Since I am so lazy,I'm still procrastinating(is it spelled right) to write Bléumond.
So here's a light piece.
"You're late to school!Quick now Dori," said Mrs Smith.Ushering his son out of the house,she gave him the lunch pack."Don't forget this Dori and come back home directly after school."
"Ok mom."
Theodore is 8 years old.Yes,his name is Theodore and only his mother called her Dori.At least until one day she picked him up after school due to an emergency,that she forgot and called him Dori in front of his class.Case close.Thus he was known all through his 1st grade as Dori.Dori!What a peculiar name,teachers used to ask.
But that was last year,almost at the end of the year.So last night before he went to sleep,Dori hoped people would forget the incident and called him Theodore,but right then he wished fervently he wasn't too late for the bus.The first period was Mr Hankins, and you wouldn't like to make him mad,as he would be all red and puffy.People said if water is poured on his angry face,it could steam a bun!
Of course not one of the pupil knew if it was true,as clearly no one ever tried.
Focusing the story back to Dori,who was rushing to the bus stand,fervently hoping it was still there.
Dori had missed the bus.
*****
Mr Hankins was signing his big ominous Teacher's book,with big curly letters spelling his name on it,when Dori arrived at the door.The class was silent and only the scribbling handwriting of the students were heard,which stopped when the class began to notice Dori's arrival.Noticing the peculiar silent,Mr Hankins looked up and was stumped.He was so shocked that he forgot to be angry."Why are you late?" he asked monotonously.
"Well,I missed the bus and then there was this big ice cream truck that stopped in front of me and asked if I wanted a ride,but I said no because mother teached(taught?) me so.And the driver said,would I like some ice cream.And I said yes,and he asked what flavour.And then he whispered to me there is a magic flavor ice cream,that if you eat you can see invisible things.So I said ok and ..then.." Dori slowly stopped when he realized Mr Hankins was quite and sure enough when Dori looked at his teacher's face,it was deep red and puffy,like a steam engine train stopped head on by Superman.
Mr Hankins was quite for a while,quietly before barking at Dori,"You came 1 hour late,all haggard and dirty and I expected a logical explanation and you spin all this bullocks!"
He took a deep breath before continuing,"Now go stand outside,I will bring you to the headmaster,PERSONALLY."
Once Mr Hankins brought a bully PERSONALLY to head's office and through unknown contraption and plans,the boy was transformed and by the end of the year was the head prefect.
Dori gulped hearing that,turned and slowly walked to the door.
"Wait!" Mr Hankins suddenly barked.Dori's heart beat wildly.Maybe Mr Hankins is not mad anymore,maybe he knew I was telling the truth and he wanted to hear my story again,thought Dori.
"What is your name?Full name," asked Mr Hankins.
Dori turned and answered,"Theodore Smith."Now can I sit? he asked in his mind.
"Smith..Samuel..Skyparsky..Here.Smith,Theodore," mumbled Mr Hankins to himself,before addressing Dori, "Now go stand outside."
******
To Dori's surprise,there was already another pupil standing outside.Raymond also camea bit late (about three minutes) that day,so he had been standing there for about an hour by that time.
"How big is the ice cream lorry?" Raymond whispered.Dori took a while to answer,so he said," You didn't see any ice cream lorry,did you?"
"Yes I did!"
"Shh..He can hear you.Don't talk so loud,or he will come and tell us to stand away."
"Ok ok..But I did see a lorry ice cream!It was so big,it was like a contena.It had lots of wheels and very long,with boxes with different types of flavors,in the back."
Raymond was in awe,but managed to ask,"How come you know there are.You said your mother said don't take rides with stranger."
"The driver told me.Besides,they were painted on the side of the back.Chocolates,vanillas,strawberries, and lots more.It even had those yucky yam flavour and others that I don't know."Seeing Raymond drooling,Dori continued,"But I was in a hurry,so I didn't have the time to taste,and then the driver asked why I was in a hurry.After I explained,he gave me the magical flavor ice cream,so I can see invisible things."
"Why would he want you to see invisible things," Raymond suddenly broke out of his awe and interrupted.
"Umm..I don't know.But he gave it to me.It was like white,like yogurt." (Dori wanted to say it was cream in colour)
"Was it good?"
"Hmm..it didn't really taste anything.But i eat it all anyway.Nothing happened so I walked to school."
"What about the lorry,the big ice cream truck?Where did it go?Did it went towards Crab Hill,because my father told me there was a big factory there."
"Umm..I don't think it went there.But the driver said he went to find old bikes.Yep,old bicycles."
"What for?!"
"Hmm..you know big trucks have tires in the middle,those are bicycles tire,that's why the tires dont touch the road,cause they will break if they do."
"Owh,I see.But Dori,why do they collect bicycles tires?Not trucks?"
"That's because when a bicycles punctured,and the people have to push the bicycles back home instead of riding them,the ice cream driver can help and give them the old spare bicycle tire.You see,trucks don't need spare tire.Have you seen a punctured truck?No?See."
"That is jolly good of that driver,"said Raymond,"he gave you ice cream and he help cyclist.I think my father once did tell when his bicycle had flat tire and OUCH!"
Raymond's story stopped immaturely,followed by Dori's exclamation as his ear was boxed too.
"I sent you to stand here,not to spun your bullocks,"barked Mr Hankins."Follow me,Theodore!You,go back into the class."
Unwillingly Dori followed Mr Hankins and through the corner of his eyes he saw Raymond went quickly into the classroom,relieved.
To be continued
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Bléumond 1.3
The third part of the 1st chapter
The third part of the 1st chapter.
Bléumond was calling after the handicraft man and was catching up to him, who was by that time taking a turn into a small path through the wood.
"Wait, pea...Wait seller. Sir! Wait, please," she called out, but his shade was already hard to see behind the bushes and the dense overhead canopy cast shadows as if veiling the man. Bléumond stood at the edge of the forest, hesitant of stepping into in. Although she had heard what the handicraft man said that it was all Joha's fabrication, she still could not forget the stories she heard. Image of monsters pouncing on her, made her wait for a few minutes on the path, pondering.
