I carry myself, chin held high. Even though I face the noose, I cannot and will not falter. I will not stumble, I will not fall. I’m shaking, every limb. The crowds jeer. I want to see him one last time, but I know that if I do, I will realize it will be the last time our waking eyes meet, and I don’t want his last memories of me to be the pure and utter fear moments before I breathe my last.
Perhaps it’s foolish of me to count the stairs to the gallows. One. They gave me the dignity of breeches, at least. Two. I don’t need this maddened crowd seeing up my skirt as I die. Three. Why am I worrying about something as trivial as that? Four. I’m going to not be worrying about anything, soon. Five. I wonder if it’ll be nice, not worrying any more.
I don’t want to start observing the crowd again, but something nudges my head up, some strange internal prompt. So I look up. And what do I see but a crowd filled with my rebels, my brothers, my sisters, my friends. I see my allies, banded together so often as we fought against oppression. They are here, to witness my demise.
They are calling obscenities at me. I feel only resigned, even though I should feel betrayal. I did this for them. But they must blend in, and why risk themselves for me? I was a pawn, a tool, and I understood that from the beginning. Nothing more.
For some reason, I search for Caleb. I can’t find him, not the brown hair or the tall, proud posture. Oh, my Caleb. My dear, sweet Caleb. I’m sorry. So, so sorry.
A rough rope is around my neck. A shudder passes through me, settles down to stillness. Things seem to be coming from very far away. I can feel the binds holding me from touching the magic of this place. I retreat to my core, the way I was taught by Mother, the way that I do when things get overwhelming, the way I do when I need to use my Magegift. It is peaceful. Quiet. I shall die content.
There is a sudden, piercing whistle, one that I know well, one that I was trained to respond to immediately. The rebel call to arms. My head jerks up, just before I feel the bonds holding me fall away. Completely. Not physical bonds – the ones that hold me from the magic. Without thought, without prompting, everything is clear, and I dive into my magecraft, severing the rope around my neck with a blade of air, bringing it around to down the guards and finally cut the cuffs holding my arms together.
Caleb runs out from underneath the platform I stand on and holds a single hand out to me; Lynn is not a step behind him, sword out, faintly surrounded by the glow of her magic. I jump into Caleb’s waiting arms, and he sets me down gently, holding me so tightly I fear it might break my ribs. I don’t care.
“To the King, to the King,” Lynn calls over and over, pausing long enough to cut down two guards who think the three of us easy prey. The rebels fall in around us, and Lynn takes a moment to look back at us.
“It’s good to have you back, Am. Caleb’s a nuisance without you, arrogant thing.” What had it taken to convince her that it was alright to endanger the Heir like that? As Guardian, she would protest to that under any circumstance. And yet, that was Lynn’s strange way of a warm welcome. The swordfighter had missed the mage.
My thoughts cannot leave Caleb for long, however. A shield falls around the two of us, created by my magic…
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Idealog
So yeah. I realize I haven't updated this for a while. I think I just found the idea of outlining too daunting, so I'm not sure how I'm gonna handle actually writing this brainchild of mine. So here's me brainstorming, instead. Caleb, Amelie, and Lynn have had time to grow in my mind.
I think the three should set out to fix all the world's wrongs - idealistic, hopeful. Having that crash to the ground, pitting themselves (especially Caleb) against reality, would not only make the world more real, but would set them and the readers into the mindset they need.
The concept of having Caleb 'stolen' by Keson is also one I like. Kind of like a Darth Vader - Luke thing. Only less "I'm your father 8D" and less "I'm actually good in the end!" and more "You're screwed if you try to resist because I have a hold on your soul!" Perhaps have something where he is forced to kill someone, and comes close to killing Amelie. Do it from Lynn's point of view? So that way it /seems/ like Amelie died but really she didn't.
I think the three should set out to fix all the world's wrongs - idealistic, hopeful. Having that crash to the ground, pitting themselves (especially Caleb) against reality, would not only make the world more real, but would set them and the readers into the mindset they need.
