Here is an example of my writing!

(This is a fantasy piece I had written last year for my first contest. It is set in my fantasy world of Taramore. Give it a read! Enjoy! Let me know what you all think. I literally copy and pasted it from my word document, the formatting seems to be ok. It is 4k words.)

The Book Merchant of Taramore

1

Jun, seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, looked up carefully from her perch above the small encampment of Goblins. She had been in the same prone position atop a fallen pillar overrun with scattered vines and budding flowers for the past few hours waiting for the little tribe to leave their camp. The warm drizzle from the storm which had swept in from the North Imperial Sea only a day ago had left her dirtied white blouse clinging to her skin beneath, an annoying feeling. To make things worse she had left her hair band back at the wagon. Stupid move Jun… this better not be the start of a Tempest thinking of the mighty storm which periodically swept across the vast world of Taramore.

Half-ear, a goblin Jun had nicknamed due to a large chunk of its right ear missing stood and declared something unintelligible. It pointed out into the woods opposite Jun. Finally. Jun thought, watching them leave. There were dozens of forgotten ruins and caves strewn around the island. Most ruins were home to bands of goblins, Bristle Bears, or worse. The ruins large stashes of treasures from the now instinct inhabitants of the island made them popular for explorers. Nu’Ren was the only town on the island, home to a small human population far from the Imperial capital city of Jei’Rellesin and the snobbery of court politics and fashion. The mountainous island was covered in forest, some spacious grassland steppes between mountain peaks, narrow winding trails limited the potential for any heavy traffic stifling trade, and with that any desire of human expansion.

Jun rose into a low crouch, doesn’t look like they’ll be returning. She noted the lack of any shelters or belongings left behind. Her luck had been good so far, goblins being the only real threat she encountered. Last thing I need is to run into another mother Bristle Bears and her cubs. She rolled her eyes recounting her harrowing encounter with a sleeping mother and her cubs she had stumbled on a week back. Imperial might that bear was fast.

She jumped, damp clothes rippling, cold as she fell. Her target was another fallen column roughly ten feet down.

“Bad ide-” She yelped as she hit her target, slipping on a small pool of water which had gathered up in one of the columns dips. She slid down the slope of the column trying frantically to regain any grip she could, gritting her teeth as she hit the bottom of the column and launched forward into the clearing. She landed with a thud, the impact forcing the wind out of her. Not my most graceful descent she chastised herself lifting her head to look around realizing she had managed to hit the only patch of mud in the entire clearing. She stood, brushing herself off, and began her search of the small ruin.

An hour later she finished her search, finding the battered book she had been after, a rare and valuable find. Along with the book she found a small interesting rock and stuffed it into her pocket. Jun turned in satisfaction, heading for her wagon on the mountain trail below. The sun was setting, and she had no intention of being caught outside after nightfall. The sunset was a vibrant canvas of red, gold, and purple –the golden hue was her favorite. A reminder of her mother seventh daughter out of six other siblings, now dead. Her favorite dress had been a flowing golden gown of the late Imperial Raj’nan style.

A large sky ship drifted a few miles out overhead, rather far from Nu’Ren. Odd she watched it intently.

Jun broke from the brush alongside the trail and welcomed the sight of her wagon and the chance to escape the unending rain. Her wagon was large, held up by massive wooden wheels. It had a round blue wooden door set into the front, contrasting from the darkened wood body of the wagon. Two windows adorned the left side under the words ‘Book Merchant’ written in white. The right side had a small compartment, for her bed, which extended out above the wheel base. At the back of the wagon was a large oak cabinet decorated with ornate carvings of far off places. Its shelves were lined with dozens of books and odd artifacts she had uncovered during her countless ventures to different ruins. The contents were protected by a multi-paned lattice door and protective iron bars across the front. Jun unlocked the cabinet and set the book inside. She made her living from selling the rare books found around the island, their contents very popular reading in Talon City, a floating city which served as the hub of the worlds’ academic minds guided in a controlled orbit along the coasts of the great landmasses, stopping near each major population center to pick up or drop off scholars.

