Mamothalda

On the move...

2009-10-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Over the past few months I've been writing my stories but I feel like this blog has served its purpose. I am going elsewhere on the net. See if anyone else wants to read about my small and vitually undiscovered world that is/was Mamothalda. Although I do have a new character, and she's better than Brenna and Hamilton. Their story has been finished but I don't feel confident yet to let it run free in this world. Call it wild animal syndrome: once you've found it and nursed it back to health, you can't let it go. Some of you might think that I'm crazy but that's how I see the world. So I'll post a new link to Mamothalda's new home. So, for now at least, you could say that the wardrobe into Narnia (or Mamothalda) has closed but you can always get there some other way!

Happly Autumn (was going to say happy hallowean but its not that close)

Twilight Picksie

Chapter 7 - Darkness (Part 1)

2009-08-02T23:10:00.000-07:00

Chapter 7 – Turbulent Times

No, left. Left! Swing to your LEFT!” I shouted. Hamilton spun the wheel in the right direction just in time.

“What are you on? There was nothing there!” He said exasperated. Jason sniggered in the flight desk chair. I’d been trying to teach them the basic techniques of flying when we were clear of Adelian jurisdiction a few days later. Without success.

“Do I need you to commentate? If you were so gifted at flight you’d have recorded the readings from the dials.” I said rounding on Jason whose eyes widened in shock.

“Forget it.” I said, “I’m going to get the maps.”

As I turned my back I heard Jason mutter to Hamilton, “I don’t know if I can take much more of this.”

I ignored them. My intention was caught by a little purple dial, it was flashing and shaking as its little needle waved wildly. Turbulance. This wasn’t happening now. Not now!

“Turbulance! Move!” I shouted running to the flight deck.

“Which way?” Hamilton asked sounding weary.

“Doesn’t matter. Just get out of this course.” I said pushing the dials desperately.

“Why?” they both said together.

“Turbulance is a fast blast of air. If a ship is caught in it then they could be blown over and past their destination. As we are going to Adajar we could be in serious trouble. It will be increased in a mountainous region too.” I shouted above the gathering roar of air coming from the south.

“We’d get there quicker?” Jason asked as he spoke Hamilton adjusted the wheel in his metal hands.

“Don’t be stupid!” I cried but already too late Jason nodded at Hamilton swerved into the path of the turbulance. It was like being struck by a gilded antelope in the stomach. I flew the air into the wall and everything went black…

I was only out for a second but in that second the Sea Hawk was plummeting out of the sky in a sharp nosedive towards the black plains of Adajar – Desert boarder. Jason was slumped in the chair, blood trickling down his cheek from the smashed glass. I guessed that the force of the turbulence had imploded the glass. The wheel of Sea Hawk was spinning wildly out of control. Hamilton was spread eagled below it. Grabbing the wheel I tried to steady the ship but I wasn’t strong enough and I flew for the second time through the air.

“Not again.” I moaned as the blackness closed in.

***

It was black. Deep black and I wondered if I was really dead, not for the first time. A thin chink of light appeared. It widened as I watched. Was this the afterlife? Not yet it seemed. One of the Sea Hawk’s wipers was moving, dislodging the dirt and sand from a porthole. I peered through to meet the sun.

“Oh no!” I coughed, my voice cracked and dry from the sand. We hadn’t landed in the Great Sun Desert as I’d hoped. We were in mountains where the sand became dust.

I heard a groan behind me. Two groans. Jason and Hamilton had broken the surface of the wreckage.

“I hope you’re both as exstactic as me at this point.” I hissed through the gloom. Jason drew away.

“Don’t answer that question if you want to survive this.” He muttered. Hamilton took the hint and rammed his foot at the door, which was now in the ceiling. The Sea Hawk was on its side half buried in the dirt. Hamilton launched himself past me out into the air.

As I struggled to get a foothold I felt strong hands pull me into the light. I looked up, blinded by the sun. I made contact with the ground and lay there, winded. Just watching the same shapeless figures pull Jason out.

Gingerly I tried to sit up but something sharp into my cheek. A blade. Suddenly my vision was perfect again and I could see Jason being held by two of the figures. They were swathed in grey threadbare cloaks. My brain was still groggy from the change in air pressure of the crash. I twisted around to meet the gaze of my captor. The blade followed my movement, down my face to just under my chin, tilting my head up.

“Its not advisable to move.” A harsh female voice said.

A girl with long blonde hair had spoken. Her features were icy calm, a sneer curling her lips. She wore black robes of a commanding officer – 1^st Battalion according to the emblem on her black tunic. Behind her I could see Jason struggling in the grip of his captor. It was Hamilton.

For a moment I couldn’t believe it but I saw the unmistakable metal arms and flaxen curls. It had to be him. He held Jason’s arms together. The female officer smirked at him.

“I knew the Great Lady was right to have faith in you, Captain.” She said.

“It is as well as She did, Captain Kacela, for I come bearing gifts. I have Lord Jason, healer of Yasin.” The traitor said.

“And this? This…creature. What use is she?” Kacela jabbed her sword close to my nose.

“A recruit?” Hamilton sounded hopeful.

Chapter 6 – Darkness

2009-07-04T00:08:00.000-07:00

As we neared the hall I could hear the exultant voices of the guests arriving in the Great Hall. The castle was brightly lit with a thousand candles flickering in their silver sticks. Instead of entering into the hall through the huge doors where all the guests were Hamilton pulled me down a side corridor to a slightly smaller door. A servant was waiting for us and he opened the door. I felt my knees weaken when the assembly of people turned towards us.

They were all smiling, pleased to see the heir back in Adelio. Others, a large number of the guests looked confused at seeing me. Whispers were quickly smothered by the roar of welcome and applause. The candles shook as the air was disturbed by the noise, throwing colossal shadows of the musicians onto the vaulted ceiling. They picked up their instruments and struck up a tune. It was strange, like so much I’d seen in Adelio. It lilted and lulled itself around the guests whom begun dancing.

