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Poohminator	Posted 12/28/2006 - 1:38pm by Poohminator Ok. During the Holidays, I saw a commercial that had the Twelve Days of Christmas playing in the background. An idea came to my head. You know how some believe the song Ring Around the Rosy is based on the Plague? I thought, what if a Christmas song was based off of something dark, but the originality of it was lost. My story is still a story of love, but my origin story is something completely different. I've only got one chapter written, because I've got my Hunter's Trees to write too. I've got to go back to that, but plan on switching back and forth between the 2 stories. I'll probably change the title, but haven't thought of one yet. Twelve Days of Christmas Prologue How much do we know of ancient history? King Arthur and his knights are considered a myth. Atlantis, supposed myth. Some customs are based on myths. Some customs are based on old stories. Some customs are based off of myths so old, that the myth is forgotten. Sometimes new origins are made. This is a story of one myth that has been forgotten. It's the story you may know as the 12 days of Christmas. This myth, long forgotten, began in the land of Mohdel. It is what we know now as New Zealand, but much larger. Another legend, also forgotten, told of 3 divides. The Botsal Divide to the north, the Vaigan Divide to the South, and a smaller divide on the east coast by the name of Pendal. For this story, we will focus on Pendal, as it is where our story originates. In the land of Pendal, there are 2 laws. These 2 laws are The Law of the Peige and the Law of the Fray. The Law of the Peige is to follow governess law. If you are a farmer, you provide for your family, and then provide your quota for the Peige. If you are a teacher, you work for the Peige. Necessities are provided by the Peige, and material items can be bought or sold by the people. Selling necessities is a crime, but paying for unfulfilled quota is acceptable, but only to the Peige. The second Law is the Law of the Fray. Law of the Fray is not a law of choice; it is the law for failure, although men following the Law of the Fray are considered heroes. They pay their dues, and have earned the governess and peoples respect. When a man would begin his quest, it was to correct his mistakes. Men who follow the Law of the Fray are also the men who fight for Pendal in the times of war. Fortunately there hasn't been a requirement to fight for many years. Pendal is well respected by its neighbors. Our hero, Thelan, is a Frayman. Yes, the Law of the Fray is the law for men who fail, but Thelan's story is different. Many say that he chose his fate. He did it for love. This is the story of how one young man became a hero, and how his true love gave to him the life he lived. Chapter 1 - Drummers Drumming The Task Thelan watched his father untie the leather cord that kept the drume gate shut. As his father opened the gate, he looked at Thelan and waved him to follow. "Remember the drume dumplings we had last night? This is where we get them." Thelan's father pointed to the 4 legged creatures. Cloudy mists appeared among the snouts of the drumes as they stood in the cold evening air. "You are 11 years old now, and so your Lente's Path begins today." The Lente is a common tree in Pendal. The path was so named, because when Lente trees grow, each new branch will split only in twos. It is possible to follow from the trunk all the way to the top of the tree following only one path. Thelan's destiny will also branch in two. His duties will either make him a Peigeman, or a Frayman. As the Thelan and his father walked into the pen, the drumes wondered to the far end away from them. Thelan thought it strange the way drumes walked. When drums are born and during their first month of life, they walk straight ahead. As they mature, they begin to favor one side of their body and begin to lean in that direction as they walk. Thelan remembered watching his father trying to chase one loose drume back into the pen one evening. He laughed the whole time as his dad and the drume ran in a large circle until his father finally succeeded in penning the beast. Thelan would not learn the reason of the strange walking habits of the drume until his first days as a Frayman. Thelan looked upon the beasts in fear. They stood 6 arms tall, but seemed towering to Thelan. Noticing Thelan's fear, his father added. "Son, Drumes are harmless until they mate. These will not mate for another 2 summers." Thelan nodded in approval, but still kept a weary eye on the creature. His father continued, "Tending to the Drumes is your first task, and easiest of them all. You are to clean the hooves every week. You are to send them to the fields to feed for 4 days, and bring them back to the pen for 2, and finally, every night you are to wake at the whipper's crow and make one patrol around the pen or fields. Where ever the drumes are." Thelan pondered for a second, "Why the patrols? Will it be dangerous?" His father looked at his son, then chuckled. "It shouldn't be. If your mother was in that pen, you would check on her every night, wouldn't you?" Thelan nodded. His father continued, "Your tasks are very important. It is against the governess' request to tell you very much, but what I will tell you is that your future depends on it. I did the same tasks when I was young." A drume sneezed, and it made Thelon jump. Thelon closed his eyes to calm himself. After a second, he opened his eyes and walked toward the beast and pet the course fur on its side. "I will do this task." Thelan said. "I'm proud of you boy. Take them to the field, and I will see you at home." His father turned around and walked down the path leading to the house. Thelan watched as his father walked away. A light fog seemed to begin appearing along the path. Seeing this, Thelan knew that the field would be covered. He walked toward the gate, and prepared to take his first step down the Lente's Path. True Love Thelan embraced Nella and spun her as she laughed. "What is this, Thelan?!? What are we doing here?" Thelan released, but then held her hand. They