Gulin's Dragon

Sleeping would be deep and easy on the feather mattress Tolwen tucked the blankets in around himself as he readied for a good night of sleep; a few feet away Luther was already slipping into a deep sleep and was beginning to snore. Outside the night had a chill to it yet inside Gulin’s small castle, everyone was toasty warm and satisfied from the feast Gulin had provided. Gulin was a great host to his visitors and Tolwen and Luther were special guests.

The morning came far too early, with the air crisp and clear and the sunlight shining its way into the small chamber. Tolwen was the first to stir but only enough to roll over and turn his back to the bright light. Soon Luther woke and stretched easing both mind and body back from a deep sleep. He looked at Tolwen and for a moment considered waking the sleeping wizard; however, he knew from months of traveling with Tolwen that it was best if Tolwen woke on his own. Luther made his way from the chamber to the hallway then down the flight of stairs to the main hall where he found Lady Larrena setting the table for the morning meal. Luther greeted his hostess, “Good morning my lady.”

Lady Larrena smiled, “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, my Lady, better than I have in many months.”

“Very good. Please sit and I will have food on the table soon. Where is Tolwen?”

“Still sleeping and snoring like a thunderstorm.”

The two laughed at the thought of Tolwen snoring so loud.

In the small chamber Tolwen was suddenly awakened as he sat right up  in his bed, “No it’s not possible!”

He left the chamber and headed for the main hall, where he found Lady Larrena and Luther. Luther turned to greet his friend but was caught off guard by the look on Tolwen’s face.

 “What is it Tolwen?”, he demanded.

Before Tolwen could answer Gulin entered the hall as well. Both wizards stopped, looked at each other and at the same time said, “Dragons.”

The Attack on Gulin's Forest

The noise in the tavern was above a roar but Tolwen and Luther made their way to the counter, there were no tables open and the bar itself was nearly full. The last few hours of walking had built a deep thirst in the two travelers. Tolwen the wizard considered using his many powers to clear the tavern but he had learned long ago that there was a time and place to use his powers and this was not one of them. While being bumped and jolted by other patrons Tolwen and Luther motioned for the bar maid and ordered two mugs of ale. Tolwen was used to being looked down on by other men due to his height but Luther didn’t like it much for he knew well since traveling with his five foot friend there was more to being a man then the height of a man or the way they dress, the way they talk or even the size of his sword in battle. Luther considered himself lucky to know Tolwen and to be considered his friend. So when a loud mouth soldier made a comment about Tolwen being too short to be in a man’s tavern Luther took offense to it and short of drawing a sword against a professional fighting man Luther was prepared to defend his friend.

One Evil Wizard

Step by step the two travelers pushed on against the wind and pounding rain.

Luther shouted to Tolwen, “Can’t you make this storm go away?”

“Nobody controls the weather not even a wizard.”

“How about some kind of shelter then?”

“That I can do”, with that Tolwen shouted an incantation and pointed to nearby clearing and steady tent appeared. The two made their way to the tent, once inside they shook their cloths to get rid of the rain and to get the cold from their bones. Tolwen pointed to a large rock just outside the tent and the rock reappeared in the center of the tent and it began to glow and give off much needed heat. The two sat on the ground cuddling about the glowing stone.

Luther said, “No that’s much better.”

“Yes, it sure is better, but I think we need some food to help warm us from the inside out.” With the wave of his hand two plates appeared with meat and fruits.

Luther smiled, “There are advantages to traveling with a wizard.”

“And there are advantages to being a wizard my friend.”

The two sat and enjoyed the bounty of food. After they finished Tolwen said an incantation and mattes and thick blankets appeared. They settled down for some sleep.

As the morning sun raise in the east the walls of the tent begin to bellow and the ground began to shake. Luther was the first to stir and see the tent walls. Luther reached over and shook Tolwen. Tolwen awoke with a start, looking about he ordered Luther out of the tent. Both men scrambled to their feet and headed out of the tent. Once outside with the ground still shaking Luther asked, “What is it?”

“I’m not sure but it feels like wizardry.”

“It must be a very powerful wizard to shake the ground.”

“Yes, very powerful.”

Gulin's Gift

The two travelers went on their way enjoying the light breeze and the sunshine where the trees parted enough to allow the light to shine through. The path was soft and free of stones. Luther watched his companion as Tolwen lead the way for a time, Tolwen was a contradiction within him self, Tolwen spoke of worldly travels yet he seemed more like a child. Luther displaced the thought for he felt it was the unfairness to judge a man he hardly knew.

