tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86078932748081051462013-05-19T17:18:33.185+01:00A wild steampunk fantasy tale filled with monsters, machines and mad scientists. Updated weekly on Sundays.Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125Shadow-AnEpisodicNovelhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-38355759023174848722013-05-19T09:30:00.000+01:002013-05-19T09:30:09.150+01:002013-05-19T09:30:09.150+01:00<br> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> They ran.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> Rain poured from the sky as it had all day, but now the darkness was punctuated by flashes of lightning and the silence of Whispercove was consumed by the terrible scream of the Spectres.  In the sky above, Lakhma stirred.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> So they ran.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> Gulliver had the lead, his lanky legs and strong sense of self-preservation helping him to cover ground the others couldn&#39;t quite manage, but Rockspark wasn&#39;t far behind.  Then came Franck, helping Miss Barkcastle along, though she seemed increasingly likely to topple.  And behind them all, still holding hands after that near suicidal rescue attempt, Siren and Ellis were gaining ground.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> Not much further back down the hill the Spectres swept forward like a ghostly tidal wave.  They had lost much of their individual appearance and apart from their terrifying, gape-mouthed faces, they seemed now to be a wall of unstoppable light, screaming one endless, incomprehensible note as they came.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> The cobbles were slick with rain, and water sluiced down the gutters to either side of them, overflowing in irregular floods.  Slips were inevitable and each little stumble lost them ground.  It seemed each flash of pent-up electricity above illuminated fewer cobbles  between the Spectres and their quarry.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/05/episode-cxix-streets-of-rage.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=ycHFZfsOUCY:Zq3Olisi9iI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=ycHFZfsOUCY:Zq3Olisi9iI:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=ycHFZfsOUCY:Zq3Olisi9iI:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=ycHFZfsOUCY:Zq3Olisi9iI:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=ycHFZfsOUCY:Zq3Olisi9iI:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=ycHFZfsOUCY:Zq3Olisi9iI:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=ycHFZfsOUCY:Zq3Olisi9iI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/ycHFZfsOUCY" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com1http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/05/episode-cxix-streets-of-rage.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-30672253572150295472013-05-12T15:50:00.000+01:002013-05-19T09:31:42.223+01:002013-05-19T09:31:42.223+01:00<br> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> Night stole over Whispercove with incredible suddenness.  There was a flare of distant sunset over the dark sea, reflected and distorted a thousandfold in the black droplets of the rain, and then the skies plunged into ever deeper darkness until the only light was that which was made by the city itself - although somewhat diminished from its pre-Lakhma days and never bright in this silent district - and an eldritch green glow which ran through the clouds in sinuous lines: the tentacles of the enemy.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> Siren watched it all in thoughtful silence, seated on the stone floor of the tunnel, her back curved up against its wall and she remained silent and unmoving for some time after.  At last, when she was sure there were no Spectres patrolling nearby and all was a silent as Whispercove could be, she rose slowly to her feet and, making no noise, gestured for the others to follow her through the puddles.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> They stepped out into a sort of crossroads in a narrow backstreet which ran perpendicular to the tunnel, with a stone landing and steps leading down towards the harbour before them, so much water running down them now that they were become like a cataract.  Siren surveyed them carefully, but quickly decided that they steps were far too open (not to mention too wet) and that there would be much to be gained by sticking to the smaller streets for as long as possible, so, orienting herself to the south, she took the backstreet off to the left and led the others beneath the overhang of a silent, unlit residence, and, hugging the walls, followed the murky river of the street.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> At first all seemed well.  They wove from one backstreet to another, always sticking on the closest route they could towards the south and Shalereef, and though it took them maybe as much as twice as long to walk that first mile than it would have had they not been hoping to move in secret, still they managed it without any sign of their being detected, or any sight of the corrupted Knights of Lakhma, or the Spectres of Whispercove.  They came to the northern side of the hilly headland and the still waters of the cove lay to the north-east, and it seemed that the worst may well be behind them.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/05/episode-cxviii-spectres-scream.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=wfDEEDLv0ok:zDNYvhwKSRg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=wfDEEDLv0ok:zDNYvhwKSRg:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=wfDEEDLv0ok:zDNYvhwKSRg:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=wfDEEDLv0ok:zDNYvhwKSRg:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=wfDEEDLv0ok:zDNYvhwKSRg:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=wfDEEDLv0ok:zDNYvhwKSRg:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=wfDEEDLv0ok:zDNYvhwKSRg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/wfDEEDLv0ok" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/05/episode-cxviii-spectres-scream.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-85125662395883390182013-05-06T07:36:00.001+01:002013-05-12T15:50:48.573+01:002013-05-12T15:50:48.573+01:00<br> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> Miss Barkcastle activated yet another secret door - this one unmarked in anyway, but activated by pushing a loose stone in the wall - to reveal a dark passageway not unlike the one Siren had just traversed.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> &quot;Does that one have traps as well?&quot; she asked, staring into the darkness.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> &quot;Of course, dear,&quot; Miss Barkcastle said innocently, then pressed another loose stone and the corridor was lit with a sudden flare of hypostatick lighting, &quot;but I&#39;ve just deactivated them.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> &quot;Where does the tunnel lead?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> &quot;It travels through the district for about a mile, then it joins the sewers.  From there you should be able to get quite near to wherever you need to go without too much hassle.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> &quot;The sewers aren&#39;t very safe these days,&quot; Siren pointed out, &quot;I&#39;ve traversed my fair share in the last couple of months and even without all the effluent, it hasn&#39;t been pretty.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> &quot;The sewers have never really been safe,&quot; the Former Baron chipped in, stepping up beside them with Rockspark and Gulliver in tow.  Ellis stood behind them, staring off to the side as if in a dream.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <i>What is wrong with him?</i>, Siren wondered, but she knew there was no point in worrying now.  They had more immediate problems to deal with.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/05/episode-cxvii-streets-beneath.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=fLRgi-CsnLk:XQx1c83RzCU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=fLRgi-CsnLk:XQx1c83RzCU:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=fLRgi-CsnLk:XQx1c83RzCU:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=fLRgi-CsnLk:XQx1c83RzCU:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=fLRgi-CsnLk:XQx1c83RzCU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=fLRgi-CsnLk:XQx1c83RzCU:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=fLRgi-CsnLk:XQx1c83RzCU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/fLRgi-CsnLk" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/05/episode-cxvii-streets-beneath.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-14057681920231550202013-04-28T08:32:00.001+01:002013-05-06T07:37:31.566+01:002013-05-06T07:37:31.566+01:00<br> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> Siren followed her nose.  The scent of freshly toasted bread wafted along the corridor towards as if it were an invitation, as if she were expected, and so her feet seemed to move of her own accord and the gas lamps went past one by one.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> Of course she wasn&#39;t walking along in a dream, unaware of her surroundings, nor the situation which had brought her there and she certainly wasn&#39;t oblivious to the traps which were placed at irregular intervals along the corridor.  The first, a simple pendulum blade mechanism triggered by a trip wire, was easy to avoid.  The wire remained un touched and it was only curiosity which had her lean in to the wall and examine the edge of the blade in its slot.  The second trap was activated by a pressure pad almost immediately after that and though Siren wasn&#39;t quick enough to avoid triggering it, she was able to duck out of the way of the barbed mace which swung down from the ceiling towards her, rolling forwards so as not to be hit on the return.  