The White Queen

My Most Popular Article and How to Shake an Bake an Entire Chicken

2010-02-20T01:49:00.000-08:00

Is the one about Spicy Chicken Tomato Soup. It's brought in solid, consistent traffic. It's a little funky cause I started this to disperse my fantasy novel. The fact that a soup recipe is more popular is very interesting. I honestly don't know what to think. Oh wait yes, I do:

It's totally awesome.

Keep on makin the soup. It's delicious.

I also can't recommend shake n' baking a whole chicken enough. It delicious, requires two packets of shake and bake stuff, and one big bag. Here's how you do it

Empty both packets into large bag
Put your chicken in the bag
Shake extremely well
Gently lift from bag and put in large casserole dish
Place in oven at 350 for about 2 hours or until wonderful

Cook it slow ftw

If you wanna rock this up even more, get a thing of stove pot stuffing. After the chicken has been in for an hour, take it out, surround it with stuffing and add the required amount of water for the stuffing.

Then put it back in for an hour and viola! Stuffing too.

Mash some potatoes and you've got all the fun of thanksgiving - with 1/23 of the work.

Arcanus Valiant: Serious Linkage

2009-12-07T00:44:00.000-08:00

I: The Rise and Fall of the Gorgon Prince
II: The Synthrax Imperative
III: The Tomb of Tendranoth
IV: The Smallest of Rooms - New

Arcanus Valiant is a series of Modern Fantasy/Epic short stories staring a man who is anything but. Join our hero as he fights the good fight for an otherwise oblivious world.

Arcanus Valiant IV: The Smallest of Rooms

2009-12-07T00:07:00.000-08:00

Day 4

Arcanus Valiant woke up in drug-induced haze. He was feeling good. He looked to his left to see an IV coming from his arm and a series of bandages and casts holding him together. A hospital gown had replaced his clothes. He hoped it wasn't too revealing, but he couldn't roll over to check.

"Well this is just great,” He tried so swivel around and stand up. He could not swivel or stand. He sighed in defeat and then drifted out of consciousness.

Day 7

Valiant once again came to and found that he felt worse than before. Perhaps he was gaining a resistance to the painkillers and sedatives.

He wiggled his toes and clenched his fingers. It really hurt to move his right hand.

"Stupid werewolf," He muttered.

"That's what we're afraid of," A canned voice came from above. "You had deadly contact with one of them."

"It wasn't a werewolf," he said. "I shot it with a silver bullet and it didn't even flinch."

"Interesting yet irrelevant," The voice replied. "We'll need to keep you here until the next lunar cycle completes."

"When was the last full moon?"

"About a day before you went on your mission,"

"So you mean,"

"Yes you'll be in quarantine for the next while. You've already slept off the first week though."

"A week,” Arcanus paused for a moment. "Has anyone fed my cat?"

"You have a cat?"

Day 8

Arcanus' body still refused to really do anything. He also suspected that they turned all his sedatives and painkillers off.

Today, Valiant was frighteningly aware of how much he was messed up. His collarbone and upper arm were broken and whatever muscles would have held them together were had been nigh shredded. His left ankle had suffered a small fracture. It wasn’t the first time he’d broken a bone; it wouldn’t be the last.

Every now and then, he’d whimper and then go back to staring at the roof. Why didn’t these rooms have televisions?

Day 9

Halfway through the day some one dropped off a book for Valiant. He didn’t know whom; he was extremely grateful. Next, he went about the business of discovering how hard it is to read a book with only one functioning arm. He also tried sitting up, that didn’t pan out either. And so the secrets within of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” became aware to him one, awkwardly turned, page at a time.

“I wish they had gotten me a book I hadn’t read before,” he mumbled between a particularly difficult flip. He secretly wished Harry would get his ass in gear and deal with He-who-should-not-be-named sooner and not wait until the end of the school year.

Day 10

After having wrapped up the Chamber of the Secrets, Valiant triumphantly sat up and felt a little dizzy. He asked for a sandwich. Later on, he ate one. Solid food never tasted so good.

Day 11

Valiant woke up in a cold sweat after having a particularly startling dream about being torn to bits by a werewolf. In the end it turned out, he was the werewolf tearing apart himself. He discussed this at length with the doctor who came to peer at him through the glass. He explained to the doctor that the dream was no doubt symbolic of the fact that he was slowly turning into a werewolf and the beast was destroying his real self.

He explained it several times, but each time the doctor merely replied that it was probably just stress.

“You were almost killed Valiant,” He said as he wrote stuff on his clipboard. “Most people get dreams about events that happen to them. It can be especially vivid if that event was a big deal. You almost died, so you can see where that’s coming from.”

“But it was a powerful werewolf”

“Just because you fight monsters for living, doesn’t mean you’re any different from anybody else.”

“But!”

“I’m going to get some subway?” The doctor cut him off. “Want something?”

“Sure,”

Approximately an hour later, Valiant had consumed another sandwich. He particularly enjoyed the tender beef.

Day 15

Halfway through his term, Valiant felt better and was starting to get the hang of quarantine. He’d get up, read a little potter, have some breakfast, eat a sandwich around noon and then go back to sleep.

Valiant found himself with the awe-inspiring ability to shuffle around his little room. He’d go up to the glass, have a look in the hallway, shimmy back to his bed and take a breather. Sometimes he did this several times in a given hour. He was careful to ensure no one was looking. He couldn’t have people thinking he was going crazy.

A few days back, he had asked for a pen and some paper and he started writing stuff down. Whatever came to his head, he wrote it on paper for kicks. Really there wasn’t that much else to do. He also asked for a TV; they said they couldn’t hook one up – the rooms were pretty much sealed in.

Day 17

Valiant made a list of the things he would do once he got out of here. He hadn’t written much, but “Eat a Banana Split” was enough for now.

Day 20

Valiant asked the doctor why nobody had visited him. The doctor said that nobody was allowed. Valiant asked why.

“If you are a werewolf, we may have to put you down,” The Doctor replied with a sigh. “Turns out wolfsbane, is a real plant, but not a real cure. We really don’t know what we’d do if you were one. They guys upstairs want to keep all our options open. It’s easier on everyone that way.”

Valiant was silent for a long time. As the doctor was about to leave Valiant said, “Can I at least have a new book? I’ve read this one so much; it’s more like ‘Harry Potter and the Missed Clues’ now.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” the doctor replied.

Day 21

The doctor came back and passed Dune through the slots.

“Thanks” Valiant said,”Hey why are you the only doctor who comes down here.”

“I’m actually just an intern,” He replied.

“Seriously,”

“Well yeah, the doctors kept you alive initially, and now that you’re stable, set and healing. They’d like to keep their distance,”

“Mmmmh,” Valiant muttered, “This isn’t the most caring organization.”

Day 25

Valiant had gotten to the point where he would read one sentence from Dune and the next from potter and vice versa. He went on and on like this for quite some time. It wasn’t bad. It lacked some coherency, but it made up for that with deep artistic insights only Valiant could see. Harry’s journey to wizardry was not unlike Paul Atredies’ rise to power –except it was different.

Day 27

“Full moon tomorrow night,” the intern woke him up. “Feeling any different”

“Not really, maybe I hurt less,” Valiant replied, “I can use my arm a bit more!” Valiant feebly waved and then quickly stopped. “That hurt a lot more than you’d think.”

“Ok,” The intern replied. “So no major changes.”

“I’ve done some one handed pushups,” Valiant replied. “They hurt, but I guess I got to work on my good side. I’m pretty out of shape I think.”

Day 28

The full moon came out, apparently, and midnight was rolling near. A whole team of scientists watched Valiant now. Some stood in front of the glass while other, more sane ones, assured Valiant that they currently viewed him through some monitors.

This was the big night. Valiant wondered what would happen. He so badly wanted to get back home. ‘Harry Potter and the Dune’ had lost all appeal now.

Valiant was feeling better. Probably the best yet, but he hadn’t been hurt this badly since the incident, and couldn’t really gauge if he was healing any faster or slower than normal. He could move his arm a fair bit now. It wasn’t very strong, but what could you do. His leg was much better - almost as good as new.

“How’re you feeling?” one of the men asked for like the millions time.

“Fine,” Valiant replied. He walked over to his chair, sighed and looked at it. “Normal, everything’s ok – just peachy; wouldn’t mind a peach.”

Valiant put his hand on the top of the chair and turned it around so it wasn’t facing him. He gave it a good squeeze with his top hand and threw it at the window. In a shattering cacophony, glass rained down on both sides of the windows. The scientists, already on edge had jumped out of the way.

Valiant confidently strode to the window and hopped through. He tore a lab coat off one the scientist and covered himself up a bit better. It made him feel less… vulnerable. The excitement got his heart pumping and he felt a whole lot better now. He walked down the hallway. An alarm sounded, some one yelled at him not to go. He didn’t care.

He kicked open the door to the stairwell, walked to the first floor and kicked open that door too. He was doing pretty good.

He stood in the organizations front lobby and saw guards arranging themselves on either side. He kept on walking.

“Valiant,” Someone called out behind him.

“You can’t break quarantine! We don’t know what you are. You’re a danger to everyone”

He kept on walking and the automatic doors slowly slid open – letting the rain it. “I’m Arcanus Valiant. I’m a danger to myself.”

He strode out onto the sidewalk. Now he felt much better. He hoped it was fresh air and not the moonlight. He took several steps and hailed a cab. He stepped inside and gave the driver directions home.

Day 29 00:12

Valiant walked up to his apartment door only to realize he didn’t have a key, but oddly enough, his door opened for him. Standing in the doorway was a person he hadn’t seen in too long.

“I fed your cat,” she said.

“Thank you Marian,” Valiant replied softly.

