Novel Title: Hopeless Night
Series Title: Saga of Zeig*
Time Setting: 1627-1639 Age of Peace†
Genre: Medieval-esque Fantasy
Minimum Word Goal: 90,000 words
Timespan: August 1627-June 1639
Location(s): Graßbenestädt am Waßergabein, Flächbenestadte am Zeig, Geizenstadte am Küste, Hangstädt am Krummbucklig, Sommerstädt am Apfel, Funsternessädt am Voortrefflisch, Ellbogenstädt am Weizen, and Wiesestädt am Strenghärte, Kaingsvoldisch Zeigreisch
Main Characters: Magnus Kenner and Emma Pächlersöhn
Background Information:
Kaingsvoldisch Zeigreisch: Established as a distinct nation in 237, and a monarchy in 301, Zeig has been a rather peaceable nation throughout its history; even when the kingdom separated, producing Kaingsvoldisch Deuschbren in 792, and Kaingsvoldisch Außtöst in 817, the separations were peaceable and the relations between the nations have since been amicable.
The most unique thing about Zeig, however, is how it deals with convicted criminals. In 798 Zeig abolished slavery, but noted that it had hardly abated by 808 — ten years later — so the king declared that there would be no more prisons; instead, convicted criminals who didn't receive the death sentence would be sentenced to slavery and were allowed to be bought, sold, and treated more along the lines of animals until their time was served — or if it was life, until they died.
In the 1600s Zeig is well known for its foods, it is one of the major agricultural producers and much of the finest foods available have been grown or raised within the borders of Zeig.
Magnus: Born the fourth son and ninth child of fifteen (seventh of ten living) children to a wainwright^ and his wife, Magnus lives a slightly above-average life. He lives such a life because his mother is the eldest daughter of one of the king's own food suppliers — a rather wealthy man.
Being as Magnus' maternal grandfather had no sons — making his mother the technical heiress to the farm — Magnus is not only being trained as a wainwright, but he has also gained knowledge in farming, and has shown himself exceptional above his brothers in managing the farm, in specifically in horsemanship, which as made him his grandfather's favourite and sparked rumours around the town that Magnus might inherit his grandfather's farm.
Emma: The third daughter and seventh child of soon-to-be ten (sixth living of currently seven) children born to a servant couple who are willingly employed by another one of the king's own food suppliers by the name of Ladislaus Reiter; she doesn't really mind the fact that her family is lesser fortunate than Magnus' family would've been without his mother being who she is. In fact, Emma finds her life quite happy and doesn't really want for anything she doesn't already have.
Pronunciations:
Zeig: zayegh
Graßbenestädt am Waßergabein: grass-bennehstahd ahm wasser-gahbyne
Flächbenestadte: flachbennehstahd
Geizenstadte: guyzehnstahd
Küste: koost
Hangstädt: hahngstahd
Krummbucklig: crummbuck-lig
Sommerstädt: sohmerstahd
Apfel: app-fell
Funsternesstädt: foonsternehstahd
Voortrefflisch: voortref-lish
Ellbogenstädt: elbow-genstahd
Weizen: why-zen
Wiesestädt: wisestahd
Strenghärte: strehnghahrt
Kaingsvoldisch: kangsvold-ish
Zeigreisch: zayegh-rayesh
Pächlersöhn: pahchler-sown
Deuschbren: dooyshbrehn
Außtöst: ows'toast
Ladislaus Reiter: ladisslouse righter
*Zeig is located in the same world as Le Gané from September Novel No. 2, Corruption Rent, last year
†Does not correspond to 1627-1639 A.D.
^Wainwright is the archaic term for wagon maker
Friday, February 27, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Glimpsed: Day 10
Word Total: 60,003
Year to Date: 270,010
Summary of Events:
Chapter 19:
Robert woke up from a nightmare about Christina and went to the saloon to forget about it. Samuel got up and discovered Robert gone, and found he wasn't even at the saloon, so he set out in search of him. Charlotte and her brother Peter said their farewells to Deborah and Holloway and set out before they noticed something strange on the lake's ice, Peter went out to investigate.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Shrill, feminine screaming was ringing off the mountains. Samuel urged California to pick up her pace, even though his mare was rather tired from moving quickly through nearly the entirety of Georgetown.
California slowly galloped up to where a wagon was stopped by the roadside. A woman sat on the wagon seat screaming. Samuel rode up and caught her gaze. She looked vaguely familiar and yet also somewhat unfamiliar.
"What's the matter?" Samuel asked.
"A drunk man and my brother, they're in the water, the ice broke," she replied.
Samuel stopped listening after that and turned his gaze toward the lake. There was a break in the ice, two heads bobbing in the water. There was little time. Those men could be dead in minutes.
"Go get Dr. Rowledge!" Samuel said — interrupting the woman.
Turning California, Samuel had her walk briskly onto the ice. He didn't dare ask her to go much faster lest she fall and they die too. Samuel heard hooves ringing behind him and hoped that it was the woman going to get the doctor.
