Forbidden Love

(And here's mine, even later. I blame technology for making me write it all up again after gmail ate my attatched file...)

The sun didn’t beat down, nor did it shine down upon the people like molten gold. It was just in the sky, shining. Any bard would have been hard pressed to invent a metaphor telling how luminous or radiant it was without blatantly lying. It simply was there.
More interestingly, however, were two people that happened to be outside.
Archaeon lounged up against a tree, its branches shielding his eyes from the sun’s rays. He didn’t need to look to his left to know that his companion and long-time friend, Isis, was resting peacefully.
Carefully, he found her hand with his and gave it a gentle squeeze, not wanting to awaken his sleeping beauty.
Something else drew Archaeon’s attention away from Isis; a sound. He strained his senses, catching the sound of wood bending slightly.
He brought his hands up sharply and in front of him, throwing up a shield of power.
Just in time.
An arrow sped towards him, stopping only as it struck the magical shield.
Archaeon dropped the shields power and struck out with his magic again, this time pulling the culprit towards him.
And who should fly forwards but Nail.
The younger clan member landed in a heap at Archaeons feet, bow still clutched firmly.
Archaeon sighed and helped his fellow Mischiefite to his feet, relieving him of the bow as well.
“You have my attention now, Nail. What do you want?” asked Archaeon, none too pleasantly.
Nail looked at his feet briefly before grinning sheepishly at Archaeon.
“Mina sent me to get you. She said you have to come to the spire now.”
“And the bow?” Archaeon asked, still holding the offending weapon.
“I wasn’t aiming at nothing. It was just to get your attention, that's all.”
Archaeon rolled his eyes, dropping the bow behind him.
“Did Mina say what she wanted me for?”
“Nah.” Nail shook his head. “She was just very definite that you were to come now.”
Archaeon ran his hand through his hair nervously, thinking quickly.
“How will I explain this to her?” he asked himself rhetorically.
“No need” came the reply from behind him.
Only Nail saw Archaeon wince slightly.
Archaeon turned, smiling sadly at Isis.
“I have to go.”
“I understand” said Isis. “We both have other duties.”
As Archaeon and Isis looked into each other’s eyes, the silence was broken by one voice; Nail.
“Hey! What’s that?”
The pair looked to where Nail was pointing and saw a small, rather beat-up box.
Nail made to grab for it but Archaeon got there first. Sheer terror can propel a man to achieve new land-speed records.
“What was that? Asked Nail, watching Archaeon hurriedly stuff the box into a pocket. Isis also watched on, mildly amused.
“Nail, let it drop.” Archaeons tone would have got him thrown out of the Inquision for being too nasty, but Nail pressed on, unaware.
“It looked like a box for holding a necklace or something. Maybe a small rock. Why do you have a rock box, Archaeon?” If ignorance truly is bliss, then Nail had enough bliss to last him through until he was seventy.
“No reason,” came the sharp reply. “Now drop it.”
Nail shrugged, no longer caring about the box. He stepped around Archaeon and retrieved his bow.
Archaeon flicked a glance at Isis and, upon seeing her guarded expression, cursed inwardly.
He gestured cryptically at the picnic gear and it sprang up, packing itself neatly into the hamper.
Nails eyes went wide as the hamper floated towards him. He turned to Archaeon.
“Can you teach me that some time?”
“Only if you carry it back” came his reply.
Archaeon took Isis’ hand and kissed it gently.
“I will want to pick up where we left off.”
Isis giggled slightly, nodding as she looked back at Archaeon.
“Farewell, my sweet…” he said, clicking his fingers and vanishing, taking Nail with him.
If anyone else had been around, they would’ve seen her face crinkle into a smile.

Archaeon, with Nail in tow, re-emerged in the meeting hall of Asteri’s spire. The whistling on Archaeon’s lips died as he took on the silence and emptiness of the expanse.
Humming a pleasant ditty, Archaeon strolled to Mina’s office, practically barging in on her.
“So,” he said cheerfully, “what have I done wrong now?”
He could not have said a more inappropriate thing.
Mina looked up from where she was sitting, eyes red from crying, the salty liquid causing her make-up run in lines down her face.
“Err…” he began.
Sobbing afresh, Mina threw herself at Archaeon and cried into his shoulder. Carefully, Archaeon guided his superior to her seat and prised her off his shoulder.
After ten minutes and several of Archaeons silk handkerchiefs, he got the picture.
Mordred had reportedly started a bar fight the previous night and place several “victims” in a critical condition. All of the victims claimed Mordred had interrupted their quiet drinking and began assaulting them. Mordred had given his word that he was attacked and defended himself using nothing more than his hands. The barkeep had sustained a blow to the head and didn’t remember who started the brawl.
Archaeon listened patiently, offering support and more handkerchiefs as necessary. When she had finished for good, he knelt down in front of her and asked what he could do.
“Mordred is still imprisoned, and most of the so-called “victims” are in the hospital. If you go and visit the bar, I’ll check on the patients and meet up with you at Mordreds cell later on.”
Archaeon nodded and made to leave when Mina stopped him. He turned at the sound of her voice.
“Archaeon, don’t make things worse. I want him freed legally, not sprung from jail by a vigilante gang.” Minas eyes bored into him as she spoke, searching for his common sense.
Archaeon nodded soberly.
“You have my word, Miss Mina.”
With that, he turned on his heel and left the spire, making a mental note to buy more handkerchiefs.