Back in High Roost the only dances played were jigs and folk songs. They were rowdy, boisterous dances that made everyone come alive. This dance was like a trance, the guests swaying around in pairs. Jason was avoiding a group of heavily jewelled women. His eyes bore nothing but panic as he dodged around the dancers. Yasin wasn’t dancing; he was too weak but smirked at his brother’s torment from an ornate chair. Farica was sitting serenely next to Yasin; she extended her head to Hamilton and me and looked pointedly at the dancers. I knew what was going to happen.

“No. No, Hamilton. Don’t!” I hissed as he bowed. This was stupid, I couldn’t dance. I could climb a tree, I could use a sword, and I could balance on the wing of my ship as it flew. I couldn’t dance.

“Don’t worry, Brenna, no one is going to bite you. I’m not completely sure of the steps either.” Hamilton whispered back.

There was no point in fighting, he was stronger and I could feel everyone’s eyes watching. I took his outstretched hand and he twirled me round into a ballroom hold. My face was burning as we spiralled as one around the hall. Hamilton had been right, the dance was easy. The main step was swaying, foot to foot, and at the same time spinning around the hall. I thought, as we spun past Yasin talking to a cloaked figure, this wasn’t so bad and I was enjoying it. Suddenly I felt a stabbing pain on my back, Hamilton’s hand was digging into me. He was watching something that I couldn’t see, above the heads of the crowd. His mouth was drawn into a tense line, his eyebrows were arched into a frown. His hand dug in harder. I let out a gasp.

“Hamilton?” I choked.

“Hmm?” came the distant reply, he was still tense.

“Hand.” My voice sounded strangled as his hand crushed the air out of my lungs. He snapped back into focus. His hold loosened and I breathed in. Hamilton grabbed my hand and we walked out of the hall calmly but the guests bewildered eyes followed our backs.

Outside the vividly lit hall the candles had been blown out, smoke from the candelabras. The grey stone of the castle walls looked forbidding in the dark. Hamilton let go of my hand and began to run. Afraid of being alone I followed him. He ran out of the door and tripped over the servant that had let us into the hall. Now his eyes stared up, lifeless, along his throat ran a line of red. Blood spilled onto the floor. Hamilton stood up and grabbed my shoulders. His eyes were serious.

“Brenna, go back into the hall.”

This angered me but I kept my boiling anger inside and instead I said, “So you think I can’t cope with murdered bodies, I survived a massacre. I’m coming with you.”

“Its not that. I don’t know,” he paused, “I don’t know where Yasin is. He never leaves the hall after a vision, he’s too weak. He can barely stand.”

I was confused. “Yasin was talking to someone, they wore a cloak. That was all I saw because when I looked back to Yasin, he was gone.”

Hamilton’s eyes burned as he realised, “He’s gone. I saw him being shuffled out of the hall.” He stopped thinking everything over, “Outside.”

He sprinted outside but all there was were two guards lying face down on the ground. Their throats were cut too.

“Waste. What a waste.” I heard Hamilton murmur as we walked around the bodies. The Dark One glowed a blood red in the sky. The Bright One wasn’t visable. Evil was acting alone that night. Far away I could hear hooves. Metal on stone. Getting further away.

A cry went up but was quickly silenced; Hamilton’s eyes were cold as he listened. “Kacela.” He spat.

“Who?” I asked.

“She’s the commander of the Scavengers on the Adajar boarder. Bit of a loose canon, that’s why there are so many raids. Soon she’ll stop and try something else for a while.” Hamilton explained.

“So its her idea of a diversion?” I muttered to myself but Hamilton’s lips curled into a sneer.

“Could say that.”

He started running towards the tunnel. I followed but the stone cobbles were slippery from the moist night air. In the entrance Hamilton stopped still but I kept going right into him. We both collided with the hard floor. I skidded into the wall. Trying to steady myself I grabbed out. My hands touched the green ivy and something else. It was a piece of fabric. Very different to anything in Adelio.

It was ragged, mottled and definitely foreign. I’d seen only whites and other bright colours. No one wore browns, slate grey or crow black. Yet in my hands was the familiar mottled fabric of a…

“Scavenger.” Hamilton recognised it, reached down and grabbed my hand.

“Come on.” He said not bothering to be quiet anymore. He began dragging me back across the courtyard. Even though my fears were for Yasin, my indignation of being towed around changed to anger. I jerked my arm out of his reach. Hamilton sighed.

“We don’t have time for this. Come on. We need to get to Jason.”

I narrowed my eyes at his weary tone, “Not objecting to seeing Jason, what I am objecting to is you, carting me about like some rag doll. I have legs of my own so let me use them. Now,” I paused for breath, “this way?”

Hamilton looked a little surprised at my outburst, like he’d forgotten who I was. The girl who’d held a sword at his throat, not this Lady of Adelio who needed “escorting” everywhere. Finally the power of speech returned to him.

“Yes.” He said in a hollow voice.

“Good.”

“Fine.”

Hamilton went to a side turret that led onto the battlements. The wind was picking up, the clouds drawing together in a tight formation. A storm was brewing in the north. My hair whipped around my face forming a dark curtain across my eyes. Before I had a chance to stumble we were inside the castle, just down the corridor from my room. Jason was standing by the door. He was looking shiftily behind him, obviously evaded the group of the female admirers.

“I gather you’re not being distracted anymore?” Hamilton said as he passed Jason, still standing in the doorway. Jason shot a confused look at me. I shrugged in response. Hamilton’s behaviour was getting more and more erratic as the minutes past. As Jason lingered where he stood I rushed past him and when he followed I shut the door behind us.

“Right. We are all going to calm down. Especially you.” I said to Hamilton who looked out of the window. Jason raised his eyebrows at my frustration. An awkward silence passed until Hamilton gave up and spoke.

