《Savage Errands I - The Sixth Kuinkazner》Baloroy & Hax
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Hours later, after countless rounds of Nine Maryns, Fivestones, Jackals Six-Dance, trulls, tarocks, and a little cartomancy, Baloroy threw open the door to the mead hall and swaggered out into the night. Hax, as always, dutifully followed. His head raised high, Baloroy chuckled as he thumbed through a score of Sabler banknotes: the night’s winnings. He would have also had a dozen excellent swords, but waging one’s weapons in war was forbidden. In his other hand, he held a tankard of Ghost Rain Rum from Poor Gables, that ever-rebelling port fifty leagues due east of his current obligation. Gulping down the last drink, he set the tankard on a weapons crate as he passed it. Unlike the vast majority of other men who enjoyed the elegance and sophistication of a good pipe, Baloroy preferred its far less reputable cousin, a rolled bundle of dried tobacco leaves, perfectly fermented, called a sagharot, or cigar. It was a popular choice for men like Baloroy, who found themselves working for the Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Strange Auspices as ‘rough captains’ where their irregular service mitigated their various brig sentences, excessive debts, or other penalties. Or, in Hax’s case, simply because he could find nothing better to do. As the cigar was foreign to the Island of Arbonhale, it had become a staple of well-traveled men: Ambassadors, on the one hand, assassins, and soldiers of fortune on the other. It was so ubiquitous among the quiet killing class that it had become an unspoken means of identifying operators within that cruel trade. Among those brands he had sampled, he preferred Tremaloro from the southernmost kingdom of Morgandy.
As for Baloroy, he imposed himself equally by presence as by personality. He was a tall, burly, boisterous man with dark eyes, olive skin, and an unkempt goatee. He was at heart a festive man with a great booming laugh that came quickly and infected all who heard it. He wore a dark bandana on his head, an earring in his left ear (for luck, after the manner of the Awenda, a clannish people who lived on a spear of land between two great rivers in Kimjudeya), and layers of leather armor collected from a dozen campaigns across a dozen frontiers. He wore a thickly layered leather pauldron over his right shoulder, and it was sewn directly into his jacket and had long since faded from its colors. Ever deployed, his great sword belt was crowded: sword, dagger, another dagger, coin purse, a small book, a metal drinking mug, spare D-rings, a loop of keys, a half-dozen pouches with double snap closures, and other articles. He was also distinguished by his rather large gloves, buckled around the wrist, which appeared to be his favorite part of his attire. He was rarely seen without them.
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Hax’s look, however, was entirely singular. Where Baloroy’s build and belongings abled him to stand his ground against all dangers, Hax’s were intended for taking ground, for movement. He had a lean and athletic build with excellent proportions. His sword belt had few things on it, for where Baloroy brought most of his effects with him, Hax was content to find them wherever he went. Thus, he traveled featherlight. His hair was short, well set, the color of hay, and combed straight back. He had a good face, always set in grim determination, either toward solving those tasks before him or thinking back on that singular defeat that had cost him an eye and kept him silent for over a decade. That first loss, his left eye, was covered by a simple black eyepatch. His leather wardrobe mainly consisted of dark colors, except his coat, which had a dull bluish-gray hint. Looking past the slashes and tears of his attire, one noticed its quality: he was once a wealthy man.
Stopping by one of the Sablers’ many open yard stoves, Baloroy dropped a coin in the cook’s money box and took a fresh seasoned chicken leg from the grill. Halfway through it, he turned to that section of the yard where the Pier of Ventures regularly rested, but it was not there.
“Huh,” Baloroy said, taking a last tear at the chicken leg. “Is it just me, old boy, or is something missing?” When he turned to see if the strange terrace had been relocated within the high walls of Anzioch, he was nearly stabbed by the bill of a swordfish carried by an old gray mariner across his back.
“Oh, sorry, sir!” the man said, stepping around him.
Baloroy touched the bill, then wiggled it, chuckling, “Killed by a broadbill. Well, nothing on land can kill me. Why not let the sea have her chance!” As the man continued his way, Baloroy gestured to the empty lot. “You wouldn’t happen to know where that went, would you?”
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“That ole venture? Aye, off to war it went without so much as a whisper. That lovely Yale child raised away on it—the blue-haired one! Took her friends with her, she did. And those birds. A most volitant stone if ever there was one.”
Unaware of what volitant meant, Baloroy looked over to Hax, who gestured to the sky.
“Ah, yes, volitant. Of course.” Sniffing once, Baloroy asked, “She didn’t happen to say where she was going, did she?”
“No, sir, can’t say she did. No sooner had she spoken with the Old Eastern than she stole off. Talk is, she’s off to land that mad butcher, another seventh of bloody Ole Kuin.” The man laughed, “My money is on the girl!” Shrugging into the fish, the man walked off to the kitchens. “Mark my words!” he shouted. “In time, they’ll call this whole mess the Maidens War!”
