- 2021 -

Harry stood looking out over the deck of the boat. The white sail above were rolled up and they glided down the large river slowly with the current. His crew were busy moving their latest shipment of assorted items across the deck to make room for anything they would pick up in the next port. Two women stood towards the bow. One was wearing a dark purple dress with chains and jeweler y draped over her shoulders. Her skins was dark brown, eyes like the sun and hair, which was a mix of black and gold, was pulled into a pony tail. The other women wore a an outfit similar, but it was a dark green. On her head was a sort of sun hat which was teh same color as her gown. Her eyes seemed to glow a grey. It had admitted when he saw her, he swore that everything disappeared and all he could see were her glowing grey eyes. Hypnotizing him. He wasn’t accustom of high wizards out this far from the lands of Ume. They paid him more then the trip and regarded him with respect, which took him off guard. He had heard that high wizards thought themselves better then the rest, looking down on anyone who did no peer into the magical depth. They were monsters with no emotions and that they casted spells just to get a tankard of water in an inn. He was thankful the rumors were wrong. He had noticed them on the dock and many of the ships had turned them down, probably because of ignorance.

He peered past them. Far in the distance, barely in sight he could see the towers of Minar. Great spiralling towers of brown, white, gold and silver. Two of them casting themselves form the middle of the city. You could see them from miles around and at night they glowed a strange virbrant orange. The city around those spirals was made out of marble dyed in every color. Buildings scaled and swept in great form by marble weavers. Detail that would would only think possible in paintings, brought to life on the sides of monstrous buildings. Two more days and they would be docked there. His journey would finally becoming to an end.

“Excuse me Captain Harry” The high wizard in purple called to him from down below.

“Yes, what is it?”

She looked back toward the other women. They nodded to each other. “It seems that trouble might be coming our way, I advice you and your men to get ready” Her voice was calm and controlled.

“What sort of trouble, and how -“ he went to ask, but he knew “are you sure?”

“Absolute” Harry took a breathe in and looked around at shore lines which were far from the boat and then back behind them. There was nothing anywhere that he could see, but there were stranger things in the world. He clapped his hands and rang the bell next to to the wheel.

“Men” he cleared his throat “It seems like we might be up for a fight, grab your weapons and get ready” He unsheathed his sabre and called his first mate. “Take the wheel and make sure we don’t run to the coast” He then made his way to the deck and joined the two women. He took a knife from his belt and held it out.

“We do not need” The women in green grinned at him. She pointed at the other women “Davi and I am Dracilla. If we perish, our names will be known”

“Pleasure. I’m Harry, well you knew that, lets do our best to no perish shall we” Dracilla broke out in a laugh and nodded. He wasn’t sure if he should scared or confident that she could laugh after admitting they might die. The ship creeked rocking back and forth. he steadied himself and whipped around to see what produced the movement. Mist seemed to be seeping out of the water. He could no longer see the shore line or anything for that matter around them. His men joined him on the deck from below weapons in hand.

“Anchor down” he called up to his first mate. In this mist there was no telling where they were. They might just plunge into the shoreline and be cast into the torrents if they didn’t stop moving. Nothing happened “Anchor” he called up again peering up towards the wheel. His first mates body hit the deck with a thud in front of him. Behind the wheel stood a shadow. It was like smoke, he could see through it barely and it seemed to wisp around the edges.

“Those who walk in shade” Davi seethed.

“Your ship, I am afraid, will be lost Captain Harry”

Harry scoffed “This ship is my life, if it is lost, so I am” He stepped forward toward toward the shadow “You can blow right off shade, this is my ship”

The shade stepped to the railing and floated down to the first mates body. It’s figure did not form, but two glowing orange sparks stared at them. It put forth its hand and a blade of pure black materialized from the air. It sucked the light from everything around it and as it swung it seemed to dampen the sound around it. Stepping forward it swiped at him and he put forth to block. He pulled back towards the high wizards and peered at his sabre. It was cut clean in the middle.

He sheathed the half sabre “You know what, have it. Abandon ship!”

Inspired by Wheel of Time by Robert Jorden (lots of boat scenes and traveling by river)

The coast line disappeared in the dark clouds. Waves crashed among the sand as the wind spun up into a torrent. I watched the sky. Out there in the sea the clouds darkened completely. A pure abyss of lightning and thunder. Among the spectators, I sat watching the storm. It had come out of no where. There was indication, no sign , no premonition from the eyes in the sky. I could see the weatherman scratching his head now.

“I know we predicted sun shine and a beautiful weekend, but I think we have some rain on the way”

He would be looking at his radar watching the green and purple swirl get bigger and bigger.

