tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66954897653407795952024-03-14T01:10:36.549-07:00Musings of L.E. DoggettI decided I needed a place to vent and/or to celebrate about writing. I'm a Wordsmith: stories, novels, poems, religious statements, political commentaries. I Post on writing: how to-venting-updates on my writing, and on anything I'm excited about. I will also be posting a story or three. And I review on books and /or writers I'm reading and anything else that might strike my fancy such as concerts I've been to, adventure dreams I recall etc..LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.comBlogger627125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-19027664469163467472023-05-25T08:47:00.001-07:002023-05-25T08:47:07.591-07:00Saying Hi<p> Just a note to say hi. I have had some fans, not sure if they are still around though. I have slowed my writing way down even though I still have ideas I want to write.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-32942899681521021242023-05-13T09:12:00.001-07:002023-05-13T09:12:49.230-07:00Yay, new fantasy novel<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Just wanted to say that I have a new book out. A fantasy set in alt world. An American Native mage is looking for a very ancient and powerful talisman. Even though he does not know what it looks like, or where it is, he knows he has to find it to hide it again. What he also does not know is that other mages are looking for it also. They want to use it to control the world. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>At Amazon and Barnes and noble online. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Run-Talisman-powerful-talisman-before-ebook/dp/B09YL4YY7H/ref=sr_1_13?crid=FRHTNABQR1S8&keywords=L.+E.+Doggett&qid=1683994334&sprefix=l.+e.+doggett%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-13">https://www.amazon.com/Run-Talisman-powerful-talisman-before-ebook/dp/B09YL4YY7H/ref=sr_1_13?crid=FRHTNABQR1S8&keywords=L.+E.+Doggett&qid=1683994334&sprefix=l.+e.+doggett%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-13</a> </p>LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-36583907323775908182023-05-01T19:25:00.001-07:002023-05-01T19:25:35.828-07:00Hello again <p> </p><p><br /></p><p>Not sure if anyone who had followed this blog is still following it after so long, but hello I think I will be back to do it.</p>LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-70574441902728738342020-12-14T17:36:00.003-08:002020-12-14T17:36:22.130-08:00Did a free online workshop and wrote a story for it<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9zoHNLhiUnM/X9gTBhH9N8I/AAAAAAAAHYg/OoC0A3smwSAbT29rSkE5V7FrrfwWFXdZgCLcBGAsYHQ/testshot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1018" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9zoHNLhiUnM/X9gTBhH9N8I/AAAAAAAAHYg/OoC0A3smwSAbT29rSkE5V7FrrfwWFXdZgCLcBGAsYHQ/testshot.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-76791939212308157442020-12-14T12:25:00.001-08:002020-12-14T12:25:30.760-08:00Newest book still for sell <p>A grand adventure as Lance tries to find out who is messing with his rep. See if he discovered who it is before the person can kill Lance.</p><p>At Barnes and Noble plus Amazon and Kobo and other E-book sites. Under L. E. Doggett</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AMk7chD_ut0/X9fJpm5m9cI/AAAAAAAAHYE/CRxvH6HUx5YtBlXmyaSu6lkb08dw56K3gCLcBGAsYHQ/LEDoggett-short%2Bcopy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="999" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AMk7chD_ut0/X9fJpm5m9cI/AAAAAAAAHYE/CRxvH6HUx5YtBlXmyaSu6lkb08dw56K3gCLcBGAsYHQ/LEDoggett-short%2Bcopy.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p>LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-10115006831564585962020-07-13T15:13:00.000-07:002020-07-13T15:13:09.393-07:00Book sale to relax a bit <br /><div><div class="g_aafnmyboy _5eit f_aafnmuouz clearfix" style="caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: -1px; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix s_aafnmyan5" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -6px; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix _42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;"><div class="t_aafnmyam-" style="font-family: inherit; padding-bottom: 6px;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_6a _5u5j" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; width: 402px;"><div class="_6a _6b" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; height: 40px; vertical-align: middle;"></div><div class="_6a _5u5j _6b" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: middle; width: 402px;"><h6 class="_7tae _14f3 _14f5 _5pbw _5vra" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}" id="js_1db6" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin: 0px 0px 2px; padding: 0px 22px 0px 0px;"><span class="fwn fcg" style="color: #616770; font-family: inherit;"><span class="fwb fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"k"}" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600;"><a data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard-referer="ARTrjtCskwWdzwuDTeyqoGbc5qch3wdOPMUOXofYzZqyo_LJIkNQkeNmfUqR9feREL8" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=1008972559199127&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdkC-R-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARBYl7Y8tjYNvi0cmaCnqTgSlybfidprFoAV6AQO4vRLgXRM4BlTojsrw7G_MiydN_d8bDxuJrOnIU6n%22%2C%22hc_ref%22%3A%22ARTrjtCskwWdzwuDTeyqoGbc5qch3wdOPMUOXofYzZqyo_LJIkNQkeNmfUqR9feREL8%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22nf%22%7D&av=1008972559199127&eav=AfaXAhUMvf4xIQOcCHQmnkcDI0E-QTD-McH1hTO20IvInB3j5-XNkcxly8bjA373ukkXmahej9fdeHBzOftb5yBo" href="https://www.facebook.com/L-E-Doggett-1008972559199127/?__tn__=kC-R-R&eid=ARBYl7Y8tjYNvi0cmaCnqTgSlybfidprFoAV6AQO4vRLgXRM4BlTojsrw7G_MiydN_d8bDxuJrOnIU6n&hc_ref=ARTrjtCskwWdzwuDTeyqoGbc5qch3wdOPMUOXofYzZqyo_LJIkNQkeNmfUqR9feREL8&fref=nf&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDFg6DEPLsBJgxapkTG1iuzEutupA4nb0Bn5L6abEWuDcQWDhgW7lyam8a3Vh1X2Yc48LUHTuvVIPXnRRwsYbzxFES0J2_vcoTNeYcdyMHt5C28oaOCEyiIelb69tTrKfbsY4s38bmybBV6O3A8s0AbzMvjFSYD1IfIy0Ui_pys_V0I86C0xjB3Xe3WcqDFGxBcXC3ym_XjXZ1hIAFzPGgAjfHjwnXjLmNVI065cKuOiGrFxIxjomeD8fCpt_81zsG5rE8jMgoaboL5WS2PIYqhhXoQYp8wSsJAQ3jq15cItjZukuH7O0J9lJwkLk9B1S7IS80" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">L. E. Doggett</a></span></span></h6><div class="_5pcp _5lel _2jyu _232_" data-testid="story-subtitle" id="feed_subtitle_3066817133414649:1:0" style="color: #616770; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><a aria-label="Public" class="uiStreamPrivacy inlineBlock fbStreamPrivacy fbPrivacyAudienceIndicator _5pcq" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Public" href="https://www.facebook.com/#" role="img" style="color: #616770; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle; zoom: 1;"><i class="lock img sp_gjPpWLLydXV sx_4d2a19" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yC/r/fAnY23aUDFB.png"); background-position: 0px -986px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; bottom: -1px; display: inline-block; height: 12px; margin-bottom: -5px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; width: 12px;"></i></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_1db8" style="caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 6px;"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5f0cda81cb6cc8667981387" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><p style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 6px;">A sale on two of my paper books. I happen to have eight copies each these two books, and decided to place them on sale. Usually $11.99 each these are $8 each which includes shipping for these two new books, as long as the eight books each last. </p><p style="font-family: inherit; margin: 6px 0px;">And I have eight used books on sell. From one dollar to four dollars plus shipping for the used books. The "Tigershark #1 Cold Blue Death" is the one dollar one. The "Guns Above" noble is five dollars plus shipping. Pictures below.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; margin: 6px 0px;">My<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"> "The Courier" is an exciting steampunk adventure and is pictured with "Adventures of Lance Starhammer" is an action packed Science Fiction. Both fun tales. Have some coffee, or a cold chocolate drink, and enjoy a good tale. </span></p><div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><p style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 6px;">I have PayPal and I will mail the purchased books within a day-not counting Sunday. Send me a note here if you would like to take advantage of this sale</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sywt8lG5FU8/XwzcT7NvajI/AAAAAAAAHWU/L13qIVNbn_0z9CMohOKsxOzJdrvYaAjVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1691.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sywt8lG5FU8/XwzcT7NvajI/AAAAAAAAHWU/L13qIVNbn_0z9CMohOKsxOzJdrvYaAjVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1691.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wg1-tBaSbms/XwzcNxZq7zI/AAAAAAAAHWM/T7sSfl_MCbIu9L5vk8It4VLD-lBQIIwEACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1692.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wg1-tBaSbms/XwzcNxZq7zI/AAAAAAAAHWM/T7sSfl_MCbIu9L5vk8It4VLD-lBQIIwEACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1692.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UBijloTqU74/XwzcJkRhAvI/AAAAAAAAHWI/RmmN0j2XcK8SsQoufSFGcr4-0_5wu26NwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1690.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UBijloTqU74/XwzcJkRhAvI/AAAAAAAAHWI/RmmN0j2XcK8SsQoufSFGcr4-0_5wu26NwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1690.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFetTKVnmm4/XwzcAt5DssI/AAAAAAAAHWE/7G6UOwMc-RMsSpXelf0eAfvO2caAb74eACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1687.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFetTKVnmm4/XwzcAt5DssI/AAAAAAAAHWE/7G6UOwMc-RMsSpXelf0eAfvO2caAb74eACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/IMG_1687.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div></div></div></div>LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-18178496659273009872020-06-28T20:40:00.000-07:002020-06-28T20:40:04.659-07:00Sale for two days longer June 28 and 29 As my last post stated everything novel is on sale LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-35897293177437504502020-06-20T15:19:00.000-07:002020-06-20T15:19:20.185-07:00Birthday Sale on all of my novels <br /><div><p style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Hello, Time for my yearly birthday sale. Monday June 22 is a special birthday for I have reached a milestone. </p><p style="font-family: inherit; margin: 6px 0px;">Everyone of my E-books is a $1.11 off (No I am not a 111 years old. It isn't that milestone yet <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t4c/1/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">:)</span></span> ) </p><p style="font-family: inherit; margin: 6px 0px;">And all of my paper novels are two dollars off-except for one which they only allowed me to reduce 1.44 . They will be on sale until June 27.</p><div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><p style="caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Whatever the price they are fun reads with adventure, mysteries, suspense and action. Western short stories, Urban Fantasy, steampunk, Science Fiction adventure. </p><p style="caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 6px 0px;">Here is my Amazon author's page <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="origin" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FL-E-Doggett%2Fe%2FB01C58R1II%3Fref%3Dsr_ntt_srch_lnk_3%26qid%3D1592688300%26sr%3D8-3%26fbclid%3DIwAR1ZcnAfzfCdR2n-_Mm6RPN2AvR7Krr9Szf_wKsKtKyEdbdcoATaGjeBnKo&h=AT32Nv2dAGi9r3kxeMRs58OQE4PVIXXLHJadr4uxRG-rOOZTerEo97wzUJZo9Xizfc7ct1186hztBS-dyMW4d1gqDDmhjzw-8J4Hm6AeahrUCRt-GpuWypJQuZim6d_islIhHJVbU2aMM5pNpnRj4oW81ScWQU0v1G2h8kUybugQ-10jfzHoL7NHdRvmGTUUcxo4DML1U6J7-35xRf4PhJ30wbwa3lCetIHouQ0ZFtkik_gRVH_B0BRK8ShjgcBieDoTs7LCSdZuQkHHrBU86a5MNJecNs6J0lde-UJLiXh0KhR5pXYakWFPuAvzgCGUejgHNTkOAemf5E3UyAJtlrflX_Xw0MKmb_gpMvc-MHG8n7eOUt9TX7uIVg1O9eBRuGQZN5toM769wU2TY5xEYEP33emw6hhYB7mEC6pIHAbbViMcNNR8B7skC51MMhLIOiM-b81KTZZLLp3LylCQBBGYAnpgf0ROyqqul15yRjXOOt3qtGZ25v1UxDqIJVS7U0_dhA88NGQ6-9vet2DoAbiIkMwBfOM_d7exRGOm-bSV0_4hexezqqcMQBrKxvTg0egS2uYY53Wrt65aqEZXb6IXg4zjW-ssCy_w1EHFb3Ooxl9gvo33rZCb0diNnBB5NbHu" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/L-E-Doggett/e/B01C58R1II…</a></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 6px 0px;">and <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="origin" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%2Fs%2F%2522L.%2520E.%2520Doggett%2522%3FNtk%3DP_key_Contributor_List%26Ns%3DP_Sales_Rank%26Ntx%3Dmode%2Bmatchall%26fbclid%3DIwAR2oVW3TCCAkGzuWpC6OP0b0nW4ildjBFGnCQ0NtRaUI1nXOyg4-hI5FVU4&h=AT15hTddg3fFv-IyW0PPU-jLSUu2yUeiEIlYklEkZRwaCXsl_i-eSAUpm5NDKJc5oh0VWgA1gZ95VxPTbwZPCtALNj5GCJieH0RBRnmqxHijH0wCbpSJEPLshYmzlMcVcHB0oj0GdSJhKxoeZYLQdf81prVZW5iZZzk9q4uHZaur0sjVYoMcEfutWdxcyV7Oj8_l4JDj-nCitkPYIsdLGrnEbCYywFIhinaXR-2gG0urFgBDRDM107SqlbiEkLrFWtRqHc8N4md3hp4t6ZA5EYmVRFbFjhWCs0E4E7oZ3Brg3U8e25RvzO9zahxd6BYYqAxZ-D8WKw5itTGUerH_sBIKehvL3yqU-k52JccTL5JqSFZo33w6EBvEgqTnywmXfJnS6DICnf9-PWfm0QgtH7YuRAOBkM5Jf6kpt5yTnYZVKAC8uo_oAGYttciTHC6dHF1O4MtHAfyqlecwJ_HLFSdRlitFkwXXlZ7hpZ1va2yo62blDMKZP0F6T0gVWbMDK_aGCbYGF0vUDtnpkXrdhzKpJpE5-ik0gu6m8I-Ot68d3UcIj_OFu2LR4RbRjvH4yXbPXne80icT46fSMpTe5bJSwNcr11NOKJVny4KhOJck3m6fcA1BiN3wbqFyz3RvjbnP" href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22L.%20E.%20Doggett%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall&fbclid=IwAR2oVW3TCCAkGzuWpC6OP0b0nW4ildjBFGnCQ0NtRaUI1nXOyg4-hI5FVU4" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22L.%20E.%20Doggett%22…</a></p><p></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div></div>LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-51355802449035930412020-04-29T16:57:00.001-07:002020-04-29T17:03:43.258-07:00Sell on Lance Starhammer May one and two E-book and paper book <br />
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<br />
Sell price to Celebrate the new book. For two days only 99 cents for the Eversion and 9.99 for the paper version.<br />
<br />
<br />
Great science fiction adventure<br />
<br />
<br />
At <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087C9DX49/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1">Amazon</a><br />
<br />
And other e-book <a href="https://books2read.com/u/brvLOe">sites</a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ve0o_il296U/XqoV0sY5fDI/AAAAAAAAHVY/WC7GEY6q7c4WPfreuVSzT9QWye6UhEgOgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Shorter%2BLance%2Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ve0o_il296U/XqoV0sY5fDI/AAAAAAAAHVY/WC7GEY6q7c4WPfreuVSzT9QWye6UhEgOgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Shorter%2BLance%2Bpic.jpg" width="240" /></a>LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-25219940214331543752020-04-21T20:44:00.002-07:002020-04-21T20:44:36.939-07:00Yo, a new book published: Adventures of Lance Starhammer. Science Fiction<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">It is starting to look like someone has cursed Lance to live in interesting times. As a Jack Of All Trades danger is not stranger to Lance, but events that could lead to his death have been increasing like never before </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> A giant swamp creature escaped its cage on the ship Lance was captaining. It killed two of Lance’s men while it stomped down the passageway Lance had gone to check out a problem. Next a Lance’s starship loses coolant and he has to set down on a farm owned by cannibals. When he gets home he is told that a law enforcement agency has placed a bounty on him for a crime he didn’t commit. After that a crime boss chases him down for another theft Lance didn’t do. His ship’s computers are compromised, warbots attack him as well as other dangers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Lance Starhammer—not his birth name—is well known in some circles, even though many of his jobs he keeps secret. He has run cons, hauled passengers and freight, done special jobs, ran blockades, a bit of smuggling, computer crimes and other jobs that he feels need doing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Now someone wants him dead, though. After a search he finds himself in a battle with stealth ships crewed by a law enforcement agency who have been tricked to believe he is responsible for the deaths of their fellow agents. Even with his ship, tricks and quick thinking ability his chances for survival have slipped to near zero. </span></div>
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<a aria-describedby="u_a7_i" aria-label="The Courier: Volume one" data-lynx-mode="origin" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB07V7VCF25%2Fref%3Ddbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3NJdQQ2Ewep6IxtCO5Gqhs1S91FErysLele_TySP3nLWnQETxqzQ2OfR8&h=AT0Hicz0kTInd1YkT03zvNOHWEG5q_yW6RKCWX66gTigJWdkt8ruzEm32c3MqEdkUal_X7htyNzlqCbtJJ4lAFH9sPS5cerQMKZWDSVC9VSj-1fRomxN50PakQuwM1D3H4XfajsTDcf2hY_XrgxOB2RpWJYbRGRkT70aEFPBr5fH0D_rzuyu-Uoo3R9DskuaN0FROMePhfKpdr7DCoJ8QdzotIVTb6STVVhokS9a6cMsb-U_1kvXCFITAgD38FUTlX1PPOwEt4xFnycTCahWtPQpfcoYnyGXE6vDrDFA8o1Nlo6Dz5BX9GeHwM9jWCvVT3g0scdpIeGdS44IryHGVfI5HRg2FXDcvnzQcedOvolyIv_TBjAWcyvdtgYqZpxc6jCFIji6l-rB1XnDBci0CJLRKIhkgWu8GNmUZKo9D5S6jmGH1GLF49k0R1rOD3at0kMPy7TtOgQ9m6D_u9dvlBNvXrcb9gRdE-QTCG4ACVk6ElLi77vx8V0yp4UzBD_RyzXk1REdFA6DDGILTwjMPBWWCSpRUytJDHEVfKVxJeptEZhY8PhJ6TatumK16UANENVmwqIwgJj_-2BnMUkAPLACyg5Z_Q5Q6Q2ZmaYH9MwdvVaOvGmIVAbL6c5HgRQ3-C636wFQlC8hqqQ5-rw" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V7VCF25/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2?fbclid=IwAR3NJdQQ2Ewep6IxtCO5Gqhs1S91FErysLele_TySP3nLWnQETxqzQ2OfR8" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="-1" target="_blank"><div class="accessible_elem inlineBlock" id="u_a7_i" style="clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; white-space: nowrap; width: 1px; zoom: 1;">
The Courier: Volume one</div>
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You can find this book on Amazon:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Lance-Starhammer-Someone-interesting-ebook/dp/B087C9DX49/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Adventures+of+Lance+Starhammer&qid=1587526715&sr=8-1"> E-book </a><br />
And here for the paper <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087CP7J3S/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=The+Adventures+of+Lance+Starhammer&qid=1587526715&sr=8-2">version</a><br />
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Here for the E-book on <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-adventures-of-lance-starhammer-l-e-doggett/1136893409?ean=2940163579426">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
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Other sites to follow but should be on kobo, iTunes and other e-book sites.<br />
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Paper upcoming to Barnes and Noble too <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOOtIo0PTVM/Xp-9nHPrz8I/AAAAAAAAHVM/UWFU9F2yNQUKfg7gRQJGInP7a3QT46z6QCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/LEDoggett-short%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOOtIo0PTVM/Xp-9nHPrz8I/AAAAAAAAHVM/UWFU9F2yNQUKfg7gRQJGInP7a3QT46z6QCK4BGAYYCw/s320/LEDoggett-short%2Bcopy.jpg" width="240" /></a>LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-43427714635733131252020-04-20T17:59:00.001-07:002020-04-20T17:59:41.476-07:00A redone version of a great adventure tale The Courier. E-books on sale <br />
