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Chinaren
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
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Location: Mainly there, sometimes here.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:33 pm Post subject: Lords & Ladies. Chapter 8.5 - Dead in Waiting. |
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Chapter 8.5 - Dead in Waiting.
For your ref: Overall map of the lands around Yroth. (NB:Grum is between Neil-so, Yroth and Gerwain.)
There was a knock at the door. Eldra rolled up the document she was reading before responding. “Come!”
The figure of Meeks entered the room. The man walked over to the table with his usual dainty step and bowed. “My Lady, you summoned me?”
Eldra waved a hand at a nearby chair. “Sit,” she commanded. “I wished to hear your progress on locating Byrold.”
Her manservant sat down, wringing his hands together as he did so, as sure sign that he was nervous.
“I am afraid our agents have nothing to report your Highness,” he said, his voice wavering only slightly. “I have had everyone alerted, both mundane and magical, but there is no trace. I…I am sorry my Lady.”
The Queen mother scowled, but only mildly. “Very well, I don’t suppose this one is all your fault. Keep looking. In the meantime have a declaration written. Byrold is now Dead in Waiting. Should he not return within the month, he shall be declared deceased, and the throne will pass to the next in line.”
Meeks nodded his head and made to stand, but Eldra signaled he should remain. “Wait. I have been reading through our agent’s reports. There are several interesting developments down south.”
“I have been rather preoccupied with the Byrold affair my Lady, would you care to extrapolate?”
Not quite believing her servant’s answer, Meeks was extremely well informed, Eldra unrolled her document and scanned it briefly. “Something is happening on the border of Gerwain and Neil-so. Our spies tell us there has been a discreet but definite flurry of activity there, on both sides of the line. What is going on?”
“I am not certain your Highness,” Meeks scratched his head. “Neil-so is known to covet land, but I doubt even the Tzar would launch an unprovoked attack on Gerwain. Especially with these rumors of an alliance with Karak.”
“Yes, that is another thing. There has been increased activity on Gerwain’s western border. Karak troops are moving east. My military commanded suggests they may be planning a joint move.”
Frowning, Meeks looked at the floor a moment before responding. “It is no secret that Emperor Keldric is frustrated with the Swarm. He has not been able to commit sufficient troops to quell them without leaving his borders vulnerable. He could be using this alliance as a way of solving this problem.”
“So Karak and Gerwain invade the Jut?” Eldra sat back in her chair. “Marshal Ren was of the same mind.”
“Could we take this opportunity and attack Gerwain?” Meeks leaned forward. “If we wait until Keldric commits his troops to the south, we could make inroads into the land whilst he is tied up in the Jut. The terrain there is rough, and his armies would be unable to respond quickly, especially if fighting the Swarm.”
Eldra stroked her chin. “I admit to contemplating just such an action myself. Our own northern border is quiet; I don’t see any imminent danger from there. However, it may be worth having the support of some allies. Do you think Mordon would join us in such a venture?”
“I don’t think they would be overjoyed, but I think our alliance means enough to them that they would align with us, as long as we could assure them that Karak wouldn’t take advantage of their distraction in the meantime. They don’t have the strongest defense. I would suggest we approach Neil-so, cautiously, see if they would be interested. I wouldn’t like them to suddenly become angry at us, even with their forces stretched thinly in Farn.”
The Queen mother nodded. “Send a message to the Tzar, send a similar one to Mordon. Let’s see what they say. Be careful though, discretion must be our watchword.”
Meeks signaled assent and stood up. “It shall be done.” He turned to go but then stopped as Eldra spoke again.
“One further matter.”
“Yes my Lady?”
“A rumor has reached my ears. It is unsubstantiated, but if true could certainly be worth investigating.”
“And what would that be your Highness?”
“There has been… talk of an artifact. Something of immense power from ancient times. It seems someone has identified a possible location for this thing. Are you aware of this Meeks?”
Meeks shook his head. “Such information is news to me my Lady. However, I will see what I can sniff out.”
“Do so.” Eldra waved her hand. “Tell the servants they can serve a light meal here, I am hungry.”
“As you command my Queen.” Meeks closed the door firmly behind him.