That was where she triggered the third trap, which she heard with a click and then a sudden pop of air as a cloud of darts shot out of the wall.  She went prone, then crawled forwards until the darts stopped.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/04/episode-cxvi-cool-reunion.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=C-jV4NbeHd0:pQER97SxOeM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=C-jV4NbeHd0:pQER97SxOeM:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=C-jV4NbeHd0:pQER97SxOeM:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=C-jV4NbeHd0:pQER97SxOeM:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=C-jV4NbeHd0:pQER97SxOeM:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=C-jV4NbeHd0:pQER97SxOeM:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=C-jV4NbeHd0:pQER97SxOeM:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/C-jV4NbeHd0" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/04/episode-cxvi-cool-reunion.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-76008075080103393772013-04-21T15:00:00.001+01:002013-04-28T08:33:42.652+01:002013-04-28T08:33:42.652+01:00<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> It was raining in Shalereef.  Water, black like the sea, came out of the dark sky in endless torrents.  It gathered in gutters and pipes, showered through rusted holes and over clogs of moss and weeds.  It ran in channels down the hill, turning each cobblestone into an island and every street into a river.  It had been raining like this almost constantly, as far as Siren could tell, for about three months.  And what months those three had been.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> She tried to stick to the shelter of the buildings, where overhanging second storeys created a pathway a few feet wide, just enough to avoid the worst of the storm.  On stormy days in the past one would have found such shelter filled with citizens, a crush of bodies, so that anyone wanting to get anywhere quickly would have to brave the middle of the street, with the rain and the carriages and the horse dung.  Not so today.  Today Siren walked alone.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The streets were not completely deserted, of course.  The knights of the city guard could be seen on distant street corners, their armour hidden beneath dark crimson cloaks.  Siren had to duck out of sight anytime they turned her way.  She had had enough run-ins with them since they began taking orders from their new master and she really didn&#39;t have time for another one now.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> In this manner she slowly made her way through the dismal streets, towards the destination she had sought all these long, long months.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/04/episode-cxv-of-tentacles-and-toast.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=6A3dn8yG_sY:Giqjyof9COA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=6A3dn8yG_sY:Giqjyof9COA:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=6A3dn8yG_sY:Giqjyof9COA:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=6A3dn8yG_sY:Giqjyof9COA:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=6A3dn8yG_sY:Giqjyof9COA:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=6A3dn8yG_sY:Giqjyof9COA:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=6A3dn8yG_sY:Giqjyof9COA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/6A3dn8yG_sY" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com1http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/04/episode-cxv-of-tentacles-and-toast.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-10840163673328385542013-04-14T15:36:00.001+01:002013-04-14T15:36:07.963+01:002013-04-14T15:36:07.963+01:00<br> <br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Two arrows, one above the other, shot out of the darkness towards Frostfire, who was only just turning to see what Sarah was talking about.  Against all logic Sarah leapt towards him and despite the fact that she was on the opposite side of the hall when she started, she managed to crash into him and knock him to the ground before the two arrows had passed the point where he stood.  It had felt like it was happening in slow motion, and yet, she realised, she had moved with what felt to be her normal speed.  When she hit the ground with Frostfire she realised her skin was glowing, very slightly, once more.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <i>Just how powerful am I?<o:p></o:p></i></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> But there was no time to think.  She could hear as the next two arrows were nocked this time and knew they would make a much easier target on the ground.  They needed to keep moving and to close the distance on their glowy-eyed assailant.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> First, Sarah rolled, dragging Frostfire with her, and the second pair of arrows impacted the spot where they had been.  Next she rose to her feet, everything still feeling as if it were happening in slow motion, and she dashed towards the corner where she had seen the eyes.  She knew she didn&#39;t have to worry about Frostfire now.  After her first move it would have been clear that she was the only target that mattered right now.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The eyes were still there, watching her running towards them with unnatural speed.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <i>I&#39;m going to get you</i>, Sarah thought, <i>just you see if I</i>-<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The eyes blinked and then were gone.  Sarah ran into a corner devoid of anybody, a lone arrow abandoned in the place where the archer had been.  She spun on the spot, trying to see where the attacker must have gone, but there was no sign of them in the other corners of the room, which, unlike this one, were reasonably well lit by the gas lamps.  The only way they could have gone was into the dark corridor, deeper into the facility.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;What was that?&quot; Dimsun asked.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;The reason we&#39;re here,&quot; Frostfire replied, picking himself up from the floor.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Dimsun&#39;s eyes flickered with curiosity and Sarah realised that, as far as Frostfire&#39;s plans were concerned, he was as much in the dark as she was.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;We need to follow,&quot; Frostfire continued, making his way towards the dark corridor.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;We need to find somewhere where we can tend to Jansen,&quot; Sarah replied firmly.  &quot;Anything else can wait.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Frostfire glared at her, then disappeared into the darkness.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/04/episode-cxiv-lair-of-huntress.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=dOGW_sclllI:09xL1zDr2Wg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=dOGW_sclllI:09xL1zDr2Wg:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=dOGW_sclllI:09xL1zDr2Wg:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=dOGW_sclllI:09xL1zDr2Wg:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=dOGW_sclllI:09xL1zDr2Wg:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=dOGW_sclllI:09xL1zDr2Wg:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=dOGW_sclllI:09xL1zDr2Wg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/dOGW_sclllI" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/04/episode-cxiv-lair-of-huntress.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-83265617597589657422013-04-07T08:07:00.002+01:002013-04-14T15:36:37.797+01:002013-04-14T15:36:37.797+01:00<br> <br> <div class="MsoBodyText">             The great brass-plated doors of the research station were sealed shut – welded, in fact.  Frostfire paced back and forth through the snow in front of them, making a trench.  Sarah and Dimsun sat nearby beneath the shade of a gigantic pine tree, watching over Sergeant Jansen and trying to keep him, and themselves, warm.  They had been there for at least an hour.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             “This is pointless,” Sarah could rein in her temper no longer, “you’re going to have us all freeze to death here Frostfire!”  It was difficult to shout through chattering teeth, but somehow she managed it.  “We should head back to Blizzardale.  It was positively tropical compared to this!”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             Frostfire paused in his pacing for just a moment, his cold eyes turning towards Sarah, then back to his path and his feet  started to move once more.  Sarah nearly screamed, but instead she looked down at weak, pale Jansen and wondered how they were going to survive this.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             It was so frustrating!  All that stood between them and shelter was a pair of stupid doors, but the Stoneskins had already tried forcing them and they would not budge.  It made her so angry that they had travelled all this way, risked their lives on numerous occasions, only to be defeated by a bit of heavy duty welding.  It was ridiculous!<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             But of course, her whole situation was ridiculous.  Less than a week ago by her reckoning she had been preparing to spend Christmas with her mother, she had been planning what to do about her relationship with Thomas and she had been considering all that she had learned about the Christian faith from that Advent Explored course.  All that was literally another world away now.  Here she was surrounded by monsters and schemes, everything was strange and new and she had somehow come upon strange powers which made her into some kind of superhero.  There were times in the past few days, though she would hardly have admitted it even to herself, when she had hoped that it was all some horrid nightmare; that she’d wake up in her bed with her mother looking over her and telling her that it was all a dream, that there were no such things as monsters.