A-Z Challenge. Day six.

Sorry this one comes a little later in the day than usual. Today was busy but I've found time! I'll keep up with this! 

Day six. F is for Float. Or Freedom. (They both work)

Kora watched the sun rise from the deck of her cabin. The air was crisp and she breathed it in, letting it fill her lungs. Birds sang their morning greeting and Kora smiled, rubbing her sweater clad arms. The rays glinted off the water of the lake, shining in her eyes and over her body. She closed her crystal grey eyes and let the heat warm her body. 

"Coffee?" 

Kora turned to Honor, smiling. She held out her hand for the mug without breaking her silence of the morning. She took a sip and sighed. Warmth spread from her chest outwards.

Honor stepped up beside Kora and took a sip of her own dark brew. "You ready to hit the water before the kids wake up?" 

Kora nodded, taking a long sip. 

"You think we'll need the wetsuits?" 

Kora shrugged and Honor sighed. Honor started toward the shore and Kora smiled. 

Honor dipped her bare feet in the water and waded in up to her shins. "It's perfect," she called. 

Kora turned to the cabin and headed inside, draining her coffee and placing it in the sink. She headed to the bedroom on the main floor, the one her and Honor took up every time they came up. Kora pulled open the top drawer and pulled out a purple one piece and a teal one. She pulled off the sweater shed pulled on over her pjs, shimmied her pants over her hips, and threw her shirt onto the bed. She grabbed the purple one and pulled it over her hips, hearing Honor place her cup in the sink and make her way towards her. 

Kora turned to her as she pulled the straps over her arms. "I'll get the boat ready." 

Honor nodded as she pulled her sleep shorts over her hips and Kora headed out towards the shed. 

Kora creaked open the shed, the only sound to break the peace. She grabbed a pair of skis, the rope, and two life jackets with their names written in permanent marker courtesy of Honor's mom, before turning around and heading down the beach to the dock. She placed the skis on the dock beside the boat, threw the rope in the boat along with the life jacket that had Honor's name on it. The other she threw over her shoulders, buckling it up. 

"You going first or am I?" Honor said coming up behind her. 

Kora grinned."Me, of course."

Honor rolled her eyes and bent down to grab the rope to pull the boat towards the dock. She climbed over the edge as the patter of bare feet on wood reached her ears. She looked up to see her younger sister, Sharia, running towards them, a life jacket over her green one piece, a thermos in one hand and a small cooler in the other. 

"Sharia," Honor whined. 

"You need a spotter; don't even try." Sharia said as she hopped into the boat. "And I brought coffee." 

Kora laughed. "You're more than welcome."

Honor stuck out her tongue. 

Kora winked before sitting on the edge of the dock. She grabbed the skis and tossed them in the water before pushing off herself. She dipped under quick, coming up and pushing her auburn hair out of her face. 

Honor tied the rope to the boat before tossing the handle into the water towards Kora as Sharia untied the boat from the dock, pushing it away once Honor started the engine. 

Kora pushed her feet into the skis, grabbed the rope, and leaned back staring at the clear sky. 

"Ready?" Sharia yelled. 

Kora raised her right hand, thumbs up, keeping her eyes on the sky, letting the water soothe her. She felt the tug of the rope and she shifted her position, skis poised to jump up onto the water. A grin stretched her lips as Honor gunned the engine, pulling her up onto the water. Kora laughed as Honor drove around the calm water, creating the first waves of the morning. This was freedom. This was home. 

A-Z Challenge. Day Five.

The idea for the word came from my mom and this is what came from it. Sorry everything has been dark lately, but it's what keeps coming to mine! Hopefully tomorrow will be brighter! I hope you enjoy :) 

Day five. E is for Echo. 

Standing on a cliff, Tempest overlooked the desolate battleground below. Bodies lay in twisted positions, swords standing erect through hearts and heads, backs littered with arrows. Black helmets were scattered, some containing heads, others empty. Their enemy coloured in purple were in the same state. Armour lay broken, shattered by shields and swords that lay in heaps around arms cut off at the elbow. 

Tempest felt a grin pulling at her lips. 

