Wow, there's not that much to post now that I'm done with O.S.O.C. I was getting a little desperate for ideas so I'll just show y'all my book list (which was almost non-existent until one of my friends showed me her list--400+ books! Yikes!) Not all the books are released yet.
The Sable Quean (Brian Jacques)
Ranger's Apprentice Series books (John Flanagan)
The Dark Lord's Demise (John White)
Princess Academy (Shannon Hale)
Spiderwick Chronicles (Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black)
Inheritance Cycle book #4 (Christopher Paolini)
Uh...that's pretty much it. Yeah, I know, compared to 400, six books (or book series') is not that much.
I have more school work to do now (thankfully not math)
Izori
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Chapter 16 ("Good-bye")
This'll be the last chapter! I'll miss my book.
Chapter 16
Grinning from ear to ear, Ben stared at the place where Mahal had once been. Now it was perfectly smooth, as if everything had never took place. He turned around to talk to the others and noticed that the trees behind them, once old and dead, were not rapidly turning green. Some of them had blooms on them, and even from here Ben noticed the happy twittering of birds.
Kaela grinned from ear to ear, standing beside Learka and Nolan. "Isn't it awesome?" she cried. "We finally did it! Now tell me everything you did, Ben."
Ben was about to tell her when the women and children thronged up out of the tunnels to help celebrate the victory. Klii and Yev joined them, and then Ben recited his story for all. After he was finished Kaela also told what she had experienced. When they were both done, Ben said, "So, I guess that's the end of Daran?"
Klii shook his head. "Not to dampen the mood, but it isn't, and won't be for a long time. In the Book of Prophesies it is written that Adonai will come in actual person, and not just in our minds, and will conquer Daran for good. But even then it will take a while for Daran to die of his wounds. But for now, we can celebrate."
Learka looked toward the tunnels, which were now opened. "And from what my nose tells me, the women are already preparing a feast!"
Yev raised her eyebrows. "Really? Well then, I'd better help them! See you guys!"
It didn't take long to prepare a huge meal for all the followers with literally all the women in Elandai cooking. There was lamb, pork, chicken, meat pies, fresh baked bread, sweet potatoes, salads, and more for the main meal. And for dessert was pie of every kind, something that tasted a lot like ice-cream, tarts, pudding, cakes, and cookies, to name a few. Ben's mouth watered at the smells, and he coudn't wait for it to be time to eat.
Ben sat down with Klii, Learka, Kaela, Yev, and Nolan and his family, and happily enjoyed a piece of lamb. Opposite him, Kaela bit down into a piece of pie. Apparently there were no rules on eating dessert first.
When he was finally finished, Ben set down a chicken bone and then looked up to say something to Learka. To his surprise, he was sitting on the grass, with Kaela, besides a very familiar-looking creek. They were alone. Why, this is the creek that started this whole adventure! It looks totally alike, except the trees are alive. Ben realized. Kaela must have been thinking the same thing too, because she said, "We have to go home already? We didn't get to say goodbye to the others!"
Just then there was a flash, and then Adonai appeared in front of them. He was smiling, just like always. "Don't worry, they know that you wanted to say goodbye. And yes, it is time for you to go home. This adventure here is over."
"This adventure?" Ben asked hopefully. "You mean, there'll be more?"
"Yes, definately," Adonai assured him. "And they will come soon, so always be ready."
"We will!" The siblings chorused. They knew they'd look forward to coming to Elandai again.
There was a slight pause, and then Ben said, "I guess this is goodbye."
"Acutally, it isn't."
Kaela's eyes bugged out. "Really? So we aren't leaving yet?"
"You are, but this isn't goodbye," Adonai explained. "I am always with you, to the end of the age, you know. Even if you go into another world."
Both Ben and Kaela were confused. "But we've never heard of you in our world," Kaela pointed out.
Adonai smiled at her. "I have many names. I am simply known by different ones in your world." Then he turned and pointed to the creek. "Now is your time to cross. Goodbye!"
"Goodbye!" Ben and Kaela called back, and then they stepped into the stream.
Halfway across, Ben looked back at the other side of the creek. Adonai had disappeared. When he looked forward, he could see signs of the modern world; houses, the spray-painted board, and he could hear the occasional trucks back on the roads.
Ben and Kaela reached the other side, and then climbed back onto the path. They looked at each other. They were both wearing their modern clothes, and their swords were gone. "Was that real?" Kaela asked. "Were we dreaming?"
For some reason, Ben knew that it actually did happen. "That was real." He whistled. "But wasn't that awesome? We didn't even know that this world existed, and then whoomph, we suddenly were there!"
"It's certainly not something your average kid would experience," Kaela agreed.
They started walking on the path toward home. Then Ben had an awful thought. "Oh my goodness!" he exclaimed. "How long has it been since we've left home? Mom and Dad must have called the police by now!"
Kaela squinted up at the sun. "The sun's in the same position," she observed.
Ben glanced down at his watch. "And it's the same time, pretty much." He frowned. "How could that be? Did we take no time at all?"
There was a moment of silence, and then Kaela spoke. "Well, Elandai is a different world, so who's to say that they don't have a different time?" This was the only explanation they could think of that made sense, so they moved on.
A few minutes later they arrived at their house. Racing up their yard, they both banged into the house. Mom and Dad were both sitting at the kitchen table, waiting for them. When she saw her kids' shining faces, Mom smiled. "So, you got my note?"
Ben plopped down in a chair. "You knew of Elandai?" he asked.
Dad nodded. "Yes. The last time we visited was long ago, but I still remember much of it. Did you guys have fun?"
Kaela nodded. "Oh, yeah. First of all, we went to the creek, and when we crossed it, we got shot at by Ogres, and then we fell through Klii, Learka, and Yev's roof..."
