Aranée 38: Darkness Stirs by NetWorthy
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The brooding man on the throne looked up in irritation. "Yes, what is it?"
A man in resplendent armor took off a helmet with brilliant green plumage. "Sorry to interrupt your meditations, Your Grace, but we have just received several disturbing reports from the west."
The dark lord leaned back on his throne and looked back at the man over steepled fingers. "Go on."
"Sire, we have had more news of the dark rider. He appears to have disrupted operations across a wide swath of the Disputed Lands, killing or wounding a great many of our riders."
The dark lord folded his hands in his lap and his eyes shifted to the vaulted ceiling. He spoke in a low, almost-gentle voice. "This man persists in vexing me - it cannot continue." His eyes traversed to the Greener officer and fixed him with an iron gaze. "He must be dealt with - permanently."
The officer averted his eyes and swallowed, and once again looked to the older man. "That is not all, Lord. The Elf woman has been reported riding with him."
The lord crossed his arms and loudly exhaled. "Really. So this nuisance has also escalated." He unfolded his arms and leaned forward. "And where are they now?"
"Lord, they are reported to be on the other side of the Lonesh, unable to return until the spring."
The dark lord folded his arms again and nodded. "I see." He tugged at his lower lip for a few seconds and returned his withering gaze to the officer. "All right then. Let's prepare a nice reception for them should they return ... in fact, take the party to them if they do not."
The Greener cleared his throat. "But Lord... Jobil has been... vigilant... about his borders of late."
The older man placed his finger alongside his cheek, an icy glint in his eyes. "It would not be the first time a member of his clan has challenged us - perhaps he will pay the same dear price." He tapped his cheek with his finger and eyes like red-hot steel bore into the officer. "You do think you can handle this... properly... don't you?"
The man blanched and bowed. "I will insure the matter is concluded most exceedingly and thoroughly well, Your Grace." He bowed again and strode purposefully down the hall, spurs ringing against the stone.
The dark lord leaned back again, resting his arms on the throne. His gaze followed the retreating officer with a wintry smile that never touched his eyes. "Yes, I rather suppose you will, at that."
--- TO BE CONTINUED!
View episodes in sequence for the entire story.
My beloved wife Kathy has taken a turn for the worse, the docs will operate on the 21st. She will require my care around the clock for at least two weeks after her surgery. I'm not sure when I will be able to return. Please do keep us in your prayers.
As I probably will not return before then, I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Christmas!
PLEASE leave your comments or criticisms
- your words are highly valued and keep me going!
Image and story © 2009 by Larry Hodge
Comments (23)
Rainastorm
WONDERFUL JOB here...great story and image...love your lighting it is so good!!
PhilW
Great image - love the PoV! My thoughts will be with you and yours over Christmas - take care and I look forward to the next chapter!
flaviok
A história está magnifica a imagem soberba, ambientação e angulo fascinantes meu amigo, aplausos (5)
neelzonline
very dramatic
Faemike55
Creepy conversation! Great image complimenting it
mikeerson
I've been so far removed from Rendo for so long and even longer until next year... I try to see and comment when I can, but don't have the time that I once did. I'm just now reading about the operation on the 21st - I hope everything goes BETTER than you could ever dream and I hope you have a Wonderful Christmas.... Story is good, I like it, however, I think Greener should of stopped talking toward the end, cause he didn't have to go after the bad guy, cause he was told they would wait - lol... sometimes, people need to know when to talk and when not to - LOL
mgtcs
Magnificent POV, excellent composition, well done!
Minda
excellent scene and story larry!!
magnus073
Larry first and most important I am so sorry my friend to hear about your wife Kathy and I'll put her in my prayers. The image is wonderfully done of course and when combined with the story really makes you feel like your in a movie
CrownPrince
Wow i have read your entire story from the beginning to now.. And i must say it is very very good. Nice pace and interesting characters... I also hope that things go well for you over the next couple of weeks. And have a joyful and happy holiday season.
Cimaira
Larry, so sorry to hear your wife will require surgery. My thoughts and prayers are with you both! Wonderfully dark image, brings chills to the back of my neck, especially when reading this chapter. Wonderful work! I will eagerly await your return and pray that your wife has a successful outcome to her surgery and a speedy recovery. Hugs to you both.
LivingPixels
Excellent work again larry sorry about your wife hope all thing are successful in the op!!! LOL!!
restif
As alway, love your render, and you both will be in my prayers.
gypsyflame
Beautiful image and words......I am so sorry to hear about your wife, of course she and you will stay in my prayers, think positive, miracles happen everyday! God bless!
myrrhluz
I am so sorry to hear about your wife, Kathy. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. My very best wishes for the upcoming weeks. After reading the first few sentences of this episode, I decided that it was too good to come in in the middle and went back to the beginning. Excellent image! I'm looking forward to knowing what is going on here.
adrie
Beautiful composition work my friend, superbe lighting and story line....excellent done..love it. Also so sorry to hear about your wife, I will keep you and your wife in my prayers my friend, wish you all the best.....greetings Adrie.
jandunne
Great story and image. Good luck to you and Kathy!
Kyronimos
Fantastic scene!
e-brink
An interesting scene and story-telling. Nice work.
ragouc
Good light and scene.
amirapsp
Awesome work
PSDuck
Exccellent render and story!
RJS
Sorry to hear about your wife Kathy. Been there, mate. Hope it all went well for you both. I know how stressful it can be on both sides. This image is really captivating; perhaps the best you've done so far in this series. The lighting is especially good, and the POV really makes you feel like you're watching a film. The narrative is chilling. At last the Dark Forces are beginning to show themselves. This leaves a knot in my stomach, as now Galen and Aranée are in very real jeopardy. Wonderfully told!