Month: July 2016

Rhiann scratched his head and said, “Déjà vu… all over again. I feel like I should have known that already. But the sword, Exeter, told me to get back to The Hanging Gardens to see him again. She said he was sick.”

Maranna answered, “The spirit of the blade gave you the best and most honest answer she could. She knew only of his infirmity, not the extent of it.”

Rhiann said, “He told me about the battle with the bewildebeest but never talked about a serious wound. I know he was wounded by an amazon’s arrow. He told me to give it to the Burgomaster of Gnome-town.”

Maranna said, “The Amazon’s arrow hurt only his backside and pride. The bewildebeest was about to kill or maim Nona. Mayard saved her, but the animal hit him across the scalp and partially tore his life strand, the gift from the Spinner. Once that happened, Mayard’s days were numbered. He has left his possessions and legacy to you. He told me to give these to you.”

Maranna opened the old tattered bag and removed rune covered journals and spell books. The bag contained untold quantity of spell components and artifacts from around Sagain. Maranna said, “Your Uncle Mayard has entrusted Magick’s safekeeping to you, Rhiann Klarje. This is difficult… this epistle… Nona gave it to me. It bears his seal. I am to give it to you.”

The Siren tucked her wings behind her, tried to control her bushy tail, and placed her soft hand on Rhiann’s shoulder. She rethought kissing him for she feared her kiss’s effect, given his youth. She gave Rhiann a rolled parchment, which was sealed with hardened wax. Mayard’s seal was imprinted in the wax. Maranna stepped back. Iyaca Vassi returned to the chamber and stood by Maranna. The Siren wrapped her right wing around the youth. Iyaca’s knees buckled, but he caught himself before falling. Rhiann broke the seal. Three runes formed in the air between Rhiann and Maranna.

 

Ǿ ∞ Ǿ

 

The glowing runes persisted for thirteen heartbeats and faded.

Rhiann wiped away a tear and began to read…

The siren left the sleeping room and returned shortly with a carafe of fluid and scrumptious looking biscuits. She placed the food on a table by Rhiann’s bed. Rhiann munched on the nutritious bread and drank the delicious fruity beverage.

Rhiann finished his food and said, “Maranna, you are beautiful and I am enjoying your hospitality, but I really must I must get to the Hanging Gardens and give Uncle Mayard the sword Exeter. I’ve tarried too long.”

Maranna said hesitantly, “Rhiann, we have much to discuss. I… I have something I must tell you, and there’s no easy way. I can’t sing everything away.”

She stepped away again and returned with a bundle of items and an old tattered leather bag.

Rhiann frowned and muttered, “Wait… that’s Uncle Mayard’s hat… and holding bag… and cloak. He’s here. No… he’d never be without them. Maranna…?”

Maranna extended her soft fingers and softly stroked his face. The siren whispered, “Rhiann, your Uncle Mayard only lives in our memories. He passed peacefully at the Hanging Gardens. Nona honored him with a pyre. A hundred centaurs and six Manticores trumpeted his farewell lament.”

Rhiann said, “No… he said he was going to help shore up the defenses of the Gardens! That’s why he wanted me to fetch the sword in his stead!”

Maranna sighed and continued, “He wanted it this way. Rhiann. He did not want you to remember him by his final weak moments. Nona stood by and comforted him. Mayard was too weak to make another journey and he knew it. His strength faded fast after you returned to the Gardens. Read his journal about the Cloudmares. You’ll remember them the next time you see them. They carried you to the Gardens. His greatest and oldest friends were with him at the end.”

Rhiann sobbed, “But I was not!

Maranna said, “Again, that’s the way he wanted it.”

Rhiann sobbed a bit and asked, “What are Cloudmares?”

The cloudmare’s intrinsic Forget Spell was more effective than Rhiann’s. The young sorcerer did not remember traveling to the Hanging Gardens on the Cloudmares. Maranna briefly described the beasts and relayed they were flong-time friends of Mayard Klarje.

Serena said, “Cloudmares communicate telepathically, without spoken word. They have a powerful intrinsic Forget Spell. You won’t remember seeing them… unless they want you to do so.”

