BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH

The Dwarf town of Loronda was in a tizzy as the inhabitants prepared for the festival of New Spring. The first day of spring on Orean was also the first day of the year. It was a week-long festival that included feasts, gifts, dancing, performances of all kinds and general merriment.

Eylyn had never attended a seasonal festival, much less the spring one. Wylue, her trainer in midwifery, had told her much of it and had asked her if she had a dress for special occasions. Eylyn said no, she hadn't, but would ask her parents.

“A party dress?” asked Life. “I could whip up something... yes... made from the very elements of the earth...” Which is what she did. Plants, ground, animals, air, their essences came together in Life's hands to create a dress with no compare.

Eylyn admired it and said, “I didn't know you could do that.”

“It is a dress of Life.”

“Will you wear one dress all week?”

Eylyn spun around. “Daddy!” She hugged Death. “When did you get here?”

“Just now. Were you not going to ask me for help?”

“Could you do that?” she pointed at the dress Life held.

“I use light, shadows, emotions and unknowns.” In Death's hands was another dress that was indescribable. “Now you have a day dress and a night dress.”

“We can make you a full wardrobe,” said Life.

“Will you two come to the festival?”

“Perhaps.”

Eylyn showed her new wardrobe to Wylue. “I have never seen anything like them.”

“My parents made them. Do you think they are too fine?”

“Nothing is too fine for the New Spring Festival.”

The festivities began with dinner and dance the night before New Spring. Eylyn was wearing one of the dresses Death had made. It was deep blue with sparkling jewels. She was made much of by the men in the town. She had not lived there long, and she had only met those few families who had new babies in their homes, and Wylue's family.

She was invited to sit at Lord Jortho's table in the city square. He owned much of the town and surrounding land. Eylyn was disappointed that she could not sit with Orlo, Wylue's grandson, but she felt she could not refuse. She sat next to Jortho's son Qerx. “Where are you from, Eylyn?” he asked her.

“I was born here, but never lived here until recently.”

“Where else have you lived?”

“Everywhere and nowhere.”

“Are your parents Entertainers?”

“They are Life and Death.”

“Life and Death have a daughter?” Qerx's head reeled. "Are you an immortal?"

"I don't know."

"How can you not know? Have you ever asked?"

"My parents don't know either. We asked the Creator, but he would not tell us."

When the dancing began, Qerx was the first to dance with Eylyn. She danced every dance with someone new. When she thought she could sit for a minute, someone asked her, and she would have to dance again. Her feet were very tired, and she had determined to refuse the next person who asked her.

“Would you honor me with a dance, my friend?”

“Orlo! Yes! I would love to.” Eylyn was happy just to be with him.

Orlo was thinking how best to tell her he had been wrong. “I went to the midwife in the town west of here,” said Orlo. “She told me the same thing you did about the book. She said it was the same everywhere. I must admit it is not easy for me to accept, but I believe you.” They had had many arguments over the years about her parents. She had finally showed him the midwife's book that had recorded her birth in an attempt to convince him. The book never lies.

She hugged him. “Now we can be even better friends.”

Orlo laughed. “Is that possible?”

“Anything is possible.” They danced throughout the dance merrily, and when it was done, Eylyn asked Orlo, “Could we go to a quiet place where I may sit? I have not been able to rest my feet since supper.”

“I'm sorry. If I had known, I wouldn't have asked you to dance.”

“It is alright. I was happy to dance with you.” Eylyn spent every moment she could with Orlo, but she was often called away by others.

Orlo's friends liked her. “She is a beautiful young woman,” said Korar. “How long have you known her?”

“Since we were children. She is apprenticed to my grandmother.”

“You have known her all these years, and kept her to yourself?” said Wyron.

“Some friend you are.” said Korar.

“Although, I would have done no different,” said Wyron.

“Are you courting her?” asked Korar. This question startled Orlo. He shook his head. He had never thought of Eylyn as anything but a friend. “Good,” said Korar.

“I need to go do something,” said Wyron. He went to find Eylyn.

"He moves quick," said Korar.

“You could find her first,” said Orlo's mouth without the consent of his brain.

