《The Guardian of Rynnlee》Welcome Home
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In the old woman's place was a much younger woman seated at the table near the bed. A basket of ripe fruit sat on the table, and she was cleaning and cutting it into small pieces. He watched as her delicate hands ran the knife along the fruit's red flesh. She was in her early thirties. Her hair was long and light brown and was tied at the nape of her neck. Soft blue eyes framed a fragile nose. Her skin was lighter than Sean's, but still sun-kissed and healthy. Her lips were large and full of life. The dimple in each corner of her mouth seemed to hold a delicious secret. In short, she was beautiful.
The woman looked up and saw that he was awake. She jumped up and rushed to his side. "You're awake!" she exclaimed unnecessarily.
Sean was touched by her enthusiasm. "I suppose I am," he responded kindly. He pushed to prop himself up on the cot. The woman hurried to help him, fetching extra blankets and pillows from another room. When she was sure he was comfortable, she returned to the table.
"Are you hungry? Thirsty?" She asked.
"To be honest, after what I've been through I may never want a drink again, but those apples look delicious." Sean motioned toward the bowl.
The woman nodded and took the apples on a plate to the bed. Sean took a bite. They were even better than he had imagined. He sighed contentedly. "Thank you."
"You are very welcome…" She ended her phrase as a question.
Sean hesitated then shrugged. "Sean. My name is Sean."
"You are very welcome, Sean." The woman's smile brightened. "I am Alexis. Pleased to make your acquaintance." Alexis swept a small curtsy and laughed gently.
"Where's your mother?" Sean asked after a moment.
"My mother? I do not know how old you think I am, but I'm married, and this is my home." Alexis wasn't sure whether to be flattered or offended. She was the mistress of this house, having left her mother's home over a decade before. Anyway, both her parents had been dead for the last two years.
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Sean was confused. He tried again, "I mean that old woman who brought me here. Where is she?"
Alexis nodded, "Oh, you mean Hanna! She comes and goes as she pleases. Very sweet, but strange. Always knows more than she should." Alexis trailed off, suddenly deep in thought.
"Hanna does not live here?" Sean asked, surprised.
"Goodness, no. No one knows where she lives." Alexis waved her hand in a wide circle, "Probably lives somewhere off in the wild." Wherever the old lady lived, it was none of the younger woman's concern.
"What did she tell you about me?" Sean was curious how much the old woman saw of the events that unfolded.
"She said you saved a man from a fire and it landed you in the river. Hanna pulled you out of the water and gave you this." Alexis retrieved the shining vial from her apron. "Whatever this is. Anyway, she brought you here and gave me instructions for your care. This vial is for you. Only topical use from now on, though. She said drinking it can have unintended results."
The color drained from Sean's face. What does that mean: unintended results? Sensing his concern, Alexis shook her head and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. You'll be fine. If she had thought it would harm you, she never would have tried it." Alexis took a chair from the table and placed it by the cot before patting his arm gently. "So, where is your family? I can send them a letter to tell them you are safe while you finish healing."
"You can write?" Sean was shocked. He knew that most peasants, especially women, could not read or write.
"I am a woman of many talents," the blue-eyed woman said mysteriously. "Do you know how to read?" Sean shook his head. "Well, then, I can teach you some while you are here if you like."
"Ok... What is the catch?" No one had ever offered to teach Sean anything. Those who had shown him skills always wanted something in return.
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Alexis cocked her head at his suspicious question. "No catch. I just thought you might like something to occupy your mind while you rest. But if you do not want to...'
"No, no. I do," he corrected her hastily. This woman was unlike anyone he had ever met.
"It's settled then." With a decided nod, Alexis stood and fetched a small piece of parchment along with a writing pen and ink. "Now, to whom do I address the letter?"
Sean flushed, realizing he had made an error. She would find out soon enough who he was and turn him out. There was no used wasting time. He may as well be honest. "No one," he answered. "I have no family. I don't even have a home."
Sean was confused by the beautiful woman's face. Instead of sadness or frustration, he saw joy.
"Well, Sean, you have both of those now. That is, if you'll have us. We're just a tiny village with only six families, but I like to think we are the happiest place in Birle."
