#passingthroughthefire

The mighty Lady Grittal tread softly along tree enormous castle’s outer wall.  She clenched her sword tightly, expecting at any moment to meet her foe.  The giant ogre living within these walls had met its match in her.  Its days off gobbling up little children were over.  She knew that even now, a handful of children were trapped in its clutches, waiting fearfully to be devoured.  They would soon be freed.  She would be the one to free them.Her heart pounded as she rounded the corner, and she gasped at what she saw.  The monster sat against the castle wall.  Its beady eyes bore mercilessly into a group of children huddled nearby.“No one can save you now,” it growled at them with an evil chuckle.  The Lady Grittal steeled herself, and let out a confident laugh.“Aren’t you forgetting something, monster?” she stated loudly, immediately drawing its attention.  Its eyes narrowed in on her.“Why, if it isn’t the famed Lady Grittal,” it cooed.  "No doubt here to defeat me like you have so many of my monstrous brethren.“The Lady Grittal snickered.  "Tremble before me, foul creature.  Beg me for mercy, for I am your undoing.  Remember my face, for it will be the last thing you will see while you cry my name in agony!”The ogre stood up to its feet, towing over the heroine.“We shall see who screams who’s name, for I am Falran the Destroyer and Devourer.  None have escaped my wrath and neither shall you.”  It let out a monstrous laugh as it threw back its had on diabolical glee.The Lady Grittal took a few steps toward it.  "Your mocking words shall be the death of you, Falran the Destroyer and Devourer, soon to be Falran the Whiny Baby.““Whiny Baby?” said Falran, doing his absolute best to refrain from laughing at the scowling seven-year-old.  "Couldn’t come up with anything better than that?““Stay in character!” Grittal complained, adjusting her grip on her twig which doubled as her sword.  "As I was saying…“…fall before me now, and I may go easy on you.”The creature laughed once again.  "You speak a large game for one so small.  Very well, show me your worst, oh great Lady Grittal.“It crouched down to a fighting stance, still dwarfing the lady warrior.  She in turn let out a frighteningly  powerful battle cry and charged the beast, sword high.  The weapon made contact with the ogre’s hand and it let out a howl of pain."You’ll pay for that, little morsel,” it roared, reaching out its other hand to grab the small fighter.  Its efforts were met with another wound to the other hand.  The creature fell back panting.“You are unlike any foe I have ever faced,” it rasped as Lady Grittal advanced upon its enormous form.  It grinned.  "Defeating you will be that much more enjoyable.“  It got to its knees and loomed over the courageous warrior.She was not deterred.  Once more modifying her grip, she dove directly at the monster’s knees.  It did not realize until it was too late that she had scaled its thigh and drove her sword into its chest.  Its eyes widened, and stared at the wound for a moment."You’re supposed to die now,” Grittal whispered conspiratorially.“Oh, right.”The monster bellowed in agony and crashed to the ground.“Curse you, Lady Grittal!” it cried.  "I was no match for you.  I am slain.“"And don’t you forget it!” Grittal commanded, still standing atop Falran’s chest.The Sarbithian had stuck his tongue out and lolled his head to the side.  But he could not hold that position for long.  His barely contained chuckled finally escaped his throat.  He gathered up Grittal in his hands and gave her a tiny toss in the air.“Well done, fair maiden,” he praised, before planting a very wet kiss on the girl’s cheek.His action was met with a loudly indignant “Gross!”

