Dawn of Fate (Fortunes of Fate Collection, 1) - Excerpts

Here comes the third release of 2021! This time, I've combined the first six Fortunes of Fate stories into a collection called Dawn of Fate.

Since I've posted excerpts from all six titles in the past, I've included links to those below, instead of offering a new excerpt.

The ebook for Dawn of Fate is only $2.99 (if you bought all six titles separately, it would cost $4.95) and can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, and Smashwords. Or you can check out Books2Read for the full list of retailer options.

Dawn of Fate is also available in paperback on Amazon for $9.95.

Don't forget to leave a review on your preferred retailer or Goodreads once you've finished reading. It's insanely appreciated.

Happy reading!

Dawn of Fate Excerpts

Dreams in Shadow

Love Fades

Reversed

Void of Intuition

Beguiling Moon

Edge of Sorrow

For every card, there’s a story.

The Fool, Two of Cups, The Magus, The High Priestess, The Moon, and Three of Swords – this collection contains their stories.

Jump into the world of Fate, along with the three world-hopping cat sisters. The first six cards in the Fortunes of Fate series have been drawn. What stories do they tell?

Dreams In Shadow

Tilly decides on a whim that it’s time for an adventure. Unfortunately, her carefree romp in the world of Fate is cut short by the willful Tillnea.

Love Fades

Caradici’s body flickers in and out of existence, threatening to pull her away from the life she's made. She fears Fate beckons to her, that she must return home to save herself, leaving her love behind.

Reversed

Darney's Tarot cards were scorched by a wretched child who set fire to his card table. Their sobs and screams torment his conscience, but he can't heal them because he has no magic.

Void of Intuition

Cece’s tried to ignore her prophetic dreams all her life – they’ve caused nothing but heartache, starting with the death of her grandmother. But now, she’s dreamt of a lost child.

Beguiling Moon

In a moment of weakness, Erolisi succumbs to her power, feeding her need by drawing life force from her best friend, Aelwyn, and shattering their relationship in the process.

Edge of Sorrow

Jasp’s memory of Yetta spurs him to act. Making no promises, he follows Amber to the weeping women in the woods. But it’s not as simple as freeing them. It never is.

The Adventures of Karriya the Wizard - The Gods, Part 2

The Adventures of Karriya the Wizard is a series based on the main character I play in Everquest. Though most of what I write actually happened, many events might be embellished and exaggerated to create a better story. Happy hunting (and reading)!

Origin Story ~ The Gods, Part 1

❦

How long has it been since Karriya's last adventures were told? Too long! And she has a bone to pick with me because haughty High Elves love to be in the limelight, and I've neglected her (thankfully she hasn't been completely neglected in the game, though finding time to play as of late has been a challenge).

Unfortunately, her slaying and cavorting with the gods of Norrath have faded into foggy memories, so there might be more spinning of tales than truth in this entry. Or maybe I only think the memories are fuzzy, and the tales I spin will actually be the truth in disguise...

Well then, Karriya says I'm blathering on too much and need to start talking about her. Very well.

First, she wanted me to tell everyone about the time she stormed Drunder, The Fortress of Zek (also known as the Plane of Tactics). With Yushuv by her side, they felled the brothers Tallon Zek and Vallon Zek, followed by their father Rallos Zek. But no, that wasn't grand enough in her opinion. Then she considered the time she fought and then parlayed with Luclin in The Plane of Shadows -- ah, how regal the god looked upon her throne. No, no, not enough. Solusek Ro and Innoruk? Still too boring...

Karriya is indecisive at the best of times.

Why not the time she faced the Fabled versions of many of the gods all in one adventure, both Rondor and Yushuv at her side (and Downpour, of course -- can't forget the little druid)? Yes, that's it!

At the end of the many quests in the Planes of Power there lies the Plane of Time. And in this plane, the gods await. It just so happens that Karriya stormed it when the stronger, Fabled, versions were ready to smite her and her group of adventurers. No single-handed killing for the wizzie this time, and seeing many of the gods in one place sent flashbacks cascading across her mind of all the times she'd killed them in other zones.

Mighty Saryrn and the dark Terris Thule wailed as they fell to Karriya's mighty nukes.

And then as if searching for revenge from her adventure in Drunder, Fortress of Zek, Tallon Zek and Vallon Zek attempted to splat the wizzie while Yushuv pummeled on them with his axe.

Rondor assisted with dots and heals when they assaulted Bertoxxulous and Cazic Thule.

Finally, Innoruuk and Rallos Zek trembled at Karriya and gang and the power they held, the power they used to tear the gods down.

