As per usual, comments and input are appreciated and help fill the cavernous void that a lifetime of creative work has carved out in my soul. Thanks :)
Sieg and Marien: Part 6
Like a swimmer breaching the surface, Marien’s eyes flew open and she took a deep gasping breath. Suddenly the fortress, the courtyard, and Sieg were replaced by the plain white walls of a medical ward. As she tried to move, a wave of pain rolled over her body, further disorienting her already spinning mind.
“Wha-What is this?” Marien gasped.
As she struggled to sit up, a masked doctor leaned over and grabbed her shoulders, “Hey hey, please calm down.”
“W-what?”
“You must stay still or you will reopen your wounds.”
“Where… how…” As Marien gasped for breath, memories came flooding back, “There was… a fight… she attacked me… I was knocked down, she came at me again... and I fought…”
“You did. Apparently you won, though it did come at some cost.”
“I felt so weak… and cold…” Marien gasped, “I thought I died.”
“You very nearly did,” The doctor replied. “Your wounds weren’t very deep, but you had many of them and lost a great deal of blood. But thanks to your own stubbornness and my skill, you are once more among the living.”
With effort Marien was able to catch her breath, her breathing steadying quickly. “Who are you?”
“I’m Doctor Kallen Hail, I’ve been taking care of you.”
“How long… have I been out?”
“Just over a week. Your rate of recovery has actually been quite rapid, though I have noted a few things that I would like to discuss with you.”
“What about… what about Sieg… does he know I’m here? Is he worried?”
“He’s fine, do not worry.”
“Where is he? Is he here?” Marien pulled off her blanket and shifted to try and get out of bed, “I need to see him.”
“Mrs. Kolvest, if you will stay calm I will explain everything!” Hesitantly Marien stopped trying to stand and lay back, taking a deep breath, “Alright… alright, I’m… I’m relaxed…” With a heavy sigh, the doctor crossed her arms, “Alright, so here’s the thing…”
===
“Mmmmm, Marien, what are you doing… Oh… Oh... you naughty girl, you know that’s forbidden… But it is nice...”
“Sieg Kolvest, you are an idiot!”
FWUMP!
Awakening from a rather pleasant dream, Sieg blinked in a surprised daze as he found himself staring up at Marien standing over him. She held a pillow tightly in her grip and raised over her head to strike him again, a plume of down feathers drifting around her.
As Marien drew back the pillow ag
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A Basitin Love Story: Part 5
As the first stirrings of morning began within the city of Basikal, a heavy fog settled over the port city. The torches shone eerily in the grey gloom as the fishermen started making their way towards the docks, the knocking of the wood floaters on their nets filling the air as they walked. Columns of city guards arrived to relieve the night shift, much to the relief of the guards who had been standing watch all night in the cold and damp.
As the sun peeked over the eastern horizon, it was little more than a pale sphere. But as the sun climbed higher and warm golden light bathed the land, the fog began to disperse, tendrils descending into the valleys and the streets, before disappearing entirely. Bit by bit the city returned to life after a long, dark night.
Dr. Kallen Hail’s cheek twitched as a shaft of light from the window fell across her face. Despite her blindfold, the light of the sun was enough to wake her.
With a loud yawn, the doctor stretched and tested her muscles. She had slept on one of the benches in the staff room, and as a result her shoulders hurt a little. As she climbed to her feet she felt a gentle shifting in her lower belly.
“Shhhh now,” she whispered, patting her stomach, trying to quite the movements of the little life growing inside her, “Go back to sleep.”
“Ah good, you’re awake.”
Kallen turned towards the voice, “Doctor Silver, good morning.”
“There’s no patients in here, you can take your blindfold off.
With a relieved sigh, Kallen reached up and pulled off her blindfold. The sudden brightness made her blink for a few moments, but her eyes adapted quickly. Her colleague, Doctor Sara Silver, stood in front of her with a steaming cup of ginger and blackberry leaf tea.
“Thank you Doctor Silver.” Kallen said, taking the cup and sniffing it, the sharp scent of ginger filling her nostrils and sending a pulse of energy through her whole body.
“How are you feeling?”
Kallen sighed, “The headaches and the back pain I could deal with, but this itching is driving me crazy. I mean, why? Why am I itchy? It makes no sense.”
Sara nodded knowingly as she sat down at a small table in the center of the room, “For me it was my feet. When I was pregnant with Lyle I couldn’t stay on my feet for more than ten minutes.”
With a frustrated grumble Kallen sat down across from Sara and took a sip of her tea, “What I wouldn’t give to be a Keidran sometimes. Five or six months of this I could live with, hell I’d
... keep reading on reddit ➡Part 3 of the story I've been writing for Tom Fischbachs welcoming TwoKinds! Hope you folks are enjoying the story. As always, thoughts, comments and questions are super appreciated.
If you haven't read the first part, it is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Twokinds/comments/ol3xzg/their_first_time_story_written_for_the_artwork/
And if you haven't read the second part, it is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Twokinds/comments/om9cf1/sieg_and_marien_a_basitin_love_story_part_2_based/
A Basitin Love Story Part 3 - Duel
“This really is not necessary.”
“Just sit still and this will go much faster.”
Lieutenant General Kent Silver sighed heavily as the doctor worked to clean an ugly gash on his arm. “Pointless, just wrap it up and leave it be. A few more scars might do well for my reputation.”