~

Prompt: Pretend

Shraley’s head jerked toward the hallway as she spied her ten-year-old son sneaking in the front doorway.“What do you have there, Falran?” she asked.Falran froze at her tone.  "Nothing,“ he said, trying to slink into his room."Falran.”The boy sighed and reluctantly revealed the contents of his hands.  A very muddy, but very smug Briggs took up the space on his palms.  The whites of the Liraiphe’s teeth shone brilliantly through the grime all over his face as he gave Shraley the biggest grin he could muster.Shraley slapped a hand to her forehead.  "Go wash up, you little troublemaker.“~"Okay, ready Falran?"I don’t think this is a good idea,” said Falran, holding two sticks to the ground in the shape of a V.Briggs had found an elastic material buried somewhere in the house.  Of course he had to test it somehow.  Currently he was sitting in the crook of the long, stringy material, either end attached to the sticks Falran was securing.“Oh don’t be such a wimp.  Now watch this!”  He pulled back on the elastic, keeping his feet rooted in the ground, before leaping in the air and allowing the string to fling him past the sticks.  He tucked his wings close to his body, sailing at faster speeds than he had ever flown in all his fourteen years.His elation was short lived, however, as he realized he was plummeting straight toward a tree.  No wait…a hand.  He calmed down right before bowling directly into Falran’s outstretched palm.“Briggs, are you okay?” Falran’s voice shook the air around him.Briggs laughed.  "Let’s do that again!“~Gilrod searched in frustration.  He never misplaced his hunting knife.  It was such a vital tool for the family’s survival, and he had no way of making another.He grumbled to himself for a good ten minutes before hearing a snicker from beneath a chair in the living room.  He held still, closed his eyes, took a handful of deep breaths, and counted to ten.  When he finished, he turned to the source of the noise."Briggs?  You wouldn’t happen to know where my knife is, would you?” he said in a voice that demanded a truthful response.“Oh I think I saw it somewhere in the kitchen,” came back a small, but mischievous voice.  "Or was it the garden?  I can’t keep all these places straight.“In one swift movement, Gilrod pushed away the chair and glared at the tiny figure revealed beneath it.  Briggs’s beaming face stared up at the man, but Gilrod had eyes only for the knife the Liraiphe’s little body could never conceal.  He reached down and wrapped his fingers around the hilt."I’ll take that,” he said, dislodging the fifteen-year-old’s perch.  "I would appreciate it if you leave my knife alone, son.“Chuckling, Briggs gave Gilrod an enthusiastic thumbs up before taking to the air and zooming out of the room.

~

Prompt: Spirit

“Bring that over here, please, Falran,” Shraley told her five-year-old son.  The boy obeyed, dragging his little bag of clothes her way.  Shraley gave him the brightest smile she could manage and took the bag from him.  She placed it in the cart along with what few things they were able to take from their home.Much to her chagrin, tears once again welled in her eyes, as they had been doing ever since the tax collector informed them of the eviction from their home.  Gilrod had built the house with his bare hands.  It was the proof to Shraley’s parents that he was able to take care of a family.  It was his proposal of marriage to the young teenaged girl.They lived in that house for around six years.  It was all their son knew.  They had planned to raise him completely in that house, and had hoped he would someday raise his own family there.As Shraley paused in her packing to reminisce, Gilrod came up behind her and planted a kiss on her jaw.  Her sentimental reverie ended, replaced by a new pleasure.  It was just a place to live.  Her real home was the man currently enveloping her in his arms along with the offspring their love produced.“We’ll be just fine, won’t we?” she breathed as she melted into her husband’s embrace.“Of course we will, love,” he responded.  "Arlan will provide, like He always has.“The woman turned around to face him.  She pressed her lips against his.  "He has, hasn’t He?” she agreed, not happily, but contentedly and joyfully.

