This section explains Rose's involvement....sorta. It starts out, really. It's my first well sized chapter so I'm damn proud of it! lol. Enjoy!
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In the Meadow Rose was washing clothes in the Thum River. Her husband Fireflower was training their son Grasshopper in the central part of the Meadow. Rose had truely missed her days as a warrior. She was a fine one at that. But her father had forbidden it.
She hummed a sweet melody her father's friends used to sing about their days of fighting whatever they were fighting:
Oh come thy brother!
Oh come thy tear
We fight for the Light!
No end is near.
We may be bold; we may be brave.
But we will fight straight to the grave!
She finished washing clothes and returned to the house. As she came to the house, she found a small lit candle lying on her doorstep. She wondered what it was. It was the middle of the afternnon. Why would anyone want to leave her a candle?
She bent over and picked up the candle after setting down her laundry. She tried to blow it out, but it was no use. It had been a magical candle. he wondered why.
There had been a note attached to it. Opening it, a rose fell out. That told her it must have had something to do with her and not with Grasshopper or her husband.
The rose pricked her finger, but no blood let out. It was just a meer cut. Strange, she thought. Must be a magical rose like myself.
Rose was one of the Meadow. Every member of the Meadow was apart of it in some way or form. She was a rose. She was in her human form as most people of the Meadow normally were.
Each member possesed a great power to what they were. For example, Grasshopper had the increible ability to jump. But she had not yet found her role in the Meadow. She wondered if the note had something to do with it.
She decided to try and take it to the elders of the Meadow. She thought maybe they would know what the letter met. She set off and left a note for her husband that she would return shortly. She told him she had some errands to run. She didn't want him finding out where she was for he would hunt her down and ask what she is doing there. The truth would be she wouldn't have an answer.
The rooms inside her small little cottage had not been clean. Oh how Fireflower would be angered if they were left uncleaned! She had to clean it up and so she did.
As she cleaned up she realized she looked a mess. The elders would hate that, she thought. She had been dressed in raggedly cleaning clothes she wore for chores and such.
The laundry had just been done so she searched in the basket for suirable attire to wear. But first she put the mens' apparel away into their dressers. Then her stuff was left.
Oh what was she to wear? She ha never been to the elders before. No one she had known had. But she knew they would probably like her to dress nicely. After all, they were the most respected people in the Meadow under the Great Willow.
In her dresser she found a nice red dress. It had been one her mother had worn for many years and it was just her size. Funny she hadn't noticed before. She shrugged and slipped it on, throwing her old dirty clothes for next week's laundry. She smirked. It would be Grasshopper's turn to do it then.
She then grabbed a few things of hers and checked back to make sure she hadn't forgot anything. Just then a tiny glare caught her eye. It was lying in the corner under the dust. She walked over to it.
As she walked over to it, she never realized the corner was there. It had been such a mess in the house, it was buried in all the rubble.
The object was long and covered. Then she realized something as she unsheathed it. It had been her father's sword! The one he used in a many of battles for the Light.
Something struck her. She didn't know what it was. It was telling her to bring the sword to the elders. It was like it was calling for her. Yelling at her louder the more she rejected it. She sighed.
Her father told her to keep the blade and never use it. It was for her son, Grasshopper, to use oncehe had become an avid warrior. The sword had the seal of the Light on it. No novice could wield it without getting hurt. It was one of the Light army.
Following her otion, she took the sword along anyway. Grasshopper would just have to use Fireflower's sword. Afterall, it would be almost fifteen years until Grasshopper was ready for the sword.
She cleaned the sword as best she could and put it around her shoulders along with her bag. Surely she would get questions as to why she was carrying a sword, but she didn't care. She walked out with the note and candle in her sack trailing off down the path leading to town. Amazingly, the candle did not burn a hole in her sack eventhough it was ery hot.
She arrived in town within due time. It had still been light out so she had plenty of time to get home. The boys wouldn't be home until supper was ready.
As she walked through people gave her strange looks. Men started to whistle at her for her beauty, but she of course ignored them. Barely anyone was dressed the way she was. They had an chore work clothes like she had on earlier. They were especially curious as to why she carried a sword as well. They thought maybe she was a traveler of some sort. She seldom went into town so know one knew who she was.
A trader at the side of the busy street called her over over, "You there. Woman with the sword! How much do you want for it?"
She walked further ignoring him. Men would pay any price for anything in town. Even for her. She was uncomfortable in this siruation. So she knew she had to find the elders fast.
A woman was sitting doing some knittng, taking a break. She sitting outside the local saloon. Inside there, men would surely know where the elders were, but she decided to ask the woman instead.
"Excuse me," she said. "But do you know where I can find the elders?"
The woman had no response. She just continued with her knitting as if no one was around. Rose decided to get smart with her. She went up closer to her and grabbed her knitting sticks. The woman looked up in astonishement.
"Young woman! That dress!"
"Yeah it's pretty, ain't it?" she curtsied. "Now tell me where I can find the elders."