Archaeon made his way to the bar, his journey hindered several times by passing women. When he finally arrived, several hours and several bunches of flowers had come and gone.
Whistling a merry tune, he pushed open the door and promptly tripped over a city guard. Cursing in Dwarvish, the guard helped Archaeon back to his feet and look him sternly in the groin.
“Now, what are you thinking, barging in and falling over a dwarf like me. You think I’m some sort of footstool or something?” the Dwarf scowled fiercely, possibly because there was a lot of expression and not enough face to show it. Therefore, any expression he made could be called concentrated.
Archaeon mumbled an apology and almost stepped past the dwarf into the crime scene. He was led around and watched as guards examined the room and questions patrons.
Archaeon, with all the stealth he could muster, eased over to the barkeep and caught his eye.
“A pint, if you would be so kind…” Archaeon asked, placing some silver on the bar. The bartender looked around the guard-filled room, shrugged, and poured a pint for Archaeon.
Archaeon lounged at the bar, sipping the pint and casually asked what happened the night before.
“I didn’t really get a good look, sir, on the account of having a bottle hit me in the back of the head.” He turned and showed Archaeon the stitch marks of a recent injury. Archaeon murmured his sympathy and was about to motion the story to continue when the door opened again.
And in stepped Sherriff Sorik.
Archaeon cursed under his breath. He may have been able to fast-talk his way past the regular guards but not past the corrupt-as-the-day-is-long Sherriff.
Sorik scanned the room and almost instantly picked out Archaeon. He walked over, an expression of curiosity and annoyance on his face.
“This is a crime scene. What are you doing here?” he asked, not bothering with small-talk.
Archaeon drew himself up, radiating authority.
“I am Mordred attorney. Darius appointed me and Mina to represent him in the trial. Right now, I am interviewing a witness. Is the problem?”
“Yes,” replied Sorik. “You are doing it in a crime scene. Take him outside to finish, if you must.”
“No need,” replied Archaeon, seeing the barkeeps expression out of the corner of his eye. “I’d just finished with him. But Mina and I will want to drop by your… office this afternoon to speak to you and Mordred.”
Sorik just nodded. “After I’m done here, I’ll be heading back to do paperwork. Drop by anytime.”
Archaeon nodded in return and headed for the door, making sure to avoid any and all Dwarves.

Face screwed in concentration, sweat dripping from his brow, Archaeon struggled to remember the whole meeting with Sorik. He made sure to include personal notes about the encounter and refrain from using too many expletives to describe the corrupt Sherriff.
He was just finishing this masterpiece as Mina walked in and sat at his table. Wordlessly, she scanned the document for the key elements.
“Not very helpful, was he?” she asked, looking up.
Archaeon shrugged.
“Well, enough chit-chat.” Mina said briskly. “Mordred is expecting us. Come on.”
Archaeon stood up and walked silently to follow Mina outside. After a few minutes of walking, Mina halted and turned to him.
“You’re awfully silent, Archy. We must have passed three women who should’ve caught your eye. What’s up?”
Archaeon stopped walking and turned to regard Mina sombrely.
“It’s the bartender. He seemed very nervous to have Sorik and his cronies around. And that stitch on his head looked too neat to be from a thrown bottle.” Archaeon paused, rubbing his chin in thought. “Know what I reckon? He’s been paid off to get Mordred out of the picture.”
“Can you prove it?” asked Mina, returning his cool stare.
“No,” Archaeon said, shaking his head slowly. “Not without more proof.”
“Then we get it.” Mina said simply. “Perhaps Mordred will have some answers.”

