“Yes… I mean NO!”  He was flustered and confused now.  “Wait, so you’re saying that it’s not okay to kill someone that has murdered other people and will probably continue killing if you don’t stop him?” “I said nothing of the sort.  I am merely asking you to clarify your core beliefs,” she said, smiling...Read More

They continued the rest of the day and most of the next with light talk, mostly about the raising of sheep and the life in a small town.  Kitalia had a good laugh when Kre explained about the belt and was a bit upset that she did not have the same experiences growing up.  The...Read More

The Ylveryans, understandably, did not see things the same way.  Though much of the land that the Tehynshins eventually took was not land that the native people claimed to own or even cared to fight for, they still clashed over every little thing, almost as if they were continuously looking for reasons to fight each...Read More

She did not confirm his suspicion but, instead, simply shrugged.  “I do not know why it does not appear on your maps.  I was not consulted when the maps were made.  I can tell you that, yes, the settlement is home to many Ylveryans, but it is also home to many of your people as...Read More

“You are persistent,” she sighed.  She gave the appearance of being annoyed, but Kre could see a hint of a hidden smile playing at the edge of her lips.  “Perhaps though, you are right.  Your intimate knowledge of this land could prove useful in helping us get where we need to go.” Kre sat a...Read More

Once he returned to their makeshift camp, she held out a small metal flask.  “A bit early for a drink, isn’t it?” he asked. “It is to rub into your hands,” she replied matter-of-factly.  “This particular alcohol is terrible for drinking, but it will clean your hands before you eat.” He let her pour a...Read More

Kre woke to the sound of a slow, mournful song whispering on the light morning breeze.  The sound was a low whistle, something akin to the wind blowing through a grove of thick needled pines.  It was eerily haunting but mesmerizing. He blinked his eyes and rubbed at his aching neck.  He suddenly realized that...Read More

She regarded him in silence for several minutes, watching the small beads of sweat form on his forehead and upper lip.  She could see his hand twitch, wanting desperately to wipe his face, but he knew that would be improper and likely seen as a sign of weakness.  Finally, she tapped the leftmost paper on...Read More

The lone figure walked speedily through the open courtyard with the soft rustle of cotton rubbing against cotton as the only sound in the early morning air.  The sun was still hiding behind the mountains in the distance, with only a small reddish glow peeking up over the horizon.  Most creatures were still abed at...Read More

“That’s fair,” Kre said with a yawn.  “Languages aren’t really my thing.  Professor Marxin tried to teach us a bit of the Ancient’s language, but I could never grasp it.” Kre visibly saw the shudder that rolled through his companion’s body.  He had made his statement with a desire to know if the rumors were...Read More