The Story

Apologies again...

Stacius found that he was gripping his axe tightly as he walked deeper into the caves. He caught himself staring into the shifting dark shadows. There are no Scuttlers here, he reassured himself as he forcing his axe from the ready position he had adopted. As he pushed the thoughts of the dangerous foe that had infected his home tunnels he found his mood lightning. He paused frequently checking for sound. For a time he could not detect any further noise and they had to press on hoping that they were heading in the right direction.

Statcius started to worry that they were veering off course. The rock walls that they passed through left no sign of their journey once they had passed through them, obliterating any reference points they had.

Stacius began stopping to listen more and more often as his worries grew.

“This way.” He pointed a bearing some degrees from the path they had been taking.

“You sure?” asked Dulin.

“I can hear breathing, this thing really is amazing.” He started to approach the next wall that blocked their path when a new noise reached their ears unaided.

“Hello?” echoed faintly from the walls of the cave. Stacius brought the device to his ear again.

He could hear Raisa's shout clearly.

“No this way.” He pointed in a new direction.

“Sure this time big fella? Asked Dulin.

“Certain,” spat Satacius through gritted teeth. He hated being called big anything, people had no idea! His gut was in proportion why did people comment on it?

They made their way quickly to the cavern where the dishevelled pixie stood staring transfixed at the glowing orbs which hung from the ceiling.

“Raisa, are you OK?” asked Stacius as he strode towards her.

Raisa did not move her eyes, she simply stared at the light which began to swell and splinter as the trio watched. Not one of them felt able to turn their heads even as Grud came screaming into the cavern.

“Out we have to get out!” he yelled as he dived head first into his book, vanishing with a gentle tinkling of bells.

Hi Guys, sorry for the long silence. Time has got away from me this month. I will try to get my piece done in the next couple of weeks before I leave for my jaunt back to the UK. Looking forward to continuing the story soon!

Apologies once again for the long silence. Life got in the way again, as it tends to do! Here is the next installment of the adventures of our intrepid three. Hope it lives up to your expectations.


Jolted by the noise of the shout, Raisa stumbled back against the wall of the cave. She tore her gaze away from the strange lights above her just in time to see a figure with bells disappear inside a book. The peculiar creature looked familiar. As she stared at the large, closed book on the floor, Raisa felt a movement against her back. There it was again. Still leaning against the cave wall, she felt the deep tremor pulse through her.

“That creature with bells was right. We have to get out of here now!” said Raisa. Right on cue, the ground shook, knocking Stacius off his feet. The large trumpet he held clattered to the ground and the orbs of light in Dulin and Stacius’ palms flickered and dimmed.

Dulin looked down at her hand. “Quick! Whilst these things still have some power.”

Raisa was looking up again at the orbs above her, now swaying like a pearl curtain. “What are they?” she said.

“No time to wonder about that now. Come on!” With a sharp yank, Dulin pulled Stacius to his feet. The ground shook violently, a large crack splintering the wall behind Raisa’s back.

“This whole cave is about to collapse!” said Stacius.

“I think that is called stating the obvious!” snapped Dulin as she pushed him ahead of her. “You lead the way!” Stacius made to move but stumbled on something. “Can’t you keep vertical?” Dulin spoke through gritted teeth.

“It’s the Book of Grud,” shouted Stacius over the rumble of the cave. “We have to take it. After all, if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have these,” he held up his flickering light orb, “or…” Another crash. This time, a huge piece of rock hurtled down from the ceiling and landed directly on top of the ear trumpet, crushing it as flat as parchment. Dulin, Stacius and Raisa shrank back against the wall and stared.

“Grud will be displeased,” said Stacius.

“Never mind about that now.” Dulin nodded to the large tome tucked beneath Stacius’ arm. “He should count himself lucky that’s not under the rock too. Come on!” Pushing Stacius sharply in the back, Dulin held out her now faint orb in front of her and took off at a run pursued by the ragged pixie.

“Which way?” shouted Stacius over the threatening rumble of shifting rocks.

“How should I know?” spat Dulin.
“The glow creatures.” Raisa pointed up at the strings of light swaying above them. “I’ve been watching them. They are all along the walls of the cave. Follow them. I think they will lead us to the entrance.”

“It’s as good an idea as any,” said Dulin as she ran. For once, Stacius agreed.

As they ran on, keeping between the glowing curtains of tiny pearls, the walls of the cave began to splinter. Large boulders fell, narrowly missing them once, twice but Dulin and Stacius kept their eyes fixed on the diminishing orbs of light still held in their palms.

“There! I see it! Light ahead!” called Stacius. Just as he spoke these words, a large crack echoed above them and the roof of the cave crumbled and fell. Their way was impassable. They halted.

“Well, that’s just…” shrieked Raisa.

“Quiet!” hissed Dulin. “Unless you want to cause another rock fall and be buried alive this time!” Even in the dull glow of her light orb, Dulin could see the reflection of Raisa’s baleful stare.

“I don’t think these things have much life left in them,” said Stacius.

“Well, we’ll just have to try,” said Dulin. “Come on. Let’s see if we can break through it – together.” Dulin stepped up next to Stacius and they held up their palms next to each other. The two rapidly tapering light sources began to merge and the light grew slightly brighter. “Come on! Cut through!”

Stacius grumbled and shifted the heavy book beneath his arm. “Where’s Grud when we really need him? Typical!” he spat. Slowly, the combined orbs began to make an impression on the rock. “It’s working!” said Stacius.

“Quiet! Concentrate!” hissed Dulin. Raisa pulled her ragged piece of sacking around her shoulders and folded her arms.

