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KQ3

Started by Rosella, April 08, 2007, 11:59:19 PM

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Rosella

This is rather redundant given Tess's already awesome story on the subject, but I was playing a few KQs, and I felt strongly compelled to sort of "narrate" KQ3. XD It has such power that people just don't give it credit for. XD I don't mean to step on any toes though, or try to compete with Tess's story (Which is better, IMHO. :P)

But anyways, here is the beginning of my KQ3 narration.

Gwydion stood in the entry room of Manannan's mansion. This was the only home Gwydion ever knew, but it was not his home. The wood floor was cold and the room itself was rather barren. The doorway in front of him led to his master Manannan's study while the door to the right led to the kitchen. There was a flight of rickety stairs adorned only with a portrait of a wizard who Gwydion didn't recognize. Suddenly, Gwydion felt that recurrent chill run down his spine as Manannan appeared on the stairs. The powerful wizard glared at Gwydion with a hatred that could turn Gwydion's very soul to ice. He looked angry, as always, but he had that look like he was about to scold Gwydion for something he had done wrong. "You've been neglecting my chickens again, Gwydion. Feed them, and quickly!" Without even another look at his slave boy, Manannan vanished.
Gwydion let out a small sigh. He had been neglecting the poor chickens. The weather was getting colder and the bitter wind was not something Gwydion looked forward to. Still, he knew better than to disobey Manannan's orders. He turned around, grasped the cold iron handle of the door, turned it, and rushed outside before the wind closed the door on him.
Gwydion looked around, spotting that the chickens were out of their coop, trying to grasp grains of chicken feed from between the gaps in the fence. He felt a wave of regret. They had to deal with Manannan as much as he and they shouldn't be denied meals because someone else didn't want to relinquish a small bit of comfort. Gwydion tentatively began his walk toward the pile of chicken feed.
He had always hated living on this mountain. Even the smallest gusts of wind seemed to threaten to push him off the plateau to the rocky ravine below. Painful memories of being dangled just over the edge of the cliff were brought to the forefront of Gwydion's mind. The image of looking down to the ground below was burned into his mind. How small the trees appeared, how rough the crags of the mountain were, and how violent the river looked as it rushed around the base. Gwydion truly thought Manannan was going to release his hold and let him plunge into the abyss, but apparently good slave boys were worth more than Gwydion thought. After about five minutes of toying with him (though it seemed like an eternity to Gwydion,) Manannan brought Gwydion back to solid ground. Since then, Gwydion hated heights.
Gwydion had almost forgotten why he was outside by the time he got to the feed. He was much more preoccupied with how close he was to the edge, yet again. Wasting no time, however, Gwydion began to carefully estimate the amount of food the chickens needed. He didn't want to give them too little, or they could starve, but if he gave them any more than they required, Manannan would accuse him of purposely depleting his resources. Still, the scared look in the glassy eyes of the birds prompted him to give them as much as he dared. Walking back, he wondered why Manannan even had chickens in the first place; he always seemed to get food from the village somehow. Maybe it was just to give Gwydion more work.
He reentered the mansion to meet the cold gaze of Manannan's cat. Of the few animals Gwydion had ever been in contact with, he could say he liked most of them. To him, animals were an escape. They didn't carry malicious thoughts or have manipulative plots. They didn't complain or require much. They just were. When Gwydion was younger, he sometimes wished to become an animal, just so he didn't have to deal with the pressures of being human. Maybe he could be a bird and just fly away from Manannan and this terrible house on this horrible mountain. Once, it was almost as if Manannan sensed that and turned Gwydion into a crow as punishment. Every time Gwydion tried to fly away, he felt a terrible pain and saw Manannan's terrifying visage glaring at him.  He had learned to better shield his thoughts as he grew older. Yet as much as Gwydion loved, and perhaps envied, the innocence of animals, he felt something terrible evil about this particular cat. Its attentive stare was surpassed only by Manannan's, leaving Gwydion feeling like he was always under the watch of some sort of keeper.
