Original Submissions
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Mtakr by Kiri
Added on Oct 6, 2008A warrior of Lyksae.
Never look up. by Staggerlee
Added on Sep 29, 2008In the shadows of the rinth a desperate young man is offered a once in a life time opportunity.
Catori knelt at the edge of the roof, hunched over himself like a vulture as he stared down into the alley below. He knew that he couldn't be seen from down there, the buildings around him were too high, the sky too dark to allow a silhouette.
Tired and edgy he took a slow breath of air, held it, and released it. It smelled of rot and filth, but that was nothing new. He didn't like where he was, the sounds of the bar beneath his feet were disconcerting, there were too many people around.
The kid's thoughts were bitter, tired, uncomfortable. “The things I do for a fucking coin or two.” He narrowed his eyes and he leaned closer to the crumbling edge of the roof as a figure moved by in the street below in one of the signature dark, shit-stained cloaks that were worn like a uniform in the rinth. “There's no accounting for fashion. Wish I could see a damn face, wish I knew exactly who I was even meeting.”
Caught unawares, his stomach lurched at the sudden grating noise behind him - something scraping against stone. Catori didn't move, he fought down the fear and tried to ignore the sudden dampness in his armpits, the way the rough fabric of his shirt was suddenly sticking to his skin. He held his breath, waiting for another noise, and his hand dropped slowly into his cloak, reaching for the broken chunk of obsidian he used as a weapon.
“Good boy. Now don't look up, I don't believe I need to tell you what happens if you see my face.” The voice was calm and smooth, with none of the coarse alley talk he'd expected. Catori didn't move. His hand was shaking on the chunk of stone in his pocket, but he wasn't going to let go of it. “Awh fuck. He talks like a southie, but I know he ain't. I know better than to even wonder who he is, what he is, knowing who he's gotta represent.”
“Catori. Elvish for 'spirit'. Tragic, I might not have realized you were a breed otherwise – I'm sure it does you no service.”
There was no wave of stubbornness or pride within him, but his eyes screwed shut for a second and his lips twitched as he winced. “Fuck. Is he shitting me? That can't be... I've been going around telling everyone? I'm never using that name again. Never.”
“Speak. Do you still want this job? This is your final opportunity to walk away.”
“Yesh.”
“Good.”
There was a rustle behind him, the soft sound of cloth - his ears were sharp or he would never have heard it over the clank of glasses and loud voices from the room below. Catori licked his cracked lips and waited, there was a cramp building in his thigh but he was afraid to even move his feet, afraid to shift his stance.
“When you leave this place, there is a turn to your left. After some footsteps it will take you to a dead end, a blind alley. There is an old door there, hidden in the gloom and rubble. It will take you further. Do you know of it?”
Catori felt a brief swell of pride, a chance to show what he knew of the alleys, what he'd learned in his meagre years. “Yesh I do. Goesh out to da long road, da leash to da orphanage.” Behind him there was silence followed by a long, patient intake of breath and finally a voice again. “A yes or no will suffice.”
His stomach lurched again, and the word came out slow and thick. “Yesh.”
“Good. Beyond that door, there is another intersection, and another wall. This with a crack, it leads out of the alleys and into the city proper. Do you know of that as well?”
“Yesh.” He tried to swallow, but it stuck in his throat. He wanted water, but knew better than to think he could get any. Not until the job was done.
“Fuck I need this. I really need this. And maybe more work after this. Regular food, maybe a way out of this slum some day.”
“Good. Do as I say, and you will not regret taking this job. Not at all.”
There was a thump as something hit the rooftop beside him, knocking against his boot. Catori flinched but didn't look down, his hand tightened around the chunk of obsidian in his pocket until his knuckles whitened beneath the filth coating them.
“Look down. Take it. That is yours, for the job and to keep when you've finished.”
Catori took up the crude sheath, drew free the bone blade enough to see the sharpness of its edge, ran calloused fingers over the taut leather wrapping the hilt. “This must be worth at least a dozen loaves of bread. This on top of the coin he promised me... I'm going to be rich.” His stomach was tight, and he still couldn't breath properly.
“Good. You'll go to that spot now, and you'll wait. Before the day is out a dwarf will pass through, armed with an ivory mace and wearing clothes too rich for these alleys. You'll bring me his body.”
“Yesh.” Catori stared down at the dagger in his hands, concentrated on breathing and waited.