“They called me when you broke out,” She said, “I figured you’d come here.”

Valiant hugged her.

“Thank you so much,” He said again, “I gotta get my wallet and pay the cab driver.” He felt her nod. “After that, do you wanna order some pizza?”

"ok"

Valiant Index

Arcanus Valiant III: Arcanus Valiant and the Tomb of Tandrenoth.

2009-11-18T23:18:00.000-08:00

~This one is shorter! Enjoy

Several days ago, construction began on an otherwise unremarkable subway tunnel. Soon after that, they dug a little too deep and unearthed something, which killed almost the entire crew and left the survivors without the ability to talk sense. It was for this reason Arcanus Valiant strolled down that very same tunnel. There was very little knowledge on what could be down here, so Valiant had taken no chances.

Most things that people unearthed were immortal and most of those things didn't appreciate silver; he had a clip of silver bullets in Irony. Some also didn't like garlic, so he had eaten a couple cloves on the way down. He felt as prepared as he could be under the circumstances.

Using his flashlight, he found a switch and turned on the lights. One by one, rows of them lit up the tunnel in progress and revealed the carnage which had ensued. Bodies lay dismembered all throughout. Materials and tools were scattered everywhere. Something bad had happened to these people. Whatever did this wasn't friendly.

He stepped forward slowly - all too aware of the gravel crunching beneath his feet. In this den of silence, he heard nothing else. He continued step by step. The bodies kept going. A lot of people had died here. Too many.

Looking into the distance he made out a figure crouched over another body. His keen ears detected the sounds of crunching bones and tearing flesh. He pulled out Irony and checked to ensure it had the silver bullets loaded. He cocked the barrel, and took aim.

It must’ve heard him and the figure turned its head to reveal a distinctly lupine visage. It growled menacingly as blood ran out of its canine jaws.

Valiant breathed out slowly and squeezed the trigger. The roar of a well-maintained desert eagle filled the tunnel and the creature was hit dead center. A streak of dark arterial blood shot out its other side and painted a long crimson line on the tunnel floor. The force knocked the creature over. It shook violently for a moment and then stopped.

Valiant holstered Irony and muttered, "Werewolves," to himself. "Funny, it's daytime."

He walked down to inspect the corpse. Soon, he was about 10 feet away. It stood up.

"Not a werewolf?" Valiant muttered. The creature stood about 8 feet tall. It was heavily built and covered in fur, had gruesome looking clawed hands and a face only a wolf's mother could love. It didn't require a stretch of imagination to see how it tore the entire work crew into gibbons, but at the same time, for all intents and purposes, it should have been a werewolf. It should have died already.

Arcanus drew Irony again. The beast was already upon him. He fired one shot, which tore through its chest, and then they collided. Arcanus was down with the beast on top of him. He tried to push it off, but it was just too strong. It bit into his shoulder and he felt something break. With his other arm, he drew his combat knife and stabbed it into the beast’s side.

The surprise gave him the leverage he needed to roll out from under it. His right arm dangled more or less ineffectively.

"Woot," he said as he tore his shotgun off his back with his left. "Not like I needed that half of my collarbone or anything."

The beast flew at him again. The time he gave it both barrels and its momentum was stolen by the force if the blow. It slowed down this gave Valiant the time required to get the hell out of its way.

Arcanus threw the shotgun at it and drew his Katana. He thought back to one of his encounters with Destin Herod.

"Is that sword actually useful?" Herod arrogantly asked. "We have guns. Swords are outdated by like five hundred years."

“This baby has saved my life countless times over,” Valiant replied.

“I doubt it”

Today he would prove Herod wrong. He held it in his left hand like a great samurai, and he silently wished that he were one.

The beast lunged with awesome power and agility. Valiant swung hard with all the might he could muster. He cut in almost dead center and then he could move the sword any further. The beast, now impaled, stood just out of its reach. It howled and Valiant knew fear.

Slowly it stepped forward driving the sword deeper through it, but also bringing itself closer to Valiant.

"Shit," Valiant said in a manner of fact fashion. He looked around for something to help him out. He saw nothing.

He did the only think he could think of. He let go of the sword and tried to kick it. The sword slid want deeper into the beast – up to its hilt – and the beast stumbled back a fraction of a step. Arcanus drew Irony again and fired. This time he aimed for the handle of his Katana.

It connected and the beast stumbled back. He fired again, but faster than you can say ricochet, something hit his left ankle and he too stumbled backwards. His right shoulder hurt like hell. Teary eyed, bleeding and broken he took aim for the beast's head and squeezed the trigger. The force of the shot pushed Valiant to his knees.

He bit his lip. The loss of blood was becoming too much for him. He forced his eyes to stay open.

He had shot the beasts face. A hunk of broken flesh and bones hung from what was once its lower jaw. The shot must have been somewhat glancing, for the beast was still alive and regaining its composure.

"This is just ridiculous," Valiant muttered.

Valiant heard what may been muffled words coming from it. He took aim again with one shaking hand and squeezed the trigger – of the gun named Irony. His vision lost all color he saw the beasts head rip back with a terrible force. Valiant fell over and everything went black.

The sound of hooves thundered in the distance.

Valiant Index

Arcanus Valiant II: The Sinthrax Imperative

2009-11-04T18:35:00.000-08:00

Arcanus Valiant rode along in the back of a taxicab slightly discontent. The loss of his mustang had left him without sufficient transportation and as a result, he had set off on the only mission promising to also pay full cab fair there and back. It was this way because no one else wanted to do it.

The cab driver asked him what he carried in his two oversized briefcases.

"One is a gun, the other is a bomb," Valiant replied half-heartedly.

"Oh a wise guy," the Driver remarked.

A few minutes later, he pulled up to the Stenson Co office building. Well it wasn't all Stenson, just the top four floors. Regardless the entire building had been closed down and missing persons, reports had been filed for a significant number of employees.

"You shouldn’t go in there," the cabby said. “They have some sort of infestation."

"Yeah they do," Valiant replied as he cracked open his briefcase and pulled out his double-barreled shotgun. "I'm the exterminator."

He kicked open the building’s front door. Or at least he tried to. It didn't budge. He sighed, pulled a keycard out of his leather jacket, and swiped it in the nearest reader. The doors unlocked in a unified clunk. Valiant opened one and stepped in.

The lobby was a beautiful construct of marble and glass. In the middle was a large fountain, which glowed in an optimistic light. He had seen such a fountain before, but that had been a past life. His hand drifted over its edge as he walked towards the elevator. It had been a long time indeed. He pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind and pressed 'up'.

The door opened almost instantly and he stepped inside. His ears were greeted with the grim music that can only be found in elevators. As he heard the last gasps of so many musicians’ careers, he could not help but reflect on his own life.

"You know we have pump action and semi automatic shotguns," Destin Herod - one of his fellow agents - had once said, "Then you don't have to reload every two shots."

"But then how would you give them both barrels?"

"You don't have to. You can give them one barrel over and over again."

Herod was an idiot.

Valiant pressed '52' - The top floor. He checked to see if everything was in order. His katana was at his side. Irony and Suffering - his twin desert eagles - were loaded and ready. His cell phone had no bars.

"Elevators," he mumbled.

Soon the elevator stopped and the inner doors opened, but the outer doors refused to.

Valiant pressed the button for the previous floor and he got off there. Whatever it was , was no doubt above him and had power over doors.

He started towards the stairwell. Soon he realized he didn't know where the stairs were. He dialed Marian.

"You can't find the stairs?" She laughed for a good solid minute. "They're actually right beside the elevator."

"What would I do without you?"

"Not much,"

Valiant hung up the phone and started up the stairwell. He stepped out on the top floor and saw a spider as big as a watermelon.

He called Marian again.

"What do you have on big spider?"

"How big? Tell me in fruit."

"Watermelon."

"Watermelon? Sounds like a monkey spider. Watch out they're poisonous, or maybe not. What animal named spiders are poisonous again? Wolf spider, bear spider, geurilla spider? Wait! They're is no such thing as a guerilla spider, or is there. Google here I come!"

Valiant had tuned her out long ago and slowly walked past the watermelon sized arachnid. He put his shotgun on his back and opened up his other suitcase. He started arming it - just in case. It was an incendiary charge designed to clean out approximately one floor of office building and leave most everything intact. They were very useful in these situations. He gave it a ten-minute timer.

"Nope no guerilla spider. I don't think there is a bear spider either. My brother used to have a tarantula. It would shed its skin and he'd hide it in my room. Now where were we?"

Valiant opened up the door to the 52nd floor mini lobby and found exactly what he didn't want to see. Eight cocooned figures hung from the sealing. One of them was wiggling a little. Valiant pulled out his katana, gave it a look, and switched it for a much smaller combat knife.

He walked up to the cocoon and started cutting it open.

"Hello?" An upside down face said to him. It was a girl’s voice.

"Hi I'm hear to save you,"

"Did you kill her?"

"Kill who?"

Valiant heard the clickity-clack of great pincers come up behind him. He slowly turned around.

"Who disturbs the Sinthrax," It bellowed in an also feminine yet substantially more terrifying voice.

Valiant turned to see a gigantic creature. Its lower half was of a great spider. It had to have been at least ten feet across and five feet tall. Its upper half was the top half of a woman with large scythe like pincers replacing its upper arms and hands.

Oddly, its face was stunningly beautiful, but more than that her hair was red and flowed like a continual flame. It glistened with life, glimmered excitement, and radiated the sensation of a spring breeze on a summer’s day laced with the colors of fall and the tranquility of winter. Each miniscule movement had within it such joy and adulation. Cynthia had red hair like that, before the incident.

Nevertheless, Valiant knew he couldn’t fixate on her breath taking hair. He had a job to do.

"Stand down," Valiant said. "Maybe we can reach an agreement."