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/04/episode-cxiii-cold-gates.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=mDkXf2XU-d4:Wy1MaH3QIFU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=mDkXf2XU-d4:Wy1MaH3QIFU:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=mDkXf2XU-d4:Wy1MaH3QIFU:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=mDkXf2XU-d4:Wy1MaH3QIFU:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=mDkXf2XU-d4:Wy1MaH3QIFU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=mDkXf2XU-d4:Wy1MaH3QIFU:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=mDkXf2XU-d4:Wy1MaH3QIFU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/mDkXf2XU-d4" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/04/episode-cxiii-cold-gates.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-36942361693337349512013-03-31T16:06:00.000+01:002013-04-07T08:09:35.717+01:002013-04-07T08:09:35.717+01:00<br> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Ah, Sergeant Jansen,&quot; Dimsun greeted in his gravelly Stoneskin voice as Sarah helped the young militiaman into the dwelling that had become their shelter, &quot;how good of you join us.&quot;  Dimsun being Dimsun, it was hard to tell whether or not he was being sarcastic until he added, &quot;I don&#39;t know what we would have done had you not come to intervene.”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Jansen remained silent, but at least had the decency to blush.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;He&#39;s hurt,&quot; Sarah said, &quot;do we have anything to help patch him up?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Not a lot,&quot; Dimsun replied, &quot;but I&#39;ll see what&#39;s in the pack.  He made his way over to where the embers of the fire still glowed with residual heat and began to rummage around in the bag he always carried over his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;We should probably take you back to Riverwatch,&quot; Sarah said as she gave Jansen another once over, &quot;we can&#39;t exactly leave you to do it on your own now.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Absolutely not,&quot; Frostfire cut in, his voice harsh, &quot;we&#39;ve wasted enough time already.  We have to make it to Frostfeather as soon as possible!&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah was a little surprised to hear the usually laconic Spiketail say so much in one go, but, more than that, his response made her angry.  Was he really that unconcerned for the life of a fellow being? <o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;I&#39;ll be fine on my own,&quot; Jansen added meekly.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “No you will not!” Sarah said, rounding on Jansen with the anger she knew ought to be directed at Frostfire.  “There’s no way you’ll make it back to Riverwatch on your own with that injury in this weather.  If the Stoneskins won’t take you I’ll go with you on my own!”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Frostfire growled.  “We’re not losing you now,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “I don’t think you can stop me!” Sarah said rising to her feet, trying to look as fierce as she could.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Frostfire seemed about to argue, but then his eyes dimmed a little and he nodded his head.  His look of sudden resignation was almost heart-breaking and for a moment Sarah wasn’t sure what to do next.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Fortunately Dimsun filled the silence.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “We’re actually closer to our destination now than we are to Riverwatch anyway and I’m sure there’ll be medical supplies where we’re going.  We could just bring Sergeant Jansen with us.”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah glanced from Jansen to Frostfire and back again.  Neither looked happy, even without Jansen’s wincing expression as he tried not to move too much, and neither seemed capable of looking at the other.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “If it’s really the quickest way to get him help…” Sarah began, turning towards Dimsun.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “I’m almost certain it is,” the talkative creature replied.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “He’ll slow us down.” Frostfire said, sullen.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “You’ll be taking me the wrong way,” Jansen added.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah smiled.  “It’s settled then.”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/03/episode-cxii-officer-not-gentleman.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=gAWfpZmpdi4:jDllw4YF8nE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=gAWfpZmpdi4:jDllw4YF8nE:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=gAWfpZmpdi4:jDllw4YF8nE:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=gAWfpZmpdi4:jDllw4YF8nE:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=gAWfpZmpdi4:jDllw4YF8nE:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=gAWfpZmpdi4:jDllw4YF8nE:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=gAWfpZmpdi4:jDllw4YF8nE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/gAWfpZmpdi4" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com3http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/03/episode-cxii-officer-not-gentleman.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-90416816854779810662013-03-24T14:44:00.002Z2013-03-31T16:07:30.427+01:002013-03-31T16:07:30.427+01:00<br> <br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> It was a terrifying sight.  The sheer size of the snow-covered Grinders, combined with the sudden speed of their movements and their ferocious, gape-mouthed roars made it seem like Sarah was watching an avalanche across flat ground.  Jansen stood ready, however, feet slightly apart, sword free in his hand and as the creatures leapt towards him, clawed hands swiping at the spot where he had been, he nimbly dodged to the side and let them roll past like just so many loose rocks.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;You&#39;ll have to do better than that,&quot; he taunted and Sarah wondered if the Riverwatch militia taught all its officers to treat combat with such arrogant laissez-faire.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The creatures stumbled out of their charge and looked around for a moment, disoriented.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;I&#39;m over here,&quot; Jansen taunted again and two monstrous heads turned his way.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;He&#39;s going to get himself killed,&quot; Dimsun observed.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The Grinders pawed the ground with their heavy feet, like a pair of angry bulls, then charged a second time, heading towards the dwelling in front of which Jansen was standing.  Again he looked ready and there was a cocksure smile on his face.  He was enjoying himself.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/03/it-was-aterrifying-sight.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=1JjX-vJbB1I:NwiexZJ9iyA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=1JjX-vJbB1I:NwiexZJ9iyA:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=1JjX-vJbB1I:NwiexZJ9iyA:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=1JjX-vJbB1I:NwiexZJ9iyA:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=1JjX-vJbB1I:NwiexZJ9iyA:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=1JjX-vJbB1I:NwiexZJ9iyA:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=1JjX-vJbB1I:NwiexZJ9iyA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/1JjX-vJbB1I" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/03/it-was-aterrifying-sight.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-4366155818202837032013-03-18T22:43:00.001Z2013-03-24T14:46:35.327Z2013-03-24T14:46:35.327Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah was already shivering when she woke up.  The embers of the fire Dimsun had set the night before were still glowing, but they gave off very little warmth.  Outside it was still snowing, but the flakes drifted almost lazily past the open door and there was no sign of the terrible wind that had forced them into shelter in the first place.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Frostfire was standing impatiently by the door.  His cool demeanour and icy eyes seemed to suit the bleak snowy landscape beyond, but there was heat enough in his gaze when it fell upon Sarah.  She knew he was frustrated wasting time like this, although why he was in such a particular hurry to reach Frostfeather remained a mystery.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Dimsun was the only one of the three of them who seemed to be cheerful that morning and Sarah was greatly surprised to hear him whistling as he heated up some rations in the remains of the fire.  It looked particularly odd to see his big, reptilian mouth contort itself into the appropriate shape to form the notes, but the sound was rather pleasant and the melody resembled a kind of folk song.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> After their meagre breakfast, the mild warmth of which was blessed relief, they struck out into the snow and continued into the pass of Blizzardale.  Sarah made sure she was better wrapped up in her poncho this time, using part of it as a kind of hood, and she soon got used to the squeaky crunch of snow beneath her feet and the soft feel of the snowflakes falling on her back.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/03/episode-cx-snow-grind.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=pyQ2-AVaCQY:Nr29OkIhGOw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=pyQ2-AVaCQY:Nr29OkIhGOw:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=pyQ2-AVaCQY:Nr29OkIhGOw:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=pyQ2-AVaCQY:Nr29OkIhGOw:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=pyQ2-AVaCQY:Nr29OkIhGOw:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=pyQ2-AVaCQY:Nr29OkIhGOw:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=pyQ2-AVaCQY:Nr29OkIhGOw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/pyQ2-AVaCQY" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/03/episode-cx-snow-grind.