Sigh...to be yourself and to be what God wants you to be is truly the hardest bit in life. But then again, to know that others understand your pain only helps you live through it and even thrive! ^^
Thank you all for you e-mails. That is why we cannot stand alone as a Christian. We tend to look at ourselves so much that we forget that the people around us are human and they each have their own story to tell. Now I can look forward to a better day ^^ (So cliche...but true) And days for that matter. True and true and true. Sigh...Lord, you have truly been instrumental in doing this.
That's why we have to pour out our sorrows to one another. (Actually sins also) so that we can build each other up as 'iron sharpens iron'. ^^ I wrote the post below after coming back from that place and it seems to be right on the dot. I think... But thankfully, now I will just heal and be still in the presence of my beloved God AND his people.
By the way, below is a story I will be starting in this blog just for reading's sake and to hopefully give you an insight into the things I read. ^^ (God, send me a publisher :P) But anyways, erm...enjoy?
PS: Feel free to correct the grammatical or spelling errors. And no...I don't have a title yet.
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~1~
‘He dares not speak for the foundations of the world trembles as he breathes…’ Page XI of the Taeron Chronicles
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The night was still save for cricket chirping and the town would be thanking the gods because everyone knew that cricket chirping meant the end of a good, ordinary day. A day filled with nothing more than work, rest and two tankards of fresh ale. ‘I should be glad if this were my last day’ some grandfather would say should he be given the chance to. Yet, on the eve of that promising night, one soul was less fortunate than the rest for beneath the only bridge above
Xen nodded quietly, wincing as a drop of cold water splattered onto his head from the bridge above. ‘I said you be feeling unlucky?’ The bandit playfully moved his stiletto below the boy’s chin. Xen closed his eyes and nodded again, his fingers feeling the rough wall’s cold surface. Why…why did I have to cross paths with her?
#
‘And with me last stroke, I slay the dragon in its sleep,’ A voice echoed over the crowd’s roaring cheer. The bard bowed, twirling her flute to the tavern’s delight. Tables were pounded, tankards refilled and a chorus for some ancient war song fell from every lip. The innkeeper smiled to himself, surveying the situation. Business would be good thanks to this night’s entertainer but he had to keep an eye out in case some drunk fool decided that it was the right day to attack his neighbours. He felt a small tap on his arm and his heart skipped a beat. Foreseeing a starting punch through experience, he fell upon the person’s arm only to startle a small cloaked figure.
‘So sorry sir. Truly sorry…’ The innkeeper retreated. ‘Thought you were one of those starting punches you know? The starting…punch?’
The stranger said nothing. ‘Those…er…when the inn gets a little rowdy. Yeah…’ The innkeeper scratched the back of his head nervously. Still there was no response from the figure except to reach for his satchel. The innkeeper eyed with suspicion. Could this be one of those kingdom officials sent to tax small town inns? Or perhaps…an… assassin…his garb seems to match those of that kind…maybe one of the rival inns down the road had sent him… Quietly, he reached beneath the counter for his old club. Long had he not felt its weathered grip. Now may be the time to use it.
He looked around for some kind of help but all eyes were kept on the bard who was now singing of some far away land laden with gold and honey. If only there were such a place. I might not have left the adventuring life so early. The stranger had removed a green board from his bag, a stick of chalk and was now furiously scribbling on it. Sighing, he replaced the club. He is dumb. I should have known. The stranger held up his board with the words ‘Can I have a room and a tankard for tonight?’
‘Of course,’ The innkeeper said, smiling. ‘I still have a good room right at the end of the corridor above. Away from the tavern noise and the occasional drunkard pounding up the stair. Will that be adequate?’
More scribbling. I will think about it over a good dose of ale.
‘Dwear’s best brew coming up,’ The innkeeper said, turning to reach for a tankard. Smacking a barrel, he filled it to the brim. ‘So…where are you traveling to, friend?’ The innkeeper turned, setting the tankard gently on the counter.