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Prompt: Ending

It had been two years since Aloria had come to live with the Quent family, and those were the best years of her life.  Sure, living among giants had been nerve wracking at first.  She would be crazy if she was not at least a little wary around creatures their size.Despite said size, young Falran was positively precious.  Even Haethin had to agree to that.  Gilrod and Shraley themselves were like parents to her, which was something she had never really known.  She had been separated from her biological parents at an extremely young age to work as a slave, and when her master passed on, she was sent straight to an orphanage.  It was the worst fate a child of her ethnicity could endure, but she was lucky to escape it in the form of a sacrifice gone wrong.  It was truly a blessing and she would not trade her current life for the world.Gilrod even took Aloria and Haethin hunting and trapping with him from time to time.  Aloria was always thrilled by the rush of catching her own food.  It gave her a sense of control she had never had before in her life.Currently, she was sitting perfectly still in a tree next to where Gilrod crouched.  Haethin was a ways off in another tree.  All three of them were focused on a large, mindlessly grazing animal just beyond their clump of trees.  She turned to Gilrod with an excitable, questioning look.  He returned her gaze fondly, like a proud father, before nodding with a smile.She grinned and silently leapt off the tree branch, swiftly stalking their prey on her own.  This one was in the bag.  She pulled out her knife when she reached the tree closest to where the animal stood, facing away from her.  This would be quick and painless for both her and the animal.Right before she could pounce, however, a twig snapped somewhere to her right.  The animal's head shot up toward the noise.  It stared in that direction for a few moments before bolting away.You're not getting away that easy, Aloria thought to herself as she unfurled her wings to follow.  With precision and speed, she raced after her prey, not about to let such a catch slip through her fingers.  The evening light made it difficult to see, but she was not about to lose her quarry…or so she thought.The light footed animal was much more adept at running on the ground than she was at giving chase in the air.  It seemed to know exactly what routes to take to throw her off its trail.  More than once, her wings snagged on a tree branch.  It grew farther and farther away from her, before completely disappearing into the ever darkening night.Finally accepting she had lost it, she pulled up short and landed at the base of a tree to catch her breath.  When she was rested, she glanced around, ready to head back to Gilrod and Haethin.  But the darkness along with the unfamiliar area completely skewed her sense of direction."Mr. Quent?" she called, hoping his larger ears could pick up her voice.  "Haethin?"Nothing but the light evening breeze rustling in the trees answered her.  She stepped closer to the tree, suddenly aware of her vulnerability without her massive protector.  She recalled her lessons from Shraley: when lost, stay in one place until someone can find you.Frightened, but trusting in the Sarbithian woman's advice, she sat down with her back against the tree and curled her legs in her arms.  Please find me, she silently begged.More than once, eerie sounds echoing throughout the forest sent chills down her spine.  She knew the Quents' presence had scared off the majority of the predators in the area, but they were very far from home this hunt.  Anything could be out there.With each new noise, she curled in closer to herself.  She wrapped her wings around her body for warmth as the heat of the day faded.  Despite herself, tears seeped from her eyes.  She wiped at them with the heels of her hands, but they did not cease.She did not know how long she had sat there when a heavy flapping reached her ears."Hey, I found her!"Aloria's head jerked up at the gruff, but familiar voice.  A relieved smile graced her teary face.  She never thought she would be so happy to hear Haethin's voice.  She saw the young man alight next to her before she felt the ground shake slightly."Oh thank Arlan," Gilrod's own voice echoed high above her.  The relief of being found caused her tears to flow once more.  She melted when she felt a pair of massive hands close around her and lift her high into the air.  Her crying only strengthened as she was pressed against a warm, living mass.  She heard the thump of an enormous heart beat against the leather and cloth covered wall she now hugged."Shh, you're okay," the Sarbithian rumbled.  "I'm here, I've got you."She smiled to herself.  The man she considered a father did indeed have her and now all was right in the world.

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Prompt: Lost

The setting is pretty much self-explanatory.  :P

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"That's it, sweetie, kick your legs.  You got it, see?"

"Mommy, don't let go!""Mommy's right here."Shraley had a firm, but gentle grip on Falran's arm, keeping the five-year-old above the water.  Though, unbeknownst to the boy, it was mostly his doing.  She snickered at the mild look of concern on his face, but kept her hand on him."Sweetie, I'm going to let go now, but my hand will be right there if you need it, okay?"Falran whimpered, but nodded, keeping his chubby legs going.  Ever so slowly, Shraley uncurled her fingers from Falran's arm.  Immediately, Falran's legs started kicking more fervently."Falran, you're doing it!" she praised with a smile.  "Look at you!  Gilrod, look at what your son can do!"Gilrod looked up from where he sat on the bank of the river, fiddling with a trap.  His eyes lingered fondly on his wife, but soon shifted to where the five-year-old splashed sloppily in the water."Well, done, son!" he called.  He set down the trap and crawled to the river's edge.  "Can you swim to Daddy?"Gilrod held out his hands to his son, giving him a beaming smile.  Falran tried to twist himself to face his father, and succeeded with minimal help from Shraley.  He grinned, then sputtered when a splash of water entered his mouth.  The concerned look crossed his face again, but he set his little jaw in determination and began to paddle his arms with all his strength.He completely ignored Shraley when she let him leave the safety net of her reach.  Gilrod kept his eyes on Falran, not wanting to spook the boy into finding out his mother was no longer right beside him."Good job, Falran," he said.  "You're almost there!"Falran struggled, fatigue reaching his arms.  He gave a tiny whimper.  "Mommy, I can't do it."When she did not answer, he twisted his head around and noticed she was a ways off.  Immediately his arms faltered.  Water swooped up over his head as his little body began to sink."Mommy!" he cried before going under.  He flailed about in the water, unsure of which way was up.  He kept his mouth clenched shut, refusing to let any water in to seal his fate.After what seemed to the five-year-old child like an eternity, he felt a pair of strong hands grip around his waist.  He flew upward into the safe arms of his father, who held him close.  Falran snuggled into the man's now soaking chest, wrapping his little arms around Gilrod's thick neck.Gilrod let out a tender chuckle, knowing the boy was perfectly safe the entire time.  Shraley soon joined them, giving Falran a kiss on his cheek."Look how far you swam dear, and all on your own!" she praised.  Falran glanced at her, at where the two of them had been practicing, then finally at where they were standing now, a mere arm's length from the shore."I did that all by myself?" he asked, in awe."All by yourself," Gilrod confirmed.  "I'm so proud of my boy."