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-62974489685306473272013-03-11T07:23:00.002Z2013-03-18T22:44:47.247Z2013-03-18T22:44:47.247Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sergeant Jansen seemed to take a particular interest in Sarah as they walked up through the main street on the north side of the Icerush.  He made sure the rest of the militiamen were keeping an eye on the Stoneskins and then manoeuvred himself to stand between them and Sarah, making her feel slightly uncomfortable.  Yes, Jansen was Human, but she had known the two Spiketails for longer and in a world where everything was new, that seemed to mean something.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Why are you travelling with them?&quot; he asked in an urgent voice just above a whisper after they had walked for a about fifteen minutes from the Rock.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah was wary of this young officer, and wasn&#39;t sure how she should respond.  Should she be honest about her own uncertainty, or show bravado to get him to back away?  It didn&#39;t seem like much of a choice .<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;I&#39;m not sure that&#39;s any of your business,&quot; she replied, &quot;it doesn&#39;t affect your district and we&#39;re passing through peacefully enough just like we said we would.  Why turn it into another interrogation?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Jansen was silent for a moment, a frown on his face.  Eventually he said, &quot;It&#39;s not right, a woman travelling with two of these monsters.  It&#39;s not safe, whatever they might have told you.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Something about the way he had managed to say woman got to her, like a knife wound to her pride and she snapped at him, &quot;I&#39;ll decide who I will and will not travel with, Sergeant.  I&#39;ll be especially glad when we reach Blizzardale and you&#39;re no longer tagging along.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Jansen flushed, then took a step backwards so that Sarah was almost walking on her own, but for the ring of militiamen keeping the crowds away.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The rest of their walk out of Riverwatch was quiet, sullen even and it was clear that the militiamen resented having to escort the Stoneskins in this manner.  As they started up the slope towards Blizzardale Jansen called a halt and, knowing what was coming, the look of relief on their faces was palpable.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “This is as far as we take you,” Jansen said curtly, “from here on you’re on your own and good riddance,” he looked at the Stoneskins specifically as he added, “don’t think about coming back this way either!”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/03/episode-cix-blizzardale.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=fuYqFipVk-M:qZBx-upY8lY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=fuYqFipVk-M:qZBx-upY8lY:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=fuYqFipVk-M:qZBx-upY8lY:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=fuYqFipVk-M:qZBx-upY8lY:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=fuYqFipVk-M:qZBx-upY8lY:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=fuYqFipVk-M:qZBx-upY8lY:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=fuYqFipVk-M:qZBx-upY8lY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/fuYqFipVk-M" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/03/episode-cix-blizzardale.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-814902794476951222013-03-03T15:50:00.001Z2013-03-11T07:24:39.815Z2013-03-11T07:24:39.815Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Riverwatch was both very similar to what Sarah had come to expect of Shadow so far and also completely differently.  Architecturally it was very similar to Crystalvale, with many wooden and stone houses in what she thought of as the European style and indeed, apart from the signs of habitation, there was no clear demarkation between the small district and the city ruins which marched down the slopes of Riddlepike.  What made it stand out however, were two details.  Firstly, it was not only inhabited, it was thriving.  Though the whole valley couldn&#39;t have held more than a small town in Earth terms, this was a busy place, just like any district in London, Paris or New York.  She realised that, unlike Ashvault and Riddlepike, it must have strong connections to other parts of the city, and indeed there was plenty in the central market square to suggest that heavy merchant traffic made their way to and from Riverwatch.  The second detail which set it apart, however, was the fortress.  It rose up out of the trees which lined (and occasionally interrupted) every street like a miniature mountain of its own.  Very soon the bustle of the district and the various strange wares on sale and services offered at the sides of the streets seemed uninteresting in comparison to the blocky hill of stone which, it became clear, was to become their next destination.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;I thought we were &#39;just passing through&#39;,&quot; Sarah inquired of Dimsun quietly, trying not to catch the attention of the disgruntled militiamen who marched to either side of them, &quot;so why are they taking us to their castle?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The blond-haired young man named Jansen must have been listening in very intently, for, before Dimsun could utter a word in reply, he interrupted, &quot;That fortress contains the only bridge across the river in this valley.  If you want to pass through Riverwatch, you have to pass through the Rock.&quot;  He sounded grimly satisfied as he said it, as if expecting they would not be allowed to do any such thing.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah stared at the imposing fortress with dismay.  There as no reason to suggest that Jansen was wrong.  Major Harcourt&#39;s compliance was their only guarantee of safe passage and once inside the Rock, that could vanish like dew in the morning sun.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/03/episode-cviii-rock-over-river.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=J6dK47_rOHI:dPIlrrBIotg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=J6dK47_rOHI:dPIlrrBIotg:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=J6dK47_rOHI:dPIlrrBIotg:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=J6dK47_rOHI:dPIlrrBIotg:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=J6dK47_rOHI:dPIlrrBIotg:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=J6dK47_rOHI:dPIlrrBIotg:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=J6dK47_rOHI:dPIlrrBIotg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/J6dK47_rOHI" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/03/episode-cviii-rock-over-river.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-48882945083530934552013-02-24T16:08:00.001Z2013-03-03T15:51:23.580Z2013-03-03T15:51:23.580Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The sloping path leading down to Riverwatch was quite steep, but despite this it was still lined with the ruins of previous habitation.  Sarah was astonished how every square inch of Shadow seemed to have been urbanised in some way, and yet, looking out over the valley at the mountains beyond, it still had a sense of the wilderness about it.  Here the buildings merged with the stony mountain so that they were almost camouflaged and they had been so pounded to rubble by time and, presumably, conflict, that in some places they resembled nothing so much as rock formations.  It was only the little details - the remnants of lintels, some carving, a short flight of steps - that gave away their true origins.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Is there any part of this world that isn&#39;t city,&quot; she asked Dimsun as they progressed down the mountainside.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Well, the oceans are mostly just water,&quot; he suggested, &quot;although there are a few floating districts and island townships that have expanded beyond their bedrock.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;And is that all?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Well, there are plenty of regions like this one where the city has fallen into decay.  Whole forests have shot up in the absence of any inhabitants - like in Blackfeather.  In other places the buildings have been ground into dust by endless sandstorms.  In other places the conditions are so harsh that the city has burrowed underneath them, leaving the surface barren or wild.  Such places are the exception, however, rather than the rule.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;It&#39;s so hard to get my head around.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;That&#39;s funny,&quot; Dimsun replied with a gravelly chuckle, &quot;because I&#39;m struggling to imagine a world that&#39;s any different.  What about Earth?  Is your city surrounded by the wild?”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;I don&#39;t live in a city,&quot; Sarah said, wishing the conversation had not veered this way, but, not wanting to reveal her vulnerability, carrying on regardless.  &quot;Larksborough is a large town.  It&#39;s surrounded by countryside, farms and the like.  The nearest city is Derby.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;The nearest?  There is more than one?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/02/episode-cvii-agreement.