But a picture's worth a thousand words, isn't it? At least that's the point Karriya is at because she needs a nap after all of that god slaying. Oh, and because Rondor informed her some time ago that there are now new god killing achievements. Wait, what? She has to go back to the Planes of Power and kill all of those gods again? Sometimes she forgets it is called EVERquest...

The Adventures of Karriya the Wizard - The Gods, Part 1

The Adventures of Karriya the Wizard is a series based on the main character I play in Everquest. Though most of what I write actually happened, many events might be embellished and exaggerated to create a better story. Happy hunting (and reading)!

Origin Story

❦

The gods are many in Norrath... which is why this is merely Part 1 of the story. =D

Karriya has crossed paths with many gods in her travels, and it's well-known that once a god dies s/he doesn't stay dead. Which is why in one instance she can happily do a task for a god and in the other have to slaughter that same god. Fickle deities, they are.

But it's not as fun to talk about the nice things Karriya has done for the gods. Oh, no. It's much better to revel in her battles. And the battles have been many.

Some haunts of the gods are in the Planes of Power. These Planes harbor forms of the gods that are no longer quite as powerful as they used to be. Well, not for a level 105 wizard, at least. Though in her youth, she ran from them screaming... Wait no, Karriya the Wizard doesn't scream. She ensured that a full raid of her peers were with her and hid behind them. Please don't consider her a coward. Wizzies tend to splat gloriously -- she's wise, not craven.

Still think she's not as brave as she claims? Well, here's our first deity to use as an example: Terris-Thule, The Dream Scorcher. Many years ago, she took too few friends along with her to Terris's lair, just outside of the Plane of Nightmare. True, it was her Fabled version that was waiting to be taken down (a much more powerful version than which is usually up), but she had confidence that they'd defeat her. Sadly, not only did she splat as awesomely as any wizzie can splat, but the rest of her group wiped as well. Terris was not taken down that day.

But recently, Karriya had her revenge. This time Terris awaited her (the non-Fabled version), and she was going to take the goddess out single-handed (nearly with a single spell), but friend Rondor decided he wanted to join in on the fun (I mean, you got to kill as many as you can for those god-slaying achievements). Downpour sat just outside the cave, waiting to hail the Planar Projection. She's a bit of a mooch like that sometimes.

Karriya barely had time to commemorate the battle with some pictures before Terris Thule fell, defeated. No squishy wizzie anymore! At least not in the Planes of Power.

While there was great satisfaction in downing Terris, there was another fight in the Bastion of Thunder, another Plane of Power, that grew Karriya's pride tenfold. I know, you didn't think she could get any haughtier. Guess again. You have to remember, she is a high elf.

While not a full god (he still seems to count for that aforementioned god-slaying achievement, though), Agnarr, The Storm Lord, broods in his tower. To get to Karana, The Rain Keeper (a true god -- and to Karriya the only one that matters), adventurers must go through Agnarr.

Rondor was again along on this rather quick fight, and they climbed the last set of spiral stairs to be greeted by Karana himself.

Karriya then devolved into one of those squealing teenage fangirls and insisted on taking some selfies with her god. Yes, her god. Who doesn't love a good thunderstorm? Karriya sure does. Downpour does too (her surname is Stormsoul), but the little druid kept her composure in the presence of her god.

Watch for "The Gods, Part 2" in the coming months! And that won't be the last we hear of the gods of Norrath, I assure you. Karriya does enjoy tangling with them -- got to up that haughtiness rating (and the achievement)!

The Adventures of Karriya the Wizard - Origin Story

The Adventures of Karriya the Wizard is a series based on the main character I play in Everquest. Though most of what I write actually happened, many events might be embellished and exaggerated to create a better story. Happy hunting (and reading)!

❦ On the hot summer day of August 17, 2004, Kariya (yes, one R here - not a misspelling!) the Wizard was born in Everquest. OK, I'm not actually sure what the weather was like, and she wasn't so much born as created because let's face it, not many MMOs take characters through childhood. But that's beside the point. Suspend that imagination of yours already!

Karriya, 2006, With Epic Weapon 2.0

Now, Kariya was a haughty little High Elf, roaming the Greater Faydark, close to her home of Felwithe. Though the mobs she faced were pathetic, to her they were monumental. Until she grew up and could mass kill the whole zone with a single spell... That may just be the haughtiness showing through, though.

Anyway, she took up with a berserker named Yushuv -- a scarred Barbarian of few words. Together they eventually found a home in the guild Hands of Prophets. That guild changed to Legacy of Prophets before it faded completely, but I think I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.