Some minutes later he was still waiting. It took him nearly the span of an hour to steal the first look over his shoulder and see that his new employer was gone, the roof barren except for broken ceramic, mold and crumbling stone. Slowly and shakily he climbed to his feet, wiped the sweat from his palms and stowed his weapon within the folds of his cloak.
It didn't take long to follow the route he'd been given and the young halfbreed barely noticed where has going as he hurried through the darkness, his mind caught on the promise of coins and food. Catori was lucky that time, the alleys were empty and his carelessness was forgiven – on another day he may have been robbed, killed or worse. The place for his ambush was easy to find and from beneath the tall, crumbling wall he could hear the boots of guards, the laughing of a child and the shouting of two men in argument.
Catori pulled the hood of his cloak lower over his pale features and looked around, considering his options. “Dwarves are strong. I need to strike first, if he sees me I'm dead. But he'll be crawling through a hole in a wall, it should be easy enough to catch him before he's prepared.”
A pile of garbage and feces provided him refuge for a few moments, but he was nervous, jittery, and before long he'd moved again. Catori's second hiding place was a nook in the wall where half the stones had been knocked out, it was an easy enough climb and stood perhaps a meter above the crack his target would be climbing through. Nestled in his cramped hiding spot, Catori licked his cracked lips and imagined the dwarf crawling through beneath his feet, unsuspecting, weapon far from reach. “Easy money.”
His legs cramped and he itched to move again, but Catori forced himself to wait, to be patient. He knew that patience could save you as easily as curiosity could kill you in the alleys. “Easy money.”
Some time later his ears perked. From the other side of the wall there was a sound, a shuffling and grating as whatever covered the crack was moved. “It's him. He's here.” Catori's heart was pounding, his hands shaking. Reaching into his cloak he drew out the dagger, slipped it free from the sheath, stared at the blade, marvelled at how straight and true it was in his hand.
Almost lovingly he reached down to caress the blade, raised it to his thumb and tested the edge against his skin. The blade pierced the ball of his thumb without resistance and left a long ruby trail in its wake. Catori winced and shook his hand then drew a breath and held it, waiting for the his target to move through the hole. The shuffling was getting louder.
The cut didn't hurt, he was used to far worse pain, but he felt the burning begin in his hand just as the head of the dwarf appeared through the hole. High above the unsuspecting target, the would be assassin stuck his thumb into his mouth and chewed at it with crooked teeth, but kept the dagger raised in his free hand. The burning was spreading through his body and he could feel his face flushing, his breath quickening, but he forced himself to concentrate, to remain silent. Catori held his breath and did not make a sound as he waited.
On the ground below the dwarf passed by without incident, vanishing into the darkness of the alley. He did not hear a sound, never knew what was lurking above him, what threat he'd passed beneath. Within the day rats found the body of the half elven child hunched in an alcove on a decaying wall of brick and mortar, a bone dagger clutched in a hand tightened by rigor mortis.Catori knelt at
the edge of the roof, hunched over himself like a vulture as he stared
down into the alley below. He knew that he couldn't be seen from down
there, the buildings around him were too high, the sky too dark to
allow a silhouette.
Tired and edgy he took a slow breath...
Continue Reading...Artwork Contest #4 City: Daja by Taven
Added on Sep 20, 2008The Oasis city Daja.
Melons (Daja Art Contest Submission) by Ourla
Added on Sep 20, 2008A bust Daja fruitseller displays her ripe, luscious wares.
A Family Lost by Briar
Added on Sep 16, 2008'Loss is written into the very earth. We are only its most dramatic reminder.'
Solace in Sound by Bebop
Added on Sep 7, 2008A song written and performed by Sergeant Buckle Irofel, during exile.
No solace have I found
When I trod unfamiliar ground
An agony so profound
It seeks to end me
The only peace that I find
Waits in sound …
The stroke of my lute
The piercing lilt of the flute
The cry of the guitar
Oh how I miss the whistling samovar!
My solace... lies in sound.
The violin it weeps
The drum's leather it creaks
I’ll lift my voice to sing
As the bells so clearly ring!
For my only solace... lies in sound.
No! There’s no peace that I have found
Knowing you've gone into the ground
It's an agony so profound … It seeks to end me
The melody of song
It's what keeps me going on
For every beat and measure
Gives me the smallest pleasure
It's for you that I compose
Though you can't hear me now I know
But I'll raise voice and cup for you
Until the sands come claim me too!
