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2024-10-29 19:42:56The next morning Gerardo woke up peacefully for the first time in ages. His eyes opened painlessly and his head turned without soreness as he studied his surroundings in astonishment. He lay on a chaise lounge covered with a fur blanket in the most luxurious cave he had ever laid eyes on. In front of him was a selection of fresh fruit on an oriental table, and further toward the entrance, Calder slept atop a cluster of cotton pillows.
Gerardo did not desire to get up; he was too comfortable. With any luck, the forest sounds would help him to fall back asleep: the trickling water, the soft chatter of tiny voices, the wind rustling the leaves of the trees, the lulling birdsong... then a conversation between the voices of Calder (who had just awakened) and Dil distracted him so that relaxation was no longer possible for him to obtain.
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Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Twenty-Two: Bravery, Love, and Regard
Everyone in the room remained silent, awaiting to hear a reaction from Emperor Plake. The emperor gently tossed the letter onto the table in front of him."Well it is a good thing this is no hoax," he said. He called to his scribe. "Cal! Address a message to Emperor Mandingo and include everything we have discussed. There is no need for code or such. I trust this pixie can avoid capture. Be sure to write every detail.""Yes, Your Majesty," Cal replied."Should we begin preparation then, Sire?" asked a general."No," replied the emperor. "Mandingo seemed skeptical in his letter. You know as well as I that we cannot execute this plan without his assistance. In the meantime, I would like to make Jorge a general of his
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Twenty-Three: A Promise Fulfilled
Gerardo returned home to his mother only to find that she had expected (and hoped) that he had died during the Stone War and had sold all of his possessions. Since he wasn't particularly welcomed home, Gerardo decided to leave his mother and build a cabin in the Lucierna Forest to live in on his own. He spent what little money he had received from serving in the military on clothes and necessities and despite being exceptionally lonely, he did well enough to get by.When not hunting or struggling to sell his kill, Gerardo spent most of his time sitting on a hill in Helvetica looking over the Aquamarine Ocean. He enjoyed the beauty and peace this location had to offer. However, the quiet that surrounded him on this hilltop sometimes gave way to questions and negative thoughts. For instance, now that he had fought in the war and served the purpose given to him b
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles Prologue: The Story Begins
Over five hundred years after the creation of Xyntriav, three emperors had built their dominions on the west of the continent Noelle and expanded them across the oceans to the continents Platavan and Kallak. For fifteen years they had successfully held their alliance as the United Empires, but as those years passed, it became increasingly difficult to keep it in one piece. Once they had encountered their fifth collective political issue, they were unable to conclude the affair. Desperate to come to an accord, they involved the subjects of their empires. Now, on Malla 23, 467 (April 5), it was time to announce the result of the poll to the emperors themselves.The meeting took place in a dark stone forum a few miles away from the coast in the town of Helvetica, the capitol of the Noelle Empire. Located in the very center of the capitol, the forum was supported by obsidian pillars a
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter One: Fate's Chosen
It was now Miseria 5, 470 (October 23) and the Stone War was far from over. The Bonn and Noelle empires quickly learned that Emperor Mentir had prepared for this fight without their knowledge. For the entire fifteen years that the empires were united, he had been secretly expanding his territory and the numbers were in his favor. Fortunately, Mentir made numbers his top priority over training, which offered one advantage to his adversaries. Once Bonn and Noelle could find their way around People's ambush tactics as well as their thick and layered armor, their skillset should prove victorious.A battle to the death between the Noelle Empire and the People's Empire had left the Valley of Hills covered with the lifeless bodies of warriors; among them, the strongest and most resilient. The vast majority of all plant life had been burnt to ash, leaving the Valley of Hills looking
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Two: The Prophetic Nightmare
As soon as the Southern sun began to rise, Rein had only just entered a deep sleep when a very stern voice boomed, "Rein Bow!" The poor pixie shot out of the charred tree and looked around to see who or what had almost given her a heart attack."Oh," she said. She took a deep, calming breath. "Mira, it's you.""I thought you returned to the Maja Forest like I instructed you to," Mira said."Who died and made you queen?" Rein replied. "I don't wish to go back."Mira pursed her lips. "Very well. If that's the case, tell Gerardo there are some crescents in the stream for him."Rein paused in thought. "Currency?"