“So, as you’re feeling so clever tonight, what do you suggest?” He said petulantly.

“Ha-” Jason began but Hamilton shot him a black look and he thought better of it. Instead he said in a quiet voice, “Just calm down. This isn’t going to help anyone.”

“Right.” I agreed and gave Jason a smile of thanks before proposing my plan, “If Yasin has been taken by the Scavengers finding him won’t be a problem. Its two other issues we have to consider. Getting there, getting in and back out--”

“That’s three.” Hamilton interrupted.

“Well done, you can count.” I retorted.

“If you two are going to be like this the whole way I might just get myself caught just for some peace.” Jason groaned. Clearly he wasn’t used to squabbles, back home I was involved with at least two a week.

“Well I suppose we can work this out on the way to certain death.” I said airily grabbing my old flight suit.

Hamilton stood up, “Yeah, ok, meet you at the ship.”

As the door clicked shut behind them I pulled a face at their backs. Adajar was not a place I’d ever felt compelled to visit. Then again Yasin needed help, weak as he was. I gritted my teeth and went to change.

***

I met them by the Sea Hawk as planned. The moon glinted on its metal body and shone through its papery sails. I unlocked the door while Hamilton and Jason unhooked the ropes from the quay. They clung to the sides of the ship, hauling themselves through the door. I grabbed the wheel, launching the Sea Hawk forward into the blood red night.

***

The Cities - High Roost

2009-06-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

High Roost.

In the first chapter High Roost looked a bit like this. Destroyed by the marauding army of the Scavengers. Its now a rock city - once it was white marble. Like Adelio on the Green Sea.

The people that lived there were merchants dressed in colourful robes made of rich silk. Creatures from Southern Mamothalda, Western Isles & Eastern Seas. Not from the Northern Wastes as only the Scavengers survive there. Nothing else can withstand their cruel citadels.

In contrast the streets of High Roost were happy, bustling with trade and street parties. I can't find a picture thhat would help to describe it. There isn't one. Its a vibrant place, the air thick with the many different languages of Mamothalda. Espuryain from the East,

Austranni

on from the West and the

more commonly spoken Minnorian from every corner of the peaceful world.

The High Roost Docklands were broken into many quarters with diff

erent traders settling in their own quarter. Silk, cotten, coffee and spices, the list is endless. Between traders and merchants there are strong friendships and bitter rivalry for the best business. The worst rivalry of all are between the silk & cotten traders. There is bitter competition between them.

This is the closest picture I could find of the streets of High Roost at night. This picture has the life of that the streets of High Roost have. It has the faraway look of something from another world.

From the World of Mamothalda

Chapter 5 - Farica

2009-06-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

Chapter 5 - Farica

Farica had become a legend in the whole northern hemisphere. Stories had circulated that she was descended from Gwendolyn, the Goddess of the Moons, herself. It hadn’t always been that way, that there were two moons. Forged by good and evil, the single moon was ruled by both.

There had been a great battle fought between Gwendolyn and the Goddess of Destruction. Gwendolyn had won but the Goddess of Destruction had spilt the moon into two, not wanting to see the good and evil saturated with each other. The Bright One and the Dark One were created. Gwendolyn was furious so she banished her enemy in an immortal body and sent her to the frozen north. The Dark One orbited around the wasteland as a reminder.

Farica was Gwendolyn’s great great granddaughter. Her talent was her Sight. It was incomparable. Her wisdom was elite.

“My brother inherited her Sight. I inherited some of her healing ability.” Jason explained. He’d put Yasin into a covered litter. Hamilton rung a bell which a pair of servants answered obediently lifting Yasin’s litter onto their shoulders. Jason led the way back out on the courtyard of Tier 12.

Once we were out in the open people stopped to look at the litter where the frail body of Yasin lay. Murmurs in the crowd started. I caught a few as I went past.

“Lord Yasin has SEEN something.”

“Who are they? Is that Lord Hamilton?”

“Its him. I heard he was dead.”

Hamilton leaned down to me and whispered, “ You hear a lot of things not all are true. Like me. Many people say I’m dead or that I’ve become a fugitive from Farica.”

I looked up at him and laughed, “In High Roost people didn’t have time to gossip.” I continued even quieter, “And you’re not dead.” I pinched his arm. “I can prove it!” Hamilton ruffled my hair playfully.

Jason walked steadily, carving a path through the curious crowd. Hamilton and I brought up the rear behind the litter, still joking around. The murmurs were now too quiet for me to hear but I wondered what Hamilton and his tuned Scavenger senses could pick up.

Jason reached a tunnel carved through a solid rock face. As we entered I could see niches with candles in them. Water dripped from the roof of the tunnel onto the stone floor. Green ivy hung in curtains on the rock walls.

Guards stood aside at the end of the tunnel to let Jason pass. They bowed respectfully to Yasin and to Hamilton. We’d left the stateliness of the courtyard behind and come out into the gloriousness of a Palace set in blossoming grounds. Numerous turrets reached out to the skies like hands extended in greeting. A large wooden door opened and a woman ran out to meet us as the servants set the litter down on the paved floor.

Yasin groaned “Mum!” as the woman fussed over him. Was this Farica, the renowned High Prophetess?

Farica had the majesty of an empress. Her pale hair was tied with gold braid at the base of her neck. Her clothes were old fashioned but looked right on her timeless figure. Her dress was a deep blue colour trimmed with grey fur. It billowed around her in the light breeze flowing around the grounds.

“Yasin, what happened? What did you do to yourself?” Farica fussed over her youngest son.

“Mum, I just saw a vision. It wasn’t massive, just a minor one. I’ve already have another earlier. Nothing to worry about.” Yasin mumbled embarrassed. Hamilton sniggered at his cousin’s discomfort. This diverted Farica’s attention.

“Hamilton?” she asked faintly.

