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Post by Starry Dancer on Apr 23, 2011 4:28:44 GMT -5
Hey y'all! So, as you know, there's a fanfiction contest on! But, we only have one entry! i will certainly extend the deadline if anyone asks. However, I thought that I would post the first chapter of my newest fanfiction project, as sort of a "if-i-can-write-something-so-can-you" type of invective!
So, this is the first chapter of The Auroroborus Saga, the sequel, if you will, to Nightingale's Adventure. Instead of one, short book-length story like the last one, this one (hereby called 'TAS') is going to be more like a serialized writing, like a comic strip or webnovel... which means it'll be pretty long! Anyway, please tell me what you think of this first little bit!
And PLEASE ENTER THE CONTEST!!! Love, Starry
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Post by Starry Dancer on Apr 23, 2011 4:30:15 GMT -5
“Mina!”
A loud rap at the door roused Mina Lind from a deep sleep and a pleasant dream. She rolled over, covering her ears with a down pillow.
“Mina! Please!” the knocking persisted. With a sudden jerk, Mina snapped out of her comatose state and sat bolt upright in her four-poster canopy bed, sending fluffy pillows and billowing sheets flying hither and thither. “I’m coming,” she whispered, reluctant to break the silence that seemed to permeate Rolandsgaard castle. Mina leapt to the icy tiled floor, imagining her feet screaming at the abrupt descent into pure iciness. She padded over to the door and flung it open to reveal a servant girl standing at her threshold, lantern in hand.
“Mina! Something horrible’s happened! Sara sent me for you- to… throne room!” the poor girl could hardly get her sentence out.
“Thanks- I’ll get there right away!” Mina replied, a dagger of fear pricking at her heart. Horrible? Mina didn’t even want to think about what that entailed!
As she hastily exchanged her nightgown for her usual ensemble- thick, oatmeal-colored breeches and a magenta tunic- Mina wondered what sort of horrible occurrence would merit her calling. Mina was hardly the most qualified person in Canter Hollow to deal with horrors! She had only been in training as a Valkyrie apprentice for a matter of months! She counted mentally as she hopped into one tall, brown riding boot: yes, it was just about eight months since that fateful day; that day when she had just happened to stumble into an adventure that changed her life forever.
Since then, Mina and her steed, Nightingale, had been living in the very heart of North of North’s capital, learning all they needed to become the keepers of the kingdom. Pleasant days were spent practicing swordplay, flying manouevers, and equitation. Rain or snow meant hours upon hours spent in the Library of Ages, reading history books, drawing maps, and learning the endless rules of interherd diplomacy. Though she loved every moment of her Valkyrie education, Mina still wasn’t exactly field-ready; in fact, she had yet to be assigned a single quest! Short of helping get stuck Sun Cats out of trees and teaching the local children how to tie their bootlaces, Mina’s adventuring slate was virtually clean. There were many far more qualified individuals; Emma Roland, of course, was out questing for herd Sunflower along with Colm and Deru, and Tyri, the Valkyrie teacher, was searching for the kidnapped Starstone Otter. The legendary horses were each busy tending to their own herds, and Bella and Sara themselves had more than their hands full with keeping every herd, both lost and found, under close surveillance in case of a wolf uprising…
On second thought, perhaps Mina and Nightingale were the only choice to handle this crisis. Mina grimaced, grabbing the last addition to her wardrobe. The golden sash she belted around her waist, besides being quite stylish, had the duty of holding her sword and scabbard. As a prize for defeating the hostile Thetans in battle, she had been awarded the blade of Adaira, a thin rapier of Shadow metal. However, master metalworker Ray Smithin had retooled it so that the blade was now half durium, tempered with essence of auroroborium; its good qualities kept the potential for bad in check. Now, the sword shone blue-gold, with a sheen of the rainbow over the top. Mina only hoped that she would never have to use it.
As if to ensure this, she tucked the sheathed sword into her trusty canvas bag. It would be ready when the time came; until then, she would dress as a peacekeeper.
Mina bolted down the grand staircase, taking the steps three at a time. About three floors down from her tower room, an image flared up in her mind: herself, leaping headlong over the banister!
Of course, it was a thought message from Nightingale! Without a second thought, Mina leapt over the railing, and was suddenly in free fall. However, the sensation lasted only a moment before Nightingale’s sleek brown back picked her up. “Not bad,” she whispered to her steed affectionately. Nightingale nickered softly in reply, but Mina could tell that the young mare was just as on edge as she was. The two circled the tower, swooping low to the ground level, and then dropped through a vaulted doorway into the grand throne room.
Nightingale’s hooves clattered noisily on the tile, the sound echoing through the giant room. The only other occupants, Mina observed, were clustered together below the Orchid dais. First were Bella and Sara, immortal Queen and Goddess of North of North’s horses. Secondly were a pair of strangers, a human and a Pegasus. The horse was a shocking shade of lemon yellow, with bright green wings and a flower-shaped marking on his shoulder. The tangy, pungent scent of some exotic herd emanated from his being. The person was tall, and swathed in a dark brown cloak that reached the floor; Mina couldn’t see their face or features.