It took a while for Ben and Kaela to explain their adventures to their parents. When they were done, Mom's smile grew. "It sounded like you guys should plan on going back. And you probably want to, don't you?"
"Definitely," the siblings said at the same time.
Mom looked at the clock on the stove. "Good grief, it's getting late! You guys need to hurry up and get ready for today. You have piano lessons at two o'clock, and then Kaela has gymnastics at four, and Ben, remember your swim team..."
Ben smiled as he dashed up the stairs to get ready. He didn't know how he would concentrate today after Elandai. The continuous sword-fights, dangers, and excitement was a hard-to-break habit. And we'll go back soon! He reminded himself, feeling shivers go up and down his spine at the thought. I can't wait!
Chapter 16
Grinning from ear to ear, Ben stared at the place where Mahal had once been. Now it was perfectly smooth, as if everything had never took place. He turned around to talk to the others and noticed that the trees behind them, once old and dead, were not rapidly turning green. Some of them had blooms on them, and even from here Ben noticed the happy twittering of birds.
Kaela grinned from ear to ear, standing beside Learka and Nolan. "Isn't it awesome?" she cried. "We finally did it! Now tell me everything you did, Ben."
Ben was about to tell her when the women and children thronged up out of the tunnels to help celebrate the victory. Klii and Yev joined them, and then Ben recited his story for all. After he was finished Kaela also told what she had experienced. When they were both done, Ben said, "So, I guess that's the end of Daran?"
Klii shook his head. "Not to dampen the mood, but it isn't, and won't be for a long time. In the Book of Prophesies it is written that Adonai will come in actual person, and not just in our minds, and will conquer Daran for good. But even then it will take a while for Daran to die of his wounds. But for now, we can celebrate."
Learka looked toward the tunnels, which were now opened. "And from what my nose tells me, the women are already preparing a feast!"
Yev raised her eyebrows. "Really? Well then, I'd better help them! See you guys!"
It didn't take long to prepare a huge meal for all the followers with literally all the women in Elandai cooking. There was lamb, pork, chicken, meat pies, fresh baked bread, sweet potatoes, salads, and more for the main meal. And for dessert was pie of every kind, something that tasted a lot like ice-cream, tarts, pudding, cakes, and cookies, to name a few. Ben's mouth watered at the smells, and he coudn't wait for it to be time to eat.
Ben sat down with Klii, Learka, Kaela, Yev, and Nolan and his family, and happily enjoyed a piece of lamb. Opposite him, Kaela bit down into a piece of pie. Apparently there were no rules on eating dessert first.
When he was finally finished, Ben set down a chicken bone and then looked up to say something to Learka. To his surprise, he was sitting on the grass, with Kaela, besides a very familiar-looking creek. They were alone. Why, this is the creek that started this whole adventure! It looks totally alike, except the trees are alive. Ben realized. Kaela must have been thinking the same thing too, because she said, "We have to go home already? We didn't get to say goodbye to the others!"
Just then there was a flash, and then Adonai appeared in front of them. He was smiling, just like always. "Don't worry, they know that you wanted to say goodbye. And yes, it is time for you to go home. This adventure here is over."
"This adventure?" Ben asked hopefully. "You mean, there'll be more?"
"Yes, definately," Adonai assured him. "And they will come soon, so always be ready."
"We will!" The siblings chorused. They knew they'd look forward to coming to Elandai again.
There was a slight pause, and then Ben said, "I guess this is goodbye."
"Acutally, it isn't."
Kaela's eyes bugged out. "Really? So we aren't leaving yet?"
"You are, but this isn't goodbye," Adonai explained. "I am always with you, to the end of the age, you know. Even if you go into another world."
Both Ben and Kaela were confused. "But we've never heard of you in our world," Kaela pointed out.
Adonai smiled at her. "I have many names. I am simply known by different ones in your world." Then he turned and pointed to the creek. "Now is your time to cross. Goodbye!"
"Goodbye!" Ben and Kaela called back, and then they stepped into the stream.
Halfway across, Ben looked back at the other side of the creek. Adonai had disappeared. When he looked forward, he could see signs of the modern world; houses, the spray-painted board, and he could hear the occasional trucks back on the roads.
Ben and Kaela reached the other side, and then climbed back onto the path. They looked at each other. They were both wearing their modern clothes, and their swords were gone. "Was that real?" Kaela asked. "Were we dreaming?"
For some reason, Ben knew that it actually did happen. "That was real." He whistled. "But wasn't that awesome? We didn't even know that this world existed, and then whoomph, we suddenly were there!"
"It's certainly not something your average kid would experience," Kaela agreed.
They started walking on the path toward home. Then Ben had an awful thought. "Oh my goodness!" he exclaimed. "How long has it been since we've left home? Mom and Dad must have called the police by now!"
Kaela squinted up at the sun. "The sun's in the same position," she observed.
Ben glanced down at his watch. "And it's the same time, pretty much." He frowned. "How could that be? Did we take no time at all?"
There was a moment of silence, and then Kaela spoke. "Well, Elandai is a different world, so who's to say that they don't have a different time?" This was the only explanation they could think of that made sense, so they moved on.
A few minutes later they arrived at their house. Racing up their yard, they both banged into the house. Mom and Dad were both sitting at the kitchen table, waiting for them. When she saw her kids' shining faces, Mom smiled. "So, you got my note?"
Ben plopped down in a chair. "You knew of Elandai?" he asked.
Dad nodded. "Yes. The last time we visited was long ago, but I still remember much of it. Did you guys have fun?"
Kaela nodded. "Oh, yeah. First of all, we went to the creek, and when we crossed it, we got shot at by Ogres, and then we fell through Klii, Learka, and Yev's roof..."
