The events of the day weighed heavily on the mind of Warren Vandal. He wasn’t ready to make adult choices. He always pictured his adulthood somewhere in the nebulous future. A future where he played in the NHL and signed autographs for his fans after the games. He never dreamed of dealing with beings like Archon, or meeting Seelie queens, and armored personnel carriers.
Nerea backed off and let him think things over. The queen graciously allowed them to dine alone to talk things over. The beeswax candles lit the elaborate table. Warren couldn’t help but look at the empty chair and wished his mom filled it. He’d give up all the magic in the world just to get her back. It was but a dream, because Seelie had tried to put things back, but failed.
Great tension ruled the dinner table. The sounds of Cutlery on wooden plates and the crackle of the fire kept the maddening silence at bay. Nerea poured a glass of
Sleep didn’t come to Warren the previous night. His mind put a laser focus on the choice he had to make. During the night he tossed and turned, making a choice and then unmaking it. Archon remained silent and allowed him to choose the witching hour, Warren came up empty. “Archon, what should I do?” Warren asked. A picture of a man voting and a person shaking their head, and then his picture, with a checkmark. He manifested at the foot of the bed and laid down. If Archon had been real, Warren would’ve been squashed beneath Archon’s form. “Do you think Theria is the right choice? I mean you are older than me, so your opinion matters.” Archon sat up straight and conveyed his message while flourishing his talons. The pictures flashed and Warren took it as a fatherly speech about mating, and how important it was for the
The first day of school, a pivotal moment in our lives. We compare the first day of a job to it, especially if we don't know anyone. The same can be said of Warren Vandal when he first met the crew of the Scald Crow, an armored personnel carrier modified by the Seelie. The Seelie came to earth from an alternate dimension of Tir Na Nog, following a botched spell that fused the realities. Theria smiled and adjusted his clothes, “Now, they aren't going to be crazy about you, Warren. You represent the race that broke our reality. Remember to take it in stride and prove you are here for the team and nothing else.” She kissed him on the cheek and he felt a little silly, “If all else fails at least you have me.” “I'm so nervous. The game we are playing isn't for lun
An amber screen stood in front of the table. The queen paced back and forth in front of the table. Nerea was present at the request of the queen. Something about the way Elphame looked at Nerea, told Warren the queen's interest in his caretaker went beyond business. A slight smile creased his thin lips, Nerea had earned the right to be happy. His companion, Theria, hadn't said a word since the Queen called the briefing. The young Seelie girl usually talked endlessly. Warren gently touched her shoulder, “Is everything okay? It's okay to be scared, I am.” Theria closed her eyes and stared at the floor before she responded, “I never went into battle. I don't want to kill anything.”
With some rather impressive diplomatic finesse on Elphames' part, The Scald Crow and its crew would be transported by military helicopter once they reached the mainland. While they were on the ferry the team was treated to their new equipment. The Queen gave each member a set of combat armor. Everyone enjoyed cool weapons including Theria. A pair of gauntlets were given to Warren. “Use them wisely,” Elphame said. “To avoid splinters in my fingers?” Warren stared at the leather and metal, “No offense your majesty, the gloves are underwhelming.” “Warren, do you think the queen would give you junk?” Nerea scolded, “Maybe if you asked what they did.” &
Fort Vermillion is a small town near the Northwest Territories. The latest numbers show the tiny town has one hundred residents even. It's easy to forget that it exists. People will remember Fort Vermillion now. The residents are besieged by cannibal dog people called Adlets. They blew into town with their flesh golems called Tupilaq and mounted ferocious wolf /bear hybrids called Waheela. The untested crew of the Scald Crow is on their way to meet them. Swarms of butterflies tickled Warrens's stomach. Fear refused to visit him. Instead, the desire to test the eidolons' limits ruled him. The eidolon stalked back and forth across Warren's mind. Every fiber of Archons being sat on the edge, ready to show the visceral majesty of griffins. Warren did his best to ignore the spiritual creature, and drew a pistol blade, and admired the quality.
The northern lights came to oversee the mission from the night sky, with aid of the full moon. If one stared into the aether long enough, they could see a winged woman, hovering in the air, a fairy to be exact, although they preferred to be called Seelie. Night vision goggles covered her eyes, and a Bluetooth headset covered her ears. “How does it look from up there?” Warren asked. He and the remaining members of the Arcane Seekers trudged through the ankle-deep snow, spring may have come to Alberta, but Fort Vermillion didn't get the memo. Not that it matters with the town under siege by ravenous dog people called Adlets. Which brought the Scald Crow to a remote location. “We're clear. How are you doing?” air rushed against Therias microphone as she floated through the air. It didn
Certain quotes stick with people. A penny saved is a penny earned, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. For Warren Vandal, the immortal words of Coach Macintosh play themselves over and over, as he prepares to go into battle for the second time in his life. “You can practice until the cows come home, but it won't mean a thing until you apply it in real life,” While he'd only released the eidolon twice up until this point. He felt confident, Archon would show him the ropes. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Grace O'hara, captain and leader of the Arcane Seekers. The fiery-haired pirate queen Looks over at Warren with her pistol, excitement in the air, “Are you ready boy? All we have to do is ho
The humans were justifiably terrified of the Scald Crow and the crew. One group of invaders often looked like the other in the eyes of those caught in the crossfire. Warren could see them on the second floor with their eyes pointed down. He allowed a small part of Archon to sharpen his vision, he didn't feel a strain. The crunch of snow under thick boots came from behind him. “Do you think they feel chatty,” She pointed up to the assembled group at the second-story window. “They don't look happy to see us.” “Where are Jack and Herne?” Warren asked as he peered at the outside wall. It was made from brick and mortar. He wondered if he could summon Archon's clutch of talons to scale the building.