Chapter Sixteen

There was no doubt in the Shadow’s mind, he was lost. He had left the House of Summer with a clear destination in mind, a dining hall of the Chositha that he had seen the night before, on his way to the House. It had seemed a simple enough route, two lefts, a right , then angle down a three way intersection to the right, but those steps had taken him to a street that he had never seen before.

Having no knowledge of where he was, nor where his destination was, the Shadow made the logical choice, he would ask for help. But he would not throw himself on the mercy of just any Celesti, no, he wanted help from his clan or not at all. Logic is all well and good, but pride, that is something that will make you work extra hard at simple things.

So, the Shadow leaned his back against the nearest wall and watched the people walking by. Trasbello was a smith, one of the Vernita sept. So he was looking for any man that looked as though he was a smith too. This would be a member of his new clan, and could tell him where a dinning hall for the Chositha was, and direct him to Trasbello’s shop in the Street of the Hammered Metal.

He waited and watched as several likely men go by, but one looked so much like a smith that he made is move. The man coming down the street was nearly as broad as he was tall. His thick neck seemed to blend directly into his massive shoulders. His torso moved in that way that suggests that all of the flesh under his clothes was solid muscle, and that they pulled against each other, each one trying to dominate the others. On his head sat a mane of hair, brown warring with sun streaks of nearly blond amongst the wavy curls. His face was half covered with a closely clipped beard, that served to emphasize the strong plains of his cheeks, falling to the hard line of his jaw. This was the kind of man the Shadow had been waiting for.

Stepping away from his wall, the Shadow came and stood directly in front of this impressively muscled man. “Hail, and good morning. I do not mean to interrupt you, but you are a Vernita, are you not?”

The man studied the Shadow quietly for a moment and then said in a surprisingly high pitched voice, “Now, what, exactly, would make you think that I am a Vernita?”

Chapter Fourteen

By the time they reached the school, the sun was behind the walls of the valley, casting the City into a bright twilight. The sky above was full of light, but the houses and streets were deep in shadow. It gave the city, to Tyrone’s mind, a feeling of being in the world but not of it. He could understand why the Celesti did not feel much of a need to know what the world outside the valley was like. It was a feeling that while the day may end, the night was long in coming, though of course, he would not have said it that way.

The school they arrived at was divided into three large rooms. The first room, Heltiase explained, was for the youngest of the children. The youngest children here had barley been weaned from their mothers breasts, while the oldest children were no more than five years old. It was a noisy place with filled with toys and large, soft pillows. Here the children learned to play and cooperate with each other under the guidance of their teachers.

Heltiase could not have been a stranger to this school. The moment that his tall bald figure was seen by the little ones he was surrounded by five or six of them insisting on telling him of their day, asking to be picked up, or demanding that he come see something. Bowing to the inevitable, he suggested that Tyrone and the Shadow look around for themselves.

Happy Saturday and welcome to the latest installment in the serialization of Dark Soul!

If you’re just peeking into this series for the first time, you can find the previous chapters at the links below

If you have not been following this sterilization, you can find the previous twelve chapters at these links:

Dark Soul, Chapter One
Dark Soul, Chapter Two
Dark Soul, Chapter Three
Dark Soul, Chapter Four
Dark Soul, Chapter Five
Dark Soul, Chapter Six
Dark Soul, Chapter Seven
Dark Soul, Chapter Eight
Dark Soul, Chapter Nine
Dark Soul, Chapter Ten
Dark Soul, Chapter Eleven
Dark Soul, Chapter Twelve

As always any reactions good or bad are very welcome. This is a learning experience for me, so if you have an opinion I’d like to have it.

Chapter Thirteen

Tyrone and the Shadow followed Heltiase as he took them up a street that led deeper into the City. After they had walked for a few minutes in silence, Heltiase stopped and turned to look at the two men. “I have only one question for the two of you; is it your intention to kick over every bucket of swill in the whole City of Rushing Water, or only the ones directly in front of you?”

Chapter Twelve

Getovan strode up the cobbled street, walking with angry strides, and apologizing to Brother Carlinus. “You must forgive Zelibothir, Brother. She is young and finds comfort only in the things that have been the same for her whole life. She does not have the level of respect that she should for those that hold the knowledge of the god. She did not mean to offend you,”

“I think that you stretch the truth with that, my friend. The young woman meant to offend, most surly she did. But don’t trouble yourself about it, I have traveled with a servant of the Enemy, and a man whose faith has not been tutored sufficiently. I do not take these jabs seriously. In time all will see the truth of the Lord, and come to the light,”

Tyrone and the Shadow caught up to the two men at that point. Getovan took a deep breath and collected himself. After taking a deep breathe and let it out in a great sigh. His composure regained he turned back to the travelers.

