Pretty much uploaded this cause my best friend seems to be my only reader, anyone else been reading my story? would love comments critiques etc.
Chapter 5: The Group
I. The Groups say farewell to Tessa
The purple coffin lay on the grass in the centre of the soccer field. The Groups, who were all crying, sat around it, on white chairs, in a square while the priest spoke about Tessa's young life.
After the priests work had been done, Rintol got up and did the eulogy. He spoke about how she was always happy and he made sure to emphasise on the fact that him and Flavour were her favourite people in the world and how excited he was to finally be able to see her yesterday, when he found her in Cherry woods.... than he could say no more as he broke down and started pounding the ground screaming “WHY? GOD WHY?”
Taylor finally had the sense to bring Rintol to his feet and helped him back over to his chair.
They all sat in silent remeberance, with only the crying to be heard, waiting....
Finally they all stood up and screamed as a unit “TESSA!”
Suddenly the coffin rose into the air, surrounded by green and red whisps of smoke. It rose and rose until it just touched the clouds and then it was gone; evaporated into nothing.
II. Taylor wants to kill and he will
They rode over the field along The Valley Of The Stolen Brothers, on their way to The Paradise Of The Open Wounds. Despite its name, it was hardly a paradise as it was home to the majority of Stripplers, Wasplets, Buzzards and Owltins of Uriel.... which is where the open wounds part comes in.
The six of them, Taylor, Thimothy, Salador, Gaylord, Gabriel and Ripple, were on white horses who, despite their beautiful appearance, were ready for attack at any moment. The horses were each carrying sacks of food for their rider as well as their tents.
The Group all had bows and arrows, in a pouch, attached to their back armor, with swords sheathed at their sides, as they, at Taylor's request, who decided he needed vengance for the death of his daughter, were hunting for Stripplers and anything else that got in the way.
Rintol and Razor were of the party until they parted ways with them at Dead Mans Fork, on their way to Oster; Razor to meet with the giants, Rintol to meet with the dragons.
They continued on their way, past the gardens of old flower master Nastriliny, over the bridge above The Waterfalls Of The Gods, past The Haunted Forest Of Redgray until they finally arrived at their destination, just when the sun was setting, right on schedule. Hunting in Uriel is usually better done at night when the creatures are out, themselves, hunting for dinner.
They each removed the tents and food packs from their horses, who they let go to the pond to drink and talk, and made camp.
“You guys,” Taylor said as he finished setting up his tent, “Start the fire while I go catch dinner,” he said making his way to the north woods entrance.
“What we having?” Salador shouted to him.
“Snouter,” Taylor shouted back which bought grins to the whole party.
Snouter, a warthog with two heads, was rarely eaten by anyone in Uriel despite being the most delicious thing on the planet. A quarter of one is safe. Anymore than that for a year from the day the first quarter is eaten and death is guaranteed with no cure. Luckily, everyone hadn't had a quarter of a snouter for three years.
They started on a roaring fire and, once finished, they heard noises from the woods, “You fucking ugly pig! Yeah run bitch, run home to mommy. Ohhh didn't make it did ya? How's that neck feeling? Not too good? Really? Thats cause there seems to be an arrow sticking out of it. Better patch up the wound ay? You can't? DINNER,” He screamed as he walked out the woods, a Snouter hanging over his shoulder, one arrow in its neck, another in its front left hoof.
He dropped it on the ground in front of the roaring fire and Salador set it up on a spit.
As the Snouter was roasting, they decided to use the time to do what they came here to do.
The Group got their hunting equpitment together and left the campground as one.
III. The queens go camping too
“Come on,” Rossa said, dragging Marie through the bedroom door, “it will do you a lot of good to get out of the castle.”
“Yeah, let's go camping where my dead daughter's body was found,” Marie said coldly as she kept struggling.
“Yeah, I know, I really wish Flavour had chosen somewhere better to do this. But come on, everything is set up and we have a lot of things set up to help you forget.”