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=zD-7kIsfCug:Z_8brRNVXzY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=zD-7kIsfCug:Z_8brRNVXzY:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=zD-7kIsfCug:Z_8brRNVXzY:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=zD-7kIsfCug:Z_8brRNVXzY:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=zD-7kIsfCug:Z_8brRNVXzY:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=zD-7kIsfCug:Z_8brRNVXzY:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=zD-7kIsfCug:Z_8brRNVXzY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/zD-7kIsfCug" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/02/episode-cvii-agreement.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-30536421142986592672013-02-17T08:04:00.000Z2013-02-24T16:09:51.506Z2013-02-24T16:09:51.506Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText">             Thundervein’s crew were stunned.  The few who remained standing merely stood there, staring at the girl who had so suddenly wiped out their leader.  The rest were a groaning pile of living rubble on the floor, struggling to escape from under Thundervein’s unconscious form and regain their feet.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             “What…?” Sarah began, staring from her glowing hands to the pile of Stoneskins and back again. She flicked her gaze over towards Frostfire and asked, “What have you done to me?”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             “I’ve made you into a weapon,” the Spiketail said.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             “I didn’t think it would work!” Dimsun enthused excitedly, “I honestly didn’t think it would work!”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             “But what did you <i>actually</i> do?”  Sarah tried to keep the fear and rage out of her voice, but her hands were shaking, even as their glow began to fade away.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             “The Noble Society of Hypostatick Philosophers had a theory,” Dimsun tried to explain through his own excitement,  “ – just an aside to Doctor Barkham’s whole Breakthrough project – which suggested that hypostatick energy might be increased through exposure to the aether, so that any trans-aetherick  shift could substantially enhance an individual’s hypostatick strength.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “When you arrived Frostfire wanted to test that theory out, so we took you to Shadowsmoke to have you checked over and, when the Shaman confirmed the theory, Frostfire had the idea to take advantage of that additional strength – and to keep it from fading away – by supplementing your energies with a black sand infusion put directly into your blood.  It was highly experimental, but, I think, you’ve just proved it works.”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah took a deep breath.  She didn’t really understand all that Dimsun was telling her, but one thing was clear.  <i>They’ve made me into some sort of weapon</i>, she thought, trying not to fume.  <i>They’ve meddled with me… these… monsters…</i>  She glanced at all the Stoneskins around her, at Frostfire and Dimsun, at the unconscious Thundervein and his motley gang, and, for just a moment, she hated them all.  <i>I just want to go home!</i>  But that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.  She was rational enough to realise that, and so, what to do?<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “So I’ve just been an experiment to you?” she asked calmly, her brightly glowing skin dimming a little.  Thundervein’s thugs began to haul their leaden leader out into the ‘street’.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “Oh no, so much more!” Dimsun enthused, apparently oblivious to the ice in Sarah’s voice, “You’ve become the ultimate Slayer!”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> And suddenly that was it.  Sarah laughed and the glow vanished completely.  It might have been hysterics, it might have been disbelief, but it was a laugh and she found herself smiling in spite of herself.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “You mean… I’m… Buffy?” she asked through her giggles.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “Who... who is that?” Dimsun asked, confused, but Sarah couldn’t reply, the laughter had taken her over and she staggered back to the pile of books that had been her resting place not so long ago.  “Do you know about any Buffy, Frostfire?”<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The Stoneskins’ expressions only made the whole thing seem more comic and Sarah laughed until there were tears in her eyes.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/02/episode-cvi-hard-times.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=liqb140A9dw:MRYSi8ZiQdc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=liqb140A9dw:MRYSi8ZiQdc:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=liqb140A9dw:MRYSi8ZiQdc:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=liqb140A9dw:MRYSi8ZiQdc:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=liqb140A9dw:MRYSi8ZiQdc:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=liqb140A9dw:MRYSi8ZiQdc:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=liqb140A9dw:MRYSi8ZiQdc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/liqb140A9dw" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com1http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/02/episode-cvi-hard-times.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-8279112990548025132013-02-10T07:00:00.000Z2013-02-17T08:05:05.108Z2013-02-17T08:05:05.108Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             The tunnels were, of course, not really tunnels at all - at least not in the traditional shored-up walls or extended cave stretching on into darkest eternity sense.   The tunnels of Riddlepike were, in fact, more city, carved out of the mountain peak, a labyrinth of daylight-forgotten streets and alleys with cobblestones threatening to become un-mortared at every step and, most surprisingly, a cleverly engineered system of sewer gutters, now thankfully dried-up.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Another abandoned district, then?&quot; Sarah asked Dimsun as they passed the carven facade of shops and houses, many still with glass in their windows and making it look like they&#39;d entered some sort of Georgian Petra.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Not entirely,&quot; the Stoneskin replied, &quot;there are very few completely abandoned districts in Shadow, for there are always people, creatures, things seeking somewhere to live, but Riddlepike is positively cosmopolitan compared to many of those.  You&#39;ll see soon enough.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah was prepared to be intrigued, but there was something in Dimsun&#39;s tone of voice, something darker hidden beneath the gravely surface, that made her wonder if she should be so eager to find out.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> They trekked through the tunnel-streets of Riddlepike for several hours and, from the occasional open vistas which Sarah thought must have turned the jagged peak into something resembling Swiss cheese, it was clear that the night sky had grown dark and a violet crescent moon had risen over Ashvault across the valley.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/02/episode-cv-hidden-strengths.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=D8nnuSHV4G4:95-eMq2F_og:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=D8nnuSHV4G4:95-eMq2F_og:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=D8nnuSHV4G4:95-eMq2F_og:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=D8nnuSHV4G4:95-eMq2F_og:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=D8nnuSHV4G4:95-eMq2F_og:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=D8nnuSHV4G4:95-eMq2F_og:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=D8nnuSHV4G4:95-eMq2F_og:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/D8nnuSHV4G4" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/02/episode-cv-hidden-strengths.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-11522302915831013522013-02-03T08:03:00.000Z2013-02-10T10:34:53.369Z2013-02-10T10:34:53.369Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Frostfire didn&#39;t let Sarah acclimatise to the vista for very long.  He was already marching well down the slope by the time she had managed to focus enough on the here and now to notice.  Dimsun stood nearby, eyeing first Frostfire and then Sarah rather nervously, as if he wasn&#39;t sure how much longer he should let this state of affairs continue.  Sarah saved him the effort of working it out by putting one foot in front of the other, impossible though it seemed, and descending the mountain after Frosfire.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> They were still in the midst of the city streets of Ashvault, even out here in the open and Stoneskin life and culture continued around them despite the apparent dangers of lava flow.  A few hundred metres further to Sarah&#39;s left there was a trail of lumpy black rock where a previous flow had run through the city.  The flat rooftops of a few larger buildings were still evident, poking out.  A quick glance over her shoulder revealed that the volcano was smoking gently, neither threatening destruction, nor allowing complete peace of mind.  Sarah decided that, whatever else happened, she&#39;d be happier once they left Ashvault behind.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> After about fifteen minutes they reached the densely built up area just inside the massive walls, which curved in towards the mountain, like cresting waves, as if more designed to keep molten rock in than invading enemies out.  Here the gate was sealed and even more well-guarded than had been the tunnel leading from the magma chamber.  Spiketails, Creepers, Grinders and even a Shaman or two could be seen patrolling along the top of the wall and Slatewings swooped down from the sky at intervals, making Sarah shudder at the sight of them.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Frostfire marched right up to the gate,  moving as one with absolute authority in the situation and demanded that the gate be opened.  