Excerpts from The Tundra Tales
.jpg)
Seraphina sheds a new pair of eyes
I once read a book about a tribe that mutilated women. For sure, I thought the writer was mad, but the more I glanced at The Sarchen Girl, the more I realized he wasn’t. Perhaps this mad writer’s eyes had seen things I was just beginning to see.
Foolishness
That night, as I turned, I experienced foolishness for the first time.
Vulen falls into thought
I try not to think about the infection that’s spread through my leg, and although the pain’s unbearable, when I hear the tormented cries of others, it makes me forget about my own. Many times, when asked, I reply with, I’m fine.
Rarity encounters the Commander
"I suggest you ride with Jerry. The man stinks of swine but can navigate through pits like you wouldn’t believe.” The high commander turned around, smiling at Jerry. “Isn’t that right, Jerry!”
“That be right, sir.” Jerry spat on the ground, turning Rarity’s stomach.
“Eww…” Rarity glanced at Jerry as if he was some anomaly not meant for this world. Repulsed by his mottled features, she whipped out her fan as if it alone possessed powers that would rid her of his unpleasantries and those experienced throughout the day as she gathered her skirt, mounting the horse.
The road back should’ve taken two nights, but with Rarity’s constant yapping and hunger for food, the journey was delayed, taking The Knights of Elaple out of their way and toward a remote area where a trading post came to view. It was there where Rarity realized she had to part ways with her precious fan for a piece of stale bread.
A Different Route
I remember the rain falling and the voices of men chatting as we trotted south. I knew not where I was, but at that moment, I cared not, for my head was bursting.
Stream of thoughts
She glanced at me like The Silver Waters of Katarac, and I, to her, like The Sailor misses the Sea. We were dumbfounded! Time ceased, yet somehow, we were back where it all began. I could hear the revelers, the music, and taste the wine.
Man and Creature Collide
The Great Fires of Ebondenn
I nodded, hoping he’d loosen the grip, but truth is I was a coward, lying to a dying man, and strength, I had none.
The Bell Tolls!
“Lock them doors! Secure them latches, and nail them windows shut! That be right, folks. Hurry on home, hurry on home before he gets you.”
The Rambles of Men
I recall the voices of men around village taverns talking of cowards and how they'd rather die by the sword, and I wondered if I’d become one of those cowards?
The Rose Falls
He fed upon my face like a creature of the night, sinking his teeth into my thighs, and although I was not his prey, and he was not a creature, we played the part.
Fists of Courage
From afar, villagers welcomed me with fists to their hearts, but this time, a different gleam unveiled. Rumor has it the night air has brought a great sickness. Rash-like marks with blisters have taken over the bodies of men.
Count Millicent hovers over Ernoldus
The end of the month arrived with much laughter and drink in The House of Elaple, as the garden was adorned with flowers and ribbons for the long-awaited Knotting Feast, but inside, a dispirited Ernoldus grew gloom as Count Millicent stood beside him in delight.
“Must you hover over me like a shadow, or is it to amuse yourself with my torment?” Ernoldus sighed, parting the drapes as he peered out the window and toward the garden.
“Glad to see you’re in such high spirits.”
“The only high spirit I desire is the one in that jug.” With a deep sigh of despair, Ernoldus glanced at the guests when seeing someone he recognized. Drawing the drapes shut, he placed his back against the wall, sneaking a peek from behind the curtains as he moved back and forth, hiding between the corners. “Is… is that… no… tell me you didn’t?”
“Oh, yes, the beautiful Annabelle LeFranc, in the flesh.”
“Beautiful? A swine covered in sludge looks better than that… that thing. I can’t believe father invited her. We both know her brows touch to no end and that… that thing on her lip. The gods sure had no mercy on her. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was birthed by trolls.”
“Annabelle LeFranc is the third richest maiden in the feast. Her dowry alone could supply this kingdom with enough gold to house one of the biggest armies.”
“Oh, how I miss my little crumpet.” Ernoldus leaned against the wall.
“Your little crumpet will no longer be tending to you. I made sure of that.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“I’ve removed her from the premises.”
“You’ve no right to remove my girls.”
“My job is to ensure everything runs smooth. Your little crumpet, as you call her, was pestering where she shouldn’t have been.”
“This, for sure, has got to be the worst day of my life. The gods are laughing at me, Millicent, the gods are laughing at me.”
“I suppose there are worse things than bearing heirs that resemble trolls,” said Count Millicent.
“I need a drink.”
The Dirty Rope
On the north-eastern part of town was a place known for the side-walk beauties of the night, the pleasure queens, the tails, and men who delighted in them, otherwise known as ‘The Dirty Rope.’ It was a place where passersby took a moment’s rest before saying their farewells
Leeks journeys into The Boggy Waters
The whooshing leaves feel nice, like a trance at first, but inside, my bones rattle something terrible. Perhaps darkness has a role to play? Perhaps not? One thing I do know is my beloved friend Balki will no longer carry me, for the whines and neighs have become endless.
Pyro encounters Aphid Redcurl for the first time
Long and white was his hair, like the mountains of the north, with a towering beard that had aged with time. Shrouded was his cloak, and of yew was his staff, and atop his head, a braided crown made of silver decorated it. Wrapped around his furrow neck hung a horn, and perched high atop his olden shoulders, rested two ravens resembling the color of a wave’s crest.
Desperatio: The Scent of the Hopeless
Catherine glanced at the filth-ridden boy who wore the same scent as she. It was the scent of pure desperation mixed with a bit of dirt and some tears. She knew this scent, and she knew it well, perhaps too well.
