Stepmother, “There is a social order. You are the bottom; ash.”
So in jewels and gold they left for the ball. Not knowing.
Before the night finished the Ash Girl would be queen.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Home Sweet Home
Magpie Tale 145
Rina curled up in the red chair and surveyed the room. ‘Nondescript,’ would best describe it; the red chair was the lone bit of color there. But the floor was sound, the walls weren’t about to fall over, and since it was raining outside, she knew the roof didn’t leak. Those were the only good things she could come up with about her new lodgings. The little house held a bedroom, a kitchen and the small front room she was in. It certainly wasn’t much, but she needed a place to live during the off-hero season and this shack was the only thing she could afford. As it was, the house had taken out a large chunk of her earnings from adventuring with the Green Crescent Hero Band. The next eight months would require very frugal living. Still she smiled at her beat up walls and bare surroundings. It was all she had.
After the next hero season she would have some more gold and she could start making improvements. A proper bed instead of her adventure’s bedroll was on the top of her list. Although, a table for her kitchen so that she wouldn’t be cooking on the floor, was a close contender. Then she would whitewash the walls and probably the floor as well. The outside of the house could use some whitewash too. And then perhaps some rugs for the floor and some curtains for the windows. Or more likely, a bookshelf and books. Rina sighed contently as she planned. Tomorrow she would clean. She could probably clean for the next eight months. Rina fell asleep in the chair dreaming of what her house would be.
Eight months later when the hero season started and the Green Crescent Hero Band came to collect Rina, they were not as enamored with the year-by-year house improvement plan as Rina was. They promptly developed a plan behind her back.
Throughout the hero season, a few members of the band would slip off on a private quest. Rina knew the band was up to something, but as they were all determined to keep her in the dark, she had very little success in finding out what they were doing. When the hero season ended, the entire band insisted on accompanying her home. Rina had a deep suspicion that she would find her house demolished and would wind up staying with one of the band members for the next eight months. While she wouldn’t mind being with the band, she really liked her house. When she finally saw her house, she couldn’t believe the transformation it had undergone. Instead of being a rundown wreck, it was neat and prim. The inside was immaculate and comfortable. The walls were painted, rugs were on the floor, there was an abundance of furniture, and the band had carved scenes of their exploits on the headboard of the bed. Rina was delighted, and the band was smug.
For more of Rina's adventures check out To the Rescue.
Rina curled up in the red chair and surveyed the room. ‘Nondescript,’ would best describe it; the red chair was the lone bit of color there. But the floor was sound, the walls weren’t about to fall over, and since it was raining outside, she knew the roof didn’t leak. Those were the only good things she could come up with about her new lodgings. The little house held a bedroom, a kitchen and the small front room she was in. It certainly wasn’t much, but she needed a place to live during the off-hero season and this shack was the only thing she could afford. As it was, the house had taken out a large chunk of her earnings from adventuring with the Green Crescent Hero Band. The next eight months would require very frugal living. Still she smiled at her beat up walls and bare surroundings. It was all she had.
After the next hero season she would have some more gold and she could start making improvements. A proper bed instead of her adventure’s bedroll was on the top of her list. Although, a table for her kitchen so that she wouldn’t be cooking on the floor, was a close contender. Then she would whitewash the walls and probably the floor as well. The outside of the house could use some whitewash too. And then perhaps some rugs for the floor and some curtains for the windows. Or more likely, a bookshelf and books. Rina sighed contently as she planned. Tomorrow she would clean. She could probably clean for the next eight months. Rina fell asleep in the chair dreaming of what her house would be.
Eight months later when the hero season started and the Green Crescent Hero Band came to collect Rina, they were not as enamored with the year-by-year house improvement plan as Rina was. They promptly developed a plan behind her back.
Throughout the hero season, a few members of the band would slip off on a private quest. Rina knew the band was up to something, but as they were all determined to keep her in the dark, she had very little success in finding out what they were doing. When the hero season ended, the entire band insisted on accompanying her home. Rina had a deep suspicion that she would find her house demolished and would wind up staying with one of the band members for the next eight months. While she wouldn’t mind being with the band, she really liked her house. When she finally saw her house, she couldn’t believe the transformation it had undergone. Instead of being a rundown wreck, it was neat and prim. The inside was immaculate and comfortable. The walls were painted, rugs were on the floor, there was an abundance of furniture, and the band had carved scenes of their exploits on the headboard of the bed. Rina was delighted, and the band was smug.