Finally she called one last time to the handicraftman, although she knew he would barely hear her, let alone respond.
"Why does he have to go in there?" she sighed to herself, before taking a deep breath.
Thus Bléumond ran on the path all the while shouting after the handicraft man.
A loud "Sir, wait up!" was heard repeatedly but soon diminished as well as her silhouette was no longer seen from the river.
****
In fact Bléumond ran for only a minute, a few hundred steps, but her imagination was playing trick on her that she felt it was a long run until she saw the back of the handicraft man. She was then so delighted, that she rushed to him.
"Sir! Sir!"
The man was startled and turned around. He was slightly puzzled, she could tell, but then spoke with irritation, "Didn’t I leave you at the bridge?"
"No, I followed you. Why didn't you stop when I called you? Where are we going?"
"Peasant," he said bluntly. He then turned and continued walking.
"Peasant?" she replied."I did not say peasant. I didn't...near the forest that is...and after the bridge. Where are we going?"
"You said pea, then you changed to sir."
"You did hear me! Why didn't you stop?"
After waiting awhile to no answer, Bleumond asked again,
" Where are we going...“ before adding "...sir?"
The man turned, amusement on his face.
"I see that you called me sir."
"Yes I did. Where are we going sir?" she repeated.
The man ignored her question but instead asked, “ Why are you following me?"
"Because...because I saw you did magic," she said "and I would like to learn...“
"Aha!" He clapped his hands, which startled Bléumond this time around."I knew you had some plan. I see that your courtesy was a manner you adopted. Quite interesting."
"Will you teach me then," she asked hopefully and had almost forgotten, before adding,“ sir"
"No," he said and walked away.
"Why not?" Bléumond asked.
"You have dropped sir."
"Why not sir?"
"Stop calling me sir. It is annoying. If you still want to continue with your pretense of demeanour, why don't you use something else. Master,or something to that extent. Instiur would be fine."
In truth, Bléumond doesn't know what pretense, demeanour or Instiur meant but the word master provoked her, " I am not your slave, to call you master!"
"I see. Don’t call me then."
Bléumond was silent for a while as the man began to continue walking.
"If I call you Instiur, would you teach me magic?"
"No."
"Argh!I despise you! You stupidd..peasant."
He turned around and said,“ I see that you are back to normal. Now. Go. Home."
"I don't know the way back."
A smile flickered across the man's face. He walked back towards the 10 years old child, closer to see her face. He finally squatted and peered into her eyes and asked,“ Are you scared, Maise Bleumond?"
"No I am not! I just don't know the way."
The man smiled again."It's just over there. Follow that path, keeping the sun to your left and you will reach the river. I am sure you can find your way after that. Owh, the sun has almost set. You must be quick and better go home now," he said condescendingly with a tad of amusement.
Bléumond hated the man at that moment but she realized that it was almost dark like he said. She looked at the road and looked back at the man, who was watching expectantly.
"Go on now."
Thus Bléumond decided to conquer her fear and maintained her pride, and walked home. Occasionally she would throw a few glances and see that the man was still sitting there, watching her go. She was starting to feel comfortable when she caught at the tail of her eyes that the man was gone, so she turned around quickly and ran back searching for the man. She searched frantically around but saw nothing. Instinctively she called out.
"Instur!"
She didn't know why she could hear the fear in her voice.."Instu.." she was cut short as someone pull at her leg, so she automatically kicked away.
"Stop it! Lie down,"
To Bléumond's relief, the handicraft man was hiding below the bush, motioning her to hide too. But then she realize she acted coward for running back and hated herself for that, but she hated the man more for making fun of her. As they were lying on the earth, Bléumond wanted to hit the man but almost stopped when she saw his face, concentrating instead of lines of smiles. However she had already threw her punch, which was fortunately caught in mid-air.
"I don't have time for this. Be silent, let me listen," he said earnestly, facing Bléumond.
Quietly she nodded a reply. He stills her hand but she let it be, afraid to break his concentration. So they were side by side, as if they were daughter and father on a walk while holding hand, except they were lying on the ground.
It was uncomfortable on the hard ground and after long minutes passed, Bléumond was wondering how to tell the man, when he suddenly turned to her.
"I need to ask you questions," he said with a sense of urgency, in which she just nodded dutifully.
"Sit up. Now, did anyone follow you from the river? No. Then do you have any guardians?"
She was about to ask but he cut her,“ I mean, is anyone following you around, like a maid?"
"Yes," she said,“ but I left her at the market."
"Is there anyone else?" he continued asking,“ A man? No. Did your father had guardians? How many were they in your house whole?"
The man continued to bombard questions and Bléumond tried to answer them all. She was however getting tired and her eyes were sleepy that the man had to shake her from sleeping. She managed to answer a few more questions, telling that her relatives were on their way to Kyushu, before the drowsiness crept back.
She almost fell asleep, vaguely hearing the man's voice but as her eyes were about to close for good, she felt a sudden prick and pain. Looking into her hand, she discovered her middle finger covered with blood and in the man's hand was a stained knife.
And he thrust it into her hand."I want you to listen carefully. I want you to watch in my eyes, and when my eyelids almost close, stab the knife below my fingernail. Any fingers, does not matter but below the fingernail. Do you understand?"
The knife dropped from her hand and she stared at her wounded finger incredulously.
"Do you understand me?" he repeated.
She finally spoke," What did you do?"
"You..We were poisoned. A sleeping powder. Used for catching cubs. Mother tiger killed," he answered between nods,“ Not much time. Someone will come. You must wake me. Below the nails. Remember. Only when eyelids almost closed, not..."
The sounds that came from him now were mumbles, that she shook him.
"Wake up..Wake up. Can’t I just let you sleep? I can wait for you. I will wait for you, I promise I will. Instur!"
He opened his eyes wearily for the last time, slowly put the knife back into her hands and said,“ You are the cub."
Thus Instur fell asleep.
Bléumond tried to drive the knife but the child was scared to her wits and the knife was lying motionless in her hand. A sound started her, she turned and saw the brambles move. A person appeared and stood near a tree, his face in the shadow. He just stood watching the poor child staring frightened.