“I think that next we should see the some of the sept’s workshops. If you are willing to walk a bit we can see the Pathri make their pottery.” The men all nodded and Getovan turned left and set off down one of the side streets.

The lane they followed slopped down and they soon found themselves in on the first level of the city, in the half-circle nearest to the soaring cliff face that formed the absolute limit of the City of Rushing Waters. Here along what might have been the original river bed, there where four large clay pits, three of which were in active use.

Happy Saturday and welcome to the latest installment in the serialization of Dark Soul!

If you’re just peeking into this series for the first time, you can find the previous chapters at the links below

If you have not been following this sterilization, you can find the previous seven chapters at these links:

Dark Soul, Chapter One
Dark Soul, Chapter Two
Dark Soul, Chapter Three
Dark Soul, Chapter Four
Dark Soul, Chapter Five
Dark Soul, Chapter Six
Dark Soul, Chapter Seven
Dark Soul, Chapter Eight
Dark Soul, Chapter Nine
Dark Soul, Chapter Ten

As always any reactions good or bad are very welcome. This is a learning experience for me, so if you have an opinion I’d like to have it.

Happy Saturday and welcome to the latest installment in the serialization of Dark Soul!

If you’re just peeking into this series for the first time, you can find the previous chapters at the links below

If you have not been following this sterilization, you can find the previous seven chapters at these links:

Dark Soul, Chapter One
Dark Soul, Chapter Two
Dark Soul, Chapter Three
Dark Soul, Chapter Four
Dark Soul, Chapter Five
Dark Soul, Chapter Six
Dark Soul, Chapter Seven
Dark Soul, Chapter Eight
Dark Soul, Chapter Nine

As always any reactions good or bad are very welcome. This is a learning experience for me, so if you have an opinion I’d like to have it.

Chapter Ten

Brother Carlinus woke to find golden sunlight streaming through the window of his room. He stretched his toes and then relaxed into the wonderful comfort of the featherbed. After waiting a few minutes to see if he could return to sleep, he threw off the down comforter and rose to meet the day.

As he came down the hall from his bedroom, he found the Shadow standing in the doorway of the house. He had his horrible sword drawn and was facing the court yard as if a battalion of troops were ready to rush the building.

“Good Morning,” called Brother Carlinus in a falsely cheerful voice.
“Good Morning to you Carlinus,” said the Shadow in a gravely voice
“So, can I assume that no one came to kill us in the night?”
“So far,” replied the Shadow
“Well, you will be able to see them coming now, so, could you put that sword away?” Brother Carlinus asked with a shudder.
“The Sorrow really bothers you, doesn’t it?” asked the Shadow holding it up between them.
“Yes,” said Brother Carlinus, stepping back a little.
“Good,” said the Shadow with a smile as he sheathed his sword, “At least some things do not change,”

Brother Carlinus was so happy that the Sorrow was no longer drawn that he let the comment go by. There was something horrible about that sword, whenever it was out he felt as though greasy fingers were shifting through his mind. Worse the longer that he was exposed to it, the clearer the sensation became, so after traveling with the Shadow so long, Brother Carlinus had a complete dread of that weapon.

Happy Saturday and welcome to the latest installment in the serialization of Dark Soul!

If you’re just peeking into this series for the first time, you can find the previous chapters at the links below

If you have not been following this sterilization, you can find the previous seven chapters at these links:

Dark Soul, Chapter One
Dark Soul, Chapter Two
Dark Soul, Chapter Three
Dark Soul, Chapter Four
Dark Soul, Chapter Five
Dark Soul, Chapter Six
Dark Soul, Chapter Seven

Dark Soul, Chapter Eight

As always any reactions good or bad are very welcome. This is a learning experience for me, so if you have an opinion I’d like to have it.

Chapter Nine

Walking into the house Tyrone met the Shadow coming down left hand set of stairs, and the man stopped and gave Tyrone a top to bottom look. Rising both eyebrows the Shadow said, “That look can only mean women. Or should I say woman?”
“Well, there was a woman here, but I really think that it has nothing to do with my look,” said Tyrone, “If I am happy, it is because I am fairly sure that in this basket is a skin of wine!”
“Hmm, yes, I know what a devoted coinsure of wine you are,” said the Shadow. Tyrone did have the decency to flush slightly at this comment but doggedly changed the subject.
“We should find the good Brother, and share this with him, don’t you think?” he asked.
The Shadow nodded and said, “Aye, Carli would be very put out if we did not share the food with him. Do you know where he is?” Tyrone had little hope that the Shadow had been completely deflected from the topic of women, but he would take any postponement of the teasing that he could get. No doubt it would gain interest for being delayed, but who knew, they might all be dead tomorrow and he might escape completely.