Arriving at the break, Samuel stopped California just short and dropped her reins to the ice. She stood still her head lowered, breathing deeply and restoring her energy. Samuel peeled off his coat in spite of the biting air and seized the arm of the man who was trying to get out of the water. He had blonde hair like the woman.
Samuel pulled him out onto the surface and laid him down the ice, putting his coat over him. Turning back to the water, Samuel recognized the face that he saw gazing at him with an expression of pure rage. Robert.
A savage screaming roar came out of Robert's throat and he lunged forward with an energy that surprised Samuel. Suddenly Samuel's balance was lost and a blast of cold like he'd stepped through a portal into Alaska wrapped around him rapidly. He was floating.
Samuel was underwater, something was holding him down. He couldn't get out. He couldn't get air. He needed air. Samuel clawed and suddenly his head broke the surface, he gasped air into his lungs. Now he had to get both of them out of here.
Robert swung at Samuel and missed him. Samuel tried to grab Robert and get him out of the water. His clothes were weighing him down, he felt like his boots were falling off, he tried to grab Robert.
Ferociously Robert struggled with him. Samuel evaded the blows, he got a grip on Robert. Robert's feet flung furiously in the water, his toes striking Samuel in the shins, his hands grabbed Samuel and his fingers dug in.
Samuel desperately struggled to get Robert out of the water. Why Robert wasn't losing energy, or even already dead, was miraculous to Samuel, but he couldn't worry about that now. He had to get Robert out of this water. Now."
Chapter 20:
Samuel woke up and recovered at Dr. Rowledge's house with Peter and Robert. Charlotte went and told Deborah what had happened and Deborah brought soup to the men. Later Samuel asked Robert why he'd done what he did and Robert expressed regret of his actions when Christina and his children had been sick. Charlotte and Peter left again without any incidents and Charlotte got worrying about her relationship with Elisha again.
Check back for March Novel Essential Information on February 27.
Year to Date: 270,010
Summary of Events:
Chapter 19:
Robert woke up from a nightmare about Christina and went to the saloon to forget about it. Samuel got up and discovered Robert gone, and found he wasn't even at the saloon, so he set out in search of him. Charlotte and her brother Peter said their farewells to Deborah and Holloway and set out before they noticed something strange on the lake's ice, Peter went out to investigate.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Shrill, feminine screaming was ringing off the mountains. Samuel urged California to pick up her pace, even though his mare was rather tired from moving quickly through nearly the entirety of Georgetown.
California slowly galloped up to where a wagon was stopped by the roadside. A woman sat on the wagon seat screaming. Samuel rode up and caught her gaze. She looked vaguely familiar and yet also somewhat unfamiliar.
"What's the matter?" Samuel asked.
"A drunk man and my brother, they're in the water, the ice broke," she replied.
Samuel stopped listening after that and turned his gaze toward the lake. There was a break in the ice, two heads bobbing in the water. There was little time. Those men could be dead in minutes.
"Go get Dr. Rowledge!" Samuel said — interrupting the woman.
Turning California, Samuel had her walk briskly onto the ice. He didn't dare ask her to go much faster lest she fall and they die too. Samuel heard hooves ringing behind him and hoped that it was the woman going to get the doctor.
Arriving at the break, Samuel stopped California just short and dropped her reins to the ice. She stood still her head lowered, breathing deeply and restoring her energy. Samuel peeled off his coat in spite of the biting air and seized the arm of the man who was trying to get out of the water. He had blonde hair like the woman.
Samuel pulled him out onto the surface and laid him down the ice, putting his coat over him. Turning back to the water, Samuel recognized the face that he saw gazing at him with an expression of pure rage. Robert.
A savage screaming roar came out of Robert's throat and he lunged forward with an energy that surprised Samuel. Suddenly Samuel's balance was lost and a blast of cold like he'd stepped through a portal into Alaska wrapped around him rapidly. He was floating.
Samuel was underwater, something was holding him down. He couldn't get out. He couldn't get air. He needed air. Samuel clawed and suddenly his head broke the surface, he gasped air into his lungs. Now he had to get both of them out of here.
Robert swung at Samuel and missed him. Samuel tried to grab Robert and get him out of the water. His clothes were weighing him down, he felt like his boots were falling off, he tried to grab Robert.
Ferociously Robert struggled with him. Samuel evaded the blows, he got a grip on Robert. Robert's feet flung furiously in the water, his toes striking Samuel in the shins, his hands grabbed Samuel and his fingers dug in.
Samuel desperately struggled to get Robert out of the water. Why Robert wasn't losing energy, or even already dead, was miraculous to Samuel, but he couldn't worry about that now. He had to get Robert out of this water. Now."
Chapter 20:
Samuel woke up and recovered at Dr. Rowledge's house with Peter and Robert. Charlotte went and told Deborah what had happened and Deborah brought soup to the men. Later Samuel asked Robert why he'd done what he did and Robert expressed regret of his actions when Christina and his children had been sick. Charlotte and Peter left again without any incidents and Charlotte got worrying about her relationship with Elisha again.