She crouched through the door into her wagon. The scent of the various spices she kept along a section of wall hit her senses hard, a familiar scent which brought a feeling of safety and comfort. She lit a small firepot fastened securely against the wall between the two windows on the right, the warmth immediately started to fill the interior. Jun cracked a window above the pillow on her bedroll to prevent the inside from getting too hot and sat along the raised step in the wall that lead to her sleeping compartment, waiting expectantly and eyeing the nooks and shadowed gaps between various things inside her wagon. Where are you? She asked herself. There!

“I see you Snotch… You’re behind the Glimmer Rose.” A tiny gnome like creature about a foot tall shuffled out from behind a small potted Glimmer Rose at the far end of the room. The brilliant sapphire glow of the Glimmer Rose cast over his tiny features.

“How’d ya’ know?” Snotch asked, “I was sure you wouldn’t find me that easy.”

“You hid there a few days ago…” Jun replied, “Don’t you remember?”

“Well,” Snotch hesitated, “No.” Jade Gnomes got their name from their love, bordering near psychotic obsession, with the precious green stone in their name. They were also known for their forgetfulness, and magical tendencies.

“Did you find things?” He half hopped, half skipped over to where Jun sat.

She smiled, “Yes I did! Need to head a bit further up the trail to this larger ruin I heard about the other night.”

“Now?”

“Now.” Jun said.

Snotch stared, waiting.

“I found you!” She said matter-of-factly, “You know that if I win the game, you have to help.” She hesitated, “I did find one thing at the ruin, you may like.” She shifted around, searching one of her pockets and pulled out a small shiny rock. It was worn smooth from years of weathering. She held it out for Snotch to see. His beady black eyes fixed on the tiny object.

“That looks pretty…” He said distantly, hustling forward towards Jun, she pulled her hand back.

“Not yet!” She said, “first get us headed to the ruin.” Jun paused, “then you get this shiny, smooth, beautiful… rock.” She enunciated every descriptive word slowly, rocking the rock between her fingers.

“No.” Snotch protested, taking on the attitude of a small child, which wasn’t too far from the truth despite being quite old for a Jade Gnome.

“I guess I’ll just have to give it to someone else.” Jun started to put the rock away and Snotch flinched.

“Ok!” His nasally voice cracked.

“Good.” She could tell he was being honest. Jun smiled petting the soft tufts of fur atop Snotch’s head. Like most furry creatures, he loved when people rubbed his fur.

Jun walked over to the small table wedged in one of the wagons corners and rolled out a worn map of the island, little tears and various circles and x’s marked the scrap of yellowing paper testifying to its years of use. She pulled a sharpened little stick out from a shelf and dipped it in some ink, the standard method of writing in the Imperial Kingdoms, unlike the Trade Strongholds across the great sea who’s strive for constant innovation had lead them to developing a self-inking stick. Jun wanted one so badly. Someday I’ll get out of here and see the world. She smiled at the thought staring out one of the far windows the panes of glass slightly fogged, obscured by leaves and blotches of rain drops. The light patter of the rain filled the momentary silence.

“Hey.” Snotch stood on the table next to the map, tapping his foot impatiently.

“Oh!” Jun flushed, “Sorry, sorry. Here.” Her finger found the trail they were on following it up the mountain towards a patch of the map which had few markings. She found the spot and quickly circled the small space between two jagged squiggles which represented the mountains. Snotch inspected the mark, following the trail himself. He nodded, confirming something, then muttered some words and traced the path with his finger again. He muttered a final archaic phrase, turning to Jun.

“Rock.” He held out his hand expectantly. The wagon lurched, the wheels creaked gravel shifting as it started to move on its own onto the trail at an angel as it ascended the mountain path.

“As promised,” Jun smiled, stuffing her hand into her pocket, “rock.”

Snotch tensed, excited, Jun plopped the small spherical rock into his hand. He clutched at it and inspected it closely, admiring the deep red veins set against the dark grey surface. Snotch hopped off the table, slowly walking over towards a one of the ground level cabinet doors where he had made a makeshift bedroom. She needed him to make the wagon move, since a pack animal was more than she could afford. Playing games and trading small rocks for transportation seemed like the smarter investment. His rock collection had grown extensively though, forcing Jun to give him a second cabinet for storage. He touched a small jade statue as he passed it that Jun had given him when they first met. The beautiful little lion statuette had earned her countless free trips to various ruins. Snotch proudly displayed the jade amulet right outside his door. Jun hopped up to her sleeping compartment and edged onto the bedroll. She hadn’t realized how tired she was until she had a moment to rest, a wave of sleepiness overcame her and her eyelids grew heavy. The sound of the rain was mesmerizing and the shadows of the splotches of rain hitting the window cast a calming silhouette, which danced on the walls and ceiling.