"You fools are worms beneath the mighty claw of the Sinthrax," She screamed in response

"Your hair is... I'm sorry what did you say?"

The hanging woman cried out "She's going to kill us!" And Valiant sprung into action.

"What's there?" Marian yelled.

"Big spider woman with,” Valiant paused in his speech unsure what to say. “Hair,"

"I got nothing,"

Valiant activate the bomb, tore down the woman and pushed her towards the stairs.

She ran towards them, but not before she grabbed Valiant's shotgun.

More spiders started pouring into the room. They were sized anywhere from house spiders to wolf-like spiders.

"Wolf spiders!" Valiant yelled as he drew his magnums. He took shots at a few of the big ones and then aimed for the Queen. He pulled the riggers sending two 44-caliber shots at her middle section. Irony and Suffering tore through her abdomen and left two surprisingly small holes.

Within seconds, brownish green ooze came from the wounds and sealed them shut.

"Ha you'll find we are much stronger than your frail bodies,"

He shot at her head, but one of the bigger spiders tackled him. He rolled over and shot it off. Its back was blown clean off. Valiant rolled back onto his feat, ran out of the room, and slammed the door. He holstered Irony and grabbed a chair to lean against the doorknob.

"That'll hold em,"

"Come on!" He heard the upside down lady yell at him from the stairwell. "What are you waiting for."

"Eight minutes." Valiant replied.

"See you then," She yelled as she ducked down the stairwell.

Valiant walked to the edge of the room, and reloaded. He prepared himself. Soon the door would break and all would come through.

Then the roof broke. In a hail of plaster and lighting equipment, the Spider Queen came crashing down. Valiant was blindsided by a leg and it send flying across the room. Suffering flew out of his hand and slide across the room.

He sucked in a gasp of air and tried to stand. He aimed Irony with both hands.

The Queen of Sinthrax turned to face him.

"I can smell your fear. It is delicious."

"Smell this,” He pulled the trigger, as she lunged towards him. Eight powerful legs close the gap faster than he could have imagined. The bullet merely glanced off her carapace.

Valiant was snatched up by one of the pincers and pulled off the ground. His feat kicked in the air ineffectively and Irony fell to the floor. His face was brought near to hers. Her unnatural eyes looked into his and stared right through him. Her hair was even more stunning from up close.

"How does it feel to be so insignificant human," She said revealing a mouth full of sharp fangs.

Valiant grabbed his katana and in one fluid motion chopped into her shoulder. It cut several inches into her, but she only grinned. "When will you learn!" She threw him across the room and he hit the far wall.

He sucked in another breath and saw Suffering was only a few feet away. He dived for it, but she was faster and sent him flying across the room again.

Beaten, battered and out of breath, he had a tough time getting to his feat, and he was by a large window fifty stories up. He wiped the blood away from his lip and pulled out his combat knife. It was a solid foot in length, but that just didn't seem big enough. He held it in front of him. Irony was about fifteen feet away from him and she was standing above Suffering.

"I'm going to die," he muttered.

"Yes, yes you are," she replied in dark refrain.

He heard a gunshot. She was obviously hit and stumbled several feet. His katana fell out of her shoulder.

Valiant took this moment to close the distance to Irony, picked it up and fired a shot. It hit her arm.

"What is this insolence!" She screamed and lunged at valiant. Valiant shot one of her forelegs and another gunshot came from behind. It threw her off balance. She hit the ground unevenly and collided with Valiant and the nearest window.

Valiant fell down and saw the Sinthrax Queen sail over him and out the window. Then a pincer hit him and seconds later, he found himself dangling from the ledge with one hand clinging for life.

Looking down, the Spider Queen was climbing up the side of the wall and she was closing fast. Valiant started shooting, but his clip ran out far too soon.

Looking up he saw the girl from before peering over the edge.

"Give her both barrels!" Valiant yelled.

"What?"

"Fire both barrels!"

The Queen grasped for Valiant’s leg and then the glorious sound of a double barreled shotgun erupted. A death rain of buck and shot screamed forth, ripped into the Spider Queen, and hit her with a force unimaginable. One by one her claws broke free of the surface and she plummeted to the streets below. She screamed a curse in words unknown.

Valiant threw his magnum up above and climbed to safety. He grabbed the girl and his Katana and they ran down the stairs as fast as they could.

Second, later an explosion erupted above them and ended the existence of the Sinthrax.

In the aftermath, a cleanup crew was called in to deal with the splatter. After the building cooled, Valiant ventured to the top floor to find the scrap metal that had previously been Suffering. He put it in his pocket and pulled out several strands of red hair. He would always remember the beast, which had destroyed his prized weapon, and they would be twin magnums never more, but more than that, he would remember the hair.

"Like seriously,” He said in a mix of awe, confusion, and lust, “How can a such a being be so evil, and have such… hair."

Valiant Index

Oh Arcanus

2009-11-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

Arcanus Valiant really hit. People liked it. I'll have to make more. Stay Tuned.

Also Check It:
http://image.wetpaint.com/image/1/DdASRv5TXG-fyTyn5reWHA150923

The Party was:
Wicked Sister - my wild mage
Mazzy Fenton
Cernd
Minsc + Boo
Visconia
and Imoen

Arcanus Valiant I: The Rise and Fall of the Gorgon Prince

2009-11-01T22:21:00.000-08:00

Arcanus Valiant stepped out of his ’74 Ford Mustang, slammed the door and finished strapping on his ammo belt. He slung his shotgun over his back, ensured his twin desert eagle magnum revolvers, Irony and Sadness, were properly stowed in their holsters and strapped his katana to his beefy right leg. He cracked his knuckles, lit a cigar and started walking towards the barn of the Holsteins Holdings Diary Farm.

Four days ago, they had lost contact with the location. The locals had mysteriously dropped of the map, and the police who were sent to investigate never came out. It wasn’t long after that when The Organization was called in to see what was going on. Valiant wasn’t the best man for the job, but he wasn’t too busy, and his car needed a long drive in the country. For this reason, he had taken the task.

He confidently strolled onwards into the unknown and stood before the doors of the Barn. The kicked them hard, they didn’t move. He then proceeded to go the smaller, normal sized side door. He twisted the knob and it opened with a screech. The smell of milk drifted to his nose. He turned around, took several steps and threw up. He was severely lactose intolerant. Once he was confident he could vomit no longer, he stepped into the barn.

He gasped and cried out, “I haven’t seen this many dead cows since the incident,” for before him lay dozen of dead bovine. “Son of a Bitch.” He pulled out his double-barreled shotgun and loaded both barrels. He was not going to be caught by surprise. He walked in to the center of the bar.

He turned around in a circle. “What could have done this?” He pulled out his cell phone and dialed in the HQ.

“Marian here,” Marian said over the phone.

“Marian, all the cow’s have been killed.”

“Not again. You’re serious?”

“Every single one.”

“Son of a bitch. I don’t know what to say, stay frosty”

It was then he the roar. It shook the earth. He span around to try and face it. He wasn’t prepared for what he saw. It looked like a cow, but it was most certainly some sort of bull. Even then it was covered in dark green scales and much larger. Fire shot from its mouth. It pawed the ground.

“What was that?” Marian yelled over the phone.

“A… Hell Cow?” Valiant aimed his shotgun and fired – all with only his right hand it. He saw the shot hit the beasts face and it connect in a haze of buck and shot. Seconds later when the dust cleared, it was angry.

“What happened?” Marian asked.

“What’s the land speed of a bull?”

“Let me check….” Marian trailed off. Valiant ran off. He ran out of the barn so fast. It was like he was never there, but the Hell Cow remembered. Second, later there was a bull-sized hole in one of the walls and Valiant turned to see it catching up.

He dropped his shotgun and pulled out Irony and Sadness. Spinning around he took aim at the beasts kneecaps and fired. It stumbled, he fired again and again and again and again until two clips fell from his guns and they would only click ineffectively. Each paired shots connected with power force and ricocheted off its front legs. It was still running.

“I think you may be dealing with a Gorgon!” Marian yelled from Valiant’s hip.

“What’s a Gorgon?”

“I don’t know, I keep finding information on Medusa. They were gorgons you know.”

“This is a cow,” Valiant yelled and he slammed new clips into Irony and Sadness. He crossed his arms, aimed for the eyes and took another shot. The guns flew out his hands, arms crossed were a bad firing angle, but the shots connected. Blinded, the beast bared down on him; he jumped out the way at the last minute. The beast came to a halt ten feet behind him.

“Not a snake lady,” He pulled out his katana and charged. He jump and brought the blade down the blasted beasts back. It made a resounding clang with the pitch of C#.

“Oh found something. Their skin is made of metal,” Marian said.

“No shit.” Arcanus Valiant turned tail and ran, hopefully before the beast could figure out what was going on.

“Must get to car,” He mumbled.

“Do you have any anti-armor weaponry? Anti-tank gun or something?”

“No. Why would I have those?”

“Cause they help against gorgons silly,”

“Of course they do.”

“Well yes and it only makes sense, they are… wait your being sarcastic. Well excuse me Mr. Valiant.” The phone made a resounding click.

“Now I’m going to die alone,” He heard the sound of hoofs gaining on him.

He reached his car, opened the door, started it up and put the pedal to the metal. He opened up his glove box looking for a hand grenade, c4 - anything. He found several receipts for Chinese food and felt hungry. He hit the e-break. Spun the car around, drifted off the road a little bit and then started back towards the beast.

It was on the road in hot pursuit, but now the charger had would become the charged.

With the furious squeal of rubber hitting the road, Valiant sent his ‘74 Mustang barreling down the road. The beast shot fire from its nostrils and the pavement below its mighty hooves was broken and tossed into the air like so much cheap dirt.