While in Hands of Prophets, Kariya met many friends, most of which have disappeared into the ether. A couple, though, she still cavorts with today. One such being a well-mannered druid by the name of Rondor, and another an uber paladin called Eaiana. And she of course can't seem to shake that sometimes grouchy Yushuv. Never!

And then came a day of doom, where all those in Prophets feared for the outcome of all of their friends. A server merge. See, Kariya started out on Morden Rasp, a rather young server, and Morden Rasp was to be merged with Povar, one of the oldest servers. If someone had the same name as you on another server, the person who had the most time played would get to keep the name. The other person, would receive the dreaded X.

Kariya didn't get by the server merge unscathed (nor did several other of her family living on the same account -- that's how Leera the Beastlord became Maeve... and then following another sever merge, Maevve). The X of doom made her weep. She didn't want to be known as Kariyax! Those who received the evil letter were allowed to change their name, and so Karriya (who thankfully didn't get the X again in a future server merge) had her name legally changed. She still hates the extra R, though.

Time passed quickly in the land of Norrath. Prophets dissolved, she joined a guild called Valheru, which eventually changed to Sanity's Edge, and then she left that guild as well. And then, she made a guild of her own -- Dark Possession. I mean, haughty High Elves need to be in charge, right? Yushuv, the stubborn berserker, eventually joined her, as did some of Rondor's and Eaiana's aliases (*coughs* alts -- the name we give to characters that aren't mains).

It was an active guild for a while, but as we've seen, things always change. Dark Possession is still Karriya's guild, and she's littered the guild hall with cats, dogs, gnolls, and birds. There just aren't as many other active people in the guild aside from her aforementioned cohorts who often switch between many alts.

So, there you have it. Wait. I'm forgetting something? Oh, someone. Of course.

Karriya is the clear hero of the story, and every hero needs a sidekick! On March 5, 2006, Downpour, the Halfling druid who loves to hug everyone in her path was born. She's neglected once in a while, being left behind on occasion when Karriya wishes to venture out on her own, but for the most part Karriya makes sure to drag her along on her adventures, especially since the little druid can track mobs wherever they go.

Downpour, 2007 - No, I don't have any better screenshots of her

And so is the origin of Karriya the Wizard (and Downpour the Druid)! Now, over 11 years of adventuring under her robe, Karriya's happy to share her most recent adventures in Norrath. Who knows what she'll find with the stoic Yushuv or dragged into by the fastidious Rondor (who often plays his alt Wondora, a Dark Elf shadow knight, when wandering with Karriya).

Watch for the latest adventure! Maybe she'll even slay a dragon! Or just a bunch of blobs. Not all adventures are glamorous.

Dreams in Shadow Snippet

Yes, another release! Dreams in Shadow came out this past Friday. It's the first in a planned 78 short story series called Fortunes of Fate. All the stories will be somehow interconnected, but it won't necessarily be in serial form. There will be lots of different point-of-view characters. Dreams in Shadow can be found for purchase on Amazon and can also be read for free via Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Owners' Lending Library.

Interested in a taste of the beginning? Here you go!

❦

Tilly swung her mud-caked bare feet over the edge of the cliff. She enjoyed sitting on the precipice after a long day of playing, watching the purple leaves in the valley below flutter in the wind. It gave her ideas.

And the one that popped into her head that day was a grand one.

The leaves nearby rustled, and a gray cat emerged from the underbrush. It rubbed up against her, smearing its damp nose on her arm.

"Ew," Tilly said.

Ew? the cat voiced in Tilly's mind. You're covered from head to toe in dirt, and you can't stand my wet nose against your skin. Aren't you particular?

"Sorry." Tilly scratched the cat under the chin.

My speaking doesn't alarm you?

Tilly giggled. "A servant once told me a chicken begged for its life before she chopped its head off. This is Fate, after all."

Home.

"Huh?"

Nothing.

Tilly leapt up. "Time to go."

Where, might I ask?

"On an adventure!"

❦

Fortunes of Fate Series

For every card, there's a story.

The three cat sisters, Joslyn, Mia, and Amber, are world-hoppers. They're in search of a world to call home, and they finally find it in Fate.

However, they've grown fond of Earth as well, and they stick their noses into the lives of people from both worlds. From Fools to Magicians, the three cats are witnesses to the stories that unravel.

Dreams in Shadow

Twelve-year-old Tilly is the epitome of a little Fool. The moment she meets Mia, a cat who speaks into her mind, she decides on a whim that it's time for an adventure. Unfortunately, her carefree romp in the world of Fate is cut short by the willful Tillnea, a spoiled brat who won't take no for an answer.

As Tilly's adventure unravels, Mia seeks a way to get them both back on the proper path.