Archaeon banged on the wooden door again.
“Open up, Sorik!” he called. “I know you’re in there!”
The door was suddenly yanked open by a grim-faced Sorik.
“Keep that up,” he said, staring coldly at Archaeon, “and I’ll arrest you for Disturbing The Peace.”
Archaeon ignored Sorik and stepped past him into the musty guard-house. As Sorik turned to berate Archaeon some more, Mina brushed past him.
“Which cell is Mordred being kept in?” asked Archaeon, looking around.
“He’s in cell two,” said Sorik “and you’ll be lucky to have the ten minutes I’m allowing. I’m in a generous mood.” His expression clearly said otherwise.
“Thank you,” said Mina graciously, smiling warmly at the Sherriff.
Sorik grunted a reply and slowly collected the right key before leading down the short stairwell to Mordreds cell.
Mordred looked up at Mina as she approached and Archaeon felt the atmosphere brighten. Sorik did as well, and did his best to put a damper on it.
“You’ve got ten minutes. Not a second more.” He said, unlocking the main cell door and tramping heavily back up the stairs.
“Wait!” called Mina. “Aren’t you going to unlock his cell for us?”
“Ha! Nice try, missy.” The footsteps disappeared as Sorik reached the top.
Mina sighed as Archaeon dragged a couple of chairs over for them to sit on. Mordred remained silent until they had both been seated.
“Upon my honour,” he said, before the others could get a word in, “I did not start that fight. I am terribly sorry that they were injured but I have been forgiven by the Evergreen Goddess, Mentmacro.”
Sensing a pause, Mina jumped in and explained the situation. Mordred took the news sombrely.
“So,” he said, looking from one to the other, “you two will be able to prove me innocent.” He said, not as a question but as a statement, as if he could already see the outcome of the trial.
“We will do our best,” said Archaeon. “I’m sorry but I can do no more.”
Mordred nodded, accepting the answer.
“Why don’t you tell us what really happened? That way, we can sift through the lies for the facts” said Archaeon, wanting to keep the pair talking and not day-dreaming.
Mordred nodded again and began to lay out the evens of the night in his clear, level voice. Only when he had finished did Archaeon and Mina question certain aspects.
“How long were you there before the fight broke out?” Mina inquired.
“No more than five or ten minutes.”
“Could it have been they were waiting for you?” asked Archaeon.
Mordred shrugged.
Mina began to ask another question but was cut off by footsteps at the stairs. Sorik walked down, followed closely by several guards.
“Your ten minutes are well up. Time to push off” the Sherriff gruffly stated. Archaeon peered at one of the guards, who just leered back at him.
“But we haven’t finished talking with Mordred. Can we have more time?” pressed Mina, looking imploringly at Sorik, who remained impassive.
“No.” he replied. “We agreed on ten minutes, and ten minutes is what you got.”
Archaeon stepped between the pair, arms held out to avoid a confrontation.
“Just let us have a few minutes more, Sorik” he asked, staring the Sherriff in the eyes. “What harm could that do?”
“More than my job is worth. Now, push off before I push you off myself.”
“You don’t want to do that,” said Archaeon, his hand dropping down to his sword hilt.
“Don’t even think about it,” warned Sorik, catching the motion. “Draw that sword and you’re a dead man. These men behind me are uncomplicated people.”
Archaeon’s grip tightened on his sword, and he made to draw it.
Except Mina stopped him.
Grabbing his shoulder, she spun him around. In doing so, he caught the expression she made. He sighed and turned back to Sorik.
“I apologise, Sherriff. I don’t know what can over me.” He said sincerely.
“True,” agreed Sorik, drawing a cudgel from his belt. “It overwhelmed you and we had to knock a bit of sense into you, eh boys?” The large men started laughing, the sound echoing through the tiny room.
“You can’t do this!” protested Mina. “It’s illegal!”
“No,” said Sorik, shaking his head sadly. “See, what happened is that you and the pansy there got excited and so me and my boys used ‘reasonable force’ to sedate you.”
“You… worm. You disgusting little worm.” Said Mina, backing away from the advancing guards. Archaeon stood next to her, hand pressed to the bars behind his back.
“Mina. Mordred.” he whispered out of the corner of his mouth. “Shield your eyes. I have a plan.”
Mina stared at him briefly before deciding to trust him on this.
When Mordred and Mina had shut their eyes, Archaeon brought his hand around and in front of his body, revealing the contents of his cupped palm to Sorik.
An egg-sized ball of glowing light.
“Boo…” he whispered.
And the ball exploded.
Bright light filled the room, piercing even those with eyes wide shut. The worst effect was had on Sorik and his gang, who followed the natural reaction to a glowing object: stare at it. The guards clutched at their eyes, unable to see.
Archaeon grabbed Mina’s hand and fled with her up the stairs, past the stumbling guards. The last thing he heard as he ran up the stares was Mordred voice.
“My trunk, Archaeon! They are in my trunk!”

Archaeon sat at the bar in Mischief’s hall, a half-glass of whiskey on one side and various pieces of paper about the up-coming trial on the other.
But he couldn’t shake the voice in his head telling him to look in Mordreds trunk. Yes, Mordred had said to open it. Yes, Mordred had said he could use the contents. So why hadn’t he opened it?
Archaeon shook his head, trying to clear it. He took a swig of whiskey and felt it burn a trail down his throat. It felt so good that he took another, longer swig.
“Drinking on the job, Archaeon?” a voice asked.
“A nightcap does me wonders, Mina. You should try one.” He replied, not turning around.
Mina stepped behind the bar and begun to mix a drink of her own.
“Something about the case bothering you?” she asked, pouring the ingredients into a tumbler.
“Yeah, niggling little bits don’t seem to add up.” Archaeon sighed. “But I suppose they could wait until morning. I’ve had a long day.”
Archaeon made to get off the stool but Mina stopped him.
“It’s about to get longer. Tell me what you think.”
“If you insist.” Archaeon said, sighing once more. He cleared is throat and looked distantly into the glass before starting.
“First, the bartender. He seemed awfully chatty when I first came in. He even poured me a drink in the middle of a dozen on-duty guardsmen. But as soon as Sorik turned up, he went real quiet real fast. And that’s my second point: Sorik turned up literally a minute after I got there. Why was he not overseeing the scene already?”
Mina nodded as Archaeon spoke and waiting until silence before voicing her views.
“Those seem like good theories but, like you said, they are just little bits. Perhaps the bartender is afraid of losing his business. And perhaps Sorik stepped out to visit the lavatory.”
Archaeon peered up at Mina.
“I thought you were on my side, Mina. Are you sure you want Mordred freed?” he asked, scowling.
Mina hesitated briefly at the accusation before melting down into a warm smile.
“Of course I do. No-one wants him freed more than I do. I was just voicing concern about what the opposition may think we are trying to get at with those statements.”
“We are trying to get reasonable doubt, Mina. There is, and I’m sorry to say this, no way we can prove he is totally innocent. Casting doubt is our…”
Archaeon was cut off as Mina slapped him in the face.
“How dare you…” she spluttered, panting in rage. “Of course he is innocent. I never want to hear you say anything to contradict that. Never!”
Mina screwed her face up in agony and fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. When she wiped them off, she saw Archaeon still sitting there, turned away from her, a look of sorrow and her handprint both clearly visible on his features.
“I’m sorry” he said softly, bowing his head slightly and looking straight ahead. “I was wrong to say such things. I’ll take my leave. Goodnight.”
Archaeon got up smoothly and left the room before Mina could stop him. He opened the door to his narrow room and flopped on the bed.
He sighed as he extinguished the candles and rolled onto his side. In the remaining moonlight he closed his eyes and let one, solitary tear roll down his cheek.