His phone rang and Marian came back online.

“Sorry I hung up on you earlier, I was just a little cheesed off at your attitude,”

Valiant took off his seatbelt and shot out his windshield.

“Please throw me clear. Please throw me clear. Please throw me clear.” He muttered. The beast couldn’t have been more that 30 feet away from him.

“Fuck it,” he jumped out his side door and watched his car collide with the monster. It compacted like pie tin, but sounded like unparalleled destruction. Valiant rolled for a long time, luckily his leather jacket saved him a lot of pain. Unfortunately, his jeans did not and he left half his skin on the pavement. With adrenaline pounding throw his system, he stood back up and surveyed the destruction. The hell cow was wrapped up in the car as if it was a sheet. It lay on its side and slowly breathed in and out. It wasn’t bleeding or dieing – just stuck.

Valiant drew his shotgun, and loaded both barrels. He strode up to the beast, which looked at him with udder distain. He placed the shotgun against the beast’s right.

“Wait!” it said.

“Moo” said Valiant; then he pulled the trigger.

Want More Valiant?

Spicy Chicken Tomato Soup II:

2009-10-28T13:11:00.001-07:00

Everyone remembers my post about my Spicy Chicken Tomato Soup Recipe

And I'm back to report that two cans of corn came back with an extremely positive result.

Chapter 9-3

2009-10-15T21:36:00.000-07:00

Zaedus felt a blunt pain in his side. A sharp kick to the ribs woke him up. He rolled over, sprung to his feat and drew steal. His attacker was another human male, but before he had a chance, the human was on him and using golden gauntlets, he smashed Zaedus’ sword right out of his hands.

Not wanting to be taken down again Zaedus again did the only thing he could think of: talk, “Who the hell are you? What the hell are you doing?”

“I’d ask you the same, drawing your sword, readying to attack me.”

“You…kicked…me!” Zaedus emphasized every word trying to communicate as clearly as possible. He got a clear look at the man. He looked as if he had wisdom beyond his years. He had an experienced look in his eyes, but a youthful body that did not match. The logical conclusion donned upon Zaedus, “You’re an elf!”

“An Elf! How dare you put me in the same sentence as those tree huggers!” He replied, definitely insulted.

“You really don’t like being mistaken for an elf, the people who have beauty, knowledge and live for damn near ever?”

“They live in tune with nature and study ancient magic. Most importantly, some of them have immense power, but they don’t seem to do much with it, good or bad. They’re like an entire race of boring people.”

“You’re not very nice are you?”

“I’m not supposed to be nice! I kick ass, put people in their places, go where no one has gone before, fight and kill what others would dare not gaze upon,” He sighed. “But I’m kind of tired of it all.”

“You’re like 25, how can you be tired already. You’re still in the prime of your life.”

“Appearances are deceiving in this case. I’ve lived for a century, give or take a few…years.”

“How?”

“I drained a pint of blood from a dragon. It’s flowing through me now. Stuff’s kept me going for a long time.”

“So why are you telling me all this,” Zaedus clued in, “Because your going to kill me?”

“No I’m not going to kill you!” He rolled his eyes, “My name is Solonus Marx, the greatest warrior the world has ever known, and you Zaedus…what is your last name anyway?”

“You know how some races have around seven names, we’re the opposite, and the first name is all I have. Usually there aren’t enough of us to call for last names,” Zaedus thought for a moment, “How do you know my name?”

“Your sword told me. Which brings me to why you’re my successor, I had a nice chat with your sword and you seem like the person who could use the power I’m going to teach you to use. Perhaps you’ll even use it for some good.”

“My sword talks, you want to teach me some ‘power’. Sure teach me your power; I’m down for anything right about now.”

“What about Hastock?”

“I suppose my all-knowing sword told you about him, but don’t worry I’ve got a contingency plan in motion to eliminate him before he causes too much trouble. He thinks I’m dead too, I hope word gets around…that I’m dead…”

“The dead part was kind of assumed.”

“Whatever, so training?”

“Tomorrow. I’m tired today. I think I overslept. You know you get that thing were you sleep too long and your still tired when you get up?”

“You’re telling me, I almost died a little while back. Talk about sleeping for a long time.”

“My place is about a day’s run from here. That’s where we are going and I want to get there before the sun sets.”

“I thought training starts tomorrow…”

“This is a warm up. Get moving.” Solonus started to run leaving Zaedus behind. Zaedus started after him. Solonus ran fast and Zaedus had to try as hard as he could to keep up. Before long, the fatigue started to hit him. His legs felt like lead, so he dropped his pack. After hours of running, Solonus did not slow down. Zaedus threw of his armor in order to keep on going. With his great sword slung over his back Zaedus tried as hard as he could to keep up with Solonus, but slowly he was falling behind.

“I need to go…faster,” He reached around his back and unhooked his greatsword ready to drop it as well.

“No you don’t!” A voice came from his back.

“What?”

“You’re not getting rid of me after I just saved your life!”

“Cindy? Is that you…in my sword?” Zaedus didn’t break his stride, “This would explain when Solonus said my sword talked to him.”

“Yup that was me!” Cindy was quite cheerful.

“What did you two talk about?”

“Oh…stuff,” Cindy replied

“Like what?”

“Like how none of us speak as if we are in a medieval era.”

“You’re very right on that point, but I…am…out…of,”

“Breath,”

At this Zaedus only nodded…barely as he stumbled after Solonus, over hills, down into valleys, over more hills. Zaedus was fairly sure he went through a swamp, but he was also fairly sure that he could have fallen asleep running. He was running, and running and running. Occasionally he’d switch things up with a longer stride, or a shorter one. After awhile it didn’t hurt quite as much, and he slipped into a groove.

After going down into one last valley Zaedus looked up and Solonus had stopped. He stood in front of a singular tree with his arms crossed in an extremely confident manner. Zaedus finally got a good look at Solonus Marx. He was tall, well built, but his most defining feature was his long white hair. He wore a black leather jacket and his right shoulder had a spiked plate. On his back was slung a sword unlike any others Zaedus has seen,

“It’s a katana,” Solonus yelled, “Sharpest sword in the world; cleave you right in two even with armor. That’s why I don’t wear any, at a certain point it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Spiked shoulder pad?” Zaedus questioned.

“Always have spikes…nobody dares touch this,” Solonus pointed to his shoulder. Zaedus on the other hand just fell down.

“Is this where you live?” Zaedus rolled over and looked up at the stars. “This isn’t even a house…or a shack…or a tent.”

“A dragon burnt down my house”

“Really?”

“No. I burnt it down to show a dragon how it’s done. He improved upon the idea and wiped out a whole village. It takes a long time for young dragons to figure out how to get the job done.”

“What’s wrong with you?”
“Lots of things, I live under an oak tree,” Marx looked up, “And its pretty kick ass, like…like…like…”

“You?” Zaedus reached around and pulled his greatsword off his back. “Greatswords are really uncomfortable to sleep on.”

“Not as bad as a dragons treasure horde.”

“What’s with you and dragons?”

“They’re awesome, you can learn allot of awesomeness from them as long as you get along. Some are evil, some are good. I like to be in the middle, so you can have good conversations with both. Black dragons are defiantly the best variety: wonderfully, cunningly evil. They really know what they’re doing when it comes to plotting, or stripping a person of all he or she has.”

“You’re messed up!”

“We’ve been over this already.” Solonus looked down on Zaedus, “Get some sleep, otherwise you could, die, tomorrow.”

“Cheerful too,”

“Not joking either,” Solonus walked around the tree and sat on the other side of it. Zaedus took one last look at the stars and fell asleep.

Start

Spicy Chicken Tomato Soup

2009-10-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

I just made this awesome soup. I am Chaos in the Kitchen, it usually works out, but this time my cooking exceeded all expectations. Best of all, over at The White Queen, we know you don't have time to measure, so it's all measured in cans.

Ladies and Gentleman I present to you:

Spicy Chicken Tomato Soup
~An ecstasy of flavor

Ingredients:
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can of corn - I'd do 2 next time
1 can of mushrooms
3 medium potatoes
3 chicken thigh2
1 box of chicken broth
most of an entire thing of celery
Onion powder
garlic powder
ground Cayenne pepper
*white pepper
paprika
pepper
salt
Tabasco Sauce
Salsa
*Fret not if you lack some spices use what you have

Instructions:
Brown the chicken thighs in a pan and cover them in all the spices except pepper and salt. Use more of the stuff you like and less of what you don't. Leave the chicken browning on low heat and go do other stuff. Flip them over now and then. Uncooked chicken scares me, so I'd actually let it really cook while browning.

Cut up or open all the veggies and put them in a big pot. Add the broth and let it chill. Potatoes should be cut really small. I find they're just awesome if they're just a bit thicker than potato chips.

Get your browned chicken, butcher it into smaller bits. Then throw it all back in your browning pan and get it all cooked and properly browned. Add tabasco sauce to your chicked at this point. I went with approximately 6 squirts. You may want less.

Throw the chicken into your big pot. I also threw the bones from the thighs in to thicken the broth during the cooking process.

Add enough water to it looks like a soup.

Spice to your preference using the spices mentioned above.

Salsa can also be added to spice it up more. Hot salsa is your only real option.

Bring it to boil and then keep it there for about 30-40 minutes or until celery is to your liking.

Throw in another 6 shots of Tabasco during the boiling to kick it up a notch and you should be ready to rock.

Serves one to two all week long.

Enjoy!

P.S. This is an absolute bachelor meal. Make it once, enjoy it all week.

Chapter 9 - 2

2009-10-01T00:03:00.000-07:00

Timed passed and the night came upon the world. The bleeding had not stopped and little by little, his life faded away. A voice came and pierced through his unconsciousness.

