A Short Little Jaunt - Part 7

The following is a short story revolving around the fantasy story 'The Wall Outside'. There will be serveral parts, one each day until Oct 31st. It uses some of the characters of 'The Wall Outside', but is not part of main book. 'The Wall Outside' is currently available in digital format at http://www.amazon.com/The-Wall-Outside-Series-ebook/dp/B009FLOMLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350814435&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wall+outside+by+james

And now, 'A Short Little Jaunt' . . . part 7

“No,” the cursed man pulled back, if only a few inches. 

Jonna’s exposed blade caught in firelight as bits and pieces of rotting flesh hung to its sides.  The smell became worse. 

“No, I did nothing!”

“Then who?”

The man’s lips quivered, as his voice became a mere whisper.  “I did nothing.”
Jonna’s demanded, “What did you do?”

“It was the tree from the faery circle,” the man continued, abruptly ignoring Jonna.  “I didn’t know.  I didn’t see the mark.”

Bob released the doorknob, turning toward them, eyes wide in shock.  “No, you didn’t!”

“What does it mean, Bob?”

“He broke a sacred pack between man and faery.  He chopped down their sacred tree!”

The cursed man dropped his head.  “It was of old wood, and the strongest magic.  It would never rot or decay.”

Bob wrinkled his nose.  “And you so are cursed to rot and decay as the wood never can, forever.”

The cursed man screamed, the flame rising in his eyes.  “It was a mistake!  One you’ll both join me in!”

~ James William Peercy

For those interested, what is 'The Wall Outside' about?

Step across the barrier and what will you find?
A place of magic just out of sight?
A pixie, a leprechaun, or even a sprite?

What starts as a vacation, turns into a mess. For Jonna, there's
more at stake than meets the eye. Through pouring rain,
misdirection, and a curious mind, Jonna crossed the barrier
between our world and magic.

Now forced to return across the barrier, Jonna battles Dark Mages, angry leprechauns, and a ruthless Minotaur, all in an effort to find his wife. To do this, he must locate the stolen Rune Blade and rescue a beautiful elvish princess.

But what can a human do when faced with a world of magic?

A Short Little Jaunt - Part 6

The following is a short story revolving around the fantasy story 'The Wall Outside'. There will be serveral parts, one each day until Oct 31st. It uses some of the characters of 'The Wall Outside', but is not part of main book. 'The Wall Outside' is currently available in digital format at http://www.amazon.com/The-Wall-Outside-Series-ebook/dp/B009FLOMLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350814435&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wall+outside+by+james

And now, 'A Short Little Jaunt' . . . part 6

Jonna fought to keep from gagging at the cursed man’s smell.  Alive he might be, but not in the sense Jonna recognized.  Though his blade had sliced right through, the pommel stopped at the man’s chest, hindered by the ribs.

Bob reached the door, grabbed the handle, and jerked back with all his might.  “No good!” his voice went into panic.  “It won’t budge!”

“There is no escape,” a smile curled the man’s lips.  “You are both mine!”

Jonna steadied his voice, “But there’s more to the story, isn’t there?”

Something in that statement caught the cursed man’s attention.  At the same time Jonna kept eye contact with the man, his left hand reached toward a burning piece of wood in the fireplace.  “Every curse has a way to break it.”

The old man paused, glaring, his voice suddenly far away.  “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean.  A curse doesn’t start from a knock at the door.  What did you do to bring it?   Who did you offend?”

~ James William Peercy

For those interested, what is 'The Wall Outside' about?

Step across the barrier and what will you find?
A place of magic just out of sight?
A pixie, a leprechaun, or even a sprite?

What starts as a vacation, turns into a mess. For Jonna, there's
more at stake than meets the eye. Through pouring rain,
misdirection, and a curious mind, Jonna crossed the barrier
between our world and magic.

Now forced to return across the barrier, Jonna battles Dark Mages, angry leprechauns, and a ruthless Minotaur, all in an effort to find his wife. To do this, he must locate the stolen Rune Blade and rescue a beautiful elvish princess.

But what can a human do when faced with a world of magic?

