http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/ en Copyright 2007 Thu, 13 Jan 2005 21:44:37 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss The End of Story #2 / Message from the Authors It appears we have reached the end of our second story here on Quick Shtick Writing! At this point we will take approximately one week off from writing before we start in on the next project. As always, we encourage our readers to submit comments or e-mail letting us know how we're doing. Some possible questions to ask yourself, as a reader are:

• Did you like the story overall? Why or why not?
• Did the characters feel "real" to you? Why or why not?
• Was there any one specific point in the story that you felt was especially well-written? If so, what about it made it feel that way?
• Was there any one specific point in the story that felt "forced" or written poorly? Which point and why?
• What aspect(s) of the story could use the most improvement? (character development, character background, scenery, action, etc.)
• What aspect(s) of the story worked well for you?
• Do you think this is a storyline you would like to read more of, as our characters go forth on their quest? Why or why not?
• Does the "newest at the top" format of posting make it difficult to read? If so, would you prefer to load a chapter at a time and scroll down to read the latest entry or would that also be too complicated? Do you use the XML feed?

We would also like input from our readers as to any changes in "rules" we might make for the next storyline. And, we're throwing around the idea of putting the first paragraph of the next story to the readers to write, so if you have an idea for the next story - be it rules or a starting point - feel free to send them along to us at rayndragon's e-mail, and we'll take a look! Perhaps you can give us a new challenge to try out in this little writing web site of ours. The next project will likely start on Saturday the 22nd of January, or by the following Monday at the latest. In the meantime, we'll be doing some updating to the web site and moving the story we've just finished into it's own section. We hope to hear from you! Fictionman & RaynDragon]]> http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/the_end_of_story_2.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/the_end_of_story_2.html Messages from the Authors Thu, 13 Jan 2005 21:44:37 -0600 your sword, sir!" Stott finally managed. "I don't know that I'm worthy of it." "Your heart is," Syred answered. "The rest of you will catch up soon enough I'm sure. And it would be wasted here, collecting dust over the fireplace. I'm done now, Stott. You need it now more than I." "Thank you, sir. I'll try to use it honorably." Stott looked down at it in awe, as if afraid to touch it. "We should get moving," Agmar said, his thoughts still running ahead of himself. "There is much to do this day." "Agmar." Avern reached out and shook Agmar's hand, giving it a firm squeeze. "Be safe," the mayor of Eagle's Harbor told him. Agmar simply nodded in response, a part of him wistfully dreaming of what it would be like it he could just settle down amongst the townsfolk and live out his days quietly battling nothing more than the occasional storm. We were not meant for normal lives, a voice in his memories reminded him quietly. Such talent comes with a price - an obligation to mankind. Perhaps, one day, when you are as old as I, you will come to rest in this place and teach others. Until that day, However, you must follow the path that flows before you. Agmar breathed in the morning air as Avern turned and shook Yilmack and Stott's hands in turn. He brought himself back to the reality of the day again, Avern's voice breaking through his reverie. "...and Lynna, please write. I doubt I'm the only one here who will want to know how your journies play out. Send letters to me." "I will when I can, father. Please don't worry so much. It won't be easy but this is something I have to do. And I want to. I can make a difference." I know," Avern replied. "You've said it already, it's just hard for me to let of my little girl, even though she's gone and grown up." He gave her another hug and kissed her on the forehead. "I love you, Lynna. Never forget that. You will always have a home here." "I love you too, father. I won't forget." She turned and gave Mary a quick hug as well. "Take care of him for me, Mary." "I'll make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble," Mary grinned. "You be careful out there." "I will," Lynna nodded. She turned to face Agmar, and he saw the young woman take a deep breath. "I'm ready now," she told him. Her voice was strong, but her eyes showed that he was not the only one of them trying to anticipate what lay ahead. He nodded at her approvingly. "Farewell, Eagle's Harbor," he turned and said briefly. Agmar then turned and strode down the road, shifting his heavy pack so that the well-worn strap was in a more comfortable position on his shoulder. He didn't look back, although he was sure that Lynna and Stott both did. He felt them fall in behind himself and Yilmack, who had quickly matched Agmar's stride. As the sun rose in the sky, illuminating what remained of Eagle's Harbor, the remaining townsfolk and sailors stood in the road leading away from their fishing village, waving at the four figures that made their way inland. Somewhere, deep inside Agmar's heart, he knew he'd never have another chance to return.]]