Novel, Day 29

I did it! I finished the novel, with a total of 51,388 words! I don't want to put the last thousand up here, since that will spoil the ending, so I'm inserting a thousand, including word number 50k, hilighted for your reading pleasure. =)
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Elliot was at least impressed with how the arena had been transformed into a ballroom. Every square inch and been cleaned, and the original stone floor had been polished to a mirror shine. Candelabras circled the outside of the floor, as did tables covered in embroidered cloths. The announcer’s podium over the main door had been hung with ornate banners representing the different kingdoms participating, and more pendants were hung on the walls of the floor, down from the bleachers. The bleachers had even been given cushions, and one section of them had been corded off, for the musicians. Elliot and Marshall shifted nervously as they waited to be announced. Their father, of course, was completely relaxed. This was his element, after all. Elliot had been right, his father had packed a formal, highly embroidered and gem studded doublet, silk shirt, silk breeches, and knee high polished boots. When he had entered the room, Marshall was just finishing getting dressed himself, and they both had to sit through the torture of having their hands scrubbed, nails buffed, and hair done. Their father hadn’t given any more information about what to expect tonight, except that Luther would probably not be joining them. Which was good. Elliot was still barely holding himself together. He could handle the idea of Marshall being with Ivy better than Luther, but not by much.

Elliot fiddled with the gold stud in his ear. He hated wearing metal in his skin, but it was an ancient tradition that his father insisted on following. This was probably because it was another way to flaunt his wealth, just like the thin circlet of gold upon both his and his brother’s head, and the ornate gem covered crown on their father. It was finally their turn to be announced, and the brothers officially entered the ballroom in step behind their king. He took them around the room for a while, introducing them to this person or that. As soon as it was fesable, Elliot excused himself to find a glass of wine. As he stood against the wall, he watched his brother fidget, pulling at his collar. At least he was also nervous.

He was half way through the glass when the crier called out the name he had been dreading. “King Alexander de Trow of the kingdom of Kildarka, with daughters Ivy and Willow, and guests.”

Elliot looked up to see Alexander enter with his daughters, Meredith and Adina. Elliot had to look twice. Alexander looked the king now, dressed in complex embroidered blues and greens. His crown was silver, with a nautical look to it, emphasized by the pearls and opals set strategically in the piece. The crown, as well as the King, was classy and elegant. Elliot felt like a gaudy peacock in comparison. Willow was wearing a dress, and noticeably unhappy about it. And Ivy…

Her arm was still in a sling, and Adina was holding her good arm, giving her some support. She was dressed in a slim ball gown of satin, layered over with sheets of sheer fabric in pale light blues and greens. It flowed around her like water, like a breeze, and was breathtakingly beautiful.

Elliot finished his wine in one gulp, and disappeared into the crowd before she had the chance to see him. There were enough people on the floor that groups were moving into the halls or into the bleachers for conversation space. Elliot knew it was hiding, but he kept an eye on the group from as far away as possible. Thankfully they seemed to come in and give quick greetings along the way as they made a straight line to the stairs to the back areas, probably to prepare for the crowning ceremony. They were near the end of the alphabet, as far as the guest list was concerned, and shortly there after the announcements were done, and the music began. Groups that were involved in the different ceremonies drifted off to their own preparation areas, leaving enough room for a few people to dance to the music. Elliot saw Samuel sitting at a table, eating some fruit, so he crossed the dance floor to join him. He sat, but they sat there in silence, people watching.

After their second glass of wine, Samuel spoke up. “So… found out I get to keep my job. The guy who won the purple is an Earl, and too busy with his breeding ranch to be hired out as a trainer.”

Elliot nodded. “Good to know. Congratulations.”

Samuel reached under the table, patting Elliot on the knee. “Thanks.”

N’Yami glided by, saw the boys, and stopped to say hi. She was dressed in the long tunic and breeches that was traditional for her people, but she had fancied it up with accessories, mostly consisting of gold bracelets, rings, and necklaces, all layered on each other. Her hair was done in rows of tight, tiny braids with charms tied into the ends. They clinked together when she moved.

“Samuel! Elliot! How are you both doing?”

Samuel stifled a yawn. “Bored. How are you?”

She smiled her infectious smile. “I am good. Did Elliot tell you I am to be mated?”

Samuel gave Elliot a sideways look, but Elliot was too busy hiding behind his wine glass. “No, he hadn’t. Do you know anything about him?”

She laughed. “Not really, no. My uncle is overseeing this, since my mother is not here, and he says the man has a reputation for being surly.”

Elliot looked up, concerned. “Surly?!”

She laughed. “Do not worry. I am not worried. In my culture, women run things. I am used to keeping the men in line.” She smiled, Elliot thinking her teeth suddenly looking sharp and dangerous. “I can handle myself.”

Samuel laughed, patting her on the arm. Before he could reply, trumpets sounded.

“Ooh! Time for the show to begin. I will be seeing you both later!”

Novel, day 28

At this exact moment, I am within 2000 words of my 50k word goal! This is now the hard part, cause I don't want to give away the end of the book, but I still want to give 1000 words a day. These are the last thousand I wrote tonight.
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The final morning of the festival dawned a beautiful, crisp fall day. Elliot wanted nothing to do with it. He had drunk the night away, in an attempt to drown the horrors that today would bring. All he succeeded in doing was add a hangover to the list of horrors he had to face. He tried to hide in his bunk, but the sunshine wouldn’t let him sleep, the sounds of talking and scent of food from the main room finally roused him from his bunk. He got dressed enough to be considered presentable and walked out into the main room.
Meredith and Adina were finishing their breakfast of bacon and sausage with pancakes. As soon as Elliot opened the door, Samuel threw together another plate and set it on the table for him.
Meredith looked at him with her head cocked to the side. “Good morning, sunshine.”
Samuel grunted. “Eat this. You look like shit.”
Elliot shoveled a mouthful of greasy meat into his mouth. “Thanks. I love you, too.”
Everyone else continued where their conversation had left off when he entered. Plans for the day, mostly. There was a mass funeral to be held in the main stadium before the ribbon ceremony. Since Meredith was the only member of the group not getting a ribbon, she was planning on spending it in Alexander’s quarters, watching from his box with Ivy and Willow. Elliot was half way through his meal when he bothered to talk again.
“So, are we all going to act like we didn’t hear what Willow said last night?”
Everyone else at the table shared quick glances. Meredith looked Elliot in the eyes. “Yes, pretty much.”
He shrugged. “Ok, just wanted to make sure.”
She let the concern she held enter her voice. “Are you going to be ok?”
He chewed for a moment, and then washed it down with fruit juice. “Nope. Don’t think so.”
“I can’t Look for you, it involves Ivy.”
He nodded. “I know. Didn’t ask you to.” He took another drink. “I am asking you to stop talking about it, though.”
She nodded in understanding. “Fair enough. Samuel, do you want me to braid your hair for the ribbon ceremony?”
He spared a concerned look for his friend a few moments longer, and then nodded to Meredith. “yes, that would be lovely. Nothing complicated like you both wear, just something simple, to keep this fluff out of my face.”
They each bathed and dressed in nice, clean clothes, so they would be presentable at the ceremony. Elliot and Samuel both dressed in browns and reds, a nod toward their home kingdom, while Adina dressed in her competition attire, though only sporting a single braid down her back, and Meredith dressed in a beautiful forest green and silver gown. As they were leaving the cabin, a man approached with a child on his shoulders. The lighting was such that he was hard to make out at first, but once they were closer, the voice of the child betrayed them.
Adina broke the group’s silence. “Hello, Trouble! What are you and your father doing out here?”
“Hello! Father was showing me the midway! And now he said I get to see your cabin!”
Alexander gave Meredith a quick sideways hug, as the child transferred herself from her father’s shoulders to Adina’s arms. “Ivy sent me here to collect a few things she said she needed. Could you help me? I have a list, but I have no idea what any of these things are.
Meredith laughed. “As the father of three girls, you should know this stuff.”
He shrugged. “I prefer to remain ignorant, for my own safety.”
She nodded. “Ok, but only if you help me.”
They disappeared into the building, leaving everyone else outside. Willow was fascinated by the trees butting against the back of the cabin, and the ivy covering it. Then she squirmed in Adina’s arms. “Hold still, you little wild thing”
Samuel asked, “Why not just put her down?”
“Cause she’s a powerful plant talker. There is no way she can hide that out here.”
Willow could wine with the best of them. “Put me dooooowwwn. There’s no one around here to see. Please? Samuel, I could show you a neat trick, wanna see my trick? Put me doooown!”
Finally Adina gave up. “Oh, you little brat. Fine. But if your father gets mad at you I’m not to blame.”
She let go, and Willow plopped onto the grass. The child giggled maniacally as the grass near her exposed skin began to grow. She jumped up and began running around and around in the grass with her bare feet. Every place she touched, the grass instantly grew thicker, brighter, and noticeably taller. Flowers sprouted and bloomed in her wake, each inside a foot shaped oasis of bright, healthy grass. Samuel and Elliot watched in amazement as the girl circled them repeatedly, and eventually ran to the nearest tree, which she flew up and around, like a squirrel. As soon as she disappeared from view within the canopy, the tree began to move. It’s leaves grew vibrant, twitching in the sunlight. They could even hear the wood groan as it visibly grew.
Adina cocked her hip, frustrated. “Don’t hurt it, Willow! Crazy wild thing!” The only reply she received was joyful laughter.
Samuel focused on the footprints of tiny flowers in the grass. “That, that is one impressive trick.”
Adina huffed. “She’s been in training enough now, she should be able to control it. She should be able to keep that” she gestured at the footprints “from happening. But she refuses to. It’s going to be hard for her to blend into society if she can’t walk around without sprouting flowers.”
Elliot asked, “She wasn’t sprouting flowers in the infirmary.”
“Stone floor.” Alexander answered, as he and Meredith exited the cabin, a bag in Meredith’s hand. “The plants, or the potential of plants, need to already be there.