For my solace... lies in sound
No solace have I found
When I trod unfamiliar ground
An agony so profound
It seeks to end me
The only peace that I find
Waits in sound …
The stroke of my lute
The piercing lilt of the flute
The cry of the guitar
Oh how I miss the whistling samovar!
My solace... lies in...
Continue Reading...Fate Decides by Bebop
Added on Sep 7, 2008A song of Fate composed by Buckle Irofel.
I'll sing you a song of a man if you listen
Oh if you listen I've the story to tell…
He never had any grace to fall from
Only dirt filled the bottom of his well
From the day he breathed breath into his lungs now
It was almost to much then to take
Death crusted the streets that he walked down
Before he started it was already to late
When the dawn rose for me he was leaving
To go where that's not something I could say
He always had his backed turned to something
Took names and hearts to gamble away
But do you think he could out run it?
Keep pace from all of these debts that he fled
Like a vengeful beast it all stalked him
Tearing at the leash of time to get ahead
It finally descended upon him
As all men are suspect to time
The history he had created in life
Was no match when Fate chose to unwind!
Fate deals us our cards, rolls us the dice
Plots us like an izdari game
Is it Fate, is it luck who is to say?
For it took his heart and his name!
Well Fate didn't know, but I'll tell it to you
My secret of this story I send
This man had his, because he found respite
For he was remembered do the game came to an end!
I'll sing you a song of a man if you'll listen
Oh, if you listen I have the story to tell..
He never had any grace to fall from
But I loved him and I loved him well
I'll sing you a song of a man if you listen
Oh if you listen I've the story to tell…
He never had any grace to fall from
Only dirt filled the bottom of his well
From the day he breathed breath into his lungs now
It was almost to much then to take
Death crusted the streets that he walked...
Continue Reading...Lieutenant Paryl by Silverfaune
Added on Sep 7, 2008Lieutenant Paryl of the Allanaki militia readies to deliver a lesson on torture to yet another group of recruits... strictly for educational purposes, of course.
Rue by Silverfaune
Added on Sep 7, 2008For some, the shadows are a blessing.
Street Acrobatics by Briar
Added on Sep 3, 2008"There is an art to street tricks, girl. Learn to throw yourself at the ground and miss." - one acrobat to another
The Stormer by Briar
Added on Sep 1, 2008Redemption is not often found in the Sea.
A Lost Warrior; Part II by Glantimere
Added on Aug 29, 2008There is no rest for the weary, and allanak, under Malenthis Jal's leadership, tries to prove its tenacity in a bold siege after a recent defeat and loss of a commander. (note) I apologize for anything astray in the story itself, it was a long time ago for me, and I had very little in the way of logs to work with, but I did tell a few individuals I would post this before long)
A lost warrior: Part III awoke to hushed murmurs about my tent, and sat up groggily. I reached over, grabbed my sword, and crawled out of my tent slowly. It was dark, I had slept the whole day away. On dark nights like this, without Lirathu or Jihae in the sky, one had to be very careful about wandering too far east of our camp. One misplaced foot would send you over the edge of the chasm.I wiped my eyes with a tired hand, and gazed about the army quietly. Over two-thousand, and all of them looked nervous. I stood for a moment, wondering what I had missed that had them set on guard, until my eye caught sight of three templars near the wagon up against the western cliff wall.There stood the high faithful lady Eunoli, and at her side was the faithful lord Durathar and Faithful lady Felysia. Clearly, something big was happening, and I spotted a jet-braided half-giant not far from me.Crog was a good find. We had found him in the sanctuary on our last trip home to the ivory. Smart, strong, funny. He made life at the camp a lot easier for me. I had helped show him around camp initially, and he was already excelling at his duties."Crog, we moving out?" I asked quietly, stepping up to his side. He turned his head and lifted a hand shortly in greeting, and shrugged. I nodded once, resting a hand on my sword hilt as I looked around.Shoulder is still stiff…Need to get my shield off it…I rolled my right shoulder back, letting the strap fall down my arm, and kneeled down, leaning on my shield for support. A cold breeze drifted out of the cave mouth just east of the camp, and I shivered slightly in the night. The air was heavy with the scent of spice, a peculiar spice favored among the soldiers for its enhancing effect. I had never tried it. I had no need to.I saw young Zeiri, and sighed.I disapproved of his age, but, he knew how to survive. He had even been the one to introduce and show me the camp. I couldn't say anything to him. Sometimes I got the feeling he resented me, even before Curachek