It took a while for Ben and Kaela to explain their adventures to their parents. When they were done, Mom's smile grew. "It sounded like you guys should plan on going back. And you probably want to, don't you?"
"Definitely," the siblings said at the same time.
Mom looked at the clock on the stove. "Good grief, it's getting late! You guys need to hurry up and get ready for today. You have piano lessons at two o'clock, and then Kaela has gymnastics at four, and Ben, remember your swim team..."
Ben smiled as he dashed up the stairs to get ready. He didn't know how he would concentrate today after Elandai. The continuous sword-fights, dangers, and excitement was a hard-to-break habit. And we'll go back soon! He reminded himself, feeling shivers go up and down his spine at the thought. I can't wait!
The End
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Wow, I didn't actually think I'd ever be done with "The Other Side of the Creek" for a long while. When the poll for a sequel or not is finished, I'll know if I'll write another story like this one. (I hope I do)
Izori
Wow, I didn't actually think I'd ever be done with "The Other Side of the Creek" for a long while. When the poll for a sequel or not is finished, I'll know if I'll write another story like this one. (I hope I do)
Izori
Book Review: The Battle for Skandia
I actually finished this one yesterday, but I didn't do a review about it. Anyway...
The Battle for Skandia by John Flanagan
Book 4 of Ranger's Apprentice Series
Still in the icy mountains of Skandia, Will and Evanlyn's hopes to return to their home-country, Araluen, are brought to an end when Evanlyn suddenly disappears, captured by a Temajai warrior. Even though he is still weakened, Will tracks her and her captors down and is outnumbered in a desperate fight--until his old friends, Halt and Horace, appear just in time to rescue him. But then they find out something shocking: the entire Temujai army is in the middle of invading Skandia, and are planning to conquer Araluen next. But can Skandia and Araluen unite in time to fight off the Temajai?
The book was really exiting and I liked the complex battle strategies. Will, Horace, and Halt are very concerned for Evanlyn's safety and do a good job of protecting her (or try to). The only bad thing is that sometimes they take the Lord's name in vain, which is the problem with all the books so far (at least, I think they do. I read part of the book in one day, and then I didn't pick it up again for several days, and I didn't catch any in the second part, but I do remember thinking that I should probably put the language warning in this review too. But if there isn't any and my memory is failing me, then that's pretty good:D)
Izori
The Battle for Skandia by John Flanagan
Book 4 of Ranger's Apprentice Series
Still in the icy mountains of Skandia, Will and Evanlyn's hopes to return to their home-country, Araluen, are brought to an end when Evanlyn suddenly disappears, captured by a Temajai warrior. Even though he is still weakened, Will tracks her and her captors down and is outnumbered in a desperate fight--until his old friends, Halt and Horace, appear just in time to rescue him. But then they find out something shocking: the entire Temujai army is in the middle of invading Skandia, and are planning to conquer Araluen next. But can Skandia and Araluen unite in time to fight off the Temajai?
The book was really exiting and I liked the complex battle strategies. Will, Horace, and Halt are very concerned for Evanlyn's safety and do a good job of protecting her (or try to). The only bad thing is that sometimes they take the Lord's name in vain, which is the problem with all the books so far (at least, I think they do. I read part of the book in one day, and then I didn't pick it up again for several days, and I didn't catch any in the second part, but I do remember thinking that I should probably put the language warning in this review too. But if there isn't any and my memory is failing me, then that's pretty good:D)
Izori
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Chapter 15 ("Mahal's Falling Down")
To Chapter 15 already! We're nearing the end.
Chapter 15
Ben and Daran stared at each other for a moment in the room surrounded with flames. The silence was interrupted only by the crackling and whooshing of the fire. Ben gripped his sword tighter, observing the throned man.
That is, if he could be called a man. His hair was black, and he had no beard or moustache. His skin was an unusual mix between red and black. Maybe a faint burgandy. And his eyes were blood red, with unsettling white orange pupils. Ben shivered.
Daran opened his mouth to reveal his teeth, which were long fangs. "Ahhh, so you have come at last." He stood up to his full towering height, several heads taller than Ben, and stepped down from his throne. "I have been expecting you. Sent by that miserable Adonai, I presume?"
Ben didn't say a word, just readied his sword and slipped the bottle of blood into his pocket. Daran stepped closer until his dancing shadow fell over the boy. Then he drew his sword. "You came to fight." It was not a question.
"Yes, I did." With an effort, Ben returned Daran's stare. "And not only to fight, but to win."
The evil king threw his head back and laughed, a sound that put Ben's teeth on edge. "To win!" he shrieked. "Are you that confident?"
"With Adonai, I am."
Daran circled his young opponent, grinning all the while. "And what makes you so sure that Adonai will help you? What if he backs out? Why didn't he stop my Ogres when they fired their arrows at you, long ago when you and your sister first came to my land."
"He just won't," Ben replied stubbornly, turning to keep his back from Daran. "He's not that sort of person. And he's way more powerful than you are. His blood can melt chains!"
"And mine can poison, kill, and devastate! Which is more strong?"
"Adonai's, of course."
Daran stopped circling. "Adonai's cannot poison and destroy!" he rumbled. "Your Adonai upholds love and unity and all that other mush. And everyone knows hate is stronger than love!"
Ben was puzzled, but only for a second. "Who says?" he asked defiantly.
For answer, Daran roared and lunged at Ben, his sword flashing in the fire-light. The boy barely got his own sword up in time to deflect the blow. The fight had begun.
---- ---- ----
Kaela looked up at the steep climb with dread. How could she be expected to climb the tower? And she didn't have much time, too. Soon the Ogres would spot her and that would be the end of it.
