tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29045451008291342582023-11-15T05:02:29.908-08:00The Mad LemmingThemadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-56086577678399284692014-06-26T07:30:00.000-07:002014-06-26T07:30:38.323-07:00Another weird one So, I had a stange dream last night. It's not the strangest I've ever had, but it was interesting enough for me to remember upon awaking and to put here on the blog.
The dream opens with John Lennon and myself walking down the sidewalk in an unknown city on our way to a recording studio. We obviously know each other, though we never speak to one another. After walking a couple of blocks, Lennon stumbles and breaks his leg. Paul McCartney shows up and tells me that I need to carry Lennon the hospital, so I pick him up in my arms and begin walking him to the emergency room. We had covered the previous two blocks when my friend Brandon shows up and asks what I'm doing...
"I'm carrying John Lennon to the hospital." says I.
"That's not John Lennon. " says he.
I look to the person in my arms and it's a female friend of mine (name withheld for privacy sakes) and (as her leg is broken) I say "Well, she still needs to go to the hospital." and I resume my march with her in my arms. We're almost to the hospital when she speaks to me.
"Lem, you're the sweetest person I know."
I look at her and realize that she's become a different female friend of mine (none of this shapeshifting seemed to bother me)and I replied to her. "No, no I'm not."
I woke up at this point with a horrible cramp in my leg.
Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-43529797843914827662014-03-21T18:56:00.001-07:002014-03-21T18:56:59.658-07:00The Marksman
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Part 1</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thunder rumbled in the distance, calling
for the rain that was sure to follow. The air was already sticky with humidity
around the small village, permeating well into the sake house where the two
yojimbo knelt in the hall outside one of the bedrooms. Their master, the
governor’s tax collector, was having his way with the proprietor’s daughter,
her cries muted by the thunder outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soga
Chikikage glanced at his fellow samurai, whose name he hadn’t even had time to
learn, kneeling beside him. Chikikage was young; having only recently passing
his coming of age tests, and was honored to have been selected to guard the tax
collector in his travels, but now, hearing what was happening behind the rice
paper walls, he wasn’t so sure. He knew the girl’s parents were in a nearby
room and could hear everything; her screams and his grunts. What kind of pain
and horror they must be going through was beyond him. He wondered if there was
a way to resign his post with honor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
reverie was broken by a particularly loud peal of thunder followed shortly by a
blood curdling scream from the girl. Leaping to his feet and drawing his katana
from its scabbard, Chikikage quickly slid open the door and rushed into the
room, his companion right behind him. They found their master, Hoshino
Kagetomo, his robes open, slumped over the terrified, naked girl, who was
trying to extricate herself from under his bloated corpse. Blood was pouring
onto the sleeping mat on which they lay from a wound on his side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chikikage
ignored the screaming young lady, spotting, by chance, a small hole in the
exterior paper wall. Moving quickly to the wall, he stuck his finger into the
hole, about a half inch in diameter, and tore the wall away in one savage
motion. Looking across the lane, he spied a small cloud of smoke hovering above
the roof of a building opposite of the sake house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There!” The
samurai screamed, pointing with his katana, and ran into the road. He was met
in the road by his partner and two more yojimbo who were, in their words,
“guarding the sake.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You two go
around to the right and we’ll go to the left.” Chikikage hurriedly suggested,
the others agreeing, and they set off to implement his plan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Running around the building and finding no
one, they pause, breathing hard and looking around excitedly for clues to the
assassin’s whereabouts. The sound of a twig snapping in the forest before them
sent the rushing into the tree line just as the rain began to fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They quickly formed
a skirmish line, a dozen paces apart, and began sweeping the woods for their
quarry. The rain had become a deluge, obscuring their vision and creating the
sound of thousands of feet pitter pattering through the undergrowth. A scream
and a thud sounded off to Chikikage’s left, followed quickly by another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hello?”
Chikikage called out to his party, with only the rain answering in return. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hesitated,
uncertain whether to go investigate the sounds or continue forward. He was
afraid, his katana shaking in his hand, when he heard another short cry of pain
to his right. That was when primal fear took over, propelling him through the
dark and back towards the village. Branches reached from the shadows and clawed
at his face, but still he barreled forward, determined to make it to the
sanctuary of lantern light he could make out ahead of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bursting from
the brush, he stopped at the edge of the building; it’s eves sheltering him
from the rain. He held himself up against the wall, panting from the exertion.
He would go to the village headman’s home and have him rouse up the militia.
Then they could scour the forest in force and avenge the murder of his fellows
and his master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then that he
heard the splash of someone stepping in a puddle behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned on
his heels to face his stalker, bringing his blade about, but he wasn’t fast
enough. He felt a burning sensation across his stomach and a hot wetness spread
across his already soaked trousers. Looking down, he wanted to vomit as he saw
his guts spill from the hole in his belly and spread onto the ground. Falling
to his knees, strangely careful not to kneel on his innards, he gazed up at his
killer, rainwater running off the buildings gutter and onto his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The assassin’s face was shrouded in the
darkness of a wide straw hat and his dark blue- grey clothes were nondescript,
but Chikikage’s gaze was drawn to the killer’s possessions. Across his back was
slung a rifle of some kind and in his hands was a bloody katana. A katana that
was brought up and down in a killing blow and Chikikage saw no more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part 2</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maki Yorikane
sat on the floor of his room at the inn, carefully oiling and cleaning the snap
lock firearm in his lap. The weapon, a Jaeger rifle from Germany, was illegal
by order of the Shogun, and was the ronin’s prized possession. He was
meticulous in his work and double checked every nook and cranny of the weapon
for debris or moisture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satisfied with
his work, he slid the weapon into a long, waterproof tube comprised of
laminated bamboo. Tying the top securely, he slung the tube across his back,
held in place by a length of rope, and prepared to go to the noodle house for
dinner. Adjusting the katana and wakizashi at his belt, he pulled his long hair
back into a pony tail and journeyed from his room and out into the night,
putting on his bamboo hat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night air
was still sticky from humidity and the rain from two days before had turned the
dirt road into a muddy morass. He tried to avoid the deepest of the mud
puddles, but his ratty, old sandals were quickly covered with grit and the legs
of his grey trousers were soaked by the time he made it to his destination, a
mere hundred meters from his starting point. Removing his footwear at the
entrance, Yorikane was assaulted by the sounds and smells of the noodle house
immediately upon his entrance. The low hum of patrons talking among themselves
melted into the din of dishes being served while the aroma of cooking danced
with the smells of the summer. The place was busy tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yorikane knew the owner, Munemasa,
and waved to catch the attention of the older man, who was talking to a
customer. The ronin waited for the proprietor to disengage himself from that
conversation, his stomach starting to get restless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is the usual okay for you?” Munemasa asked,
finally finding the means of escaping the previous conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s fine.” Yorikane removed his
katana, scabbard and all, from his belt and handed it to the elderly man for
safe keeping. Munemasa was also the only other person who knew of the contents
of the bamboo tube, but he didn’t ask for that. It was too valuable to leave
the ronin’s possession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The merchant motioned to one of the
serving girls before leading the warrior to one of the private rooms; kneeling
and sliding the door open for him before entering himself. They each sat, legs
crossed, on floor mats on either side of a small table with Yorikane placing
the bamboo tube on the floor beside him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You did a good job on the tax
collector.” Munemasa’s friendly façade gave way to a more conspiratorial one as
he dug a small pouch from his vest. There was a clink of coin as it landed on
the table. “The client was very pleased.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yorikane’s response was stifled by
a knocking at the door, which slid back, revealing Umeki, a serving girl. She
entered; head bowed, and began setting bowls of noodles, cups, and finally a
tea pot on the table. She paused when she saw the coin purse on the table and
glanced up at Yorikane, knowing whose bed she would warm that night. He gave
her a slight nod in response and then turned back to Munemasa, who waited for
the woman to leave before speaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I have another job for you.” The
old man spoke, twirling noodles around his chopsticks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ronin merely grunted, already
wolfing down his food. He never knew when he may be interrupted, based on his
line of work, and ate accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Three days from now, on the old
North Road, there will be a palanquin bearing the governor’s seal.” Munemasa
continued. “It will be lightly guarded and you are to kill the occupant and any
guards who get in your way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Who’s in the palanquin?” Yorikane
asked before taking a sip of the tea, accidentally scalding his tongue in the
process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The client didn’t say and I didn’t
ask. You should know that by now.” The answer was always the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s fair enough. I need some
more powder and bullets.” The warrior rose, picking up the coin purse and his
weapon’s carrier. He opened the door and exited the room, followed closely behind
by Munemasa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ll have that for you before you
leave out.” The shopkeeper reached into the closet and retrieved the katana,
handing it back to the warrior. “I’ll also send Umeki over to your room, once
her shift is done.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yorikane merely waved as he walked
out the front door, his thoughts already occupied with the new job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part 3</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ronin’s breathing was relaxed
as he sat behind the tree, rifle sitting across his lap, waiting to spring the
ambush. He had arrived the afternoon before, already near penniless due to
drink and the ministrations of Umeki. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
proceeded with finding his killing spot and began his long wait, here about a
hundred feet from the road and with plenty of concealment. Now, he wanted to
complete this job and start the cycle over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His attention was drawn to motion
on the road. Pulling a small spyglass from his grey vest, he quickly snapped
onto a palanquin, borne by six struggling men. Six samurai on foot flanked the
conveyance on either side, armed with bows and their traditional daisho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Returning the glass to his vest, he sighted
in his weapon and waited for his targets to get closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first archer went down never
knowing what killed him, a crimson flower spreading from his chest wound. The
second guard had time to point in the sniper’s general direction before his
throat erupted in geyser of gore. The final two, however, managed to pull their
bows and attempt to return fire before being picked off one after the other;
Yorikane’s reloading and firing the muzzle loader with a practiced precision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yorikane left his blind, cautiously
picking his way down the hill, rifle in hand. The servants had scattered,
leaving the palanquin in the middle of the road and he found this odd. A
passenger under the governor’s seal, but with such a light guard and servants
that scattered so easily had set his nerves on edge and he needed to know why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Walking up next to the litter,
rifle pointed at the silk screen wall, the ronin called to the passenger
inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Open up or I’ll fire” He snarled.