The concept of having Caleb 'stolen' by Keson is also one I like. Kind of like a Darth Vader - Luke thing. Only less "I'm your father 8D" and less "I'm actually good in the end!" and more "You're screwed if you try to resist because I have a hold on your soul!" Perhaps have something where he is forced to kill someone, and comes close to killing Amelie. Do it from Lynn's point of view? So that way it /seems/ like Amelie died but really she didn't.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Initial Outline Part 1
I. Introducing Lynn and Caleb. Lynn already on the Montana ranch, Caleb there for many, many years. Try to establish their relationship, perhaps Lynn’s troubles with her parents – stress difference from her father – and her relationship with her uncle – a very good one. Address the issue of her, being a modern teenager, and having an interest in swords, maybe archaeology? Also address the unnatural speed with which she picks up sword and staff.
II. Spark. Incident with a portal, perhaps not Kaemon quite yet. The target is Caleb, and Lynn feels the first protective tug, charging the creature from the portal and somehow managing to push it back until Uncle David can close it again. Perhaps he was knocked out beforehand.
III. Recovery. Don’t move things too quickly. Let Uncle David hint at something, but keep it quiet. Lynn mulls over what happened, and it is brought to her attention that she functions differently around Caleb. Developing what she believes to be severe liking for him, if not love. Denies the emotion strongly and tries to convince herself that she hates him.
IV. Enter Amelie. Her mother does the same hinting that Uncle David does, perhaps more blatant. Perhaps she lets slip to Lynn that the answers might be in such-and-such a book in her uncle’s library. Start the scheming for her to get in the office. Perhaps touch on Caleb’s dreams.
V. Bonding between Lynn and Amelie and Caleb. Amelie and Lynn click right off, because Lynn is desperate for girl-girl time, and Caleb is curious because of her quiet nature. Try to form some inkling of the romance between Caleb and Amelie. Also include Lynn stealing the book and squirreling it away, but don’t include what she reads (save for later when she is able to tell Amelie and Caleb… and then Amelie is able to find a spell-book)
VI. Another swordfight/staff-fight with Lynn and Caleb; Amelie watches. Lynn goes in for the ‘kill’ and has a complete internal revolt, ending up on the ground writhing in pain. Amelie and Caleb freak and Caleb carries her back into the house – Amelie walks behind in jealousy. Lynn wakes up later and starts to consider the fact that she’s a Guardian, although she denies it wholeheartedly because that would make Caleb the Heir.
VII. Lynn spends the next day indoors so Uncle Dave and Mrs. Gryffin can keep an eye on her. Caleb and Amelie ride out, Amelie exploring the ranch and Caleb (with Sammie the dog) go out to keep an eye on her / count the buffalo. Amelie… something happens to her, and Caleb isn’t able to help her, and is left bringing her back home. Obviously he’s upset at both Lynn and Amelie being hurt by him (around him, really, but he still feels guiltguiltguilt) but he just gets even nastier. Perhaps to push them away.
VIII. A few days later. Amelie and Lynn discussing what happened to Amelie; we discover she has magic (although they don’t name it for what it is – coincidence or chance, perhaps). Lynn mentions what she has been reading. Uncle Dave walks in on them, so they decide they’ll meet up that night in Lynn’s room. Amelie wants to bring Caleb in, but Lynn is annoyed by his more prat-ish than normal attitude and refuses.
IX. The midnight meeting. Amelie manages to drag Caleb in to refusal on the parts of both Lynn and Caleb, but she uses the reasoning that whatever this is involves him as much as them. They discuss the prophecy and the lore of Faison. Lynn points out the portal incident and Amelie’s magic, and for herself, she is beginning to come to the conclusion that she is, in fact, a Guardian. Caleb asks what the hell he has to do with any of this. Amelie, catching on, merely stares at him. Lynn calmly states that she believes he is the heir.
X. Caleb starts rattling off reason after reason, including but not limited to the fact that his family never seemed abnormal, he was an orphan for god’s sake, etc., etc. Lynn bops him. Gives him a stern talking to, tells him to man up. Says they can’t know for certain, but best to keep your eyes peeled. They decide to subtly question the adults, see if they know anything about what’s going on. Hesitant bond forms.
