Rose shifted her weight, her leather slippers barely brushing the loose stones beneath her foot, before delicately planting it with barely a sound. The clouds covered the moon above, casting a dim glow across the sky. She could see well enough to inch her way slowly and deliberately across the small courtyard, but she hoped any guards patrolling through the night watch would miss spotting her in the shadows. She'd donned her black linen cloak and the maid's sturdy blue dress she'd kept hidden between her mattresses for occasions such as this, though she'd never imagined it would be used for such a daring purpose. The dress was getting to be a bit snug since she'd smuggled it well over a year ago, but she was breathing shallow breaths anyway and there was nothing else to wear that would've been nearly as practical. She focused on her slow sliding steps, easing ever closer to the wall below Lord V'Sluz's balcony. When she'd finally made it, she focused on her steadying her breath and sending up a silent prayer of thanks to the Creator she'd made it thus far. She didn't consider herself a particularly devout Praiser, but there no time like the present when you were under the balcony of the dangerous and cunning man who had swept your mother's feet from under her while your father lay in his sudden and unexpected death bed.
A door closed in the room above and she could hear footsteps through the cracked open balcony door. Oh Bless me that it's a warm night and Lord V'Sluz's rooms aren't well ventilated! She could hear voices drifting down from above. Two voices, surprisingly! One she picked out right away as V'Sluz, the other a slightly higher pitch, male she guessed, sounding somewhat youthful, though she didn't recognize the voice. They were speaking softly, but she had keen ears and the winds seemed to carry their words down to her.
"Your swiftness in completing your task surprises even me, though I am slightly worried that the family might begin to suspect the King's sickness might be more than it appeared to be."
Rose knew that voice as V'Sluz but was barely aware of it, almost choking on the words he said.
"I aim to please my Lord. I trust you have found the Queen more... pliable due to our efforts as well." the younger voice said.
"Quite." murmured V'Sluz sounding thoughtful. "For your next task, you will place a cap full of this powder into our lovely, soft and spoiled Heiress's morning meal for the next week, followed by two caps full the following weeks, until it is no longer necessary."
The younger voice paused for a moment before responding.
"Yes my Lord, it will be so."
The implications of the conversation above slammed into Rose's head, the memory of her father, now dead, that worm V'Sluz charming her mother by some devious means, and now, an imminent attack on her self! A whimper escaped her traitorous throat and she immediately knew it for the mistake it was. Feet hit the floor above, running, and she realized she'd never make it to help in time. Even if she could alert the guards, who could she trust, the guards Lord V'Sluz surrounded his rooms with? Hardly! Even if she could make it back to the Royal Family's quarters safely, many of the guards throughout the castle now were veterans of his campaigns! The truth of the desperation of her plight anchored deep in her soul. She ran. She cursed herself for a coward and ran. If I can make it up to the parapets, perhaps I can swim the moat? And then what? The caves? Oh Creator help me! If ever there was a time to take an active roll in an heiress's life, make it be now! Her only consolation was that Lord V'Sluz couldn't have known it was the very same Heiress that had overheard him. If only she could get to safety before he realized she knew.
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Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Part 4 of untitled
Rose stood by her father's bedside, watching the slow rise and fall of the blankets on his chest. They were such small breaths, the blankets barely moving, but Rose hadn't given up yet. Perhaps he could still pull through this mysterious and sudden sickness. Her brothers stood to her right, eldest to youngest as was their privilege. First Percy, tall and unmoving, his jaw set and his blue eyes drilling holes into the tapestry on the wall across the room. He was older than her by six years and they had never been close. Then Willfred, 4 years her elder, his height exceeded Percy's, as did his ambitions. Even in this solemn moment his eyes shifted around the room, gauging everyone, taking note of anything except his father. Seymour was the last, standing at the foot of the bed. He was younger than Rose by four years and she'd always coddled him, dressing him up as her baby doll, then exploring and mischief making when they got older. He still had the tousled blonde hair and the chubby cheeks she'd always been fond of, as well as lovely long eyelashes framing deep blue eyes, which now were filled with unspent tears. His chin trembled and he was blinking furiously trying to keep his hands still. Her mother, the Heart of Elkshorn, Queen Allanna lounged at the other side of the bed, one hand holding a kerchief to her lips, her brown eyes matched her daughter's and they wandered distractedly over her husband's face and around the room. Her long brunette tresses were laid out on her square shoulders, and she was uncharacteristically cold.
A tapping sound came from the door and Davis stepped in and bowed quietly. "Lord V'Sluz is here to express his condolences Your Majesty," he said, facing the floor. The Queen looked up and straightened, sweeping her hair to one shoulder, and murmured, "I will go speak with him." Davis looked surprised that she would trouble herself, but his only comment was, "As you wish my Queen," before he just as quietly withdrew. The Queen glanced again at the almost still blankets as she stood and straightened her vivid green dress. She walked quickly to the door, twisting her tresses nervously, straightening her dress one more time before she walked through. Rose could hear low whispers, Lord V'Sluz, she guessed and a slightly more musical murmur in return, her mother. How could she leave Father's side! At a time like this! Doesn't she know he needs her support! She should be here, holding his hand, being strong for him! She shouldn't be receiving condolences anyway! V'Sluz is a rat, coming here at a time like this! Suddenly there was a muffled sound from Seymour and she realized the blankets moved no longer. No! She reached to her father's hand and it was cold. The life had fled his body. Anger and sadness warred within her and she wilted under the explosion of emotion, sobbing on the floor, oblivious to the world around her.