“Go ahead and do it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Please don’t.” The low reply came
from within, accompanied by sobs of terror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The warrior, suddenly confused,
reached forward with his left hand, still pointing the weapon with his right,
and slid the door of the transport open, exposing the weeping young lady.
Yorikane was nearly as surprised as this beautiful woman, who clearly wore the
robes and make up of a noble, though the latter was smeared with her tears. He
began to ask who she was when shouts drew his attention to the direction from
whence she came.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A squad of samurai, under the
governor’s banner, had appeared from around the curve in the road, and begun to
ride towards them, screaming and pulling weapons. Knowing that he held no
advantage, he did the only thing he could think of, he grabbed the girl and
threw her over his shoulder. He knew that they would have trouble bringing
their mounts into the trees and was relieved that only a few arrows zipped by
him in pursuit. He needed time and space to think this through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Part 4<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hisakawa Touya, provincial
governor, studied the cherry blossom as he balanced it on the tips of his
fingers, the turmoil in his mind in direct opposition to his outer calm. He
slowly walked around the ornate fountain that formed the center piece of his
garden, casually flicking the small flower into the pool and approached the
samurai who knelt on the walk way leading to the governor’s home. He hoped the
soldier’s news was better than his nervous demeanor indicated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Report” The lord ordered as he
picked another blossom from a nearby tree. He sniffed at it while he waited for
the young warrior to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“My lord,” The samurai bowed even
lower as he spoke. “I have news most grave. Our patrol attempted to catch up
with and protect your wife, as you ordered, but…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Well?” The governor’s eyebrows
climbed in barely disguised anticipation. He always enjoyed when his retainers
squirmed before him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Her guards were dead and the
servants had fled.” The samurai was actively shaking at this point. “Your wife
has been kidnapped by a man with what appeared to have been a musket. We’re
searching the area now and we’ll find her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Touya’s hand instinctively went for
his katana before pausing, cold reasoning quelling the murderous rage as
quickly as it had risen. He breathed deeply, concentrating on the sounds of the
running water and the aroma of his little slice of nature. It was several long
seconds before he spoke again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“See that you find her and
quickly.” His composure had slid back into place again. “Kill the son of a
bitch who has taken her and return her to me safely. Now go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The samurai had bowed and began
quickly walking down the path before his lord called out once more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh, find and execute the servants
for deserting her, as well.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Touya waited a few moments, soaking
in the last bit of calm from the garden before making the short trek to his
keep. His thoughts were a chaotic mess of anger and questions; what had gone
wrong? Where was his wife and why had she been taken? He didn’t even notice the
servants as they ducked and bowed, hoping to avoid his ire as he made his way
into his meditation chambers and slid the door shut behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The room was small and lit only by
a pair of candles that sat on an altar; the only furnishing in the room. Touya
knelt down and lit some incense, carefully standing the burning taper in a cup
on the small shrine. Adjusting his red kimono, he meditated while he waited for
his guests to show. He didn’t have to wait long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hello, Governor.” The voice rasped
from the shadows. “We’ve heard that there has been a wrinkle in your plans.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The nobleman half turned to look at
the new arrivals. Strangely, it was not the tall, lean figure, clothed in black
from head to toe, a bronze crow mask his only defining feature, which
frightened Touya the most. No, it was the speaker, a wizened old woman in a
simple blue kimono that scared the warrior. She exuded power and malevolence in
equal measure, her kind, grandmotherly appearance making her seem all the more
sinister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Governor didn’t even know
her name, but he knew who she represented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A minor setback, I assure you.” He
turned back to the altar, inhaling the sweet smoke wafting up from it. “My men
will have their heads by tomorrow evening and then I can move on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Your men, though brave and loyal,
will not find this ronin. He is subtle and elusive. “Her silky words belied her
predatory grin. “ As long as your wife lives, you cannot marry up and improve
your lot in the Shogunate. You should have contacted us to start with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I thought the ronin would be a
win-win situation.” Touya took a deep breath before continuing. “If he killed
her and escaped, he would be seen as a wandering killer. If we captured him
after he killed her, then we just execute him and be done with it. I just don’t
know why he didn’t fulfill his obligation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The spirits of men are strange
indeed.” She purred. “The question now is not why he did it, but, rather, what
do you wish to do about it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I wish for you and your clan to
finish this job for me.” He offered with little hesitation. “Kill them both and
deal with any witnesses. I’ll worry about any political fallout.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It shall be as you wish, my lord.”
She smirked as she and her companion stepped back into the shadows, vanishing
from the room and leaving a palpable chill behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Touya closed his eyes tightly,
knowing that no amount of meditation could erase his sins from his soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part 5</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hisakawa Tsukina collapsed to the
floor of the abandoned mill, exhaustion both physical and emotional threatening
to overwhelm her. She looked at her hands, the dust from the floor contrasting
with her pale skin and tears began to well up into her eyes again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Please don’t hurt me!” She again
cried to the dirty, brutish man who had taken her from her entourage a few
hours earlier. “Please, I beg you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She knew why the man had ambushed
her party in the woods. She had heard her husband, the governor, talking to
shadowy figures in the night. She had even guessed why she was not sent a full
complement of guards this morning when she had left out, ostensibly to deliver
a message to one of the local magistrates. She had consigned herself to death,
but she had hoped it would be quick and painless. Now, with this man, this
ronin with the ornate musket, she now feared he would rape her and kill her
slowly, her heart sinking by the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For his part, the man had not said
much to her on the way to their present location, mostly admonishments of
“Move!” and “Go faster!”, difficult commands for one used to being born
everywhere she went. She had fallen several times, only to be picked up and
pushed along by him through the woods until they had come upon this place,
which he seemed to know. Now, he crouched in the open doorway and watched the
descending twilight, looking for any who might be pursuing them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tsukina raised herself to a
kneeling position, patting some of the dust from her dirty, white robes,
frowning at the small tears it had incurred from their flight through the
forest. She settled into a prayer position and waited for her fate, which must
be soon, judging by the sound of the ronin walking towards her. She waited for
the sword stroke that would end her life, but was puzzled by the sounds of her
captor rummaging through some junk behind her. Curious, she opened her eyes and
turned to look at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was not an overly large man and
his dark clothing concealed much of his physique, but she knew his strength
from his pulling and shoving her through the forest. His long, scraggly hair
was tied back, but it was his eyes, predatory, but with just a hint of sadness,
that drew her attention. They gleamed as opals from between his bamboo hat and
his short beard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He had retrieved a small, wooden
box that had been hidden under some debris. He brought it with him as he sat
down next to her, opening it to reveal a metal flask and some rice balls
wrapped in leaves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Here, eat this.” He offered her
one of the rice balls. “I left this stash here yesterday. You need to eat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She took it with a grace that
defied her bedraggled looks and gently opened the leaves. She needed the
nourishment and she suddenly realized how hungry she was as she devoured the
treat. She practically snatched the second one he offered from his hand and she
ate it with abandon, as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So, who are you and why was I
contracted to kill you?” The warrior’s blunt question was both shocking and
surprisingly refreshing to her. She took the flask he held out to her and took
a swallow of the vinegary plum wine before answering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“My name is Hisakawa Tsukina and I
am the wife of the Imperial governor, Hisakawa Touya.” She took another swig of
wine, its bitter taste helping her mind. “As to why you were sent to kill me? I
don’t know. Maybe he loves another? Maybe I have not bore him a child yet?
Maybe I just wasn’t good enough?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last opened another floodgate
of sobs and she leaned forward, into the arms of her would be assassin; a man
who could easily finish her now and save them both pain and trouble; a man who
instead chose to wrap his arms around her and tried to comfort her, instead.
