Swords with Souls: Marry as Many as You Can (Sir Oliver) B93

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

Marry as Many as You Can!

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Endellion had stared down at the sword with her mouth open. After a moment of silence between them she had looked up into his eyes and said, “No. Let’s get some cloth and wrap it around the hilt. Then you can test it while I’m here.”

He had nodded solemnly.

He bought a long strand of leather used for reins and glue from a leather smith instead.

Before he wrapped it, he said, “You take the sword and see if it makes you feel differently.”

She did and wielded it easily.

“Do you feel differently?” he asked.

“No, but it’s incredibly lite.” She stood it up on its tip. “Wrap it now,” she said keeping it steady.

Careful not to touch the actual grip he glued the entire area with a feather brush before gingerly wrapping the leather around.

“I’ll put it back in the sheath so we can walk while it dries,” she told him, and holding it by the Ricasso slid it in for him.

After listening to more gossip and inspecting the different stalls available in the market near the palace, he said, “I better see Sir Olaf.”

“Let’s try the new leather grip first,” she had said with an expression that suggested the only acceptable answer was yes.

He hesitated for a moment then drew the sword from its sheath.

“Did Lara say something to make it work?” Endellion had asked.

“Yes, but I don’t want to repeat it again until I actually intend to use the sword.”

“See those young girls skipping while their parents talk to the meat vendor?”

“Yes,” he had replied feeling awkward.

“Do they attract you?”

“Of course not!” he had replied angrily.

“That’s good brother. I agree with you, don’t say whatever it is until you absolutely need to.”

Under his breath he said, “Then I’ll get rid of the accursed thing.” Staring at the palace in the distance he had said, “I better get there.”

“Yes, and I have something to finish,” she had said with an angry glint in her eyes. “Safe riding, brother.”

“Good luck with your goal,” he had said in reply as he headed towards the stables.

Inside the palace a guard brings him to Sir Olaf.

People I Follow

Dylan Postl

(Hornswoggle)

Fighting Danhausen

Available Soon! A Motley Sisterhood of Pirates!

In the Era of Pirates and Conquistadors giant whirlwinds appear in different parts of the Earth’s oceans creating massive whirlpools. All kinds of ships from sloops to galleons are pulled into another world. Including the frigate Nagua and the vile fleet of the monstrous Captain Barthadrow.

Lost on land

At home at sea

Where the hills are liquid

And the mountains roll

We’re a raucous, wild sisterhood

Mocking everyone, including ourselves

But harm any one of us, and your days are doomed

At dawn we groan at all the work, to do

But by noon, we’re laughing

And at night, with a cup of rum to keep us warm

We sit on the deck, in a circle singing

While First Mate, “One Eye” Olanis, plays her mandolin

Most of the cast:

  • The Nagua depicted by the Shtandart Frigate with permission from Captain Vladimir Martus
  • First Mate “One Eye” Olanis portrayed by Taylor Norris
  • Navigator “Storm Caller” Master Jo Anne portrayed by Joanne Gosling background pic by Daiana Duca
  • Helmswomen “Wheel Turner” Synthia portrayed by Leah Weir
  • Master at Arms “Dizzying Blade” Sadie portrayed by Maegan Curylo
  • “Ship Protector” Umi the Ama depiction by D.W.

“We’re a sisterhood of pirates,” the Captain whispers into Olanis’s ear as she hands over the mandolin.

“Ahoy, me hearties!” Olanis sings down to the crew and strums her mandolin.

We’re a sisterhood of pirates!

The Captain says it’s time to sail

Turn the capstan to lift the anchor

Unfurl the masts, it’s time to roam

 “Aye, aye, Captain,” the crew sings back.

“We’re a sisterhood of pirates,” they continue as the Master-at-Arms grabs a hold of one of the capstan’s handles.  The cook, “Unibrow” Nippi joins in along with some of the teenagers.

“Round and round clockwise we go!” They sing over and over again.

The surgeons get some of the younger girls to climb the masts and help unfurl the main and mizzen sails.