“Hello Aunt.” Hamilton said not smiling. Farica’s shoulders fell but Hamilton’s cold expression silenced any possible speeches. Instead she just said, “We’ll talk later then. First tell me who this little wallflower of yours is.” Farica’s dignity returned. I blushed scarlet, like Yasin, I disliked attention.

“This is Brenna. She’s from High Roost and found me on her ship. I—I was still a Scavenger then,” Hamilton paused not liking the memory of our meeting, “Anyway, she saved me and herself.”

Farica placed her long hands on my dusty shoulders, looking into my eyes, “Thank you. Thank you, Brenna, for bringing Hamilton back. Where he belongs” Her voice was directed as much to Hamilton as to me. Hamilton frowned at this. I couldn’t understand this but smiled shyly at Farica.

“I. I think Hamilton had best show you to your room, Brenna. He can explain some things to you.” Farica concluded.

***

As Hamilton and I walked through the numerous corridors he suddenly stopped me and sat down on a stone bench that was on a small balcony just off the passage. Hamilton sat there, not speaking, watching the clouds and ships scud across the sky. I reached out and touched his arm; he looked around as my fingers met his bare skin.

“I must seem strange to you.” He spoke at last. I could see the pain in his eyes but he didn’t flinch away at my touch.

“No. You’re not strange to me.” I murmured, “You seem…melancholic in some way. Maybe I can help but you’re going to have to help me. I don’t have some unnatural mind-reading power!” Hamilton smiled weakly at the last part.

“Its just being back here, in the palace where I was born, has sparked off so many memories. Some happy but most are painful. I suppose you think I was angry with my Aunt but I’m not. She’s kept me on the ground all my life. Do you know what she is?” he finished.

“She’s the High Prophetess of Adelio.” I answered curious.

“Well, have you ever heard of a Queen being in possession of the Sight before?” Hamilton gazed back out into the sky as he spoke.

I considered this watching a ship taking an eagle like dive. “No. I haven’t” I concluded at last.

“Exactly. My Aunt was never destined to rule, having the Sight and power is never a good combination. My father was the Ruler of Adelio for the many years with my mother by his side as his Queen. They had a son. Me. Can you guess the connection?” he said finally.

“So what you’re saying is that I nearly murdered the sole heir to the throne?” I smiled. Hamilton laughed and put an arm around my shoulders in an awkward hug.

“I guess you did! Though I almost killed you too!” Hamilton laughed.

“Then we’re even.” I smiled as we broke the hug. Somehow I knew we were friends from that moment on.

***

It seemed like forever before Hamilton stopped again. We’d continued on our way through the immense maze of stairs and passages. We were up in a turret before he stopped at a small wooden door.

“This is your room I hope you’ll be comfortable here!” Hamilton said. He grinned again, that smirk of his was beginning to grow on me. It wasn’t as irritating as it had been.

He opened the door and stood aside so I could enter. It was warm inside the room even though a cool breeze blew in from an open balcony. It trembled the gossamer veils of the balcony so they looked like butterfly wings. A large wooden bed was on the opposite wall with a red seat at its foot. Across the room the fire crackled in its ornate grate. It felt homely compared to the grandeur of the castle. A vase of unfamiliar white flowers stood on a little table. Behind that was a screen that half concealed a wooden bathing tub.

“As you can see, my Aunt has thought of everything!” Hamilton leant against the door casually, his face expectant. I turned to face him still overwhelmed. Back home in High Roost I had shared a small room off the kitchen with my baby sister. The room I had been shown was immensely different to anything I was used to. I struggled to say something coherent.

“Hamilton. This is amazing but are you sure you’re Aunt meant this room?” I asked still dazed.

Hamilton looked confused then he laughed, “ Brenna, silly girl, of course my Aunt meant this room! She particularly meant this room.”

“In that case,” I said walking away pretending to inspect the flowers, “It’s the most breathtaking room I’ve ever seen! Thank you.”

Hamilton looked relieved at my reaction. Though before he could speak a figure leapt through the narrow door, colliding with Hamilton in the process. It was Jason.

“What are you doing, Jason? Are you determined to treat me for broken bones today?” Hamilton’s voice was slightly muffled under Jason’s body. Jason was carrying a brown parcel though now it had slid across the floor.

“Ah, Brenna, my mother thought this would fit you for tonight’s banquet.” Jason said as he untangled his legs from Hamilton.

“Uh. Thanks Jason. Goodbye!” Hamilton said as he ushered his bewildered cousin out the door. I placed the package on the table before turning to Hamilton.

“Yeah, the banquet is always held if there’s a vision. It’s usually a celebration as the vision is almost always good news. I have a feeling that’s a --- a --- dress, Brenna.” Hamilton tailed of as my face clouded over with storm clouds. If it was one thing I couldn’t stand was dresses.

The last dress I’d have had was when I was seven. My mother, determined to convert my tomboy ways into something more ladylike, made an ugly pink one that trailed on the ground so I was constantly tripping over it. My brothers had mocked me all the way to the Teaching House and back. After that I couldn’t stand it anymore and threw it onto a passing airship bound for the Outer Islands. I’d hated dresses ever since and here I was, opening a box that would contain my archenemy.

Even though I hated dresses I’d had to admit this one was beautiful. It must have been made for Farica as the silk and jewels shimmered. It was long, crimson in colour, and covered in precious stones. I tried to rewrap it but Hamilton pulled the dress out of my reach.

“Resistance is futile, Brenna, you get ready. I’ll be waiting at outside in a couple of hours.” He was amused by my uneasiness. I glowered at his back while he walked away. After the door shut I poured water into the bathing tub. This was going to be a war against the dirt. It was everywhere, encrusted on my arms, neck. I’d hadn’t bathed since I’d left High Roost all that time ago. It took longer than I thought nevertheless at last the last of the grime left my skin. I’d felt like a Sand Fly though now I felt like myself again. Across the room the dress like a streak of crimson blood.