Her final waking memories were of his warm strength and musky, sweaty smell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Part 6<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The silence of the small village
was broken only by the barking of a dog as the pair made their way out of the
brush. They had slept in the ronin’s hideout overnight and well into the
morning, both exhausted from the previous day’s ordeal. After a quick meal and
trekking through the woods to avoid the roads, they had made it to what
Yorikane had hoped would be refuge for them. Instead, the dead quiet and lack
of lights to dispel the lengthening shadows set the Ronin’s nerves on edge.
Cautiously, they began making their way to the sake house, the warrior eager to
find Munemasa or Umeki; anybody to return his life to a sense of normalcy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The smell of death assaulted his
senses even as he opened the door to the drinking establishment and he signaled
for Tsukina to stay back as he entered the building. Striking a match against a
wooden post, he lit a lantern and beheld a charnel house. There were a dozen
corpses, former patrons, sprawled about on the floor and across tables, their
terror contorted faces and bloodied bodies betraying the violence of their
deaths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yorikane lit several more lanterns
in the common room in an attempt to better identify the bodies, but, while all
were locals, none were the two people he sought, which perplexed him. Still
holding his first lantern, he went back to retrieve the young Tsukina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Try not to look at them.” He
whispered to her, reaching out and guiding her with a hand on her shoulder.
“We’re going to go to the back and find my friend Umeki’s room. She may have
clothes that will fit you that are better for travelling.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Together, they navigated through
the maze of the dead, making their way to the hall where the owner and staff
would live. Yorikane found Umeki’s door and slid it open, surveying the room
where he had spent many an evening in pleasure paid for in hard coin.
Everything seemed to be in order; her sleeping mat was rolled out on the floor
and her small desk had her make-up laid out with a small mirror sitting on top.
It was when the ronin turned to open the small wardrobe closet that movement
from the shadows caught his eye, but the figure tackled and bore the man to his
knees before he could pull his katana. It was Umeki.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The serving girl frantically
grasped at Yorikane’s shirt, her bulging eyes stared helplessly as she tried to
breathe through her slashed throat. The ronin held her close, tears welling up
as he fought the losing battle to save her, trying to staunch the blood flow
with his own shirt sleeve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, Umeki! No!” He cried as she
gave one final shudder and went limp. He openly wept for one of the few people
to ever show him kindness, even if it was for a price, as Tsukina sat in
awkward silence in the corner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He no
longer cared. All he wanted was to vent his rage upon someone who he’d make
scream and bleed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Whoever did this could not be
far.” He finally said, gently allowing Umeki’s body to slide to the floor, hand
trembling in righteous fury. “She wouldn’t have lived long with that wound. I
will find the bastards and I will kill them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It may be an ambush.” Tsukina
cautioned meekly as she respectfully slipped a blanket over Umeki. “Whoever did
this knew where to strike at you and who to harm.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ronin wiped away the tears and
tried to consider her words, but the emotions that flowed through him kept
pushing him to thoughts of bloody vengeance. Truth be told, the sound of
creaking floors in the main dining hall were a welcome relief for him and he
quickly slipped his rifle from its carrying case and stealthily loaded it.
Motioning for the young lady to stay put, he rose and quietly entered the hallway,
senses on fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tsukina waited a few moments, her
nerves raw, until her mind began to wander into dark places. The shadows seemed
to hold sinister life and were more menacing, threatening to swallow her whole.
She even thought she saw movement in the abyssal blackness behind the late
occupant’s wardrobe and tried to explain it away to being alone and with a
corpse, but fear took over and she hurried from the room to find her savior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yorikane was surveying the common
room, rifle up and ready, when Tsukina burst into his peripheral vision,
startling him. He half turned and was about to berate her when he noticed a
figure standing at the far end of the room; a figure he hadn’t notice a moment
ago. He raised his weapon in challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You there, what are you doing
here?” He called out to the figure, which was clad from head to toe in midnight
blue. The ronin had heard stories of folk like this masked man; they were
called ninja and were reported to be assassins and sorcerers. The stories of
their skills in the art of death did not concern the warrior right now. He
wanted answers and blood and did not care in which order they were received. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The figure made a quick movement to
its right and Yorikane pulled the trigger, thunder and fire filling the room as
the bullet flew true. At least, it would have, had the figure not stepped into
a shadow, merging with it as the shot splintered a wooden support where the target
had just stood. The marksman’s shock lasted only a moment before a weighted
chain swung out from a shadow to his left and snared the barrel of his weapon
and plucked it from his grasp, sending it flipping through the air behind him.
That is when the shadows leapt to life and the wanderer realized he was
surrounded by nearly a dozen masked men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tsukina collapsed to her knees and
crawled backwards until her back was against the wall, the rifle landing a few
feet from her. Her fears for her life had been rekindled, even more so than
before. She could understand the power of the musket, or the razor edge of the
katana, but these killers were unlike anything she had seen as they stepped in
and out of the shadows, at times even dropping through the floor and from the
ceiling. She could see that Yorikane was holding them off, his blade versus
their myriad weapons, but they had numbers and sorcery on their side. How much
longer, she wondered, could his courage and skill hold out? Lost in her grim thoughts,
she did not notice the older man who reached out from behind his hiding place
behind a table to retrieve the fallen firearm and quietly begin to load it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yorikane was beginning to tire. The
dodging and parrying of the relentless attacks, combined with the swinging at
the open air where a foe should have been was pushing him to exhaustion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was slowly backing into a corner, sword in
a defensive posture against unseen enemies, when a frantic idea for a strategy
crossed his mind. Running to one wall, narrowly avoiding a sword blade from a
patch of darkness, he blew out the lantern. He did this again and again, zig-
zagging and blindly parrying the various blades and chains that struck out at
him, six times with the final lantern plunging the room into blackness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sudden darkness startled the
noblewoman, but she soon understood the tactic as her eyes adjusted to the new
conditions. There was enough moon light coming through the paper walls for everyone
to be silhouetted but not enough for the shadowy patches the ninjas favored.
She could barely make out Yorikane’s shape amongst the others, but she could
hear his battle cry before it was drowned out by the screams of wounded and
dying men. She almost felt pity for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The warrior could help but to smile
as his sword lashed out, hewing limbs and cutting flesh. His last foe dying
upon his out thrust blade, Yorikane flicked the blood from his blade with a
flick of his wrist, scanning the room with all his senses; there was still
something amiss, but he couldn’t quite place what it was. He didn’t have to
wait long as the lanterns sprung into flaming life, lit by unseen hands and the
swordsman spied the tall, crow masked figure standing a few feet from him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was something unnerving about
this new arrival. The other ninja, now dead on the floor, at least showed some
human features, such as exposed eyes and fingers. This one, however, was
entirely in black cloth, save for the bronze mask he wore, its recessed
eyeholes dark and vacant. This dread was even more apparent to Yorikane as the
figure’s arms began to elongate and slither into the shadows, before stopping
and slowly retracting, returning with a straight bladed, black sword in each
hand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yorikane raised his blade to combat
this devilish new foe and was amazed at its speed. The dark figure moved in
quick, jerky movements that were difficult to anticipate, as though it
flickered through time and space itself. In no time, it had landed several
painful, though superficial, cuts on the ronin, the demonic blades as numbingly
cold as they were razor sharp. The swordsman thrust forward with his own blade
only to meet empty space as the figure dropped into a shadow on the floor and
rematerialized behind the man, delivering another shallow wound across his
back. Yorikane spun around and lashed out, severing his opponents left hand; a
hand that burst into black feathers as it hit the ground and the sword it held
melting into inky blackness that oozed back to the shadows. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The warrior’s shock gave the dark
figure the opening it needed to use its newly regenerated hand to deliver a
palm strike to Yorikane, a cold, eldritch blast that blew the ronin off of his
feet and onto his back, landing near Tsukina, his katana clattering to the
floor well out of his reach. The humanoid thing strode forward, still
flickering in and out of this world and stood over the man, sword raised for a
killing blow. The ronin could hear Tsukina praying, finding her sudden
acceptance of death strangely comforting to himself. Yorikane closed his eyes and
awaited his death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yorikane!” Munemasa screamed from
his hiding spot as he threw the Jaeger to his protégé. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sudden yell startled Tsukina
and gave the shadowy killer pause, a pause Yorikane exploited by catching the
weapon and placing the barrel where its chin should be. Once again, the
weapon’s deafening roar echoed through the hall, blowing a hole through the
assassin’s mask and out of its hood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The mask fell with a metallic
clatter and, to everyone’s horror; there was nothing but a gaping hole where a
man’s face should be. The faceless thing groped around its head, as though
seeking for the missing mask, before finally falling over backwards, exploding
into dozens of squawking crows, which took flight past the screaming woman and
proprietor and out the door. Yorikane himself was too stunned to make any
sounds, he just sat back, exhausted, as he realized the immediate danger had
passed. He smiled to Tsukina, who crawled over to him quickly, still shaking in
fright, and he put his arms around her, holding her tight. They would survive
another day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Epilogue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hisakawa Touya slowly walked
through his garden, still searching for the inner peace he knew he needed; no,
deserved. It had been two weeks since Tsukina’s disappearance and, though he
hadn’t received confirmation, he assumed the old lady and her ninja had done
their jobs. Certainly, the rest of the province assumed the ronin had killed
her and even now no protests were made as he arranged for his new marriage, a