The woman gave no response for a while. "The elders? Why, how should I know?"
"You live here. Shouldn't eveyone know that lives here?"
The woman shrugged, "Yes, but it has been so long since I knew any knowledge of them They rarely get vistors these days. At least that's what I hear from everybody."
"Do you where I can find someone who knows where they are?" Rose asked, nicely.
"Yes, inside here. Any man should know," the woman replied.
Rose gave the door a dirty look. She didn't want to go in there. Not at all. Half of the men inside were drunks and hell knows what they'd do to her if she went in with the dress she had on. But she had to know about the letter and candle so she sighed and went through the doors.
As she stepped in, thr room went silent. The men sitting at the bar, pulled up a seat for her and she gave them a disgusted look.
"We don't get many of you in these parts," one said.
"I'm not 'one of them.'" she replied sternly. "I just need to know where I can find the elders. And no, I have no money."
"But you carry a sword. We'll take that as payment." the barendor said.
"Not on your life," she hissed. "Just tell me where to go."
>
A man with a long red beard stepped forward and grinned. "You know that they're picky about visitors. Few get in. What do you have for them?"
"None of your business." She wasn't liking the place. She could feel eyes undressing her.
"I'll tell ya what," the bartendor said. "We'll tell you where they are."
She smiled. "Thank you."
"But," he said. "You must give us something in return. No matter how little it may be."
The men in the saloon looked around at eac other exchanging horrible glances. They didn't really like the idea. They felt only members of the town could know where they are.
"I am one of the Meadow. I come from the countryside."
"The countryside, eh?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Go down the path to the left jusy outside the door here. When you come to a fork, turn right. Look for a small shack nearly falling apart. There you will find them."
She opened her sack and put three pieces of gold on the table and smiled and thanked them. She then walked out the door and headed left.
When she stepped out she continued to ignore any remarks she got about her sword or dress. Then when she came to the firk the man had mentioned, she went right.
The path was leading out of the main area in the town. She was beginning to see some patches of tall grass indicating the countryside was around. Opposite her end of the Meadow.
Soon, she came to a small shack hidden behind some of the trees. Beside the door was a small dwarf. He stood there still as stone.
As she walked closer to him, he budged, looking straight at her. "What business do you seek with the elders?"
"I came to ask them a question. About this note and candle." She showed him both.
"The elders are busy with someone else at the moment so you'll have to wait."
"Alright. I'll wait." she said, very anxious to get in.
The dwarf looked at her strangely. He had never seen a woman like Rose before. She was dressed differently and carried a sword. "Are you from around here?"
"Yes, my name is Rose."
"Rose, why do you carry a sword?"
"Oh, this is not mine. It was my father's. He used to fight in the Light Army."
"Ah, I see. But why do you bring it to the elders? No weaponry is allowed inside."
"I was hoping they could tell me what this letter meant that I have. And why it is adressed to me."
"How do you know it was--"
"A rose was attached to it." she said, interrupting him. "What is your name?"
"They call me Stumps. I guard this place for the elders."
For a while, she just stood there in silence as did Stumpy. They both had no reason to talk to each other for there was nothing to talk about. The door then opened.
A man, sad and depressed, walked out slowly. The elders had not given him good news.
"What's wrong?" Rose asked.
"The Hyenas." the man said. The Hyenas were a local gang of killers. But they only killed for a purpose. Never just for pleasure.
"Why do they hunt you?"
"It's a long story. I'd rather not get into it." The man walked off down the path dragging his feet behind him.
"Now may I go in?"
The dwarf had gone inside so he never heard her words. She waited patiently for him and soon he came out.
"They will see you now." She walked inside and the door slammed shut. Inside was nothing more than five old men sitting around a table and a fireplace in the corner. There was also a carpet at the entrance that she wiped her feet on briefly. The side had some holes on the roof and walls, but trees were above them to keep any water from entering.
"Sit." one of the elders said, pulling up a chairing beside him.
She did so and set her sack on the table. "I have come here to show you something." She pulled out the candle. "This candle will not go out. Do yo know why?" She gave it to them and they examined it carefully.
"No," one of them said. "We do not. Where did you find such a wonder?"
"On my doorstep this afternoon. Attached to it was this letter." She pulled out the letter. "Along with a rose." She pulled that out as well.
They all looked at each other very confused. Neither of them had any idea what they should do. But then something struck them.
"Where are you from?"
"I am Rose from the other side of the Meadow."
"Do women on that side carry swords like you do."
"No, this my father's. He fought in the Light Army years ago."
"Then why do you have it?" asked another.
"My senses told me t bring it. I don't know why."
"I see. Let me see that letter." She handed it to him. He looked at it carefully. Then he set it back down. "This is not written in any known language we know of. But I know of someone who might know this writing."
"Who?"
"Old Yubril." The others nodded and agreed. "Yubril has traveled across the entire Light Realm. Maybe he has seen this writing somewhere. Other than that, we cannot help you. I am sorry."