Novel, Day 27

I'm publishing yesterday's thousand, because I didn't quit writing yesterday till my laptop battery died.  However, I must say, that this entire novel writing experience has been one heck of a wild ride. I know this might sound odd, but I'm shocked and suprised by my writing every day. Supposedly I'm the person in charge, since I'm the one putting the words in the computer, right? WRONG! Characters take personality quirks I never anticipated. New characters write themselves into the story, without even asking my permission first! I specifically set out, with the rules of the festival, to make political intrigue next to impossible, yet the blasted stuff keeps showing up! I try to diverge away from it, it comes back with a vengence! I am humbled in the knowledge that this is obviously being written by someone, or something, else, and I am just a conduit. And I'm loving every moment of it.
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When Elliot came out of the arena, his group of friends were waiting for him. Samuel was pleased, and kept thumping Elliot on the back, nearly knocking him over. As soon as he could, Elliot asked about Samuel’s completion. It turns out that Samuel finished second overall in the gauntlet competition. Meredith insisted the only reason the other person scored higher was because they had a smaller horse with a tighter turning radius. Samuel insisted it was a fair competition, and he was more than happy with the probability of getting a blue ribbon in the ceremonies the following day.
Partially in celebration, and partially so Ivy could join, the group had dinner at one of the many food booths within the midway. The one they chose this time was like a min tavern. ‘Oberon’s Luck’ had a small fence around it, separating the small building and the dining space from the rest of the midway. Tarps of various colors stretched between the poles and rafters without a roof, letting the evening light and cooling breeze down to the tables surrounded with both benches and chairs. They took a spot, and a waitress came by, to take their orders. While they waited for her to return, Elliot reiterated his adventure of the day.
Adina didn’t act surprised. “Huh. After meeting Luther, I’m not shocked that he and Jareth walk in the same circles. They probably struck up a friendship in the same gambling house, or the same brothel.”
Ivy groaned, rolling her eyes. “Can we please not talk about my ex suitor’s love of women. Please.”
Meredith laughed. “Sorry, hon. He made himself the topic of discussion. Anyway, you should be proud you didn’t fall for his wily ways.”
Ivy barely responded with a scoff, which caused everyone to smile. She was handling the teasing quite well, though Meredith and Adina knew she was secretly, honestly, appalled.
Samuel was smart enough to shift the subject. “But seriously, what would two of them be doing together?”
“I don’t know, but it seems fishy. Luther knew father would be at the main stadium watching your competition. Probably assumed I would be there for you as well. I don’t think he even knew Adina was competing there. He probably didn’t recognize you, between your competition outfit, and how high up we were. They were meeting in the one public place where they were least likely to be seen. It has to mean something. I just don’t know what.”
Meredith fidgeted at the table. “Can we please talk about something else? I’m horribly tempted to Look, and I don’t want to ruin my dinner.”
This garnered laughter, and the conversation was quickly interrupted with the delivery of massive amounts of food. They were mostly done with N’Yami wandered by. Meredith and Adina saw her, and waved her over to help finish the rest of the meal. Elliot hadn’t given it much thought, but as she sat with them, he realized she was probably the person he was being engaged to. He had not seen any other Deltans. He had to find out more information, to try and be sure.
“So, N’Yami, I haven’t seen any other Deltans here besides you, and the two gentlemen yesterday. Are there any others here?”
She shook her head. “Not that I am in the knowing of. The ‘gentlemen’ are my brother and uncle. Traveling this far is difficult, but they were the insistent that we come.” She paused to take a drink. “Travel from the Deltas to here is difficult. There are only three ways.”
“Two, actually.” Elliot was surprised he had cut in.
Ivy retorted. “No, there are three. The Great Pass, the Navaro river, and through the southern sea.”
“But the southern sea route is too dangerous. Those are coral filled waters. No ships have safely made the journey.”
“Not true.” N’Yami wiped her mouth with her napkin. “We traveled here by the Sea Route.”
Elliot was floored. “What? How?”
“It was very difficult. Our boats are shallow skimmers, they are not so deep as to hit the coral. I ride in front, feel the earth beneath the waters, and steer the boat.”
Ivy smiled. “I had heard that it had been done, but didn’t know how, myself. That is very impressive.”
N’Yami nodded in agreement. “We have made the journey three times. Once from the Deltas to Tardif, once from Tardif home, and one more from Delta to Tardif. Bad thing, though. Not worth the effort.”
“What? Why not?”
“If the waters are stormy, is not safe. Storms find us on the last leg here, only us three survive. Lost two other crew, and all supplies. Nothing to trade with when we get here. Also, take very long time. It is faster to use wagons over the trade roads, or take sail boat up the river.” She chewed some bread, thoughtfully. “Can only make the journey in the summer, when the water is calm and glass. It is too late in the year now. We must go home by other ways.”
"What about your boat?”
“Uncle sold it to Storm King, for money for passage back home. Then Sisterhood make call, ask us to stop here on our journey. Was good request.” She smiled broadly, her white teeth a beautiful contrast against her dark skin. “Made good friends, yes? Better than any trade.”
Elliot was momentarily lost in thought. He understood now why he was being sent to the Deltas by his father, to make sure that the sea trade route didn’t happen. If travel by sea was feasible, trade across the Great Pass would decline, and Tardif would easily become a bustling port town, instead of its current, ‘too far out of the way’ image.
Ivy raised her mug. “I propose a toast. To new found friends.”
Everyone happily joined in. “To new friends!”

Novel, day 26

In my continued race to 50k, I wrote 3,700 words today. I surpassed 40 thousand and just kept going! The words "The End" are within sight!!
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all I hear is ringing in my ears, all I see is rolling white.”