cousin of the Shogun, a move that would increase his standing greatly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, things were good and yet
something still nagged at him. A looming sense of dread that things were going
too well for him and that he would have to make recompense for his sins. The
recompense would come with the sound of thunder on this clear day and a sharp
pain in his chest. Looking down, blood poured from his body, dyeing his white
robes crimson. His last vision of this world would be to a tree near the edge
of his garden, where drifting smoke couldn’t obscure a figure dropping to the
ground and escaping into the undergrowth. The governor smiled as he passed from
this world and into the next, finally finding the peace he long sought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The governor’s guards would look in
vain for his assassin; never suspecting the three peasants they passed on the
road to the Iga province, were the killer and his accomplices, an old man and a
lovely, young woman. They never suspected that the loads the commoners carried
on their backs hid weapons, including a contraband gaijin gun. No, they did not
suspect the travelers any more than the travelers suspected they were being
watched from the shadows by an old woman and her companion, a tall figure
wearing a silver crow mask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-77589855609694760702014-03-13T16:41:00.001-07:002014-03-13T16:43:15.874-07:00Death in Dacia
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The rider
gently urged his mount further down the forest trail, mindful of the late
summer heat. His own tunic was soaked with sweat underneath his mail shirt as
he began weighing his options. It was late in the afternoon and darkness came quickly
in the dark forests of Dacia, so the man thought to stop at the next suitable
campsite. Better that than to blunder through this unfamiliar land at night. He
also knew, as tired as he was, the horse would be worse off, carrying a large,
armored man in the stifling heat. He spied a likely campsite when he heard a
sound which made his blood run cold, war horns.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His hand instinctively went to the gladius
at his belt when he first heard the sound, but his mind turned to flight when
he heard the thunderous hooves coming up the trail from behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slapping his horse on its hindquarters, he
shot down the trail, not knowing who pursued him, only that he was outnumbered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Low hanging pine branches struck at his face
and threatened to tear him from his steed as he rushed down the forest path. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Risking a glance at his pursuers, he noted
their swarthy features and thick, black beards. “Scythians!” the man cursed to
himself and tried to push his mount harder, as he expected little mercy from
the nomads. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The racing figures crashed out of the wooded
path and into an open field, the sudden light nearly blinding, even as dim as
it was. The warrior thought he may be able to speed away in the knee high grass
when his horse stumbled. Pulling back on the reigns sharply, he tried to curse
all the gods in one breath, but that breath was better saved as the horse
righted itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That one misstep,
however, was just enough for the Scythians to gain ground and several began
tossing lassoes toward him. Two loops flew around him and slid over his chest
and pinned his arms to his sides as they tightened. He was snatched off his
mount as it tried to carry on with its flight and he slammed into the ground
hard. A group of his pursuers continued after his horse, while four stopped to
subdue him. He didn’t speak their language, but he understood the kicks and
punches and he did his best to curl into a ball for protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing no resistance, the nomads secured his
hands and feet with smaller lengths of rope and took his gladius and dagger
from him. When the other riders returned with his horse, he was blind folded
and tied across it and led away by his new captors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like they had ridden for an
eternity when he had heard the sounds, a low hum that rose to a chattering and
finally to the low roar of a village. His chest burned from lying across the
horse’s saddle and his back ached from the animal’s gait. It was almost a
relief when his captors released the bonds tying him to the beast and shoved
him to the ground, but, blind folded and still bound hand and foot, he had no
way to protect himself and fell heavily to the ground. The blind fold was
undone and the rest of his bonds were cut, but rough hands held him down and
his mail shirt was roughly pulled off, despite his struggles. He was stripped
to his breech cloth, with his hands bound once again behind his back, and a
noose, attached at the end of a long pole, was slipped around his neck. He was
lifted to his feet and forced forward and into the encampment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Scythians lined up along the path to hurl
what he guessed to be insults at him, as well as food and offal. The lanes
between yurts were narrow and he was constantly being slapped and pinched by
assailants from within the mass of howling savages. Though he stood nearly a
head taller than anyone he had seen thus far, his bonds prevented any defense
from the onslaught and he was nearly blind from pain and spittle when he was
brought to a sudden halt in a clearing near the center of the camp. Forced to
his knees, he saw before him a raised wooden deck, on which sat an older
Scythian on an elaborately carved wooden throne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chieftain wore grey breeches and a red
tunic of fine silk, as well a scale corselet for armor, much like the four
guards who flanked him on the deck. All were well armed, with swords at their
belts and battle axes in hand. It was the figure just behind the nomad leader
that piqued the prisoner’s interests the most, a woman.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike the few women he had seen so far in the
camp, this woman was dressed as a warrior, with scale armor, tunic, and breeches,
like the men. Her features were attractive; olive complexion, hazel eyes, black
hair, but she had a predatory look to her. Her grip on the haft of her axe was
natural and her stance was that of a great cat; relaxed, but ready to kill at a
moment. The life of a nomad was a harsh one and it showed in her lean features.
The captive locked eyes with her for a moment and something flickered there, a
brief smile. Was she mocking him or appraising him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t have time to consider it as the
older man stood and, waving his hands grandly, began to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The chieftain seemed quite the orator,
though he spoke in Scythian, the man noted how the speaker’s voiced ebbed and flowed
and the crowd hung on every word. The mob murmured knowingly during the hushed
lines and howled with approval during bombastic interludes. Then, with little
warning, the captive was yanked to his feet and pulled through the crowd again.
The guards forced him down a different muddy path and to a long row of low,
wooden cages. There, he was made to crawl into one of the cages, for they were
too small for him to stand upright, or even fully stretch out. He noted that,
while there were occupants in some of the other cages, the ones adjacent to him
were vacant. This suited him. He would need to concentrate on escaping, if he
could, but a pair of guards was always nearby. He tried to relax, as best he
could, and waited to see if he would get an opportunity out of his predicament.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wasn’t sure how long he had dozed, but the moon was high in the sky when he was
awakened by voices near his cell. His interest grew as he realized one of the
voices belonged to a woman. He stayed silent and feigned sleep as he heard the
soft padding of footsteps coming towards his cell. His ruse was cut to an
abrupt end as he was poked in the side with the butt of a spear. He tried to
jerk upright and, forgetting how small his accommodations were, hit his head on
the top of the cage. This solicited laughs from the woman. The same woman he
had seen earlier beside the Scythian chieftain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She was dressed as before, though she did
not have her axe with her. She did still have long knife at her belt and she
held a spear. She handed the latter to the guard and spoke what must have been
a command, for he promptly took the spear and walked just out of sight of the
pens. The woman dropped to her haunches and studied the man, who was covered
now with mud from his nap on the bare ground.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Who are you?” The German language sounded
unwieldy on her tongue. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
man hesitated but for a moment. He was curious now. “I am Barius of the Belgae.
I hail from the lands North of Gaul and I was travelling in peace before your
people ambushed me.” He replied.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell me, Barius of the Belgae from North of
Gaul, what brings you here?” that same hint of a smile playing on her shadowy
face. “You’re from one of the German tribes, but your sword and the coins in
your purse are Roman. Are you a mercenary? Perhaps you’re a bandit or thief?”
Her whispers were accusatory hisses on his ears.” Maybe, just maybe, you’re a
deserter?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His reply was quick and terse; “One, those
charges are rich coming from a Scythian and two, my past means nothing now.
I’ve heard of your people and I suspect my end is coming. I only wish for wine
in my belly and a blade in my hand, so that I may enter Valhalla as a true man
should.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
gave a genuine laugh at his statement. “I cannot promise wine for you now, but
you’ll have your chance with a blade, I think. “ She rose to leave. “Try and
sleep, you’ll need your strength for tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s tomorrow?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tomorrow, we’re recruiting for our war
band” was her reply.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“One
more question” he called to her back as she walked away. “What’s your name?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Humaya” replied the shadowy figure. He let
her name settle into his mind as he drifted towards sleep. He did not allow the
thought that tomorrow could be his last trouble him. What good was questioning
the will of the Gods?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barius was already awake when the guards came
for him; the sounds of the awakening camp bringing an excited droning sound to
his cell. The gate was opened and he crawled out; stretching to loosen the
cramps in his back and legs. The four guards did not bother to rebind his
limbs; rather they walked in a tight formation around him with their hands on
their sheathed swords. The group marched to a wooden corral surrounded by a
throng of shouting tribe’s folk; some were booing as he approached. Others
cheered for him and he soon realized why; three other men, dressed only in loin
clothes like him were standing in the corral. This was to be a blood sport of
some kind and he was to be a contestant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was already sizing up the other men as
he stepped into the ring. Two were Scythians; nearly a head shorter than him,
but with wiry muscles. They wore thick beards and the facial scars common to
their people. The third man appeared to be Roman and was nearly the same height
as Barius.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man’s barrel like chest
was a patchwork of scars and his head was clean shaven. The Belgian marked him
as the most dangerous as the crowd quieted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nomad chieftain had taken his place next
to the rail; Humaya by his side. The mob listened intently as their leader
spoke to them. Even though Barius could not speak their tongue, it was obvious
the chieftain knew how to play a crowd. His voice boomed and he knew when to
give dramatic pause, as well as to elicit occasional laughter from the crowd.