“How long are you going to be?” she said, glaring at Dulin’s back.

“For once, just keep your mouth shut!” said Dulin. “Might I remind you, if it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t even be in this cave!”

Raisa felt her anger surge up through her body. “How dare you speak to me like that!” Even in cool of the cave, she could feel her cheeks burning in fury. “I had a VISION!” On this last word, Raisa stamped her foot. It was enough. The ground beneath them shook and splintered. Raisa saw a deep split begin to open up in front of her, separating her from her companions.

Stacius looked over his shoulder. “Jump!” he shouted. “Now, Raisa! Jump before it’s too late!” Raisa took a run and launching her spindly legs in front of her, jumped further than she’d ever jumped before. The piece of sacking flew off her shoulders and floated down into the deepening ravine. The jump of only seconds seemed to last an hour. Raisa felt as if she were being carried through the air by a force outside of her that she could not define. Then she saw it. The beads of light that had so transfixed her were around her body, like a silk cocoon, carrying her over the widening gap. Suddenly, she was scrabbling for a foothold, grasping at air. The cocoons pulled her upright. As she gasped for breath, Raisa watched, mesmerized, as the beautiful skeins of light flew back up to the crumbling cave. She could barely believe it. They had saved her life.

“Now. Will you do as I say?” said Dulin, her voice dark with anger. Raisa remained silent. Now that she had lost the piece of sacking, she was utterly naked and did not want to draw their attention to her vulnerable state.

The orbs of light held by Dulin and Stacius continued to make slow progress through the boulder and grew weaker with each passing moment.

“I can see light!” exclaimed Stacius. Dulin and Stacius peered into the small opening they had created. There was the smallest glimmer just ahead. “Oh, hang this!” said Stacius. He clapped his hands together and the tiny orb of light vanished.

“What on earth are you doing?” Dulin’s eyes were wide with disbelief.

“THIS!” he replied. With a mighty heave, Stacius thrust his dwarf-iron axe into the split and yelled. “Aaaie- ya!”

The rock split around the gap leaving a hole just wide enough for them to crawl through. “Come on!” shouted Stacius, who was already on his hands and knees, scooping out rubble. “I don’t think this will hold much longer.” Dulin and Raisa fell to their knees and crawled in behind him as fast as they could.

was working on the next piece when the group I was with requested a read aloud. So back to page one I spent the last week reading to these people, Staicus has started to grow a little fan club. Raisa has an admirer and they all like the way the relationships are developing between the characters. Whilst this has been fun it also means I haven't finished writing the piece 'cause I'm using writing time as some weird kind'a reading club at the moment (still haven't finished reading it to them - nearly there) But I thought it'd be cool to let you know the response the story is getting out here.

No no no no! I have just written a great piece, it was going well. An d what does Wales do. Kick me of the internet. I really have to stop writing directly in to the forum. It's dangerous. Oh Well. Here I go again.

The trio lay on the floor outside in the cool evening air. Any ideas of time or day had been lost inside the caves. They had barely made it outside when the mountain entrance caved, after the trembles the world seemed eerily quiet.

"I have good news and bad news." Both Dulin and Staicus groaned as Grud appeared in a fresh tinkling of bells.

"Why, Staicus? Why save the book and not the trumpet. The trumpet was far more useful and a lot quieter." Dulin moaned.

Grud flew above Dulin and hung upside down with a lopsided, confused smile. "That's the good news. Grud alive. gear is gone. Not bad, gear is replaceable, only one Grud. Received 1 orb from our friend the dwarf. Just because gear replaceable doesn't mean you should destroy or loose it elf. But don't worry, you still have Grud." He laughed and flew backwards with his arms open as Dulin took a swipe at him, then he flew over to Raisa and, after giving a short bow began to twirl his hands in mid air. Raisa sat up to watch.

"Pretty gowns and fancy dresses look wonderful in a hall," he bagan to sing
"But forests and caves, mountains and swamps, they just wont do at all.
So with research and taste
A dress of good grace
I have created for one not so tall."

His hands stopped spinning and a gothic dress of velvet and a more hardier armored material appeared in mid air then fell on top of Raisas head.
Grud began laughing once again, holding his sides and pointing at her as her colours changed to match her varying emotions, of embarrassment, gratefulness and anger.

Still chuckling he flew to the center as all three got to their feet.
"Now for the bad news." He spun a metal disk in the air then flew above them to watch.

An eartheral music hummed from the disk as it began to project an image. Tegraine stood in front of them, two of his eyes staring forwards whilst one looked at something unseen.

"My friends. Grud tells me you have found a tomme, that is good but you need to work faster. Give the tome you have and you can send it through his world into my quarters, likewise I can send such messages as this one to you."

"Boring!" Grud interjected crossing his arms.

"This world is strange and I sense many hidden secrets. I am constantly being watched though i have been given a team to aid in the rebuilding of my ship. Ahura has been transferred into a small computer and is safe, she is helping us to rebuild. She has also created a device that you may find handy. It will sense the nearest Tomme and lead you in the right direction."

Grud spun behind the Tegraine projection and showed an overlarge watch which he then tossed to Staicus.

"She has also modified the maps of this worlds to show more detail, Raisa you can access them through Gruds book, just open the pages and call for the map. I have a complete list of all the missing tomes to refer to at your discretion also inside Gruds book. May the Gods and Goddesses be with you all on your search. Be careful."

Tegraine Dissolved. The three companions looked at each other. "Who votes we make camp here?" Dulin said, her calmness hiding her frustration.

Brilliant pieces! I hope your trip was good fruitbat? The reading group sounds ace, I miss reading as much as I did before I started writing.