Sara looked up from her conversation and greeted Mina with a wan smile. Worry clouded her usually merry eyes. “Mina, we’ve just received alarming news,” she said softly. “Would you like to share, Strahlen?”
The cloaked figure turned around, and Mina was surprised to see that the person within the cloak was a young woman, perhaps only a few years older than herself. She was tall with a round face, snub nose, and wide brown eyes. A thatch of straw-colored bangs covered her forehead, and the rest of her golden hair was loose under the hood of her cloak. Her brown leathern clothing marked her immediately as a Traveler, a nomad of the notoriously elusive gypsy tribe.
The girl stuck out a hand to shake Mina’s. Her grip was firm and her eyes pained. “I’m Strahlen Feld of the Travelers, and this is Tarragon,” she said, motioning to the winged horse. “I am here to ask for help, for my people have disappeared.”
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Post by 321unicorn on Apr 23, 2011 9:52:39 GMT -5
Up date Very nice Story Update. Did you Check out my Story?
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Post by stardust12 on Apr 29, 2011 18:12:37 GMT -5
I love it! What a spectacularly, completely amazing piece of writing! And the cliffhanger!!! Congratulations Starry on what already appears to be a stunning sequel! ;D I cannot wait to read more!!!
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Post by Rain on Apr 29, 2011 23:39:57 GMT -5
It has definite potential! ;D Can't wait to read more!
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Post by Starry Dancer on May 1, 2011 5:42:27 GMT -5
Oh thank you! writing this ^ made me super super super excited to write more!
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Post by stardust12 on May 1, 2011 9:52:34 GMT -5
That's a sign of a wonderful story!
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Post by Kai on May 20, 2011 15:56:30 GMT -5
can't wait to read more!
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Post by ponyiowa on May 21, 2011 11:19:34 GMT -5
Great! More soon please!
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Post by Britnie Jade on May 21, 2011 18:06:28 GMT -5
Very well written!
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Post by 321unicorn on May 25, 2011 8:40:03 GMT -5
um when are you going to update your story?
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Post by ponyiowa on May 27, 2011 18:24:56 GMT -5
She'll do it soon I think. She knows she has a lot of fans waiting for her! ;D
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Post by Rain on May 27, 2011 18:26:35 GMT -5
Dang straight. ;D
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Post by ponyiowa on May 29, 2011 20:42:56 GMT -5
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Post by Starry Dancer on Jun 7, 2011 1:19:23 GMT -5
At last, enough to make another post! If y'all have any plot or writing suggestions, by the way, feel free to let fly- I love constructive criticism, or advice.
Anywho...
Mina’s hand flew to her mouth to stifle a gasp. “What happened?” she asked, trying to sound calm. Strahlen shrugged her shoulders under her thick Traveler’s cloak, looking resigned. “It’s the time of year that we Travelers’re usually moving to the northern part of the Styginmore lands. We were packing up our wagons to begin our march this morning. Tarragon and I were flying ahead on the trail, looking for roadblocks. We were only gone for a few hours. When we came back to the clearing where we had last seen our people, there was no trace of them. We looked for them from the air until nightfall, and couldn’t find a single clue.” “Are you sure you looked everywhere?” Mina asked. Strahlen looked taken aback. “I am the best tracker among the Travelers today. I think I know what I’m talking about.” To back her up, Tarragon sent the group a mental image of the two swooping low under the canopies of the black trees of the Styginmore forests, looking for broken branches, footprints, paths made in the grass. The image was disjointed and jumpy, and kept switching to other scenes for split seconds at a time; Mina got the impression that Tarragon was a flighty horse. “I’m worried that Ivenna has something to do with this,” Strahlen continued. “She makes my people pay her rent in order to use her lands for our travels, and for safe passage on the roads. Recently, she’s been hiking up the price. The leaders of the Travelers weren’t sure if we’d be able to afford it…” she trailed off with a shudder. “The rent’s due in two days’ time. If we aren’t able to pay Ivenna, I don’t want to think about what she’ll do.” Tarragon sent a barrage of images of slinking wolves and the dark spires of Styginmore castle. Sara shook her head, as if to banish the thoughts of the dark, dangerous west. “No matter what, I don’t want you girls to go anywhere near the castle. It’s far too dangerous. Otherwise, I wish you the best of luck in finding the Travelers and setting them arights- Mina, consider this your first quest.” She turned back to Strahlen and Tarragon. “I give you my blessing in finding your people. Before you leave Canter Hollow, I advise you to go and see Cade Traveler, the owner of the local livery stable. He might lend some insight. Now there isn’t a moment to waste- good luck!” Sara squeezed Mina’s and Strahlen’s hands in reassurance, and Bella nickered softly. The two girls and their pegasi exchanged nervous smiles-it was time to go.