Once the anchor is locked into place at the side of the forecastle, Olanis changes the song:

Heave the sheets to open the sails

And watch the position of the sun in day

And the stars at night

While we search for things to steal

From that Monstrous Captain Barthadrow!

Swords with Souls: Marry as Many as You Can (Sir Oliver) B92

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

Marry as Many as You Can!

caedar-writig-artwork.com

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Sir Oliver wraps a cloth around his sword hand as he rides towards Damp Wind Castle. He’s angry and confused. Neither emotion is common to him. A messenger from Sir Olaf found him and Endellion as they rode from the Sword Maker’s home. “Sir Olaf demands your attendance,” the messenger had said with unwise arrogance. The man’s face was flat with sunken eyes and a long aristocratic nose. Shadowed by a bushy blond mustache were thick lips that reminded him of dew worms rubbing together. This is when he learned about the marriage scheme.

After the messenger departed he and Endellion rode to Kingstown. At the gates they were asked if they were married. Endellion asked why and the guard told them they needed to go to Pimm Tavern. The tavern had been converted into a marriage claim office. The ordeal made him suspicious and he placed his right hand over the pommel of his new sword. His gaze fell on a girl of around eleven who was standing beside what he took to be her mother. He had walked over to her and smiled down at her. “What’s your name?” he had asked. As the girl answered he felt a strong grip on his right wrist. Annoyed he turned to see Endellion shaking her head at him. Feeling a moment of repulsion at himself he let go of the pommel. “Come love,” Endellion said to him. “Let’s make sure we’re married.”

Inside he felt baffled and shaken. There were more women than men inside. He heard a number of the women claim they were married to Sir Oisin. A tall, lean man with long curly brown hair and pale blue eyes stood behind the tavern’s counter. Sounding annoyed he gave each woman a slip of papyrus paper. “You need to have Sir Oisin sign this before two days from now. Or,” he said to some of the women, “You could marry me.”

Before he and Endellion finally reached the counter Endellion had whispered to him, “Let me handle this.”

“Sir Oliver,” the man said jovially.

“We have a list of marriages to claim,” Endellion said.

The man had looked at Sir Oliver.

“Yes,” he said in a gruff tone, “I stand by whatever she proclaims.”  

“I, Endellion, Lara and Gwen, and their grandmother Celima are the wives of Sir Oliver,” Endellion said with a mischievous smile.

“You want to marry old Celima?” the man asked him.

“Yes,” he had replied with a sarcastic smile.

“Anyone else?” the man asked writing the names down in a book.

“Perhaps later,” Endellion replied for him. “Also, Madame Swan and Crimnthann are married.”

“Really?” the man asked as he continued writing. “I didn’t think either of them were the marrying type.”

“Any other marriages you wish to claim?”

“Maybe later,” Endellion had said.

He noticed she never mentioned any of the girls in the secret village.

After they left the tavern, she said to him. “Is it wrong to marry your brother?” Before he could answer she continued, “That sword is cursed, brother. I suggest you only wield it in battle.”

A terrible thought had occurred to him then. “Lara called it a soul sword.”

“Yes,” Endellion said.

“Whose soul? Baron Rupert was notorious for seducing girls often young ones.”

“And?” Endellion asked.

“He was murdered.”

People I Follow

Cremaine “ThatCelloGuy” Booker

Spring

Swords with Souls: Where Only Women Can Live (Madame Swan) B91

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

A Giant’s Sword

caedar-writig-artwork.com

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“Madame Swan,” The two young women say in unison.

The girl on the right, with the long raven hair that peaks out of her beige cowl has dazzling blue eyes. Her face is round with thick lips that smile shyly. “Anita,” she says to the girl as she dismounts Flyste.  She turns to the girl on her left, who has deep brown eyes and a narrow face with a long nose shadowed by a dark brown cowl and says, “Melanie.” Both girls came from other parts of the world. They were indentured at a young age. Anita, because her father couldn’t pay all his taxes. Melanie, because her parents died in the plague and no one would adopt her. The sex trade called to them but they didn’t call to it. She saw that both girls were depressed when they came to her Savory Moments. She gave them menial jobs, like sweeping and washing, or preparing food to keep them out of sight of her patrons.

