Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 24

Time to look in on another old friend...   ------     Chapter 24.      The misshapen creature – a deformed, monstrous hopclaw, he thought – shrank back as the moaning blade cut through the air. But Condor leapt completely over it, cutting off its escape. One clawed arm flew off, trailing blood. The other. The creature was screaming in terror and pain now, but Condor merely grinned and continued. Try to ambush me? Learn what you pay in pain! Finally it was over – too soon, Condor thought. This unending trek through [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 23

Hiriista had asked a rather pointed question...   ------     Chapter 23.      Tobimar saw Kyri freeze, and her posture alone showed that Hiriista's question had struck home. For his part, Tobimar was mystified. He hadn't noticed anything to be wary of – although, to be fair, he hadn't been looking hard this morning. They had been pretty sure that whatever they were looking for wasn't in the immediate area. A quick glance at Poplock, and the little Toad gave a whole-body shrug. He didn't notice anything [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 22

They were finally under way, with  a new companion...   -------     Chapter 22.      "Gemcalling," Hiriista began, "is a combination of one's personal magic, alchemy, symbolism, and the channeling of power outside oneself." "Whoo. Sounds complicated," Poplock said. The four of them were seated near the cookfire; Tobimar and Kyri were taking turns watching the food as it cooked, but they were old hands at this sort of thing and clearly didn't need to focus much attention on it. "Complicated in concept, yes, and [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 21

Finally, our heroes get on the road again!   ------     Chapter 21.      Kyri took a deep breath of the morning air, which once more brought that sparkling feeling into her, something beyond the freshness of an ordinary dawn. I wonder how I'll manage to adapt to the ordinary world when we go back, she mused. Evanwyl will seem dull and grimy by comparison. Even Zarathanton may pall. The three of them stood at the eastern gate of Sha Murnitenzei, looking at the rolling hills that led off into the golden haze of dawn, [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 20

Let's take a look at a different point of view, shall we?   ------     Chapter 20.      She skipped her way along the hallway, then bounded down the three hundred forty-three steps, taking them three or four at a time, to finally burst through the massive double doors that opened easily for her – and only a very few others. The room on the other side never failed to impress her – and, in the moments she was honest with herself, sent a tingle of apprehension through her as well. Arranged like a gigantic amphitheater [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 19

Let's see how this party finishes out...   ------     Chapter 19.      Finally starting to wind down, Poplock thought to himself. He'd managed to wander around most of the huge house of the Reflect while the others were in conversation; as he'd expected, in most cases people didn't even notice him if he was at all cautious, and at most they picked him up and moved him somewhere they felt he belonged. There wasn't a single thing he'd found that was indicative of anything wrong here; it was, he admitted, perhaps a bit [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 18

Someone had arrived in an unexpected manner...     ------     Chapter 18.      Tobimar didn't have to look at Poplock to know the little Toad's eyes were even wider than normal. It has to be that thing about it being easier to focus magic into solid objects; they can use much smaller crystals for summoning living beings. The red-haired woman immediately bowed deeply to Kyri and Tobimar, again in the same way as Miri. Tobimar imitated her and saw Kyri do the same. "Welcome to Kaizatenzei, Phoenix, Tobimar," [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 17

  Let's join the party and see what's up!   ------     Chapter 17.      One major advantage of being thought a dumb animal was that you could look at pretty much everything whenever, and however, you wanted, and no one would even notice, let alone wonder why you were looking; at most they'd pick you up and throw you out, or return you to your apparent owner. Poplock smiled to himself. He'd spent almost four years in Zarathanton honing that skill, disappearing underfoot or being ignored sitting on a low table or [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 16

Our friends had been invited to a party!     ------   Chapter 16.      "Come in," Tobimar's voice said cheerfully in response to her knock. Entering, she saw her friend's hair completely unbound, a flowing waterfall of smooth ebony startling in its length and black-shining perfection. "Balance, I know a lot of women – and a few men – who'd kill for hair like yours." "Why, thank you!" Tobimar bowed, the hair following in a smooth flow that he cast back from his face with a practiced gesture as he rose again. [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 15

Well, our heroes finally had a chance to discuss what they'd found...     ------     Chapter 15.      "I have absolutely no idea what is going on now," Tobimar said bluntly. He rubbed his temples, in the vain hope that the pressure might force the ridiculous situation to align into something he could understand. Poplock, who had finished checking the rooms to make sure there were neither magical nor mundane spies, bounced his agreement. "This makes no sense." Kyri sank into a chair as her Raiment flowed [ Continue reading... ]