Chains of Nect: Obsidian's Obsession - Chapter 13

DISCLAIMER: This is rough draft material. Don't be surprised if you fall into plot holes, trip over inconsistencies, and get hit in the head with direction changes. I've done my best to read through several times before posting, though, to make sure most spelling and grammar errors are corrected. Any constructive comments are welcome for when I revise this novel. Thank you for reading!

All current and previous chapters for Chains of Nect: Obsidian's Obsession can also be found on Wattpad. And for an easy to access list of all chapters that have been posted to Born to Write, please visit the Table of Contents.

A new chapter is planned to be posted to Wattpad every Friday, and that chapter will then be posted on Born to Write on the Wednesday after.

Chapter 12

* * * * *

Chains of Nect: Obsidian's Obsession

Chapter 13

The magic of the swirling flame washed over Obsidian. She'd been prepared for heat, fearing burns, but an intense cold pierced her instead. So freezing that she thought she'd come out of the other side an icicle, frostbite covering her skin.

No matter the temperature, though, she made sure to hang on to Damian. She wouldn't lose him, or allow him to be lost. All of this was her fault, after all. If she hadn't allowed the gate to consume her, to take over her actions, they wouldn't be in this mess.

And she saw the compulsion now for what it was, wondering if the portal back home had burrowed the same obsession in her heart, if the reason she was only on this path to begin with was because of the magic and not her own will.

But she couldn't see the line, the one with her own desires on one side and that of the portals on the other. That chilled her more than passing through this gate ever could.

Sid gripped Damian, and he followed. He was fool enough to follow. She knew the gate would close behind them, the book had said so, but it was blind faith that they wouldn't walk into something even worse than the chance of getting caught in a shift.

That they wouldn't walk into turmoil.

Walking through felt like it took hours, but it was only seconds. The cold ended as abruptly as it had encompassed her. And her skin was clear, no signs that she had passed through fire and ice.

Sid looked back at the gate--the fire dissipated to a spark in the center, which then snuffed out.

"No going back now," Damian said.

She flinched. Though she still held him around the waist, she had forgotten he was there for a moment. But she didn't let go. No, she didn't want to let go. Lest the madness take her again.

When Damian had grabbed her hands, she had felt some of the magic transfer to him, but he had also grounded her, cleared her head. Just with his touch.

Perhaps another type of magic altogether. Nice to think that there was still magic within the people of Nect. Likely a fruitless dream, but so was the thought of opening a gate and entering another world. And here they were.

Where exactly were they?

On this side, the gate wasn't enveloped by a hill--it arched evenly, vines twining around the stone. It looked as if it had been as neglected as her one back home. On the pinnacle the script said Nect, a rune more intricate than any she had yet to see.

They seemed to be on a little island of land, the grass tall and wild around them.

Sid finally let Damian go and inched over to one edge. A sheer drop greeted her, disappearing into a swirl of fog. No telling how far up they were.

It was impossible to see into the distance as well, the night as dark here as it was in Nect, cloud cover blotting out the stars. If they existed in this world. At least a moon filtered through the clouds to allow some light.

She circled the island and came to the beginning of a bridge. This wasn't any ordinary bridge, though. No wood, no stone, not even anything to hold onto. Large metal links, one secured to the island they were on, stretched into the distance, until they too disappeared in darkness and fog.

A chain. Like the mural on the ceiling in the House of Portals.

Sid touched the metal, and like the gate had surprised her with its cold, the chain startled her with its warmth. It vibrated under her hand, like a heart beating in every link. She glanced back at Damian, who had sat down near the arch. "It's like it's alive."

"I'd join you, but I'm still dizzy." He placed his hand on his head. "Does your book mention how to open the gate from this side?"

In a new world, and all he could think about was going home. Sid wanted to explore, to see what was on the other side of the chain. Or did she? Doubt of her own desires clawed up her throat.

She sighed and pulled the book from under her cloak, opening it. "What?" The first page was unintelligible. "I can't read it anymore." "Bring it here."

She obliged, settling down next to him after handing it over.

He paged through it, each flip of a page quicker than the next. "I can't either." Then he looked near the end, in the second half where the words she originally couldn't make out were.

She craned her neck so she could see. "Still unreadable like in Nect."

"Yes, but they don't seem as out of reach now. Before it felt impossible to even comprehend a single stroke. But now, it's like when I first started to learn the script--I can feel the knowledge just out of reach, there but distant."

Sid focused, her eyes following the flowing strokes. He was right--that wall she had sensed initially was gone, or at least penetrable. She just had to find the door. "Perhaps what we need to decipher it is across there." She motioned to the chain, feeling a pull to traverse it.