"Will he die?" she asked.
"Will you come?"
"Will he die?"
"Do you want him to live? Then come."
Wearyingly she followed with a heavy heart, thinking that maybe, maybe sometimes the mother cubs are spared.
The third part of the 1st chapter.
Bléumond was calling after the handicraft man and was catching up to him, who was by that time taking a turn into a small path through the wood.
"Wait, pea...Wait seller. Sir! Wait, please," she called out, but his shade was already hard to see behind the bushes and the dense overhead canopy cast shadows as if veiling the man. Bléumond stood at the edge of the forest, hesitant of stepping into in. Although she had heard what the handicraft man said that it was all Joha's fabrication, she still could not forget the stories she heard. Image of monsters pouncing on her, made her wait for a few minutes on the path, pondering.
Finally she called one last time to the handicraftman, although she knew he would barely hear her, let alone respond.
"Why does he have to go in there?" she sighed to herself, before taking a deep breath.
Thus Bléumond ran on the path all the while shouting after the handicraft man.
A loud "Sir, wait up!" was heard repeatedly but soon diminished as well as her silhouette was no longer seen from the river.
****
In fact Bléumond ran for only a minute, a few hundred steps, but her imagination was playing trick on her that she felt it was a long run until she saw the back of the handicraft man. She was then so delighted, that she rushed to him.
"Sir! Sir!"
The man was startled and turned around. He was slightly puzzled, she could tell, but then spoke with irritation, "Didn’t I leave you at the bridge?"
"No, I followed you. Why didn't you stop when I called you? Where are we going?"
"Peasant," he said bluntly. He then turned and continued walking.
"Peasant?" she replied."I did not say peasant. I didn't...near the forest that is...and after the bridge. Where are we going?"
"You said pea, then you changed to sir."
"You did hear me! Why didn't you stop?"
After waiting awhile to no answer, Bleumond asked again,
" Where are we going...“ before adding "...sir?"
The man turned, amusement on his face.
"I see that you called me sir."
"Yes I did. Where are we going sir?" she repeated.
The man ignored her question but instead asked, “ Why are you following me?"
"Because...because I saw you did magic," she said "and I would like to learn...“
"Aha!" He clapped his hands, which startled Bléumond this time around."I knew you had some plan. I see that your courtesy was a manner you adopted. Quite interesting."
"Will you teach me then," she asked hopefully and had almost forgotten, before adding,“ sir"
"No," he said and walked away.
"Why not?" Bléumond asked.
"You have dropped sir."
"Why not sir?"
"Stop calling me sir. It is annoying. If you still want to continue with your pretense of demeanour, why don't you use something else. Master,or something to that extent. Instiur would be fine."
In truth, Bléumond doesn't know what pretense, demeanour or Instiur meant but the word master provoked her, " I am not your slave, to call you master!"
"I see. Don’t call me then."
Bléumond was silent for a while as the man began to continue walking.
"If I call you Instiur, would you teach me magic?"
"No."
"Argh!I despise you! You stupidd..peasant."
He turned around and said,“ I see that you are back to normal. Now. Go. Home."
"I don't know the way back."
A smile flickered across the man's face. He walked back towards the 10 years old child, closer to see her face. He finally squatted and peered into her eyes and asked,“ Are you scared, Maise Bleumond?"
"No I am not! I just don't know the way."
The man smiled again."It's just over there. Follow that path, keeping the sun to your left and you will reach the river. I am sure you can find your way after that. Owh, the sun has almost set. You must be quick and better go home now," he said condescendingly with a tad of amusement.
Bléumond hated the man at that moment but she realized that it was almost dark like he said. She looked at the road and looked back at the man, who was watching expectantly.
"Go on now."
Thus Bléumond decided to conquer her fear and maintained her pride, and walked home. Occasionally she would throw a few glances and see that the man was still sitting there, watching her go. She was starting to feel comfortable when she caught at the tail of her eyes that the man was gone, so she turned around quickly and ran back searching for the man. She searched frantically around but saw nothing. Instinctively she called out.
"Instur!"
She didn't know why she could hear the fear in her voice.."Instu.." she was cut short as someone pull at her leg, so she automatically kicked away.
"Stop it! Lie down,"
To Bléumond's relief, the handicraft man was hiding below the bush, motioning her to hide too. But then she realize she acted coward for running back and hated herself for that, but she hated the man more for making fun of her. As they were lying on the earth, Bléumond wanted to hit the man but almost stopped when she saw his face, concentrating instead of lines of smiles. However she had already threw her punch, which was fortunately caught in mid-air.
"I don't have time for this. Be silent, let me listen," he said earnestly, facing Bléumond.
Quietly she nodded a reply. He stills her hand but she let it be, afraid to break his concentration. So they were side by side, as if they were daughter and father on a walk while holding hand, except they were lying on the ground.
It was uncomfortable on the hard ground and after long minutes passed, Bléumond was wondering how to tell the man, when he suddenly turned to her.
"I need to ask you questions," he said with a sense of urgency, in which she just nodded dutifully.
"Sit up. Now, did anyone follow you from the river? No. Then do you have any guardians?"
She was about to ask but he cut her,“ I mean, is anyone following you around, like a maid?"
"Yes," she said,“ but I left her at the market."
"Is there anyone else?" he continued asking,“ A man? No. Did your father had guardians? How many were they in your house whole?"
The man continued to bombard questions and Bléumond tried to answer them all. She was however getting tired and her eyes were sleepy that the man had to shake her from sleeping. She managed to answer a few more questions, telling that her relatives were on their way to Kyushu, before the drowsiness crept back.
She almost fell asleep, vaguely hearing the man's voice but as her eyes were about to close for good, she felt a sudden prick and pain. Looking into her hand, she discovered her middle finger covered with blood and in the man's hand was a stained knife.
And he thrust it into her hand."I want you to listen carefully. I want you to watch in my eyes, and when my eyelids almost close, stab the knife below my fingernail. Any fingers, does not matter but below the fingernail. Do you understand?"
The knife dropped from her hand and she stared at her wounded finger incredulously.
"Do you understand me?" he repeated.
She finally spoke," What did you do?"
