What constitutes a sentence?

Pointless challenges to genre and style aren't always the best for narrative.

William Gass once said "The problem with utopia is that there is no red light district."

To which I respond, "the problem with red light districts is that you can't often get a good sandwich"

Watchmen Review

I saw Watchmen at midnight last night and I figure people will be asking me about it. I figured rather than explaining over and over again I would just write a semi-formal review. Put that journalism training to good use.

I feel I should warn you ahead of time about my biases. I am a fan of the graphic novel. I read it at the end of my senior year of college and a few months ago in preparation for the movie. I have read the ramblings of fanboys much more rabid than I, and I was prepared for Watchmen to suck large quantities of balls. However I should also note I am not as big a fanboy as many of these fans. I am open to the possibilities of adaptations not being EXACTLY like the book. I understand that for any movie to be true to a comic I would have to sit through a slideshow of the graphic novel.

All that being said I feel that Watchmen overall was a very good movie. The novel had to be cut down substantially and sequences were shortened from their length in the graphic novel, but Alex Tse, David Hayter, and Zack Snyder all earn some credit that every major sequence made it into the movie. A notable exception to this was the death of a secondary character which had a large emotional impact in the story but didn't have much to do with the overall story, so I see why it got cut.

Immense care was taken with the writing and it was preserved to a level that I have never quite seen in a movie adaptation. It was because they took such care in keeping the writing that the movie turned out so well. All the characters were spot on, with only Laurie being somewhat weak. I should note however that Laurie is somewhat weak in the graphic novel as well. I challenge you to search the "favorite watchmen character" threads and find anyone who says Laurie was an excellent character.

I heard many people complain that Zack was too much of an action movie director and that the slow motion trailers were a sign of deviation from the core ideas of the book. It is interesting to see that movie has a definate increase in action and fore than the book, seeing Snyder's work this is not totally unexpected. The fight scenes with the ramped up gore didn't add much to the story. However Snyder did a great job in casting and directing each character.

Rorschach stood out head and shoulders above the rest in the movie. Jackie Earle Haley was cold sociopathic and brutal, as the character should be. Rorschach's backstory had to be cut down a lot but Haley did a great job of making me empathize and even to a degree understand Rorschach.

I was worried about Dan Dreiburg / Night Owl II. I was worried that they wouldn't get him right, either upping his awesome level to a point that didn't match the novel or they would push him so far into comic relief that a lot of his compassion and idealism would be lost. Snyder did push things uncomfortably in the direction of comic relief but not enough to lose Dreiburg's character.

Also I was worried about the chemistry between Laurie and Dreiburg but Akerman and Wilson managed to pull it off better than I expected. Granted I am used to love scenes from the likes of Push and Star Wars, this one was actually fairly well done, but I am sure people with higher expectations will not be as fond of it.

I hated Billy Crudup's voice for Dr. Manhatten in the trailer, but I must admit he made me a convert and I am now very much a fan of his performance. The Comedian was no surprise, when I saw Jeffrey Dean Morgan I knew he would be perfect and this was a rare instance in which I was not disappointed. Carla Gugino as Sally Jupiter was an unexpected excellent performance. Ozymandius feels as though he caught the worst of the cutting room, much of his backstory and philosophy are lost, making the ending feel a bit more forced, even compared to the novel.

I heard many complaints about the the slow-motion, but I realized throughout the movie that the slow-mo was in place so that the audience could appreciate the level of detail in each frame. From the Sally Jupiter pin-up in the comedian's apartment and the Sally Jupiter lighter to the care put into Night Owl's and Ozymandius' Lairs, you can tell this movie was made by a fan. I want to see the movie again just so I can catch the more of the detail.

The only other thing I should add is that while I realize a lot was cut for time, the movie still felt a bit too long. Granted I was watching at midnight after a long day of work with another day of work looming outside the theater, but at around two hours and thirty minutes, when I already knew how it was going to end, I wanted it to pick up the pace.

Also as mentioned above some of the increased violence and gore were unneccesary and detracted away from the characters.

The music was a mixed bag. For the most part the use of period music like Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel worked very well. However there were two or three times when I raised my eyebrow and said "Really?" upon hearing Snyder's choice of music. Most of these scenes invovled Laurie, and I will say this, there is no place for the song 99 red balloons in any movie, ever.

Despite the instances of bad music there were very few moments when I felt pulled out of the experience. One that comes to mind is when Night Owl suits up again after years of retirement and the music playing is practically the batman theme. We get it Snyder, he is an analogy for batman. I know it was intentional and it really just annoyed me more than anything and approached a level of camp that the offset the grit that had before been the mainstay of the movie.

So in conclusion, the movie is good. The acting and writing are great. The visuals are detailed and great. There are moments when humor uncomfortably tries to lighten the mood. The music for the most part is fantastic, with moments of being very offsetting.

I recommend to all my friends to see it, but I suggest doing it after a meal and after using the restroom, because it is Lord of the Rings long.

Sentence catch up again

With the fury of a thousand bureacrats, he slammed his rubber stamp down, signifying that the bill had been recieved.

This did not mean that the bill would be paid however.

He smirked as the flustered attorney yelled at him; the man was missing his left shoe.

She explained with painful slowness and precision.

Some News

Just a head's up to those of you who have been reading my work and busily correcting the typos, I am glad to inform you that I too am doing the same thing. In fact I printed up a master copy of everything so far posted and have been going over it with a pen. Edits will soon be coming, but my priority is still finishing the story first. After I have a fully written rough draft I will start the lengthy process of re-writing so that it all will make some kind of sense.

Yes you my readers will get to see the creative process in action beginning with my bouts of creative diarrhea continuing into the hopeful crafting and shaping of an actual readable piece of fiction that I can then sell for millions of dollars hopefully freeing me from the tedium of the corporate office life.

Chapter 7

Okay this one is short, but I wanted to vary things up from Freah. I have a lengthy piece continuing where it left off with Freah but it doesn't seem time yet.

Daniel looked over the flat horizon, the only change from here to the edge of what he could see was the frequent gusts of snow and dust blown up by the ceaseless winds. His feet had taken him a fair distance despite his body being tired from the slaughter. He had pushed on ignoring the ache of his body, the numbness in his arm where he had held at bay club strikes and javelins. The frost on his eyes kept him from letting a tear slip out.

Jessica was dead.

Absolom was dead.

David was dead.