Avoiding the gaze of the cat, Gwydion walked forward into Manannan's study. The room was forbidden, unless Manannan ordered him to clean, but sometimes Gwydion just couldn't resist. A desk stood near the far side of the room, mostly clear, but with a few scrolls swept off to the side. A cabinet was tucked into a corner with Gwydion's feather duster lying on top of it. Gwydion looked at all of the books lining the walls. They never changed, but he could not tire of looking at them. Gwydion barely dared to risk a minute glancing at a few titles, but as he hurried out, he felt a little bit happier. Gwydion would give anything for a chance to read them. He wanted a chance to learn about the outside world. Maybe one of those books even had a way to escape Manannan. Gwydion let his mind drift to the knowledge he wished was contained in those tomes as he wandered about the ground floor.
As he entered the dining room, Gwydion noticed a tin cup on the table. He picked it up quickly, as Manannan hated clutter. He took a moment to look around. The room was pleasantly lit up by the window on the east wall. The moose head on the hanging on the wall had a quirky expression. Sometimes Gwydion wondered why it was even there, since it was completely unlike Manannan to have anything which might even remotely evoke a sense of humor.
However, because Gwydion had to keep busy, he couldn't linger for too long. He walked into the kitchen. Aside from Gwydion's bedroom, this was his favorite room in the house; even Manannan referred to it as "his kitchen." He loved how the light shone in through the two windows on the east and north wall and gave the room a certain warmth. He loved how this room gave him a view of the town without fear of falling to his death. He loved how the herbs drying on the ceiling gave this place a unique and exotic aroma, and how the various utensils and foodstuffs gave Gwydion a way to be creative and actually create something. The room just made him feel a bit more light-hearted.
It was a bright place, and he was glad he had to spend a lot of time in here. He always prepared Manannan's meals in this room, so Manannan insisted that it be kept even cleaner than the rest of the house. This gave Gwydion two rather time-consuming chores he got to do in this corner of the mansion. Gwydion walked over to the table where he usually prepared food. There was a loaf of bread, some fruit, and a mutton chop on the table. This was one of the only things Manannan ever made easy for Gwydion: he provided him with ingredients. Gwydion picked up the food and retrieved his spoon, knife, and mixing bowl from the other side of the room. Gwydion liked to keep his things with him. He was never sure what might disappear or be taken away. It was a very unstable life at this mansion, but Gwydion had adapted to it. He simply didn't know anything better.
Gwydion thought, since he had just done his chores, that maybe he could go to his bedroom and rest a bit. He wanted a chance to think for a while without fear of his master, and he knew Manannan would never demean himself to enter a slave's bedroom. The more he thought, the more the idea sounded appealing. He fondly left the kitchen and started to walk toward the staircase, but as he entered the dining room, Manannan appeared in front of him. Gwydion tried not to visibly shiver as a wave of fear took him. Gwydion was carrying a fair amount of things, and if Manannan decided that Gwydion was trying to plot something against him...Well, Gwydion didn't want to know the consequences. Luckily, with just a glare portraying utmost loathing, Manannan disappeared.
Gwydion felt like it was safe to breathe again and started a quick stride towards the stairs. He bolted upstairs, skipping the incredibly creaky steps, and dashed with increasing speed into his bedroom. Finally, here, he was home. He softly landed on his bed, feeling peaceful today, for once. Though Gwydion could be punished for slacking if he spent too much time in here, the time he dared to take was free from anxiety. The bed was barely softer than the floor beneath him, and his pillow wasn't any better; the blanket was thin and worn, but Gwydion accepted it gratefully. Here, he had time just to think.
I'm a princess even if my kingdom is pixelated.

