Blue Butterflies

Sorry guys, I guess I haven’t posted anything in a while! There is a reason why though. I’ve been working on a specific story since my first idea came to me when I was eleven. It’s morphed into something completely different since then (save a few of the character names and themes), but the story has been shelved for a long time now. Almost a year! It’s crazy to think that it’s been that long.

Anyway, the story is what I call my “Main Story”. It’s my dream book to be published above any others. It’s the story where my inspiration truly lies. I shelved it because I couldn’t work out some major details involved in its creation, but thanks to a friend who helped me bounce around ideas, I’ve finally figured it out! For the most part, anyway. (I’m sure a million other crazy things will crop up before the end)

So my excuse is that story has pulled my attention pretty severely, but I still want to be writing these quips and snippets! So here’s a new one. Enjoy Blue Butterflies! A prequel to another snippet I've written ;)

Blue Butterflies

“Do it again!” She yells happily into the cool night air. I can only smile at her excitement as the moonlight fills her blue eyes with life. It is enough to make me happy as well, even if it is only for a moment.

“Okay, Sis,” I smile, “are you ready?”

She crouches in her usual pose ready to leap. I reach my hand forward into the light of the full glowing moon and turn my palm to the sky letting it fill me with its power. I can feel the warmth growing inside me. Wind starts blowing through my silver hair and I close my fist.

Taking in a deep breath I spring open my fingers. Wings flutter to life as blue light explodes from my fingertips. She laughs loudly as she soars into the air in an attempt to catch one of the fluttering butterflies before her. She jumps again and again trying to reach the flittering creatures. Specks of blue light sprinkle the air with magic and I can feel my power in the air as if I’m floating through water. I wonder if she can feel it too.

She laughs more as the butterflies evade her small fingers and soar through her golden hair. She stops jumping and turns to me with a content smile. I smile back to her, but somehow I know it falters. Her smile also falls to a look of understanding.There’s a flicker of sadness within me that I know she sees. She knows what I’m feeling. She always does.

“Do you have to go?” She asks with a tinge of sadness covering her sapphire eyes.

“I do.”

She nods and looks to the sky at the glowing moon. “I’ve always liked the moon,” she says quietly, “It always makes me think of you, Big Brother.” The butterflies flit around her like crystal jewels. She reaches her hands up close to her face and one lands on her open palms.

“I’m sorry, Lyn. I wish I didn’t have to, but Granny’s going to take good care of you while I’m gone..”

Lyn lifts the butterfly closer to her eyes. I can see the flickering light glancing off her the ocean of her eyes. She’s so beautiful and it hurts everything inside me to leave her.

I walk nearer to her and kneel to place my eyes at her level, “You’re stronger than you know, Lyn. You have more power in you than I’ve ever had.”

She closes her eyes to shut out the pain. She feels like she needs to be strong for me. It should be the other way around. I smile at her when she looks at me looks at me again. Her eyes line with tears as she tries to hold them back. The water makes her look like she has stars mirroring those in the heavens above.

Letting go of the butterfly, Lyn smiles at me through her glistening eyes, “Just promise you’ll come back, okay?”

“I promise.”

And I hope I can keep it.

Not many of my kind return from the land across the sea. The king outlawed magic there years ago and it’s punishable by death in most regions. I am completely terrified, but there’s no other way around it. I have to leave. I have to find her. It’s the only way Lyn and I could ever go back to a normal life.

I’m surprised as she jumps and throws her arms around my neck in a tight embrace. She’s warm and it makes me feel so cold. I pull her close and squeeze trying to hold on to the last moment I might ever see her.

“You be good, okay?” I tell her as I try to hold back my own tears. “I’ll come back.”

“You better.” She says lightly as she finally pulls away.

I kiss my her cheek before I turn away towards the dark of the forest before me. I try to stop myself from shaking, but I know it’s no use. With a glance back to Lyn, I give her a smile and start my march forward. My ship leaves at sunrise.

There’s no turning back now.

Frozen Ash, Burning Skies - Quips and Snippets

Hey guys! Sorry I sort of suck at posting in any sort of timely manner, but I shall make excuses! I’ve decided to take on a project to write a novel in 6 months (I can thank Carly again for this idea). I’m filling up posterboards with character ideas, plot points, and a whole assortment of craziness.