Abigail was dead.

Daniel stood alone, walking through the winds, a ghost of that battle.

They hadn’t been ready, but of course they had. They were young but they had all trained long and hard to fight battles like that. Any battle-trained scholar was ready to fight off dozens on their own. Daniel remembered when David had helped teach him some of the basics of fighting.

“It is all about rhythm,” David had said, as he had dodged about Daniel landing blow after blow regardless of the defenses Daniel tried to put up. “Every fight has a rhythm, set that rhythm so that it is on your terms. Wait till they become comfortable…” David said as Daniel finally was able to match his blows with blocks, “…Then change!” David’s punch was diverted but he used that momentum to swing around and slam his foot into Daniel’s side.

Daniel remembered laying their hazy for a second as David reached down grabbing his hand and pulling him back up. “At least that is how Solomon taught me,” David said with a smile. He was always capable, but never overly proud. Everything he knew and excelled at he attributed to others. It made it easy for David to follow Daniel when he saw that Daniel had surpassed him. David congratulated Daniel when Daniel was selected to go to Roamus with Solomon for the hunt. David had fought to hold the line as Daniel retreated and repositioned.

Abigail had not been as kind as David in their rivalry. Abigail was steady in many things, consistent in her studies, consistent in her duties to the settlement and consistent in working to be a better fighter than Daniel. Their matches had become quite the spectacle in training. Trainee Scholars would line up to watch the two cross swords. In their last bout the two had fought till both were dripping with sweat and after an expert parry by Abigail, Daniel’s sword broke. The second jab went for his throat. She stopped the tip uncomfortably close to Daniel’s throat. Daniel had blamed his poorly constructed blade for his defeat, but he had known that Abigail’s riposte had been too swift. He never had the chance to be as gracious as David. Abigail had stood by his side till the rocks took her shield.

Absolom had never lost his smile, until this battle. He always had a joke, always a way to get out of a task. He and Daniel had snuck out of a scribing session or two to stand on the cliff tops of the settlement and watch a snow storm scream across the plains to them. Absolom would dare Daniel to stay out here longer than him. Daniel would always win. Absolom also had an annoying habit of rearranging Daniel’s papers, and switching his right glove his a second left one making him form two shields one day. He was also a deadly shot with his shards which caused him to show off by snipping a sash on someone’s robes, revealing the pale glittering skin underneath. The occasional mishap happened to Abigail, until she threatened Absolom in a non-subtle way about what she would do to him if he continued doing that. Though for all his slacking and joking, he had proved a braver man in showing his affection for Abigail.

Daniel and Jessica had seen Absolom and Abigail stealing kisses in an off corridor a few times. Every time Daniel’s eyes had looked to Jessica’s face, yet her face never betrayed anything.

Jessica has been a rock in Daniel’s life. Jessica knew more about Daniel’s hopes and fears than anyone else in their home, and she never uttered them to anyone. Daniel told her of his dreams to lead the hunts to be like Solomon, a silent guardian against anything that would harm the settlement. He told her of his fear before the hunt that he may not return to her… and David, and Absolom. He told her distaste for the old scribbling of scholars on the Old Ones. She had listened patiently, but she rarely gave much back. She never refused him her attention though. Over the years he teased more and more out of her. The way she would sit and listen to the hum of the core as she worked. The way she expose her bare face the biting winds so that she would know the ends of sensation.

He had sat up late nights talking to her never saying what he always wanted to. Part of him was desperately afraid that to tell her that he had feelings for her would end the quiet nights, after the settlement had quieted. When the heating units had lowered and their words had been what warmed them.

Every word unsaid however tugged at his heart and mind. If he was to be the great hero, why was he scared of anything? If he knew that she would always be there why not step forward?

Day after day it tugged, but soon he was whisked off to Roamus and when he returned it was the Harantons that had to be dealt with. Both had become full scholars and had not the time for romance.

Now she was dead, her last act once again allowing Daniel to keep on going. Yet he never knew if her love of him had once turned to the romantic. She did not let him speak the words when he left. Was it because she didn’t want to didn’t want to distract him, or because she was who she was and she would never be what he wanted her to be. Daniel would never know and it was all he could do not to drive himself insane over it.

One thing that kept his feet forward was his duty. He had learned something terrible. He had learned something that the Abbot would think he was insane for saying. The voidshaped could take the form of the people from Onus, or they could possess them. He had to tell this to Lot, and he had to say something even more insane, Solomon was alive. The man who had left Daniel with Isaac and gone back out into the wastes of Roamus to find the voidshaped himself was still alive. He had probably become some puppet of the voidshaped by now, though.

He had to tell Lot, and he had to warn the rest of the Icenians that the containment of the voidshaped was not going as well as they had hoped.

The man looked up from his desk and immediately launched into a tone of voice which told you everything was unmistakedly your fault.

The warmth of self-pity had dripped out and now only icy anger was left.

He looked at the system clenched in his hands and wished it to fracture beyond repair.

And because I forgot yesterday:

He wouldn't apologize nor would he allow himself to be glorified; at the end of the day there was nothing special.

Chapter 6

I realized I didn't post anything on friday so here I am making up for it. Unfortunately I am running out of pre written stuff before Friday, so it looks like I will have to start pounding things out again to keep updating regularly. This is technically still part of Dusdane's tale but Freah has hijacked it and Dion also now in the picture. For now I am calling it Freah's Tale. If I keep this naming style it may be confusing since the next part will be something like Dusdane's Tale Part 3, Dion's Tale Part 3, and Freah's Tale Part 2, So I may just start calling these pieces the "Forytne Incident." Though that name may not be appropriate for very long anyway. The stories that started so seperate just can't help but smash into each other.

Arron was sitting on a street corner leaning up against a post. He had a brownish cloak over his shoulders and a hood covering most of his face. A small tin cup sat next to his foot with a small sprinkling of change in it. His clothes were tattered and he coughed as people passed by.

As Freah walked up to him he raised one unhooded eye to look at her and a smile crossed his face. He lifted the cup up, “Spare some change?”

Freah sat next to him on the corner, after brushing the cup aside. “You sound ill,” she said.

“Just for effect, though forcing a cough may soon tear my throat up enough I won’t have to fake it.” He said the gravel in his voice clearing as he cleared his throat.

“You usually are better than this Arron, why the beggar routine?”