It fitted perfectly. The skirt wasn’t too big or long. It hung closely to me. At least I wouldn’t trip over wearing this. The gold thread and jewels glinted in the evening sun that was streaming in. I walked over to a little dressing table. Among the curious bottles I found a brush and some little pearly clips. Finally something I could work with. A thought came into my head.

“Maybe I should have paid more attention to my mother when she tried to teach me to be a lady. I could sure use her now.” I muttered aloud as I fastened the last clip in my tamed hair. A laugh floated under the door, typical.

“Hamilton, you’re early! Its rude to listen.” I shouted through the door.

“Yes, I am. I figured you wouldn’t need two hours. You’re ready, right?” His voice was hestined behind the door. I rolled my eyes at my reflection. As I opened the door Hamilton flashed his welcome grin. Then he saw my dress. His mouth dropped.

“Woah! That’s…wow. Turn! Let’s see if it fits.” He smiled as I stumbled round in an embarrassed circle. His eyes met mine and I smiled.

“That’s better! You ready?”

He extended his arm and I took it. “Ready as I ever am when I’m in a nightmarish situation.” I said quietly.

Chapter 4 - The Prophet

2009-06-20T11:20:00.001-07:00

Chapter 4 – The Prophet

Yasin had fallen to the ground so fast but Hamilton was already leaning over him. I felt terrible. Yasin was unconscious almost as soon as he’d touched my shoulder. What had I done?

“Don’t worry, Brenna. Yasin is in a sight trance. A powerful one too. I don’t remember seeing him like this.” Hamilton said. He moved Yasin to a cushion. As he touched Yasin’s hand the boy prophet sat up and spoke in a strange tongue. It wasn’t the common tongue, it was longer and lilting. Hamilton never spoke through Yasin’s vision but listened intently to every word. It seemed he could understand his friend’s words. They fell over each other like rapids in a creek. Finally the tide ebbed and Yasin’s head slumped back into Hamilton’s waiting hands.

“What did he say? Could you understand, Hamilton?” I tried to curb the fear in my voice but I failed. Hamilton looked up into my face and sighed.

“Brenna. Yasin is a prophet, sight trances are commonplace. Like I said, this trance was very powerful. We need to take him to a healer. We need to take him to Jason.”

***

Hamilton carried the lifeless Yasin towards another marble-like building across the square on a corner of the gatehouse to the castle. It wasn’t as striking as its neighbours though it had an air of past importance. Its large door was painted black, a mark of his healing profession. I was expecting an old man; bent double with age with a long grey beard instead another boy opened the door when I pulled the old bell.

“Yasin? Hamilton?” Jason looked as shocked as I felt. Another boy, did no one else see this as odd. A boy prophet and now a boy surgeon? Jason had cropped hair that stood in spikes on his head. He was older than Hamilton.

“Come in. Come in.” He ushered us into his operating room.

Jason’s operating room was large with a dome, open to the elements. Great cabinets lined a wall. On the opposite wall large deeply set windows with no panes of glass, I could see a large body of water, larger than anything I’d ever seen. The others were like paintings. Delicate trees, white palaces and timber buildings.

“How did this happen?” Jason’s deep voice asked as Hamilton set Yasin on a table in the centre of the cavernous room. Yasin’s eyes were shut but his features looked peaceful.

“Brenna was watching something from the balcony. Yasin leant on her shoulder, trying to see the same thing. Then he entered this vision.” Hamilton explained solemnly.

Jason looked at me properly before attending to Yasin.

“I wish, Brenna, we could have met in…happier circumstances.” He flashed a grin. It was like Hamilton’s. I returned it with my own smile.

“Will he be alright?” I asked. The fear still hadn’t diminished yet.

“I’ll be fine. Brenna, stop worrying.” Yasin’s weak voice was almost inaudible. I breathed out, fear fading. Hamilton smirked at me.

“Brother, don’t give me the tincture. I’m fine. Arg--” Yasin paused as Jason punctured his skin with a needle. Though I was distracted by his words.

“Brother?” I blurted out and my voice echoed, growing higher in pitch.

“Why, yes. I’m Yasin’s big brother. His over protective big brother. And Hamilton…” he paused watching Hamilton’s expression which was growing stormy.

“And Hamilton is our cousin. That’s how we all look a little similar.” Jason finished. Hamilton rolled his eyes.

“Yes and Jason, here, is the loose cannon.” Hamilton groaned, “Making things complicated.” He grinned at me.

“I think our mother should see you now.” Jason said firmly to Yasin who moaned.

“Our mother is Farica, High Prophetess of Adelio.” Jason said to me.

“I guess you’ve heard of her then?” he asked.

Chapter 3 - Adelio

2009-06-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

Chapter 3 - Adelio

As Hamilton described the route I soon realised how little I knew of other cities. I could walk through High Roost unaided. I knew every quarter customs, holidays and ways. For example the Spice Quarter coexisted with the Silk Quarter harmoniously, sharing many customs. Whereas friction occurred between the Cotton Quarter due to trading competition. I hoped Adelio would be similar.

Hamilton had taken it upon himself to oversee the charts, filing in the blanks with recommended routes and notes in a neat hand. I plotted the course to Adelio under his guidance. I still didn’t completely trust him. I slept with my sword, much to his irritation and always wore my dagger on my belt.

“Do you really have to carry that?” Hamilton groaned as I sharpened my dagger one day. I flung my dagger at the post next to him. I grinned at his disapproval.

“Just practising, don’t worry!” I teased. Hamilton ignored me and looked at the charts. Sighing I went to retrieve my blade. Suddenly he’d sprung at me, pinning my shoulders to the floor with his fingers. Pain shot through my arms.

“Don’t forget this. I could kill you with one hand. Scavengers have great strength and so do I,” he hissed in my ear before helping me up. Before I could react a voice crackled out from the radio.

“Do you have clearance to enter the highest tier of the port of Adelio?” a cool female voice inquired.

