The (Finished) Creative Writing Story 3 - It's all done, folks.

[Big Rick Cook]

Here we have the accumulation of more than a year and a half's collaborative effort on the part of many Pavilion Members. This is a story that was started by a member of the Pavilion, and each time an addition was finished by one author, another author would pick the story up from where they left off.

This story was first started on the Temporary Gaming Grounds forum over at EzBoard, and then transferred very poorly over to the actual Pavilion Forums at EzBoard. This version is not the same version you can see over there right now. This version has been edited by myself for coherence, unity, spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. and I would request that anyone who stumbles in here gives it a read.

Now, you may be thinking that a year and a half is a lot of reading to catch up on, and you'd be right. Truthfully, the story is just over 500 pages long right now, and it is still an ongoing project. To hopefully stifle the shock of trying to read 500 pages plus, John Mora and I have decided that I will post up only one addition by any one person at a time. Every day or every other day, I will post up the next person's addition until the entire edited version of the story is completely transferred over to this forum.

I strongly encourage everyone who takes the time to read this to hop over to the CWS Discussion thread here in the Imaginari and give us your thoughts. Please be thoughtful and don't bash anyone. If you don't have any positive comments, please try not to be rude with your negative ones.

This story was also started as a way for anyone who felt like it to join in and write the continuing adventure. Until I get the entirety of the story edited and placed under these forums, anyone who is not currently an active author of the story will not be allowed to write for the story. After the additions are up to date, if you feel you would like to contribute your writing to the cause, let us know in the CWS Discussion thread, and we'll help you out from there. For now, though, let's get to the beginning of the Creative Writing Story 3.1!

A quick note: all of the notations included in the beginning of the additions are for quick reference in jumping to a specific person's addition, the beginning of new chapters, or the beginning of new story arcs (known as Books). This is an experimental reference guide and I have yet to see how effective it is going to be.

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CREATIVE WRITING STORY 3.1

BOOK 01

Chapter 01

1st Post – Patryn 01

*Patryn1* – *one* *chapter1*

The wind blew softly from the east, causing the tall grasses to wave in the light of the setting sun. He stood at the edge of the Sea of Grass, that little-traveled land that had claimed so many lives. Behind him, the lights of the city of Wintan were beginning to be lit. He imagined the lamplighter running down the street, carefully lighting each one. The men were likely heading to the local pub searching for a drink to blot out the horrors of the day. More than anything, Guillermo wished he could be inside the tavern, sitting by the fire, instead of facing the nightmare that was his life. However, he knew that thoughts like that did him little good now. Looking out over the miles of green stretching before him, he resolved himself to the fact that his fate forced him to cross it, and face the great unknown.

Unlike those he grew up with, Guillermo wasn’t a dreamer. While others spoke of traveling to the edge of the known world and discovering the mysteries that the world held, he had always sought the solitude of the village. Playing among the plowed fields and hiding in the well-known knots of trees, the village seemed to hold everything he would ever need. Coming from a fairly well-to-do family, at least for a village, he had an easy future where he would inherit the family business, get rich, marry a pretty girl, have a lot of kids, and die. Of course, that plan had gotten shot to hell when the war started.

Like his entire class at school, he had been drafted. Luckily, his father’s influence had managed to get him assigned to guarding the borders of the great capital city, Jaegar. Even going to see the wondrous city was more than Guillermo had ever seen himself doing. Wandering among the numerous shops tucked into hidden alleys awoke something in him. He had discovered that he could fall in love with more than the simple village that he came from, which was something he had never in a million years imagined would happen. The possibility of the world had made itself known in those times.

It had been while he spent day after boring day watching out over the ramparts of the massive city looking for an enemy that would never arrive that he had begun to feel the tinge of wanderlust that his friends had talked about. He imagined them on the front line of the battles, their wonder at the massive forest whose trees towered higher than the highest giant. He could almost see the immense titans - images of warrior kings who lived so far in the past even their names were lost - carved into the side of the Taber canyon. He had both longed and feared to hunt the enemy in the fire caves of Joyt, lit by the sight of enough flame sapphires to fill the largest canyon.

The endless reports of his friends’ deaths in those exotic lands had managed to dim the longing, but not completely extinguish it. Little of the world was truly known, to him or anyone else. A voice inside Guillermo kept whispering the thought that while his friends had died young, they had seen and experienced more than he ever would.

The war’s end had brought only chaos; nobody could really tell which side had won. Heading back to his home village, Guillermo began to see the scope of the economic collapse the war had brought on. When his path had taken him closer to the front line, he began to see the true devastation that his simple guard post never allowed him. The bones of the dead still decorated the battlefield, bleached in the sun, an occasional vulture still picking meat. Swords and shields littered the ground. Craters marked the impact of artillery. All he could do was shake his head and pray to the Great Spirit that this would be the last he would see of devastation and war.

He had reached his village not long after his dismissal. Far from the front, it had survived more or less intact. However, it had seen the effects of the war in its own way. Of the 10 young men it had sent to fight, only two, Guillermo and Alain, who lived on the opposite side of the village, had returned. Life returned to somewhat normal around Guillermo, but he could not help but feel a sense of falseness about it all. What he had once envisioned as his future no longer felt right. More and more, he had sought out Alain to hear about his experience fighting, and more importantly, the sights he had seen. He had never been really close to Alain, but the other survivor seemed to welcome the company of someone who had seen at least a measure of the same horrors he had experienced.

So it had been for six months after he came home. Then the monsters had invaded, and life changed again, but in far greater ways than the war had ever brought about.

Guillermo was one year removed to the day since the first monster had reached his village, and now he found himself leaving the shattered remnants of his country and seeking stability in ‘his’ great unknown. He straightened his tricorn, checked his saber and his veritably rare flintlock, and waited for the ship that would take him to his future. In the distance he could see it, its great sail whipping in the wind, the sun nearly set behind it. Sweeping across the grass sea, it swung around to the makeshift air docks where Guillermo was waiting, dropped anchor, and lowered its plank to allow him to board. Guillermo hesitated, and then stepped aboard, a tired sailor greeting him.

"Welcome, mate. Wha’ ye be seeking?" the sailor asked. Guillermo thought for a moment before replying.

"An escape."

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Keep an eye out for future additions!

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

Here we have the second addition posted by Inraged Cow. Originally posted back in 2003, this is the addition that really kickstarted the story, as it showed general interest among the Pavilion members.