A Short Little Jaunt - Part 5

The following is a short story revolving around the fantasy story 'The Wall Outside'. There will be serveral parts, one each day until Oct 31st. It uses some of the characters of 'The Wall Outside', but is not part of main book. 'The Wall Outside' is currently available in digital format at http://www.amazon.com/The-Wall-Outside-Series-ebook/dp/B009FLOMLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350814435&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wall+outside+by+james

And now, 'A Short Little Jaunt' . . . part 5

The old man lunged toward them.  Jonna’s sword slid from its scabbard, swinging out to keep the cursed man at bay.  The old man laughed.  “I do not fear death as mortals do.  Your sword means nothing to me!”  He pushed forward, plunging straight toward Jonna’s blade.  Jonna tried to back up, still keeping sword before him as a barrier.

“Bob, the door!”

“I’m on it!”  The pixie dashed toward the other side of the room.  The kettle in the fireplace was now red hot, top to bottom.  A greenish goo sloshed from the spout and leaked from the seal.  The old man caught Jonna’s glance at the kettle, then purposely pushed onto the blade, letting it slice right into his chest.

Only a few inches from Jonna’s face, the old man stared at him with an evil grin.  “You want to know what’s in that kettle?  Well now, I’ll tell ya.  It’s the souls of all those who have joined me in this wretched curse!”

~ James William Peercy

For those interested, what is 'The Wall Outside' about?

Step across the barrier and what will you find?
A place of magic just out of sight?
A pixie, a leprechaun, or even a sprite?

What starts as a vacation, turns into a mess. For Jonna, there's
more at stake than meets the eye. Through pouring rain,
misdirection, and a curious mind, Jonna crossed the barrier
between our world and magic.

Now forced to return across the barrier, Jonna battles Dark Mages, angry leprechauns, and a ruthless Minotaur, all in an effort to find his wife. To do this, he must locate the stolen Rune Blade and rescue a beautiful elvish princess.

But what can a human do when faced with a world of magic?

A Short Little Jaunt - Part 4

The following is a short story revolving around the fantasy story 'The Wall Outside'. There will be serveral parts, one each day until Oct 31st. It uses some of the characters of 'The Wall Outside', but is not part of main book. 'The Wall Outside' is currently available in digital format at http://www.amazon.com/The-Wall-Outside-Series-ebook/dp/B009FLOMLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350814435&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wall+outside+by+james

And now, 'A Short Little Jaunt' . . . part 4

Bob The Pixie and Jonna jumped; Jonna’s sword was half out of his scabbard before he realized it.

“Yes,” the man nodded, “it started just like that.  The hit so hard, it shook the inn.  I owned the inn, then, you see, and went to the door.”  His wooden leg thudded, slow and constant, as he walked toward the door.

Bob’s heart was pounding.  The sound of the slam had been just outside.  Jonna’s hand tightened on the pommel.

“And when I opened it, there was nothing.”  He swung the door back, letting it go wide.  “Or was there?”  As the door reached its furthest point, a gust of wind rushed in, but this was no ordinary wind.  This wind smelled of death.

The wind whipped around the room, stirring dust and shifting debris.  It slapped at their faces in mock attack, then struck the kettle over the fire so hard, Jonna was sure the flame would go out.  Instead, the fire soared higher, bathing the kettle until it glowed completely red.  The putrid smell of death filled the chimney, spreading out into the room like an airborne disease.

“Jonna!” Bob shrieked, pointing toward the door of the inn.  The man with the gray bread was changing.  The dusty clothes showed tears and holes; the once pale skin was cut and torn.  He glared at them with eyes of flame.

“A curse you see!” his cracking voice shouted and moaned.  “Cursed!  Why me?  Why?”  Grabbing the door, he slammed it shut.  “And now you will join me.  If I must be cursed, so shall all who enter this inn!”

~ James William Peercy

For those interested, what is 'The Wall Outside' about?

Step across the barrier and what will you find?
A place of magic just out of sight?
A pixie, a leprechaun, or even a sprite?

What starts as a vacation, turns into a mess. For Jonna, there's
more at stake than meets the eye. Through pouring rain,
misdirection, and a curious mind, Jonna crossed the barrier
between our world and magic.