“And why would I want to forget about my daughter?” asked Marie, keeping her cold manner.
“I didn't say that!” Rossa exclaimed. “It has been tough on all of us and we all need to come together as I think we all need some consoling,” Rossa said begging.
“Fine,” Marie said, giving in, “But you're evil for doing that, everytime you do that no one can argue,”she said, still in her cold manner, as they made their way down the staircase.
They met up with Seven, carrying a basket of food, as they exited the castle. Marie brightened up at the sight of her.
“Anything special planned tonight, Seven?” She asked with hope.
“Well, I thought, under the circumstances....” Seven replied uncertainly.
Marie looked at her, eyes full of tears.
“You didn't let me finish! Under the circumstances, why would I give up the chance to make you all run for the hills?”
This bought a smile to Maries' face as they continued down towards Cherry Woods.
IV. The next gen Group's traditions are broken forever
“Just continue,” Harmony said, in her usual bossy voice, as they continued walking towards Slatyer.
“But we can't!” Clowe exclaimed.
“Why?” Harmony questioned which bought gasps from everyone, yet she kept her cool as if she said nothing wrong.
“Because it is tradition!” Amy said forcefully.
“And? That is why we're doing it! Do you think that Tessa would've wanted us not to just because she died? No! She wouldn't, would she? She told us never break tradition ever. Do you think we should stop now?”
“But but but.” Taylor stammered out.
“But what?” Harmony demanded.
“It just isn't right,” Marcus told her in a begging tone.
“I know it isn't,” She agreed still keeping her cool, “ but we are doing this for Tessa, not to insult her! Now let's hurry or we won't get good seats before the afternoon rush.”
V. And hunting they go
The arrow entered the Strippler's neck and it fell down, dead, at Taylors' feet who grinned at it with a look of deep loathing.
Another Strippler attempted a dive at Taylor but ended up next to its brother at his feet.
5 Owlets surrounded Gabriels head, baring sharp teeth, ready to attack. Gabriel pulled his sword from its sheath and clicked the pink button on the handle which produced 4 more blades.
“Time for fun,” Gabriel said as he raised the sword in defensive position.
They attacked and so did he.
Plop, plop, plop, plop, plop; they dropped at his feet heads missing.
“Nice one,” Taylor said with praise having rarely seen Gabriel's specially modified sword in action.
“And you,” Gabriel said, eyes widening. as he saw 20 creatures at Taylor's feet, arrows in various parts of their bodies.
“Do you mind? The kitchen would love to have them while they are good and ready,”Taylor said as he made to give the carcasses one last good kick.
“Not at all,” Gabriel replied, leaving the Owlets there for Taylor, as he chased after a group of Stripplers
Vi. For Tessa
They all danced in one big group, in Smoter's bar, while Lazy Tom played on his guitar, accompanied by Thomas The Quiet on the drums as the singing came from the crowd.
“And there they stood
Oh the queens and kings
Don't they look good
Ready for Battle
On the hill of dreams
Until they were slain
By the evil overlord
Never to be seen again”
“For Tessa,” Harmony screamed, tears in her eyes.
“For Tessa!” The whole bar agreed.
VII. The queens remember
“Why didn't you just jump earlier? It ruined everything. My parents gave me hell after that one.” Rossa exclaimed still in disbelief.
“Because,” Sanity started, cooly, “I just didn't see the point of jumping off a tower. What was it meant to prove? We know that flight, outside of creatures, is impossible. So, exactly, what did jumping off the tower do, except for giving us broken arms?”
“Well you jumped anyway, why did you jump exactly?”
“Well, everyone's parents were standing there, at that moment I figured that out the window was better than in the presence of my parents.”
“Yeah, well they didn't let us get away with it did they? Making us play soccer in the rain with the broken arms.”
“Hey!” Seven started, “that was bludey fun that was.”
