Tag: writing

James Potter and The Court of Owls Chapter 12

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James came awake slowly to find himself laying on a soft bed. He blinked twice staring up at a gray wall and then looked to his side to see Angus sitting on a twin bed with his head down staring down at a book while a breakfast tray of pancakes and eggs set between them on the nightstand.

Angus looked over at him as he noticed James was awake. He stared at James in concern. “How are you doing?”

James shook his head rising to a sitting position before he sighed and stared at Angus. “What happened?”

“You got tired from all the travel and fell asleep when we got to the hotel. Bad dreams?” Angus guessed.

James shook his head not meeting his gaze. “Sorry. I was just tired. I’ll be ready to get up and go in a second.”

“Take your time son. We were doing a lot of hoping around here and there. We get our rest then we’re on the hunt again. Do you want to talk about what’s bothering you?” Angus said.

James shook his head. “No I don’t want to talk about my feelings bro.” He said automatically then flinched at his mistake.

Angus was quiet. “Hmm. So you saw an embarrassing moment in your old man’s past.” He said with a rye humor in his voice. “It wasn’t my best moment but it was a moment I needed to have to make change in my life.”

James nodded silently. “Are eggs still warm?”

“Yes they are as are the pancakes. The plate keeps them warm. What were you thinking about before we left that jackass in the country?”

James was quiet as he picked up his plate setting it on the bed and picked up his knife and fork and started to dig into his breakfast. “I wasn’t thinking about anything, Dad.”

“That my friend is poor attempt at an evasion and a out right lie. You won’t hurt my feelings none by your answer son. I did what I had to. I didn’t owe that man nothing.”

James looked up at Angus to see him smiling kindly and looking at him. “I wanted to know how you became so powerful. I’ve never seen anything like you did Dad. Your quick reaction. That show of raw power coming out of your weapon and then your use of magic I haven’t seen. I imagined you had always been like that but I just for some reason hadn’t seen it.”

Angus nodded his head. “But, then you saw my embarrassing moment. I bit that paints things in a different light of understanding. You got to start somewhere.”

James nodded. “The Wuxia helped you become a great wizard.” He said.

Angus shook his head. “No. I’ll never be a great wizard. The Wuxia taught me how to become the best version of myself how to develop what I was good at and how to take the first steps toward my own greatness. I haven’t completed my training that will take me more decades to go but they put me on the right path.”

James frowned, picked up his knife and fork and started slicing up and started eating a few moments. Angus left James to his breakfast silently.

Angus went back to his book. He was reading intently and James noticed that his weapon set beside him on the bed in his holster. James noticed the peacemaker glowed occasionally.

“Why does your weapon glow like that some times? Is it alive?”

“The peacemaker is as much alive as the wand in your pocket son just not quite like us.” Angus said calmly.

James frowned. “Did you create the peacemaker?” He asked.

“Yes. I did. I made a handful of peacemakers over the years. It’s a very niche market. As a whole peacemakers are viewed as a novelty to wizards and the magi. I make more making magical weapons and sword and wand repair.”

“Wand repair. Do you know how to make wands?” James asked.

“Yes. I worked and studied under Mr. Garrick Ollivander in the art and science of wand creation before I attempted to study blacksmith work with the Drawfs. They weren’t as welcoming to a human magi attempting to learning the precious secrets of their super secret blacksmithing though they were more then ready to try and “sell” me one of their weapons until I died of course then they would just as soon take the thing back. No big deal on my end I just learned old fashioned blacksmithing from non-humans.”

James stared at him. “Was all that before you finished Hogwarts or after you returned from the land of the Wuxia?”

Angus still looking down at his book flicked another page with his finger. “It was a couple of years during my times at Hogwarts in the summer and winter breaks when I worked part time jobs in Diagon Alley.”

“You worked part time jobs during school? Why?” James asked.

Angus smiled but there wasn’t anything nice about on the expression on his face. “I had to pay for my school supplies and room in board at Hogwarts after my mother got sick and couldn’t work anymore. So I worked part time jobs and tried to learn trades I use to earn spending money.”

“Oh.” James said quietly. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

Angus shook his head looking at James. “Nothing to be sorry about son. It’s life. You have good times and hopefully you have much better times. Your mother I worked hard so that you didn’t have to focus on nothing but your school work, making friends and focusing on becoming the best person you make of yourself.” He said and nodded to James.

James pursed his lips together and sighed but nodded back. He glanced back at the book Angus had been intently reading. “What are you reading? A spell book?”

Angus shook his head. “Oh no. It’s Grandpa Harry’s diary. He left it to me after his death. Every once in a while I read it to to keep mind remembering advice on subjects and lessons he learned from his own mistakes.” He said.

James stared at him. “Oh. I never knew he had wrote a diary.”

Angus nodded closing the book. James looked at the cover it was a plain red leather bound thick book with gold gilded pages. “Neither did I until he died. I met him a few times before he died. He was just a regular English guy. He asked me to consider a simple career path and widening my education beyond being a great wizard. He said I should consider being a great Angus.”

“What did you say to him?” James asked.

“I told him to go screw himself. I was going to live my life the way I damned well wanted to become a greater wizard then he ever was.” Angus said with a grin. “While I failed to become a great wizard. I think I have made a bit of legend of myself if not greater then the him then at least equal to Grandpa Harry.”

James stared at Angus. “You did not say that to him? Did you!?”

Angus still grinning pointed to James’ breakfast. “Finish your breakfast James. We got a job to finish. We’re going to head out and get that dammed stone for the Count.”

James Potter and The Court of Owls Chapter 11

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Angus lay on his back in a field of dandelions staring up at the cloudy sky. He heard rather then saw his wand being destroyed by his opponent. To the victor goes the wand and what he would do with it.

It was done. He had fallen into the same trap his father, uncles and all his brothers. Power and position. He had failed to resist it in a most damnable way possible. Now his family line would end with him. He didn’t know how to handle that at first. He had failed.

“Do you hate me?” Max Hellion asked still with his weapon drawn.

Angus frowned at the question and he wondered why Max even bothered with such an idiotic question.

“Angus. Come on mate. I need to know your thoughts here. It would benefit you depending on how this thing would continue on.”

“Continue on?! I have no idea what the hell your talking about bro. You won. I lost. That’s the general way of a duel goes. One idiot challengers another idiot and guess what happens? The idiot loses.” Angus said.

“I had to destroy your wand mate. No way around it.”

“I don’t feel like talk about my feelings bro. I challenged you. I lost. It is what it is. My girl is on going to my ass because of this shit.”

“You didn’t use Avada Kedavra. Why not?” Max asked in confused voice.

Angus frowned up at the sky. “What the hell are you talking about now?”

“You know Avada Kedavra. You didn’t use the spell. It’s a duel.”

Angus glared up at the sky. “Now I get to listen this bullshit. Your a damned asshole for rubbing it in like this bro. You can’t let me go down like real G. You have to rub my face in the shit.”

