Hey there guys, I have a brand new story series for you. I hope you enjoy! - Li
Jorvik was so small that they didn’t have a proper pier. Well, apparently there was one in Jorvik City but no one really used it as it wasn’t kept in the best condition. Back home, whenever we’d been on a boat we had been able to drive on and off, but on Captain Brus’s ship (the fact that we knew the name of the captain said a lot) there were no cars allowed and to get off, we had to all take it in turns, 4 at a time, to go into a little rowing boat. With eight kids, I guess Mum and Dad had always had it difficult. Back in Cardiff, we had a three bedroom flat to try and accommodate us all. Take my word for it, it was a squash. So when the lawyer knocked on our door saying Mum had come into inherit a farm? Wow, we partied all night. I say we but I do not include Poppy and Ashton. Ashton (NEVER call him Ash) is only two and Poppy is only four, so neither of them seemed to understand that our life would be changing forever. For me, no more nice local sixth form down the road. Instead, homeschooling was on the menu. What a joy. Strangely, none of the others seemed to see the problem with us inheriting our family’s farm. Wren was excited to be able to go fishing in the local river (despite the fact he had only ever seen fishing on the TV). Renee was so happy that she couldn’t stop pretending to be a pig. Leo just couldn’t wait to decorate the farm (he was the only one that had inherited Dad’s artistic trait). Bailey was excited to go exploring in the mountains near our house. Even Aden, who I thought might be with me on this, was excited to be able to go riding at the near by Silverglade Equestrian centre. So yes, it felt like the world was against me. I opted to take the last ride in the boat to the shore, waiting behind with Aden. The land appeared to be an orangey gold tone and the houses were old and ramshackle, but had this rustic vibe coming with them. The smell of salt, and fish, littered the air, assaulting your senses with their aroma. “It was very nice of Great-Grandma Dew to leave us her farm, Rachel,” Aden tried to plead with me. I gave him the fierce big-sister stare, “Giving up college with my mates to fix up some abandoned farm somewhere away from civilisation and don’t try to tell me otherwise, because it is. Our address even includes the words ‘Forgotten Fields’.” Before Aden could reply, however, the small boat appeared to row us to shore. Over the short journey to the long wooden walk where the rest of the family (Mum, Dad, Ashton, Poppy, Wren, Renee, Leo and Bailey) waited (holding far too many bags and suitcases), Aden made conversation with the sailer about the different stables around Jorvik and which one would be best for him to learn to ride. Finally, we arrived at the jetty where Mum helped me out onto the slippery wooden surface (which seemed to be missing a plank every few metres). “Well,” she said, “We better get walking.” “Excuse me, walking?” I knew I sounded shocked - I was. What did she mean walking? We were literally trying to carry our whole livelihood with us. Dad jumped on the opportunity to get in Mum’s good books, “Yes, the farm is only a kilometre from here. We will be there soon!” And with that, off we marched to our new home. What joy.
0 Comments
Sunlight streamed through the cracks between the shutters. Yes, I didn’t know that shutters still existed either until I moved here. Apparently, however, they do. In Mistfall, it is common practise to use shutters due to the state that the sea mist causes normal glass windows.
Immediately after noticing all of this, I pulled my head back under the thick woolen blankets and multi-layered sheets - it was freezing. I had always hated the cold, always opting for warmer Summer’s weather, but now I was trapped it it. However, in my time so far at Jacey and Matt’s, I had learned a trick or two. Sleepily, I pulled my clothes under the covers and got changed (which takes more skill then you might think, try getting tight leather leggings on sitting down). Still, actually removing myself from the beg was freezing. Jacey had set out a mug of steamy tea (it had a strange colour and taste which lead me to the suspicion that they made it with pine needles here) along with a bowl of porridge which had been topped in cloudberries which were in the shape of a smiling face. I wasn’t five for God’s sake. Despite my annoyance, however, food is food so I wolfed it down eagerly but I did make a point of removing the cloudberries and leaving them on the side. When I had first come to leave with Mat and Jacey, I had done everything I could to get out of morning chores. Now, however, I had come to almost like them. It was quite calming in the morning to take all of the dirty tin bowls and mugs down to the spring to wash in the water there. Then, I had to make my bed and sweep the floor of the room before making sure all of the shutters were open (wasn’t it cold enough already?). Normally, I hurried about these tasks but today I needed time to think. I needed to think about what had happened last night. About how Matt had been there for me and Mum hadn’t. Wasn’t your mum meant to be your greatest protector? Why wasn’t my mum like that? I watched the grains of porridge from the bowls drifting off down the lake where little tiny fish came along to nibble them. The fish here were nothing like out of the movies. They weren’t colourful, or big. All they were was little moving lines that dashed through the waters in groups and were a dull green-grey colour. Overall, not very exciting but they could still be fascinating to watch if they were being attacked by a bird or a larger fish. They would start to duck and dodge. Invisible singles would be sent through the group and, like magic, half would go one way and half would go the other just for them to loop back around and come back together. I hated to admit it, but it was sort of beautiful. My hands were so cold after the washing that I held them in front of the fire at the ranger station for a solid 10 minutes before even considering moving. Warming your hands up on a fire is a funny business. First they’re too cold, and then they got too hot. However, the backs of your hands are still absolutely freezing while the fronts are boiling so you have to hold your hands at odd angles just to try and warm the hole hand up. I sighed, every little thing just has to be difficult. Hello! No promises about a post tomorrow because I have an exam tomorrow so I’ll be revising really hard tomorrow evening. I have another writing project in mind which will be twice weekly so I think that this will be my last Mistfall one. I just got inspiration to write a very short next bit of the story, enjoy!