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The Courier-one of the better e- books by me, is on sale for the rest of April.<br />This one is now even better for I just revised it, cleaned up some punctuations that somehow didn't get changed and redid many sentences, added 1100+ words in making it even more readable. Grand adventure and action.</div>
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Kara Stronggear is the youngest member of an elite cadre of Couriers, but she doesn't just want in, she wants to be the best. And why not? She's trained for this her whole life.<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"> She knows how to fight and when to run. She knows how to repair a steam engine and fix a card game. She's ready for anything.</span></div>
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Or so she thinks.</div>
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When a milk run turns deadly, she finds herself racing to stay one step ahead of an unknown adversary who is willing to kill for something she does not know she carries. Through dog fights, hurricanes, and the torn up streets of a strange city, she's determined to complete her mission.<br />Along the way she has to grow up and realize that she needs a good rep isn’t everything, if she survives the next few days</div>
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E-book at Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/%E2%80%A6/B07%E2%80%A6/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2">kindle</a><br />
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Paper version on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/%E2%80%A6/198%E2%80%A6/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i8">Amazon</a><br />
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Plus the e-book version is also on sell at <a href="https://books2read.com/b/mvjkXz">Various sites</a> listed here.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8G1gDABEYFQ/Xp5FUaD5-6I/AAAAAAAAHVA/5cILhKpDxccW1Ejn-RuqCOivyD2t69dHACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The_Courier_preview3%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8G1gDABEYFQ/Xp5FUaD5-6I/AAAAAAAAHVA/5cILhKpDxccW1Ejn-RuqCOivyD2t69dHACK4BGAYYCw/s320/The_Courier_preview3%2Bcopy.jpg" width="236" /></a><br />
Paper version can also be found at Barnes and Noble <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-courier-l-e-doggett/1128499224?ean=9781986253567">online</a>LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-62986424426795909152020-02-10T21:10:00.003-08:002020-02-10T21:10:48.804-08:00My current Stories Amazingly enough all of a sudden I have three stories on deadlines. One for a well known contest, one for a special deal, and one for a smaller contest. The one for the first contest is done. I am hoping one of the others with that contest with critique it for me. Not so far though. But if no takers in the next couple of weeks I will just send it to an editor to check out punctuation, spelling and such. I will be done with it early for the deadline is at the end of March.<br />
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The special one is due to a kickstarter project I helped pay for a while back. They had a special writers reward. My choice of lectures on writing, quite a few short stories by various pro writers, my choice of a number of books on writing and this special chance.<br />
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One of my biggest frustrations is getting rejections. In the last few years, I seem to not be able to get past a certain level of writing. I take online courses, read books, read hints by pro editors etc. I get no further. Some readers have nice things to say about my stories. I have had a couple of ongoing fans when I would place a couple of very short stories on Google+ but not editors. Except for one. I have taken courses by him and he did buy one story a few years back. You can still buy the anthology if you like good short stories. I say mine is the fourth best in the book out of, I think, 19. Anyway, I have stated that no editor really likes my stories except for one and he isn't buying. Well he is, at least for a few who paid for that writer's reward. Well, for others too, pro writes and those who have taken a certain workshop, but I haven't been able to get to where he would maybe buy my stories. Now though he will look one of mine over at least.<br />
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I am, not nervous so much, but waiting for impending doom. To see if I have been correct that even he will like my writing enough to include in one of four anthologies. He gave us a choice of four categories or premises. If I understand correctly he will read it and depending on if he thinks it will fit in one of three of those categories he will send it to another editor. It sounds like he will choose if it fits in the fourth category. No word if he might say why he rejected it, if he does. Also I have not seen how many writers donated for that Writer's reward. I am sure I am not the only one. But there might not be as many as usual for a market on that level. I don't know if the smaller number helps me in this case.<br />
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The last story is for a smaller contest as I said in the beginning. It is almost done. I need to finish it tomorrow for it is due the first part of March. Possibly the sixth. I will need to let it sit a week or so, revise it and send it to the same editor. That might give me one to two weeks to fix what she finds. I have sent stories to them before. Got one Honorable Mention which might still be up on their web site. This one, shakes head, I don't know. I like to think I am getting better at telling the best story I can but so far that is questionable.<br />
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Then back to two novels. One is at the editor's being checked over and I will be Indie publishing it whenever I get done with the corrections. I have a cover for it so I will just have to format it and publish it. It is a good Science Fiction adventure, action packed and suspenseful. We shall see how it does. I will spend a bit more money than usual advertising it. Which usually isn't much at all. The last two paid places I tried were failures. So we shall see as I said. I hope to have it online by the end of March. LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-74934018789623397042020-02-02T11:32:00.000-08:002020-02-02T11:32:25.645-08:00A bit of venting on next published event <div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 6px;">
This is not asking advice just venting a little.</div>
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Hmmm, I have one book at an editors-she is probably a bit over a quarter of the way through. So when she does finish it, maybe in three to five weeks I will still have to go back over it. Most probably will take me hours, if I don't have to rewrite anything major. I have done this before so I know that I mean hours and hours of work. I have a cover for it already. It has been sitting around for over a year while I looked for a <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">cover artist and an editor that didn't charge tons of money. So now even though it is finally in the process I still have to wait. and wait some more.</span></div>
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Then I have a second novel that is in almost the same situation. Except no editor yet, and the cover is being worked on even though almost done. But it has sat the same length of time and it is longer so it will take longer and cost more to edit and then to go over. Add hours to the hours and hours. Oh yes, I still need to decide on how I want to the chapters. Just leave the 40 some shorter ones or combine them. I wrote the book as a serial on another site which is why the chapters are like they are. It does need a little revising since I changed my mind some something and even though I think I went over the whole thing a couple times I need double check that. So it might have to wait half a year more before I can publish it. It might be my best novel yet. Or so I had thought when I revised it. And I have to wait and wait and wait some more.</div>
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LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-43706206745353339012020-01-15T14:49:00.001-08:002020-01-15T14:49:19.668-08:00About my writing currently <div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="6u70h" data-offset-key="5lini-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="5lini-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Interesting what one can find when looking for something else in my WIP folder. Stories and more that I had forgotten about. A while back I set out to Indie publish some story sets. I was reminded of one set I decided to publish and found today. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3dv33-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">This one is 12 stories each inspired by the same picture. A while back one guy would post a picture of the day. A speculative drawing-painting-composite-that he found. A couple of his followers had started writing mini stories to go with the pic. I decide to join them, but in a few weeks my stories got longer. Still very short but longer than mini. Anyway one day he posted this pic of a dark old looking castle set on a short hill in what could be a desert. A large full moon shone behind and right above it. I posted a comment that said that could be inspirational for a number of genre. Something clicked and I decided to do those genre. I did 10. First SF, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Weird Western, Altiernite universe, Historical Fiction, Romance, steampunk, thriller, what might be Christian Fantasy. I stopped thinking that was enough but a couple of months later I decided the SF tale wasn't really the one I wanted so I did it over while keeping the original and finally an action tale kinda of based on the old radio Serial tales. Oh just remembered another one I had placed in another folder. A YA-or younger- general fiction story. So 13 all together. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2pmod-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">From 670 words to 6540 words. Some around 1200, some around 4400. A total of somewhere around 40,000 to 42500 words.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9ph00-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I thought that might make an interesting story set for those who like short stories. Some have been revised once or twice others not at all. I will go over all of them though. Starting today.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="f5os2-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">And while looking for that one YA tale I found another story set idea. I call it Foibles and it will have five stories. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="f5os2-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">While I am working on two other stories, and will be revising two more for contests soon. </span></div>
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LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-81157744390895340022020-01-06T18:31:00.000-08:002020-01-06T18:32:18.049-08:00Yay, new set of Western stories by me on sale <br />
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Been a while since I have been here but want to tell all who are still reading these posts that<br />
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I have now published a set of five exciting short stories about a new Western Hero. Gray Dobson; Deputy US Marshal. In this case only on Amazon. A fun and action filled set of stories for any lover of Westerns or good reading. </div>
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Paperback 5.99<br />
<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="origin" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F165620228X%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fcrid%3DHOQH959MRLY%26keywords%3Dl.%2Be.%2Bdoggett%26qid%3D1578355678%26sprefix%3DL.%2BE.%2B%252Caps%252C208%26sr%3D8-1%26fbclid%3DIwAR2Hf47WJ6cAYDaLUQtgQL_kPAVbYyUdCUyt_kbAH7QGKuBCVWXHEgG5oOg&h=AT3a3jDP-R5DTQbeVCkEKjhFI9cXNN-FUsF85fpsM1MjAis4DbQYOtUt5dfp0D35WNk07T9wUu5u0WKgLYKUXXw0jI95udP8pPMDPm1dt_Q08gUcoDsBe9Su_E1VNcca3iS2o8PsPIkZH4kf4XXdxxkH01mAzSUOWTdlXjOvK59XgmUGrGk1gwc" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/165620228X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOQH959MRLY&keywords=l.+e.+doggett&qid=1578355678&sprefix=L.+E.+%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR2Hf47WJ6cAYDaLUQtgQL_kPAVbYyUdCUyt_kbAH7QGKuBCVWXHEgG5oOg" rel="nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/165620228X/ref=sr_1_1…</a></div>
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And E-version on sale for 2.99 for one week than up to $3.99<br />
<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="origin" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB083JJF4G1%2Fref%3Dsr_1_2%3Fcrid%3DHOQH959MRLY%26keywords%3Dl.%2Be.%2Bdoggett%26qid%3D1578355678%26sprefix%3DL.%2BE.%2B%252Caps%252C208%26sr%3D8-2%26fbclid%3DIwAR1q-F1FQFQcZ3bvZiDxL09TC-qAH0Z7GHEBohg6KnyNENHbKM-S7QsXiuY&h=AT0vWFOyluG1zeQYURzpAnkn_hklfbMZ4KiZ3gqEMmASHyi8Atiilp2FsKEC-oisZlXEuN9V0755Ek3tZuc-oc6ccwAIZORT61ptQKWD9lsYM4p_nhRpnDchzKVF_i7tBaQn75QtQfYqAlMpkmOP_kHcci3TqAqEydSnFZAyCWm069MbUHbc20s" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083JJF4G1/ref=sr_1_2?crid=HOQH959MRLY&keywords=l.+e.+doggett&qid=1578355678&sprefix=L.+E.+%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-2&fbclid=IwAR1q-F1FQFQcZ3bvZiDxL09TC-qAH0Z7GHEBohg6KnyNENHbKM-S7QsXiuY" rel="nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083JJF4G1/ref=sr_1_2…</a></div>
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Only Amazon for this book. We shall see how it comes out. </div>
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LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-72089110120104008472019-10-26T18:05:00.000-07:002019-10-26T18:06:42.205-07:00To Celebrate my retirement E-book sale <div style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;">It has been a while since I have posted anything. That last set of stories had more looks than I thought it night-thanks all. Now though:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14px;">Y</span>o: to all readers. As some of you will know I am retiring from work, after 40 years on the same job. To help celebrate it I have placed everyone of my E-books on sale. Half price off. That includes the story sets. You can now get my books from .99, 2.99 and 3.99 for the longer novels. Each one is a very good adventure read and an enjoyable plot.<br />
Sale from today to Nov 12 </div>
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My Amazon page minus one novel.<br />
<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="origin" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FL-E-Doggett%2Fe%2FB01C58R1II%3Fref%3Dsr_ntt_srch_lnk_1%26qid%3D1572118713%26sr%3D8-1%26fbclid%3DIwAR3Tkde54yw8cpMMm6ab3IF31BeX2bOjbXGlJZd9OQRmtW_N7ot962rLpqs&h=AT0K0hNah6ulm-qqOnaiUkVjhJpttFGtRoI2V3IGqTtV-8QCvjrboTu91HQ2UhUY4ynAZr_xw4E7CjCq4VHaVF-aGQZHmnXu4ZU9HDLKc6GBuU7YDDsJgWdv-g1oSKA9Fg9oS3x3YEF9AjcwDw4oop4WxBesRDs-aZ4Ss08lIgE0yLT8Peg1sMrBmy2b61-VgCVMsBGT5CcsHYzdWCIZD7W2cTvxcznSpkDVl9W1jb-U3AQvT0TZsWBzZdvNI1Lp79VNZiYyLGC9jzs9oCTOUwVosfPAMzKhSsdxzEx56ffLYxcKazyYuveWae-8G_FAbmoTZPJtCbUW8-uGP7EHrc-Mq1Oe05ckbAY1XY6ZlRSeR1x_85QtHHsftRUZyFha2bBdTFyg-wJcGP1d9rqH0qTCrRLTBFyb2kO8Ercqb8mN2AfmyiWFwf04dfYIZBey4bE2yPJmqJ1I7Szd8uw40a7ytmGCd79YLDJr0HWCRzvJaTPjRCiFXT96mOGR2NLH8zuc5vD7d9oWBrjRPFRr0-7ymfcnmGyZVC4mt0C6ROuTcoLrxbIm8fbwrrrvK1YKAu_13X5IJRMebY2RsVgCJdR6XSRtW3PjJx8BZMbx2Zx7x1cRY_VrVrA" href="https://www.amazon.com/L-E-Doggett/e/B01C58R1II?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1572118713&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR3Tkde54yw8cpMMm6ab3IF31BeX2bOjbXGlJZd9OQRmtW_N7ot962rLpqs" rel="nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/L-E-Doggett/e/B01C58R1II…</a></div>
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That missing book-<br />
<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="origin" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCourier-Kara-wants-survive-first-ebook%2Fdp%2FB07V7VCF25%2Fref%3Dsr_1_154%3Fkeywords%3DThe%2BCourier%26qid%3D1572136961%26s%3Ddigital-text%26sr%3D1-154%26fbclid%3DIwAR0cboQV5v36bI6fsbHd4GWRMWi1ymZZBV5vp8VffWo3ZKjk6vGqDeCeOXI&h=AT1kgs7UisGs4sFgrrmcSGqs4q5GauHC8qOVwad2IThCEH6sYv2NSP-QTIw1LVFAdE8bveDd8g08ApHOjp5AxzUfyDbpO_8wHPA5wO4KXVwd_PjrS99BwfdgNsYgYEIQmdetwl9erZ1OK-bCQjU6-uWlcdOSoPPXfC4NUlbtgDx88l5iSghT40xIHQm4YnXoeA_Lk0SLETJQNSRe4cVHZhOepKRGQ8V6qIKRMzrTh5XwtmU0y1g5L1A2tXqL044DSoJYBOUXWbnsaJpwOfFVfPqmTWHjDWyv6RQ7NifnPQ3QoBFdafOmNSqqmysAtqnT1ajWkwBQ7OOlVhYTYKPA5t-eIX_JtjhYLh4_AdWnOKxEYNsTuO9p-iOZ8m391C69uunpfMOUpSV2AsiWnVqPKKPdamf5-dG9sSWpWoMLRkjwhI9NQ-cZDQro8wJAWJSC5TOfazkpiNDmk9wJKV2Fs5N4QdGQEPrypodAF-p0r0trUfkia4Kx1vmnKsh8YRr3Py4P66pOtGp97wJTC3oE_X5iy-XUam20Ki2I2_sQaQinC97rAeOUFut7WKfmuDInToaz9TMH9BDxypa2tJFlCnup7X3JmGKtwB2No69IxNa_gxWeazAYgro" href="https://www.amazon.com/Courier-Kara-wants-survive-first-ebook/dp/B07V7VCF25/ref=sr_1_154?keywords=The+Courier&qid=1572136961&s=digital-text&sr=1-154&fbclid=IwAR0cboQV5v36bI6fsbHd4GWRMWi1ymZZBV5vp8VffWo3ZKjk6vGqDeCeOXI" rel="nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Courier-Kara-wants-s…/…/ref=sr_1_154…</a></div>
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My Barnes and Nobel page.<br />
<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="origin" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCourier-Kara-wants-survive-first-ebook%2Fdp%2FB07V7VCF25%2Fref%3Dsr_1_154%3Fkeywords%3DThe%2BCourier%26qid%3D1572136961%26s%3Ddigital-text%26sr%3D1-154%26fbclid%3DIwAR2zi7AoVXGv47HUFzTmLPoTvEvrSd_RcqzdyArkJY9Aj60VMpDh9PHaTLs&h=AT0wSghwflq9Artg5ZnQsy2zrG3gl9p7adA7o1hLf8y9gval0GbOKqh565LOD2mwjEJJ8dneTEaLjtCxIN8B5qwJTpRxHwXAZ2Z5MJGy4IWeuB5UOsC1O2U4agj2IuSxuJ45e98dmMzOS83ogNfGikRod7hF6_On8yioqtl_4Y6Oi6ce4-hprx42-HrMnE9hTi9BXl8s68kSzFEYsvXd8cXoxLxm7TbNBVLOILR7iwrie4x6MC0cre-Mpuue-cryt2dAj9fehfPnuL8GQe1PJ25S6fbCSWrYRXIKhjxyH7tsXGxnF__uXbnuml77pNPtFgjCGg1vV48wDwm3Oe2bRJihxKGneYezHKa6dbK8JH1MtNV648WyUfw8mi_Q-Wm3IJNnFGx9GQec1clR5QFbGZkKa0RNT06NB0REg0mLpG2EhmZ1Ksm6V0zL_34zpCFAa4ZA6MduM5jGVQImeHevtKMyrneNW2l1yOBNBK8hbgFLp0KVkvc3qzZmJr7hlqL_4lpUW-E4pOwKO6e19wA4IEDBZCxZnZDrZORIubfdNB2cnRJYjzeUcOfZXAOKpy4ErCr5HOQyOVOWNHV-j2__mJzaw4w6CAYYPkvQVgeBrVYEhMzXmgI_x0M" href="https://www.amazon.com/Courier-Kara-wants-survive-first-ebook/dp/B07V7VCF25/ref=sr_1_154?keywords=The+Courier&qid=1572136961&s=digital-text&sr=1-154&fbclid=IwAR2zi7AoVXGv47HUFzTmLPoTvEvrSd_RcqzdyArkJY9Aj60VMpDh9PHaTLs" rel="nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Courier-Kara-wants-s…/…/ref=sr_1_154…</a></div>
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They are also on Kobo and many other e-book sites. </div>
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As I said, great gift that gives to two people. Good reviews even though the novels could use more of them.</div>
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LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-82207766341845379962019-08-03T20:58:00.000-07:002019-08-03T20:58:20.254-07:00New set of free tiny tales #saturdayscene Aug 2<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> #saturdayscene Aug 3</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Got busy and forgot last week, almost forgot again even though I planned to do this one so this is late but still Saturday my time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Another repeat which maybe one or two people here have probably read before. I have a cluster of seven stories here but all are shorter flash and mini tales. From 25 words to 607 words for a total of 1887 words. The mini stories were attempts to place or win in one of the onthepremises mini story contests. “Blue of Home” has been the only one to receive even an honorable mention so far. The longer ones were all based on pictures. All have been revised at least once. That includes the mini stories that have been lengthened in a couple of cases. About three years ago I decided I like doing these mini stories and even the longer flash. I will be putting out an anthology with 20 to 24 stories. Most will be these very short tales but there will be another anthology with longer 650 to 3750 word stories. I just need two covers and to revise some of the longer ones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> These are a variety of genres: fantasy, general fiction, science fiction, historical with a touch of fantasy and one that could be a couple of different genres including steampunk, fantasy and general fiction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The first one is “Blue of Home” written on the premise of “Write a story no longer than 50 words that describes color in an innovative way. (No “black as night” clichés; etc.)” The last one will be “Good Work with Thread” the story that could be one of a couple different genre. The others are mixed up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Blue of Home </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The viewscreen showed a microscopic blue-Ben stared. The right blue, produced by life. The trip out had taken too long. He’d seen red suns, green nebalue, black holes--from a distance. None looked this perfect, a blue made from air and water. Ben smiled, the blue of home grew. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ohh, no. Not Another One!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ohhh no, not again-another one of those quests, the wizard thought, and it’s going to be long-again. Even as his friend the warrior, who would be king, cheered and challenged the four man team to see who would be first on those giant, wide steps. After they became solid enough and moved in a touch closer, of course. The warrior’s cape still bellowed out even though the bottom was in tatters. His sword, though, was still sharp, undinged and whole. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The new steps had just appeared from nowhere while the team stood at the end of wide path that had led to two man height pillars on the edge of this path. They each had rounded tops and a hole one could reach through at their tops. A person could almost fit their whole head through the holes. The wizard had reached it first and waited for the others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> At least here we could breath okay even though the air had a different flavor to it; thorny and mulchy and old, he thought. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The rest of the path just appeared with no flash or sound. The wizard could hear everyone’s steps and each one’s breathing, plus the warrior’s boosts, so there was sound here, but nothing when it came to be. It had taken him seconds to realize it was there. He assumed it had been the same for the others since they hadn’t said anything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> It looked like another ten minutes of walking would lead us to the doorway. Tall and it looked more like a cave entrance with a bright light inside. And what might be another two pillars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> They only had a basic idea of where it would take them. But it would be tough, scary, and they would have to use their strengths to the uttermost and to think hard, to get back to their lands. The wizard sighed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The whole trip up he had wondered what beings needed a path this wide and steep. Fantastic torches set in the soil lined and lit one side all the way up. They seemed to be ever burning. What looked like giant thorns grew around the edges of the trail and along on the steps. It made it look like both sections belonged together. At the end of the short flight of steps </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Everything had huge thorns here more than that TV show a while back. But the Wizard looked at the dwarf who was ready to go with the challenge even though he usually lost. The other guy just sort of stood there waiting, he went along with whatever happened without much compliant. His thick staff, or long club, came it handy. He could swing it fast and hard, plus his speed was enough to move out of the way of incoming swings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> But at just the right moment, when the three leaned forward and bunched their muscles for a jump, the Wizard stepped over the space and stood on the new steps while the others jumped. They each stared at him, incredulous showing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He said, "If we are going, lets get going and get this one over with.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">end</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Traveled</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Joseph sat on the wood bench near where the train would stop. It looked like rain, which meant less people. He liked that idea, for that meant less people to see him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The sudden steam whistle made known his need to stand. He sighed, but put out the effort. After he boarded he could sit on the train all of the way home. He would practice with his new artificial legs at his parents’ house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Brightest Night</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The two surviving Three Domes were full of people. Every room had lights on that showed that. No one knew why the first one had been tipped over in that huge storm during the earthquake, 88 years ago, while the others stood. But the one piece structure had shattered when it hit the side of the rock rise it had been built on. Scavengers had taken a lot of the material; some had been used to enlarge Dome Three.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Plus no one knew why the three large and two small domes had been built, centuries ago, on consecutive rises. For this purpose? To see and celebrate the brightest night of the year-and this one would the brightest in the years. To be used as way stations when people had to travel by horseback and on foot? The land here was cold and very rough. It had the end of a forest and the beginning of a very rough and cold mountain chain together after all. So a rest stop would have been good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> It didn’t really matter though, for we were here to party. These were now used to show us the brightest night without light pollution, or cars driving by interfering. Very soon the lights here would become superfluous when the bright sky turned even brighter. We would shout, bang our feet and enjoy the beauty and rarity of the sight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">end </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Tenth</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Jimmy readied himself for bed, thought of a higher power, smiled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> <i>Today is the tenth, so ten complete days without it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He had thought he would fail, but now he let pride fill him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Even though he still wanted it, hope blossomed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Now, <i>I know I can do this.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Last Viking </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Viking looked over the side of his ship. The mountains rose out of the ocean, higher than he would want to climb anymore. The day looked cloudy and cold even though he was viking and therefore used to cold. While not as deep as in some places the water here was still deep enough to hide monsters, or even an angry whale. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Askell glanced along his longship. The wood looked aged, it had nicks, claw marks, and blacken areas. That last fire they barely got out in time. He supposed he could get one of the new style of ships with multiple masts but he, and his crew, were too old to change that much. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He stroked his grey beard, looked down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> "To port now!” He shouted</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Something scraped the hull as the longship turned too slowly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> So this ocean was not deep, those rocks were hard to see. Movement under the water, Oh oh, something huge lived down there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> It neared the surface and before he could cry out for them to raise oars, three of them hit it. It thrashed, caused water to splash into the longboat. Cold water that soaked their footwear. The oars didn’t break, thank Odin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He snarled, spat bile out. Nothing would sink them in this cruise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Once the water settled again he ordered them to head for the distant bit of land. It had what looked like a strip of land they could beach the longship. Further in lay the base of a tall cliff They might be able to build housing right next to the cliff and have fish, birds and seals and maybe even smaller whales to eating and to use for tools and clothes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He looked around. No one would be chasing them this far, but if they did they would pay for that with their blood, for his crew still kept their weapons sharp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Askell double checked the depth and for any other movements. He would have to be on his toes to make sure nothing else hindered them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">end</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Good Work With Thread</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He sighed. He leaned back in his slightly stuffed chair-dirty gray after all these years. It was warm in here again. Too cold in the summer, too hot in the winter, even though just right in fall and spring. That meant winter existed outside. When he finished this grand design he would have to take a break and check it out. He liked the rain and fog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> A moment later when he took a second to watch the hundred and eleven threads come his way he realized something else. The cotton threads smelled of mildew. Only a wee bit, but enough for his nose to notice. The buyers wouldn’t. But it confirmed his idea of the season of the year. Tiny amounts of mildew only formed when it got hot after the threads got wet. It rained outside so they would get wet while they were brought in here, but then they would dry in the heat inside. And soon it may get in his mouth because very tiny amounts of mildew stayed on his hands. It built up after a while and would get on his tongue when he brushed his lips. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> His hands played back and forth along his loom. He decided on which colors and which types of fabric joined the others to form the pattern he wanted. He liked the pure gold and silver threads he used at times. The bright colors were a nice break in the same colors most customers wanted. They felt more metallic too-a good change now and then. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The rattle the loom made was a subconscious song to him. Most of the time it went on without his mind paying attention. However if it sounded an off note he would know instantly. It had three weeks ago and he had gotten behind while it had been fixed. Now he was almost caught up with all of the orders. There would be always more for his work was excellent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> It hadn’t always been of course but over the long years he had gotten used to the old grey, stone walls behind him, the changes in the temperature and smooth wood on the loom. Even the strange way the many almost microscopic fibers in the air he breathed in changed the taste of his lunches. It didn’t matter what he brought with him, it always had a different flavor than at home. Except the once he had to use an oxygen tank for a few weeks because of a lung infection. He had been so glad to stop carrying that tank around, but he missed it at times during lunch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He had been afraid he would die, perhaps falling over onto an unfinished project. Part of him wouldn’t have cared, this job had gotten boring. But they had cured him and now he again enjoyed the way the threads played over his hands and into the loom, forming the design he wanted. Afterwards he had taken chances with intricate motifs. Those he enjoyed the most and seeing, or reading, a customer express joy was worth the extra trouble. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The weather had become more enjoyable too. He didn’t use to like fog but now he did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He paused to use a handkerchief to wipe perspiration from his forehead-to make sure he didn’t get any sweat on his project or in his eyes. Too much heat in the winter was still a pain though. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> After many minutes, he smiled at the design that formed: a beautiful star field with golds, slivers, bright reads and some yellows. Yeah, this one would be great and worth the heat. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Hope you enjoyed them and make a comment or two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#fantasy #sciencefiction #history #steampunk #generalfiction #contests #freestories #freebies #shortstories #amwriting #blue #indie #saturdayscenes </span></div>
LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-28617531382402000142019-07-20T17:35:00.000-07:002019-07-20T17:35:37.812-07:00SaturdayScenes July 20 Four tales elsewhere <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> #saturdayscene July 20 ’19 </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am cheating a bit on this SaturdayScene and doing a repeat from last Aug. Which is why I added the year to the date. Most everyone who does read these most probably has not seen these already. If so please excuse the repeat. This set of four flash tales take place in other places. The first is Africa, second is somewhere around Norway and the North Pole, third is Africa too-a different part and time than the first story, and last Japan. You probably have seen a longer version of the viking story but still there other I don’t recall posting here before. As I implied before if I am wrong excuse me. But do not forget my novels for sell, four great adventures, fun to read. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So without further adeu here is story one:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Tower</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The boy and girl, tall and lanky, even though in their early teens, walked toward the end of the hills. For now they were called Esiankiki and Loiyan, but that would change as they grew. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Both felt not right for the mountains they were leaving were strange to them. Not at all like the Savanna. They feet ached from the hard rough surfaces they had walked on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> They stood the beginning of one side of the part of the Savanna where they came from. The trees they knew still grew here and some of the animals they killed or competed with came here too. The air felt warm as it should. The scents of grass, the droppings of lions, and desert air all grew as they walked closer to the natural border. Loiyan thought he heard the cough of a lion far in the distance, but little of any other sounds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> It would be good to get back to the foods they knew, bread made from the grains they had grown with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Before going home though both had wanted to see the Tower. It looked manmade shape under many and many years of grime, but very few stories passed down to the next generation told of it. No one knew when it had been built or why. To worship the Red god or the Black one maybe. Loiyan thought it was something the evil Red god would like. Esiankiki wasn’t sure. It had different levels, each one with what looked like walls that swooped up to a sharp point. The oi-boni had never restricted the Masai from going there but he had given warnings, as far as they knew no one had climbed to the top-fear maybe or that it was just different?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Both had some honey to eat so they did not worry about food. Water might be a problem later. It took them two hours or more to get to the tower. Up close it looked both man made and natural. Neither knew how that could be but each agreed on that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Loiyan placed the palm of his hand on it: rough like the huge rocks they had just climbed over but warm. Esiankiki placed her ear to it. She thought she heard something but so faint she couldn’t be sure: she said that she didn’t like the roughness against her ear’s skin. She pulled Loiyan back when he wanted to taste it with his tongue. Too rough for that she said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Around the other side they saw a way in, or up. What could be very old steps, worn smooth by feet and weather. With very careful steps they went up. The first level had a place to walk but they couldn’t see over the edge of the wall even as tall as they were. The same with the second level. As far as they could find there was no way in, and no places to sacrifice offerings mixed with grass. Maybe that was on the top. But once they reached as far as they could go still nothing. The inside of the walls looked and felt smooth. The bottom had smelled of age and something neither one liked. But up here only air. They saw lions and tall grass further on, for the walls had grown shorter on the way up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> No blacken areas with very old ash so no sacrifices up here either. So what was this used for? To watch the lions, to see if any enemies were coming? The People did sometimes fight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> They examed the walls carefully for long minutes. Loiyan found lines in the inner wall like a doorway, The People used curtains over doorways, but they knew others had wood and metal doors, some with metal and what was called glass. They both had been to cities, ridden in cars and a train. They had seen a helicopter land. That had been noisy, worse than a very large pride of lions Loiyan had been trapped in when very small. All of the beasts roaring at once had deafen him. The helicopter’s noise had been louder than a big rain storm with lightning and thunder. But if this was a door he nor Esiankiki had seen any way to open it. He tried to slide his fingernails into the cracks but something stopped them. Esiankiki noticed the indentations near waist level on one level, but they didn’t seem to do anything. Loiyan who had the hearing of a warrior thought he heard clicks from inside when he pressed then indentations, but nothing happened. Both felt tiny vibrations in the door but they did nothing. Esiankiki thought she tasted in the air something like what flavors the air when lightning strikes. The space in-between the lines grew warmer but only a little. That made no sense. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> After a while they gave up and walked down. Back at the bottom they saw more lines in the tower but they were shaped wrong for a doorway for any person. And they all went into the ground. So they knew the Tower went deeper like a huge rock. These doors looked like something that slid out maybe. Esiankiki stated that she wasn’t sure why she thought of that. Loiyan thought it would be something larger than a hut if so. With a final shrug-that the People had picked up from the shorter white visitors-they left and finally headed home. The People or someone else had lived in the Tower many many ages ago, they were now sure of but who? And how did they get the doors to open? They would never know. Maybe The People had climbed those steps and but they came away with more questions that could not be answered so they either forgot them or decided not to bother others with unanswerable questions. Maybe when Loiyan became a warrior he would ask and come back with others who knew more than he did. For now though they would just go home, it had been too long since they had seen family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Viking looked over the side of his ship. The mountains rose out of the ocean, higher than he would want to climb anymore. The day looked cloudy and cold even though he was viking and therefore used to cold. While not as deep as in some places the water here was still deep enough to hide monsters, or even an angry whale. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Askell glanced along his longship. The wood looked aged, it had nicks, claw marks, and blacken areas. That last fire they barely got out in time. He supposed he could get one of the new style of ships with multiple masts but he, and his crew, were too old to change that much. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He stroked his grey beard, looked down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> "To port now!” He shouted</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Something scraped the hull as the longship turned too slowly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> So this ocean was not deep, those rocks were hard to see. Movement under the water, Oh oh, something huge lived down there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> It neared the surface and before he could cry out for them to raise oars, three of them hit it. It thrashed, caused water to splash into the longboat. Cold water that soaked their footwear. The oars didn’t break, thank Odin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He snarled, spat bile out. Nothing would sink them in this cruise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Once the water settled again he ordered them to head for the distant bit of land. It had what looked like a strip of land they could beach the longship. Further in lay the base of a tall cliff They might be able to build housing right next to the cliff and have fish, birds and seals and maybe even smaller whales to eating and to use for tools and clothes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He looked around. No one would be chasing them this far, but if they did they would pay for that with their blood, for his crew still kept their weapons sharp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Askell double checked the depth and for any other movements. He would have to be on his toes to make sure nothing else hindered them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Congratulations </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Jacob snarled, he wouldn’t let them smash him into the mud. He shoved against one man the same age as himself. That worthy went “ufff” as another two bodies jumped on top of the others. Some of them let out exclamations too. His lighter brown skin could easily be identified among their black skin. They all were from around here while he came from somewhere different.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He twisted his body one way then another, kept his legs moving so they couldn’t be grabbed. He sneezed: someone wore an awful cologne. Probably Kensu. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Someone used both hands to shove him harder, forced his face toward the mud patch on the parade ground. The whole area was plain dirt, not even grass. Mud holes were not rare even though most of it was dry dirt. Light metal bleachers filled one side. But they would be of no advantage to Jacob, nor would the various light and speaker poles around the area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Jacob surged his back upward to flip off whoever was on his back. It didn’t work. He thought it was time to start punching and jabbing. A second thought, no one used fists, hands or feet as weapons. They all depended on brute strength, and their weight, to get his face into the mud. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Their grunts and heavy breathing filled his ears, but no name calling or obcentaites, which surprised him. He managed to get his feet and hands on the ground: one hand and knee splashed the mud around. He shoved upward and managed to stand as his attackers fell off. However his victory lasted one-second for someone tackled him and rolled with him toward the mud. Kerrich, he thought for. Sweat matted his hair, the clothes of those that touched him were clammy with it. He spat out the mud in his mouth-at least they used fresh water and mostly clean dirt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Again he tried to get his hands under him so he could shove off the ground, but two more joined in the, what was still called, a dog pile. His face inched closer to the mud. No! These guys weighed a lot even though he had proven himself the better, stronger fighter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> With a snarl he surged upward, but only moved an inch, more poundage landed on him. He could smell the mud, at least it seemed to be just water and dirt. Before he could take a breath his face smashed down into the mud. It filled his mouth when he breathed in, splashed up his cheeks, got in his ears and hair. A roar of victory followed that and with a suddenness that surprised him all of the weight vanished. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He jumped up, turned to face them. Eight young men stood in badly formed semi-circle. Their formation instructor would not be happy with that a part of his mind said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Half of them looked unsure, would he attack them? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The leader stepped forward but only so close. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He said, “Congratulations, you will be the first cadet to become Captain.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Jacob blinked, they knew that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “We honor you with our traditions.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He nodded, for he knew of this one where they congratulated another cadet to raise in rank, but never expected to have it done to him. They had never really excepted him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He spat though, to get the taste of the mud out of his mouth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Jon-Wel said, “The commissary has a new batch of Mars Malt beer. You can wash out your mouth with a bottle. I will buy the first one.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Jacob didn’t know if that was part of the tradition or because Jacob didn’t usually have much money unlike them. But…</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He smiled, “I would be happy to wash the mud out that way,”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Some of the men looked relieved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The leader nodded and motioned toward the store. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Jacob thought, He may never be one of them, but he had their respect and well wishes, that was good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Way Stop Castle</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Jounn turned in his saddle to face his friend Brock. He felt glad they had stopped. The horses hoofs had been stirring the sand dust. It made his mouth dry when he breathed it in, not to mention making him cough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “There is the castle I told you about.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> After he spoke he looked back down from the small dune they both had stopped on. Night covered the desert which is what they wanted. It cooled quickly here after the sun went down. But the dark made it better not to be seen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The castle, a ruled by a neutral Duke far from England, sat on a hill. The neutrality though will probably have to change to one or the other roses, he thought. The structure looked gray tall and narrow with a full moon behind it. A village in front of it. Guards walked the wall. The gate looked still open even this late.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Brock said, “That wall, most be a good ten feet hight and what? Three feet thick. It would hold an army for a while. If one came here at all.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “I am not fearful of armies, but of sudden changes of neutral Dukes. Or of an assassin.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “You think they would really send one after us?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Jounn shrugged, “They have done it before. During the last bit of fighting, which I can barely recall, my cousin was challenged to a duel by someone who turned out to be en expert swordsman. After the duel the man disappeared but left a rose. I have heard of that all my life with warnings to be watchful.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “But if you don’t trust the Duke, why stay here?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “We are not staying here. We present ourselves and the Duke gives us a suite of rooms. He knows me so will not think it strange that I would come here. We say we need to mediate over the conflict so we need to stay in the rooms without being disturbed. Once settled we change to less conspicuous clothes, bathe and be rid of traveling odors then head down to the stables. In my last two visits I learned that there is a back gate through the wall. It is small but a horse can get through. We get our horses and leave that way. Even if a guard sees us and if he should report it the Duke would be still able to say that he gave us rooms and then we left without even a proper thank you or good bye. That he knows not when, or where we went. Or even if we left the castle. We could be hiding among the vassals and others that live here.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “Do you think that will work?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “I believe it will, but we still need to be on our toes and watch. We will be able to get supplies for a long trek through the desert, but we hide our trail and head South, which might further confuse anyone that is sent after us.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “Well, that plan is better than no plan, or just running.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “As I said we will watch and keep our hands close to our swords and daggers. If he portrays us we will sell our lives dearly. If he is still neutral than we go as I said and leave him with an excuse.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> His friend nodded and said, “Than we should make sure we have no roses on us then he can say he did not realize we had chosen sides.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Jounn nodded, picked off a brooch off of his chest, while his friend ripped off a fastener on his cloak, and started his horse down the dune. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Way of the Samurai </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “You are late.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “I know, Father, I have no excuse,” even though I did-saying good bye and finding my round hat had not been easy. I had tied my waist long hair into one braid. My long dress would be help against the cold. I wore a lighter outfit under it, if it warmed. I suspect that my Father had on something under his armor. His helmet with the grimace face hid his face as it should. He wore his two favorite swords and I am sure a third. He stood between the posts of the gate as the sun sank. He looked magnificent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He grunted and nodded once. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Our road led between two tall strands of bamboo over a rough surface. No one had come this way in years so they had not kept it up. The wind blew leaves around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Father was a hard man, but a tough, experienced, brave and honorable warrior. He showed his love in training me well so I would be able to defend myself and in teaching me honor. I have only the one sword though. I am not a Samurai so can not wear the armor but I am not sure I would want to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The air smelled strongly of bamboo and growing things. Maybe we should take some of the shoots to eat later, but Father is ready to leave now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I sighted, I have already defended myself. That group of three thieves had shown surprise when their heads rolled to the ground. The last one had been a fair fighter-he lasted five swings. And months later, the first man I had killed for trying to dishonor me-he had been someone important. Later when questioned Father acted like he didn’t know who had killed him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Now we go-to somewhere else. He has not told me where but I trust him. Maybe it was to protect me, or because he was tired of this place and just wanted to go to some place new, or he knew of something bad coming to this area soon. He would train me more in the way of the Samurai as we go. Maybe I would be able to make my own armor by the times we get there-if I decided to wear some.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I am glad I had brought two skins of water and two bags of nuts and cooked rice, they would last if we found nothing else to eat later and didn’t collect the shoots here. He would have something on under his armor too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I kept my eyes on him and did not turn for one last look. </span></div>
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LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-39351146823846093092019-07-13T17:26:00.000-07:002019-07-13T17:26:13.041-07:00Two Western tales from me. July 13 <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#saturdayscene July 13 </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Last week I didn’t post a SaturdayScene for I was busy again with the new house. But this week I can do one. This one is a bit different for it has two short Western stories. One is part of a story set I will be Indie publishing whenever I can get the cover done. Set titled Deputy Marshal Gray Dobson. I finally found one that isn’t bad even not quite what I wanted. But I have spent hours on it and decided to take this one. Anyway, I will also be doing a second Western set once I find them all. I thought I had a file with they all in it but so fat nothing. So Here are two Western tales. One with Marshall Dobson showing he uses his brains not just his sixgun. The other is the first Western I wrote many years ago. Revised half a dozen times as I learned more about how to write. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Deputy Marshall Dobson finds a Burnt out building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Gray Dobson looked the burnt building over. Small tendrils of smoke still drifted toward from two placed. It sat by itself a number of yards from the end of the town. From what he could see of the unburnt wood, no one had painted it which meant some of it looked while a good percentage had a blacken charcoal color.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He liked the angle better from higher than ground level, so he stayed on his horse to study it. His legs though were tired from the long ride to this town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> It looked like the building had two storefronts. This half of the roof of this section had collapsed. The air still had a strong scent of burning wood, so he wouldn’t be surprised if something still smoldered in there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> A wagon rolled by behind him. He heard the horse hoofs, and wheels turn. The townspeople would be up by now with their daily routines. Someone walked on the wooden walkway. That would make it twenty feet away from the burnt building in front of him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Another breath and he almost coughed, ash still drifted in the air. Water would be good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> After the drink from his canteen, he looked at the building again. The town’s people had done a good job in saving the part in the back that was a different store. He figured that some of them must have had some training. At least a couple of lectures. This section would have to be completely rebuilt though, possibly the whole thing, but he thought they could save the rear store. The rest of the town hadn’t been touched by the fire since this building sat so far away from the others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Dobson looked to his left. The main part of Freshwell consisted of eleven stores on one side of the street with ten on the other. Each block appeared to be one long building but he could make out newer wood on the end store. They must have added to this one to the original construction when the population grew. Now they had two general stores, one much smaller than the other. It could be new, he thought. A fairly large saloon took up space in the middle of one side. He could make out three other buildings that sat by themselves not connected to either side. From their spacing the town planners might have wanted a street there to go east eventually.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The blacksmith had been built far down the road in the other direction. He could still see it and hear the pounding of the blacksmith, smell the hot metal when he rode by it. But this building may have been the border of the town in this end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Gray looked down at the dirt. One bad thing was that the town’s people had cluttered up the dirt of the street with their wagons, horses and feet: covering and marking out any tracks left by those who had done this. But it couldn’t be helped, the fire had to have been put out. He rode around the building and studied the dirt back of it then came back around from the opposite end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The building didn’t look like a smithy or a saloon, which left a store of some type, a church or even a school house. The town looked large enough for one. He had ridden through Freshwell three times the last year but knew nothing about it even though he had met with the Sheriff as a common curtasy. He was a Marshal passing though his area after all. They had a nice size jail, larger than he thought they needed, but he may make use of it this trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He looked around again. The Inn was actually larger than the saloon. It had rooms on a second story and a kitchen plus storage, he assumed, in the back, and four rooms on the street level. They were bigger and more expensive or so he had been told when he stopped for lunch one of those three times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> As he recalled from when he rode by, there had been nothing in this building to start a fire except for a wood burning stove. He didn’t recall ever seeing the pipe that exhausted it sticking out of the roof. Now, however, one lay bent, twisted and black with soot, on top of a pile of smoldering wood. Part of the pipe looked darker than another part. In fact this whole section of the building looked in worse shape than the other sections.