Category: Live to Tell the Tales

Here a Scout, There a Scout

Glad you could join us for the next exploratory episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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Photo credit: Tanto Yensen

King Arnie led half his Knights of Service north through the bracken, paralleling the eastern road to the river. Lieutenant Terrance led the other half along the western route. Teams of scouts boomeranged from and between each division to update their leaders about the path ahead and the other’s progress.

“Your Greatness,” the King’s fifth scouting team reported, “there’s another vanquished red ten minutes ahead, but no sign yet of the Marauders.”

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In the Light of Day

Glad you could join us for the next truthful episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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“Why didn’t Quintessa tell me who my mother was?”

“Quin had sworn to keep you safe. If no one knew Persephone had a child, the rebels had no reason to return to the Deep Woods.”

“Your Magnificence,” Elliot wondered, “why did the rebels keep fighting? Why didn’t they just go back to their old lives?”

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Enduring Enemies

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Photo credit: Jamie Coller

“You’re the friend who told King Arnie that Lady Persephone had gone to the Deep Woods?” Elliot asked Queen Lilian with quiet respect.

“I am. We’ve been friends all our lives. When the Prince and I were children, we often played together while our parents talked about Kingdom business. As youths, we sat in their meetings to learn about being rulers. But I didn’t tell him everything — Persephone asked me not to tell him she was pregnant.”

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Ancient Allies

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Photo credit: willyr

Time stopped in the beat before the gasp.

King Arnie’s call to assemble shook the woods as the few remaining reds scattered to the north with the wolves ripping at their heels. The entanglement of Marauders watched their foes’ run, first with cautious recoiling, then with a surging attack on the retreating Knights of Service.

Immediately, flapping, biting rain pelted their eyes with relentless teeth, tearing at their scales, spilling their cold, black blood.

“What are those things?” Barry’s question quaked with fear.

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Fang You Very Much

Glad you could join us for the next pointed episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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Photo credit: Mircea Costina

From behind him, a shadowy growler leaped over Barry and knocked the springing red to the ground before charging into the center of the battle. Barry and Trevor lunged forward to thrust their weapons into the heart of the fallen red.

More growls from outside the circle of Knights turned their heads.

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Brothers in Arms and Legs

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Image credit: Culpeo Fox

The column rushed forward fanning open, flowing to the sides like water round a stone as it poured into the roaring, hissing bedlam.

Barry and Trevor joined the barrier of warriors swiftly surrounding the reds and Marauders as they tore at each other in a melee so wild and unrestrained, fangs on both sides struck at anything that moved.

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Trevor

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Photo credit: Stephen Dalton

Knightling Barry, pleased he could keep up with the column of more experienced Knights moving double time to overtake the vicious reds (“I mean, look at deeze legs!”), tried to ignore the ripples in his stomach. One moment they carried excitement, the next, dread.

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The Redeye Out of Fen

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Photo credit: Tom Vezo

Back to Bog, where the battle continues.

~~~

The first few Knights to meet the front line of Marauders outside Connie’s home were leaderless and astronomically outnumbered, but they fought with grim resolve: better to die than lose any of Bog’s children.

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She Didn’t Go Alone

Glad you could join us for the next cautionary episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

“…condemning them both.” ~~~ Photo credit: Keith Balmer

Vernon continued, “Before another word escaped Benito’s mouth, the Queen shot from the Hive and stabbed him in his treacherous heart, condemning them both.”

“I hope someday I’ll be such a fierce and devoted mother.” Cassandra’s eyes glowed with determination.

Elliot’s eyestalks shivered and bent her way. “I am certain our children will never wish for a better mother,” he said, “but I shall be very careful never to threaten them without your approval.”

A slow smile spread to Cassandra’s cheeks.

Elliot turned to Vernon. “What happened next?”

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Benito

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Photo credit: Jason M. Hogle

Now it’s Vernon’s turn.

~~~

Buoyed by the verdant glow, Vernon’s voice drew them into Fen’s past. “Since Fen’s beginning, its people have been free. Each citizen may pursue education, bond with whomever they love, and aspire to any job regardless of their ancestry. Even in the Hive, where everyone is born a Royal, they are free to leave for love or other occupations.

“Young adults wishing to serve the Queen hoped to be called to join the Suns of Glory. In times of peace, they worked to keep it; in times of war they fought to win it back. Princess Lilian and her closest friend, the accomplished and beguiling Persephone, received the Call.

“Princess Lilian was betrothed to a devoted young soldier of the Hive, but Persephone resisted the pursuit of many hopeful suitors. Only the Princess knew Persephone’s heart: ‘I’ll know my love when I find him, but I know I won’t find him in Fen.’

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