died. He had every right to defend his home, the enemy had no mercy or cared what age their blades felled down.In the dark distance, I heard drums. Faint, but they were there. It was drums, or the approach of another one of those cursed lightning storms that had twice assailed our camp now. I glanced over to Eunoli, and frowned, her expression told me all I needed to know.Eunoli opened her mouth to speak, and stopped, her facial expression showing a hint of shock. At that moment, I felt something in my mind, a familiar presence I welcomed."Brothers and Sisters, the enemy marches to meet us with a massive force." I heard echoing through my mind. The ringing in my mind faded quickly, and the other soldiers murmured softly.So it finally draws to a close. We will face the allanaki force at these gates…We will determine the course of the war here.I heard Durathar speaking faintly, but I missed what he said. When he finished, our archer battalions rushed up the catwalk in a strict formation, bow at the ready. I glanced towards our southern gate, where a reserve unit came up to bolster our main force."Form up!" I heard shouted, from a faithful or captain, I am not sure, but orders were orders. Myself, and our main army fell into formation, facing the northern gate. I stood in the vanguard right behind the half-giants. I would be the first to fight.The sun rose slowly, illuminating the camp between the canyon and chasm. It was a glorious sight, seeing our mighty army in such a formation. Durathar marched up and down the foremost line of soldiers, giving them an appraising gaze. I straightened up as his gaze swept over me for a brief moment, and held my head high.Khalise, be with me through this coming battle…If you could ever forgive me for not being with you in your own fight…"Half-giants, to the front!" I heard Durathar shout as a few half-giants in the back instantly hustled forward from the rear. Crog lumbered past, straightening up infront of me.My ring, I can't let them have it back…Ah, Crog."Crog," I said quietly. Crog grunted softly, glancing over his shoulder a bit. "I wear a ring, a witches ring. The only thing they would care to get back from me. If I fall, do not let them have it. Can you do this for me?"Crog frowned, but nodded nonetheless, and turned back to face Durathar. The faithful were speaking in their tongue for awhile, and the sun reached it's highest point in the sky.I wiped my brow, tilting my crimson-winged great helm back a bit. I unbuckled my water skin from my belt, and drank deeply from it.Half a skin left…I can make this last through the fight…refill it later.I wiped my lips with the back of my gloved hand, re-buckling my skin to my belt. We stood in formation for a horribly long time, the heat only seemed to increase as time drew on. I began to tire, my legs felt like stone. Finally, Durathar returned to the front line, and turned to face us, pacing up and down the line."Soldiers of Tuluk, We stand against a massive force! But we will fight, and we will show these bastards their place! If they lose here, they care nothing of it. If –we- lose here, what is going to stop them from turning north!? What is going to stop them from marching on our city!? Fight! Fight for our home, Fight for your loved ones! Fight for our living god the sun-king!" Durathar shouted, his voice reverberating through the camp.The entire force cheered, and I could not help but join them. I drew my sword, raising it high into the air."For the ivory! For the sun king!" I shouted loudly. My voice was loud, and still it was drowned out by the hundreds of others echoing off the canyon wall. As I gazed up at the dark sky, I thought, for a brief moment, I could see the ivory pyramid above us.As our shouts died, so did the first night of our siege, and the enemy drums boomed in the northern canyon. The sounds of marching and officers shouting orders could be heard echoing over our gate.They come, at last.I felt my blood growing hot, knowing the enemy was so close, and both of our armies wanted a fight. Durathar narrowed his gaze at the wooden gate, and paced back over to Eunoli and Felysia. Eunoli's gaze grew distant, and Felysia closed her eyes, remaining still."They have reached the traps…" Felysia said quietly. Almost as soon as she spoke, screams rang out in the canyon north of us, but there was also shouting, it sounded as if they had forewarning of the traps. Durathar turned, and marched up the catwalk to the wall."Fire!" I heard faint shouts echoing from the wall. More screams, and the whistle of arrows filled the sounds of this terrible morning. Suk-Krath was clouded from vision as a volley of arrows came over the wall, and I raised my shield above my head, as did many others.Bastards…I won't be falling that easily!A soldier next to me dropped down to the ground, two arrows in his chest. I gritted my teeth, looking away. The shouting from the others side of the wall came again, much closer now, and it was