For more of Rina's adventures check out To the Rescue.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanksgiving
for dVerse
An acrostic poem.
Together round a fragrant turkey
heaping a feast upon our plates
and laughing and smiling with those
numbered as our friends and family
knowing that safety and love
surrounds; for this give thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
An acrostic poem.
Together round a fragrant turkey
heaping a feast upon our plates
and laughing and smiling with those
numbered as our friends and family
knowing that safety and love
surrounds; for this give thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Silver and Gold
Magpie Tale 144
Rina was miserable. She was miserable partly because she and Gold were riding through a thunderstorm. And she was worried sick about Silver, Gold’s sister. They were on a quest to save her life. Rina shivered and urged her horse forward. Up ahead through the dim light she could barely make out Gold’s back and her heart ached. He must be even more worried than she was.
“Gold,” she called out to him. “How much longer do you think?”
Gold’s tired voice came back to her, “Just keep going.”
Rina tried not to pay attention to the darkening sky. They had left the Bronze Salamander Inn that morning at a gallop. Now their horses were too worn out to do more than walk. The enchanted road they were traveling on was taking them far away indeed, and Rina wished it was one of those enchanted roads that made traveling faster. According to the instructions the fourth-order wizard had given Gervas, they would reach the witch’s hut soon. The day before the band been excited to reach the Bronze Salamander, although Gervas had complained that the prices had gone up now that it was a first-rate inn. But Rina suspected he was just as glad as the rest of the band to have clean sheets and a delicious first-rate meal. The band had been enjoying themselves until the fourth-order wizard showed up. Apparently on one of Silver’s first quests she had stolen a magic necklace from him and he wanted revenge.
Silver pointed out that the fourth-order wizard had stolen the necklace first and she had returned it to its proper owner. The fourth-order wizard didn’t care and he cursed her. He wanted to curse the rest of the band as well, but Finn Inman, the innkeeper, reminded him that only second and first order wizards could curse people with no connection to a feud and he would incur a hefty fee if cursed anyone else. Rina tried not to think about how Silver had looked, so still and pale on the floor of the Salamander’s great room. She had crouched over Silver, trying to revive her, while the rest of the band drew their swords and menaced the fourth-order wizard. Rina was surprised he had gotten away. She was also surprised that he had told them how to lift the curse.
If they could find the witch who lived at the end of the enchanted rode she would give them an elixir, if they traded her something for it. The wizard had also said that only Rina and Gold could go. Rina frowned. There was something about this quest that just didn’t ring right. But the wizard had said Silver would die in three days if they didn’t get the elixir, so there hadn’t been time to question what he had told them. Rina strained her eyes ahead. The rain was picking up and she could hear a roaring up ahead. “Gold, what’s that noise?”
“It’s the ocean we must be close.” There was new life in Gold’s voice, and Rina felt her own hope pick up. The wizard had said the witch’s hut was by the sea. Suddenly she saw a dark shape looming just beyond them.
“There it is!” They guided their horses into the meager shelter the hut gave from the squall. They dismounted and Gold pushed the door open. The inside of the hut was surprisingly dry. Bare wooden boards made up the floors and the walls and it was clean, and well lit. It was not at all what Rina had expected. Water dripped from their clocks, making puddles on the floor. The witch stood in the middle of the room wearing a red dress and a long black cape. Beside her stood Rina’s evil stepmother. Rina stiffened. This was not good.
“We’ve come for an elixir for my sister.” Gold said glaring at the witch.
The witch smiled. “Is that so? What will you give for it?”
“Anything.” Gold answered.
Rina groaned. No wonder the fourth-order wizard had wanted Gold to come. He was so concerned for his sister that he wasn’t thinking straight. Everyone knew not to offer anything as a price, and most certainly not to a witch. The witch’s smile grew wider. She snapped her fingers and Gold turned into a golden statue. Then she turned to Rina. “And what will give me for this elixir?”