XI. Appearance of the chimera, Keson. Its prey is Caleb. He feels drawn to it, and follows, or attempts to. Amelie and Lynn can’t see it, but Amelie deduces what is going on and yells for help. Lynn rashly charges at the creature and gets knocked back, injured. Caleb goes with Keson to save the girls; Amelie drags Lynn after them, and they all arrive in Faison in the camp of the followers of Keson, the Eyekson.
II. Spark. Incident with a portal, perhaps not Kaemon quite yet. The target is Caleb, and Lynn feels the first protective tug, charging the creature from the portal and somehow managing to push it back until Uncle David can close it again. Perhaps he was knocked out beforehand.
III. Recovery. Don’t move things too quickly. Let Uncle David hint at something, but keep it quiet. Lynn mulls over what happened, and it is brought to her attention that she functions differently around Caleb. Developing what she believes to be severe liking for him, if not love. Denies the emotion strongly and tries to convince herself that she hates him.
IV. Enter Amelie. Her mother does the same hinting that Uncle David does, perhaps more blatant. Perhaps she lets slip to Lynn that the answers might be in such-and-such a book in her uncle’s library. Start the scheming for her to get in the office. Perhaps touch on Caleb’s dreams.
V. Bonding between Lynn and Amelie and Caleb. Amelie and Lynn click right off, because Lynn is desperate for girl-girl time, and Caleb is curious because of her quiet nature. Try to form some inkling of the romance between Caleb and Amelie. Also include Lynn stealing the book and squirreling it away, but don’t include what she reads (save for later when she is able to tell Amelie and Caleb… and then Amelie is able to find a spell-book)
VI. Another swordfight/staff-fight with Lynn and Caleb; Amelie watches. Lynn goes in for the ‘kill’ and has a complete internal revolt, ending up on the ground writhing in pain. Amelie and Caleb freak and Caleb carries her back into the house – Amelie walks behind in jealousy. Lynn wakes up later and starts to consider the fact that she’s a Guardian, although she denies it wholeheartedly because that would make Caleb the Heir.
VII. Lynn spends the next day indoors so Uncle Dave and Mrs. Gryffin can keep an eye on her. Caleb and Amelie ride out, Amelie exploring the ranch and Caleb (with Sammie the dog) go out to keep an eye on her / count the buffalo. Amelie… something happens to her, and Caleb isn’t able to help her, and is left bringing her back home. Obviously he’s upset at both Lynn and Amelie being hurt by him (around him, really, but he still feels guiltguiltguilt) but he just gets even nastier. Perhaps to push them away.
VIII. A few days later. Amelie and Lynn discussing what happened to Amelie; we discover she has magic (although they don’t name it for what it is – coincidence or chance, perhaps). Lynn mentions what she has been reading. Uncle Dave walks in on them, so they decide they’ll meet up that night in Lynn’s room. Amelie wants to bring Caleb in, but Lynn is annoyed by his more prat-ish than normal attitude and refuses.
IX. The midnight meeting. Amelie manages to drag Caleb in to refusal on the parts of both Lynn and Caleb, but she uses the reasoning that whatever this is involves him as much as them. They discuss the prophecy and the lore of Faison. Lynn points out the portal incident and Amelie’s magic, and for herself, she is beginning to come to the conclusion that she is, in fact, a Guardian. Caleb asks what the hell he has to do with any of this. Amelie, catching on, merely stares at him. Lynn calmly states that she believes he is the heir.
X. Caleb starts rattling off reason after reason, including but not limited to the fact that his family never seemed abnormal, he was an orphan for god’s sake, etc., etc. Lynn bops him. Gives him a stern talking to, tells him to man up. Says they can’t know for certain, but best to keep your eyes peeled. They decide to subtly question the adults, see if they know anything about what’s going on. Hesitant bond forms.
XI. Appearance of the chimera, Keson. Its prey is Caleb. He feels drawn to it, and follows, or attempts to. Amelie and Lynn can’t see it, but Amelie deduces what is going on and yells for help. Lynn rashly charges at the creature and gets knocked back, injured. Caleb goes with Keson to save the girls; Amelie drags Lynn after them, and they all arrive in Faison in the camp of the followers of Keson, the Eyekson.