When he finished his speech to the cheering mob, he produced Barius’ gladius
and threw it, end over end, so that it stuck into the dirt in the center of the
corral. Then, the fight was on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barius leapt over the blade and directly onto
the tall Roman; grasping for his throat. His target was unprepared for the
sheer savagery of the assault and the Belgian’s weight bowled him over and the
barbarian’s hands, strengthened by his momentum, snapped his neck. Barius stood
up, consumed by the red rage, and barely saw the two Scythians, one who now
held the sword, through the haze of battle. The armed nomad charged with a
scream and thrust at Barius with the blade, which was easily side stepped.
Catching the nomad’s outstretched arm in the crook of his left arm, Barius
simultaneously head butted his foe, shattering nose and teeth, and yanking upward
on the sword arm, breaking it. The small man’s muffled scream was cut short by
a smashing fist to the throat, crushing his windpipe. The final fighter tried
to leap onto the Northman and catch him off guard, but Barius was too quick in
retrieving his fallen blade. The Scythian just whimpered as he tried to hold
his guts in his newly opened stomach until his throat was slit by the victor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crowd was silent as the warrior held up
his hands, covered with mud and gore, and unleashed a victory roar that was as
much beast as man. The entire fight was over in a matter of minutes and the
crowd was stunned by the display they had just seen. As the exultant roar
echoed through the camp, they too screamed and cheered for the champion of the
day. Barius let this all sink in as he turned to the chieftain; who first
stared back at him with a hard gaze and then, pointing at him, yelled to the
crowd. The crowd erupted enthusiastically again and the corral was opened.
Barius was led away, not as a prisoner he sensed, but as a friend, and many
tribesmen crowded around him to clap him on the back or shake his hand. The
sudden change in the crowd, combined with the loss of adrenaline, made his head
swim and he was thankful when he was led to a yurt and allowed inside. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The candle lit interior of the tent was
sparsely furnished and what was in there was at odds with his notion of what
should be in a nomad’s tent. A large bronze mirror stood across from a large
bath tub of hot water and in between was small table with a stack of towels and
a small cup of soap. The only thing that truly looked at home was a pile of
furs on the floor; his future bed it seemed. No one had followed him into the
tent and he noticed no guards outside, though a small crowd of admirers had
stayed just within view of the tent. In fact, with all of the confusion, he
realized he still held the sword in his hand. Taking one of the towels, he
wiped the blood that was still on the blade off and, not having his scabbard,
leaned the sword against the tub. He then pulled the tent flap closed and,
removing his filthy loin cloth, settled slowly into the bath tub.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barius remained in the tub long after the
water turned cold; clean and relaxed for the first time in weeks. He exited the
tub and stared at his blurry reflection in the mirror. Scars crisscrossed his
torso; some from battle, others were reminders of punishment from his time with
the Legions. He had also lost weight after deserting, though he was still in
good shape. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He idly wondered what his
former officers would have thought of his shoulder length, tawny hair and thick
beard. He now looked more like his barbarian ancestors than the Romans who had
kept him first as a political hostage and then as a soldier.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So enthralled was he in his thoughts
that he did not hear the gentle swish of the tent flaps as they were opened and
closed. The unexpected slap on his ass startled him and his subsequent leap
brought laughter from behind him. Turning, he tried to bring a towel up to
cover himself and came face to face with Humaya. She had a bundle in her arms
and the smile of a prankster on her face. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You clean up well” she purred, setting the
bundle on the table. Unlike her earlier attire, she was dressed in a much more
feminine manner; red, silken pajamas with a white, gauzy robe. With her kohl
painted eyes and jewelry, she would not have appeared out of place in a Persian
palace. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
brought you some clothes and your scabbard.” She began to press close to him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I would have thought you’d have a servant do
that for you.” Responded Barius, eyeing the beautiful Scythian, who now stalked
around him in a circle, studying his lean, scarred body.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My people are very…hands on.” She placed a
hand on his chest and pressed close to him. “And I wanted…needed to see you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her scent, now surrounding him, kindled a new
fire within him. The fragrant mixture of perfume and sweat ate at his senses
and he leaned toward to connect his lips with hers. Her resistance to the act
was token at best and soon she responded to the gesture in kind, even more
passionately than he, even.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking her
backwards, mouths locked, he eased her down onto the pile of furs and silken
sheets that was to be his…no…their bed. His hands began to remover her
garments, exploring her body and seeking her most sensitive parts. It was to be
a long night for the both of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
next few days were a whirlwind of activity for Barius, who was now accepted by
most of the nomads, though some were obviously patronizing in their attitude
towards him. He was taught to be a better rider and how to use the Scythian
composite horse bow, neither of which he was particularly good at, considering
that his new people were taught these things from their childhood forward. He
fared better with the sagaris and kopis, the former a type of battle ax with a
spike on the reverse of the ax head and the latter a crescent shaped sword;
it’s cutting edge in the concave curvature of the blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even learned some of their language,
mostly salutations and obscenities, but he was sure he could pick up on more,
later. The nights were, of course, spent in the warmth of Humaya and her
passions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was after his first week among the tribe
that the chieftain, who Barius now knew as Jomos, called for the tribe to move.
The Belgian had something new to learn; how to quickly pack everything to
travel. He had learn the basic of this during his time with the legions, but
the Scythians made the Romans look like amateurs in this aspect. They began at
dawn and, by mid-morning, an entire tribe was ready to move.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barius’ horse had been returned to him and he
now rode it beside Humaya, who was on her own horse. He was dressed as a
Scythian now, with leather boots, baggy breeches, and a long tunic. He still
wore his own mail shirt and his gladius and pugio were at his belt. He did now
have a horse bow and two quivers of fifty arrows each, though his confidence in
his ability with the weapon was still questionable. He was laughing at a joke
from his lover, Humaya, when he caught a glare from Jomos, who was riding at
the front of the column.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why does your uncle always stare at me
with such venom?” Barius looked to the woman who had become so much of his
world. “I don’t think I’ve knowingly insulted him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s jealous of you.” Her whisper tickled
his ear. “He wants me for himself.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s your uncle!” Barius spoke a little too
loudly and, embarrassed, quickly lowered his voice at Humaya’s icy grimace. “He
cares not for that fact?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It doesn’t matter to him. He’s a drunkard and
lecher. He has tried to bed me before, but I dissuaded him with the blade I
keep under my pillows.” Her countenance grew cold as she spoke. “Also, my
father was chief, so, if the gods bless me with a son, he would be the next
chieftain. I have spent years learning to fight as a man to protect myself from
my own family.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barius nodded in reply as they lapsed
into an uncomfortable silence. He wasn’t certain what to say to her and, even
if he did, he didn’t know what her reaction would be. In truth, though he had
lain with whores and camp followers, he could not deny that this was the first
time that he had developed feelings for a woman and he was a bit frightened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He was
relieved when Jomos called for a halt to the procession, though his curiosity
was piqued as the tribe’s scouts returned and engaged the chieftain in a
lengthy conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What do you think that’s about?” He
turned to ask Humaya, but she was already riding forward to interject herself
into the conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barius
sighed and rode forward, trying to remain a respectful distance, as he was
still a newcomer, but close enough to try get the gist of a conversation a
language he did not truly know.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The scouts
seemed excited about something they had found, but Humaya acted indifferent to
their news, whatever it was.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jomos,
however, seemed quite interested in the report and he snarled something in
their language to his niece, but his eyes were on Barius the entire time, even
after punctuating his speech with a harsh laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Humaya urged
her horse from the circle gathered around her uncle and pulled alongside a
reddening Barius and his steed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What was that
about?” He asked her tersely, his knuckles whitening on the reigns. He did not
like to be mocked, particularly when he could not understand the insults.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The scouts
have seen a small fortress nearby. My uncle wishes for a small group, including
you and me, to ride to it and determine if they are friend or foe.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then what
was the laughter about?” He wanted to know, his anger still simmering just
below his flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He still thinks that you must prove
yourself to the tribe and he thinks that you will try and desert us as you did
the Romans.” There was a hint of pain and fear in her voice. She was worried
that her uncle was right.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I make no
promises for his sake, but I swear, by the Gods, that I will not desert you.”