At the noise, the Queen and Lord V'Sluz dashed into the room, quickly taking in everything and drawing their conclusions. Allanna's breath caught for a moment before V'Sluz caught her in his arms, holding her upright as it appeared that she might have lost her will to stand. Percy shuffled around, placing his arm around Seymour's shaking shoulders while Willfred looked around the room, anywhere but at the bed, before finally stalking out of the room. Percy then ushered Seymour out, Seymour still streaming tears, but trying to be brave. Lord V'Sluz was whispering in quietly soothing sounds to Queen Allanna when Rose finally pulled herself together and picked herself off of the floor. The Queen mother seemed startled to notice Rose, as if she hadn't known she was there, but then was swept away as V'Sluz gently forced her out. Rose noticed he turned back at the doorway, coldly evaluating her as she stood sniffling and red faced by the bed. Davis then returned, Adelaide by his side, looking at her so sadly that grief came like a fresh fountain. Rose burst into tears and ran to Adie. The nursemaid held the princess, rocking her back and forth as if she were a child again.
~~
It was the next day that Rose decided that she'd had enough of Lord V'Sluz. He had worked himself into the royal family's good graces in the five years since she'd met him. Since the wars were over, he had received his own estate and wealth to go with it, but that didn't keep him away. He'd been at the castle frequently, even dropping by unannounced in the past couple of years, to the delight of the royal family, if not to the heir, Rose herself. Unfortunately, she'd had no say in the matter. Anytime she'd tried to discuss her discomfort with her Queen Mother, Allanna dismissed her immediately and refused to hear anything negative about the man. Her father seemed to share some of her concerns, but wouldn't say anything against him outright, and of course, her brothers always were eager to hear the General's stories of conquest. Rose just couldn't ignore the closeness that her mother seemed to be feeling toward the man, plus the feeling that he wasn't all he seemed to be, or that he was more than he seemed to be in any case, so she set to finding out. Slipping slowly past the sleeping maid in the her room, she eased open the door as silently as she could. She congratulated herself for remembering to oil the hinges as she'd done when she was younger. Sneaking through the castle during the night was just as thrilling as it always had been, but this time she wasn't just pranking her brothers, this time she was going to spy on one of the most powerful men in the kingdom.
A tapping sound came from the door and Davis stepped in and bowed quietly. "Lord V'Sluz is here to express his condolences Your Majesty," he said, facing the floor. The Queen looked up and straightened, sweeping her hair to one shoulder, and murmured, "I will go speak with him." Davis looked surprised that she would trouble herself, but his only comment was, "As you wish my Queen," before he just as quietly withdrew. The Queen glanced again at the almost still blankets as she stood and straightened her vivid green dress. She walked quickly to the door, twisting her tresses nervously, straightening her dress one more time before she walked through. Rose could hear low whispers, Lord V'Sluz, she guessed and a slightly more musical murmur in return, her mother. How could she leave Father's side! At a time like this! Doesn't she know he needs her support! She should be here, holding his hand, being strong for him! She shouldn't be receiving condolences anyway! V'Sluz is a rat, coming here at a time like this! Suddenly there was a muffled sound from Seymour and she realized the blankets moved no longer. No! She reached to her father's hand and it was cold. The life had fled his body. Anger and sadness warred within her and she wilted under the explosion of emotion, sobbing on the floor, oblivious to the world around her.
At the noise, the Queen and Lord V'Sluz dashed into the room, quickly taking in everything and drawing their conclusions. Allanna's breath caught for a moment before V'Sluz caught her in his arms, holding her upright as it appeared that she might have lost her will to stand. Percy shuffled around, placing his arm around Seymour's shaking shoulders while Willfred looked around the room, anywhere but at the bed, before finally stalking out of the room. Percy then ushered Seymour out, Seymour still streaming tears, but trying to be brave. Lord V'Sluz was whispering in quietly soothing sounds to Queen Allanna when Rose finally pulled herself together and picked herself off of the floor. The Queen mother seemed startled to notice Rose, as if she hadn't known she was there, but then was swept away as V'Sluz gently forced her out. Rose noticed he turned back at the doorway, coldly evaluating her as she stood sniffling and red faced by the bed. Davis then returned, Adelaide by his side, looking at her so sadly that grief came like a fresh fountain. Rose burst into tears and ran to Adie. The nursemaid held the princess, rocking her back and forth as if she were a child again.