Something made her look to the left slightly. Oh, how foolish! That was there all along! Or was it? In the tower was a door.
Kaela opened it, and to her delight she saw a staircase winding up into the tower. There was no light coming in, so it was dark. When she stepped on the first stair, she found it was also wet and slippery. Having her sword light the way made it a little better, though.
She cautiously crept up, on the alert for Ogres. Only once did she look back down, and that was when she was half-way up. She grimaced at the far fall and from then on stared straight at the stairs.
Kaela had almost neared the top when she heard a rustling up ahead. She froze. The rustling grew louder, and then the source stepped out into the light. From Yev, Klii, and Learka's description, she knew right away it was a Vakir.
The Vakir pumped it's leathery wings and screeched, then launched itself straight at her. For a moment, Kaela was paralyzed, and then light shot from her sword burning the Vakir's wing. It screamed louder and once again made a bee-line for her, now maddened by it's injury.
Kaela brought her sword up and slashed into the Vakir's belly. To her surprise fire shot out of the wound, and the Vakir fell to the ground and shriveled up. Kaela stepped over it and continued up to the steps.
She reached the top of the stairs a few seconds later. It ended right at a door, solidly barred. Kaela raised her sword and brought it down upon the metal bolt, neatly severing it. Concerned that her blade had gotten nicked, she examined it. To her delight, it was un-damaged. Whoever made this knew what they were doing!
Then she pushed on the door. It didn't open, to her surprise. She checked to make sure it was completely unlocked, and then pushed again, and then pulled. But it still didn't work.
The password! Kaela scolded herself. How could I have forgotten about that! She leaned close to the door and whispered, "Agblith!"
The door swung open on it's own, and Kaela stepped in and looked around. The room was larger than she had expected, with people scattered all over the place. They were of many sizes and colors, but they all had two things in common. They had a blank, un-intelligent, empty expressions on, and they all wore chains.
"Hello?" No one moved, only continued staring at nothing. Kaela stepped into the middle of the room and raised her voice. "Hello!" When she got no response, she shrugged, and then opened the bottle of blood she held. So, I guess I just sprinkle it over everyone?
She dipped her fingers into the surprisingly warm blood, and then sprinkled the droplets on the people, taking care she didn't miss anyone. Then she waited for the results.
Almost immediately, the chains began to shrivel and melt away, until they became mere shadows that soon disappeared. All around, people were waking up and rubbing their eyes, and then staring around at each other in bewilderment. And then suddenly they all started talking and laughing at once. Probably the last thing they remembered was being enslaved by Daran. That's right, Kaela realized. Daran. Ben should be fighting him right now. She looked over all the people. How could she tell them that they had to fight, right now? She wasn't that skilled in public speaking.
All at once the words came to her, and before she knew it, she was talking. "Ladies and Gentlemen, as you all probably know Daran has taken over Elandai."
Everyone turned around to look at the speaker, and was surprised to find that it was a nine year old girl. Still, Kaela talked on. "But now the time has come for us to overthrow Daran. With Adonai's help, an organization of followers, lead by Adonai's appointed leader, Nolan, have made it very far to regaining Elandai. My brother is fighting with Daran himself, while Nolan and the followers are fighting with the Ogres. And Nolan is in need of men." He is? I didn't know that. And why am I saying this?
The crowd began to stir. "Then let's help them!" a man called out.
"Aye, why are we sitting here lollygagging while honest men are fighting for us?"
Kaela smiled. It was encouraging so see that they were enthusiastic about this. "Well then, follow me!"
---- ---- ----
Nolan had a worried expression on his face as he looked over the battle-field. The fight was not going very well. His men, outnumbered at the beginning, now had suffered many casualties. The Ogres had the advantage of being high up on Mahal's walls, and they used it. They shot arrows down at the followers, and poured boiling oil when Nolan's army got too close. The followers had tried building catapults, but all the trees around were dead and rotting; not that great for catapults. But what they really needed was re-enforcements. Especially now, because the Ogres had just issued a direct, face-to-face battle. They had streamed out of the gates of Mahal, closing the gate too swiftly for the followers to get in, and had then begun wreaking havoc among the army. Nolan was just now taking advantage of a brief lull in his part of the battle to take a break.
He wrinkled his forehead as he saw another one of the followers fall with an arrow stuck in his neck. I thought you wanted us to do this, Adonai! He cried inwardly.
Suddenly the gates creaked open again. Nolan tensed, thinking that it was more Ogres. But to his surprise, regular humans came out, brandishing make-shift weapons and yelling like crazy. Nolan gasped as he saw the leader of the new party was Kaela. Re-enforcements! Praise Adonai! Then he joined in the battle with a will.
The surprised Ogres were cut down very quickly with the new soldiers. And then the gates were swung open; this time to let the followers in.
To their surprise, there were not that many Ogres left in Mahal. It took only a minute for them to find the last of them and kill them. Nolan met Kaela afterwards.
"Do you know where Ben is?" He asked.
Kaela shook her head. "No. I think he's supposed to be fighting Daran, though."
"Then do you know where Daran is?"
She shook her head. "Not exactly, but I have a suspicion where." Kaela pointed to the red-glowing building in the center of Mahal. "There."
---- ----- ----
Ben sweated freely as he parried Daran's blows. He was constantly on the defensive, as his opponent was much more experienced then he was. He could feel his strength failing, and he missed several chances to strike. Daran's smirk was growing bigger.
Suddenly Daran stuck out his foot and tripped Ben. With a cry, he fell to the ground, his sword spinning out of his hand and out of reach.
Daran placed a heavy foot on Ben's chest. "So, you came here to win?" He asked smugly. "Turned out that I won. Guess Adonai did chicken out, after all. And now no one will be able to interfere with my rule. Too bad for your team."