were surrounded by the pen where he once stood years before. The gate, now somewhat off its hinge swayed a bit in the steady warm breeze. To the west of the pen down a slightly steep hill lay the field where he spent countless nights with his first task, but more importantly with his true love. He looked to the field and smiled, "Do you know what is over there?" Nella looked in the direction he pointed. "Isn't that the field you and I played in when we were young?" Nella smiled in thought, "Catch a Falling Star...Do you remember?" Thelan did remember, but he also remembered something else. He continued to stare, and as if she didn't speak at all, and said, "It was where we first met. It was my first day of Lente's Path." Nella's smile left her. She looked at Thelan, and he returned her emotionless stare. "What is this? Why did you bring me here?" Nella shed a single tear. "Nella, I want to marry you." Nella was crying now. "We don't have to get married yet. Stay with me a little longer." Thelan held her in his arm and brushed her hair. "I'm at my limit. I've waited long enough, and so I must go. You don't have to worry, I will be back soon." Nella lifted her head and looked into Thelan's eyes. "Frayan's have died. Why couldn't you be a Peigan? Why can't we just run away?" Thelan tone changed as he said, "It is my duty to follow my given path. It is the law, and I will not run away from my failures. I am forbidden to tell you anything, so you must trust me." Only men are to know of the Lente's path. Fathers know from experience, and sons learn as they walk the path. Because the outcome of the two paths is so drastic from one another, and because of the secrecy of the journey, courting customs vary. Men following the Law of the Fray cannot marry till they complete their duties. Women know that one path leads to a regular life. They know the other may lead to death. "Why didn't you tell me? How long have you known?" Thelan knew since the first task, "If you would have asked me, I probably would have told you. I'm sorry; I didn't want to lose you." Deep down Nella knew that her love followed the Law of the Fray. She prayed that she was wrong, but as time went by with no marriage proposal, she began to know the scary truth. Nella began to hit Thelan in the chest with her fist. "You selfish..." Thelan grabbed her arms and held her tight. The Fray Thelan spent the next day preparing for his journey. Nelly ran home the night before, and he planned to see her before he left. He loved her, and felt guilty for not telling her. Selfish. "She doesn't understand" Thelan thought. A loud quick knock interrupted his thought. "Come in Lammie." Lammie was the only one that knocked like a header bird looking for grubs. It was humorous to watch. Lammie's lanky small body would get close to the door. He would lift his right hand as he lowered his head to the left, and rapt the door fast. Thelan met Lammie while on his third task. Lammie was on his seventh. Struggling, Lammie entered with a full pack on his back, and unsuccessfully shut the door behind him. With a smile on his face he asked, "I've got my books, and my walking stick. I'm ready to go." Thelan smiled. Lammie's pack looked to be bursting at the seams with books. "You don't need all those Lammie. It should all be in here." Thelan tapped Lammies head. "Did you fail too, and just didn't tell me?" Lammie frowned as Thelan began to remove books from his pack. "Thelan, I'll need some of those books. What if we run low on food, and I forget if a berry is edible and..." Thelan shrugged, "Lammie. Have more faith in yourself. I trust whatever berry you tell us to eat." Lammie sifted through the books, and put a couple back. "Alright, but these 2 stay with me. Books on the Fray are not to be left lying about and besides, we need them." Books written about the paths are marked with the Peigan seal. The seal depicts the Governess' throne, staff, and book. Any book with the seal is only to be read by men following the Law of the Fray. Lammie was raised to be a guide for Fraymen. Lammie's and Thelan's team up was not coincidence. Thelan's father had chosen Lammie as one of Thelan's guides should he fail one of his tasks. Fortunately, as innocent children are, they became great friends. Lammie was to study all of Thelan's tasks so he would be ready to guide him need be. Even though Guides follow the Law of the Peige, they have the choice in going to war beside their Fraymen. "What is our first task?" Lammie asked. Thelan replied, "Drumes, the easiest of all my tasks." "Easiest? Speak for yourself. I'd clean Dragon Rot rather than deal with drumes." Lammie said in disgust. Lammie removed one of his books from his pack and flipped through the pages. After a short search, Lammie stopped on a page. "Drumes. Slaughtering necessary." Lammie read. "Ok. We've got to kill them. We can slice their diaphragm to avoid attack. If their diaphragms should fail, they will resort to biting and trampling. Did you say easiest? I'm not looking forward to the rest of our journey then." Lammie said. Thelan smiled, "You let me do the slaughtering, and you just show me where they are. What's a diaphragm?" "The Drumes diaphragm is how they keep prey away. They use their heavy tail, beat on their side, and if aimed correctly can make you retch, or lose control of your bowels.? Thelan nodded in realization. "Ah. I see. So that's why they walk like that. So do I have to slice the diaphragm, or can I just go for the kill?" Lammie studied his book intently, "Hmm. You must slice the diaphragm, but it doesn't say why. I guess you can kill first and then slice. I don't know. So how many escaped?" Thelan looked away and muttered, "All of them." Worried, Lammie asked "How many are 'all of them'?" Thelan didn't answer, and finished up with his packing. "Are you about ready to go?" Lammie answered, "Yes, I'm ready. How many is 'all of them'?" Thelan checked his weapon at his side and threw his pack onto his back. Taking one last look among the house, and satisfied with his leave-takings, he opened the door. Looking at Lammie and motioning to exit with him, he reluctantly replied, "Twelve."