“Well I had a contract, doing security for a merchant from Maedus but his whole caravan got impounded by the Arbitrators.” Replied Arron as he rattled his cup at another passerby giving a dull smile in their direction. “Cheap bastards.”

“I hear a lot of caravans have been having trouble,” said Freah as she attempted to look nonchalant by checking her nails. The attempt felt awkward and it showed.

“I take it you are hoping I know something,” Arron said putting the cup down again and leaning his head back against the post. He looked up to the lantern hanging off the arm of the post.

“A friend of mine had some trouble last night. He too was working in a caravan,” said Freah as she too leaned her head against the post.

“Was your friend badly hurt?”

Freah looked over suddenly.

“No big surprise there was only one caravan let in last night. One from Elayne, word is they got attacked by Judges.” Arron said and turned his head to look at Freah. “Is Dusdane okay?”

“What makes you think he was in that caravan,” Freah shot back.

“There is only one man you’d be out here asking around here for, and I know he comes in with the Elaynian caravans.” Arron raised a hand and placed it on her shoulder. “I take it he was with that caravan since you snapped at me.” He smiled.

Freah looked down, “He was, he is pretty badly hurt. He was trying to leave this morning but I wouldn’t let him. I am trying to find Faecon, the owner of the caravan, if he is even still alive.”

“From what I have heard the Merchant was taken to the Arbitrator headquarters. Good luck getting in there.”

“You heard anything about the man?”

“Just that he came out of that fight untouched, I heard there were maybe a dozen or more Judges that attacked. A friend of mine buried maybe fifteen men today. None were Judges.”

Freah nodded, “He knows how to handle himself then, at least better than Dusdane, which doesn’t really say much.”

Arron locked with her eyes. “That level of skill doesn’t mean he can handle himself, it means he is a dangerous man. Be careful, Freah.”

Freah stood up and dropped some coins into Arron’s cup. “I can take care of myself.”

Arron shifted back into his gravelly voice, “Thank you kindly miss.”

Freah left Arron and began walking to the Arbitrator’s Headquarters. She could ask someone on the outside if they could relay a message or something. She walked through the busy market watching the merchants shout at passerbys. Each trying to sell their worthless junk to whoever was there. A secret of Fortyne’s success was that many of the foreigners only came to Fortyne and one could say something was made on Sikasta and no one would be the wiser. Freah smiled as she saw a couple looking over some fine silk clothes, supposedly Garrenian, but Freah knew that the silk had been made two doors down.

She came to the end of the Market road and was before the Arbitrator’s Headquarters a massive structure of rock and crystal jutting out of the walls of the city. The building resembled a hedgehog with its many spiny spires poking out at odd directions. A tall rock wall had been made to further the defenses of the structure. The building had been built around a large hollow in the wall of the city.

She came to the large crystal arch that served as the entrance. Two men stood there holding ordinary metal spears. The Guard yawned.

“Excuse me, I am looking for a man named Faecon, I was told he was inside.”

The guard stopped mid-yawn. The other gave her a cold look. “We can neither confirm nor deny that Faecon is within. Also we are not allowing anyone inside so his presence is irrelevant.”

“Please sir, I have business with Faecon.”

“Sorry ma’am no admittance.”

“It is very important business,” She said adding something of an edge to her voice.

The two guards looked at each other.

“Quit, being so hardnosed boys.” A voice from within said and out walked a man in a long yellow coat and a hat which seems slightly larger than normal for an Arbitrator.

The two guards turned and bowed slightly from the waist.

“My Lady,” the man in the over-sized hat bowed deeply to her.

“Lyran?”

“Ah you do remember me then,” Lyran said coming up from his bow with a large smile.

“I didn’t know you were…”

“You weren’t supposed to but now you have gone and ruined it and now I have to find another bar, how sad.” His smile didn’t match his words. He looked to the two guards, “It is all right I will show her to Faecon.”

Lyran began walking quickly and Freah sprinted to catch up.

When they were out of earshot from the guards, Lyran said, “The Bar was good cover I would never have suspected you.”

“Suspected me…?” Freah began but Lyran quickly cut her off.

“I mean I was told to keep tabs on your bar but I thought that was simply peacekeeping work. And now you are here to see Faecon, it is all so clear.”

Freah began again, “I don’t think…”

But Lyran cut her off again, “But these are strange times, I am betting all the agents are going to come out of the woodwork.”

“Lyran, what are you talking about?”

Lyran frowned, “Don’t think I am a fool maddam, Faecon tried to play dumb when we first pulled him in as did that other fellow from last night. The Arbitrators aren’t fools, we have as good intel on our city as even you Wraiths.”

Freah frowned. She realized her insistence had apparently pulled her in far deeper than she had intended. But something excited her about this, she was about to find out information that no one else would know. How long she would live after that would yet be seen. At that thought panic rose up in her mind but she willed it away. She had been in tough situations before she would find a way to handle this.

“We have already blockaded the Maeden gate. One hundred Arbitrators are holding it as we speak.” A voice said from the room where Lyran was leading her.

“One Hundred? Then how are they getting reinforcements?” Another, younger voice echoed from the room.

“I suspect they are coming through the Icenian or Haranton gate. A long detour though, they must have had troops ready for this operation.” A third more grainy voice answered.

“We think we can limit infiltration on our side from the Haranton gate but it will be impossible to discern the Icenians and Maeden’s in disguise coming through there. We can’t search them all.” The first voice said, obviously an Arbitrator, Freah reasoned.

“Why not? This is your city’s safety, is it not.” The grainy voice said again.

“It would strangle commerce, and that more than anything will kill our city,” replied the Arbitrator.

Lyran approached and opened the door. It was a small room with glimmering crystal walls. A hole was in the ceiling of the room angled to catch the suns rays. The rays were collected and diffracted in all directions making the room glow slightly. In the center was a stone table on it were maps and papers spread across. There were three men standing there, one in the clear uniform of an Arbitrator, two others in long black coats. The Arbitrator was clearly in the prime of his years, his blue eyes were quick and alert, his hat was pushed back letting brown hair fall across his forehead. Of the two men in black coats one was older, a long scar across split his chin and another cut diagonally across his forehead. The younger man was a head shorter than the other two and markedly younger. His eyes were dark and his hair black.

Freah shuddered, realizing she was in a room with two of the more dangerous men in the Many Worlds, two Elaynian Wraiths.

The older man looked to Lyran and Freah, he raised an eyebrow.

