-last edited on May 22, 2019 19:27:10 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on May 22, 2019 19:26:27 GMT
Epilogue – 3
A hot, mid-morning sun beat down on Terra and Raini as they wandered the grounds of Paladeen. They passed the practice fields, where Zariana, Akars, and Emma were running drills together. Terra waved at them and Raini growled playfully at a curious Darkwind, but they did not stop, and they did not slow.
Next, they wandered by the forge. It was cold now, no fires burning to forge weapons or tools, and had been since Korin and Cloventail had headed off to join the Dwarves what seemed now like eons ago. It still hurt to think that their friends weren’t coming back, that Hithrol, Olifin, Terra, and Raini were now the only remaining members of that original group of Dragon Riders. But Terra could understand – a rift had formed between Korin and the rest of the Riders, one that couldn’t ever heal quite the same. After everything that had happened, the dwarf wanted to go back home, and so he had left them.
Reaching the center of the compound, Terra and Raini passed by the half-complete tower that was to be the grand marker of Paladeen, proudly displaying who they were. Hithrol had poured practically every spare minute since the battle on it, hiring work crews and aiding them with his increasingly adept magical talents, but today there was no one around.
Beyond the tower, they glimpsed Alis and Therin sitting by the pond at the edge of Paladeen. They made no move to speak with them. Poor Alis hadn’t been the same since the battle. Hithrol said the revelation of Septimus’s meddling had brought back old, unpleasant memories.
Arriving at the edge of Paladeen, Terra and Raini sat down to rest, enjoying the summer day. Terra wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she felt Raini nudging her shoulder. She looked up to see a pair of figures approaching, one an elven man, wearing heavy armor, the other a human woman garbed all in black.
When they got close enough, Terra waved. “Jayden and Caisara, isn’t it? We met after the battle with Zelfern. What brings you here?”
They waved back. “We remember,” said Jayden, “Fortunately, this time isn’t quite so tragic an occasion.” Jayden and Caisara parted, revealing a small, sand-colored dragon, clearly newly hatched, walking behind them. “This is Dune. We’ve come to join up.”
Far away, deep in the mountains, Hithrol dismounted from Olifin’s back in front of a wide cave. “Are you sure about this? There’s still time to turn back if you’re not ready.”
“Of course I’m ready,” replied the black dragon, “This is what I want.”
Hithrol smiled. “All right. Then let’s meet your family. Together, they strode forward, into the cave.”
-last edited on May 23, 2019 20:12:51 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on May 23, 2019 20:12:07 GMT
Epilogue – 4
Skirj, Hayteleck, and Errica sat in a small circle on the floor of Skirj’s room, silent. It had been a couple weeks since the events at the castle; they had decided at dinner that it was time to talk about what came next, but no one seemed willing to start the conversation.
After the three of them had destroyed Septimus’s spells and all the Dragonsbane, they had stayed beneath the castle, fearing an interrogation by the presumably bewildered inhabitants, until Legolie and Virida showed up to explain what had happened. The remaining bandits had been rounded up and imprisoned before being sent off to the Lion Knights to deal with as they pleased. Skirj, Hayteleck, and Errica had decided to go with Legolie back to the Elven Kingdom after that, only stopping briefly at the City on the River to talk to Isabel and to return Shadowwrath’s spear.
Generous accommodations had been provided by the queen, as she said befitted those who had saved the world, but Skirj wasn’t sure he deserved them. He hadn’t argued, though; Legolie seemed almost a force of nature, more confident than Skirj remembered her. It was as if she had finally found peace.
At last, Skirj cleared his throat, “I guess I’ll start us off. I need to go somewhere far away. The longer I stay here, the greater the chance that word might get back to the Towers that I’m alive. Even if Wisdom has forgiven me, as Elowyn says, they’ll come after me. I need to find a way to make reparations for what I’ve done, too – don’t tell me I’ve done nothing wrong, Hayteleck; I was the one who smashed Renthian and attacked Wisdom, not Septimus – so I think I’m going to try to track down the remaining Dragonsbane. My father had some. There must be more. If I can wipe that plant off the face of the earth, I will.”
“Then I’m going with you,” said Hayteleck, quietly, “I will stay by your side, Skirj, no matter what.”
“What about you, Errica? Are you with us?”
Errica shook her head. “I need to go home, back to the sea. I’ve been away too long.”
Skirj nodded. He had expected as much. “It’s decided, then. We can all leave tomorrow.”
Hayteleck grinned. “If Legolie lets us. Do you want to be the one to break the news?”
“We’ll tell her together,” said Errica.
“Together,” Skirj agreed, “One last time.”
They talked, about nothing and about everything, almost until the sun came up. Skirj was happy. By all rights, he should not have been alive. But he had been granted a third chance, and he was going to make the best of it.
They talked, about nothing and about everything, almost until the sun came up. Skirj was happy. By all rights, he should not have been alive. But he had been granted a third chance, and he was going to make the best of it.