King of The South
King Elimear was short and burly, but his voice and strength made up for it. His hair was a golden wheat of waves with a stiff beard and broad shoulders. He wore a crown made of precious metals and jewels, carrying a distinct shade of amber. On one hand, he bore tokens, and on the other, he held a sword, and as he alighted, a velvet cloak dressed his back, depicting The Burning Flame.
The Mirror
From rock and stone, it hung. A peculiar mirror displaying glimpses of The Outside World. Deceitful and cunning, it played the most captivating music. Victims fell paralyzed, unable to turn from its sight. The Mirror allowed one to see their desires, but in turn showed a great darkness. Unable to be destroyed, The Mirror can torture a man. The only way to escape its grasp is to stain its glass, but remember, The Mirror will always win as it forever keeps a part of you.
A prisoner's escape
Deep beneath the castle floors where the minds of men grew dark, and chains rattled day into night laid a man who groaned and panted as he awaited death. During this time, a masked stranger, hooded and cloaked, skulked the halls, slipping in and freeing the man. He led him down a secret corridor leading toward an old, hinged door. In his hand, he held a note, which he gave the man before parting. The man took the note, which he folded and tucked within his pocket as he waited for the guards to switch post, and when they did, he made his escape, vanishing into the forest.
The story of The Gaglus
It has been said The Shamazen Dancers belonged to a great and mighty people whose empire lay surrounded by a moat of crystalline waters and whose lands lay far beyond the green hills. Stories claim, within the waters lived strange beasts called Gaglus. They carried one eye and resembled giant worms with many teeth and funnel-like mouths. For many years, the Gaglus guarded the kingdom well, not allowing anyone through. However, when the sun’s light came to a fade, the creatures lost sight, returning to the waters.
One evenfall, as the last of the rays set over the hills, a mass of armed men marched over the fells. They came in swarms, carrying vials of a dark matter as they waited for night to rise and when she did, and the creatures lost sight, they ran across the fields, dumping the cursed vials into the waters, taking everyone by surprise.
Tales spun by spinsters say that night, the waters ran dark; the fields ran red, and the sound of metal rang through the sky. In the end, The Shamazen Dancers were the only remaining people of this great kingdom.
She rose like a goddess from the sea. Eiadassa was her name. She looked at me and said, ‘Unless you’re joining me, rider, I suggest you leave. Waters don’t hold heat ‘round here.’ I cleared my throat, asking for forgiveness like the mere mortal I was as she taunted me with her bosom.
“Eiadassa, would you stop taunting the commander,” said Neteas. “He has a long way back, and the last thing he needs is your chest on his mind.”
“A little longer, and I would’ve shown him my honeypot.”
Her honeypot, could you imagine? As if I was worthy of such prize. I took her hand, pressing it against my lips, taking the notes of peony and vanilla with me. Enjoy the bath, I said, as she leaned in with a whisper that my ear did not expect, ‘Perhaps another time?’ If not for our eyes falling to a gaze, I would’ve left sooner, but like a siren, this creature had me. I had to part The Highlands and fast, at least for now.
It was the year 1005. The sun had not risen, and from Mrs. Lambert's window, the sweet aroma of pies lingered, teasing one's nose.
Two paces over, in a worn-out mat, a young boy balled up in a blanket, tossed and turned. Beside him lay a small table with a roll of days’ old bread, which mice nibbled and gnawed upon. Waking to the song of a rooster's crow, he sprang up, stretching his arms as he shoved his feet into worn-out leather shoes, rushing out the door.
Toiling through The Village of Ebondenn
As noted by passersby: A butcher by the name of Dale Cooter is the only living person who witnessed a Dizzanrur. It’s said he frequents the broken-down tavern at the end of the road on Wednesdays. If you spot him, ask him about The Leonard Boys.
“I hear you want to buy me a drink in exchange for a story? Well, go on, and don't be cheap for the hands tremble.” Dale Cooter guzzled a shot of brandy while grabbing another. “Ahh… what's that? You're going to have to speak up, son, I'm a bit death in the one ear. Oh, you want to hear about The Leonard Boys? Well, why didn't you say so? That'll cost you extra, but I don't mind as long as memory serves me. Now, let's see, where were we? Ahh… yes, The Leonard Boys.”
The wench made her rounds serving you and Dale Cooter a plate of cabbage, beans, and stale bread.
“I was in the woods that day when I saw The Leonard Boys lost their life. It was the end of the day, light was fading, but you know boys, they have to get it right. The two were practicing their hammer throws, they were getting so good. I was so proud of them. That's when I heard the first cry. One of the lads had scratched himself. I laughed it off, keeping a working eye. Moments later, I heard another. I turned around to see what all the din was about when from out of the canopy fell a creature like the shadows of the night. The boys tried to fight it off.” Dale Cooter made the sign of the cross. “May God rest their souls, but they were no match for its size, and before knowing, them poor boys were torn from neck to heel. It all happened so fast, there was naught a thing I could do. If asking, that thing came from out of nowhere, shot straight from the pits of helle! It don't belong here. No sir, it don't belong here.”
A Butcher's Tale
The Letters of Void
At first, it runs empty, tricking the mind as it lures you to its call like a rat in search of food. Then, without thought, madness sets in, and lost to its depths, you become, and all that was and all you were ceases to exist.
The Handler Records a Note
To peel man from his identity, make him feel paralyzed to the point that he feels absolutely nothing, is a great conquest.
Tundra | A Wanderer's Tale into Darkness is a tale full of passion, betrayal, adventure, and unimaginable cruelty