2

“Wake up!” Snotch jabbed a finger into the side of Jun’s face. She brushed it away, annoyed. “Up! Ogres!” Another finger jabbed into her cheek.

“Not right now I wanna sleep… good Ogres. Sleep.” Her words compiled into an unintelligible jumble. “Sleep. Ogres.” She said again in a tone which sounded like she was really just talking in her sleep.

“Jun!” Snotch squealed angrily, “Up!”

“Ogres!” Jun’s eyes snapped open as her mind pieced together the words and a slap with Snotch’s full weight behind it landed simultaneously across her face. She bolted upright, hand on her cheek and then her head as it smashed into the ceiling which was low above the bedroll.

“Imperial might!” she cursed, rubbing her forehead. She dropped her voice as she thought of what Snotch had said. “Ogres? Are you sure?”

Snotch’s eyes narrowed, “I may be forgetful, but no gnome worth his weight in jade forgets what something many times his size capable of eating him sounds, looks or smells like.”

“Weight in jade really isn’t saying much for you guys…” Jun muttered, what should I do? Ogres are notoriously stupid… or… deceitfully clever, closer to stupid.

“Right outside, there are two of ‘em.” A large shadow broke the morning sun which passed through the two windows on the side of the wagon, soaked from a night of rain. There was a grumble and the wagon tilted to one side and fell back to the trail as one of the Ogres pushed it curiously.

“Wot you think is it?” one of them asked the other.

“Wot you think it is stupid. Wagon o’ course.”

“Don’t call me stupid! Not very friendly Grull.” The first ogre voice took a tone of offense.

“We need to go out there.” Jun whispered to Snotch, who gave her a look bordering between ‘are you crazy’, and ‘you can’t be serious’.

“You first.” He said.

“Alright.” Jun stood, and crept over to the door, keeping her eyes on the two shadows which now loomed through the window, one large eye pressed up against the glass, nose squashed at an angle.

“Grull, I sees it.” The ogre attached to the eye against the window gasped, “It’s one of them lil’ female human.”

            Jun stumbled out the door. Snotch followed behind, and quickly hid beneath the wagon above one of the wheel wells. His face poked out from beneath an edge. Jun straightened, brushing her blouse down over her pants.

            “There it tis!” The ogre, which Jun assumed was Grull, said. The fat lumbering creature pointed a stubby finger at her. He shifted towards her, sweaty dirt covered rolls of fat jiggling slightly as he moved. Jun was impressed to find the ground literally shook faintly with his weight. What have I gotten us into, we could run.

            “It is!” The second ogre backed away from the window and gave his attention to Jun.

            “Tiny lit’l thing.” Grull said.

            “Puny small thing.” The other agreed.

            “Bet she’s tasty…” Grull said.

            “Delicious, I’m sure.” The other added.

“No! I am most definitely not tasty.” Jun exclaimed, putting on the bravest face she could. The two ogres recoiled in surprise.

            “It speaks!”

            “Kinda annoyin’ and squeaky aint it?” Grull added.

            “Look how small I am, and how big you are.” Jun pointed at both of them.

            “Grull, make ‘er stop. I think she’s callin’ you fat.” The first Ogre said.

            “She ain’t callin’ me fat, Skrog. Callin’ you fat.” Grull spat back, “now shut up ‘n think of what we are wantin’ to do wit ‘er.”

            “That’s not nice Grull.” Skrog muttered, pushing Grull, who pushed back violently. Skrog yelped.

            “Wait!” Jun said, “you two are hungry huh?” she shifted from side to side on her feet. “What if I bring you both some food.”

            “Some food?” Grull raised an eyebrow.

            “Lots of food!” Jun waved her arms wide, “some sheep, or.. or a cow or two!”