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Posted 12/28/2006 - 1:38pm by Poohminator

Ok. During the Holidays, I saw a commercial that had the Twelve Days of Christmas playing in the background. An idea came to my head. You know how some believe the song Ring Around the Rosy is based on the Plague? I thought, what if a Christmas song was based off of something dark, but the originality of it was lost. My story is still a story of love, but my origin story is something completely different. I've only got one chapter written, because I've got my Hunter's Trees to write too. I've got to go back to that, but plan on switching back and forth between the 2 stories. I'll probably change the title, but haven't thought of one yet.

Twelve Days of Christmas

Prologue
How much do we know of ancient history? King Arthur and his knights are considered a myth. Atlantis, supposed myth. Some customs are based on myths. Some customs are based on old stories. Some customs are based off of myths so old, that the myth is forgotten. Sometimes new origins are made. This is a story of one myth that has been forgotten. It's the story you may know as the 12 days of Christmas.

This myth, long forgotten, began in the land of Mohdel. It is what we know now as New Zealand, but much larger. Another legend, also forgotten, told of 3 divides. The Botsal Divide to the north, the Vaigan Divide to the South, and a smaller divide on the east coast by the name of Pendal. For this story, we will focus on Pendal, as it is where our story originates.

In the land of Pendal, there are 2 laws. These 2 laws are The Law of the Peige and the Law of the Fray. The Law of the Peige is to follow governess law. If you are a farmer, you provide for your family, and then provide your quota for the Peige. If you are a teacher, you work for the Peige. Necessities are provided by the Peige, and material items can be bought or sold by the people. Selling necessities is a crime, but paying for unfulfilled quota is acceptable, but only to the Peige.

The second Law is the Law of the Fray. Law of the Fray is not a law of choice; it is the law for failure, although men following the Law of the Fray are considered heroes. They pay their dues, and have earned the governess and peoples respect. When a man would begin his quest, it was to correct his mistakes. Men who follow the Law of the Fray are also the men who fight for Pendal in the times of war. Fortunately there hasn't been a requirement to fight for many years. Pendal is well respected by its neighbors.