"Tempest!" An echo of a males voice echoed from a cliff directly opposite her. "I will have my revenge!" Each word vibrated through the wind into her ears. 

Tempest threw her head back as a guttural laugh poured from her lips, echoing back to Gale. 

The ground started to rumble beneath Gale, his fists clenched at his side. It tumbled across the valley, stirring the bodies. 

Tempest narrowed her eyes and the blood of the fallen began to circle, a whirlpool of crimson swirling and sucking up limbs in its course. The earth churned beneath her, she merely shifted and planted her feet; she would not let the magic of an earth Mage to destroy her. 

Gale snarled. He would not fall to the blood of his kin. He would protect their legacy; he would live on. 

Tempest smiled. "Goodbye," she called and her angelic voice echoed across the valley. 

Gale's eyes widened as the whirlpool of gore shot straight through his heart. The ground stilled. Gale gasped. Blood clogged his throat. He staggered. Dropped to one knee. "Why?" He gurgled, though he didn't think she could hear.

"This is my kingdom," Tempest cried. "I'm taking back what has always been and always will be rightfully mine."

Gale stared across at the black haired beauty. She stood tall, proud, one hand clutching a sword, the other perched on her hip. From here she looked like a princess. He fell to his stomach, his last thought: beautiful. 

A-Z Challenge. Day Four.

Hello and welcome to day four of my A to Z challenge. This is just one I wrote on my break at work. Hope you enjoy! 

D is for Death.

She stalked through the trees, crouching, peering out through the leaves. Her target sat upon horseback, a shield strapped across his back and a sword on either hip. He was elegantly clothed in the royal purple of the kingdom, a crown atop his head. 

She took an arrow out of the quiver strapped to her back and knocked it on her bow. She stopped behind a giant oak and crouched. She pressed her side right against the trunk as she watched the men out with the prince turn towards the lake on their left. The prince made a gesture and she took aim, closing one eye to focus completely on the back of his head. She exhaled and let the arrow fire. Without waiting to see if it hit her target, she jumped up and took off, deeper into the woods. Behind her the guards starting calling out in shock and she heard the pounding of hooves as they tried to follow her into the woods. 

She jumped into the trees and pulled herself up to a thick branch, pressing her body to the trunk. Camouflaged in brown to match the trunks, the guards dashed right beneath her; then again they weren't expecting her to jump into the trees. She sat down on the branch and made herself small, easy to do when you're only five foot two. She listened as the guards searched through the forest around her, before giving up and heading back to the kingdom on the other side of the lake. She smiled. 

"I don't think I've ever seen you perform a job that quickly before," a male voice called from below her. 

She jumped down and turned to him. "He made an easy target." 

He took a pouch off his belt and handed it to her. "Your reward."

She snatched it out of his hands and tucked it into her jacket. "Any new jobs?" 

He shook his head as they started heading the opposite way the guards went, going deeper into the forest towards their guild. "No but you're wanted." 

She tilted her head.

"They don't know who you are but they want you dead."

She laughed. "Of course they do." 

"It's impressive that you've managed to go so long without being seen."

She grinned. "I'm good at what I do." 

He nodded. "Many in the guild look up to you, hoping you'll train them." 

She snorted. "Yeah right. They want me dead too." 

He shrugged. "You'd take them on; and win." 

She smiled as they came up to the guild. The building blended in with the trees, making it impossible to spot unless you knew what you were looking for. One of the reasons their guild was the smallest and most sought after. He pushed open the doors and disappeared inside. She stepped in after him and shut the, gently behind her. 

"Welcome home, Morana." 

A-Z Challenge. Day Three.

Hello everybody! Even when I'm trying to get out the door I manage to write something for this challenge! Go me! Hope you enjoy :)

Day 3. C is for Coffee.

Navy eyes blink sleep
from corners. Yawn stretches
pink lips. Clear mug is grabbed
from cupboard, set beneath
Keurig. Breakfast blend placed
in holder, blue lights flash.

Lips form smile, coffee pours,
filling mug and room with
a writer's fuel, scent
of nutty heaven.

A sip. A sigh.
Rays of sun filter
in through windows.
Warmth from outside
and in.