Check back for March Novel Essential Information on February 27.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Glimpsed: Day 9
Word Count: 54,007
Summary of Events:
Chapter 17:
Samuel and Robert got up early to work at one of the mines in the area in spite of Samuel's fears of silicosis. Charlotte and Deborah went to visit Mrs. Guest and met Ella and Verbena; she had a lengthy conversation with them about God as well.
Chapter 18:
Samuel and Robert went to work in spite of a snowstorm — lest they suffer consequences that unnerved Samuel. Charlotte and Deborah engaged in discussion while waiting out the snowstorm at Deborah's house. Samuel and Robert then got paid and Robert nearly went to the saloon and started drinking again.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Arriving in the office and into warm air out of the bitter cold wind, Samuel relaxed his shoulders and slowly moved forward with the line toward the arrogant man who looked to be reluctantly doling out money to the rough and tumble miners lined up before him.
Finally Samuel's turn came and he was given a bill and a handful of coins. Samuel stepped aside and counted the money. He nearly went back to protest — but caught himself before he lost the money, or even his job — he'd made as much money as they'd paid him for a week's work in one day driving trains! He'd made about this much money for two days at that ranch, and even working in construction! Mr. Baril had paid him about three times this much for the same amount of time he'd worked here at the butcher shop!
Looking up, Samuel tried to find Robert, but Robert wasn't anywhere to be seen. Not in the lineup, not in the few men milling around elsewhere. Had Robert set out alone? He shoved his money into his pocket and strode out the door.
A group of men was walking ahead. Samuel hurried to catch up with them as they walked along the boardwalk. Samuel just about froze when he saw they were heading for the saloon. He hoped desperately that Robert wasn't already there.
The group of men kept just enough of ahead of Samuel and walked into the saloon. Arriving at the door, Samuel peered in, not sure if he wanted to commit unless he was sure that Robert was there, but he couldn't tell.
Samuel strode in and looked around, he couldn't see Robert anywhere.
"Robert!" Samuel called out sharply. Most every man turned and looked at him, and he saw what he'd feared. Robert was sitting on one of the stools along the main counter, money in hand.
Samuel strode briskly forward and seized Robert's arm. Without protest Robert let Samuel drag him out of the saloon and all the way back to the Guests' house before he said anything.
"What were you doing?" Samuel snapped.
"Getting something to drink," Robert replied flatly.
"Mrs. Guest has water," Samuel said, he then waited until Robert had taken off his coat and hat and led Robert up to their room.
Robert instantly went over to his bed and sat down, looking completely shamed.
"We're being paid a – pittance by that swindler and you were just going to blow it doing exactly what you're not supposed to be doing?" Samuel asked.
"At least you were there to notice," Robert replied.
Samuel startled and thought about it. If he would've been working another job he wouldn't have been able to notice if Robert would've gone with the rest of the men and blown his pay on liquor."
Summary of Events:
Chapter 17:
Samuel and Robert got up early to work at one of the mines in the area in spite of Samuel's fears of silicosis. Charlotte and Deborah went to visit Mrs. Guest and met Ella and Verbena; she had a lengthy conversation with them about God as well.
Chapter 18:
Samuel and Robert went to work in spite of a snowstorm — lest they suffer consequences that unnerved Samuel. Charlotte and Deborah engaged in discussion while waiting out the snowstorm at Deborah's house. Samuel and Robert then got paid and Robert nearly went to the saloon and started drinking again.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Arriving in the office and into warm air out of the bitter cold wind, Samuel relaxed his shoulders and slowly moved forward with the line toward the arrogant man who looked to be reluctantly doling out money to the rough and tumble miners lined up before him.
Finally Samuel's turn came and he was given a bill and a handful of coins. Samuel stepped aside and counted the money. He nearly went back to protest — but caught himself before he lost the money, or even his job — he'd made as much money as they'd paid him for a week's work in one day driving trains! He'd made about this much money for two days at that ranch, and even working in construction! Mr. Baril had paid him about three times this much for the same amount of time he'd worked here at the butcher shop!
Looking up, Samuel tried to find Robert, but Robert wasn't anywhere to be seen. Not in the lineup, not in the few men milling around elsewhere. Had Robert set out alone? He shoved his money into his pocket and strode out the door.
A group of men was walking ahead. Samuel hurried to catch up with them as they walked along the boardwalk. Samuel just about froze when he saw they were heading for the saloon. He hoped desperately that Robert wasn't already there.
The group of men kept just enough of ahead of Samuel and walked into the saloon. Arriving at the door, Samuel peered in, not sure if he wanted to commit unless he was sure that Robert was there, but he couldn't tell.
Samuel strode in and looked around, he couldn't see Robert anywhere.
"Robert!" Samuel called out sharply. Most every man turned and looked at him, and he saw what he'd feared. Robert was sitting on one of the stools along the main counter, money in hand.
Samuel strode briskly forward and seized Robert's arm. Without protest Robert let Samuel drag him out of the saloon and all the way back to the Guests' house before he said anything.