Both travelers were startled by a sudden movement in the trees; three men appeared from the shadows. Each man had a sword drawn and pointed at the two travelers. Luther and Tolwen reached for their swords but were meant with points of swords inches from their faces.

One man said, “Steady gentlemen all we want is your gold and coin.”

Luther responded, “You’ll find neither here thief.”

Tolwen, said, “Be off we are just poor travelers.”

The man touched Luther’s robe, “These are fine garments for poor travelers.”

Luther said, “You heard my friend, you have picked the wrong travelers to rob. We have nothing of value to the likes of you. ”I’ll be the judge of that, empty your pockets and bags, but first draw your swords slowly and carefully and drop them to the ground.”

The Slasher

Drip! Drip! Blood dripped onto the ground below the fire escape, five flights up Ruby Thompson lay motionless, blood pouring from the deep cut across her throat, eyes staring wide open and dead as Ruby was. In the distance the first siren blasted through the night air, soon other sirens chimed in, all in route to East 63^rd Street the apartment of Ruby Thompson, 305 –E. Rudy had lived in a shady part of town, drug dealers, pimps and drive-bys were common place on East 63^rd. Ruby had lived in the area most of her 25 years, a waitress by trade, a good girl for the part of town she called home.

Detective Betty Martin was the first to reach the body, eleven years on the force and five in homicide. Betty was a hard girl from the same background Ruby was from, only difference was Betty had married a cop and got out of the dirt and filth of the street. Here she was right back in the seedy part of the city but this time she wore the badge and she asked the questions. Betty’s partner Tony Loomis was a new comer to Homicide, only three months as a detective. Tony learned quick and the first lesson was Detective Martin was all business, she wasn’t looking for a easy walk and she never, never took crap from anyone and the included the other officers.

Betty pulled back the neckline of Ruby’s blouse, the cut was deep, clear to the bone, one quick slash and Ruby was history.

Loomis looked at the cut but not too closely, “same as the others?”

“This cut is deeper and it was one quick cut, our man is getting bolder, more sure of himself.”

Taming of a Werewolf

A resounding knock on the heavy wooden door and a moment later the peephole opened then closed and the door opened. In the hallway outside stood a tall bulky figure of a man and with the bright light behind him, he made a dark ominous outline, even then is was clear the man wore a long cloak and hood covering his face. The doorman gestured for him to enter and awaited the strangers name to pass on to the other guests, instead the stranger spoke in a deep gravelly tone, “I am expected.” The doorman gave a slight nod of the head stepped aside just in time avoid being brushed aside by the stranger. In a voice of questionable authority the doorman offered to take the strangers wrap. Once inside the stranger undid a clasp under his chin and pulled the hood from his head and in one swoop pulled it from his shoulders and placed it across the doorman’s extended arm. Another nod of accepting the wrap and the doorman faded into the shadows of the corner.

The stranger face revealed cold gray eyes with gray eyebrows and matching long hair pulled back into a smart ponytail, the sharp edge of his chin and cheekbones suggested a hard demeanor. The stranger’s choice of clothing supported the adventurous look of the face. Dressed all in black with a couple of pouches tied to his wide black belt and a double layer of leather over one shoulder going to the belt but not attached. On his right hip a revolver all in black, on his left a dagger of length enough to bring down any man. His black boots with lacing down the front reached almost to his knees.

The stranger’s entrance had not gone unnoticed by the other guests. Men in bright colored jackets and white-ruffed shirts stared at him; some raised an eyebrow wondering who he was. Several women smiled at the stranger, the air of mystery that his presents suggested brought fear to some and wild fantasies to others. The ladies were dressed in their finest the stranger assumed. Bright gowns of every color, every conceivable design but all included the cinched waists and plunging neckline to show their heaving breasts.

Letra and Cobar Test of Faith

The night had fallen and the fires roared in the village. At the largest fire an old woman sat with her blankets wrapped about her. Soon, from the huts of the village, young children ran towards the fire and the old woman. From 5 years up to 12 or 13, boys and girls alike raced to the fire, for it was time to listen and to learn. Twenty plus children found a spot around the fire close enough to hear the wise words of the Tribal Seer, and to learn more of the past of their tribe.

            Smiling at the eager faces of the children, Motu the Seer waited for the last child to settle in before telling her lesson for the night. With a voice strong and sure she began. “Children, how many of you know why when we join mates in our village they ask for the blessing of Letra and Cobar while holding the red and white staff of joining?” After seeing several heads shaking and eager eyes waiting for the lesson, Motu began.