“Bloody hell would you answer my damned question.” Max demanded.

“We agreed to using Stupefy. Asshole. So I used Stupefy. What the hell are you on bro? It’s just a duel it ain’t a damned war or something. I can’t believe I challenged you to a duel. What the hell was I thinking? This is the most embarrassing day of my life.” Angus said as he stared at the sky now realizing the full idiocy of his situation. “I blame you for this?”

Max sighed and put away his wand to sit down on the ground next to Angus. “Okay. Ah. I got something to ah tell you.”

Angus shook his head. “No. I can feel your about to say something that is going to add to me feeling like a bigger jackass then I already feel like right now.”

“Just listen to me first. Barney came to last night telling me you had wanted this to be a real duel. You had some rumor that I had tried to seduce your lady. He said you were getting serious ideals about going for rising for power. So I had to use serious force and destroy your wand.”

“Good old Barney likes to talk shit Max. He always has sense forth year at Hogwarts when we had to get him out of jam because he had talked himself into being thrown in a trash bin on Diagon Alley. Don’t go trying to tell me you believed him. You still blasted my ass into the air with Stupefy on the first draw. I’ve never seen you draw that fast in my life. I never had a chance.” Angus said as he realized the distance he really did have from being a great wizard as his grandfather was to faraway from him to touch. “I never had a chance.” He whispered softly.

“Shit. You can get a new wand mate. Hell I’ll even pay for it for you to get a top one.” Max said.

Angus shook his head. “No. This ain’t going to work. I have to find a different way. I’ll just keep hitting the same damn wall if I keep going down this path. If this is as far as I go as a wizard so be it. But, I can’t end my life like this. I have to change. I have to find a way to win.”

“No you don’t.” Max insisted. “Your the last descendant of Harry Potter. You’ve got me and Ava to back you up. You got great skills as at dueling and hunting dark wizards and combating dark creatures.”

Angus shook his head. “No. Grandpa Harry told me not to coast along on his name. He told me to not lean on my friends to much but be someone they can lean on. He told me that I had to find my own way and make my own name. He told me I had to become great for myself sake not to make for some bullshit legacy.”

Max stared at him. “He didn’t say that last part.” He said.
Angus sat up and looked at Max. “Yes he did. Grandpa Harry was a real one. He was nothing like the bullshit stories people told us. That’s why he was a great man because he wanted me to be my own man. I’ll never be what he was but I will obtain my own greatness. My story isn’t going to end up like my father and brothers or uncles.”
Angus got up to his feet. At the same time Max did.

“Are you going to be alright?” Max asked in concern.

“I don’t know yet. I have to go away for a bit. I’m going to see Ava first to tell her what I’m going to do. If she’s willing to wait for me then they’ll be something for me to come back for.” He said and stared off.

“Angus. Where are you going?”

Max smiled. “East. I’m going as far East as I can go until I find them.”

“The Far Eastern Wizards? We’ve got plenty of their wizards here and we have all the books from the masters in the Far East. You should know, you studied them in Hogwarts. You are a scholar on them.”

Angus grimaced shaking his head. “Am I? Learning from books ain’t the same as being instructed from the people that wrote the damned books. It’s time I upgraded my training. Come on. I’m going to need emotional support when we meet my girl and tell her I lost against the future minister of magic.” He said and disappeared.

James Potter and The Court of Owls Chapter 10

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James and Angus had been walking on the road in silence for half an hour. James looked at Angus who seem perfectly at ease.

“Dad. Did you just pick this road for us to have a moment of privacy to talk a bit before we move on to the next location?”

Angus held up two fingers. I nodded. “Not really. There was supposed to be a location out here for us. It’s gone now. So I used this opportunity for me to answer your questions as best as I can. We’ll be moving on to the next location. I’m just waiting a bit trying to get my baring and-”

Angus turned pushing James behind as he drew his peacemaker and fired. An explosion of a fire storm shot out of the noose of his weapon as another blast of dangerous magical energy came racing toward them. Both spells met clashing. Angus stood his ground as the ground shook with the clash of masters contended in a duel for supremacy over the other.

Angus snarled as blood came from his nose. “Damn it.” He said as he started being pushed back and the spell came closer toward them.

James shook head. “Dad.”

Angus shook his head. “I got it.” He said and lifted his other hand that was glowing gold. He pointed two toward his enemy and a circle of light surrounded him.

James stared at him wide eyed. “Holy shit!”

Angus smiled. “Damn straight.” He spoke in an echoing voice before golden flames came out of his weapon punching against the dark magical energy. The golden flames quickly overpowered the dark power. A second later there was a loud scream and the battle was over.

James stared wide eyes at Angus. Angus turned to him holstering his weapon. There was still an afterglow of golden energy around his body as he smiled at James. “That was scary. I’m a bit of energy for the moment we’ll have to walk over toward that jackass that tried to sneak up on us. We maybe able to get something off him that will help us.” He said turning and started walking back down the road.

James was frozen for a few a seconds until his father looked back. He started following after him just then. Down the road they could see a body on the ground dressed in dark robes.

“What the hell was that spell he used?” James asked.

“Avada Kedavra.” Angus said frowning. “He was pretty strong one too by the amount of energy he put into it. Still he was a bit slow on the draw. If he had been faster he would have caught us in the back.”

James shook his head. “How did you know? How? I didn’t even hear him speak it.”

Angus shrugged his shoulders taking out another sandwich from the bag. “Nether did I son. I just felt the spell go off.”
James flinched. “You felt the spell go off?”

Angus nodded chewing on his sandwich. “Yep. It’s something I picked up in part from being unlucky enough to get myself into some dumb situations like this over time so I had to pick up a means of being alert when a spell like that goes off into this realm of existence.”
James frowned at him. “Did you learn it from your master in The Wuixa?

“Yes. Master Chen had interesting way of instructing me toward listening for shift when magic is activated.” Angus said with a grin. “It was not easy learning it.”
James shook his head at Angus. “I don’t understand what I just saw. I thought your weapon just shot fireballs or bullets and then I see you firing off a type Fiendfyre spell and then it changes to golden flames. How?!”

Angus shook his head. “I wasn’t using a spell. It was pure wuixa flame element. It’s the element I can work best through the peacemaker. however lightning element would have worked better just as well.”

James frowned and started to say something but Angus drew out his peacemaker. He followed Angus’ lead pulling out his wand and looking around for danger as they slowly approached the body of the wizard on the ground.

“Why did he attack us like that?” James whispered.

Angus shook his head. “He was probably put here to watch for us and he’s dark wizard. Killing people is what they do best. There are no rules in battle. Be watchful but relax a bit so you can be quick to draw on attacker.” He said as they quickly neared the body on the ground.

“Yes, Sir.”

Angus had the peacemaker aimed at the body frowning at it. He noticed the wand was still in hand of the wizard on the ground. “Your in a lot a pain. I expect. I could relieve you of that pain right quick if you want.”