The festival continued throughout the night and into morning. The New Spring Festival would not cease for another week, continuing through days and nights. Eylyn did not need sleep. Sleep was something she did to appease Wylue. She went home and slept a short while and returned early the next morning wearing one of Life's dresses. It was brown as the earth, soft as fur and smooth as silk.

There were mostly children at the festival in the mornings. They had not stayed up all night celebrating. There were comedy plays, breakfast and games to entertain them. Eylyn watched the plays, ate breakfast and played games with the children. As the morning wore on, more people came. By afternoon there were as many people as the previous night.

“Good day, Friend.”

"Good day, Orlo. Have you just arrived?” asked Eylyn.

“Yes. You?”

“I've been here since early morning.”

“Did you sleep at all?”

“A little. It disturbs your grandmother if I don't.”

“Aren't you tired?”

“I don't usually sleep. My parents never do.”

“Grandma's right, it is disturbing.”

“Why?”

“Sleep renews our energy. It's impossible for someone to not need it.”

“Nothing is impossible.”

They spent the rest of the afternoon together. Orlo's friends joined them.

“Eylyn!” They turned to see Qerx coming towards them. “Eylyn, would you care join me again this evening?”

Eylyn looked at Orlo, who shrugged. “I would be honored. I'll see you later, Orlo.”

“Why do you spend your time with a blacksmith's son?” Qerx asked.

“Why do you spend your time with a midwife's apprentice?”

“As the daughter of Life and Death, you are noble born, like me. Nobility associates with nobility.”

“Life and Death are neither noble nor common. They are.”

There was a stir in the crowd. Qerx and Eylyn turned to see what had everyone's attention. It was Life and Death. “Mama! Daddy!” Eylyn greeted them. “I'm glad you came.” Qerx cleared his throat. “Oh, Mama, Daddy, this is Qerx. His father is the Lord of this area. Qerx, these are my parents, Life and Death.”

“I am honored to meet you. Won't you join us at our table.” Life and Death followed Qerx and Eylyn. Everyone they passed experienced peaceful chills. The stir continued. Life and Death were introduced to Lord Jortho, who was very honored.

“What brings you to our humble celebration?”

“Our daughter. She is apprenticed to the midwife,” said Life.

“You mean the young lady sitting beside my son is learning to be a midwife?”

“She wanted a job.”

“The daughter of Life and Death a midwife?”

“That's what I said.”

“Astonishing. I would think she would prefer to be a Lady or even a Queen. She could you know.”

“What does it matter? Lady or midwife, it is all the same to us. Everyone is born and everyone dies.”

“Are you enjoying yourself, Eylyn?” asked Death.

“Yes, Daddy. I've been here almost the whole time. I went home for a couple hours sleep late last night, and was back here early this morning.”

“Do you still sleep?”

“I sleep to ease Wylue's mind. It disturbs her if I don't.”

“That's mortals for you.”

Qerx choked. “Are you alright?” asked Eylyn.

“Fine,” he gasped. “The dancing has begun. Would you do me the honor?”

“Certainly. Dance with me later, Daddy?” Death nodded and watched them go. Orlo was not the only one interested in his daughter. Death turned to his wife and asked her to dance with him.

“We have not danced together in a long time,” said Life as they whirled about the square.

“Time,” said Death.

“It is what happens between life and death.”

“Between us.”

Life laughed, “Yes. In a sense.”

Death looks at their daughter. "That is who she is."

When the dance was done, Eylyn sought out her father before any young man could seek her out. “You promised to dance with me, Daddy.” Death excused himself from Life and joined his daughter.

“Would you honor me with a dance, Life?” asked Orlo.

“I'd love to. How have you been, Orlo?”

“I have learned my father's trade since last we met.”

“Do you have his skill?”

“I wish. My father is the best blacksmith in the area.”

“I once visited a mother who wore iron jewelry so fine and delicate, I had at first thought it was silver.”

“That would be a challenge.”

“You can do anything you put your mind to,” said Life.

Death gave his daughter a twirl. "Stop everything."

Eylyn stopped. All around them was still as though someone had set the world on pause. Eylyn looked around, stunned. Life, Orlo in hand, joined them.