Meredith looked into Elliot’s eyes. “Honestly, it is a blessing. One person, in all the world, who is just a person around me, no matter what.”
“If you swore on your blood, why did the Sisterhood make you try?”
She laughed, a harsh sound. “I had potential, they said. I could have been incredibly strong, swam my life deep within the web, living every possibility of every time every moment of my life. Seen space and time as the Gods see it. That’s how they put it, anyway. By cutting a part of me off so young, my gift could never develop to that level. It denied me the majority of my gift.” She smiled. “Ivy kept me from living in the mind of the Goddess, so I had the opportunity to live my own life. I thank her, the Gods, and the Magdala, every day.” She ran a finger over the scar. “Ivy saved me from a life of insanity, and in exchange, I try my hardest to help her live as close to a normal life as she can.”
Elliot sat in the chair beside her. “Seems like a fair trade to me.”
Meredith shrugged. “It has its good and bad sides. I didn’t know what she intended to do with the hovercraft till she explained it to N’Yami. The new threads that came from that information were the only way I could have known what was happening. I couldn’t See what was happening in the craft. I could only See what options lay in everyone else’s path, but where they intersected with Ivy’s, with the hovercraft, I was blind. I’ve never felt so helpless in all my life.” She took a shaky breath. “My best friend and I couldn’t tell if she was going to live or die, or even what her chances were. I hated it. But that is the price I pay.”
Elliot sighed, and offered her his hand. She took it, smiling. “I am sorry I asked you.”
She shrugged. “It was, in its own way, a selfless request. I don’t get many of those. You are a good person, Elliot. I will Look at one thread for you, if you are really and truly certain, but it can’t involve the Ball. Something else, and it must be as specific as possible, and only if you are certain.”
He thought for a moment. “I could ask if I win tomorrow, but knowledge either way could change my performance. I could ask about my father’s plans, but they are so convoluted. The pins. There are three jeweled pins that will be placed on my father’s map. Where do the pins land?”
She raised her eyebrows. “That is very specific. I should be able to do that. If you are certain.”
Elliot nodded. Meredith situated herself on the table, crossing her legs. Her eyes unfocused, turning into orbs or pure, swirling white. “I see, I see three gems. A diamond. A sapphire. A ruby. The diamond sits just to the east of the Divide, near the Great Pass. The Ruby sits in the deep south of the Eastern kingdoms, where the Deltan tribes roam. The sapphire…” Her eyebrows furrowed, concentration crinkling the corners of her eyes. The white over her eyes rolled, an angry storm. Then she blinked, and her eyes were her eyes again.
“What of the sapphire?”
She paused, gathering her words. “I cannot see where it lands. It is hidden from me, I’m sorry. Perhaps that decision has not yet been made. I can only see threads that are a strong possibility, or items that are set. I’m sorry.”
Elliot nodded. “It’s ok. I knew of the diamond, I saw it myself earlier today. My father said my fate had already been decided, but he didn’t want to speak aloud about it, in case a Far Seer would know.”
Meredith scrunched her face. “That’s not how it works.”
“I know that, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t like the Sisterhood much, and likes to think that he can hide things from them.”
“They probably let him believe that.”
“True. He had said my fate had been decided, just not finalized, and that my brother’s wasn’t finalized yet.” He took a deep breath. “I must be the Ruby, and one of my brothers the sapphire.”
He hopped off the table. “It makes sense. I traveled with Deltans for a large portion of my time abroad. I speak the language, somewhat. I know the foods and the customs.” He looked at the cabin, at the kitchen and the table, the empty sour keg still sitting on the chair. “The Deltan tribe lands are far away. I don’t know how our friendships will last that distance.”
Meredith hopped down from the table, placing a hand on his arm. He looked to her eyes, pain within his own. “We will find a way. Your friendship with Samuel lasted the three years you were gone, it can last now. You can visit. We can visit. I loved that fish stuff N’Yami had yesterday, we could come and you could teach us how to enjoy their spicy fresh fish.”
He laughed, and embraced her in a fierce bear hug. She hugged back, ignoring the tears that fell in her hair, just as he did. After a long moment, they parted, wished each other goodnight, and went to their separate rooms.
Behind the safety of the closed door, Meredith bounced in a tight circle, hands over her mouth to keep silent. Her dance of joy was not missed by Adina, who was mostly asleep anyway. “Wa ya doin?” They weren’t really separate words, but Meredith understood.
“The sapphire, my dear.”
"Hu?”
“All I saw was swirling white; all I heard was ringing.”
Adina grunted something unintelligible as she rolled over, instantly back asleep. Meredith skipped and danced till she was tired enough to sleep.

Novel, day 25

In order to make my goal of 50k by the 30th, I have to write a LOT of words daily. So, to try and catch up, I wrote more than three thousand today. My hands are tired, I'm calling it a night.
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Yes! A toast is in order!”
Adina smiled. “I know where some fine mead is being sold. I shall be right back.”
Meredith and Samuel took each other’s hands. “Yes! We will join you!”
Before Ivy or Elliot knew what was happening, they were gone, leaving them alone. They both were uncomfortable, unsure of what to say. Ivy tried. “Yes, congratulations.”
Elliot sighed. “I wasn’t expecting fake enthusiasm, any more than I was fake pity. I… I don’t know what to say.”
Ivy reached out, and took Elliot’s hand in her good one. “I understand. We have duties, responsibilities, which we cannot escape.” As she finished talking, her eyes were drawn to a nurse at the curtain.
“You have another visitor.”
Ivy nodded. “You should go. I’ve been expecting my father – he always comes right before his dinner. Go and celebrate your new life tonight.”
Elliot nodded, kissed the back of her hand, and took his leave. As he left, he caught a glimpse of an older, kind looking gentleman with long hair. However, he wasn’t certain. His eyes were tearing up, and focusing was difficult.
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Ivy tried to straighten up on her bed as her father entered the room. She had been debating her father’s offer, and Elliot’s confession had helped to make her decision easier. After all, she has duties, responsibilities, which she cannot escape.
“Hello, my little sun blossom. How are you feeling today?”
“Good, father! Better every day.”
“Who was that young man leaving as I came by?”
“Oh? Just a friend, one of the guys from the cabin. He popped in to let me know how the competitions were going. Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes! Today was a good day. I’ve decided that continuing the festival was a good idea after all. Each area has found their own way to honor and respect the situation.”
Ivy took her father’s hands in hers. “I’m glad you came to peace with that. I know it was weighing heavily on you yesterday.”
He nodded. “I had thought that continuing would be disrespectful, but I talked with Gethin, and he helped convince me that these people were here for this festival. They would have wanted it to continue in their absence.”
Ivy wrinkled her nose. “Jareth’s father? Why do you continue to talk to that man?”
Her father laughed. “Jareth was a moron, but his father is still the Storm King, and still occasionally has good advice.”
Ivy shrugged. “I still have my reservations.”
“I highly doubt Gethin sent him to court you, knowing he would hurt you. He had thought that an alliance by marriage would be good for our two kingdoms, and I had agreed. But with Jareth being his only son, that is now not going to happen.” Ivy shuddered. Her father squeezed her hand. “If it makes you feel any better, his father’s fury when his son returned, dishonored, far exceeded even my own when I expelled him from the kingdom.”
Ivy raised an eyebrow. “That would be quite impressive.”
A devious smile entered the king’s eyes. “His pain and punishment shall enter the halls of legend, my dear.”
Ivy sighed, that confirmation lightening her somewhat. She wasn’t a vindictive or vengeful person, but she was a woman. No matter how kind and compassionate she was, hearing of the pain of those who had hurt her badly calmed the vengeful goddess that resides within every woman’s heart.
“Speaking of suitors, I wanted to talk with you, father.”
The king shifted, his full attention on her.
“The gentleman I had… well… my prior possibility was never really a possibility. I’ve been giving this a lot of thought. I know you and mother had an arranged marriage, and still found love with each other over time. I am hoping I will have the same luck you did.” She took a deep breath. “I am open to an arranged marriage.”
The king let out a long held breath. “I am so very pleased to hear that. The council will be, as well.” He squeezed her hand. “Will signing the contract at the Ball be too soon? I know it is only two days away, but it would be so much better if we could have your engagement announced on the same day as your crowning.”
Ivy sat for a moment, letting the shock roll through her. So soon. “You have someone lined up already?”
Her father at least had the decency to blush. “I had something in the wings. It was never written in blood, always with a caveat. I hoped that you would find your own way, but… I have someone lined up already, yes.”
Ivy sighed. “Have you met him? Do you know anything about him?”
Her father shrugged. “I haven’t met him, no. I met his father. Good man, a bit over focused, but decent enough. I don’t want to get into the boring details, but his father is very excited about an alliance between our kingdoms.”
Ivy nodded. “I suppose it’s best that I don’t know too much going into this. I don’t want any preconceived notions.” She knew what the boring details probably entailed. The price tag coming with her contract would be substantial. Not every kingdom could afford to marry one of their sons to a crowned princess. Those that could would be weighing the pros and cons to losing one of their sons to a seaport kingdom. Their capital was poised at the mouth of the largest river on the western side of the continent. Access to that river could potentially open trade with the eastern kingdoms, as the river was one of the three ways across the continent. Access to that waterway may come with other ties. The bargaining and haggling would be nauseating to her, and she was glad to not be a part of it. She was certain that knowing how much she cost her future groom’s kingdom would only put things off to a bad start.