A-Z Challenge. Day Two.

Here we are folks. B is for Bells.

Bells

            Every morning, at exactly 6:23, bells rang throughout the compound to wake the subjects. They would wake and dress in the standard grey uniforms, the only identifying feature between them was the number stitched above the heart. In room 23, Carmelina pulled the grey shirt over her head, adjusting it over her shoulders to try and cover them. She was the youngest subject on this floor, only seven years old. The pants dragged on the floor, covering her bare feet. The cold of the tile no longer bothered her. Years of walking around on them have numbed her to the sensation.

            She stepped to her door as another set of bells rang at 6:37. The door slid into the wall and she stepped out into the hallway. On both sides of the hallway, other kids were doing the same. Thirty rooms in total on this floor, the subjects ranging in age from Carmelina’s seven to Averill’s thirteen. None of the subjects made eye contact with each other, instead they turned to head east down the hallway, all falling into single file.

            The doors at the end of the hall slid open and one by one the kids were given a sheet of paper from a lady in a daring red dress; odd for this place, but they were used to the sight and none batted an eye. The room was round and held fifteen elevators. The subjects were separated into pairs and they all stood at the doors to the elevators, waiting.

            At 6:51 more bells rang and the elevators opened. As if sharing a brain the pairs stepped in together. Carmelina stepped in number 7 with Averill. The elevator had 30 floors, the number 20 lit up. There were already 18 people on the elevator, and Carmelina and Averill stepped in and turned around without making eye contact. Every subject kept their eyes averted, as they’d been taught. The subjects in this elevator all looked to be around Averill’s age, all but another young girl who looked to be Carmelina’s age.

            The elevator started its descent, stopping first at floor ten. Averill and another got out. This happened on each floor as it continued down. By the first floor, it was just Carmelina and the other young girl. They both stepped out when the elevator came to a stop.

            “Subject 2023 and 2523,” a man in a green plaid shirt and blue jean overalls said from a few feet in front of them. The room they were in was just like the elevator room from twenty floors up, fifteen elevators and two subjects standing in front of them with a projection of the same man greeting them. “You are to report to room 23,” he said.

            Carmelina and the young girl followed the others as they fell into single file. The doors opened and another hallway just like the one twenty floors up greeted them. They started down the hall, pairs entering their designated rooms as they walked. Carmelina and Subject 2523 entered room 23.

            “Wonderful, wonderful,” a man wearing bright blue board shorts and an open blue Hawaiian shirt said. “Carmelina and Rosabel.”

            The two subjects nodded as he said their names.

            “That won’t do, girls,” he said. “Greet me back.”

            Carmelina furrowed her brows. “Hello,” she said softly.

            An intake of breath from beside her was the only thing Rosabel did.

            The man smiled. “Wonderful. My name is Kilian.”

            “Kilian,” Carmelina said.

            Another intake of breath from Rosabel again.

            “Can you not speak Rosabel?” Kilian asked and stepped forward.

            Rosabel looked down at her bare feet. Just like Carmelina, her pants dragged on the ground. She wiggled her toes.

            “This is problematic,” Kilian said and stroked his stubble chin.

            Carmelina looked up at him quickly before averting her eyes. His green eyes were studying Rosabel with a strange intensity. She took a look around. The room was the same as it’s been since she came here five years ago. Two black leather dentist chairs, restraints dangling from them, stood on either side; a white desk is pushed back against the far wall, a black desk chair in front of it. The computer showed a colourful screensaver, the phone blinked red with messages, and the desk that used to be so orderly was piled with papers. The walls now have posters of the outside world scattered on them but the floor is still the same off-white tile.

            “Well, up on the chairs, ladies,” Kilian gestured to them.

            Carmelina and Rosabel moved at the same time, sat on the chairs, and stared at the ivory ceiling.

            Kilian clicked his tongue. “No need to do that.”

            Carmelina looked at him. He smiled.

            “I do things differently than the others at this place,” he said. He looked over at Rosabel but she kept her gaze on the ceiling. “Now, now, Rosabel,” he started. “Haven’t you been taught to follow orders?”