Orlo was the only mortal able to move. "What happened?" he asked.

"Eylyn is Time," said Death.

Life hugged Eylyn. "You're an immortal!"

Eylyn smiled. "I'll never die?"

"Never," said Death.

The three rejoiced together while Orlo watched. He felt as though something precious had been torn from him.

The world resumed its course. Life and Death were gone. Eylyn hugged Orlo. "Isn't this wonderful? I'll live forever!"

"Yeah."

"What's the matter, Orlo?"

"I can't spend forever with you."

Eylyn's face went white. "Why not?"

"Because, I am a mortal."

Eylyn kissed him. Orlo's friends and Qerx moaned. They had no chance. "I'm Time. I can stop your clock."



Elizabeth Williamson Copyright © 2011

TO OREAN

The doorbell rings earlier in the morning than is healthy for the ringer. Ydoc and Enelia stir. It rings again. They groan and open their eyes. It rings a third time.

"What time is it?" Enelia asks.

Ydoc rolls over to look at the clock. "Seven."

The doorbell rings.

"Who visits people at seven o'clock in the morning?"

"I'll get it." Ydoc gets out of bed, yawns and stretches and goes into the living room. He looks through the peephole.

Enelia calls out from the bedroom, "Who is it?"

"I have no idea."

"Tell them to go away."

Ydoc opens the door just wide enough to talk to Qiro and Hoscunamun.

He yawns. "What can I do for you?"

"We are looking for Ydoc and Enelia Smith," says Qiro.

"And you are?"

"I'm Qiro and this is my wife Hoscunamun. We have an urgent message for you."

"It couldn't wait a couple hours?"

Qiro shakes his head. "We almost couldn't wait this long."

"Alright, come in."

They come in. Ydoc invites them to sit.

"Is Enelia awake? We need to talk to her too," asks Hoscunamun.

"Just a sec." Ydoc goes to the bedroom. "They say they have something urgent to tell us."

Enelia rolls over. "The one day I get to sleep in." She sighs. "I'll be out in a minute."

Ydoc goes back out to the living room to Qiro and Hoscunamun.

"She'll be out in a minute. Can I get you anything?"

"No thank you," says Qiro.

Ydoc goes to the kitchen and gets a drink of water. Enelia comes out of the bedroom. Ydoc brings her an glass.

"Thank you. So, what brings you two to our door this morning?" she asks.

"Your dreams last night-" says Qiro

"What do you know about our dreams?" asks Enelia.

"They weren't dreams. They were information."

"Uh-huh. What are you selling?"

You dreamt about Orean, and the people there. You about the Elves and Ydoc about the Gnomes. I even added some information about King John and the Dwarves.

Ydoc raises an eyebrow. "You added?"

"I sent the information. Orean is another world, and you two are from that world."

"Enelia is the Elf Princess and Ydoc is the Gnome Prince," says Hoscunamun.

Ydoc and Enelia look at each other and laugh.

"Yeah, It's been entertaining, but if you don't mind we would like to get on with our morning," says Enelia.

Hoscunamun places her hand on the wall. It shimmers and a hole opens into a cavern where a couple of Dwarf women wait for them. Ydoc and Enelia back away.

"We don't have time to convince you. People are literally dying to meet you," says Hoscunamun.

Qiro shakes his head. "She's blunt, but she's right. Those dreams are real. They happened in a real world and you are part of it."

"The Gnomes are consumed with civil war. The only thing holding them together is the person who caused it."

"The once proud Elves are a broken people, afraid to even talk to each other."

"They need you."

"Then why are we here and not there?" asks Ydoc.

"Because this is a safe place. You needed to grow up," says Qiro.

"We didn't expect you to marry each other. But, whatever. Shall we go?" says Hoscunamun.

Enelia scoffs at her. "No. How do we know you're not a couple of psychopaths with a neat camera trick?

At this point one of the Dwarves enters their home from the hole. "Take a good look at me."

Enelia gasps. "Mother?"

"I am not your mother, but I took care of you when you were young. We need to go. Kari says Jarthan's men are close."