Novel, day 24

So I'm behind. In order to be 'on par' to reach 50k words by the end of the month, I needed to hit 40k today. However, with the wedding yesterday, and everything else, I'm a bit more than 5000 words behind. Not that I'm blaming the wedding or anything - I knew about it, I brought my laptop with me, I just didn't write, so that is all my fault. So I have a lot of catching up to do. But here is the last thousand words I wrote tonight, introducing us to Elliot's younger brothers, and explaining more of King Phillip's plots.
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"Good to see you, Elliot. Father has been concerned since the battle. He had every one of our servants making sure you were not among the wounded the other night.”

Elliot rolled his eyes. “Goddess forbids he looks into it himself, or sends someone by the cabin where he knows I’ve been staying.”
Luther seemed surprised. “Of course he couldn’t do it himself. It would give an impression of weakness. Outward he has to be 100 percent in control, and trust that you would be in control. One of the servants saw you walking through the infirmary side of the coliseum yesterday with Samuel, and reported to father. I hope you weren’t there for your own injuries.” He didn’t seem concerned that his brother would be hurt, but more what image that would portray.
“No, brother. I was visiting a friend who had been injured.”
“Oh, good.”
Marshall’s brow softened. “I was going over the departed list before we came in today. I thought I saw Devon’s name. Was it another Devon?”
Elliot shook his head. “No, no it was not.”
Marshall put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I am sorry for your loss. Would you sit with us for Samuel’s jousting?”
Elliot nodded. Meredith and Adina consented, on the silent condition that Elliot made sure to sit between them and his brothers.
“I’m also sorry to hear of Devon’s passing. He was a fine ladies’ man, a skilled gambler, and a fine brewer. We shall drink tonight in his honor.”
As they took their places, Meredith attempted small talk. “So, how do you gentlemen know Samuel?”
Marshall replied, “Father had hired him to train us in horseman ship. He’s watching these competitions closely.”
“Aye, father wants to be certain we are being trained by the best. Nothing else would do.”
Elliot stiffened. “So why are you both here, brothers? I didn’t think you were entered into any competitions.”
Luther snorted in distain. “No, we are not to be judged against our inferiors. It would be unseemly.”
Marshall tried to calm the waters. “Father has decided that it’s time for us to learn more about the other kingdoms of the realm. Thought it best if we interacted with them, got to know them on their turf.”
“Like spies, like you were!” Luther nearly giggled. “It has been a blast, seeing how the common folk live, though I must say, I’m glad I’m not of their type. Too much physical labor, in my opinion. No time for appreciation of the finer things in life.”
Adina put a hand on Elliot’s arm, in an attempt to calm the seething waters inside him. She could see his fury in the colors around him, even though his face remained passive and neutral.
“I was not a spy. I was on a diplomatic journey.”
Marshall rolled his eyes. “Sure you were, brother. We believe you. Anyway, father seems to have other plans in mind as well.”
Elliot raised an eyebrow, the only motion of his face in some time.
“It seems one of us is to be betrothed. Can you believe it?”
“One of you?”
“Yes. Not sure which one of us, but it seems certain.” Luther was very put off by the idea.
“Why would you think that?”
Marshall’s shoulders drooped. “Father has been taking council with other rulers this whole week. Every meal is in conference with at least two other kingdoms. He keeps telling us he has great plans, things that will revolutionize the kingdom.  Even yesterday, he was meeting with the chief of the Delta tribes, and a trio of the Sisterhood.”
Luther nodded. “We overheard him talking to the Sisterhood, about how our kingdom has no magic like that demonstrated in the battle, and yesterday as the Scions cleaned up their mess. About how he demanded that imbalance be addressed.”
Marshall shifted his weight, trying to get comfortable on the bench. “The sisters said that, quote, an arrangement can be made, unquote. Everyone knows all Scions are female. They must mean an arranged marriage, one of us and one of them.”
Elliot tried to keep an impassive voice, though hope surged in him. “How do you know it wasn’t to me, or Phillip?”
“Phillip has been betrothed for a few months now to the princess of the kingdom on the other side of the mountain pass. Father insists this insures our control of the pass, and it’s trade, for generations to come. Phillip seems pleased, she is nice enough, though a little plain.” Marshall took a swig of wine from his canteen.
Luther eyed Elliot, “As for you, father has been talking about how you will assure our trade stability. I’m assuming he already has a bride picked for you. Sorry, brother.”
Elliot nodded, his last hope of Ivy floating away on his brother’s words.
Luther patted his arm. “Cheer up. It’s just marriage, after all. It doesn’t have to mean anything. It’s all political, anyway. As father always points out, our economy relies on trade.”
Marshall quoted their father easily, eventually in unison with all three brothers. “You can have all the gems and lumber in the realm, but your people can’t eat money.”

Elliot was tense all throughout the jousting competition, which did not go in Samuel’s favor. Though he did end up being high ranked, he was just outside the score needed to get him into the finals. Meredith seemed proud, since it was very difficult to even get this far. The other gentlemen seemed very disappointed, and bid farewell till the afternoon competition. Once they were gone, he told the ladies that he would need to excuse himself, for he had to prepare Samuel.

Meredith seemed confused. “I don’t understand, prepare him for what?”

Elliot held her hand, trying to find the words. “Didn’t you hear my brothers? Father is watching Samuel, to assure himself they are being trained by the best. By losing in jousting today, he may have also just lost his job.”

Novel, day 20

This is actually the first thousand words from yesterday. Problem is, I couldn't post them yesterday, and I was so busy today I haven't even written one word. grr.
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Meredith scoffed. “You are certainly in a good mood.”

“Painkillers. My own recipe, actually. I hadn’t anticipated this side effect, but I don’t see any damage in people who were once in pain now being slightly giddy.”

Adina smiled. “I see they let you use your own quilt.”

Ivy smiled. “Earlier this morning, a donation coordinator came around, asking people if they would be willing to donate their competition submissions to help the injured. When I told him he could have everything of mine, especially the medicinal tea, he came back later with my quilt. Said I looked cold, and a nice lady had donated the quilt, and would I like it.” Ivy smoothed her hand over the fabric. “Wasn’t that nice of him?”

Meredith patted her hand. “Yes it was.”

Ivy held her gaze. “I know you all are worried about me, and want to be here for me, but don’t know what to do or say. It happens inside infirmaries, I understand. Go. I will be fine.”

Elliot interrupted. “I actually had something I wanted to talk about. Samuel and I both do.”

Samuel nodded. “We… we need to know, to understand how this happened. Please.”

Ivy nodded, and gestured for Elliot to sit on the foot of the bed. Adina stood and closed the curtain behind them, letting Samuel have her chair, and she sat on Ivy’s left, at the head of the bed.

Meredith began. “Please understand, this is sensitive, not just for you but for all of us. Please try to keep our voices from carrying too far.”

Ivy nodded. “The only people in the room right now are us and the other patients, and they are all in a sedated sleep, but should they waken, or someone else enter, I will warn you.” He looked at Elliot, at the pain in him. “Please ask whatever you need to. I will be as truthful as I am able.”

“You intend to lie to us?”

“No, I am acknowledging that I do not know all the answers.”

“Meredith is a Far Seer. Did you see this coming?”

Meredith took a deep breath. “No, and yes.” Samuel stiffened beside her. “Please, listen. I Saw that the tech would be here. I knew logically that someone, probably several, would end up being tempted. I didn’t know who. When Devon talked about the sideshow after the first day, I realized he was one of them. We tried to dissuade him in our conversation. It seemed to work, he didn’t bring it up again around us, and I didn’t See him around it again. Something must have changed recently. I didn’t See that Devon had made that decision till it was too late.” Samuel eased, wrapping his arm around Meredith. She hugged him back, fiercely. “I would never have let anything happen to anyone if it could be avoided.”

Elliot seemed confused. “But if you knew, logically, that someone would be tempted, why couldn’t this be stopped?”

“Usually the temptation is nothing more than a minor siphon. A hand brushes a weapon, and it drains a small amount of their energy, maybe enough to turn on, usually it’s just stored in the machine. It takes so many siphons over a very long time to get enough energy to turn on at all, but to do what Devon did…”

Ivy finished for Adina. “It had to have been siphoning off of hundreds of people for generations. Once Meredith realized there was a whole ship, and that it was that dangerous, we reported it. The Sisterhood had asked the sideshow owner to close the attraction, hoping that would protect people from it. They were going to buy the tech from him, so it could be disassembled and melted down, but they didn’t get the chance.”

