Departure

Despite knowing that there is only a limited amount of time to any day, it’s amazing how I’m constantly trying to add more work into the same number of hours and somehow expect the output to remain consistent. Because I’m chasing another venture, I failed to deliver my patrons their tales at a relaxed clip. Yet once again, I’m forced to deliver them all in the last few days of the month. While I’d prefer a more predictable cadence, I will always deliver these stories to my wonderful patrons. As a result, I’m taking a break from preparing the turkey and other courses for Thanksgiving dinner, so I’m able to finish and publish the first story for November, a fantasy.

Last month, I brought Strife to my patrons and in that story; I highlighted the latest installment in the conflict between Tiatha and Volodar, one of The The Academy’s professors. If you want a refresher, you’ll need to click here. However, for this month we pick right where we left from the last installment.

So grab a chair and join me as we witness the latest escapade for Tiatha and her journey through life.

After dealing with Volodar’s recent act of retribution, Tiatha is on the verge of honoring her word…

With a sigh, Tiatha rested a finger on the well-worn wall as her eyes studied her home. When her burning lungs forced her to resume breathing, she slipped through the open doorway before easing the heavy wooden slab back into place.

“I didn’t think you’d allow Volodar to run you out of your home.” Leodor coughed into his hand, as if punctuating his sudden words. “Where will you go? The Hunters aren’t going to simply stop looking for you.”

“Neither they, nor your instructors, possess sufficient knowledge to bother me,” Tiatha said, craning her head to stare at her uninvited guest. “Besides, brother dear, there’s enough of a shared history between us for you to understand I’m not one to bluff.”

She flashed her brother a small smile before turning back to her home and stabbing the wooden door with her index finger. Without uttering a sound, the lithe woman dragged it across the smooth surface. With each passing second, smoke wafted up from Tiatha’s fingertip as she traced a scorched image onto the wood. When Tiatha finished the design, she placed her palm against the intricate pattern and a silvery hue washed over the home’s exterior.

“Unfortunately, that’s my memory of you,” Leodor said as he sauntered up to his sister. The shorter man leaned in, watching the burned lines vanish as if someone had simply wiped them away. Leodor clicked his tongue and turned to look up into his sister’s eyes. “I’d have preferred your declaration to be a bluff, not a certainty, mainly for my own convenience.”

Soft, wry laughter trumpeted throughout the glade as Tiatha reached up and brushed her brother’s cheek. “Brother dear, despite your professor’s naivety, I’m not willing to put up with Volodar’s constant abuse.”