Watching mist swirl in the valley below was very peaceful and soothing. I did not mind the damp grass beneath me or the cold, uncomfortable stone digging into my back. Up here, in the night, there was no one around to see you cry. I could let the tears form rivers as they cascaded down my facing, hitting the dew covered ground to become, for the next wanderer, nothing more than water. Don’t get me wrong, I love Mum, but I’m just fed up of her not understanding that I have feelings as well. Ugh, why? I just wanted to go home. Not this strange island where everyone has odd accents and traditions. Not this ranger station that smelt woodsy and unfamiliar. Home in Bristol. Crack! I heard the sound of twigs snapped. Turning my head sharply, I had hoped to see a deer but it was - Matt. I jumped up and turned to run up the hill towards the mountain. “Woah, woah, woah, no you don’t,” Matt said, not quite calm. His arms were around me very quickly like a soft, warm, bear. He turned me towards him and hugged me, tight, in a way that I’d always imagined a brother to hug. He continued: “I read the email from Mum, ignore her, she’s probably upset about something. She doesn’t always think before sending, you know that.” Already feeling tears brewing, I cried, completely giving up on my own dignity. After a few minutes Matt simply said, “Let’s go home.” I nodded and followed him back to the rangers station. “Lana, please come out everyone wants to see you” Matt practically begged.
Sit outside by the campfire with a load of old rangers hanging about and talking about the terrors of the toadstool population decreasing. Most of them came from Dundull or slightly further afield in Jorvik City, but they ate with the rangers. Unfortunately, that meant that the only meals were available in their company. I was very hungry though… “Fine! Fine! I’ll come out and eat if it makes you all so happy!” Matt grinned, “Excellent! Put your coat and hat on, it’s cold out.” I sighed, stood up and picked up my hat and coat. I hated my current clothes. From Bristol, I had only bought what I was standing up in so Jacey had bought me tight leather leggings, a tunic styled long sleeved t-shirt, clumpy woollen boots as well as fleece gilet and hat. Walking outside, I found a space at the fire as someone passed me a bowl filled with fish stew. It smelled like fireworks light. My face, facing the fire, was burning hot; my back, facing away, was freezing cold. Zoning out the chatter from the rangers, I tried to balance soup and homemade tea. “How are you liking Mistfall then, Lana?” old Zacky asked. I shrugged by means of an easy way out of answering but I wasn’t getting that easily. “Come on now, we all want to hear what wildlife you’ve seen so far! What local beastie is your favourite?” Oh God, I really didn’t care. Think, Lana, think. “Hedgehogs, they’ve very sweet.” Old Zacky laughed, “I like the frogs myself, raising them got me into a lot of trouble with me Ma as a boy. But I hear you know all about getting into trouble.” Matt and Jacey shifted uncomfortably in their seats, but didn’t dare contradict Zacky so it was left to me to reply, “A little.” Thankfully, the conversation was left there and everyone proceeded to talk about the tasks for the next day. As we moved onto eating cloudberries, eerie noisy came from the trees as the forests came alive. Twigs snapped; leaves rustled. Fireflies flew about above our heads lighting up large patches in the constantly settled sea mist. Standing up from the log I had been sitting on, I excused myself and went back inside, realising it was high time I replied to Mum. Tired, I opened up the chunky laptop. Besides the mail app a little number appeared saying “13”. 13 messages all from Mum getting madder and madder that I hadn’t replied. “Lana, God damn hurry up and get back to me. It’s not like I’m your mother or anything.” “Stop ignoring me Lana” “If you can’t be bothered to reply then I can’t be bothered to have you back.” “Ok, Lana, even though you’re ignoring me, I need to tell you this. I have a boyfriend and he’s moving in with this two kids. Look, I’m so sorry sweetheart but they really need a home right now.” Despite my burning eyes and blurred vision, I fought the tears, stood up and ran out of the house. Remembering a tree up by the cliff which was easy to climb, I headed towards it fighting my way up the cliff and into the misty night. “Dear Mum. Yes, I am working very hard on my school work and am keeping up with it fine. Matt is great at explaining all that complex maths-y stuff on trigonometry. Jacey is nothing like you described her when I was younger. The way you spoke, you made it seem like she was an imp who stole your brothers heart. I’m still mad that you shipped me half way around the world just for getting excluded from another school. I mean, come on, it was all just a misunderstanding. And anyway, it’s not like you don’t drink so I really don’t see an issue? I hate you so much. - Lana”
I deleted the e-mail quickly, feeling guilty. A little “7% left” sign popped up in the corner of the screen on Matt’s clunky laptop. Not bothered to dig out the charger, I shut the lid and returned it to the shelf. My brother and sister-in-law’s house had been home to me for just the past week. It was just one large room, in which bedroom, sitting room and kitchen had all been combined. Slight indents in the wooden panelled walls allowed curtains to be pulled around my bed and their bed (along with a little window, shelf and crates in which I stored my belongings) which was the only real form of privacy, besides the outdoor composing toilet. The wood burning fire (it is questionable having a wood burning fire in a wooden house, but each to their own) gave the house a constant pleasant aroma of smoke. Upon the counter sat three fish, dead eyes staring out at me. God, I didn’t mind eating the things, but seeing their bodies? No. Way. I pushed the door open, deciding to get a bit of fresh air before dinner that evening. It was cold and I wished that I had worn my coat that Jacey had bought at Dundell just days before. Mistfall was very different to Bristol. Already I had seen rabbits, squirrels, hedgehogs and frogs, just hopping, running and, whatever gait hedgehogs choose to use, around their home. Matt had even offered to take me up to see the wolves yesterday evening, but I had, not so politely, declined. Despite the fact that it was almost dark, everyone was busying themselves around the ranger station. I had no idea where Matt was, probably out riding in the woods, but I could see Jacey chopping wood. “Hey, Lana, check on the horses, won’t you?” she asked, nervously. You can’t really blame the poor thing. The social worked strongly suggested (which is what people use when they’re trying to say forced) Mum to send me here so that I could “have some time to calm down”. I was labelled Class A rebellious kid was behavioural issues, which apparently would seriously endanger my future. Since being here I’d already kicked off several times, but couldn’t people just deal with it? Actually, that’s the issue, Matt and Jacey could deal with it. I wanted to just use the “well I don’t want to be here and you don’t want me here” argument, but they DID want me. No matter what I did, they just met it with kindness in return. It’s almost as frustrating as trying to memorise quotes from Macbeth when no one gives a damn what Banquo said to Macduff anyway! Yes, yes, ok, you caught me. Heck, I’m a bit of a geek. I mean, school is awful but learning is sort of cool, sometimes. All three horses seemed fine. All were Connemara horses and were the sweetest animals I ever had met. Billi liked sugar lumps in the morning, Keto loved to be rubbed at the base of her neck and Faranita just enjoyed any kind of attention that he could steal. After allowing each a bit of attention, I walked back into the house, ignored the still uncooked fish bodies, and sat on the bed, wondering if it was worth the effort of logging back onto Matt’s laptop. HELLO THERE, it’s Li. Did you enjoy it? It would be amazing if you let me know if I should continue it or not. This is just the introduction to set the scene and stuff! This time next week it will be Christmas! Some of these characters belong to SSO and others were made by some friends of fine so they don't belong to be either! I don't know if this will become a series of a stand alone - we'll see.