“You both look well,” she says with a tired smile. She glances around what looks more like a compound now than a village. “Where is Endellion?”

“She has not returned yet,” Melanie tells her.

She gulps in a deep breath and asks, “Have you heard what Sir Olaf and the Queen have ordered?”

“No,” the two young women answer in unison.

“All women are to be married and a man can have many wives. You must get married, and quickly. If you can’t think of a man you would consider, we’ll say you are married to either Sir Oliver or Crimthann.”

“But Sir Olaf doesn’t know about this place,” Melanie says.

“No man other than Sir Oliver and Crimthann do,” Anita adds.

“Oh, my dearest ones, I have seen war and Sir Olaf will eventually find this place.” Her bosom heaves as she recalls her past experiences. She lifts her right arm and sweeps it towards the village. “And all your weapons and walls won’t save you.”

People I Follow

Alvi Gunilla

History and Philosophy

Firefly support

Firefly, the series has a special place in my memories and hopefully future as an animated series.

I’ve had some awkward first meetings as a personal fitness trainer. One was when a new female client came to our first session together, crying. I tried to defuse her angst by saying, “Shouldn’t you wait until after we’ve had our first session?” Although this may sound funny, it wasn’t. She had been in a major accident. However, the most awkward was when Darlene (I won’t be giving last names) introduced herself to me at the personal training desk. She apologizing for not coming to her sessions earlier. One of her sons had died in a car accident a month earlier. Either her son or his best friend had fallen asleep while driving. This hit very hard, because someone I knew since they were born, and their best friend were driving when they were hit by a pickup truck. He and his friend lived but they were severely injured. All of these young men were around the age of eighteen. A time when young men should be thriving.

Darlene had her own health problems. She was legally blind and either from an accident or disease had to have the back of her skull removed. Surgeons tried a titanium plate but it wouldn’t take. So, all she had was skin over muscle to protect the back of her head. She would often waver when she stood up. My heart would stop as I quickly moved behind her. She found this very amusing.

Darlene was/is also a genius nurse. I had what I thought were spider bumps on my left biceps. Darlene told me spider bites don’t create blisters. She told me to see my doctor. When I saw Dr. Leung, he pointed at the blisters and a red line that was heading towards my armpit. He said if the line connects with my lymph nodes it could poison my blood. He then calmly asked me if I wanted meds to cure it, to which I replied with a gulp, yes.

What does this have to do with Firefly? During Christmas time, Darlene and her husband Mark brought me gifts. The one gift was the Firefly series. Darlene explained they would have Firefly parties. After watching the series, I imagine those Firefly parties were happening all over the world. If you haven’t seen the original, do. It’s gritty and funny. A western that takes place in the future with a motley crew headed by Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) the captain of Serenity. Fillion and the rest of the cast: Gina Torres, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Morena Baccarin, Alan Tudyk, Ron Glass, Sumer Glau, and Sean Maher each have their own distinctive characters. As writer Tim Minear said, “It’s just about getting by.”

I highly recommend you get by, by joining the crew of Serenity as they try to survive the aftermath of the battle between the Alliance and Independents. The cast of the original series are very close to getting the go ahead for an animated series. If you haven’t seen the series, watch and you’ll see why this is a great idea. If you have seen the series, you already know why an animation series would be great!

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Swords with Souls: Where Only Women Can Live (Madame Swan) B90

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

A Giant’s Sword

caedar-writig-artwork.com

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Madame Swan squints through the drizzle and recognizes the young woman even though she wears a dark green cowl and is hidden three-quarters behind a poplar tree. The girl is holding a cross-bow.   Madame Swan strokes the side of Flyste’s neck and whispers soothing words towards the Cleveland Bay mare’s ears.  Beside her is Crimthann on his destrier, a horse similar to his nephew’s. Crimthann also pats his horse but says nothing as he stares emotionally straight ahead.

“Auden,” Madame Swan calls.