The stranger kept silent for a moment, sipping the ale gently. ‘Do not worry. I used to travel and I know many an easier way should you require it,’ The innkeeper said, eyeing a group at the end of the hall. He cupped his hands around his mouth. ‘You there! Keep your fight out of my tavern!’
He turned back to see the stranger scribbling. I myself do not know.
‘I see…’ The innkeeper nodded. ‘I too have been faced with those in my life. Especially when I no companions. Heck, that was what made me jump into the adventuring life in the first place. Get a good companion and you get a good goal and something to look forward to.’
But even with a companion, where will I…(erase)…go?
‘The world’s your oyster boy! There are lands out there that beg for a good adventurer’s foot. And the things you see…’ The innkeeper said, staring dreamily at the ceiling. ‘…you will scar its imprint into your soul. They will be things I will never stop telling my grandchildren.’
The innkeeper took the stranger’s empty cup. ‘But that will depend all on you. The adventuring life isn’t for everyone.’ He turned to refill the cup. ‘Some just decide to…settle down…’ The cup and its contents swished with as he emphasized. ‘Just imagine the things you would be missing (swish), the lands left untouched (swish) and a king’s treasure laid before you very eyes!’ The cup was slammed against the counter and half of its contents onto the floor. ‘But…there you have it…the adventuring life isn’t for everybody.’
‘Yes ig ish,’ A man stumbled beside the stranger, nudging him.
‘You, get out of my tavern. You’ve had too much drink already and you are disturbing my customers,’ The innkeeper said.
‘And whats if me dun…? You wen to pick fight wit meh?’ The drunk lifted his fists, stumbling back uneasily and knocking into a passing barmaid. The tankards she held fell onto a table and those who were seated there. ‘What you doing!? You get me all wet!’ A voice cried out. A clumsy fist flailed out and caught the shouter in the face. A blow came back, launching the drunk into another table. Soon, tankards and chairs became tools of war and tables made good shields.
‘Darn it! I had to start it this time,’ The innkeeper groaned. He reached for his club and got ready to defend his barrels. He caught a glance of the dumb stranger hurrying out the tavern door, bending low to avoid detection. The blessings of the gods be upon you, son. Wherever you may be.
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Xen stumbled out into the cold night, narrowing his eyes against the moon’s fierce light. A figure or two was hurrying away; a merchant leading his cart away for the next day’s work and a woman ushering her child into their home’s doorstop. Xen admired the mother for a moment. How I wish…if only I could have felt…no…there is no time. I must find her. He turned he looked around and spied city guards coming, one coming from his left and right. Scribbling quickly on his board, he waited for the two guards to near him before he approached them.
‘Good day, citizen. It be best if you head home. Bandits and their like enjoy this unholy hour,’ One of the guards said.
Xen held up his board. Have you seen a girl pass here?
‘Ah…’ The guard said, staring at Xen curiously. ‘What sort of girl would you be looking for? I hope it isn’t one of them from the brothels. I would have you know stranger, it is illegal in these parts.’
‘Too bad though,’ The other said, looking wishfully at the sky. ‘I heard its not in Raem.’
‘Not what?’
‘Not illegal.’
‘Oh.’ Short pause. ‘Is it true?’
‘Don’t know. It’s what I’ve heard anyway.’
Xen waved his board to get their attention. She looks like a bard. She should have…(erase)...just passed one of you…
‘Hmmm…that is different. I have not. Have you?’ One of the guards said.
The other scratched his chin. ‘Was she wearing a red cap? And was a head shorted than me? Looked a little skinny? Had long…’
Xen nodded, hurrying off down the street, stuffing his board into the satchel. One of the guards called after him. ‘You are welcome!’ His shadow lapped at his heels as he kept an eye out for the bard. Street after street he searched but soon, his breath came in short gasps. He leaned against a wall to regain it. He heard a soft whistle and looked up to see the bard herself, walking towards him. Carefully, he walked over to her, holding out a flute.