“Do it Florence,” the dark figure said, eyes like daggers watched the shaking girl, who’s ginger hair almost glowed in the moonlight, hold the dagger. The girl was crying. “I can’t,” Florence sobbed, “I really can’t.” “Well hell, you better learn quickly then. Kill or be killed. It’s up to you.” Florence was still shaking in front of a bedraggled looking girl, draped on the floor. She was fighting with herself and the knife. Kill or be killed? She couldn’t. She couldn’t. She couldn’t die. As she plunged the knife deep into the girl’s heart, she watched the girl waver and stutter into smoke. Florence dropped to the ground in agony that she’d even thought about taking a life. Behind her stood two girls, one rushed towards her newly made friend while the other walked towards the dark figure. “Holli, that was too far,” Kara warned. Holli walked towards Kara. A stranger may have guessed her age at eleven but they’d be wrong. Inclining her head towards Kara, she had the physical appearance of looking up but, in fact, her eyes showed, very clearly, that she, Holli, was the one with absolute power. “I suggest,” she smirked, enunciating each syllable with deadly accurately, “That you sit down. Now.” Delilah, the girl who had rushed to her friend’s aid, wrapped an arm around her friend and pulled her sobbing form to the side. None of them had known what they’d be in for when they agreed to join Dark Core in hope for becoming the fourth soul rider. There was a complete absents of light there which was slowly obliterating all of the love in their hearts. When they were alone, Delilah tried to remind herself of her mother, Kara reminded herself of her girlfriend, Lena, and Florence reminded them all of the taste of sweet porridge on cold Winter’s mornings. Florence was the best at “picturing”. She’d picture simple things that meant the world to the three girls. Wooly mittens, soft glowing candles, hot donuts - freshly made. Kara was the first to forget her own mother. Florence had forgotten everyone but Delilah had a strange strength within her to remember her mother’s laughing face and flowing hair. The door to the baloney flew open releasing spiky orange hair - Darko. “Stand up dark riders,” he countermanded, “Today is the day of the Dark Ceremony. Today, one of you will join our ranks and tomorrow? We. Will. Take. Jorvik!” I hugged my legs up closer to my chest. “Mummy,” I mouthed, so grief stricken that I couldn’t even form the words properly. I hadn’t called my Mum, Mummy, since I was eight but fear, panic and loss were weighting on me so heavily that it was an ill-fitting bag, forced onto my back without relent nor permission.
Once, this morning, I’d been a normal girl living in the town of Firgrove. We work in mining there. Copper ore mostly. The mayor had told Mr Kembell - head of the mine - that the workers had some certain for the safety of it. But, he paid no head. And now he was living the consequences. The workers were living the consequences. I was living the consequences. My mother wasn’t living the consequences. My mother was no longer living. The house was so empty without her. Curtains on every house were drawn tight shut almost as if it would hide the loss that the village had experienced that day. Eleven dead. Most families had lost someone and everyone had lost someone they knew. My shoulders were still shaking from grief; my eyes still burning with tears. The door opened. Unfamiliar footsteps thudded down our narrow hall way. Gasping for breath, I stumbled behind a chair near the fire and grasped the fire poker. Hoping I wouldn’t have to use it, I peered out. White boots. White boots belonging to a girl with snow white hair and cold blue eyes which focus on the source of the sound - me. “Hey there little one, don’t cry,” she crooned, sickly sweet. I’m 12, hardly “little one”. She knelt down next to me though and continued to speak, “I’m your sister - Katja.” “I don’t - I don’t have a sister,” I chocked out. She grimace, “Mum didn’t mention me? Well, I think I bring shame on the family somewhat.” I would have asked why, under any normal situation but I simply didn’t care. I wanted Mum. Not this strange girl claiming to be my sister. I wanted my mother more than anything. She ignored my tears as they started up again. Grabbing my arm, she pulled me towards the door and I am ashamed to say that I offered no resistance. Before I could even take a last glance at my home, we were on the road, driving fast - too fast. “Sister, please, drink,” Katja pressed a bottle to my lip, pinching my nose, forcing me to open my mouth . Unwillingly, I drank and was pitched off into blackness… I am am the sister of Katja the dark rider. “LET IT GO, LET IT GO, I’M ONE WITH THE WIND AND SKYYYY,” Jafa screamed over Skype. Between her singing and Skype breaking up, the tune had all but been obliterated. I laughed along with Kitti, the other girl in the call. She was sharing her screen while editing a photo of the “Jorvik veterinary practice”. Lots of cute cats, dogs and rabbits were littered around the photo and she was in the process of adding a pig with a bandaged hoof. I was editing yesterday’s vlog and Jafa was in theory revising - but of course she wasn’t.