            Rosabel dragged her lavender eyes from the ceiling and looked at him. He smiled.

            “Good girl,” he said. “Now,” he clapped his hands and a machine came down from the ceiling. He stepped back so it could land on the ground in front of him. Two arms stretched out from its side, one pointing at Rosabel, the other at Carmelina, with a black ball that looked like a camera held in the claws attached to the arm. It was sleek and silver, a keyboard at his waist and a screen at his eye level. He typed something into the machine and the arms moved above the girls and down their bodies.

            “Ah,” he said. “I see what the problem is, Rosabel. You’ve lost your voicebox.”

            Rosabel gave a small nod.

            “My predecessor?” Another nod. “Deary me.” He rubbed his chin. “Well, Carmelina and I will just need to learn sign language with you.”

            Rosabel’s eyes widened.

            “It won’t be hard,” he continued. “Not with our level of intelligence.” He types something into the computer and the arms go straight up, revealing a screen on either side. “Let’s begin.”

***

            At exactly 12:12, bells rang throughout the compound and knocks on the examination room doors followed.

            “Excellent,” Kilian said and stood up. He opened the door, took the tray from the robotic arm, and shut it again. Three boxed meals sat on the tray. He walked back and sat down, handing each girl her meal and set the tray on his lap. “Bon appetite.”

            Carmelina giggled and opened her box, taking out the sandwich.

            “That was an eventful morning,” Kilian said. “Sign language learned, yes?”

            Carmelina nodded and Rosabel signed ‘yes’.

            “Excellent.” He took a bite of his sandwich. “This afternoon will be something neither of you have done before, I’m sure.”

            Rosabel tilted her head as she took a bite.

            “We’re going to destroy this compound.”

            Carmelina gasped. Rosabel’s mouth dropped open.

            Kilian grinned. “You girls are becoming more human as the day goes along.”

            Carmelina furrowed her brows again. “We are human.”

            “Yes, but here they have you become nothing more than subjects to be tested on. I, nor my superiors, agree with this. This compound is the last one standing. Also the hardest to destroy,” Kilian took a bite. “That’s why I needed to get in.”

            “How long have you been here?” Carmelina asked.

            “Three years,” Kilian answered. “It took me three years to become your examiner and in that time all of my research has led me to one conclusion: you two are the only ones worth saving.”

            ‘Why?’ Rosabel signed.

            “You better finish up,” Kilian said, ignoring Rosabel. “Our mission begins when the next set of bells ring.” He waved to the screens and watched as they both turned to look at them.

            The girls’ eyes ran across the screen as they read the information, eating their sandwiches as an after thought. They turned to look at him at the same time.

            “You understand your roles?” Kilian asked and took their empty boxes.

            They both nodded.

            Kilian stood up and motioned for them to do the same with the tray. “Wonderful.”

            He walked forward towards the door as the bells rang throughout the compound at 12:42. A knock followed the bell and Kilian opened the door to give the tray to the robotic arm. The arm disappeared into the floor with the empty tray and Kilian stepped out of the room, Rosabel and Carmelina following. He gave a nod and each girl took off to opposite ends of the hallway. He followed Rosabel west which led to the main lobby.

            Carmelina joined him and Rosabel two minutes later, confirming the cameras had been shut off on her end.

            “Excellent,” Kilian said and swiped his employee ID next to the door at the end of the hall. It swished open and the two girls darted forward, shutting off those cameras too. The room they entered was empty, only two cameras pointed to either side of the room and another door at the other end. Again Kilian swiped his ID next to the door and it opened. The girls darted forward and got rid of the four guards in the room.

            “A weapon for each of you,” Kilian said as he grabbed the two guns off the two guards that stood just inside the door. He straightened and watched as the girls swung the guns over their shoulders, carrying it as if they had their entire lives. “The next room is much heavier secured.” He said as bells started ringing through the compound. “We’ll need to break this door.”

            Carmelina nodded and turned to it, shooting the panel beside it. It smoked and clicked open, the door sliding into the wall. Rosabel immediately began shooting into the room, killing the guards that stood in there to capture them. The receptionist screamed and ducked behind the counter.