“You look worse for wear, Madame Swan,” she hears Auden shout through the drizzle. “Is that Crimthann with you?”

“It is,” she replies and shivers. The air is getting cold.

“You can pass. There’s a fire at the lodge. You remember how to get there from here?”

“Thank you,” Crimthann says, “But I must go to my nephew’s farm and find out what news there is.” He leans over so that their horses shift side-to-side and kisses her lips fully. “I’ll return soon, my love.”

She strokes his left cheek and says, “Make it sooner.”

As Crimthann’s destrier trots away, she sees Auden pull out a bone pipe flute and play a specific sequence.

“They’ll know someone important is coming,” Auden tells her.

“Things are much more dangerous now, Auden. Be more alert than normal,” she says and gently nudges Flyste to trot ahead.

The path she follows is not well worn and designed to slow movement. There are no cart tracks suggesting only horses and people are meant to enter.

As she gets closer to the valley village, she sees a stone and mortar wall is being built. A few wooden towers, far behind the wall but not too far back to shoot arrows have been erected since the last time she was here. There’s an iron gate attached to one side of the wall. Two women pull it open as she rides closer.

People I Follow

Alice Li

Military Officer, Miss Canada, Busker, Humanitarian

Guy Richie’s Young Sherlock Holmes, a review

I’m trying not to binge watch Guy Richie’s Young Sherlock Holmes but failing miserably.

Years ago I read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s complete works. It’s no wonder people thought Sherlock Holmes was a real person. If you have read Sir Doyle’s biography you’ll find out not only was he a true gentleman and surgeon but that Sherlock is based on fascinating individuals he knew.

There’s an essence to the era before airplanes and other technology became a dominant force. When handsoms driven by horses were still common. And the colours often muted with overcast skies and factory emission filters of grey.

There’s a twist to this Sherlock series created by Guy Richie, Peter Harness, and Matthew Parkhill. Dónal Finn plays a young James Moriarty. Why is that intriguing. Because Sherlock only had one mortal enemy. But you’ll have to wait and see if this new series is from an altered universe or not. Hero Fiennes Tiffin plays Sherlock Holmes while his real-life uncle Joseph Fiennes plays his father. Max Irons plays a more somber Mycroft Holmes rather than the usual playful version. But that’s to be expected when your the older brother of an interesting, highly intelligent, and inquisitive younger Sherlock. There are many other fascinating characters I have not mentioned.

What I really enjoy is the smart interplay between the characters and that the series has characters often speak (with English subtitles) in their native language. Zine Tseng who plays Princess Gulun Shou’an flips between English and (Cantonese or Mandarin, I’m not sure which) with ease. It seems Sherlock, his mother Cordellia Holmes, played by the amazing Natascha McElhone, and Moriarty can speak fluently in other languages.

There is a dark undertone to this series. Fitting to the dark lighting. Princess Gulun Shou’an is driven to complete a task that will have you rooting for her at times and terrified of her at others.

Like the Bluff, Young Sherlock Holmes is smart and action filled. I personally need movement when I’m watching a movie or a series and Young Sherlock Holmes has plenty.

ENJOY!

Swords with Souls: A Giant’s Sword (The Sword Maker) B89

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

A Giant’s Sword

caedar-writig-artwork.com

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He uses the Ivy’s current to hurry past boulders and through sea grass.  The water is cooler here but it feels good as it rushes over his body. He needs time to think. How is he going to get himself and Lara away from the giants and dwarves? Or should he? His home, purposely set by the river and accessible only through an undesirable swamp, has kept him safe. But other than the soldiers brining him weapons to fix or to buy new ones, he rarely knows what’s going on in the rest of the land. He’ll go to the funeral of the King of the giants and dwarves. But after that he’ll need to find a way to know what’s going on in the Kingdom of Dampwind.

There’s also the reason why the giants and dwarves want himself and Lara to stay.  They already have blacksmiths. But can the blacksmiths make more soul swords? That he has a part in making these weapons gives him the chills. The swords seem to be unnaturally sturdy. And what does Lara tell the owners? Originally, he was more interested in the craftmanship than the ethics. But now. But now he needs to know what he’s involved with.

