--donation bonus week (day 5/5, post 4/5)--
As Zeff eyed the General, he took a long breath before asking, “What did Gema do?”
“She killed someone she shouldn’t have.”
Zeff shut his eyes a moment. “Who, exactly?”
“An Intarian diplomat,” said Lawrence. “She has upset a lot of people, Zeff. I was hoping you could tell me where she is.”
“Ah...” Zeff shook his head. He was in for an embarrassing conversation, it seemed. “I’m sorry, but I have no idea. My relationship with Gema is... strained. I’ve not spoken to her in over two years.”
“Please, take a moment to think. This is very important. Anything you can tell us about her whereabouts could be helpful. A hiding place she had as a child, perhaps.”
After a beat, he frowned. “I’m sorry, ensir. I honestly have no clue.”
Lawrence eyed Axiolis.
‘Sorry. I don’t have any idea, either.’
Lawrence threw a quick glance at Dergoz on his arm. “There must be something you two can tell me. You’ve both known her since she was born.”
Zeff wasn’t sure how else he could phrase it, so he just said, “I’m sorry, ensir.”
The General’s expression hardened. “You are putting me in a very difficult position, Captain.”
“I wish we could be more help to you, General, but--”
‘Enough,’ said Dergoz suddenly.
Zeff hadn’t realized the reaper had even been listening.
‘I didn’t think Rainlords were in the habit of lying,’ said Dergoz, not sounding particularly sleepy.
Zeff raised an irate eyebrow. “I am not lying.”
“Dergoz, let me--”
‘Silence.’
Axiolis hovered closer to Zeff. ‘Something is wrong here,’ he said privately.
Zeff was beginning to get that impression, too.
‘It is vital that we find Gema Elroy,’ said Dergoz. ‘You are her father. If you do not know where she is, then who does?’
“I don’t know. She has not been home in over two years.”
‘Yes, I heard you the first time.’
‘You seem rather desperate to find her,’ said Axiolis. ‘If she has broken the law, then let Zeff and I be the ones to retrieve her.’
‘No, I do not think that would be wise,’ said Dergoz.
A dark serial novel. Set in a modern fantasy world called Eleg. Mature language. Updates every day at noon PST by ~400 words.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Page 671
--donation bonus week (day 5/5, post 3/5)--
Zeff entered Lawrence’s office easily enough, passing two silent sentries outside the General’s door. He supposed it was a good sign that they didn’t stop and search him, at least, but then, it wasn’t like General Lawrence needed anyone to protect him from Zeff. In the Vanguard, ranking tended to also denote a person’s strength, and Lawrence was certainly not an exception to this.
The office itself was more functional than impressive. Zeff had never known his general to suffer any fools or excesses, and this room very much reflected that, he felt. A simple round chamber with a single window, lamp, filing cabinet, desk, computer, and two chairs. No decorations for either the wood-planked walls or the old cobble floor.
Lawrence stood as Zeff entered. The man’s reaper, Dergoz, clung to his arm instead of floating freely. And since Dergoz appeared as a bat, the sight of him looked slightly awkward and terrible at the same time, almost as if the reaper were attempting to bite into the General and drink his blood. With both eyes closed, though, the reaper was probably just sleeping.
“Captain Zeff,” said Lawrence. “Thank you for coming.” He looked to be in his fifties, but Zeff knew the man’s history to be much older than that, spanning upwards of seventy years with the Vanguard.
“Good to see you, ensir.”
“Please, have a seat.”
Zeff sat, as did Lawrence.
‘Is Dergoz alright?’ asked Axiolis.
“He is just tired,” said Lawrence.
Zeff tilted his head. “Have you recently seen combat, General?”
“It doesn’t matter now. I’m sure you’re more curious as to why you’re here.”
Zeff nodded.
“I apologize for not telling you. We were afraid you would not come if you knew.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because it has to do with your daughter. She has become a fugitive from the Vanguard.”
Zeff reared back in his chair. A fugitive? Gema might have been reckless, sure, but he couldn’t imagine her pulling anything that foolish. Moreover, he was sure that he’d found a very reasonable reaper to help guide her.
Zeff entered Lawrence’s office easily enough, passing two silent sentries outside the General’s door. He supposed it was a good sign that they didn’t stop and search him, at least, but then, it wasn’t like General Lawrence needed anyone to protect him from Zeff. In the Vanguard, ranking tended to also denote a person’s strength, and Lawrence was certainly not an exception to this.
The office itself was more functional than impressive. Zeff had never known his general to suffer any fools or excesses, and this room very much reflected that, he felt. A simple round chamber with a single window, lamp, filing cabinet, desk, computer, and two chairs. No decorations for either the wood-planked walls or the old cobble floor.