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Prompt: Swim

This story takes place right before the Quents were evicted from their home in the Thrae.

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15: Do your OC’s (Bileni, Tignor, and Serdol) consider themselves a good person?

Bileni: He always considered himself a pretty decent person.  That is, up until his recent actions.  He is now plagued with guilt and a little bit of PTSD.

Tignor: He knows he’s not fooling anyone by claiming he’s a “good person.”  But he believes he’s not the most evil person in the world at least.

"What are we going to tell Mr. Quent?" Bileni asked quietly with a slight tremble in his voice.  The others froze and remained silent as they mulled over the implications.

"I hadn't thought of that," said Briggs, biting his lip.

"He's going to be furious," Tignor breathed.

"He won't hurt us, will he?" Bileni whimpered.  "He'll just give us a scolding, right?  I've never really been in trouble like this."

"He's never lifted a finger against us Liraiphes," Briggs assured half-heartedly.  "He won't start now, I'm sure of it.  Doesn't he always say how his Arlan is merciful and he's supposed to act like Arlan?"

[This is one of my favorite questions to answer for the OC’s, as it really gives a glimpse into their overall character.  How you view yourself shows how you are going to treat others.  Also, my Christian worldview will permeate the answers for a few of the characters.]

15: Does your OC consider themselves a good person?

Gilrod: While he tries to be as good as he can, he knows it is impossible for any person to be fully good.  He knows he needs Arlan’s forgiveness to be counted as righteous.

Shraley: She believes the same as her husband, but struggles with guilt for not being good enough.

Falran: His brain knows that what his parents believe is true, but it’s tough for him to know he doesn’t have it in him to be perfect. He is very conscious about how others feel about him and at least wants those around him to believe he is a good person.

Aloria: She grew up thinking she was a good person, then after hearing about Arlan/the Only, realized she wasn’t perfect and was in need of someone to take the punishment for any wrong thing she ever did. She gratefully accepted the Only’s gift of His Son’s sacrifice.

Haethin: He’ll be the first to tell you he is not a good person, and that’s not because he believes he’s a jerk. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” He knows that he is inherently evil and in dire need of a Savior, thus believes that the Only’s Son died to take the punishment of his evildoing.

Briggs: Briggs lives on comparisons, and compared to the Featherheads in the city, he believes he’s a saint. Of course, like everyone, he is not perfect and has a lot of issues. A lot. He does actively try to be a good person though, since he places a lot of his self-worth on his own efforts.

Grittal: She would consider herself a good person because she always tries to accept anyone as a friend.

Ashlig: He thinks he’s a good person, but he knows he’s not perfect. His autism causes him to be self-conscious and whenever it makes his body do something he can’t control, he feels helpless and guilty that he can’t restrain what his body does.

Rahar: She believes herself to be a hopeless wretch, which is why she was so open to hearing about the Only and His forgiveness. She grew up hearing she was worthless, which takes a toll on a person. Hearing she actually had value to an all-powerful Creator was almost unbelievable to her.