"Birle?" Sean sat up straight. "I'm in Birle?" Sean was from Marek and although they sometimes raided along the border, he hadn't realized they actually crossed it. This explained her different accent and more even tone.
"Yes, where did you think you were?" Alexis cocked her head to one side and raised both brows.
The teen shook off his shock. "It doesn't matter. You were saying?" He hoped his outburst had not caused the invitation to be revoked.
"We are a small but happy town here and you are welcome to stay." Alexis watched him expectantly. "I have always wanted a son." She added shyly.
Sean scoffed. No one was this nice. His previous suspicion resurfaced. "You don't know me. I have been a horrible person. What do you want from me?"
Alexis chuckled quietly. Her soft eyes held compassion as she thought a moment before responding. "I don't know who you were, but that was in the past. You are now who you choose to be. Who do you want to be, Sean?"
Sean marveled at her question. No one had ever asked what he wanted. He was unsure how to answer. Finally he spoke, "I want to be better. I don't want to be the bad guy anymore."
"Then that's what I want from you: better. You can be better for me, but mostly be better for yourself."
"Alright then. I'll stay," Sean said with a conviction that surprised him. In his mind he had thought to keep his options open, but he knew after the words left his mouth there was no going back.
Alexis clapped her hands with joy. "Wait till I tell Gareth!"
A voice from the door called their attention. "Did someone say my name?"
A tall thin man entered with a wide grin on his face. His countenance was friendly and his skin flush with recent hard labor. The blonde man seemed to be only slightly older than the woman he beamed down on.
"Gareth!" Alexis stood, ran, and flung herself into the man's arms. They embraced until Sean became slightly uncomfortable. Alexis released her husband and turned. "I'd like you to meet our son, Sean."
"It's nice to meet you, Sean—did you say son?" Gareth shot a questioning look at his wife and then shrugged. He knew it was no use arguing with her. Since the boy made no objection, neither would he. "I'm glad to see you are awake." He reached out and took Sean's hand firmly in his own. "Welcome home."
It was in that moment that Sean realized that, at last, his life had taken a turn for the better.
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Sinner's & Redeemers
This is a story about Multiple people within a broken city. Seeing a Dead person with their organs harvested in the alleyways or streets is a common occurrence. This is all normal in people’s lives. Most live boring lives sitting on a chair in an office all day. But, some people endanger their lives by working as a “Redeemer.” These “Redeemers” are similar to mercenary's in a way. They are willing to do anything as long as the pay is good. Most “Redeemers” also inhabit special powers. No one knows where the powers come from. Some say they were gained, born with, or earned. Either way, It doesn't matter. What matters is the job at hand that gets finished.
8 221Profit Margin
Seeking Purpose in his life one Man escapes into Virtual Reality.But his new life may end up dragging him into a price war between the Games greatest Merchants.
8 80Anarcho: A Cyberpunk Fantasy
Below you can find blurbs for each arc in Anaracho. Fracture Rating (Anarcho, #1) Theeeey’ve done it again! Max and Staxx have just hit the Tower Plaaaza just minutes ago, breaking CEO Tanaka Koji’s safe and baling with what’s estimated to be at least two point three biiiiillion in cash—not to mention the prrrriceless personal relics worth at least a second veritable fortune on the blaaack maarkeeet! Hooowwww do we know it was theeem? They left us clues! “Take it to the max” and “Staxx of cash” left behind, written atop a priceless Remvira painting in lipstiiiick from Koji’s bathroooom no doubt! “I don’t know…” Tanaka says as he scratches his head in evident disbelief while he nurses a broken lip. “One moment I was looking over the quarterly reports and then next thing I know I’m—I’m face down—eating tile and forced by two men at knife and gunpoint to open my safe!” It’s quiiiite a shocker for us over here, too! In case you don’t know, Tanaka Koji is the billionair heir and infamous playboy of the Tanaka Dynastyyy. They say his family’s worth at least four-hundred biiiillioooon and theyyy donnn’t skimp on SEEEECUUURITYYY! Soooo….. what does daad think about allll this? “I want them stopped!” Tanaka senior comments as he shakes a fist. “I am putting up a five-hundred million dollar reward for anyone who supplies information leading to the capture or death