“Zaedus,” It was quiet but clear. His own name resonated, and it gave him something to hold on to.

“Zaedus,” He felt different. He was standing in blackness. The pain was gone. It appeared as though death had taken him. A white figure slowly began to materialize before him. He blinked and rubbed his eyes in bewilderment, for before him stood Cindy standing in a radiance of calm and righteousness.

“I can’t say this is totally unexpected,” said Zaedus, “I’d always thought something was different about you. The appearing out of nowhere, the disappearing back into nothing, your unknown past, that all got me thinking, but this confirms it.”

“Confirms what exactly?” Cindy spoke.

“That you’re sent by the gods…or something like that.”

“Flattering, but I’m pretty sure that’s not what I am,” Cindy rolled her eyes.

“You remember?” Zaedus asked.

“Not exactly, but when I died I just hung around. I watched you for awhile, saw a bit of the world myself and came back to you. It’s like I’m stuck here no matter if I have a body or not. Then you got stabbed and I’m pretty sure your almost dead.”

“That’s usually what happens when you get stabbed in the back,” Zaedus was a bit bitter.

“Lucky for you Zaedus, I can do something about it.”

“Really? Like what?” Zaedus sighed. “Why am I even asking that question? Cindy, what if I don’t want to go back? The world is in turmoil, it’s so peaceful here.”

“Yes but it’s also rather dull, and you’re not one to give up so easily,” Cindy looked him straight in the eye. “Get ready.”

The light faded. Zaedus felt as if he were being propelled through the darkness. A roar filled his ears and stars began to glow around him. Their faint glow began to rise in intensity growing brighter and brighter, and they burned him. In seconds he was awash in a sea of pain. The radiance pierced through him and there was not a cell within him that was not screaming. The stars expanded filling his vision with a pure white light. He couldn’t breathe and the pain still increased. The white light blinded him, he closed his eyes, but it still increased - cutting through his eyelids. He was suffocating. He opened his mouth and tried to suck in air, but his body would not cooperate. He tried once more with every fiber of his being.

He inhaled and sat up. The pain slowly subsided, and he opened his eyes to see that he was alive. Looking left and right he determined that this was in fact where he had almost died only moments ago. He looked again and discovered that he must have been lying there for a long time. It was at least a new day and even his bloodstains had begun to fade. Zaedus was surprised he actually contained that much blood.

“Well I did almost bleed to death, that’s pretty much everything I had,” He pondered. “Apparently, I’ve bleed out all of it; I’m practically a new person, or I have different contents to say the least. I mean I’m still the same vessel, for entire quarts of new blood, like a freshly filled canteen, except that canteen is me and ugh; let’s not do that again. I feel pretty good though, for being emptied and refilled. I’d jump up and click my heels or something, but I just woke up, movement can wait until tomorrow at least.” With that, he lay down upon his back. “I got stabbed in the back, but it doesn’t hurt anymore, I really am as good as new. See you in the morning…”

“See you.”

“Who’s there?” Zaedus went completely still, “and how are you in my thoughts. Oh no! That can’t be good. Still I’ll deal with it in the morning.” With that, Zaedus fell asleep.

“Wow he’s defiantly way too relaxed for someone who’s been so close to the brink”

Start

All The Vampires

2009-09-30T22:31:00.000-07:00

A guy named Sam Chapin has made a really cool vampire song that makes me forsake all other vampire songs as the deepest blasphemy. Here is the link

Rock it out!

-Liam

Chapter: 9 - 1

2009-09-27T23:32:00.000-07:00

Chapter 9: Of Lizards!

Horses approached. Zaedus awoke to find Hastock already up with his axe ready. A small band of humans approached, riding on horses. Six of them came wild, fast and carefree.

“Lizards!” one of them yelled. Hastock grimaced and readied for them.

“Easy Hastock we don’t want a fight,” Zaedus watched uneasily.

“We don’t have no choice!” Hastock replied. Their foes had already drawn their weapons and rode towards them.

“We mean you no harm!” Zaedus yelled. His shout did not deter his attackers and they seemed only amused at his attempt of peace.

“It talks!” their leader yelled and the other laughed. They dismounted and encircled Zaedus and Hastock.

Zaedus drew steel. “I don’t want to fight you, but you leave me no choice. Make no mistake, you will die.”

“Try me!” Their leader lunged at Zaedus with his own sword, but Zaedus cut him down before he even had a chance. The warm blood splattered on Zaedus’ skin. The very act he tried to prevent could not be avoided. Behind him, Hastock had ended the life of two more. Zaedus turned to see the devastation and in his moment of distraction, a dagger was plunged deep into his back. The blade tore his flesh; he fell to the ground unable to move.

“Zaedus!” Hastock yelled and upon seeing his fallen comrade, fought with renewed vigor. He slew another and the remaining two fled in fear of the crazed reptilian. Hastock did not let them escape and pursued them. In the distance, Zaedus could hear the last gasps of the remaining men.

“You were wrong Zaedus,” Hastock rolled Zaedus on to his back as to look him in the eye. “They will never forget the conflicts of the past, they live short lives like we do, and they pass their hatred forwards, forever upholding the grudges of the past.”

“No!” Zaedus whispered.

“Yes! Your life ends here Zaedus; I will assume leadership and the tribe will continue to fight. It is the only way Zaedus; you couldn’t change it, no one can.”

“You’re wrong”

“I am not wrong! Your promised land does not exist! Your peace is nothing but a fable! Your dreams could never have become a reality! Goodbye Zaedus. As you die, think of your fabled Ideals and how wrong you were.”

Previous

Start

Chapter 8-2

2009-09-23T23:12:00.000-07:00

Having escaped the Feline Fortress, Zaedus and Boris have arrived in an unknown woodland. Travelling

Slowly the sun fell from the sky and the white stars of the universe filled the world above. They came to a clearing and Boris was glad he had left the trees behind. The wind howled and the stars shone like white fires burning forever in the sky. Above a full moon shone brightly.

It was almost calm, and then something rustled in the forest. It was coming towards them. Closer and closer it came as branches broke and the sounds grew louder. Boris spun around trying to face the approaching unknown.

“Zaedus! Something’s coming,” Boris noted as he pulled out his dagger.

“I know, but there isn’t much we can do until it gets here!” Zaedus said back with more than a little annoyance in his voice. Zaedus looked to the sky and pulled a handful of coins from his pack. Drawing Cindy he readied himself for the upcoming encounter. “Here we go…again”

It came bursting out of the forest. It was distinctly canine, but much more feral than the others Zaedus had encountered. It was also of a slighter build than the previous canines. Regardless it was still a frightening sight at over six feet tall. It charged at Zaedus with no regard for its own life.

Zaedus dropped Cindy and stepped back in surprise. Boris was shocked; how could Zaedus really be afraid of this thing when he had killed much worse?

The beast lunged at Zaedus and it connected. Zaedus was down and the beast was quickly wrestling him to the ground. It snapped at his throat and Zaedus, using all his strength, could barely keep it at bay. Boris knew he would be next and began to slowly move away from the ensuing battle. Zaedus hit the beast as hard as he could, but it had no effect.

From the distance Boris knew it would be over, but then the beast stopped moving. Zaedus pushed it off and it slumped to the side. A singular silver coin was lodged into its side.

“Did you kill it?” Boris asked as he walked up stunned.

“Hardly, but now we’ll see who is behind the fur,” Zaedus replied, “Werewolves…silver…are you getting any of this?” Zaedus pointed at the lodged coin. A small bolt of lightening ripped from his hand and seared the coin into the creatures flesh. “Just a coin won’t kill it, but it will keep its lycanthrope at bay, and I am completely out of thunder!”

“Lycanthrope?” Boris was clueless

“It’s what makes this thing a werewolf.” Zaedus motioned for Boris to shut up. The werewolf’s fur began to fall off and almost dissolve into the ground. The figure seamed to shrink and in moments only a frail body remained.

“She’s beautiful!” gasped Boris, who was taken a back.

“Werewolves…the people you least expect,” Zaedus pulled a blanket from his pack and threw it on the fragile woman who lay before them. She’s wont wake up for awhile, the abrupt transformation probably took a lot out of her.” Zaedus looked at Boris, “and just to be clear…try anything and I’ll kill you.”

“Ok…” Truthfully Boris was lost for words.

“Good. Let’s set up camp, and by camp I mean go to sleep.” Zaedus lay his pack and gently placed Cindy on top his pack. Being perfectly fine with his surrounding, Zaedus lay down and fell asleep in second. Boris was a different story.

“Where am I? I’m in a forest filled with werewolves, wandering around with a lizard man who the even the forest fears, and I’m being pursued by a small army of cats! I should never have stole from that market guy. All I wanted was food not this! No I should never have bumped into a talking lizard.” Boris was in a state of shock. “Ok what can I do, I can run through the forest and out of here.” He looked at the woman, “But then again just seconds ago she would have eaten me. Gods damn this place!”

Next

Previous

Start

Chapter 8:Of Woodlands

2009-09-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

Chapter 8:Of Woodlands

Running towards the surface Zaedus saw a light of the day. He ran faster, for he knew they could be close, and regardless, they would get closer. Zaedus picked up speed and sprinted to the surface. It was a small hole to the surface and he had to squeeze through it.

The daylight blinded him, but there was no time. He drew Cindy and with one mighty swing, he sliced clear through the nearest tree. He directed the falling tree and it came crashing down upon the entrance to the world below. They could no longer follow him, or they would at least be stalled for some time.

Zaedus saw he was in a forest. It looked as if it had existed for ages, and being a forest, this could very well be true. He sheathed Cindy and walked up to the tree he had cut down.

“Sorry for the hatchet job again Cindy,” Zaedus apologized to Cindy.