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2nd Post – Inraged Cow (IRC) 01

*IRC1* – *two*

Guillermo had seen many technological wonders during his days in Jaegar, but his favorite by far had been the great airships. In Jaegar he had seen mostly the imposing war ships decked out in armor and massive cannons that drew gasps from everyone the first time they laid eyes on one. The first time Guillermo had visited the docks he was struck with such amazement that he couldn't speak. Even decked out for war, the ships were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He would always remember that as the day he first wanted to know what was out there. Though the current ship before him was barely a quarter of the size of the Jaegar warships, Guillermo was still filled with awe and wonder. He quickly set aside his memories and simply stood on the deck taking in all the sensations he felt. The bitter taint of grass leaving his nostrils as they ascended, the buxom first mate barking out harsh orders and the deck crew’s speedy fulfillment of her wishes; his favorite, though, was the way the wind was tossing his hair across his face. All these displays threatened to overwhelm his sense of joy and complacency as a ground dweller. Eventually, satisfied with his draught of the open air, and the last light of the sun faded from the horizon, he retired to the passenger hold to find his cabin.

His mood from the deck was so merry that that his knees almost buckled when he saw a conspicuous man in the dining hold. Upon passing this man and catching his eye, Guillermo was hit with such a weight in his stomach that he had to catch his breath. Looking back at the man, Guillermo stopped and stared, wondering what it was about the stranger that affected him so. The man looked no different from the other passengers, being dressed in the same light cloth garb that all travelers seemed to wear nowadays; just light enough to allow quick movement but hardy enough to stand up to the weather. The man had no visible weapons that Guillermo could see, and seemed to be just another passenger enjoying one last drink before bed. But Guillermo couldn't get rid of the feeling of dread that he had felt in the instant their eyes had met. Finally turning to continue to his cabin, Guillermo could swear he felt the man's eyes on him, but he could not bring himself to look back. His exhilaration from the deck was completely forgotten; the coldness he felt in the pit of his stomach was nothing short of unknown dread.

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Tomorrow morning, if you're even reading these, look for the next addition!

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

This was the first post by Starba, one of only two female writers that graced the story. There was not a lot of significance to this particular addition, aside from the introduction of our first supporting cast member.

3rd Post – Starba 01

*Starba1* – *three*

Guillermo's quarters were enclosed on all sides, so he could only imagine the land far below. He sat softly on his worn, but neatly folded, bed sheets to once again think of the uncertain future that awaited him. His father's influence meant nothing anymore. He was dead and the country was pillaged of any value. Guillermo hung his tricorn on the bedside table and tucked his other possessions in a nook between the bed and the wall, where they wouldn’t slide with the tilt of the ship.

He considered leaving for the eastern mountains upon returning to Jaegar, but first he would need to find a caravan to travel with. The economy had never recovered since the war ended a year and a half ago, and bandits were now almost as prevalent as monsters around the few cities that still had functional banks and treasuries. Guillermo was hungry, but he dared not return to the dining hall with that foreboding presence there. He tossed and turned on the rickety bed, but could not find peace. He tucked his belongings back under his short rain cloak and intended to make his way back to the deck of the ship, but nearly ran into an unusually vibrant young man on his way out the door.

“You got the bottom bunk?” the boy observed. “That’s all right. I like the top.” Guillermo hadn’t noticed the young man’s meager brown bag in the corner. “Cassidy Raesch,” he said, holding out his hand. “On my way to Jaegar, but I don’t know where from there. Most everyone’s the same way around here. You?”

“I guess so. I’m Guillermo Avory, by the way,” he replied with a slow handshake. “Has the dining hall cleared out a bit?”

“I wouldn’t know, I ate awhile ago,” Cassidy replied. “Came from the deck just now, I did. You should go up there. We’re passing over the canyon right now. Quite a sight.”

“I might do that,” Guillermo replied, “after I eat.”

“In any case, pleased to make your acquaintance, soldier,” Cassidy said. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

“Right, in the morning,” Guillermo said tiredly, fully expecting a long, sleepless night. With that, he headed back to the dining hall, hoping that the man he had exchanged glances with previously had retired for the night.

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

The 4th addition, 1st by Caciss, the raccoon-obsessed resident of the Pavilion, was the first addition that I made relatively large changes to during editing. Originally, the scene had come to have absolutely nothing to do with the overall story, and became an unnecessary addition in the grand scheme of things. I didn't want to just cut out additions, as that wouldn't be fair to the writers who gave me permission to edit their original work, so you'll notice in later additions the inclusion of small factors that give this addition a little bit of purpose. Sorry to Caciss for calling his post unnecessary, I hope he understands.

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4th Post – Caciss 01

*Caciss1* – *four*

Despite his hunger, he paid little mind to the enticing aromas of fresh-baked honey bread and grilled steak as his eyes peered around the room; not a soul to be found aside from the chef standing behind a glossy wooden counter, scrubbing away at a pile of dirty dishes. The chef stood a good head taller than Guillermo, and looked a bruiser to boot. Why a guy like that wasn’t making money bouncing bars defied all Guillermo’s logic. The man was made up of large broad shoulders, long greasy blonde hair, and a tattered used-to-be-white tank top. Guillermo cringed as the chef’s skin glistened with sweat while beads of the liquid slopped frantically from his nose and chin, obviously from long hours in front of a dangerously hot stove. Guillermo quickly shuffled over towards the counter, and asked for a plate of food. The chef raised his eyebrow, and sighed before saying, “New comer are we?”

“Yes, I just made the ship’s logs this afternoon,” replied Guillermo.

“Well, then, lad. Lemme’ explain a couple of rules to ya.”

Guillermo nodded, knowing that no good would come of a chef not instantly shooing away a patron with a plate full of chow. “Food’s done, sorry if your belly be empty. You bettah’ watch the clock from now on. Serving is ended at six, and begins again at six.” explained the Chef. “Strict rule, chap, not any later.”

Guillermo’s stomach growled in aggression. His soldier’s self-control was tested as he just raised his head and nodded once more before walking out the door, and then to the main deck.

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

The first addition by Staffmaster, known now as Infinity Dragon. There's not much to say about this addition, except that Cassidy's accent is more or less uniform throughout, whereas it used to be all over the place.