There was no response. James frowned but kept his eyes darting around. He didn’t know what Angus was about but he kept to his assignment.

“Listen. I don’t fault you for sneaking up on my back door to put me down. It’s the name of the game but you tried to kill my son and good buddy over here. I’m willing to let you go though if you tell me who stole the stone from The Count. I don’t want it personally. This is just a job to me.”
No response.

“I know. I know. Your thinking I’m talking out of my ass but I’m being real with you Mr. Killer. I just want to finish this job and get back to my business and spending time with my son. You’re probably feeling sore about loosing to an American Magi but it is what it is. No fault on your end. I been around. I learned some stuff from the Wuixa.”

The wizard opened his eyes staring up at Angus. “The Wuixa do not welcome outsiders of the West into their sect with your power and name. How did you learn holy light?”

Angus smiled. “My Master Chen taught me. He took a liking to me because I made him laugh and I am a very patient man.”

“Damn you.” The wizard cursed Angus. “Damn you and your entire mudblood family legacy. Your are a disgrace to the pure bloods and magical world.”

“Tell me where your master is and where I can find him or I’ll destroy your wand and leave you here for wild animals or the next passing dark wizards to play with. I’m not leaving without the information. We can do this kindly or I can squeeze the information out of you. I’ll do it. Don’t push me. But besides all that. I won. You lost. It is what it is. You know the rules of the game” Angus said cold.

“Your a liar. You have defeated me. My wand is yours.” He said.

“I don’t want your wand. I don’t need it. In fact I want you to keep. You can work out. Build your muscles and maybe one day you’ll be strong enough to attack me from behind again and or catch me with my pants down on toilet. Then you can pat yourself on back for much of a strong brave pure blood you are.” Angus said and then snorted in to laughter.

James flinched shaking his head. He said nothing but kept his eyes on watch for danger.

“Damn you, Dragon of the West. Damn you to hell. He said I’d never be able to beat you but I had to try. His name is Hector Wells. You can find him in the East Coast City of the Capital of the congress. Now leave me to my failure and disgrace.”

“James. Grab hold.” Angus said holding out his hand he kept his gaze on his target and peacemaker leveled on the wizard on the ground.

James pocketed his wand and grabbed a hold on Angus’ arm.

What am I learning so far from writing a Parody?

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I’m writing around 1k words with in James Potter and The Court of Owl and uploading a chapter a day with edits and rewrites in the process. I started doing this project as a means to see if I could write a pure parody/fan fiction within the themes of an original story world. This is what I’m learning.

  1. Research. I have had to do a lot of damn research in getting some themes right and my mind focused on the world I’m writing in.
  2. Keeping to a tight schedule. I’m making myself stick to writing 17 chapters with this thing. Run and done.
  3. Outline. I have a outline for every damn chapter and the progress of the story and it’s a lot less complicated trying to think up what I will write about the next day. I already know but I still have to adjust the name of the chapter once it’s written.
  4. managing my energy. This is a short project in a novella form. But still I have to manage my energy because I still have another project that is on a longer time table.
  5. Chatgpt. I’m using A.I prompts a lot for this one. For images, analysis of writing, research and images. It’s cutting down the time and keeping me focused on getting my writing done on time.

Conclusion. I will adapt what I’m learning for my next books and use everything I’m collect it all together in a tool box. If I can master what I have going my productivity will increase as will the quality of my writing editing.

James Potter and The Court of Owls Chapter 7

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All four were seated at a table with James and Angus seated together and Ava and Nickolas facing them. James used to hiding his emotions in front of strangers smiled but he was quiet as the atmosphere felt strange but bot Angus and Ava acted like old friends reconnecting.

Angus turned to Nickolas. “Count. Your letter was rather vague on details of the item that was stolen from you. If you could give me just a little more details on what it is and when you noticed it stolen then I can get to finding the item and the possible thief or thieves that stole it from you.”

Nickolas studied Angus’ face closely and he nodded his head. “Of course I meant the letter to be a little vague being I didn’t want to entirely trust the details the relaying of it into letter no matter the magical protection and wards you have on your owl. Ava if you would be so kind as to present the file to Mr. Potter.”

Ava bowed to him slightly and with a twist of her a few whispered words barely heard her wand appeared in her hand. She spoke barely above a whisper again and a document folder appeared in Angus’ hands.

“Thank you, Ava. Alright. Let’s see what we have here.’ Angus said almost to himself as he unfolded the document and started quickly scanning the contents humming lightly. He stopped on one page frowned and brought it out. It was large page moving photo of private home museum that was wrecked while men in dark scarlet trench jackets looking around the area scanning it with their wands.

“How many Aurors do you have on your case currently?” Angus asked carefully.

“I have five. A great many value items and relics of the past were taken from my private collection. None as important as the one you will be seeking and the wizard and killing for the annoyance he has caused me.” He said firmly.

The Count glanced at James. “Mr. Potter. I found it very odd that your father introduced you as James Potter. Yet, your mother has referred to you as Harry Potter. A name sake of your ancestor the one lived and slayer the Dark Lord.”

James was used to this type of behavior. “My father named me James Potter Heir to the house of Potter, defender of the old true ways, The last Hallow of the past.. So that is my official house name and title. My mother can call me whatever name she pleases. It is her right. It is the name she gave me in respect to my ancestor and her hopes for me becoming a great Auror as my ancestor was in his day.”

He said speaking in calm tones. Though his voice didn’t carry the same echoing power as his father it was clear and direct.
The Count nodded stiffly and tried for a social smile. “Yes. Yes. I did forget that his career in the ministry as a Auror had been impressive after his defeat of the Dark Lord. Would you or your father care for a drink or something to eat before you and your father head off to your task for me?”

James looked at his Angus was smiling but shaking his head at The Count. “My apologies, Count but we’ll have to get going so we can handle your case.” He said.

The all started to rise from their seats. The Count shrugged and waved them outside back the way they had entered the restaurant. “I will live you to it then. Oh. I do apologies if the announcement of my engagement to Ava came as a surprise to you Mr. Potter.” He said addressing Angus.

Both James and Ava looked toward Angus. Angus shook his head. “No need to apologies Count. Ava is her own woman and entitled to her own happiness. I wish you both well.” He said with nod of his head. “We’ll be off then.”

James felt it again. Unease. He glanced at his mother one last time to her smile. “Mother. I will see you soon.” He said and leaned toward her.
Ava met him half way the distance and he kissed her cheek. “I love you. Obey your father.” She said to him.

James nodded. “I will. I love you to.” He said and followed Angus out the way they had come in.

Angus wrapped his around James pulling him close while James notice his father hand a hand on his peacemaker. His father shook his head. “Close your eyes son. Nothing bad is going happen to you.”

