I know a lot of people didn’t get a chance to read all of the story due to posting in their own blogs, having to work, sleep, or various other things. So, I’ve gathered them all up here. Feel free to jump to the posts from here!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13
Part 14
Part 15
Part 16
Part 17
Part 18
Part 19
Part 20
Part 21
I hope you all enjoy it. I had fun writing it. (=
Sponsor and comment prizes are coming!
Beverages:
Five bottles of VitaminWater
Five glasses of normal water
One glass of orange juice
Half a Starbucks venti hot chocolate
Food:
Three pieces of cheese danish
Five chicken strips
One side of mashed potatoes
Two pieces of chocolate Blogathon Cake
Five handfuls of Cheezits
Five pieces of lemon pound cake
Music
MPYR Radio
Story Posts
Twenty-one parts
Guest Posts
Three
Sponsors
Twenty-two
Amount Raised
Two hundred twenty-eight dollars
Comments
Priceless
Thank you, EVERYONE, who helped me stay awake today!
Clara, Mike1, the WM, Jeanie, Colin, Yoshi, Luka, Monty, Toxik, Silver, Acid, Icey, $Rachel$, CJ, Cat, Sheana, Dave, Sarah, Noelle, All my other Commenters
I had a blast this year! Thank you! I’ll post the winners of all the prizes tomorrow, when I have brains. The teddy bear and the gift certificate will awarded to sponsors. The journals and the like will be awarded to anyone who has commented on my blog. Colin’s masthead will also go to anyone who sponsored me. He is very loved right now.
I will see you next year! ::kisses::
Lucian moves forward, his choice made. He steps up and pulls the sword from the hands of the statue on the right. He inhales sharply, looking toward Solstice. He swings the sword slightly. He lofts a brow.
“I do not know, Lucian. I am still uncertain. Nothing is clear. How do you feel?” Solstice moves toward him, lifting a hand to touch his arm.
“I feel – the same?” He draws in a breath as she touches his arm.
“What? What is it?” She looks up at him. Her eyes widen. She shudders, stumbling back from him.
“Solstice, what is it?” He moves toward her, the sword being moved to his sword belt.
“No, stop. Lucian.” She shudders, closing her eyes, turning her face away from him.
“What? What is wrong?” Lucian reaches out to touch her arm.
“Bright. So bright. Lucian, please.” She gasps, her eyes flying open as he touches her. She looks up at him, inhaling sharply. She shudders, stumbling backward, impacting the wall behind him. “Lucian, you are surrounded by a bright, white aura. I can – it is hard to look at you.” She groans and passes out.
“Seems I’ve chosen – wisely.” Lucian chuckles softly, sweeping her up into his arms. He carries her toward the exit, and where the horses were left. He was much mroe confident about his future now – in only that Ryall would not have access to the artifact. It would be safe. And Ryall would not destroy his people. He looks to the seer. “Thank you, lady elf. Thank you.” He brushes a kiss to her forehead.
Well, this was another very closer vote! Thank you for all of your votes, my lovelies! ::Grins:: The fate of the kingdom lies within your hands. Did you choose wisely? Or did you choose poorly? (And what movie am I really quoting here…)
Looks like Lucian is going to choose the sword on the right.
Is it correct? Or will it be disaster?!
Lucian drew in a breath and pushes in the hand hidden within the grain. He turned is back, dragging Solstice close to him to protect her in case he was wrong. This was his call. He had not waited for her input on this one. He frowns, hearing nothing suspicious, just a click. He turns, blinking. “I was right.”
“So you were, Lucian. So you were.” She smiles, moving toward the door. Together, they pull it open and step inside. Solstice lifts her torch up, illuminating the room behind the door. A brow lofts. “Interesting.”
“How – odd.” He frowns. The room seemed to be completely empty, save for a pair of statues at the opposite end of the room. Each was the image of a warrior and carried a sword. A true sword, not a stone one. “Which one do we choose?”
“I suspect this is where the ‘true of heart’ portion makes itself known, Lucian. Only the true of heart can see the sword. Meaning, only the true of heart can tell which is the artifact and which is just a sword.” She moves closer to him, tipping her head to one side. Her lips curve faintly as she looks them over. “They look like you.”
“They do not.” Lucian grumbles, stepping forward.
“Oh, they do.” She grins at him. “Look at the set of the chin and jawline, the build and height. They must have been modeled after someone in your family.” Solstice moves forward, resting a hand against the statue on the left. “It’s warm. He almost feels – alive.” Her eyes widen. She steps back, looking at the two. She rests a hand on the other one. “This one as well.”
“So, I need to choose?” Lucian frowns at this. “Solstice, I hate to ask, but we really need to know this – can you see anything?” Lucian turns to look at her.
“It doesn’t exactly work that way, Lucian. I do not call it on – ” She gasps, her eyes closing. She stumbles forward, dropping her torch. Lucian moves forward, catching her about the waist, holding her upright.
“What is it you see?” He frowns, holding her gently.
“Two futures. Very divergent. I am of no help. I only see what happens after you choose. I cannot see the actual choosing.” She shudders, breathing deeply.
“Thank you anyway, Solstice. Let me guess. In one vision, I choose poorly – and Ryall gains control of the artifact. My entire kingdom is swept under the tide of his army. I am either killed or taken captive, to rot in his prison so he may laugh and gloat.” He looks at her carefully. “In the other vision, I choose wisely – and Ryall falls. He is no longer a thread to my kingdom and we begin to prosper once more.” He crouches, helping her sit on the ground. “How am I doing?”
“Surprisingly well.” She chuckles softly, shaking her head. “You must choose, Lucian. Please – choose wisely. For the sake of an entire kingdom….”
