Catching up

Thanks for reading! This blog shouldn't be taken too seriously. I don't always put a lot of thought into the entries; they are merely a way for me to: (a) test out a few jokes (b) work on dialogue, and scene (c) build up the world of Korin, where my fantasy stories take place and (d) appear busy while I eat lunch, so I can avoid human interaction. Feel free to let me leave a comment or critique. 

I told him the tale of the mountain witch's end, and Merrick's role in it. He grew somber as I recounted Merrick's final moments and our attempts to help him. Then he sat quietly, absorbing everything. A single tear spilled out of his eye and rolled down his cheek. He wiped it away, then grunted with a single nod. 

"A fitting end."

"I did not know him long, but I knew him well," I said. "He was a great man. We live on in his shadow."

"Everyone lives in his shadow," Seymuhr added. I was about to give him a nod of appreciation for the sentiment, but then he nudged Merrick's brother and said: "because he was fat. Not as fat as you, of course--that would be rare, indeed--but fat enough to cast a shadow that many people could li..."

"I think we understand your jest, if that is what you want to call it," I told him, then turned back to Merrick's brother. "Forgive my companion. His words are about as graceful as a two-legged mule."

He glanced at the prone body, then at Seymuhr, who stared at him with an inviting smile on his face. If he thought about answering the insult, he gave no indication. 

"Now you seek to deliver this news to the queen?" He asked, instead. 

I nodded. "I have had some dealings with her in the past, although not to the extent that your esteemed brother did. I would carry the news to her in person. For some reason, we were guided to this place, instead."

"I would think you would understand, given the nature of your companions and their appearance," he said. "The queen gets many, many requests for an audience each day and we cannot just let anyone greet her. It was only because you showed the symbol at the gate that you made it this far."

"We cannot?"

He stood and offered his hand. "Precisely. Call me Shonfiddylchamevven. I can take you to the queen."

"Shonfiddyl...."

"Aye, Shonfiddylchamevven," he repeated impatiently. "Just like it's spelled. Come now, and bring your companions as well."

We stepped over the body on the floor and headed, not to the front door of the tavern, but toward the back. Shonfiddyl--Merrick's brother--swept aside a curtain that revealed a dimly lit, but perfectly straight, hallway that led into the hill. Seymuhr fell insto step behind me and Tane followed him, still wiping the dampness from his ear.