Iyaca said, “Rhiann used such a spell at the mines.”

Serena said, “The Cloudmares’ spell is more powerful and pretty much always works.”

Iyaca curiously asked, “How do you remember them?”

Serena smiled and said, “The Cloudmares can choose to allow you to remember them. Urra, Syrrth, and Shyrra are great friends of Mayard Klarje. They allowed me to resist the Forget Spell effect.

Iyaca moved nearer the beautiful siren. Serena flipped her long green hair and said, “You may touch me.”

Iyaca sighed. The massive Manticore stood on the fringes of the plateau and stared intently at the youth.

 

 

Rhiann Klarje moaned and turned. The light of the twin suns broke through the small window where the young sorcerer rested. Rhiann wasn’t sure how long he had slept. The softness of the bed and the warmth of the Phoenix down blanket were difficult to abandon. Dreams had infiltrated his sleep. Maranna’s face and her soothing voice had repeatedly appeared in his slumber, and when she spoke he felt strangely secure and warm. Rhiann stretched and sat on the side of his bed.

Maranna said with relief, “Rhiann. I’m so glad you’ve awakened.”

Maranna sat in a large chair near his bed. Her tail swished nervously behind her and she pulled up and twirled her long reddish hair, the act exposing her right breast.

Slowly the young sorcerer blushed and asked, “Where am I?”

Maranna said, “Welcome to Cragmore, my home. I’ve still got a lot of work to do on it.”

Rhiann said sleepily, “Maranna? How’d…where…?

Maranna said, “Are you rested? We have much to discuss after you have fully recovered. I’ll get you some nourishment.”

Rhiann asked, “I think I am physically. In other ways I still feel like I’m having a bad nightmare. But I am really here. My hunger tells me it’s not a dream. Where is Iyaca?”

Maranna sighed and said, “I can fix the hunger. Iyaca has already eaten. My sister Serena arrived for a visit and is showing him around Cragmore. She promised to behave. It’s unlikely she will, but he’s too young to… never mind. Let me fetch you some nectar and waybread.”

Iyaca asked, “What happened to the others?”

Maranna replied, “You are awake now, and quite inquisitive, my little friend. You should be happy that I saved you. We’ll talk more of the others when Rhiann wakes up.”

Iyaca asked, “Why shouldn’t I wake Rhiann up?”

Maranna answered, “I only have experience with allowing those under the lullaby influence to awaken on their own. Have some nectar.”

Iyaca saw the dark amber liquid in an ornate glass decanter. The thirsty youth gulped down the fluid and said, “It’s delicious.”

Maranna said, “Why don’t you go explore outside. My sister Serena will show you around.”

Iyaca said, “Another Siren?”

Maranna answered, “Yes, she’s helping me with Cragmore. You’ll find more of my friends outside. Be careful. Don’t go near the ledges.”

A lovely green-haired siren entered the chamber and said whimsically, “He’s cute. May I have him?”

Iyaca gulped.

Maranna laughed and answered, “No, Sister. Just show him around.”

Serena said, “Come on, kid.  I’ve already carried you halfway across Sagain. I won’t bite you…much.”

Iyaca gulped again.

Maranna answered, “Iyaca, you will be fine. She’s only teasing.”

Serena extended her hand and took Iyaca’s left hand. The duo left the sleeping chamber. Rhiann continued to sleep. Serena and Iyaca walked into warm morning light sent from the distant twin suns and looked about the area. Maranna’s beautiful home Cragmore was nestled upon a rocky ledge a thousand arm lengths above a river that had cut a deep gorge in the mountains far to the east of Thynna. The site sat upon a roughly circular mini-plateau surrounded by sheer cliffs a least a thousand paces in height. The circular gorge appeared to have no beginning, end, or exit. The circumventing river and sheer cliffs isolated the lair. A tall rim of rocky peaks surrounded the grassy plateau. Three shadowy gunmetal gray six-legged steeds meandered about the grassy area and munched on the plush green stalks. The stalks grew back as fast as the equines ate them. The mares were larger than typical workhorses and ghostly in appearance. When he stared at them, Iyaca saw the outline of the rocky cliffs behind them. A voice appeared within his head and simply warned, “Don’t stand too near the edge. An updraft might carry you over.”