Trial day, thought Archaeon as he walked calmly into the courtroom, Mina easily matching his stride. He took his seat on right-hand side of the room, arranging his notes on the desk in front of him. He tugged at the collar of his pale blue shirt, the starch itching him.
He glanced at Mina from the corner of his eyes and marvelled silently at how beautiful she looked in her emerald dress. She caught his gaze and smiled quickly, her attention focused on the case at hand.
Sorik walked in next, accompanied by four guards dragging a bruised and beaten Mordred with them. Mina’s eyes went wide as she saw Mordred shackled to his chair, his mighty frame reduce to a collection of cuts and scrapes.
Mordred smile at Mina, a trickle of blood running for his split lip.
Sorik sauntered over to Mina and Archaeon.
“Seems your little friend tried to escape after you pulled that little stunt the other day. The boys and I had to calm him down before he did anything rash.”
Mina glared daggers at Sorik, who just leered back. Archaeon has to restrain himself before he did anything rash to Soriks face.
“You do realise,” started Archaeon “that as soon as we win, we…”
Soriks laughter interrupted him.
“You? Win? I have an open or shut case. I have witnesses. I have the assailant who admits to hurting them. How could you win against that?”
Mina clamped her hand over Archaeons mouth before he could boast anything to Sorik, true or not.
“We will see” said Mina. “We will see.”
Deputy Mayor Phobos interrupted any further conversation by stepping into the room and announcing in his crisp, clear voice.
“All rise for the honourable Mayor of Naerlan, Duke Krow Si’rus”
The entire courtroom rose in unison as Duke Krow entered and took his place.
“Be seated” he said clearly, his keen eyes taking in the mood.
Archaeon sat and arranged some papers as he waited for the real work to begin.
Duke Krow frowned as he saw Mordred.
“Sheriff” he called, not taking his eyes off Mordred. “What happened to the prisoner?”
Sorik stood to answer.
“He tried to escape our custody, your grace. My guards and I had to sedate him before he could make a break for it.”
“Did any of your guards suffer injures to such an extent?” asked Krow, his grey eyes boring deep into Sorik. “And ‘Sir’ will do.”
“Yes, sir. One of them hit himself in the face accidentally. And another split his knuckles open when he punched a metal bar.” Sorik said, his face impassive.
Krow matched Sorik gaze for gaze before Sorik couldn’t look at the older man and shifted his gaze to the papers in front of him.
“Very well then” said Duke Krow, looking around the room. “Let the trial begin.”

He stood, eyes closed and head bowed, outside the courthouse, letting the fading sun glint off the metallic flask he held in one hand. Eyes still closed, he sipped at the flask, gasping softly as the contents burnt his throat on the way down.
Archaeon lifted his head as he heard his name called, slipping the flask into his jackets inner pocket, hiding it from sight.
“Archaeon? What are you doing out here? The recess is almost over, we need to get back in there.” Mina said, looking slightly worried.
Archaeon sighed, turned to face Mina and regarded her for a moment.
“You were in there” he said coolly. “You saw the evidence that is stacked against us. What do we have to counter act that?”
“What have I told you about saying things like that?” asked Mina, her face turning grim. “You were warned once.”
“For what?” retorted Archaeon. “For speaking the truth? For speaking an opinion? Neither should be said by you, sure. But I try to put my emotions aside for one second and I get attacked?”
“Perhaps you should give up now then!”
“Perhaps I should!” said Archaeon, storming off.
He didn’t get more than twenty paces away before he felt a presence at his shoulder. Thinking it was Mina, he turned around, ready to launch another barrage at her.
But found himself looking at Isis instead.
“You were a little hard on Mina, don’t you think? Its not her fault there is little she can do to save Mordred.”
Archaeon visibly sagged at her voice but still retained some of his composure.
“I know that I shouldn’t have said those things…” he began. “But there is so much against us. I know Mordred is innocent, my gut tells me so. But…”
“But your gut isn’t substantial evidence, is it?” finished Isis, patting him on the stomach.
Archaeon smiled as he pulled Isis in for a long and tender kiss.
“Perhaps I should go apologise to Mina. I was rather harsh to her” he said, looking deep into Isis’ eyes.
She looked straight back into home and nodded.
“Come find me during the next recess. I’ll have a surprise waiting for you.”
Isis winked suggestively as she turned, deliberately letting Archaeon only just catch the gesture. She stepped into the flow of people walking by and disappeared from sight. Archaeon toyed briefly with the idea of going after her before he remembered his role today.
He turned and collided with a worried-looking man.
As Archaeon helped him to his feet, he was hit with a flash of recognition.
“The barkeep, right? From the other day? What are you doing here?” Archaeon asked.
The barman looked around suspiciously before beginning.
“I have some information, but I fear that certain… parties would like to keep me silent. Permanently.” His expression clearly said how permanent he meant.
Archaeon put his arm around the other mans shoulder.
“I am sure we can come to some sort of arrangement…