~~
It was the next day that Rose decided that she'd had enough of Lord V'Sluz. He had worked himself into the royal family's good graces in the five years since she'd met him. Since the wars were over, he had received his own estate and wealth to go with it, but that didn't keep him away. He'd been at the castle frequently, even dropping by unannounced in the past couple of years, to the delight of the royal family, if not to the heir, Rose herself. Unfortunately, she'd had no say in the matter. Anytime she'd tried to discuss her discomfort with her Queen Mother, Allanna dismissed her immediately and refused to hear anything negative about the man. Her father seemed to share some of her concerns, but wouldn't say anything against him outright, and of course, her brothers always were eager to hear the General's stories of conquest. Rose just couldn't ignore the closeness that her mother seemed to be feeling toward the man, plus the feeling that he wasn't all he seemed to be, or that he was more than he seemed to be in any case, so she set to finding out. Slipping slowly past the sleeping maid in the her room, she eased open the door as silently as she could. She congratulated herself for remembering to oil the hinges as she'd done when she was younger. Sneaking through the castle during the night was just as thrilling as it always had been, but this time she wasn't just pranking her brothers, this time she was going to spy on one of the most powerful men in the kingdom.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Part 3 of YA fanfic
Rose awoke slowly and groggily, her mouth feeling as if she'd tried to swallow a hand full of cotton, and leaned against Sophie's soft shoulders. "We have to find some water Soph." she whispered, shivering again. She had no idea if it was morning or still night, the darkness still encompassed everything. Her dress was still damp, and her stomach was rumbling fiercely. She held her hand onto the dog's strong back. "Sophie, that wonderful little nose of yours is going to have to get us out of here, if you can manage it." Abruptly, Sophie stood up and Rose could hear her scuffling down the slope that lead away from the small room. Rose followed, feeling her way down the narrow chute, scraping her knuckles and cursing her shortsightedness in not bringing another change of clothing, or at least some nuts and an apple or two. Think for a moment girl! Adie's voice had always been her inner tutor, coaxing her stray thoughts into a semblance of order, much as she had always tried to cajole her wild tresses into serene styles fit for a princess. What brought you here? And what will bring you out? Rose thought for a moment, and decided that finding water and some food was the first task she must set for herself, whether the hunters remained in the area or not, she had to find sustenance else she'd wither like a weakling. She set her resolve, and with that, pulled herself out of the chute. The darkness remained unchanged, but the space around her felt larger, and there was a slight stirring of the air, rather than the dank stillness she'd felt in the small chamber. She paused to catch her breath and hitched up her dress so she could somewhat indelicately relieve herself. If Adie only knew what this poor dress was going to go through...
Sophie nuzzled her hand, and when she placed her palm on the dog's head, Soph lead her, stooping and shuffling along the passageway. She walked what seemed like hours, one foot determinedly set in front of the other, and then again, and again. Eventually, the darkness gave way to a faded glow, and the glow became green lit day, shining through a small, grass filled opening in the passage. Rose took a deep breath of the fresh air and her eyebrows relaxed for the first time all morning . "Good girl Sophie! You found a way out!" Sophie seemed to take that as an encouragement to move on, so Rose followed, shrugging her way through the small hole into daylight. Rose was thankful it appeared that the sun hadn't moved very far above the horizon, she hoped she had an advantage in that Lord V'Sluz may not have even been served his morning meal yet. She looked around for Sophie, and saw her glancing back, then bounding through the grasses down the hill. She followed as best as she could, dodging the trees, trying not to stumble over her own two feet, or the fallen logs and branches sometimes hidden in the grass. As she went, she listened to the sounds of the forested hill around her. Birds chirping their morning greeting, every once in awhile the sound of a woodpecker beating his beak against a wizened trunk, and a few times she heard a branch falling to the ground, perhaps loosened from their hold by a storm the night before? That would be a benefit, a storm would've made tracking me more difficult, not for the hounds, but I can't imagine that V'Sluz's hunters would've wanted to continue the search for a "soft and spoiled heiress" during the storm, not when they could so easily begin again the next day. This day. Oh Creator! I can't let them find me. I must keep moving! At least it seems I must've somehow crossed under the mountain through the caves. Bless me! It should take them some time to go around through the pass, and even V'Sluz won't risk his men and the hounds trying to cross the mountain. It still seemed odd, talking to the Creator, but since her only companions were herself, Sophie who kept dashing away and back again, and the Creator, she accepted it as better than the alternatives.
Finally Sophie lead her out of the more densely crowded forest to a small clearing as a stream gurgled happily through. A paradise! The princess looked around at the berry bushes hungrily. She knelt down on a grassy patch by the stream, cupping her hands to bring the precious water to her lips before giving up, unceremoniously dunking her face in the cool waters. After she had drunk her fill, she collected the nuts and berries she found, and set to with a ravenous appetite. Sophie sat inquisitively next to her, seeming to wonder at the vegetarian meal with humorous judgement. She herself had already partaken of some small rodent-type refreshment, Rose tried not to think about it. Her meal finished, her stomach gurgled at her, though lacking some of it's previous intensity. She leaned against a mossy tree trunk thinking about how she got into this predicament in the first place and what to do next. The sun played in patterns across her folded arms, warmly shining through the leafy heavens above her.