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5th Post – Staffmaster 01

*Staffmaster1* – *five*

The Canyon was a sight to behold. Its gaping crevasses and rolling gulleys played mysteriously with the twin light of Lua and Appola, the Sister Moons. The Canyon was two leagues wide in some places, and a league and a half deep, but the ship glided over it like it was not there at all. Guillermo spotted a few monsters far below, but they were no danger being ground-dwellers. He felt a weight drop onto the railing next to him: Cassidy.

"Couldn't sleep either, eh?" Guillermo sighed.

"Nah, mate," Cassidy replied, shaking his head, "these here bunks are lumpier than my Granny's mashed uber root."

They stood looking out over the vastness for what seemed like hours, but spanned only minutes. Finally, Cassidy broke the silence. "This your first time on an airship?"

"No. I rode one back during the war." Guillermo replied with little interest. "One of those big Corralthian cruisers. It took me to my post when I got out of military school."

"I'll be wagering it was a fair piece better than this one here," Cassidy ventured.

"That it was. Less charm, though." he said, staring at his feet, then stretched.

From up on the quarter deck someone rang the bell. The clapper hit the rim eleven times. "ELEVEN O' CLOCK 'AN OLLS WELL!" cried out the unseen mate. "OLL PASSENGERS TO THEIR QUARTERS! NO ROAMIN’ THE SHIP AT NIGHT!" Guillermo heeded the call with the same lack of enthusiasm he had been showing since locking eyes with the strange old man in the mess hall. Cassidy hopped up in an energetic fashion and led the way while Guillermo’s feet dragged the ground. An empty stomach did not help to calm his nerves.

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Stay tuned, as things begin moving a bit more swiftly tomorrow!

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

The first returning author to the story, Starba, features more character development between the two new friends. This sets the stage for the actual story that develops in tomorrow's addition.

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6th Post – Starba 02

*Starba2* - *six*

“I’ve heard this here canyon’s nothin’ compared to some outside the borders,” Cassidy said as he stripped off his worn tunic. His eyes grew wide in hopeful expectation. “Did you see any of them? In the service?”

“No,” Guillermo replied, wishing Cassidy would stop asking questions, “I was stationed at the capital.”

“Ah. That’s too bad,” the kid said, crawling up to the top bunk like a monkey. With his ribs sticking out, he looked the part. “I tried to enlist, but the army said I was too young. Tough luck, eh?”

Young and ignorant, Guillermo mused. “Lots of people died, you know.”

“Yeah, but at least they could say they did something worthwhile. When those monsters started showing up, I thought for sure I was gonna get throttled without going a full ten miles away from my own home town. Not anymore, though. There’s so many things I’m gonna do; I’ve got my whole life ahead of me. Doncha agree?”

“How do you plan to get the cash to travel?”

“I’m a real good hunter,” Cassidy replied, chin lifted, obviously swelling with pride. “That’s what I used to do at home. I can see a piu in the brush 50 yards away and I take in my surroundings real quick. That’s how I noticed you had the bottom bunk before. It was all wrinkled.”

“Ok…”

“It’d be real nice if I could get my hands on a flintlock like the pretty one you got, but I’ve learned to manage with a crossbow. Besides, it’s easier to save artillery. Once I get to Jaegar tomorrow, I’m gonna head out to the countryside and shoot up as much as I can so I can afford some new shoes and a place to hang my hat, if’n the monsters don’t get me first. After that, I think I’m gonna earn me a spot on the soonest caravan east to Taeron in the mountains. A lot of people say that’s the best bet, with this country goin’ all to hell in a hand basket. In a couple of years everyplace in the valley but Jaegar’s gonna be nothing but ghost towns. It’s a sad sight, but that’s what I reckon’s gonna happen. I’ll miss home, but at the same time I’ll actually feel just as safe on the road as in my own bed nowadays with all the monsters about, doncha think? Can’t worry about safety anymore. Gotta just fly by the seat of your pants and hope you see everything you wanted to along the way.”

Guillermo stretched himself out on the bottom bunk, expecting sleep was not going to come, but before he knew it he was in a fitful dreamless state. He awoke with a crick in his neck, a bruise where he’d been sleeping on his rifle, and to the ring of a sharp wake-up call from down the hall.

“Come on, soldier,” Cassidy hollered. “Breakfast isn’t gonna come to you!”

Guillermo stumbled out of bed and crookedly laid his tricorn on a disheveled mass of straw-yellow hair before stepping into the corridor. He winced at the glare of white light gleaming from the portholes in the dining area at the end of the hall. The energizing smell of gristly meat and greasy eggs wafted towards him, and he eventually found the strength to enter the frenzy and fight for his first meal in nearly a day.

“That’s the spirit!” Cassidy said, suddenly appearing beside him. “I feel like a king on this ship. I haven’t eaten this good in a long time. Can’t wait to get out of the valley to where the game’s better and you don’t have to compete with all of creation for it. Haven’t had nothing but piu and broth for a month. At least when I’m with the caravan I can barter for spices and such. Even if I do have to go back to the ole staple diet, I can give it some kick.”

“How much farther to Jaegar?” Guillermo asked, changing the subject. He felt somewhat uncomfortable talking to the kid about meat and broth when he had as much money in his gun as the boy had probably ever earned in his life.

“I reckon we’re a couple hours away,” Cassidy replied. “We’re supposed to be there at noon, ‘round abouts. As soon as I eat I’m heading up to the deck. I hear there’s nothing like seeing Jaegar from the air, even considering the state it’s in now. I bet I’ll even catch a glimpse of one of the big airships.”

Guillermo inhaled his sausage, eggs, and coffee, but the greasy meal didn’t settle well in his stomach. As the boy ran to get his bag and head to the deck, he leaned against a stack of wooden crates and observed the ragtag group of sailors and travelers filling the dining hall. His eyes flitted across the crowd and settled on a familiar figure. The man was reclined languidly at an out-of-the way table and seemed almost to be asleep. Guillermo searched his brain again and again, but could not place what it was that bothered him so much. Suddenly uncomfortable, he handed his dirty dishes to the cook and hurried upstairs to the deck.

It was going to be a hot day; perhaps even storms by evening. Even in early morning, the sun was merciless in its intensity, which would turn to heavy heat in a few short hours. The well-oiled ship glided silently through the air and low to the ground. What few pius that were left could be heard wailing in the brush below.