> http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/i_but_its.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/i_but_its.html Chapter 36 Thu, 13 Jan 2005 15:54:39 -0600 Avern hobbled forward on the crutch that had been presented to him earlier. Mary followed a little bit behind him. "This is a delightful town you have here, Mister mayor," Agmar said with a smile . I'm going to miss it." "After all that's happened?" "In part because of it." "You know you will always be welcome here, right?" The people behind Avern nodded in agreement. Agmar smiled at them all. It was a sunny morning. A warm breeze brought the smell of the sea over the town. It seemed a pleasant day for travel. He hefted the pack on his shoulders, knowing it would not be very long day. He only intended on hiking far enough--a couple of miles should suffice, he thought. Yilmack traveled lightly. He had a small pack that probably weighed no more than his sword. Stott had his pack and stood near Yilmack. It looked as though Stott had already said any necessary goodbyes. "One thing, please," Syred said, walking up to them. "Stott, I was about your age when I left home. At the time I thought I was unappreciated. I don't want you walking off feeling the same way. You've saved a lot of people, and I think there's a lot more of that in your future. I want you to have this." Syred unbuckled his sword belt and knelt, buckling it around a stunned Stott. "You'll teach him how to use it, Mister Yilmack?" "Of course I will, Master Syred," Yilmack said with a kneeling bow. Stott stood, flabbergasted. Agmar put a hand on his shoulder. "I think you have a lot of learning ahead of you." http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/avern_hobbled_forward_on_the.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/avern_hobbled_forward_on_the.html Chapter 36 Thu, 13 Jan 2005 06:22:26 -0600 Chapter 36 Agmar stood quietly to one side as Lynna seemed to say goodbye to nearly half the town. He felt impatient, urged on by every step closer the evil came to reaching the next populated area. He could get them within a few hour's walk of the temple, at a crossroads he knew of where one of the roads led up the hill to it. They had already stayed a day more than he would have liked, but he hadn't been willing to deny Lynna and Stott the chance to enjoy the festivities the town had enjoyed once everyone had had nearly a full day's sleep. He could tell these people had been through some hard times before, based on some of the preparations they had done before sleep had been possible. Bodies of animals that had decent enough meat had been taken to cool cellars for butchering. The houses that stood had been accounted for and those that no longer had owners became temporary homes for those who's houses had burned. Friends asked others to move in with them, and the inns were open to all who needed them. After sleeping, some woke before others. They began the process of salting and smoking the meat, as well as cooking a huge breakfast mainly consistant of warm spiced bread, bacon, and sausages. As promised, a couple of pigs were spitted and began slowly turning over a low fire in the marketplace, cooking for hours. By the time it was ready to eat, the smell of it had reached every last person in town. The day had been a lot more work, as people sorted through the rubble of burned homes and other buildings, and bodies were somberly buried in the local cemetery. Before the feast was served, Avern had read the long list of those that had been lost, and a moment of silence was observed. Avern had followed it with a short speech of thanks that had included Agmar, and had managed to raise the spirits of the crowd again by the end of it. I can only hope that others will be so hardy, he thought to himself. They had eaten heartily, and shared stories of the heroic moments of the ordeal. Music had started up after the meal and kegs of ale and wine were opened. They danced the night away, happy for what they did have, instead of mourning what they had lost. He had watched as people wandered home at varying levels of intoxication, smiling and laughing. Lynna's house still stood, and she returned home for one last night of sleep in her room. This morning, they had risen early to get a head start on the day. At breakfast, they had been interrupted as a couple of sailors and one of the dockboys had brought over a locker of items for Stott to sort through from his father's boat. Stott had added a few items, mostly a heavy rain jacket and a few books, to his own duffel of belongings before