“Jafa, you have a maths test tomorrow,” Kitti told her sternly. Kitti is basically my second Mum - like she is to all members of Saturn Stars. She practically forces us to do our homework and to get to bed on time. We get along well as she’s a YouTuber IRL like me but unlike me she’s 21 so I heard Jafa groan down the other end of the microphone. I finished the vlog and edited up the thumbnail before uploading it. It was almost 6:30 so I’d be hard pressed to get it up on time. “Christellia, you need to feed Puzzle,” Jess called from her office. I sighed and bid goodbye to Jafa (who still wasn’t revising) and Kitti before wandering off into the black and white tiled kitchen to feed my cat. He mewed happily as the cat biscuits stumbled over themselves to fall into his bowl. Rubbing himself against my leg affectionately, he started to eat. I grabbed my phone and got a boomerang of him for my story, posting it with the cat emoji. Deciding that I’d spent long enough starring at my screen, I settled down on a hanging chair laden with pillows (the coolest thing in the world) and started reading Lord of the Shadows. I loved the Shadow Hunter books and was dangerously behind with them. Just as I was turning the page to chapter three, Jess called up the stairs, “Dinner is ready!”. Hopping off the chair, I raced down the stairs where Jess was serving cauliflower steaks with potato wedges. It might sound disgusting but it really isn’t - trust me. Jess grinned at me and we slipped into our normal relaxed conversation. I lay in bed, feet in the air, checking through my Instagram feed. I started to do a quick edit of my SSO character as a Shadow Hunter. I doodled a stele in her hand and marks trailing up her arms. I let my pen tie her hair up in a bun and add fly aways carefully. Adding the last touches of detail to her gear, I exported the photo and emailed it to myself to post on IG. I added the caption “Christelle Lightwood, your local demon slayer” before posting. Within 30 second I had received 10 likes. Emma replied to the post saying, “Do one of Emma Herondale!” she begged. I smiled, clear that she liked my previous photo. Using a similar base, I gave her her short spiky red hair with her red eyes - maybe I should have turned her into a demon. It only took about half an hour because I’d basically already done most of it for my own edit. I sent the photo to her over WhatsApp because the quality would be better. She thanked me and when I next look at her YouTube channel I saw that it had become her PP. As my head had started to pound, I lay it down on the pillow just to rest it but within 3 minutes I was fast asleep. New fan fiction but very different this time as it's set in the real world. Little disclaimer, any mention of names of actual YouTube channels, other social media pages, real SSO players, real clubs or anything else is entirely coincidental and it is not meant to reflect negatively upon that person(s).
“Bristol is actually the rainiest place in the world,” I thought to myself, sitting down in front of my laptop with a large packet of Doritos balanced at one side. Normally, I’d be straight on SSO but it was a Wednesday and the servers were still down. Flicking my mouse over to Sims 4, I started getting up my gaming equipment. Yes, I’m Christellia’s Space on YouTube with the adjoining channels of Christellia’s Games and Christellia’s Life for gaming and vlogs. Oh, and I’m also Christelle Macson - that’s my Star Stable name and channel. Before I started the recording, I checked my hair and put on my headset. It’s sort of weird being 15, almost 16, and yet being just as famous on the Internet as much older YouTubers. If you’re wondering, that’s 2 million on my main, about 1 million on my vlogging and almost 950K on my gaming. After recording the video, I decided to edit yesterday’s vlog. “Hi guys, it’s time for me to smash out the edit of yesterday’s vlog and then plan for the day is a bit of school before I have a secret project I need to work on,” I said, updating my vlog about what I was doing. Once I’d finished designing the thumbnail for the vlog, I realised that the servers would be up. My Instagram feed was covered in photos of the cute new style Arabians and I couldn’t wait. I checked the Saturn Stars chat which was overrun by ranting, mostly directed by Emma, at the new horses. ME: Em, I think they’re cute <3 EM: But so damn expensive, like come on SSO we aren’t all little money bags. I mean, SC cost so much but it wouldn’t be as bad if the things in game was cheaper. Saturn Stars isn’t a normal club on SSO. It only has 5 members, Kitti (the owner), Emma - Em- , Lilli, Freja - Jafa - and myself. We’re all quite happy with it like that and we haven’t gained a member for over a year now. I bought the 3 new Arabians and filmed it ready for my twice weekly upload on my SSO along with a few things trotting along with the 4 other club members. Then, it was time to climb! We decided to climb around Devil’s Gap as Jafa was a blogger and she hadn’t seen it before. We stumbled up the rock with a lot of crashing and swearing. Lilli was first up, not really any surprise as she’s our local Spider Man. After that I logged and turned to give Puzzel, my cat, a big hug and I spent some time talking to him - all of which was vlogged, of course. My older sister, Jess came over, talking intently to her vlogging camera. Jess is 24 and has taken care of me since I was 12. Although legally she’s my mother, we’re half sisters but act like full ones. “Ellia, I made you dinner, it’s out of the side,” she told me, switching her camera off and putting it on the side. “Oh, thanks,” I replied, heading into the kitchen because my stomach was rumbling away. I sighed, my SSO time was over and now it was time to get back to reality - even if SSO was a lot better! Heyy! I just wrote this. It’s how Justin Moorland felt through the quests. It’s quite jittery but I hope you enjoy.
“My name is Justin Moorland, my name is Justin Moorland, my name is Justin Moorland,” I think to myself, trying to stop the realms of fabrication draw a curtain over reality. Coming home to my father had been the easy bit. Every moment I was jolted back to my previous life. I awoke every night screaming as images of the horrible things I’d done with my Grandfather and he’d done to me surfaced. I NEEDED this help from the druids. It wouldn’t be like it had been at Dark Core and, I could trust you right? You would never hurt me. I have heard of Elizabeth before. She’s a hippie up in Valedale that still believes in the old ways. But you speak softy to her and she speaks softy back. I’m glad my Father isn’t allowed to come. I want him as far away from this madness as possible. I see Elizabeth walking up the path and feel everything starting to go fuzzy. I. Really. Can’t. Think. I sort of lose it then. I was just a boy living in a stable and now there are secret stone circles. Of course. Of course! I tell you so and you offer me a ride up to it on your horse. I nod, mounting up and nodding goodbye to my father. As the horse moves under me, I feel safe - secure. Riding reminds me of times with my father. Care free times, frolicking in the sun at the beach when I hadn’t a care in the world. Besides impressing Loretta, of course. A blinding flash happens before I feel the world go calm around me. Suddenly, everything makes sense and I am at one with myself before we’ve arrived in the strangest - no - one of the strangest places I’ve been in. There’s a..talking squirrel who says he wants to arrest me. A talking squirrel?! “Why am I talking to a talking squirrel?” I ask. He yells back saying that that that will affect my sentence. I laugh. A talking squirrel. Magic. Portals. It was all too much. Men with hidden faces start to leave me away. Hidden faces. Dark Riders. Dark Core. No. No. NO! They can’t. They can’t do this to me. “Please, please, please,” I beg but they do no heed. We walk away from you, away from the soul riders and away from good. I feel the fabrication of Garnok, of evil, take over. Please. Save me. Urg, mornings are the worse. Sitting up, I looked around mine and Joe’s den where we’d fallen asleep. I’m Hanna Jarlasson by the way! I live on the farm with my Dad, Grandma, brother Joe and then Uncle and his daughter, my cousin, Lisa. Joe and I built a little den at the top of the silo to get away from Lisa. When you live an a little island with only your family, you don’t get much privacy. We might as well all live in one house because we wander in and out of each others without invitation.
