(Okay here's the deal, I'm in for ratings. This is a field test. You like
it- tell me and I'll keep going. You don't and I won't waste the energy of
writing more. C'mon, gimmie a chance- you might be surprised!)
~~~~~~~ Prologue ~~~~~~~
Farther away than anyone could ever reach, an island sat in the middle of a vast ocean that stretched endlessly to the ends of the world. The island was claimed by a large domed building that seemed to touch the sky. Every so often it would rotate, and a bridge would connect it to a smaller island around its base. These other islands contained only a few huts and flooded gardens. A few were too small to have a house, but they served their own purpose.
On top of the dome sat two men, discussing something. The taller one was adorned in diamonds and gold. His partner was shorter, dressed in dark robes. Odd little people swarmed around the dome, awaiting an audience with the two men. One young woman seemed to want a more urgent audience. The two men, still arguing, seemed to be sucked into the very dome and, arguing now, reappeared by the doors of the dome. The young woman threw herself at the feet of the taller one and pressed her face into the dirt.
"Please, release my father. He has done you no harm," she wailed. The men waved her off.
"Any wishes to converse with us can be made in our rooms. Achenar, do what you must with this petty girl," the taller one told her. The girl, fear in her large eyes, was dragged inside. Pretending not to notice, the little people conveniently forgot why they had come and left the island to tend their struggling gardens. The taller one stayed outside to survey his world for a moment, then followed the other. Once inside, a burst of air blew back his hair and the heat of the day was forgotten. Inside it was quiet and still. Inside he could think. His room was adjacent to the other man's. Achenar.
"Sirrus, my brother, you should see this girl," Achenar requested of the taller man as soon as he entered his room. Sighing heavily, Sirrus complied. He cringed when he entered his brother's room. Steel and iron shackles hung from the ceiling and a metal cage sat dismally in the corner. His throne was merely an iron chair adorned with spikes. Inside the cage; however, sat the young woman. Sirrus walked to her and peered inside. She cowered at his gaze and averted her eyes. She was unremarkable in looks and her clothes were very plain.
"I see nothing in her, Achenar, except that she is unharmed. You are the bloodthirsty one, brother. I merely dictate who you kill."
"I know that, Sirrus. If you were more observant, you would notice that she looks like we do. Unlike those quivering little slaves that live here. Her ears are not pointed, nor is she significantly shorter than I."
"Very good brother, but what do we do with her?"
"We'll keep her. She should make a very good pet."
~~~~~~~ Prologue ~~~~~~~
Farther away than anyone could ever reach, an island sat in the middle of a vast ocean that stretched endlessly to the ends of the world. The island was claimed by a large domed building that seemed to touch the sky. Every so often it would rotate, and a bridge would connect it to a smaller island around its base. These other islands contained only a few huts and flooded gardens. A few were too small to have a house, but they served their own purpose.
On top of the dome sat two men, discussing something. The taller one was adorned in diamonds and gold. His partner was shorter, dressed in dark robes. Odd little people swarmed around the dome, awaiting an audience with the two men. One young woman seemed to want a more urgent audience. The two men, still arguing, seemed to be sucked into the very dome and, arguing now, reappeared by the doors of the dome. The young woman threw herself at the feet of the taller one and pressed her face into the dirt.
"Please, release my father. He has done you no harm," she wailed. The men waved her off.
"Any wishes to converse with us can be made in our rooms. Achenar, do what you must with this petty girl," the taller one told her. The girl, fear in her large eyes, was dragged inside. Pretending not to notice, the little people conveniently forgot why they had come and left the island to tend their struggling gardens. The taller one stayed outside to survey his world for a moment, then followed the other. Once inside, a burst of air blew back his hair and the heat of the day was forgotten. Inside it was quiet and still. Inside he could think. His room was adjacent to the other man's. Achenar.
"Sirrus, my brother, you should see this girl," Achenar requested of the taller man as soon as he entered his room. Sighing heavily, Sirrus complied. He cringed when he entered his brother's room. Steel and iron shackles hung from the ceiling and a metal cage sat dismally in the corner. His throne was merely an iron chair adorned with spikes. Inside the cage; however, sat the young woman. Sirrus walked to her and peered inside. She cowered at his gaze and averted her eyes. She was unremarkable in looks and her clothes were very plain.
"I see nothing in her, Achenar, except that she is unharmed. You are the bloodthirsty one, brother. I merely dictate who you kill."
"I know that, Sirrus. If you were more observant, you would notice that she looks like we do. Unlike those quivering little slaves that live here. Her ears are not pointed, nor is she significantly shorter than I."
"Very good brother, but what do we do with her?"
"We'll keep her. She should make a very good pet."