Rina gulped, but before she could answer her stepmother spoke. “Sister, this ungrateful girl ought to make an unbreakable promise to come back home with me forever if she wants your elixir.”
The witch was her stepmother's sister? Rina’s eyes narrowed. “This was all your idea! You got that wizard to curse Silver to lure me here for the cure so that you could force me go with you. I won’t do it.”
Her stepmother shrugged. “Then this friend of yours dies.”
Rina glared at her stepmother. This couldn’t be. She had always thought it was her Stepmother’s sense of duty that made her try to raise her properly. But she had been sure that after she had run away twice her stepmother would give up and be content running her beloved estate. Rina wouldn’t go back with her stepmother. But even as she thought about marching out the door, Silver’s face, not pale as it had been when the wizard cursed her; but laughing and full of life danced before her. Rina wouldn’t let Silver die, even if she couldn’t be happy in a life of fancy dresses and running a castle. But I’ll tear up every dress Stepmother tries to make me wear.
Rina sighed. “Turn Gold back into himself and give me the elixir. Then I promise to come back with you.”
“Forever,” her stepmother prompted.
“Forever.” Rina agreed.
The witch snapped her fingers again. Gold shook himself and looked around. The witch pulled a small green bottle from her dress pocket and handed it to Rina. As their hands touched, violet light flashed. Rina took the vial and said, “I also promise to be as unladylike as possible. I will cut up every dress you try to make me wear. I will throw every corset into the fire, I will wear my swords, and destroy every single to-do list that you make and any other sort of mischief I can come up with.”
Her stepmother looked aghast. “You can’t do that.”
It was Rina’s turn to smile. “I just made an unbreakable promise to do so didn’t I?”
Her stepmother turned to the witch, who shrugged. Gold looked between them confused. Her stepmother turned back, “But that would destroy the estate.”
“You’re the one who cares about the estate. But if you’re so worried, you could let me out of the unbreakable promise and not force me to go back with you.”
The stepmother reluctantly nodded and the witch reached for the elixir. Rina held it out of her reach. “I’ll keep this, too. And you can promise not to try and force me to go back with you anymore.”
There was nothing else they could do. Rina’s stepmother wouldn’t let her estate be destroyed and Rina wouldn’t give up the elixir. The witch took Rina’s other hand and another flash of violet light filled the room. Rina was free. “Get out,” the witch hissed.
Gold and Rina were only too happy to comply. The enchanted road was much shorter on their return trip. Rina suspected the witch wanted to get rid of them faster and had re-enchanted the road to take them away quickly. The Bronze Salamander was a welcome sight and the band greeted them enthusiastically. They were hurried up the stairs to Silver’s room, where she laid listlessly on the bed. Within moments of receiving the elixir she opened her eyes, much to the band’s relief.
When Rina and Gold told their story, Gervas shook his head and asked Rina if she had any other people in her past who would try to make trouble. Rina didn’t know and Silver pointed out that most, if not all, of the band had made enemies during their adventures that they didn’t know about. In a few days Silver was well enough to complain loudly about being treated like an invalid. After two weeks she was begging to go on a quest, and the band promptly begged with her. Gervas laughed at them, but a few days later he came back to the Bronze Salamander with a quest to slay a dragon. With great excitement the band packed and rode out. Rina grinned from the top of her horse. Ahead of her Silver and Gold rode side by side making jokes and Gervas was at the front. Rina was perfectly content.
Check out The Bronze Salamander and To The Rescue for more magical adventures.
Rina was miserable. She was miserable partly because she and Gold were riding through a thunderstorm. And she was worried sick about Silver, Gold’s sister. They were on a quest to save her life. Rina shivered and urged her horse forward. Up ahead through the dim light she could barely make out Gold’s back and her heart ached. He must be even more worried than she was.
“Gold,” she called out to him. “How much longer do you think?”
Gold’s tired voice came back to her, “Just keep going.”