My neck hurt so much from where I’d been lying on the floor all night. “Mug shot!” called my brother Joe, waggling his J-Phone triumphantly in my face. I sighed, wishing he’d grow up even though I’m younger. Through the open window, the smell of pancakes wafted into the room, passed my picture of Mum before she died and into our noses -causing our mouths to water in anticipation. “Joe, Hanna, breakfast,” Grandma called. We reached down the rope, giving ourself rope burn in the process. Oh well, our hands were tough from it happening every morning. Once we’d exited the silo, Grandma passed both of us a plate with two sealed pancakes on. Just like every morning, one was egg and bacon while the other was filled with berries. Balancing the pancakes and the big mugs of strong Jorvik tea, we sat by the sea to eat breakfast. Joe put a few crab lines down to lure any unsuspecting crabs that were hanging about the rocks. Still in our nightclothes, we flicked water at each other and eat our way through our breakfast until there was nothing left but two sticky plates and two empty mugs. Knowing it was time to start on chores, we washed up the dishes and went back to our shared bedroom in our own house to make our two little beds. As busy as bees, we fed the horses and I went to visit the sheep. Then we both set to work weeding and tending to the crops. Soon it would be time to start school and my morning would be over. Sometimes it feels like everything is messed up, like all is lost. You feel as if you’ve tripped into a never ending tunnel of darkness and there’s nothing you can do to stop falling. You are just an unwilling piece in the puzzle that will end human life as you know it.
At least that’s how I feel. My name's Jessica and you probably know me? No? Well, I’m a model, a rider and a Protector. I’ve done bad stuff - like messing with Anne’s photos - but I did my community service at Silverglade Equestrian centre and now horses are my life. When Mr Sands asked me to become a protector I was beyond thrilled. It turns out that wealth and power isn’t just my family’s heritage but also magic. Our father, Garnok, gave us power in order to one day set him free so he can restore the world to the peaceful place it once was. No more wars, no more hunger. It was Aideen’s power to bring life and Garnok’s to bring happiness. Their love was the most beautiful thing in the world. Their compassion was beyond even basic facts like that he was a God and she a Druid. Breaking all of the rules, they made a land called Jorvik by Aideen transforming a barren rock into a hive of life and Garnok filled it to the bring with happiness and joy. The land bubbled with the very iridescence of perfect and wonder. Until the God and the Druid declared a might battle against each other. They say it lasted for days. Lightning, thunder and the heavens split open to deluge the land, not in rain, but in fire. She won and my beloved father was cast to the depths of the ocean, portrayed as an evil monster. He called for his fellow God’s help but they laughed at the irony that he came to the Earth to help it, however now he was the one needing the club. Gone are the days when the "soul riders” rule Jorvik. I’m a Protector, more commonly known as a Dark Rider, and I want to bring love and happiness back to this island. Aideen is dead - she was mortal; Garnok is still here, he’s God. As the world sitcoms to the terrible consequence of human nature, only he can help and we must help him to help us. So remember little soul rider, history is never written truthfully… Why they can’t just announce the winners I don’t know. Maybe it’s because all of Jorvik comes to watch? Or maybe it’s because half of Jorvik comes that they need to make it exciting else people would loose interest. I suppose that the money from tickets just help go towards bursaries for people. Ah, well it doesn’t help with the nerves!
So the announcements work like this: first they announce the top three of each individual result, then the overall and then they take everyone off into a separate room away from everyone to announce their complete results (i.e. who is staying, who is going). Even if you get in the top three for an individual competition, it doesn’t mean that you’re through. The 16 of us sat in the front seats at the riding hall. I could hear the crowds buzz like impatient wasps. I wasn’t impatient, but then again I was. It’s a funny thing getting news like this. You don’t want to know but you do. It’s because you only want to know if it’s good news. Will my news be good news? Tyra stepped up to the podium and silence fell like a smothering blanket, “Ok, thank you everyone for coming. I hope you’ve had a good three days watching these wonderful 16 riders competing after their first term at the Silverglade Equestrian Centre. I’ve loved working with each and every one of them. Which ever 15 are still here after today, they all deserve a massive star. So thank you very much and remember, you were the best 16 to get here, you’re still and incredible rider and you deserve a lot. So first dressage results! In joint third place were: Kate Shawl and Isla de la Coze!” My heart leaped at my name. Me? Me? Third? Oh. My. God. As I stood up, I meant eye contact with Ali who gave me a “go on” grin. Isla andI stood on the podium together, holding our bronze medals and yellow rosettes. We grinned at each other. Alice came to take 2nd and a boy I’d seen but didn’t really know (besides Blake we hadn’t had much to do with the boys) called Josh came first. Actually, he does look familiar from a three day show a while back… Grinning my head off like an idiot, reseated myself next to Ali. Although I kept a listen out before my name (my heart leaping before every announcement in case it was