“I’ve been thinking,” a voice said, from out of nowhere. Cassidy put his back to the railing and leaned back on his elbows. “Everybody’s goin’ up to the mountains, y’know? The monsters aren’t stupid; they’ll get the hint. Taeron’ll be this country all over again, and wherever the people go after that will be the same. Smart people would be more daring, y’know, take the road less taken.”

“Traveling alone is suicide,” Guillermo said flatly.

“Not necessarily alone,” the boy explained. “But you gotta agree with me. Do you really want to go to a new city to call your home just to see it get ransacked like all the others?”

“I hadn’t planned on settling down,” Guillermo replied.

“I thought you just said traveling alone was suicide? Are you trying to tell me you need a companion?” he said with a sly grin.

“You find odd meanings to simple conversation. And no.”

“Oh, come on. Why not?”

“I need someone to watch my back, not someone to babysit,” Guillermo growled.

“Seriously, you can’t be but a couple years older than me,” Cassidy sneered, shoving a thumb to his bony chest. “You probably joined the military at my age.”

“That’s the difference between us. I’ve been in the service and you haven’t. Besides, you don’t have a penny to your name. It’d be best for you to earn something for yourself before you ever even think about traveling any farther than you already have.”

“Guarding Jaegar? You call that the service? Ha!”

Once again growing annoyed as he found himself doing around this boy, he snapped out, “I don’t have time for this,” and stalked away.

“Wait! I didn’t mean it like that,” Cassidy said, running up behind him. “Listen, you have to admit, ever since these monsters have shown up, anyone who hasn’t cracked yet proves they have some salt to them. I’ve seen a lot of hell over the past year, and I’m tough. Give me a chance, you won’t regret it,” he pleaded. “I can help you out a lot, and I’ll stick by you, I promise. We’re almost at Jaegar, and you know I’m right about following everyone else’s lead. It’ll only lead to bad ends. If you take me with you, no matter where we go, I won’t let you down. Please.”

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Tomorrow, things get actiony. And yes, I know it's not a word.

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

The first and only addition by Vanilla Ice T, you could say this one was the first really influential addition because it forced change upon the story, and took it in a direction it was badly needing to go. Originally, this was the point where things started to get really really really messed up, because people, and I mean everyone, kept forgetting facts, and making up new things that didn't fit with the characters, and as such, the next 50 or so pages were a definite challenge to edit coherently.

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7th Post – Vanilla Ice T 01

*Vanilla1* - *seven*

Guillermo smirked and replied, “Yeah, right, kid.”

Cassidy was obviously frustrated. He stared up at Guillermo with a strong scowl and began his pleading again. “Come now! At least let me accompany until ya’ find another… What the-“, Cassidy paused suddenly and turned his head sharply to look off the bow of the ship. Guillermo strained to see what he was looking at, but could identify nothing out of the ordinary.

A cry from the crow’s nest high above their heads alerted Guillermo to Cassidy’s obviously true claim of having great eyesight. “Monsters ahead! Flyin’ straight in from 12 o' clock! All hands to battle positions! Guests to their quarters! Repeat, monsters ahead!” the sailor shouted down to the crew.

The whole ship erupted in chaos. The guests were panicking, rushing about the ship as the sailors tried to get to the bow to defend. Guillermo noticed Cassidy grabbing the crossbow he’d brought up in his bag earlier. Guillermo grabbed Cassidy by the back of his tunic and dragged him, kicking, down to their quarters.

“What are you doing!?” Cassidy started to complain as Guillermo tossed him onto the bed.

“Stay here.”

Guillermo grabbed his flintlock and saber and rushed back to the deck. He could already hear the sound of gunfire as he pushed the deck door open and readied his flintlock. He noticed there were only about twenty sailors defending the ship, as opposed to the hundred monsters now only yards away. Every volley from the untrained sailors’ rifles seemed to drop only a few of the monsters. By the time they were on the ship, at least sixty were still left.

The monsters landed on the ship and began tearing it apart. Guillermo got his first good look at the creatures and decided they were nothing short of daunting. Silver-grey feathers lined their bodies with small awkward stripes of black feathers set in the huge wings. They resembled eagles, but with larger, primitive heads and smaller beaks suited to quick jabs and tears. Their clawed feet noisily splintered the deck as each one practically crash-landed on the deck. Guillermo fired a few shots and took down three of them before another rushed him from behind, knocking him over and sending his gun far out of reach. Underneath the winged monster, he unsheathed his saber and sent it into his attacker’s heart. The beast squealed and tumbled off the side of the ship.

Guillermo regained himself and stood back up. As he looked around, he noted more sailors had arrived and were now fighting the monsters with swords and spears. Cassidy was on top of a crate with his crossbow, firing into the sky at the invaders. One swooped down and knocked Cassidy off his balance, nearly throwing him over the side of the boat. Guillermo dashed over to Cassidy and grabbed him, dragging him to an open crate. Guillermo threw the boy in the crate and turned it over, trapping him.

Guillermo returned to the center of the chaos where the sailors were, and aided them in defending the ship against the few remaining monsters. It wasn’t long before the monsters were fully turned away, but the danger was hardly over. Many sailors had been slain, and the ship had been torn apart; there was no way that they would be reaching their destination.

The burly captain appeared from the quarter deck with a bloody saber and shouted, “We be makin’ a landin’ in the canyon! Everyone inside! Prepare for a rough landin’!”

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Tomorrow is the crash landing. Stick around.

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

Staffmaster's second addition, and what was decided as the end of the first chapter of the first book during editing. This addition was particularly a nuisance while editing, because there were no discerning lines between things that happened on the deck, and in the 'centerline' room. I don't even know if I was capable of fixing this one up properly, but I hope it at least serves its purpose.

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8th Post – Staffmaster (Staff) 02

*Staffmaster2* *eight*

Guillermo kicked over the crate Cassidy was in and scowled at the boy. His saber in his left hand and his flintlock in the other, Guillermo was an imposing figure, and knew it. Surprised then was he when the look that greeted him was steadfast defiance.

"What the hell did ya go and do that for!" Cassidy screamed. "I was holdin' my own!"

"I stopped you from falling off the side of the ship. Holding your own doesn’t entail being rescued from haphazard mistakes!" Guillermo yelled back with equaled fury. “You’re an easy target up on a perch like that against flying monsters, a danger to yourself.”

