Erewhon Chronicles 2: Kindred

[rocklobster]

Welcome to my second Erewhon Chronicles story! This one takes place a year after the events in "Dragon's Blood" and introduces some new faces. So let's get started.
Prologue
In Erewhon, there is one area that few humans visit called the Veldt. Its inhabitants thrive without the human interference.
One human, however had no choice. She had been orphaned for as long as she could remember. She knew the terrain as well as the animals who dwelt there.
She had not eaten in days. She knew that winter was coming, and her food supply would become very scarce. She did her best to ignore her hunger pangs.
Presently, she saw a fawn grazing, obviously unaware of her presence. The girl took a crossbow and loaded it. The arrow hit the fawn right in the leg. The fawn realized it had been attacked and followed its instincts. It ran as fast as it could, but the arrow was poisoned, and the more she ran, the quicker the poison acted. Minutes later, the poison had run its course. The girl now had food. She dragged the corpse to a tree that she had turned into a makeshift home.
She placed some kindling wood on the ground. Then she took out a talisman and pointed it at the wood. Within seconds, the talisman ignited the wood. Now, she would be able to eat.
After she had eaten her fill, the girl hid the rest of the corpse in the tree. Then she decided to sleep. As she slept, a voice spoke to her subconscious.
"Hear me child, and obey. From this moment on, you shall do only as I allow." the voice said. "You found me because I wanted you to."
"Who are you?" the girl asked.
"I am your talisman." was the reply. "But you will call me master."
The girl felt her will submitting to the voice. "You have a special power. I would be useless to you otherwise. I have been searching for someone like you. You shall bring others like you to me. For that is your new name--Kindred."
"I...understand." said the girl obediently.

[Anna Mae]

Interesting beginning. I look forward to reading more.

[USSRGirl]

O.O Oooh I'm likin' this intro. Is Erewhon going to be interconnected but able to be read as separate stories like Narnia?

[rocklobster]

Yes. Separate stories with some connections here and there.

[rocklobster]

Princess Ashley went into the bazaar to buy a present for her birthday. She saw a little green-haired girl with purple eyes in front of an apple stand. The little girl did not look healthy. Ashley felt sorry for her.
She walked up to the stand and picked out an apple, which she gave to the girl. Then she paid the stand's owner.
"I'm surprised you'd do that for a stranger, Princess." said the stand's owner. "Do you realize she was probably going to steal that apple?"
"And you weren't going to give it to her free? You think people like me are heartless? You should look in a mirror."
But as Ashley said those words, she noticed the girl had left. She decide to leave the argument as a stalemate.
SHe ran off to look for the girl. As she ran, she noticed a young boy with shimmering green eyes and dark hair.
"Hello, Ki'ry." she greeted him.
"Hello, Princess Ashley." Oh, come now, you don't have to be like that." Ashley shook her head. "We're friends now."
"So, what're you doing here?" he asked.
"I'm birthday shopping. Actually, I'm also looking for someone. Did you happen to see a greeen-haired girl with purple eyes come by here?"
"Yes. She went that way."
"Thanks." She turned in the direction Ki'ry indicated.
"Wait, I"d better come with you." Ki'ry stopped her. "You do realize what those purple eyes mean, right?"
"Yes, she's a changeling. Guess you'd better come with me."
Changelings are half-human/half-fairy. A telltale sign is purple eyes. Knowing this, Ashley realized she would need Ki'ry's protection.
They eventually caught up with the girl. They hid behind some barrels.
"Can you sense anything from her?" Ashley whispered.
"Yes, but it's very faint." Ki'ry replied. "She's apparently unaware of her powers."
"That's a relief. Stay here, though, just in case."
Ashley slowly approached the girl.
"Hello there."
The girl turned away angrily. "Leave me alone. I don't want your charity." she said crossly.
"I'm sorry you feel that way." Ashley said calmly. "My name is Princess Ashley. What's your name?"
"It's Lucia."
"Well, Lucia, would you like to be my friend?"
"No one's ever asked me that before! Yes!"
She motioned for LUcia to follow her to a jewelry store.
I'm sorry, Lucia, but I think it'd be best for you to wait outside." Ashley apologized. "No telling how the owner'd react to you."
As Ashley entered a shadowy figure approached Lucia. Her intuition alerted her, and she turned to see a boy with shimmering green eyes.
"My name's Ki'ry." Ki'ry introduced himself. "Forgive my rudeness for following the two of you invisibly."
"You were following us?" Lucia asked. "I thought I had a peculiar notion."
"I'm not surprised." Ki'ry said. "Your kind would have no trouble sensing someone like me. You and I have something in common.
"And what would that be?" Lucia raised an eyebrow.
"You and I are both magical beings." Ki'ry said. "You are a changeling."
"A what?" Lucia asked.
"A changeling. THat means one of your parents was a fairy. Do you remember any of them?
"I have dim memories of my morher. SHe was very kind to me. We had the same kind of hair."
"Did she have wings or a fear of iron?"
"Why are you asking such an odd question?"
Ki'ry only shrugged.
"My mother was killed by a huge green-skinned man wearing only a loincloth."
"That was no man, Lucia. That was an ogre. They are not fond of humans. Or fairies, for that matter."
"How'd you know I"m a changeling?"
"Your purple eyes gave you away. Only changelings have purple eyes."
"Does it mean I can do magic?"
"Not yet. YOu're obviously too young. Most changelings can't use their magic until they're at least 10."
"You said you are a magical being. What do you mean?"
"I mean that I am partially dragon. More specifically, I have dragon's blood. I was created to help humans and dragons return to a time when they cooperated."
Ashley returned with a sparkling ruby ring. She thanked the shop's owner.
"Would you like to come with me to my castle?" she asked Lucia.
"Sure!" Lucia exclaimed happily.