me), I wasn’t called. Show jumping was won by Elysia with Olivia in second (why couldn’t she beat that snob) and Alice in third. I didn’t think I had much chance in XC after falling off, so I wasn’t surprised when I didn’t win that. However, Blake came second! I grinned so hard and felt so proud of him. He was beaten by Alice but he did beat Josh. Now, the overall results. I was trying my best to add it up in my head but only knowing the top three results made it impossible. Alice would probably win, she had come in the top three for everything. Josh had been in the top 3 twice so he, too, would probably make it to the top three. But, without knowing the other results, I didn’t know the third person. BLAKE! IT WAS BLAKE! Blake held his yellow rosette and bronze medal for coming third, overall. BLAKE - MY BLAKE. Ahhh! Being me, I was almost as happy to be proved right that Alice came first and Josh second as I would have been if I, myself, took the podium. “Good luck,” Ali whispered as she went off to her room where we’d be told all our results. “You too,” I murmured back. I didn’t know how Ali had done. She hadn’t done awful but I couldn’t tell. “Please, oh please,” I begged someone, anyone. I don’t believe it God but there must be someone I can beg for Ali to get through. For me to get through. I walked into the room and took a seat, barely thinking. It was Pauline, “Well done on third Kate,” she gestured at my medal. “You did really well. You came 3rd in dressage, of course, 9th in Show Jumping and 11th in Cross Country.” I was trying to do the maths. I was in the later half of both groups. Where was I overall? “Which meant overall you came 6th with 29 points! That’s really good, well done and I hope you have a great half term. Here are the results sheets for you to peer over.” We shook hands and I walked out. And then I ran. I was through! I was through! I was through! I ran even more until I was in the thorn bushes at the side of the riding hall. I sat down in them to look at everyone else’s results: DRESSAGE Josh Meadows Alice Patterson Kate Shawl, Isla de la Coze Blake Wall Benny Wright Alexa Colin David Smith Olivia Kamble Elysia Butterfield Tom Dun Luke Place Autumn Diamondson Alec Stacker Simon Harvey Miya Hawkin SHOW JUMPING Elysia Butterfield Olivia Kamble Alice Patterson Blake Wall Josh Meadows David Smith Simon Harvey Alexa Colin Kate Shawl Tom Dun Luke Place Benny Wright Autumn Diamondson Alec Stacker Isla de la cose Miya Hawkin XC Alicia Patterson Blake Wall Josh Meadows Autumn Diamondson Alexa Colin Tom Dun Luke Place Elysia Butterfield Olivia Kamble Benny Write Ka1te Shawl David Smith Miya Hawkin Simon Harvey Alec Stacker Isla de la cose Ali had been so close in XC, I hoped she’d be happy. But was she through? I looked at the overall results, shamefully hoping it was Elysia. Points were awards 16 for first, 15 for second, 13 for third, etc. OVERALL Alice Patterson - 45 Josh Meadows - 42 Blake Wall - 40 Elysia Butterfield - 32 Olivia Kamble - 31, Alexa Colin - 31 Kate Shawl - 29 David Smith - 25 Tom Dun - 24 Benny Wright - 23 Luke Place -21, Autumn Diamondson - 21 Isla de la cose - 17 Simon Harvey - 15 Alec Stacker - 8 Miya Hawkin -6 It was Miya. I knew her quite well. We only hung out in groups with the others girls but still she was a friend. She was close. But I was happy it wasn’t Ali. I guess it wasn’t Elysia because it only works out with the snobbish one going in stories. And this isn’t a story. My mind was a breeze, flicking to any jump it felt like. It was unable to keep still, to stay focused, on the present. It was calculating the future jumps.
And it needed to stop. At the moment, Alka was doing almost all of the work as I really couldn’t. It was so hot and I was so nervous that I just wanted to crawl back under my covers that I’d been in a few hours ago. But I couldn’t do that: this was the Cross Country exam. Alice had done it with perfect precision. Elysia had only made one small mistake. Blake had - “Calm down,” I told myself. Too late. I was falling before I realised it. Instinct kicked in and I curled myself up and rolled to spread out the impact. Where on the course was I? We weren’t playing by the normal elimination rules. You earned points for how well you took the jump so where was I? “Alright Alice?” asked Tyra. I nodded so she continued, “You aren’t the first to fall, don’t worry. Check over your horse and walk back to the start.” She walked off, giving me an inkling of the direct I should follow. True, first I need to take care of Alka. He stood a few feet away looking apologic. Murmuring that it wasn’t his fault, I checked him over for any marks. He seemed fine. Sighing in relief, I walked back to the start. It wasn’t that far away which meant I would have got most of my points. After I’d answered questioned from my friends and Pauline had made sure I was ok, the whole class sat down. It was time for the results. It wasn’t just a simple tell you the results and get on with it. Oh no, it was a public announcement affair and they made it was dramatic as the results at the X-Factor. It felt so fake as we got onto the bus to Jorvik City (where the stage is). We were idly chatting but all of us were thinking, who’s getting through? Hi, it’s been three days which I HATE. I love writing but a combination of tiredness (my fault) and the heat (not my fault) has meant that concentrating on a laptop and typing it impossible. So, I wrote this early in the morning because I really wanted to write something. “Kate, you really should eat something,” Liv fussed. Liv had almost become everyone’s Mum. She made sure people studied, got enough sleep and ate enough. Always standing out as a leader, maybe it wasn’t surprising that Liv had, unexpectedly, tripped over this role.