The younger wraith not noticing the new comers said to the Arbitrator. “Perhaps we should contact the Icenians, maybe they can blockade their gate to Maedus.”

The Arbitrator shook his head. “The Icenians are unlikely to be able to help, their numbers are few and they have a lot of territory to cover. No more likely we would need to help them.”

Lyran coughed, the room focused on Freah. She did her best not to remain calm.

“Gentlemen, I present Lady Freah, she has come with business for Faecon.”

The Arbitrator at the table looked at Freah then to Faecon. Faecon shrugged.

“Lyran, why did you deem this necessary to interrupt us.” The Arbitrator said his voice only showing slight tinges of annoyance.

“I thought she was Faecon’s contact…” Lyran began then looked to Freah for help. She stood there for a moment and then smirked that even an Arbitrator could be a fool.

“You have compromised…” The Arbitrator began.

“Nothing, Dylan, Lyran has compromised nothing. You however are about to so calm yourself.” The young man interjected.

Dylan took a breath.

“Freah…” Faecon said for a moment, thinking. “Ah yes, Dusdane mentioned you. I assume you have come here on his behalf?”

Freah nodded, “He wishes to speak with you about the matter of last night.”

Dylan shook his head at Faecon.

Faecon smirked at Dylan. “This is a confidential matter, I should probably speak to Dusdane directly.”

“Dusdane is badly hurt and is bedridden. You can discuss it with me and I will relay it to him.” Said Freah.

“Faecon, you will remove yourself from your caravan and leave Dusdane in charge.” Said Dylan.

“A buy-off, how shrewd,” commented the young man.

“That was the plan from the beginning, Dylan. But I doubt the young man will be satisfied with that now that his life has been endangered. He is not the type to walk away from this.” Replied Faecon.

“How do you know this,” said Dylan.

“Because it is our job to know people Arbitrator,” the young men interposed.

“Dion, you are being needlessly inflammatory.”

Dylan gritted his teeth. “Are you implying that an Arbitrator doesn’t.”

“You know people’s price.” Dion replied.

“Enough,” Faecon said silencing the others. “It was my plan to include Dusdane from the beginning, the addition of this woman is only a minor issue. I am sure she can be of some use as well.”

“Use?” said Freah, she shifted her weight uneasily.

“What use could she be?” Dylan snapped.

Lyran took a step forward. “If I may sir?”

Faecon nodded.

“Lady Freah is the owner of an establishment used by many of the merchants and locals, she has information source at her disposal and probably knows a great deal about the situation already. Given the right training she could use this tool more effectively. Also she is in prime physical condition, I personally have seen her settle more than a few bar brawls.”

Dylan’s eyes widened as he realized what Lyran was saying. “Are you putting forth a recommendation, Lyran?”

“Sir, she also exhibits excellent mediation abilities, she has many of the attributes necessary to become an excellent Arbitrator.”

Freah elbowed Lyran and harshly whispered. “What are you doing?”

“Saving your life, and my career,” he replied simply.

Faecon smiled, and looked at Dylan. “It takes two Arbitrators to recommend a new recruit and it does solve our little problem.”

“Very well, I shall train her personally, since it will be my neck on the line.” Said Dylan not looking terribly pleased with the way things were turning out.

Freah looked at Faecon, “You knew this was going to happen?”

Faecon openly laughed. “Of course not, but I know how to adapt to my situation. Something our good friend Lyran has learned quickly and that Dylan is going to have to learn grudgingly. Had I truly know how this would all turn out I wouldn’t have let Dusdane get wounded now would I.”

Freah thought for a moment, “But you already had plans for Dusdane.”

Faecon nodded, “Well since you are an Arbitrator now,” this elicited a chuckle from Dion, “I can let you in on some information.” Faecon motioned her over to the table were she saw a diagram of the gate system and a larger map of Fortyne City and the surrounding gates. “This is a lot of information I know, but I need you to relay as much of it as you can to Dusdane. Also, you must not tell him that he is being trained.”

“He is being trained?”

“He has been in training since we left Elayne. Wraith’s are trained without their knowledge in the early stages, so we can get a good idea of how they naturally adapt to situations. Eventually we will let Dusdane in on the larger plan but now until I know he is ready.”

“So I don’t get such a luxury,” said Freah.

“Unfortunately no, Sorry you just had bad luck. Think of it this way, at least Dion isn’t going to kill you as you leave this way.”

Dion smirked, “Faecon, you make me sound like a bloodthirsty killer, you’d think I’d kill a lovely lady like this.”

Freah caught Dion’s eyes for a moment and didn’t like what she saw. His eyes were cold and calculating but something else was behind that, a glee in the idea of stalking her like a cat stalks a mouse. His smile widened as she looked at him. Freah felt sick.

Faecon offered no help or consolation, he seemed amused by the whole thing. He went back to motioning at his charts. “The reason for the curfew and increased security around the city is that Judges have been waging a guerilla war against the Arbitrators.”

Faecon paused to let that sink in. Freah used that moment to ask, “what could they possibly gain from going against the Arbitrators? Won’t this just bring the entirety of the Many Worlds against them?”

“According to the Treaty of Fortyne, yes, the Many Worlds should be rallying for a full scale war. Except that the Maedens have declared the group that have been attacking a fringe group, not connected with their government. They have basically said we can exterminate them on our own terms and they won’t lift a finger,” continued Faecon.

“Then why haven’t you rooted them out?”

Dylan spoke up this time. “They are getting reinforcements.”

“Isn’t that proof enough to invoke the Treaty?” Asked Freah.

Faecon shook his head. “Sadly no. The Many Worlds are still tired from the aftermath of the Gates Opening. The wars following have depleted most of each worlds forces. I am all that Elayne was willing to send in support of Fortyne.” Faecon looked at Dion, he said nothing.

Dylan pointed to the Maeden Gate. “We are within our rights due to the Treaty to blockade their entrance, but they are still coming in.” He moved over to the gate network chart. “Maedus however is not only connected to Fortyne but also connected to Icene, Harantos, and Garren. As you know all of these worlds are connected to Fortyne.”

Freah said, “As far as I know none of those worlds have much love for the Maedens, why would they be helping?”

Faecon replied, “We know they aren’t coming through the Garrenian Gate because the Garrenians and Sikastans just fought a long war to push the Maedens out. The connection is probably well defended.” Faecon drew a slash through that connection on the chart. Dylan grit his teeth a little watching Faecon mark on his chart. “Dylan recently saw that Arbitrators were sent to secure the gate to Maedus soon after the incident which started this.”

