliving those memories until you can no longer live in this world, being filled with sorrow you'll eventually simple keel over and be dead. Charles would soon follow you during an unending season of mourning.'
The voice faded off and I was able to register reality as it was before my five senses once again. Toki was looked over her shoulder at Priscilla and the troll whom sat beside them. The voice started again, though this time it seemed more distant, 'Priscilla is two fold lucky you know,' the voice paused as Toki turned back to face me, 'Long ago, before she fell into the bonds of the endless sleep in the steel crab she had been introduced to the pure water. Which changed her through the hundreds of years of slumber, if not longer, Priscilla is no longer a child, her soul is old, even more so than my own. I may be several hundred years old, but she...' the voice trailed off once again, but only for a moment. 'Priscilla has witnessed the entire soul frame of the undead, which we will discuss, you and I, in greater detail after a hearty meal at the tables in the great hall of my city.'
So it was that I came to realize that in this age of the earth I, a human, was an outcast from a long forgotten era and that the Troll, who had been my companion at my side for several days, was not daft or primitive as I had presumed. That Toki had been reserved on purpose, getting to know me without me detecting it, that I had been naive to believe I was somehow superior simply because I was human, and came from a history of technology, thoughts of sophistication were merely selfish justifications of a past I no longer wanted to be associated with. The pale beautiful face which held features both delicate and powerful behind which was a soul imbued with precision awareness and intellect which I didn't even attempted to understand, was standing before me, a troll no less ( I chuckled at the thought of muted species ism, which I knew should be suppressed forever), was more worthy of friendship and trust than I had ever guessed.
'Come along dear, you can discover more magic beyond this small revelation inside,' a voice called out, beautifully soft and comforting to hear, yet twisted with a harsh raspiness which was compensated for by being spoken in a whisper, though it carried clearly to present itself to my ears, though I was more than fifty feet away. It was then that I noticed that I had dropped my bow, I picked it up and the quiver of arrows, which I slung over my back, and walked with great speed to meet my friends before the gates of the great Troll city.
In earnest anticipation of,
Jane
Without Charles
Monday, January 23, 2012
Charles & Edgarory A Village in the Mist
It was late in the eve as I entered the village, Edgarory had informed me that we were to dine before an elder was to visit before we retired for the evening. Behind us the sun was setting a deep shade of red as we stepped out from underneath the archway a most enchanting sight before me held my eyes, I was transfixed by what I saw as I stood the Elves moved past me, back to their various tasks before dinner.
The village was nestled in the middle of a Manzanita grove and even at first appearance was much larger than I ever guessed. The labyrinth of twisted branches in the manzanita canopy which was no more than twenty or so feet above our heads kept the village dry, save for where the leaves and branches channeled water down in natural culverts to the gardens below. Much like the forest which surrounded the marsh the canopy kept the village in a constant state of twilight and shadow, the sun only creeping through as tiny shafts of light which seemed to dissolve into darkness before they touched the soil.
Before me the path of red stone went out until it split to encompass the grove in a large rectangle. About the trunk of each of the twelve trees that grew just off set from being side by side, were gardens of vegetables akin to the ones I ate in the past, those being carrots, turnips, peas, tomatoes, cucumber and so on. Whilst in other gardens there were the purple and blue flowers which grew in vines which wrapped themselves about the tree. Still there was a third type of garden which held various berry bushes, from a golden type of raspberry to gigantic strawberries.
The path on either side of the lower terrace grove, for I could see where the pathway lead up to another tier, was a black stone wall about knee high, which also encompassed the gardens around the tree trunks. The wall housed in all the yards of the individual dwellings, each one had a beautiful wood carved archway over the entrance to their personal gardens about their homes. None of the houses looked similar, some were made of the same red stone as the pathway, the same dark wood used on the archways comprised the doors, window frames and roofs of those types of homes, most of which where a single story, small and square while others were two stories tall and crafted from foundation to roof of fallen logs. Others were completely open, built in the fashion of the archway, thin sliding sheets of wood or possibly it was paper, sealed the house off when it was time for silence for sleep.
Edgarory lead me onward down the path, we went right where it split as it made its way around the rectangle of homes and gardens underneath the Manzanita canopy. At the far end of the terrace we made our way up a very large set of red stone stairs, above which was a very intricate and beautiful archway of carved dark wood, to the second tier terrace. In the middle of the staircase I stopped for something far off to my left caught my eye, there upon another tier, a lower terrace, was a blacksmith's shop. As I regarded the black stone building with wooden roof, a fire raging just inside the door in a hearth below the bellows, I heard a hammer beating upon an anvil. Beyond that I saw an old lumber mill which looked to be now used as a barn, that seemed to be where most of the Elves had gone off to as I stopped to take in the villages beauty. Edgarory had told me that there were indeed several farms down on the lower terrace to the East, and the lower terrace in the West were the battlements and a second smithery, to the south was the great hall, which was revered much like a temple, save there was nothing to be worshipped. There everything looked much the same, though this was no rectangle but a very large circle, at the centre of which was a very beautiful well. Above the well two of the same intricate archways had been linked together, under this hung a large pale from a rope which was used only during the dry seasons, which were now getting more rare as the marshes expanded into the desert beyond.