clear there was confusion among the enemy ranks.Wish I could see what the hell is happening…Larke coughed near me. I hadn't even noticed him before, not until I smelled the spice. He was puffing on his pipe next to me."Ho..shit…They're not gonna get me now…" He said, coughing a few times. I grunted, turning my attention back to the wall. A tuluki soldier shouted out, and flipped back over the wall, his body burned and mutilated.The abominations… I have to face them all eventually. I knew Dran would only be the first.The day lingered on, and not much changed, despite the constant exchange of archer fire. Finally, as the sun slowly lowered behind the dunes and canyons, it seemed the enemy would break through, as I noticed our archers falling back onto the catwalk itself, as if in retreat. Then, I noticed the fiery glow on the wall, illuminating the dark of night.What is that…?I stepped forward out of the line, gazing at the wall, trying to make out this new threat, this hulking inferno that approached the wall slowly. It almost looked like a Braxat.I saw Durathar standing before the inferno, shouting and pointing. A few archers rushed forward, throwing barrels of water at the monstrous braxat, and a roar rocked the canyon, as the light faded quickly. It was soon after this our first glimmer of hope came."It seems they are retreating…" Felysia said quietly, her voice strained. The soldiers relaxed a bit, lowering their shields further as the enemy drums did indeed seem to grow fainter.The army never dispersed, but we talked quietly, tired, and hopeful. It had been over an hour now, but time was passing slowly, the anticipation was gnawing at my mind."Easy enough, we showed them." A soldier near me snickered. I frowned, shaking my head a bit.It can't be that easy…Why bring they're entire force here for one failed charge…?I saw the masked bard, Jochebed as they called him, move up into the lines, looking rather uncertain. He stood next to Zeiri, a blade in hand.The bard…He shouldn't be up here in the front lines with us…He has no other choice now I guess."I'm not going to make it, am I?" I heard Jochebed say softly, almost to himself. "I am no warrior...""If drov comes to meet us, there is nothing we can do in the battle but make him wait a little longer." I said, glancing down to Jochebed. Zeiri looked over at me, a strange look in his eye."It is not Drov we go to meet, mister Kel. Today, we go to meet our destinies." He said, gazing north at the gate. I turned back to the gate as well.Destiny…I should have had mine with Khalise…and I destroyed my own future. The only thing left for me is fate. Is it to die on the field, for my home? Or is it to die alone, with nothing but my honor when I am old and feeble?"They come again…" I heard Felysia say. Eunoli was clearly straining her abilities, and leaned against a sharp-featured soldier near her. Both the faithful ladies were exhausted, it was easy to see, and Durathar was still somewhere on the wall.As dawn broke on our third day at the ready, the shouting of the enemy army rose into a fierce battle cry."They're scaling the walls! Do not let them pass! Use arrows, rocks, barrels, whatever you must to keep them off! They –must- not pass!" I heard Durathar's voice echoing from the wall above."Just give us a tune, Mister Jochebed, remind us what we're fightin' for. Inspire us."" Zeiri said in a wavering voice, staring at the gate. Jochebed nodded in understanding, sheathing his sword, and holding a lute."I understand, Zeiri." Jochebed said, bringing the flute to his lips. Despite the screaming, his song prevailed, and did indeed calm me. It was a soothing tune, invigorating, and it blocked out the sounds of death for a short time. Yet my curiosity got the best of me, I had to move sometime."The Flower of Tuluk shall no longer be trampled...By Allanak's boot...Be her blossom unmarred.." I heard the bard's singular voice prevailing over the chaos. But it faded, only too quickly.I walked forward onto the catwalk, gritting my teeth as I began passing the bodies of fallen comrades. I could no longer hear Jochebed's playing, and reality grasped me once again. I glanced north into the canyon, staying safely behind our archers with my shield raised. I saw something I had never seen in my life.A wall of sand, a wall, covered the roof of the canyon north of the gate, providing cover from our arrows for the enemy. Slowly but surely, the wall moved closer to the gate, as did the enemy. They were coming from the western pass again, but the wall of sand blocked them from sight.Our soldiers climbed up higher onto the canyon wall, and began rolling rocks, boulders, and stones down onto the sand wall. Just before the sand wall and enemy force emerged from the final stretch of the western pass, the sand wall quivered, and collapsed.The boulders tumbled down, and my heart leapt, the enemy was done. Yet it only took me a moment to process why I couldn't see any enemy bodies in the