"What were you doing?" Samuel snapped.
"Getting something to drink," Robert replied flatly.
"Mrs. Guest has water," Samuel said, he then waited until Robert had taken off his coat and hat and led Robert up to their room.
Robert instantly went over to his bed and sat down, looking completely shamed.
"We're being paid a – pittance by that swindler and you were just going to blow it doing exactly what you're not supposed to be doing?" Samuel asked.
"At least you were there to notice," Robert replied.
Samuel startled and thought about it. If he would've been working another job he wouldn't have been able to notice if Robert would've gone with the rest of the men and blown his pay on liquor."
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Glimpsed: Day 8
Word Count: 48,005
Summary of Events:
Chapter 15:
Robert was released to live at the Guests' house and he and Samuel discussed the possibility of leaving Georgetown for elsewhere, at least to reduce Robert's temptation and his memories of Christina. Charlotte received a letter from Deborah about Georgetown, for which she was excited.
Chapter 16:
Samuel and Robert discussed where to go and decided to make some money while they waited for spring to fully establish itself so they could have something to get started elsewhere. Charlotte set out for Georgetown with Peter, although Elisha showed up and was quite upset — but Charlotte managed to pacify him and leave without him following.
Excerpt of the Day:
"As they approached the intersection that led toward the saloon Samuel got tense, waiting for Robert to make a move toward it. When they arrived at the intersection Robert stopped and turned his head, looking down the street toward the saloon.
Samuel braced himself, ready to snap and grab Robert away from moving. Robert said nothing. He stared down toward the saloon. Samuel could see the saloon from the corner, and he was quite sure that Robert could see it too.
Robert sighed and turned his head away from the saloon back to look at Samuel. His face bore an expression of desperate longing and mournful regret. There was a great turmoil in the expression on his face.
Reaching around, Samuel put his hand on Robert's shoulder and guided Robert across the street and off toward Mr. and Mrs. Guest's house. Robert followed without protest and moved along with Samuel's guidance to the house.
When they stepped though the door Samuel heard conversation. Mrs. Guest had company from the sounds of things. Samuel took off his hat and hung it up. Robert looked recalcitrant to go forward.
Samuel stepped forward and he heard Robert following after him reluctantly. The parlour door was open, but Samuel didn't intend to stop by it. He was forced to stop by it when Mrs. Guest peered out, though.
"Oh, Mr. Manning, you're back, and Robert, it's so nice to see you, come, I'd like to introduce you to Georgetown's newest resident," Mrs. Guest said.
Samuel ran his hand through his hair to hopefully straighten it somewhat, so that it would look presentable — as he was sure that the company would be mainly feminine in gender.
Stepping inside the parlour, Samuel found that such was indeed the case. All of the people in the room were ladies enjoying a perfectly ladylike tea. Samuel noticed a young woman with blonde hair like honey and gold mixed together, with vibrant green eyes brought out by the green of her dress.
"Mr. Manning, Robert, this is Mrs. Deborah Pue, wife of Mr. Holloway Pue, the new carpenter here in town," Mrs. Guest said.
At her words the rather fetching young woman Samuel had noticed rose to her feet and dipped her head and shoulders in a demure bow. Samuel nodded stiffly, chastising himself for finding a married woman fetching again. Robert nodded numbly.
"Deborah, this is Mr. Robert Goos, Ella and Verbena's father, and Mr. Samuel Manning, Robert's brother-in-law," Mrs. Guest said.
"I'm very pleased to meet you," Mrs. Pue said, smiling kindly in a way that only seemed to make her all the more fetching. Samuel had to get out of this room. The femininity and the fetching appearance of this woman were stifling.
Samuel glanced around the room, trying to find something else to look at, but all he could see were contemptuous glares from the other women in the room."
Summary of Events:
Chapter 15:
Robert was released to live at the Guests' house and he and Samuel discussed the possibility of leaving Georgetown for elsewhere, at least to reduce Robert's temptation and his memories of Christina. Charlotte received a letter from Deborah about Georgetown, for which she was excited.
Chapter 16:
Samuel and Robert discussed where to go and decided to make some money while they waited for spring to fully establish itself so they could have something to get started elsewhere. Charlotte set out for Georgetown with Peter, although Elisha showed up and was quite upset — but Charlotte managed to pacify him and leave without him following.
Excerpt of the Day:
"As they approached the intersection that led toward the saloon Samuel got tense, waiting for Robert to make a move toward it. When they arrived at the intersection Robert stopped and turned his head, looking down the street toward the saloon.
Samuel braced himself, ready to snap and grab Robert away from moving. Robert said nothing. He stared down toward the saloon. Samuel could see the saloon from the corner, and he was quite sure that Robert could see it too.
Robert sighed and turned his head away from the saloon back to look at Samuel. His face bore an expression of desperate longing and mournful regret. There was a great turmoil in the expression on his face.
Reaching around, Samuel put his hand on Robert's shoulder and guided Robert across the street and off toward Mr. and Mrs. Guest's house. Robert followed without protest and moved along with Samuel's guidance to the house.
