moon

 

I waited for the pirate ship to sail down from the clouds.  I was ready for them, ready to fight, ready for adventure.  I knew Pan would come to my aid should I need help.  He was watching from the great beyond, second star to the right, barely visible in the glow of the full moon.  It was there, though.  He was there.

I don’t know why the pirates were coming for me.  Perhaps I was dreaming, and how sad would that be?  What if I were to wake before they arrived?  What if I were to never even glimpse the legend?

Luckily, it was no dream.  I could feel it in my bones.  So, I watched the sky and waited for their arrival.  My cutlass was drawn and my battle cry hung just behind my lips, ready to issue forth when needed.

white rocks

There’s a portal here, somewhere, among these white rocks. It’s a legend, sure, but most legends are born from some sort of truth, and what other truth could exist that would have made the Chumash believe there was a portal to another world, if they hadn’t seen it for themselves? So, perhaps is has since been closed off, or perhaps we just aren’t aware enough to see it anymore, or maybe we’ve forgotten how to work the magic that opens it? It’s hard to say because anything is possible.

I didn’t go looking for it. The rocks themselves only partially skirted the trail we were following. If we had been making better time, perhaps I would have had a few minutes to venture and scramble among them and see if I could find the portal. Or, if he hadn’t been so blasted hot, perhaps I would have made the time to drop my pack and go searching for it, rather than taking my few breaks near the rocks to huddle in the shade. I wonder what I would have seen.

Maybe I’ll have to go looking next time we take this trail…

Jesterly Challenge Month – November 10th

Bardictale asked me to write a poem about a creature, being or setting from sci-fi or fantasy, but in it I’m not allowed to use words normally associated with the subject.  Give it a read and let me know how I did in the comments.

…..
…..

He had done his job, as second fiddle,
A footnote in another’s greater story,
Though greatness is more than glory,
And objectiveness is part of the riddle.

He came from nothing, as his student,
Rising up more from luck and chance,
Than due to desire or prophetic stance,
But writing him off would be imprudent.

He has been cast as the hero and villain,
And truly everything lingering between,
His influence more than what was seen,
Though none of his actions were a sin.

He stands at the pivotal crossroads now,
Fading in unimportance meets immortality,
Where the outcome is our responsibility,
But the decision’s no sweat off Merlin’s brow.

…..
…..

I think I failed this challenge: I mentioned “prophecy,” which I think definitely is usually associated with Merlin.  Additionally, I mentioned “influence” and “immortality,” which I’ve seen used with his legend as well.

let them whisper

He’d felt the furtive glances and heard the whispers around the grounds of the keep that he was Jaylen’s companion.  When he’d taken the job all those months before he had been assured that he’d be seen as an equal, a peer, and that they would be working together.  However, as Caid mounted the spiraling steps and the bitter chill of morning ate into his finger tips he finally understand his role was that of servant.

The disappointment of that realization only lasted for the first flight of stairs, and then it was pushed aside by his rising excitement.  Caid couldn’t help it.  Any time Jaylen summoned him to the lab at the top of the tower to work on an experiment his pulse quickened.  As master of the tower, and one of the greatest sorcerers in the world, Jaylen’s magical theories and tests were the stuff of legend and it was an honor, it was humbling, just to be a part of them.

Even if he was only being paid to bring Jaylen his breakfast.

“Let them whisper among themselves, and see me as they will.  Today I’ll be joining the master in his laboratory while they remain below and guess at the miracles unfolding above their heads.”

Despite the steepness of the close-set stairs in the predawn gloom, Caid quickened his pace until his footfalls fell in line with his racing heart.  He didn’t want to keep Jaylen waiting.  He didn’t want to miss a single moment of the history making day.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Word Count: 254

For those of you familiar with DragonLance, I was definitely thinking of Raistlin and Dalamar as I was writing this.  And, for those of you familiar with the Trifecta Writing Challenge, this was my response to this week’s prompt:

COMPANION (noun)

1

:  one that accompanies another :  comrade, associate; also:  one that keeps company with another

2

obsolete :  rascal

3

a :  one that is closely connected with something similar

b :  one employed to live with and serve another

Remember:

 • Your response must be between 33 and 333 words.

• You must use the 3rd definition of the given word in your post.

• The word itself needs to be included in your response.

• You may not use a variation of the word; it needs to be exactly as stated above.

• Only one entry per writer.

• If your post doesn’t meet our requirements, please leave your link in the comments section, not in the linkz.

• Trifecta is open to everyone.

upside down fire

The sky was wrong: the bed of hot coals was supposed to rest beneath the raging flames not rise above them.  What could have caused the confusion?  My mind immediately went to the Riders.  Had they passed through recently?  Had their steeds, or their quarry, churned up the sunrise and spread the coals across the horizon in their wake?

My eyes searched for any sign of them thundering along the edge of darkness.  Where did the swath of destruction lead?  What would I find if I followed?

Were they headed my way?

I gripped the wheel tighter and moved my eyes back to the road.  Let them come, if they would, I was ready for them.  I turned my truck and drove into the heart of the fire.