I’m really excited, but it does make it harder to write all these quips and snippets. I need it though, so keep watching out for posts! Thanks for reading! I really appreciate any comments you have on it! Enjoy!

Frozen Ash, Burning Skies

            Frozen ash twists through the gray sky. It’s only a few hours past midday and yet you’d never know it. I look to the darkened sky searching for any sign of sun. It was lost long ago as the darkness spread over this country. The Shade had done her work. Many still fight, though I don’t see why. The war ended long ago.

            It’s such a cold night.

I can feel the poisoned air seeping into my lungs. There is no life anywhere I look. Is it my fault? Maybe. But maybe I don’t care. Maybe I’m happier this way. I know I’m lying to myself, but it makes my work easier to survive.

I tred lightly on the charred ground beneath me causing flakes of lofting ash lift with each footstep. Fire. Anger. Peace. It’s all the same emotion to me now. I don’t remember what it was like to be human. I’m nothing near to it now. The Shade made me this way. Years ago, though it feels like yesterday. That idea feels so cliché, but that’s the only way to describe what’s happened to me. That bright eyed brunette that I once saw in the mirror was left behind the day The Shade completely.

            Victims lie prone before me as far as the eye can see. Such terror they must have felt when they saw my army coming, such fear knowing they could never get away in time. I wish I could feel some type of sympathy for their souls, but that was stripped from me the same day they came to take me away. Adults never survived the onslaught, but the children… They would be taken back to the Academy just like I was to be stripped of everything that once made them human.

            I don’t often wonder who I would be now had I not been taken. Things like that are what get you killed at the Academy. But in secret I try to hold on to the dreams I once had. I wanted to be a Singer. Or a Dancer. Or a Quima, a storyteller. All the things that existed back before they came for me. After that there existed but one choice—kill or be killed. I chose the first and the old dreams no longer come to me.

            I see something glint amidst the ashes below me. I crouch to the ground sifting my hands through the rubble and pull a silver arm band from the scorched earth. Lifting it to my eyes I can immediately see the crimson leaves of the Cradac Tree wrapping around a silver crescent moon. It’s the signet held by the Carriers, the only challengers to the throne. We killed at least one of them in this battle.

            The Emperor will be so pleased.

            I feel an unexpected flicker of anger flare inside me. Fire instantly lights in my palms slowly creeping up my arms. I am surprised by my emotion. I feel anger often, but this is something different. I haven’t lost the control of my powers in many years and I don’t even have an explanation for it.

            Why do I feel so angry? Why is this different?

            It feels as if my mind is reaching for some answer I forgot long ago. No… Not forgotten. An answer that was stolen from me. I look back to the band intertwining around my hand. It’s almost glowing as it remains unscathed from the fire searing through my fingertips. I’ve seen these more times than I could ever count, so why does this insignificant band bring me so much disdain?

            Shaking my head, I throw the band back to the earth. The fire dwindles in my hands as I begin to recover my lost breath. I look to the band in the ashes, somehow still polished clean amongst the rubble surrounding it. I want to stomp it down—bury it deep into the soft earth below it. But I can’t… I stand here looking like some traitorous imbecile wavering in my dedication to the Emperor. I have to keep moving. I have to finish disposing of any survivors. But I can’t tear my eyes away.

            I walk back into the gray clouds of cold ash and leave the confusion in my wake. I know who I am. I am one of the Chosen. One of the Elite Guard. I survived the Academy. My loyalty is to my Emperor. My heart and soul belong to her. I shall not waiver.

            Yet the band burns a whole in my pocket. I can feel its light. It feels warm against the ice of my skin, alive, like a heart beating along in time with mine.

art by CGsoufiane

Queen of the Forest - Quips and Snippets

Well, I've realized that if I want to be able to edit my writing and have it turn out a little bit better, I won't be able to post something every day. I think the posts will turn out better this way, so that's the new plan! Hope you enjoy today's story!