Now forced to return across the barrier, Jonna battles Dark Mages, angry leprechauns, and a ruthless Minotaur, all in an effort to find his wife. To do this, he must locate the stolen Rune Blade and rescue a beautiful elvish princess.

But what can a human do when faced with a world of magic?

A Short Little Jaunt - Part 3

The following is a short story revolving around the fantasy story 'The Wall Outside'. There will be serveral parts, one each day until Oct 31st. It uses some of the characters of 'The Wall Outside', but is not part of main book. 'The Wall Outside' is currently available in digital format at http://www.amazon.com/The-Wall-Outside-Series-ebook/dp/B009FLOMLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350814435&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wall+outside+by+james

And now, 'A Short Little Jaunt' . . . part 3

 Both Bob and Jonna snapped quickly toward the voice.  In a doorway, leading toward darker places in the inn, stood a gray bearded man whose pale skin was unusually white.  As his eyes caught theirs, he took a step forward, thudding his wooden leg on the floor.  “You see, there’s a curse on that kettle.”

Jonna placed a hand on the pommel of his sword.

“There’ll be time enough for that, if you like,” haunting flickers crossed the man’s face.  “But perhaps you’d like to know about the kettle first.”

Jonna stood up, his hand never straying from the sword.  “Say on.”  The moaning wind whistled.

“At one time, this was a lively inn known to all.  Travelers went out of their way just to visit.  The inn had the finest brewed ale for miles around.”  The man’s face relaxed as if staring at what he described.  “Over there,” the man pointed, his finger shaking with effort, “and there.  There were grand tables with fancy carvings, and music so sweet.”  He looked up as if hearing the tune, smiling, but then the smile vanished and his voice went cold.  “It started with a knock at the door.”

Something slammed outside the inn.

~ James William Peercy

For those interested, what is 'The Wall Outside' about?

Step across the barrier and what will you find?
A place of magic just out of sight?
A pixie, a leprechaun, or even a sprite?

What starts as a vacation, turns into a mess. For Jonna, there's
more at stake than meets the eye. Through pouring rain,
misdirection, and a curious mind, Jonna crossed the barrier
between our world and magic.

Now forced to return across the barrier, Jonna battles Dark Mages, angry leprechauns, and a ruthless Minotaur, all in an effort to find his wife. To do this, he must locate the stolen Rune Blade and rescue a beautiful elvish princess.

But what can a human do when faced with a world of magic?

A Short Little Jaunt - Part 2

The following is a short story revolving around the fantasy story 'The Wall Outside'. There will be serveral parts, one each day until Oct 31st. It uses some of the characters of 'The Wall Outside', but is not part of main book. 'The Wall Outside' is currently available in digital format at http://www.amazon.com/The-Wall-Outside-Series-ebook/dp/B009FLOMLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350814435&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wall+outside+by+james

And now, 'A Short Little Jaunt' . . . part 2

“That’s sort of my point,” Jonna reached into his pack, brought out some flint with tinder, and then struck it next to the wood.  The tinder caught, letting smoke waft up the chimney. 

As the room filled with yellow light, shadows played as the kettle hampered the flames.  When the flames touched the bottom of the kettle, it began to spark, glowing red.  A hissing began as the kettle’s contents started to bubble.

Bob The Pixie came closer to the fire.  “Wow, I didn’t realize how cold it really was!”  Rubbing his hands together, he held them out to the flame.  “Guess you were right about traveling south.  With winter coming, Washington State is definitely cooling down!”

“At least in our location,” Jonna frowned.  “I don’t remember it getting this cold this quickly.”  He waved a hand around the room.  “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear it feels like snow, and I don’t remember any inns like this either.  Are you sure this trail is a shortcut?”  A moaning wind weaved through the building.

The pixie shrugged.  “That’s what the sprite said.  Down the left fork in the trail, swing right, and---”  His voice came to a stop.  “Through the cave that looks like bear claws.”

“Bob, you said to the left, around the old grave, and down the trail by Dare Falls!”

“Did I?”  His eyes went wide.  “Oh yeah, of course, I was making up a poem and might of switched one verse for the instructions.”