"That's what I'm afraid of." Damian slammed the book shut. "We shouldn't even be here in the first place. The Council is going to have our heads for this."

More literally than he likely thought. "We might make it back before they notice."

He laughed. Not a joyful one either--the days of trying to make him smile were past. After what she'd done, she didn't think she'd be able to convince him there was much to smile about when it came to her anymore.

"The sooner we go, the sooner we can find a way home." If they could find a way back to Nect. "How are you feeling?"

"Better. Not that I want to chance walking across a giant chain with a long drop below it. But what choice do I have?" He pushed himself up.

"I suggest we crawl. Safer." Sid stood, but before she returned to the chain, she studied the arch. Then she touched it.

Damian grunted. Clearly he still thought touching the gates was a bad idea. No turning back now, though.

Anyhow, she wanted to make sure she attuned herself to it, thinking it might work the same way it had with her portal and the Turmoil one. Nothing asserted itself, though. No spark, no pull, no sense of magic tugging at her, just the feel of cool stone on her skin.

She didn't want to consider what that meant.

They both approached the edge. "I'll go first," Damian said.

"But--."

He waved her off and knelt, crawling out onto the chain. "Wow, you're right. It's warm. Like flesh, not metal."

Alive. Her mind hooked onto the word. Now she didn't want to cross it.

"Let's hope we don't have too far to reach the other side." He crawled forward, carefully making his way over each link.

Sid crouched by the edge, trying to figure out how she was going to secure the book. Her inner pockets weren't big enough for it. Nothing to do but clutch it to her chest. She scooted out onto the chain, less one hand to steady herself. This would prove interesting, but she couldn't lose the book--it could be their only way back. Wanting to explore this world didn't mean she didn't also want to go home eventually.

Damian looked over his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine. Just let me concentrate."

He continued forward, soon disappearing into the fog.

One inch at a time, and soon she'd be on the other end. She urged herself forward. The longer she touched the chain, the more it felt like skin, the vibrations throbbing to a set beat. She shivered and almost lost her balance.

Sid stopped, taking a deep breath. She had to get herself together--all she had to do was cross and ignore the texture of the chain.

"I reached the other side." Damian's voice sounded far. Too far.

Into the fog she went, taking her time. Finally, the mist cleared slightly, revealing Damian waiting for her on another patch of overgrown earth. Not far now.

She picked up her pace a little bit, eager to reach the other side. Only one link away, in her haste she scratched the metal with her nails.

And the chain shook beneath her.

Sid screamed, her precarious balance slipping. No, she couldn't lose the book. So she did the only thing she could--she threw it to the other side. Her aim was true, and it thudded next to Damian.

The links shook again and tilted.

And she tilted with it.

"Sid!" Damian scrambled out onto the chain, barely able to keep his own balance. He managed to cling on, fighting for every inch to reach her.

She slid off the flesh-like metal, feet tumbling down. No. Reaching out, she dug her nails in, barely maintaining a grip on the link with both hands.

The chain trembled even more. She was hurting it, this living metal.

Damian's progress halted. "Hang on."

"I'm trying." One hand slipped off, pain lancing through the fingers of the hand still clinging to the metal. "Just get off the chain. Take the book and find a way back to Nect."

"Are you crazy?"

"I don't want you dying because of me." He'd have the book at least. And he'd have the woman that got him into this mess out of his life.

Damian could go back to being a stoic Guardian, keeping his distance from the portals, and forget any of this ever happened.

Obsidian felt her fingers losing their hold. She wondered what it would feel like to fall so far, to slam down into whatever waited for her below. Soon. She'd find out soon. One of her fingers slipped off.

Not long now.

* * * * *

Chapter 14

Dude In Distress - Part 2: Shed Some Light

This story was originally written as an RPG campaign for the game Valley of Unicorns. I thought it was such a fun story, so I revised it by creating my own player characters, and I did mock rolls as well to see just how much muck the characters could mire themselves in (I kept it in present tense like the RPG scenes, though!). Happy adventuring!

You can find the first part of this story on Wattpad. ALL future parts of this story will be on Wattpad ONLY--so add it to your library there if you want to continue reading.

* * * * *

The sun sets behind the mountains as the determined band of unicorns reach the mouth of the cave.

Sun paws the dirt at the entrance. "We got a late start, it seems. Should we wait until morning to head in?" She won't admit to this bunch of horses just how much her namesake comforts and enlivens her.

"No use fretting about the dark," Star says. "It'll be just as dark inside. Besides, we have no idea how long Dom has before Big Bad Girl loses her temper and hurts him."

"We go. Now." Fiona trots into the cave.

