Noma-Caa

 He took a step forward. Then another. And another. It seemed it was all he could remember how to do anymore. A good portion of his village followed behind him. Their supplies of water had been running low and no longer seemed to be refilling themselves, so they had set out in various directions looking for water or technology or anything that might help them survive. So far, it wasn’t going well. In the ten days since Otton had left on this quest, five of the 20 villagers that had joined him had died. With a lack of supplies and good direction and an abundance of wild creatures scattered around the desert that could kill any one of th

The advantage I had gained from Madison’s surprise wouldn’t last long, and her years of practice would prevent me from pressing it enough to make a difference. I held the offensive longer than I thought I would, but I could tell she was distracted. The occasional shout from Matthias wasn’t helping either of us. Just as I thought she might throw the fight, I was proven wrong. She came back fiercer than ever, quickly retaking the offensive. At that point, I realized I was absolutely screwed, but I wasn’t about to give up. She knew that better than anyone else in the room. At the very least, I knew I couldn’t let

“I don’t want to go,” came the words from pouty lips uncharacteristic of the young girl. “Swing music and Lindy Hop are the big things right now. We can’t stop by and ignore the most exciting pastime of the decade.” I smiled and spun around to face her. “Besides, I haven’t been dancing in ages and you’ve never danced in your life. You’ll have fun. I promise.” “I still don’t want to go.” At this point, her arms were crossed and her green eyes were attempting to glare at me, but she couldn’t shake the features that betrayed that she was only a child, and

Current entry: synthesized from the journals of Darius and Drusus After the enlistment came testing. A couple days after they gave their names as volunteers and were given their uniforms and armor, they went to the coliseum with the weapons they were able to get a hold of. Drusus had gone back to his father to get a kopesh, while Darius relied on the kindness of a local blacksmith to obtain a simple shortsword. When they entered the arena, many people turned to look at the pair. Drusus stood out greatly because of his weapon of choice as well as his head, bald except for a single ponytail and goatee. He wasn’t afraid to return any gla

Compiled from the journals of Darius and Drusus Current entry: Drusus My father always desired to be Pharaoh; I suppose that is a fault he passed on to me. As his older brother’s family grew, he came to realize that we had no chance of being the ones to continue the dynasty. Refusing to live in the shadow of his brother, my father took my mother and I and left Mitsrayim to make a new life in Basileia. Basileia was a strange place to us, and we were strange people to Basileia. They worshipped only one god, and their ruler claimed no divinity. We were grateful that their language was not completely foreign, as many of their words were s

About a month after I had moved to my new assignment, we had a unique visitor. I happened to be the one to greet him at the door, and I was taken by surprise. The young man had silver hair and red eyes and wore the white hourglass crest of the Zangus family, but never had I seen him before. “Can I help you, sir?” I asked. “First Class Soldier Mateusz Zangus at your service,” he said with a smile and a bow. “I come to seek audience with my kin.” It was then that Matthias came into the front room, leaning on his cane. “Mateusz, why do you insist on coming month after month? You know you are not welco

The next few months were spent doing the kinds of chores that nobody really wants to do but, nonetheless, still need be done. Much of my time was spent cleaning floors, dishes, and clothes. Whenever possible, I studied their language. I studied while working as much as possible and used all my free time to learn. Once I knew the language well enough to speak with my masters, they quickly realized I was well-educated with a great capacity for learning, so they moved me to their main home in the capital to help teach their children and manage domestic affairs. If I had thought the first home I had entered was impressive, the second was awe-in

The first thing I did when I woke up was let out a half-scream half-grunt sound, having been kicked right by my knife wound. My heart rate was so high it was almost paralyzing. My breaths were shallow and I couldn’t seem to get enough air. My hands were still tied, my side burned, and the next thing I was aware of was being pulled back to my feet. I hardly had my balance before we were moving again. My legs didn’t want to work, but I wasn’t given much choice. I forced myself to keep moving because the alternative was more stab wounds. My eyes had adjusted to the dark a little, but it was still hard to see. All I could tell

What would it take to make you leave home? Most of us, I imagine, would not simply pack up and leave our family and friends on a word. I certainly didn’t. When I started getting the feeling that the LORD wanted me to leave, I ignored it. Who would want to give up everything they have? Early on, the hints were subtle. A feeling, perhaps. An occasional thought that I wasn’t where I needed to be. Reading in the book of Genesis and finding that the beginning of chapter 12 stood strongly out. Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. . . I will bless you And make you