Queen of the Forest

"Why are you crying?"
Surprised at the high pitched voice, Peter's head shot up in search for the speaker. He had been alone only moments ago when he had fallen to his knees and yet here was this tiny voice questioning him. The water dripping from his face had come on suddenly and he hadn't expected someone to interrupt his grief.
What once was a surrounding expanse of trees had somehow magically changed without a sound. An impish creature stood above him atop a hill shining two blue eyes in the darkness surrounding them. The creature seemed to be made completely of a dark wood, like a three foot tree with twiggy little limbs. Leading up to it was a range of cracked steps wrapping around a stone carved face weeded with moss.
The imp tweaked it's little head like Peter's dog had liked to do when he whistled "Merry Had a Little Lamb." A deep pain shot through him like searing fire in his heart. What if he never made it home? What if he never saw his family again? He couldn't help but wonder if his parents would remember to feed his dog.
"Why are you crying?" The creature called softly again. Peter felt like he should be afraid of the little impish creature, but something about the thing made him feel safer than he had in a long time.
"My name is Renbar." It said with a slight bow, "You should come with me, sir."
"Where?" Peter asked sniffing back his tears and taking to his feet.
"Come. She is waiting for you."
Renbar turned swiftly away and disappeared on the other side of the hill. Peter was left alone again, only this time he wouldn't let himself cry. He was tired of feeling so helpless. Racing up the steps, Peter chased after Renbar. The smell of the forest completely encompassed him as he ran. It was all so strange and different. The sound of the black trees, the scent of cool grass--nothing was the same as Earth. The well had brought him here and he had no way back.
Skipping in a weave through the trees, Renbar left Peter running to keep up. The path they followed  seemed to stretch on forever through the black forest. His eyes couldn't track of which direction they were going. It took all his concentration just to keep the little creature in sight.
"Wait!" Peter cried as he struggled to keep up. The great roots beneath his feet attacked him as he ran and within moments Renbar passed out of sight.
"Renbar!" Peter called, "Renbar!"
The forest seemed to soak up the words Peter had cried. The black trees gave no hint of understanding and Renbar was too far gone to hear him, but Peter kept running. He had no where else to go, no one else to turn to. Running seemed as good idea as any.
Finally, a root snagged his toe and Peter's legs were swept out from beneath him. He tumbled to the forest floor with a cry of pain. He rolled, elbowing himself hard in the ribs and causing his breath to fly from his lungs. Coughing and sputtering his pain, Peter ended up curled in a ball on the forest floor. He wanted to cry again. He was hurting all over his body and lost in a distant forest in an unknown land. What else could he do but cry?
Through his tear-soaked eyes, Peter saw a light appear brilliantly above him. He squinted up through his tears in an effort to find the source. He could tell it was a person by the silhouette surrounding it. Walking closer to him, the figure held out a hand. Shakily, Peter took it. He wasn't scared; just like Renbar, he felt a certain peace emanating from the person. Fear wasn't the reason he was shaking.
Peter looked into the face of the person that had pulled him up. Flowing blonde hair fell upon her white dress. He found that the light didn't hurt his eyes anymore, nor did it cast any shadows around him.
"Who are you?" Peter asked.
The woman only smiled, her brilliant blue eyes sparkling with joy. Something about the smile looked familiar. And those eyes... Peter knew those eyes. He had seen them his whole life. They were his eyes, but they were also....
"Mom?"


art by John-Paul Balmet

The Magician - Quips and Snippets

Hello all! Here goes my first post. I couldn't be more terrified about posting my writing for all to see, but here we are. I'm going to try and post something every day for 30 days (Thanks Carly Higgins for the inspiration). I may miss a day or two so I apologize for that. Take a moment, grab a cup of coffee, juice, water, soda, or anything that soaks your fancy and read a little fantasy.

THE MAGICIAN

Adrianne strut down the street trying to ignore the hustle and bustle of the Pier Folk around her. She never liked this place. It was always too noisy and full of drunk men looking for something no sane woman would ever give them. The dilapidated houses stank of rot and she couldn’t help but feel like the world was watching her everytime she entered into the disgusting streets.

Adrianne had grown up in a place much like the Pier. Perhaps that was what made her so evasive towards the area. Her mother had run off with some pirate and her father… Well he might as well have left her too. She spent her entire childhood begging for scraps on the streets. She vowed to never go back to that way of life. It had taken her years, but she had finally made it to the top.

Her heels clacked against the stones as she made her way toward the blacksmith. People like her didn’t mix with people from the Pier. That’s why she was watched so intently. They may not know her name, but her clothes shouted wealth. She didn’t make eye contact with any of those around her. To look into their eyes would give them power to disrupt her.

Just as Adrianne was slithering past some gruff seamen, her gaze fell into the alley on her right. She came to an abrupt stop as her eyes widened in disbelief. A boy with silver hair sat upon a rotten box surrounded by children. His face gave no hint to his age. She would have guessed he was young, but somehow she wasn’t sure. He was clad in blue with a sword laying on the ground to his side, but the thing that had surprised her were the blue butterflies twittering around his open hand.