Iyaca jumped back and said, “She spoke to me! Inside my head!”

Serena said, “Cloudmares communicate telepathically, without spoken word. They have a powerful intrinsic Forget Spell. You won’t remember seeing them… unless they want you to do so.”

The siren said, “No. You survived. I’ve never sung to one so young and wasn’t sure how it’d affect you. But it was the only way I knew to save you and Rhiann. The odds were overwhelming.”

Iyaca then asked, “So your song put everybody to sleep.”

Maranna said, “Yes, it was a lullaby.”

Iyaca said, “Before I lost consciousness, I saw other winged beasts. Did your song put them to sleep, too?”

Maranna said, “No. Before I sang, I gave them ear plugs. The fuzzy little critters fill the ear canal, harmlessly remove ear wax, and block out all sound. Earlier I sang to a group of copper dragons and convinced them to help carry the Gnomes. The dragons feasted on the copper in the wagon when they were finished.”

The siren’s pheromones overwhelmed Iyaca. The youth breathed heavily, extended his left hand and touched her soft chest, allowed his hand to linger, sighed, and barely managed, “You are so… wonderful… soft… I can’t stop…”

Maranna smiled, removed his hand, and said, “Yes, you can.”

Iyaca most horribly wanted to touch her again. The siren held his hand away from her and said, “maybe in a few years, little one.”

Iyaca sighed again and said, “Where are we, and who are you?”

She replied, “I am Maranna. I’ve travelled with Rhiann and Mayard Klarje. We are in Cragmore. It’s my home and a work in progress. We are far to the east from Thynna.”

Iyaca asked, “Is Rhiann OK?”

She said, “I… think he is only asleep. He’s older than you, and you survived. So I think he has a pretty good chance. The lullaby affects males differently.”

Iyaca ‘s mind filled with questions but he had difficulty formulating them. He managed, “Are the others here?”

Maranna answered, “No. Only you and Rhiann.”

On the rise Bailiwick shouted, “That’s a Manticore! What the…”

Two griffons landed between the eastern Kobolds and the Gnomes. Six Copper Dragons circled the caravan. The Manticore menacingly checked the kobolds to the west. Then wonderfully soft lyrics of a lullaby filled the air. Rhiann’s eyes felt heavy.

Cragmore

Young Iyaca Vassi awakened and found himself in a rocky grotto. He was resting on a bed with a soft mattress and pillow. Rhiann Klarje slept beside him. Rhiann’s Bag of Holding was neatly packed under his left shoulder. Iyaca sat up. Other than a few scrapes and scratches, the youth was no worse for the wear. Braziers lit the room and very pleasant incenses burned. Iyaca stood and started toward Rhiann’s bed.

Very pleasant feminine voice said quietly, “Please don’t awaken him.” Iyaca remembered the voice from the road between Dry Creek and Jack Taylor’s place.

Iyaca stopped in his tracks. The female sat on an overstuffed chair in the corner of the chamber. She was beyond beautiful. The lovely longhaired creature was so stunning that he had to catch his breath. Long reddish-orange locks flowed down her neck and crossed over to the front of her chest, falling far below her curvaceous perfect breasts. She had…soft feathered wings that sprouted naturally from the small of her back. Her wings extended almost involuntarily, and a soft plush tail swished gently behind her as she talked. There was radiance to each beautiful hair, as though every strand had life. Her melodic voice was beyond description. Determining whether she was more pleasing to the eye or ear was impossible.

His mother’s words had always soothed the pangs of scrapes and abrasions, which he had suffered during his play. Madam Darktop kindly assumed the role after the youth arrived in gnome-town. But what he heard now was beyond the comfort of their most tender words. the youth would amble off a cliff should she request it.

Iyaca asked, “Where am I? Who are you?”

The soothing voice continued, “I take it you’ve never looked upon a siren. I’m glad you’ve awakened, little one. How do you feel?”

Iyaca said timidly, “I’m not sure. Am I dead?”

Rudy Nine-names said, “Center shot!”

The Kobolds howled in unison.