Sophie nuzzled her hand, and when she placed her palm on the dog's head, Soph lead her, stooping and shuffling along the passageway. She walked what seemed like hours, one foot determinedly set in front of the other, and then again, and again. Eventually, the darkness gave way to a faded glow, and the glow became green lit day, shining through a small, grass filled opening in the passage. Rose took a deep breath of the fresh air and her eyebrows relaxed for the first time all morning . "Good girl Sophie! You found a way out!" Sophie seemed to take that as an encouragement to move on, so Rose followed, shrugging her way through the small hole into daylight. Rose was thankful it appeared that the sun hadn't moved very far above the horizon, she hoped she had an advantage in that Lord V'Sluz may not have even been served his morning meal yet. She looked around for Sophie, and saw her glancing back, then bounding through the grasses down the hill. She followed as best as she could, dodging the trees, trying not to stumble over her own two feet, or the fallen logs and branches sometimes hidden in the grass. As she went, she listened to the sounds of the forested hill around her. Birds chirping their morning greeting, every once in awhile the sound of a woodpecker beating his beak against a wizened trunk, and a few times she heard a branch falling to the ground, perhaps loosened from their hold by a storm the night before? That would be a benefit, a storm would've made tracking me more difficult, not for the hounds, but I can't imagine that V'Sluz's hunters would've wanted to continue the search for a "soft and spoiled heiress" during the storm, not when they could so easily begin again the next day. This day. Oh Creator! I can't let them find me. I must keep moving! At least it seems I must've somehow crossed under the mountain through the caves. Bless me! It should take them some time to go around through the pass, and even V'Sluz won't risk his men and the hounds trying to cross the mountain. It still seemed odd, talking to the Creator, but since her only companions were herself, Sophie who kept dashing away and back again, and the Creator, she accepted it as better than the alternatives.
Finally Sophie lead her out of the more densely crowded forest to a small clearing as a stream gurgled happily through. A paradise! The princess looked around at the berry bushes hungrily. She knelt down on a grassy patch by the stream, cupping her hands to bring the precious water to her lips before giving up, unceremoniously dunking her face in the cool waters. After she had drunk her fill, she collected the nuts and berries she found, and set to with a ravenous appetite. Sophie sat inquisitively next to her, seeming to wonder at the vegetarian meal with humorous judgement. She herself had already partaken of some small rodent-type refreshment, Rose tried not to think about it. Her meal finished, her stomach gurgled at her, though lacking some of it's previous intensity. She leaned against a mossy tree trunk thinking about how she got into this predicament in the first place and what to do next. The sun played in patterns across her folded arms, warmly shining through the leafy heavens above her.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Part 2
------- see my previous post for the beginning and explanation of this story-------------
"Rosie! Look who I found!" Her father smiled as he held up a fuzzy brown bundle.
"Sophie!" Rose bounded up to her father, hugging his legs.
"Next time you visit the new pups you must remember to close the gate," her father said solemnly.
"I will Papa! I'm sorry!"
"I know you are Flower," he said. "Now, this little pup looks a bit hungry, would you like to help her feel better?"
"Yes, please Papa!" Rose grinned and ran to get some food for the prodigal pup, Sophie chasing her heels.
"Here you go Soph," she said, placing the bowl on the ground for the puppy, who fell to devouring her dinner with gusto. "And take me with you the next time you decide to go exploring Silliness!" Rose ached for the adventures that took her away from the castle and her brothers.
Willfred, her second eldest sibling had been particularly merciless after he'd found out she'd left the pup's gate open. He'd even conspired with Percy, the eldest into taunting her by making puppy yelps around the castle grounds. She'd frantically ran around the palace for hours that morning, searching for the pup that sounded so close. It wasn't until her youngest brother Seymour found the others at it and whispered the news to her after the midday meal that she found out the truth.
Sophie finished her dining and Rose lead her back to the kennels and safely closed the gate to the puppy's pen. The older hounds were well trained hunters and didn't even bark as she and the pup pranced through their territory, but instead panted at her with alert and insidious looking smiles that turned her stomach. Sophie was the runt of the litter, but Rose had been adamant that she was not to be put down, despite her poor health as a newborn. Rose had tended to her with constant attentions and Sophie seemed to be quite healthy after all her diligence, though much smaller than her brothers and sisters. "I'll be back after dinner Soph! Don't annoy your siblings too much while I'm gone!" Sophie licked Rose's fingers through the slits in the gate in understanding and Rose dashed back to her rooms to prepare for dinner.
Her nursemaid, Adelaide, had prepared a washing basin and laid her dress out on the bed. "Oh child! Your hair is in a state!" She exclaimed as Rose burst into the room. "I'm sorry Adie! I was searching for Sophie all over the place and it took me and Papa ever so long!" Rose tried to stand still as Adie began to help her remove her day dress. "You spend so much time with that puppy instead of your lessons! Whatever a young Princess has to do with the dogs, I'll never understand. Now listen, your mother has a guest visiting from Gromaz, General Cento V'Sluz. I'm sure you'll be on your best behavior and not bring shame upon your family." Adelaide made the statement sound like a demanding question, which caused Rose to blush. "Yes, Adelaide. I shall try my best." Rose winced as Adie found a snag in her chaotic tresses. "My word girl!" the nurse exclaimed. "I guess we'll have to skip your braids for tonight. It's all I can do to collect your curls in these ribbons, but it'll have to do!"