"More like I was a danger to that monster I shot!" The boy quickly retorted.

Guillermo composed himself, sheathed his saber, and grabbed Cassidy's arm, helping him to his feet. "Look, we don't have time for this. The ship is going down, and if we don't get someplace secure," he motioned over to one of the sailors killed in the battle, "we're going to be sharing the deck with the likes of him."

Cassidy needed no more encouragement and they both rushed below decks. Below, the Centerline room was filling up with frightened passengers and sailors alike. As its name suggests, the centerline room was in the center of the ship and was built and installed in all passenger ships in case of crash landings. Still, the shock of impact would be felt just as severely here as would be any where else on the ship. Guillermo hurriedly sat down and grabbed the safety strap on the wall to brace himself. Cassidy, who had wrestled into a seat roughly across from him, clung voraciously to a knotted rope dangling from the ceiling.

*****

Above decks, the Captain lit the signal flame and prayed that the authorities in Jaegar would see it, or at least its smoke. The Navigator took the wheel and pulled back slightly, attempting to pull the bow up from the ever-increasing angle of descent. Suddenly, the ship let out a thunderous clap, as the hull struck an outcrop of rock on the starboard side. Everyone was jolted bow ward and to starboard in one unified movement. The ship’s angle of descent leveled slightly as it ricocheted off of the outcrop, sending it toward another. The Navigator threw the wheel forward and the ship lurched downward, but not enough to prevent the mast from getting sheered off at about twelve feet above the deck. Splinters and spikes went flying like missiles. Several burst through the deck itself and lodged there. More and more the ship angled downward, and the ship was losing speed by the second. Eventually, it was clear that gravity was winning out over the ever-weakening engines.

The Navigator waited until the outcrop was almost upon him and pulled up sharply. The wheel house swung down abruptly as the ailerons on the tail threw the ship to level flight. This was for naught though, because it was at that moment that the engines sputtered their last gasp of life and fell silent. The ship, now without levitating abilities, dropped from the air like a stone. After a few tense moments, the ship collided with the slope of the canyon wall, then spun harshly into a barrel roll with debris flying in all directions.

*****

Inside the centerline room people screamed as they were granted terrible weightlessness. Everyone slammed to the floor at the feared impact, but began a lottery tumbler with people as the tickets, tossing around anyone unlucky enough not to be harnessed. People were being thrown violently against the ceiling, floors, and walls. Guillermo was getting the beating of his life as thrashing limbs connected at every possible spot on his body. Oddly he wondered if this was the kind of punishment that the other young men faced when they were out on the front lines during the war. His thoughts did not wander long, for at that moment everyone was thrown towards the ceiling and then, just as abruptly, the left side of the room became the floor as the ship creaked and groaned before finally coming to a stop.

Guillermo sat weakly up. Looking around he saw Cassidy, half buried under someone else, but he appeared to be breathing, if nothing else. As his gaze panned the upturned room he saw something that both puzzled him and chilled his soul. Sitting in the far corner of the room was the creepy old man just sitting there as if nothing had happened. His hands were folded neatly and resting on the head of his cane. Guillermo saw the man slowly turn his head toward him, and their eyes met. Guillermo had no time to be mystified or scared, as his vision blanked and he blacked out.

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Things get really crazy tomorrow!

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

This one is short, and Caciss effectively maneuvers around some disturbing imagery, keeping it sharp, but not too detailed to make sure the reader doesn't get grossed out. I don't remember too much about when the addition was posted, but I do know that it was during a time when several additions were being posted per day. We originally had such a short time limit (1 hour) that there was literally no time for research and thinking up clever or unique ideas. This rule seriously hampered our individual creativity, forcing the opening pages of the story to mount in a lackluster fashion when compared with the rest of the story. Shame, really, since this is the part that will make or break the reader. I hope you all stick around long enough to savor the meat of the story.

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Chapter 02

9th Post – Caciss 02

*Caciss2* - *nine* *chapter2*

Guillermo awoke up to the sound of his own screams. They echoed out through the canyon walls as a saw tore deep into his flesh. “Hold still!” cried out the man with the saw. “Someone hold him down!” Two men came down and held his body still, as the saw tore deeper into his arm. His screams of agony never let up and he continued to shout until his vocal cords ran thin.

The sound of cutting wood broke the screams as the saw reached the bone. Guillermo muttered incoherently as he finally got a quick glance at his arm. It was stuck between a large rock, and a heavy chunk of engine.

“Sorry, son, no way to be lifting this engine anytime soon,” the doctor said as he wrapped up the bloody stump with bandages. “And I don’t believe rescuers will be here either.”

Guillermo was still shuddering as he took a glance at his arm. He couldn’t even bring himself to believe it, and he sobbed quietly. A cane popped right into his view and came down hard into the dirt. Looking up with puffy eyes, he noticed that there stood the man he feared. “I see yur arm has been tended to,” sighed the man. Guillermo couldn’t mutter a word from his mouth. Fear, tiredness, and pain couldn’t bring him to speak. “You don’t need to talk, boy,” answered the man, ending the silence, “I noticed you aboard the ship. Maybe I should have made my introduction earlier. See, I am Sir Robert Ven Dobbel; I served in the army for many years. You seem familiar, and look like the army man. With that saber and flintlock of yurs, you fought like the devil out there, boy. What’s yur name; I never forget a name,” asked Sir Dobbel.

“Guillermo Avory,” gasped Guillermo, and a shot of pain seemed to run up his arm.

Dobbel sighed, and said, “Well, Mr. Avory, I’m sure we’ll meet again.” He shuffled off and seemed to just disappear into the vision of those splendid canyons.

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[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

Super-teeny addition, and also the only one by Garr. This is the smallest addition, but not by very far. There are 2 posts that are less than 200 words, and many more that are under 500. I thought maybe I'd post up more than one addition today, but it only seems fair to give each addition its own spotlight.

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10th Post – Garr 01

*Garr1* - *ten*

As soon as Dobbel had passed out of sight, the pain overwhelmed Guillermo, causing him to black out once more.

When Guillermo came to, he found himself on a gurney made of timber and canvas, being jostled about by the crewmen carrying him. He looked around, but could not see Cassidy and wondered why they were still near the wreckage. What he did see were a multitude of other makeshift gurneys like his, each with its own injured occupant.