When they stepped though the door Samuel heard conversation. Mrs. Guest had company from the sounds of things. Samuel took off his hat and hung it up. Robert looked recalcitrant to go forward.
Samuel stepped forward and he heard Robert following after him reluctantly. The parlour door was open, but Samuel didn't intend to stop by it. He was forced to stop by it when Mrs. Guest peered out, though.
"Oh, Mr. Manning, you're back, and Robert, it's so nice to see you, come, I'd like to introduce you to Georgetown's newest resident," Mrs. Guest said.
Samuel ran his hand through his hair to hopefully straighten it somewhat, so that it would look presentable — as he was sure that the company would be mainly feminine in gender.
Stepping inside the parlour, Samuel found that such was indeed the case. All of the people in the room were ladies enjoying a perfectly ladylike tea. Samuel noticed a young woman with blonde hair like honey and gold mixed together, with vibrant green eyes brought out by the green of her dress.
"Mr. Manning, Robert, this is Mrs. Deborah Pue, wife of Mr. Holloway Pue, the new carpenter here in town," Mrs. Guest said.
At her words the rather fetching young woman Samuel had noticed rose to her feet and dipped her head and shoulders in a demure bow. Samuel nodded stiffly, chastising himself for finding a married woman fetching again. Robert nodded numbly.
"Deborah, this is Mr. Robert Goos, Ella and Verbena's father, and Mr. Samuel Manning, Robert's brother-in-law," Mrs. Guest said.
"I'm very pleased to meet you," Mrs. Pue said, smiling kindly in a way that only seemed to make her all the more fetching. Samuel had to get out of this room. The femininity and the fetching appearance of this woman were stifling.
Samuel glanced around the room, trying to find something else to look at, but all he could see were contemptuous glares from the other women in the room."
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Glimpsed: Day 7
Word Count: 42,005
Summary of Events:
Chapter 13:
Samuel went to visit Robert now that he could be up and about, and determined that Robert needed something to live for. Charlotte worked at helping Deborah in packing her things so that she could leave for Georgetown where Holloway had found a job.
Chapter 14:
Samuel brought Ella and Verbena to visit Robert and they were quite afraid of him. Charlotte watched the men pack Holloway and Deborah's things into their wagon and then watched as Holloway and Deborah set out for Georgetown.
Excerpt of the Day:
""They don't want to be," Robert said. "They're trying to get away from you like terrified cats."
"That's only because you've made them afraid," Samuel said. "In your drunkenness and your rages you terrified them. You broke their trust of you, and it's because they feel that you could explode into a rage at any time that they're afraid. You need to convince them that such isn't the case. That they can trust you like thy used to, that you're not that monster all the time."
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Robert asked.
"By not getting mad," Samuel replied.
Robert sighed and shook his head.
"It's not impossible," Samuel said.
He crouched down and settled Verbena between his legs. She tried to scramble away from him, but Samuel held her firmly. She stopped struggling when she buried her face into his chest.
Once he was sure that Verbena wouldn't spook and run Samuel turned to Ella. She gazed wide-eyed and warily at her father. Samuel released her hand and slid his hand around her back. Gently he pushed her toward her father.
Ella dug in her heels and worked to stay put. Samuel continued to gently prod Ella closer.
"There's bares in between so even if he does get made he can't get at you and hurt you," Samuel said quietly.
Ella slowly advanced until she was within a foot of the bars. Samuel took Verbena back up and straightened. Robert looked at Ella. After awhile his face crumpled and tears started to run down his cheeks.
Robert's loud and somewhat gasping inhalation startled Verbena and caused Ella to move closer to Samuel. Robert put his hands up to his face and wept. His sobs sounded bitter and heartbroken. Samuel felt pity for Robert.
"I am a monster!" Robert cried. "I'm a monster to everyone! I'm a savage! I'm a caged beast!"
"You don't have to remain that way Robert," Samuel said.
"There's no hope!" Robert cried.
"Yes there is," Samuel said.
"No! There isn't! There can't possibly be!" Robert protested
"Come here Robert," Samuel said.
Robert got to his feet and started advancing forward. Ella moved even closer to Samuel's leg and clutched the back of his coat with one hand. Samuel took her hand that still remained close to his side to keep her from running.
Arriving at the bars, Robert dropped down to his knees and gazed at Ella. Tears continued to stream down Robert's cheeks as he gazed at Ella. His eyes gazed at her, desperate and pleading.
Samuel glanced back at Ella. Her eyes — the same deep, rich brown as her father's — regarded her father fearfully, although they looked rather glassy, then Samuel noticed tears building in her own eyes.
After awhile Ella burst into tears and released Samuel. She stepped forward across the space between her and the bars and reached forward to take Robert's hand. Samuel felt tears in his own eyes as he looked at them.
"Papa," Ella said."
Summary of Events:
Chapter 13:
Samuel went to visit Robert now that he could be up and about, and determined that Robert needed something to live for. Charlotte worked at helping Deborah in packing her things so that she could leave for Georgetown where Holloway had found a job.