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Three: A Town in Chaos
The Northern sun was on the verge of setting when Gerardo and Rein entered Cair. Their first order of business was to search for a place to spend the night, but Gerardo dwelled on second thoughts as he scanned the crumbling buildings surrounding him. He and Rein cautiously meandered along the grimy streets with an aching desire to leave the town as soon as possible.The townsfolk were scattered about the rubble, panicked and maniacal. As many of them looted demolished buildings, some cleaned up spills and debris while others sobbed hysterically over the damage. Some were so irate that Gerardo and Rein endeavored to avoid them the most.Females wailed, males begged, children screamed for their missing parents. Rein explained to Gerardo that Cair, Vann, and the Xer base on the outskirts of Vann had recently been attacked and de
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Four: Stalling
Gerardo no longer cared enough to make his way to a neighboring town, even though no one in Cair would allow him to stay in an inn. He had sought out a lonely back alley and slept in the dirt by the mounds of trash and debris with only a tattered, abandoned cloak that he had stumbled upon to keep him warm. The memory of losing Rein left an overwhelming feeling of guilt in his heart that had him tossing and turning throughout the night. The next morning, harsh rays from the Southern sun rudely awakened him from a short night's sleep.As he sauntered back onto the street, Gerardo noticed that nothing about the town had changed. Nobody even witnessed him egress from the darkness between the two battered shops in his musty uniform. The townsfolk were still busy working to revive their town and to keep what was left of their families alive. Gerardo pulled the worn hood of his cloak ove
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Five: A House of Horrors
The officer who had threatened Gerardo in Cair carried Rein Bow back to the poison shop which proved that dreams really do come true... even the bad ones. The interior was entirely decorated with conserved pixie corpses, and although the shop had much more to offer, this was the only aspect that grasped Rein's attention as ruthlessly as the officer grasped her. The sadistic owner of this shop had her kind suspended from the ceiling, framed and hung on walls, cased like bugs, tied and strung together to make wreaths and garlands, displayed on shelves like porcelain dolls; they were dressed up in ruffles and bows with their faces painted in ways that were unnatural for pixie-kind, and altogether the scene was really quite horrific. If Rein had been searching for comfort at all, she most certainly would not have found any form of it in here.Rein wondered if she had known any of the
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- Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Twenty-Three: A Promise Fulfilled
Gerardo returned home to his mother only to find that she had expected (and hoped) that he had died during the Stone War and had sold all of his possessions. Since he wasn't particularly welcomed home, Gerardo decided to leave his mother and build a cabin in the Lucierna Forest to live in on his own. He spent what little money he had received from serving in the military on clothes and necessities and despite being exceptionally lonely, he did well enough to get by.When not hunting or struggling to sell his kill, Gerardo spent most of his time sitting on a hill in Helvetica looking over the Aquamarine Ocean. He enjoyed the beauty and peace this location had to offer. However, the quiet that surrounded him on this hilltop sometimes gave way to questions and negative thoughts. For instance, now that he had fought in the war and served the purpose given to him b
- Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Twenty-Two: Bravery, Love, and Regard
Everyone in the room remained silent, awaiting to hear a reaction from Emperor Plake. The emperor gently tossed the letter onto the table in front of him."Well it is a good thing this is no hoax," he said. He called to his scribe. "Cal! Address a message to Emperor Mandingo and include everything we have discussed. There is no need for code or such. I trust this pixie can avoid capture. Be sure to write every detail.""Yes, Your Majesty," Cal replied."Should we begin preparation then, Sire?" asked a general."No," replied the emperor. "Mandingo seemed skeptical in his letter. You know as well as I that we cannot execute this plan without his assistance. In the meantime, I would like to make Jorge a general of his
- Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Twenty-One: A Prophecy Narrowly Avoided
The next morning Gerardo woke up peacefully for the first time in ages. His eyes opened painlessly and his head turned without soreness as he studied his surroundings in astonishment. He lay on a chaise lounge covered with a fur blanket in the most luxurious cave he had ever laid eyes on. In front of him was a selection of fresh fruit on an oriental table, and further toward the entrance, Calder slept atop a cluster of cotton pillows.Gerardo did not desire to get up; he was too comfortable. With any luck, the forest sounds would help him to fall back asleep: the trickling water, the soft chatter of tiny voices, the wind rustling the leaves of the trees, the lulling birdsong... then a conversation between the voices of Calder (who had just awakened) and Dil distracted him so that relaxation was no longer possible for him to obtain.