He reached out and stroked her cheek, a rare public display of affection
between the two.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Their moment
was broken by shouted commands from Jomos and a flurry of activity from the
Scythians. In short order, most of the tribe began to set up camp while twenty
horsemen, as well as Barius and Humaya, joined the chieftain. With a few more
instructions to one of his lieutenants, who was staying behind to watch the
camp, Jomos led the small expedition out into the lengthening shadows of the
Dacian wilderness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barius was
on edge. His people held that the night held terrors and his own experiences in
Germania did not help. He rode with a hand on the grip of his gladius and his
eyes scanning every bush and bough he could see. It stung his pride that the
few people he told his tale to, even Humaya, did not believe him, but he pushed
this from his mind as one of the scouts pointed out their destination,
silhouetted in the now risen moon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The fort was a simple affair; a great
hall surrounded by a ditch and wooden palisade. Barius noted some other smaller
buildings, likely a stable and smithy, as they crossed the bridge and entered
the open gate. The warrior also spotted several men and women moving about the
grounds, likely finishing their chores, one of whom approached the party.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man, like the others they had
seen, was pale and emaciated, wearing the garb of a peasant. His eyes were wide
and moist and stared out from behind his black bangs with just a hint of
wildness in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knelt his head to
Jomos as the horseman tried to speak to him in the Scythian tongue. The unkempt
man replied in a halting dialect of the nomad’s language, which Humaya
translated for Barius.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He says
that he is Dardanos, a servant of Zia, the mistress of this place and that she
will welcome peaceful travelers such as ourselves.” She paused, having to
decipher his strange accent. “He will lead us to where we can stable the
horses”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What do you
think are your uncle’s intentions?” He whispered as the servant led them into
the compound.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He will
likely look for weakness. If there is one he can exploit, we will return with
more warriors and take what we want. If it’s not worth the effort, we will pass
the place by.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They lapsed
into silence as they approached the long, open pavilion, under which they
secured their mounts. Barius was no horseman, but he did note that the beasts
were jittery. He wanted to ask about it, but the rest of the party had already
tied the animals off and begun walking to the wooden keep. He patted his horse
reassuringly and jogged to catch up to the others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The hall,
filled with dancing shadows from the numerous braziers along the walls, was
dominated by several long benches down the center of room. These tables were
rapidly being covered with platters of food and goblets of drink by the
servants for their guests. It was the figure at the end of the table, sitting
in an elaborate wooden throne that caught Barius’ undivided attention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The woman
looked to be in her late twenties; her face pale with just a hint of baby fat
still on her and dark, reddish- brown hair. Her burgundy robes announced her
noble roots better than her servant could, but it was her light blue eyes that
held the former soldier’s attention. In fact, he was glad he was still wearing
his mail given the elbow that his female companion gave him in his ribs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dardanos
stood to the side of his mistress and spoke to her, loudly and theatrically,
obviously announcing her guest’s arrival to her. She spoke, also in a dialect
of Scythian, and gestured for everyone to take seats.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The food and wine flowed freely and soon
so did the laughter, though Barius could not share in most of it. He was an
outsider again, as he had been in Rome. He tried not to sulk and instead
studied those around him. In particular interest was his new chieftain and
their host. Jomos was already deep into his cups and gazing upon the young
woman with a mixture of love and undisguised lust, and the noblewoman was returning
his attention back to him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was no
surprise, therefore, when their hostess rose, that she would extend her hand
and help the Scythian chieftain stand, walking with him to the far end of the
hall. This is where her private sleeping area would be, separated from the rest
of the hall by a curtain of furs. The rest, guest and servant alike, rolled out
blankets on the floor of the hall and soon the air was filled with a chorus of
snores, Barius and Humaya joining them in short order.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The darkness
of sleep rushed from Barius as he felt the elbow of Humaya in his ribs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wake up.”
The whisper sounded like a roar to his groggy brain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?” His
query angrier than his intent. “Sorry, what ails you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Palacus went to check on the horses
and has yet to return. I worry about him.” Her voice pleaded from the shadows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He probably
fell asleep among the beasts,” He stood and began to dress, slipping on his
mail shirt and sword belt over his clothes out of habit. “But I’ll check on
him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He leaned
over and kissed her, savoring her warmth before forcing himself to pull away.
He gave her a quick smile as he began to wind his way around and over the
sleeping bodies scattered throughout the hall, the low burning braziers
providing just enough light to navigate by. Slipping out the doors, the cool
night air a welcome caress after the stagnant air of the great hall. A near
perfect night but for one thing; the silence that assaulted the warrior’s
senses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He pulled
his gladius as he approached the stables, the weight comforting in his sweaty
palm. He needed that security as he saw what had become of their horses, the
stalls now a charnel house of shredded entrails and gore painted walls. He was
a battle hardened killer, yet even his stomach roiled at the sight before him.
He closed his eyes, trying to filter the scene before him, when he heard the
first sound since stepping outside; a wet, slurping sound coming from one of
the far stalls.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barius
glided silently through the shadows, sword at the ready. Looking through each
stall, he stopped before the final opening, a narrow beam of moonlight
illuminating a figure hunched over a quivering mass, the obscene sounds filling
the small room. The thing looked up, despite the Belgian’s stealth, and Barius
gave a gasp. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was Dardanos, or at least had
been. His pale skin, however, was stretched tightly over his bony frame, like a
corpse, while his red eyes glowed with an unnatural rage. It’s fang filled
mouth and clawed fingers were covered with blood, the blood of Palacus, whose
body lay under the creature with a ravaged throat. It leapt forward with a
feral roar, slashing at Barius with its razor sharp claws.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The warrior
backpedaled, parrying the creature’s wild swings with his blade, amazed at its
speed and strength. Despite the thing’s emaciated looks, it felt as though
Barius was slapping his sword against tree trunks. He was quickly beginning to
tire, while the beast was still relentless in its assault. He missed a block
and the thing landed a vicious backhand that sent the warrior through the air,
sending him through a wooden wall of the stable, his sword clattering to the ground
a few feet away from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to
stand, thankful that his armor took the brunt of the blow and saving his ribs,
but the thing was on him, its claws seeking his throat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Humaya stood
and finished adjusting her belt. Her instincts were on fire and she needed to
know Barius was alright. She slid her kopis into its scabbard and picked up her
axe, prepared to find her lover when she heard the sounds; a low, savage
growling. Scanning around her, she saw movement among the Dacians; a slinking,
feral movement highlighted by red eyes that glowed in the shadows. She wished
that she had taken the time to put on her scale armor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barius
remained locked in mortal combat with the monster, his hands locked on the
thing’s wrists, his muscles burning. The thing tried biting at his face,
forcing him to release with his left hand and grip its throat. The creature
used this opportunity to bury its claws in his shoulder, causing a groan of
pain from the warrior. Knowing he was losing, Barius began to look about
frantically for a weapon, anything to turn the tide in his favor. An object
caught his eye, a large hunk of wood, broken to form a point. He let go of the
thing’s other wrist and reached for the makeshift weapon, his sudden movement
throwing the slavering monster off balance. Rolling over on top of his
attacker, Barius slammed the wooden point into the thing’s heart, black ichor
spraying from the wound. The warrior, partially blinded by the arterial spray,
began to use the butt of his hand to hammer the improvised stake deeper into
the thing’s heart. Not ceasing until it finally stopped twitching.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The warrior
stood up, body aching, and wiped the smelly black fluid from his face. He
jumped as the thing unleashed a final death scream and began to disintegrate,
ash floating away, leaving only a handful of badly deteriorated bones. He only
had a moment’s reprieve before the sounds of screams drew his attention to the
longhouse. Picking up his sword, he began to run to the great hall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Stand and
fight!” Humaya was screaming, her hands filled with both axe and sword. She
knew not what these things were, but they were tearing through her people like
wild animals. Even their iron blades were no match for this Hellish onslaught
and her heart began to waver. Were she to die without Barius by her side?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barius threw
open the doors and immediately began to scan the shadowy room for his love.
Seeing her near the wall, leading a semi-circle of Scythians in a desperate
defense against the creatures, he began to wade through the bloody chaos to
join by her side, swinging his blade in an attempt to push through the current
of bodies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I thought
I’d lost you!” She embraced him tightly, her warmth helping to negate some of
the pain he felt. “What shall we do?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The soldier
looked around and saw Jomos standing near the partitioned off section of the
building. He pointed to him with his sword, forgetting his earlier feelings
about the man who was the Belgian’s liege, like him or no.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We grab
your uncle and we leave this accursed place! Follow me!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He set off across the room,
avoiding the many writhing obstacles in his path, when one of the things leapt
at him, its tattered dress showing it to have been a woman once. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He instinctively respond with a backwards
slash with his blade, beheading it as much by accident as by design. Much to
his astonishment, the creature disintegrated with a screech; a mass of ash
exploding onto the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So there are more than one way to
kill these things.” He muttered under his breath before turning to the wide
eyed Humaya and smiling. “I know it was impressive, but we still need to get
out of here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They made their way to Jomos who,
though armed and armored, stood about as though in a daze. Humaya looked him in
the eyes, trying to find the man within.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Uncle, we must go!” She cried in
her native tongue, shaking him by the arms. She looked over her shoulder.