rubble, it was clear that the enemy had withdrawn before the sand wall gave. The western pass was completely cut off now, and the enemy was nowhere in sight. I turned, looking for answers, and walked back down the catwalk to our cheering army. I did not share the feeling of victory, once again."They have lost over a third of their force…The northwestern pass is blocked off…" I heard felysia say. I stood before the templars, behind me, the army was cheering. They clearly only thought of the victory, and not our new position. If the enemy was to the north like I suspected, then it would seem we are completely cut off from suppl-"Brothers and Sisters, we have been cut off from the ivory. The enemy is in the northern canyon between us and the city now. We await word from the commanders at the heart for further orders." A soft voice echoed in my mind, ending my own thoughts for a brief moment. As soon as it had began, the soft ringing was gone, and my mind was my own.Then it had happened. The only possibility from here that I could see was a frontal charge. We had to dislodge them from their position, and break through. It seemed Durathar was of the same mind."Prepare to move!" He yelled. The entire looked confused for a moment, and then fell back into formation, some still holding their content smiles of victory.The faithful spoke in their tongue for a few moments, and Durathar turned, clambering onto a horse's back as he rode to the gates, unlocking them and signaling for two soldiers to open them.We go now…We go to fight, to victory. But for myself, I do not know what lies ahead.I rushed over to the stockade, and leapt onto a kank's back, turning it about quickly, and hurried up to Durathar's flank. Myself and Curachek had been charged with being his personal bodyguards. I had failed Curachek like I had failed Khalise. I had not been there to save him. I swore to myself nothing would happen to Durathar while I lived.We moved quickly out of the north gate, Durathar at the head, and halted, for a brief moment to survey the field and western pass. The pass was completely blocked, and bodies of allanaki soldiers littered the field.Durathar wrinkled his nose in disgust, riding on, and our force marched, perhaps a thousand of us.The three day siege was over. This dawn would bring one filled with blood.I did not see any familiar faces about me, but I knew they were behind me somewhere in our massive force. Our banner flapped in the wind, and all the men now had grim looks on their faces as we rounded a canyon pass that turned west, and saw the enemy camp.The camp was set at a break in the narrow canyon, that spread out in all directions. Durathar scowled, and charged forward after glancing over his shoulder once."Charge!!" Was the only thing I heard, and I was off at his side. We broke into the camp quickly, cutting down the un-suspecting enemy. There were maybe two hundreds soldiers on guard, the rest seemed to be off-duty or sleeping, tired from their attack.I spotted a strange dark skinned breed, glowing strangely. I turned my mount towards him, growling, my mind completely focused on him now.Abomination!"To arms! To arms!" I heard someone shouting near me. I couldn't spot the voice, but time was precious now, I needed to strike not think."Fall!" I shouted, swinging my sword downwards at him. My blade sunk deep into something, but not the breed. A creamy shell flashed around the breed once, and he staggered backwards behind a few other soldiers, more scared than wounded.I glanced north in the fighting, and spotted a small force rushing towards us. All I need to see was a scorpion emblazoned flag billowing above them before I rushed back to Durathar's side. I cut down a soldier near him, and heard a heavy accent shouting near me."Army, Attack!" I heard someone shout in southern-accented sirihish. As I glanced at the voice, I noticed a whole new enemy battalion, nearly as large as ours, hastening to the aid of our enemy. At that moment, the Tor force reached us, further bolstering the enemy force.This is bad…really bad…I need to get Durathar out.I turned, saw Durathar fighting behind me, a small group of the ivory guard near him. He was fine for now. I turned back to the battle. Our front line was trampled over by an overwhelming force, and a tor scorpion rushed at me.The lines of brilliant white and black were slowly but surely turning into a dark scene, as the allanaki force pushed us back further, I didn't realize all those still standing with me were falling.I ducked under a broad swing from the tor, and cut up, sending him falling down to the sand. A 'nakki soldier came in behind me, driving his spear into my side, and I shouted in pain. He shouldn't have let his guard down. As he did, I whipped my blade around right into his neck.Khalise…Give me a few more moments…I glanced over my shoulder, and saw Durathar safely being ushered away by some soldiers. I turned, and parried a blow from another tor, and ripped