Monthly Archives: September 2011

Living a Life

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

I’ve been fairly quiet on here recently, and I’m not entirely sure that it’s going to change. But it might, never know. That said, I thought I’d let people know where I’ve been the last month or so, and what I’ve been up to.

The first is that since the last day in May, I have been gainfully employed. After two years getting my MBA, actually have a paycheck, and thus money, was a strange and unusual occurrence. I could purchase things simply for pleasure, rather than otherwise. Given it coincided more or less with Borders’ going out of business, this means that I am now the owner of rather too many books. Too many more books, I should say. As you can see to the right.

As an addendum to the job front, I am now in the housing market. This is a strange experience, and would represent the first property I own entirely on my own. It’s been an interesting journey, and I’m now somewhere on house 40+, in terms of those seen, but I do appear to have finally found one or two that I like. So I may, just may, have a place to call my own before the end of the year.

This would do wonders for my writing, for right now I commute an hour and fifteen either way each day. The job is worth it, but I can’t wait until I get a place an hour closer, and get two hours back each day.…
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The Alliance

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

Crellan cursed Drekkan’s adept handling of the sails. That would likely put Drekkan in the captains favor. His eyes narrowed at the sight of Drekkan and Captain Richane having a nice little chat. He stepped back into the shadows, hoping to stay unnoticed so he could follow them if they left the deck.

As he’s suspected, the captain and Drekkan moved below decks. He was about to follow when Bruce grabbed his shoulders.

“Why don’t you come with me so we can have a conversation regarding what you find so fascinating about Captain Richane recruiting a new hand.”

Crellan sneered slightly. It was phrased politely enough, but Bruce’s bruisers were only a couple of steps behind their boss. He really had no choice. He followed as Bruce walked to a separate part of the deck. The two henchmen walked on other side of Crellan. He gave them a dark look, particularly the one who’d been the jizhare’s target, then ignored them. Pondering how to handle the situation, whether to appear meek or defiant, he wasn’t prepared for Bruce’s abrupt stop in the middle of nothing.

They were in the prow, looking out at the wide river as they fought against the stream. Crellan had seen the men who were rowing down below when he’d stowed his gear. Richane had the largest crew he’d ever heard of. Something to put in his report to The Duke when he had a chance.…
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Hope

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Hope fills a place within my heart
Curse and damn and hate upon
yet hope still springs, an eternal foe
I cannot rest, not this while

I wish for hope to go away
to leave me alone. Let me live
I cry, let me be in peace
Never, comes the call, and always must I heed

Hope is a cruel thing
calling us beyond all measure
Hope wounds the heart, the soul
offering promises of naught

And yet I follow on
from promise unto promise
Sadly caught all the while
knowing what I do

Hope is torture now
a feeling ill resolved
Offering what it cannot give
Playing with my soul

Yet one foot forward and one foot more
After hope I stride
It calls to me and here I go
Forever the blushing bride

Swamp Monster

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

“I’m beginning to think I liked being tied up more than this.”

“What makes you say that Butan? We’re only crawling on our bellies through snake and insect infested swamps.”

“That was rather my point, Náhte.”

“But I thought you wanted to get out of the ropes.”

“I did. But I also thought we were in Át?san, not some atrocious muddy hut hidden so far in the swamp the sun hasn’t been seen here in several years. I can barely tell where I’m going.”

“Well, if you want the direct route to Át?san, it’s over that way.” Náhte gestured to his left.

“How do you know that?”

“Where the moss grows on trees, and the way the current moves. It’s easy if you think about it.”

“Náhte, you’ve never been in a swamp before.”

“I know! This is an adventure.”

Butan shook his head. “Lead on.”

Some time passed.

“Butan, why are you growling at me?”

“I’m not. Well, maybe my stomach’s rumbling. But I’d hardly call that growling.”

“Oh good. So it is the predator hunting us from the trees.”

“The what?!”

“There’s a big ugly monster in the trees back there growling at us.”

“And we aren’t running why?”

“I like strolling.”

“Náhte, you’re going to get us both killed.”

“Well, I can outrun you so I think I’m safe.”

“Why thank you so much.”

“You’re quite welcome.”

Butan looked back.…
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The Hunter’s Prey Part 15

Friday, September 9th, 2011

After a circumspect meeting with Malik, Dendera found herself unwillingly waiting before the High Priest’s chambers once more. Malik’s orders were very clear, and utterly loathsome. However heinous the means to the end, she could not afford to fail.

“What are you doing here?” the High Priestess demanded when Dendera tapped at the door.

“I wish only to serve,” she said, bowing forward from the waist so that her hair curtained her face, lest it give her away.

“The servants are here to serve,” she snapped, about to close the door. Dendera drew a breath in to sigh in relief, when the High Priestess paused. “I cannot let them help with the most intimate tasks, though,” she continued, thoughtful. “You are a handmaid of Assim and worthy to touch a holy man. Come in.” Smoothing her face with an effort, Dendera followed with woman into the dim, smoky sickroom. “The poisons have been pouring out of his flesh. He needs to be bathed.”

Servants were sent for a basin of warm water and some cloths. Dendera knelt beside the motionless man, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a firm hand. His eyes followed her as she bathed his face and limbs, burning into her bent head. When she began to unfasten his robe of office, at the High Priestess’ instruction, he convulsed violently, then lay twitching like a fly-stung horse.…
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