There was some discussion of the matter, none of which was loud enough to reach Sarah&#39;s ears as she stood a little farther back with Dimsun.  Eventually there was some movement and then a group of Grinders wearing harnesses chained to a complex mechanism of gigantic stone weights, wheels and cogs.  It seemed to take a few moments before anything happened, so heavy was the gate, but as the weights lifted and the gears began to turn, the massive stone began to roll to one side.  Despite the exertions of the Grinders, it only moved few metres in total, but it was enough to let Frostfire&#39;s small party out into the open world.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br> </div><a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/02/episode-civ-ashvault-to-riddlepike.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=cGQpH85leU8:NTjF5LS-hBA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=cGQpH85leU8:NTjF5LS-hBA:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=cGQpH85leU8:NTjF5LS-hBA:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=cGQpH85leU8:NTjF5LS-hBA:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=cGQpH85leU8:NTjF5LS-hBA:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=cGQpH85leU8:NTjF5LS-hBA:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=cGQpH85leU8:NTjF5LS-hBA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/cGQpH85leU8" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com2http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/02/episode-civ-ashvault-to-riddlepike.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-41371466100367021442013-01-27T07:45:00.000Z2013-02-03T08:04:11.906Z2013-02-03T08:04:11.906Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah did not have the luxury of waking when her body wanted to and so the second time she woke up on the stone table in Shadowsmoke&#39;s unusual hospital it was to the sight of the creature she had known as Dim-Sum leaning over her, his cold, hard talons clutching her upper arms.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;There, she&#39;s coming round,&quot; Dim-Sum said to someone off to Sarah&#39;s left and she was unsurprised when she tilted her head to see that Frostfire was leaning against a far wall with an air of bored nonchalance.  It was a sharp contrast to the pounding excitement of her own heart at so rude an awakening.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Get to your feet,&quot; Frostfire said in a voice which, for all its gravelly harshness, was barely above a whisper, &quot;you&#39;ve rested long enough and we have a long journey ahead of us.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Where are we going?&quot; Sarah asked defensively as Dim-Sum stepped away and she swung her legs round to drop off the stone table.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Elsewhere,&quot; Frostfire replied, before turning away and disappearing out the curtained doorway.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;He&#39;s always like that,&quot; Dim-Sum said gruffly after a moment or two of silence.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Can you tell me where we&#39;re going?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Would it mean anything to you if I did?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Probably not and yet it might be some comfort to know what is happening to me when everything else around me is so strange and new and...&quot; she decided not to add terrifying.  Shadowsmoke seemed to have proven that these Stoneskins could be friendly, but she was unsure whether Frostfire was working for her or against her.  She feared that he wanted to use her for revenge against Ellis, for some reason, although the full details of what had transpired in the Silverspire were unknown to her.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Well,&quot; Dim-Sum said, his orange-red eyes seeming to cool a little in thought, &quot;we&#39;ll be leaving Ashvault and then travelling into Riddlepike and the other ruined mountain districts that neighbour our own.  From there we head North towards Blizzardale and after that-&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Dimsun!&quot; Frostfire cut in, his head poking through the curtain in such a way that Sarah was surprised his eyes didn&#39;t set it on fire, &quot;Stop talking to the prisoner and get her out here.  I want to be in Riddlepike before nightfall!&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Yes, Frostfire.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/01/episode-ciii-fresh-air.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=sQFX5mwPtYw:WQVK5nDU_oo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=sQFX5mwPtYw:WQVK5nDU_oo:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=sQFX5mwPtYw:WQVK5nDU_oo:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=sQFX5mwPtYw:WQVK5nDU_oo:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=sQFX5mwPtYw:WQVK5nDU_oo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=sQFX5mwPtYw:WQVK5nDU_oo:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=sQFX5mwPtYw:WQVK5nDU_oo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/sQFX5mwPtYw" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/01/episode-ciii-fresh-air.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-65553038772386775252013-01-20T08:08:00.002Z2013-01-27T07:46:30.455Z2013-01-27T07:46:30.455Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             &quot;...&#39;ll have run out of black sand before this is done.  Her wounds are healing, Frostfire, are you sure you want to take this further?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Yes.  Do what must be done.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Very well.  Hand me that flint knife – no, the other one - it has to be sharper than moonlight or the incision won&#39;t be clean enough.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;She&#39;s twitching.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;That&#39;s because she&#39;s coming round.  Turn that dial up a little and she&#39;ll soon begin to drop off.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Is that high enough?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;It should be.  We&#39;ll give her a moment before I make the cut.  Is the sand prepared, Dimsun?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Here.  I could only find three Sixwing feathers.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;They&#39;ll have to do.  Ah, there we are, she&#39;s starting to sink back into obliv...&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah woke up with a start, surprised to find herself sitting upright on a stone table in the middle of a room which looked like a strange mixture of laboratory and primitive temple.  Thick glass phials of coloured liquids and jars of various powders and compounds seemed to cover every surface, alongside assorted stone blades and other, more obscure implements.  Hanging from the rough-hewn walls, however, were any number of primitive tapestries and leather thongs strung with bones, teeth and feathers.  One of them held a rusted cog like some kind of talisman.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah blinked and then the memory of the conversation she had overhead hit her and, in a panic, she began searching her body - wrapped only in a rough linen cloth - for any signs of cuts or other damage.  There was none: no sign of her injuries from before, nor of anything else.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <i>A dream?<o:p></o:p></i></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/01/episode-cii-master-of-black-sands.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=ol9Jf2Drbm8:MDhEtyHvWHs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=ol9Jf2Drbm8:MDhEtyHvWHs:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=ol9Jf2Drbm8:MDhEtyHvWHs:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=ol9Jf2Drbm8:MDhEtyHvWHs:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=ol9Jf2Drbm8:MDhEtyHvWHs:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=ol9Jf2Drbm8:MDhEtyHvWHs:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=ol9Jf2Drbm8:MDhEtyHvWHs:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/ol9Jf2Drbm8" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/01/episode-cii-master-of-black-sands.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-10142496013870565352013-01-13T08:17:00.000Z2013-01-20T08:10:29.357Z2013-01-20T08:10:29.357Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             Sarah looked up at the tall and terrible creature which had addressed her, the cold fire of its eyes matching its name, and didn&#39;t know how to respond.  Instead she just stared and waited for whatever came next.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The creature called Frostfire returned her gaze, or at least, she thought it did.  It was hard to tell when its eyes had no obvious pupil, but there was a deeper intensity to the flames within which seemed focussed upon her.  Eventually it let out a growl and turned to look at its companion.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;What is this, Dimsun?  Is she mute?  Has she lost her wits?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;I imagine she&#39;s scared,&quot; the other creature replied, &quot;and she is also injured. Humans are fragile creatures, Frostfire, you know this.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Then we should take her to a Shaman at once.  I have no time to deal with her frailty.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Frostfire turned to look at her once more, cocking its head - no, his, she thought there was something masculine about this creature - and speaking to her in a softer, but still harsh and gravelly voice.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;What is your name, human?&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Sarah,&quot; she replied without hesitation.  