Official Comfort Counselor of the TSL Asylum © ;D

It's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive.

tessspoon

omg, I <3 it! I love reading anything KQ related, but particularly anything Alexander-related, and particularly anything this good! The details are amazing... :D

Really, its very interesting to read someone else's version of the story. There are so many details and feelings that I never would have even imagined, like him being threatened with being dropped off the side of the mountain.

Defintley look forward to reading more! :D

Rosella

Thanks! :D

Until I got to the dining room, I didn't even realize I wasn't describing the rooms I was in at all. I mean, I knew where I was; that worked for you, right? :P Then I went back and made a lot of things more detailed. XD But yeah, I'm really trying to figure out the thoughts and motivations Gwydion had for doing the stuff he did. I think he should talk to himself much, much more to make things easier for people like me. XP

Like, why in the world would you pick up food on the table unless you were actually going to make something? :P
I'm a princess even if my kingdom is pixelated.

Official Comfort Counselor of the TSL Asylum © ;D

It's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive.

Rosella

Er, this chapter is a bit darker.


Gwydion began to think about life outside the mansion's walls. In here, things were so cold, but outside...Sometimes Gwydion could see people walking around in the city below. Sometimes they looked happy, sometimes excited, sometimes worried, and sometimes miserable. The thing that struck Gwydion though was that the ones who looked haggard and weary never stayed that way. The next day, they could be seen with a bright grin. Gwydion couldn't fathom why people were like that. The oddest part was it seemed like, for the most part, those people enjoyed life. Everyday, they wandered about their daily chores with their interests in mind. Then they worked to keep bread on their tables. This idea of helping oneself had Gwydion perplexed. Sometimes he would have dreams of escaping to the city and starting a life of his own. He could be one of them. He could talk to the people around him. He could read about his world. He could work to make something of himself. However, these dreams always ended with Manannan recapturing him and...well, Gwydion always woke himself up after that, preferring not to see what Manannan would do to him. Gwydion got up and looked out the window. How come Gwydion was the only one who had to lead this life? Sometimes, as little as he wanted to admit it, Gwydion would wish it was someone else who Manannan kidnapped to work for him. Maybe then, Gwydion could have a normal life, and even though Gwydion wasn't really sure what "normal" was, it had to be better than up here. Those thoughts were usually quickly repressed. Gwydion lived a miserable life, but he was still alive. He had learned most of the things to do or not to do. He knew his life inside these walls, and, really, he knew nothing of life outside. Gwydion sometimes wished for something more, but he rarely dared to think of acting on it. Gwydion knew he wouldn't fit in. He assumed they would treat him with the same contempt Manannan did, the same perpetual testament to his inferiority. Gwydion barely knew how to talk properly, given that Manannan and he never exactly had conversations. Gwydion supposed the only reason he knew anything at all was because Manannan didn't want to have to waste the time explaining things. Gwydion was inferior to the power of Manannan, the freedom of the people below him, and Gwydion was probably even inferior to that stupid cat. He was a slave not only to Manannan but to his own inadequacy. How could he even think of being one of them? Gwydion kicked his bed in frustration. Why did he even pretend there was hope for a better life? They obviously had something that made them superior. This was the only life he was suited for. He was suited to be a dirty, pathetic, slave.
Gwydion sighed and collapsed back onto his bed. This was his life, and he was used to it. Why did he even pretend? Sure, he was miserable, but in some way, he deserved it. But what...What made them so different? Gwydion walked up to the window again. The people outside looked the same as him. They walked the same way and felt emotion just like Gwydion. The only thing different was their upbringing. Though the adults in the village made Gwydion jealous, it was really the children that made his heart ache. They were treated with this...Gwydion didn't even know the word for it. It was like the parents didn't care about anything except the life of their child. While the adults had varying expressions day after day, the children were almost always happy. That was really what Gwydion wished for. He could say he wanted knowledge or freedom, but he really wanted someone to look at him like the parents looked at their children, instead of the debilitating glare of the only caretaker he knew. Gwydion sighed. He just wanted a chance. Maybe he didn't deserve it. Maybe he really was an inferior worm like Manannan always treated him. Maybe he would be scorned and rejected by the world outside his walls. Maybe...but he could think of nothing he wouldn't give.
Gwydion thought about the idea for a while. The worst that could happen would be getting caught, but even then, what? Manannan could kill him, but that almost seemed like a release for Gwydion. In fact, what if he didn't even try to escape? The town would surely hate him, so why even try to fail? Desperation took him and dark thoughts enveloped his mind. Maybe a gust of wind really would carry him off the mountain. He would feel pain as he crashed down, but nothing compared to the abuse he suffered under Manannan. He was covered in scars both physical and emotional. Sometimes just seeing an object around the house would trigger a memory too strong for Gwydion to ignore. He would stumble and have to lean on a wall to keep from collapsing. Sometimes tears would fall down his face for no reason other than the fact that he existed. If he died, there wouldn't be this pain anymore. He would no longer have to bear the heavy weight of the scowls Manannan gave him. He would no longer have to drag his aching body out of bed to do work he didn't think he still had energy to do. Manannan would just take another slave boy, and no one else would even notice his missing presence. But then...the single thought that really kept Gwydion from following this path was that he'd condemn someone else to this tortured life. Gwydion knew nothing of compassion except the blurred expressions on nameless figures, but he couldn't bear to think of someone else enduring Manannan's oppression.
Gwydion lied back down, torn between his hopelessness, his selfish desires, his powerlessness, and his yearning for some life other than the broken one he had. Even if he were able to escape, Manannan would very likely find him. Even if he didn't, Gwydion refused to let someone else bear this burden. The only solution Gwydion could think of was getting rid of Manannan. Revenge was not a concept Gwydion was familiar with. It was not in his character to want anyone, even Manannan himself, to suffer as he did, but how could he enervate Manannan, when Gwydion had no power of his own? Gwydion again felt frustrated by his own pathetic existence. Manannan had magic. Gwydion had nothing. Manannan had spells. Gwydion had baseless dreams. Manannan had knowledge. Gwydion had ideas. In each case, Gwydion came up short. The only way he could even get a chance would be if he could somehow learn magic. The idea was preposterous yet...almost seemed plausible. Gwydion had gotten away with small things when Manannan had gone on journeys before. He knew he would have been punished if Manannan had seen, so he couldn't have been under surveillance. Maybe Gwydion could just explore a bit. He could try to figure out if his plan could hold any water whatsoever. There was no harm in trying, right? Besides, getting caught trying to overthrow Manannan would surely result in death, a fate Gwydion had already decided himself okay with.
It was that day that Gwydion received something he didn't have before: hope. It was just a small glimmer, floating in front of him, but it was there.
I'm a princess even if my kingdom is pixelated.