The others follow and then promptly run into a stalled Fiona.

"A little warning," Burn says as he pushes himself up from the cave floor.

Star squints into the pitch black, knowing that this tunnel will only lead deeper into the mountain. "Can you light our way, Burn?"

Purple sparks jump from his horn again, followed by a glow that doesn't illuminate much aside from his face. "This is the best I can do, but I can't hold it forever."

"We need something better," Quell says. "I can sing in the dark, but not if I've knocked myself out from running into a wall."

Bardic jokes aside, Star knows this darkness will hinder all of them. If they come across any dangers, how will they fight if they can't see what attacks them? "Everyone back out. We have to find something to light our way before we head further in."

The horses oblige, though Fiona sulks a bit once they get back outside.

The moon has risen and the stars glint in the night sky. If only they can snatch the stars out of the sky to light their way. But not even an alicorn or pegasus can do that.

There has to be something else suitable. If Big Bad Girl can delve into the depths, dragging Dom along with her, there has to be a source near to light her way.

"Start looking, everyone!" Star wonders why she has taken on the leader roll when she didn't want to go on this adventure in the first place. Sun would tell her she has control issues.

All five horses start searching the mountainside.

Star grows frustrated quickly, unable to find anything of use. Perhaps Sun is right, she does have control issues.

"Look!" Sun, Quell, and Burn all say at the same time. Burn snorts, upset he isn't the only one with the discovery.

There's a slight glow a small ways up the mountain on a grassy plateau.

At least some horses have better eyes than Star.

The horses climb up to the plateau. Before them is a small field of flowers, swaying in the breeze. At the center of each flower is a glowing ball.

Fiona trots up to the flowers. "Oh, so shiny!" She leans down to smell one. "Dom would love these." The ball of light disengages from the flower she is smelling and fastens to the tip of her horn. It glows even brighter than before.

The grass rustles as the others approach the flowers, but there's no wind.

"Wait!" Star says. Too late.

The grass jumps up from the ground in little balls with tiny black eyes and gnashing green teeth. Half of them pounce on Fiona, and she screams. The rest turn to attack the other four horses.

The Grass Gobblers aren't happy that Fiona and friends have disturbed their field of stars. Not even in the cave yet, and the horses are already running into trouble.

Time for Star to take charge again, since all the others are just scrambling to get away from the fluffy green menaces. "Get those things off of Fiona first."

They rally to her call, and everyone makes an initial swipe to clear the Grass Gobblers in their path so they can reach Fiona. Quell easily squishes one under his hoof right away, but Sun just makes them more angry, and five converge on her.

At least they know now that these little green monsters are a bunch of pushovers. Squishy little dudes.

Fiona gallops around the plateau, ten Grass Gobblers nibbling at her hind hooves.

While Sun deals with the five swarming her, Star, Quell, and Burn go after the ones pursuing Fiona.

In Star's haste to help Fiona, she gets the attention of three other Grass Gobblers, who bombard her and leave scratches down her neck. The wounds sting and slow her down, but only for a moment. Her anger boils over and she lashes out with a spell, white bursts of light shooting from her horn--two of the Grass Gobblers perish in a green smear.

The others don't have much luck, the little monsters dodging Quell's and Burn's attacks. And poor Sun flails in a panic as the five green globs nip at her legs.

"Get it together," Star says. "They're made of grass."

"But they're grass with teeth!" Sun swats at the speedy green monsters, unable to squish any, but attracting the attention of two more. One breaks off from following Fiona and jumps Quell, who quickly dispatches it with a well-aimed swipe. "It doesn't help that they're fast, and there's a lot of them."

Burn tries to call forth a damage shield to help protect Fiona, but since she's running too fast, his attempt fails. "Hold still!"

"Don't listen to him--keep running." Star glares at Burn. Does he want the nine left following Fiona to gash her up? Drawn to the incredulity she misses an easy target as it skitters right under her hoof.

Quell starts to sing, but three more peel off from chasing Fiona and pounce on him. Clearly they have something against music. He can't deflect them all at once, and his song breaks before it can be much use to the group.

Burn's temper gets the best of him, since none of his spells seem to help with the speedy Fiona and Grass Gobblers moving too fast for him, so he can't even get the words to any incantations right.

And poor Sun starts whimpering from the gashes inflicted by the seven monsters still after her.

Things aren't looking good.

Two more give up chasing Fiona and strike at Star, leaving more scratches on her coat. "Enough." She strikes with her magic and squishes both attackers.

"Ow! Stop!" Sun flails more as the Grass Gobblers tear at her, and she randomly squashes one.