“Incident?” asked Freah.

Dylan replied, “I was attacked by a squad of Judges while on patrol.”

Faecon added, “This was in response to Dylan killing a Judge.”

Dylan turned on Faecon, “I was within my rights, he had just murdered in cold blood. He was in violation of a most obvious law and would not heed my authority to arrest him and he attacked!”

Dion spoke up this time, “I am not sure how much you know about the Maedens but they view themselves as champions of order. The man Dylan is referring to had just killed a thief. The Judge was acting as Judge and executioner for the crime which most Maeden Judges think is their right and privilege, hence the name.” Dion amusedly added, “You can see how this can cause problems with other forms of law.”

Freah simply nodded.

“Since Dylan is some respects caused this other worlds are using that as an excuse to say this is a dispute between Fortyne and Maedus and refused to get invovled,” explained Faecon.

“That is until Fortyne City is no longer usable,” said Dion.

Dylan added, “Dion has suggested we shut down the market until other Worlds help.”

Freah gaped, “That would be unthinkable, Fortyne City would be unlivable without the trade from the Many Worlds.”

Dion spun a dagger idly on the table, “Sometimes you have to do dramatic things to get things moving.”

“This is not an option the Arbitrators will consider.” Said Dylan.

“But you have already enforced the curfew which is strangling business already,” Freah replied.

“That is a matter of safety, we need to know who is on the streets at night,” said Dylan.

“And yet my caravan still was ambushed,” said Faecon smirking.

“We can’t be everywhere at once,” replied Dylan quietly.

“So then what is the plan, Dylan? What are you planning to do to stop them?” Asked Freah as politely as she could despite her growing anxiety. She wondered if the plan itself would involve herself and Dusdane, as bait. She didn’t trust any of these men. Lyran she trusted, the man was sincere enough.

Faecon smirked, “The Wraiths have stated their plan, but what alternative do the mighty Arbitrators have?”

Dylan’s frown deepened, and lines formed around his mouth. “We need more intel, you Wraiths should be able to help out there. We need to know more about who is in charge. Cut deep enough into their leaders and the rest will be easy pickings if they do not just surrender.”

Faecon nodded, “fair enough. The Judges are incredibly hierarchical, there must be someone here who is directing them. Cut off the head?”

Dylan nodded. He then said to Faecon “I give you and Dion full authority to find out who that is.” He looked at Freah, “In the meantime, you are no good to us as you are.” Dylan spoke this without malice but Freah sneered slightly anyway. He continued, “As I said, you will receive training from me. It will start this evening, go home and rest.”

Dylan turned away from her and motioned Lyran over and began speaking to him, suggesting patrol routes. Faecon and Dion spoke quietly in a corner. Dion occasionally looking at Freah and smiling. For a moment Freah stood there unable to move, trying to piece together what had just happened and what this was going to mean. On the one hand, her old life was gone casually thrown away as she walked in this door. Lyran looked at her his eyes whispering an apology. On the other her life was about to become much more interesting, and she could keep an eye on Dusdane this way. She worried slightly about the training Dylan had in mind but she had handled fights in her past she was sure she could keep up with the Arbitrator. She took a second and realized she was crazy. An Arbitrator was trained to take on squads of well trained soldiers not a bunch of rowdy drunks. How could she possibly keep up.

As she stood there Dylan looked over again, “You may leave Miss Freah. Rest up, you will need it.”

Freah backed out of the room. Dion’s eyes followed her, that smile not leaving his face. Freah sighed, at least with Dylan looking over her she wouldn’t have to worry about Dion. Something about him worried her. She couldn’t quite determine what it was. There was the obvious, he was trained killer who seemed to have taken an interest in her. Maybe it was simply that she no longer had control. Earlier this day she had been in control of her life, today control had been wrested from her.

Freah left the building unsettled, and walked back to her bar. Dusdane, this was his fault, she mused about smothering the wounded man, but shook her head. That wouldn’t solve anything. If anything he was in just as deep as she was, if not worse. She doubted Faecon intended to be kind to him.

Weekend Sentence Catch-up

He knew exactly what he was supposed to do, and he refused to do it.

Her face was locked in anger but a single droplet fell to the ground from her face.

He gazed upon the city letting the glow of the flames flicker on his smiling face.

The cold had gone from feeling like a thousand needles all over his body to a dull numbness.

The elevator was painted with an eerie blue light.

Every late night he spoke with her and every late night he didn't say what he meant.

Sentence Catch Up

Her hair sat like a tumbleweed on her head.

His eyes, moved from head to toe like ice falling from a roof.

The fact that the man had a monocle said it all.

He loved the way gloves felt on his hand; they removed any trace of what his hands had done.

Chapter 5

Breaking the pattern, I am not continuing the stories of Dusdane or Dion this week, though they are not gone. In fact I am writing a part right now where the two meet.

This Tale is about Daniel, he was mentioned back in October as one of the guys in the first random short story I posted. This piece is a bit more action packed and also a bit longer than pieces I have posted thus far. Also I must apologize, it is probably rougher than the other pieces because I have not even given it the cursory editing glance I usually do. Edits on all postings will come at a later time, my focus right now is to get the story done.

Enjoy.

Grayish light trickled through the cracks in the roof of Daniel’s chamber. The light poured lazily from the ceiling hitting a floating crystal then the light shattered cascading down the wall and through the room. Every beam of light that hit a crystal refracted at insane angles bathing the whole room in gray. On a small squat cylinder, Daniel sat naked. His legs crossed and back straight, he turned his closed eyes to the speckles of gray light flowing through the room. The gray light only made his stark white flesh the more apparent. His flesh goosebumped slightly as a cold breeze flowed in through the gaps in the ceiling but Daniel didn’t move. His breath flowed in and out slowly and deliberately. As the room began to grow colder his breath formed mist in the air. Daniel remained unmoving.

The door to his chambers creaked open. A young woman clothed in long brownish robes stepped in. Her skin was just as pale as Daniel’s. Here eyes were red. Her hair was blonde turning into white. She stood silent for a moment watching the mist flow in and out of Daniel’s mouth.

After a few moments she spoke, “Daniel, it is time.”