"You..We were poisoned. A sleeping powder. Used for catching cubs. Mother tiger killed," he answered between nods,“ Not much time. Someone will come. You must wake me. Below the nails. Remember. Only when eyelids almost closed, not..."
The sounds that came from him now were mumbles, that she shook him.
"Wake up..Wake up. Can’t I just let you sleep? I can wait for you. I will wait for you, I promise I will. Instur!"
He opened his eyes wearily for the last time, slowly put the knife back into her hands and said,“ You are the cub."
Thus Instur fell asleep.
Bléumond tried to drive the knife but the child was scared to her wits and the knife was lying motionless in her hand. A sound started her, she turned and saw the brambles move. A person appeared and stood near a tree, his face in the shadow. He just stood watching the poor child staring frightened.
"Will he die?" she asked.
"Will you come?"
"Will he die?"
"Do you want him to live? Then come."
Wearyingly she followed with a heavy heart, thinking that maybe, maybe sometimes the mother cubs are spared.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Bléumond 1.2
The second part of the 1st chapter
The second part of the 1st chapter
The crowd was closing upon Bléumond, causing her to be a bit apprehensive, that she began to notice the crowd for once. Their faces seemed uncertain and anxious, and they were looking and jostling at each other, until one of them, the butcher stepped reluctantly forward to speak to Bléumond. He was just about to speak when she rushed through the crowd, for the handicraft man was leaving the market with the seller. The crowd just looked at her and frowned at the butcher.
"Why didn't you tell her.."
Bléumond heard whispers and looked back at the crowd.
"What did you say?" she asked. The crowd fell silent.
Thus she turned her attention back at the handicraft man and the seller, who was already a distance away.
"Wait! Wait!" she called. She paced faster after them but she couldn't catch up with them. The seller was walking with his eyes fixed at front, while the handicraft man was looking back from time to time. Bléumond was sure he noticed her, as he then whispered to the seller, as if urging him to walk faster. They were sure to lose her, if not for they had taken a turn near a building, and Bléumond saw the seller face. He was the man who supplied vegetables to her house, and she knew her.
"Fallar! Wait. Wait Fallar!" she called. To her surprised he stopped.
It surprised her even more when Fallar turned, as his face was white and his eyes were hazy. Slowly colour returned to his face, starting from the chin up to all over his face. It was as if blood was drained from him, and now it was given back. Recognition came to him, "Maise Bléumond?"
Maise is a term of respect towards the daughters of landlords.
"Yes, didn’t you hear I called for you to wait?" she asked.
"I..I don't know.."
"Doesn't matter," she said."Where are you going? Wait!"
Bléumond was addressing the handicraft man when she noticed Fallar was already running back to the town. Bléumond pursued the handicraft man and said, "Wait seller. You have offended me yesterday. You owe me...Wait!" she commanded but the man just continued walking on. They were crossing the bridge when Bléumond put a hand on his robe. She said,“ Stop peasant."
And to her surprise, the man stopped.
He turned towards Blèumond with such a fierce glare, that she was shocked and retreated a few steps back. The anger was however quickly concealed as fast as it appeared, replaced by solemnest and politeness.
"Yes Maise Bléumond, how can I help you?" he asked with such courteousness and deferential, one cannot determine whether it was genuine respect or utter contempt. The man deferential attitude and actions left Bléumond befuddled, that she even blushed.
"I..yesterday..at the market..I.." she stuttered finding words, which failed completely when she looked into the man eyes.
"Now Maise, why don't you go quickly home, as people might be worried about you. Run along now," he said sending her off. Obediently she went away and was about to cross the bridge when someone from across the river shouted her name.
She looked up and saw it was Fallar.
She turned around and saw the handicraft man.
Suddenly she felt very angry.
"How dare you trick me! How dare you peasant!" she screamed at the handicraft man, who coolly stood ignoring her. Meanwhile Fallar and two other men were shouting for Bléumond to get away from the man, as they themselves were fast approaching him.
Finally the handicraft man spoke,“ Be still Bléumond and watch."
"How dare you call me by that. Maise! Call me Maise Bléu.."
"Hush," he replied, quieting her. He then took out a glove and wore on his right hand, before picking up a stick from the ground. With the stick in his right hand, the man drew a line from the end of the bridge, ending a few distances away from the river. He stabbed the stick into the earth. The result was a snake-like trail with its 'tail' at the bridge and the stick as its 'head'.
Bléumond who was watching intently was about to question the man, when Fallar arrived. With him were the butcher and the town elder, Joha. Bléumond promptly bowed towards Joha, in which the handicraft man irked a smile.
"I assume this is a man of importance that even the Maise greeted with respect. However I wonder, why does a revered man doing so far out of town. To what do I owe this visit?"
"Maise Bléumond, come here. This man is evil, you must not go near him," said Fallar.
"Come here Maise, I will protect you," said Joha. Thus Bléumond walked towards them. As she approached, the butcher spoke quietly to him, "Maise,the people wonders if we may stop giving you present today, instead of a week. That is if you agree."
Before she could answer, the handicraft man spoke.
"You wished to protect her, revered old man? Like you protect the village and say there is a demon, so that only you could go and pick the plants in the woods?"
Joha's face turned red.
"And you,“ addressing Fallar, "you who bought, or rather stole my crafts."
"I did not steal your 'things’," Fallar replied.
"They are my crafts, handworks. Not 'things’. It was your wife, but all the same, you should pay or give it back."
"I will not pay for nothing," said Fallar.
"They are NOT nothing," said the man angrily."And I would have taken the money my own way, if it were not for this child," he said addressing Bléumond.
"What did I do?" she asked perfunctorily.
"You called his name, you broke my spell."
Hearing this, Joha the elder jumped the gun."There you hear it. The man is really playing the devil. Stay close Maise, I will protect you."
Those words angered the man greatly."Swindler, liar," he said. He then pulled the stick out. With the end of the stick touching the line, the man swung the stick to the right and left. Additionally, the line he drew on the ground swung in accordance. So did the three men who were stepping on the drawn line.
