by Kasey Endsley

Created on: December 03, 2008

Excerpt from the novel I am trying to finish, "The Tristan Wars".

The silver, iridescent orb pulsed between his outstretched hands, sending bolts of electric warmth throughout his body. The presence it exuded overwhelmed his senses, pressing itself upon every inch of his body and mind until it felt as if he had been plunged thousands of feet into the ocean's depths and was suffering from the pressure.

The soldiers stationed around the hall watched with wonder and awe as the orb flickered, while Casik's eyes betrayed fear. He whispered Ezren's name with stunned disbelief.

Suddenly, the orb collapsed upon itself in a miniature explosion. Painful shockwaves racked Ezren's body until he entered a seizure like state, falling and writhing on the ground. 'I am dying,' he thought helplessly as he convulsed. He could feel foam falling from his lips and blood from the palms of his hands.

"Ezren!" screamed Casik, rushing to his aid. "Ezren," he repeated, "Ezren, Ezren, Ezren..."

It was then Ezren realized that the voice he heard now was not Casik's. The voice was coming as a faint whisper through his right ear, almost as if from a lover. "Ezren," it said, "Let me in." The entity lingered on the outskirts of his mind, poking and prodding, trying to nudge its way through his mental barrier. "No!" gasped Ezren through his spasms.

"The pain will stop, I swear to you."

Ezren was hovering on the edges of conscienceness and, despite his will, his natural defenses took over upon hearing the voice's promise. His barrier fell, and he blacked out.

________________________________________________ _____________________

When Ezren finally woke, it was to the sound of many voices shouting all at once.

"I don't understand why you cannot-"

"It's not for you to know."

"Then I shall have you reported!"

"For what, might I ask?"

"For withholding information that could put my men at risk!"

"How dare you in-"

"Please, your graces, he is awake," came a light, dainty voice.

Ezren opened his eyes to find himself in the Lieutenant's personal office. The floors and walls were of a deep red mahogany wood, with brighter red tapestries hung about. The plush couch Ezren now rested on was of the same bright crimson. Scrolls lined the honeycomb shelves, and ancient volumes were stacked five feet high on the floors in all corners of the room. Standing in the center of the room and orbiting a small circular table, each looking as if they were ready to strike the other, were Lieutenant Casik and Captain Orek. Captain Orek

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