We came to the first house on our left in the circle and went under the archway, through the garden and up to the sliding door. 'This is the house of my kin, Jenovian's,' said Edgarory very softly as if attempting not to heard by her before he had a chance to knock, 'she will have us for dinner and a short period after for cleaning ourselves.' It was at this point that I noticed that Freya was not upon his shoulder...
In all hopes of returning,
Charles with Edgarory
The village was nestled in the middle of a Manzanita grove and even at first appearance was much larger than I ever guessed. The labyrinth of twisted branches in the manzanita canopy which was no more than twenty or so feet above our heads kept the village dry, save for where the leaves and branches channeled water down in natural culverts to the gardens below. Much like the forest which surrounded the marsh the canopy kept the village in a constant state of twilight and shadow, the sun only creeping through as tiny shafts of light which seemed to dissolve into darkness before they touched the soil.
Before me the path of red stone went out until it split to encompass the grove in a large rectangle. About the trunk of each of the twelve trees that grew just off set from being side by side, were gardens of vegetables akin to the ones I ate in the past, those being carrots, turnips, peas, tomatoes, cucumber and so on. Whilst in other gardens there were the purple and blue flowers which grew in vines which wrapped themselves about the tree. Still there was a third type of garden which held various berry bushes, from a golden type of raspberry to gigantic strawberries.
The path on either side of the lower terrace grove, for I could see where the pathway lead up to another tier, was a black stone wall about knee high, which also encompassed the gardens around the tree trunks. The wall housed in all the yards of the individual dwellings, each one had a beautiful wood carved archway over the entrance to their personal gardens about their homes. None of the houses looked similar, some were made of the same red stone as the pathway, the same dark wood used on the archways comprised the doors, window frames and roofs of those types of homes, most of which where a single story, small and square while others were two stories tall and crafted from foundation to roof of fallen logs. Others were completely open, built in the fashion of the archway, thin sliding sheets of wood or possibly it was paper, sealed the house off when it was time for silence for sleep.
Edgarory lead me onward down the path, we went right where it split as it made its way around the rectangle of homes and gardens underneath the Manzanita canopy. At the far end of the terrace we made our way up a very large set of red stone stairs, above which was a very intricate and beautiful archway of carved dark wood, to the second tier terrace. In the middle of the staircase I stopped for something far off to my left caught my eye, there upon another tier, a lower terrace, was a blacksmith's shop. As I regarded the black stone building with wooden roof, a fire raging just inside the door in a hearth below the bellows, I heard a hammer beating upon an anvil. Beyond that I saw an old lumber mill which looked to be now used as a barn, that seemed to be where most of the Elves had gone off to as I stopped to take in the villages beauty. Edgarory had told me that there were indeed several farms down on the lower terrace to the East, and the lower terrace in the West were the battlements and a second smithery, to the south was the great hall, which was revered much like a temple, save there was nothing to be worshipped. There everything looked much the same, though this was no rectangle but a very large circle, at the centre of which was a very beautiful well. Above the well two of the same intricate archways had been linked together, under this hung a large pale from a rope which was used only during the dry seasons, which were now getting more rare as the marshes expanded into the desert beyond.
We came to the first house on our left in the circle and went under the archway, through the garden and up to the sliding door. 'This is the house of my kin, Jenovian's,' said Edgarory very softly as if attempting not to heard by her before he had a chance to knock, 'she will have us for dinner and a short period after for cleaning ourselves.' It was at this point that I noticed that Freya was not upon his shoulder...
In all hopes of returning,
Charles with Edgarory
Saturday, January 21, 2012
World's Over Journal XXIII Sun Pathways
Today, urged by Priscilla, the three of us ventured forth to Toki's village in the North, along the mountains in a small vale. Our journey started from the open glade where the sun shown the haze a bright green, which was almost yellow, making the dust particles seem like stars as they slowly fell from high up in the trees down upon us a most beautiful scene amidst the purple and lavender flowers upon the edge of the glade. In the centre of the meadow, of course, was the Obsidian Golem Rock which was warm to the touch as it had been sitting in the sun since it rose above the Western edge of the Ravine. The sun often penetrated deep down into the depths underneath the Redwood canopy and below that the Manzanita labyrinth to touch the forest floor.
In such a magical manner did the sun regularly find elusive path ways to brighten the depths of the valley, it made the days pass amidst a magical glow. Wherever we walked in the forest the sun seemed to follow us or be just ahead of us, yet never upon us directly. On the northern edge of the glade amidst the purple flowers we found a small firm trail of dirt, along each side around, about and above, grew the manzanita labyrinth. We travelled along the pathway for a few hours, we came across two more glades, though naked of a rock at their center, but the trail pushed us around the meadow, never through it.