Daniel’s eyes opened and narrowed immediately on the woman. “I am ready, Jessica.” Daniel stood up and instinctually reached for his habit, then paused. “They are soon here?”

Jessica nodded.

Daniel instead grabbed a padded woolen garment and slowly put it on. Over that he threw a long shirt of chain mail flecked with crystal. Finally he grabbed the brown habit and wrapped it around his armored body. He tied a red sash around his waist. He approached Jessica. She held out two black heavily padded gloves with a strange device mounted on the wrist. She too was wearing the devices. Daniel placed his hands in both of them and the padded expanded to fit snugly around his hands. He curled each finger in rapid succession.

He returned his gaze to Jessica. “Have the evacuations begun?”

She nodded, “Yes, Abbot Lot began them an hour ago.”

Daniel frowned deeply, “Good then it is simply our job to ensure that they have a good head start.”

“So simply delaying again?” Asked Jessica a hint of heat followed her words from her cold and pale mouth.

“What alternative do we have?”

“Hit then hard, make their attempt too costly.” She said the red gem on the wrist device glowed for a moment then dimmed. “We can’t just let them keep taking settlement after settlement with only paltry wounds.”

Daniel bowed his head. “I know this is frustrating Jessica,” Daniel clenched both fists and turned away from her. “Believe me I want to hurt them as badly as you do.” He lightly placed a fist against the wall. “But we can’t mount an effective attack force, with so many of our brothers and sisters off on Roamus.”

“I know, but we can make a stand here.” Jessica said placing a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “We draw a line in our caves, the beastmen don’t know them as well as we do they will spend weeks trying to ferret us out.” She gestured upward with her other fist, “We’ll shame the other Abbots into helping us make a stand here.”

A scream echoed through the hallways.

Daniel looked Jessica in the eyes. “There is something happening Jessica,” he said his red eyes unblinking. “There is a reason so many are on Roamus.” He turned to face her, her hand sliding off his shoulder. “This is bigger than any one world, this is more important than the battle here with the Harantons.” The gems on both hands began to pulse slowly. “We will do as Abbot Lot has instructed,” Daniel said then added with a smile, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t bloody the Harantons noses while we are at it.”

Jessica smiled as well. The two made their way through a long rocky corridor into a large open chamber. Small buildings were carved out of the rock and the two could see their three comrades positioned on top of one blocking a tunnel. Two ramps led up the side of the squat two story building.

The three were dressed similarly to Jessica and Daniel, brown habits, black gloves. All were three of them were young, barely reached their second decade.

Jessica and Daniel reached the top of the structure. Daniel looked to one of the three, a young man a growth of white bristles on his chin. A look of cold determination graced his eyes as he surveyed the large chamber. “Absolom,” said Daniel, “What is our situation?”

Absolom, took one quick breath before responding. “A few families weren’t quick enough in their evacuation, they have been overrun.” Absolom looked over to another of the three another young man kneeling down overlooking the plaza below. With each breath he shook slightly.

The third, a slender woman, her hair long and tied back, unlike Jessica’s short hair, answered Daniel unspoken question. “David tried to get to them but was too late.” She placed a comforting hand on David’s back and she knelt beside him.

Between shaking breaths he spoke softly, “thank you Abigail.”

Jessica furrowed her brow at the two. “We have no time for sentimentality.” She said.

Daniel kneeled on the other side of David. “David, I need you here, or more will die. I need to count on you.”

David closed his eyes and forced his breathing to slow. When he opened his eyes, his body was still again. “Daniel, I am here to the end.”

Daniel patted him once firmly on the back, “Hopefully that won’t be necessary,” he stood and spoke to the rest. “Abbot Lot, was clear in his instructions: Delay. This is not a fight to the finish, if one is overwhelmed we all fall back.”

Jessica grinded her teeth silently.

Daniel ignored her and continued, “we have a few choke points we can use. Obviously this is our first, two obvious spots to hold back their advance. If either of those spots fall or weaken we fall back to the tunnel entrance, force them through a few at a time. When we begin to tire we fall back again to the next tunnel intersection. That point is where we need to hold out the longest before sealing the other routes and retreating to Library. From there it is hit and run as we all make our way out of the settlement.”

Another yell echoed from a tunnel opposite them, this time a warcry.

Daniel began to speak more rapidly, “Listen, once we hit the library it is important that we split up and take separate routes out of the city. We have to scatter them as much as possible and distract them with pillage rather than pursuit.”

He looked to Absolom, “you will direct them to the crystal mine.” He pointed to David, “I need you to direct them to the remains of the armory, there should be enough left there for them to fight over. Until that is they find it is broken.” David smirked. Daniel turned to Abigail. “Abigail, you have one of the more important jobs. I need you to lead them to the core and I need you to smash it on your way out.” Abigail nodded. Daniel turned to Jessica, “Lead them to the council chamber. And I will lead them in a circle back to the entrance hall. This should scatter and distract them as much as can be managed.”

“They’re here,” said Absolom simply.

Daniel turned to see the first of the beastmen rush into the plaza. One pointed at them and shouted. Daniel clenched his fists and shouted orders, “Absolom take the edge and start sending them gifts!”

Absolom raised one finger and drew lines from between his other fingers and where he pointed liquid crystal congealed into pointed shards.

“Abigail, take the right ramp!” He shouted, Abigail had already shaped here sword and shield. Daniel did the same, a quick circular motion over his left hand and the circular buckler spread out and congealed. With a flick of his right hand the blade extended from the glove. “I will take the left ramp! Jessica and David you pick up what slips by!” David and Jessica crafted their weapons quickly. David held two short blades, one in each hand. Jessica held a large double bladed axe.

Daniel got into position at the top of his ramp. Absolom began showering the beastmen ranks with his crystal spikes. The mass of beastmen, probably over a hundred began to split and rush up each ramp. They were expecting to just roll over them, they hadn’t encountered real resistance yet, let alone battle trained scholars. Even if the five were merely novices they had trained most their lives and were ready for this.

The first beastmen came in swinging distance of Daniel. The barbarian lifted up a great club over his head and began to swing downward. Daniel stepped to the right slanting his shield to deflect the blow and swung his blade immediately for the beastman’s heel. The tendon snapped and the great beast man fell to the ground. Daniel thrusted a foot into him and he slide back down the ramp catching a few beastmen off guard. Daniel moved forward slicing the two that had fallen then retreated a few steps and moved to one side lining up his attackers. One reached into grab him, he ducked low and stabbed the gut. He turned to the left moving out of the towering beastman’s fall. He immediately saw an axe coming at him but his shield clashed into the axe and the axe broke. Daniel kicked the unarmed man and sliced at another. There were curses being hurled at him from many beastmen but they slowed in their pursuit seeing six of there men wounded without even a scratch on Daniel.