>>>>>>
Just a quick ‘half’ chapter again, to keep the suspense up! I am a bit behind on Chapter 9, several things popped up to distract me yesterday.
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Smee
Joined: 16 Oct 2004
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Location: UK
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| Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: serve a light meal here, and am hungry.”
Tiny little typo.
This chapter does exactly what it says on the tin... keeps the story moving and gives us the expected urgency to get back as quickly as possible.
A good read.
Happy Writing :D |
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Chinaren
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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LOL! :D Thanks Smee.
And fixed. |
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DELETED
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:25 am Post subject: |
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Chinaren
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:49 am Post subject: |
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Quote: could you possibly post the map next to the text when you speak of things in various lands?
There is one in another thread, but it is a bit of a pain if you have to go back and forth. So, map has been added to the top of the post.
All part of the Chinaren inc. quality service! ;) |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 1:11 am Post subject: |
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Almar Crowkiller
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 3:40 am Post subject: |
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| thanks for the maps its a great help to get a general feel. great stuff as well keep it comin! |
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dinranwen
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:39 am Post subject: |
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Yeah! A new chapter. *does new chapter dance* Liked it and not so patiently waiting for more.
Oh and I also recieved a note from Neil-so, it says**
Waiting and ready to bend where the wind blows. **
And your are welcome to post Neil-so's response to Yroths tentative letter if it would help your readers.
**[size=small] Feel free to delete this part Chinaren. |
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LordoftheNight
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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Wow - Grum obviously...isn't the biggest of places then.
I must say, I actually prefer these chapters for the overview they show of the world at large. Byrold's chapters (currently) are focussed solely on him. |
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Smudger
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:07 pm Post subject: re |
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| Liked it very much Cren. War must be declared and having the Tzar as allies would be beneficial. |
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Chinaren
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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lordofthenight wrote:
I must say, I actually prefer these chapters for the overview they show of the world at large. Byrold's chapters (currently) are focussed solely on him.
Well, I made a concious decision to concentrate on Byrold when I started this story. A lot of my other tales jump POV* quite a lot, so I was trying to reverse this trend to a degree. However, there has been quite a lot happening 'behind the scenes,' which is why I started these chapters. I have another idea as well, which I am considering, but it doesn't fit in with the plot so well.
When (if) Byrold gets back to be king, he will see more of these plotlines. It's all building up slowly though. :grin:
*Point of View. Whose eyes and 'thoughts' you are 'seeing' the story through. |
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D-Lotus
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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Nice, China. I'm always impatient for whatever tidbits of info you can dish out.
lordofthenight wrote: Wow - Grum obviously...isn't the biggest of places then.
What is Grum? |
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LordoftheNight
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| Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:47 am Post subject: |
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I think it's the Dwarf realm. But C'ren said it was between Gerwain, Yroth and Neil-so.
And there's not much room there. |
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Chinaren
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| Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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lordofthenight wrote: I think it's the Dwarf realm. But C'ren said it was between Gerwain, Yroth and Neil-so.
And there's not much room there.
Yes, but Dwarves are small! ;) |
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Argonaut
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| Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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| And perhaps they're underground :) |
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Pattern
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| Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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I've finally caught up. :)
This is one amazing story Chinaren. I really liked how when he fought Brone I think it was, Byrold made it look like he was praying to the God of Battle, but created an illusion that was a great idea.
I have enjoyed the story so far and cannot wait for more. It was recommended to me by Kalanna Rai and I thank her for this. :) I want more! :P It actually is addicting.
Chinaren, I hope it was okay, but I printed out some chapters so I could read them when I wasn't on the computer because it hurt my eyes too much. xD It has your name on them, and I will not steal them or claim they are mine in anyway, they are yours, and I couldn't come up with something like that. If you want I can go burn the chapters or something, but they're just up in my room in a little pile. :D |
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Masterweaver
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| Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Your half chapters are actually more entertaining then the actual chapters. Is that safe? |
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Chinaren
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| Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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Thank-you Pattern! :blush: You are welcome to print the story out to read for your own use.
How many pages was it?
I have started the next chapter folks. Hopefully it will be done by tomorrow night (China time), or even before. ;) |
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Chinaren
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| Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:48 am Post subject: |
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| ...and it's up. So closing this one. |
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