Barius and a few of the others had made it this far, but they were surrounded
by the things. The rest of their party was dead, their blood a feast for the
demonic creatures. Looking back again, she saw the lady of the house emerge
from behind the curtains where she had been sleeping, her movements both
sensuous and predatory. This was when Jomos raised his sagaris and brought it
down on the shoulder of Barius, oblivious to his niece’s screams.<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barius was not sure if
instinct or the will of the gods allowed him to twist away from Jomos’ blow,
but between this stroke of Fortune and his mail, a fatal blow was avoided. Even
so, the shot numbed his left hand and threw him off balance, making it hard for
him to parry the savage blows his chieftain continued to rain down upon him. He
gave ground and the creature parted for them, watching in fascination as these
two mortals fought amongst them. It was like Barius was back in the fighting
pit again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Humaya looked on in confused
terror. Between the horrors of the night and now the battle between the two men
of her life, she had never felt so helpless before in her life. She didn’t even
notice the Lady Zia move up behind her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You are a lovely one, in a rough
way.” The Lady’s voice oozed like honey from her pouty lips, the nearness of
the woman’s voice startling the nomad.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Humaya spun on her heels, weapons
up, to face the noblewoman, who was eyeing her in a disturbingly way, much as
her uncle had when he had drank too much. The nomad gulped for air, her arms
were getting heavy as she looked into those deep blue pools that were Zia’s
eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What are you?” Humaya whispered,
mesmerized by the woman’s serpentine glare.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We are Strigoi and we are
ancient.” The vampiress moved close to her prey. She leaned in to whisper into
the nomad’s ear, her voice husky with desire “I will not kill you, my little
bunny. I will make you one of us, and perhaps your barbarian, as well, and we
shall love and feast forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The mention of Barius brought
strength back to Humaya’s limbs and she shoved the undead demon away from her
with a savage scream. Raising her weapons she surged towards the former
noblewoman with a berserker’s fury.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barius barely ducked a high swing
from Jomos’ axe, but the effort sent him sprawling on the ground. He rolled
away from a downward stroke, but the axe did land across the soldier’s sword,
breaking the blade. Seizing the opening, Barius sent a kick into the
chieftain’s gut, doubling him over. Grabbing a handful of hair, the Belgian cut
Jomos’ throat with what little blade was left on his sword’s hilt. Barius saw a
flash of clarity in his foe’s eyes before they closed for good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barius grabbed the chieftain’s
sagaris and sprung to his feet, his brief reprieve from the creatures over.
They surged at him like a tidal wave and he fought for space, swinging the axe
with abandon. One of these wild swings caught the edge of one of the braziers
and it toppled over, burning coals spilling onto the floor and onto the undead.
Much to his amazement, the monsters easily caught ablaze, like kindling, and a
plan began to form in his head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran across the room, shoving and swinging
his axe, clearing a path to the next brazier. Hooking the lip of the fire pit
with the beard of the axe, Barius pulled it down with all his might, barely
leaping out of the way of the burning embers. He began to run to the next one,
his sight drawn past his goal to where Humaya battled for her life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The two women fought back and
forth, blade versus claw, the Strigoi stronger and faster, but was used to prey
that didn’t fight back. Humaya, however, was a warrior experienced beyond her
years and rage and instinct had pushed her fears from her mind. In a final rush
of fury, the female warrior shoved the immortal to the ground, mounting her and
raising her kopis above her head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Please,” Zia’s face suddenly soft,
tears streaming from her eyes. “I can give you eternity. I promise.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, I’m giving you eternity.”
Humaya brought down the blade across the vampiress’ throat, beheading her in a
fountain of gore. The horsewoman stood as the undead began to decay, hundreds
of years of aging occurring in mere seconds. Shaking the ash from her breeches,
she turned to see Barius kicking over the brazier closest to her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Let’s go!” He gathered her into
her arms and began to herd her towards the door. The fire had begun to spread
throughout the room, the Strigoi panicking as they burst into flames. The two
warriors raced forward, swinging their blades to carve a path before them.
Bursting out of the door, Barius held the doors shut while Humaya pushed a
small cart in front of the exit, locking the things inside the burning building
before retreating outside of the wooden palisades, where they both collapsed
from exhaustion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Are you well, my Love?” He asked
breathlessly, pulling her close to him. His adrenaline had begun to subside and
pain began to weary his bones.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I am” She whispered. “Do you think
they’re gone?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I think so.” He kissed the side of
her head. “Still, we need to move.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, not yet. I want to watch it
burn.” Her voice steady as the flames lit her eyes. “You know, I am next in
line to rule the tribe…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And?” Barius tilted his head to
her, quizzically.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That means that my husband would
become chieftain.” She answered, snuggling deeper into his arms “That’s
something to think on.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes,” Barius stared into the
inferno as it reached for the Heavens. “Something to think on, indeed.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-83078866138603178572014-02-02T09:18:00.000-08:002014-02-02T09:18:10.113-08:00A need to vent. I don't like to complain, nor do I like to reveal my feelings. I have never cared to do either of these things, as I don't feel that either is conducive to getting anything accomplished. I do feel the need, however, to vent and I will do so here, as I have no one I can talk to.<br />
<br />
I am depressed. I am the most depressed I have been in years and I am lonely. It's that deep, lonely depression that physically hurts and makes me question why I'm even here. I'm not suicidal, as I consider that an act of cowardice, but I think I've lost sight of myself at some point. I'm just so tired of being alone and being stoic while so many have happiness and warmth and all I have is a cold emptiness.<br />
<br />
I also can't seem to find a way to break the cycle. I don't know that I have anything to offer anyone. I've spent so much of my life helping others and yet I don't know how to help myself.<br />
Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-28404453261607403722012-10-02T18:37:00.000-07:002012-10-02T18:37:07.818-07:00The movies of summer. It has been quite the summer for movies and I would like to take the time to do a little review for the ones I've seen. I really should have done this for each individual movie as I seen it, but I am quite lazy, as anyone who knows me can attest. So, without further adieu;<br />
<br />
1) The Avengers. Easily one of my favorite films, it was everything a superhero film should have been. It was action packed, epic, funny, and respected the source material while being it's own entity. I can't wait to see how the coming up Marvel films ties into it, as well as Avengers 2.<br />
<br />
2) The Amazing Spider-Man. It was very good and I'm very conflicted whether I like this one or the Sam Raimi films better. I do prefer the mechanical web shooters from this film, but I felt Tobey Maguire was better as Peter Parker. I guess, if anything, I would take elements from this movie and the first Raimi film to create the "perfect" Spider-Man film.<br />
<br />
3) Prometheus. One of the best scince fiction films I've seen in a long time as well as one of the most "pure" science fiction films I've seen in a while (as opposed to an action film with sci-fi trappings). It was well acted and filmed beautifully and I enjoyed it thoroughly. There were a few annoying and/ or questionable parts to it, but I doubt there's truly a perfect film out there.<br />
<br />
4) Abraham Lincoln- Vampire Hunter. The less said about this; the better off we'll be. I saw it in a double feature with Prometheus and I'm glad I didn't pay for it alone.<br />
<br />
5) The Dark Knight Rises. An excellent film and a proper ending to the Nolan Batman trilogy.Bane was awesome and Anne Hathaway was hot as Catwoman. My only real complaint is that I felt that there should have been someone a bit more attractive to play Talia al'Ghul, but that is a very minor complaint.<br />
<br />
6) Total Recall. They tried and that's the best I can really say about it. Well...That and Jessican Biel and Kate Beckinsale or gorgeous.<br />
<br />
7)Dredd 3D. I loved it. I felt Karl Urban did really well with the character and I hope it does well enough for a sequel, but I don't have my hopes up for that.<br />
<br />
8)The Bourne Legacy. I didn't care for it, but I saw it a drive-in and it was constantly being interrupted by headlights and people blaring their car radios. I may try and see it again and re-consider my opinion.<br />
<br />
I'm sure I've missed some films that I've seen over the summer, but I hit the major ones here.Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-1864662501704439062012-10-02T13:02:00.002-07:002012-10-02T13:03:32.973-07:00Trying different things. I readily admit to being a bit of a geek. I'm not as hardcore geek as many of my friends and acquaintances, but I do enjoy many of the same diversions. I love comic books, miniature war gaming, and table top role playing games, as well as gnre films and books. There are some things, however, within the sphere of geekdom I had pre-judged, but had never done previously. Two of these things I recently decided to try in an attempt to broaden my own horizons, X-Box Live and World of Warcraft, and I came away with different opinions on each.<br />