            “In the summer before my father’s father’s father, the might river that still runs by our village,” Motu pointed in the direction of the river, “ran strong and provided a rich supply of fish; the water was clear and sweet as it is today. Then, one morning the tribal Chieftain found the river had dried up over night; in the muddy riverbed fish lay dying. The wise Chieftain sent two of his fastest runners up the river into the mountains to see how far back the river had dried up and why it was dry. Days passed and the tribe danced to Gura, the river goddess, to restore their river that gave them life. The dances continued day after day until, on the third morning, a single runner returned to the Chieftain. Although the runner was a brave member of the tribe, a look of great fear filled his eyes as he dropped to his knees in front of the Chieftain.

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"You can't Fix Stupid" - Unknown

      

Gulin's Tree of Life

Tucked in the hollow of the massive tree the three travelers sat huddled around together trying to stay warm. Just outside the hollowed out trunk the heavy rain pelted the bark of the tree and the surrounding area. Wrapped in blankets and coats the travelers stared out at the rain and listened to the wind as it whipped through the forest, the trees and the long grasses that grew in the meadow in the clearing just a hundred feet west of the grand tree. The trunk broke the savage wind and provided the wall to lean against, this tree looked like it had provided life for a great many years to so many woodland creatures, but these strangers, the travelers were so different, they wore strange clothes and did not even talk. The three sat there in the shelter of the storm in silence.

Outside the shadows grew long and light began to dim. The rain kept coming down but the wind had let up as the night approached as it had a habit of doing. Finally one of the travelers cleared his throat as he pulled the blanket back from his small square face and his round slightly turned up nose. Dark black eyes glanced from the one companion and then to the other and back hoping to meet a gaze or see some movement. The small man saw nothing but the bundled forms of the other two. He cleared his throat again and checked, still no movement or acknowledgement that they knew he was even there. Just when he finally decided that he was going to introduce himself a loud noise from outside startled him and caused him to wrap the blanket back around his head and hide his face.

The Harvesters

It started over a month ago. I had been working out in the yard most of the afternoon when I had decided to take a short nap before dinner. I had showered and lay down on the couch in the office; with soft classic music playing in the background I was very relaxed. Didn't take long for me to slip into a deep sleep.

As I was sleeping I felt something on my arm. At first it was a tickling feeling, then it was like a needle prick. I opened my eyes to see a small beetle on my right arm. The beetle was about the size and shape of a ladybug except for jaws that were almost half the size of the rest of its body. The beetle's body was a bright red with shell like casings protecting the thorax of the body. I attempted brush it off but both my arms felt like they were asleep and were very slow to respond to my request. I watched with some shock and even some wonder as I saw the beetle bite into the skin on my arm. Suddenly I realized the second bite had stopped even the slow response to move.

I watched in horror as several other insects appeared from behind my arm. These insects were different they looked more like large ants except they were bright blackish blue, their eyes glistened with a brilliant blue, and at the rear end of the insect's thorax I could see a sharp tip that reminded me of the stinger of a bee or a wasp. The beetle bites into my skin again and began to pull at the skin, the pain was very intense but again I could not respond, not even with a twitch. I watched as my skin gave way to the pulling beetle until a hole in my skin was formed. The blue insects appeared to almost be dancing around the beetle, touch it and at times grooming the beetle's outer shell. Then one by one the blue insects reached into the hole made by the beetle. I felt small needle pricks each time, followed by the blue insects pulled something out of the hole in my arm and scurried off out of sight. With each prick into the open wound I felt myself fading into a deep sleep.

Marbles In The Sand

I sit watching out the window of the school bus, feeling like all the other kids are watching me, judging me. I hear laughter, I know they are laughing at me; laughing at my clothes; my haircut; my school bag or maybe they are laughing at my house; who knows? The point is they were laughing and it was at me.

I sit with my face plastered to the window we’re passing fields of grain and pastures: there are cows and horses, farm houses… I don’t see any of it; it’s just a blur as my mind tries to prepare myself for the rest of the day. I hate this day, the first day of school; it’s always the worst. And what makes it the worst for me is that it’s the first day of school in a new school, and I’m the new kid.

Opening Statement

My Name is Bert I write stories and books about real life, fiction and science fiction. 

 

"You can't Fix Stupid" - Unknown