"We're not going anywhere," says Enelia.

"Yes, you are." Hoscunamun's eyes glow red. The cavern walls melt and flow into Ydoc and Enelia's home, covering their walls and front door, then solidifies into solid rock. "I assume you would rather not travel in your pajamas, so I will allow you the time to pack."

"That wasn't really necessary, Hoscunamun," says Qiro.

"It was that or arguing all day."

Ydoc and Enelia go into the bedroom.

"What do we do?" she asks.

"Do we have any choice?"

"I am not going with those people." She picks up her cell phone and dials 911. "No signal." She tosses it aside.

Ydoc pulls out a suitcase and starts packing.

"What are you doing?"

"I don't want to travel in my pajamas. Do you think she'll let us shower first? I doubt they have plumbing on Orean."

Enelia breaks down in tears. "How can you be so calm about it?"

"I'm not, but at least we're going together."

Enelia sighs. "Ask her if we can shower first. I think you're right about the plumbing."

Elizabeth Williamson Copyright © 2010

DWARVES AND THEIR GOLD

Ydoc, the Gnome, converses with the Dwarves, Eric, Dave and Mike. They are brothers and have spent many years in various countries on Earth.

“Do all Dwarves go to the Human World?”

“Just University students and researchers,” says Dave. “I work in the history department, so I’ve traveled all over collecting information.”

“Do Elves and Gnomes ever go to the Human World?”

“Never,” says Mike. “They don’t even know that Humans exist.”

“It's just research? Do Dwarf children ever go?”

“Nope,” says Eric. “Only adults.”

“Yeah, we don’t want our children to be Human. We want them to be Dwarves with Dwarf values,” says Mike.

“So what do Dwarves value?”

Dave ticks things off on his fingers as he lists, “Axes, wealth, hard work, money, knowledge, gold, fighting skills, silver, hearty meals, jewels, exploration of worlds and technology, money, family, silver, metalwork, gold, beards, jewels, community and did I mention wealth?"

"It's possible."

"Well that's the important thing. Dwarves work hard for their wealth. Thievery is not tolerated, nor is laziness," says Mike.

Ydoc thinks about this. He is unusual, besides being something of a giant among his people, he grew up on Earth. Dwarf values were not too far off the mark for Humans. Well, Humans generally didn't care about axes and beards, but they sure seemed to value their wealth. He shrugs his shoulders, figuring if he pointed out the similarities, they would never forgive him for it. "Sounds reasonable to me."

The Dwarves grin. "It's nice to meet a Gnome with a good head on his shoulders," says Eric.

Elizabeth Williamson Copyright © 2010

LIFE, DEATH AND A DAUGHTER

Home for Life and Death was wherever they happened to meet on a personal basis. Death sat before the fire as he sharpened his scythe. He didn't need a fire, but he liked the coziness of it. Life sat in a rocking chair next to him as she knitted. She was not very good at it. She had never done it before. But she was determined to learn. She wanted the baby growing inside her round belly to have things she had made with her own hands.

“How does that look?” Life asked as she held up her knitting.

Death glanced up at it. “It's... very nice, Dear. What is it?”

Life sighed, “It's supposed to be a hat.”

“Oh. Well, now that I look at it, it does look like one, doesn't it?”

“No, it doesn't. It's terrible.”

“It's fine,” said Death taking it from her and placing it on his head. “See? A hat.” It was far too small for him, and had no shape whatsoever.

Life laughed and snatched it off his head. He grabbed her, sat her on his lap, and followed up with a kiss. “No matter what you make, or don't make, our child will know that he or she is loved.”

“Death?”

“Yes, Dear?”

“I'm having a girl.”

He stared at her. “A girl?” A huge smile creased his face. “When did you find out?”

“This afternoon, the Creator told me.”

------

The time came for Life to deliver her baby. Death was a nervous wreck. He had seen so few births in his time, at least live ones, that, as old as he was, he had no idea how to go about it. He was worried that if he stayed he would endanger the baby. Life laughed at him and reassured him that everything would be fine.

“But, what do I do? I don't know how to deliver a baby!”

“Get a midwife.”