of those two thugs!” Weeell, there you have it, folks! Straight from the uuunicorn’s mouth! Again! that’s a whopping five-hundred million dollar reward for any tips that lead to the capture or death of those pesky thieves, Maaax and Staaaaxx! Any tips of information can be sent via public or in-home holo net devices by going to the page displayed—and don’t forget to— Staxx shut off the holo screen. “May called. She wants us to do another job. Tonight.” “You know we can’t. We got another one of our high and mighty overlords to visit at his luxury penthouse.” “That’s what I told her, too.” “Then stop yapping and let’s kick some ass!” “You know, Max, for such a small guy, you’re really intense. Don’t you wanna have some fun?” “Oh… we’re gonna have some fun, Staxx. We’re gonna have some fun...” * * * Hussy (Anarcho, #2) Max and Staxx board the ultrafine space cruiser Chylaxium in an effort to kidnap Kelly Hess, the daughter of the rich—but not a douche—Hess, who wants his daughter returned to him after she ran off with Laiwyn Scorr, a known smuggler and murderer whose evidently using her for her magical abilities to get to her father. Unfortunately it remains to be seen whether the little hussy will come easily. “Max, are you sure about this one?” “You know it’s a favor to May, after what she had to pull to get us outta that Yates thing.” “I know, but… just because you like her doesn’t mean we have to say ‘yes.’” “Come on, Staxx, it’ll be fun.” “Do we get to shoot stuff?” “Definitely!” “What happened to us robbing banks on the six o’clock news?” “Don’t worry—we’ll get to that after we do this thing real quick.” “All right, I’m down.” “Sweet.” * The Landfill Lich (Anarcho, #3) With independent, though highly discredited, news sources siting a dangerous creature killing people on the edges of Life City, Max and Staxx—in their boredom, decide to take up the investigation. They quickly discover that they may be in way over their heads, and that the source of this “terrible monster” or whatever, is in fact due to the carelessness of a mega corp—of course—and headed by—you guessed it—the mages. “Man, I’m so bored! Sure this thing’s even real?” “The bodies are real.” “If the overlords are responsible for whatever’s goin’ on, then somebody’s getting tossed out another window.” “That’s what you always say.” “’Cause it’s the truth, Staxx” “Well let’s check it out and see what we find.” “Takin’ guns.” “Hells yes, Max.” * Rescue Operation (Anarcho, #4) After taking out a Strogaus science mage and the monster he had created, Max and Staxx attempt to contact May—their ally and handler. But for the first time ever, a different person answers their call, indicating an irregularity that bodes ill for not only May, but for them all. “Damn! I wanted to meet May, but…” “Not like this?” “Do you think she’s still alive?” “One way to find out, Max.” “Listen, if this has something to do with Strogaus and that science mage we fed to his own monster, we’re puttin’ these guys in the ground, Staxx.” “Then let’s lock and load.” * Dreams of Forever (Anarcho #5) Max, Staxx and May—three Anarchos—set out to find Lexa a body so that she too can fully become part of the team. But what begins as an innocent shopping trip, soon turns into a storm of bullets after the team realizes what Invera-Tech is really up to. “No way can we let this stand, guys.” “Not like we can’t end the overlord’s dreams of forever with a few bullets.” “Then let’s drop some hot lead on these wannabe gods.” “Hells yes!” “But what about my body?” “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about that, Lexa.” “Oh—okay!” “Now let’s tear shit up!”
8 217These Games of Ours (Old)
Every few decades, The Game occurs. Rewards are abundant, power is generously given, and a future is possible to all, from the lowly urchin to the Emperor. That is, at least, what the denizens of this world believe it to be as they prepare from one calamity to the other, fostering power and knowledge. Creating guilds and countries; all for the purpose of winning. Nilbog, battered and beat, wants nothing of it. Kara craves for it all. In the process of a re-write. I advise against reading any of this yet.
8 234A True Rogue
Rain is used and tossed away like a piece of trash by her mate after claiming to soothe her from the pain she suffered by her pack.Returning years later, she's exactly what they made her, a Rogue.******My first work, please check it out and tell me what you think.
8 120Believe
Claire, is a young woman who believes in the guardians, though she has not met them, she knows Jack Frost since she was little, and hangs out with him. But what happens when she meets the guardians along with Jack.
8 194