[USSRGirl]

Aww poor, poor ogres. XD I like Lucia's character. Very interesting.

[rocklobster]

Here's how I came up with the purple eyes means you're a changeling device. I once read in book 4 of Time-Life's The Enchanted World series that the color blue was believed to protect you from fairies. So since the default eye color for us humans is blue (if the color changes, that happens later), I decided that wouldn't work for changelings, who are half-fairy. Instead, I chose a color that was nearly blue--purple.
I also chose purple because we don't see that in human eyes at all, so it would seem unnatural.

[Anna Mae]

Lucia's character is interesting. Her mood seems to swing very abruptly at times. It's odd that she knows next to nothing about herself.

[USSRGirl]

Well, as you can see by my avatar, I love purple eyes. ^___^ I also enjoy the Shakespearean changling references. Also, why DOES Lucia know next to nothing about herself? Her parents never told her?

[Anna Mae]

Speaking of which, that about her father?

[~darkelfgirl~]

Very creative. u have a lot of knowledge of fantasy stuff can't wait to find out if the talisman is good or evil. couldn't help to notice the .hack//sign quote--i'm a .hack fan!

[rocklobster]

Actuallly, USSRGirl, Lucia's parents died before she could be told. Oh, and expect more Shakespeare references in the next installment!

[USSRGirl]

Oooh got it.

[rocklobster]