Happy Saturday! Welcome to the eight installment of Dark Soul. This is a novel I have been writing and rewriting for a few years. I am posting it here in the hopes of getting some feed back. I want to thank those who have commented on it, just so you know your comments have lead to some serious rewrites of the first two chapters, so don’t think your ideas are falling on deaf ears!

Anyway this week our travelers are getting settled in the City of Rushing Water.

If you have not been following this sterilization, you can find the previous seven chapters at these links:

Dark Soul, Chapter One
Dark Soul, Chapter Two
Dark Soul, Chapter Three
Dark Soul, Chapter Four
Dark Soul, Chapter Five
Dark Soul, Chapter Six
Dark Soul, Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

The Shadow turned and followed his companions into the building. He was not sure what kind of reception they would get, but he hoped that Tyrone and Brother Carlinus would have the sense to say a little as possible, until it became clear what was happening. Not that he thought Carli would, but one could always hope. He had noticed Tyrone’s attempt at charming the people they had walked by, and was happy that he had made the attempt, but it was not his style at all.

Happy Saturday! Welcome to the seventh installment of my novel Dark Soul. This is one of my favorite chapters, as in it the travelers finally arrive at the City of Rushing Water, the home of the Celesti. As always any input or feed back, good or bad, is appreciated.

If you have not been following this sterilization, you can find the previous six chapters at these links:

Dark Soul, Chapter One
Dark Soul, Chapter Two
Dark Soul, Chapter Three
Dark Soul, Chapter Four
Dark Soul, Chapter Five
Dark Soul, Chapter Six

Now on to the show!

Chapter Seven

The Shadow opened his eyes to see that dawn was well underway. A dew still coated their campsite, including himself and the blanket he was sleeping under. He blinked several times to clear his eyes, then rolled on his side and stood. He wondered into the woods to take care of his morning needs, and came back out to see Tyrone adding some wood to the embers of their fire.

“Good morning Ty, where are the others?” he asked
“The good father has taken our new friend too look for mushrooms. It seems that Astiabo knows of a spot that they are thicker than fleas on a Frenchman. I am not sure but I think they where talking about eggs, ova is Latin for eggs, right? Maybe we will eggs and mushrooms for breakfast?”
“That would certainly be a change from cold meat and old cheese, “replied the Shadow, “There must be some large birds in the forest, so it seems likely that Astiabo would know where a nest or two would be, after all he is a huntsman,”
“Well since you and he know so much about each other, maybe you can fill me in. I don’t mind saying that I felt a bit left out last night.”

Happy Art Saturday!

Here is this weeks installment in Dark Soul. I’d like to thank those who have read and commented on this draft of my novel and once again invite everyone to voice their opinions on it. If you have not been following this serialization, you can find the first three chapters at the following links:

Dark Soul, Chapter One
Dark Soul, Chapter Two
Dark Soul, Chapter Three
Dark Soul, Chapter Four

Dark Soul, Chapter Five

Chapter Six

The first thing that the Shadow knew was that the sun was shining. It may sound funny that his first thought was not ‘I am alive!’, but in fact it takes a super-human sense of self to think so clearly. Instead the Shadow asked, “When did it stop raining?” Moving his head slightly, the Shadow could see that he was lying on the ground under a shelf of rock. To his right was a flickering object that he guessed was a fire. Raising his hand to wipe the sleep from his gummy eyes caused such a symphony of muscle pain that he let out a long groan.

“Ahh, the sleeper awakens!” said the entirely too cheery voice of Brother Carlinus. As the Shadow glowered at him through slit eyes thinking that of course Carli would be a morning person! Rolling on to his side so he could see the priest without looking up at the sun, the Shadow found that the first burst of pain had not just been from sleeping on the ground. Muscles in his back and legs told him, in no uncertain terms, that he would be sitting or lying for a while yet.

“Shadow, don’t, “said Brother Carlinus losing his grin, “You really should stay there for a while, you were hurt fairly badly.”
The Shadow found that while he could not quite manage to sit up, he could lean against the saddle bag that he had been using a pillow. “So, what happened?” he asked once he was settled.