            “How’d we know you’ll be comin’ back this way.” Grull walked a bit closer and crouched, an uncomfortable few feet away from Jun. She tried not to wince as little bits of spittle sprayed her face, his breath smelled rotten.

            “You know this is the only way-”

            “Don’t trust her Grull. Lit’l humans lie.” Skrog interjected.

            “Shut up! Let ‘er talk.” Grull waved one massive hand at him to quiet down.

            “Thank you.” Jun glared at Skrog. “You know it’s the only way back to Nu’Ren. How else will I get my wagon back there without taking this trail?” Jun hoped she was believable, she knew of a couple alternate routes she had seen on the map, but counted on the Ogre’s not knowing.

            “I ‘unno.” Grull hesitated.

            “I promise.” Jun assured him, Grulls eyes landed on Snotch who had shuffled out from beneath the wagon.

            “Wot about ‘im.” Grull pointed a meaty finger at Snotch, who yelped in fright and scurried back beneath the wagon. Thanks for the backup Jun rolled her eyes. “Can we eats him now, then let ya’ go and come back wit our food?”

            “No, no.” Jun hastened, “no eats’ing him. Or me.”

            “Wot you think Skrog.” Grull turned to him. Jun glanced up into the clouded sky and noticed that ship she had seen just the other day was much closer than it had been. Close enough that she could actually see the sailors aboard. The vessel was a very large, multi-deck ship. Three masts, a small one at the front, the largest one in the middle, and a middle sized one above the aft deck toward skyward. A massive rudder arched over behind the ship, the skeletal framework of the rudder resembled a fish fin, sail stretched between the rudder beams allowing them to steer the ship. The Autumns Dawn was scrolled in beautiful lettering along the side of the bow of the ship, above the four large Lift Stones which jutted out of the hull and enabled the ship to fly. Jun was slightly relieved, seeing three of the sailors leaning over the railing and watching her below, one seemed squat, probably a Dwarf. He was on the right, in the middle was an average sized man who wore a fancy red greatcoat and a black tricorn hat. On the left stood a lanky figure, an Elf, Jun supposed based on the best look she could get from this distance.

            The sky ship was extremely close, its shadow darkened the area around Jun and the wagon. The Ogres stopped talking and looked up.

            “Wots that there.” Grull asked.

            “Looks like a sky ship.” Jun answered. Two of the three figures, the Dwarf and the man in the greatcoat, abruptly vaulted the railing on the ship and jumped over into the open sky bodies straightened with their heads towards the ground. Jun gasped, not sure why they did that, expecting to see them plummet to their death. To her surprise two sets of wings snapped out from the side, three prongs on each side with fabric stretched between them. A tail unfolded from the bottom of whatever the two sailors had strapped to their back, a narrow beam of wood with a miniature rudder-like fin at the end. The sailors lurched and slowed slightly, controlling their descent with skillful maneuvers as they angled their way towards Jun and the Ogres who stood in startled disbelief.

            The two sailors landed with a thud and a splash of water as their studded black boots smashed into a puddle on the trail a few yards away. The wings folded down at the side, and tail retracted into the small round pack strapped to their back.

            “Gentlemen,” The man in the greatcoat tipped his hat forward towards the Ogres, “Lady.” He acknowledged Jun, “Gnome.” He tipped his head to Snotch who had wandered back out again. “I am Sky Captain Havelock Stormbound, owner and captain of the Trade Ship, The Autumns Dawn.” He pointed to the ship which idled above. “This here is my outstanding First Mate, Azar.” He pointed at the Dwarf who gave a quick salute. “Now what seems to be the problem here?”

            “Nuffin” Grull spat, “jus’ helpin’ this lit’l human be on her way.”

            “Now now.” Havelock motioned up towards his ship, snapping his fingers. Everyone except Havelock and Azar flinched as the ship above listed to the side releasing a full broadside. A booming thunder echoed off the mountain pass and treetops. The rumble shaking Jun to the bone as it resounded throughout the valley causing a flock of birds to scatter from the treetops nearby. Jun watched as the puffs of smoke from the rows of cannons along the side of the ship dissipated into nothing. Skrog yelped and started whimpering. “Don’t lie. I think you two were just about to be leaving.” Grull and Skrog exchanged worried looks.