Bléumond watched with astonished eyes at the sight but she was knocked to the side as the swinging became faster and wider. The three men meanwhile were screaming for help, for their feet appeared to be tied to the trail on the ground.
"Can you even protect yourself, old man? Can you?" said the man before throwing the stick into the river.
"Swim you swine."
The men were released from the spell, as soon as the stick lifted from the earth. However the force of the swing causes them to be thrown into the river and it took a while for them to get to the bank. Bléumond who was very fascinated with the display of magic, followed after the handicraft man. Joah's forebode her but it fell on deaf ears. Or perhaps not, for she turned and said towards the butcher, „Continue to give the offerings. If I am not to collect, my servant will, or you can send them to the House."
Thus Bléumond walked away, catching up to the mysterious handicraft man.
The second part of the 1st chapter
The crowd was closing upon Bléumond, causing her to be a bit apprehensive, that she began to notice the crowd for once. Their faces seemed uncertain and anxious, and they were looking and jostling at each other, until one of them, the butcher stepped reluctantly forward to speak to Bléumond. He was just about to speak when she rushed through the crowd, for the handicraft man was leaving the market with the seller. The crowd just looked at her and frowned at the butcher.
"Why didn't you tell her.."
Bléumond heard whispers and looked back at the crowd.
"What did you say?" she asked. The crowd fell silent.
Thus she turned her attention back at the handicraft man and the seller, who was already a distance away.
"Wait! Wait!" she called. She paced faster after them but she couldn't catch up with them. The seller was walking with his eyes fixed at front, while the handicraft man was looking back from time to time. Bléumond was sure he noticed her, as he then whispered to the seller, as if urging him to walk faster. They were sure to lose her, if not for they had taken a turn near a building, and Bléumond saw the seller face. He was the man who supplied vegetables to her house, and she knew her.
"Fallar! Wait. Wait Fallar!" she called. To her surprised he stopped.
It surprised her even more when Fallar turned, as his face was white and his eyes were hazy. Slowly colour returned to his face, starting from the chin up to all over his face. It was as if blood was drained from him, and now it was given back. Recognition came to him, "Maise Bléumond?"
Maise is a term of respect towards the daughters of landlords.
"Yes, didn’t you hear I called for you to wait?" she asked.
"I..I don't know.."
"Doesn't matter," she said."Where are you going? Wait!"
Bléumond was addressing the handicraft man when she noticed Fallar was already running back to the town. Bléumond pursued the handicraft man and said, "Wait seller. You have offended me yesterday. You owe me...Wait!" she commanded but the man just continued walking on. They were crossing the bridge when Bléumond put a hand on his robe. She said,“ Stop peasant."
And to her surprise, the man stopped.
He turned towards Blèumond with such a fierce glare, that she was shocked and retreated a few steps back. The anger was however quickly concealed as fast as it appeared, replaced by solemnest and politeness.
"Yes Maise Bléumond, how can I help you?" he asked with such courteousness and deferential, one cannot determine whether it was genuine respect or utter contempt. The man deferential attitude and actions left Bléumond befuddled, that she even blushed.
"I..yesterday..at the market..I.." she stuttered finding words, which failed completely when she looked into the man eyes.
"Now Maise, why don't you go quickly home, as people might be worried about you. Run along now," he said sending her off. Obediently she went away and was about to cross the bridge when someone from across the river shouted her name.
She looked up and saw it was Fallar.
She turned around and saw the handicraft man.
Suddenly she felt very angry.
"How dare you trick me! How dare you peasant!" she screamed at the handicraft man, who coolly stood ignoring her. Meanwhile Fallar and two other men were shouting for Bléumond to get away from the man, as they themselves were fast approaching him.
Finally the handicraft man spoke,“ Be still Bléumond and watch."
"How dare you call me by that. Maise! Call me Maise Bléu.."
"Hush," he replied, quieting her. He then took out a glove and wore on his right hand, before picking up a stick from the ground. With the stick in his right hand, the man drew a line from the end of the bridge, ending a few distances away from the river. He stabbed the stick into the earth. The result was a snake-like trail with its 'tail' at the bridge and the stick as its 'head'.
Bléumond who was watching intently was about to question the man, when Fallar arrived. With him were the butcher and the town elder, Joha. Bléumond promptly bowed towards Joha, in which the handicraft man irked a smile.
"I assume this is a man of importance that even the Maise greeted with respect. However I wonder, why does a revered man doing so far out of town. To what do I owe this visit?"
"Maise Bléumond, come here. This man is evil, you must not go near him," said Fallar.
"Come here Maise, I will protect you," said Joha. Thus Bléumond walked towards them. As she approached, the butcher spoke quietly to him, "Maise,the people wonders if we may stop giving you present today, instead of a week. That is if you agree."
Before she could answer, the handicraft man spoke.
"You wished to protect her, revered old man? Like you protect the village and say there is a demon, so that only you could go and pick the plants in the woods?"
Joha's face turned red.
"And you,“ addressing Fallar, "you who bought, or rather stole my crafts."
"I did not steal your 'things’," Fallar replied.
"They are my crafts, handworks. Not 'things’. It was your wife, but all the same, you should pay or give it back."
"I will not pay for nothing," said Fallar.
"They are NOT nothing," said the man angrily."And I would have taken the money my own way, if it were not for this child," he said addressing Bléumond.
"What did I do?" she asked perfunctorily.
"You called his name, you broke my spell."
Hearing this, Joha the elder jumped the gun."There you hear it. The man is really playing the devil. Stay close Maise, I will protect you."
Those words angered the man greatly."Swindler, liar," he said. He then pulled the stick out. With the end of the stick touching the line, the man swung the stick to the right and left. Additionally, the line he drew on the ground swung in accordance. So did the three men who were stepping on the drawn line.
Bléumond watched with astonished eyes at the sight but she was knocked to the side as the swinging became faster and wider. The three men meanwhile were screaming for help, for their feet appeared to be tied to the trail on the ground.
"Can you even protect yourself, old man? Can you?" said the man before throwing the stick into the river.
"Swim you swine."