telling them they could do what they needed with the rest. Stott now stood a few feet back from Lynna, talking and shaking hands with townsfolk that approached him to say goodbye. His duffel of belongings lay at his feet. Agmar had noticed that the boy was tidy when it came to packing, and it was obvious his books were his prized possesions. Each leatherbound volume had been carefully wrapped in a piece of clothing to protect it from being damaged. Everything else had been packed crisp and compact. He suspected that the boy's father had had a military background, possibly navy, for Stott to have picked up such a habit. He wondered idly what had happened to his mother. Agmar was startled from his thoughts as Margaret approached him, looking somewhat awkward. "Agmar," she began. She paused for a moment, as if composing what she wanted to say before continuing. He waited politely. "I'm sorry I was so... difficult in the beginning," she said. "Thank you, Agmar. For everything. Thank you." He went to reply, but found himself unexpectedly being kissed. When she pulled away, he noticed a few people staring at them. Her face was flushed, and she somewhat hastily backed off. He found himself unable to say anything more to her as Avern and Lynna were coming up to him with a crowd of people in tow. Margaret quicly moved back somewhere into the crowd of townsfolk.]]> http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/chapter_36.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/chapter_36.html Chapter 36 Wed, 12 Jan 2005 13:02:33 -0600 They stood there awkwardly for a moment. Lynna fidgeted with her skirt. Stott found himself scuffing his shoes on the floor. There weren't other people in the hall just yet, as most people were still trying to figure out where they should be. Those with undamaged homes were going there. Stott wasn't sure where the rest would end up. Here and at Mary's, he supposed. "Do you think we'll have nightmares?" she asked. "Not tonight, I think. In a few nights, maybe, but I'm pretty sure I'm just gonna collapse." "Yeah," she said with a giggle, "you're right." Her head started drooping as she stood there. "Alright, get in there. I'll see you...later," he said, supposing he might end up sleeping through an entire day. Lynna kissed him one more time before going into her room. People were staggering into the hallway then, looking not too unlike walking corpses again. he could see the expressions on their faces as a pack of them pressed past him, though. They were relieved and excited, and were rushing to their respective rooms. He almost expected hooping and hollering, and while part of him knew that would be rude, he was also pretty sure that by this point half the people would sleep through the inn burning down around them. The room was empty when he got there. Agmar was still busy, he supposed. He sat at the side of the bed and tried to take his shoes off. The laces were blurry in his vision, and his clumsy fingers couldn't manipulate the laces. He fell over onto the bed and blackness covered him before he could get a blanket in place. http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/they_stood_there_awkwardly_for.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/they_stood_there_awkwardly_for.html Chapter 35 Wed, 12 Jan 2005 06:24:14 -0600 Author's Note: Quick Shtick Writing will not be posted today due to internet problems. We hope to be back tomorrow as usual, assuming I don't manage to muck up the settings that got me online this time. For the moment, fictionman's computer doesn't have internet unless I get it hooked back in tonight, so please bear with us as we dance around my computer waiting anxiously to blog... Sorry for the wait, RaynDragon]]> http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/authors_note_2.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/authors_note_2.html Messages from the Authors Tue, 11 Jan 2005 17:42:57 -0600 sleep now!" Her voice expressed her obvious joy at that, and was quickly picked up by the crowd. Suddenly the room was full of noise and movement as everyone seemed to stand up at once. There was cheering and hugging, and Stott found himself hugged by several people as they filtered out of the room to find places where they could lie down and get some sleep. It all ended very quickly, bowls left sitting where people had been at their tables, and a couple of chairs knocked over in people's haste to get some rest. Stott found himself standing there, alone in the room with Lynna. Lynna grinned and grabbed Stott by the hand and they ran around the rest of the inn, letting the rest of the people who were there know the news. In the end, they found themselves standing outside of Lynna's room.]]> http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/he_happened_to_glance_outside.