“Closing the booth obviously wasn’t enough.”

“Has something like this ever happened before?”

Adina shrugged. “There are tall tales among the sisterhood of tech running amok in the decades after magic’s removal. The Sisterhood made finding tech and melting it down a priority, not just to protect people, but because high quality metal was hard to come by. I haven’t heard of a piece of tech big enough to be an actual threat in living memory.”

Ivy nodded. “The beginning of A M was a dark age. We are told that many people took their lives, rather than live without their magic. Those that survived had to live without the machines. Imagine, a life where everyone could drive around in one of those hovercrafts. No need for horses, or carriages.”

“Yes, but that way led extinction. Think of everyone having access to the destructive power of that thing. It was only on for, what? An hour? Two? And in that time, it was never at full capacity. How many died in that time? How many ended up in here?”

Ivy’s eyes glossed over. “137. One hundred and thirty seven people died, not counting those who will probably not make it through the day today. An additional approximate 500 were injured severely enough to need medical attention, some from the device itself, but some from being trampled by the crowd as people tried to escape.”

Samuel held Meredith tighter. “Dearest Goddess. That… that is an awful lot.”

Meredith sighed. “It could have been much, much worse. There are over a hundred THOUSAND people in attendance this year, not counting the people working here. That’s more people than live in my home country. There were… threads, possibilities… where everyone died.”

The group sat in silence for a while.

“Is there anything else?” Ivy looked at Elliot. “I want to do everything I can to help you both through this.”

He looked at the blanket. The patchwork was of autumn leaves, the stitch work all spirals and tiny stars. “No, not right now.”

Ivy smiled. “Well, if that changes, you know where to find me.”

