Neither rain nor high tide struck in force to oppose the posting of this next installment… but the internet did go out. If you’re reading this, then it came back on at some point. Hooray! My apologies if it didn’t come on until late in the day. First let me say that I absolutely loved all of the responses y’all dreamed up for Alexander, and I want to thank everyone who submitted an option! Unfortunately, I can’t use all of them, for obvious reasons. So the votes have come in and been tallied, and we do have a winner. From Krissy Aleman!
Die in his place. Weren’t there plenty of other Beaufords who could do the job: third cousins twice removed, and such? And besides, it wasn’t a guarantee that he would have to die. “Oh, this just keeps getting better and better,” he muttered.
Read on to see how the response she wrote plays into the story. It’s good, folks. Quite good. And if you’ve just stumbled across this blog and haven’t the faintest clue what I’m talking about, or if you simply need to catch up on past installments, you can do so here: When Destiny Comes Calling.
Die in his place.
Weren’t there plenty of other Beaufords who could do the job: third cousins twice removed, and such? And besides, it wasn’t a guarantee that he would have to die.
“Oh, this just keeps getting better and better,” he muttered.
Miss Destiny arched a skeptical eyebrow at him—that woman could communicate textbooks with her eyebrows alone. “I am relieved you think so. I rather expected a different response.”
No need to ask what she had expected. Her pursed lips and up-tilted nose made it quite clear. Alexander fairly cringed at the disgust in her tone. For someone who routinely dished out ogre-sized doses of sarcasm, she seemed woefully oblivious when on the receiving end. Still, he wasn’t one to argue when the mistake was in his favor. Though the fact that it was a mistake set him to shuffling his feet. Her words struck a nerve, and he ducked his head to hide his burning cheeks. What hope had he of succeeding in a military career when everyone assumed that he would respond to expected danger with complaints, excuses, and cowardice?
No, Alexander Mitus Scott Beauford III was a man of honor and dignity, of an ancient and proud (albeit once treasonous) lineage. He was not a trembling wretch who must be coerced into action. If heroism was his destiny, and death his fate, then by Gilbert St. Vincent (of the legendary Mounted Chevaliers), he would face it with head held high, shoulders back, and a trusty pistol in both hands.
“Dearie me.” Fate clucked her tongue at Alexander as she rocked the baby emperor. “What is that expression on your face? One would think you had just eaten sour apples.”
His shoulders slumped. “I’m looking heroic.”
Miss Destiny sniffed and tossed her dark head. “Yes, you do that. A little practice won’t go amiss. Meanwhile, it’s time we were on the road. Our enemies cannot be far behind.”
“What road?” Alexander swung his pistols to encompass the swamp. “We’re in the middle of nowhere.”
“It may not be the King’s Highway, but there is a road, and we’ll strike it soon. I merely led us on a little shortcut.”
“Oh well, in that ca—” Alexander broke off as Miss Destiny took a step closer, her eyes flashing dangerously.
“And no, this is not the middle of nowhere. Trust me. I’ve been there. It’s much worse.” She spun with the precision of a military turn and glided away, heeled shoes barely sinking into the muck.
Alexander grunted. “Is she always like that?”
To his surprise, Fate answered. “No, she’s usually much harder. It’s most troubling.” Hugging the bundled baby Emperor Caldwell VI to her chest, she started after Destiny, calling back over her shoulder, “I think she likes you.”
The words froze Alexander in place. He fumbled for a reply, while his brain screamed panicked words that thankfully didn’t make it to his lips. Every instinct told him to run away. But he just stood there. Helpless as the dead ogre. It was merely a jest, he reassured himself. An ill-favored jest. Fate didn’t—couldn’t—honestly intend for him to take is seriously.
“Do try to keep up!” Destiny’s voice broke through the haze of his thoughts and propelled him into a stumbling walk. “We are on rather a tight schedule, and we do have someone highly important to meet.”
Meet. Someone. Right. Alexander bolted after Destiny and Fate, crashing through the swamp underbrush and sinking up to his knees in mud as he tried to catch up. “So, this someone … are they a friend or a foe?”
“That depends.” Destiny sounded completely unconcerned—a fact which by now only made Alexander more nervous.
Where is Destiny leading them? And who are they going to meet? Vote for your preferred choice of setting and new character.
Setting Option 1: An abandoned mine shaft
Setting Option 2: A wharfside tavern
Setting Option 3: An overgrown hut on the far side of the swamp
Character Option 1: A third sister, as of yet unnamed. One who is neither very fond of—nor very beloved by—Destiny and Fate. (Taken from a brilliant suggestion from Allison Ruvidich!)