“No, ma’am. Could you direct us to the common anchorage?” I asked. Hamilton explained that not all cites forced wanderers to moor in the dump hills.

“Do you have any malicious intent towards out fair city? State your business.” The voice demanded.

Hamilton took over and said “We wish to purchase supplies of food, ma’am.”

“Tier Two, Anchor 0997. The city of Adelio thanks you.” The voice ended.

Hamilton sat down in a chair while I took the helm guiding the ship down to Tier 2. Anchor 0997 was on a walkway where attendants waited to throw rope bridges across to us. Hamilton managed to attach them single-handed. He was about to leave the ship when I stopped him.

“You can’t go out into Adelio looking like that.” I said. Hamilton had his Scavenger robe around his waist. The sun glinted on his metal arms and outlined his torso.

“Why?” he said puzzled.

“One you’ll catch your death. Two, you’ll attract attention. If there’s one thing I know is that if your in the docklands its in your best interest to be invisible.” I said heading towards a cupboard. I pulled out ochre leggings, a green tunic and a pair of brown boots.

“My brother, Kestrel, was your build. I think these will fit.” I shoved the garments into Hamilton’s hands. “Go into back and change.”

***

While Hamilton changed I sat on the quay beside Sea Hawk. All around me were the sights, sounds and smells of Adelio. It was a lot like High Roost with the traders shouting, taverns filled with pilots and pirates clustered together in corners. Somehow Adelio was different from anything I’d ever known. It was like it was a city built for the Goddesses. The voice had said “Our fair city”. She’d been right.

Adelio was a white city; temples and monuments were on the higher tiers and wooden houses clustered below them. Stately processions of wealthy merchants passed by. The men wore white robes with a coat of arms and the women wore pristine white gowns, their faces shrouded by veils. Woven in and around these processions were normal travellers. Laughing spice merchants talking to silk merchants as the latter watched the cotton traders warily.

“Amazing isn’t it?” Hamilton said quietly making me jump.

“Its very different from my home.” I replied “Its living for a start.”

Hamilton grimaced at the words before tugging my hand so I stood up. He’d locked the airship up and changed without me hearing. Scavenger’s seemed to have every human trait magnified. He was changed into my brother’s clothes. Kestrel had slightly broader in the shoulders but that didn’t matter.

Hamilton had found a pair of brown cloaks, one of which he gave to me.

“So we will blend in,” he joked fixing his own cloak around his shoulders. I threw my own on. He gestured towards a tavern on the quay “The Penny and Eagle”.

“I seem to have visited this before.” Hamilton murmured “I…”

He was cut short as a whirlwind of white ran at him shouting “Hamilton!”

I watched as the pale cloud engulfed a surprise Hamilton

“You’re back! You! Here!” the cloak squeaked.

“Yasin?” Hamilton said hoarsely.

“Yes! You came back!” Yasin continued excitedly. He pulled away from Hamilton and I got a good look at the happy boy. He was a head smaller than Hamilton and myself. His long brown hair fell to his pointed chin and into his great grey eyes. He had a huge smile, almost too big for his pointed face. He wore a white tunic and black leggings. Adelio seemed to have a code of dress. Yasin seemed to have calmed down and his gaze fell on me. Hamilton answered his quizzical gaze.

“This is Brenna.” Hamilton said to Yasin with a strange look in his eyes.

“Oh. Yes. Hello Brenna. I’m Yasin.” Yasin said softy. Then he held out a hand and said in a happy voice “Welcome to Adelio!” Yasin led Hamilton and I away towards a grand gate to the other higher tiers, before I knew what was happening.

***

Yasin spoke to a surly guard I saw that an airlift descended down to the smooth pavement. As it touched the ground the guard almost fell over his own feet to open the iron gate for Yasin.

“Thank you my man.” Yasin said grandly.

“Yasin is a prophet.” Hamilton whispered, “I remember that he prophesizes invasions and other disasters.”

“He sees all that?” I asked forgetting to be terse towards Hamilton.

“Yasin’s gift is a great burden for him. It’s said he’s seen the end of this world and the next.” Hamilton continued in my ear. I looked at Yasin’s tiny excitable frame that housed a Sight that was legend in Adelio.

“He looks so…young.” I murmured faintly. It seemed extraordinary.

“He’s older beyond this years.” Hamilton replied. I looked up and saw Yasin gesture towards us.

“Please, friends, we haven’t got all day!” Yasin called out as much to us as the watching crowd. Hamilton smiled and we got into the airlift.

***

Once we were secured in the rickety lift immediately felt uncomfortable. Below through the metal bars I watched Tier 2 fall behind. We glided past numerous tiers with timber buildings, each slightly better constructed than the last. The last final tiers had buildings made of white stone assembled on them. They looked like powerful seats and places of Knowledge.

“Its wonderful, isn’t it?” Yasin shouted above the clunk and grind of the airlift’s engine. I nodded politely but I hated every minute. I just wanted to be on solid ground.

“Don’t worry, Brenna. Not long now.” Yasin said sensing my discomfort. Hamilton laughed at my blushing face.

Yasin smiled at this but said nothing and as I thought I couldn’t stand anymore of the swinging airlift it stopped. I saw that we’d stopped at the grandest tier. The crown of Adelio, Tier 12.

Yasin took a deep breath, trying to look important. Another guard opened the gate, bowing low as Yasin stepped out. We followed him as he swept across the vast courtyard. Hamilton tugged me after him.

***

The courtyard was grander than anything I’d seen. A pure stone, purer than marble, had been used. Everything was white, snow, crystal or cream. I spotted Yasin waving from an imposing door.

“Hurry up. We’ve arrived!” he called happily.

After we were inside Yasin’s home he seemed to deflate into a normal boy, excitable and delighted to see Hamilton. I wondered if his life was very lonely. Hamilton seemed dazed to have met someone who’d known him before he’d become a Scavenger. Hamilton had said that being a Scavenger was like having a new body with new memories. Scavengers had no emotions or feelings towards people or places of their past. This made them such effective killers.

