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
February 6, 2015 By Leave a Comment
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
February 4, 2015 By Leave a Comment
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
February 2, 2015 By Leave a Comment
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
January 30, 2015 By Leave a Comment
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
January 28, 2015 By Leave a Comment
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... ]
Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 14
January 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment
So our friends had found something rather puzzling... ------ Chapter 14. Kyri forced herself to step forward, belatedly following Miri as the much smaller woman strode quickly in the direction of the beautiful city below them. She exchanged a disbelieving glance with Tobimar, and could see even Poplock's eyes wider than usual. This… makes no sense at all. Yet I can sense nothing dark. My powers may be reduced here, but they are not gone, and the only darkness I can sense at all is the forest [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 7
January 7, 2015 By 4 Comments
Let's check in on another character, shall we? ------- Chapter 7. Aran stumbled, fell to his knees, remained in that position, unmoving, for long moments, waiting for his head to clear. I've been … driving myself hard. Far too hard. A part of him tried to force him to lunge back to his feet, but now he knew that much of that was anger at himself, rage and guilt. "Sit still," he told himself, and sat down. He was near his destination, though he saw nothing to indicate that a path to the Hells lay [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 6
January 5, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Well, their destination involves climbing a certain mountain... ------ Chapter 6. "You're sure about this, Kyri?" Tobimar said, glancing involuntarily downward. The base of the mountain already seemed a very long way away. "As sure as I can be about anything which has not yet been proven," the blue-haired Justiciar answered with a smile. With the helm off and the Raiment mostly cloaked, she looked less like the Phoenix Justiciar, deadly avenger of Myrionar, and more like the young woman he'd [ Continue reading... ]
Under the Influence: The Lord of the Rings and J.R.R. Tolkien
April 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne, In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. There may be no other modern work which has so completely defined and then overshadowed a genre as The Lord of the Rings. Written by John Ronald [ Continue reading... ]
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