He gave Ben an obnoxious smile. "I can be sure of my triumph when I've chopped off your head, boy."
Sure of his triumph! That's when I throw the bottle at Daran! Ben scrambled around in his pocket, searching for that bottle of blood. It seemed to evade his grasp.
Daran lifted his sword over his head. "Time to say goodbye, Ben!"
That was when Ben found the bottle. Barely even stopping to un-cork it, he threw it up into Daran's face.
His scream pierced the very walls of the building, making then tremble. Daran's face appeared to be melting, turning black, as the blood dripped down it. His whole body shriveled up into a whisp of shadow, which floated to the ceiling and disappeared. His sword, laying on the ground, also was gone.
Ben looked at the bloody, smashed pieces of the broken bottle, and then was startled by the rumbling sound he heard. Mahal's falling down!
He picked up his sword and made for the only exit, which was the door to the tunnel. But when he opened it, he found he was looking out into the city of Mahal. It was trembling, just like the fiery building. To his surprise, he saw no Ogres, only Nolan, Kaela, Learka, and a bunch of followers all running around the streets.
"Ben!" Kaela screamed as she ran toward him.
But Ben didn't waste time on reunions. "Hurry!" He yelled. "We have to get out of here--Mahal's falling down!"
All the followers streamed out of the quaking city, and then when they were a safe distance away, they turned and looked back. Mahal shook for one last moment, and then suddenly debris flew up into the air. The flames exploded higher, and then were gone. Mahal had fallen.
-------------------------
Izori
Chapter 15
Ben and Daran stared at each other for a moment in the room surrounded with flames. The silence was interrupted only by the crackling and whooshing of the fire. Ben gripped his sword tighter, observing the throned man.
That is, if he could be called a man. His hair was black, and he had no beard or moustache. His skin was an unusual mix between red and black. Maybe a faint burgandy. And his eyes were blood red, with unsettling white orange pupils. Ben shivered.
Daran opened his mouth to reveal his teeth, which were long fangs. "Ahhh, so you have come at last." He stood up to his full towering height, several heads taller than Ben, and stepped down from his throne. "I have been expecting you. Sent by that miserable Adonai, I presume?"
Ben didn't say a word, just readied his sword and slipped the bottle of blood into his pocket. Daran stepped closer until his dancing shadow fell over the boy. Then he drew his sword. "You came to fight." It was not a question.
"Yes, I did." With an effort, Ben returned Daran's stare. "And not only to fight, but to win."
The evil king threw his head back and laughed, a sound that put Ben's teeth on edge. "To win!" he shrieked. "Are you that confident?"
"With Adonai, I am."
Daran circled his young opponent, grinning all the while. "And what makes you so sure that Adonai will help you? What if he backs out? Why didn't he stop my Ogres when they fired their arrows at you, long ago when you and your sister first came to my land."
"He just won't," Ben replied stubbornly, turning to keep his back from Daran. "He's not that sort of person. And he's way more powerful than you are. His blood can melt chains!"
"And mine can poison, kill, and devastate! Which is more strong?"
"Adonai's, of course."
Daran stopped circling. "Adonai's cannot poison and destroy!" he rumbled. "Your Adonai upholds love and unity and all that other mush. And everyone knows hate is stronger than love!"
Ben was puzzled, but only for a second. "Who says?" he asked defiantly.
For answer, Daran roared and lunged at Ben, his sword flashing in the fire-light. The boy barely got his own sword up in time to deflect the blow. The fight had begun.
---- ---- ----
Kaela looked up at the steep climb with dread. How could she be expected to climb the tower? And she didn't have much time, too. Soon the Ogres would spot her and that would be the end of it.
Something made her look to the left slightly. Oh, how foolish! That was there all along! Or was it? In the tower was a door.
Kaela opened it, and to her delight she saw a staircase winding up into the tower. There was no light coming in, so it was dark. When she stepped on the first stair, she found it was also wet and slippery. Having her sword light the way made it a little better, though.
She cautiously crept up, on the alert for Ogres. Only once did she look back down, and that was when she was half-way up. She grimaced at the far fall and from then on stared straight at the stairs.
Kaela had almost neared the top when she heard a rustling up ahead. She froze. The rustling grew louder, and then the source stepped out into the light. From Yev, Klii, and Learka's description, she knew right away it was a Vakir.
The Vakir pumped it's leathery wings and screeched, then launched itself straight at her. For a moment, Kaela was paralyzed, and then light shot from her sword burning the Vakir's wing. It screamed louder and once again made a bee-line for her, now maddened by it's injury.
Kaela brought her sword up and slashed into the Vakir's belly. To her surprise fire shot out of the wound, and the Vakir fell to the ground and shriveled up. Kaela stepped over it and continued up to the steps.
She reached the top of the stairs a few seconds later. It ended right at a door, solidly barred. Kaela raised her sword and brought it down upon the metal bolt, neatly severing it. Concerned that her blade had gotten nicked, she examined it. To her delight, it was un-damaged. Whoever made this knew what they were doing!
Then she pushed on the door. It didn't open, to her surprise. She checked to make sure it was completely unlocked, and then pushed again, and then pulled. But it still didn't work.
The password! Kaela scolded herself. How could I have forgotten about that! She leaned close to the door and whispered, "Agblith!"
The door swung open on it's own, and Kaela stepped in and looked around. The room was larger than she had expected, with people scattered all over the place. They were of many sizes and colors, but they all had two things in common. They had a blank, un-intelligent, empty expressions on, and they all wore chains.