Daniel took a few steps back. The beastmen grew emboldened and began to advance when two shards struck two advancers in the head. Daniel didn’t have the time to even look at Absolom since he was once again assaulted. A group this time, Absolom had given a bit of a reprieve but four more now came at him rushing.

“Two coming your way, Jessica!” Daniel shouted and rolled into the legs of two of his attackers. A slash preceded his roll and he knocked two of the beast men over. Daniel simply kept moving forward not looking back, but he heard the cries of the other two he left standing.

Another group of them was approaching and Daniel took a breath. He had advanced a fair way down the ramp and was approaching a place where he could be assaulted on all sides. On the other hand he was unsure of how many were simply wounded behind him. He was sure Jessica would finish them off but he needed to hold his ground. He let a small smile cross his lips. Ten down, he could do this ten more times he thought to himself.

A spear clanged to the left of him. He raised his shield up quickly enough as two more came screaming at him. One struck his shield and pushed him to the ground. He heard more spear strikes and heard a scream, higher than the pitch of the beastmen. He wanted to see who it was but another group of beastmen were advancing. Daniel rolled backwards shield ready when he came up standing. Two club strikes came at him he dodged toward the building and let one hit his shield. He stabbed at the one closest to him and backed a few steps waiting for the others to approach. They did and with each attack Daniel moved back a few more steps but with each assault he took another beastman down, but he had reached the top of the ramp and the beastmen had stopped their advance.

“Everyone, spears incoming, to me!”

The five grouped together, even the now wounded Absolom. They formed a column behind Abigail and Daniel and ducked behind the shields. Metal spearheads slammed into the shields but they did not move back. Abigail and Daniel lowered their shields to see new waves approaching from both ramps.

“Jessica, David, Strike and retreat!”

Jessica came out whirling in circles her axe blade slicing through any who approached. David leaped towards the fray slicing madly. The ferocity of the attack pushed the beastmen back but their numbers swelled as Jessica and David moved back in time for the next spear volley.

Absolom clutched his side where a spear had hit him. The point had not pierced the mail but had likely damaged his ribs. He formed more shards and hurled a handful at each ramp. “I think it might be time to retreat to the cave entrance.”

Daniel and Abigail rushed forward shoving attackers back into the crowd slashing as they retreated. Daniel looked back. “Absolom give us cover as we withdraw!”

Abigail and Daniel stepped back slowly keeping their shields between them and the mob of beastmen. Shards flew by Daniel’s ears and into the oncoming masses. This slowed their advance but the retreat also made them bolder. A club slammed into Daniel’s shield repeatedly causing him to back up faster than Abigail. A group from Daniel’s ramp broke off to flank Abigail.

David cursed and leapt into their ranks flailing madly with his blades.

Daniel shouted, “Full back! David jump!”

David leapt out of the crowd to Daniel who adjusted his shield to slant towards David. David kicked off of the shield and was down the tunnel. Daniel twirled his blade around using the momentum of the kick and backed away keeping his feet dug into the stony roof.

The five made a slow retreat down the tunnel. Abigail and Daniel stood shoulder to shoulder blocking the advance. Occasionally the two ducked to allow Jessica and David to quickly strike and smash the enemies ranks, but the hordes seemed endless. More had poured in from behind the first wave. Now they fought more cautiously, knowing the skill of the Icenians.

The scholars reached the tunnel intersection and they dug in, but Daniel was beginning to tire. Also Absolom was wounded, it was doubtful that he would be able to continue on his own. His shards came less and less often, he coughed and blood began to trickle out his mouth. Daniel had little time to think as one after the other the beastmen came hammering at his shield. His hand had long since gone numb from the impacts.

The beastmen had caught on they braced against each other and surged forth. Abigail and Daniel were shoved back. Daniel stumbled back, Absolom hurled shards at the adjacent tunnels. The shards hit a switch causing the side tunnels to collaspe catching some of the beastmen, Abigail’s Shield became caught by a boulder. David rushed to defend her.

David’s blades crossed to brace against an axe blade. He scissored through the shaft of the axe and plunged a blade into the beastman wielding it.

Jessica moved in whirling the axe holding the horde back with the threat of her axe. Abigail hit a switch and her sheild evaporated.

Daniel knew they couldn’t hold here long he began to shout, “Fall back to the libr…”

Their shields had been lowered too long, javelins hurled through the corridor. Abigail took a spear to the shoulder falling backwards. Jessica dodge to the side but had a javelin point slice her side. David took two and fell to the ground. Daniel raised his shield in time and defended the cowering Absolom.

For a second his calm repose left him, “RUN!” shouted Daniel. Abigail without a thought broke the spear shaft and charged into the beastmen and was engulfed. Jessica limped back to Daniel. Daniel took her arm over his shoulder removing his shield.

Absolom hurled shards into the oncoming crowd. “Get out of here!”

Daniel and Jessica made their way to the library, their weapons dissolved. Fighting was no longer an option, flight was all Daniel could think of. Blood and steam poured out of Jessica’s side. He tried to staunch the flow, with some bandages he had within his robe.

Jessica reached up and stopped his hand. “Stop this,” she said. Her cold eyes looked on Daniel’s face, “You knew we weren’t going to make it out of this. We all knew.”

Daniel’s gray eyes locked with hers, he gripped her hand firmly. “I didn’t plan to die today, and I didn’t plan to watch you die.” He used her grip to pull her too her feet. “I am going to get you out of here, then I need to go smash the core.”

Jessica pushed him away slightly, “No, you are going to smash the core. Forget about me I will hold them off here.” She began to move her hands to form her axe again.

Daniel grabbed her lightly by the wrist stopping her. “No, you won’t.”

She looked at him, pain was persistent on her face but a small smirk began to form. “You can’t order me around, Daniel, you aren’t the Abbot.”

“I was put in command of this,” Daniel replied, his chest began to ache.

“Then you are acting out of irrationality, I will help you finish the job.”

Daniel grabbed both her hands and pulled her close. “You are my friend, I won’t let you die.”