Burn takes a deep breath, focusing on his words, and unleashes Zigzag Zap, a powerful lightning spell, zapping three of the monsters chasing Fiona. "Ha. Take that you little bastards."

Finally, a turn in the tide. Six left attacking Sun, three on Quell, and only one more after Fiona.

Sun howls, deflecting all the attacks, but is unable to kill another of the Grass Gobblers.

With only one after Fiona now, Star unleashes her magic to protect her sister, the one who wanted to go on this adventure in the first place and can't even handle grass! Through the incredulity, Star still wants to save her sister, and with excellent aim smites three.

Quell grinds one under his hoof.

Unfortunately, Burn stammers, slightly exhausted from the last big spell. The final one following Fiona leaps and latches onto Burn's tail. "No you don't." He flicks his tail, sending the Grass Gobbler flying out of sight, likely no more than a smear on the side of the mountain now.

Affronted that her sister had to come to her defense, Sun rallies and strikes one down. "I don't need your help, Star."

"Sure you don't." Way too much pride. Star shoots down the last two attacking Sun with her magic.

Quell slices through the two nipping at him.

All the Grass Gobblers are finally dead, just little green splotches dotting the plateau.

Fiona sobs on Quell's shoulder while Star does the rounds, taking a look at everyone's injuries. All of the wounds are only superficial scratches. Guess that's what happens when the monsters have bendable blades of grass for teeth. The scratches hurt far more when they were being inflicted compared to what is left behind.

"I don't need to be looked at," Sun says. She hadn't handled herself well with this attack, besmirching her image.

Star is sure Sun will face things better next time, but she ignores the request and takes care of her sister anyhow.

After all the wounds are tended to, Star directs everyone to grab an orb from the flowers.

With shining stars fastened to every horn, they return to the cave, back on course to save Dom from Big Bad Girl.

UP NEXT: Crazy Necro Antics - Wedding Bells

Dude In Distress - Part 1: Frantic Filly

This story was originally written as an RPG campaign for the game Valley of Unicorns. I thought it was such a fun story, so I revised it by creating my own player characters, and I did mock rolls as well to see just how much muck the characters could mire themselves in. Happy adventuring!

You can also find this story on Wattpad.

* * * * *

It's a calm, sunny afternoon at The Watering Hole in the Valley--birds singing, dragonflies flitting from lily pad to lily pad. Murmurs of equine conversation circle the pond, along with laughter and cheer.

"I'm bored," Sun says. "Bored, bored, bored. And you stole my spot at the edge of the water, Star."

Star rolls her eyes. "You're always bored, unless you're at sparring practice. And there's plenty of edge left. You don't need to be on top of me."

Her twin sister has a tendency to suffocate her. She doesn't know why--Sun is a physical type and enjoys to beat things up, but Star prefers to aid the other horses, using the magic in her horn to heal. They may look alike, both storm unicorns, but they are nothing alike. Most times Star helps heal the bruises Sun causes.

"It's peaceful, and I'm enjoying it," says Star. "Go take your foul attitude elsewhere."

A clattering of hooves shatter that peace. A young fire unicorn filly, eyes wild and mane tousled, storms into The Watering Hole, nearly tumbling into the water headfirst.

"Help, help!" She collapses and dips her nose into the pond, taking a long drink. Then she inhales and bellows, silencing the birds and sending the dragonflies skittering. "Help! My fiance has been taken, and someone must save him."

Quell approaches the filly and touches his nose to her shoulder. "Calm now, young one." His voice has a sing-song quality, a hint of the beautiful tenor that explodes from his mouth when he sings. And oh, he loves to sing. So much that he drives many other unicorns away because he won't shut up. Some think he's just trying to make up for his dull bay coloring with a bit of beauty. "I'll help you. And I'm sure some others will too."

"Of course," Burn says. "How can I not assist a lady in distress?" Sparks jump from the end of his horn, lavender to match his gleaming coat. Big show off. Though his magic is powerful enough to back up his ego.

"It's not me that's in distress, but my poor fiance, Dom," the filly says.

Sun pushes herself up from the ground. "We'll help too!"

"Hey," Star whispers, "Don't go volunteering me for things. You're the one that's bored."

"Come on, sis, live a little."

Star reluctantly moves from her quiet spot at the water's edge, knowing she can't allow her sister to gallop off alone, and walks up to the filly. "What happened, dear? Fiona, isn't it?"

The filly nods. "Dom and I were walking along the river, having a romantic afternoon together when she appeared. I recognized her--Dom had mentioned another filly was after his affections, but he turned her down because he loves me. Well she showed up and demanded Dom go with her. When he said no, she used some type of magic and grew to four times her normal size, and snatched him up in her mouth. I followed her to a cave, but then I lost her because it was too dark to chase her down a tunnel. I fear her brain is unhinged and that if Dom doesn't agree to become hers, she'll surely kill him. Maybe even eat him! Will you save him from this Big Bad Girl?"