"Hello?" No one moved, only continued staring at nothing. Kaela stepped into the middle of the room and raised her voice. "Hello!" When she got no response, she shrugged, and then opened the bottle of blood she held. So, I guess I just sprinkle it over everyone?
She dipped her fingers into the surprisingly warm blood, and then sprinkled the droplets on the people, taking care she didn't miss anyone. Then she waited for the results.
Almost immediately, the chains began to shrivel and melt away, until they became mere shadows that soon disappeared. All around, people were waking up and rubbing their eyes, and then staring around at each other in bewilderment. And then suddenly they all started talking and laughing at once. Probably the last thing they remembered was being enslaved by Daran. That's right, Kaela realized. Daran. Ben should be fighting him right now. She looked over all the people. How could she tell them that they had to fight, right now? She wasn't that skilled in public speaking.
All at once the words came to her, and before she knew it, she was talking. "Ladies and Gentlemen, as you all probably know Daran has taken over Elandai."
Everyone turned around to look at the speaker, and was surprised to find that it was a nine year old girl. Still, Kaela talked on. "But now the time has come for us to overthrow Daran. With Adonai's help, an organization of followers, lead by Adonai's appointed leader, Nolan, have made it very far to regaining Elandai. My brother is fighting with Daran himself, while Nolan and the followers are fighting with the Ogres. And Nolan is in need of men." He is? I didn't know that. And why am I saying this?
The crowd began to stir. "Then let's help them!" a man called out.
"Aye, why are we sitting here lollygagging while honest men are fighting for us?"
Kaela smiled. It was encouraging so see that they were enthusiastic about this. "Well then, follow me!"
---- ---- ----
Nolan had a worried expression on his face as he looked over the battle-field. The fight was not going very well. His men, outnumbered at the beginning, now had suffered many casualties. The Ogres had the advantage of being high up on Mahal's walls, and they used it. They shot arrows down at the followers, and poured boiling oil when Nolan's army got too close. The followers had tried building catapults, but all the trees around were dead and rotting; not that great for catapults. But what they really needed was re-enforcements. Especially now, because the Ogres had just issued a direct, face-to-face battle. They had streamed out of the gates of Mahal, closing the gate too swiftly for the followers to get in, and had then begun wreaking havoc among the army. Nolan was just now taking advantage of a brief lull in his part of the battle to take a break.
He wrinkled his forehead as he saw another one of the followers fall with an arrow stuck in his neck. I thought you wanted us to do this, Adonai! He cried inwardly.
Suddenly the gates creaked open again. Nolan tensed, thinking that it was more Ogres. But to his surprise, regular humans came out, brandishing make-shift weapons and yelling like crazy. Nolan gasped as he saw the leader of the new party was Kaela. Re-enforcements! Praise Adonai! Then he joined in the battle with a will.
The surprised Ogres were cut down very quickly with the new soldiers. And then the gates were swung open; this time to let the followers in.
To their surprise, there were not that many Ogres left in Mahal. It took only a minute for them to find the last of them and kill them. Nolan met Kaela afterwards.
"Do you know where Ben is?" He asked.
Kaela shook her head. "No. I think he's supposed to be fighting Daran, though."
"Then do you know where Daran is?"
She shook her head. "Not exactly, but I have a suspicion where." Kaela pointed to the red-glowing building in the center of Mahal. "There."
---- ----- ----
Ben sweated freely as he parried Daran's blows. He was constantly on the defensive, as his opponent was much more experienced then he was. He could feel his strength failing, and he missed several chances to strike. Daran's smirk was growing bigger.
Suddenly Daran stuck out his foot and tripped Ben. With a cry, he fell to the ground, his sword spinning out of his hand and out of reach.
Daran placed a heavy foot on Ben's chest. "So, you came here to win?" He asked smugly. "Turned out that I won. Guess Adonai did chicken out, after all. And now no one will be able to interfere with my rule. Too bad for your team."
He gave Ben an obnoxious smile. "I can be sure of my triumph when I've chopped off your head, boy."
Sure of his triumph! That's when I throw the bottle at Daran! Ben scrambled around in his pocket, searching for that bottle of blood. It seemed to evade his grasp.
Daran lifted his sword over his head. "Time to say goodbye, Ben!"
That was when Ben found the bottle. Barely even stopping to un-cork it, he threw it up into Daran's face.
His scream pierced the very walls of the building, making then tremble. Daran's face appeared to be melting, turning black, as the blood dripped down it. His whole body shriveled up into a whisp of shadow, which floated to the ceiling and disappeared. His sword, laying on the ground, also was gone.
Ben looked at the bloody, smashed pieces of the broken bottle, and then was startled by the rumbling sound he heard. Mahal's falling down!
He picked up his sword and made for the only exit, which was the door to the tunnel. But when he opened it, he found he was looking out into the city of Mahal. It was trembling, just like the fiery building. To his surprise, he saw no Ogres, only Nolan, Kaela, Learka, and a bunch of followers all running around the streets.
"Ben!" Kaela screamed as she ran toward him.
But Ben didn't waste time on reunions. "Hurry!" He yelled. "We have to get out of here--Mahal's falling down!"
All the followers streamed out of the quaking city, and then when they were a safe distance away, they turned and looked back. Mahal shook for one last moment, and then suddenly debris flew up into the air. The flames exploded higher, and then were gone. Mahal had fallen.