James obeyed and they went into apparition. The feeling twisted apart to being pulled into yourself was worse because short period he had to rest his mind from it but soon enough they were somewhere else. James forced his eyes opened as Angus took his hand leading him into a store front shop.


James head hurt but kept quiet about it because seemed physically upset about finding out about Ava’s engagement. “I didn’t know mom was getting married.”

“She isn’t getting married, son.” Angus said in a distracted voice going to the front of the store and started looking around the small bookstore.
James froze. “What do you mean? Your not going to do something to him are you?”

Angus looked at him and shook his head. “What?! Of course not. Son. Listen. We’re going to finish this job as fast as humanly possible send the item to that jackass by Owl and hopefully your not going to be connected to anything related to him. Remember son. You only met that man once in passing. We have nothing to do with him and ill feelings for him. Understand?!”

James stared at him. “Dad. You looked you were going to kill him.”

Angus snorted and shook his head. “Son. I don’t care about that little shit. He’s an obvious jealous hater and an annoying fan boy still whining and moaning about his idol being blasted to hell by my grandpa when he was seventeen. What a joke?!” He said laughing loudly.

James stared at his father and then burst out into laughter. “Dad. You can’t be serious.”

“Son. Riddle’s fanboys always call him the Dark Lord or refer to us as the descendants of the slayer of Dark Lord. They never call it for what it is. They all have the same damn pattern. They simply just don’t get.”

“What is it then?” James asked paused in middle of his laughter.

Angus had that glint in his eyes and stared at his son with a spark gaze and a funny grin on his lips. “Tom Riddle was a middle aged psycho that had been taken out by a seventeen year old wizard because he was a loser. His fanboys can’t accept the facts. Grandpa Harry beat him in the duel but Albus Dombledore and Severus Snape assassinated his ass with a daring nerve and a cunning planning.”

James nodded silently and patted his chest with his fist at the same time Angus did in memory of the true heroes that saved the wizarding world in the last war. He looked around the book store in question. “Why did you bring us here? Where are we by the by.”

“London!” Angus grinned. “Where here to get some information and visit an old friend while we have the time.”

“What’s noise?”

They turned to the back to see a two elderly females one with wild orange and gray long hair with large glasses on her in brown dress on and her companion a slim woman with blond hair and gray blue eyes that studied them both in surprise.

Angus grinned coming over as they’re stared at him in shock. “Aunty Hermione. You’re looking good. I wasn’t expecting to see the wonderful Luna with you as well. I’m back.” He said coming over to them.

They cried hugging and laying kisses on his face and head as they cried. James stood in place surprised and not knowing what to do. Though he hadn’t met his great great aunt in-law before he had met Luna.

Luna looked over at him and put a finger to her lips giving him a wink and waved him over. James nodded and quickly over to join in the greeting.

James Potter and The Court of Owls Chapter 6

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The Count of New Jersey

Angus frowned suddenly at something and pulled up his sleeve to show to show a tattoo of an owl in flight glowing gold. He frowned at it. “I got another job. That’s a bit strange. My boss usually gives me a bit of rest between jobs.” He said in odd voice.

“Why is that?” James started to ask but then the sound of Owl made them turn toward the open doors to see large Owl fly in with a note attach to it’s leg.

The Owl flew and landed on a pouch stand next to Angus’ work desk. The Owl hooted at them. James pet the owl gentle. “Bill. What you bring us boy? A letter from Mom?”

Angus took the letter from the Owl’s leg and unwrapped it and read it silently. A grim frown was on his face. James frowned in confusion. “Is it bad news or work?”

“A bit of both. I got a letter from a man in New Jersey that wants to see me about job that needs doing. He’s offering to pay me a large amount of coin for it. Hmm. Interesting.”

James frowned. “Is it another hunting mission?”

Angus shook his head though he was still examining the letter very closely. “No. He wants me to recover a stolen magical item for him and terminate the one that stole it.” He said calmly.

“So your an assassin as well?” James asked carefully.

Angus frowned shaking his head. “No. I am weapons smith and Owl for the President. The later is my business the former is my duty and no one other then the court of Owls, the President and now you is supposed to know about my rank. Would you like to come with me, James?”

“Of course. So this is a mission for the President then?” James said.

Angus again frowned. “We shall see.” He said.

“Dad. That Tattoo. Is that how the President communicates to the Owls?”

Angus looked up putting away the letter and nodded. He picked up his traveling pack and slung it around his shoulder. “Yes. Some times it is a warning and some times it is a direction for an Owl to take flight for the hunt. How are you with apparition?”

James stared at him. “I got top marks in the subject tested well.”

Angus stared at him.

James sighed. “I’m okay. I’m not confident in it and I’m not comfortable going any longer distance then a kilometers.”

Angus smiled holding out his arm. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll work on your skill over time. Take my arm and hold on tight.”

James grimaced and put his wand away in his pocket before he took a firm hold on his father’s arm with both hands. He took a breath and then closed his eyes. “I’m ready.”

James felt the world disappear for a second. He gripped his father’s arm tightly as he fought to keep a hold on him. His body felt liked it was being twisted and then pressed back into himself. He fought to breath and calm himself down. He screamed for what felt like hours and then they where somewhere else. He caught a hold of himself stopping himself from screaming out but tears flowed from his eyes as he shook physically.

Angus wrapped an arm around James and rubbed. He didn’t say anything but gave him a moment. James took a breath to steady himself and then he nodded.

“Alright. I’m good. I’m alright. I’m alright.” James said and he finally. He forced his eyes open and saw they were now in a city in the north east of America standing on a roof top restaurant looking over the city.

“Where are we?” James asked his father.

Angus let go James and waved a hand. “We’re in New Jersey. We’re here to meet a client.”

“The Potters have arrived. Welcome to New Jersey.” A male voice said behind them in heavily London accent.

James frowned at the accent. It sounded as fake and phony as his own accent had been. He turned at the same time his father did and they faced a tall man dressed in an all blue suit, shirt, tie and shoes. The only thing not blue was his midnight dark hair. James notice how quiet it had gotten. It was an unusual stillness to the atmosphere around them and then it was gone just as quickly as it appeared when the other man laughed. “Welcome. Welcome. Descendants of the slayer of the dark Lord. I am Count Nickolas Damon Ross.” He said bowed.

Angus returned the bow respectfully. “Count Ross. You requested my services. I am here to handle your case matter. It is an honor to serve you quietly.” He said and paused to nod toward James. “This is my son James Potter the Heir to the house of Potter and defender of the old true ways, The last Hallow of the past.” Angus voice echoed with power and might.

James stared at him as he felt. It was the first he had heard his name and the titles that were associated with his name and titles. Angus motioned with his hand toward James.

“Son. Bow to the Count of New Jersey.” He commanded in tone and voice authority of a high Lord.

James straightened up and bowed to his father and then The Count in respect. “I am pleased to meet you Count of New Jersey.”

The Count nodded to them. He waved a hand toward them. “Please come inside and have supper and we can discuss plans with my fiancee and business partner.”