“What? A mortal!? What if she drops it!”

Life laughed again. “And you wouldn't? You've never even held a baby before! Get the Dwarf midwife, Eylyn. She is very skilled. Believe me, I've attended enough births to know.”

“But what if she...”

“No buts. Just bring her here to me please.”

“Yes, Dear.” Death kissed his wife and went to the midwife's. He didn't bother with time or space and was at her door in the blink of an eye. He was in such a panicked hurry that he nearly went through it, like he usually did. He composed himself as much as he could and knocked loudly. Where was she? Why wasn't she answering? He knocked again. And again. And again.

Finally, she opened the door. “Patience, young man. You could give a body time to get to the door before knocking it down.”

“What? I'm sorry. I've never knocked on a door before.”

“You've never- What?”

“Well, usually- never mind all that. My wife is having a baby and I need your help.”

“Why didn't you say so? Wait here while I get dressed.”

Death stepped into her small living room. It was sparsely furnished and doubled as a kitchen. The midwife went into her bedroom and closed the door.

Death paced the floor.

Eventually, she came out again and picked up a bag she kept by the door. “I'm ready.” She followed Death out the door, pausing long enough to lock her house. “Now, where do you live?”

Death hesitated. He couldn't tell her, because he didn't really know. So, he cheated. He brought his home to them. “Just there, in the woods.”

She stared at the cottage nestled among the trees. “That house wasn't there before!”

“We're fast builders. If we could hurry, please? My wife is ready for you.”

The midwife hurried after the frenzied father-to-be, wondering how she did not notice new neighbors building a house.

Life had been right about the midwife. She was very good and very confident in her skills. Eylyn was also confident that this birth was unusual. The presence that attended her at births was very strong, but so was the other presence, the one that attended the deaths. She was afraid the baby would not live, but the feelings there were so odd that she wasn't sure.

When the baby girl was delivered, the midwife handed her to Life. Life looked adoringly into her daughter's face, then up at her husband. “Isn't she beautiful?”

“Yes. She is.” He leaned over and kissed them both. Then, turning to the midwife, said, “Thank you for your services. What can we do to repay you?”

“A drink of water would be nice.”

“Yes, of course.” He went out and was back in just a few seconds. He handed the water to the midwife and stood over his wife.

“Would you like to hold her?” Life asked.

“I'm not sure if that is a good idea.”

“Don't be silly. It'll be fine. Here. Take her... Not like that. Hold your arms like a cradle. There.”

“And you said I would drop her,” said a happy Death.

“You almost did.”

“Well, I didn't. She's so small and perfect.”

“What is her name?” the midwife asked.

“What?” Life and Death asked together.

“Her name? Come now, you knew you were having a baby before this. You must have chosen a name for her.” The midwife fished through her bag for her birth book and pencil.

Life and Death just looked at each other. They had never given the matter of a name any thought. They had never had a child before. Death had never been to a birth where a name was important. Life had, but there were so many births, she had never stuck around long enough for a naming.

“Um... well... I guess we were so excited about having a baby we didn't- I mean we don't-” Death was at a loss.

“We'll name her after you,” said Life to the midwife.

“Eylyn." She wrote the name in her book. "What are your names?”

Life and Death looked at each other, uncertain what to say.

“Life,” said Life.

“Death,” said Death.

Eylyn wrote their responses down immediately. Life and Death were worried. They were being recorded. After the midwife had returned home, they took their happy home and disappeared.

Elizabeth Williamson Copyright © 2010

OUT OF MORE THAN NOTHING

No light. No dark. No sound. No space. No matter. Nothing.

The Creator appears and sets to work. He gathers the very elements to create molecules. The molecules are combined into more substantial substances. From seeming nothingness, something is made. Earth. Water. Air. Fire. All combine to make a world.

Out of the world are created two figures; one cloaked in black, the other in the brown tones of the earth itself. The Creator names them Death and Life.

"You two are a part of each other. This world needs both of you in order to function properly.”

“What about you?” asked Death.

“I will remain here.”

“Always?”

“Always when wanted.”

Death nods. “I understand.”

The Creator rises above the world where all of creation can be seen.