My stomach was a tossing, turning monster of nerves. The monster didn’t allow me to sit still for any more than a few minutes, let alone manage a meal. “Have a smoothie,” suggested Ali, chucking me a “Sunbeam Smoothie” - her favourite. Ali was adamant that she had met Ms Sunbeam, Jorvik is such a small island that I honestly would be at all surprised. Nodding, I accepted the smoothie and took it down to the stable (along with a large packet of polos for Alka). Slurping on my smoothie whilst slowly feeding Alka mints, talking to her in a low voice, the monster finally ceased it’s ravenous growl. Sighing in relief at the sudden calm I needed: I was in the zone. Our jumping competition was next up. Jumping was my least favourite, if that was possible to have a least favourite in riding. It’s to the I hated it, just I didn’t see the point in running around a course when the course is so boring and plain. Luckily, we weren’t actually doing a circuit in this jumping test. We were going to do a slightly alternated version of jumping accumulator. Every jump was number 1 - 10 with one being the easiest and ten the hardest. If you jump one successfully you get one point, jump number two and you get two etc. If you fail a jump you lose eight points - fun. You only get a minute and you have to jump at least seven different jumps. We rode into the arena with a last minute good luck whisper from Ali. Then I kicked. And so it began. I took jump number two - cleared. I jerked my left hand and took a jump (at an awkward angle). It was either a 5 or a 6 but it was cleared. Leading Alka around in a semi circle I took number number four and number number 9 but… Alka knocked the top bar off. Swearing to myself, I tried to clear my head for my next jump. I was riding around the jumps, letting myself fully recover before taking another. I saw Ali knock over three in a row as she became more frustrated at each. Almost easier, I brought Alka over jumps number one and nine. I was back on track! I ticked off a few more jumps before I heard the count down. Just to my left was the great, looming shadow of jump number ten. It could make all of the difference taking it. I was going to take the risk. Hoisting myself up into the jumping position, we took off into the air. I was straining my ears to see if we would clear it. I heard the sound of metal on plastic and felt my heart leap to my mouth. Had I just lost myself points? I heard the time up cry and turned Alka around, only to feel relieve rush through me for the pole was still sitting, in place, on the jump. Soon I’d know whether I’d be staying at Silverglade Equestrian School. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. We all waited outside the arena, milling around. Ali sat, head in her hands, muttering what sounded like the routine to herself. Indeed, it was time for dressage. Sadly, this was a bit of an event on the island and so crowds of spectators had gathered to watch almost as if the pressure of being thrown out wasn’t bad enough.
“You’ll be fine,” Alice said, looking for nervous. How is she nervous? She’s easily the top of the class. It was impossible not to like Alice. She was modest, willing to help and seemingly unaware of her skill but not in an annoying way. Eylisa had lost her normal strut, Liv looked quite pale, Alex was shaking causing her poor horse to shake. I knew that everyone wanted Elysia to be thrown out so it was a pity that she was one of the best. It’s unfortunate that in the real world things don’t work out like that. “Shawl, Kate,” I heard the big speakers cry. Ok my turn. Alka and I had been through the routine so many times in warm up but it was different now. I lead him in forcing myself to be calm so I didn’t scare him. “Ride,” I told myself, “Ride.” And so we started. I almost entirely let myself blank it all out, just with the odd thought of “make sure you’re tall” and “imagine the circle on the inside”. Little things that could make all of the different between returning. Finally, we came to a halt in front of the judges. I bowed and out we went - all over. The girls and I met up in the hayloft, our hang out spot. Maybe it wasn’t the safest but it hadn’t collapsed on us yet so I hoped that it wouldn’t. “I think I did ok, messed up the serpentine, I was far too close to the H,” Alice began. “Well, I forgot the routine so…” Alex trailed off. We all stayed in silence a few seconds, forgetting a routine was not at all good. “Oh well,” Ali said, “Mum and Gareth, my brother, made me and Sonika go bright red from embarrassment when she cornered Tyra and began asking if I’d been eating enough.” We all laughed, letting our fears for tomorrow be carried away. I laughed as the wind whipped my hair out of my face. It dances in the wind, in time to Alka’s movements.
It was almost the end of the term and my, it had been a great term! I’d learned loads of things and met some awesome people who gave speeches. My XC in particular had improved “by leaps, bounds and strides” as my instructor liked to put it. Over the time, I’d become very close to Ali, Alex (the girl with the lisp) and Alice, who helped the rest of us with our work. But soon I’d have to fight to stay here for it was almost the time for our tests. The lowest scoring person would be sent home. Shivering at the thought of being sent home, I dismounted Alka and turned to Blake. Ahhh Blake. We’d been going out for almost 2 months. He was annoying at times but could be counted on making me smile. Plus, he always did my detentions for me (not that I got any… no no not me). “You’re gazing off into the distance like you’re actually thinking for once,” he grinned, throwing a biscuit at me, which I missed. Forcing my cheeks to stay while I replied with, “What a waste of a biscuit.” He chuckled and gave me another, bowing to mock me. I bobbed him a curtsey before getting on with our pack dinner that the cafe had provided us. We’d almost finished up with me worrying about the exams and him saying that I’d be fine (even though I was in the bottom half of the class). I could see that he was getting worried about me failing (he didn’t have anything to worry about). I was worried to but it wasn’t fair to keep pressing it upon him. Taking a pause, I stopped mid flow through my rant, hoping to see a positive reaction. And then… His lips were around mine, hot and wet. Another world. Time slowed, stopped, but still the kiss wasn’t long enough before he pulled back, leaving me laughing. Joining in he said, “So, am I a good kisser?” “The best I’ve ever had.” “Am I the first?” “Oi,” I cried, throwing the tin foil from my sandwich at him, “but yes.” “You were my first too. Now, I’ve given you my good luck kiss so you’ll do amazing in the dressage tomorrow. You’re good at dressage anyway.” Could life get any better? A/N I know it’s strayed away from horses but as I said I had writers block and I could only think of continuing the story with a romanic story to it. Plus, I don’t enjoy describing riding lessons so there we are - have a nice day. I sighed as I went off to Lily’s detention. Dressage was finally over and it was awful. All I wanted to do was to ride around but I ended up having to do 2 hours of just practising walking. Yes, that’s right. Just. Practising. Walking. With Tyra correcting you by the centimetre it was very hard not to get irritated.