the spear out of my side. The pain was fierce, and my vision blurred. I used the spear to block another swing from the scorpion, and stabbed in at him with my blade, he jumped back, swatting my own weapon to the side.I growled, and hurled the spear at him, which landed cleanly in his chest, sending his already lifeless body back into a few other soldiers. From the corner of my eye, I could see something huge rampaging towards me, and turned at the last minute, to see a war beetle fly past.It's rider, whom I did not see, stabbed me with a three-fingered rapier in passing, and rode off into the battle somewhere.Then I saw her, her face, so familiar, her sweet gaze. Khalise beckoned me, in the midst of battle, over to her. I knew after a brief moment of shock and longing, that I was dying, mortally wounded. The pain was unbearable, and I sunk to one knee.Everything around me slowed, and Khalise faded slowly from view, and I saw soldiers shouting, brave Tuluki warriors charging past me, straight at the enemy lines. One of them held a banner, a young man, he held it high, and carried it with pride.The banner caught my eye, a sunburst emblazoned cloth. The rays of suk-krath illuminated it, and I felt that perhaps I had fought for something, perhaps I had died for something, something more important than myself.But that thought fled my mind quickly as I saw a huge group of half-giants crash into those brave tuluki warriors, those poor soldiers who would never see home again.I saw a blade arcing down at me, and raised my sword, barely blocking the blow. Blood was trailing from my mouth now, and a foot from my attacker kicked me in the chest, sending me skidding onto my back.My vision blurred again, and I saw a Tor scorpion sneering at me as he swung his sword down again. I remained still, my body would not respond, and all I could do was follow the blade with my eyes as it collided with my chest.The black void enveloped me, and I felt a small measure of peace at last.A lost warrior: Part III awoke to hushed murmurs about my tent, and sat up groggily. I reached over, grabbed my sword, and crawled out of my tent slowly. It was dark, I had slept the whole day away. On dark nights like this, without Lirathu or Jihae in the sky, one had to be very careful...
Continue Reading...Dusk by Briar
Added on Aug 29, 2008With the night, he comes.
Kadian at Work by Ourla
Added on Aug 8, 2008An agent of House Kadius doing what agents do best.
Waiting out the Sandstorm by Ourla
Added on Aug 4, 2008The Kuraci sergeant and his sunback await the storm's break.
A Halfling's Meal by Briar
Added on Jul 29, 2008Be ever watchful in the Grey or you could be the next meal of the day.
Ptar Ken by Briar
Added on Jul 29, 2008'Ware of a lost forest child, Take note of his teeth and feet, And his wailing, and weeping lest he be a halfing in guise. - Tuluki superstition
Silly but Fun by Breezy, Fale Whatsit
Added on Jul 29, 2008Another rousing bawdy composed by Whatsit Breezy.
I used to think that makin' love was foolish as could be,But when I hit the age of twelve a little girl told me,
'Just kiss me once and if you don't like it then I'll go away',
When I gave in to her this was all that I could say:
(Chorus Below)
It may be silly, but ain't it fun,
It beats festivals and candies rolled into one!
You hug then you kiss and say, "I love ya hon"!
It may be silly, but ain't it fun.
No matter if it's boiling hot and melting in the shade,
I'm always set and ready when there's lovin' to be made.
My heart is just as frisky as a little gortok pup,
So if you're ready for a kiss, well I've got one a-comin' up!
(Chorus)
One day I took my sweetie on a visit to the grass,
A duskhorn and his lady friend were busy gettin'.. tail.
He bit her on the ear and then he grinned a silly grin,
I knew what he was a-thinkin' as she smacked him on the chin!
(Chorus)I used to think that makin' love was foolish as could be,But when I hit the age of twelve a little girl told me,
'Just kiss me once and if you don't like it then I'll go away',
When I gave in to her this was all that I could say:
(Chorus Below)
It may be silly, but ain't it fun,
It beats festivals...
Continue Reading...Lulu by Breezy, Fale Whatsit
Added on Jul 29, 2008A bawdy about Lulu the whore, composed by Whatsit Breezy.
Some girls work in market stalls,
Some girls work in stores.
But Lulu works her corner,
With forty other whores.
(Chorus below)
Bang away Lulu,
Bang it good and strong.
What will the militia do,
When good old Lulu's gone?
Lulu had a baby,
It was her pride and joy.
She would have named it Lulu,
But the whelp was a boy.
She took me to the Arena,
We sat down in the stalls.
And every time the crowd roared,
She grabbed me by the ... nose.
(Chorus)
She took me to the grasslands,
And had me on the hill.
`Cause everytime I said, "I won't",
My echo said, "I will."
Well, I asked her for to live with me,
She said, "That's very nice,
But I'll give you a better deal,
I'll let you ride half price."
