Fanfare erupted from the speakers at my station. Speakers I’d thought purely ornamentation until that moment. For weeks we’d labored in stoic silence, not even daring to speak to each other as we unraveled the code the travelers had gifted us with. Code we either solved or another of their machines awoke to transform a chunk more of the world into a lifeless wasteland.
Messages in the Dark
The low buzz of voices pulled at Ryan, both dragging and shoving him deeper into the station section. As we turned a final corner, doors stood open more than midway down the corridor. I swore time dilated, because suddenly I stood looking at the team working within. Security, medical, all the usual suspects.
Erudite Scholar
Two thoughts entered my mind as I sat stooped over my low table. First, my cushion had become far too thin offering no protection from the stone floor’s imperfections (there were many). Second, I remained unenthusiastic about unannounced visits.
Candlelight Choices
The wood creaked under her feet despite of Darle’s best attempt for stealth yet. “Typical,” Father said. His voice drifted unreal from the parlor. Wood scraped over stone and a small flame sprung to life, quickly followed by the brighter candlelight.
Dream Forge
Dazzling light filled the chamber, not that any would ever call it the brilliance of a midday sun. No, this was quite the opposite. The light of a hundred full moons which matched the rhythmic and chiming strikes of a smiths’ hammers falling on anvils. Not hammers of steal or anvils of iron. No, both were made of silver polished to a high shine engraved with spells which channeled the moonlight through each. And with each stroke of the hammer, the smiths of this forge honed the dreams of the mortals below in solemnity.
Raven God(dess)
The priest quelled, his lips twitching as he drew back from me a half step. “One does not simply request to see the Raven God.”
Story Lab
Ashre dodged a low flying book which continued unaware past her and into Khanan’s waiting hand. There is lay the pages fluttering open as Khanan turned his attention to the book and toward the doorway. In his other hand was a similar, if heavier, tome. “Set the tray on the desk. I’ll eat later” Ashre sniffed. He didn’t bother to look at her or what she carried.
Living Doll
The single obnoxiously short lock of hair vied for Corna’s attention, as she twisted her wrists in the shackle pinning her to the wall. That irritated her almost as much as the wizard Elres working on something at the table in the center of the room. He stood with is back to her, that and the sheet draping over his foul deed preventing her from seeing why he’d disfigured her so.
Fyre Elemental
They stood behind him. Ancis knew they were there, as they had been there when he needed them the most. Drancent the wise. Eansin the strong. Wulfa the huntress. Gryany and her spells. Even little Rida was there though she’d only showed up for the last leg of his journey. He could not have made it this far without all of them.
Scorch
Tara balanced her binder and pad pressing the commander’s call button. The chime echoed hollowly in the corridor. Why they’d thought that sound reflected imperfectly soundproof doors of Earth she didn’t understand.