Guillermo attempted to speak but his mouth and throat were parched and nothing more than a hoarse cough came out. The soldier near his feet looked down at him; Guillermo tried to motion for water, but moving the remnants of his arm caused blinding pain to tear through his body, and he blacked out again.

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[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

Here's another one from IRC. This is the addition that notably started a lot of the confusion, as IRC had originally intended Avery, the first mate, to be a guy and Avery was his last name. It got mixed up during the next few additions, and someone thought Avery was a female's first name, so I had to change things a little bit early on so that many more pages didn't have to be completely reworked. I don't think I changed much else, a sentence or two here and there, and I had to break up the scene to portray the point of view of each character, as there was no format for point of view in the early stages of this story. In fact, a good portion of what I changed early on had to do with separating characters' thoughts. That's why some scenes jump around quite a bit; the only alternative was to rework the scenes completely to make them only one point of view, which most of the time didn't work with the scene.

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11th Post – IRC 02

*IRC2* - *eleven*

Sitting by a table salvaged from the wreck, the captain watched the last of the sun's light descend beyond the canyon's wall. He sighed, replaying in his mind the disaster of his career. Never had he lost so many men to a monster attack, nor had he ever wrecked an airship. He silently resigned his luck to the growing number of monsters in the skies as of late. His first mate interrupted just as he was turning to look at the various charts and maps also saved from the wreckage.

*****

"Report, Avery." the captain barked, the exhaustion apparent in his voice.

The first mate balked at the captain’s roughness, but regained her composure quickly. "Sir. We've got all the injured together in what's left of the hold. Sixteen passengers, mostly with minor injuries; a few broken bones but mostly they're just shaken up. I doubt any of them are going to get much sleep tonight."

"Good, what about our men?"

"We lost five to those cursed beasts and six in the crash, but there are still two crewmen unaccounted for. And although there's no sign of Hawkins, there's no way he could have survived. He was the only person on deck when the ship first hit."

"Set up a watch around the ship and make sure they keep those watch fires going. Have someone assist the cook in making sure that everyone's fed and are as comfortable as they can be."

"Sir."

"And Avery, I want you to take a small group of our best men to find Hawkins's body. He's the reason we’re still alive here and when we get back to Jaegar, I want more than a flag and a medal to give to his family. Dismissed."

"Sir, I thought you might want to know, that man who helped us with the beasts is still unconscious. Doc said he's got a bad fever from the shock of his arm. He's messed up pretty bad, but they say he's stable for now. That kid he was with hasn't left his side since this morning. Oh, and some of the passengers and crew have been talking about some man with a cane. They say he disappeared after the crash, but I can’t find anyone matching that description in the passenger log. While there is a small portion of the logs that didn’t make it through the crash, I don’t think he was on them, anyways."

Still bent over the table, the captain remained silent. After a few seconds, the first mate decided the captain was done with her report. She raised her left fist to her heart in salute, and then left to issue the captain’s orders.

*****

As she left, the captain looked up at the stars and sighed. He knew he should get himself something to eat but there was too much to do before they could move out. They had to find something better than gurneys to get the wounded out of the Canyon. Climbing up was out of the question so they were going to have to travel to the end of the canyon where the climb wasn't as steep. Finding the map of the canyon, the captain silently cursed the monsters. If they tried to wait for help from the capitol, there might be nothing left to rescue.

Standing up slowly, the Captain stretched his back. I'd better go check on that soldier. At the very least I should talk to that kid, he thought. Leaving the maps where they were, he started back towards the ship's hold.

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[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

Next up, Caciss once again. There was a small continuity error in around these additions that I'll explain with tomorrow's addition, but it had to do with Cassidy being around Guillermo the whole time after the crash. The captain's weird thing about footsteps doesn't really fit in, but I thought it was interesting, so it got to stay. Read on to see what I mean.

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12th Post – Caciss 03

*Caciss3* - *twelve*

Staring at the ground, hands behind his back, the Captain muttered to himself. He moved straight, one foot directly in front of the other. Something about the hollow thud of footsteps soothed him, so he did this for quite awhile. Talking to this boy sounded like a good walk. So he went upon his way to the hold where the wounded slept.

*****

The only salvaged generator silently hummed, giving off an eerie green glow. That was the only source of light besides the several bonfires erected around the perimeter of the crash, and many crewmen and able-bodied passengers were working under it. Many others chose to be alone, and sat silently around barely burning fires in the midst of the crash. The captain stepped out from the darkness, and looked out upon the bodies in the gurneys. He quickly noticed the armless man with the kid by his side, and listened to his footsteps on the cold dirt as he walked over to greet the boy.

“Is he awake?” asked the captain, trying to force a smile.

He lifted his head slightly to glance at the man before saying, “He drifted off again. They tell me he’s steady though.”

The captain sort of sighed. “That’s alright. I wouldn’t want to disturb him during his rest. What’s your name, boy?”

“It’s Cassidy, and I ain’t a boy,” responded Cassidy, still looking at his armless friend.

“That’s no way to treat your Captain, Cassidy. But I suppose you’re right. Well, why don’t I treat you to the finest food we got?” questioned the captain.

“That’s fine and all, but I’d rather stay here.”

“Suit yourself. If you could, though, alert me when he comes around?”

“No sweat, Captain,” he said, sort of smirking.

The captain turned around and walked away, once again taking in the sound of his footsteps.

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[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

This is my first addition, and I'm quite ashamed of it. I inadvertently caused two or three inconsistencies in the story when I first posted this thing, unbeknownst to me or probably anyone else at the time. The inconsistency I mentioned yesterday had to do with everyone saying that Cassidy never left Guillermo's side, and how he was always there. I misplaced that fact, originally, leaving a small but noticeable inconsistency in the story when we find out how Cassidy got ahold of a certain herb, but never left Guillermo's side. There are a couple other inconsistencies, but I've already sprouted too much nonsense; if you want to know more about this particular addition's inconsistencies, check the CWS Discussion topic near the end.

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13th Post – Big Rick Cook (BRC) 01

*BRC1* - *thirteen*

The rest of the night had passed without consequence, except for the crow’s nest lookout of the ship's crew being slain by a monster. The captain decided it was best to move as quickly as possible through the Canyon, knowing that each night they would be in greater peril than the last, as more and more monsters would find their location.