“The Old Eastern, eh?” Baloroy said, repeating the colloquial name for their commander, General Duralamayre, who had been born in the Eastern Fortunes. Throwing away the chicken leg, Baloroy approached one of the night watches’ writing desks. Pulling out a page from a leather portfolio, he tapped it, saying, “To pen, Hax, we must write something clever to exonerate ourselves from this predicament: this recurring shame to which she keeps abandoning us.”
Hax sat down, found a quill, and placed an inkwell on the desk. Ready, he waited on Baloroy.
“To, uh,” Baloroy puffed on his cigar, saying, “whoever it must, more likely than not, eventually worry—that’s stupid. Scratch that. Let us see: Sirs, that blue-haired jackrabbit, is—what? She is, by her own hand, nowhere to be found. I am not saying she’s dead, but most likely—no, scratch that—new sentence. My esteemed lords, Tristanué has disappeared again like—what’s faster? A black buck or a rock dove?” Baloroy asked loudly to everyone near him. He reached out and caught a passing Sabler footsoldier and repeated the question.
“Couldn’t say. But a cheetah, why, that fast lad can run down bad news, which sounds like what you’re writing,” the lancer said before turning back to his duty.
“What’s a cheetah?” Baloroy mumbled. “Anyway, um, all that. So on and so forth,” he rambled. “Your most dependable, incorrupt, and undefeated servant, Baloroy.”
Hax scribbled as Baloroy smoked his cigar. On finishing the report, Hax sprinkled some fine powder to dry it. Then, blowing on it, he handed it to Baloroy, who read it.
“Hax, old boy, you are a perfect liar: ever plausible as all good poets should be,” Baloroy grinned. “Yes, you have added weight to light.” He read a little more. “Discomfiture? What’s that mean? Who cares? Discomfiture, I like it. Excellent, Hax. Excellent.”
Hax, as was his way, said nothing. However, he reached over and slipped out a banknote from Baloroy’s wad.
Baloroy looked down at his winnings, now one bill short. Typically, a fight would ensue after such effrontery, but this was Hax, who, if nothing else, was his friend. “Yes! By god, why not!” Baloroy laughed, “A writer is worth his wages! You have a velvet hand, my friend!”
With that, the two men went off in search of other diversions.
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Hidden words
When you're isolated, the nothingness within you grows. When you lack the strength to scream for help, the emptiness comes next. Fortunately, rescue arrives and saves Jade from herself. She's thrust into a world she never knew existed, and she has only one path left. In this new world, she's granted the powers that were stolen from her. To survive, she'll use her powers to make a new family and face the dangers that lurk in the darkness, but will she be strong enough? ····························································This is my first book and any feedback and reviews are welcome :p thanks to Danetello for help with the Synopsis.
8 63He Has Changed
[MIGHT HAVE SLOW UPDATES]I'm not the fun and sarcastic Sebastian you all remember anymore...What happened to Sebastian after Abby left? Why did he turn into this cold, mean, arrogant man?Abby Madden: The rich, wealthy self made millionaire. She's one of the top models in the world, beyond gorgeous. She has companies begging, at their knees for her to walk their runway. Everyone knows her name, people love her, want to be her. But do they know what happens right when she steps off that runway? What is hidden away behind her perfect smile? Sebastian Morales: He's the cold mafia leader, he kills anything that comes in his way and he does it without remorse. He has people running from his shadow, people fear even his name. Only shows the bit of emotion to his family. He's surrounded by a scary, cold aura. His blue eyes dull and ice cold. But he wasn't always like this...What happened to Sebastian that he forced himself to change? Quote: "I'll fist your hair around my hand and fuck you from the back so hard you'll beg for me to stop is what I'll do" he grits as his fingers around my neck tighten the slightest and his knee rubs harder against my wet core. Before I could say anything he brings me closer until our lips are an inch apart. "So, look at another man and I'll fuck you so hard you won't be able to walk straight for fucking weeks" he says quietly as his hands pull on the string of my dress letting it fall down before he lets go of me and walks out of the room leaving me in shock.
8 102Sinful Seduction | Completed
''Clean my shoes!'' I heard his voice, my body trembled at his demand. I was appointed for a job not for slavery. ''This isn't my job.'' I retorted, gulping the anger in me. ''I know what your job is, to make rich people fall for you.'' He smirked, taking a sip of his wine and sitting in front of me while I sat obediently. He has no rights to judge me, how can he pretend he was in love with me and then give me these names.''Then why did you try to come close to me when I'm such a horrible person.'' I tried not to cry, my heart was in pain.''Tell me what kind of girl falls for her boss' boyfriend? the boss who has helped her this much?'' it was a shame, I was guilty and ashamed but I wasn't the only one who was at fault, he did it.''You forced me to be in rel---,'' My words were left in my mouth when he crackled a laugh. ''You believe that?'' there was this smile on his face, making me sick in my stomach. ''Honestly speaking, you were just a bet.'' his words shook the world from under my feet. All this time, I was just a bet? he made me change myself to worse for him, he made me do so many regrettable things, including having an affair with my boss' bf and It was just a bet? I didn't wait to hear any further, marching towards the door I just wanted to escape but he has some wicked plans waiting for me.''Not so soon Kathleen.'' his voice dreaded me to turn and look at him. There was another guy with him, ''you asked for her?'' he gestured towards me. ''yeah, she escaped from me.'' I recognized his voice, my heart was trembling with fear. I've ran so fast to escape from this guy and Ryker just did the worst for me.''well, she is all yours because I'm bored of her.'' Ryker announced, narrowing his eyes like a monster.