Our hero, Thelan, is a Frayman. Yes, the Law of the Fray is the law for men who fail, but Thelan's story is different. Many say that he chose his fate. He did it for love. This is the story of how one young man became a hero, and how his true love gave to him the life he lived.

Chapter 1 - Drummers Drumming

The Task

Thelan watched his father untie the leather cord that kept the drume gate shut. As his father opened the gate, he looked at Thelan and waved him to follow. "Remember the drume dumplings we had last night? This is where we get them." Thelan's father pointed to the 4 legged creatures. Cloudy mists appeared among the snouts of the drumes as they stood in the cold evening air. "You are 11 years old now, and so your Lente's Path begins today." The Lente is a common tree in Pendal. The path was so named, because when Lente trees grow, each new branch will split only in twos. It is possible to follow from the trunk all the way to the top of the tree following only one path. Thelan's destiny will also branch in two. His duties will either make him a Peigeman, or a Frayman.

As the Thelan and his father walked into the pen, the drumes wondered to the far end away from them. Thelan thought it strange the way drumes walked. When drums are born and during their first month of life, they walk straight ahead. As they mature, they begin to favor one side of their body and begin to lean in that direction as they walk. Thelan remembered watching his father trying to chase one loose drume back into the pen one evening. He laughed the whole time as his dad and the drume ran in a large circle until his father finally succeeded in penning the beast. Thelan would not learn the reason of the strange walking habits of the drume until his first days as a Frayman.

Thelan looked upon the beasts in fear. They stood 6 arms tall, but seemed towering to Thelan. Noticing Thelan's fear, his father added. "Son, Drumes are harmless until they mate. These will not mate for another 2 summers." Thelan nodded in approval, but still kept a weary eye on the creature. His father continued, "Tending to the Drumes is your first task, and easiest of them all. You are to clean the hooves every week. You are to send them to the fields to feed for 4 days, and bring them back to the pen for 2, and finally, every night you are to wake at the whipper's crow and make one patrol around the pen or fields. Where ever the drumes are." Thelan pondered for a second, "Why the patrols? Will it be dangerous?" His father looked at his son, then chuckled. "It shouldn't be. If your mother was in that pen, you would check on her every night, wouldn't you?" Thelan nodded.

His father continued, "Your tasks are very important. It is against the governess' request to tell you very much, but what I will tell you is that your future depends on it. I did the same tasks when I was young." A drume sneezed, and it made Thelon jump. Thelon closed his eyes to calm himself. After a second, he opened his eyes and walked toward the beast and pet the course fur on its side. "I will do this task." Thelan said. "I'm proud of you boy. Take them to the field, and I will see you at home." His father turned around and walked down the path leading to the house. Thelan watched as his father walked away. A light fog seemed to begin appearing along the path. Seeing this, Thelan knew that the field would be covered. He walked toward the gate, and prepared to take his first step down the Lente's Path.

True Love

Thelan embraced Nella and spun her as she laughed. "What is this, Thelan?!? What are we doing here?" Thelan released, but then held her hand. They were surrounded by the pen where he once stood years before. The gate, now somewhat off its hinge swayed a bit in the steady warm breeze. To the west of the pen down a slightly steep hill lay the field where he spent countless nights with his first task, but more importantly with his true love. He looked to the field and smiled, "Do you know what is over there?" Nella looked in the direction he pointed. "Isn't that the field you and I played in when we were young?" Nella smiled in thought, "Catch a Falling Star...Do you remember?" Thelan did remember, but he also remembered something else. He continued to stare, and as if she didn't speak at all, and said, "It was where we first met. It was my first day of Lente's Path."

Nella's smile left her. She looked at Thelan, and he returned her emotionless stare. "What is this? Why did you bring me here?" Nella shed a single tear. "Nella, I want to marry you." Nella was crying now. "We don't have to get married yet. Stay with me a little longer." Thelan held her in his arm and brushed her hair. "I'm at my limit. I've waited long enough, and so I must go. You don't have to worry, I will be back soon." Nella lifted her head and looked into Thelan's eyes. "Frayan's have died. Why couldn't you be a Peigan? Why can't we just run away?" Thelan tone changed as he said, "It is my duty to follow my given path. It is the law, and I will not run away from my failures. I am forbidden to tell you anything, so you must trust me."