Angus nodded his head started forward James followed behind his father silently not sure what was going on but he remained silent letting Angus lead the way and be in control.

The Count fell slightly in the lead of the Potters. “You’re representation proceeds you Mr. Potter. Thank you for your quick response in getting here.” He said and led them inside to indoor empty restaurant but for a lady sitting at the bar by her herself in a black dress. Her back was to them but James eyes widened in surprise but Angus touched his arm lightly.

James fixed his face into a calm mask immediately. He then felt the Count’s eyes were on his face now. He waited until his mother turned and he stared at her. Ava smiled at him coming to her feet.

“Harry. It didn’t think Angus would bring you. It’s been a few months.” She said and came over to hug him tightly before she came out his arms and turned to Angus and bowed to him. “Angus it’s been some time. You look well.”

Angus smiled. “It’s nice to see. It’s been a while. I hear your getting married again. I’m happy for you.” He said with genuine worth friendly affection in his voice.

James’ heart started racing as he caught the Count studying his parents exchange and the glare he was sending his father’s profile. The Count of new Jersey was playing a game of some kind. James was worried. He had no idea what the hell was going on?!

James Potter and the Court of Owls Chapter 4

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James sat by the fireplace waiting as an image of a beautiful woman in her early forties appeared in the flames of the fireplace. She smiled at him.

“Happy Birthday Harry. Today your real journey begins today.” Ava Nightingale said in voice filled with warmth and pleasure.

James smiled at her. “Hello mother. Your looking well. Dad tells me you have some job offers to talk to me about. I’m up for hearing them but I also have somethings I wish to discuss with you.”

Ava’s image blinked in confusion at him and then studied his face closely and her smile faded away. “Something happened. Are you alright? Is your father with you?”

James nodded and tried to keep up his smile on his face in order not to overall worry his mother. “Yes. We got a visitor to our home looking for dad. He and I dealt with it there was also something else that happened.”

Ava shook her head. “Can you give me a little bit more detail on what or who came looking for your father?”

James looked over at his father who was now busy repairing the large hole left by the destruction of the Dementor. Angus glanced back at him and smiled and waved him back to his conversation with Ava.

James looked back at his mother. “It a creature Dad had been hunting for the-his boss. It was a dangerous creature. He had to use his hybrid weapon on it. I used my Patronus. We destroyed it so now we’re all safe now.”

“Hybrid weapon? Is that what he calls that silly monstrous weapon now?”

Angus started laughing in the background as he started to his work with some plywood, hammer and nails. He said nothing else so James focused on his mother.

“No. That’s what how I think of his 1911SC. A hybrid of magi craftsmanship and non-magi technological advance. It is very powerful weapon he uses to focus his power.”

“Angus allowed you to go into battle with him?” Ava asked in a strange tone.

James nodded. “Yes. I am of age. I told him so and he accepted me as an adult.”

“Harry. Your father did not need your assistance. He is a powerful wizard in his own who has not yet even reached his full measure of his powers. He will become the most powerful wizard in the modern era. You come a long line of powerful lords of magic and you are his heir. You have decades to go before you even touch his level and you are his heir.”

James nodded but still stared at his mother. “I know. But I am an adult now. I am a man. If I am to achieve me promise then I must-”

“-If?!” Ava said at him in shocked surprised. “You are Harry Potter. You will become every bit of strong wizard as your father and his fathers before him. Why are you doubting yourself at the beginning of your rise?”

James looked away. “I-I felt dad’s power when he took hold of his weapon. It was like a blanket of raw power and intent to destroy anything that got in his way. I don’t know. I know if I can live up to it.” He said honestly.

“James.” Angus called out to his son.

James looked up toward his father. Angus stared at him. “You are your own man now I’m proud of who you right now.. But, your still my son. Your mother and I didn’t leave nothing out in raising you. You hear me?”

James stared at his father and then nodded. “Yes Sir.” He said and then turned back to his mother that was studying him.

Ava was quietly staring at him as he finished explaining to her his thoughts on his father’s weapon. “Indeed. Did something else happen before the Dementor arrived.”

James frowned. “Yes. I had a dream about the night you sent me to live with father.” He said calmly.

Ava stared at him. “Did your vision involve me or my parts of the events that night.”

James grimaced but shook his head. “No. The dream was centered around Professor Longbottom, Tan Tan and dad having a short chat before they handed me over to dad and left. It doesn’t make any sense. Why am I having dreams like this now of all times?!”

“It wasn’t a dream. I made a mistake and underestimated how jealous people are of the Potter name and how many enemies your father has. Your father is a powerful wizard. Your father could have had any woman he wanted before after me.” She said staring at him.

Angus snorted in laughter and James looked at him. “What? Mom likes you a lot.”

“Tell your mother if she’s so grateful toward me then she can come around the house and I can provide her couple more kids for my grand legacy.”

James stared at his father. “Dad. Are you serious!?”

“Tell her!” Angus ordered.

James turned his head back to Ava’s concerned face. He smiled. “Dad says sense your so grateful to him for giving you a child then he would gladly provide you with more children if you were so inclined.”

Ava stared at him. “Harry. Now that you are in your adulthood. You’ll have to decide the course you need to take in life. I have positions in my company in the entry level of magical spell engineering. You can have it any time you want?”

“James. What’s her answer to my question.” Angus asked.

James’ face flushed with heat. “Mother. Ah Dad would like an answer to his question.”

Ava sighed. “Tell your father I will consider it when you have figured out your course in life and gone off on your own however, I will be around later in the week to have a cup of tea with him when I have finished my work. Remind him I still have the port key he crafted for me.”

James turned to his father. “Mom said she has to finish up some stuff at work and send you an Owl when she’s freed up but she also still has the port key your gave her so be ready when she comes by for a cup of tea.”

Angus nodded. “Alright. That’s good. I’ll do my best to convince your mother in bed when hit the sheets. Does your mother know about the Horn Serpent Patronus of yours?”

James nodded his head silently. “Yeah. Dad could give us a moment.”

Angus held up his hands. “Alright. Alright. I’ll leave you and your mother be. I got to go get other tools in the back down go near the front until I get back.” He said and then held up his hand a magical shield went up around the front of the entrance before he turned and left.

James turned back to his mother to see her smiling at him again. “What?”

“Your not coming to London.” Ava said with a nod her her head. “Your staying in the States?” She said with and assurance in her voice of it.

James sighed. “No. I’m not sure right now about it. I’m interested in getting an Auror position here. The plan will still be the same. I’ll work my way up the ministry and then head into the position of President like we’ve planned out.” James said.

Ava nodded. “I hear a but somewhere. What do you want?”

“Power.” James said softly. “I want what Dad has. Mother. Dad is powerful. He has real power.”

Ava pursed her lips but nodded. “Yes he does.”