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/he_happened_to_glance_outside.html Chapter 35 Mon, 10 Jan 2005 12:16:06 -0600 Then he did not know what to do. He went downstairs and did not see Lynna around anywhere. People were milling about. Tables had been brought back to the dining room, and the room was positively stuffed with people. He did not see Avern anywhere, or Mary, or even Margaret and Elsa. There was hot soup being served, although it looked like it was pretty sparse servings so far. People were understanding and sharing around. He saw folk dipping stale bread in the soup to make it easier to eat. People were too hungry and obviously exhausted, yet he was impressed at how they were still treating each other civilly. People weren't yelling if there weren't enough bowls for their table yet. He supposed it must be a tremendous task to prepare so much food all at once. He did not think he'd ever seen the room so stuffed, and he knew the kitchens had been through a lot, as well. "Can I help?" he asked when he finally made his way there. At first glance the kitchen appeared almost normal. The charring on the ceiling was still apparent, and there were gouges in the walls in many places. Some of the pots were battered, but they were still useable. The great cauldron kettle hung in the fire, and there were pots on the stove as well. There was an army of helpers cutting and chopping. Someone handed him a tray of bowls. "Hand these out?" the Rachel Gannen asked him. He had seen her husband in a pile of bodies at some point. He supposed the inn was probably hers now. He nodded and took the tray. It was quite a few trips before he felt like he'd finally earned the single bowl that Rachel handed him eventually. "Eat," she ordered with a sad smile. He ate leaning against the wall in the dining room, watching people comforting and supporting each other. It frightened him that he was going to see some of these same events played out in other towns as they ran along the evil's predestined path. It also convinced him further that he needed to contribute to defeating it. Conviction made weak soup taste better. http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/then_he_did_not_know.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/then_he_did_not_know.html Chapter 35 Mon, 10 Jan 2005 06:17:29 -0600 How does a man who can heal himself end up with a scar like that? Stott had a feeling that the more he learned about Agmar, the more questions he might end up with. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Agmar buttoning up a fresh shirt and putting fresh socks on. He saw the man sigh as he sat down to put his shoes back on. "You do not have to call me 'sir', Stott," he said quietly. "You are not my student, although I may teach you things along the way if you are so inclined, and Yilmack will likely have much to teach you. I may be your elder, but let us start out on equal footing as friends instead if we are to journey together. You may not realize it, but it is just as likely I will learn things from you along the way as well. I have acquired a few titles in my travels, as well as the enemies to match them. But I will never wield a title over someone I would call my friend. There are some who would defer to me regardless, but in the end someone can only hold authority over you if you allow them to." "I..." Stott tried to wrap his tired mind around what Agmar had just said. "Okay," he finally answered. On impulse, he stuck out his hand. "Friends, then," he told Agmar. He saw Agmar smile as the wizard took Stott's hand and squeezed it firmly. For just a moment he saw Agmar in a different light. He's just as human as the rest of us, but with more responsibility on his shoulders, he thought to himself as he turned back to hanging his clothes. Agmar gathered up the pile of dirty clothes he had on the floor and headed off down the hallway with them. And he's alone. He thought about that as he finished and tidied up the rest of his belongings. Even amongst friends, he's still alone.]]> http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/the_towel_felt_rough_against.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/the_towel_felt_rough_against.html Chapter 35 Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:37:38 -0600 Well, the cold'll wake me up, he decided, pulling off his clothes. He looked woefully at the clothes, which were going to need mending in addition to washing. He had only packed a few changes of clothes before relocating to Agmar's room. The realization came back to him that the only possessions he had left were in one large bag. All his books were gone. He slumped down, putting his forehead down on the edge of the tub. Somebody else came in and claimed a tub. Stott finished undressing and put his first foot in the water slowly. The foot was still too pink. He had forgotten about that. Again he could not figure out how long ago that had been. Then he was glad he did not have a tub of steaming water. The third bather slipped and fell into the water with a splash, and promptly yelped. "Sweet gods that's cold!" A woman's laugh came from the first tub, and Stott could hear water being poured and running down some part of her. He felt like he was intruding, and tried to focus on getting himself clean. He was sore all over, and the cold water did nothing to help that as he rubbed at himself and poured water over himself for rinsing. Standing there wet was perhaps not a great improvement over just sitting in it, he considered. He was shivering by the time he finished.]]