If these creatures thought her weak she would do her best to prove them otherwise, whatever they did to her.  It was better to be out of the cell and fighting than it was to just sit around waiting.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Good.  Well, Sarah, we&#39;re going to take you to a Shaman who can heal your wounds and then you and I will have a little talk about your friend Ellis.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;If you say so.&quot;<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The creature&#39;s eyes burned indignant at her tone, but rather than say anything in reply, Frostfire turned to his companion - Dim-Sum, Sarah thought she had heard him called.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Fetch some manacles.  She will try to run despite her injuries.&quot;</div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/01/episode-ci-ashvault.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=MKvLFFpg3ms:caskCl6Kb84:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=MKvLFFpg3ms:caskCl6Kb84:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=MKvLFFpg3ms:caskCl6Kb84:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=MKvLFFpg3ms:caskCl6Kb84:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=MKvLFFpg3ms:caskCl6Kb84:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=MKvLFFpg3ms:caskCl6Kb84:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=MKvLFFpg3ms:caskCl6Kb84:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/MKvLFFpg3ms" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com1http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/01/episode-ci-ashvault.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-15874252406614803192013-01-06T09:31:00.001Z2013-01-13T08:18:12.151Z2013-01-13T08:18:12.151Z<br> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah couldn&#39;t breathe.  As she fell through the wormhole trapped in the monster&#39;s embrace, it seemed that no matter how hard she tried, she could find no air to inhale.  There was no air, only blue-green fire and rippling walls that reflected their descent like an organic hall of mirrors, over and over, world without end.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> She gasped for breath that would not come, flailing about in the clutches of her monstrous captor, eyes darting wildly from one nightmare to the other - the great stony wings, the cruel beak and blazing eyes, the shimmering walls and burning air - all hope dying as she knew she must be.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <i>I cannot take much more.<o:p></o:p></i></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> And then, as abruptly as it had begun, the burning, the reflections, the seemingly endless fall, simply stopped.  Real air surrounded her, she felt its cooling pressure against her skin, felt it flood her lungs until she was nearly intoxicated by it and then she felt a series of pains, sharp and dull, as first she hit against something hard and unyielding and then the monster crushed against her with the same force.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> She screamed, her pitch wavering with the intensity of the pain, and then she blacked out.<o:p></o:p></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/01/episode-c-stoneskin-stoneheart.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=yucxmzprnno:vdhT30WX7-4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=yucxmzprnno:vdhT30WX7-4:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=yucxmzprnno:vdhT30WX7-4:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=yucxmzprnno:vdhT30WX7-4:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=yucxmzprnno:vdhT30WX7-4:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=yucxmzprnno:vdhT30WX7-4:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=yucxmzprnno:vdhT30WX7-4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/yucxmzprnno" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com3http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2013/01/episode-c-stoneskin-stoneheart.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-80886985203034748602012-12-30T16:32:00.000Z2013-01-06T09:33:17.706Z2013-01-06T09:33:17.706Z<br> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Jen’s friend Maria had a small office in the most run-down building the University of Derby had at its disposal and she seemed to share it without at least three other PhD students, so Sarah was unsurprised when, after they had been introduced, she suggested they head to the nearest café.</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “You have no idea how exciting this is to me,” Maria said in her thick Polish accent once they had sat down with their lattes, “my research deals with the multiverse theory and , theoretical though my work usually is, I’ve been working with a few of the more practical quantum physicists here to attempt a sort of practical demonstration of my ideas.  I believe that not only are there other universes out there, but that it is possible to pass from one to another, so your situation with your boyfriend-”</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “Ex.”</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “Sorry.  Well his situation and the thing with these monsters-”</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “You believe that?”</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “Jen may be a crazy God-squadder, but I trust her.  If she says she’s seen monsters and gives me exotic matter as proof – I’ve had it tested you know, it’s completely alien – then I’m going to believe her.”</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “Oh, so you’re not church-goer yourself, then?”</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “Only for Christmas and family things.  When I left Poland that was one of the things I was trying to escape.  Jen’s alright though, even if she does keep trying to drag me to church stuff.”</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> “Not all my friends are Christian, Sarah,” Jen added with a smile.</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2012/12/episode-xcix-advent-horizon-part-iii.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=Ns3XF2tYuYs:GjWWIrI2yC0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=Ns3XF2tYuYs:GjWWIrI2yC0:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=Ns3XF2tYuYs:GjWWIrI2yC0:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=Ns3XF2tYuYs:GjWWIrI2yC0:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=Ns3XF2tYuYs:GjWWIrI2yC0:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=Ns3XF2tYuYs:GjWWIrI2yC0:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=Ns3XF2tYuYs:GjWWIrI2yC0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/Ns3XF2tYuYs" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com2http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2012/12/episode-xcix-advent-horizon-part-iii.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-15908182677720286402012-12-25T08:42:00.003Z2012-12-30T16:34:06.535Z2012-12-30T16:34:06.535Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             Sarah had agreed to meet Thomas back at St. Stephens the next day.  There was some kind of lunch for the elderly going on and he knew that Jen would be helping to serve.  She would know what to do, he had told her, everything would be okay.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah wasn&#39;t really sure what to make of that.  She didn&#39;t see how anything could be okay.  There was still another monster out there somewhere and she couldn&#39;t guarantee that the next time it appeared she&#39;d have a strong man with a sharpened piece of plumbing to help her.  As much as she liked Thomas - she was still confused on that point after he had backed out of their kiss, even if they had walked back to her house hand in hand - she didn&#39;t want to have to rely on him to defend herself.  It was the Twenty-first Century, after all.  A woman ought to be able to look after herself, even from monsters.  So, after telling her mother that she was going to try and do some of that Christmas shopping on her own today (and making it clear that her mother would not be welcome) she slipped into the kitchen, put a large cook&#39;s knife in her handbag and then hurried out into the cold.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The snow had fallen steadily all of the previous afternoon, evening and on into the night, so the world was the brightest, purest white it could be and the thick drifts at the edges of the pavement came up to just below Sarah&#39;s knee.  Fortunately the gritters had been out and people had been diligently clearing snow from their driveways, so there was a reasonably clear path to follow up the hill, with surprisingly little ice.  Children who had probably got the day off school because of the weather could be seen running around, throwing snow balls at each other and rolling larger ones to make snowmen.  Sarah passed a particularly fine specimen halfway up the hill, wearing an impossibly long scarf of rust red, gold and purple, with a fez perched upon its unblemished head.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> The churchyard at St. Stephens was particularly picturesque and Sarah paused for a moment to admire the sight of the snow drifts piled up against the gravestones and highlighting the branches of the yew trees.  She lingered just a little longer than she needed to, however, staring at the door into the church and wondering if she should really go in.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <i>What if I don&#39;t?</i> She wondered.  <i>What if I forget all about this?</i></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2012/12/episode-xcviii-advent-horizon-part-ii.