“Have you seen him use that weapon he has. He killed a Dementors with it. He shoot fireballs of lightning out of it without being drained of any energy it seems. It was wicked. I have seen or read about anyone do what he does without using a phoenix core wand. He’s even the president here. How is that possible.”

Ava shrugged. “Maybe you need to ask him but at this point I wouldn’t ask him why he never chose to become the President of the American Congress of magic.”

James froze. “Why wouldn’t you?” He asked her.

Ava narrowed her focus on him. “Because it’s not a good question. Your father has his own reasons for why he’s in the position he’s in. Your a back sight you have the power to see into the past events of peoples and hear their thoughts. It’s a gift that takes time to develop over time and your going to end up working out the gift backwards and and present. No. I can’t explain it to you. You’ll have to experience it yourself. You’ll eventually find out the reason for that question but a better question that serves your purpose of gaining power is-”

Ava paused to give James time to think of the answer. He frowned shaking his head. He couldn’t think of it the only thing that came to his mind was-”

“Say it!” Ava said.

“Why did he stop using a wand?” I asked. “Did you ever use your back sight to see into his past? Did you ever find the answer?”

Ava shook her head. “No. No matter how many times I’ve tried. I can’t figure it out and I don’t know the reason he chose me. It’s like he walks outside of our reach to see into the events and patterns of the past or the power of oracles to see into the future. I don’t know. But, if you want to become like your father or gain his level power then you need to ask him or-”

“-I need to ask him to teach me become just as powerful as he is.” James said softly.

Ava nodded. “Yes. You can become his apprentice and shadow him and you’ll find your answer.”

“Mother. I read letter. Do you still think that way about yourself?” James said.

Ava stared at him. “It doesn’t matter.”

James pursed his lips. “I think your a powerful and a brilliant wizard. I think that’s the reason Dad choose you and wanted to start a family with-”

“-I have to go Harry. I love you. If your father approves of taking you on as his apprentice then you must obey his ever command and never doubt any decision he makes is to protect you because he loves you. We both love you and that is the only thing that matters. Remember that.” Ava said before her image disappeared and the fireplace became empty.

James stared at the empty fireplace and wondered if he had gone to far but then he knew that nothing was going to stop him.

Updates and the writing situation and the death of Star Wars…..

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Long Live Cyberpunk.

Again, the ride doesn’t end. I remained this blog as battle against my own battles against depression, and my pursuit to take on writing seriously with gusto and my own style of rough blunt dark humor.

That hasn’t stopped. The blog became over my channel breath life into cyberpunk and with the death of Star Wars it has led me to declare Cyberpunk’s time to raise again.

I’ve been in the lab. Cooking up some stuff and working on my career aspects to breath new life into Iron age.

I got a dream. I want more Cyberpunk stories. I want indie artists to create more creative stories. Something or someone has take up creation of brand new art in the void left by the death of Star Wars.

Hey, I’m just a American Bard born in the 20th century in the decades that cyberpunk came into existence.

I’m here too put a fire cracker under the dead and stinking legacy left by the Disney Star Wars era. Ya heard.

TITAN OF THE SIN Chapter 3

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It was late into the night but I could feel the dawn of a new day arriving soon. I opened my eyes to the sight of Aaron moving in a strange dance on the deck of the ship. He was silent and I could barely hear his foot steps and spinning turns on the deck. A sword was in his left hand and a piece of moving rock spun around his body that he was attacking.

“The dirty mud boy is awake.” A soft voice said from my right.

I turned to see Adora floating an inch off the deck staring past me to Aaron who was still dancing around the rock he was cutting to pieces. I looked down at Aaron’s feet to see dirt and dust had gathered around him. He had been at his dance for a while yet.

“I’m not dancing.” Aaron said again hearing words in my head I had not yet spoken. He turned to me dropping from his dance to stare at me. “I’m practicing using ground magic and what fighting skills I have learned from my time training in the western Kingdom. We are arriving soon into the borders of our pack lands. Do you feel it?”

“He is nothing Aaron. Nothing but a slave. You are counting to much on father’s instincts. He won’t be able to take what plans you and father have for him. I have a better-“

“Silence.” Aaron commanded her. “Muddy. Come to me.” He said softly. There was something strange in his voice.

I got to my feet and walked over to Aaron. I froze and turned toward a patch of land that was glowing. I felt it. I felt energy from that small patch of land. I heard foot steps behind me and I knew Elmo was behind me. I walked over to stand beside Aaron. He pointed at the land that seemed to vibrate with energy that I felt.

“That is the Sharo. The land of the Sharo pack. The pack your are now apart of now. As long as Elmo of the Sharo exist the Sharo exist.” Aaron said.

“You would be wrong on one point. The Sharo is the land. It’s the people but more importantly. It’s the pack.” Elmo interjected. “As long as there is a Sharo pack and a male Dan, we will always exist. The power of the Sharo however is only for the Dan of Sharo. The Sharo follows the Dan. The power. It is the unexpected thing in a room filled with endless treasures. The one thing that signifies the Dan, set apart from everything else. It is not given to a man. It is taken. Only the true male master can see it, control it and dominant.”

I held out my hand and started to feel it. The energy of ground and land called out to me. “The land is calling to me?” I said.

“Then go to it.” Elmo said. “Aaron. Give Muddy his first lesson.”

Aaron took my hand. “Let’s go. Muddy.” He said and then started running for the edge of the boat. I felt a spark of fear and at the same a feeling of thrill of the pulling from the Sharo to bring me inside. Inside what?

Aaron led me forward and off the edge of the boat. We fell dropping from the sky and then I still felt that pulling grow tighter around my body and jerking me down. Aaron still held my hand tightly in his grip.

“Do you feel it, Muddy?” Aaron asked me.

I nodded. “I do what-“

“Reach for it. Do it NOW!”

I did. I reached for whatever it was that was pulling. I caught it with whatever spark was in me. “I’ve got it. I’ve got it.” I said in excitement.

“Good. Let’s test out your theory.” Aaron said before he let go of my hand.

I felt something drop from my hand as I started falling like a rock toward the Sharo. I raced and raced down to the ground to the back of large house and then I landed in thick mud. I wasn’t hurt but my body shook as I heard laughter above my head.

I looked up in time to see Adora descending down slowly to the ground with her father beside her shaking his head at me. “Look at the little Mud boy. He’s probably broken every bone in his mortal body.”

Aaron was the first to touch down on solid ground. He wasn’t smiling. He just looked at me with his arms crossed in front of his chest. “Are you hurt? Any broken bones? How’s your head?” He asked me calmly.

I sighed but shook my head. “I’m fine. Strangely I don’t feel hurt at all. I feel good.” I said. I frowned and started rising out of the mud easily to stand in front of my new master and his children. The mud around me became more solid under my feet. I was dirty again but I felt good.

Elmo stared at me and then he nodded his head. “You will learn from Aaron now on all that I have taught him and you will become stronger and master all my tools. You have five years to become something worth living or by the end of that time you will die. Do you understand me?”