The men were released from the spell, as soon as the stick lifted from the earth. However the force of the swing causes them to be thrown into the river and it took a while for them to get to the bank. Bléumond who was very fascinated with the display of magic, followed after the handicraft man. Joah's forebode her but it fell on deaf ears. Or perhaps not, for she turned and said towards the butcher, „Continue to give the offerings. If I am not to collect, my servant will, or you can send them to the House."
Thus Bléumond walked away, catching up to the mysterious handicraft man.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Glavius
Play/pause the song.It is a part of the story.
There was once a fisherman who fell in love with a young maiden,a belle named Glavius. She was so lovely that the young fisherman was willing to do anything for her.In her heart Glavius was glad of the fisherman's infatuation,for she also had feelings for him.Her words however portrayed the opposite.
"I have heard countless men uttering those meaningless words.How they love me and adore me."she said."What could be different of you?"
To this the fisherman didn't answer,instead he gave her a wreath of flowers,tied together into a shape of a crown with little buds as ornament."Here is a gift for you."
Glavius took the crown-like flowers congregation and was about to put them on her head,when an idea suddenly struck her.As if it was an accident,the wreath flew from her hands and went into the sea.
"Oh the wind is so strong.The flowers are already in the water.Oh well,there goes your gift."
"Don't worry Glavius,I'll get them for you."
"Be quick then," said Glavius haughtily,though she felt secretly happy upon the fisherman eagerness.
The fisherman ran towards the sea,but accidentally brushed against an old man who came out of the sea all of a sudden.The old man weakly fell back into the water,so the fisherman quickly helped him and apologized.
"I am so sorry dear old man.I did not see you,as you suddenly appear.Are you hurt?"
"Where are you hurrying to?" asked the old man instead.
"I want to bring back my love's wreath of flower.Are you hurt old man?For I am now in a hurry."
"Why hurry?"
"To bring back my love's wreath,I said," a trace of impatient in his voice.
"To bring wreath,or are you afraid of her wrath?"
"Old man.What are you trying to say?That I do this insincerely?If you are trying to insult me,I have no time for this" retorted the fisherman,before he turned and jumped into the water.He however did not heard the old man reply,"Such foolishness."Nor did he saw the old man sinking into the water,disappearing mysteriously.
A distance away,Glavius waited impatiently as her suitor halted by an old man.She was looking upon the horizon when she heard a scream.Turning her head,she saw the fisherman laying on the beach,screaming in agony,and on his legs were marked with jellyfish stings while his hands grasping the wreath to bits.
Medicines were sought after but the stings took its toll on the fisherman.It rendered him impaired by pain,unable to move,let alone to go continue fishing.Thus the neighbours took pity on him,giving him food.A beggar and a cripple he became.His spirit was lifted however every morning when Glavius would come visit him as early when the dew still hang and stay until the sun almost set.Feeling guilty,she took care of him and stripped herself of her pretentious nonchalant attitude towards the fisherman.
She returned the fisherman feeling and was almost all the time by his side,attending to the fisherman,so tentatively that she grew weak and fell ill.After having recovered from fever,her family forbade Glavius from visiting the fisherman,thus what is left of his life joy gone forever.
The fisherman lay in pain,in his body and heart.
"Would you like to be well again?" asked a voice one night.
The fisherman turned towards the voice and saw the old man he saw nine full moons before.
"You are the old man at the sea,"he recognized."But how could you help me?Countless healers had tried.All were futile,and I will slowly die of this.Please leave me alone."
"All I ask is of you to forget the foolishness you called love,and to follow me as your master.Would you like to be well again,I ask you," asked the old man again.
"Hah.Try all you like," sneered the fisherman.
To his astonishment,the old man put his hand on the stings marking,before the pain slowly receded and finally vanished.He was about to thank the old man when he comprehended that the jellyfish was the old man.
"You tricked me!You evil creature!You were the damned jellyfish that stung me," exclaimed the fisherman.
"You promised to follow me as your master," said the old man calmly.
"Silence!" shouted the fisherman as he stormed out of his house,running towards Glavius'.
The old man was left alone,silently watching the fisherman ran.
"You promised," said the old man to himself.A spell and a reminder to the fisherman.
Almost reaching Glavius' house,the pain in the fisherman's leg came back little by little but growing ominously terrible the closer he came to his heart's desire.Mustering all his strength he stood outside the house,he shouted,"Glavius!"
His voice was heard clearly,causing the whole household to come out and see.However see they could not,for the fisherman was almost transparent as water,truly invisible in the night.Glavius' family search for the source of voice but couldn't find it.Thinking that some brat was playing a trick,Glavius' family members lost interest and went back inside one by one,leaving Glavius staring at the empty space.
"Glavius.." said the fisherman,his voice now barely a whisper.
"It is you!Where are you?" said Glavius.
The fisherman was about to answer when the old man suddenly appeared,"Leave her,keep your promise,your pain gone and she will be safe."
"Where are you?!" Glavius asked urgently.
"Answer me please," she continued.
Silence.
"Please."
There was still no answer,even when Glavius repeatedly called the fisherman's name.
Slowly she doubted herself.
"Are you really here?"
Note:Play/replay the song again at this point.Story~song.
p.s. The song is as you can see is sung by a talented Tsechische(czech) artist.
There was once a fisherman who fell in love with a young maiden,a belle named Glavius. She was so lovely that the young fisherman was willing to do anything for her.In her heart Glavius was glad of the fisherman's infatuation,for she also had feelings for him.Her words however portrayed the opposite.
"I have heard countless men uttering those meaningless words.How they love me and adore me."she said."What could be different of you?"
To this the fisherman didn't answer,instead he gave her a wreath of flowers,tied together into a shape of a crown with little buds as ornament."Here is a gift for you."
Glavius took the crown-like flowers congregation and was about to put them on her head,when an idea suddenly struck her.As if it was an accident,the wreath flew from her hands and went into the sea.
"Oh the wind is so strong.The flowers are already in the water.Oh well,there goes your gift."
"Don't worry Glavius,I'll get them for you."
"Be quick then," said Glavius haughtily,though she felt secretly happy upon the fisherman eagerness.
