Welcome once again to this stop on the "Rule of Three Writing Challenge" blogfest. I've been enjoying all the entries and am astounded by all the creative writers and approaches in this fest. (If you're just joining us, check out the Renaissance post for more information.)
And in case you missed my first installment of this four-part story, check out Gwyn's Discovery here. This week we will learn more about our story through the eyes of another character, Myzukia. Please feel free to post comments/feedback.
And in case you missed my first installment of this four-part story, check out Gwyn's Discovery here. This week we will learn more about our story through the eyes of another character, Myzukia. Please feel free to post comments/feedback.
"Renaissance"
Part II: Myzukia's Deceit
Part II: Myzukia's Deceit
“Go away! I’ll have no vagrants in my shop,” the woman thrashed her broom at the traveler’s approach. She turned away from the bakery entrance with a muttered chuckle. If only the woman realized who she was…
The worn rag-tags of a farmer’s son did much to hide the noble-lady identity. And the people of Renaissance hadn’t laid eyes on Lady Myzukia since she was a child. Her uncle had seen to that after he took over her lands, title, and wealth. A prisoner in her own home…
Sorrow washed over her. She’d been a happy child the last time she walked these cobblestone streets. Her parents thought best to expose the young child to the duties and travels of the nobility. But they never dreamt of the dangers of the raiding party that very night.
She bit her lip fighting back the guilty tears of her memories.
“No tears for the fallen, little one,” Taliesin’s words flowed though her mind. The mysterious stranger had saved her after she wandered into the forest alone. He’d hidden her away and rushed to fight a battle that wasn’t his.
Myzukia closed her eyes picturing his glowing pale eyes. She had let me slip away all those years ago, but this time she was determined to follow after him.
She sat down on the fountain, pulling out the map from her bulging pack. Taliesin mentioned going to Xisene, resting place of an ancient artifact. The dark order mages were targeting daemonic artifacts and he had to find out why.
Myzukia had come across references in her past studies, but never an exact location. “North near the mystic Roundeli mountains” was all she knew.
A sudden tingling on her neck grew as her heart thumped in her chest. She bought her hand up to her neck and felt a warm sensation as her fingers brushed Taliesin’s charm. A daemonic presence was near…
Discreetly she looked up from her map. Now she could sense the growing aura, but her eyes only fell on a nearby couple arguing in the alleyway. The woman wore a Galios cloak, an official symbol of a healer, but the man was dressed as a warrior. They must be travelers…
A flash of golden light in the man’s eyes sent excited chills down her spine. Perhaps they were knew Taliesin; maybe they were the friends he mentioned meeting.
Myzukia slowly moved closer to the couple. She could just barely hear their conversation about a fellow companion. She needed to get closer.
“Are you alright?”
Her fight-training taught Myzukia how to handle a fall, but it still knocked the breath from her lungs. She gestured with her map as she asked her burning question.
“Why do you want to go there?” the warrior grumbled through clenched teeth.
Thinking fast, Myzukia relied on Taliesin’s lie about his identity, “I’m looking for my master, a noblemen scholar. I was supposed to meet him here after visiting with some distant family, but I lost track of time. I fear he’s gone on without me to teach me a lesson of punctuality.”
“And why is your master going to Xisene?” the woman moved in front of the warrior.
“He’s a revered scholar of the Immortal species. I’m his apprentice, Zuki,” she extended her hand to the maiden. “We travel around studying their histories and cultures…”
The warrior’s eyes flashed again, but there was something different about their glow. Something not quite right…
“Half-breed,” the word slipped breathlessly from Myzukia’s lips before she could stop herself.
The rage was evident in the warrior’s sudden growl.
The worn rag-tags of a farmer’s son did much to hide the noble-lady identity. And the people of Renaissance hadn’t laid eyes on Lady Myzukia since she was a child. Her uncle had seen to that after he took over her lands, title, and wealth. A prisoner in her own home…
Sorrow washed over her. She’d been a happy child the last time she walked these cobblestone streets. Her parents thought best to expose the young child to the duties and travels of the nobility. But they never dreamt of the dangers of the raiding party that very night.