Official Comfort Counselor of the TSL Asylum © ;D

It's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive.

Shades2585

#4
Well done Rosella. I liked it a lot. Tessy I have you're saved. I've barely gotten past th first chapter. It's good though and hopefully I'll have time to read the rest soon.

Keep it up folks this is great.  :thumbsup: XD
Knight of Queen Deloria since 24-Jul-06 ;D
Duke of Lancaster of Queen Deloria since 09-Sept-06
Bestowed "Captain of Calais" on 08-Nov-06

Bestowed Kingdom of Bohemia by Queen Deloria on 06-Jan-07

Does anybody even remember who Wormy is?
Bring WORMY BACK!!!!!!!

Rosedragon

Wow, Rosella, I'd say your story is deep. I really like it. I like how you describe the depth of poor Gwydion's despair. The descriptions are very good. Oh btw, please check out my Crystal Dragon's Tale. I am changing chapter 1, and am working on chapter 2.


The world's cutest, sweetest dragon princess

tessspoon

*looks at Kelsey hopefully*
Any more soon? :D

Rosella

Hehe, I'm pretty busy with the school musical right now (I just got home from our premier!!! :D) but next weekend I might have some time! :D
I'm a princess even if my kingdom is pixelated.

Official Comfort Counselor of the TSL Asylum © ;D

It's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive.

Rosedragon

School musical? Do tell! What is the musical you are performing, and what role are you playing in it? I always wanted to be in a play, but unfortunately I can't sing or dance, and a lot of plays are musicals, singing and dancing seem to be required in the theatre buz. I find some musicals annoying, but others I like.


The world's cutest, sweetest dragon princess

tessspoon

This story breaks my heart... :'(

atec123

OMG!  I love this!!  Sorry I wasn't around before to reply!  Great work, I love KQ fan fiction. 8)
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We are the Defenders of Jazz Ballet
People say, when they see us:
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Fearless heroes of kick and spin

Rosella

Wow. I had totally forgotten about this.  ;] If I get time, I might try updating it, since writing is so stress-relieving for me. XD I've been REALLY busy lately... Maybe this weekend! :)
I'm a princess even if my kingdom is pixelated.

Official Comfort Counselor of the TSL Asylum © ;D

It's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive.

tessspoon

That'd be awesome :yes:

Suzie

Wow I really like it so far. I can't believe I totally missed this topic. :D


*Gasp* You're a girl! That's what most girls do! - Carla

You win pie! - Nebel