I love telling my kids stories. I love reading fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, etc. I’ve written many short stories over the years, but have a story in my mind right now that I am going to commit to paper. I will post the story on JU in chapters. My biggest problem when writing a story is going back and re-writing over and over until it’s ruined. By posting my chapters here, I will be FORCED to accept my first draft…which may mean it’s not very good (and prob with typos), but hopefully w...

Chapter 3 Rotta awoke with a start. She kicked the heavy fur pelt from around her naked body. She stared hard at it as if waiting for it to bite her. “What is it darlin?” Max lifted his head from the next pillow. “What’s got ya so riled?” “It’s cursed,” she whispered wiping the sweat from her forehead. “What’d ye say?” Max mumbled. “Cursed? Whose cursed?” Rotta shook her head as if trying to dislodge...

Chapter 11 “What has he done?” Gainrel asked when he rejoined Mikael outside the hasma. “He has retrieved the clan emerald, and killed the man Max.” Mikael said. “What news of the merchant?” “The merchant is well,” Gainrel said. Both Legna stood atop the opposite building and watched Rotta’s hasma burn. “Your human set this fire?” Gainrel asked. Mikael nodded. “Shortly after the dead man’s body was r...

Chapter 13 A frustrated Cade made his way back toward Rotta’s burning hasma, the full moons providing ample light. Razar followed her scent quite successfully for some distance then suddenly it was gone. Razar rounded the spot not far from the hasma where the scent disappeared. Cade ran a thick palm through his black hair. It made no sense. Razar never lost a scent once tracking it, even when the hunted tried disguising it. He arrived as the last of the city folk were retreat...

Chapter 15 “Shifter,” Cade spat. Razar growled deep in his throat and stalked toward the beautiful woman. “No!” Simon yelled and stood between Cade and the woman. “She too is looking for the witch!” Cade’s eyes narrowed. “Then it be for no good cause. Stand aside. You know the penalty for harboring a dark race. And penalty you shall pay.” Razar chose that moment to leap for the woman. The air shimmered a split second before Ra...

Chapter 16 “You were wise to bring us this issue Gainrel,” Venjamin, the leader of the seven Legna council spoke. “We are hearing many disturbing reports from the field.” “We must move to crush these dargon.” Bela said, one of the council and a general among the Legna . He was known for taking incalculable risk when battling the warriors of Agoniture. To date, no Legna could beat him in any of the warrior tests. “I will call a legion up and ...

Chapter 17 The morning broke with the two suns beating upon the three travelers. Cade was running at his usual ground eating pace. Magus slapped rhythmically on his strong back as he ran. Razar ran between Cade and the shifter who forsook the guise of beautiful woman for something far faster and sleeker, a pure white panther. Razar did not like the panther, nor did he like the shifter. He wanted to rip the Shifter’s throat from her body. Only his loyalty to Cade kept his fangs in...

Chapter 19   Hot, he was so hot.   Cade opened his eyes to shadows dancing on the rock ceiling above him.   A small fire was burning, the smoke layering the ceiling of the cave in black soot.   He loosed his right hand slowly from around Magus’ hilt.   “I thought you would sleep forever Wardex,” the woman’s voice came from across the fire.    Cade groaned and tried to push himself up.   “Razar,”...

Chapter 21   Razar pushed ahead through the thick underbrush leaving his companions a few steps behind.   “Hold!” Baran Wardex shouted at the hound for the tenth time in as many minutes.   Razar stopped but did not look back.   His nose turned in the air and eyes searching the dense cluster of trees.   “Father, do not shout at Razar,” Kyna said patting Razar’s wide black head.   “He is anxious for us to...

Chapter 22 Razar stood at the mouth of the cave his back stiff.  A low growl rolled back toward the travelers.   Baran lifted his hand in warning.   Kyna pulled the bow from around her head and notched an arrow.   Inside the cave, Cade lay resting beside the fire.   “Your people come,” the shifter said and stood.   “Your hound even now stands at the entrance.”   Cade stood amazed again at how quickly his wounds healed.   “Yo...

Chapter 24        “Prepare her!”   The beast master ordered the silent slave standing just inside the bedchamber.   He carried Mikota to the bed and tossed her upon it.         Mikota rolled and came up crouching on the furthest corner.   Purple eyes darted around the large bed chamber looking for any chance of escape.         “If you leave this chambe...

Chapter 25                  “Here she is your highness,” the beast master said and gave Mikota a little shove.   “On your knees slave!”        Mikota fell to her knees, red robe gaping open.        “This one is a bit high spirited.   She needs…”      &nbs...

Mikota still covered in filth, stood in front of the paltry fire wrapped in a drying cloth while Samanda ordered the tub emptied and refilled by several slaves.     “Back in,” Samanda ordered when the fresh water was steaming once again.   “Wash the rest,” she said handing the soap to Mikota.    Mikota lathered the soap and washed herself three times.   She scrubbed at years of dirt until not one bit of filth marred her ...

She took a deep breath and fell forward onto the mattress in a relief so profound she thought herself floating.   It was then she heard the voices.   “No! NO!” the king bellowed.   “It is too late now.   Bring her in immediately!”   Mikota rolled off the bed quickly and reached for her robe.   She was on her knees eyes to the floor when the king turned from the door.   “Get up slave and into my bed,&r...

Prologue “…And in the days of two suns, when the races have gorged themselves on peace, darkness will unfold in tiny hands and silently stalk the land. Woe to the seen and the unseen for all will be war.” --Rock of Prophecy Chapter 1 Cade awoke. Every muscle groaned as he slowly eased up onto one elbow, tiny sand particles digging into his skin. He was so thirsty. As if in answer to the thought, a dry gust of sand blew into his already red and cracking face. He trie...