Jessica reached up, placing her fingertips on the back of his neck, her thumb rubbing his cheek. “Only the best survive, Daniel. You are the best of us, you have to make it out.”

Daniel lowered his head, letting go of her hand. “If I was the best I would have led you all out of here. I would have told David I think of him as my brother. I would have told Absolom I forgive him his annoyances. I would have told Abigail she was the better swordsmen. I would have told you…”

Jessica raised her hand to his mouth. “Keep your mind here, not in what was and what might have been.” Daniel silenced himself. “A scholar is nothing without focus. Use that now. Focus on accomplishing the task at hand.”

Daniel nodded.

Jessica formed the axe and turned to the tunnel entrance. “Go,” was the last thing she said to him.

Daniel darted off out of the library. He reformed his sword and shield. Again he was the only survivor.

As he left the Library he heard Jessica cry out, “This is the last step you will take beasts!”

His footsteps fell hard and quickly down the corridors heading to the core, the center of all Iceneian settlements. His ears were alert for the sounds of the beastmen, but it seemed they had drawn most of them away as they had planned. He finally arrived at the crystal pillar, in a large chamber off the main meeting cave. It shimmered from a light generated within, the surface jutted his protrusions that refracted the light sending rainbow splotches of light all around the room. The core powered all the lights, the heating systems and the memory crystals, the devices which separated the Iceneians from the rabble of the many worlds.

After taking a moment to take in the sight of the glittering floating pillar of crystal, he realized he wasn’t alone in the room.

He was Haranton by his size alone. He wore and animal hide and the skull of a large dog on his head. The hide was a reddish color, the hair on the man’s body has dark black. His eyes though were Gray like Daniel’s. The two looked at each other for a moment, and it was too late before Daniel realized this was exactly what he shouldn’t have done.

Daniel’s body was frozen as his eyes were locked in the gaze that the Haranton wouldn’t break. This was a Haranton Shaman.

“I thought you had all fled or died by now.” The Shaman said as he took a few steps closer to Daniel. He looked at Daniel’s weapons. “No need for those.”

Under the compulsion of his words Daniel dissolved his sword and shield. Daniel knew he was in trouble, but he knew that the Shaman’s abilities were limited. The Shaman couldn’t make him override his own self preservation or make him betray something he truly cared about. He tried to focus his mind on Jessica, he wouldn’t let her die in vain. His mind railed helpless against the hypnotic effect.

“I assume you are here to smash the core so I won’t get a look at it,” the Shaman shook his head, never letting his eyes contact break completely. “You Iceneians, so selfish, won’t let your dear friends and neighbors share in the delightful mysteries of the Old Ones.”

“We keep our secrets to protect the worlds as a whole, not to exalt any single world.” Daniel said through a clenched jaw.

The Shaman smiled, “Impressive, you have a strong mind. Most wouldn’t be able to form complete sentences when locked in my gaze.”

“I am a scholar,” Daniel said, beginning to feel the effects weakening. He began to slowly move his hands a little.

“I know you are, I even think I know your name. At least I think that is you, Daniel.”

Daniel froze. More out of confusion and shock than the Shaman’s ability.

“We have a mutual acquaintance,” the Shaman replied to Daniel’s unanswered question. “A hunting party found him, he told us so many interesting things Daniel. So many things.”

“Who did you find?”

The Shaman smiled again, “Solomon.”

Daniel spat at the Shaman, “Solomon is dead.”

“No he is quite alive,” The shaman looked away and Daniel felt a moment of freedom he took a step forward. “He probably is wondering what happened to Isaac.” The Shaman said and locked his gaze back on Daniel. Daniel tried to look away but was caught again. “But we both know what happened to Isaac don’t we, odd how his name never stays long in your mind, how if you don’t see him for long you can forget him entirely. It as if he was swallowed into the void, but not quite.”

“You aren’t Haranton.” Daniel said, a chill colder than the one he felt on Roamus ran up his spine.

“I am, but I am not.”

“But the voidshaped have never been more than mindless monsters.”

“We were more long ago, but the ones you called the old ones forced us away. Locked us outside, but we are coming back, and there is no one who can stop us.” The Shaman was standing close now. Daniel’s face was at his chest. “Remove your weapons, Daniel”

“No.”

The blade flowed from his glove and stabbed through the Shaman’s gut. Daniel kicked him off the blade and the body stumbled back and fell backwards on the ground. An inky blackness poured from the would and formed a cloud above the body. Daniel stabbed suddenly at it and it quivered and lessened from the crystal’s contact before it flowed away like smoke on the breeze.

Daniel had been lucky, the voidshaped hadn’t know the Shaman’s power well enough to know that he couldn’t make him drop his weapons in front of a creature he had sworn to kill.

Daniel looked to the core. He didn’t know what the voidshaped had gotten from it but he had to make sure that no one could get anything else. He deactivated the core then smashed it repeatedly with his blade.

They could possess people it seemed, maybe one had taken Solomon. But how could he have ended up on Harantos, there was no gate connecting Roamus and Harantos, and he couldn’t have come through the gate on Icene, the scholars would have seen it.

Daniel heard the sounds of beastmen approaching. He had no more time to puzzle this he had to run. He had to leave behind his home and friends. He had to keep fighting so that Jessica didn’t die pointlessly, and now it seemed her death had done more than he could have thought. That brought him little comfort as he stepped out of the cave complex. Cold winds hit him from all directions, he raised his hood over his head to block out the wind. He feared the long walk to the next settlement, for he would be alone with his thoughts.

And to make up for thursday lack of sentence I give you:

Women, biologically, emit a scent that makes men stupid; it isn't fair.

Grayscale rainbows poured from the odd prism.

Sydney felt the day wasn't complete unless he had properly terrified an attorney.

It's all zen and shit.

Clean Cups, Help Yourself :)

That was the innocent message placed on a piece of paper that sat on three rows of five cups. These cups were the standard coffee mugs with the company logo on them. They were sitting quietly in my company's break room. Such an innocent message and I immediately suspected that in fact these cups were not clean. That there might be some insidious plot to use these seemingly harmless mugs against me. Yes, ME! The lowly clerk who frequents the break room to gather such survival needs as peanut M&Ms and water, occasionally Green Tea.

This might be a sign that I am getting a little too paranoid, but just because I am paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't out to get me. I won't hear the black helicopters, they will be in stealth mode.