Novel, Day 19

This is far less than my promised thousand words. However, I have been working these next few scenes out in sections, and this is the largest completed section. I do so detest writing battle scenes.
~~~

As the women ran, Ivy told her plan to N’yami, asking if it could be done. She agreed, The women ran out between two booths, to the right of the fight. Ivy shouted to her friends “I have an idea! Just don’t let it shoot me!”

She walked, calmly, toward what was acting as the back of the machine. “Halt! We surrender!”

An attempted shot was deflected by a flash of orange, and Ivy stood in front of the machine, hands open and empty. “We surrender. What are your demands?”

An oddly flat, monotone voice emitted from the machine. “Searching for UEF power source.”

Ivy nodded. “Take me.”

“Females are inferior UEF conduits.”

Ivy scoffed. “Maybe once, but not anymore. Check Devon’s memory. My name is Ivy, and I am a UEF expert, who teaches others how to channel energy. I am a prime power source.”

There was a pause. The machine wobbled a bit in the air, then slowly lowered itself to the ground.

“Meredith, did she show you my plan?”

“Yes! I think you’re insane, but yes!”

Ivy shuddered in fear as the elongated glass dome lifted up to allow her in. She looked over the seat for a moment, hiked up her skirt, and straddled it. It felt comfortable, right and normal as she slid her hands into the tubes that would give the system access to her.

There were words scrolling across the lit panel in front of her. “Please put on helmet, for your safety.”

“Are you more concerned about my safety, or do you want the power?”

There was a moment where nothing was on the screen, then Initiating diagnostic.

Ivy felt a rush as the power of the universe flowed through her. The seat shifted and adjusted beneath her, adjusting for optimum comfort and support. Her hands felt warm, as they did when she was healing, and she could feel the machine pull power through her, into itself. Ivy had trained her whole life so that energy could optimally move through her, and in turn those she healed. Where the channels to the UEF in the average person was like a raindrop rolling down a window pane, Ivy’s channels were like a great waterfall, pouring the energy of all things, unencumbered. The ancient glyphs that had been drawn on her body as a child, marks on her soul, not her physical body, began to glow softly, for the first time in her life visible. The glass canopy lowered, sealing her in, and began to rise again.

UEF Link superior. Welcome pilot to your Hovercraft

Ivy shifted her hands, felt the responsiveness of the machine as she experimented with the controls available to her. She found what felt like a ball under one thumb. She was able to move it, and as she did so, found different instruction options scroll across the panel in front of her. She chose Eject Gunner.

Unable to comply. Gunner necessary for full function.

Ivy snorted. “You worked fine without a pilot. The gunner wasn’t even the one shooting, you were. Release him, so that when an acceptable gunner comes, we can take them on.”

There was a pause, and Ivy felt the craft lower again. She heard the sound of the canopy behind her, the one encasing Devon, lifting. She could feel the moment her friends pulled Devon’s body from the ship. Alas, Ivy was fairly sure it was just his body they pulled out. The machine had drained the entirety of his life force in order to run. He had been dead before she even got on the hovercraft.

Once he was out, the machine closed the gunner’s hatch, and lifted silently into the air, hovering about a foot above the ground. Ivy did have to admit, it was an intelligent design. With both people in this odd, upside down canoe, there was no back. Either end could be front, and now that Ivy was front, the ship faced a curved stone wall.

“Let’s get a feel for how you work, shall we?”

Novel, Day 17

Ready for the next thousand, after that little wrench I threw out there yesterday. =)
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“I mean, seriously, what has crawled up in his ass and died?” Ivy and Meredith were walking the green outside the fairgrounds. A tent city separated the cabins from the entrance to the festival, and wrapped around to behind the warehouse buildings to the west. People of all types were around their tents, talking and laughing, the area brimming with life and the socialization that comes from close living quarters.

Ivy and Meredith stopped at one of the communal fire pits. Two women were finishing cooking their families’ dinners. A young child was roasting sugar fluff on a stick. Others were just gathered, enjoying the fire’s heat, listening to a man play guitar while a woman sang. Ivy and Meredith listened to the music for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts.

“I could Look for you.”

Ivy shook her head. “No. You know how I feel about that.”

Adina ran up to them. She got a few odd looks from people around the fire, because she was still dressed in the clothes she wears for archery. Her braid buns had slid down, and looked like earmuffs. “There you are!”

Ivy raised an eyebrow “What are you doing?”

She paused, catching her breath. “Trying to find you. I found out what’s going on!”

An explosion rocked the area, causing many people in the area to scream in fear and surprise. The friends looked to the sound, to see smoke coming from behind the warehouses. Meredith grabbed her friends hands, and broke into a run toward the smoke.

Ivy stumbled, pulling her hand back, running beside her friend. “What in the emptiness was that?”

Meredith’s eyes were completely unfocused, she was running blind. “He made the decision!”

Adina’s eyes widened in fear. “I thought we had him dissuaded against that!”

Meredith increased her speed. “Something changed! But Elliot and Samuel have been exposed, too! Run!”

In the cabin, Elliot and Samuel were sharing a pint, not really talking or doing anything, just drinking. An explosion shook the door and windows, closely followed by the sounds of screaming. Elliot and Samuel both stood, Samuel knocking over his chair. Elliot was in and out of the bedroom, suddenly armed, and they bolted out of the cabin together, not even shutting the door behind them.

The girls took cover behind a wagon. A large, black metal and glass slug of a thing floated on a cloud of colored light, gliding around the midway. The smoked glass hid whomever was inside, but panels on the sides had slid open, exposing black metal tubes. The tubes would make a spitting sound, and a flame bright projectile would fly out, ripping through whatever was in its path, starting fires and explosions.

“Meredith, what is that thing?”

Her eyes had turned solid white, she was no longer working here. She was in, what she called, the weaving. “It’s a hovercraft. A two person chariot designed to have a driver and a gunner? Archer? It’s a like a archer.”

Adina nodded. “2 person chariot, driver and fighter, got it. So who is driving?”

“No one. The tech has its own intelligence. No real thread to follow, because it doesn’t have much decision making ability. Its goals are to continue existing, and do whatever it has to do to keep power. That’s the problem now, its running out of power, and trying to flush out someone that is an appropriate power source. Crap”

Adina took her eyes off of the machine for only a moment. “What crap?”

“Its power source is UEF. It runs off of the driver’s access to magical energy. If Devon was a trained magical user, as long as he was in the vehicle its power would be nearly limitless, but since he isn’t, it’s using his life force for power. Without magic, he has no control over it, and it’s killing him.”

Ivy eyed the device. “Would it consider US appropriate power sources?”

Meredith shook her head. “Only as a very last resort. Its priority is a male.”

Adina huffed. “Well, it’s going to be looking a long time, then. C’mon, let’s get on this.”

Adina and Meredith ran out from behind the wagon, both of them moving as a fluid single unit. Adina threw a flash of sparks at the device to grab its attention. Meredith could warn Adina of every shot it would take, before it could take it, so she was easily able to deflect and defend as it focused on the women. It was a machine built for war, and though they were considered unarmed females, they were the only ones able to put up the kind of fight it understood. Adina focused intently, hurling her own glowing projectiles of raw energy, though they bounced harmlessly off of the machine’s armor. She tried another option, and pulled energy up from the earth to pound into the undercarriage of the vehicle. It wavered and jolted, but recovered. Adina moved in a beautiful dance, throwing raw energy in complicated patterns, its light intensifying, and then heat. With a scream of rage, Adina finally threw her own flame bright ball, not much larger than a cherry. It slammed into the elongated glass dome, cracking it.

As Adina and Meredith tried to find a way to defeat the device, Ivy tended to the injured. Her gift gave her the ability to know where any living person was near her, so she found people who were not badly injured, and had those people help her get the more heavily injured people to safety. She could hear Meredith and Adina cussing and shouting directions to each other in the Scion tongue, Adina’s energy blasts becoming laced with spell power from the ancient language. Then Ivy heard something she was only daring to hope she would hear. Another woman, shouting in their language, was running down the open isle of the midway. Ivy called to her, and she came to Ivy’s side, crouching down and helping with the wounded.

Novel, Day 16

This requires a bit of an introduction. Devon is by himself, and has broken into the sideshow tent.
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The front visor was certainly glass, slightly tinted. It was attached to the helmet at the temples, and appeared to be able to be moved up or down, as needed, but the visor was down, and with the tinted glass and the darkness of the room, he couldn’t see inside it. The helmet was eerie, disturbing. It seemed out of place, like a decapitated head, staring at him. He didn’t know if it was the darkness, or being alone, but the helmet, old and dirty looking in its box, was creeping him out.

He moved on, looking at display after display. Some items were fairly obvious as to what they were supposed to be, some were complete mysteries. He left the area of the tent with the pedestals to enter a new room. This one had only one ‘artifact’, which sat roped off on a dais in the center of the room, with the walkway encircling it. This was the unexplainable thing from the painting, but even seeing it in person didn’t do it justice. The footprint on the dais was an extended oval. It stood about three & ½  feet high. It had two giant scoop like wings of the same tinted glass as on the helmet, each raised wing exposing an open seating spot. Is that what it could be? Devon examined one side under the wing. It looked like a padded bench, designed to be laid on face down and straddled, where it would hold you up in a slight incline, like the seated massage chairs Devon had seen in the infirmary tent, but more of an angle. There was padding on the bottom where your knees would sit, and levers where your feet would naturally rest. There was another of the helmet things, this one without a glass visor, but it had strips of flexible tubing running from the helmet to a panel in the front, underlined in buttons. There were large tubes near the panel, the use of which Devon couldn’t imagine. Curious beyond measure, Devon set the lamp down and straddled the seat. It was somewhat awkward, but that lessoned as he slid his legs into position. He rested his chest against the padded seat. The panel was easily within reach, and from this vantage point it became clear that the tubes were designed as places for him to put his arms. He reached out, and touched a button.

The panel lit up, a soft glow of light. Devon was afraid he had caused a spark somehow, but the light was in lines and patterns. Words appeared, saying things he didn’t understand. “Initiating Startup Protocol” “Battery power critical levels” He could hear noises coming from the helmet. Without thinking, he slid the helmet on his head.

A quiet, monotone voice whispered in his ear. “Welcome, gunner, to your hovercraft.” It waited, as though for a response.

“Hello?”

“Battery power is at critical level. UEF link severed. Please re-initialize link.”

Devon had no idea what the voice was talking about, but UEF sounded familiar. “How do I re whatever the link?”

“UEF accessed through living conduit. Please re-establish link through hand controls.”