Rina tried not to pay attention to the darkening sky. They had left the Bronze Salamander Inn that morning at a gallop. Now their horses were too worn out to do more than walk. The enchanted road they were traveling on was taking them far away indeed, and Rina wished it was one of those enchanted roads that made traveling faster. According to the instructions the fourth-order wizard had given Gervas, they would reach the witch’s hut soon. The day before the band been excited to reach the Bronze Salamander, although Gervas had complained that the prices had gone up now that it was a first-rate inn. But Rina suspected he was just as glad as the rest of the band to have clean sheets and a delicious first-rate meal. The band had been enjoying themselves until the fourth-order wizard showed up. Apparently on one of Silver’s first quests she had stolen a magic necklace from him and he wanted revenge.
Silver pointed out that the fourth-order wizard had stolen the necklace first and she had returned it to its proper owner. The fourth-order wizard didn’t care and he cursed her. He wanted to curse the rest of the band as well, but Finn Inman, the innkeeper, reminded him that only second and first order wizards could curse people with no connection to a feud and he would incur a hefty fee if cursed anyone else. Rina tried not to think about how Silver had looked, so still and pale on the floor of the Salamander’s great room. She had crouched over Silver, trying to revive her, while the rest of the band drew their swords and menaced the fourth-order wizard. Rina was surprised he had gotten away. She was also surprised that he had told them how to lift the curse.
If they could find the witch who lived at the end of the enchanted rode she would give them an elixir, if they traded her something for it. The wizard had also said that only Rina and Gold could go. Rina frowned. There was something about this quest that just didn’t ring right. But the wizard had said Silver would die in three days if they didn’t get the elixir, so there hadn’t been time to question what he had told them. Rina strained her eyes ahead. The rain was picking up and she could hear a roaring up ahead. “Gold, what’s that noise?”
“It’s the ocean we must be close.” There was new life in Gold’s voice, and Rina felt her own hope pick up. The wizard had said the witch’s hut was by the sea. Suddenly she saw a dark shape looming just beyond them.
“There it is!” They guided their horses into the meager shelter the hut gave from the squall. They dismounted and Gold pushed the door open. The inside of the hut was surprisingly dry. Bare wooden boards made up the floors and the walls and it was clean, and well lit. It was not at all what Rina had expected. Water dripped from their clocks, making puddles on the floor. The witch stood in the middle of the room wearing a red dress and a long black cape. Beside her stood Rina’s evil stepmother. Rina stiffened. This was not good.
“We’ve come for an elixir for my sister.” Gold said glaring at the witch.
The witch smiled. “Is that so? What will you give for it?”
“Anything.” Gold answered.
Rina groaned. No wonder the fourth-order wizard had wanted Gold to come. He was so concerned for his sister that he wasn’t thinking straight. Everyone knew not to offer anything as a price, and most certainly not to a witch. The witch’s smile grew wider. She snapped her fingers and Gold turned into a golden statue. Then she turned to Rina. “And what will give me for this elixir?”
Rina gulped, but before she could answer her stepmother spoke. “Sister, this ungrateful girl ought to make an unbreakable promise to come back home with me forever if she wants your elixir.”
The witch was her stepmother's sister? Rina’s eyes narrowed. “This was all your idea! You got that wizard to curse Silver to lure me here for the cure so that you could force me go with you. I won’t do it.”
Her stepmother shrugged. “Then this friend of yours dies.”
Rina glared at her stepmother. This couldn’t be. She had always thought it was her Stepmother’s sense of duty that made her try to raise her properly. But she had been sure that after she had run away twice her stepmother would give up and be content running her beloved estate. Rina wouldn’t go back with her stepmother. But even as she thought about marching out the door, Silver’s face, not pale as it had been when the wizard cursed her; but laughing and full of life danced before her. Rina wouldn’t let Silver die, even if she couldn’t be happy in a life of fancy dresses and running a castle. But I’ll tear up every dress Stepmother tries to make me wear.
Rina sighed. “Turn Gold back into himself and give me the elixir. Then I promise to come back with you.”
“Forever,” her stepmother prompted.
“Forever.” Rina agreed.