Rose was quiet and thoughtful through dinner, as were her brothers, the elder brothers looking none the worse for leading her on a goose chase through the castle and generally being up to no good. General V'Sluz was an expressive man, and had interesting stories of the old war in the West. Her brothers seemed eager for more stories of the conflict, which, according to the General, was easilly and mercilessly quelled. Rose, and her father of course were far more interested in his stories of the exotic places he'd visited, but the Queen mother's eyes sparkled with interest and laughter while she seemed to hang on the General's every word. Rose judged him to be a man of precision and wit, though there was something about him that made her shoulders tingle. He was lithe and muscular, and when he smiled he showed perfectly straight pearly teeth, but she decided his eyes kept a cold distance from his seemingly warm smiles. Rose felt a moment of surprise realizing that while he talked of his adventures, those cold eyes were staring at her! Her heart pounded in her chest and she felt like she was back in the kennels with the hunting hounds. Sophie will never be like those dogs. I will love her and keep her from all that makes them ruthless like that. Like him. Rose smiled back at the General as he continued to regale the royal family of his adventures, and though the corners of her mouth were tilted up, her eyes didn't crinkle either.
--------------To Be Continued--------------
"Rosie! Look who I found!" Her father smiled as he held up a fuzzy brown bundle.
"Sophie!" Rose bounded up to her father, hugging his legs.
"Next time you visit the new pups you must remember to close the gate," her father said solemnly.
"I will Papa! I'm sorry!"
"I know you are Flower," he said. "Now, this little pup looks a bit hungry, would you like to help her feel better?"
"Yes, please Papa!" Rose grinned and ran to get some food for the prodigal pup, Sophie chasing her heels.
"Here you go Soph," she said, placing the bowl on the ground for the puppy, who fell to devouring her dinner with gusto. "And take me with you the next time you decide to go exploring Silliness!" Rose ached for the adventures that took her away from the castle and her brothers.
Willfred, her second eldest sibling had been particularly merciless after he'd found out she'd left the pup's gate open. He'd even conspired with Percy, the eldest into taunting her by making puppy yelps around the castle grounds. She'd frantically ran around the palace for hours that morning, searching for the pup that sounded so close. It wasn't until her youngest brother Seymour found the others at it and whispered the news to her after the midday meal that she found out the truth.
Sophie finished her dining and Rose lead her back to the kennels and safely closed the gate to the puppy's pen. The older hounds were well trained hunters and didn't even bark as she and the pup pranced through their territory, but instead panted at her with alert and insidious looking smiles that turned her stomach. Sophie was the runt of the litter, but Rose had been adamant that she was not to be put down, despite her poor health as a newborn. Rose had tended to her with constant attentions and Sophie seemed to be quite healthy after all her diligence, though much smaller than her brothers and sisters. "I'll be back after dinner Soph! Don't annoy your siblings too much while I'm gone!" Sophie licked Rose's fingers through the slits in the gate in understanding and Rose dashed back to her rooms to prepare for dinner.
Her nursemaid, Adelaide, had prepared a washing basin and laid her dress out on the bed. "Oh child! Your hair is in a state!" She exclaimed as Rose burst into the room. "I'm sorry Adie! I was searching for Sophie all over the place and it took me and Papa ever so long!" Rose tried to stand still as Adie began to help her remove her day dress. "You spend so much time with that puppy instead of your lessons! Whatever a young Princess has to do with the dogs, I'll never understand. Now listen, your mother has a guest visiting from Gromaz, General Cento V'Sluz. I'm sure you'll be on your best behavior and not bring shame upon your family." Adelaide made the statement sound like a demanding question, which caused Rose to blush. "Yes, Adelaide. I shall try my best." Rose winced as Adie found a snag in her chaotic tresses. "My word girl!" the nurse exclaimed. "I guess we'll have to skip your braids for tonight. It's all I can do to collect your curls in these ribbons, but it'll have to do!"
Rose was quiet and thoughtful through dinner, as were her brothers, the elder brothers looking none the worse for leading her on a goose chase through the castle and generally being up to no good. General V'Sluz was an expressive man, and had interesting stories of the old war in the West. Her brothers seemed eager for more stories of the conflict, which, according to the General, was easilly and mercilessly quelled. Rose, and her father of course were far more interested in his stories of the exotic places he'd visited, but the Queen mother's eyes sparkled with interest and laughter while she seemed to hang on the General's every word. Rose judged him to be a man of precision and wit, though there was something about him that made her shoulders tingle. He was lithe and muscular, and when he smiled he showed perfectly straight pearly teeth, but she decided his eyes kept a cold distance from his seemingly warm smiles. Rose felt a moment of surprise realizing that while he talked of his adventures, those cold eyes were staring at her! Her heart pounded in her chest and she felt like she was back in the kennels with the hunting hounds. Sophie will never be like those dogs. I will love her and keep her from all that makes them ruthless like that. Like him. Rose smiled back at the General as he continued to regale the royal family of his adventures, and though the corners of her mouth were tilted up, her eyes didn't crinkle either.