When they arrived at the castle, Ashley showed Lucia around. When they entered Ashley's room (which was in a tower), she saw Goldenheart outside her window. He'd just returned from the realm of Faerie.
"Hello, Ashley!" he called.
"Goldenheart!" Ashley opened her window to let her friend in. "So how was the Midsummer Dance?"
"Magnificent, as always." Goldenheart answered. "I do wish I could take you."
"So why can't you?" Ashley asked.
"Time flows differently in our worlds. If you were to come, several years would have passed. Even I had to use magic so I could still arrive in your time-plane."
Ashley nodded. "Then it's probably just as well."
Lucia bent down to get a closer look at the grey-haired fairy. "Wow! you're tiny!" she giggled.
"Ashley, who is this?" asked Goldenheart.
"My new friend, Lucia." Ashley answered. "Lucia, this is Goldenheart."
"She's a changeling, I see." Goldenheart noticed.
"Can you stop bringing that up?" Lucia asked offendedly. "Is it bad that I'm a changeling?"
"We aren't saying that." said Ki'ry. "We're just acknowledging it. If that weren't the case, this would be a boring world."
"I guess that's true." Lucia nodded.
Goldenheart stared at Lucia strangely.
"What're you doing?" Lucia asked.
"Satisfying curiosity." Goldenheart answered blankly. Then a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"You are my sister's child!" he exclaimed.
"You have a sister?" Ashley asked.
"I had a sister." Goldenheart answered. "She's been dead for years. She fell in love with a human and for that, she was exiled. Oberon's law forbids falling in love with humans. That was the last I saw of her until I looked at your memories. I saw someone who strongly resembled her. It can't have been coincidence. Well, at last I know what happened to her."
"So what was your sister's name?" Ashley asked.
"Redwing. She was quite a character and rather difficult to deal with. At times I felt I was the only one who understood her." Goldenheart answered. Then he turned to Lucia and asked. "Would you like to come to the realm of Faerie with me tomorrow?"
"You'll take me?" Lucia asked excitedly.
"Yes, I will make a petition to King Oberon. As a changeling, you should have guidance."

[USSRGirl]

Nice plot twist with Goldenheart's sister. Adds some sympathy for his character and Lucia's. Hmm... be interesting to see how the faeries receive her being a changling.

[rocklobster]

Thanks. I thought it would be cool if Lucia was related to Goldenheart.

[Anna Mae]

"Satisfying curiosity." Goldenheart answered blankly. Then a look of surprise appeared on his face. . . "That was the last I saw of her until I looked at your memories. . ."

Your adverb "blankly" struck me as odd at first, but I really like it once it makes sense.

[rocklobster]

The next morning, Lucia awoke and ate a breakfast that was quite filling.
"I've never been able to eat so much in my life!" she exclaimed.
"You are a guest in my castle." replied King Douglas. "And I must show hospitality to all my guests, regardless of their status."
Goldenheart flew into the Dining Hall.
"Are you ready, Lucia?" he asked.
"Yes, Goldenheart." Lucia answered, She gave King Douglas and Princess Ashley a curtsy and followed Goldenheart.
When they entered the Royal Forest, Goldenheart turned to Lucia and circled above her a few times. Strange flakes fell onto Lucia like snowflakes. Suddenly, Lucia began to feel strange. Orange and red butterfly-like wings grew out of her back. As she looked around, she saw that the trees looked much taller than they were before.
"What's happened to me?" she asked.
"I've temporarily turned you into a fairy. Humans aren't allowed in the realm of Faerie. You will return to normal when we return to the human world." Goldenheart explained.
"You should've shrunk my clothes while you were at it!" Lucia was beet-faced with embarrasment.
"Sorry." Goldenheart apologized. "We fairies are used to being nude. I forgot you humans aren't as innocent."
Lucia gave him an angry look.
"Look, I will take your clothes with us. Does that make you feel better?" Goldenheart asked.
"I guess." Lucia nodded.
"Now, follow me." And together, they flew towards the Veldt. As they flew, Goldenheart thought. She's definitely Redwing's daughter. Redwing was quite tempermental.
***
It didn't take long to reach the realm of Faerie. When they arrived, they were greeted by a green-haired fairy named Peas-Blossom, who was Oberon's herald.
"Ah Goldenheart." she said. "I did not expect to see you until Autumnal Dance."
"I have come to ask an audience with King Oberon and Queen Titania." Goldenheart explained. "My neice, Lucia, needs to see them as well."
Peas-Blossom nodded and took out a bugle. "I will announce you."
Peas-Blossom entered the Throne Pasture and blew on her bugle, announcing Goldenheart and Lucia to King Oberon and Queen Titania. When they were allowed to enter, Goldenheart told Lucia "Just stay quiet unless you are spoken to."
"You may be able to fool my herald, Goldenheart," said King Oberon "But I can see through your magic. That fairy with you is a human. You know my laws. Why have you disobeyed?"
"This is my neice, Lucia. She is a changeling. That means she has as much of a right to be here as I."
"Very well." said Queen Titania.
"Lucia is also the daughter of my sister, Redwing, whom you exiled. Redwing was murdered by an ogre. Lucia has been orphaned ever since. She has yet to exhibit magic, but she will need guidance in using it properly." Goldenheart said.
"I know just the person." said Titania. "Her name's Nightingale. She's not much of a talker, but she's patient, and has a meek heart. She'd be the perfect guardian."
King Oberon agreed. "Anyone who could put up with Puck would have to be patient."
At the mention of Puck, another fairy entered the Throne Pasture.
"Well, well, what have we here." he said.
"Oh, hello Puck." said Goldenheart. Even he had trouble tolerating the prankster.
"Actually, we were talking about your friend Nightingale." said King Oberon. "We want her to watch over this child."
"Why her?" said Puck, who could tell Lucia's magic had yet to awaken. "I can teach her how to have fun with it."
"I would rather she ahve a more responsible mentor." Goldenheart rolled his eyes.

[USSRGirl]

Nice update! The series is really improving! XD I love Lucia's attitude. She's so funny. Only thing that struck me as odd was how Titania doesn't comment on exiling Redwing and neither does Lucia, even after Titania hears that she was killed by an ogre and Lucia was orphaned. Not much remorse from Titania. o__o;;

[~darkelfgirl~]

Wow. I like how you incorporated "A Midsummer Night's Dream" characters into your story.
Oh, I noticed this accident--

"My neice, Lucia, needs to see them as well."

(niece)

Hehe, I like when Puck says he can teach Lucia to have fun with her magic. Interesting story ^^

[rocklobster]

Hey, those ie words are always trouble. Gimme a break.
The fairies have an absolutist style of government. That's why there's no remorse.

[~darkelfgirl~]

Hey, those ie words are always trouble. Gimme a break.
The fairies have an absolutist style of government. That's why there's no remorse.

Oh no! I didn't mean it to pick on you, hehe. Hey, someone was going to point it out and I happened to be the one ^^

[USSRGirl]

*cough cough* Titania for tis a dictator. I knew you'd have to have at least one. *cough cough* XD

[Anna Mae]

Oh, I forgot to mention this earlier. "Offendedly" isn't a word. I would suggest changing it to "Lucia asked, offended."

Strange flakes fell onto Lucia like snowflakes.

This phrasing is awkward and a bit redundant.

Suddenly, Lucia began to feel strange.

Try to use a more descriptive word than "strange." Is she queasy, lightheaded, tingly, etc.

The name Peas-Blossom feels strange to me. I think it would work better to say Pea Blossom.

Peas-Blossom nodded and took out a bugle. "I will announce you."
Peas-Blossom entered the Throne Pasture and blew on her bugle, announcing Goldenheart and Lucia to King Oberon and Queen Titania.

This is redundant.

It caught me off guard that the royalty speak so casually.

Anyway, interesting developments.

[rocklobster]

Note: Peas-Blossom's name is from the Shakespeare play as well. She is a minor character and I wrote her name as it appeared in my copy of his plays.
-----------------
Puck entered Nightingale's hut. He saw a female fairy with brown and red hair and black wings.
"King Oberon has requested your presence, Nightingale." he told her.
Nightingale nodded. "Then I suppose I must honor his request."
Moments later, Peas-Blossom announced Nightingale's arrival.
"What do you wish, my liege?" she asked.
"Do you see this green-haired, orange-winged fairy?" asked King Oberon. "She is actually a changeling named Lucia."
"And what an innocent child she seems." said Nightingale.
"We have chosen you to be her guardian." said Goldenheart.
"I shall respect and honor your choice." said Nightingale.
"Then we shall be gone." said Goldenheart.
***************
They left the realm of Faerie and Lucia was reurned to her human form. She quickly re-dressed herself, but still did not fel quite returned to normal. Goldenheart and Nightingale laughed at her.
"What's so funny?" she asked.
"Go look in the creek." laughed Goldenheart.
Lucia peered into the water. A mushroom was growing out of her head.
"That rascal Puck did it.: said Goldenheart.
"I shall fix it." said Nightingale. And she sang a magical song, causing the mushroom to wither and die.
"That's an interesting power." said Lucia.
"That is why I am called Nightingale. For my magic comes from my songs."
A strange girl appeared at the creek to drink from it. She was clad in animal skins.
"My name is Kindred. And like you, I am also a changeling. Come. I shall awaken your powers." said the girl.
A powerful, evil magic seized control of Lucia's body. She was unable to resist Kindred's command and followed her.
Goldenheart and Nightingale looked at each other in horror.
"Stay close to her. I shall fetch a friend to help us." Goldenheart said.

[USSRGirl]

XP Nice one, Puck! Hehehe, poor Lucia. I like Nightingale's song powers. Seems to fit her well and very fantasy-like.

I was wondering when Kindred would come back! Seems a bit abrupt because you never told us she was a changeling yet, but I look forward to seeing what she's got up her sleeve for Lucia.

[Anna Mae]

"That is why I am called Nightingale. For my magic comes from my songs."

This should be one sentence. That's my only grammar comment for today.

I found the bit about the mushroom amusing in a random way.

[rocklobster]

The mushroom was actually inspired by the video game Earthbound. One of the enemies you fight in the game is a mushroom that can cause a mushroom to sprout on your head.

[USSRGirl]

Aha! Another fan of that quirky SNES game! Used to be one of my favs along with Mario RPG in the pre-playstation days. I approve!

[rocklobster]

OOC: Paula was my favorite character, although I wish that Pray command was more helpful.
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Lucia unwillingly followed Kindred into a clearing. There she and Nightingale saw several children of various ages and sizes. They all had two things in common: all were changelings and they all had the same vacant stare as Lucia. The magic faded and Lucia instantly realized she was surrounded by strangers.
What's going on, she thought. Where am I? She turned to Nightingale and asked, "What should I do?"
Nightingale silently shook her head, at a loss for answers.
Then Kindred spoke. There was a slight inhuman coldness in her voice. "My friends, this is our latest addition. We shall awaken her powers, and then she will join us."
She handed Lucia an amulet she was wearing around her neck. It had a large, glowing eye in its center. "Look into its eye." she instructed. A warm glow surrounded Lucia as she took the amulet. She felt a slight surge of power as she unwillingly put it on around her neck.
Kindred smiled evilly. She turned to one of the children and said, "Bring out the victim." The child nodded and dragged out a strange creature that looked like a turtle standing on two legs. It had webbed arms and a duckbill. Nightingale knew instantly that the creature was a kappa. Kappas and children were not a good combination, especially for the children. Kappas hated children and were notorious for drowning them by holding them head-first in water. However, there was a way to defeat them: The top of a kappa's head is hollow and filled with water. If you managed to get them to bend over, the creature would be defenseless. Then you could do whatever you pleased.
"Now you shall use your magic to kill this kappa." Kindred commanded.
A mysterious voice rang in Lucia's head. "You are now my slave." it said. "My name is Lokiseth, and I am your master."
Lucia nodded silently and pointed at the kappa and it was instantly engulfed in flames. Moments later, the creature died. Nightingale watched in horror. She knew this was wrong, because normally a changeling would not be able to perform a spell this powerful. The magic was supposed to develop slowly, not all at once. Yet Lucia had all this power at her disposal and no will to control it.
***
Goldenheart flew into Greeneyes' cave. He saw Greeneyes, Violet, and Ki'ry and related to them what had happened.
"Did you notice anything strange about the girl?" Violet asked.
"Now that you ask," Goldenheart said, "I saw a talisman around her neck with a large red eye."
"That sounds like an old foe of mine." Greeneyes said. "Long ago, I fought an evil wizard named Lokiseth. He'd managed to create an amulet that increased his power. I eventually defeated him by encasing his spirit inside his amulet. But now, it is in the hands of someone too weak to resist Lokiseth's power." He turned to Violet. "I want you to accompany Ki'ry and help him to rescue Lucia. Lokiseth's power is too strong for Ki'ry to handle alone. Remember, the girl is not at fault. We have to free her from Lokiseth's control. By freeing her, we will free Lucia as well."