-------------------------
Izori
My Other Books
A month or two ago, I was talking to one of my very practical friends about writing books. When I told her that I was working on around seven and that I was completely overwhelmed and would probably start another book, she sensibly suggested that I just tell myself to not start a book until I finished all the others. Well...I followed her good advice for about three days. And I still haven't finished any of my books! (Dun Zarum doesn't count because Dad still needs to read and edit it, and by myself I already found about six problems). And now I've thought up another book since I posted about this stuff last. Two more, actually. These are them:
The one I thought up first is pretty similar to the one about the two cousins and the human flowers (the fun thing about writing your own books is that you can copy them whenever you want to). And the book's unnamed. The main character is about a boy named Ryan. His parents are on a business trip and so he gets dropped off at his Aunt Sara's house. His aunt's husband disappeared a while ago, though no one knows whether he's dead or alive. And he also has a cousin named Kelsey. Right away, Ryan is suspicious that something is happening that he doesn't know about, especially when Kelsey goes to a 'club meeting' and doesn't get back until 12:00 at night. And when he overhears her and Aunt Sara talking in the kitchen, he discovers that the 'club' is really an organization, made mostly of fairies and elves, who are trying to defend the town against invading shadow-people. Two of the club members have the magical skills to set up an invisible shadow barrier around the town, but they can't keep it up much longer. Soon the barrier will go down, and then the shadows will be free to invade. I might not continue this one.
The next one is also unnamed, and it's a lot like the Ranger's Apprentice Series, so I won't publish it. It's about this organization called the Warriors. At the beginning of their country's history twelve families made the Order, and there have always been twelve members, each descendants of the original ones. But one a reconnoitering trip around the border of their country, which is called Anglin, three Warriors are ambushed by Mirshvites, and two of them are killed. One has a son who is able to take on his father's role, but the other one only has three daughters. The oldest, Owenar, has to become a Warrior, and right on the verge of a Mirshvite attack, too. I might not continue this one, either.
And I'll probably think up more. Oh, and I pretty much quit the one with the cousins and the human flowers.
Izori
The one I thought up first is pretty similar to the one about the two cousins and the human flowers (the fun thing about writing your own books is that you can copy them whenever you want to). And the book's unnamed. The main character is about a boy named Ryan. His parents are on a business trip and so he gets dropped off at his Aunt Sara's house. His aunt's husband disappeared a while ago, though no one knows whether he's dead or alive. And he also has a cousin named Kelsey. Right away, Ryan is suspicious that something is happening that he doesn't know about, especially when Kelsey goes to a 'club meeting' and doesn't get back until 12:00 at night. And when he overhears her and Aunt Sara talking in the kitchen, he discovers that the 'club' is really an organization, made mostly of fairies and elves, who are trying to defend the town against invading shadow-people. Two of the club members have the magical skills to set up an invisible shadow barrier around the town, but they can't keep it up much longer. Soon the barrier will go down, and then the shadows will be free to invade. I might not continue this one.
The next one is also unnamed, and it's a lot like the Ranger's Apprentice Series, so I won't publish it. It's about this organization called the Warriors. At the beginning of their country's history twelve families made the Order, and there have always been twelve members, each descendants of the original ones. But one a reconnoitering trip around the border of their country, which is called Anglin, three Warriors are ambushed by Mirshvites, and two of them are killed. One has a son who is able to take on his father's role, but the other one only has three daughters. The oldest, Owenar, has to become a Warrior, and right on the verge of a Mirshvite attack, too. I might not continue this one, either.
And I'll probably think up more. Oh, and I pretty much quit the one with the cousins and the human flowers.
Izori
Friday, May 1, 2009
Chapter 14 (Up is the Way)
For a change, I'm going to write a little about what Kaela's going through (She actually would have been my main character, except I decided it to be Ben, just to experiment at how well I can write with a boy main character). So, without further ado...
Chapter 14
Kaela gulped as she looked at Ben's receding back, and then turned and followed her own tunnel. To try and not dwell on her fear of being alone in the tunnels, she thought of Adonai. It was amazing to her that with just a wave of his hand, he could create tunnels deep in the earth on the spur of a moment. And his blood could melt chains...talk about real power. She had heard kids talk about witches and sorcerers, back on earth, and how they had pretty strong powers--seeing the future through a ball, turning people into frogs, and so on--but they always got their powers from bad things, like torturing cats. And when they got the power they used it for bad purposes, like making people miserable or frightened. Adonai wasn't like that at all.
She then reviewed her instructions in her head. What were they? Oh yes, travel along the tunnel until I get to Mahal (I hope I'll know when I've gotten to Mahal), and then find the dungeons and then sprinkle the blood on the enslaved people there...how do I know where to look for the dungeons? I'm not so sure I can do this.
Chapter 14
Kaela gulped as she looked at Ben's receding back, and then turned and followed her own tunnel. To try and not dwell on her fear of being alone in the tunnels, she thought of Adonai. It was amazing to her that with just a wave of his hand, he could create tunnels deep in the earth on the spur of a moment. And his blood could melt chains...talk about real power. She had heard kids talk about witches and sorcerers, back on earth, and how they had pretty strong powers--seeing the future through a ball, turning people into frogs, and so on--but they always got their powers from bad things, like torturing cats. And when they got the power they used it for bad purposes, like making people miserable or frightened. Adonai wasn't like that at all.
She then reviewed her instructions in her head. What were they? Oh yes, travel along the tunnel until I get to Mahal (I hope I'll know when I've gotten to Mahal), and then find the dungeons and then sprinkle the blood on the enslaved people there...how do I know where to look for the dungeons? I'm not so sure I can do this.
Kaela walked onward through the tunnel (which sloped up, sometimes rather sharply) until she came to a door. It was plain and made of wood, with some writing on it. Without knowing it, both Ben and Kaela were experiencing the same thing at the same time. And just like her brother at the opposite place in the tunnels, Kaela found that she could suddenly understand the wording on the door. That doesn't make sense, she frowned as she read the words. Then again, suddenly finding ourselves in Elandai and then being chased by Ogres and then falling through some peoples' underground roof doesn't make much sense, either.