--------------To Be Continued--------------
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The beginnings of a YA fic book based on a dream I had awhile back
Rose leaned out over the parapet and swallowed back the fear that leapt into her throat. The moon shone down on the dark waters below, churned by the invisible fingertips of wind. She shivered and pulled her cloak tighter in a futile attempt to escape the cold. Muffled voices and fire light drifted down from the guard's tower. Fear crept back into her throat, pricking her shoulder blades and scalp with it's chill. She had to go now before they spotted her!
Rose climbed onto the crenelated ramparts, took a deep breath and jumped into the icy depths. The water embraced her in a death grip and she struggled to reach the surface. Her ears popped and filled with water, yet, through the distortion she heard the guards above shouting as they tried to discover the source of the splash. Her body started to seize with cold and fear.
"Don't stop!" she told herself. Fighting the water, with adrenaline pumping through her veins, Rose swam to the reeds on the far shore. Her clothes clung to her and she fervently wished she'd had the time or foresight to secure a dry change of clothes somewhere on this side of the shore, but she couldn't focus on that now. Now she must run.
Rose ran, muscles weak and drunken with the chill, tripping over her soaking skirts. Gradually she attained an amount of steadiness, focused only on placing one foot in front of the other. The air tore at her lungs until she thought they'd explode. If she could just make it a little further.. A clamorous howling came drifting through the trees. The hounds! They must've realized I've gone! No! Not yet! Rose held back the sobs that threatened her resolve. I have to make it to the caves! She ran as if her life depended on it, which it really did. She ran through the trees she had often ridden through with her brothers on their way to Queenston. She ran up the deer trail along the edge of the hill they'd explored as children. The sounds of the hunting party were getting nearer.
At last she saw it! The crooked tree standing almost alone amongst the ferns in the nook of the hill, seeming to point to an entrance of the caves she'd discovered so long ago. Though she'd come here often seeking solace, she would've never dreamed she'd come here for protection. Her fingers traced the cold dank walls as they had so many times before, but this time she traveled much quicker with the sounds of hounds and men growing ever louder in the stillness of the night. Ah! Here it is! A small hallway opened on her left, and she crouched down low as she hurried down into it. As she scurried through the low pass, she slid her boot along the right of the wall, trying to feel for the passage she'd found in her wanderings before. This time she had no lantern with her, but she knew what she wanted to find. When the wall opened up next to her boot, she carefully sat down, tucked her skirts around her legs, and slid into the small opening.
It was hard work getting through such a small space, but she managed to use her hands and elbows to help push her through the chute, until it suddenly turned down and she found herself sliding, letting gravity take over. It opened up into a small cavern, about the size of her smallest wardrobe. Along with the chute she used to slide into the room, there was another small chute she knew that lead her to another passage through the mountain. After feeling around the small cavern to make sure she was in the right place, she wrapped her wet cloak around her for warmth and sat quietly, listening. She thought she could faintly hear heavy breath echoing off the walls. Now there was the sound of padded feet and nails clicking on the stone and a scuffling getting closer, coming through the chute she'd just squeezed through. Then a large furry bundle dropped to the floor and there was panting. "Sophie?" She realized it was the first words she'd spoken all night and her eyes filled with tears again as Sophie leaned her head against Rose's belly. Rose wrapped her arms around her precious dog and she collapsed in weary exhaustion as she mourned for her father.
Rose climbed onto the crenelated ramparts, took a deep breath and jumped into the icy depths. The water embraced her in a death grip and she struggled to reach the surface. Her ears popped and filled with water, yet, through the distortion she heard the guards above shouting as they tried to discover the source of the splash. Her body started to seize with cold and fear.
"Don't stop!" she told herself. Fighting the water, with adrenaline pumping through her veins, Rose swam to the reeds on the far shore. Her clothes clung to her and she fervently wished she'd had the time or foresight to secure a dry change of clothes somewhere on this side of the shore, but she couldn't focus on that now. Now she must run.
Rose ran, muscles weak and drunken with the chill, tripping over her soaking skirts. Gradually she attained an amount of steadiness, focused only on placing one foot in front of the other. The air tore at her lungs until she thought they'd explode. If she could just make it a little further.. A clamorous howling came drifting through the trees. The hounds! They must've realized I've gone! No! Not yet! Rose held back the sobs that threatened her resolve. I have to make it to the caves! She ran as if her life depended on it, which it really did. She ran through the trees she had often ridden through with her brothers on their way to Queenston. She ran up the deer trail along the edge of the hill they'd explored as children. The sounds of the hunting party were getting nearer.
At last she saw it! The crooked tree standing almost alone amongst the ferns in the nook of the hill, seeming to point to an entrance of the caves she'd discovered so long ago. Though she'd come here often seeking solace, she would've never dreamed she'd come here for protection. Her fingers traced the cold dank walls as they had so many times before, but this time she traveled much quicker with the sounds of hounds and men growing ever louder in the stillness of the night. Ah! Here it is! A small hallway opened on her left, and she crouched down low as she hurried down into it. As she scurried through the low pass, she slid her boot along the right of the wall, trying to feel for the passage she'd found in her wanderings before. This time she had no lantern with her, but she knew what she wanted to find. When the wall opened up next to her boot, she carefully sat down, tucked her skirts around her legs, and slid into the small opening.