‘Thank you, Xen. I would have been lost without this,’ The bard said, gently reaching for the flute.
Xen nodded shyly, releasing the flute into her grip. He stiffened. Quickly pulling the board from his satchel, he took out a piece of chalk and began to scribble. How do you know my name? The bard chuckled. ‘If you too were blind I would have forgiven you.’ There was a short bout of silence as Xen stood there in confusion. A crow fluttered above, cawing. ‘Perhaps the night overshadows my shortcoming and for that I may be grateful. Xen, I am blind.’
‘You be right, missy,’ A voice said as three figures emerged from the shadows. ‘You be too right.’
#
‘You be stop dreaming!’ The bandit shouted and Xen blinked. ‘Now…this will be quick. Hand over yer gold and we will be on our way.’ Xen turned to the bard who was standing quietly behind the bandit leader while his two followers held her none too gently. What should I do…? I…I dare not… Images flared through his head; a woman, fire, screams, bodies. Bodies…everywhere…death… ‘I believe some good screaming will help. Since you can’t scream, your friend here will be doing all the screaming.’
Xen took a step forward but the bandit threw him back into the wall. ‘No one moves until I say so.’ The bandit leaned forward and Xen could smell his rotting breath. ‘Understand?’ Xen cringed at the inevitable. ‘Understand!? Answer me!’
‘YOU WILL NOT MOVE UNTIL I SAY SO,’ Xen spoke softly and it was as if the world paused to consider the weight of those words; the winds hushed, the animals stilled and the waters of the
The two screamed, casting their weapons aside. Heavy footsteps sounded on the pavement. ‘Who goes there!? Thieves, bandits, brigands! Cast aside your weapons and come out peaceably.’
‘The city guard,’ One of the bandits whispered. ‘We must hurry away…’ The two ran alongside the river and jumped into it, using the current to speed their escape. The city guards’ footsteps soon faded into the distance and the sound of chirping crickets began anew. Xen fell to the ground; his shoulder’s shaking more from sorrow than from the cold. I have done it again…why…why are the gods so cruel to one such as I? Do they now enjoy my torment as I wallow in self pity? When will this end…? Must I depart from this world before I obtain my rest…?
A soft hand touched his knee, his head and then his shoulder. ‘Xen, this was all meant to be.’
Xen looked at her with teary eyes. The bard nodded. ‘Yes…I know of your…curse as you would think it to be. But rejoice. For today the fates decree that they be changed. And I am here to rewrite it for you. Will you use this power of yours to help me restore this world to its rightful place?’
Xen stared at her for a moment before breaking into a smile. The bard returned it. ‘Ah yes. Fear not. There will be two others who will join us and they will help me read your writing. Xen…’ He felt her hand gingerly clasped his face and lightly touch his chin. ‘…your power is not a coincidence. It is a gift and if not used, you squander this chance to make use for the good of all.’ She sighed. ‘Know that I cannot force you to do what you do not want to. In time, perhaps…I may win your trust yet. But for now I can only ask, will you come with me?’
What choice do I have? Get a good companion and you get a good goal and something to look forward to, the inn keeper had said. Xen nodded slowly. Why not? I have nothing to lose and it will be good to have someone to talk to. Hopefully once I meet these other two, I will be able to speak better to her.
‘Good! Then it will be best if we leave immediately. We will need to make our way to Raem. Can you send us there?’ The bard asked. Xen opened his mouth just as the bard laid her hand on it. ‘And yes…my name is Kien.’
Nice to meet you. Xen bowed. ‘WE ARE AT THE GATES OF RAEM.’ And in a ripple of time, the world beneath their feet shifted and they were, leaving the space below the bridge empty. The town of Dwear slept soundly once again with the sound of crickets chirping because everyone knew that cricket chirping meant the end of a good, ordinary day.