The wind blows. Insects crawl. Birds fly. Beasts move. Grass grows. Life begins her work.

Death holds out a hand. A scythe appears, its edge sharp enough to cut sound into silence. The Reaper begins his toils.

Elizabeth Williamson Copyright © 2010

KRITH

Krith the Dwarf was the first to travel to other worlds. It was an accident actually. His sister Kardri was trying to find a quicker route to the Elf and Gnome lands, and he found himself on another world entirely. Unfortunately, he had no way of telling his sister where he was and couldn't get back by himself.

Krith discovered he was on a world called Earth and it was populated by Humans; no Dwarves, Elves or Gnomes. He struggled at first to fit in, but he soon found his niche. His magical abilities allowed him to manipulate materials into other things. A sheet of tin could be easily formed into a whistle. A block of wood was soon a toy boat. Krith became a toymaker. His customers were children. The parents would often give him something for the toys, but he never asked for anything. It was enough for him to see them happy. He traveled all over Europe making and giving away toys.

The children of Europe loved Krith and whenever he entered a town they greeted him warmly. Over time those children grew up and, as adults, they treated him with fondness and gave him whatever he needed, clothes, food, a place to sleep, etc. Krith, even though he had no home, lived quite well.

Meanwhile, his sister Kardi was in a desperate state trying to find out what happened to her brother. Some accused her of killing her brother. Others encouraged her to keep trying, and others said Krith would find his way back on his own. Kardri never stopped trying.

Finally, Kardri was able to duplicate the same magic that lost Krith. She opened a portal to Earth. She was nervous about stepping through to our world, but she was not about to ignore the chance to reunite with her brother.

Krith traveled by sleigh in the winters. the smooth runners slid across the white snow and dark mud with ease, no matter how heavy his load was. He had originally used horses to pull it, but he discover that deer were much faster. They became as much his trademark as his toys.

Bells jingling, his deer drawn sleigh pulled into a town in Germany. All the people there came out to greet him. He gave away his toys and laughed jollily with the children. Mothers brought their babies and toddlers to meet him and sit on his lap. The men in the village made any repairs needed on his sleigh, and fed watered and groomed his deer and took them to the inn's stable.

Krith carrying his large bag of toys went to the inn with the children following close behind. Upon entering, he sat in a chair by the fire, reserved just for him, and the children gathered all around him. Krith always began with telling the children what he had done and the places he had seen since he last came to their town. Then each of the children told him of their own adventures. He listened very closely to what each of them said and found a toy in his sac just for them.

This took most of the day, but Krith was in no hurry and the children lingered as long as he did, listening and watching everything that happened. No one went home for dinner. Dinner was brought to them by the parents. It was always a special occasion when Krith came to town.

As the sun went down, he was still there, with most of the townspeople, listening to the children and giving away toys. A weary traveler entered the inn, and sat at an empty table in the far corner of the room. The innkeeper's daughter was telling Krith about her experiences, and was too engrossed in listening to her to notice. The traveler began to sob.

Krith held a finger to the mouth of the young girl on his lap, and motioned for the others in the room to be silent. This was such an odd thing for him to do that they all obeyed immediately. Krith set the girl down and followed the sound of the quiet sobbing that now everyone could hear.

He placed a comforting hand on the traveler's shoulder. "What can I do to alleviate your sorrow?"

The traveler raised her head just enough to whisper, "I lost my brother, and I don't know where to look for him."

Krith smiled. "I know many people throughout Europe. What is your brother's name?"

"Krith."

Krith froze. The only person he knew with that name was himself. "Kardri?"

Kardri's head snapped up and she looked at her brother. "Krith!" She hugged him fiercely, laughed with joy and hugged him again. "I thought I would never see you again. I almost gave up hope. I'm so sorry I lost you."

Krith held on to her, too happy to say anything. It had been over fifty years since he had last seen his sister.

The Humans, at first stunned by this reunion, soon began to laugh with the siblings and showed Kardri as much hospitality as they had shown Krith. Everyone was happy and filled with joy, as always happened when Krith came to town, but now with his great joy of finding his sister, their joy was tenfold.