She bit her lip fighting back the guilty tears of her memories.
“No tears for the fallen, little one,” Taliesin’s words flowed though her mind. The mysterious stranger had saved her after she wandered into the forest alone. He’d hidden her away and rushed to fight a battle that wasn’t his.
Myzukia closed her eyes picturing his glowing pale eyes. She had let me slip away all those years ago, but this time she was determined to follow after him.
She sat down on the fountain, pulling out the map from her bulging pack. Taliesin mentioned going to Xisene, resting place of an ancient artifact. The dark order mages were targeting daemonic artifacts and he had to find out why.
Myzukia had come across references in her past studies, but never an exact location. “North near the mystic Roundeli mountains” was all she knew.
A sudden tingling on her neck grew as her heart thumped in her chest. She bought her hand up to her neck and felt a warm sensation as her fingers brushed Taliesin’s charm. A daemonic presence was near…
Discreetly she looked up from her map. Now she could sense the growing aura, but her eyes only fell on a nearby couple arguing in the alleyway. The woman wore a Galios cloak, an official symbol of a healer, but the man was dressed as a warrior. They must be travelers…
A flash of golden light in the man’s eyes sent excited chills down her spine. Perhaps they were knew Taliesin; maybe they were the friends he mentioned meeting.
Myzukia slowly moved closer to the couple. She could just barely hear their conversation about a fellow companion. She needed to get closer.
“Are you alright?”
Her fight-training taught Myzukia how to handle a fall, but it still knocked the breath from her lungs. She gestured with her map as she asked her burning question.
“Why do you want to go there?” the warrior grumbled through clenched teeth.
Thinking fast, Myzukia relied on Taliesin’s lie about his identity, “I’m looking for my master, a noblemen scholar. I was supposed to meet him here after visiting with some distant family, but I lost track of time. I fear he’s gone on without me to teach me a lesson of punctuality.”
“And why is your master going to Xisene?” the woman moved in front of the warrior.
“He’s a revered scholar of the Immortal species. I’m his apprentice, Zuki,” she extended her hand to the maiden. “We travel around studying their histories and cultures…”
The warrior’s eyes flashed again, but there was something different about their glow. Something not quite right…
“Half-breed,” the word slipped breathlessly from Myzukia’s lips before she could stop herself.
The rage was evident in the warrior’s sudden growl.
Word Count: 598
Character: "Myzukia"
Prompt: A character lies to another on an important matter
Tune in next Thursday for the next installment...
(Elvish Farewell)
*If you try to post and it doesn't show up, don't panic! I have to approve all comments before they are posted.*
Uh oh! Careful what you say to warriors. It just might come back to hurt you.
ReplyDeleteAwesome installment! I definitely did not see that coming. Now I have to wait a whole week for Part 3! :)
Been by to have a read – sorry I can’t say too much while judging!
ReplyDeleteJ.C.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteCliffhanger!
ReplyDeleteI like the way this connects to the first part. :) Can't wait to see where the story goes.
I'm really enjoying the way this story is unfolding.
ReplyDeleteHm, somehow my comment to the previous part seemed to have gotten lost ... so I'll have to put double effort into this one ;)
ReplyDeleteI really like your story. The characters are great and you weave in the setting very nicely. I definitely want to read more about them. If we weren't restricted to 600 words, you probably could write a whole book about them, right?
Perhaps you'd like to take a look at my 2nd chapter, too?
Half of what, I wonder. ^_^
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what happens.
Oops! I've had those "oh no, what did I just blurt" moments! Could be that this one is life-threatening...
ReplyDeleteThanks again, everyone! Glad you're enjoying my story! =)
ReplyDelete@treelight - I thought I saw your comment from last week's post. I don't know what happened to it, but thanks for commenting again.
Halfbreed...? Now what's going to happen.
ReplyDeletesounds like it was a matter of 'button your lip' never never upset a warrior with strange eyes - I learnt that at my mothers knee!!!
ReplyDeletenice one
Great hook at the end. Enjoy the voice of these two pieces so far, really comes across well.
ReplyDelete