Jonna stared, “You did what?”

“It’s the way I memorize instructions,” the pixie beamed.  “I create a poem so I don’t forget them. 
See, it works great.  Even now I know just where we went wrong.”  He patted his own back.  “Good work if I say so myself.”

Glancing up, the daylight had turned to twilight as the stars showed through the gaps in the roof over their heads. 

“Well trailblazer,” Jonna shook his head, “it looks like we’re here for night.  With the feel of snow and cold setting in, I’m not about to chance that trail in the dark.”

The putrid smell from before became worse.  Jonna tried to locate it by sniffing, but the moment he thought he had it, a sneaky wind blew it away.  “Did you smell that?”

“Smell what?” Bob looked around, still rather pleased he figured out why they went the wrong way. 
“Wow, look at that!”  He pointed at the kettle over the fire.  “The bottom is glowing bright red.”

Jonna reached forward to get the kettle out.

A deep, cracking, voice came from their right, followed by the thud of wood on wood.  “I wouldn’t do that.”
~ James William Peercy

For those interested, what is 'The Wall Outside' about?

Step across the barrier and what will you find?
A place of magic just out of sight?
A pixie, a leprechaun, or even a sprite?

What starts as a vacation, turns into a mess. For Jonna, there's
more at stake than meets the eye. Through pouring rain,
misdirection, and a curious mind, Jonna crossed the barrier
between our world and magic.

Now forced to return across the barrier, Jonna battles Dark Mages, angry leprechauns, and a ruthless Minotaur, all in an effort to find his wife. To do this, he must locate the stolen Rune Blade and rescue a beautiful elvish princess.

But what can a human do when faced with a world of magic?

A Short Little Jaunt - Part 1

The following is a short story revolving around the fantasy story 'The Wall Outside'.  There will be serveral parts, one each day until Oct 31st.  It uses some of the characters of 'The Wall Outside', but is not part of main book.  'The Wall Outside' is currently available in digital format at http://www.amazon.com/The-Wall-Outside-Series-ebook/dp/B009FLOMLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350814435&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wall+outside+by+james

And now, 'A Short Little Jaunt' . . .

Bob The Pixie lifted the latch.  The squeals of the hinges pierced the night.  "Hello?"  His voice echoed into the cold dark chamber.  "I think it's empty, Jonna."

"Nothing out here either," Jonna looked around at the dark forest, as he slid his sword into a sheath at his waist.  "With the sun going down, I don't really want to stay in the woods again."  He shivered.  "I think it's getting colder."

Bob glanced up at the roof; through it he could see the sky in at least a few places.  As his eyes swept around the room, he stopped and smiled.  "At least it has an old chimney!"
As Jonna stepped through the door, it closed behind him with a foreboding click.  He shivered again, taking in what Bob has already seen.  The once many fine tables and chairs were broken, scattered around the room, but Bob is right; there was a chimney, and four solid walls to boot.  "This place used to be an inn."

"Well, we're in now," Bob grinned, flying this way and that to help gather up broken pieces of wood for the fire.  Jonna reached down and gathered up some larger pieces, then moved toward the fireplace.

In the fireplace, there was an old kettle held up by a hanger.  As he tossed the wood under the kettle, black wisps of smoke struck the air with a putrid smell, but they quickly faded away.  “Bob, are you certain this place is safe?”

The pixie waved the thought away.  “Of course it’s safe.  No one’s lived here for a very long time.”
~ James William Peercy

For those interested,  what is 'The Wall Outside' about?

Step across the barrier and what will you find?
A place of magic just out of sight?
A pixie, a leprechaun, or even a sprite?

What starts as a vacation, turns into a mess. For Jonna, there's
more at stake than meets the eye. Through pouring rain,
misdirection, and a curious mind, Jonna crossed the barrier
between our world and magic.

Now forced to return across the barrier, Jonna battles Dark Mages, angry leprechauns, and a ruthless Minotaur, all in an effort to find his wife. To do this, he must locate the stolen Rune Blade and rescue a beautiful elvish princess.

But what can a human do when faced with a world of magic?