He swims to the surface and gazes around. It’s sunset now, and the surrounding forest is coated in a mixture of fading red and expanding blue light. When he gets back, he also needs to find out why the giants and dwarves want Sir Oisin as king of the Propers?

People I Follow

ThatCelloGuy

Performing Chevaliers de Sangreal

Swords with Souls: A Giant’s Sword (The Sword Maker) B88

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

A Giant’s Sword

caedar-writig-artwork.com

Facebook

As he watches the young druidic necromancer walk away with the new king he asks in Haashir and Jedreck’s direction, “Where is the nearest pond, river, or lake?”

“I will take you there,” Jedreck says.

As they walk along a dirt path through poplars, pines, and other trees, Jedreck asks him. “Would Lara ever consider me to be worthy enough?”

He halts. Internally, he still seethes that woman he loves was tricked into giving birth to this Lara girl and her sister. But the innocence in Jedreck’s voice makes his heart ache. “Aren’t her eyes on Sir Oisin?” he asks numbly. 

“Perhaps,” he hears Jedreck reply with a heavy sigh.

They come to a narrow river surrounded by weeping willows that flows south. He hurriedly strips off his clothes and plunges into the cool water. Leaning back in the water he shouts out to Jedreck, “I’ll be a while.”

“Not too long,” Jedreck shouts back. “You’ll be expected at our late King’s funeral.

“Other than you I’ve just met your people, Jedreck,” he says as the flaps along his back start to open and close. “And I hardly know you.”

“As the honored sword maker, it is expected.” Jedreck’s tone suggest this isn’t a matter to be argued.

“I’m leaving soon so I don’t see that it matters.” He sinks down so only his head is above the water. “Does this river connect to the Tyne?” 

“Yes, the Ivy flows south and eventually meets the Tyne.” Jedereck rubs his bearded chin.  “Close to your home, I think. However, you are the honored sword maker now,” Jedreck says and he hears the pride in the giant’s voice. “You will be staying here now, along with the Lady Hekpomahcep. Both of you will be helping us with the War of Salvation.”

“Who are you making war on?” he asks. He wants the giant to go away so he can fully submerse himself.

He sees Jedreck sigh.

“Sir Olaf.  We will reconsider however, if Sir Oisin becomes king of the Propers.”

His mind swirls with confusion. He needs to get under the water and think. Sir Olaf is only a regent until Prince William is old enough to be officially crowned as king.  There’s no way Sir Oisin can become king.  “I’ll be a while,” he says and fully submerses himself.

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Kaho Nouchi

Female Samurai YouTube channel

The Bluff: a movie review

This a gritty pirate movie. And since Taylor Norris and I are still honing A Motley Sisterhood of Pirates! I was intrigued to see what this movie would be like. It’s directed by Frank E. Flowers and stars Priyanka Chopra-Jonas and Karl Urban. The rest of the cast help the movie feel like you’re on a Caribbean island during the 1800s. What’s really interesting are the producers: Chopra-Jonas, Angela Russo-Otstot, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Michael Disco and Zoe Saldana’s sisters Mariel Saldana Nazario and Cisely Saldana. I find it fascinating that Zoe Saldana’s sisters are involved in The Bluff because I wanted to see more of Anamaria who Zoe Saldana portrayed in the Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl.

However, The Bluff is only similar to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies in that it’s about gold (arguably cursed), pirates, and lots of action. The Bluff is fascinating for it’s variety of weapons and intriguing action scenes. How many ways can you kill a pirate? The story isn’t just about pirates and gold. But also about family, devotion, and revenge. If anything, it’s closer to Treasure Island with it’s complicated relationships.

If you’re frustrated or angry this might be a good movie to watch. If you’re a woman scorned, it’s a really good movie to watch. For us men it’s got cool weapons and lots of action. For me, it was watching Priyanka Chopra-Jonas play a highly skilled (you’ll have to watch the movie) protector who is also a dotting mother. Woe to those that awake a mother bear’s rage when it comes to those she loves.