In front of her very eyes she saw more of the shining blue critters fly from his right pointing finger. Two of the children around him laughed loudly as they chased the flying lights. The third had dropped her bear as she gazed in awe at a little ball of blue fire the boy had conjured in his left hand. The small girl reached her hand out to touch the little light.

“It’s cold.” The little girl said happily as she pulled away.

“Well, we wouldn’t want it to burn you now would we?” The boy said with a smile, “Would you like to hold it?”

The girl’s eyes widened with excitement as she held out her hands, but a shout from Adrianne stopped her in fear.

“What do you think you’re doing!” Adrianne yelled loudly.

The boy looked up with interest as the illusions surroudning him disappeared, “Just playing with some kids, milady.”

Adrianne clacked loudly toward the boy who registered amusement across his face, “Magic was outlawed two seasons ago.”

“Was it now?” the boy said with false surprise as he stood to meet her gaze, “I’d never heard of such a law! I apologize for my rudeness.”

“Don’t even try to feign ignorance, child.” Adrianne said angrily, “You know the law just as well as any.”

“You caught me.” He said with a smirk, holding up his hands, “Take me to your leader.”

“Are you making fun of me?”

“Of course not! I would never dream of stooping to the level of someone like you.”

“Excuse me?” Adrianne gasped.

“How about you leave before anyone gets hurt.” The boy said with the same smirk molded to his face. His eyes burned a dark violet as red fire lit in his palm.

Adrianne didn’t know what to say. She had never been so disrespected by a child. She was being threatened. She glared at the Mage, “You’ve made a powerful enemy today, child. Watch your back.”

Adrianne turned her back on him and started walking proudly away. She had never felt so enraged. The arrogance of Mages is what made the use of magic punishable by death.

“I don’t think I’ll need to,” the mage said from behind her, “you won’t remember any of this.”

There was a flash of light and a burning sensation tracing across her temples. Adrianne shut her eyes in pain, but as instantly as it had come the light disappeared. She looked up back to the street in front of her. What had just happened? What was she supposed to be doing? She couldn’t remember how she had gotten there. Was she in the Pier? She slapped her head remembering her mission to the blacksmith.

Starting off at a brisk pace, she tried to push away the pain sidling onto her temples. She felt like she was supposed to be upset about something, but couldn’t remember what it could be. Frustrated, she glared ahead ignoring the people bustling around.

She really hated the Pier...


art by Lap Pun Cheung

A New Idea

Ever since my earliest memories, I've had an overactive imagination. One of the most prominent memories I have from my earliest days of childhood are of my elementary school playground. Every day my friends and I would meet up during our recess breaks and play make-believe games. Depending on each day we would be great warriors battling through a fantastical world or Jedi saving the galaxy from evil. We loved being wizards, and knights, and a whole assortment of characters. No matter what game it was, the common factor would always be that we were saving the world.

When I was about 11 years old I began reading the book Eragon. I had always loved reading, and I think a small part of me had always wondered what it would be like to be a writer. My imagination loved to run rampant in my real life. I remember every time I would run down the stairs I would jump hard onto the floor at the bottom making a great explosion noise as if I had some power to shatter the earth below me. My brother, Marcus, witnessed this event once and asked what in the world I was doing. I didn't really have a good answer and was totally embarrassed by it. It never stopped me though. I imagined vast walls of water crashing over the mountains. I imagined fighting off monsters, wizards, and evil lords alike.

I suppose I'm digressing from my real point here. I read Eragon and loved everything about it. My dad told me that it was written by some 19 year old guy who had started writing it when he was 16. Being a writer suddenly didn't seem like some far away dream. The idea became a true possibility. Since then I have wanted to be a writer, but it was always on the back burner. I didn't actually believe I could become a writer.

Long story short here (I tend to like to ramble on about details), it wasn't until recently that I've grown serious about writing. I want to write more often and more seriously. This blog will hopefully be a way of doing so. I got the idea from a friend at the library. I'm going to write little quips, snippets, and short stories for myself and anyone who wishes to read them. The only way to be a writer is to write. That's what makes sense to me anyway.

As Ernest Hemingway once said, "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."

Hope you all can enjoy! :)