“Its ok,” Cindy replied, “I’m used to it.” Cindy had just a bit of spite in her voice. Boris walked out from behind the trees.

“I saw you! How did you go that?” Boris asked, “You cut down an entire tree.”

“Cindy is as sharp as she needs to be. I just do the swinging.”

“And the lightening? How’d you do that?”

“Maybe some other time, but right now we need to think of our next move.” Zaedus leaned against the nearest tree. “Anexia is searching for something with which to conquer the world. She’s very definite, so she knows that it exists. Only problem is I don’t know what it is, or where it would be. Regardless…I get the feeling if we let Anexia get her hands on whatever this thing is, it would be very bad. Any thoughts Cindy?”

Cindy replied, “Your probably right Zaedus, but we have nowhere to start.”

“Well I’ve got something,” Boris jumped in.

“Boris I was hardly even talking to you, but what is it?” Zaedus gave him a glace.

“I stole this map when I was looking for you,” Boris pulled out a small roll of parchment, upon inspection it was no doubt a map.

“This is strange,” Zaedus remarked, “It doesn’t have any places I know of,” Zaedus looked at Boris with a grin, “But that’s because this map isn’t recent, see this structure!” Zaedus pointed, “I bet ruins are there now, and I can’t read the worlds, because it’s not my language, but I bet it used to be someone’s. Their most likely long gone now, so it might be tough to know for sure.”

“Wait Zaedus” Cindy spoke, “I know what that says.”

“Really, apparently not only are you sharp, but a talented linguist!” Zaedus could not hide his enthusiasm.

“It’s Castle…I can’t really translate the name,”

“Can’t you just say it?” Boris asked.

“Not really…It’s very different from our language” Cindy replied.

“So do we go there?” Boris asked.

“No…” Zaedus replied.

“Why not?”

“Because…look at this place instead.” Zaedus pointed to tower of sorts. “Now look above it…see that symbol. Describe it to me Boris.”

“It’s a black octagon…with a red hand…clutching some sort of orb.” Boris looked at Zaedus, “Why?”

“You ask allot of questions, but does it look anything like this?” Zaedus reached into his pocket and pulled out the crest he had found previously during his first excursion into the Drunken Mules cellar. “Exactly the same right…yes. That is where we are going.”

“Let’s go then!”

“Boris…it’s really hard to get somewhere when you don’t know where you are to begin with. We are in an old forest, does that tell you anything…no, me neither. We really shouldn’t stay here,” Zaedus looked at the log, “They’ll move that sooner or later and I don’t think Anexia wills stop searching until she finds us. She seems…vengeful.”

Zaedus began to walk. The direction did not matter. Boris followed wondering if he would ever make it out. The roots forced Boris to stumble. The branches seemed to lash at his skin. It was hard going stumbling over the undergrowth. He saw up ahead, Zaedus was walking easily. Zaedus appeared to be free from the brutality of the journey.

Boris could almost swear he saw the branches parting allowing Zaedus to move freely.

“Does he have some magic over the forest like he does with the lightening?” Boris thought to himself, but soon it appeared as though the forest did not move out of magic or kindness, but it was almost cringing. Boris could see it clearly now, the tree’s they moved away as if recoiling from death and decay. Boris had to run to catch back up.

“Zaedus! Why do the trees move as you walk?” Boris asked.

“For a good reason. We move till nightfall…follow,” Zaedus turn and continued to walk.

“Why don’t you tell him?” Cindy Asked.

“Its better if he doesn’t know…”

Next

Previous

Start

Chapter 7

2009-09-13T23:11:00.000-07:00

Chapter 7: Of Gatherings

Zaedus had taken control and filled a roll he previously had no intention of fulfilling. At first, the tribe did not accept him as the rightful ruler, but after a series of failed challenges, he remained. He led to a new home. It was temporary, but the conditions were adequate. They would have a place to life for now. The journey was not without a cost; about half the tribe had left. It divided them and it hurt Zaedus.

The quiet flame of optimism would not last forever and Zaedus new that. It was only a matter of time before humans found them. It was inevitable, but the end result was undetermined. He was hailed as a hero in Night Song, they would not trouble his people, but Illium was filled with humans who would not understand his tribe’s change of heart. To make things worse, many other tribes would never know about the peace with Night Song. It was a peace made of glass. Over time, it could take some strain, but a sudden shock would destroy it.

Zaedus brought together a small group of his 4 most loyal friends. He had known them for years and trusted them implicitly. They had never wavered in his footsteps and had followed him to there new home. In essence, they too were believers that a peace with humanity was attainable.

“Here we sit in the darkness,” Zaedus spoke, “attempting to bring the world into a new light. You have all followed me this far and now I have more to ask of you. I ask you to be aware of the dream we live in. This peace will not last forever and it may be extremely short lived.

“Aestus,” Aestus was a powerful warrior. She had proven herself in the battles against humanity. She stood 6 feet tall. Her skin was a forest green, but it was her eye’s that caught most. They were a cold steel blue. To those who did not know her, they showed no mercy, but to Zaedus they had a kindness hidden behind the blue. “Aestus you are respected among the other tribes as a warrior, but I need to be an emissary.”

“What will you have me do?” Aestus was unquestionably loyal to Zaedus’ rule. It was not always so. Only after Zaedus had bested her in a challenge did she truly respect him. Zaedus has spared her life for this reason. Thinking back, Zaedus was surprised he had been able to best her, for she was no doubt the better fighter.

“You will travel to the other tribes, and tell them to stop their battles with the humans. Tell them to come here. With increased numbers we shall become a powerful example of peace.”

“Susan,” Susan had been a friend of Zaedus all his life. He trusted her more than he trusted anyone. She was not your typical Reptilian. She was smaller, slimmer and lacked the powerful muscle, which characterized her race. She was not originally one of the tribe, but now she belonged as much as anyone else did. “Susan, your name leads your path. We need an envoy to humanity and that is you. You will go to Night Song. You’ll meet a small band of humans. Then you shall go from city to city telling of our peace.”

“You sound like a priest.” It was Hastock, Zaedus’ most vocal opponent, “Why am I hear Zaedus?”

“You are here because you are my opposite. You lived for the combat against humanity. You are my greatest threat. This is why you are coming with me.”

“What?”

“We cannot stay here. The ground is dead dust. We could never grow crops here. The salt of the ocean poisons the water. We will die here if the tribe stays too long. We shall search for a new place, far enough from the humans, but close enough to stay in contact.”

“Why me Zaedus, any one of your ‘followers’,” He said with a sneer. “would be better.”

“There will no doubt come a time when we will have run out of peaceful solutions. We may need to fight on our journey. That’s where you come in Hastock.”

“I will not side with you.”

“You think you have a choice?” Zaedus looked him in the eyes, “Now be silent!” He turned to the last member of his group.

“Sazler,” Sazler was meek. He had suffered under the rule of Salazar, but it had strengthened him. He had learned to go undetected and could make himself undetectable. Sazler was a good friend of Zaedus and shared his ideals. “You need to watch everyone, even me. You must make sure we never stray from our paths.” Zaedus handed him a small dagger. “If we stray, do not be afraid to end our lives.”

Zaedus walked away from the group, “At first light we leave to go our separate ways. The tribe can handle itself until our return.”

At first light, Sazler was nowhere to be seen. This was as expected. Susan had left for Night Song. Zaedus walked through their temporary settlement. He did not expect to see again for a long time. He saw Aestus gathering her last remaining supplies. He did not speak to her, for she new what to do. Finally Zaedus came to Hastock.

“I know what you’re planning,” He said. “If things get rough you’ll pin any human deaths on me.”

“I will not betray you Hastock,” Zaedus replied, “But if I plan to, you won’t be able to stop me. Grab your gear. Let’s get out of here.” Hastock threw on his pack and followed Zaedus.

“Where are we going?” Hastock asked his voice filled with skepticism. “Humans are everywhere; we can never find your ‘promised land’”

“I was going to keep our destination to myself, but…” Zaedus reached into his pack and pulled out his map. He spread it out on the ground. It was dry; his map would be safe from the dangers of the dirt. “We are in this together, so listen closely. We are here, west of Night Song.” Zaedus put his finger on their current location.

“We want to go here.” Zaedus moved his finger south east. Just beyond The Galena River, we have a mountain range. Its damn near impassable, but if we can find way we’ll have gone where no one has gone before.” His finger came to rest on a patch completely unmapped. “This our best bet for a home. It is going to be a few weeks journey, so let’s get going.”

“You’re a fool. We won’t be able to cross the mountains.”

“We’ll see Hastock. It’s our best shot right now.”

They left, beginning the long trek. They walked in silence. They were not comrades in arms, but Hastock’s presence was required for now, so onwards they went. The sun climbed into the sky, and Zaedus was glad reptilians handled the heat well. The day passed uneventfully. Soon they found the night to be the same and made a quick camp.

Next

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School

2009-09-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

Is really messing me up. I have been unable to get this update going in time. I'll hopefully have something for you by the end of the day. Worst comes to worse, check back Friday morning for some new novel goodness.

Also feel free to check out my other blog: Fox-Like. It follows the development of a game who mechanics will be not unlike starfox. I've recently started getting back into it. So you may even find builds there sometime next week. I'm starting to write the level loader thing... about nowish?

Chapter 6-2

2009-09-06T23:00:00.000-07:00

“Fine with me, and wake me if you need me.” Zaedus paused, “Can I even sleep like this,”

“Oh course, it’s just really hard to do when you’re on someone’s back.”

“I’ll try then.”

“Wait on that, I see Anexia,” Cindy paused unsure of herself, “Ok we’ll switch back”

A flash of light lit Zaedus vision and when it cleared he was once again himself. He stretched, and shook his head.