“Hand controls, huh?” Devon looked at the tubes. He decided that he couldn’t turn back now, and slid his left hand into the left tube. At first it felt like sliding his hand into a cold, tight metal tube, but after a few inches he felt some kind of fabric, which in turn had holes, and became a glove. “Ok, it’s just a glove. I can handle a glove.” Feeling around with the glove, he realized he could feel buttons, a bar to grab onto that could rotate, and some kind of trigger mechanism.

“Both hands are required to complete circuit.”

“Ok, ok, hold your horses.”

Devon slid his right hand into the tube/glove, feeling the slight differences in the items that hand could interact with.

The gloves began to feel warmer. The panel in front of him increased in brightness. “Initiating startup protocol.”

Devon nearly lept, though with how his body was on the seat, he couldn’t have moved far. The wing above him lowered, until it incased him within the device. A shift of his hand shifted the chair, and he realized he could be situated to see out of the giant, encompassing window, or the control panel, though it seemed looking out the window was the best option. There was an odd whirring sound, and a padded chin rest extended, becoming a perfect resting spot for his head. Several tabs appeared, taking his weight off of his knees, helping to hold his feet in place.

“Initiating diagnostic.”

The machine made fascinating whirring sounds. Devon was excited beyond understanding. Lines and grids appeared as if floating in the air, but more likely etched in the glass. He could see a topography of the inside of the room, then the tent, then the neighboring tents.

The machine made an unpleasant beeping noise.

“UEF Link inferior. Searching database for suitable replacement”

Devon screamed in pain as sound and light shot through his head, ripping at his mind. His hands, burning hot in their gloves, convulsed, but accomplished nothing. He tried to buck, to pull his arms out of the tubes, but the machine would not let him go. What had seemed like gentle guides before became effective restraints, keeping him from accomplishing anything. He couldn’t even move his head.

“No replacements in database. Beginning manual search.”

The machine jolted, like it had been hit from the side. Then slowly it rose, till it floated about a foot off of the dais. Devon felt his energy draining, much faster than he thought possible. The pain in his head subsided, as inescapable exhaustion took its place. He began laboring for the energy to breathe as the ‘hovercraft’ opened fire on the tent wall, gliding out of its prison, and sliding into the Midway at night, hunting for a suitable replacement battery.

Novel, Day 14

I have not been having a good time getting to my writing lately. I blame work. Dang work. anyway, the last 1000 words for today:
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so I have been trained with all the knowledge that would entail, but I’m also the second son.” He paused, this discussion obviously becoming painful. “I may be using others without my own conscious knowledge, My youngest brother is that way. But I know, and have experienced in my life, that I am to be used, not the user.”

Meredith put a hand on Elliot’s arm, trying to comfort him. “We are not going to use you, Elliot. It is not in our nature.”

Aidna pondered for a moment. “I can empathize with how you feel. I often feel like my gifts are using me, and have even had moments when I was angry with the Sisterhood, for I felt they were using me.” She paused. “But we learn in Scion training that the most powerful motivation is internal. Others can use you, can try and make you do something, but they are trying to use power over you. The only person who has power to control who you are, or what you actually is YOU. If others use you, it is because you allow them to.”

“It’s a bit more complicated than that.”

“I understand you are a prince, and thereby honor bound to do what your father tells you to do. He’s trained you your whole life to do what he says, and you probably will, because you feel you should. But he only has power over you because you choose to let him. No one else, not us, not your other friends, not your subjects or your brothers can tell you what is right, what you will and will not do. You must make that choice for yourself.”

Samuel, knowing what Elliot must be thinking at that moment, tried to divert the subject. “But what does that have to do with Ivy’s altruism?”

Meredith answered. “She heals the sick and teaches others how to heal themselves not because that is her gift. Not because she can gain anything from it, to gain political power or influence. She doesn’t charge people, though she has had to say no more than once. There is only so much even she can do. She does it because she WANTS to. She is going to be in the infirmary, volunteering, for the next few hours, along with the rest of the panel members, attempting to heal the people there, not because she should or because it is required of panel members. She is doing it because she sees suffering and cannot abide it’s continued existence.”

“Growing up wasn’t easy for her. Yes, she is privileged with her station and gifts, but her mother’s illness has weighed heavily on her. Even with all the hard times and pain she went through because of it, she is still a good, giving, loving person. It is in her nature. It’s not only who she chooses to be, it is in her nature. She would have difficulty choosing to be anything else.”

Meredith put her hand on Elliot’s arm, keeping him looking in her eyes. “I know you may feel the pawn. But I can See that inside, you are a good person. An honorable person. You may do what you are told, but you have your own influence, too, and you use it selflessly. Even pawns have the abilities to do good, to be good people.”

The archery semi-finals were late enough in the evening that Adina had time to go back to the cabin and change between Ivy’s debate and her competition. The ladies made plans to meet with the men later, leaving them alone in the midway. They wandered, trying to find ways to cheer up Elliot, when Devon suggested they go to the side show tent he had talked about earlier. When they got to the tent, the barker was gone, and the tent was closed. However the paintings of the wondrous contraptions inside were still up.

“I’m, I’m not even sure what I’m looking at.”

“That thing looks kind of like a sled? With glass wings? Maybe?”

“Well, that there is obviously some kind of helmet. It has a similar shape to the one I wear in jousting. But the front visor is glass instead of metal? That’s not practical at all! One head blow and your face would be ribbons.”

“The barker had said the glass was shatterproof!”

“Shatterproof glass? That’s just plain absurd.”

“I still have no idea what so ever what that thing is supposed to be.”

“I think the girls are right, this has got to be some kind of hoax.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Well, look at the helmet. I could probably build something like that, and I know very little of anything about working metal. And the glass front? That’s obviously fake. No one who works with or around armor would even think that is a good idea.”

“And that thing with the wings, or whatever? It looks like, what, padded benches encased in black metal? With wings? It doesn’t make any sense at all.”

“Guys, these are just the paintings, probably made by the carnival barker guy himself. The items themselves must be much better.”

“I doubt it.”

Elliot pondered for a bit. “Though I agree that it’s probably a hoax, I have to admit it is an intriguing sounding one. I wouldn’t mind looking at it tomorrow, once it’s open.”

Devon giddily hopped from foot to foot. “Let’s look now!”

“What?”

It’s only a tent! It’s not like it is stone walls or something. We just unlace a seam and walk inside.”

“No, even if it is a hoax, I’m not going to rob the sideshow barker of the few coppers. We’ll come back tomorrow. When they’re open.”

Devon pouted, but left with his friends.

Adina’s archery contest went as well as anyone could hope for. Though it was only the semifinals, she came in first, assuring herself not just a spot in the finals, but choice of when in the lineup she would shoot.

Novel, day 12

I do not have a thousand words from yesterday, as I was not having a good day AT ALL, and I wrote 50 words, maybe. grumble. But, I wrote a ton of words today, and more than made up for it. I surpassed 20,000! Number 20k is highlighted for your enjoyment.
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He stood, is crystal blue eyes smiling at the sight of them, and opened his arms for a hug.

“Father!”

Ivy giggled and jumped into the old man’s arms, hugging him fiercely. He took this in stride, swinging her through the air, and setting her down again. While he held his daughter with one arm, he turned his loving gaze to the two cousins, who curtsied in unison.

He scoffed, waving his hand at them. “Please girls, you know better. None of that from you, and none of that nonsense here. Meredith, I saw your work and the purple ribbons on them. Congratulations!

She smiled. “Thank you, Alexander, sir.”

“And Adina, I swear you have grown since I’ve seen you last. I hear you made it into the archery semifinals?” She nodded in agreement. “Well, that really wasn’t much of a surprise, was it?” He winked at her.

She smiled back at him, “No, sir, not a big one, anyway.”

He pulled Ivy in a sideways embrace. “If it is ok with you fine young ladies, I was hoping to spend some time with Ivy, just for a few moments. Do you mind?”

“Of course not, sir.” Meredith looked at Ivy. “We’ll meet at the cabin?”

She nodded, and the girls took their leave.

King Alexander de Trow took his daughter by the hand and wandered the displays. Ivy showed him the purple ribbon on her tea.

“Your mother would be so proud of you.”

Ivy heard the controlled pain in his voice. “How is she doing, father?”

He nodded. “She has her good days, and her bad days.” He gestured to a bench, then sat. “I had wanted to talk to you about her, and your sister.”

Ivy felt his concern, and sat opposite him. “I didn’t think you would send a Paige just to say hello. You could walk up to me in the Midway for that.”

“True, true... Ever since the madness took your mother, and your elder sister, you have been so strong, and I am so proud of you.”

Ivy sighed, “Their gifts are known to drive the owners mad. It’s something they were aware of, and had prepared for.”

Her father nodded. “I thank the gods that, though I only had daughters, that not all of them were blessed with the same gifts. Variety is important, you know.” He smiled at her. “You know, I am getting on in years, and with only daughters, well, I am starting to worry about our kingdom. About the continuation of my line.”

Ivy gave her father a rye look. “I assure you that with my healing ability, you will live for a long time yet.”

He laughed. “I agree that is true, but I would want to know my grandchildren, maybe even see one of them proclaimed princeps before I passes. Your younger sister is still so young, and still has so much to learn at the hands of the sisterhood.”

Ivy looked concerned. “Father, I hate to rush you when I can see so clearly you don’t want to be talking about this. Please, get to the point.”

He sighed. “The madness is getting strong in your older sister. Rose is degrading so much faster than your mother did… The council has advised, and I agree, that she can no longer be the expected crowned princess.”

Ivy went a little pale.

“I am here to inform you, that at the end of the fair, at the grand ball following, I am going to crown you as my heir.”

Ivy stared at her hands. She had been absent mindedly fiddling with the handkerchief for a while. She looked up to meet her father’s loving, shining eyes. “So soon? Why can’t it wait?”

He sighed. “At my age, by law, I cannot be without a designated heir. I was going to crown your sister at the winter’s ball, but your sister can no longer hold that role. When it was decided that you would wear the crown, both your mother and sister verified that it would be most favorable for us to do it at the ball, in the view of not only members of our kingdom, but the citizens and nobles of neighboring kingdoms as well. I couldn’t get an exact reason from them, too many variables, I suppose.”

They sat in silence for a while. “I am sorry to spring this on you, my pet, but I hope this is a good thing.” He put a hand on her cheek. “You will make a good queen, I know you will. You have a good heart, you’re compassionate and brave.”

Ivy sighed. “I know our laws, father. A queen, she needs a king.”