Thus ends Dreamspinner: A Half-Breed Story
It-- it's. . . over.
What a wonderful, intricately-woven story! The amount of detail in the world, the characters, and the development of the story is overwhelming, and keeping up with it all has been a fun ride. I think my favorite parts concerned Skirj and his character development in his quest to bring back the brother who was lost forever. Very poignant. ó,ò This was very well done, and I've enjoyed it! ^v^
They talked, about nothing and about everything, almost until the sun came up. Skirj was happy. By all rights, he should not have been alive. But he had been granted a third chance, and he was going to make the best of it.
Thus ends Dreamspinner: A Half-Breed Story
It-- it's. . . over.
What a wonderful, intricately-woven story! The amount of detail in the world, the characters, and the development of the story is overwhelming, and keeping up with it all has been a fun ride. I think my favorite parts concerned Skirj and his character development in his quest to bring back the brother who was lost forever. Very poignant. ó,ò This was very well done, and I've enjoyed it! ^v^
What a wonderful, intricately-woven story! The amount of detail in the world, the characters, and the development of the story is overwhelming, and keeping up with it all has been a fun ride. I think my favorite parts concerned Skirj and his character development in his quest to bring back the brother who was lost forever. Very poignant. ó,ò This was very well done, and I've enjoyed it! ^v^
Thank you so much!
Who was your favorite character?
You're very welcome!
I think my favorite character was Skirj. Like I said, I really enjoyed his development throughout the story. :3
Skirj, Hayteleck, and Errica sat in a small circle on the floor of Skirj’s room, silent. It had been a couple weeks since the events at the castle; they had decided at dinner that it was time to talk about what came next, but no one seemed willing to start the conversation.
After the three of them had destroyed Septimus’s spells and all the Dragonsbane, they had stayed beneath the castle, fearing an interrogation by the presumably bewildered inhabitants, until Legolie and Virida showed up to explain what had happened. The remaining bandits had been rounded up and imprisoned before being sent off to the Lion Knights to deal with as they pleased. Skirj, Hayteleck, and Errica had decided to go with Legolie back to the Elven Kingdom after that, only stopping briefly at the City on the River to talk to Isabel and to return Shadowwrath’s spear.
Generous accommodations had been provided by the queen, as she said befitted those who had saved the world, but Skirj wasn’t sure he deserved them. He hadn’t argued, though; Legolie seemed almost a force of nature, more confident than Skirj remembered her. It was as if she had finally found peace.
At last, Skirj cleared his throat, “I guess I’ll start us off. I need to go somewhere far away. The longer I stay here, the greater the chance that word might get back to the Towers that I’m alive. Even if Wisdom has forgiven me, as Elowyn says, they’ll come after me. I need to find a way to make reparations for what I’ve done, too – don’t tell me I’ve done nothing wrong, Hayteleck; I was the one who smashed Renthian and attacked Wisdom, not Septimus – so I think I’m going to try to track down the remaining Dragonsbane. My father had some. There must be more. If I can wipe that plant off the face of the earth, I will.”
“Then I’m going with you,” said Hayteleck, quietly, “I will stay by your side, Skirj, no matter what.”
“What about you, Errica? Are you with us?”
Errica shook her head. “I need to go home, back to the sea. I’ve been away too long.”
Skirj nodded. He had expected as much. “It’s decided, then. We can all leave tomorrow.”
Hayteleck grinned. “If Legolie lets us. Do you want to be the one to break the news?”
“We’ll tell her together,” said Errica.
“Together,” Skirj agreed, “One last time.”
They talked, about nothing and about everything, almost until the sun came up. Skirj was happy. By all rights, he should not have been alive. But he had been granted a third chance, and he was going to make the best of it.
Thus ends Dreamspinner: A Half-Breed Story
This tis an epic ending. I'm glad Hayteleck and Skirj are sticking together, it is fitting.
Yet again you wrote a masterpiece, RuleJJ. Utmost respect and regard for your dedication to the story and all the lore you incorporated. And I know you always say the characters are not your own, but you bring them to life, so take credit for that at least.
Yet again you wrote a masterpiece, RuleJJ. Utmost respect and regard for your dedication to the story and all the lore you incorporated. And I know you always say the characters are not your own, but you bring them to life, so take credit for that at least.
Yet again you wrote a masterpiece, RuleJJ. Utmost respect and regard for your dedication to the story and all the lore you incorporated. And I know you always say the characters are not your own, but you bring them to life, so take credit for that at least.
Dead. Oh, wait, you mean Skirj. Probably a bit let down. 
I think my favorite parts concerned Skirj and his character development in his quest to bring back the brother who was lost forever. Very poignant. ó,ò This was very well done, and I've enjoyed it! ^v^ 
I think my favorite parts concerned Skirj and his character development in his quest to bring back the brother who was lost forever. Very poignant. ó,ò This was very well done, and I've enjoyed it! ^v^