Character Option 2: A cannibalistic giant king, who lost his family and his eye to Emperor Caldwell V in battle. Character Option 3: A down on his luck con-wizard who is prone to making dismal predictions. He can scarce speak a word with predicting the end of the world or some other disaster. His name—wait for it—Doomsday.
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Remember, we have moved to a bi-weekly schedule with When Destiny Comes Calling so I can keep up with my other deadlines and get published copies of my books into y’all’s hands soon. But be sure to stop by this next Friday because I have something very fun planned while y’all are waiting on the next installment! Y’all are going to love it.
Congrats, Krissy!
I wonder where "the middle of nowhere" is that's worse than an ogre-infested swamp . . .
I vote for . . . augh, decisions, decisions. I think Option 2 for setting- I have a certain fondness for wharfside taverns- and I suppose Option 3 for new characters. Though Option 1 sounds rather attractive as well . . .
"I wonder where the middle of nowhere is that's worse than an ogre-infested swamp…"
*grins* Indeed! If only Destiny were the sharing type. :) Still, I think it's fairly safe to say it's not a place I would want to build a summer home.
I suggest the wharfside tavern, and option three. Though, maybe the third sister is in home nurse to the old wizard.
Ooh, now there would be an interesting twist!
…I think I have to change my vote(if it's not too late, and if this idea is even possible.) I love the idea of the third sister in Doomsday's hut. That would just be too fun to pass up.
Aw, thanks Gillian! :)
I think they should meet another sister(which would make them an awful lot like the Fates from Greek mythology). In an abandoned mine shaft. That should be interesting.
I do like the idea of there being a third sister. As I think Allison pointed out, these things do tend to come in threes. :)
Hehe, this is so great. : )
I suppose I have to go for the Wharfside tavern, and. . .the Wizard Doomsday.
Try saying his name out loud. It's so much fun!
Fun! I rather like wharf side tavern…and the third sister whom I suspect is named Luck, so she probably would hang out where people are gambling maybe?
The wharfside tavern does seem to be the most popular choice so far, and "Luck" does make for a nice change from all the "doomed" monikers running about this story.
Great installment! :) I vote for…
Setting Option 2: A wharfside tavern
and
Character Option 2: A cannibalistic giant king, who lost his family and his eye to Emperor Caldwell V in battle
You gave us so many great options, but I find the idea of a one-eyed cannibalistic giant king as a potential ally the most intriguing!
I'm glad you voted for character option 2, Nightingale! I've been hoping someone would. There are just too many delicious plot options here. :)
Aargh! How am I supposed to pick between those options?! I'm going for Setting Option #1, but, as for the character choice… Bugger, I want to pick both #1 and #3! Well, though I really want to see a third sister, I think the possibility of a wizard named Doomsday is even better! And, beyond that, he's a con-wizard! So, yep, Option #3! Great job with today's installment, Gillian!
Thanks! I am so glad y'all are forced to vote, because I could never decide on my own. That's why this is such a fun arrangement. :)
Ah, I would have to say 1 and 1. They all sound good, but I think that combo would be the most interesting. ;)
Let's see, what would that be? Oh yes, the third sister in an abandoned mine shaft. Yes, it does make one curious!
"His brain screamed panicked words that thankfully didn’t make it to his lips." Haha! Poor Alastair…
I would dearly love to see a third sister in a hut! It reminds me too much of the Chronicles of Prydain to pass up on it. : )
*grins* That *may* have been what I was thinking of when I typed those options. At least, these three sisters don't randomly change personalities. :)
Setting 2 and…I'm torn between Characters 1 and 3. Can you do both? If not…maybe 3?
Hmm, both might be kinda tough, but it would be so much fun to get to use both!
*Has caught up* Poor Alexander. XD
Hmm… a third sister would be hilarious (just seeing Alexander's exasperation over the whole event), but the con-wizard sound really funny too.. but Destiny said someone of importance… so maybe the king… I'll go with setting 3 and… character 1, just to see Alexander's exasperation. Because the whole adventure just keeps getting better and better!
I *literally* laughed out loud when Alexander's heroic face failed to impress Fate. He finally starts feeling a little like this adventure can be his own, rather than a reluctant mission forced upon him, and he still fails to appear competent. Typical!
(Happy sigh) I so enjoy well-intentioned bumbling heroes.
My picks: Setting 3 and… Of course you had to make me choose between Characters 1 and 3. Hmm… Character 3 please. I like melancholy characters, and we don't have one in the story yet. He and Alexander might find a special affinity.
A wharf side tavern please! Especially if pirates are involved (-;
~Elizabeth
Oh, and as for a character, either one or three would be awesome(-:
Setting 2 and Character 3, please!