Yasin chattered away to Hamilton about everything he’d missed since his disappearance five years ago. We’d continued walking and now we stood on a large, curved balcony. Three outsized cushions had been laid out. The servants either knew or had been told to expect company returning with Yasin that day. Yasin threw himself down breathing out with relief.

“I hate being so grand when I’m out all the time.” Yasin grumbled morosely.

Hamilton smiled at his words as he sat down next to his old friend. I sat down in silence, feeling out of place on the balcony. I still wore my dusty clothes with scorch marks on my boots. Hamilton looked like the borrowed clothes were made for him. A light breeze blew my hair in my face. It smelt like smoke too. I got up from my cushion and went to the edge of the balcony. I watched the airships, spinning and diving. Exalted cries echoed down to the balcony. The feeling of imprisonment washed over me. I wanted to among them, diving and circling like a Silver Palm frond. Tearing my eyes away from the ships I began to survey the courtyard below. Suddenly a sound caught my attention. It was the sound of hooves, fast approaching. A group of four figures rode into the centre of the square. They were swathed in blue robes. Their faces were covered, as were their hands. They dismounted and I saw a flash of light, white light. I gasped and one of the cloaked figures met my gaze.

“Brenna?” I heard Yasin’s voice behind me. He touched my shoulder, trying to glimpse what I’d seen. Suddenly his grip weakened and he collapsed.

Chapter 2 - Hamilton

2009-06-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

Chapter Two - Hamilton

I’d never seen a Scavenger properly before. I’d seen their battle dress many times but not the actual creature.

It looked human but there was a metal plate on top of its head, biting into its crown. I prised this off and stomped on it. As I crushed the metal the Scavenger let out a gasp. It even sounded human. Its eyes opened quickly only to find my sword at its throat. It was a boy about my age with flax coloured hair.

“Nice welcoming committee.” He said glaring at the sword. I jabbed it at him answering with my own glare.

“Don’t push it, Scavenger.” I snarled, “You’ve already burned my home and tried to kill me. Like I’m going to let you try anything else.”

He smiled, apparently, pleased with my accusations and my irritation. “I don’t think I can take full credit for the first. As for the second I wasn’t myself. Haven’t been for a long time.” He finished ruefully. I moved my sword a little allowing him to sit up. His loose cloak fell down to his waist exposing metal arms attached to his human torso. He must have read the shock in my eyes.

“Part of the introductionary process. They catch you, tame you and give you an order of an eternity of servitude.” He winced as another shock pulsed through him.

“So what are you? Human, Scavenger? What?” I questioned impatiently. I wanted to know exactly what I was dealing with.

“Vegetable, Mineral? You tell me.” He joked and grinned. That grin was testing my patience. This creature, not human, not Scavenger, trying to lighten the mood after he’d tried to kill me.

“So what do they call you?” He asked “Apart from dangerous!” I glared at him.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kick you out of my ship.” I hissed ignoring his pleasant question.

“I may have been a Scavenger but I’m not completely without manners! What do they call you?” He said again.

“Brenna” I answered “Happy now?”

“That’s better. I’m Hamilton or “From the beautiful mountain. Whichever will do but I prefer Hamilton.” He smiled and held out his hand “Nice to meet you, Brenna.”

I couldn’t help smiling at his politeness compared to what had just happened. In a moment of madness I sheathed my sword. Hamilton nodded and did the same. He seemed satisfied with the outcome of the conversation and presumed himself excepted. Hamilton moved over the charts.

“So what’s your route?” Hamilton asked.

“Why?” I asked suddenly then I collected myself. “I was heading south but I was betting on divine inspiration.”

Hamilton frowned as if he was trying to remember something from his past. Finally he spoke “I guess you want to save your family.” He mused. I waited as he looked at the charts again. Finally he stood up and came to a conclusion.

“I have a proposition for you, Brenna. You promise not to carve me up if I say it?” He asked carefully watching my expression.

“Fine. Say it but promise not to carve ME up either.” I said returning his gaze suspiciously. He seemed to take his as an agreement and continued.

“Well, it seems to me that you’re on a suicidal mission. Alone. You’ve spared my life so I have a debt to you and until I sae your life I must honour my debt. Do you think we can be a team, Brenna?” He smiled encouragingly at me.

I stood there, weighing up my options. On the one hand I could go it alone. I’d probably end up dead or like Hamilton. Not human but a Scavenger. There was the other option of accepting Hamilton into my ship. I could do with another person here. I hadn’t had much sleep, always on my guard and I really didn’t know much of the world. Suddenly I realised I had no choice.

“Fine. You win this time but cross my sword again and its lights out.” I said.

Hamilton exhaled, “Excellent.” He breathed. He bent down to the charts again. I joined him this time, holding my hair out the way to see a small ink line. It was between High Roost and another port over the border towards the Green Sea.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

Hamilton looked up, grinned, and said “The city of Adelio.”

Chapter 1 - High Roost

2009-06-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

Prologue

The last of my water ran out a few hours ago. I watched as the drop filtered through the sand and dust. It was miles from the port of High Roost. Too far…

Chapter 1 – High Roost

Among its lush vegetation and marble buildings my family lowered our airship, the Sea-Hawk. My parents were spice traders, tired of the open skies, they settled in the Spice Quarter of the port. I remember the vibrant purples against the soft whites, yellows and greens. I remember the sounds of the air-merchants, mud-beggars and the sand-pirates squabbling amongst themselves. It felt like home, we were happy there in Port High Roost.

With the Rainy season came the Scavengers. Thick and fast across the dunes. Mothers’ clutched children and animals fled in their path. Gilded antelope darted, in herds, out into the desert. Clouds of Bearded Ostriches sped to the east only to fall over the cliffs to the rocks below.