8 98Raison d'etre
Amidst a creeping threat, the King of the Sagitta Kingdom has summoned his children and vassals to the Royal Capital to make an announcement. Some suspect he has chosen his heir, some believe there is a war to prepare for and those who believe there is a conspiracy afoot. Alexandria Terramanz the third princess of the Sagitta Kingdom accompanied by her two friends and subordinates Brigette her stewardess and Sir Foltest one of the strongest knights in the Kingdom. Ronald a city guard that people cannot help but like, yet is hiding secrets from everyone. Oberon Flamberge once a prodigal swordsman now wheelchair-bound after a duel taken too far. Accompanied by his personal attendant Valeria. All these people and more converge at the royal capital with their own goals in mind. ( Most Pov chapters will be from the characters mentioned above though there may be others sprinkled in. This is my first story, all feedback and critique are welcomed.)
8 92Is It Hate OR Love? Jodha Akbar
His heart was blazing with fire; her flaming words reverberated on his conscious. The thought of her sensual body and fiery arrogance brought an evil smirk on his face. The heartless King viciously slurred to himself, 'You have dared to set your foot in the lion's den, Princess Jodha; you addressed me a cruel and a heartless monster. I swear to Allah, you will repent for every word you have stated. I proclaim, shortly, you will be part of my harem. You will serve and obey me for your audacity. I will lust your beauty from top to bottom and breakdown your arrogance and strength apart.''Let us see who will rescue you from me now. Your swollen pride will melt in a second like a piece of ice on fire. Soon, you will worship at my feet and be my slave. Oh, I am eager indeed to see you begging for my mercy. You are a challenge, which Jalal proudly accepts.**************************************************In 1562, The Majority of the Hindustan was ruled by cruel, ruthless, and heartless Mughal King Jalaluddin Muhammad AKBAR.Soon Jalal realized the Hindu Rajput brave clan was not easy to conquer. To fulfill his ravenous desire to rule over the entire Hindustan, he manipulated Rajvanshi kings with his wicked proceed and compelled Hindu princess Jodha to marry him forcefully not for political acquire only, but to sate his hunger for her beauty.A Hindu Princess Jodha's dreams shattered when she became a pawn in his manipulative schemed and forced to marry a cold-blooded Muslim ruler of the century. Let's read what happens when Jalal is not the man she presumed him to be? # 1 HistoricalFiction out of 58K Oct 26 2022#32 hate out of 124K#1 Jalal on 12/22/2020#1 Jodha on 12/22/2020#1 Akbar on 12/22/2020#1 Hindu on 12/22/2020Warning: Mature Content 18+ Read at your risk includes mature content.
8 67Match
He'd never met someone so kind and friendly, and he didn't know why it made him feel a certain way. He hated it. Hated he couldn't get away from it. Couldn't get away from her. No matter who or what was in the room, his eyes would always find hers, and he'd never settle not knowing where she was.She'd never met someone so cocky and self-centred as him. She hated the way she didn't think he paid attention to her. She hated the way he was the only boy who made her feel something she had never felt before - the presence of a strong man in her life, someone who could guide her. She hated the way he made her feel like the luckiest girl in the world and she wouldn't feel bad for it. Their eyes would always find each other's, no matter the circumstance. If it was a stupid fight, a disagreement, or just simply being away from each other, they'd always feel drawn to one another.But with all their hopes and dreams, comes the difficulties and reality of their lives. Not everything is as perfect as they may seemed.___"Willow, come back!" I heard the frantic voice of my boyfriend as he called for me. But I decided to ignore him and head straight to my favourite shop.Today was Black Friday which meant everything was hell of a lot cheaper, (it also meant I wasn't wasting any time and getting first dibs on everything I saw)."Didn't you hear me calling for you?" Theo clamped his hands down on my shoulders and spun me around, his dark hair falling over his green eyes as he panted. I could feel a smirk break out on my face as he huffed."Whatever. Just next time tell me you're going to start running so I can win. You made me look silly." He rolled his eyes like a child and I snorted, peppering his reddened cheeks with kisses to which he softened up by."I'm sorry." I said in a teasing tone and before I knew it, he was lifting up my chin with his finger and planting a firm but tender kiss down onto my lips. "I love you."
8 78