Eloquent Tales & Blues

Colonization: Rising Tensions

Tarian rushed into the infirmary and seized Keldon's hand. "What's his status?"

The doctor wrapped his arms around his pad as he sighed. "The odds aren't good."

Tarian's brow knotted as he shut his eyes. "Spit it out, Dalton."

With another sigh, Dalton dropped the pad onto the bed and nudged Tarian's shoulder. "He's not going to make it."

"I want to find whatever did this to him." Tarian rounded the bed and grabbed the doctor's shirt, pulling him onto his toes. "Caleb, what do we know?"

"Nothing," Caleb said, pulling Tarian off the doctor. He patted his chest. "Keldon was the only member of his team to survive. And he never told us where they went." He paused, glancing down at the injured man. "Don't forget, the elves are the only reason he's here."

Tarian slumped into the nearest chair. "I need answers."

"Neither of us has any," Caleb said.

A thunderous clap tore through the infirmary as Tarian climbed to his feet. He pulled up right next to the doctor as his lips quivered. "Save his life."

Dalton glanced from Tarian to Keldon as he wiped his brow. "I'll do what I can...

Colonization: Foundation

“I can’t believe we’re holding another banquet already,” Tarian said, studying the makeshift hall that still reeked of freshly hewn timber. He rubbed his forehead as a heavy sigh escaped his lips.

Keldon swallowed, glanced over, and smirked. “You look annoyed, my friend.”

Tarian’s gaze scanned the chamber. “This is the second banquet, and we’re still no closer to securing an alliance.”

“Has it only been two?” Keldon asked as he stabbed a chunk of meat with his fork.

Tarian’s fingers began drumming next to his empty plate. He examined the tables and benches before lifting his glass, eyeing the pale amber liquid. He took a sip, managing not to cough from the strength of the wine. “Yes, Kel. Two banquets with the elves and dwarves, plus the one after the siege. And each has pulled another thread we can’t quite identify.”

Laughing, Keldon clapped his friend’s back and lifted his goblet. He winked, took a swig, and sighed. He set the cup down and leaned over, lowering his voice. “If you’re serious about this alliance of yours, Tarian, you’ll have to get used to drinking this wine...

Colonization: Forging Alliance

Lloyd walked over to Tarian. “The dwarves have decimated the rear ranks of the enemy.”

Tarian shifted the telescope toward the rear and watched the dwarven axes cleave through the retreating remnants of the horde. Relief washed over his features as his shoulders slouched. “The elves and dwarves arrived just in time.”

Sherry’s fingers covered her lips as she stared out over their allies. “What do you think they’ll want from us?”

Lloyd glared at her as his fingers curled into fists. “The enemy crumbles under the elven arrows and dwarven blades.”

“That’s my point.” Sherry stepped toward Lloyd as her eyes narrowed. “Now we owe them. What are they going to demand from us?”

“Give me a break,” Lloyd said as he kicked some debris.

“This is serious,” Sherry said, her voice bordering on shrill. “I can’t be the only one afraid they’ll prove untrustworthy.”

Standing up from the crumbling wall, Tarian turned around, putting a hand on Lloyd’s and Sherry’s shoulder. “Sherry, we needed help, and they answered our call. Examine the battlefield. It’s taken all our collective power to eradicate this scourge.”

“Tarian, we can’t trust them,” Sherry said, her voice only a whisper.

“We don’t have the luxury to isolate ourselves,” Lloyd said, matching her tone...

Veiled Vision

Bethany was having an outstanding day, soaking in the last moments of her family’s beach vacation. On their final day, she took one last walk along the shoreline. Bethany took comfort as the waves lapped up against her legs and the salt-laden wind nipped at her unbound hair. It felt like the world was holding its breath, precious and fleeting, when her bare foot stepped on something hard. Heart racing, she bent down and unearthed whatever her foot had struck...

Colonization: Nick of Time

Tarian rushed to the center of the crumbling defenses and seized a rifle from one of the fallen. A tear welled, but he blinked it away. The dead deserved better, but mourning would have to wait. Among the fallen, he recognized Soren, one of the youngest members of this expedition. He had hoped to start a family here. Tarian's chest tightened as he kneeled beside him, fingers brushing the man's cooling skin...

The Guardian of Bridges

Once upon a time, two neighborhood friends, a boy and a girl, spent every free moment playing in the woods behind their homes, even when snow-covered. The forest felt far more familiar than home, thanks to their countless hours spent there. Its silent beauty always hid a faint, mysterious edge beneath the snow. Their parents only had one rule regarding this favored playground. They had to stay close to their homes.

Unfortunately, today, both children pushed the boundaries of their...

Colonization: Crumbling Walls

As he paced about the wall, Tarian stopped when he came to a devastated section. He ran his fingers along the shorn stone and glanced at the boulder, now entrenched in the ground just behind the wall. Thankfully, the defenders stationed there evaded the massive rock hurtling past them, saved only by a defender's shout. Tarian shook his head and turned back to the swelling ranks of monsters...

Path of the WIllow

Once upon a time, a young girl woke on Christmas morning, a broad grin stretching across her face as she bolted from her bed. She flew down the stairs, stopping before the glittering Christmas tree. The little girl ignored the presents under the tree, locking her gaze on the hanging stockings packed with goodies. She picked up her stocking and found a thread trailing from its edge into a nearby closet.

She eased the door open and followed the thread...