I peered towards the north down the stretch of sand. The clouds were over taking the white sky and the city. Out from the darkness I could see the light house waving at me. Trying to give me solace that I could find my way if the darkness got to dark. A strike of lighting lit the sky up and cascaded down the into the water. Thunder rang up from the waves and I covered my ears. It was loud and shook my whole body. I stepped back away from the sound. What was that ? Far in the distance where the bolt had struck a whitish grey mass rose out. My mind screamed to run, but my eyes and spirit were curious. I stepped forward towards the sea and squinted. I still couldn’t see anything, the mass seemed to get bigger. Approaching us form the abyss. I looked left and right to see that no one had stayed with me on the beach. I alone stood waiting, watching. The sky had turned completely black and the light house now waved to me for help. I went to run, but my feet did not move. The ground started to shake and the waves buckled higher and higher. The water poured over my feet and my eyes cascaded towards the infinite. It looks like the weatherman might be out of a job.

Inspired by the Florida beach at night with storms rolling in

Inspired by Dream-Land by Edgar Allan Poe

The wheat moved in waves as a breeze crossed the fields. The moon shown bright beyond the hazy purple clouds. A road cut up into the rolling hills towards the north. If one stared long enough through the breezy wheat they could see their past catching up to them. It’s regret and nostalgia far away at first. The eye blinks, the wheat obstructs the vision and it appears closer and closer. If one turns, the future mirroring the past in the same fashion until they both collide into the present. One would find themselves on their back peering up into the dark skies. Wheat wisping back and forth like a haze in vision. Taking in the moment one can hear the howl of the wind, brushing of bristles on each other into a roar and the calling of a murder of crows gliding across the dark gold ocean.

What lies more to man then a promising future and a regretful past.

Inspired by Wheatfield with Crows by Vincent Van Gogh

The crowd was engulfed in details of dragons and wizards battling each other on the high mountains and across seas. The story teller whipped his arms in the air and exclaimed effects and dramatic events. Stumbling back and forth he sang dramatically of the events . Each movement was precise, equal to the excitement and enthusiasm. His face lit up as he hushed his voice. He tip toed towed the front of the stage and as soon as he reached the edge he screamed out in excitement. The dragon had been vanquished , the wizards had saved the town and that they were all going to live happily ever after, at least, until the next dragon showed up.The crowd kept to its feet and cheered the story teller as he bowed and exited the stage.

“What a performance” Clid said smacking the old man on the back “I thought the wizard might actually lose this time”

The old man wiped his forehead and took a gulp of water. “He almost did” he said out of breath. The story teller. The old battered man. He rubbed his hand and put his face into his palms.

Clid laughed “right right, well I am looking forward to the next performance. When will it be? You know I have all those people to entertain. My other acts are not nearly as good as you.” The story teller rose from his hands and looked at Clid. Exhausted, eyes hung in their sockets. His body ached and he could barely keep himself awake.

“It depends on what happens, what is going on. Clid, I keep -“ He closed his mouth. He had explained, but Clid never understood. No one ever understood. “We will see”

“Fantastic, let me know as soon as possible. Any time you want, you got” Clid clapped his hands together “Your the best, you know that ?” Clid got up and left the tent.

As he walked out among the guests a boy with a stack of papers handed them out to the patrons. Clid grabbed one and opened to the front page. It read -

“EASTON ATTACKED BY DRAGON, WIZARDS SAVE THE DAY!”

“oh, how dreadful, glad it all worked out” Clid said rolling the paper under his arm.

Inspired by Story Tellers everywhere

“Another rum and punch please” Adam said. He leaned back against the bar and turned to face the pool. It was large and extended a mile into space. Among the clear blue water, small islands of sand with other bars floated. Some of them had pavilions that extended off and others had small cocoon like structures shading the rows of lounge chairs. The bar tender handed him his drink and Adam returned to his own lounge chair.

“What do we have next to do?” He asked then took a sip of his drink. A women sprawled out on a beach towel in the white sand turned her head towards him.

“We steal the blueprints for the next prototype shuttle. See that pyramid struture off in the distance” Adam squinted and looked towards the planet.

“Barely”

“That’s the commissions main lab, we will have to break in, take the blueprints and get out. Why do you think we are here?”

Adam shrugged “Well earned vacation”

The women tipped her sunglasses down and raised her eyebrows at him “Sadly for us, the only vacation is death or a lot of buried treasure.”

“A man can dream” Adam sighed and sipped on his drink. He stared off into the planet in front of the pool. White torrents passed over the vast oceans and green land masses. It radiated a glow from the sun that cast its light giving a constant background. Off to the side was the vastness of space. It’s black void of twinkling lights that had traveled millions of years to reach his eyes. He glanced at the commission lab and then back at the planet. One day, he thought, one day the vastness might be important. But today and the future, it was this beach and that floating pyramid. One day.

Inspired by Beach in Space by Karen Lynch

Out there in the wide space of the deserts of middle america there is a carnival, one might even call it a theme park. Large coller coaster roar in the dead of night as the stalls flow of cotton candy and popcorn. A multi colored stream of lights filled the air and revolve in a spectacle that can seen for miles. Out there on the flat surface of broken, cracked ground the gates lay closed, the parking lot empty and music filling the void of silence. The rides move to their scheduled take off and return with no hand to guide. Like a well tuned clock the park ticks along by itself. Wandering, waiting, stirring, hunting. It comes from nothing and leaves with everything. If you ever find your self in the middle of lost land in the dead of night seeing lights cascade from the dark. Hold fast. If you hear the music beckoning you, the energy and adrenaline from the spinning tops and high flying coaster, breathe deep. Once entered, there is only one way to leave. And that is with it.