A brief religious history
There will probably be numerous religions, but I only have one main religion developed, and that is the one belonging to the followers of the Great Traveler, the Worldwalker, Ai’deason. The children of Ai’deason believe that the world was created by the Creator of Worlds, and that he subsequently created different aspects of himself, put them in a semi-physical form, and let those aspects govern as a unit. Originally the Aspects worked in harmony, and with care they tended the humans who lived in Faison.
There has always been a ruler (male or female) on the throne of Faison, and each ruler had power under one of the twelve Aspects, similar to the Chinese cycle of years. They govern under the work of all twelve Aspects, of course, but there is one in particular that each ruler functions under – a mascot of sorts.
The two highest Aspects are Keson and Elson, Keson being the higher of the two. In lust for power, Keson and the ruler of the throne of Faison rebelled, forming their own sect. Chaos was created, and since that time, there was war between Keson and the other Aspects, and the followers of Keson and the king that ruled then. Slowly the throne of Faison lost power, until the line of rulers was no more than a title, holding no real power and having no control of their people.
Caleb is from the line of rulers and is, by the cycle, a ruler under Keson. His child (should he have one) would be a ruler under Elson.
There is appeal in the followers of Keson, and the rebel group eventually manages to overthrow the Ai'deason and the true Heirs of Faison. This fractioned world is the one that Caleb, Lynn, and Amelie must set out to set aright.
There has always been a ruler (male or female) on the throne of Faison, and each ruler had power under one of the twelve Aspects, similar to the Chinese cycle of years. They govern under the work of all twelve Aspects, of course, but there is one in particular that each ruler functions under – a mascot of sorts.
The two highest Aspects are Keson and Elson, Keson being the higher of the two. In lust for power, Keson and the ruler of the throne of Faison rebelled, forming their own sect. Chaos was created, and since that time, there was war between Keson and the other Aspects, and the followers of Keson and the king that ruled then. Slowly the throne of Faison lost power, until the line of rulers was no more than a title, holding no real power and having no control of their people.
Caleb is from the line of rulers and is, by the cycle, a ruler under Keson. His child (should he have one) would be a ruler under Elson.
There is appeal in the followers of Keson, and the rebel group eventually manages to overthrow the Ai'deason and the true Heirs of Faison. This fractioned world is the one that Caleb, Lynn, and Amelie must set out to set aright.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Character Listing
Caleb: Heir of the throne of Faison. Angsty at first but grows into a quiet maturity and understanding.
Lynn: Guardian to the Heir. Normally calm but fiery-tempered when it comes to Caleb and guarding the throne. Has the Magegift.
Amelie: Shy and quiet, possessing the strongest Magegift in one hundred or more years. Learns the abilities of a tactician for fear of damaging her own side of a battle.
Uncle David: The last Guardian of the Heir before Lynn. Lynn's father's younger brother; the Heir was Caleb's mother.
Mrs. Gryffin: Amelie's mother. Has extensive knowledge of Faison, and strong magegift, and secretly teaches Amelie the basics of control.
Lukas: Leader of the rebel faction of the Ai'deason. Motivated and loyal, but mysterious and single-minded. He remains the strongest supporter of Caleb, until he is able to gain the people himself.
Kian: Lukas' squire. Awkward gangly teenager.
Lynn: Guardian to the Heir. Normally calm but fiery-tempered when it comes to Caleb and guarding the throne. Has the Magegift.
Amelie: Shy and quiet, possessing the strongest Magegift in one hundred or more years. Learns the abilities of a tactician for fear of damaging her own side of a battle.
Uncle David: The last Guardian of the Heir before Lynn. Lynn's father's younger brother; the Heir was Caleb's mother.
Mrs. Gryffin: Amelie's mother. Has extensive knowledge of Faison, and strong magegift, and secretly teaches Amelie the basics of control.
Lukas: Leader of the rebel faction of the Ai'deason. Motivated and loyal, but mysterious and single-minded. He remains the strongest supporter of Caleb, until he is able to gain the people himself.
Kian: Lukas' squire. Awkward gangly teenager.
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