Chapter 14:
Samuel brought Ella and Verbena to visit Robert and they were quite afraid of him. Charlotte watched the men pack Holloway and Deborah's things into their wagon and then watched as Holloway and Deborah set out for Georgetown.
Excerpt of the Day:
""They don't want to be," Robert said. "They're trying to get away from you like terrified cats."
"That's only because you've made them afraid," Samuel said. "In your drunkenness and your rages you terrified them. You broke their trust of you, and it's because they feel that you could explode into a rage at any time that they're afraid. You need to convince them that such isn't the case. That they can trust you like thy used to, that you're not that monster all the time."
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Robert asked.
"By not getting mad," Samuel replied.
Robert sighed and shook his head.
"It's not impossible," Samuel said.
He crouched down and settled Verbena between his legs. She tried to scramble away from him, but Samuel held her firmly. She stopped struggling when she buried her face into his chest.
Once he was sure that Verbena wouldn't spook and run Samuel turned to Ella. She gazed wide-eyed and warily at her father. Samuel released her hand and slid his hand around her back. Gently he pushed her toward her father.
Ella dug in her heels and worked to stay put. Samuel continued to gently prod Ella closer.
"There's bares in between so even if he does get made he can't get at you and hurt you," Samuel said quietly.
Ella slowly advanced until she was within a foot of the bars. Samuel took Verbena back up and straightened. Robert looked at Ella. After awhile his face crumpled and tears started to run down his cheeks.
Robert's loud and somewhat gasping inhalation startled Verbena and caused Ella to move closer to Samuel. Robert put his hands up to his face and wept. His sobs sounded bitter and heartbroken. Samuel felt pity for Robert.
"I am a monster!" Robert cried. "I'm a monster to everyone! I'm a savage! I'm a caged beast!"
"You don't have to remain that way Robert," Samuel said.
"There's no hope!" Robert cried.
"Yes there is," Samuel said.
"No! There isn't! There can't possibly be!" Robert protested
"Come here Robert," Samuel said.
Robert got to his feet and started advancing forward. Ella moved even closer to Samuel's leg and clutched the back of his coat with one hand. Samuel took her hand that still remained close to his side to keep her from running.
Arriving at the bars, Robert dropped down to his knees and gazed at Ella. Tears continued to stream down Robert's cheeks as he gazed at Ella. His eyes gazed at her, desperate and pleading.
Samuel glanced back at Ella. Her eyes — the same deep, rich brown as her father's — regarded her father fearfully, although they looked rather glassy, then Samuel noticed tears building in her own eyes.
After awhile Ella burst into tears and released Samuel. She stepped forward across the space between her and the bars and reached forward to take Robert's hand. Samuel felt tears in his own eyes as he looked at them.
"Papa," Ella said."
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Glimpsed: Day 6
Word Count: 36,153
Summary of Events:
Chapter 11:
Elisha came and dropped off the dress he'd had made for Charlotte, she looked at it and found it was rather immodestly cut. Samuel woke up the next morning and found Robert was gone and brought him back but Robert had such a fit Samuel ended up concussed.
Chapter 12:
Deborah's wedding day finally arrived, but Charlotte was fearing Elisha's reaction when he found she wasn't wearing the dress and talked with the pastor about it. Samuel discussed the whole situation with Robert and how badly it'd been handled by all of Georgetown. Charlotte explained things to Elisha and discussed things with her brother Peter, but she still felt lost and uncertain.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Oh no. Samuel groaned. He threw his coat over his shoulders and headed outside. It was somewhat warmer than it'd been of late — which was quite nice — indicating that spring was — at least hopefully — on its way.
Even though Samuel wanted to run, he made his way carefully down the mountainside on the well-worn trail and made for the saloon, grateful that he knew where it was. He slipped inside quietly — even though he wanted to barge through the doors and get upset.
Robert was sitting at the far end with a large mug in his hand. Wrapping both of his hands around the mug, he drank deeply, emptying the mug and setting it down hard. Samuel quietly made his way over to Robert, who asked for more in a rather heavily slurred voice.
How long had Robert been here? Samuel shook his head. He felt like a complete idiot. He ought to sleep in front of the door. That way Robert wouldn't be able to get out — although it would be kind of cold until spring and summer came around.
Coming up to Robert, Samuel crouched down and grabbed Robert's legs with his one arm, put his shoulder into Robert's abdomen, and raised Robert over his shoulder. Reaching back with his right had he grabbed Robert's left before he could start flailing or squirming.
"Hey!" Robert cried. "Hey what's going on? No! No I don't want to! I want to stay!"
Samuel carried Robert back outside and all the way back up to the shack where Robert let loose in a major temper tantrum, mostly just laying on the floor kicking and screaming. Then he surged to his feet and head-butted Samuel in the chest, slamming Samuel against the door.