“It’s good to be back.” Zaedus mentioned as he did his own little happy dance.

“What was that?” Cindy.

“Don’t worry it won’t happen again…I promise.” Anexia walked up to him in her confident manner. Zaedus got the feeling she probably wouldn’t take much more of his crap, and made a mental note to get down to business.

“I see you have taken a stroll.” She looked him in the eyes. “Enjoying your stay?”

“It’s well enough, but lets get down to it,” Zaedus didn’t back off. “What do you want with me?”

“Patients,” She once again motioned for him to follow and he complied. “You live on the surface do you not?”

“Yes”

“Than you have no doubt faced the humans at their worst,” she continued.

“At times yes, but I’m trying to stop that,”

“We have much in common then; I too have battled the humans.” She turned to face him. “But always failed. They are numerous and strong, we cannot defeat them by force, which is why we must live under them.”

“Literally,” Zaedus said. Anexia motioned for him to be silent.

“We cannot beat them by stealth either for the same reasons. Even if we conquered them, they would never be defeated completely. Like all races they tend towards insurgency when all else fails.”

“What would you have me do?” Zaedus noticed they had returned to the throne room. Anexia knew her way around. This wasn’t surprising considering it was her tunnels.

“In parts of the world your people walk among them almost as equals and your people are numerous. I know who you are Zaedus; you took command of your tribe in the Battle of Night Song.”

“I won’t drag my tribe into your war Anexia.”

“I don’t need warriors, I need hunters”

“Explain yourself Anexia.”

“I’m looking for an artifact left by the same civilization who built this place. With it, I will have the power to gain humanities obedience. With your tribe I can double my numbers and find it much sooner.”

“You’re looking to enslave the humans!”

“It is the only way ensuring that our respective people will survive! They would have it the same way Zaedus! They almost ended my people’s existence years ago and your people are next. Humanity cannot abide by others who are equal to them. We need to secure our future!”

“You’re wrong Anexia. I won’t follow your crazed ideology!”

“You don’t have a choice,” Anexia signaled one of her followers. A small group of felines dragged a chained figure into the room. It was a beaten and slashed Boris. “We found him last night sulking around the tunnel system. He was apparently looking for you.” One of the felines placed her claws on Boris back ready to rip him apart. “Bring your tribe here, or I will kill him.”

“I’ve known him for about a day?” Zaedus replied, “Do you think I care if he dies?”

“You may not know him well, but I know you Zaedus. Every needless death is a tragedy to people like you.”

“You don’t know me well enough,” Zaedus looked in her cold steel blue eyes. She would hold no remorse.

Zaedus pointed his left hand at the felines holding Boris captive.

“You can’t save him fast enough Zaedus…” Anexia whispered.

“You’re wrong there…” A bold of lightening crackled down Zaedus’ arm and leaped at the three felines. It connected before they could react and knocked them down. Anexia leapt toward Zaedus, but before she could attack with her claws Zaedus hit her with another bolt. The remaining charge crackled off Zaedus and he drew Cindy.

He pulled up Boris and slashed off the chains.

“How’d you do that?” Boris was stunned.

“That doesn’t matter. It’ll be awhile before I can again and we have to get out of here. Follow me and move fast!” Zaedus ran out of the throne room down the closest tunnel. Boris was right behind him. It went upwards, not to the surface, but upwards nonetheless. The lights faded and Cindy lit up instantly.

“Zaedus!” Boris yelled from behind, “A cats coming!” Zaedus stopped and pushed Boris onwards. One of the felines was right there. This one was defiantly male, strong and moving fast.

“One more time!” Zaedus concentrated as the cat lunged at him. Its claws got dangerously close when Zaedus shot off another bolt. At close range it sent the feline flying with a crack of thunder. The cat hit the ground hard and as its charge went into the ground, it was brutally shocked again. He was dead and Zaedus knew he would not be forgiven. Zaedus continued to run, but faster than before. The sound had most likely attracted the cats. He was in a dangerous position.

Ahead he saw another vortex. Boris had already gone through and in order to avoid certain death, Zaedus did the same.

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Sorry for the missed post

2009-09-06T17:07:00.001-07:00

I've had one hectic week moving in to victoria and just haven't had the time to post or much less write. Anyway The next one should be online at 11:00. Stay Tuned

Done Work

2009-08-31T16:26:00.000-07:00

I just nuked my computer. Here we go 2009-2010!

Chapter 6-1

2009-08-31T07:40:00.000-07:00

Chapter 6: Of Power

“You have me Anexia, but what will you do?” Zaedus lowered Cindy and the claws around him lowered as well. “I warn you; no one has ever managed to hold me captive.”

“I don’t have captives, just allies and the dead.”

“Well no one’s been able to kill me either, so all you have left is an alliance or an exit.” Zaedus matched her gaze. “The choice is yours Queen.”

“Who are you?” She asked again.

“I told you, I am Zaedus.”

“Your are more than a name Zaedus.” Her claws hovered dangerously close to his skin. “You have much pain and walk a path of blood and death.” She turned around and beckoned him to follow. “We do the same. This complex is series of caves, each cave has a portal. They were once above ground, created to serve an ancient race. We use them to travel discreetly, searching…”

“Searching for what?” Zaedus asked as he followed her into another chamber.

“These creatures build our tunnel network.” The room was filled with the beasts Zaedus encountered before. “We believe them to be the left over slaves from a bygone era. I control them all. Most portals only have almost no tunnels; the vermin expand them to the surface. Then my agents search the world above. We operate in perfect secrecy. The humans will never know.”

“You’re obviously not secret enough,” Commented Zaedus. Anexia looked at him contempt, “But why are you doing this?” He looked into her eyes as if attempting to see her motives. “What are your goals, and why the secrecy?”

“It is not your place to know.” She replied cold as stone, “You can not be trusted…yet.” Her final word was an oddity. Regardless her intentions were unclear. “You will stay the night here.” Anexia led him to a room with a simple bed roll. “In the morning I shall decide your fate.”

“Am I not your captive?” Asked Zaedus.

“Consider yourself an oddity, I have never seen reptile of such strange colours as you. You are different and shall be treated as such.”

“Do you want to take my weapon?”

“Your attempts to attack me have failed; I do not fear you. Keep your weapon.” She walked away leaving Zaedus alone. Zaedus could not shake the feeling he had been insulted.

“Well Cindy what do you make of these people?” Zaedus opened his mind and thoughts to Cindy who listened.

“I’m not sure, they are an enigma.” Cindy spoke into his mind, this way they could avoid being overheard.

“Yes they are,” agreed Zaedus. We shall learn more soon enough.” Zaedus unsheathed Cindy and using a small cloth began to polish her, “We’ve got to look our best…”

“Yes of course, nothing else is as important.” Cindy replied sarcastically.

“Just for that, I’ll touch up my shoulder pads instead!” Placing Cindy on the ground he took of one shoulder pad and got to work.

“You could at least sheath me!”

“Sheath yourself!” Zaedus threw down his sheath beside Cindy.

“You’re never hearing the end of this!” Cindy yelled.

“Fine!” Zaedus sheathed Cindy, “What ever you say O’ Sword of Merciful Viciousness.” He sheathed Cindy, “Well I’m going to sleep. You get first watch because I’m fairly sure you don’t need sleep…”

“How would you know?”

“I don’t, but when you’re the adventurer you can make the rules ok?” Zaedus went to sleep in the provided bed roll.

Sometime later, Cindy woke him up and they changed watch. Zaedus attempted to look as if he was sleeping but stay awake. It was easier said than done, and he slept through his watch.

Zaedus awoke feeling rested, but he felt different. He couldn’t move! He couldn’t feel anything!

“What’s happening?” He could speak! This was good. He opened his eyes and saw more than he had ever seen before. He could see all around himself. It was almost too much, but what really got him was when he saw himself, pick him up.

“We switched,” His body replied, “Now I’m the adventurer and you’re the sword, so I make the rules!”

“I don’t mind the switch, really, but you don’t know how to deal with these people! And you can’t fight what if something goes wrong. Horribly wrong! Cindy we’ve got to switch back!”

“Later, I’m enjoying this. Let’s go walk around.”
“I guess I have no say in this…”

“Exactly,” Cindy slung Zaedus over her back and began to walk around the tunnels.

They saw other such rooms, some with sleeping felines others without. They saw the odd feline walking around and Cindy gave them a friendly wave. More often than not, the wave was not returned. Zaedus was unaccustomed to the lack of control, but soon realized it was really easy going being the sword.

“I don’t really mind this too much,” He said and then continued, “I’m as light as a feather, but as heavy a falling tower. I am as strong as a thousand men, but as flexible as willow. I can be slow, but I deal swift death. I am Zaedus the Sword Of Merciful Viciousness!”

“I thought I was the sword of merciful viciousness?” Cindy asked.

“Well you were, but now you’re the adventurer. It’s a trade off I guess,” Reasoned Zaedus. “But if you want to switch back, no problems here.”

“Later, Ok?” replied Cindy

“Fine with me, and wake me if you need me.” Zaedus paused, “Can I even sleep like this?”

“Oh course, it’s just really hard to do when you’re on someone’s back.”

Next

Start

Chapter 5

2009-08-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

Chapter 5: Of Sacrifice

Zaedus awoke in the Inn to a knocking upon his door.

“It’s me Zaedus,” It was obviously Cindy.

“Come in,” Zaedus replied and Cindy entered.

“Zaedus, there is a bit of a commotion outside,” Cindy was worried. “Something’s headed towards the city.” Outside there was a scream. Whatever it was, was here already.

“Cindy find a safe place to hide. Come out when this is all over, ok.” Zaedus ran outside and drew his sword. He was ready for anything, but not for what he found.

