Eloquent Tales & Blues

Colonization: Message

Tarian clambered to the wall's edge and stared into the barren field. When he discovered a solitary figure, his fingers turned white around the gray stones. "That's a massive creature. What is it? When did it arrive?"

"I'm not sure what's out there, but it's been there since the sun came up," Keldon said, closing his eyes.

"Keldon, who's our best surviving sharpshooter?" Tarian's gaze turned ice cold as his lips curled into a snarl. "Bring that individual here and destroy that monster!"

Keldon lifted his telescope and studied the distant creature. When the scope lowered, he tapped it against the wall. "Given the recent attack, there's a significant chance it's a shapeshifter."

"Does it matter what it is?" Sherry stepped in front of Keldon, her hands on hips. "Tarian's right. One of our marksmen could end the threat."

"I'm more concerned with whatever's beyond our field of view." Keldon laid a hand on Tarian's shoulder, pulling him close. "That thing's the tip of the oncoming storm."

Sherry threaded her fingers through her hair as she stared at the creature. "Why are you trying to distract us from the simple solution?"

Keldon's fist slammed the wall as he glared at Sherry. "We're not in a position to defend ourselves from another assault."

Sherry blanched as she gripped her chest. "We're prepared for this kind of situation, right?"

"Unfortunately, Lloyd's dead." Tarian stepped up to the wall and examined the towering monster. With a hiss, Tarian spun around and leaned against the wall, collapsing to the floor. "Besides, a pair of shapeshifters tried to steal a significant amount of our ordnance...

Questions

Shawn glanced from the assignments in front of him to his watch. He laid his pen down and folded his hands on the pile of papers, “Zachary, you’re the last one here, and your time has expired. Please turn in your exam and start your weekend.”

“Can I take another minute?”

Shawn shook his head and thumped his desk, “You are out of time. I’ve already given you an extra thirty minutes, now give me your test, or I’ll be forced to reward your hard work with a zero.”

Zachary slipped his pen behind his ear with a groan and strolled up to Shawn’s desk. He dropped his exam next to the assignments his professor was correcting, “Thank you for giving me what you could. Do you have anything planned for the weekend, aside from grading those?”

Shawn grinned and lifted Zachary’s test and slipped it into a drawer. He locked it and propped his chin on a hand, “Normally I would grade these tests tonight. However, this time that’s a job for my teacher’s assistant, because I’ve got important plans for the weekend.”

“Did you finally find a new place?” Zachary looked around the lecture hall as he shoved his hands into his pockets, “Cause living in a university lecture hall is a little strange.”

Shawn’s fingers drummed on his desk while his other hand stabbed toward the door, “Run along, Zachary, and enjoy your weekend.”

“Bye, Professor,” Zachary retorted as he rushed to the exit. He walked out of the auditorium, bumping into a woman. The young man looked away and tipped his head, “I’m sorry, are you looking for Professor Tillman...

Colonization: Devastating Loss

Tarian lifted his head from the desk as the alarm blared. With a groan, he turned toward the noise. When he couldn't locate the source of the racket, he started blinking the sleep away and stumbled toward the window. He leaned on the sill and saw the ordnance storehouse lights flashing across the field. As his gaze tracked the beams, the scene made sense. Tarian spun and bolted from his quarters.

When he burst out of the building, Tarian dashed toward the depot. As he crossed the courtyard, a hand yanked him to a stop. Tarian reached back, grabbed the stranger and twisted his arm behind his back. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," Lloyd said with a whimper, his face paling. He raised his free hand in surrender. "However, you rushing headlong into an unknown raid isn't one of your better ideas."

As Tarian relaxed his grip, he spun toward the armory as his hand flew to his side. He reached for his sidearm, but his fingers brushed an empty belt. A curse flew from his mouth as he whirled toward Lloyd. "Do you have a spare gun?"

"You're lucky you ran into me first." Lloyd drew a handgun and thrust it toward Tarian. "Next time the alarm blares, you might remember to secure your sidearm before you try to take on a mystery unarmed."

"That's enough," Tarian said as he took the weapon. After a brief check, he aimed the small firearm at the depot and inched forward.

"You shouldn't be the first to enter," Lloyd said, pulling Tarian's shoulder. With a few long strides, Lloyd pulled ahead of Tarian and placed an ear against the depot's door...

Running Leap

“Didn’t you learn your lesson last time?”

The man peering down the chasm smiled, waving his arms over his head. He glanced down at a collection of stones, and knocked them off the ledge, watching them plummet toward the lake. When the rocks plunged into the tranquil water, ripples spread across the surface. He turned around and scampered to his friend, resting his cast on the guy’s back. “Ethan, why are you worried?”

“Daniel, you broke your arm the last time you tried making that jump!”

Daniel pulled Ethan closer, smirking as he nudged his friend’s shoulder. “You make it sound so unpleasant.”

Ethan pushed Daniel away, as he thrust his hand toward the far side of the gorge. “That gap’s over ten feet wide, and I’ll remind you of two things. First, your earlier try came up short and second you almost killed yourself when you plummeted thirty feet into the lake.”

“Bah,” Daniel waved his cast over his head as he hustled back to the gap and peered into the calm water. “I can see the rock outcropping that gave me this lovely billy club.” He turned, waving Ethan over to the ledge as he pointed at the still lake. “To avoid a similar mishap, I’ll jump over the darkest patch of water...