The fisherman ran towards the sea,but accidentally brushed against an old man who came out of the sea all of a sudden.The old man weakly fell back into the water,so the fisherman quickly helped him and apologized.
"I am so sorry dear old man.I did not see you,as you suddenly appear.Are you hurt?"
"Where are you hurrying to?" asked the old man instead.
"I want to bring back my love's wreath of flower.Are you hurt old man?For I am now in a hurry."
"Why hurry?"
"To bring back my love's wreath,I said," a trace of impatient in his voice.
"To bring wreath,or are you afraid of her wrath?"
"Old man.What are you trying to say?That I do this insincerely?If you are trying to insult me,I have no time for this" retorted the fisherman,before he turned and jumped into the water.He however did not heard the old man reply,"Such foolishness."Nor did he saw the old man sinking into the water,disappearing mysteriously.
A distance away,Glavius waited impatiently as her suitor halted by an old man.She was looking upon the horizon when she heard a scream.Turning her head,she saw the fisherman laying on the beach,screaming in agony,and on his legs were marked with jellyfish stings while his hands grasping the wreath to bits.
Medicines were sought after but the stings took its toll on the fisherman.It rendered him impaired by pain,unable to move,let alone to go continue fishing.Thus the neighbours took pity on him,giving him food.A beggar and a cripple he became.His spirit was lifted however every morning when Glavius would come visit him as early when the dew still hang and stay until the sun almost set.Feeling guilty,she took care of him and stripped herself of her pretentious nonchalant attitude towards the fisherman.
She returned the fisherman feeling and was almost all the time by his side,attending to the fisherman,so tentatively that she grew weak and fell ill.After having recovered from fever,her family forbade Glavius from visiting the fisherman,thus what is left of his life joy gone forever.
The fisherman lay in pain,in his body and heart.
"Would you like to be well again?" asked a voice one night.
The fisherman turned towards the voice and saw the old man he saw nine full moons before.
"You are the old man at the sea,"he recognized."But how could you help me?Countless healers had tried.All were futile,and I will slowly die of this.Please leave me alone."
"All I ask is of you to forget the foolishness you called love,and to follow me as your master.Would you like to be well again,I ask you," asked the old man again.
"Hah.Try all you like," sneered the fisherman.
To his astonishment,the old man put his hand on the stings marking,before the pain slowly receded and finally vanished.He was about to thank the old man when he comprehended that the jellyfish was the old man.
"You tricked me!You evil creature!You were the damned jellyfish that stung me," exclaimed the fisherman.
"You promised to follow me as your master," said the old man calmly.
"Silence!" shouted the fisherman as he stormed out of his house,running towards Glavius'.
The old man was left alone,silently watching the fisherman ran.
"You promised," said the old man to himself.A spell and a reminder to the fisherman.
Almost reaching Glavius' house,the pain in the fisherman's leg came back little by little but growing ominously terrible the closer he came to his heart's desire.Mustering all his strength he stood outside the house,he shouted,"Glavius!"
His voice was heard clearly,causing the whole household to come out and see.However see they could not,for the fisherman was almost transparent as water,truly invisible in the night.Glavius' family search for the source of voice but couldn't find it.Thinking that some brat was playing a trick,Glavius' family members lost interest and went back inside one by one,leaving Glavius staring at the empty space.
"Glavius.." said the fisherman,his voice now barely a whisper.
"It is you!Where are you?" said Glavius.
The fisherman was about to answer when the old man suddenly appeared,"Leave her,keep your promise,your pain gone and she will be safe."
"Where are you?!" Glavius asked urgently.
"Answer me please," she continued.
Silence.
"Please."
There was still no answer,even when Glavius repeatedly called the fisherman's name.
Slowly she doubted herself.
"Are you really here?"
Note:Play/replay the song again at this point.Story~song.
p.s. The song is as you can see is sung by a talented Tsechische(czech) artist.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Bléumond 1.1
The first part of the 1st chapter
Near the city of Chandelion lived a landlord with his wife peacefully ruling a small town in the middle of Khoysu. After four years of marriage the landlord finally had a child, a daughter named Bléumond. A beautiful daughter she grew up to be under their love and guidance, that is until she reached the age of 10 years old. It was a stormy night and thunder clapped through the darkness as lightning tore through the sky. Bléumond was afraid of the sound, so she called for her mother but she received no reply. Thinking that her mother didn't hear her due to all the sounds, Bléumond went cowering back to sleep, crying believing that her mother didn't loved anymore. How wrong she was, as she woke up the next morning by the scream of the house servants. Bléumond ran to see what the racket was all about, only to be prevented from entering her mother's bedroom and his father's study room. It was soon however clear that her parents were killed the nights before by robbers and only by luck that they missed her room.
Thus Bléumond was orphaned at that day. The funeral was silently done and Bléumond continued to live alone under the care of the servants as her distant relatives were far away and were still on their way to pick her. On the first day, Bléumond sat alone and was in grief but she never cried, a thing she could not explain. So she sat all day long alone, except that is when she went to the market in the morning, for it was a custom for the peasants there that when a parent dies, the people at the market would give food to their children. Every morning for a week normally, the newly-orphaned would circle the market collecting offerings. Although Bléumond didn't exactly need the consoling gifts, it was a tradition she had to upkeep as the daughter of landlord, or so she was taught to think.
With a black scarf on her head, Bleumond dragged herself through the market, carrying a basket in her hand, while following behind her back was a donkey-cart. Fruits and vegetables, potatoes and many more were put into the cart by the town-people, while Bléumond collected flowers ahead of it. So she walked through the marketplace until she arrived to a little stall selling not the usuals but instead handicrafts put together from leaves and stones. hats more the seller was a man, a peculiarity in the market. Thus Bléumond stopped and peered at the seller while waiting for his offerings, in which she had to wait a little while, until that is she was impatient and could not wait anymore, she coughed.
The man turned around and faced Bléumond.
"Hello there. I’m sorry I was busy making a new piece," said the man pointing to a stone arranged to resemble a grazing goat."And what can I help you?"
"I'm the daughter of the landlord."Bléumond paused.
"Yes, I knew that. With your scarf and all. I’m sorry for your lost. My greatest condolence. However I was asking if you were interested in any of the pieces and would like to buy them."