Some of the good feeling faded away as it was replaced with fear but I stared up at Elmo and nodded my head. “As you wish master.”

Elmo nodded his head. “Good. Good. I like your acting. You’ll do well until realize what you are. Until then always remember. Power is not given. It is taken. Always remember. Now sense you failed your first test. You will make the attempt again until have successfully come down to the Sharo in the proper manner of a Sharo. Let’s try this again.” He said and held out his hand toward me. His hand glowed red and then I felt a gust of wind knock into my chest.

I was lifted up and up into the sky and high above the large red house then I stopped when Elmo held me up staring at me with his glowing magical eyes.

“Remember. Reach for it. Take a breath and descend. There will be no stopping of this test until you get it right Muddy.”

Elmo dropped his hand and I started to fall again. I screamed as I fell down to the Sharo.

TITAN OF THE SIN Chapter 2

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Journey to the Sharo

The journey to the boat that would take us to the Sharo wasn’t a long journey. We had walked barely a mile when Elmo stopped short in front of a rope ladder that was floating down from the sky. I wondered if we were going to ride on the boat made of clouds for a second. I heard Aaron snort in laughter at me and pointed up past the trees as if hearing my thoughts.

I looked and stared up and my grew wide at the side of large ship seemingly to float in the sky by a large white cloud holding it up by thin strings of rope. I saw the words printed on the side of the ship but I couldn’t understand them. I frowned just staring at the wonderous thing in the sky. I didn’t even know such a thing could ever be in this world.

Aaron dragged me forward toward the rope bridge as Elmo was already climbing up the ladder ahead of us up to the strange dream like boat in the sky. I was afraid and shaking as Aaron kept forcing me up the ladder up and up. My body shook some times in fear as I felt the strong winds blowing against my open flesh. I shivered.

We neared the top. I lost my grip on the rope ladder and started to fall. Aaron caught my wrist and held me easily. He then wrapped me up in his arm and lifted me up holding me close as he climbed up to the deck of the ship. Aaron set me down. I still couldn’t believe I was standing bare feet on the ship’s deck.

The wood seemed to vibrate with energy like the ground but it was a different energy then I was used to and I was still confused.

“Who the hell is this little shit you brought up to my ship? Adopting strays now are you or are you now playing your strange little games again huh?” He said.

I looked to the back of the back of the ship to see a man dressed in a blue long jacket standing behind a large white wheel. He stared at me with silver blue eyes frowning at me. His eyes glowed for a second and then he grimaced at the sight of me. His eyes then returned to normal mortal eyes. “Strange. You are a strange little shit. Never seen em this young before but then again you won’t live long enough for anyone to remember the like’s of you.” He said almost to himself in an echoing voice.

He was another immortal just like Elmo. What were immortals!? Why were there so many of them in this world? The question was something I had to find out now. It was the first time I had wanted to learn something beyond what I would eat or drink today. My stomach growled loudly and the man behind the wheel scowled at me shaking his head. “Fucking earth elemental. Your lot is forever hungry. Elmo. What the hell is this slave boy doing on my ship?” He said turning toward Elmo was walking up a short stair way leading up to the man.

“Never you mind about my business. Where the hell is my daughter?”

The immortal’s face softened into a genuine smile as he nodded upward. We all looked up and then a red haired her goddess floated down dressed in a dark red dress. Her eyes were mortal sky blue but the energy surrounding her as she floated down to stand beside Aaron was something else. An immortal. This time a female one. I could feel the strange magical presence surrounding her vibrate with energy and then it was gone like a cool breeze on a warm day. It feeling left me wondering if I had indeed imaged the whole thing.

The Scarlet angel smiled up at Aaron and I could see a ghost of a smile similar to that of Aaron’s in her expression. They must be siblings. I looked up at Aaron to see him smile warmly at the girl and pet her head gentle with a warm close affection. “Hello Sweets. You’ve been having a time learning Sky craft from your future father in-law I see.” He said warmly.

The girl grinned up at him ignoring me and everyone else around us now that she was his full attention now. “What did you bring me Aaron from the city. Show me. I must know. I must see it. I must have it now.”

Aaron chuckled and reached inside his leather armored pocket to present her a silver glowing necklace with a silver heart attached to it. The girl snatched the necklace up out his hand and hugged his waist tightly before hurrying away to her father’s side. Her steps were light and almost didn’t seem to touch the floor boards of the ship. I shook my head at her. “What kind of goddess is she?” I whispered softly.

“Her name is Adora. She is your master’s favorite daughter and well beyond your reach and your senior by five years if not ten whatever the hell your age is.” Aaron spoke in biting voice.

I looked up at him to see him staring down at me with interest and heat in his gaze. “I meant no offense young master.”

Aaron shook his head. “I am not your master. I am your teacher and for the moment Elmo is your master. That will not be the case forever if you prove yourself and show the promise Elmo expects from you. What you should be asking is how she was able to come down from the bird’s nest of the ship at such a great height without falling to her death. Ah! There it is. Yes. It is as your thought a form of spell air magic that you can learn as well. It is a power you can learn to. That is far more interesting. First, I want to show you something. It looks like we’re getting under way. I can feel the master of the ship taking up the Anker to begin our journey back home.”

I felt the ship shift now right as Aaron pointed it out to me. I fell into his solid side. He took a hold of my shoulder and guided me over to the side to look out over the land as the ship moved forward gaining speed quickly and moving. I felt my eyes grow wider as I stared over the different lands and looked seeing grey buildings off to the north west. I pointed to the buildings. “What is that place?”

“That is the kingdom of the western pack lands all ruled by the Western Flower. A strong immortal grand Dan of the area that recently dominated the area in a string of challenger bouts and won the lands. He is one of the four strongest immortal Dans. Elmo being the forth and lowest in rank.”

I looked to the back of the ship and stared at Adora a few seconds before I looked at the master of the ship as he was focused on guiding the ship on course. “Is the Master of this flying boat second strongest?”

“That is an interesting question. The answer however is a simple one. He is a master of Sky craft as it is called currently and a merchant of trade as is his son Clint Jr. Mr. Clint is grooming his son to take over his business one day. Adora is promised to Clint in name all but for the contracts to be signed and Adora to agree to it. They will make a fine match. Forget your foolish dreaming and look out over the pack lands.”

I turned back to the view of the different bordering lands. I saw the western pack lands and the different bordering types of lands all entirely different from one another and seeming to be like not at all a like in any way to each other. I felt a strangeness to them and I could glimpse the lines that divided them. “What is this place?” I wondered a loud about this world I had been born into for the first time in my life. Even as my hungry belly growled at me for attention. I ignored it for now as the subject of what this place took hold of my full attention.

“These are the pack lands.” Aaron said. “Five fallen worlds all grafted and brought together by the hands of the Titan Clocks and the imagination of the immortal Lucas of the East.” He paused letting me take in his words. “Do you see the lines?” He asked me.