Leaning against the door, Samuel gasped for air, the front of his chest hurt rather sharply. At least he was blocking Robert's exit. Samuel sagged to the floor and put his hand against his chest. It hurt.
Robert turned around again and strode toward the door. He tried to open it, but finally he discovered Samuel in the way so he started kicking. The pointed, thick leather toe of the sole of Robert's boot slammed hard against Samuel's backbone, jabbing his insides painfully and causing Samuel to have difficulty seeing.
Samuel tried to find Robert's leg and stop it, but all he was able to get was brushes of the denim material against his hand. Samuel tried desperately to get Robert to stop until Robert's leg slammed hard against the heel of Samuel's hand and drove his elbow into the door — jamming his elbow and wrist.
A yelp escaped Samuel's throat and he brought his arm against his chest to cradle it gently. Suddenly a hard blow hit Samuel in his grazed cheekbone and Samuel was sure he heard a cracking sound."
Summary of Events:
Chapter 11:
Elisha came and dropped off the dress he'd had made for Charlotte, she looked at it and found it was rather immodestly cut. Samuel woke up the next morning and found Robert was gone and brought him back but Robert had such a fit Samuel ended up concussed.
Chapter 12:
Deborah's wedding day finally arrived, but Charlotte was fearing Elisha's reaction when he found she wasn't wearing the dress and talked with the pastor about it. Samuel discussed the whole situation with Robert and how badly it'd been handled by all of Georgetown. Charlotte explained things to Elisha and discussed things with her brother Peter, but she still felt lost and uncertain.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Oh no. Samuel groaned. He threw his coat over his shoulders and headed outside. It was somewhat warmer than it'd been of late — which was quite nice — indicating that spring was — at least hopefully — on its way.
Even though Samuel wanted to run, he made his way carefully down the mountainside on the well-worn trail and made for the saloon, grateful that he knew where it was. He slipped inside quietly — even though he wanted to barge through the doors and get upset.
Robert was sitting at the far end with a large mug in his hand. Wrapping both of his hands around the mug, he drank deeply, emptying the mug and setting it down hard. Samuel quietly made his way over to Robert, who asked for more in a rather heavily slurred voice.
How long had Robert been here? Samuel shook his head. He felt like a complete idiot. He ought to sleep in front of the door. That way Robert wouldn't be able to get out — although it would be kind of cold until spring and summer came around.
Coming up to Robert, Samuel crouched down and grabbed Robert's legs with his one arm, put his shoulder into Robert's abdomen, and raised Robert over his shoulder. Reaching back with his right had he grabbed Robert's left before he could start flailing or squirming.
"Hey!" Robert cried. "Hey what's going on? No! No I don't want to! I want to stay!"
Samuel carried Robert back outside and all the way back up to the shack where Robert let loose in a major temper tantrum, mostly just laying on the floor kicking and screaming. Then he surged to his feet and head-butted Samuel in the chest, slamming Samuel against the door.
Leaning against the door, Samuel gasped for air, the front of his chest hurt rather sharply. At least he was blocking Robert's exit. Samuel sagged to the floor and put his hand against his chest. It hurt.
Robert turned around again and strode toward the door. He tried to open it, but finally he discovered Samuel in the way so he started kicking. The pointed, thick leather toe of the sole of Robert's boot slammed hard against Samuel's backbone, jabbing his insides painfully and causing Samuel to have difficulty seeing.
Samuel tried to find Robert's leg and stop it, but all he was able to get was brushes of the denim material against his hand. Samuel tried desperately to get Robert to stop until Robert's leg slammed hard against the heel of Samuel's hand and drove his elbow into the door — jamming his elbow and wrist.
A yelp escaped Samuel's throat and he brought his arm against his chest to cradle it gently. Suddenly a hard blow hit Samuel in his grazed cheekbone and Samuel was sure he heard a cracking sound."
Monday, February 16, 2015
Glimpsed: Day 5
Word Count: 30,013
Summary of Events:
Chapter 9:
Charlotte and Deborah went shopping for Deborah's wedding dress fabric and then nearly got lost in a sudden blizzard, but Elisha brought him into his shop to wait out the storm. Samuel then tried to inspire Robert to be motivated to quit drinking.
Chapter 10:
Charlotte was subjected to visiting with Elisha — and then going after-hours fabric shopping for fabric because he insisted upon her having a new dress for Deborah's wedding. Samuel and Robert went hunting and Robert kept trying to shoot owls.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Quietly Samuel crawled up the mountainside, slowly making his way toward the mountain sheep that was grazing at something it had found. Once he was sure he'd be in good range Samuel laid down and got his gun into position.
Two quick shots rang out and the sheep startled and ran. Samuel fired, but missed — but he wasn't surprised. Sighing, he got to his feet and walked toward where he saw Robert's feet. Robert was reloading his gun.
"Why did you fire?" Samuel asked.
"Because there was a bird," Robert replied. "I missed it."
Samuel sighed. "Have you forgotten how to hunt?"
"I wanted the bird," Robert said.
"We're looking for big game, like sheep," Samuel said. "We want something that will last for more than a meal."