As the room filed out after Duke Krow had made his decision, Mina grabbed Archaeon by the arm and almost dragged him into a corner.
“How did you do that?” she asked, her green eyes boring twin holes into Archaeon.
Archaeon grinned, most of its effect lost on Mina.
“I have a gift, you know that” he said cryptically.
“Your only gift is getting beaten on by women, so ‘fess up!” she demanded.
Archaeon sighed, his humour lost at a time like this.
“He came forward to me and volunteered some information.”
“And what did he ask for in return?” pressed Mina.
“Money. 20,000 gold pieces to be exact.”
“When did you get 20,000 gold pieces to hand out like this?”
As the pause before Archaeon answered lengthened, realisation dawned on Mina.
“You want the clan to pay, don’t you?”
“Well…” said Archaeon, nervously licking his lips.
“I suppose it’s fair. You did do it for us all.” Mina sighed, defeated. “Let’s just hope its all worth it.”
Archaeon nodded, remembering Isis’ promise.
“We have a couple of hours up our sleeve, don’t we?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
“Then…” he said, just as she was beginning to nod. “I have a date I should be attending. If you will excuse me, Mina.”
Archaeon turned, knowing Mina wouldn’t stop him.
Before Archaeon could get more than a few feet away, a clerk hurried up to him.
“Excuse me, sir, but I was asked to give you this…” he said, holding out a sealed envelope.
Archaeon took the envelope carefully and handed over a gold piece to the clerk for his troubles. Opening it, he saw it was a note from who else but Isis.

Archy,
Sorry I couldn’t be there in person to say this but there is some preparing to do. I’ll be waiting for you down at the park. Don’t worry with food or drink, I’ll take care of that. Just bring yourself. I’m sure that’ll be enough to satisfy my appetite.
Isis.

Archaeon sighed as he snapped his fingers, reappearing in the spire. He rushed to his room to change but stopped at the door to Mordreds room.
“Aw, hell. Why not?” he muttered, opening the door.
Not wanting to violate the room any longer than necessary, Archaeon swiftly walked to the trunk. He marvelled at how it opened to his touch before his jaw nearly fell to the ground at its contents.
In the soft candlelight, resting on the red velvet, the metal gleamed.

Archaeon turned left and entered the park, whistling merrily. He smiled as he passed people, tipping his hat pleasantly to a group of women. In his left hand he held eleven white roses, their paleness matched only by the silk cord tying them together.
As he reached Isis’ favourite tree, he paused long enough to conjure up a mirror and make sure he looked immaculate for his sweetheart.
He rounded the last bush with a grin plastered on his face.
Which promptly fell off as he took in the scene.
The ground was trampled into mush, the picnic set and food it contained joining it. As he looked around, Archaeon noticed three dwarves laying in heaps, all looking very dead.
Archaeon hurried over to one and rolled it over, only to see a dagger-blade lodged in his/her throat, the hilt elsewhere. Further searching turned up the hilt, discarded carelessly in a bush nearby.
Archaeon picked it up, fingering the broken edge nervously. He looked back at the dwarf and saw the insignia of Snowrose on his/her shirt.
“Graden…” scowled Archaeon, and set off through the underbrush, following a trail carelessly left, his eyes flaming with murderous intent.
He reached the docks unhindered, the crowds parting as they saw his face.
But he was too late.
“If you’re looking for Chancellor Graden, then you’re too late. He’s already left in that ship of his. But he should be back in an hour or so.”
Archaeon looked around for the source of the voice and saw naught but an old dwarf.
“How do you know all of this?” demanded Archaeon?
The old dwarf chuckled and looked Archaeon straight in the eye.
“Because the Chancellor told me to tell you. He said ‘Dior, when Archaeon comes along, he’ll be as mad as a bull. Let him know I’ll be back to sort things out’ “
Before the dwarf could even move, Archaeon had rushed over and hauled Dior to eye-height, not an easy thing to do considering all the chain mail and leather they wore. But adrenaline and anger gave Archaeon all the strength he needed.
“He did, did he? Perhaps I should leave him a warning…” threatened Archaeon.
“Do so and I guarantee that you will not walk away.” Dior said, clicking his fingers.
Out of the corner of his eye, Archaeon caught the movements of small, squat figures darting between shadows.
Grunting with the effort, Archaeon practically dropped Dior to the ground. He stormed off, not even looking back to see how Dior fared.
Archaeon parked himself on a crate rested, knowing that he was surrounded. He knew there were only two outcomes today, only two ways he could go from here.
Option One: Isis would return to him and they would clear up any misunderstandings between all parties.
He shook his head. He knew, deep down, that it was almost laughable at how unlikely it was. His eyes narrowed he knew it would come down to option two.
Option Two: Either Graden or himself would not walk away from this dock.
So we waited, patiently, his anger protecting him from the cold sea breezes.
Waiting. Waiting…