The Scavengers were large, shapeless creatures swathed in ragged fabrics. It seemed the colours of their tattered cloaks indicated their rank. From the dull brown of the soldiers to the coal black of their superiors. They rode skeletal creatures. Beyond starvation these animals were unrecognisable. This mottled army penetrated the thick walls and swarmed up the tiered city, burning as they went.

They set the trees & marble columns alight. At the dockland pilots and pirates, alike, boarded their airships and took to the skies. The battle of High Roost begun. Burning fireballs and spears dropped towards the Scavengers. They retailed with large catapults constructed from miss-matched metal. They flung grey boulders skyward. These tore through delicate sails of the airships. Many a fine ship was lost that day. Some were shot down in a blaze of their own weapon-fire. Others simply drifted away into the thick grey smoke. Never to be seen again.

The battle of High Roost was devastating to the port. The Scavengers stripped the gold from the palace, the lead and the pearly marble. They cut down the trees and took the spices. After blocking up the wells the Scavengers rounded up the surviving people into wagons. I hid in the wreckage of an airship.

It wasn’t until night fell that I felt safe enough to resurface from the wreck. My family. My parents, brothers and my little sister were gone. I was alone. I unhooked my dagger from my belt. It was only a precaution. I had had no need to use it back then. The Scavengers were just visible. Heading away over the dunes, slower now laden with their ‘cargo’. They were heading to the North. Towards where the sandy dunes met the icy tundra of Adajar.

The tundra of Adajar was home to nothing but pestilence and disease. It was said that a great Lady lived high up on a mountain. It also said that she created the Scavengers to be her slaves and minions. This tundra was vast. As vast and empty as the Great Sun Desert was full of traders and cities.

It had once been separated by a mountain range. Over thousands of years the boundary separating good and evil was broken. An earthquake shook the mountains to their cores. They were made of fine sand and dust covered with a thin layer of ice. The protective layer of ice splintered and cracked. It was said that the dust poured out of the cracks and the mountain gods dragged the mountains down underground. Only a large, dark crevasse remained. Like a scar on the face of a great sand-pirate. The only means of passage to Adajar were badly made bridges.

It wasn’t recommended to travel to the North alone. It certainly wasn’t advised to go anywhere on foot. It was then I had noticed something familiar under some Silver Palm leaves. My old airship.

Miraculously Sea-Hawk had escaped serious damage. The red paintwork was scratched and one of the wings was torn in a corner. Nothing that an hour or two of work wouldn’t fix. When the moon was at its highest point the Sea-Hawk floated proudly above the wreckage. I’d packed what I would need. Food, water, maps and clothes.

As I studied the charts I realised I had nothing but the ship. I was now a wanderer. These were rejects and back sky traders. No moorings or anchors. And no anchor meant mooring on the dumps below tiered cites like High Roost. This was incredibly dangerous as the were worse things than Scavengers in those midge-ridden hills.

I pulled away from the anchor for the last time. It slid from its chains and fell onto the sand with a dull thump. I wasn’t Brenna, daughter of Aberahama anymore. I was Brenna, the wanderer.

***

It must have been a few days later. I had spun the compass randomly and it pointed to the South. The opposite direction from the Scavengers. I didn’t know if I was glad or sad. Glad to be getting further away from the parasites but filled with guilt and sorrow that I was abandoning my family. Just for then. I found myself decided on my future, I would save my family. I could try at least but I knew I couldn’t alone.

I spun the wheel so the ship turned south towards the burning sun. The golden light filled the cabin, casting a shower of bright lights onto the panelled walls. Rainbows sparkled on my skin and the control panel. They shone on a mirror. I felt mesmerized and shock by what the mirror showed me.

It was large and shrouded in ragged black fabric. It carried a long sword. One word burned in my brain, burning as bright as the Sun. “SCAVANGER”. In my ship. Miles above the desert floor. I was trapped. Casually I reached for my sword, which was lying, on my seat, next to me. I pretended to inspect the blade. The Scavenger apparently hadn’t seen me but it could smell me.

Scavengers were excellent trackers with a keen sense of smell and hearing. This one was no exception as it limped onto the control deck. I tried to slow my quickening heart but the Scavenger’s head tilted slowly towards me. It inhaled and a rasping hiss followed. Before I could unsheathe my sword the Scavenger had lunged, narrowly missing my side with its blade. I tumbled into a crouch and kicked the Scavenger’s legs from under it. A scream of rage, like a boiling kettle, escaped the black hood. The flat of its sword made contact with my own legs. The force was incredible and I was propelled into a crate. While I recovered my balance I could see that the Scavenger was on its feet, headed towards me. With sword tip pointed down, straight down, like a priest sacrificing a lamb.

I slumped against the crate waiting for death. As the blade the blade cut through the air the ship pitched violently. The Scavenger’s blade pierced not my skin but the crate. I had been thrown clear so fast I thought I was dead. I wasn’t. I brought my own blade down hard on the Scavenger’s cloaked head. To any other creature it would have been a deathblow. Instead the effect on the Scavenger was peculiar. It landed on the floor, contorted and jerking as if it had an electric currant inside it. The Scavenger made no sound but continued to jolt violently.

The ship pitched again but I was still on course, heading south. It was on autopilot so I could concentrate fully on the writhing black cloak. Suddenly it stopped and stilled. With my sword tip I pulled at the fabric, examining the Scavenger. I didn’t expect what I saw next.

The Name

2009-06-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

Made it!

I've been trying every web hosting site & then I found a nice Mamothalda-shaped place for my own little website. Mamothalda. Its a little...individual to say the least.

I always have trouble making up names and this one was weird! "Mamo" I think it means Mother in Russian (I think - not sure) and "thalda" just seemed to follow after it naturally!

I've been writing this for about a month and had loads of fun, whether people will enjoy reading it is another matter (hope you do though)! Its a fantasy story, different from anything I've ever attempted before. I'll post the already completed chapters up soon and will finish the rest soon.

So that's Mamothalda!