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He shook his head and wondered if someone had really started the blaze. With that thought, he looked closer. Why would anyone burn this building especially if it had been a school? Than again maybe he was just buying trouble. He shrugged, that was his job. He wouldn’t be a US Marshal if he didn’t like trouble: creating and finishing it for those who started it. Now though he he hadn’t smelled any kerosene or alcohol when he rode around the building. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Fires could be caused by accidents, acts of carelessness, or drunks, as well as on purpose. However it started this one was a shame especially with the loose of books and supplies inside, if this was a school. It could take months to get new supplies and the cost for shipping them out here would make it much harder to get them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He swung his horse around and headed for the Sheriff’s office. This fire pricked his curiosity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> It didn’t take him long to pass the other end of the block and to approach the jail. It sat by itself about ten feet from the end of the walkway, which supported his idea of this being a street corner. He looked round him to see if anyone carried a gun near him. The three people he saw with any weapon of any type, looked like upstanding citizens which probably meant that the town was fairly safe, but he would stay on his toes. All it took was one person who didn’t like US Marshals, or was drunk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The street had its share of road apples, some of which smelled and looked fresh, which meant it about average horses here. It looked like Freshwell needed someone to clean the street once a day though. He shrugged that really wasn’t his concern though. Once he got to the jail he tied his horse to the railing and stepped up to the wood sidewalk it also had. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He glanced in the other direction and noticed that the larger general store rested at this end of the line of stores. That could be to help farmers and ranchers with wagons load better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Dobson nodded to the two men who stood outside of the Sheriff's. They didn’t look like trouble, just as if they waited for someone. He opened the door and closed it fast for a wind followed him in. Inside, he saw a wide room with two desks each with a new looking, comfortable, padded chair behind it and two half way comfortable chairs on the other side. A portrait hung on the wall of the President of the United States and one of an older lady. She was dressed in a very nice, blue dress. A local person he thought. Maybe she had been a rich widow who had paid for the building of the office. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Two doorways led to the back. He thought he could see bars through one doorway. The other might lead to the outhouse and/or to a kitchen near by. Or to another cell for certain types of prisoners. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The sheriff, Tony, a tall skinny, older, weather beaten fellow with shoulder length brown hair, stood talking to a nicely dressed man. The man smelled of cigar smoke, an expensive brand the Marshal thought. He must have paid a pretty penny to have some shipped here. He knew from experience not to get too close to the man when he blew smoke out, it could be strong enough to taste.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The Sheriff said, “We will catch the person who set the fire.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The man said, “Why would anyone set fire to a school house?”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “I don’t know maybe they didn’t like that their children have to go—we have a couple of those type people in this town—or maybe they had an argument about what should be taught. Could even that they got the wrong end of that building and it was meant for that new bookstore. It’s hard to see the burr under a man’s blanket at times. But I want to speak to the new teacher and see what she has to say. Miss Sanderson has been upset over certain details and ”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The man said, “I know that there are citizens that disagree with store just to sell books half of which would be penny dreadfuls, I am not all that excited about it myself but to burn it? That is crazy.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The Marshal thought, good I was right. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Sheriff Tony said, “Some people are that crazy. Isn’t that right Marshal?”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The two turned to him and even as his eyes widen. He thought he would had wait until they were done with their business, but this opened the door.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The Sheriff said, “This is Marshall Dobson. He has been in these parts for a few years. Marshall this is John Whitmore.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Dobson nodded to John and said, “Yes, there are crazy people out there. I wouldn’t have as much of a job if there weren’t. I was sent here to go after a train robber. However, sometimes it isn’t a person that causes the problem. It is also my job to make sure we know the difference.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Whitmore raised his eyebrows and the Sheriff looked puzzled and a touch irritated. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “I looked at the remains of the school. I believe it was just an accident.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “What?” The sheriff said.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The man said, “We looked it over ourselves.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “I thought you had. But was it before sunrise?” </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “Just after the sun started up.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “After a night of fighting the fire?”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Whitmore nodded. He still had bits of ash on his pants, so he may have really helped.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The Sheriff said, “Where are you going with this?”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “I saw that part of the chimney for the stove looked blocked. I think that is where the fire started.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The man spoke before the Sheriff could even he open his mouth, “Someone could have blocked that on purpose hoping that would happen.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Dobson nodded, “Yes, someone could have, but by the looks I still go with my theory that some animal, or other built a nest in there. I know of a few times when that has happened. It has been warm the last few months and the weather just started to turn. I suspect that it was just carelessness. No one thought to inspect the stovepipe.” </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The man nodded with a thoughtful look on his face. The Sheriff didn’t look convinced though.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “I can explain what took my thoughts down that road. The stovepipe has a deeper burn in one section about halfway. You might even find some cooked little ones; rats or squirrels in the pipe.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The Sheriff and the man had a disgusted look on their faces but the other Lawman said, “Come to think of it I thought I smelled meat cooking. Maybe you are right after all.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> They went outside to the burned building and the Marshal showed them where he thought the fire started and the pipe. They both looked convinced when he finished.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The man said, “I believe you’re right. You are one smart Marshal. No wonder you have a good repetition in these parts.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “Thank you. As I said it is my job to figure out when it was a person and when it wasn’t and to protect people that are innocent.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Whitmore said, “That is a good way to see your job, Marshall.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Sheriff Tony said, “I’m glad we will not be bothering someone who is innocent. And I will declare that every business inspect their stovepipes to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Dobson nodded and after some more talking he said, “I will take my leave now. I need to get a room for the night so I can get an early start to go after one who is bad.” He thought, even if the rooms are costly it should be worth it for one night.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> They each nodded and shook his hand and he left. He got his horse and on the way to the town’s corral past the blacksmith shop he gave himself a small smile. It felt good to think through something like that and to know that an innocent person would not be questioned for something they did not do. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The end</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Now for Not All Good Deeds Are Punished.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Bill strode over to his horse, with long, quick steps. He looked in his late thirties, and wore a light yellow long sleeved shirt and gray trousers. No gun weighed down his hip, he didn’t need one here-most days. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He stopped near the railing in front of the town’s hardware store, his eyes narrowed. Voices from a commotion had attracted his attention. It looked just like the same situation as in the last town he had lived in. He breathed in, snorted. The air was filled with, dust, road apples, spilt grain and the flowers that grew near each store front. A cold beer would be good right now to wash the dust out of his mouth, and the horse dropping smell out of his nose. A quick glance showed him the town, he liked Wardsville. However it looked like he may have to move on. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> With a sigh, Bill pulled a rifle out of its holster, which rested on the side of his horse, and turned. He hoped he wouldn’t get into trouble again, but he knew it wouldn’t stop him. He cocked the weapon while still in the turn. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> After two long steps with the rifle aimed from his hip, he said, “Back off.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> A young man, dressed in an undershirt and denim pants, with his hands on a woman, looked up. That man’s brown hair was very short and his eyes were bloodshot. Even though her yellow dress looked very proper he still pawed her like he thought she wore a low cut barmaid’s outfit. Bill knew her husband was out of town for a couple of months. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Everyone froze for a moment. He felt a breeze on his face and could smell the man from here. He must smell like a wagon load of broken whisky bottles to her. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The young man said, “You must not know who I am.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The first man rolled his eyes, “That is my comment. I’ve been here a week, but obviously you don’t know who I am. I don’t care who you are. I know what you are. A snake in the grass. Now act like a gentleman, a true man, and get your hands off of her. Her husband won’t be back for another month and he won’t be happy if you mess with his wife.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “I am a man, you horse droppings, more than you.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “Not the way you are acting now. You’re acting like a spoiled snake. Now remove your hands!”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He pressed his finger on the trigger. The other man let go of the woman.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Bill said, “Now miss, give him what he deserves-slap him.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> She looked surprised, but at the same time like she wanted to carry out the order. The younger man looked shocked. When the woman moved he stepped back from her-out of arm’s length.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The brown haired man looked at the man with the rifle again, swallowed and said, “Hey, I didn’t mean anything. Just being friendly. I just thought she might be missing her man.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The man with the gun cocked his head to the side, for the other man mumbled and slurred his words. It took him a second to figure out what he had said.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Bill said, “She probably is, but she sure ain’t missing you, now leave!”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The drunk glared at Bill, but after a moment walked away. Bill watched him until he went around a building. Three moments later he came back out on a horse. After another glare at Bill, he rode away. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The woman half-ran to the man with the gun, but stopped a few feet away.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “Thank you... I don’t know you but I’ve seen you around the past week but Dan, my husband, will want to shake your hand and have you over for dinner when he gets back.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Bill tipped his hat and said, “I am called Bill-no, not Wild, that’s another Bill. I could always use a home cooked meal, fresh cornbread is mighty tasty, but I didn’t do this for thanks.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The store owner came up, wiped his hands on the white apron he wore. Bill tensed and waited for an angry tone like the last time he chased a rich man’s son away from a woman. The man, however, reached out his hand.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “I want to shake your hand, Bill and add my thanks. She’s a good costumer and a good citizen of the town. Toby shouldn’t have done that to her.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He paused for a moment than said, “If you need anything come on in to my store, I will give you half off for the next couple of days. We don’t want that type of thing happening in our town, or to be known for being a town afraid of wealthy citizens.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Other townspeople came by to say how much they appreciated his actions. Even Jim, the sheriff came by, probably when he saw the citizens hanging around. It turned out he had been getting a shave during the incident.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> After his explanation he said, “Thanks, Bill for taking care of young Toby. He isn’t usually that bad. If I had seen he was drunk earlier, I would have put him in a cell to sleep it off. He’s dad will deal with him. He doesn’t like his sons behaving that way in public. He may make him apologize to Mrs. Tanner.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Bill felt his mouth drop and his eyes go wide surprise, but he said, “Is that all?”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The expression on the sheriffs face changed to businesslike; oh oh, here it comes, thought Bill.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Jim said, “Yeah, there is one more thing. I could use a deputy, this town is growing like a weed. I’ve watched you around town. I saw how you act around other people and after today I believe you would make a good deputy. I think I can convince the town council to spring for the pay for one. Probably only half of what I get, but your bullets will be free. On top of that if the townspeople like you they might just give you a free meal, or a cut rate on hardware, just don’t expect it all the time.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Bill nodded, even as awe filled his heart. He stood there</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">to let his heart adjust to what he had just heard, then with an effort he nodded, smiled, and said, “Yeah, that sounds good.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> They shook hands and the sheriff said, “Good, I’ll make the rounds and talk to everyone. Come by tomorrow morning and I will give you a badge.”</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Bill nodded again still in a good shock. As the sheriff walked away Bill felt the breeze again, smelled the street-even the fresh road apples didn’t smell so bad-and smiled. He thought, yeah, this is a good town.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Courier; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> The end</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#westerns #freestory #indie #funread #freestuff #fires #shortstories #action #drunks </span></div>
LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-59232195011162197172019-06-29T15:36:00.001-07:002019-06-29T15:36:35.792-07:00SaturdayScene for June 29 two cyberpunk mini tales <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> #saturdayscene June 29th. After my birthday and two days before the end of my E-book sale-which is Sunday the 30th. Great adventures with a twist-fun reads. Urban Fantasy and Steampunk action adventures. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Someone one a writers’ group on FaceBook wanted to see my cyberpunk story about two “sisters”. Here are two very short tales about them. The first one is more an introduction than a story and I may have a third tale someone but I have to find it. Both were inspired from a picture.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> For quite a few months I wrote short stories from pictures. One set was a weekly challenge: writing a story less than 600 words based on a pic of the week. Another set were inspired by Charlie Hoover’s Geekscape daily picture. I seem to have lost touch with the web site so I have not done any for a while. Others did the same but my tales ended up being the longest usually. A couple did some very good 125 to 250 word mini stories. Mine usually began with 250 to 400 words but than later I expanded on them to make stories 500 words to 3,500 words or so. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">So these two I believe came from the Geekscapes pics. I describe the scene in the pic in every story which is one reason, but not the only one, they were so long. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Both of these two together have 908 words. I might expand on the second one later. Or if I find that third one. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a pryotech and my metal friend can make holograms appear, some are very solid and can hurt if they hit you. Sometimes they explode with the same energy that makes the hologram. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> She is from a Western City-perhaps on another earth-while I grew up, as a half breed, in an Eastern city. The poor section of that city. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I do not have almond eyes but I still have an Asian cast to my skin and face. My hair would be good for a lion's mane even though I am fully female. My braids go down past my bosom almost to my hips. I have the forehead cut high to look alien. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> My companion has no hair, even though her measurements might be the same as mine. She even likes to show off her belly and her bare arms as I do. They are blue, though, and show the metal panels and joints her limbs are made of. She likes to tie a sweater around her waist though while I like a belt with pouches. Powders, food and weapons fill the pouches. She doesn't need those. She does have a couple of hidden panels with weapons-two of the same type I carry. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We met by accident. Some type of rift opened between our two cities. They happen at times and no one knows if they are natural, the result of an accident, or if someone does them on purpose. When this one opened we stood there and stared at each other. Ready for a fight but somehow we each knew we would not need to. We talked and later reveled to the other our childhoods, struggles and powers. Now we get together to go on missions; sometimes to help someone, sometimes to smuggle or do a two story job. Of course that last is more like a ten to fifty story jobs, but everyone still calls that type or work a two story job. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We take turns in the other person's home-if you can call them that. Mine has many buildings two to ten stories high, even though few past five, and those in the richer areas. There are staircases and tents plus awnings on each level for most of the levels are open or have very large and long balconies. Hers buildings are taller, even though they have short ones too, with holographic and 3D signs that show what you can get on any level. Hers city has laser cars and holographic neon signs everywhere. It does have a few markets like mine does but most are on the street level with a couple on second and third level what was once parks. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> My city gets much of its water from a small lake they built it next to. Hers does to even though they have other sources too for it is a larger city. We are both wanted, and unwanted, we have each other's backs though. We could be sisters.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were in town together again, we like to visit other cities even other earths to do our work. My sister from another city and me, who has a power not like mine. She has no hair though, even though she can use illusions to make it look like she does. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> This time we had gone to a big city in my Eastern World. The market in this city was lighted with glow sticks, energy bubbles, battery torches, and whatever light floats down here from the tall buildings that surround this area. It smelled strongly of herbs and spices with apothecary added on. Strangely an odor of Rosemary was strong here. There is an added scent of the pollution of the city here but that wasn't what I smelled. That could be why the one booth owner we saw had an air mask on. I burnt the air in front of me to make sure. I tasted when I breathed in. My sister could stop her breathing when needed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Maybe the odor came from the man in the white robe who stood there as if he waited for us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> A warlord who lived here had something we wanted. A very small, basketball size, fusion reactor. He uses it for emergency energy. We know someone who seems to have their own continual emergency, and so would pay for it a lot for it</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Evidently one of his guards found out that we take what we need, especially from the likes of him. I think this guard does not know us that well, which isn’t surprising. This will be tricky but we can outclass him. Once he is out, or worse, we will head directly for the Warlord's place, high in the building ahead of us. That building has a bridge high up to another highrise. We can use the bridge to escape but not the usual way. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> My sister looks at me, I nod she produces the ball of blue light between her hands I prepare a concussion out of my powders, and filings. I wait to activate my heat power until he is distracted. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> At my nod we come out of the shadows and head his way as if we were just out here to buy something. He may suspect us but his stance shows arrogance therefore overconfidence. He has won too many battles but that is good for us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We near him ready for whatever unfolds for we make a good team. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#indie #freestories #shortstories #fun #reading #cyberpunk #femaleleads </span></div>
LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-84058811168616889582019-06-23T16:56:00.001-07:002019-06-23T16:56:09.631-07:00My 2019 Birthday sale until June 30th <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">In an earlier post I mentioned a late birthday sale. Which is now. All of my E-novels are now on sale for one week-to June 30th. Each of these books is an exciting, fun adventures and three have received good reviews. Follow Kara Stronggear as she finds danger in storms, street gangs and an international criminal as she delivers the packages trusted to her. Or find out how NA uses her mage abilities to help abused women but then has to find out who is killing other mages which is really above what she has done before. See how a new Lieutenant works with his special squad to protect his home country. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For summer reading, fun reading, gifts for birthdays, other celebrations or just for yourself. I have paper versions too but I cannot place them on sale. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">All are good, solid adventures with twists, suspense and action.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The e-versions are two or three dollars off depending on the book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here are links listing my books. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Amazon:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/L-E-Doggett/e/B01C58R1II?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1561329579&sr=8-3">https://www.amazon.com/L-E-Doggett/e/B01C58R1II?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1561329579&sr=8-3</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">List of E-sites:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/mvjkXz">https://books2read.com/u/mvjkXz</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Something happened to the Kindle version of THE COURIER, I am going to have to republish it there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But you can get a Kindle formatted copy here:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=L.+E.+Doggett">https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=L.+E.+Doggett</a></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> </span></div>
LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-17108892960089000712019-06-22T13:02:00.000-07:002019-06-22T13:02:18.842-07:00New Free Fantasy Tale on my Birthday and sale <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> #saturdayscene June 22 my birthday and a reminder that I will be having a late birthday sale on my e-books. Some good reading there, worth the price of even the paper books. So look for L. E. Doggett at the online sites that sale books, but ignore the calendar guy and the bedbugs, for some fun summer reads. If you like paper or e-books. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I skipped last week because of a ton of new house work.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> This tale is around six years old and is still one I like. I have revised it two or three times since I first wrote it as I learned more about writing and I just revised the opening 13, or so, lines. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It is a fun story and maybe a bit serious. 2,458 words. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Hoodwinker In The Wilderness</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> By L. E. Doggett</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jordan C. Calhoon made his way through the narrow rock strewn ravine. He watched every step for it would not do to either twist an ankle, or get eaten. Rumors had spread that a dragon lived in this wasteland. He considered the chance worth it, for he had needed to get out of the village in a hurry; for his health. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> This track smelled of dirt and animal spoors. Yet he still felt the need to travel through it instead of taking the easier, longer way to the next county. A dragon made noise but at the moment the sounds came from snakes and small animals. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> A slight rattle sounded, and so he added in his thoughts, and from possible scorpions. Dragon or not he needed to be careful and attentive. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He cursed, took a drink of water from one of his two skins, the place smelled of dust and dirt. The warm water still refreshed him thought. He looked at the sides of the rough ravine, not even though. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Another curse and he said to the rocks, “Damn, its my misfortune to have allowed myself to be chased out of that village I was working in. I almost had them too.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The beast’s hunting grounds was supposed to be a mile, or two east of here, but one never knew how much of a rumor was true, or not. True or not, he had to go this way to avoid the irate villagers, who wanted to hang him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He stumbled on a loose rock and said, “People just won’t understand that I have a talent I need to use. It was the gift I was given after all, and I only take money from people who don’t know what to do with it. That village is growing, in spite of the dragon rumors, therefore I thought it would be a good place to practice my gift. The village leaders would have more gold to spend for the village and many of the long time residents would have more gold and sliver then they were used to spending. It was more silver then gold, but it was still worth working for.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jordan used one hand to steady himself against the side of the ravine as he made his way around a boulder, then continued with his compliments with a sigh, “It was my fault for allowing myself to be run out of the village like that. I’ve been in this business long enough to know how fickle the emotions of the masses can be. I should have stepped in when Joshua first started speaking against me, but I thought I had a better hold on the villagers. I saw the warning signs and ignored them. Somehow he managed to convince two or three of the citizens that I was up to no good. It took them a few days, but he was able to show more and more of the others the logic gaps in my promises. Most people want to believe what I say. I can sound convincing, friendly and authoritative at the same time while I play on their fantasies and hidden wishes. They don’t allow themselves to see the flaws in my statements, unless somebody they trust gets their attention. Its happened before. I’ve learned how to deal with it when it does, but this time I got lazy and overconfident.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He shook his head as he spoke to himself, “now I have to make my way through this wilderness to escape those who want to hang me. I have to keep one eye on the rocks, and scrub brushes and the other watching for snakes, and the dragon. If I keep close to the mountain I can stay clear of where the dragon is supposed to be hunting, while at the same time taking less time to make my way into the next country. On top of that, the villagers won’t expect me to take this route.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “There is no talking to people that angry, and I didn’t even take that much money yet”, here he jingled his half filled money pouch, “only a few gold and silver coins.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Six minutes later he came out of the ravine and into a wide gully. The slope of the mountain made up one side of the gully while the other side was made of dirt cliffs ten feet high. There were bigger boulders near the far side, including one very large one.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jordan stopped a few steps into the gully. Something wasn’t right. He looked around. Everything looked normal. The floor was covered with small bushes, rocks were strewn all over the place and he could see snake holes. All kinds of things to twist his ankle if he had to run for it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> His breath caught and his stomach froze as he realized what had caught his attention. It was a lot warmer here then in the ravine. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jordan said, “Oh oh” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The temperature change could be natural, since it would be </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">cooler in the ravine, but he didn’t think so. His head jerked back as a sudden thought came to him. A quick look showed the sky was empty, except for three, very normal looking clouds. He looked up the mountain side and still nothing. The dragon could be on the top of the cliffs, just out of his vision angle. He didn’t think so, though.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He relaxed a bit taking another step. He thought about picking up one of the larger rocks, but what good would that do against a dragon? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jordan took another step as he looked around. The stories about the dragon must be making me paranoid he thought. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> His stomach sank and his heart froze, when he heard a deep, raspy voice say, “You should give me proper reverence.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jordan's head spun around as he looked behind him, nothing. He looked upward again, still nothing. He’s eyes jumped to the large rock against the wall opposite his position. He watched in terrifying fascination as the upper one third unraveled. It went from being a solid boulder to being a long, snake like neck. The bulging end shot his way stopping a few feet in front of him. He had an impulse to run back into the ravine. It wouldn’t be able to fit in there, but the thing could either fly, or leap to the top of the ravine. That neck could reach into it to scoop him up, or bite him in half. He fought his instincts to flee screaming, and moved forward to meet that horrible, ugly head. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> For a few seconds he stared at he head of the dragon. It reminded him of an alligator’s snout he had seen once. Only this snout had teeth along the outside of the mouth and it was almost as long as he was tall. It was wider then he was. The rest of the creature’s face, the eyes and forehead, looked very much like a snake’s head. The shape of the eyes, as well how far apart they were, and the slope of the forehead all gave the impression of a snake. The color was three shades of gray with small spots of green and light browns. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He got his mind working again and said, “Great Being, My name is Jordan C. Calhoon. I have a proposition for you that I need to tell you about, before you eat me.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The great head titled to one side and the gravely voice boomed, “What type of proposition could you have that a being like me would be interested in?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The breath was very warm and stunk of bunt meat mixed with other unidentifiable smells, he didn’t want to know what it made up that stink.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “One by which you could eat to your heart’s content, while people of all types paid you the homage you deserve.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I can eat all I want to now,” it said while moving its snout in a significant manner, closer to him,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Yes this is true, but you still have to catch what you eat, or wait until something gets close enough to you so you can grab it. What I propose would allow you to eat all you want, without having to work for it. Cows, and sheep would be delivered to you, waiting to be eaten.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> ”I can eat everything, including humans, that come onto my land.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Of course you can, but cows are larger then humans. They are longer, fatter and weigh three to four times as much as a man would. One skinny human isn’t all that much of meal for someone like you.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “True, most humans are on the thin side, and I’ve eaten cows before. They are bigger. Humans are usually gone in one gulp, but I have to take three bites to finish off a cow. I like variety though.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I would be able to get you an oxen or two. They are even larger then cows and perhaps even a deer now and then. Deer are smaller then cows, but still larger then a person. I might be able to get you an elephant now and then too. You do know how big an elephant is?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Yes, I have heard of elephants. My cousin described them to me. They would make a large meal.”<br />