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Twenty: There is More to be Done
Now that she could no longer fly, Rein would have to get accustomed to running and climbing, and depending on other animals for long-distance transportation. She soon realized that although riding an animal may be a faster way to travel, it took practice and she didn't have time to learn. She rushed through the tunnels of the rats and mice domain towards the east wing of the palace and emerged on the opposite side. She found herself looking at the stone wall, which served as a barrier between her and the wood beyond it. Climbing up the wall was a tiresome challenge, and descending it without slipping and dropping the rest of the way down was even more so. Halfway down the wall, she decided it would be faster to simply let go and tumble into the thick snow at the bottom. She emerged freezing cold, but all she could do now was continue onward as quickly as possible and hope that the activity would warm her up soon.
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Nineteen: Divine Intervention
Guided by the torches illuminating the courtyard, Jorge made it to the top of the stone wall and climbed onto the overlooking branch of a tree. Twilight had passed and the light of the orange moon was all Jorge had to aid his way through the Lucierna Forest and the thick snowfall. Ahead, he could make out the dim glow of a campfire and he ran towards it. He only morphed back into his original form once he had arrived and verified that he knew the members of the group surrounding the fire."Captain!" Travis exclaimed. "Where have you been?""Spying.""Did you learn anything?" Jole asked anxiously."They're going to search the forest for us tomorrow.""And what o
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Chapter Eighteen: After So Much Effort...
The prisoners rampaged down the corridors brandishing their swords and any other weapons they were able to get their hands on. Those who couldn't find any weapons worked their creativity and made use of chairs, small tables, potted plants, and whatever blunt objects they could manage to lift. It was a war in itself. There were fistfights, sword-fights, and some of the palace workers swatted, kicked, and stomped on the rodents scurrying about on the floor. Jole and Travis managed to avoid most of the chaos and searched to find the woman who had freed them. Then they caught sight of a black cat, which called to them."Travis! Jole! It's me, Jorge!" Jole and Travis watched him jump onto a console table. "Listen, I require your aid with something. I suspect the emperor is still in the throne room because he isn't in his chamber. I plan to attack it."
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Seventeen: Last-Minute Adjustments
Blood shot everywhere with the dust and shards, all of it showering over Rein while she ducked for cover. She peered over her shoulder with a look of sheer panic and saw Pryce's arm and leg protruding from behind what was left of the rock: the only parts of him that hadn't been crushed by it. They simply dangled there by their tendons as crimson poured from the mangled limbs and surged down the wall like a stream of magma.Rein couldn't tear her eyes from the scene and she trembled to the point where she struggled to regain her footing. Somehow her ability to process everything around her had vanished. She felt something caught in her throat: a sob or a scream, she couldn't tell which. Finally, she brought herself to shoot down the tunnel and escape the horror scene before she lost consciousness. She exited the palace, soared over the wall, and dove into the icy Sirene Lake to was
- Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Sixteen: Hope Gained and Hope Lost
The last light of the Northern sun shone in the sky when Jorge finally returned from his walk and reluctantly met up again with Calder."So what have you decided?" Calder asked."We'll go through with your plan. I'll ask to speak with the emperor.""Have you devised something to add to that plan at all?" Calder asked.Suddenly they both recognized the sound of frantic footsteps running towards them from the direction of the palace. They quickly bolted behind a tree and Jorge searched for some sort of weapon to arm himself. Unfortunately, with everything covered in snow and having been escorted out of the prison without a weapon, he was defenseless aside from his bare fists. Nevertheless, he was determined to make it
- Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Fifteen: How Not to Execute a Plan
Emperor Mentir shot around and looked at the coin bag resting a foot away from the mouse hole. Before the emperor had a chance to react, Pryce jumped back into the drawer and climbed into the one below while Rein darted out of the mouse hole and snatched the coin bag. When she made it back inside, Lusitania took the bag from her and ran off in the direction of rat and mice civilization. Rein didn't follow. Lusitania noticed and stopped."Why do you just stand there?" he asked. "Come along quickly!""I must be sure Pryce makes it back safely!" Rein replied."Pryce is lost, Rein!""I'm not leaving here without him, Lusitania!"