I nodded. “Yes. What are these magical lines holding everything together around the pack lands. Look at that line just disappeared.” I said and pointed to where a line among the pack lands had suddenly faded away and seemed to make one pack land larger because of it.

“Hmm. You see the lines. Your life will not be as easy as you might have wished. The lines are the handy work of the Titan Clocks doing. The packs are still being formed as the war between the pack lands are in consent flow. The lines separate the packs that own those lands and the strength of lines signify the power of Dans’ ownership of those lands. One day when the Pack lands come into their prime a tower will appear and then things will get very interesting.”

I shook my head still trying to wrestle with this new knowledge about the world presented to me and still all the more knowledge that I wasn’t aware of at present. “How can such a place like this come into existence so easily by chance?”

Aaron shook his head. “Not easily and not by chance. As I said The Titan Clocks made this realm for one purpose as the legends say. To determine the strongest to rule and one to fight to protect this realm from forces far stronger that seek to destroy or harvest the power of the packs and the pack lands. You have more questions I know. Save them for later.” He said and then handed me a large piece of bread. Real bread. I snatched it from his hand and bite into it surprised by the taste and fat meat was also inside it.

TITAN OF THE SIN: Chapter 1

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Aaron’s tale

Eight-Four years ago

They called me Muddy the slave. They said, I was born in the mud when my parents were barely adults while both my parents worked in the mud pits crafting bricks from straw, hey and the sands of THE SIN. I don’t even remember my parents. All I could remember was my uncle, Straw boy raising me up to form the bricks that would be sold at the market by our masters. I was chained to him along with two others who could have been my male cousins or just slaves sense the days I started to care to remember things. Very few of us got a name from our current master Drakes Moore. We had had several masters over the years sense before and after I came to existence on the farm.

I lived the first part of my life on a mud slaver farm on the farm making bricks with uncle and two other slaves. We lived in the mud. We worked in the mud. We slept in the mud and ate mud cakes and pig slop. I don’t remember what age I was when they called me Muddy but I got the name because I had finally got sick for the last time of eating pig slop and hard brick mud cakes.

I had broken my tooth on a hard cake that was dipped in pig slop that my uncle had made for me to eat so I would shut up about being hungry and make bricks faster. He had laughed in my face only with the other slaves who were busy eating and working at the same time near the end of a work day.

“That out a learn ya to keep to your work boy. Now get back to making those bricks Muddy. It’s about the only thing your good for anyway. We got to get finished for the day or the master will crack the whip against our backs for the delay in our working.” Straw boy said.

“To work.” Quiet Slave said. “The master is bringing someone with him. It looks like he’s to sell another one of us off. To work everyone and be on you best show behavior Straw boy. Muddy get to work.” He said ducking his head down and started working.

I spat out a tooth and threw the mud cake down. I was hungry and angry at Straw boy for the joke he played on me. He held up a brick he had crafted from the mud and straw easily in a few seconds. “Get back to work or I’ll knock out your other teeth.” He warned me.

It was never an empty threat. Straw boy didn’t like me and he enjoyed giving me my extra due of pain more then our master did when ever one of us got out line we all got the snap of the bull whip against our backs. My stomach growled in pain but I turned my face to the mud and started forming the brick mixing it with the sand of THE SIN and straw and threw the brick into the cart. I was only getting more angry now and I was still hungry. I went to work faster then I normally would and pretty soon I was just grabbing up mud and throwing it into the cart and forming it on the cart just to save time.

Straw boy hit me with a mud rock and started beating me like a mad man screaming curses at me. The other slaves tried to calm him down but shook them off him and continued beating me with the brick. I was confused and I didn’t understand what was going on until he pushed my head down in the mud and tried to kill me. Straw boy had attempted to kill me a few times when he lost his hold on his black rage but he always came out of it after a few moments. This time was different though. I could feel it. I realized quickly enough that he wanted to really kill me this time.

I reached for the mud with my mind going into it. I relaxed and let the mud heal my wounds until finally I felt Straw boy’s hands on head slipped away and I could finally raise up and knock him in face the with a heavy sharp rock. Straw boy screamed loudly and fell back and then I felt the crack of the whip hit my back and I fell to my knees. Straw Boy was on me now hands around my throat and choking the life out of me.

I was released finally because Straw boy was being pulled off me. I watched as he eyes grew wide as the bull whip around his neck started choking the life out of him. I saw tears flow from his eyes as he pleaded for mercy in what breathes he could get out. I heard the unfamiliar laughter of another male.

“The boy is a sharp one for working decent enough ground magic. I’ll take em.” He said.

I turned toward the voice of a man. I froze at the sight of tall muscled man with grey hair and dressed in dark brown leather armor. I stared at his burning glowing ruby eyes of our master who stared at me. A slow smile formed on his meaty red face.

A Dan. The other slaves all bowed as he strangled Straw boy to death and then with a quick jerk of his whip the Dan snapped his neck with his bull whip. This was the first time I have seen an immortal. He stared back at me and gave me a nod. “Hmm. Got some spirit in you ya Muddy. I am your new master. They call me Elmo, Dan of Sharo. You are now Muddy of Sharo. My slave.”

Muddy of Sharo. Hmm. This was the first time I had been given a pack name to denote who I was and what pack I hailed from. I bowed to him. “Hello, master. What would you have me do?”

Elmo stared at me and then I felt the brand on my neck burn and change. The chains on my wrists glowed and changed to silver gauntlets. He grinned and then he snapped his fingers another male with a younger face similar to Elmo walked up to stand beside him. He came over and yanked me out the thick mud and walked me over back to Elmo who stared at me as I stared up at him meeting his strange magical powerful gaze.

I remember suddenly that I was supposed to look away out of respect and I did so but Elmo put his fingers under my chin to lift my head up and stare at me. “You’ll do fine for what I intend for you. Aaron my eldest will be your teacher. You will learn from him well or you will die and be of no damned use to anyone but the crows and warms to feast on your dead body. Come. Let’s go.” He said releasing my chin and turned his back and walked away.

Aaron’s hand was still on my arm. He gave me a tug and led the way as we followed Elmo out of the mud farm. I can remember passing my old master who had been bowed to the ground his face pressed down on the mud as we passed. I didn’t look back I just wondered at the strangeness of the Elmo the Dan of Sharo.

Why does his eyes glow so brightly?

“Oh that’s an easy enough question to answer. He’s an immortal.” Aaron of Sharo said answering my question and making me frown in surprise because I hadn’t remembered speaking the question aloud.

I looked at him. Aaron but his eyes were staring at his father’s back. “What is an immortal?” I asked instead of asking about how he knew what I was thinking.

Aaron laughed shaking his head. “Oh no. That is a long story and we haven’t the time to get into it. You have much to learn and I have more then enough things to teach you. Be patient and be attentive because you must learn or you indeed will die.”