“You fools almost ready to go?” The captain grew impatient with the crew, who was supposed to have finished prepping the wounded for the day ahead by 10:00; it was already noon and blistering hot. The captain shaded his eyes to look over to where Cassidy was still with his soldier friend, Guillermo, as he had later discovered in the logs, though Guillermo had finally awoken and was on his feet. That’s odd, the captain thought. Wasn't he bedridden and feverish just 12 hours ago? He pondered this question as he walked towards them.

“Afternoon, Cap’n. How goes preparations for today's trip? We almost ready to shove off, ya think? Look at my old buddy Guillermo here, all healed up and ready to take on the world. I'll bet your just dyin' to hear how he got better so fast, huh?” Cassidy rambled on a mile a minute, not even stopping to breathe, and Guillermo became noticeably aggravated with him quickly. He gave out a quick throat clearing to let Cassidy know he wanted to say something. To his obvious surprise, Cassidy actually shut up.

“Now then, Captain, first of all, let me explain why I'm better, and at a speed which you'll understand.” Guillermo glared at Cassidy threateningly. “Cassidy here actually came in handy last night, which I didn't think was possible, but hey, weird things do happen in this canyon, right?” The captain nodded thoughtfully, eager to hear this miracle. “Well, anyways, Cassidy cooked up some herb he found yesterday, saying it would cool my jets in no time and even relieve the pain from my arm. I reluctantly took the medicine, and when I woke up, I felt good. Not great, but better than I have in the last day or so.”

“Well, I'm relieved to know we'll have another set of hands... sorry, lad… another man to help ease the load we all have to bare.” Some sailors came running down as the captain spoke, reporting that they were ready to move out. “Well, it's about damn time; I'm surprised the monsters didn't eat us already! Dismissed!” He gathered his composure and coaxed the two drifters to come along.

*****

“Well, that was entertainin', wasn’t it?” Cassidy couldn't help but laugh at the dialogue between the captain and his crew members. “Shall we go, Guillermo? Partner?” He looked at his new friend with hopeful eyes.

Despite his best efforts, Guillermo couldn’t say no to the kid. He was, after all, obnoxious, flighty, and uncontrollable, as well as not too bright a fighter. But he was energetic, had great vision, and at least some knowledge of medicinal properties. He seemed altogether trustworthy to boot. “Alright, damnit, you can come, but if you get on my nerves, you're gone, understand?” Cassidy nodded happily as they started their journey together.

________

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

Staffmaster again. I further enforced Cassidy's medical knowledge while editing this addition. There was another lack of grief for Guillermo in this addition. It was mentioned, briefly, but I felt it needed a little bit more emphasis to show that he was in fact impacted heavily by it. This is the second addition I changed slightly to allow Caciss's first addition with the chef a little bit of purpose. The chef is only mentioned, but it gives a little bit more familiarity to a story where, at this point, the main characters are surrounded by anonymity. Aside from that, dialogue, sentence structure and grammar were face-lifted heavily, like a 70-year old celebrity.

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14th Post – Staff 03

*Staffmaster3* - *fourteen*

The first matter at hand was to find provisions: water chiefly. To that end, it was decided that the river would be the first place to seek out. Even though the maps survived the crash, the ship’s compass did not. The captain, using this information, had orientated himself with the sun rising from the east. One thing he knew was that a river fell over the wall of the canyon north of where he was presently. He knew this because he had flown this route many times. As the troupe marched, he cursed his luck.

Guillermo was given a back pack to carry. Cassidy’s herbs helped with the pain, but not by enough. To occupy his mind and subvert the pain, he began to think of other things. One of the thoughts that crossed his mind was the wonderful feats of engineering that the scientists of Jaegar were capable of. He recalled a time in his service when he had received a day off, and a fellow guardsman had taken him out on the town. They had stopped at a pub for some drinks, and Guillermo had noticed a man with what appeared to be only one gauntlet on. Guillermo’s friend had told him that the man had a mechanical arm. Guillermo thought that if he got out of this canyon in one piece, he might spring for one of those. He had heard that they were quite lifelike, and almost as functional.

Guillermo’s daydreaming was interrupted by sudden low throbbing in his stump. The herb was wearing off.

“Cassidy?” he called out.

“Yeah?” Cassidy came trotting up from behind Guillermo “Whatcha need?”

“Give me some more of those herbs.” Guillermo winced. The pain was becoming more acute now.

“Comin’ right up!” Cassidy reached into his wrinkled leather sack, which he had miraculously been able to find amongst the wreckage. He produced a small three pronged twig covered in leaflets. “Don’t you worry,” Cassidy chortled as he picked a few off and palmed them to Guillermo, “plenty more where this comes from. Now, the effects work fastest if you grind ‘em into powder and stick that under your tongue. Goes straight to the blood. But since we don’t have time for that, chewin’ ‘em works just as well.” He beamed with pride at his knowledge.

Guillermo popped the small leaves in his mouth. They were a bit furry like fresh mint, but bitter. At first, he felt nothing, but as the minutes went by, and the pain had increased two-fold, it finally subsided in a wave of nausea that also passed quickly.

“Where did you find these?” Guillermo asked after a while.

Cassidy smirked “Doc’s secret.” Shrugging, he added, “Besides, if I told ya where I got this little miracle, someone might hear, and clean out the supply.”

Guillermo couldn’t argue with that logic. Cassidy patted him on the shoulder and smiled wide. “Someday I’ll show ya.”

Guillermo now became curious about something else. “So how does a country boy like you know the secrets of medicine?”

Cassidy thought on that a moment before replying, “Well, to sum up a short story into an even shorter story, you could say I come from a long line of dead medical men. And though I was never really interested, I couldn’t help but pick up the basics, at least enough to keep you from being dragged all over the place like the other unluckies.”

”And why didn’t you hand this out to the other seriously injured?” Guillermo asked, mad and at the same time relieved that it was all his.

”Well, none of ‘em can walk, so it’d be a waste when the real doc’s medicines can ease the pain just as good as this stuff,” Cassidy replied with a disarming honesty that belied his boyish personality. There were no more words shared until well into mid-afternoon when the captain called a halt to the march.

“Thirty minutes, everyone!” he called out. “One ration of water apiece, two for the wounded. If you have food, share.”