            Kilian stepped into the room first and grinned. “Excellent, Rosabel.”

            Rosabel and Carmelina stepped up beside him.

            “You two guard the front door, shoot any you see coming. I’ll get this compound ready to blow,” Kilian said. He walked over to the desk as the girls followed his orders. “Hello dear,” Kilian said, leaning over the desk. “You don’t think anyone is coming, do you?”

            She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. “The head office will send backup.”

            Kilian grinned. “Head office is currently out of commission.”

            She gasped.

            “Took them out two months ago. So why don’t you go ahead and hit the self-destruct button.”

            “There is no such button,” she whispered.

            Kilian raised an eyebrow. “Really? There were at all the other compounds.”

            She just shook her head as the bells started getting louder.

            “For heaven’s sake, shut off those damn bells.”

            “They’ll keep ringing until the boss enters his code,” she said.

            Kilian groaned. He straightened and walked around the desk.

“What are you doing?” She scurried backwards on her butt.

“Finding the self-destruct,” he said and started poking around her desk.

“There isn’t one,” she said only to gasp when he found a compartment underneath it that revealed a small black button, the words ‘emergency use only’ written beside it.

“There isn’t one, eh?” He said and pressed the button. A fire alarm started blaring then as he casually walked to the entrance. He turned around as she stood up. “Sorry doll,” he said and shot her, the bullet hitting her forehead dead centre.

“Kilian?” Carmelina asked once he stepped outside. “How do we leave?”

Kilian grinned and started leading them down the beautifully designed driveway. “Our ride is waiting outside the gate.”

Rosabel turned back to the compound as an explosion sounded through the air. The back of the place was lit up in flames and screams echoed through her ears.

“Better start running, girls,” Kilian said and started to jog.

The girls looked at each other and smiled before sprinting to the front gate that was starting to open, a bright green van pulling up to the entrance. Kilian laughed as they passed him and he picked up speed, another explosion sounding from behind him.

“You sure make a spectacle,” the man in the van said as the girls opened the back and got in, Kilian sliding in the passenger seat.

“You know me,” Kilian said as the man turned the van around and started back down the country road. “I live for the fire.”

A-Z Challenge. Day One.

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I've posted anything, but I've found another challenge that caught my interest and made me want to write more! It's the A-Z Challenge of April. Here's the link if you'd like to read more about it: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/what-is-blogging-from-to-z.html

Day 1: A is for Adventure

Emerald fabric decorated
with the Starbucks siren dances
to the winds chaotic cadence.
My gaze clings to the fibres
and I fall

into a world of magic.
Swords to shields, they clash
and there I stand, at the edge
watching, waiting to see
the victor.

Grande cup breaks my daze
and I crash back,
smoothly wiping the milk
from the wand. I smile.
"Have a wonderful day."


This was just something I wrote on my break at work today. Check back tomorrow for Day 2!

Back Story

May is finished and so is my mostly completed challenge. But I need to keep writing!

This story is based off a novel I wrote back in high school, five years ago. This world I created has become something that I pull from, even though I have yet to rewrite that novel. I wrote a stageplay using characters from this novel in one of my second and third year courses and now I've written part of the back story to the novel itself. 

I hope you enjoy!

*** 

She has been told she is special, and now, standing between Mother and Father with that ridiculous grin on her face, I know she believes it. But it should be me up there, not her. What is it about her that makes her special?

"Andreana," Mother snaps, gesturing with her hand for me to step up next to her.

I put a smile on my face and step forward. The people of our kingdom are kneeling in the front courtyard below the balcony, but all eyes are glued to Andralyn. Of course. It is not fair that she will inherit the throne for no reason other than her ability to control all six elements; I am the eldest. That throne is rightfully mine. 

***

Andralyn's coronation is tomorrow. Her wedding is now. I stand beside her, a bouquet of some hideous yellow flower in my hand. Mother sits in the front row, a kerchief to her lips, while Father's arm is around her shoulders. 

I do not know why Andralyn chose me as her maid of honour; expected perhaps? We hardly ever spend time together. 