The four swept up through the Wind’s Eye, the portal for flying horses to enter and exit Rolandsgaard’s thrown room, and tacked south towards the town of Canter Hollow. The cool morning wind cleared Mina’s head and planted a seed of excitement in her brain; her first quest! Nightingale sent her calming thoughts- Strahlen looked far from excited.
Down in the village, the two pairs clattered onto the cobblestones in front of the Canter Hollow livery stable. Strahlen swung off of Tarragon’s back, her thick Traveler’s cloak swishing a huge arc over her head. Mina scrambled off of Nightingale, and followed Strahlen up to the barn door. The blonde girl was still locked in stony silence, although Tarragon was prancing and flapping his wings in anticipation.
Strahlen pounded on the door, loud enough to wake up the entire street. Mina stifled the urge to shush her. A somewhat bleary-eyed Cade Travleler answered, and his face brightened and then fell as he saw his angry kinswoman standing at the door. “Come in, come in,” he whispered, ushering them inside. Mina breathed deeply of the thick stable aroma: fresh straw, alfalfa, leather, a bit of manure, and saddle soap. The warm atmosphere even seemed to calm Strahlen down a bit, as she quickly lost her look of severe rage. Her face settled into a small frown, the bunched muscles on her brow dissipating.
“How can I help you?” Cade asked, indicating two hay bales for the girls to sit on. “Tea?”
Both gratefully accepted steaming cups of tea from the little stove (powered by a friendly Steampopo, of course, to avoid flames). Since Strahlen seemed to be collecting her thoughts, Mina started. “Strahlen and Tarragon came to Rolandsgaard this morning to request the aid of a Valkyrie,” Mina began. “I was the only vaguely Valkyrie-like person present, so, although I hardly feel qualified, I am going to help Strahlen find her people.” “Find her pe-” Cade’s face paled. “So you mean to say-” Strahlen nodded solemnly. “The Travelers have disappeared.” She retold her story to Cade, who, though distressed, set his jaw and looked to be plotting as she finished. “Grave,” said Cade, rubbing his chin. “What’s your plan?” Mina opened her mouth to say something about searching for clues, but Strahlen beat her to the punch with a surprise answer. “We’ll head directly to Styginmore Castle,” she replied. Was it just the light, or did a spark of excitement jump up in Strahlen’s eye? Mina exchanged a glance with Nightingale, who had in turn been silently communicating with Tarragon. The yellow-and-green Pegasus looked supremely agitated. Had Strahlen just thought of this on the spur of the moment? “Do you really think-” Mina started. “Yes. Why beat around the bush when we can cut straight to the chase?” Strahlen said, obviously trying to keep the snap out of her voice. “We’ve already decided that there’s not a clue to be had in the entirety of the Western forests. So, we’ll confront Ivenna as soon as possible. Every minute spent searching is one that my people lose.” Mina clenched her fists and tried to dispel the protests that surged up in her throat. “Cade, what do you think of this?” Cade, surprisingly, nodded his head and sat back on his haybale. “I think it’s so crazy, it just might work,” he said shyly. Strahlen actually beamed, but dodged making eye contact with Mina. “Of course, you’ll need some sort of disguise-” “I’ll be fine,” Strahlen pointed out. “Travelers seek audiences with Ivenna from time to time, and they usually turn out fine- after all, we’re paying her in gold. She can’t treat us too horribly. It’s that one-” she jerked a thumb at Mina- “we have to worry about.” Cade stood and loped over to a large, wooden chest standing in the corner of the stable. “Then we’ll disguise Mina as another Traveler,” he said, digging though its contents. “I gave Jillian Frouda my mother’s cloak, of course, so she’ll have to use the next best thing…” he rifled through, as the girls shuffled up next to the chest to peer in. At last, Cade stepped back, pulling out a vast pile of leather with a shout of “A-ha!”
Strahlen stifled a giggle; Tarragon let out a loud horse laugh. Mina's face fell with dismay.
Cade smiled sheepishly, holding up the outfit that Mina would be wearing. "At least it'll hide your face well," he said. "Traveler Lumberjacks are known for their... distinctive costume."
Within the hour, the four were once again on their way, after saying their goodbyes to Cade. Strahlen was smugly leading the way to the Styginmore swamplands, hardly giving away the nervousness that Tarragon obviously showed. Mina glared at her streamlined cloaks, breeches, and neatly combed hair from the caboose position- as a Traveler Lumberjack, she was wearing a ridiculous pair of huge, fluffy, white chaps, made from the fleece of cloud sheep. These chaps, which billowed preposterously around her legs, were compounded in their glory by a pair of bright red lace-up jackboots, an embroidered shirt and waistcoat in every color of the rainbow, and a hooded hat that drooped around her face, completely hiding it. Every few minutes, she had to push the hat out of her eyes so she could see where they were flying. Even Nightingale was having a hard time keeping a straight face.
On the bright side, Strahlen was still smiling.
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