The witch snapped her fingers again. Gold shook himself and looked around. The witch pulled a small green bottle from her dress pocket and handed it to Rina. As their hands touched, violet light flashed. Rina took the vial and said, “I also promise to be as unladylike as possible. I will cut up every dress you try to make me wear. I will throw every corset into the fire, I will wear my swords, and destroy every single to-do list that you make and any other sort of mischief I can come up with.”
Her stepmother looked aghast. “You can’t do that.”
It was Rina’s turn to smile. “I just made an unbreakable promise to do so didn’t I?”
Her stepmother turned to the witch, who shrugged. Gold looked between them confused. Her stepmother turned back, “But that would destroy the estate.”
“You’re the one who cares about the estate. But if you’re so worried, you could let me out of the unbreakable promise and not force me to go back with you.”
The stepmother reluctantly nodded and the witch reached for the elixir. Rina held it out of her reach. “I’ll keep this, too. And you can promise not to try and force me to go back with you anymore.”
There was nothing else they could do. Rina’s stepmother wouldn’t let her estate be destroyed and Rina wouldn’t give up the elixir. The witch took Rina’s other hand and another flash of violet light filled the room. Rina was free. “Get out,” the witch hissed.
Gold and Rina were only too happy to comply. The enchanted road was much shorter on their return trip. Rina suspected the witch wanted to get rid of them faster and had re-enchanted the road to take them away quickly. The Bronze Salamander was a welcome sight and the band greeted them enthusiastically. They were hurried up the stairs to Silver’s room, where she laid listlessly on the bed. Within moments of receiving the elixir she opened her eyes, much to the band’s relief.
When Rina and Gold told their story, Gervas shook his head and asked Rina if she had any other people in her past who would try to make trouble. Rina didn’t know and Silver pointed out that most, if not all, of the band had made enemies during their adventures that they didn’t know about. In a few days Silver was well enough to complain loudly about being treated like an invalid. After two weeks she was begging to go on a quest, and the band promptly begged with her. Gervas laughed at them, but a few days later he came back to the Bronze Salamander with a quest to slay a dragon. With great excitement the band packed and rode out. Rina grinned from the top of her horse. Ahead of her Silver and Gold rode side by side making jokes and Gervas was at the front. Rina was perfectly content.
Check out The Bronze Salamander and To The Rescue for more magical adventures.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Forward
Magpie Tale 143
for dVerse
Forget this nightmare
take hands at last in peace and
walk forward with hope.
for dVerse
Forget this nightmare
take hands at last in peace and
walk forward with hope.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Winter Fire
for dVerse
Winter falls white
shinning bright in
moonlight. On fair
pond; glassware smooth
child stares sleepy.
And happy by
lazy fire; warm.
Winter falls white
shinning bright in
moonlight. On fair
pond; glassware smooth
child stares sleepy.
And happy by
lazy fire; warm.
Monday, November 5, 2012
To the Rescue
Magpie Tale 142
Rina slumped against the outcropping of rock and looked up at the circle of people around her who were waiting for an explanation. She was relieved that they didn’t seem mad. Silver looked like she was going to start laughing even, but Gervas. Gervas was their leader and Rina hoped he wasn’t mad.
Sighing she began, “Stepmother and I never really got along. I wouldn’t say we hated each other – well not most of the time. And Father always kept us from really squabbling. Father liked it when I did weird things anyways. So he was fine with me learning to sword fight and eventually joining a band of heroes. But Stepmother - ”
“She thought more lady-like pursuits would be a better way to spend your time?” Silver asked helpfully.
Rina nodded. “So after Father died, it didn’t take long for me to runaway. I thought Stepmother would be expecting it. I knew I would join a hero band, so, well you guys know that part.” Rina looked at the heroes who had been her family for the last two months. Silver was defiantly trying not to laugh and everyone else looked amused, but Gervas was still unreadable. “And it’s the best thing I’ve ever done!” she added fiercely. “I just never thought when we took this quest to find that missing girl she’d end up being me.”
Rina looked down at her shoes. She could only suppose it was her Stepmother’s sense of duty that had made her look for her. She looked up at the band hopefully. Surely they wouldn’t make her go back.