Final Fanfiction

Cassie awoke with intensifying pains in her lower abdomen.
Running to Sally’s bedroom she stopped suddenly, looking down to realize that her water had just broken.
Collapsing to the ground in shock, she yelled to Sally and Ric, “Help! Wake up, I need your guys help!” yelled Cassie.
Within seconds both Sally and Ric ran from their bedrooms to find Cassie curled over on the floor in agony. “I need to go to the hospital, the baby’s coming!” cried Cassie.
Ric and Sally stood there silently in shock, not knowing what to say…
Cassie looks up, glaring at the both of them, “Hurry up” she cried.
Ric helps Cassie down the stairs and into the car while Sally rings Colleen to come over and look after Pippa.

The drive to the hospital is agonizing for Cassie. She is in a huge amount of pain and cannot get comfortable, even with the help of Sally beside her.
“Are you ok Cas?” said Ric
“NO!!!!!” she screamed, “can’t you go any faster Ric, I’m in agony”, yelled Cassie.
“I’m trying Cas, but I’m already going over the speed limit and want to be safe” says Ric.
They arrive at the hospital and Cassie is taken into the delivery room on a stretcher.
Sally follows Cassie into the delivery room while Ric goes into the waiting room and calls Martha to tell her what is happening.

Martha is still at the bar trying to get rid of the last few of her customers when she receives the call from Ric.
“Hey Martha, its Ric, were at the hospital, Cassie’s gone into labour, when can you come?”
“Oh my god!” screamed Martha. “I’ll lock up the bar now and come straight there, I won’t be long” said Martha.
“Ok, see you soon” said Ric as he hung up the phone.
As Martha locked up the bar, she received another phone call, but she didn’t know who it was.
“Hello” said Martha warily.
“Hello, my name is Janet, I’m Hank’s mother. I am trying to get in contact with Cassie but she is not answering her cell phone. Do you no where she is?” asked Janet.
“Ohh, Cassie is at the hospital, she’s in labour” said Martha.
“Pardon me, did you say she’s in labour, is it Hank’s baby?” asked Janet.
“Yes, it is, I’m sorry, didn’t you know?” asked Martha.
“No! She exclaimed, Hank didn’t mention that I was going to be a grandmother but then again he didn’t share much with us”.
“The reason I was calling Cassie is because Hank has been involved in a car accident earlier this morning. He was traveling back to Summer Bay to see Cassie, but he has been killed”, cried Janet.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry, I am heading to the hospital now so I will inform Cassie and make sure she calls you when she can” said Martha.
“Thanks Dear, that would be greatly appreciated”, said Janet.
Martha heads straight to the hospital where she is greeted by Ric.
“I’ve got some bad news” said Martha.
“What is it, what’s happened?” asked Ric.
“It’s Hank, he was on his way here to see Cassie but he’s been killed in a car accident”, exclaimed Martha.
“Oh no, this is going to crush Cassie, we can’t tell her, not yet anyway”, says Ric.


****IN THE DELIVERY ROOM****

“I need you to call Hank” screamed Cassie to Sally. “He needs to be here it’s his baby too” she cried.
“Ok Cas, I will go and get Ric to call him, keep breathing” said Sally and she left the delivery room.
As Sally approached Ric and Martha they both asked anxiously “How’s Cassie?”
“She wants Hank to be here, so can you call him Ric and let him know that Cassie wants him here”, says Sally.
Martha and Ric both look away, trying to avoid having to tell Sally what has happened.
“What’s going on you two?” asked Sally.
“I’ve had a phone call from Hank’s mother, Hank was killed in a car accident earlier heading to the Bay” said Martha.
“Ohh god, Cassie is going to be devastated, we have to act like everything is fine so she can deliver the baby safely”, said Sally.
Sally turned away and headed back into the delivery room.
“Ric has left a message on his answer phone Cas, he should get it and be on his way soon” said Sally anxiously.
Cassie was screaming in pain as the doctor said “Just one more push and the baby will be here, you can do it” he exclaimed.
Cassie grabbed onto Sally’s hand as she pushed as hard as she could.
Little screams were heard as the doctor said “It’s a girl”.
“Ohh Cas, she’s absolutely gorgeous!” cried Sally.
“Can I see her please?” asked Cassie
“Of course, just a moment”, said the nurse.
As Cassie held her daughter for the first time she cried tears of joy and sadness.
She wished that Hank was there with her to treasure their baby daughter.
“I’m naming her Sally” said Cassie.
Sally’s eyes lit up and tears came rolling down her eyes, “Ohh Thank you Cas; this means so much to me”. Sally cried.

Hey guys..Here is my fanfic. Sorry i know its late but i started writing up titanic and then changed to home and away. I decided to do home and away because its a show i have been watching for years and i know alot bout its characters etc so i wanted to change one of the scenes. I also thought it would be interesting to compare it to Ashleys as she also did Home and away.

