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WORLD, MEET KIRA AND HER COMPANIONS
Posted on 2008.03.31 at 12:56
Today was a "free" day on Ni90 and the gauntlet was thrown down to write something in the world of our stories that would introduce others to our characters and 'verse.
I aimed for something light and silly, but, as usual, my characters decided on another course.
Here is my offering (in 750 words).
Trails of lambs-wool clouds washed across the sky above the meadow where Kira drowsed. Kelmir snoozed nearby, whiskers twitching with the excitement of feline dreams. Perched on the heap of supplies and horse tack, Vaith tucked his scaly head beneath one wing, while Trad cropped at pale grass, chewing with the idle thoughtfulness of equine content. A fly buzzed near and Kira lazily raised a hand to send it on its away.
The Uldast Gnomes had been congenial and their hospitality gracious, but the busy clatter and tumult of the hold and the way the younglings had dashed and darted about had infused her with longing for the tranquility of nature. After only three days, she bade the Gnomes farewell and resumed her journey.
As she traveled, the weather remained clear, the late summer heat nuzzling each leaf and grass-blade like a warm kiss. When she and her companions reached the open glade, it lured her into its embrace with a quiet but irresistible urgency. The thoughts of both Kelmir and Vaith had brushed against hers, shades of calm mixed with a desire to spend time in the enchanting vale. It seemed they, too, were in need of a rest from the clamor of gnome society.
A sudden rush of wings brought Kira fully alert, her senses attuned to an unknown danger. Every dram of calm had vanished from the glade and Vaith no longer perched on the pile of supplies. She sent her mind in search of him. Vaith? A wash of excitement from the little wyvern sent a ripple through her, but his mind was closed to her mental prodding.
Kelmir’s tail lashed at the tall grass. Furry head raised in alarm, he pricked his ears toward the far edge of the meadow. In a rush, he was up on his haunches, then just as quickly he ducked back down and crept forward in a low crouch. Kira followed his line of sight, but saw nothing. Reaching for his mind, she found herself once more closed off from one of her companions.
The rare sensation of being locked out of their thoughts slithered inside her belly like a coiled river eel. Without the ability to see through their eyes, explore with their animal-sharp senses, she felt more than blind. She was cut off. Isolated. Alone.
A glitter of sunlight drew her attention to the edge of the meadow. Something hovered there, suspended on a pair of fluttering diaphanous wings, just outside the tree line. A flash of light streaked from the top of a tall oak, diving toward the glimmering creature, and Kira gasped, choking back a warning that would alert both predator and prey.
She gaped as Vaith checked his swift descent just before the point of impact and swooped back up to land on a branch that jutted from the treetop. At the same instant, Kelmir slouched onto his belly and yawned as if nothing had happened. Kira probed outward, but their minds were still closed to her. She watched in fascination as the shining creature flitted toward her across the wide meadow flying just above the tips of the tall grass.
A humming sound filled her head, growing louder as the creature drew nearer. Kira knew there was something she should do to protect herself, something she needed, but her head was filled with the vibrating sound and her thoughts buzzed around her skull like a swarm of gnats. The creature drew nearer, slowing only long enough to circle Trad, who had continued to crop the meadow grass, as if nothing untoward were happening. When the shimmering entity landed a few feet in front of her, Kira felt the gnats in her head begin to settle and realized she should have armed herself, but the instant her hand jerked toward her knife hilt, the buzzing began anew and she suddenly forgot what she’d been planning to do.
The figure approached. Thin, twig-like, with long limbs and fingers, it stepped forward, iridescent wings furled behind and flapping like the colorful guidons of a princely retinue. A few feet away, it stopped and bowed low, sweeping one arm across its narrow waist and throwing the other backward with a dramatic flourish.
Again, the buzzing in Kira’s head receded. This time she remained still, afraid that any movement would cause the swarming to return. She must stay alert. She had no idea what sort of danger this creature posed.
“I see you like my meadow,” it crooned.
I aimed for something light and silly, but, as usual, my characters decided on another course.
Here is my offering (in 750 words).
Trails of lambs-wool clouds washed across the sky above the meadow where Kira drowsed. Kelmir snoozed nearby, whiskers twitching with the excitement of feline dreams. Perched on the heap of supplies and horse tack, Vaith tucked his scaly head beneath one wing, while Trad cropped at pale grass, chewing with the idle thoughtfulness of equine content. A fly buzzed near and Kira lazily raised a hand to send it on its away.
The Uldast Gnomes had been congenial and their hospitality gracious, but the busy clatter and tumult of the hold and the way the younglings had dashed and darted about had infused her with longing for the tranquility of nature. After only three days, she bade the Gnomes farewell and resumed her journey.
As she traveled, the weather remained clear, the late summer heat nuzzling each leaf and grass-blade like a warm kiss. When she and her companions reached the open glade, it lured her into its embrace with a quiet but irresistible urgency. The thoughts of both Kelmir and Vaith had brushed against hers, shades of calm mixed with a desire to spend time in the enchanting vale. It seemed they, too, were in need of a rest from the clamor of gnome society.
A sudden rush of wings brought Kira fully alert, her senses attuned to an unknown danger. Every dram of calm had vanished from the glade and Vaith no longer perched on the pile of supplies. She sent her mind in search of him. Vaith? A wash of excitement from the little wyvern sent a ripple through her, but his mind was closed to her mental prodding.
Kelmir’s tail lashed at the tall grass. Furry head raised in alarm, he pricked his ears toward the far edge of the meadow. In a rush, he was up on his haunches, then just as quickly he ducked back down and crept forward in a low crouch. Kira followed his line of sight, but saw nothing. Reaching for his mind, she found herself once more closed off from one of her companions.
The rare sensation of being locked out of their thoughts slithered inside her belly like a coiled river eel. Without the ability to see through their eyes, explore with their animal-sharp senses, she felt more than blind. She was cut off. Isolated. Alone.
A glitter of sunlight drew her attention to the edge of the meadow. Something hovered there, suspended on a pair of fluttering diaphanous wings, just outside the tree line. A flash of light streaked from the top of a tall oak, diving toward the glimmering creature, and Kira gasped, choking back a warning that would alert both predator and prey.
She gaped as Vaith checked his swift descent just before the point of impact and swooped back up to land on a branch that jutted from the treetop. At the same instant, Kelmir slouched onto his belly and yawned as if nothing had happened. Kira probed outward, but their minds were still closed to her. She watched in fascination as the shining creature flitted toward her across the wide meadow flying just above the tips of the tall grass.
A humming sound filled her head, growing louder as the creature drew nearer. Kira knew there was something she should do to protect herself, something she needed, but her head was filled with the vibrating sound and her thoughts buzzed around her skull like a swarm of gnats. The creature drew nearer, slowing only long enough to circle Trad, who had continued to crop the meadow grass, as if nothing untoward were happening. When the shimmering entity landed a few feet in front of her, Kira felt the gnats in her head begin to settle and realized she should have armed herself, but the instant her hand jerked toward her knife hilt, the buzzing began anew and she suddenly forgot what she’d been planning to do.
The figure approached. Thin, twig-like, with long limbs and fingers, it stepped forward, iridescent wings furled behind and flapping like the colorful guidons of a princely retinue. A few feet away, it stopped and bowed low, sweeping one arm across its narrow waist and throwing the other backward with a dramatic flourish.
Again, the buzzing in Kira’s head receded. This time she remained still, afraid that any movement would cause the swarming to return. She must stay alert. She had no idea what sort of danger this creature posed.
“I see you like my meadow,” it crooned.