“Thank goodness your Lieutenant had more sense and insisted on bringing you here.” The doctor replied, gently working a cotton swab around the wound. After a moment she drew it to her nose and sniffed, a frown crossing her face, “There is dirt and detritus in the wound already, if it isn’t cleaned it could get infected
Kent raised an eyebrow, “Infected? Who do you think you are talking to? I am a Basitin warrior, not a human.”
“Yes yes, you soldiers are all very strong.” The doctor grumbled to herself, dropping the bloody cotton swab into a bucket beside her feet. From the pocket of her long white coat, she withdrew a small bottle of ointment, popped off the little cork, and dabbed some on a cloth, “So, with that being said, I am sure you won’t even feel this.”
“What are you-” As the doctor slapped the cloth against his wound, Kent slammed his mouth shut, only a tiny squeal of agony escaping his lips. It took all of his control to keep himself from leaping straight, and his tail stuck straight out with such force that it sent a pillow flying across the room. The claws on the ends of his toes dug into the floor and carved little furrows in the wood.
“There.” The doctor said with a smile, patting Kent on the head, “Not so bad after all, is it?”
“No.” Kent replied, unable to prevent his voice from squeaking, “It’s... just... fine.” Had he looked down at his arm, he was certain he would see smoke rising up from it.
“Good. Now, a few stitches
... keep reading on reddit ➡Sieg and Marien Part 7
With a loud, groaning yawn, Marien’s eyes slowly slid open. Outside of her window she could see just the tiniest hint of the sun starting to rise above the eastern horizon.
Swinging her legs over the side of her bed, Marien stretched, testing her shoulders, her arms, legs and tail. As she did she felt just the slightest tingle in her lower belly and a subtle pulse of warmth. The pleasant sensation sent a shiver up her back and made her toes curl a little with nervous, fluttering energy.
“Almost time,” her body seemed to saying. “Almost time.”
Ignoring the sensations, Marien set about pulling on her tunic. For a moment she instinctively reached for her armour, before remembering that she had taken the day off. While she left her armour sitting on its rack, she did retrieve her sword belt and cape.
Before she turned to leave, Marien reached under her pillow and withdrew the small piece of fabric that Sieg had last given her. After sniffing it and smiling, she carefully folded it and placed it within her tunic.
Satisfied, Marien left her room and descended the wooden stairs leading from her room to the central living area.
The house in which Marien lived was occupied by three other females. Two of them were Hazel and Kaiya, whom Marien had known since her training days. The fourth, Palles, was a scout, and was often out on long missions, and as such was very rarely home. Even when she did return, Marien barely caught more than a fleeting glimpse of her.
Once out of training, Kaiya had taken a job escorting supply trains, and so she too would often be gone for long stretches. Most of the time, only Hazel and Marien occupied the house, which usually suited Marien just fine. However, just over a year ago, it had suddenly become more troublesome.
Marien sighed heavily as she walked into the dining area and noticed Hazel slumped over the table, several empty bottles piled around her.
Careful not to wake her friend, Marien tiptoed into the kitchen area and began preparing some tea, making certain to add extra peppermint leaves to Hazel’s.
With two steaming cups in hand, Marien made her way back into the dining area. After shifting enough bottles to set the mug down, Marien gently shook Hazel’s shoulder.
“Hazel? Haaaaaazel, come on, wake up.” Marien shook Hazel a little harder. “Come on, time to get up, I made some tea.”
“Kill me…” came a low, groggy reply.
“Come on, you can do it.”
Slowly Hazel raised her head, blinking
... keep reading on reddit ➡If you haven't read the first part, it is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Twokinds/comments/ol3xzg/their_first_time_story_written_for_the_artwork/
And if you haven't read the second part, it is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Twokinds/comments/om9cf1/sieg_and_marien_a_basitin_love_story_part_2_based/
And if you haven’t read part three, it is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Twokinds/comments/oo740p/sieg_and_marien_a_basitin_love_story_part_3_based/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
Welp, I hope you enjoy. As always, as a struggling writer attention is all that keep me going (that and frankly ludicrous caffeine) so please feel free to comment below. All thoughts welcome. Enjoy. Part 5 is fully written, and will be posted within a few days.
Sieg and Marien’s Story - Part 4
A long cobbled path led from the outskirts of Basikal city to a large stone fortress sitting atop a hill. Long banners bearing the Basitin coat of arms, as well as the heraldry of General Braxsis, billowed in the early morning breeze. Rows upon rows of fruit trees surrounded the western outer wall of the fortress, while the south and east walls were surrounded by rows of pale canvas tents. Working replicas of a variety of siege weapons dotted the surrounding landscape.
Marien walked hand in hand alongside her mother. Her ears twitched as she caught the sounds of shouting, and the ring of steel coming from within the fortress.
“Come on.” Her mother urged, gently tugging Marien’s arm as she paused to examine a small frog hopping in the grass. “We’re almost there.”
Marien frowned as she looked back at her mother, a tall, noble basitin warrior that towered over her. Her short brown hair stuck out underneath her helmet, like the petals of a bell flower. Her sandy brown fur was neatly brushed and her soft, almond shaped eyes were the colour of honey. Around her neck was a small pendant she always wore, a small tropical flower carved from wood with red and blue petals and a glistening ivory pearl in the center.
“I don’t wanna go there.” Marien said, pulling on her mother’s arm and trying to walk back towards the city.
Her mother held her hand gently, yet firmly, “This is just training, sweety, it will be exciting.
“I want to go home.”
“I thought y
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