Colonization: Undulating Confinement

Keldon grabbed Tarian's shoulder and spun him around, slamming him against the wall. His brow furrowed as he took a deep breath. Keldon jabbed his finger into Tarian's chest. "Tarian, you can't keep bothering the scientists."

"Caleb secured their live sample of that shifting monstrosity," Tarian said, brushing Keldon's hands off before he straightened his jacket. "Didn't you hear Caleb's report? That thing wore his face, making it even more dangerous."

"I know," Keldon said, stepping back and lifting his palms. "But you're not helping them."

"If that monster had approached either your team or Engrim's, we wouldn't be having this conversation." Tarian rubbed his temples as his chest swelled. He grabbed Keldon's shirt and pulled him close. "So, if my constant visits help expedite their work, they're worth the headache."

"But they don't!" Keldon pushed himself away from his friend, his eyes narrowing. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. Your visits cause nothing but chaos, and it takes far too long to reclaim their original calm."

Tarian's face tightened as he stared into the sky. He reached for the doorknob, giving it a sharp twist before shoving the door open. "They'll survive the intrusion. It took ten darts to put that thing in its cage...

Tumultuous Beginning

The elderly man turned his head as the pounding intensified. His fingers twitched over the flipping pages of his floating tome, a venomous snarl curling his lips. With each crash, another page tore free from the book and joined the howling, arcane storm around the frantic mage. As the sheets spun past his twitching brow, light devoured the scribbled ink. When the glow enveloped each sheet, they popped out of existence.

“Thobin,” a husky voice called, punctuated by a mighty and ominous thud. “Open the door!”

The man’s steely gaze whipped toward the voice. Still, his fingers danced over the whirling pages. The pounding gave way to cracking wood, a splintering rhythm that echoed through the tower. Then a sharp female voice cut through the din. “This isn’t going to end well for you!”

“By a unanimous decree of the ruling council,” the gruff voice said as the pounding increased, “you are required to surrender yourself and all of your tomes to our authority.”

A swirling wind whipped about Thobin, throwing his long, wild, silver-streaked hair about his head. As more pages tore from the tome, he rolled his shoulders, sending a series of cracks bouncing off the walls. “I respect neither that institution nor you. Enter at your own peril.”

“Thobin, you can’t win this fight. However, if you submit yourself to our authority, you’ll be rewarded with a place on the council.”

“Bah!” Thobin’s fingers whirled faster as more pages tore free from the tome. When the last page freed itself, Thobin turned to face the cracking door, hands clasped behind his back...

Colonization: Hunting Shadows

Reaching out, Caleb brushed the damaged branch with his fingers. He kneeled and scrutinized the ground, finding more disturbed undergrowth. He pulled out his radio and switched channels. "Engrim, where are you?"

"About a click or two east of you. Have you found any signs of shapeshifters?"

Caleb moved a branch out of the way and studied the markings. "I may have, and I'd like a second opinion."

"Isn't Keldon leading a unit out here?" Engrim asked.

Caleb clicked his tongue, rising to examine the damaged branch. He turned to his squad, raising a finger to his lips. "He headed south the moment we departed the settlement. If we wait to get his thoughts, whatever left these marks will be long gone and out of reach."

"Fine, we're on our way."

Caleb tore his gaze from the tracks and scanned the foliage. "Something passed through here, and it's proving difficult to determine whether the trail was accidental or deliberate. Everyone, fall in on me. Keep your heads on a swivel and be alert. I don't want to frighten off whatever is watching us."

Mika tapped Caleb's shoulder as she cleared her throat. "Are we spreading out?"

"Yes, though stay in sight." Caleb leveled his rifle above the agitated foliage. "It shouldn't take Engrim's team long to get here."

Mika spun away from Caleb and stared into the forest's dense shadows. "And what information can you glean from the tracks?"

Caleb followed the markings...

Wandering Stranger

A wanderer adjusted his position against the tree. When a snowflake landed on his outstretched hand, he shook it free, climbing to his feet. The man dragged his hair from his face as he pulled his spare cloak from his pack. Without missing a beat, he wrapped it around his shoulders. He clutched his bag under the covering as he strode toward the road. As he neared it, he checked both sides of the path before easing out from the underbrush.

As the snow clung to him, the man tugged the outer garment tighter about his neck and forced himself through the growing mounds. After walking for what felt like an eternity, the wanderer noticed a structure hugging the horizon, and his steps quickened. When he reached the building, his trembling hand brushed its rough stone.

A grin spread as his fingers traced the chiseled rock. He cocked his head, and his smile widened when he scanned the surrounding buildings. He ignored the blacksmith and the numerous merchant establishments. When his eyes landed upon the inn, he dashed toward its entrance and yanked in vain. With a grimace, the wanderer slammed his fist against the sturdy wood. “Is anyone there!”

The entrance groaned, revealing an intense gaze through the opening. “There aren’t any rooms available. You must look elsewhere.”

“Please,” the wanderer cried as he wedged his foot into the opening. “No one could survive this snowstorm.”

“I cannot allow you to enter,” the innkeeper replied.

The man pulled a stone from his pack, flashing the brilliant green gem to the owner. “I can pay.”

The innkeeper shook his head as he shoved the door. “Money isn’t the problem. This storm comes every year, and my storeroom isn’t endless. I can’t provide for you without harming my existing patrons, considering that jewel won’t fill a single belly...