He nodded. “Yes, this is true. I know I’ve asked before, and I have tried not to push, not since that moron hurt you. But tell me, is there anyone in your life, my child? I would prefer you to make a love match, but the time is fast approaching that I will no longer be able to give you that option.”

Ivy shrugged. “I… I thought that thought maybe, I might have, but it is too soon, and now I’m not so sure, so no, I guess not.”

Ivy’s father nodded, holding his daughter’s hand. “I understand, my dear. I will give your possibilities some time. If there is even a possible suitor, I am willing to wait. But, once you are crowned, an engagement will need to be announced soon afterward. The kingdom will need assurance that they will have a king, and a line. I can not wait much longer.”

Ivy nodded, deep in thought. “I know, father. I will keep you updated, and I will think on what you have said. Do not take my reaction as my being upset about being the crowned princess. It’s… it’s just a lot, all at once.” She looked at her handkerchief, fiddling with the hem. “And your timing is a bit poor.”

Novel, Day 10

This is the first thousand for the day. Yes, there is a kissing scene that happens between my last thousand posted, and no, I am not going to post it. If you want to read it, send me a personal message or write in the comments. I am looking for volunteer editors to help get the piece finalized, once July comes around.
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“Spill.”

“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Bull testicles.” Adina was nothing if not blunt. “Yesterday your auras were all cute and cuddling, but today they are linked. There are threads! Multiple threads! What happened?!”

Ivy sighed. “Elliot cornered me in the main room in the middle of the night. I was coming back from the privy, he thought I was an intruder. We… shared a moment.”

“From the look of your auras, it was a really, really long moment.”

Ivy blushed. “Yes, yes it was.”

Her friends squealed in excitement.

“I’m not keeping my hopes up. I still know things are too new. But… I might inform my father of a possible suitor.”

Meredith skipped in a circle. “Oh, my love, if I could See your future I would look for you. I would look just to know for myself!”

“Spill”

Elliot looked at Devon, slightly confused. Samuel smacked Elliot on the back, beaming at his friend. “You and Ivy. You can’t keep your hands or your eyes off of each other. You were still dancing around each other yesterday, and today it’s a completely different story. You’re acting like a moron around her. What happened?”

Elliot sighed. “Last night, I thought someone had broken into our cabin. Turns out it was Ivy. We…” he ran his hands through his hair. “Dearest Goddess, just her touch…”

The boys grinned.

Devon elbowed him in the arm. “So, didn’t work in getting her out of your system, huh?”

Samuel biffed Devon on the back of the head. Elliot sighed. “We just kissed, ok? Nothing like that.”

Devon nodded like he understood. “Ah, just priming the pump, then? Getting a taste made you want her all the more.”

“Seriously, how did we become friends?” Samuel made to cuff Devon again, but Elliot raised his hand & stopped them.

“It’s ok Samuel. He’s somewhat correct, though horribly crass about it. Kissing her last night just made things more… real. It made my feelings for her stronger, that’s for certain.”

The two groups found each other again back at the food carts. They found a table in the shade, and ate together, laughing and joking. Elliot announced that he would have to be leaving to warm up soon, and everyone else wished him well in his competition, assuring him that they would be in the stands, watching. Before he left, Ivy pulled him aside.

“I have something for you”

“Oh?”

“Its customary for a lady to give her knight a token to take into battle. I know this isn’t exactly battle but… Here, I want you to have this.”

Ivy handed Elliot a handkerchief of delicate thin white linen. Embroidered in the corners were swirls of tiny green ivy. Elliot tentatively held the fabric, fascinated.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.” He slipped the fabric into a pocket on his doublet. He looked into Ivy’s eyes, smiling at her. “As is customary, I will dedicate my victory in battle to the lady whose favor I carry.” He reached up and gently tucked a stray lock of her hair back behind her ear. “I will see you after the competition.”

“Yes,” She said, leaning her head against his touch. “After the competition.”

Elliot was in the corridors within the arena, walking to the preparation area for the ax throwing competition, when he heard a voice that made his blood run cold. He froze in his tracks, molded his face into a practiced mask of empty calm, and turned around.

A man slightly taller than Elliot with short cropped grey hair and piercing blue eyes walked toward him, with three retainers shadowing behind him. He walked with a purpose, and arrogance, as though he controlled everything he could see. The thin circlet of gold and jewels upon his brow was out of place in this environment, though Elliot had to admit, it was probably his most modest crown.

“Father? I’m surprised to see you here.”

King XYZ (as yet unnamed) smiled at his son. “Of course. Once your brothers convinced me of the strategic value of participating in this Festival, I decided I must see it for myself. Just think of the opportunities! Instead of recruiting the best gem cutter or metallurgist in our kingdom, I can find and recruit the best of several kingdoms!” The king had only paused for a moment, then continued walking, expecting his son to fall in step, which he did. “Our relations with the western kingdoms have been sorely lax. This has been a wonderful opportunity for us.”

“Your majesty, where are you staying? In one of the Cabins?”

He laughed. “Oh, no. There are suites available for visiting dignitaries. They circle the top of the main stadium, and come with private seating for viewing the games. Your friend Duke Samuel did well in the jousting this morning. It also has been a wonderful opportunity to socialize with other dignitaries from the Western kingdoms. Speaking of which,” The King stopped, and turned to his son. Elliot stood there, a mask of calm indifference on his face, his hands in his pockets, Ivy’s token in his hand. “I have been in conference with the other kings of the realm who are in attendance, and making plans for our kingdom’s future. Now that you have seen the world and have had the opportunity to get some of your… youthful urges out of your system, it is getting time for you to settle down. Oh, I have big plans for you, son!”

Elliot fidgeted with the embroidery in his pocket. “What are your plans, father?”

The King laughed in a jolly way. “Nothing is written with blood, so they will be revealed in good time, but I am sure that you, my son, will be most pleased. Now, this is your stop, yes? I look forward to seeing you in the ax competition. You represent our country, and I know you will make me proud.” The king beamed at his second son, the dutiful prince, patting him on the shoulder.

Elliot bowed as his king took his leave “Your will is my command, father”

He was crushing the handkerchief in his fist.

Novel, Day 9

Once Devon and Ivy were ready to go, the group went to find some lunch in the midway. Meredith and Adina giggled to each other about Elliot and Ivy. She was still twitchy nervous from her presentation, constantly second guessing if the tea had seeped properly or if she had said anything wrong. The group would be talking about something completely different, like how much of the salad was left, and she would blurt out “LEFT! I served them left to right, not right to left!” Elliot was obviously finding this hilarious, but doing a fairly good job of keeping the laughter out of his voice. He had taken it upon himself to become her caretaker. She would blurt out about the direction of her serving in the presentation, and he would put his hand on her shoulder and offer her a bite of his sandwich. Adina found their obvious rapport especially entertaining. As they left the midway to head toward her archery competition, Adina tugged the cuff of Meredith’s sleeve, and the two of them fell to the back, then behind the group, so they could speak in private.

“Meredith, are you seeing what I’m Seeing?”

“I’m not sure, what is your Sight telling you?”

“You know how Ivy is all crackling violet energy after a contest like that? Well, she still is, that’s not the thing. The thing is that whenever Elliot touches her, it steeps to more pinks and orange, and the crackles are dissipating much faster than usual. His presence is totally grounding her.”

Meredith beamed. “What else?”

“Well, it’s too early to be sure, but their auras seem to be syncing. I’m not 100 on that, mind you. But his aura is getting the orange and reds when he is around her.”

Meredith squeezed her friend’s hand. “I can’t See with my gift, but I can see with my eyes. I’m so pleased. They seem perfect for each other.”

Adina smiled and nodded. “Their auras haven’t linked, not a thread, but their souls are reaching for each other. It’s just a matter of time.”

Meredith gave her friend an awkward, sideways glance. “Linked, huh? So what do Samuel’s and mine look like?”

Adina laughed loud enough to catch the attention of the group, who noticed how they had fallen behind and waited for them to catch up. “Oh, my dear, you’re not exactly one yet, but you’re so tangled together there’s no separating you.”

Adina’s archery contest was to be held in the main arena. There was a practice area behind the arenas where the contestants could warm up. As Adina stood in line to pick up a bow and quiver, she challenged Elliot to a target match. “After all, we’ve only seen you fling frogs and cards. I want to see how good you are on a range.” He agreed after a bit of coercing from the group, and admitted that it wouldn’t hurt to get some practice in before his competition the following day.

At the target range, Adina and Elliot were able to get neighboring targets, since the Archery and Ax ranges were next to each other. There were benches behind the ranges, where groups of people were catching their breath or relaxing in the relatively warm autumn day. Samuel and Devon sat with Meredith and Ivy, laughing and relaxing while their friends prepared themselves with their own personal rituals. In order to get targets next to each other, Elliot would have to throw on a target further away than his target would be in his competition, and Adina would have to shoot a target closer than hers would be in a few hours. Once in the preparation area, both competitors were all business. They both were aware of the deadliness of their weapons, and treated them with the proper respect. They both toed the line at the same time, Adina setting her nock, Elliot planting his grip. Without an external signal, they began at the same time. Adina drew and released her five arrows in rapid succession, all but the first crowded in the bulls eye. Elliot’s five axes were thrown with similar speed, each hitting and sticking in their own small, separate target, all touching the center ring.

Whoops and hollers erupted from the viewing gallery as the contestants waited for the line to be called all clear before retrieving their opponent’s projectiles. Adina had scored 24 points, and Elliot 23, as the blades of two of his axes had cut the line, placing their score in the ring just outside of center. They came back to the bench to get some water and let other people have their targets, as it was crowded and many people needed to rotate through.

“It’s not a speed competition.” Meredith laughed.

“It isn’t? I couldn’t tell.” Ivy was honestly just naive on the subject.

Elliot ran his hand through his hair. “Usually, in practice, you start as fast as possible. It shows where your weaknesses are so you can work on them during the rest of the practice.”

Adina smiled. “It’s also a macho thing. A way of sizing up your opponent’s raw abilities.”

Elliot laughed. “Yeah, it’s that, too.”

The all clear was called again, and Adina and Elliot left to get in the preparation area for another round. As they prepared themselves for the signal to toe the line, a group of young men approached the bench. Elliot watched as the men struck up a conversation with everyone, watched as Ivy smiled and talked with them. He suddenly wanted to be over there, to hear what they were talking about; to be able to put his arm protectively around Ivy’s shoulder, as Samuel was instinctively doing to Meredith at that exact moment. Adina’s movement forward caught his attention, for he had missed the call, and that the person in front of him had finished and was clearing the targets. He mentally chastised himself for not having his head in the game as he went to the line.