Fustilugs and Politicaster

ILFIN #3

Ilfin 3

Sighing, Enris took her fraught hands into his and led her to a seat. “Sit.” She did, reluctantly, and he then hunkered before her still holding her hands. “We went to a place where the path is cosmic and the air is made of stardust. I know how that sounds, but that is the best description I am able to offer you. It isn’t a space of either the living or the dead; it simply is. That is where Iliri chose to stay. Do you know who she is?”

“My twin,” Iniri whispered.

“Indeed. You were healthy when born, but she was weak. She actually ceased breathing and everyone thought she had died, including our father. The decision was made to never speak of it, for everyone knows a twin birth has its own set of rules and no one desired to burden you with those.”

Releasing her hands, Enris rose. Inhaling deeply, he stretched before taking the seat beside hers.

“I was seven at the time and snuck into the birthing chamber. Mother was asleep and you were nestled in beside her and I sort of looked at you two for a while wondering how my life was going to change. As I was about to leave, I saw movement in the next chamber.” Enris swallowed and rubbed at his cheeks convulsively. “I found Uncle Lorn bending over a crib. There was another baby and he took her into his arms and breathed on her. Then he saw me and told me to meet my little sister before she went to the otherworld.”

“By the stars,” Iniri said.

Elbows on knees, Enris hung his head and spoke from that lowered position. “I don’t know what Lorn did, but I was the only one who could see Iliri. She did not die, but she was also not alive. I saw her; I spoke to her all through the days of our childhood. Then she vanished and Lorn told me it was all in my imagination. Time went by and I accepted that, until the invasion of Massin began. We arrived during the third battle, the one Massinians mark as the final battle of so-called ancient empires three thousand years ago, although there were more battles than history here tells of. Inside Arc Iliri returned, and we fought together. She was quite something in battle, I tell you. Everyone died there, as you know, and that was the last time I saw her.”

Mirlin leaned forward. “She was real?”

Enris nodded. “And everyone saw her; I was not delusional. I think it was all right for her to take on form far from Makaran and that is why she was real for Arc, but elsewhere no one is able to see her.”

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The human soul

ILFIN #2

Ilfin 2

The guest suites on the command carrier were more sumptuous than the officers’ quarters. Enris laid Leffandir into the firm softness of a large bed, covered her and motioned Iniri and Mirlin into the sitting room area. Leaving the bedroom door open, he joined them.

“Glonu are adept at soul capture; that is how she summoned me and is also how I appeared in the place of that summons.” Enris lifted a hand when Iniri made to speak. “Because Coltern and I were linked, she successfully recalled him as well. He is fine, I promise, just currently without the transport necessary to join us here.”

“Where is he?” Iniri whispered.

“Grenmassin.” Enris pulled a face, knowing well it was not the most comforting place to wait. Grenmassin was now a burnt out village containing the ghosts of the past. “He is not alone, Iniri. Artur is there, and so are the surviving members of our team. Joseph, Hal, Hanna and Marian chose to accompany Artur when he stated a wish to return.”

Closing her eyes, Iniri nodded.

“What happened?” Mirlin asked as he flung himself into an armchair. Guest suites really had more on offer.

“The orb happened. When you bade it complete the transaction between the realms of life and death, it acted out of order. It took us, all three of us, to another place. Leffandir reversed it, thank the stars.”

“Where did you go?” Iniri breathed. She stood in the centre of the space, twisting her finger together. She was on edge.

Coddiwomple

ILFIN #1

Ilfin of Arc 1

SEEING THEIR EMPRESS in a dead faint, the Glonu generals reached for their weapons.

“Stay your hands!” Commander Gennerin snarled. The threat of death was implicit in his tone. He added, “Allin, remove everyone from this space.”

As the corporal stepped up, the Glonu with his goatee growled, “We are not leaving the Empress.”

“You are not leaving her,” His Majesty murmured, “merely allowing her space to recover. Second one of your men to watch over her with us, but please wait outside.”

After a moment the Glonu nodded once. Gesturing to the man beside him to remain, he led the other generals out. The Ilfin vacated the space also, barring the king, his daughter and Mirlin. Commander Gennerin left as well, probably to play the diplomat outside.

In the silence, all attention returned to Enris kneeling with Leffandir in his arms.

“She expended everything to summon me,” Enris murmured. “She needs rest.”

“Will she recover?” the Glonu asked.

“Yes,” Enris snapped, looking up to glare at the man. “What is your name?”

“I am Captain Glen.”

“Captain, please inform your superiors we are moving her to a suite where she may rest. You have the word of the Makar she will not be harmed.”

The Glonu stared at Enris for many moments before he eventually inclined his head and left the conference room. When he opened the door, the hubbub outside nearly deafened, but mercifully the door closed on him swiftly.

“Where is Coltern?” Iniri demanded.

“Massin,” Enris murmured, returning his attention to the woman in his arms.

Mirlin, who was still on his knees beside his prince, asked, “What happened?”

Grunting, Enris struggled up with Leffandir in his arms. “We can discuss it later.” He headed for the exit opposite to the one the others employed. “Iniri, I need you.”

Swallowing markedly, she hastened to him and hit the button to open the door. A thousand questions obviously burned her tongue, for the strain of not asking them was written on her face. Mirlin watched brother and sister leave, wishing with all he was to accompany them.

To his everlasting relief, King Linus said, “Go with them, Mirlin. I will finish the negotiations here.”

Without replying, Mirlin strode across the space to follow his prince.

The King's Challenge Update - I know you're wondering!

After finishing episode 366 of our daily challenge, I gave it a few days before starting the big edit (after collating literally hundreds of episodes!). So many little details overlooked, wow! And a fair few cringe-worthy grammar mistakes! Having written daily purely on impulse, I'm sure you understand. We will catch most issues before the final is ready for publishing.

Now, it ended on a question, did it not? We ran out of episodes before we ran out of story!

Therefore, tune in now for ILFIN #1 - as the final chapters are written, I will post them here :) Note that the narrative has shifted from First Person to Third. Given the epic nature of Ilfin of Arc, it works much better this way. By the way, I urge you to grab a copy of the finished book; oooo, there are a few surprises inserted elsewhere!!!

ILFIN #1 follows after this post :)

Smashwords' Downloads - Thank YOU!

Smashwords' Summer/Winter Sale for 2016 is now over and here's some feedback for you.

Our Friend Thomas Henson 8

Town Thomas 8

Justine's Journal 15

The Infinity Mantle 20

The Kallanon Scales 22

Secret Remedies 25

Realm Walker 25

The Nemesis Blade 28

Minstrel of the Water Willow 75

If my math is correct, that's 226 downloads!

Thank you to everyone! When you have a moment, please pop a quick review up; I would love to hear how much you enjoyed the read. Thank you!