The theme park, the carnival of the void.

Inspired by Goosebumps Horrorland Book Cover

There was a hush of the town folks as the storm approached and finally laid its blankets over the town. In one night the area was swept from greyish landscape to a thick pure white and endless heaps of snow falling from the dark clouds above. Eldentin was sandwiched between two large mountains. One large river ran through the middle of it and forests surrounded it to the mountain bases. It was a quiet place, peaceful at times, but not always the most honest. How can a town be honest? Well when you look at a sandwich shop you expect it to be a sandwich shop and nothing else.Here in Eldentin, that sandwich shop held more secrets then a secret society that tired to keep it’s self secret. The man down the street. His eyes so wide that you could see your reflect plus two of your aunts. He would always be smiling and singing out loud. Then he would be gone for days. No one sees him leave or return. And yet, he reappears his large eyes and smiling face beaming at you like he had seen you everyday for the month he had been gone. There was one thing that you could of counted on in Eldentin and that was it never snowed. That was until now.

The storm was the first and the last the town would ever see. As the storm arrived, so did a stranger. A stranger that knew of Eldentin’s dishonesty. A stranger looking to collect and redeem the honest part of themselves. A stranger had just came to town.

Inspired by High Plains Drifter

Emily looked out the window at the sprawling forests flying by. Rain specked the windows and the train started to move directly into dark clouds.

“How much longer” Emily stretched and took a sip of tea. The round table was set up with some long candles, a bowl of fruits and a kettle of black tea.

“Four days” Amy said dryly. A heavy sigh came in return from Emily as she slinked over ot the couch in the corner. The train car was adorned in red with high vaulted ceilings. Lights hung from the sides of the wall above and next to the windows giving off a faint warm light. The floor was a thick carpet that stretched to the end of the car where it turned into hard wood. In the back was a small bathroom and sleeping area with a full queen sized bed.

It had already been four days since the two had departed from their city to travel north. A grand party was being held for the return of a legendary hero that had saved a princess or something in the highlands. All they knew is that they needed to represent their family and if getting drunk and having a good time did that, who would argue.

“How much longer”

Amy clapped her book closed and sneered over at Emily.

“Okay, okay, sorry, I am just sooo bored”

Amy raised her arms “How can you be bored with all this. This train is incredible. Read a book, it will help with your mind or something.” Emily picked up a book in front of her, her eyes started to glaze immediately “hopefully that something is your atitude”

The rain started to pick up and the view from the windows turned dark and muddy. Amy stood up and walked towards the front door.

“I’m heading off the observation train for a drink -“

Emily lept up “Sounds swell” and they left the car.

“Finally” a mans voice said. From the back of the train car where the bedroom was two men stepped out.

“We don’t have much time, search everything. We have to find it, our lives depend on it” The man with a silver hair stepped near the table and picked up a small book and opened it. The inside was hallowed out and a large ornate key resided in it.

“Found it” The other man turned to him.

“What? Let me see that.” He took the book “well, that was easy. Let’s get out of here” Just as they went to turn and leave the front door reopened.

“You sons of bitches” They turned to see Amy darting eyes at them. “Let’s make this quick, I have a martini ablaze being made for me”

~~

Inspired by Special Train Room by Dreamy Sound

The room was darkly lit by small glowing lights that seemed to hover just below the ornate crafted ceilings. The windows were tall and narrow. Red satin curtains draped to the sides. Dotting the floor were small round table adorned with white tables clothes that had red waves streaking through them. On the far wall, away from the windows, a large bar wrapped with its large glass mirror reflecting its wears and view. The room was Smokey. Smelled like a mix of lavender and honey. A man sat at one of the round tables looking out the windows at the sprawling city outside. His hair was a deep black and his skin was a dark brown. He eyes that were deep set and pupils that stared with a deep purple. Unique in these parts. His hair was slicked back and his facial hair expertly trimmed. He was dressed formally. A grey double breasted suit, red velvet tie and pocket square. His shirt was white. A figure approached in the reflection of the window.

“Room for one more I hope” a women smiled at him against the window.

He did not turn “Of course, take a seat” he said gesturing to the other side of the table. She smoothed out her blue dress and sat slowly.

Her hair was long and brown. It dipped around her neck and waterfalled down her chest. Her lips were bright with red lipstick that seemed to glow when light touched them. Her dress was cut off at the shoulders and long white gloves reached from her finger tips to beyond her elbow.

“Our deal is still on, I hope?” she said taking a glance at the windows at his reflection. He stared into her eyes for a moment then back out to the city scape.

“Of course” he said again then. “and you are sure about this?”

“If I wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t of found you, would I? It’s him or me. I choose me”

There was a stillness at the table between them. They sat motionless while soft piano music played.

“Payment?”

“Take it” she said standing up from the table.

“Very well.” The man with the purple eyes closed them. When the women turned around to thank him, he was gone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W95pG1T9Pg&t=1811s