Johnny cooper is standing at the door with a knife and holding Pippa as his hostage. He is back to enact his revenge on Sally.

Sally, Colleen, Alf and Dan stand opposite him all scared and in shock.

“Don’t come any closer Sally or I will hurt Pippa. You killed my brother and now you have to suffer. You’re the reason he is not here today”, yelled Johnny.

“Johnny that’s not fair. Rocco never wanted to be in your gang. He was only doing it to please you, not because that’s what he wanted. He wanted to be a good person”.

“No sally. This gang was his family. He was prepared to kill you for me and when he stabbed you, I thought it was finally the end of you. But you didn’t die, so I am here to finish off the job” said Johnny.

“Please just let go of Pippa Johnny, she’s only a kid. I am sure we can work something out. We both know Rocco wouldn’t have wanted this. Put the knife down please”, cried Sally

Out of nowhere, Dan jumps onto Johnny and Pippa runs into Sally’s arms. Johnny stabs Dan in the chest and runs off. Dan is lying in a pool of blood.

“Oh heavens someone call the emergency!” cried Colleen.

Dan is in hospital having surgery and its not looking to good.His wife Leah is devastated and in shock. She won’t say a word to anybody, especially Sally.

Everyone waits in the hospital in tears and in disbelief.

Rachel comes out and everyone gets up and huddles around her to see what the news is.

“What is it Doc” asks Alf

“Im afraid I have some very bad news”, said Rachel.

“Please tell me Dan is fine”, cries Leah.

Taking a deep breath, Rachel begins to deliver the saddening news.

“Due to the extensive blood loss, we couldn’t stabilise him and so he wasn’t able to make it through the surgery. I am so sorry Leah,” said Rachel.

Leah cries with agony and collapses on the floor. Sally runs out the hospital with Alf chasing her.

“This is all my fault. If I had jumped onto Johnny instead of Dan none of this would have happened. How could I ever let Leah know how sorry I am Alf. Dan is dead because of me!” yells Sally

“That’s not true love, Dan was trying to save young Pippa. With time, Leah will understand all of this. He died because he saved a little girl and her mother Sal. It shows how much of a good bloke Dan really is”, explains Alf.

“Oh Alf, everything is such a mess. How is Leah going to get through this”, says Sally.

“With time, everything will heal. She has all of us to look after her and support her. Just try to stay strong for her ay love”, explains Alf.

The next morning, Leah is on her bed crying and in grief. Her son Vee-Jay is next to her keeping her company. They both look at old photo albums and try to remember the good times they spent with Dan.

The phone starts to ring.

“Hello?” answers Leah

“Hi Leah its Sal, how are you feeling?’ asks Sally

“In heartache Sal, like this whole nightmare is just a dream”, said Leah

“Can I pop over, there are things I need to explain”, asks Sally

“Yeah okay”, responds Leah

Sally arrives to the house and hugs Leah tightly.

“Leah I am so sorry, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. You know I would have never wanted Dan to go through with what he did. He jumped on Johnny and then everything happened so fast from there”, explained Sally.

“Look Sal, you’re my best friend, you don’t need to explain what happened that tragic night. I know this isn’t your fault or anybody’s fault except Johnny Cooper’s. The only thing keeping me together is knowing that Dan saved Pippa and didn’t give Johnny a chance to stab you. He took the risks and put out his life for somebody else. That makes him a loving person and I know he would want me to be proud of him right now”, explained Leah.

“I don’t even know what to say. I’ll be here for you every step of the way Leah. We are all here for you”, said Sally.

“Thanks Sal, you can start by putting these photos on the board for Dan’s service tomorrow. Im thinking we should have it on the beach” says Leah.

“Sounds beautiful to me”, responds Sally.

It’s around 9:00pm and Sally decides to go home after spending the day comforting Leah.

She goes home, opens the door, only to find and face Johnny Cooper in her living room once again.

POTC

Hey guys,

Heres my fanfic, I did it on Pirates of the Caribbean. Have a read through it and let me know what you guys think.

Hope you enjoy =)

...

Pirates of the Caribbean, the Curse of the Black Pearl

There was a loud and piercing bang. Jack stood by the treasure chest holding his smoking pistol, aimed towards Barbossa.

‘Ha! Ten years you’ve been carrying that pistol around, and you end up wasting your shot.’ Barbossa smirked. Jack blew the smoke from the barrel of his pistol and then put it back in his pocket.

‘He didn’t waste it.’ Will remarked, while standing over the Aztec chest. In his left hand was a medallion, with blotches of blood on it. He released the gold medallion, dropping it into the chest, revealing the cut across his palm.

After watching the gold drop into the treasure chest Barbossa looked down to see a trail of blood, seeping through his shirt. In pain, he grabbed his chest, and clenched his fist as he fell to the ground dead.

‘Well, you're the worst pirate I've ever heard of.’ Will said smiling, while he wrapped a cloth around his hand. ‘You're a man who can be trusted, who can be counted on, and who can’t betray his friends. What kind of pirate is that?’ he jokingly asked.

‘The worst.’ Jack replied, picking up a sword off the ground.