“Only because you and Gabriel made the ball explode everytime someone touched it, the game took bludey 10 hours to finish! Do you know how painful it was standing in that goal after having an exploding ball hit you for 10 hours?” Ripple said through clenched teeth.
“Ay, we had just broken everyone's arms for the first time! We felt the need to celebrate in our special way.” Seven replied as casually as possible.
“Wish I had been there,” Marie said sadly.
“Hey, stop with that. If you want I can give you an exploding alarm clock? Me and Gabe find it the best way to wake up!” Seven offered, which bought a smile to Marie.
“And anyway, you've been a part of our best moments, when we were kids we were just experimenting. Nowadays we know exactly what we are doing.
“Like, did you all know that right now there is a forcefield around the forest to stop anything from getting in?”Seven said proudly and smiled after seeing her friends' shocked faces.
“How'd you get to do that one?” Flavour asked with complete interest.
“Oh, you'll find out in due time,” Seven replied sneakily.
“Nothing can penetrate it?” Rossa asked with big eyes.
“Nothing at all!” Seven said with more pride in her voice, not noticing Flavours' eyes lighting up.
“So, what are we having for dinner?” Marie asked, turning her eyes towards Rossa, who is the best cook out of them all.
“Thought i'd make my special stew, added a bit of Snouter in there, as well, to flavour it up good!” This bought a smile to everyone's face especially Marie.
“I'll go get the water shall I?” Sanity said, standing up and making her way towards the tent door.
“Ok, but get it from the creek this time and not the bludey pond! The soaps make the stew taste weird.” Seven said, making a face in disgust.
“Yeah we wouldn't want anything weird to happen, now would we?” Sanity said sarcastically as she exited.
Viii. Razor
“The scout hasn't returned yet, your majesty. The watchers lost sight of him after he entered Oster.” Captian Ryan said, kneeling down in front of Razor.
“Rise,” Razor demanded, hating when people bowed at him, “When will everyone be ready?”
“By moonrise, majesty.” Captain Ryan said confidently.
“Good.”
ix. A queen dissappears
“Someone there?” Sanity said standing up from the pond and turning towards the direction of the noise.
She turned back to the task at hand not paying the noise anymore notice.
Woosh.
She picked up the bucket, now full of water, and started walking back towards the tent.
Woosh.
“Seven, if this is one of your jokes!”
Wooooooooooossssshhhh.
A blue light crept out of a tree of bright blue and started moving towards Sanity; now frozen with fear.
“Seven!” Sanity exclaimed as the light overtook her. A second later she had dissappeared.
“Yeah, Sanity what is it?” Seven said as she exited the tent. “Sanity?” She said looking around.
“Girls!” Seven screamed in worry.
“Yeah?” The others said exiting the tent.
“Sanity is gone,” Seven said in confusion and worry.
“What? How?” Marie asked, confused, looking around the forest for Sanity. “Didn't you have this forcefield up?”
“Yeah and its still up!”
“This isn't all just part of the gag is it?” Flavour asked in a sceptic voice.
“No no no, I had a whole hive of wasps set up for the gag when everyone was asleep!” Seven replied matter-of-factly.
“Than how did she escape?” Rossa demanded.
“I don't know, if anyone attempts to go through the forcefield they just receive a mild shock,” Seven said as she walked towards the forcefield and touched it yelping in pain, “See!”
“Well,” Marie started as she walked around the forest, “There must be some clue around here somewhere,”
The queens looked around the forest all night but gave up and retired to bed after 5 hours, until the wasps woke them up.
x. A giant problem for Razor
“Has the scout returned yet?” Razor asked, one last time, in hope.
“No majesty, still hasn't returned,” The Captain answered in dissapointment.
Razor exited the tent followed by the Captain and walked towards his group of knights, already on their horses.
“Ready to go, men?” Razor asked getting on his horse and riding to the front of the group.
“Yes, majesty!” The shouted out in union.
) and been reading through them all