I started mucking out at the same time as doing some maths homework because I knew that I wouldn’t have time to do it later. A head bobbed over the stall next door. “Hello,” the head said smiling. I was a bit confused about why a head was talking to me until I realised that it was Blake. “Hi,” I replied, for some reason I felt nervous. Blake kicked open the door to my stall and came in. “Dressage was thrilling today, huh?” I stared blankly at him, confused. “I was being sarcastic,” he laughed. Oh hell… I didn’t understand sarcasm and now I’d made myself look like a fool. “Of course,” I laughed with him, trying to act cool but my slowly reddening cheeks weren't allowing me that modesty. “So, how have you been enjoying your detention.” “It’s been great!” he said instantly and brightly before stopping abruptly. I was prepared this time, “Sarcasm?” “No… I just enjoy mucking out…” It was his turn to blush now. “Oh, well then,” I said, recovering myself, “Maybe you could do mine?” “If you go on a date with me,” he smiled cheekily. Woah! Woah! Woah! Did I just get asked out? I normally let the other girls in my class be asked out and I just sat there, maybe making them blush from time to time. But me? I wasn’t - Was I? I did like Blake… Well, there was no harm in trying. “If your mucking it up to standard then sure.” “When? Tonight?” I bit my lip. I didn’t want to seem rude but I had plans to go out to the beach by the riding hall. “Not tonight, tomorrow IF your mucking it good enough.” “Fine.” Walking down to the beach, my thoughts were in a haze of Blake. I needed to focus on riding if I ever wanted to make it as a star. Also, I’d been told it was important to make connections here as I had been ignoring the other girls a bit. But quite honestly, I was just busy plus I did spend every evening and morning with them, just it wasn’t exciting enough to do anything with. I sighed, I’d be able to be with Blake soon. “Oi, you,” I heard the voice behind me. I sighed, really not in the mood. It was very early on my second day here and I had just finished cleaning out the stall of Lily’s horse before I got started on my own.
“Yes?” I asked, quite politely considering. I turned around and gasped. Behind me was Lily, the Head Girl and she stood with Zak on her arm. It was wrapped around her protectively but I couldn’t help wondering if it would warm her up on this cold September’s day. Lily swished her golden locks behind her shoulder before replying, “You haven’t finished with my stable yet. Get on with it and make it perfect, I’m not letting my horse stand in soiled hay.” I clenched my fists with anger: I knew she hadn’t seen the stable yet because I hadn’t seen anyone pass me. This was her trying to force me to go back and do more work. “I have finished with your stable and if it isn’t up to your perfect standards then you can fix it,” I said. I had a moment of excitement as I saw her pretty features turn red with anger and embarrassment. “Now see here,” said Zak, his arm tightening around Lily. Lily reached into Zak’s pocket and pulled out a little card, “Detention every night for the rest of term for cheek. You can do my horses to make sure that they’re up to my perfect standards.” Damn it. Detention. With a mutter of, “Ok” I stormed off to Cross Country where we spent a lesson looking at the various routes through the water complex and trying them out. When it was my go I took it at a trot and was still burning with rage about what Lily had said. I didn’t have time to be in detention. Urgg the injustice of this world… SPLOSH! Without encouragement to go forward, Alka had decided to stop in the middle of the complex and have a drink, letting me slip forwards over his neck. I was too zoned out to stop myself and there was that fighting moment when it was just water and blackness. Then I stood up. “Kate, are you alright?” Pauline (the XC instructor) asked. I nodded, freezing but alive. Alda’s big eyes looked at me innocently as if he was saying, “I only wanted a drink.” Pauline must have seen me shiver because she said, “Go back to your dorm and get yourself dry.” Once again, I nodded and ran back to the dorm, my dignity remained non existent. Why me? This really wasn’t my day, was it? I guess it’s the Foster effect. One bad thing leads to another and it gets worse and worse and worse each time. I changed clean clothes and had a tea. Tomorrow better be better. A/N I uploaded on Friday as well, so if you were checking every Sunday you may have missed a bit. From now on, I’m uploading every Sunday and Friday.
“So, we’re on the highway to hell?” I voiced my thoughts out loud for the benefit of the rest of the class. “Yup…” Ali said gloomily. We all carried our books and pencil cases in a bag with the leaf crest of the centre on the side. They were brand new (we’d been given them at lunch) and so we were all so proud of walking to the library (where the school work took place) with them. When we arrived, a man (who introduced himself as Mr Throne) asked us all to take a seat. Pulling out the chairs (with much debate over who sat where), we finally decided on a girls table and a boys table. Ali nestled herself next to me and Alice perch opposite. Then it was time to get our teeth into 4 hours of school. Yes, it was hell. Finally, the last binomial expansion was solved and it was time for our stuff to be gathered and for us to leave. Almost tripping over each other in our haste to leave (and one boy actually did trip over, leading to a lot of people screaming “ohhhhhhh”), we bundled ourselves out of the door into the sun. Squinting in the light, we all raced to the stable (most of our hadn’t bothered to change out of our riding stuff). It was almost a race to mount up onto our horses. And then, we rode. Fields flashed by as Alka moved beneath me. This was the true meaning of horse riding. One movement, one heart, as you both moved through the fields. I allowed myself a fleeting glance at Ali, her hair danced in the wind; her eyes laughed in the sun. Someone said once that if I met someone from Valedale, I’d know. It was true. Just the way that they were as a person. Something about them. Not that they were super nice or some kind of hippie. They were just them. We all followed the boy that had spoken back to Tyra earlier. He jumped a wall and we all followed, covering the short distance to the village in no time. All too soon, we were leaving our horses with Steve. Walking into Silverglade Village was amazing. It was nothing like the UKs open plan villages. First, it was tiny. Only 10 houses at most. It was all bricked in with a wall that clearly wasn’t used as a defence anymore as it was falling apart. “Here,” Liv said smiling, “The fashion barn. Everyone who’s anyone shops for clothes here.” The other girls (and a few boys) started chatting excitedly about the shop so I stood there, pretending I had heard of it before. “Mummy and Daddy buy me everything from Jorvik City and get it shipped to Epona,” Elysia boasted, scornful off the little shop. The Fashion Barn didn’t match any of the other shops in the village at all. They were quaint and it was loud and out there. I popped in for a bomber jacket before purchasing some Jorbear sweets and Jorcola from a near by shop. I had survived my first day at the school! |
Li Silentland
Hello!Welcome to my little space on the large internet where I can share my thoughts, views and fanfics! I am you 'normal' teenaged girl, who loves writing, gaming and horses. I've played Star Stable online since 1st June 2014 and I am currently a level 20 player on Cupcake Valley where I hang about with Frosty Roses and my 18 pixel horses! Disclaimer: All images and anything else to do with this blog are taken in the game Star Stable Online produced by Star Stable Entertainment AB. I have nothing to do with Star Stable and own none of their graphics. But I can tell you it is a great game and you should play it!
Categories
All
Archives
August 2018
|