The Boat "Hubris"

In ancient Greece, Puck rode in a boat that sailed backwards.

The people named this voyager ‘Hubris’ for they held great fear of it reaching places that the mortals were not meant to go - the very ends of the earth - where, it was said, one could meet face to face with the gods.

Of course this was only partially correct, as the vessel would take him and his passengers through the channels, and further on, to find passage into the lands of Faerie.

He travelled to those most special of conjunctions, a nautical wormhole, where ships could disappear into, never to return.

In reality, the boat would sail its weight right into the harbours of the etheric realm, emptying its occupants right onto the shores of Faerie land.

It was not so easy these days to take human beings on board, or into, an adventure such as this.

It seemed that those gateways on earth and sea had closed - and at best when found, they could only inspire visions of the faraway dreamlands … no longer providing a proper en-trance in, anymore.


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Problem in Building C

“You know I can’t leave Dad right now - not now - especially whilst the buyout is still taking place. There is so much to do, and I committed to him with this purchase. He has no mind for business as you know.”

“Well he must have a pretty bloody good mind to secure the deal he’s just won” Calvin snapped.

His reaction was now a mixture of rejection and jealousy - wishing hard he could turn the clocks back and vacate the lot of them.

“Calvin I am not really sure what you are thinking when you ask me to go with you. Do you mean a holiday somewhere … or, something more permanent … another employment?”

The problem was that he had absolutely no idea, no prospects. He was free however, for the first time in his life, with all the liberties a wealth like his could bring. But somehow it did not feel true or possible. He felt more constrained than ever - it was stifling to be this rich, and unemployed.

Without realizing Charley read his thoughts.

“But you are not without a job, in point of fact dear scientist, your contract states that you are bound to this company for a full year more with the changeovers to … you know … to show us the ropes?” her voice softened - clearly he was not handling this well.

“Of course” he said, taking a deep breath. The manacles of familiar routine returned, and Calvin relaxed.

“Good, then that will give us time together”, he added picking up her hand again, pressing his thumb into her palm.

For some reason Charley did not like this, although she did not know why.

She looked behind her to see Robyn having just entered the courtyard watching them.

“I did not want to interrupt” she said rather nervously. “But it seems we have a problem in building C and Mr Black asked me to get the both of you right away.”

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

It was Different

“Charles, I want you to come with me.”

He pressed against her from behind and as he said this Calvin had placed her hand in his and stroked it ever so lightly.

This was incredibly unusual behaviour for him to show to Charley - up until now it had been seemingly nothing more than a professional collaboration, with her adoration of him along the way being largely unacknowledged.

Apart from that, he was barely an adult - Charley still considered him a boy much more suited to Robyn, she thought quietly to herself.

Now it was different - or seemed to be. Calvin was displaced and looking to her as the nearest rock to hold onto. She felt sorry for him.

Charley slipped her hand out from his and spun around looking him in the eyes - searching for more, much more than even this. But Calvin gave nothing - he just stared expectantly back.


- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

The Dancing Flame

Francis looked at the Hode and with the light of the dancing flame and could see many lines appear across his countenance … he was of course many many thousands of years aged, and upon occasion, if you had the eyes to see, these ages would show just briefly, revealing his honest expression.

And then his face brightened once more returning to a man of barely forty, as he drew a small pouch from his cloak. The gold glittered a little through the cloth of it. He handed the clinking sack over to Francis with a nod.

“A gift from the rich,” he said, well pleased with himself in handing it over - “a gift to the needy from the robber Hode.”

“They’ll be missing you in Britain.” Francis jibed, taking the pouch with a returning nod of appreciation.

The Hode rose to his feet, readying to leave.

“And what say of the frog?” asked Francis, still perplexed.

“Oh, he just does not like you. I should be careful of that one.”


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

A Little Humor

Arild Rosenkrantz

“Oh, and also, I needed a little humour to sweeten my trials.”

“Trials? Is your labor heavy?”

“It is.”

“Where for?”

“Look around you Francis - Men are earnest, but their concerns are rarely with merit. Their lives are short, yet they waste so many minutes between. I am all but done with their corrupting ways.”

“Then why be here at all?”

“I cannot say.”

“I shall pray for you Uncle.”

“And I, you.”


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Chicken & Frog

“It is the chicken and the frog” the Hode replied most earnestly.

“The chicken and the frog?”

“Yes, the chicken is an emissary of the Pope.”

“His Eminence sought to parley with many animals over this past year - hoping to coerce their tiny minds. He tried to control their scattered ways. It was you yourself Franco, that inspired his persistent obsession. He had the chicken implanted into your brood. A soothsayer had counselled him that the hen could talk in plain speak, when returned to him. The Pope was hopeful in this, and waits greedily.”

“But who would tell him that the chicken could talk?”

“It was I,” said the Hode blandly.

“To what end brother?” asked Francis bemused by the thought.

“Well, it's a little complex, but the short of it is that the old Pope was vexed with your talents and had set out to test your mettle - your authenticity - your true pious standing … and if I had not stepped in, someone who did not know you so well may have misrepresented your calling.”

“I see”, said Francis appreciatively.


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Spies

In the clearing Francesco found Robin sitting before a small fire brewing coffee. Huddled, robed, with a very large hood, it was almost impossible to see anyone there at all - the fabric seemed to change color depending on the light around it. The Hode’s face was clearly visible however, intent on the campfire before him.

“You’re late” he growled.

Francis smiled.

“Always” he said with a mighty laugh, then sitting on the ground with now the fire between them.

“I have unwanted news Nephew. I thought you need to know, that two of your brethren are imposters. One is a spy and the other a usurper.”

Francis held an infinite trust when it came to the wisdom and words of his friend, his Uncle, and mentor. If the Hode said this it was with good reason. But still the news was troubling.

“Why us? Why here? Where for?”

He then added also, “and who?”


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances