AstraKiseki

Author’s Note: This is the opening story to a chapter of a Fan project for an Old World of Darkness game called Changeling: the Dreaming..  The project is called Strange Dreams: The Book of Gallain.  and I am the writer for the ghille dhu. If you want to know more about the game or just about Strange Dreams, check out  http://www.shadownessence.com/forum/index.php?showforum=32 The Freehold there is quite open and kind, though I suggest not trying to anger anyone.  The Tuatha can be quite vicious when needed. It was the beginning of summer, the sweet end of school for another year.  June gloom was in full effect in Suburbia, painting

Part One: Conquest The clash of blades. The crash of metal on wood. The triumphant cheer of the warriors. "Take the walls, laddies!  We have them now!"  The blue giant roared as he rushed past the broken doors, his sword raised high to rally his soldiers into movement. Before the sun set, the pennant over the fortress was no longer the gules and argent of Fiona. The flag that waved so proudly was an azure dragon rampant on a stained murrey flag. Part Two: Treaty "That is all?" The troll asked calmly, still towering over the sidhe duke that stood before him.  The duke that had lost his lands to him. He nodded, his face straight.  "My

"Ugh.  Another hot muggy afternoon here." Grace threw herself onto her bed, still pink after so many years, still frilly after all of the tears spilt onto its pillows, still disgustingly cute after its owner grew up into a black blossom of beauty, probably would be pink, frilly, and cute until the end of time.  She hated it with the passion that only a girl in the throes of rebellion could. She flipped herself over, smoothing out her black skirt.  Her parents wouldn't let her out of the house like this, but then again; they weren't home.  That was the only bright side, but that would end tonight.  They were coming home. Grace sat up, lookin

Sing to me of the virtues within, Of what vices they may twist in. Justice, they call me, a noble path, but stay my hand to know my Wrath. All in moderation, Temperence will always say, when you ignore those words, it's Gluttony's day. Charity can plant its own seed, But if you expect something back, you are Greed. I Hope and wish for just one thing, but if another has it, Envy's voice will ring. Prudence can give long life, with care, But Sloth doesn't mind, safe in its lair. Hold steady, Fortitude asks, succumb not at all, when Lust smiles, all resolve can fall. Place your Faith in the light, but be careful for Pride does not

The breeze kicked up a merry melody upon the wind chimes as Belani adjusted Mara's gown. "It's amazing, isn't it?" Mara asked, her ghostly eyes sparkling as she looked on over the empty village square that would be filled by the fading sun's death over the mountain, "I get to play the Founder's part for the festival!" Belani nodded, frowning as she tugged on the strings holding the black wings to Mara's body. Mara laughed as the wind tussled the hair of the two girls, smiling as Belani focused grimly on her task. "Belani, are you mad at me?" "Not at you.  At this Queen-be-damned dress!"  Belani tugged viciously at the strings, starting a

Mali adjusted her bandanna in the mid-afternoon light as she left the castle.  She had to check in on the darklings and several of her spies, but even with the necessity, she was loath to leave the relative safety of the castle and the presence of the Circle. But she had things to do before heading out with the Bronze Tiger, and they couldn’t wait, so the risk of being glimpsed by bounty hunters, even after a year, had to be taken. And it wasn’t all professional. Mali adjusted Heart Singer under the silted overskirt she had purchased back in Lookshy, with memories of her daiklaives in mind.  She had very angry when she had discov