His tribe was attacking Night Song! They had just begun to thunder through the gates. They were numerous and the town was poorly equipped to handle them.

The chief was in the lead, Salazar. He had taken control via brutality, killing his predecessor. Though not an unusual way of succession, the battle had been brutally bloody and dishonorable. Since then, the tribe had walked a dark path. None challenged his rule, but few truly followed it. This attack on Night Song was just another act of infamy on Salazar’s long list.

“Salazar!” Zaedus yelled at him and drew steel. “Leave this town for today. I beg of you.” Salazar slowed to a walk and so did the rest of the tribe as they approached Zaedus.

“What are you doing here?” Salazar had contempt in his voice as always, “Friends with the soft folk are you…traitor.” The word traitor stung Zaedus. He had never agreed with Salazar, but being the younger, weaker warrior, Zaedus never could challenge him. He lived in a world where strength was all that mattered.

“I may be a friend of whomever I chose, but I shall never stand by you Salazar.” Zaedus pointed his greatsword at Salazar, an act directly challenging him. “Now leave…or face me.” Guards had begun to show up, but remained in the distance. They did not want to die today.

“I will not back down!” Salazar yelled. “You have made a mistake Zaedus; Your life ends today.” Inside Zaedus shook; his end was closer than it had ever been, but he did not show it.

“I’m ready for anything Salazar, least of all you.” The tribe caught on almost instantly and surrounded them; there would be no escape. Salazar drew his own blade, also a greatsword, and prepared for the fight.

They circled each other waiting to strike. Zaedus swung first, but his attempt to slash Salazar was easily parried. Salazar attempted a similar slice. Zaedus defended, but was knocked off balance. He stumbled backwards and Salazar came at him again. Zaedus was fast enough to block his attacks, but he was losing ground. Salazar swung for his head; Zaedus ducked. The momentary pause allowed Zaedus to regain his footing and he swung to return the favour.

He was not fast enough and Salazar blocked it with one of his bracers. They gave him an edge Zaedus did not have, but a single arm is weak against two. Zaedus stepped back and spun around, swinging his sword as he went. The momentum gained by the spin was a deadly force. His sword came round again for Salazar’s head. Zaedus was once again too slow. Salazar had his sword once again ready to defend.

Salazar avoided his own death, but the momentum knocked him off balance. Taking the upper hand Zaedus lunged at him with his sword raised high to strike. Unfortunately, he did not see the well-placed kick Salazar had used in his last defense. The blow hit Zaedus hard in the stomach. He was knocked on his back, winded and stunned. Salazar brought his sword to Zaedus’ neck.

“Time to finish this,” Salazar muttered as he raised his blade.

“Zaedus!” It was a voice, unmistakably Cindy. She broke the circle and ran towards him.

“Cindy No!” Zaedus yelled, but it was too late. Salazar had already swung on her and the devastating upward slash ripped into her. She fell to the ground helpless. Zaedus was filled with anger and thrust his sword into the chest of Salazar. With one final gasp, his life ended. Zaedus stood up and pushed Salazar’s body off his blade. He came to his senses and dropped his sword.

“Cindy, are you ok?” He ran to her crumpled body.

“What do you think?” She feebly whispered and closed her eyes. Her last words were, “Thank you…” and she was gone.

“No Cindy. Here I thought I was saving your life…and you saved mine.” Zaedus stood up and looked at the tribe.

It was his tribe now. “This is the end of life as we know it. No longer will we raid and no longer will we battle humans.” His fellow reptiles looked at him in shock, but he continued. “No longer will this madness continue! We have all lost far too much.”

He looked around, “A friend, a brother, a father, a loved one all have paid too dearly for a prize which can never be attained! Today we leave this town and we march on find a free land we can call our own. No longer shall we ravage the lands of man. If they come for us, and they no doubt will, we shall offer them hospitality and friendship. Humans are slow to change, but we don’t have to be. From here on in we will no longer fight mankind and we shall wish for them to no longer fight us.”

“Your ideals will kill us all!” Shouted Hastock -one of Salazar’s supporters.

“If I die so be it, I will have died honorably as a warrior, for all true warriors strive for a time when they will no longer be needed. If you choose not to follow, so be it, but remember the path to peace is always available to those who search for it. Now come, we have bodies to bury and a new land to find.”

Zaedus picked up his sword and a few of his people grabbed the body of Salazar, but the body of Cindy was no longer present. Zaedus was alert; no one could have taken it. He looked around, but then realized he would never find her.

~The girl who came from nowhere, has gone just as she arrived, but her mark will last forever~

Start

Lia Liadon/Viscinia 2

2009-08-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

This time it's personal!

I wanna do a quick shout-out to the readers in Malaysia and India. The internet is a truly amazing global phenomenon

Thanks for reading

Liam

Lia Liadon/Viscinia

2009-08-24T23:27:00.001-07:00

You may or may not know that I play D&D on a basis which can only be described as fairly regular. You may also know 3D animation (more modeling now) is a small hobby of mine. I also recently discovered Make Human. So I combined the person from Make Human with my own skill using anim8or to create Lia Liadon!

She's a crazed cleric of Nerull, the god of death. She's also an elf masqurading as a 16 year old girl. To this end she has begun a campaign of murder which will span her entire life. Ideally she will be killing people for over 400 years. She tried to maintain a low profile and often signs on with otherwise good orginizations. She do anything that ends in a kill and doesn't want people to catch on. You can often find her fighting the good fight -for all the wrong reasons.

Anyway Lia Liadon, isn't exactly my first choice character for our upcoming game. So currently she's a backup. I'm semi-hopeful she'll get in, but now that I've put so much work into the character, it probably won't happen. Regardless I thought I'd post some pictures and show what Make Human can do, even when held back by my own abilities. I am not an artist, just good with computers.

If you ever interesting in giving the 3d world a try. Go outside. If that doesn't appeal to you. Try out Anim8or. Its easy, free and the skies the limit with it.

As always, thanks for reading

-Liam

Chapter 4

2009-08-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

Boris and Zaedus having crashed through the vortex find themselves in a strange place

Chapter 4: Of Felines

“Where are we?” Boris asked as they walked into an unfamiliar place.

“You think I know?” Zaedus replied looking at Boris, “Another cave obviously, but that’s about it.” They continued to walk led by the light of Cindy. They came upon a fork in the path.

“Which way?” Boris pointed at both.

“Left, always left,” Zaedus replied as he walked down the path.

“Why left?”

“Because other people would go right, it’s their strong hand and therefore a safer direction by some sort of flawed logic. I dare to be different.”

“You’re a lizard, you’re already different,” Boris cracked back.

Zaedus sighed, “Don’t call me that; I’m much more than just a lizard,” Zaedus paused, “Got that monkey?”

“Hey!” Boris yelled.

“Be quiet…something’s coming,” Zaedus cut him off and ducked into a depression in the cave wall. He pulled Boris in after him. “You’re not very fleet of foot for a thief?”

Whatever is it was approached them slowly as if just passing by. Cindy shut off her light and it became dark once again. It carried a torch unlike the beasts they had encountered previously. It was close now. Its steps grew louder, but still remained faint. As it stepped in front of them they saw more.

It was almost human but not quite. It was digit grade, walking on its toes like some sort of cat. It was taller than the average human, female and the hand that was not carrying the torch had foot-long claws. It looked in their direction for a moment and they saw her slit pupils. It was no doubt this creature was some sort of cat, but the likes of which, they had never seen. Zaedus continued down the cave pulling Boris behind him. They crept slowly along through the darkness. Cindy gave them just enough light to see.

They reached a large chamber. Judging by the amount of tunnels exiting it, they assumed it was some sort of hub going to many locations. It was well lit by a glowing orb in the center, but the layout of the room was not as important as who sat in the center.

Upon a throne of stone sat another cat woman and she had four other cats around her. She was apparently in conversation with them but it was impossible to hear. Zaedus motioned for Boris to get back.

“Get out of sight,” Zaedus whispered, “Back through the vortex if you have to. Just don’t get seen, heard, or …smelled.” Boris retreated into the darkness. “What should I do? I need to know more about these…cats…and what they are doing, but I can’t sneak in and I’m outnumbered…”

“Walk in casually wave and say hi?” Cindy joked.

“Ok we’ll do thing your way today,” replied Zaedus.

Zaedus sheathed Cindy, stood up straight and walked towards the cats. He waved casually. They looked at him with cold unforgiving eyes.

“Bad, bad idea Cindy,” Zaedus mumbled and then spoke to the cats, “Hello. Just passing through; I don’t mean any trouble.”

“Seize him!” The one on the throne yelled, “If you fight you will be killed, understand?”

“Yes,” the small militia of cats outnumbered Zaedus. Each one of them was well equipped with long claws. They were weapons Zaedus was not prepared to deal with. “Like I said; bad idea Cindy.”

“We’ll see,” Cindy whispered back.

Using their non-clawed hands, they grabbed Zaedus and pushed him down before the leader. Zaedus was brought to his knees before her, a position that was very uncomfortable.

“I have no quarrel with you, Reptile,” She said as she looked down upon him.

“Finally someone who doesn’t call me a lizard,” Zaedus replied as he met her gaze.

“What is your name?” She asked.

“My name is my own,” replied Zaedus, “You can have it if you give me yours.”

“I am Anexia, The White Queen. You have entered my kingdom! Now speak your name!”

“I am Zaedus!” He stood up and thrust off his captors. “And you should respect me, Queen, for if you want death I can bring it to you!” Zaedus drew Cindy from her sheath and brought it to the Queens throat. A voice came from his left.

“You are a fool, Zaedus, to think all Queens sit upon their thrones,” claws came to bear on his throat. “Lower your sword or the real Anexia will end your life.”

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