‘Let's get out of here.’ Will said as he started to make his way out of the damp, dark cave.

‘Oh, you’re not going anywhere.’ Jack responded, as he quickly stabbed Will with the sword, and then pushed him to the ground.

Walking out of the cave, Jack was met by Elizabeth. ‘Where is he? Where’s Will?’ She asked.

'I’m sorry. Barbossa, ah, killed him.’ Jack lied, deviously thinking this was his chance to make Elizabeth his.

‘Oh no!’ she cried, shaking her head.

‘It’s okay, you’ve got me Elizabeth.’ Jack put his arms around her and slyly kissed her cheek. ‘You know you enjoyed the other night on the island with me and of course with the rum. We, pirates aren’t that bad.’

‘Um, we should be getting back. My father is probably worrying.’ Elizabeth replied, pushing Jack away from her and brushing her dress as if to ward off the evil Jack.

As Elizabeth and Jack arrived back at Port Royal they were met by a squad from the Royal Navy. Commodore James Norrington quickly grabbed Jack, as one of his men approached Jack with shackles. Norrington snapped the manacles shut around Jacks wrists and nodded at a couple of the Navy crew, ‘Take him away!’ He ordered, as they held onto Jacks chains and steered him in the direction of the jail.

Looking back at Elizabeth, Jack winked with a huge smirk across his face, before disappearing through the jail doors.

A few days later while Elizabeth and her father were going for a walk along the parapet of Fort Charles, Commodore Norrington came running up to them looking very concerned . ‘Sir!’ He shouted, ‘Jack has escaped! It’s strange, there was no damage to the cell; he must have been set free.’

A coy smile appeared on Elizabeth’s face as she turned her head to look out to sea. Governor Swann looked in the direction of his daughter’s gaze and saw the ghostly pirate ship, ‘the Black Pearl!’ he gasped, looking at the very distinctive black sails of the Pearl. The ship was speedily sailing through the waters heading straight towards the fort.

As the Black Pearl got closer, Governor Swann could make out Jack standing at the bow. ‘Sir! Shall I break out the cannons?’ asked Commodore Norrington.

Before the Governor had the chance to respond, Elizabeth jumped over the edge of the parapet.

Onboard Black Pearl, Jack watched as Elizabeth plunged into the sea with a splash. Leaning over the side of the ship he threw a rope into the water, for Elizabeth to climb up. Once aboard the ship, Jack grabbed Elizabeth and slowly kissed her. After a long embrace, Jack ran along the deck towards the steering wheel while Elizabeth followed.

Ana-Maria was waiting at the wheel, ‘Captain Sparrow, the Black Pearl is yours!’ Jack grabbed the wheel and ran his hand lovingly along the rail. The look on his face was pure happiness; the wheel felt good to be back in his hands.

‘Ana-Maria, trim the mainsail!’ He shouted

‘Aye, aye, sir!’ She replied.

‘Mr. Gibbs, start cleaning. I want every inch of the Pearl spic-and-span and in ship-shape!’ yelled Jack. Gibbs executed a salute.

Jack stood proudly at the wheel. “Ah this is the pirates life…I’ve got my ship back, got the girl, got the treasure and all is right with the world.’ He began to unconsciously hum ‘yo, ho… yo, ho…’

‘…A pirate’s life for me.’ finished Elizabeth. Jack grinned and winked at her again, before wrapping his arms around her, as they sailed off out to sea.

Thought for the day: Dwarves aren't footstools

I had an idea over the last week and sat myself down to write this fanfic. After a few solid hours of writing nad not eating, I have produced a story that is really long. I want all of you people to help me trim it down.
Its only half typed up (and has reached 5,000 words. *groan) right now but I'll have it up tonight. Please, be gentle...


And bonus points go to anyone who can tell me what game (there's your only hint) I based this off.

Let Me Eat Your Brains!

Click this image to go to my fanfic blog!

A change of heart

I am not a good writer. In fact I`m probably an awful one.
I`m well aware of this and so I decided that in order to get a decent mark I`d have to hide that fact with some sort of clever idea.

However!

After thinking about what Paul said, I`ve had a change of heart. I don`t recall his exact words, but he mentioned something about using this chance to improve my writing skills into writing 5k!11z. 133+ h4X0r ones if possible. So, my plan is to take the bull by the horns and get something very simple and try to write something that's actually readable.

Here is my simple idea (in working)

Anyone see Return of the Living Dead? Awesome zombie movie. If you haven`t seen it, then see it now! Lots of cheesy 80`s zombie action with a good soundtrack and humour (without being "comic relief").

Can I just make it clear that the sequels are crap, so this hasn`t got much to do with those.

Anyway, in the Return of the Living Dead (ROTLD) universe, zombies are made by exposing living things to a chemical named trioxin. In my story, a barrel of trioxin somehow (haven`t worked out how yet, but I`ll try and make it believable) manages to get onto a luxury cruise ship, and mayhem ensues.

In the end everyone dies*, and the trioxin leeks into the ocean (presumably the rest of the world is infected). *In the ROTLD stories, everyone always dies and the world is taken over by zombies. Perhaps the later movies are different, but they are so different most fans don`t consider them canon.

Now I have a start and a finish, I`ll need to put something in between! Comments please on what I have so far.