The priest says those four words and it takes all of my will power to keep the smile on my face. What makes her more important than me?

***

The three moons form a triangle in the sky tonight. Their light reflects off the blade of the dagger twirling between my fingers. 

Mother and Father are across the castle in the West Wing, their new home. The newlyweds are in their new suite in the main part of the castle. My room will always be located here in the East Wing; unless I do something about it. 

I look down and drag the dagger across my pointer, lightly pressing into the pad. It would be simple.

The hedge maze is dark below my balcony, and I trace the path through the thick green leaves with my eyes. This cannot be allowed to happen. That throne is mine. 

I step back from the railing and walk into my room, grabbing the lit candle holder off my bedside table. No one should be awake at this hour. 

I open the door to my bedroom, glancing down the hallway, but it is empty, and shall remain that way for many more years. I walk down the hall and stairs, my bare feet making little sound against the stone. I slowly push open the door to the main part of the castle, peeking around it. The hall is dark and no light shines from beneath any of the doors. 

The door creaks as I close it behind me and I cringe, staring at the door to the maids quarters across the way. I can feel my heart pounding against my ribs as I click the door shut behind me. 

I tip toe pass the maids quarters to the door at the end of the hall. I glance behind me before slowly pushing this door open and slipping through. Darkness greets me again and I ascend the stairs. 

I take a deep breath and clench my fist around the hilt. I place my candle on the floor before I open the door in front of me. The hallways is dark, the only light coming from the moons peeking into the windows. I go to the middle of the three doors and stop in front of it. There will be no going back. 

A grin takes over my lips. Finally the throne will be mine.

I grab the knob and twist, slowly pushing it open. The curtains around their canopy bed are pulled back, his back bared to me with his arm thrown across her body. The covers are bunched around their waists and I wrinkle my nose; I didn't realize he was so hairy. 

I step forward and gently close the door. I tip toe around their clothes as I make my way to his side. I peek over at his face just as he snores. God why did she choose him?

I place my hand over his mouth and nose before swiping the dagger across his throat. His blue eyes snap open and look up at me, wide, and I press my hand tighter to his face. I watch the blood pour from his neck onto the sheets and my sister's hair, waiting for him to go limp. He doesn't even try and fight me, or bring his arm up to mine. Instead he tries to curl closer to Andralyn. Pathetic. 

I take my hand away once he goes limp and walk around to the other side of the bed. Even in danger my sister still sleeps soundly. I twist the dagger to make it easier before I do the same to her.

"Sorry, sister," I mutter when her grey eyes just like mine open wide. "You will not be allowed to take my place."

She tries to twist her head out of my grasp, causing more blood to squirt onto the sheets. She stares up at me as if she's trying to get me to pull away and save her. I watch her and wait. 

I step back and wipe the dagger on my nightgown. I stand beside the bed and watch them, making sure they're still. When I can see the bottom moon through the window I press a finger to my sister's pulse. Nothing. 

I grin. The throne is mine. I turn and leave their room, heading back the same way, my candle now half burnt. I make sure everything is back to as it was before on my journey back to my room. I place my candle on my bedside table before I walk out to my balcony again. 

***

Mother is inconsolable and I give up trying a month after Andralyn's funeral. Father has finally stopped pushing back my coronation, and tonight I'll be marrying the second eldest son of Father's right hand man. Not my choice, but Mother said he'll protect me; not that it matters.

At my wedding, Mother is weeping uncontrollably and Father is stoic. I had thought they would be happy for me; after all I am still their daughter. 

***

Mother passed a week after my coronation, poison, and I know she killed herself. Father stops instructing me after that, but I take over; I knew enough by then. 

A month after Mother, Father dies; same method. 

At both funerals I acted appropriately; shed tears, accepted condolences, but I could not say I was particularly sad. Finally, this kingdom was mine. 

***

Right now is the only time I regret my actions. I just gave birth to a son, but the only one in the chamber with me was the midwife. My husband is out at sea with the army; I do not know if he will return. 

I look into the blue eyes of my son and I realize how alone I have been. But as he latches onto my finger I cannot dwell on the past. I got a son, and this kingdom will be his.