At the north end of the last meadow we started down a slope, from the top of it we could see a small Brook off in the distance. The underbrush was thicker here than it ever was, down and around the bend we came to the stream. A knotted labyrinth of the magnificent Manzanita tree had formed a bridge for those who wished to pass over the brook. As we passed over the bridge we paused for a moment to look into the stream, the water was clear we could see to the bottom only a few feet below the surface. Amidst the rocks and green plants waving in the current we saw schools of, what looked to be, Trout, and below them, in hiding, were red exoskeleton creatures moving about, much like a lobster. It was odd that we had yet to see any critters upon our journey, though Toki was a hunter and we were none too quiet as we travelled, for we held no desire for secrecy. A beautiful forest in a magical valley, hard to believe this place was once the earth our concrete cities once held our minds captive in.
On the other side of the brook the labyrinth faded away and we began to go up hill again, in the distance we could see the mountain walls, we were getting close. The sun was setting as the forest opened up into a very large meadow before us, and there before us was the mountain hall of the Trolls. Their village is not as you would think, nothing like the native tribes pushed out of existence from our Continent so long ago. No, this was no mere village as Priscilla had translated from Toki, though I only ever heard her whisper into Priscilla's ears.
Before us, more than double an arrow shot from a long bow over an open meadow stood a mighty fortress, built into the side of the mountain. Near to the mountain the path split into two which lead up to the fortress' entrance points. On both sides the stone had been carved into a great round staircase which circled their way in a half crescent up to the main gates. The threshold held a great stone door which was beautiful to behold, for it was covered in the most intricate symbols. before the stone was a heavy set of bars which were covered in tiny spikes.
Above the gate were many windows, all of them black, no light exited out from the citadel of stone. All about the mountain side were spires which made up a great deal of the fortress' defences, all of them had multiple port holes to fire out from. Underneath these and strewn about the mountain side were terraces, which bore houses of timber and brick, built out of the side of the mountain. Before them in the terrace, I was told, were ponds and gardens, which I greatly desired to see.
In earnest anticipation of,
Jane, Priscilla and Toki
Without Charles
In such a magical manner did the sun regularly find elusive path ways to brighten the depths of the valley, it made the days pass amidst a magical glow. Wherever we walked in the forest the sun seemed to follow us or be just ahead of us, yet never upon us directly. On the northern edge of the glade amidst the purple flowers we found a small firm trail of dirt, along each side around, about and above, grew the manzanita labyrinth. We travelled along the pathway for a few hours, we came across two more glades, though naked of a rock at their center, but the trail pushed us around the meadow, never through it.
At the north end of the last meadow we started down a slope, from the top of it we could see a small Brook off in the distance. The underbrush was thicker here than it ever was, down and around the bend we came to the stream. A knotted labyrinth of the magnificent Manzanita tree had formed a bridge for those who wished to pass over the brook. As we passed over the bridge we paused for a moment to look into the stream, the water was clear we could see to the bottom only a few feet below the surface. Amidst the rocks and green plants waving in the current we saw schools of, what looked to be, Trout, and below them, in hiding, were red exoskeleton creatures moving about, much like a lobster. It was odd that we had yet to see any critters upon our journey, though Toki was a hunter and we were none too quiet as we travelled, for we held no desire for secrecy. A beautiful forest in a magical valley, hard to believe this place was once the earth our concrete cities once held our minds captive in.
On the other side of the brook the labyrinth faded away and we began to go up hill again, in the distance we could see the mountain walls, we were getting close. The sun was setting as the forest opened up into a very large meadow before us, and there before us was the mountain hall of the Trolls. Their village is not as you would think, nothing like the native tribes pushed out of existence from our Continent so long ago. No, this was no mere village as Priscilla had translated from Toki, though I only ever heard her whisper into Priscilla's ears.
Before us, more than double an arrow shot from a long bow over an open meadow stood a mighty fortress, built into the side of the mountain. Near to the mountain the path split into two which lead up to the fortress' entrance points. On both sides the stone had been carved into a great round staircase which circled their way in a half crescent up to the main gates. The threshold held a great stone door which was beautiful to behold, for it was covered in the most intricate symbols. before the stone was a heavy set of bars which were covered in tiny spikes.
Above the gate were many windows, all of them black, no light exited out from the citadel of stone. All about the mountain side were spires which made up a great deal of the fortress' defences, all of them had multiple port holes to fire out from. Underneath these and strewn about the mountain side were terraces, which bore houses of timber and brick, built out of the side of the mountain. Before them in the terrace, I was told, were ponds and gardens, which I greatly desired to see.
In earnest anticipation of,
Jane, Priscilla and Toki
Without Charles
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