LHWU

The Futility of Understanding - Chapter Ten Written by Rebekah Burlew, Xovinx, and Diacia (c)2013    Kano sat outside the courthouse, waiting for the verdict.  He’d spent all morning and afternoon trying to think of an argument that would convince the villagers to release William, without requiring Kano to lie.      It wasn’t easy, but finally he’d put together the most convincing list of points he could, strongly emphasizing William’s position as the Hero as decreed by The Universe, as well as offering to personally apologize to all injured parties and arrange for damages to be paid.    He hated having to do it; h

The Futility of Understanding - Chapter Nine Written by Rebekah Burlew, Xovinx, and Diacia (c)2013    With Kano’s direction, he and William arrived at Shiningwater village about an hour after nightfall.  William normally wouldn’t have been willing to keep walking so late into the night, but he decided that the advantages of a village with an inn outweighed sleeping outside in the cold.    He still wasn’t entirely convinced that this was real.  He could be dreaming.  It was possible.  Ari would never turn on him, after all.  She was his friend, his best friend, his only friend.  The one person who always believed in him.

The Futility of Understanding - Chapter Eight Written by Rebekah Burlew, Xovinx, and Diacia (c)2013    The prophet certainly didn’t look anything like what William had expected.  Instead of mysterious robes, or even dusty traveling clothes, he wore a slightly out-of-fashion brown business suit and seemed somewhat impatient.  He peered at William, his eyes narrowed.      “So, you’re the stinkin’ brat who’s been haunting my visions all this time.  Huh, just as pathetic as you looked.”    “Excuse me?” William asked, put out by this treatment.    “Here’s your talisman and some crypt

The Futility of Understanding - Chapter Seven Written by Rebekah Burlew, Xovinx, and Diacia (c)2013    William sat on the fence, finishing off his snack.  Ari sat nearby, watching him adoringly no doubt.  He smiled, thinking about it.  He was so happy to have finally ditched that ‘academy’ and just gone off on his own with her.  Oh, and Companion to run errands and make his bed and cook.  So useful having him along, he thought momentarily, then turned to smile at Ari.      Ari was making a few small swipes in the air with her cute little knife.  He smiled again at this; she wanted to help him, so adorable.    A loud explosion

The Futility of Understanding - Chapter Six Written by Rebekah Burlew, Xovinx, and Diacia (c)2013    “Ha ha  HA!” Aiden said half-heartedly, not sounding entirely convincing.    “No.” Kavezrik said, entirely not convinced.      “I think it’s generally more of a Huahahaha…ack.”  Zaelek choked partway through his attempt at evil laughter and dissolved into coughing.  Kavezrik laughed at him, while Aiden watched flatly.    “Eh, why don’t you try again?” Zaelek asked hastily, coughing again.    “Is this really important?” Aiden asked. “I have an idea. When

The Futility of Understanding - Chapter Five Written by Rebekah Burlew, Xovinx, and Diacia (c)2013    A few weeks passed, in much the same manner.  Ari and Renyn made it a point to spend more time coaxing Kano out of his shyness, an attempt that was marginally successful, though progress was slow.      “You should probably know,” Ari finally told him one day as they sat under a tree at a safe distance from the napping William, “I’m Renyn’s sister.  There’s no reason to be concerned about us spending so much time together.”    Kano considered for a moment, then nodded slowly.  “I wouldn&rsquo

The Futility of Understanding - Chapter Four Written by Rebekah Burlew, Xovinx, and Diacia (c)2012-2013    William walked into the dining hall, hungry after his confrontation with his rival.  He noticed his love interest, Ari?  Yes, Ari.  She was sitting with two other girls, eating elegantly and laughing sweetly at something.  He smiled, wondering briefly if either of the other girls would end up being important.      He doubted it.    He collected his food and walked to Ari’s table, tapped the shoulder of the girl sitting next to her.    “Move down a seat,” he ordered.    The girl looked at him a second blankly, then

The Futility of Understanding - Chapter Three Written by Rebekah Burlew, Xovinx, and Diacia (c)2012-2013    Prince Aiden de'Garath sat upon his evil-looking throne as Zaelek entered the room.  Zaelek still hadn't gotten used to their new hideout and paused to look around it as he passed the huge black-and-red gates.      "Lord Aiden," he said after a moment, "wouldn't those creepy carvings be better accented with some natural lighting?  Maybe a few barred windows behind your throne?"    The young dark lord nodded, his chin dropping onto his hand. "I've been thinking the same thing for a while, but I got this place second hand and I ha

The Futility of Understanding - Chapter Two Written by Rebekah Burlew, Xovinx, and Diacia (c)2012-2013   William soon recovered from the loss of his parents, and by the time he reached the age of eleven he was completely adapted to his new family.  He knew in his heart that the ancient sword above the mantle was his, and he knew that his destiny was coming.     Unfortunately, he also knew that he could not fail in his eventual quest, and so he soon became a spoiled, bratty little thing who saw little value in work or study.  He liked fighting, though, and maintained a modicum of strength and stamina, though not enough to be anything exc

The Futility of Understanding - Chapter One Written by Rebekah Burlew, Xovinx, and Diacia (c)2012-2013   It was the day before his parent's deaths, when he was six years old, that William realized that he was the Hero.  Before then, he'd had a vague sense of something nagging at him, but it only condensed into certainty as he walked toward his home that last night, holding onto his mother's hand and laughing.  It struck him suddenly that he had a destiny, a future, and he realized then that he would never see his parents again.   He sat down right there and started crying.   His mother kneeled down to comfort him, but then she realize