Later that night after the others had left Krith and Kardri talked of their lives since they had been apart, and what they planned to do next. Krith was hesitant to leave Earth. He loved bringing toys to the children and listening to them. Kardri wanted to go back to Orean, but not without her brother.

After long discussion, it was decided that they would both go back to Orean. Kardri would perfect her magic of creating portals, and Krith could come back to Earth whenever he wanted.

As time went by and Krith became busy with marriage and his own children, his visits to Earth became less and less frequent. He asked the children to write him letters. A Postman asked him where he lived so he could delivered the letters, and Krith laughed and said everywhere but the north pole. It became a joke and the children addressed their letters to him to The North Pole.

Kardri set up mini-portals in the post offices for his mail. The mailmen simply had to drop Krith's mail in the hole and it was delivered instantly to him. Krith would read each letter and set aside a toy for each child. Once a year shortly after the winter solstice Krith, with the portals his sister made, would deliver the toys. As his children got older, they too helped with the deliveries all over Earth.

Krith never achieved great wealth on Orean, much to the embarrassment of the other Dwarves, but he and his family were happy. They found the greatest joy in giving joy to others.


Elizabeth Williamson Copyright © 2009

Dajer the Dragon

In another age and time
When the races were ravaged by war
Sapphiric in his hue
Dajer the Dragon brought order to chaos.
The proud Elves of the western forests
Daily carving life from the trees.
The spunky Gnomes of the eastern shores
Melting the sands of time into timeless treasures.
The industrious Dwarves of the northern mountains
Mining minerals and ever increasing their wealth.
Dajer the Dragon focused their efforts
Three great palaces arose among the peoples of Orean.
The Dwarves laid stone
The Elves carved wood
The Gnomes blew glass
The three entwined together
Architectural masterpieces arose on each horizon
Peace spread like a blanket
Dajer the Dragon returned to the waters
He and the other Dragons were gone forever


Elizabeth Williamson Copyright © 2009

PETER AND ELIV

I did both options for you as examples. you only have to do one or the other (or both if you wish). they all read differently... i hope i didn't slip up somewhere and get things mixed up

Option 1
Passive Voice:

“Why haven’t you found them yet?” Lord Eliv is shouting at his mercenaries. They are gathered in a parlor room of an inn.

“We have searched everywhere, My Lord,” a mercenary is saying in a quavering voice.

“I have been very patient with you. If they are not found within the week I will have your innards strung up a tree. And that goes for the rest of you as well.”

Under the floorboards upon which Eliv and his mercenaries are standing, there is a small storage room. Peter is hanging from grapplers that he has attached to the ceiling. Through a crack in the boards, Peter is listening to the conversation above.

“Maybe they disguised themselves?” another mercenary is saying in a hesitant voice.

Eliv becomes still. His blue eyes are becoming ice cold knives of steel. “‘Maybe they disguised themselves?’” he is sneering. “Of course they disguised themselves you imbecile! You have spent all this time looking for the same three people you saw at the inn? Did you think they would just wonder into Mabid feeling like the world was made of sunshine after your failure to kill them?”

Not one mercenary was willing to meet his fierce gaze, nor willing to answer him. Eliv is seething with anger. “You are supposed to be looking for two men and a woman traveling together.”

“How do we know they are still in Mabid?”

Eliv’s glare at the mercenary who spoke becomes dagger-like. “That’s my business. You just find them.”

While the mercenaries file out of the room, Peter has released the grapplers from the ceiling and is putting them in his sack, when he stops to listen to another voice above. “My Lord,” the thug is saying in a quavering voice. “I’m not very skilled with magic, but I can sense when people are nearby…”

“And?”

“Well, there’s someone else here. Possibly a spy.”

“Find them.” He yells at the others who are already leaving the inn. “Get back here!” They are shuddering as one man and are shuffling back to Eliv. “Search this place for spies. A thousand gold pieces to the man who finds them.”

The mercenaries begin to look around. Peter is exiting by way of a small window that hardly looks wide enough for him to fit through. His exit is in a back alley. The Mercenaries are still searching the inside of the building. Peter is stepping out of the alley and into the knife of the same thug who had sensed him with his magic. “Put your hands where I can see them.”