            “I-I think ya’ were right.” Grull stammered, looking down at Azar who rested his hands on the hefts of his pistols, looking decidedly bored and unshaken as he stared off into the forest beyond the two Ogres. “Let’s be goin’ Skrog.”

            “Right Grull.” Skrog composed himself, somewhat, and headed for the tree line.

            “You watch out lit’l-” Grull glared at Jun.

            “Ah! Ah!” Havelock held up a hand towards his ship again, Grulls eyes widened, “on you go.”

            The Ogres left, Jun hurried over to Havelock.

            “Thank you so much.” Jun said, “I wasn’t sure I’d be making it out of that.”

            “Not to worry miss.” Havelock smoothed out his greatcoat and raised his goggles up from over his eyes to his forehead. “I’m looking for something, maybe you could help.” He pointed to the Jun’s wagon, “book merchant.” He added.

            The four of them moved over to the back of the wagon where Jun kept her books, unfurling a protective awning above them to block the rain. She watched Havelock’s eyes as he scanned the shelf, they widened slightly as they came to rest on the book Jun had retrieved yesterday. If she hadn’t been paying close attention she wouldn’t have caught it. Havelock nudged Azar and pointed, he nodded after a moment.

            “What would you like for that one.” Jun looked, “give a fellow trader a fair deal.” Havelock grinned, Jun looked back at him.

            “You aren’t a trader.” She said, sensing his lie.

            “What makes you say that?” He asked, intrigued, “I am.”

            “No you aren’t, I can tell.” Jun smirked.

            “I need to provide for my family. Wife, son and daughter. Trading is where the big money is.”

            “You don’t have a daughter.” Jun called his lie. Havelock looked at Azar, surprised. “You are a pirate. You run weapons between the kingdoms and sell artifacts to Talon City for extra coin. You have a wife and a son, no daughter.”

            “You caught me.” Havelock admitted, “Now how did you know?”

            “She’s either a good liar ‘erself, or a seventh daughter of a seventh daughter.” Azar spoke up in a surprisingly cheery, raspy voice. He ran his beard through his hands and eyed Jun.

            “Seventh daughter of a what?” Havelock looked at Azar.

            “Of a seventh daughter.” Azar finished. “lore has it that the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter is born with special powers, such as the ability to tell if someone’s lying.”

            “Interesting.” Havelock turned back to Jun. He held his arms out in a sign of conceding defeat. “Here.” He pulled a hefty pouch out from beneath his greatcoat and tossed it to Jun, who caught it. A satisfying clinking of what she guessed was coin inside the pouch. She opened it and her eyes widening at the glistening sight of at least a hundred gold coins. The most she had ever gotten for a book.

            “This really means a lot to you doesn’t it.” Jun asked. Havelock shrugged. “It does.” She confirmed.

            Havelock nodded at the coin, “fair?”

            “Fair.” Jun said, tossing the bag to Snotch. Havelock grabbed the book, and gave it a quick look through. The sky ship had dropped extremely low. A large platform with guardrails on three sides, descended from the bottom center of the hull, four thick chains bolted into the corners of the platform clattered as they unrolled and stopped just inches from the ground. Azar started for the platform, Havelock tipped his hat again.

            “Pleasure.” He finished, “have a great…” he trailed off and looked into the sky searching for something, “morning… or afternoon, can’t really tell.” He pointed to the sky, turning to the platform.

            “You want to go?” Jun asked Snotch in a low voice, “worth asking.” Snotch nodded. “Wait!” Jun called out to Havelock, who turned back to her. “Take us with you.” Havelock looked back at Azar, who shrugged, standing on the platform leaning up against one of the guardrails.

            “We have room.” Azar added. Havelock nodded, turning back to Jun.

            “Come on.” He nodded his head towards the platform, “Let’s go then.”

            “Wagon too?” Jun asked.

            “Yes, now lets go, Ive had enough of this rain and smelly forest.” Havelock continued towards the platform.

            Looks like someday is today, she thought excitedly. “You heard him Snotch, lets go then!” She grinned ear to ear, her biggest smile in recent memory.

            “A lot of rocks where we’re going?” Snotch asked.

            “Lots of rocks!” Jun said, “rocks and real adventure.”