Lawrence stood as Zeff entered. The man’s reaper, Dergoz, clung to his arm instead of floating freely. And since Dergoz appeared as a bat, the sight of him looked slightly awkward and terrible at the same time, almost as if the reaper were attempting to bite into the General and drink his blood. With both eyes closed, though, the reaper was probably just sleeping.
“Captain Zeff,” said Lawrence. “Thank you for coming.” He looked to be in his fifties, but Zeff knew the man’s history to be much older than that, spanning upwards of seventy years with the Vanguard.
“Good to see you, ensir.”
“Please, have a seat.”
Zeff sat, as did Lawrence.
‘Is Dergoz alright?’ asked Axiolis.
“He is just tired,” said Lawrence.
Zeff tilted his head. “Have you recently seen combat, General?”
“It doesn’t matter now. I’m sure you’re more curious as to why you’re here.”
Zeff nodded.
“I apologize for not telling you. We were afraid you would not come if you knew.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because it has to do with your daughter. She has become a fugitive from the Vanguard.”
Zeff reared back in his chair. A fugitive? Gema might have been reckless, sure, but he couldn’t imagine her pulling anything that foolish. Moreover, he was sure that he’d found a very reasonable reaper to help guide her.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Page 670
--donation bonus week (day 5/5, post 2/5)--
Rhein’s Keep stood on a larger hill all to itself, allowing most of the city to see its four massive turrets with round crenellations and flying the blue-and-gold flags of Sair. And of course, as the central Vanguardian stronghold in the nation, the castle remained in immaculate condition despite its age. Pristine, arching windows. Fresh crimson paint for its outer wall. A groomed yard with a madega tree standing in a clear pool. Madegas were certainly not native to this region, which meant it had to have been transplanted here--and recently, too, as Zeff didn’t remember seeing it when he visited a year ago.
Axiolis flew close behind him as he made for the castle’s northwestern tower. They’d discussed the ambiguous nature of this visit prior to and during the drive. General Lawrence’s unexplained order to arrive within twelve hours despite Zeff and Mariana having both been on leave had left everyone a bit unsettled, to say the least, especially after Salazar’s departure. Zeff wondered if that was why he’d been called in. Perhaps they wanted information on her; or worse, perhaps they thought he meant to join her and wished to test his loyalty. If so, then he figured that it was going to be a very long and unpleasant couple of days. But as ever, he was prepared.
Familiar faces were everywhere, comrades and friends. The opportunity to see everyone like this had become rather rare for him, and he was glad to see most of them go out of their way to welcome him with a smile and an occasional handshake. He asked what news they had, and among their varied answers was one consistent concern: mounting problems in Calthos. By all accounts, Abolish had gained a foothold there and begun a public defamation campaign against the Sandlords.
Zeff scowled. That had to be one of Abolish’s more annoying tactics, surely. The Sandlords were not all Vanguard, just as not all Rainlords were, but they did have strong ties to it. Perhaps that trip to Kuros would happen sooner than he thought.
Rhein’s Keep stood on a larger hill all to itself, allowing most of the city to see its four massive turrets with round crenellations and flying the blue-and-gold flags of Sair. And of course, as the central Vanguardian stronghold in the nation, the castle remained in immaculate condition despite its age. Pristine, arching windows. Fresh crimson paint for its outer wall. A groomed yard with a madega tree standing in a clear pool. Madegas were certainly not native to this region, which meant it had to have been transplanted here--and recently, too, as Zeff didn’t remember seeing it when he visited a year ago.
Axiolis flew close behind him as he made for the castle’s northwestern tower. They’d discussed the ambiguous nature of this visit prior to and during the drive. General Lawrence’s unexplained order to arrive within twelve hours despite Zeff and Mariana having both been on leave had left everyone a bit unsettled, to say the least, especially after Salazar’s departure. Zeff wondered if that was why he’d been called in. Perhaps they wanted information on her; or worse, perhaps they thought he meant to join her and wished to test his loyalty. If so, then he figured that it was going to be a very long and unpleasant couple of days. But as ever, he was prepared.
Familiar faces were everywhere, comrades and friends. The opportunity to see everyone like this had become rather rare for him, and he was glad to see most of them go out of their way to welcome him with a smile and an occasional handshake. He asked what news they had, and among their varied answers was one consistent concern: mounting problems in Calthos. By all accounts, Abolish had gained a foothold there and begun a public defamation campaign against the Sandlords.
Zeff scowled. That had to be one of Abolish’s more annoying tactics, surely. The Sandlords were not all Vanguard, just as not all Rainlords were, but they did have strong ties to it. Perhaps that trip to Kuros would happen sooner than he thought.
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