The thug is educated in a valuable lesson, as he is falling to the ground. Peter is showing his hands to the thug’s empty eyes. One of them is holding a dagger coated in blood. “See?”


Active Voice:

“Why haven’t you found them yet?” asks Lord Eliv.

“We have searched everywhere, My Lord,” says a mercenary.

“I have been very patient with you. If they are not found within the week I will have your innards strung up a tree. And that goes for the rest of you as well.”

Under the floorboards, Peter hangs from grapplers attached to the ceiling in the room below. He listens to the conversation above.

“Maybe they disguised themselves?” says another mercenary.

Eliv stiffens and his lip curls. His blue eyes harden to ice cold knives of steel. “‘Maybe they disguised themselves?’” he sneers. “Of course they disguised themselves you imbecile! You have spent all this time looking for the same three people you saw at the inn? Did you think they would just wonder into Mabid feeling like the world was made of sunshine after your failure to kill them?”

Not one mercenary meets his fierce gaze, nor answers him. Eliv seethes with anger. “Just look for three people traveling together!”

“How do we know they are still in Mabid?”

Eliv’s glare bores into the mercenary who spoke. “That’s my business. You just find them.”

The mercenaries file out of the room. Peter releases the grapplers from the ceiling and puts them in his sack. He stops and listens to another voice above.

“My Lord,” says the thug. “I’m not very skilled with magic, but I can sense when people are nearby…”

“And?”

“There’s someone else here. Possibly a spy.”

“Find him.” He yells at the others, “Get back here!” They shudder as one man and shuffle back to Eliv. “Search the place for a spy. A thousand gold pieces to the man who finds him.”

The mercenaries scatter. Peter exits by way of a small window. He comes out in an alley. The Mercenaries still search inside. Peter steps out of the alley and into the knife of a thug. “Put your hands where I can see them.”

The thug learns a valuable lesson, and falls to the ground. Peter holds his hands in front of the thug’s empty eyes. He holds a dagger coated in blood. “See?”



Option 2
Passive and Active Voices

“Why haven’t you found them yet?” Lord Eliv shouts.

“We have searched everywhere, My Lord,” says a mercenary in a quavering voice.

“I have been very patient with you. If they are not found within the week I will have your innards strung up a tree. And that goes for the rest of you as well.”

Under the floorboards, Peter hangs from grapplers attached to the ceiling of the room below. Through a crack in the boards, Peter listens to the conversation above.

“Maybe they disguised themselves?” says another mercenary in a hesitant voice.

Eliv stiffens and his lip curls. His blue eyes are like ice cold knives of steel. “‘Maybe they disguised themselves?’” he sneers. “Of course they disguised themselves you imbecile! You have spent all this time looking for the same three people you saw at the inn? Did you think they would just wonder into Mabid feeling like the world was made of sunshine after your failure to kill them?”

Not one mercenary meets his fierce gaze, nor answers him. Eliv seethes with anger. “You are supposed to be looking for two men and a woman traveling together.”

“How do we know they are still in Mabid?”

Eliv’s glare bores into the mercenary who spoke. “That’s my business. You just find them.”

As the mercenaries file out of the room, Peter releases the grapplers and puts them in his sack. He stops and listens as another voice is heard above. “My Lord,” the thug hesitates as Eliv’s eyes narrow. “I’m not very skilled with magic, but I can sense when people are nearby…”

“And?”

“Well, there’s someone else here. Possibly a spy.”

“Find him.” He yells at the others already leaving the inn, “Get back here!” They shudder as one man and shuffle back to Eliv. “A thousand gold pieces to the man who finds the spy.”

The mercenaries scatter. Peter exits by way of a small window and comes out into a back alley. Peter leaves the alley and walks into the knife of the same thug who had sensed him with his magic. “Put your hands where I can see them.”

The thug learns a valuable lesson, and falls to the ground. Peter holds his hands in front of the thug’s empty eyes. In one of them, he holds a dagger coated in blood. “See?”



Elizabeth Williamson Copyright © 2009