*****

Sitting amidst a duo of the only familiar faces he recognized, those being Cassidy and the chef, Guillermo had time to reflect on his situation. His pride refused him the grieving he so desperately needed over the loss of his arm. He had this unnerving desire to appear unfazed by his recent amputation, maybe to save face in front of the boy who so adamantly looked up to him. But why? It’s not like I have a big brother complex or anything, and I most certainly could do without him from now on, so why do I feel the need to show him my strength of spirit? He had no answer for himself as he silently screamed for release, sobbing uncontrollably behind solemn and sullen eyes. He had lost his arm! What use does a one-armed man have in a world filled with monsters? he pleaded to his mind as he chewed detachedly on a piece of dried meat.

*****

So far they had been lucky: no monsters - yet. The captain walked over to where Guillermo was sitting. He had meant to talk with him more fully but hadn’t gotten the chance. Guillermo was sitting on a low rock ledge, amongst the only surviving cook and the rambunctious Cassidy, though Guillermo seemed to be in a world all his own. “I don’t believe that I have properly introduced myself,” said the captain.

“You would believe right, then,” Guillermo muttered in-between bites of jerky and hardtack.

“I am Captain Devon Douglas Arguile III, at your service. Normally, I would have you calling me Captain, but in present circumstances, I think formalities are nary called for. You may call me Deedou, as I’m known to my peers, if you wish.”

Guillermo grunted approval. “I just may at that.”

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[Big Rick Cook]

Re: The Creative Writing Story 3.1 (Edited for Your Enjoyment)

Third addition by Starba! Nothing really celebratory to mention, but I did make a lot of insignificant changes.

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15th Post – Starba 03

*Starba3* - *fifteen*

Lunch ended quietly, and a three-hour-long hike north ensued. The main river, the Redhorn, was located somewhere to the east, but it was opaque from leagues and leagues of dredging up iron-stained clay. The tributary that formed the waterfall to the north, however, was the main source of drinking water for villages like Hammon and Wintan, and still ran clear until merging with the Redhorn at a dangerous junction in the canyon bottom. The captain worried that such a valuable source of clean water could be both a blessing and a curse, but if he didn’t risk finding it, the state of the passengers and crew of his ship would slowly deteriorate in the hot sun without a rescue ship in sight.

“I see it, Captain!” Avery called from ahead. “It’s just around the bend; not as far as we thought,” she said, running back to her superior. “Less than an hour’s trek, I’d wager.”

“Good, keep them moving, then.”

“Aye, Captain.”

*****

Several paces behind Captain Arguile, Guillermo and Cassidy walked along in the slow but steady pace of their gurney caravan. Cassidy had grown a worried frown over the course of the last few hours. Finally, he turned to Guillermo and broke the trodden silence. “Why do you think we haven’t seen anyone from the capital yet?” he asked. “With all the monsters about, you’d think there’d be plenty of lookouts, ‘specially at night. Surely they saw the signal fires, doncha think? Seems kinda fishy, huh?”

“I dunno, it takes awhile to get an airship prepared for flight. Or maybe there weren’t any available.”

“Bah, that’s absurd. What the hell would they need airships for now? The war’s plenty over and done with.”

“Maybe they used them for firewood, I dunno. What are you asking me for?”

“Well, you’re no help,” Cassidy snorted. “He’ey, Cap’n!” he called, running up ahead.

*****

“What now?” the captain said. “The waterfall’s straight up ahead. Hold your pants on, boy.”

“Nah, that’s great and all, but that wasn’t what I wanted to ask you… Sir,” Cassidy replied. “I wanted to know about airships. Mainly why none’ve come to pick us up yet,” he complained. “They sure as hell saw those signal fires last night up in Jaegar, right? We should have boarded a rescue ship by now, shouldn’t we of? Guillermo back there says there could be none available, but to me that don’t sound right… Sir.”

Arguile sighed and looked over at the boy. “He could be right anymore,” he said in a low voice. “Ships cost a lot to operate, and with the war over, rumor is that in Jaegar higher-ups are starting to think they’re not really all that necessary. I’ve heard that the government wants to tear a bunch of ‘em apart and smelt down the metal for more practical purposes, at least until the economy recovers and trade picks up again…if it ever does.”

“You trying to tell me they may’ve already put ‘em out of commission, even for rescues?” Cassidy balked. “That’s ridiculous!”

Arguile laughed bitterly. “It’s possible,” he said. “Aye, it’ll be sad to see ‘em go. She,” he said, inclining his head to the downed ship behind them, “may not have been a Jaegar ship, but the economy's gone to hell pretty much anywhere that was involved in the war, so she probably eventually would have had the same fate as the others. I was hoping to get the rights to salvage her as a passenger vessel as soon as we docked back at home, but those hopes crashed with her.”

“What are you gonna do now, then?”

“I dunno, haven’t had much time to think about it. More pressing concerns at hand—Ah! There’s our waterfall.”

“Cassidy, use your good eye to tell us what you see,” Guillermo said from behind them, a silent eavesdropper for the past few minutes.

“What do you mean ‘What do I see?’? It’s a waterfall, ain’t it?”

“Monsters, boy,” the captain said. “He wants to know if you see monsters. This clean water’s bound to attract attention.”

“Oh…well, in that case…” he said, squinting. In the distance he could see a white jet pouring off the cliff like a rainspout into a wide pool, which the sun glinted off of like shattered glass. Like much of the canyon bottom, it was surrounded by a carpet of short, deep green grass, and a litter of red boulders was apparent on its far side, but no living figures could be discerned. “It looks deserted,” Cassidy said at length. “Want me to go ahead for a better look?”

“Shouldn’t be necessary,” Arguile said. “Just keep your eyes peeled as we get closer. A deserted watering hole in the wild doesn’t sit right.”

“Can do, Sir.”

*****

As the heat-stricken passengers and crew neared the waterfall, it appeared that Cassidy was correct in assuming that there were no other creatures present. As the sun sunk lower in the afternoon, the west wall of the Canyon cast a deep shadow over the pool. The captain didn't even need to call a halt as they reached their destination, as two of the sailors dove straight into the cool water. Guillermo took a seat on a small boulder near the rest of the wounded. He was exhausted not from the trip, but from the feel of Dobbel’s cold stare on his back throughout the entire hike. Even after exchanging friendly words with him, Dobbel gave him a distinct feeling of discomfiture that he couldn’t begin to explain. He cursed himself for thinking something so absurd, but that didn’t make the feeling go away.

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