Gervas shook his head sternly. “It would be against our honor to not fulfill our quest. We’ll have to take you to your Stepmother.”
Rina groaned. She tried to enjoy the three-day ride to her Stepmother’s knowing it would be her last bit of her freedom. She contemplated running away, but she knew the band too well. They’d simply find her again. Stepmother made a fuss when the band brought her back, but Rina wouldn't acknowledge her.
Stepmother locked her in her room in an attempt to make Rina see the error of her ways. For her part Rina refused to change out of her tunic and leggings and promptly cut up all the dresses in her wardrobe so that she wouldn't have to wear them. She also contemplated how to escape again. She barely paid attention to the darkening sky outside her window until she heard a tap.
Surprised, she turned and found Silver grinning through the window at her. Rina flew to the window and signaled to Silver that it was locked. Nodding, Silver smashed it with a hammer she had brought for that purpose.
“What are you doing here?” cried Rina.
“It’s our next quest. We have to rescue this girl who’s locked up in a tower.” Silver jumped into the room and began unwinding a rope she had around her shoulders.
Rina watched with mounting excitement. “What about Gervas? Does he know?”
Silver threw the rope out the window. “Gervas? This was all his idea.”
Rina laughed in delight and quickly followed Silver down the rope. Their horses were waiting for them and before sunrise, Rina was back where she belonged.
And I have to say thanks to Hedgi for giving me this idea. Check out Hedgi's Magpie, it's awesome.
Rina slumped against the outcropping of rock and looked up at the circle of people around her who were waiting for an explanation. She was relieved that they didn’t seem mad. Silver looked like she was going to start laughing even, but Gervas. Gervas was their leader and Rina hoped he wasn’t mad.
Sighing she began, “Stepmother and I never really got along. I wouldn’t say we hated each other – well not most of the time. And Father always kept us from really squabbling. Father liked it when I did weird things anyways. So he was fine with me learning to sword fight and eventually joining a band of heroes. But Stepmother - ”
“She thought more lady-like pursuits would be a better way to spend your time?” Silver asked helpfully.
Rina nodded. “So after Father died, it didn’t take long for me to runaway. I thought Stepmother would be expecting it. I knew I would join a hero band, so, well you guys know that part.” Rina looked at the heroes who had been her family for the last two months. Silver was defiantly trying not to laugh and everyone else looked amused, but Gervas was still unreadable. “And it’s the best thing I’ve ever done!” she added fiercely. “I just never thought when we took this quest to find that missing girl she’d end up being me.”
Rina looked down at her shoes. She could only suppose it was her Stepmother’s sense of duty that had made her look for her. She looked up at the band hopefully. Surely they wouldn’t make her go back.
Gervas shook his head sternly. “It would be against our honor to not fulfill our quest. We’ll have to take you to your Stepmother.”
Rina groaned. She tried to enjoy the three-day ride to her Stepmother’s knowing it would be her last bit of her freedom. She contemplated running away, but she knew the band too well. They’d simply find her again. Stepmother made a fuss when the band brought her back, but Rina wouldn't acknowledge her.
Stepmother locked her in her room in an attempt to make Rina see the error of her ways. For her part Rina refused to change out of her tunic and leggings and promptly cut up all the dresses in her wardrobe so that she wouldn't have to wear them. She also contemplated how to escape again. She barely paid attention to the darkening sky outside her window until she heard a tap.
Surprised, she turned and found Silver grinning through the window at her. Rina flew to the window and signaled to Silver that it was locked. Nodding, Silver smashed it with a hammer she had brought for that purpose.
“What are you doing here?” cried Rina.
“It’s our next quest. We have to rescue this girl who’s locked up in a tower.” Silver jumped into the room and began unwinding a rope she had around her shoulders.
Rina watched with mounting excitement. “What about Gervas? Does he know?”
Silver threw the rope out the window. “Gervas? This was all his idea.”
Rina laughed in delight and quickly followed Silver down the rope. Their horses were waiting for them and before sunrise, Rina was back where she belonged.
And I have to say thanks to Hedgi for giving me this idea. Check out Hedgi's Magpie, it's awesome.
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