> http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/he_proceeded_to_closest_of.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/he_proceeded_to_closest_of.html Chapter 35 Sun, 09 Jan 2005 08:49:49 -0600 Do I smell that bad? Maybe... Yilmack threw his head back and roared with laughter as he opened the door to the shed. "C'mon then, Stott. Out with ye." He led the way back out of the shed and towards the inn, where they went in through the kitchens. He was surprised to find Agmar in the kitchen, leaning against a counter while people bustled back and forth and large pots steamed over the stove. "Is it safe for fires then?" he asked. "Yes," Agmar replied. "Although I am still keeping watch on this a bit more before I spread the word. In about an hour or so it should be safe enough for people to sleep. In the meantime, I believe everyone would benefit from something warm to eat." He yawed, and Stott watched as a couple of other people yawned in reaction to it. Stott found himself having a hard time not doing the same. Yilmack, on the other hand, yawned loudly next to him. "I'd better go get cleaned up," Stott said. He headed quickly out of the kitchen and upstairs to Agmar's room where he fetched a clean set of clothes to change into. He then went down the hall to the bathroom and stopped short. Just beyond the privacy screen, he could make out the sillouette of someone else already in the room, getting water from the pump. He cleared his throat, to make his presence known, just in case the person wasn't still dressed. He realized he wasn't entirely sure what the rules of propriety in inns actually were, especially when it came to communal bathing areas.]]> http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/i_dont_answer.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/i_dont_answer.html Chapter 35 Sat, 08 Jan 2005 11:32:25 -0600 "Um, anywhere she goes..." he tried, confused. "Tha's not what I mean, lad. What'r ye willing to do fer the lass, to keep 'er safe?" "Anything," he was able to say without hesitatation. Yilmack just raised an eyebrow. "Thar are some things I can't be telling ye just yet. Thar are still secrets in this world, lad. But dependin' on what ye choose, ye might be filled in on some o' them at our next stop. Thar's stuff e'en Agmar ain't been told yet, 'though he will be 'fore long." "I'm not sure what you're getting at," Stott said, not less confused. "The runes an' wards in 'ere make this a safe place to talk, to a degree. The demon can still read minds when it's closer, but it cannae get inta mine, 'cause o' some magic that was done. "But thar be some of us who've sworn to protect the wiz'rds that be fightin' the demon. I be one o' them. I think it be something ye might do, too. Ye need to mull it o'er in that head o' yers 'fore we get to the temple. Thar ye'll need to decide fer good, one way or t'other." "The temple of Tarek'nen?" "Aye. But not more abou' that 'til later. Fer now ye needs decide if thar be anythin' ye would not do to protect young Lynna." http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/um_anywhere_she_goes_he.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/um_anywhere_she_goes_he.html Chapter 35 Sat, 08 Jan 2005 11:08:17 -0600 It seemed as if half the people remaining in town had converged on the Surf & Sleep. In contrast to the somber quietness they had encountered on most of the streets as people went to see what remained of their homes and businesses, the inn was bursting with life and sound. People spilled out onto the lawn and sat or stood talking to one another, sipping cups of something, and munching on pieces of bread. A few people waved or nodded to them as they walked up, and he noticed Lynna smiling and nodding back at them the way her father tended to do when passing through a crowd. As they ascended the steps, Emilee Rayton was sitting on the porch nursing her son Jeremy. "Emmy!" Lynna said, her voice full of obvious relief. "Hey, Lynn." Emilee smiled at Lynna, although her eyes were full of sadness and had dark circles beneath them. "I'm so glad you're alright. When I didn't see you come here for healing, I asked Genla and she said you and Jeremy were fine." "Emilee," Stott said, nodding and suddenly feeling awkward, "good to see you safe." "Thanks Stott." Emilee gave him a smile. Emilee pulled the baby out from under the blankets she'd been using to cover herself and gently put him up to her shoulder, patting his tiny back with her hand. "Stott, lad. A word?" Stott jumped at Yilmack's low booming voice behind him. "Um... of course," he told him. "Lynna - " "I'll be fine right here," she laughed, giving his hand a squeeze before letting go. "You