It was hard work getting through such a small space, but she managed to use her hands and elbows to help push her through the chute, until it suddenly turned down and she found herself sliding, letting gravity take over. It opened up into a small cavern, about the size of her smallest wardrobe. Along with the chute she used to slide into the room, there was another small chute she knew that lead her to another passage through the mountain. After feeling around the small cavern to make sure she was in the right place, she wrapped her wet cloak around her for warmth and sat quietly, listening. She thought she could faintly hear heavy breath echoing off the walls. Now there was the sound of padded feet and nails clicking on the stone and a scuffling getting closer, coming through the chute she'd just squeezed through. Then a large furry bundle dropped to the floor and there was panting. "Sophie?" She realized it was the first words she'd spoken all night and her eyes filled with tears again as Sophie leaned her head against Rose's belly. Rose wrapped her arms around her precious dog and she collapsed in weary exhaustion as she mourned for her father.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Well hell...
I guess it's about high time I write something on this bloggy thingy, since it's been about two years since last time. It must be something about autumn that drives me to write, create, etc... Maybe I'll make this be a biannual occurrence. Then I don't have to feel guilty for not writing more often.
Things that are new, in no particular order: (by new, clearly I mean things that weren't as much around/in my life 2 years ago)
- Hermy, my Hermann's tortoise. I received him from a Montessori student after he lived in my Montessori classroom for about a year. So he's been around for awhile. He's at least 7 years old anyhow. What's new is that now he mostly lives in our apartment since I'm only at school 3 mornings a week. He gets to come to school with me and be patted, fed, and otherwise tormented by the children fairly often though. Jeff and I love him a lot. He may be cold blooded, but he's friendly and follows us around when we let him out to peruse our place.
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| This is what Hermy would look like if he was this tiny. |
- Middle Eastern Dancing. I started doing this a bit in 2010, but really got into it in 2011. Last year I helped to plan a big fundraiser with Ten Thousand Villages for artisans in areas of natural disasters to help support themselves. We served hummus, pitas, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh (that I made!), couscous, and mint tea. We did 3 sets of dance (about 15-20 minutes each) Folkloric Egyptian, Turkish "Canti" Romany, and Egyptian Oriental. PLUS we had a silent auction that everyone collected donations on and I put together. A LOT of work, but great fun! What was very special was that I got to put so much effort into making a difference, rather than just donating $$! We raised over $2000! *Note, we're totally doing this again this year, Nov. 17th at Goshen Theater! I can't wait! There's something that just fills me with joy when I'm dancing. Even if I'm just learning new choreography or practicing! I love the idea that I'm connecting with cultures from across the world, and just the dance itself makes me giddy!
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| Troupe Svatura dancing "Rompi Rompi" in Ft. Wayne at Ozgen's Gala |
- Jeff is in grad school. This is really awesome because he gets to study something he enjoy. Even though it's a lot of work, in about 2 years, he'll get to start doing something that he wants to do that really makes a positive impact on the world around us. This, along with his job as a pharmacy tech makes for a kind of chaotic schedule at times, but I'm really thankful for this opportunity for us.
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| We were able to "get away from it all" camping with friends in Michigan this summer! |
- Dominion. We've been playing this game with friends whenever we have some time and friends that are free! We like it a lot. We're also playing Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan, SmallWorld, and poker on occasion.
- Both my grandpa's passed away, as well as my uncle. Grandpa K in Oct. of 2011, and Grandpa M. and Uncle L. in Feb. Plus we found that my dad has a horrible degenerative disease. Not cool. I'm still experiencing grief from the loss of their presence here on this earth, but I am content to know that I will see them again soon, that all their pain is gone, and that they are safe in the love of Jesus. Dad seems to be dealing fairly well, but I am still concerned for his well being.
Anyway, I should wrap this up for now, lest this post become ridiculously long. Ooh! I'm also thinking about turning some of my dream stories into young adult fiction. (Seriously, my dreams are epic...this could totally work)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tricia's Guide to Healthy Living
As I was making lunch today (whole wheat pita, stuffed with deli thin ham, spinach, hummus, tomatoes, and some crumbled co-jack with a little yogurt alongside) I was thinking about the choices that I make on a regular basis that promote a healthy living lifestyle.
When I was a young teen my mom went on a diet. It was kind of amazing, super low calories, but balanced for the most part. And yes, she lost a lot of weight. But that's not the point. The point is I began to recognize what things were better for my body, and what things were not so good.
I started eating toast with no butter on it. I cut way back on candy and high sugar/saturated fats desserts. I began to make changes in my lifestyle to promote feeling healthy. That was the beginning.
Then I got married. (Ok, there was a lot of life between those times, but it's not really central to this storyline). Let's just say that when I got married and was in control of my own (VERY tiny) kitchen, that healthy lifestyle stayed with me and began to take over.
So here are things that I've learned and am employing:
1.) Learn to recognize things that make you feel good in the long term. Yes, candy/chocolate/ice cream whatever may have a temporary euphoric effect, but notice how you feel the downer at the end of that high. Recognize how it doesn't really satisfy you. Realize what it does to your body.