(Chorus Repeat x2)
Some girls work in market stalls,
Some girls work in stores.
But Lulu works her corner,
With forty other whores.
(Chorus below)
Bang away Lulu,
Bang it good and strong.
What will the militia do,
When good old Lulu's gone?
Lulu had a baby,
It was her pride and joy.
She would have named it Lulu,
But the whelp...
Continue Reading...For the Birds by Breezy, Fale Whatsit
Added on Jul 29, 2008One of the popular bawdy songs sung by the Whatsit Breezy.
There once was a bird who lived to the west,
One day he discovered a strange egg in his nest.
The look he gave his mate was angry and quick,
She said, 'Don't so get ruffled, it was only a vestric'.
(Chorus)
Toorala, tooralay! Toorala, tooralay!
A rolling stone gathers no moss, so they say.
Sing along, learn the words!
It's a wonderful song but it's all for the birds.
A songbird and buzzard once met in the air.
Soon they were coupling, a love-hungry pair.
The passionate buzzard emitted some bleats,
The songbird inquired, 'Am I hurtin' ya, sweets?'
(Chorus repeat)
How to kiss a hawk's arse without tasting the down,
This answer has come from the folk all aroun'!
Endless experiments showed them the trick,
You blow and you kiss, but you've got to be quick!
(Chorus repeat)
There was once a falcon with strings on his beak,
If you pulled on the right string he'd give a little squeak.
If you pulled on the left string he'd act a farce,
If you pulled on them both he'd fall flat on his arse!
(Chorus repeat)
So here's to the birds, let us sing loud their praise!
Their plumage, their habits, their natural ways.
We're grateful for birds flying up in the sky,
Think of what might fall, if kanks could fly.There once was a bird who lived to the west,
One day he discovered a strange egg in his nest.
The look he gave his mate was angry and quick,
She said, 'Don't so get ruffled, it was only a vestric'.
(Chorus)
Toorala, tooralay! Toorala, tooralay!
A rolling stone gathers no moss, so they say.
Sing along,...
Continue Reading...Easy and Slow by Breezy, Fale Whatsit
Added on Jul 29, 2008A quick ditty composed by Breezy.
It was down by the bazaar that I first met with Lanni,
A neat little girl and not a bit shy.
She told me her father who came from Red Storm,
Would take her back home in the sweet bye and bye.
What's that to any fella, whether or no.
Whether I'm easy, or whether I'm true.
As I lifted her skirts up, easy and slow,
And I tied up my sleeve for to lace her shoe.
In city or village, a girl is a jewel,
And well made for gripping, the most of them are.
But any young fellow is really a fool,
If he tries at the first time to go a bit far.
If you chance for to go the bazaar,
You can search till your eyes are weary and blind.
Be you lying or walking or sitting or running,
Another like Lanni you never will find.
It was down by the bazaar that I first met with Lanni,
A neat little girl and not a bit shy.
She told me her father who came from Red Storm,
Would take her back home in the sweet bye and bye.
What's that to any fella, whether or no.
Whether I'm easy, or whether I'm true.
As I lifted her skirts up,...
Continue Reading...Candles by Breezy, Fale Whatsit
Added on Jul 29, 2008An amusing romantic song composed by Breezy.
When I was visiting in Luirs, I went to see my dear.
The candles all were burning, the moons shone bright and clear.
I knocked upon her door to ease her out of her pain,
She rose up to let me in, then barred the door again.
I like well your behavior and this I often say,
I cannot rest contented when I am far away.
The roads they are so dangerous, we cannot walk about.
So roll me in your arms, Love, and blow the candles out.
Your father and your mother in yonder room do lie,
A-hugging one another, so why not you and I?
A-hugging one another, without a fear or doubt.
So roll me in your arms, Love, and blow the candles out.
I beg you speak more softly of what we have to do.
Lest that our noise of talking should make our pleasure rue.
The streets they are so busy, Love, the people walk about.
They may peep in and spy, Love, so blow the candles out.
And if we prove successful, Love, please name it after me.
Treat it neat and kiss it sweet and bounce it on your knee.
When my trips are over, my time it will be out.
And I will pay my debt to you by blowing the candles out.When I was visiting in Luirs, I went to see my dear.
The candles all were burning, the moons shone bright and clear.
I knocked upon her door to ease her out of her pain,
She rose up to let me in, then barred the door again.
I like well your behavior and this I often say,
I cannot rest contented when...
Continue Reading...