“One fit for the Monarch of all animals.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> There was a pause, after which Jordan continued, “And as I said people would give you the reverence you deserve... I would imagine you don’t get much of that out here.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I have been getting very little reverence lately. The last maiden I ate punched me in the nose first. While she wasn’t strong enough to harm me of course, she should have felt more awe of me.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I agree she should have been too awestruck to punch you. It was a good thing she wasn’t a sorceress though. You do realize there are more sorcerers, wizards and the like throughout the land. They can be very dangerous even to an animal of your magnificence.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The dragon grunted. The hot air it expelled reminded Jordan of the air billows blew across a blacksmith’s fire.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jordan said, “You said that a maiden punched you, what would have happened if she had been a sorcerous with a fist full of magic powder. Those sorcerous powders can do all sorts of harm even to beasts of your stature.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I know,” the great beast said with a growl of fire, “another cousin of mine was killed be a wizard just last month.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jordan flinched at the voice, but said, “I’m sorry to hear </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">that, my condolences to you. But if you come with me no sorcerer, or wizard would come after you. And as I said you would have all you could eat along with people paying homage to your regalness, great strength and nobleness.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Would I be able to eat any of those who come to watch?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The man shook his head, “That would not be a good idea, if people thought they might get eaten, they would not pay gold to see you.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “But I like humans.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jordan looked thoughtful, “Well... if you really wanted one maybe we could get a village to give us, or better yet, pay us to execute a condemned man. It could save them time and money. I should be able to talk village elders to do that if you promise me you only eat the people I say you can.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You promise me that I can eat all I want with little work?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I can promise you cows, oxen, a deer now and then, and maybe an elephant once in a while.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “What would I have to do for this?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Let people look at you and be awed. Do a little flying, breath fire now and then. We can set up some logs, maybe build a few huts you could swoop down on and breath fire on.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The dragon pulled its head back, and asked “People would give you gold to watch me?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “A magnificent beast like you, of course they would. You would have people coming out to see you now, if they weren’t afraid of being eaten, or twisting a leg on these rocks.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The dragon titled his head looking thoughtful, “What would you get out of it?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I would get to keep half the gold and I would be known far </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">and wide as the one who was showing such a wondrous dragon.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He added to himself, and I would not get eaten.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The dragon suddenly snaked its head toward Jordan. It stopped it right in front of man’s. It was all Jordan could do to stand his ground.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The dragon stood there a minute then said, “Its a deal.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jordan let out the air he didn’t realize he was holding then said, “We can start in the next village. It might take them a while to see that you don’t want to attack, then to realize they can see you close up if they pay. I should go in first with you waiting outside the village until I call you.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I can do that.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The dragon unlimbered himself and man and beast started walking down the gully together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jordan was thinking as he walked next to the dragon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">I am Jordan C. Calhoon. I can charm anyone even a dragon and the villagers who would want to see him. But </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">i</span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">t’s a good thing that I had heard that dragons were lazy and egotistical. And it was a good thing that I came up with the beginning of what I said while walking through that ravine, just in case I ran into the dragon. With my experience I was able to come up with the rest of it as we talked. I will have to remember to continue my act at all times.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The dragon was also thinking as he waddled alongside the human. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Its a good thing I had heard that humans are egotistical, and that they do think they can talk their way out of trouble. I was hoping to find a human that would offer me a deal. I’m getting old and running down food is getting a little hard, and he is right there are more sorcerers and wizards around these days. I thought I could find some one who I could talk into helping me. I don’t really like eating humans all that much. They are small, and their clothes taste nasty sometimes. They can have all sorts of sharp, or hard objects in their clothes. Swords, and knifes sometimes get stick into my mouth, and any type of metal is hard to digest.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He shook his great head, thinking that he would have to remember to continue his act. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The end </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> #fantasy #dragons #freestories #shortstories #fun </span></div>
LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-29307761212425708002019-05-18T16:26:00.000-07:002019-05-18T16:26:01.296-07:00Used Books for sell<span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We just moved and along the way of packing and unpacking I decided to see about selling a few of the many books I have. A few because I have more than one copy. </span><br />
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Here are a few of them pictured. All are regular sized paperbacks and their price is $3 each plus shipping. Which isn't much for the media category, even though it takes a little time to get there. </div>
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All are Science Fiction or Fantasy. "The Sweet Scent of Blood: is the first of a Urban Fantasy series with vampires and Fae mixing it up. The one with the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences is the first of a Steampunk series-lots of action, twists and fun for the reader. There is one SF and two fantasies.</div>
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<span style="color: #292f33;">I take paypal and first come first serve. LO1DOG@comcast.net</span></div>
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<span style="color: #292f33;">d.</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SvjFTFLMJWk/XOCT1cCrJgI/AAAAAAAAGl8/E3g6KObT8y0NgcXMnNk0rCa2XmKoUJAMACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Book%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SvjFTFLMJWk/XOCT1cCrJgI/AAAAAAAAGl8/E3g6KObT8y0NgcXMnNk0rCa2XmKoUJAMACK4BGAYYCw/s320/Book%2B5.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxAZLyiNaB4/XOCT1bqgbFI/AAAAAAAAGl4/Rbql8ZkLgfsDj2AApmuPPLHIVfBOFOqDwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Book%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxAZLyiNaB4/XOCT1bqgbFI/AAAAAAAAGl4/Rbql8ZkLgfsDj2AApmuPPLHIVfBOFOqDwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Book%2B2.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HgqeNWsXbOo/XOCT1tObW0I/AAAAAAAAGmA/UF_csXIXYnw8D9s5R50V78kgwZwLfHXXwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Book%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HgqeNWsXbOo/XOCT1tObW0I/AAAAAAAAGmA/UF_csXIXYnw8D9s5R50V78kgwZwLfHXXwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Book%2B4.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYgjUNXPQ7k/XOCT1ubyiOI/AAAAAAAAGmE/h2AGpMVerrQBdRWdNiSEpJb3jSEHEodWQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Book%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYgjUNXPQ7k/XOCT1ubyiOI/AAAAAAAAGmE/h2AGpMVerrQBdRWdNiSEpJb3jSEHEodWQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Book%2B3.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozw5m_25ztY/XOCT1ok_6LI/AAAAAAAAGmI/lsk4fMND3UImEGZwKKmXGf_pUa47gXQMQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Book%2B1%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozw5m_25ztY/XOCT1ok_6LI/AAAAAAAAGmI/lsk4fMND3UImEGZwKKmXGf_pUa47gXQMQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Book%2B1%2B.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-50794055879164884122019-05-04T15:21:00.001-07:002019-05-04T15:23:14.489-07:00A new SaturdayScenes post, for May Fourth And Star Wars Day <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#saturdayscenes May 4 May the Fourth be with you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I have no Star Wars tales, even though years ago I did write two fanfic Star Wars stories. Not sure what happened to them. One I had thought of changing so it would not be Star War like anymore. But I would have to start from scratch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">However I do have a couple of stories that sort of fit. I thought about finding an old Space Opera story but these might be better. The first is about a device that might be a pre droid. The second tale is about a one man freighter operator who just might be like a young version of a major Star Wars character. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Both stories together are 1,420 words. Shorter this week, what SaturdayScenes should be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Shortie here titled “The Cambot” and is based on a picture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Lost Cambot</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The small figure stood there on a cement bridge. It looked at the paper that had slid out of a slot on the bottom of its body above the one wheel there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The paper didn’t help it. For it had somehow rolled out from the range of its programing. And it hadn’t heard any radio signals calling it back either. Now it didn’t know what to do. At least the rain that came was coming down hard wouldn’t harm it, for it was made for outside use, in all weather conditions. Of course for appearances sake its wheel was rubber which might slip on ice, snow or even a wet surface. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The camera which made up half of its body would broadcast this image to anyone close by who had the correct devices. But no bluetooth signals nearby. It knew it now sat on an old cement bridged without any smart tech that it might be able to connect with. Someone could plug in a three pronged device on the camera itself or even a USB wire plugged in a port under the camera. Of course most bluetooth devices had security it could not get through.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The cold and wet weather didn’t bother it but it did keep people inside, both the good and bad. Bad in that there were humans that would steal it and tear it apart so they could sell its insides. Or reprogram it for some use it hadn’t been made for. A good person would take it back home, or call someone who would.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Vibrations in the cement made it roll back from the edge of the street it had found itself. A big truck was coming, if it stood too close the suction of the vehicle could suck it under the truck or a part of the large vehicle might impact it damaging it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> What to do?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The truck zoomed by, the roar of its engines confusing the cambot’s hearing. After the heavy vehicle rolled on, it saw someone running its way. No signal came from them so it decided they wanted to steal it. It rolled toward dark shadows, hid in a corner of the bridge’s railing. They looked for it but it shut down most of its components, so no light or noise would show them where it hid. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Half an hour later it rolled off the bridge, to do so it had to go out onto the pavement for there were steps on the cement. It made sure it stayed there only for a minute. Another chase when those humans came back. It followed a cat who also ran. They both made it to a dark place under debris. An hour later it beeped. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> What? It hadn’t done that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Oh, a signal. When it came close enough the cambot rolled out into the open. A man in a uniform it knew saw it and came over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The man picked it up and said, “There you are. We will take you back home with your buddies.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> His words and signaling device fit the cambot’s programing perimeters so it now knew what to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Second one is one of the very first stories I did from a picture probably around 3, maybe 4, years ago. I call it “The Emergency Sale”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Makueue sat at his controls, he frowned at the images above the slanted, grey panel. His eyes closed for a moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> <i>Nothing left to do. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> His small cockpit seemed to close in on him. He could reach from one side to the other. It fit his small freighter and provided a bit more storage. Now though that extra room might cost him more. He wanted to bang his hand on the control panel but he had done that before-the panel was very hard. All it did was hurt and cause the images to jumble for a second. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> A movement at the side made him glanced at the viewer at the side of his controls. An image of William Shakespeare showed. The real likeness of him. Or so who they now thought he was. He had turned down the sound and paused it when the call came through. Now there silence filled his ears, which fit. He had bought new versions of the plays, set in contemporary settings, to watch on this trip. He loved the Bard’s plays. Real life reactions mixed in with poetic lines. Shakespeare knew how to write.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Damn, that beep, which had signaled the note from the Commence Ministry of the Walton Kingdom, had distracted him from the beginning of “Taming of the Shrew”. Now he didn’t fell like watching it. Bile came up at the news. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The recorded memo had been short. The cost of the Temp commence license had gone up. That meant he didn’t have enough to buy one. Without it if he tried to sell anything or deliver cargo to anyone, he could face prison time as a smuggler. The Royal Family, of course, could buy things from anyone they wanted to. They wouldn’t want anything he had, even if the cargo belonged to him, which it didn’t. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> His ship, the Surreal Camel, rested near the huge hourglass-like station. Sensor dishes, weapons and squarish long comm antenna marred the bottom and top. It was this system’s Royal courts, multi-governmental office complex. It also housed the HQ for their Smuggler Officers which also served as search and rescue. The home station, where most of the citizens lived, was another two hour trip at medium sublight speeds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> In frustration he looked over his shoulder, pictured his ship. Its streamline oval hull with two small, fat cigar shaped outriggers. The ship’s pulse drives and gravity twisters rested in those. The Camel had two smaller drives in the main hull, away from the main drives. They could be used as thrusters, or emergency propulsion, if something happened to the larger ones. The middle of the ship could be expanded upward to make more cargo space. Right now the hump was out all the way out for he had a full cargo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> <i>Which I can’t sell now.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He looked to the side, to the ceiling and deck under his shin high blue ship boots. At the moment he wore something inspired by old Earth water pirate, even though with odd colors. His shirt had a basic brown with earth tone red panels and green short wide stripes. All white pants with wide legs, completed his outfit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> <i>Nothing here to inspire me.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> If he could deliver his cargo he would get paid and be able to pay for the Temp Comm license, but they didn’t work that way here. They wouldn’t do that even for a late fee. He wouldn’t get much out of this trip but at least his costumer would be happy and his rep would be in tact. Now he could lose the cargo fee and his rep if he had to leave without delivering the cargo. And the client might sue him for the price he would have gotten. All because these asteroid heads wanted more money. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He couldn’t sit here much longer either, or they would charge him for extravehicular docking fees. Makueue glanced at the side screen again. He shook his head. He had only a total of 27 hours and thirty-four and a half minutes to stay here and over half of that was gone. A strange amount of time-maybe it was a local day. No time to watch those flare blasted plays, not even just the Tragedies, to help him relax. Or to fix his mood before he had to pilot the Camel back home in defeat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He stood. No room to pace in his control cabin and the rest of the small ship was too full to do a descent pace. He wanted to jump up and down; bang something. Another look at his controls. He blinked, titled his head as he stared at a tiny cube, smaller than dice, that sat in the player. What had he read about the King? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> <i>Maybe, I do have something to inspire me.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He sat down, dialed the call sign for a certain official. Two days later he piloted the Camel back home. It had taken most of the rest of the 27 hours and odd minutes to get in touch with a member of the Royal family. A buyer, who came on board and examined the video cube, bought it. That gave him more time. The cube was one of a type. It could not be copied which meant it would be rare here. The buyer paid him and took the cube. Makueue bought the license, delivered his cargo to the customer;s buyer, got paid all with his rep intact and ended up with 25% more money than expected. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> <i>Not bad for a bad day.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">End</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">#sciencefiction #starwars #space #freestories #indie #thinking #devices #freighters </span></div>
LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6695489765340779595.post-74157499934494805832019-04-20T20:28:00.001-07:002019-04-20T20:28:18.852-07:00SaturdayScenes two Easter tales <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Time for another #saturdayscenes This one the day before Easter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So I am posting to stories about God. I don’t have any stories that deal specifically with the Resurrection of Jesus but these deal with His power to create and also to heal our issues and baggage. And how He goes beyond what He needs to help one of his people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">First one I wrote a couple of years ago inspired by a picture. Someone holding a huge glop of earth. The second was inspired by a different picture: the castle I describe in the story. I haev a series of stories based on that Castle picture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This SaturdayScenes is a bit long but I wanted both tales. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Without Void and Form</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “The earth was without form and void.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Those words popped into my head as I looked out at a very early Earth. The surface bubbled and strange clouds formed, probably of methane or worse gas. The machine I rode in had a force shield so I could watch things in person. It protected me from the high heat and surface pressure, poison atmosphere and all forms of radiation That allowed me to see even the distance very clearly even though I sat in a cushioned seat in a metal oblong vessel. A special, first of its kind vessel. Part of one end of the craft looked incomplete with an end wall gone, but that had been on purpose. We had to invent a new power source just to operate the shield. A combination of electric-magnetism, making the air of the craft solid and with bars of a new type of radiation we had discovered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I had come on this trip because I expected to see the Beginning. What I hadn’t expected was a trip this far back or to see a man. And one who held up what was essentially a glob of earth. I had jerked up right when I first noticed him. The figure stood there holding up a very large, quarter moon size, piece of hardening earth. It still slogged to one side but he held it with one hand, I should expect that a part of my mind said. After a moment with great care he moved his hand and the mass flew out with a precision I had never seen. The mass spread out as it flew through the air. It plopped down with a hardly a splat. I couldn’t see the base but I had the impression that it fused to the ground when it landed. He reached over to edge of the ground and picked up another mass of gas and molten ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> My first thought that someone had programed the ship’s computer to show him on the force shield, but no, it all checked out. He looked like a man but the heat out there was enormous. If I hadn’t been inside the force shield that surrounded the whole craft I would be bacon, even while inside it. Not only that but I would be gasping for breath as I cooked for what atmosphere there consisted of toxic gasses. Most of the planet was non-solid: gas and very molten rock. The only bit of solid ground was here where my time vessel had come to a rest. Looking out with my video monitor and using specially designed sensors I saw that this land looked fairly large like a continent but at the same time it was still small compared to the whole planet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The man stood there so far enough away for me to barely make him out. He appeared smaller than most dolls. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I sat in my time capsule. Capsule in the same manner that the Mercury Atlas or “Friendship 7” was a capsule for John Glenn in his flight around the Earth. I had made off with it early because I wanted to go where truly no man had gone before and to check on something. It had taken me years of study and training to get to be the first one to try circle through time instead of the Earth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> My first impression was of a figure in a lava lamp playing with the floating glops. Then I release no, what that reminded me of was a glass blower I had seen recently. Even today with all of our advancements certain people still liked to form glassware the same way they had since people started to shape hot glass. The glassblower had used a long metal straw to pull in some of the melted glass then had moved it away from the source. After a moment he used other utensils to pull out strings of super hot glass and to shape it as he kept the main mass in the air. When he finished he had a magnificent object of art with curved delicate necks that came out of a main body that looked like a pitcher. Even though this man used his hands instead of a straw that seemed to be the closest illustration I could find of what he did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> At the moment that thought formed he glanced my way. With the heat waves I couldn’t make out his face but I swore he smiled at me like he approved of my thought. That had to be my imagination though. This whole thing had to by my imagination. A man in unprotected, out there? In that soup? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> A memory floated up to my mind and grabbed my attention. I had just talked to someone I am close to about Creation. A Christian, she told me that the first chapter of Genesis was not a blow by blow study of how God created the world, but an outline that touched the highlights. I blinked, for another verse stated that the Earth was God’s special creation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I touched my holo controls and moved the capsule closer. I wanted to see his face. I could swear I had seen faces like that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> A red light appeared, I reached for a control image but my craft titled forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Damn! I had entered a molten lake. I hit the reverse button but the anti-grav wheels sparked. I started at it. Nothing in here should do that. I wiped sweat off of my face, I wouldn’t get to see his face or even home unless I did something like two-seconds ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The shield stayed in place even as the substance of the lake touched it and started to cool and harden. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I touched my controls the capsule slid backwards. I upped the power to the anti-gravs. Which made the whole thing like a hover craft, but not one that floated on air. My craft eased back up and away from the lake. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I shook my head I still wanted to know what he looked like. This time I tried to make the shield into a magnifier. I double checked the readings to make sure it did not lessen the shield’s ability. I looked at him, studied him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Again the figure turned my way, he seemed to have a wise smile on his face. I blinked as I stared at him. I could swear that he had shoulder length hair and a beard. I shook my head to clear my vision. The smoke and heat waves made things too vague so my mind added features.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Speaking of heat, I felt hot. The shield either was failing or it was just too hot out there. I thought the second was more likely. No one could be sure of how high the temperature was when the earth was just gas but it had to be many points to the 100th power. I needed to get back home. I turned to the controls and upped the power. The cool air tasted good and dyed the sweat on my face. I sat down and pressed the “go home” button. A big red square of light on the touchpad. Easy to see and find. As the process started and my vision blurred again I thought that I better write this down when I got home, but I would show it to one person-maybe a couple. My colleagues would think I had hallucinated. They may think some of the gas had seeped in or the temporal radiations had made me see things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I shook my head though and sighed, convinced it was none of that. I knew who he had been. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Midnight Castle</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I took as step on sand. Sand? In my night clothes? I stopped for confused. Sand as in desert. What? I could see only a few low bushes and what might be cactus or trees in the distance, plus sand. In gullies, on dunes and along the more or less straight path I walked. The road dipped and rose in hillocks but the low spots were not that far down and the high spots more then ten steps up. It was night yet I could make out the dark old medieval city I walked to. There was a large castle which sat on a hill in the middle of it. It didn’t look that big but it was the largest hill by far I could see in any direction. I could make out buildings I assumed were houses, Inns and businesses plus a wall. A huge stone wall I have seen in pictures, movies and in reality once or twice when I visited aa couple castles. This one looked tall and narrow and dark. A large, full moon sat behind it which the castle covered only the middle section. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The air still felt warm even though I wore my sleeping clothes, short PJs bottoms and a light long sleeved shirt-blue with purple flowers of various sizes all over both. The material was thin as it should be on PJs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I could smell the sand, and some animal droppings, but that last wasn’t close. I heard small slithers and tiny claws going over sand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I did not know why, but I kept moving toward that castle. It offered some protection from the weather, any large animals and there could be water there. It felt like home too. I didn’t need any at the moment but if I stayed here long I would. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The distance to the open gate in the wall turned out to be shorter than I thought. I almost didn’t go in. The walls, rough stone, over ten feet high and two thick, radiated cold; not from the weather either. It was very dark in there: shadows lay everywhere. I couldn’t hear anything so I knew that no one was home-not in any house, Inn nor the castle. The houses stood open, the windows had open shutters, even though some had fallen off. Sand had been blown in through the open gate. I didn’t like that for sand had gotten through my socks and I stepped on the grains as I walked. No to mention being dusty because of the sand grit I kicked upward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I wondered if there really was water inside. But I still went in. Almost as if what was outside was worse then inside. I couldn’t say why I felt that way though. I hurried along the street. I half expected to see bones or bodies still with flesh on them. But just cobblestones, which hurt my stocking feet, and sand. Every house and two story Inn, looked forbidding with way too many deep shadows. My heart pumped so hard I felt shudder. Anything could hide there, from leopards to huge snakes, to super sized black widow spiders, zombies or skeletons. Even men with swords, knives and—and rapists with just their strong hands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Fear grew, I think if something did jump out, even an owl or bat, I would wet my PJs. I smelled my own sweat plus some decay in the distance. Something had died here, maybe in the houses not out on the street? I hurried faster somehow that dark forbidding castle felt like home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> My feet grew cold on the cobblestones, a chill settled on my shoulders. Memories came up, from old movies and even—that event. I had been in a forest and only a couple of tress lived here, but shadows had been everywhere. Not only did sweat coat my forehead as my hair became soaked in it but now tear tracks formed. From that memory. I was sure the tears left trails though a layer of sand dust on my face. Yecch, it tasted like gritty sand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I must have walked for hours, without becoming tired, but finally reached the castle. It sat dark and huge, cold and rough to my touch. After a search I found a door. It waited below windows with closed drapes, more like a mansion than the castles I had seen. I looked up, but its turrets and upper walls were too dark to really see. I heard what I hoped were only bats. No light shone at all, inside or out. I could see only because of the bright moonlight. I spat when bile came up. I smelled sweat that chilled my bones. It still had the familiarity of home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I didn’t want it to be home, it had too many dark corners and looked cold. All of this seemed familiar, even though I had never been to any castle, this close, though. I wanted my home, I wanted mommy, I wanted escape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> A movement caught my eye. A creature made of shadows came out of a deeper darkness. I actually swallowed hard enough for me to hear. My eyes got wide I backed off. He smiled in a way that showed me I was in trouble, my fear jumped even more. I felt like a child full of fear. It took me a second to realize why.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I froze! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Oh, God! Oh God! Oh God! I didn’t care if that was blasphemous as some say. I couldn’t help it. He would just have to forgive me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> They said he was dead—I wanted to scream, to run, to faint. My feet hurt as their bottoms lay sideways between the cobblestones but I couldn’t move them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Again it went through my head. They said he was dead! But here he was, unchanged. My mind said he couldn’t be here, or unchanged, but I ignored that part. He was evil, so of course he would be eternal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> My tears became real crying. I called for God, I sobbed, I needed His help. Memories of my trip through that forest by our house. He-he walked out of a shadow and grabbed me before I could run. I hit him and jerked, but his hands were too strong. I screamed when he hurt me, begged for him to stop but he just did it. Out of my intense pain and panic I bite him and scratched his face. He back handed me and threw me. I hit the ground with my back. Branches tore into my skin and rocks bruised my back. He yelled at me, used the same words as he had back then. Said he would get me. He came my way but stopped, looked up, said he would be back to do more, and ran away. I fainted or something. I woke in a hospital. They later explained what happened and my parents had to explain why he had done it. I still didn’t understand-not until later. They caught him, but as they prepared me to testify in a trail, he was killed while trying to escape. I felt both relief that I didn’t have to face him and disappointment because my parents and a counselor had worked hours to get me ready for something that would not happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I fell to the street, my knees didn’t hurt though when I landed on them. Two things I noticed as I stared at him. One he didn’t come any closer, two he looked not quite right. I thought it might be the darkness, but he seemed not-right somehow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He yelled at me, saying he would get me and do more than last time. I shook, and wanted to vomit. Then in the middle of a sentence his mouth shut and his head spun to one side. Shock showed on his face, then fear grew. I didn’t understand. He turned back to me and spoke again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Footsteps sounded; they came closer and finally a man appeared. He looked kinda of young but not too much, with long hair and a beard. The very deep shadows that filled this place moved. They seemed to shake and move away from him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He turned to the other man-the evil man-and said, “Quiet.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The other man looked surprise but closed his mouth and even backed up a step. The younger man walked to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> “He is not real.” The evil one moved a lot closer, shouted that yes he was, but the breaded one just looked a him and after a moment he bowed his head and backed off again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I couldn’t understand, but what he said no longer produced fear. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The younger man knelt by me. “I am among many things a healer. I came to heal the broken hearted. This isn’t the man who did evil to you. That man was killed years ago. He died without redemption, so he is in a place of torment.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I stared at him, could I trust him? I saw love in his eyes but still…</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He stared back then said, “Here a glimpse of his torment.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> With warning I saw something-somewhere else. A man was there, I turned my head away even as it disappeared. Tears burst out again. He was evil-every adult said so-and he had hurt me badly but that? Did even he deserve that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Through tears I looked at the breaded man again, I saw tears in His eyes. “He made his choice. He had a chance, more than one. Even before he hurt you, but he chose to reject redemption, to reject Prefect Love. That was his choice for what he did to Holiness.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I swallowed and nodded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> He bent down and held my hands and said, “You feel at home here, because your heart has lived here since it happened. Fear has ruled you for too long. But now Fear and Darkness have no place in you. You do not belong here. Your home is elsewhere. A part of that Home is with you always, as I am. Remember what I said, Lo, I am with you always.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> My eyes widen I knew that verse. He continued, “It is true. My love is not overcome by either fear, Darkness, demons, the grave, principalities or even death. I proved that when I rose from the dead. Never forget I am the Healer. Fear masquerading as something other than what it is, has no power over you. I conquered it. You have perfect Love in you. The love that conquered death, sin and Darkness.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I gasped, I understood who He was and what He had done for me. At the same time I knew I had done things against Holiness too. Not like that man but still enough. But this Man before had taken care of that too, by His death and raising from the dead. I had believed that much already. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The next instant I saw a darken room. A moment and it turned into my bedroom with just a little light. There were no noises here this late, but I knew that and it comforted me. My bed was under me, a thick blanket lay half over me. I smelled my perfume. So a dream. I looked at the nightlight I had needed since That happened. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I snuggled under my blankets, I knew that had been a dream, but one I needed. I thought of what I had seen and when the memory of the fake evil man popped into my head fear grew again and somehow the darkness in the room increased. But I remembered “Lo, I am with you always”. I smiled and peace grew instead. I lay back and relaxed. He has beaten all Darkness. It is afraid of Him. I saw it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I may still have battles with different types of fears and I may have to break the habit of fear of that man but now I could. No more looking over my shoulder for him, or scanning crowds to look for his face. He is dead. I knew it well now. I may have a fight over fear of shadows because it had been ingrained in me but He is with me. He is the healer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Even after all those thoughts and the peace in my heart I couldn’t help it; I felt the bed and my PJs to make sure I hadn’t wet them. I realized that sweat still soaked my hair though and strangely my feet felt like there was something rough in my socks-like sand. I jerked up at that, and looked around but then relaxed back and closed my eyes. Whether real or a dream He was with me and His prefect love beats fear every time. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">The end </span></div>
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LDWriter2--Louis Doggetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718650960417520484noreply@blogger.com0