go on, Emmy and I have to catch up anyway." He smiled at her before turning to follow Yilmack. Something told him that one of the things the two girls would be catching up on had to do with him, by the conspiritorial way they huddled together as he and Yilmack went down the stairs and around the corner of the building. To his surpise, they headed into the small shed. As they entered, he noticed a variety of things jammed into the walls - sharp stones, kitchen knives, and even the fork end of a pitchfork, it's handle broken off and leaving a jagged wooden piece pointing out from the side of the shed where it had been lodged. The walls looked beaten, such that Stott doubted the building should still be standing. Inside, the runes that had glowed before were strangely dim. He suspected that the magic that they had had before was dying. Yilmack closed the shed door behind them, although he didn't bother to drop the heavy bar into place this time. "I hear yer to trav'l with us then?" Yilmack began. "Wha-? I haven't even told -" "Aye, lad. But Agmar's keeping an eye on most of the town right now an' he's in close touch with Lynna especial'y. I suspect she told him, so's he'd know. Either way, he told me." "I see." He wasn't sure he did, really, but Stott was too tired to worry about it much. "I brought ye in here as the runes have still got just enough in 'em that the demon can't hear us in here. That girl o' yers has got it in her head to fight the demon. She's not just out to learn magic or help the wounded, but she's figurin' on followin' this thing to the end. I know, 'cause I can feel it. It's a part of the magic that was done to me durin' my trainin'. Now then, what I need ta know is this - how far are you willin' ta go fer the girl?" http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/it_seemed_as_if_half.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/it_seemed_as_if_half.html Chapter 35 Fri, 07 Jan 2005 13:14:57 -0600 Now there's really nothing left for me here. He stood up and brushed the worst of the mud off his knees. She shook her skirt to clean it off some, and they quietly walked the rest of the way to the inn hand in hand.]]> http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/walking_back_through_the_town.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/walking_back_through_the_town.html Chapter 35 Fri, 07 Jan 2005 06:26:07 -0600 thank me, Lynna..." he started. She put up a hand to stop him. "Yes, I do. You risked your life for me, you stood up for me, and you've been there when I really needed you. You didn't have to do that..." This time he stopped her from talking by kissing her. "Yes, I did," he said afterwards. "I did have to. My heart wouldn't let me do otherwise." He saw her smile and knew he didn't need to say more just then. "C'mon," he said, moving to stand up. "We should get back to the inn, maybe clean up a little before we find out how long until we finally get to sleep. Although maybe I shouldn't try and help you this time." He gave her a grin and was pleased to see her blush as she stood up next to him. "Agmar says he has a quicker way to reach the next place, so we'll still manage to get there in time to try and help them. I guess it's a temple of Tarek'nen." "The god of light and heroes? That temple should be neat to see!" Stott found himself excited at the prospect, and blushed when Lynna raised an eyebrow at him. "I've read tales about heroes who followed Tarek'nen, and a little bit about the god himself," he explained. "Well you might want to share what you know with Agmar then, since he doesn't know much about our gods I guess. I was just mentioning it because we might still have time to burn your father's boat before we leave. You had said you wanted to." "Oh." He looked over at the boat again. It was leaning over on its side, battered and broken, but not entirely shattered. The images in his mind from when he'd last been on it were already fading, mingled in with the chaos and dangers of the last couple of days. He found himself shaking his head. "Enough of this town has burned already. They might still be able to salvage the hull, and they're going to need fishing boats that can make the haul out of the harbor before the food supply runs out. I think I'll leave it for the town. That's what Pa would have done, anyway." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, remembering what his father and brother looked like. "Goodbye Pa, goodbye Etrick," he said softly towards the boat. "I'll sail with you again one day." He felt Lynna hug him and he let his feelings for her wash away some of his sadness as they stood there for a few moments. "C'mon then," he said to her finally. "We'll need to pack for traveling too. If we can't sleep yet, then we can get a head start on that after we get cleaned up."]]> http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/he_realized_that_at_some.html http://www.quickshtick.com/QSWStory2/2005/01/he_realized_that_at_some.html Chapter 35 Thu, 06 Jan 2005 14:24:00 -0600