I had two coupons for X-Box Live; each for a two day free trial. After signing on for said free trials, I decided to play the online versions of the following games; Call of Duty- World at War, Call of Duty- Black Ops, Call of Duty- Modern Warfare 3, Medal of Honor, and Space Marine. I really enjoyed all of them, with the latter two being my favorites. I still prefer single player campaign for story purposes, but I'll probably get a paid X-Box Live account just to get more out of my games.<br />
I still don't understand why people pay for World of Warcraft. I'm playing the free version and I find it quite boring. It seems to be a lot of running around (as your character) and not much else. I can see playing it if you have nothing else to do, but I know that the game has had a hand in ruining marriages and I'm not sure why. I guess "To each, their own."<br />
Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-59821831251260941022012-03-05T13:40:00.002-08:002012-03-05T13:43:32.111-08:00Doing it all over again.I've decided to do the juice fast again. I'll try and do 30 days again and see where things go from there. I think I did well last time, but doing it just before the holidays meant I've gained the weight back again. I hope this time to do better post-fast since the only "eating" holidays coming up are Easter and my birthday.Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-24093090866836480082012-02-27T08:22:00.001-08:002012-02-27T08:24:22.594-08:00Check it out.<a href="http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/bracken-sends-2/">http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/bracken-sends-2/</a><br /><br />A free military book for the Kindle. Check it out.Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-92037587155633149682012-02-10T10:11:00.000-08:002012-02-10T10:28:09.366-08:00Machine HeadLast night, I had the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunity to see the band Machine Head play at The Masquerade nightclub in Atlanta. It was an incredible show from start to finish. Normally, weeknight shows don't have as much energy as weekend show (people have to go to work/ school the next day, etc.). This show, however, was an exception with non-stop energy from both the band and the crowd. My only problem is that...I'm getting older. I woke up this morning feeling as though I'd been hit by a truck. It was still a great show, however.</span>Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-74744707124797268362012-02-09T07:19:00.000-08:002012-02-09T07:19:15.424-08:00Archeologists: Viking massacre came to unexpected ending<a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2012/01/archeologists-viking-massacre-came-to-unexpected-ending/1">Archeologists: Viking massacre came to unexpected ending</a>Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-88332356631120727932012-02-09T07:14:00.000-08:002012-02-09T07:14:46.011-08:00Roman Empire ran on camel powerInteresting...<a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2012/02/roman-army-ran-on-camel-power/1">Roman Empire ran on camel power</a>Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-3706389477593746382012-02-03T10:14:00.000-08:002012-02-03T10:14:56.781-08:00The Smallest Minority: Yes, It Really IS That Easy...<a href="http://smallestminority.blogspot.com/2012/02/yes-it-really-is-that-easy.html?spref=bl">The Smallest Minority: Yes, It Really IS That Easy...</a>Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-23408255060625306062012-01-30T12:32:00.000-08:002012-01-30T12:48:11.030-08:005 GunsThe current meme floating around the gun forums and blogs is "What five guns would you own if money and other considerations were not a factor?". I've decided to play along and my choices are as follows;<br /><br />1. Thompson .45 SMG- I'm not sure if I'd rather have the classic "gangster" type with the fore-grip and drum magazine or the GI style from WW2, but I definitely want one.<br /><br />2.Vickers Machine Gun<br /><br />3. Spencer Carbine<br /><br />4. Colt Army Model 1860<br /><br />5. M-16 A2 w/ M-203<br /><br />Most of these weapons have history behind them; the fifth one just has boom behind it.Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-12221398539443769502012-01-24T10:41:00.000-08:002012-01-24T10:41:30.829-08:00Filmmaker Oliver Stone would vote for Ron Paul over Obama - The Hill's Blog Briefing RoomThis is interesting.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/206057-oliver-stone-would-vote-for-ron-paul-over-president-obama?utm_campaign=briefingroom&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitterfeed#.Tx77EmKT6FM.blogger">Filmmaker Oliver Stone would vote for Ron Paul over Obama - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room</a>Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-20358619826123793012012-01-18T08:43:00.000-08:002012-01-18T08:44:29.750-08:00A little late...http://sopastrike.com/strike/Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-25583264605324162212012-01-17T08:49:00.000-08:002012-01-17T08:49:28.617-08:00Mall Ninja - Street Smarts | SWAT Magazine<a href="http://www.swatmag.com/content/articles/view/mall_ninja#.TxWls9YDc_g.blogger">Mall Ninja - Street Smarts SWAT Magazine</a><br /><br />An interesting article on the "Mall Ninja". While I'm sure that such people have always existed, I think the current ease of access of information and gear (via the internet, etc.) has caused a greater crop than before.Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-88694982212206975032012-01-16T09:50:00.001-08:002012-01-16T09:50:47.438-08:00Not quite the "Four Rules"...<a href="http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/16/13-politically-incorrect-gun-rules/">http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/16/13-politically-incorrect-gun-rules/</a>Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-46995287093313719092012-01-10T07:05:00.000-08:002012-01-10T07:05:51.046-08:00A Girl and Her Gun: An Open Letter To The Anti-Gun Folks<a href="http://agirlandhergun.blogspot.com/2012/01/open-letter-to-anti-gun-folks.html?spref=bl">A Girl and Her Gun: An Open Letter To The Anti-Gun Folks</a>: An excellent read.Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-31015422957009737202012-01-10T06:58:00.000-08:002012-01-10T06:58:41.400-08:00Beezow Doo-Doo Zopittybop-Bop-Bop arrested<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45926359/ns/us_news-weird_news/t/beezow-doo-doo-zopittybop-bop-bop-arrested/#.TwxR4S1Vznw.blogger">Beezow Doo-Doo Zopittybop-Bop-Bop arrested</a><br /><br />Wow...Just...Wow...Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-40883151763542094162012-01-06T13:23:00.000-08:002012-01-06T13:41:56.552-08:00Bizarre Dream.I went to sleep early last night and slept well much of the night. I woke up, however, around 4 AM and, after going to the restroom, began having one of the more disturbing nightmares I can recall having.<br />I was seated in an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">amphitheatre that had dinner tables facing a stage and was packed with well dressed people. Waitresses moved along the rows taking orders and making suggestions. My waitress, as I recall, was quite lovely and suggested I have a hamburger. I thought (in dream think) that this was odd, given the upscale aura of the place, but I ordered it on her suggestion. Upon receiving my burger, I noticed that the patty was seared black on the outside, but raw and bloody on the inside. I looked up from my plate to complain to my waitress, who had been standing on the edge of vision the entire time, to discover her entire face was a ruined mess. It essentially looked like a bloody mass of ground beef with eyes. I looked at the other people around me, and they were all gory and burning. I recall someone, possibly the waitress stating that this was Hell and at that point, I woke up.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span>Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-24732306788184263932012-01-06T13:15:00.000-08:002012-01-06T13:23:08.331-08:00Easier to pack on than shed...Well, over the holidays, I managed to regain several of the pounds I had lost in October. This was due not only to traditional holiday eating, but just bad eating in general. Money was tight, as it is so often during the holidays, and I ate fast food instead of being disciplined. I hope to correct this soon.Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-5181724146826944462011-11-18T11:30:00.000-08:002011-11-18T11:37:08.922-08:00One more day to go!I plan on ending the juice diet that I've been on for thirty four days tomorrow. During that time, I've had five meals that consisted of solid foods and I've quit caffeine entirely. It's been a tough, but rewarding experience and I hope to begin eating sensibly, starting this weekend. I think the big test will come this upcoming week with Thanksgiving and then next month with Christmas.Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-72990459773060614272011-11-18T11:29:00.000-08:002011-11-18T11:29:24.073-08:00Ain't that the truth?<a href="http://jovianthunderbolt.blogspot.com/2011/11/tea-party-get-him.html">New Jovian Thunderbolt: Tea Party! Get HIM!</a>Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-86420017687923358372011-11-15T07:44:00.000-08:002011-11-15T07:54:27.408-08:0028 Days Later...Saturday was my 28th day on the juice diet and I was coming off back to back cheat days. Thursday, my friends Brandon and Lauren were married and I ate at the reception, but I did okay calorie-wise, as they had Subway cater and I did have juice and water for the other meals that day. My biggest food sin at the wedding was a piece of the cake, but I think, with all of the standing and walking, I burned it off.<br />Friday was a different matter entirely. My friend Brent, who I haven't seen in years, had come into town for the wedding from California. He invited me to his sister's house for dinner with his fiance and Kristin's husband also in attendance. We cooked burgers out on the grill and also had potato salad. We then had beer and tequila shots to wash it down. It wasn't a very productive night for my diet. I have decided to go another week on the diet to make up for these two cheat days I've had and plan on trying to start eating (sensibly) next week.Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904545100829134258.post-79162969808639077382011-11-07T09:37:00.000-08:002011-11-07T09:46:24.104-08:00Three weeks in...Saturday was my twenty first day on my juice fast/ diet and I'm down to 274 pounds. I'm feeling good. I feel more energetic than before, more aware, and better in general. I am exercising; mostly with kettle bells and resistance bands, but I'm starting to incorporate traditional weights and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">cardio</span> into the regimen, as well. Friday, I'm going to a podiatrist and hopefully I can begin walking more often also. The juice diet isn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it's does take willpower to do. I will be glad when it's over and hope I'll have the same willpower to eat healthy in the future.Themadlemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921762800761829300noreply@blogger.com0