"It was a big bird," Robert said. "I could've roasted it and been satisfied on half of it and then eaten the other half tomorrow."
"What about me?" Samuel asked. "And what about Ella and Verbena?"
"You can hunt your own food," Robert replied.
"Don't you want something that would feed you for a week?" Samuel asked.
"If I could net ten of those birds I'd be good for a month," Robert replied.
"You'd be good for twenty days," Samuel said.
"Yeah, a month," Robert said.
Samuel sighed. "Look for something bigger than a bird," he said.
"I don't want to," Robert said.
"Fine," Samuel sighed. At least Robert wanted to hunt now.
He went back over to where he had been. No sheep. Carefully he crept forward, making sure not to use a steady stride. He used an unrhythmic stride so that the wildlife wouldn't know that a human was walking among them.
Two more shots rang out and Samuel reeled back, a stinging pain biting across his cheek. Samuel put his hand to his cheek and pulled it away. Blood marked his forefinger. He swore.
Getting to his feet, Samuel went back over to Robert.
"Are you trying to take of my head!?" Samuel exclaimed.
Robert startled and looked at Samuel. "I didn't do anything!" he protested.
"I think you most certainly did!" Samuel snapped, then took a deep breath and let it out. "You do see my face is bleeding, right?"
"Yeah," Robert replied.
"It's bleeding because of the fact that you're bullet grazed me," Samuel replied. "If my face would have been a bit further forward you could well have embedded he bullet into my skull. A bit more forward than that and I would've been dead. You would then have been hung a murderer and your daughters would've been left orphans."
"It was probably just a tree branch nicked you," Robert said.
"I can assure you it was no tree branch," Samuel growled.
"This is why I like to hunt alone," Robert said. "Everyone I hunt with is such a grouch."
Samuel wondered if Robert hand't thought about why that might be the case, but decided there was really no sense in worrying about it. He wouldn't be able to get Robert to understand anyways."
Summary of Events:
Chapter 9:
Charlotte and Deborah went shopping for Deborah's wedding dress fabric and then nearly got lost in a sudden blizzard, but Elisha brought him into his shop to wait out the storm. Samuel then tried to inspire Robert to be motivated to quit drinking.
Chapter 10:
Charlotte was subjected to visiting with Elisha — and then going after-hours fabric shopping for fabric because he insisted upon her having a new dress for Deborah's wedding. Samuel and Robert went hunting and Robert kept trying to shoot owls.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Quietly Samuel crawled up the mountainside, slowly making his way toward the mountain sheep that was grazing at something it had found. Once he was sure he'd be in good range Samuel laid down and got his gun into position.
Two quick shots rang out and the sheep startled and ran. Samuel fired, but missed — but he wasn't surprised. Sighing, he got to his feet and walked toward where he saw Robert's feet. Robert was reloading his gun.
"Why did you fire?" Samuel asked.
"Because there was a bird," Robert replied. "I missed it."
Samuel sighed. "Have you forgotten how to hunt?"
"I wanted the bird," Robert said.
"We're looking for big game, like sheep," Samuel said. "We want something that will last for more than a meal."
"It was a big bird," Robert said. "I could've roasted it and been satisfied on half of it and then eaten the other half tomorrow."
"What about me?" Samuel asked. "And what about Ella and Verbena?"
"You can hunt your own food," Robert replied.
"Don't you want something that would feed you for a week?" Samuel asked.
"If I could net ten of those birds I'd be good for a month," Robert replied.
"You'd be good for twenty days," Samuel said.
"Yeah, a month," Robert said.
Samuel sighed. "Look for something bigger than a bird," he said.
"I don't want to," Robert said.
"Fine," Samuel sighed. At least Robert wanted to hunt now.
He went back over to where he had been. No sheep. Carefully he crept forward, making sure not to use a steady stride. He used an unrhythmic stride so that the wildlife wouldn't know that a human was walking among them.
Two more shots rang out and Samuel reeled back, a stinging pain biting across his cheek. Samuel put his hand to his cheek and pulled it away. Blood marked his forefinger. He swore.
Getting to his feet, Samuel went back over to Robert.
"Are you trying to take of my head!?" Samuel exclaimed.
Robert startled and looked at Samuel. "I didn't do anything!" he protested.
"I think you most certainly did!" Samuel snapped, then took a deep breath and let it out. "You do see my face is bleeding, right?"
"Yeah," Robert replied.
"It's bleeding because of the fact that you're bullet grazed me," Samuel replied. "If my face would have been a bit further forward you could well have embedded he bullet into my skull. A bit more forward than that and I would've been dead. You would then have been hung a murderer and your daughters would've been left orphans."
"It was probably just a tree branch nicked you," Robert said.
"I can assure you it was no tree branch," Samuel growled.
"This is why I like to hunt alone," Robert said. "Everyone I hunt with is such a grouch."
Samuel wondered if Robert hand't thought about why that might be the case, but decided there was really no sense in worrying about it. He wouldn't be able to get Robert to understand anyways."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)