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=3pIw7mJYBZI:YkdzCNG3r48:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=3pIw7mJYBZI:YkdzCNG3r48:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=3pIw7mJYBZI:YkdzCNG3r48:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=3pIw7mJYBZI:YkdzCNG3r48:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=3pIw7mJYBZI:YkdzCNG3r48:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=3pIw7mJYBZI:YkdzCNG3r48:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=3pIw7mJYBZI:YkdzCNG3r48:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/3pIw7mJYBZI" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com1http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2012/12/episode-xcviii-advent-horizon-part-ii.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-64482159284236828442012-12-23T09:33:00.000Z2012-12-23T09:33:05.837Z2012-12-23T09:33:05.837Z<br> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Sarah was in love.</div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> It was an accident, really.  She hadn&#39;t meant to be.  It wasn&#39;t all part of some clever plan to leave the dark shadow that was Ellis&#39; disappearance behind her and get on with her life, quite the opposite, in fact.</div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> It had happened slowly at first.  She had returned to St. Stephen&#39;s the next day, just like Jen had suggested and she had explained to the small group of churchgoers there - including scientist Jen and old Rupert and handsome Thomas - all she knew about Ellis&#39; disappearance and the creatures which had appeared in the churchyard the night before.  They had prayed, just as Jen had said they would and though it was all fairly meaningless to Sarah she was touched that they seemed to care so much for her situation.  None of those who were there the night before were judging her and of the new people only one seemed really sceptical.  They obviously trusted their fellow believers.  <i>Besides</i>, she had thought, <i>they believe in a giant sky god ruling over everything, winged monsters must be a pretty small leap from there</i>. </div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Nothing very much was determined as a result, other than that the situation seemed very serious, a great deal more prayer would be a good idea and that Sarah should stay in touch.  Thomas walked her home that night and, with the dark all around her and the threat of monsters in the air, she was very glad of it.</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> Their conversation didn&#39;t amount to much.  Thomas&#39; stammer seemed to have gotten worse and Sarah wasn&#39;t entirely sure what to say.  She&#39;d considered talking about Christianity, but didn&#39;t want any of the potential conflict that might erupt.  She found that, apart from finding him attractive, she actually liked Thomas and she liked Jen and she even liked Rupert, despite his moments of irascibility.  She wasn&#39;t sure of what her mother would think of such an observation, but she couldn&#39;t deny the truth of it.  Whatever they believed, whether they were right or wrong, these were ordinary people and they were being decent to her in a way that many ordinary people would not.</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2012/12/episode-xcvii-advent-horizon-part-i.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=JKCABQbS70s:13g5OSBUTYw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=JKCABQbS70s:13g5OSBUTYw:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=JKCABQbS70s:13g5OSBUTYw:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=JKCABQbS70s:13g5OSBUTYw:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=JKCABQbS70s:13g5OSBUTYw:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=JKCABQbS70s:13g5OSBUTYw:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=JKCABQbS70s:13g5OSBUTYw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/JKCABQbS70s" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2012/12/episode-xcvii-advent-horizon-part-i.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-23294929888923511472012-12-16T16:46:00.000Z2012-12-23T09:35:35.975Z2012-12-23T09:35:35.975Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             The streets of Upper Shadedstreams were so different from their lower counterparts as to be hard to believe they were really part of the same district.  Long sunlit avenues fringed with lush courtyard gardens ran the length of the arch and every building was grand, made of whitewashed stone, or marble, or gold.  It was similar to the Hill of the Kahn in Searingsands, only more exclusive, more perfectly constructed and, eerily, more quiet.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> As Nadiyya led the way along the smaller side-streets, crossing the avenues only when they had to, Ellis couldn&#39;t help but notice how few people there were.  The area on top of the arch was certainly smaller than that underneath it and given the nature of the houses it was always going to be more sparsely populated, but even so, it was like a small walled city unto itself and yet they barely saw more than two people on any given street and those they did see seemed to be hurrying from one place to another, avoiding eye contact and making as few sounds as possible.  Even the birds in the gardens seemed muted somehow, hopping from branches and onto arabesque walls with barely a chirp as if there were something in the very air which made them want to keep silent.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> In truth, Ellis could feel it too, some oppressive atmosphere that lent a darker edge to the bright buildings and blinding sunlight, a sinister presence that only seemed to grow stronger as they made their way ever closer to the Khalif&#39;s palace.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"> &quot;Is anyone sensing a Reek of Wrongness here?&quot; he asked at one point, trying to break the tension, but everyone else just glared at him, as if by making noise he had broken some strange, unwritten rule; except it felt like it had been written, on the walls, in the sky, in their minds, and it couldn&#39;t be erased so easily.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2012/12/episode-xcvi-another-fine-apocalypse.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=F6p3e9rhisA:wx29bph4k6E:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=F6p3e9rhisA:wx29bph4k6E:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=F6p3e9rhisA:wx29bph4k6E:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=F6p3e9rhisA:wx29bph4k6E:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=F6p3e9rhisA:wx29bph4k6E:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=F6p3e9rhisA:wx29bph4k6E:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=F6p3e9rhisA:wx29bph4k6E:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/F6p3e9rhisA" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com1http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2012/12/episode-xcvi-another-fine-apocalypse.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607893274808105146.post-49222931216834757842012-12-09T16:44:00.000Z2012-12-16T16:46:50.748Z2012-12-16T16:46:50.748Z<br> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             The sun was beating down on the gathering fragments of what had once been Valter Kerring’s Cricus of Delights at the foot of the great arch of Shadedstreams.  It lit the great windows and gilded domes of mansions and palaces far above, so far they seemed to twinkle like stars and Ellis wondered how on earth they would reach them, when the arch itself seemed so impossibly vast and steep.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">             The Former Baron was leading him around the base, chatting away as he did so, sounding excited even for him.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"> &quot;Yes, this truly is a most ingenious method of ascent, quite remarkable, and I have to confess that I would never have thought of it myself, no, not even I! I am entirely indebted to the hard work and genius of another and on this occasion I do not mind who hears it.  I shall shout it from the rooftops - once we reach them - and declare to the whole world their greatness.&quot;</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"> &quot;Who?&quot;</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"> &quot;Oh, no, no, no.  You aren&#39;t going to get me to spill the beans just like this.  A revelation of this magnitude requires time, patience, ample build up, the right ambience, the right moment.  I can&#39;t just go blurting out Rockspark&#39;s name as if it were of no consequence, it would entirely ruin the-&quot;</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"> &quot;Rockspark?&quot; Ellis came to a halt as he said, his jaw dropping for just a second before he remembered himself and closed his mouth.  &quot;Rockspark is here?  How did he get in touch with you?  How did you know?  What has he been doing for the past two months?&quot;</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"> &quot;Alright, alright,&quot; the Former Baron replied testily, clearly vexed at his own blunder, &quot;if we have to have the moment spoiled, at least do me the courtesy of asking one question at a time.  Better still, ask the man...er, Lithoderm, directly!&quot;</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <a href="http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2012/12/episode-xcv-sings-and-down-and-outs.html#more">Read on...</a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=kkFso18X2cg:tBcnAZi2oJE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=kkFso18X2cg:tBcnAZi2oJE:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=kkFso18X2cg:tBcnAZi2oJE:-BTjWOF_DHI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=kkFso18X2cg:tBcnAZi2oJE:-BTjWOF_DHI" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=kkFso18X2cg:tBcnAZi2oJE:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?i=kkFso18X2cg:tBcnAZi2oJE:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?a=kkFso18X2cg:tBcnAZi2oJE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Shadow-AnEpisodicNovel/~4/kkFso18X2cg" height="1" width="1"/>Chris Georgehttps://plus.google.com/102941840887431622840noreply@blogger.com0http://shadowsodes.blogspot.com/2012/12/episode-xcv-sings-and-down-and-outs.html