Tag: vignettes

Alfwin Moonsmy

by Diane, posted in Castle Keepers Vignettes, Fiction

Alfwin Moonsmy

Elf, archivist at Aruam Castle, first appeared unnamed in chapter 14 of Shadows in the Stone

“The end is only the beginning of something great,” mumbled Alfwin Moonsmy, leaning upon the desk. He tilted his head and thought of the remaining lines. A fog clouded his memory as he peered across the archives. “The end is…no…the end begins with…” He dropped the book he held, and the loud bang shook him. “Apologies.”

The room lay empty. Who had jumped? He stood straight, grasped the book and prepared to return it to the shelf when he noticed a slight odour. Holding it to his nose, he smelt parsley or was it anise seed? A slight breeze circulated the air, diluting the smell further.

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Bronwyn Darrow

by Diane, posted in Castle Keepers Vignettes, Fiction

Bronwyn Darrow

Dwarf, sergeant with the Aruam Castle guard, on leave, first appeared in chapter 01 of Shadows in the Stone

Bronwyn Darrow laid the map flat on the large stone. His calloused finger traced the road from Wirksworth to Little Ram, stopping midway between the towns. In his mind, he thought of the distance from this point to his current location on Blue Mountain. If he continued south west, he’d intercept the trail to Glengarry Keep. Considering the rough terrain ahead, he estimated it would take five days. He’d know he was on the right path when he reached River Blue.

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Lord Valmour Elfren

by Diane, posted in Castle Keepers Vignettes, Fiction

Lord Valmour ‘Val’ Elfren

Elf, lord of Aruam Castle, first appeared in chapter 05 of Shadows in the Stone

Spicy aromas filled Lord Valmour Elfren’s senses. His eyes squeezed shut, he imagined the kitchen of his youth spilling forth delectable foods that would carry him through his day. He reached for a long, narrow loaf of bread, twisted around itself and sprinkled with green spices and smelling of garlic.

The hunger sensation intensified, and he squeezed the bread tightly, searching for his siblings, who if they appeared would snatch it from his hands and run. He bit into the warm, fresh bread and savoured the taste. A sound startled him, and he held the bread tighter, squeezing it in his grip for fear it would be stolen.

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Zipporah Sanderson

by Diane, posted in Castle Keepers Vignettes, Fiction

Captain of the Guard Zipporah Sanderson

Human, captain of the guard with Aruam Castle guard, first appeared in chapter 4 of Shadows in the Stone

The door opened, delivering an icy wind into the guard house. Zipporah Sanderson shivered. The captain of the guard was ill dressed for the frigid weather.

“Sir.” Sawney closed the door and brushed snow from his shoulders. “It’s brisk out there.”

“With the clouds breaking and a clear sky ahead, it will be a colder night.” Sanderson fastened his vest. He required more layers before starting his rounds.

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Alaura of Niamh

by Diane, posted in Castle Keepers Vignettes, Fiction

Alaura of Niamh

Hauflin/human, healer, born in Petra North, lived in Maskil, first appeared in chapter 1 of Shadows in the Stone

A voice shattered the stillness of the night. Alaura of Niamh pressed against the stone structure and waited, drawing her cloak around her. The village of Inishmore existed on the edge of Forest of Caucy. The inhabitants were humans and elves and a mixture of both races interbred. Its history of archaic magic and secrecy hadn’t brought Alaura to its cobblestone lanes. Instead, the stories of a half-elf who had once been imprisoned at Blackvale Castle lured her to the isolated location.

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Gaven Darrow

by Diane, posted in Castle Keepers Vignettes, Fiction

Gaven Darrow

Dwarf, owner of Forest Bakery and Herb Shop first appeared in chapter 11 of Shadows in the Stone

The waggon swayed gently as it passed over the ruts in the road. Gaven Darrow peered ahead, scanning the waysides as he entered Goshen. The small village rested far from Linden Lake where many moons ago bandits attacked from the trees and beat him near death. That day he had lost a sweet little girl to thieves.

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Liam Jenkins

by Diane, posted in Castle Keepers Vignettes, Fiction

Liam Jenkins

Hauflin, age 14, first appeared in chapter 10 of Shadows in the Stone

Note: Hauflin’s call their parents meeme (mother) and das (father).

The hard chair Liam Jenkins sat upon caused more discomfort than he felt when he entered his aunt and uncle’s dwelling. Although he had lived here for almost a year, they had remained strangers. His meeme’s sister Juanola of Mallaidh possessed the same eye colour as his meeme Finola, but his aunt’s radiated cold and bitter emotions. Was it because she could not have children—a fact he learnt when he accidentally walked into a heated discussion between her and her mate Struan.

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Lord Layne Nevell

by Diane, posted in Castle Keepers Vignettes, Fiction

Lord Layne Nevell of Aruam Castle

Human, healer, first appeared in chapter 14 in Shadows in the Stone

The pungent smell of drying burdock pervaded the small room. Although Lord Layne Nevell’s patients criticized the odour, clusters of the drying herb hung in every room of the Infirmary. The plant remained for the patient’s mental stability as much as for Layne’s state of mind. It was the only element he had found to keep his thoughts clear and focussed. After a few days in the Infirmary his patients sensed a change in their judgement and ceased complaining.

“My lord, may I have a glass of water?” The young, human guard, wounded by a recent attack by one of Lindrum’s henchmen, rested in a cot. A bandage covered his head.

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Riagan

by Diane, posted in Castle Keepers Vignettes, Fiction

Riagan

Dwarf, works in the military records office at Aruam Castle, first appeared in chapter 11 in Shadows in the Stone.

Steeling her nerves, Riagan looked at the human standing before her. His orders were clear, yet she questioned how she—a records keeper—would reach the upper floors of the Aruam Castle without being discovered.

“It’s for the good of the castle,” said Dugald. “And the people of Maskil.” His sly smile did nothing to reassure her. “I’m certain you’ll find a way.”

Riagan watched him leave the guardhouse. His casual delivery of the difficult task left her questioning his knowledge about the castle and the laws binding everyone within it. No matter, an order was given, and she had to obey.

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Beathas of Ailsa

by Diane, posted in Castle Keepers Vignettes, Fiction

Beathas of Ailsa

Hauflin, sorceress who lives at Moon Meadow, first appeared in chapter 3 in Shadows in the Stone

The humid, evening air swirled softly around Beathas of Ailsa’s bare feet. The breeze caused the little tufts of hair growing on the tops of her toes to sway. She spread her toes further to dry them quicker. The swim in the pool below the waterfalls had refreshed her, removing sweat and dirt gathered from the strenuous workout with an apprentice earlier in the day. Now, with time to meditate and reflect alone, she felt her body relax and ease into a sleepy position on the porch.

Minor pricks caused by sharp rocks and sticks from travelling through the forest left a sting other hauflins did not suffer. Though she went shoeless frequently, she was incapable of growing the tough, thick souls as others, but she dismissed it for what it was: a shortcoming.

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