Alternately, when eating a well rounded meal, plenty of fruits and delicious veggies, think about how your body feels. Recognize when you have more energy. Notice how you don't feel all bloated and oily? Yep, that's thanks to a balanced diet!
2.) If you can't make time to work out, work out in the small things. I like to carry my groceries in a basket, even if I fill it to the max and my arms are aching by the time I get to the check out isle. If I'm on a car trip and can't move around I'll dance in the seat and at least do some mini ab crunches. I am really blessed in that one of my jobs is teaching little kids to dance. So of course I take every opportunity to dance with them! If exercise wears you out or seems dull or you knees have tendonitis and you can't trust them all the time, find what works for your body and interests and DO IT!
3.) Don't stress!!! My favorite tv show ever (IT Crowd, a UK show about people that work in an IT department) has a really hilarious episode about this. The boss is yelling his employees and it's ridiculous, because really, you can't tell someone to not be stressed. You have to create a low stress environment, etc. But really, stress is really damaging to your health! If something is stressing you out maybe prayer is your answer? (This is esp. helpful if it's more of a person or people that are causing the stress, because people need love and prayer. Even annoying stress causing people. Especially annoying/stress causing people.) Also, just recognizing the cause of your stress can be helpful, since it's easier to address. Music and meditation, and sometimes for me the complete absence of noise when possible is helpful.
4.) Sleep as much as you need it! People often put sleep too low on the list of healthy living priorities. Funnily enough, stress causes sleeplessness, but sleeplessness also can cause stress.
5.) Don't take yourself, your expectations of what you hope to accomplish, others, etc... too seriously. Laugh a lot. Put yourself in funny situations. Appreciate humor, even if you have to sink to schtick.
6.) Help other people. In helping other people you'll make them feel good about the world, in making other people feel good about the world, you'll start to feel better about it as well.
7.) Explore your soul and spirit's needs. I recognize that I need God. I realize that He loves me. It humbles me when I am prideful, and it strengthens me when I am weak.
So yeah, I don't always follow all these things, and I find myself not always living a healthy lifestyle, and there are things that it's easy for me to do, but not as easy for you... and that's fine. That's balanced. Healthy even.
When I was a young teen my mom went on a diet. It was kind of amazing, super low calories, but balanced for the most part. And yes, she lost a lot of weight. But that's not the point. The point is I began to recognize what things were better for my body, and what things were not so good.
I started eating toast with no butter on it. I cut way back on candy and high sugar/saturated fats desserts. I began to make changes in my lifestyle to promote feeling healthy. That was the beginning.
Then I got married. (Ok, there was a lot of life between those times, but it's not really central to this storyline). Let's just say that when I got married and was in control of my own (VERY tiny) kitchen, that healthy lifestyle stayed with me and began to take over.
So here are things that I've learned and am employing:
1.) Learn to recognize things that make you feel good in the long term. Yes, candy/chocolate/ice cream whatever may have a temporary euphoric effect, but notice how you feel the downer at the end of that high. Recognize how it doesn't really satisfy you. Realize what it does to your body.
Alternately, when eating a well rounded meal, plenty of fruits and delicious veggies, think about how your body feels. Recognize when you have more energy. Notice how you don't feel all bloated and oily? Yep, that's thanks to a balanced diet!
2.) If you can't make time to work out, work out in the small things. I like to carry my groceries in a basket, even if I fill it to the max and my arms are aching by the time I get to the check out isle. If I'm on a car trip and can't move around I'll dance in the seat and at least do some mini ab crunches. I am really blessed in that one of my jobs is teaching little kids to dance. So of course I take every opportunity to dance with them! If exercise wears you out or seems dull or you knees have tendonitis and you can't trust them all the time, find what works for your body and interests and DO IT!
3.) Don't stress!!! My favorite tv show ever (IT Crowd, a UK show about people that work in an IT department) has a really hilarious episode about this. The boss is yelling his employees and it's ridiculous, because really, you can't tell someone to not be stressed. You have to create a low stress environment, etc. But really, stress is really damaging to your health! If something is stressing you out maybe prayer is your answer? (This is esp. helpful if it's more of a person or people that are causing the stress, because people need love and prayer. Even annoying stress causing people. Especially annoying/stress causing people.) Also, just recognizing the cause of your stress can be helpful, since it's easier to address. Music and meditation, and sometimes for me the complete absence of noise when possible is helpful.
4.) Sleep as much as you need it! People often put sleep too low on the list of healthy living priorities. Funnily enough, stress causes sleeplessness, but sleeplessness also can cause stress.
5.) Don't take yourself, your expectations of what you hope to accomplish, others, etc... too seriously. Laugh a lot. Put yourself in funny situations. Appreciate humor, even if you have to sink to schtick.
6.) Help other people. In helping other people you'll make them feel good about the world, in making other people feel good about the world, you'll start to feel better about it as well.
7.) Explore your soul and spirit's needs. I recognize that I need God. I realize that He loves me. It humbles me when I am prideful, and it strengthens me when I am weak.
So yeah, I don't always follow all these things, and I find myself not always living a healthy lifestyle, and there are things that it's easy for me to do, but not as easy for you... and that's fine. That's balanced. Healthy even.
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