Beeyo shouted, “Quite honestly I don’t know how much longer I can hold them back.”

Bailiwick said, “Not yet! I want to taunt Klarje!”

Dibbit fired again. Beeyo quickly pulled an unfortunate Kobold sergeant in front of him and into the arrow’s path.  Dibbit’s shot struck down the kobold sergeant.

Straight Arrow took two steps back and uttered, “That old boy’s a pretty good shot!”

Bailiwick concentrated on Dibbit and sent a successful Hold Spell his way. The brave little archer dropped his bow.

Exeter sent Rhiann a message, “He’s more than thirty feet away, but I don’t have to tell you the sorcerer is your greatest enemy. Mayard’s fear that I’d fall into an enemy’s hands may quickly come to pass.”

Rhiann returned the thought, “I can’t block all his spells. We can’t run.”

When Dibbit dropped his bow, the kobolds and highwaymen grew more brazen and stepped to the edge of the rise. Bailiwick and Beeyo strategically kept at least one Kobold between them and the Gnomes. Scores of Kobolds menacingly edged forward from front and rear of the trapped caravan.

The Man in Black taunted, “Klarje, you’ll enjoy knowing that a thousand Gnomes now defend Dry Creek against an attack that is not coming. The Burgomaster will find your worthless hides in this gulley.”

Bailiwick rubbed his left shoulder and added, “I’m just sorry Madam Darktop is not with you. I still owe her. Save Klarje for me. Send in your warriors!”

Beeyo screeched, “Attack!”

The Kobolds gave a yell.

Wings fluttered overhead. Two Copper Dragons swooped down over the caravan and then flew over the masses of Kobolds. A reddish creature as large as a warhorse with the body of a lion, the head of a man, three rows of sharp teeth, a trumpet like voice, two small horns, a long tail resembling that of a dragon, large spines protruding from the tip of the tail, and large wings extending from its back landed between the kobolds to the west and the Gnomes.

On the rise Bailiwick shouted, “That’s a Manticore! What the…”

Another tall figure came to the front and stood at the edge of the rise.  p-Jack Taylor walked forward and said, “I’ve learned your nefarious comrade that looked like Mayard Klarje was in fact of Shapechanger ilk, but he told me your true identity Klarje. I know it’s really you looking like a youth.”

Longbeard shouted, “Jack Taylor, you are a scumbag! After all Gnome-town and Dry Creek have done for you!”

Bailiwick uttered a phrase and pointed toward Longbeard. The stout Captain shivered briefly and then was unable to speak. The Hold Spell took full effect.

The Man in Black said derisively, “You are truly a coward, Mayard Klarje. You try to save yourself by forcing a Shapechanger to take your appearance and then travel as a youth. But you’ll receive no mercy. This day you’ll pay for many transgressions, not the least of which is the fall of my father Big Boy and Uncle Tiny.”

Then a kobold wearing a ragtag collection of small furs stepped forward and added, “You’ll pay for my father Narg!”

Donovan Eleven-names muttered, “Your Uncle Mayard isn’t a very popular guy in these parts, Rhiann. I’m afraid we’ve had it. Looks like they’ve brought their entire force from Dry Creek just to wipe us out.”

Bailiwick pointed toward Donovan and muttered harsh phrases. A mauve ray headed toward the Gnomish lieutenant, but Rhiann touched Donovan’s shoulder and uttered a Protection dweomer. The Hold Spell failed. Donovan stopped moving and gave the appearance he was disabled.

Bailiwick screamed, “You can’t stop all of them Mayard!”

Rhiann answered, “I’m not Mayard Klarje.”

The Kobolds shouted louder and worked themselves into a frenzy.

Dibbit ‘Dead-Eye” Six-names took aim. The sorcerer was shielded but the Gnomish archer had a clear shot at Jack Taylor. Dibbit fired. The arrow struck the visage of Jack Taylor in the chest. p-Jack clutched his chest and fell off the little escarpment and landed with a thud. He drew his last breath and changed into the increasingly familiar amorphous bipedal form.

The Gnomish Captain Longbeard asked, “What does your Magick sword tell you, Rhiann?”