"Oh, I think I know who you're talking about," says Sun. "That ice blue unicorn? The one that prefers to live underground? I don't think anyone even knows her real name."

"Yes, that's her."

"We'll save Dom, no problem," Burn says. "He'll be back by your side before dinner. Maybe sooner."

Star sighs. This sounds like a quest that might take longer than an afternoon.

"I insist on going with you, though," Fiona says. "There is no way I'm going to stay behind and let you go after Big Bad Girl without me." The determination in her face is evident.

Their hooves are forced. Not only does the merry band have to save Dom, but they have to keep Fiona safe as well. "Let's gather supplies," Star says.

Fiona pushes herself up from the ground and takes one final drink. "Once you have everything, please follow me. I fear we'll have to travel deep underground, into the mountain."

Star takes charge and makes sure all five horses have packs with enough food along. All but Fiona is adorned with some type of armor. Sun and Quell have reinforced horns and hooves, and Sun has a buckler attached to her leg. Star puts on her cloak and blue beads to help if any healing is necessary, while Burn has red beads and a cloak as well to assist him with his more destructive magic.

Once they're sure they have all that they need, they allow Fiona to lead the way to Big Bad Girl and Dom.

NEXT UP: What Am I Reading?

The Hobbit - The Adventure!

SPOILER ALERT! If you have not read The Hobbit there are spoilers in this essay.


* * * * *


I remember the first time I read The Hobbit. It was 8th grade, the same year I was exposed to "The Pit and the Pendulum". Perhaps Poe and Tolkien both influenced my love of writing dark fantasy, as it was the following year that I started working on my first (rather horrible) novel. I loved The Hobbit then, and I still do now. The songs, the riddles, the races, the world, and above all the adventure.

"The Hobbit's enduring appeal to children of all ages is exceptional; it is a book with ample craftsmanship and depth to reward repeated readings and a nearly perfect lure into the larger mythos of Middle-earth" (Mathews 60). I couldn't agree more with everything in this statement from Fantasy: The Liberation of Imagination. I have read The Hobbit several times, and I don't think I will ever tire of it. Most importantly, though, it is a story that is a great read for children and adults, just like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

As I read through it this time, I really saw deeper into the appeal of the adventure and the dichotomy within Bilbo. First, there is the Baggins side of Bilbo. This represents the adult--serious, responsible, and happy to enjoy the comforts of home. Bilbo's Took side, on the other hand, is pure child. It's the side of him that is tempted by the idea of adventure, no matter how uncomfortable and dangerous it might be. "Then Mr. Baggins turned the handle and went in. The Took side had won. He suddenly felt he would go without bed and breakfast to be thought fierce" (Tolkien 18). Children can instantly connect to the Tookish side of Bilbo, the fun and adventurous side. And adults can recognize it too, since there is usually a little Took in all of us, even once we've grown up, buried deep within the responsibility of the Baggins half.

The Took side obviously wins out, with a bit of trickery from Gandalf, and Bilbo runs off on his adventure. And what an adventure it is! The Baggins side invades many times, yearning for the comforts of home, but Bilbo continues on. Throughout the entire book you have a constant rising and falling action: captured by trolls, escape the trolls, captured by goblins, escape the goblins, Bilbo stumbles across Gollum who wants to eat him, and he escapes Gollum as well. And that's in just the first third of the book. Right along this rising and falling action, Bilbo and party are going over and under mountains, up and down trees, through forests and down rivers. Their journey is a perfect mirror for that rising and falling action. Bilbo says it best: "I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led" (Tolkien 221).

Child or adult, it's easy to get sucked into Bilbo's adventures. "Tolkien married the adventure fantasy with epic: suddenly, the journey on which the participants embarked had world-shattering consequences" (Mendlesohn and James 48). This statement mostly refers to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but The Hobbit also has those world-changing consequences. How can a quest that would ultimately disturb an ancient and terrible dragon not? At the end of the book the goblins are nearly wiped out due to a war over the treasure. It's an epic end to an exciting adventure, and I look forward to the next time I read The Hobbit.


Works Cited

Mathews, Richard. Fantasy: The Liberation of Imagination. Routledge: New York, 2002.

Mendlesohn, Farah and Edward James. A Short History of Fantasy. Middlesex University Press: London, 2009.

Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit. Ballantine Books: New York, 1989.


UP NEXT: A reading list of fantasy books from 1950-1999.