Only men are to know of the Lente's path. Fathers know from experience, and sons learn as they walk the path. Because the outcome of the two paths is so drastic from one another, and because of the secrecy of the journey, courting customs vary. Men following the Law of the Fray cannot marry till they complete their duties. Women know that one path leads to a regular life. They know the other may lead to death. "Why didn't you tell me? How long have you known?" Thelan knew since the first task, "If you would have asked me, I probably would have told you. I'm sorry; I didn't want to lose you." Deep down Nella knew that her love followed the Law of the Fray. She prayed that she was wrong, but as time went by with no marriage proposal, she began to know the scary truth. Nella began to hit Thelan in the chest with her fist. "You selfish..." Thelan grabbed her arms and held her tight.

The Fray

Thelan spent the next day preparing for his journey. Nelly ran home the night before, and he planned to see her before he left. He loved her, and felt guilty for not telling her. Selfish. "She doesn't understand" Thelan thought. A loud quick knock interrupted his thought. "Come in Lammie." Lammie was the only one that knocked like a header bird looking for grubs. It was humorous to watch. Lammie's lanky small body would get close to the door. He would lift his right hand as he lowered his head to the left, and rapt the door fast. Thelan met Lammie while on his third task. Lammie was on his seventh. Struggling, Lammie entered with a full pack on his back, and unsuccessfully shut the door behind him. With a smile on his face he asked, "I've got my books, and my walking stick. I'm ready to go." Thelan smiled. Lammie's pack looked to be bursting at the seams with books.

"You don't need all those Lammie. It should all be in here." Thelan tapped Lammies head. "Did you fail too, and just didn't tell me?" Lammie frowned as Thelan began to remove books from his pack. "Thelan, I'll need some of those books. What if we run low on food, and I forget if a berry is edible and..." Thelan shrugged, "Lammie. Have more faith in yourself. I trust whatever berry you tell us to eat." Lammie sifted through the books, and put a couple back. "Alright, but these 2 stay with me. Books on the Fray are not to be left lying about and besides, we need them." Books written about the paths are marked with the Peigan seal. The seal depicts the Governess' throne, staff, and book. Any book with the seal is only to be read by men following the Law of the Fray.

Lammie was raised to be a guide for Fraymen. Lammie's and Thelan's team up was not coincidence. Thelan's father had chosen Lammie as one of Thelan's guides should he fail one of his tasks. Fortunately, as innocent children are, they became great friends. Lammie was to study all of Thelan's tasks so he would be ready to guide him need be. Even though Guides follow the Law of the Peige, they have the choice in going to war beside their Fraymen. "What is our first task?" Lammie asked.

Thelan replied, "Drumes, the easiest of all my tasks." "Easiest? Speak for yourself. I'd clean Dragon Rot rather than deal with drumes." Lammie said in disgust. Lammie removed one of his books from his pack and flipped through the pages. After a short search, Lammie stopped on a page. "Drumes. Slaughtering necessary." Lammie read. "Ok. We've got to kill them. We can slice their diaphragm to avoid attack. If their diaphragms should fail, they will resort to biting and trampling. Did you say easiest? I'm not looking forward to the rest of our journey then." Lammie said. Thelan smiled, "You let me do the slaughtering, and you just show me where they are. What's a diaphragm?"

"The Drumes diaphragm is how they keep prey away. They use their heavy tail, beat on their side, and if aimed correctly can make you retch, or lose control of your bowels.? Thelan nodded in realization. "Ah. I see. So that's why they walk like that. So do I have to slice the diaphragm, or can I just go for the kill?" Lammie studied his book intently, "Hmm. You must slice the diaphragm, but it doesn't say why. I guess you can kill first and then slice. I don't know. So how many escaped?" Thelan looked away and muttered, "All of them." Worried, Lammie asked "How many are 'all of them'?" Thelan didn't answer, and finished up with his packing. "Are you about ready to go?" Lammie answered, "Yes, I'm ready. How many is 'all of them'?" Thelan checked his weapon at his side and threw his pack onto his back. Taking one last look among the house, and satisfied with his leave-takings, he opened the door. Looking at Lammie and motioning to exit with him, he reluctantly replied, "Twelve."