"My parents had just died,“ she said and waited.
"Yes, I knew. My condolence. Now, would you like to buy anything?"
"But..I. You haven't given me anything."
"Must I? I’m afraid I won't give anything."Clearly his cordial voice was no impatient for a second, before he kept it back in check, „Would you like to buy anything, may I ask?"
Bléumond was lost of words and was about to move on when she spoke in such a calm manner, „It is the custom here when a parent dies, the seller in the market to help ease the burden."
Expecting to receive gifts from the man, Bléumond was disappointed as she turned and discovered the man preening at his handicraft obliviously. Then he said, „It is the custom here when a peasant dies. My condolence for you, but even as a stranger to this town, I know the custom and I will not give you any gifts."He added, "Now if you would move as the lovely madams behind you would like to buy my piece."
Bléumond was stunned thus continued walking as prompted, bringing with her the curious women observing the scene. After a full round through the market, Bléumond headed home. As if under a spell, only when she put her foot on the doorstep did Bléumond felt angry towards the man at the market. She felt a sudden surge of contempt that she began to utter comments and retorts she wanted to say before to the man, all in a single breath. She spoke so fast that the servants thought the young child had lost her mind to grief and began to console her. Bléumond finally settled outside on the lawn, scorning the man in her thoughts. All day long she was with her thoughts and thus she passed the night without thinking of her dead parents that day.
Prepared to confront the man, Bléumond went to the market the next day eagerly but to her disappointment the man was not to be seen. She went around the marketplace but only in vain. All the while however she noticed some of the other sellers also began to not give any gifts and some of them were whispering behind her back. Bléumond was intrigued and was about to command them to speak up when she noticed the handicraft man, arguing with another seller. Quickly Bléumond walked towards them but suddenly a crowd of people blocked her way.
"Excuse me peasants, let me through."
The crowd began to close upon her slowly as she muttered those words.
Near the city of Chandelion lived a landlord with his wife peacefully ruling a small town in the middle of Khoysu. After four years of marriage the landlord finally had a child, a daughter named Bléumond. A beautiful daughter she grew up to be under their love and guidance, that is until she reached the age of 10 years old. It was a stormy night and thunder clapped through the darkness as lightning tore through the sky. Bléumond was afraid of the sound, so she called for her mother but she received no reply. Thinking that her mother didn't hear her due to all the sounds, Bléumond went cowering back to sleep, crying believing that her mother didn't loved anymore. How wrong she was, as she woke up the next morning by the scream of the house servants. Bléumond ran to see what the racket was all about, only to be prevented from entering her mother's bedroom and his father's study room. It was soon however clear that her parents were killed the nights before by robbers and only by luck that they missed her room.
Thus Bléumond was orphaned at that day. The funeral was silently done and Bléumond continued to live alone under the care of the servants as her distant relatives were far away and were still on their way to pick her. On the first day, Bléumond sat alone and was in grief but she never cried, a thing she could not explain. So she sat all day long alone, except that is when she went to the market in the morning, for it was a custom for the peasants there that when a parent dies, the people at the market would give food to their children. Every morning for a week normally, the newly-orphaned would circle the market collecting offerings. Although Bléumond didn't exactly need the consoling gifts, it was a tradition she had to upkeep as the daughter of landlord, or so she was taught to think.
With a black scarf on her head, Bleumond dragged herself through the market, carrying a basket in her hand, while following behind her back was a donkey-cart. Fruits and vegetables, potatoes and many more were put into the cart by the town-people, while Bléumond collected flowers ahead of it. So she walked through the marketplace until she arrived to a little stall selling not the usuals but instead handicrafts put together from leaves and stones. hats more the seller was a man, a peculiarity in the market. Thus Bléumond stopped and peered at the seller while waiting for his offerings, in which she had to wait a little while, until that is she was impatient and could not wait anymore, she coughed.
The man turned around and faced Bléumond.
"Hello there. I’m sorry I was busy making a new piece," said the man pointing to a stone arranged to resemble a grazing goat."And what can I help you?"
"I'm the daughter of the landlord."Bléumond paused.
"Yes, I knew that. With your scarf and all. I’m sorry for your lost. My greatest condolence. However I was asking if you were interested in any of the pieces and would like to buy them."
"My parents had just died,“ she said and waited.
"Yes, I knew. My condolence. Now, would you like to buy anything?"
"But..I. You haven't given me anything."
"Must I? I’m afraid I won't give anything."Clearly his cordial voice was no impatient for a second, before he kept it back in check, „Would you like to buy anything, may I ask?"
Bléumond was lost of words and was about to move on when she spoke in such a calm manner, „It is the custom here when a parent dies, the seller in the market to help ease the burden."
Expecting to receive gifts from the man, Bléumond was disappointed as she turned and discovered the man preening at his handicraft obliviously. Then he said, „It is the custom here when a peasant dies. My condolence for you, but even as a stranger to this town, I know the custom and I will not give you any gifts."He added, "Now if you would move as the lovely madams behind you would like to buy my piece."
Bléumond was stunned thus continued walking as prompted, bringing with her the curious women observing the scene. After a full round through the market, Bléumond headed home. As if under a spell, only when she put her foot on the doorstep did Bléumond felt angry towards the man at the market. She felt a sudden surge of contempt that she began to utter comments and retorts she wanted to say before to the man, all in a single breath. She spoke so fast that the servants thought the young child had lost her mind to grief and began to console her. Bléumond finally settled outside on the lawn, scorning the man in her thoughts. All day long she was with her thoughts and thus she passed the night without thinking of her dead parents that day.
Prepared to confront the man, Bléumond went to the market the next day eagerly but to her disappointment the man was not to be seen. She went around the marketplace but only in vain. All the while however she noticed some of the other sellers also began to not give any gifts and some of them were whispering behind her back. Bléumond was intrigued and was about to command them to speak up when she noticed the handicraft man, arguing with another seller. Quickly Bléumond walked towards them but suddenly a crowd of people blocked her way.
"Excuse me peasants, let me through."
The crowd began to close upon her slowly as she muttered those words.
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