"Where can I find Old Yubril?" Rose asked.
"He lives further south, not in the Meadow, in a tiny village called Hup. There you will ask any villager and they will surely know where Yubril lives."
She smiled. "Oh, thank you, elders. I will head on down there."
"But wait," on of them said, stopping her on her way out. "I wouldn't be dresed in that fahion. They might think you're a flousy. He chuckled.
"Well, I wore this dress because I was visting you."
"You probably could have come here in your chore clothes and done just as fine."
She smiled briefly and thanked them again. As she walked out she felt like a fool. What had she been thinking wearing the dress she had on?
She forgot about it and continued back to her house.
| Date | Name | Comment | | | 19 Apr 2001 |  Nina Roussakova |  Loading...I like it! Thanks for the e-mail BTW. Well, I can't wait for more! But I still think you should describe the characters a bit better. Because I see Rose as a young lady with long brown wavy hair and brown eyes, but... how can I know!?!? I only know what she wears... But I really like this chapter though, although it's a bit messy... but you are going to work on it... right?
Author's Response: Well, you basically placed Rose's exact description, so what are you complaining about? No, I'm not gonna work on it any time soon. When I finish writing what I got going, THEN I'll sit down and edit it. Yes, I know I have many many grammatical errors. Tough beans. Deal with them. But in the future, I'll try to describe the characters better, just for you Nina, ok? | |
| 20 Apr 2001 |  AlleneWood | Loading... For never wearing a dress that often Rose seemed pretty comfortable wearing it....I've worn dressed before and I hate it!!! lol...unless it's for a special occasion but I'm sure that people who dress simply would feel ackward in such clothes...especially a bright red dress. o.O' jest my opinion... | |
| 21 Apr 2001 |  Joshua Tranter | Loading... Yup, you're right, this is your longest chapter. I wouldn't call it "well sized" because wells can be pretty deep, but that's the smart-alec in me talking. I don't agree that you need more character description. It allows people to formulate their own ideas about how characters look. Anyway, keep up the good work.
Author's Response: Good, I'm glad you like it. Character description is sorta hard for me at this point. Actions speak louder in my opinion. Thanks Colin. | |
| 24 Nov 2001 |  Stephanie J. Walls | Loading... hmmm....Im wondering what all these characters have to do with each other. And who were the eyes peeking and giggling? Was that something important in the...was it the first or second chapter? Ah, whatever. Sometimes it is nice to leave the characters undescriptive. I simply force my descriptions on people whether they like it or not. Anyway, I'm liking it so far. I know, I was supposed to be getting some rest.... | |
| 17 Jun 2002 |  Anastasia I-Morn-Gwathren | Loading... First of all: I know I'm not the one to tell you (I have worse mistakes) but you have some sentence mistakes, like "opening it, a rose fell out." A subject confusion or something...
Second of all: I'm very intrigued! The story seems like fun, though it might need some polishing. How to better say it.. you've got a lot of moments in the story, where one just can't stop reading, sort of like cliffhangers. (did that make sense?) And those, I bet, take lots of talent! Great job. | |
| 20 Jun 2002 | M. Bechard | Loading... Hmmm. I can't shake this feeling that the further I get into this story, not only the better written it is (however I do advise maybe proofreading it, there's quite a few typographical errors), but the better the story is getting. You do have a way of drawing the reader in, and maybe it's just becaus eI'm listening to the music on your website that is helping me get sucked in. I've no clue, but it works. Keep up the great work Brian. | |
| 22 Jun 2002 |  Melanie Köhler 'Mistress of Chaos' | Loading... The story sure does pick up. I don't know how to explain this very well, but the more I read the more it interests me. I guess it's normal enough for people to experience here.
I know character description is a pain, and you constantly have to remind yourself to keep it up, but I think it really adds to the story.
hehe, you have me seriously hooked though.. *scampers off to read the next chapter* | |
| 1 Aug 2003 |  Camilla 'Motone' Whitney | Loading... Wait. I just backread and it seems that you're planning on editing in the future. Perhaps I shouldn't send that email. | |
| 1 Aug 2003 | Camilla 'Motone' Whitney | Loading... Alright, I've finally got around to reading more. (I'm so lazy!) I like the story, and where it's headed. I like how you incorporate different people into your story. I have a major problem with sticking with the smae few people the entire time, and it gets rather boring. You don't have that problem. ^_^ However, I've been possessed by (er.. more like transformed into) The Evil Editing Spirit. But I've done too much to post here, so be awaiting an email. ^_^ I'm not a troll, I swear... | |
| 10 Dec 2007 | Anonymous | Loading... Too be honest your spelling and grammar are atrocious and your plot is a bit childish sorry but it does have a certain charm if nothing else 3/10 | |
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Brian ´Dulcet´ Bergstrom / Text 4 of 17 / Regonian Light: Chapter 3
Elisabeth A. Wilhelm