These were the words Kaela saw:
These were the words Kaela saw:
Go past my gates, but keep about your wits
Watch your head, do not be hit.
Agblith the password, up is the way
Or save your skin for another day.
Watch your head, do not be hit.
Agblith the password, up is the way
Or save your skin for another day.
Kaela stared at the words, not very comforted. But at least it was a clue. So, apparently I should be careful otherwise I'll 'get hit'--I think I know what get hit means. 'Agblith the password', I'll have to have a password? Oh well, passwords are a good thing to know. And I'd better go up, I guess. Or I could 'save my skin for another day'.
"Well, that's optimistic!" she told herself aloud. "But I know what to do. So..." Kaela grasped the handle and pushed open the door.
What she found was not at all comforting. She was now standing on a sport of stone ledge, coming out of the side of a tower.
How'd I get up this high? I thought I was in the ground all the time. Well, whatever it was, Adonai arranged it.
Below her was the city of Mahal in all it's dark glory. The buildings were either black or red, and there were Ogres milling around in the streets below. The sky was almost a blood red, and there was one central building that emitted an evil glow almost the same color as the sky. It gave Kaela the jitters.
From another wall arrows came streaking down from outside, and the Ogres, of which some were now flopped on the ground with the followers' arrows stuck in them, rushed over there, shooting their own projectiles. Nolan and the troops were doing a wonderful job fighting.
Then Kaela remembered the riddle on the door. 'Agblith the password, up is the way'. I guess I head up.
She looked up at the steep climb up the tower. That may not be as simple as it sounds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would have finished this chapter earlier, but Mom offered me a popsicle on the porch and..heh heh, I couldn't refuse. (Hey, it was lime-flavored. My favorite :D) And then we had to go get the baseball field ready for tomorrow's game--yes, I play baseball, my brother talked me into it this year--, and now it's 8:41 at night, so at least I was loyal and finished the chapter!
Izori
P.S. I just realized we only have one or two chapters to go! :-(
"Well, that's optimistic!" she told herself aloud. "But I know what to do. So..." Kaela grasped the handle and pushed open the door.
What she found was not at all comforting. She was now standing on a sport of stone ledge, coming out of the side of a tower.
How'd I get up this high? I thought I was in the ground all the time. Well, whatever it was, Adonai arranged it.
Below her was the city of Mahal in all it's dark glory. The buildings were either black or red, and there were Ogres milling around in the streets below. The sky was almost a blood red, and there was one central building that emitted an evil glow almost the same color as the sky. It gave Kaela the jitters.
From another wall arrows came streaking down from outside, and the Ogres, of which some were now flopped on the ground with the followers' arrows stuck in them, rushed over there, shooting their own projectiles. Nolan and the troops were doing a wonderful job fighting.
Then Kaela remembered the riddle on the door. 'Agblith the password, up is the way'. I guess I head up.
She looked up at the steep climb up the tower. That may not be as simple as it sounds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would have finished this chapter earlier, but Mom offered me a popsicle on the porch and..heh heh, I couldn't refuse. (Hey, it was lime-flavored. My favorite :D) And then we had to go get the baseball field ready for tomorrow's game--yes, I play baseball, my brother talked me into it this year--, and now it's 8:41 at night, so at least I was loyal and finished the chapter!
Izori
P.S. I just realized we only have one or two chapters to go! :-(
Book Review: The Icebound Land
Yes, I know I've been doing a lot of book reviews lately and not that many chapters of the OSOC (My abbreviation for "The Other Side of the Creek), but I just had an awesome trip to the library--got six books out--so I've been reading...a lot. Anyway, I will put an end to my ramblings...
"The Icebound Land" by John Flanagan
Book 3 of the Ranger's Apprentice Series
When Will and Evanlyn are taken captive by the fierce sea-raider, or Skandians, they have nothing to look forward to but a life of slavery. Halt, meanwhile swore to rescue his apprentice and is willing to even defy his long friend King Duncan to save him. On his quest to bring Will back, Halt is joined by Horace, a friend of Will's who knows a lot about fighting. Soon Horace's skills are getting the attention of knights and warlords all around...including one that they would be better off not being noticed by.
Will and Evanlyn are having their own problems up in Skandia. Things are not going well, and they are now both living the terrible life of a slave. But a friendly sea-raider's sympathy might offer them a chance to escape.
This was a really neat book (all of the Ranger's Apprentice Series are). It had a lot of fights and adventure, and Halt was willing to give up his rights as a Ranger to rescue Will and Evanlyn. The only bad things are that some people take God's name in vain, and there's one gross part (for all you squeamish readers out there; it didn't bother me particularly) But other than those, it's a great book.
Izori
"The Icebound Land" by John Flanagan
Book 3 of the Ranger's Apprentice Series
When Will and Evanlyn are taken captive by the fierce sea-raider, or Skandians, they have nothing to look forward to but a life of slavery. Halt, meanwhile swore to rescue his apprentice and is willing to even defy his long friend King Duncan to save him. On his quest to bring Will back, Halt is joined by Horace, a friend of Will's who knows a lot about fighting. Soon Horace's skills are getting the attention of knights and warlords all around...including one that they would be better off not being noticed by.
Will and Evanlyn are having their own problems up in Skandia. Things are not going well, and they are now both living the terrible life of a slave. But a friendly sea-raider's sympathy might offer them a chance to escape.
This was a really neat book (all of the Ranger's Apprentice Series are). It had a lot of fights and adventure, and Halt was willing to give up his rights as a Ranger to rescue Will and Evanlyn. The only bad things are that some people take God's name in vain, and there's one gross part (for all you squeamish readers out there; it didn't bother me particularly) But other than those, it's a great book.
Izori
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