The first war lasted only a few weeks.  The Tehynshins, for all their bravado and arrogance, were a people with no support system, no wide assortment of weapons to wage war with, and no base from which to mount a defensive stand.  Additionally, it seemed that the Tehynshins were fighting as much amongst themselves as...Read More

“Your feelings are… justified,” she replied.  Kre hadn’t been expecting that as the response.  He was more stunned than he had been when she initially berated him.  That feeling didn’t last long as in the very next instant he felt an immense amount of pain as she punched him, hard, in the upper arm.  “Your...Read More

Realizing that she was being difficult on purpose and not having the energy to do more than stay upright in his saddle, Kre gave up.  It appeared that they would have a good amount of time together on the road and there was little sense in aggravating her so soon on their trip with endless...Read More

They were away shortly after the coffin started to burn.  Just prior to their departure, Kitalia excused herself to run back inside and Kre took that opportunity to grab the burlap sack of Terync’s few belongings and tie it onto the horse opposite his own bag.  He would gladly suffer Kitalia’s withering gaze if it...Read More

As he stood there, a log from the kitchen’s fire burning in his hand, he was struck with two thoughts.  “Can’t we bring his body with us?” Kitalia shook her head and her hair danced around her face.  “Bringing his body would only slow us down.  Plus, anyone we meet will easily remember two people...Read More

Kre mutely followed Kitalia’s next instructions, which were to pull the coffin off of the cart and set it in the clearing atop a small pyre.  He had gathered a second armful of smaller branches and twigs when the realization of what he was doing hit him. “I can’t burn his body,” he said aloud...Read More

Nodding, Kre moved in a bit of a haze.  His mind was still trying to sort out everything that she had said, along with the idea that he was about to become a fugitive.  He grabbed his pack and upended it next to the lightly breathing bodies and waited for additional direction from Kitalia. She...Read More

“All right now,” Kre said, wiping his mouth with his sleeve, “I’ve eaten the stew, drunk the tea, and now I don’t suppose you could go ahead and please tell me what’s going on here?” Kitalia shook her head, “I do not suppose I shall ever get used to the lazy way that your people...Read More

The look the young Ylveryan girl shot at Kre was one of puzzlement mixed with pity, and it was a look she had apparently mastered over her years.  Kre’s anger suddenly abated and he immediately felt small and ashamed for his action in front of her. “Sorry,” he mumbled, “I just… I don’t know what’s...Read More

Even as Kre thought to be thankful that the young girl was still bound by the rope, she shuffled them off like they were no more bothersome than a curtain hanging in one’s path.  The thick hempen rope fell to the floor with a thud and the girl stretched luxuriously in one smooth, rippling motion....Read More