Rhiann said, “We are too far away, Captain Longbeard. I sense nothing nearby.”

Donovan urged, “We might as well get on with it. There is no way around. Necessity forced the road through this little gap and now forces us through it.”

Longbeard replied, “Proceed. Stay alert! Weapons at ready! Dibbit, keep an arrow ready.”

The column moved forward into a small open area the gap. About sixty feet separated the tree lines with grassy areas about twenty feet wide on both sides of the road. The first riders entered the thirty-foot-wide gap between the stone buttes. The rock on the south or right was twenty feet height whilst the left was about fifteen feet high. Donovan’s wagon neared the opening of the stone gap. The merchant from Dry Creek followed on the second wagon.

Exeter sent a message to Rhiann, “I feared this would happen! Too many to count! Defend!”

Rhiann shouted, “Enemies surround us.”

Shouts erupted. Kobolds charged from the woods onto the road behind and in front of the caravan and ran onto the stone buttes. Five men stood on the larger and less elevated rise. The Gnomes dismounted and gathered around the wagons. The well-trained halvsies clustered between the two wagons.

Longbeard said, “Odds are against us, but we’ll let them know they were in a fight!”

Bailiwick, the Man in Black, Waymore, the Red-headed Stranger, and Straight Arrow glared menacingly at the cluster of Rhiann, Iyaca, the merchants, and twenty-one Gnomes. The Fearsome Foursome remained strategically behind kobolds and avoided the direct gaze of the Gnomes. The Man in Black typically warned his colleagues to try to remain from view.

Bailiwick shouted, “Mayard Klarje, long have I awaited this day! Know you are going to die, but know also that you fail your comrades.”

Rhiann shouted, “Mayard Klarje does not travel with us.”

The Man in Black said, “Nice try, Klarje. Even in disguise you can’t hide your red mark. We know you travel in the visage of your nephew.”

 

So I got tagged by the 20 Author Questions thing by my friend Guy Donovan I guess I’ll play too.

1.) What is you Author name? Benjamin Towe  (used to be Obiwan but I changed it)
2.) What is the first book you ever published? Deathquest to Parallan. A Trilogy of the Land of Donothor, part 1
3.) What is your publiversary? September 28, 2005 (I wrote it in 1982)
4.) What is you favorite book you’ve written thus far? Emerald Islands, Elfdreams of Parallan 4
5.) What book took you the longest to write? The Wandmaker’s Burden, Elfdreams 3
6.) How long did it take you? About 4 years from start to publish.
7.) What kind of music (If Any). Classic and alternative rock
8.) Who is you favorite character from any of your books? The Mender Fisher from the Elfdreams series
9.) What are you currently working on? Elfdreams 6… may be titled Thirteen Friends
10.) Do you have anything you snack on while you write? Whatever is in reach
11.) What is your favorite quote or line from one of your books? From The Mender’s Tomb, Elfdreams of parallan V,  the heroine Morganne… Morganne smiled weakly, touched tiny Carinne again, and said, “Tell Yannuvia that I love him and forgive his transgressions. He has responsibilities as a father now. Tell him to make Vydaelia strong and safe for my daughter Carinne.”
12.) Are you a self published or traditional published author? Self published
13.) What is your writing inspiration? JRR Tolkien CS Lewis, My experience as D&D dungeon master
14.) What genre do you write? Epic fantasy
15.) Do you have any writing rituals? None whatsoever,
16.) Do you have a specific place you write or time? Pretty much any time, anywhere that I’m waiting. Wrote 3000 words while waiting as a potential juror last week.
17.) Do you have any advice for inspiring writers? Wrote my first in 1982. Published it in 2005. Your writing is something no one can take from you. It’s my great escape. Write on!
18.) What are your writing goals? For my readers to enjoy my work as much as I enjoy writing it.
19.) What authors inspire you and your writing? Tolkien, CS Lewis, Piers Anthony, Terrry Brooks, and recently Guy Donovan, Denice Garrou, and Nils Visser
20.) What will be you next release? Hopefully this fall/early winter,

Now, without obliging anyone, how about Denice Garrou, Nils Visser, Dennis Robinson, Brook Vinson… you guys up for 20 questions?