Quia Fuistis Ibi

In honor of Faith's birthday, which is today, I wrote a story with her as the main character. I'm not sure I did a very good job impersonating her but I know that I did included a few features and gestures that she has or does. I don't feel like this story is very well written either--I just couldn't seem to get any inspiration. Sorry Faith...I did try writing fantasy for you!

So--HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Quia Fuistis Ibi

Faith turned away from the hills and began to walk along the edge of the Flumen Tenebrarum, her long green dress blowing behind her. The river sparkled enticingly in front of her but she alone knew the darkness that the waters hid.  She sat down on the bank and began to bounce her knee nervously. Why was she here anyway? Did she really think that she could rescue her best friend from this darkness when she herself had often succumbed to it? The wind caught her straight brown hair and whipped it into her cold blue eyes.

Faith heard some light footsteps behind her and then a deep voice, “What are you doing here, My Lady?”

She turned around quickly for these were not the days in which you let strangers stand behind your back. A tall white horse stood behind her, his head bent low to be on level with her own.

She hurriedly stood to her feet, “I am waiting for a friend sir.”

“Why are you waiting here, My Lady? Is there not some safer place for young ladies to wait?”

Faith looked curiously at the magnificent animal in front of her. “Most these days encourage the idea of being near this lake.”

“I know that.” His deep voice sounded sad.

Faith hesitated, unsure what to say next. “You sound sad. But don’t worry, I am only here long enough to try and prevent a friend from knowing the darkness.”

“I know that too.”

“You do? How would you know? I told no one except my friend where I was going!”

The horse stepped even with her and then gazed out toward the lake with a distant look in his eyes. “My master told me.”

Faith was getting more and more confused. Most creatures did not have masters, unless they were a dog.

“You have a master?”

“Everyone does whether or not they know it.”

“What do you mean? I don’t have a master! That would be disgraceful!”

He smiled gently, “I think you will understand me in time but for right now I will leave it.”

“But I want to know what you mean!”

“Be patient, you will understand in time.”

Faith shrugged annoyed but then spoke quickly again. “How did your master know that I was waiting here for a friend?”

Without answering the white horse turned sideways to her and she saw, neatly folded on his back, a pair of wings.

“You are an Equum Nuntius!”

“Yes.” His deep voice answered her.

“But I was told you were not real. I was told you were something that the king made up so that we would all obey him!”

“Is that why you are not now in the Flumen Tenebrarum? Because you are afraid of my kind?”

Faith tucked my blowing hair behind my ear. “No, no! I am not in there because I have been before and it was awful! Besides that, the King said we should not go in it.”

“But you disobeyed him and went in anyway.”

“Well, I was born in it to begin with.”

“True, but that was not the only time you were in it.”

She blushed and dropped her head, to her shame he was right. Sometimes even now, she still just dipped her toes in.

“You are right. I don’t know how, I just, well—“to Faith’s surprise she felt tears starting to burn on her face. Chokingly she began to sob out the story. “I remember sitting there, out in the middle one day, feeling all the darkness dragging me down and suddenly realizing that I was going to drown. I guess I screamed because suddenly I saw someone wearing a white shirt and white pants standing on the edge of the river and reaching his hand out to me. An old man dressed the same way and wearing a crown on his head was standing beside him with his hand on his shoulder. When I saw those two I suddenly felt lighter and reaching out my hand begged them to help me. The king turned to his son and motioned him towards that water. Both faces looked sad but without hesitating the young man dove in. I saw the darkness reach for him and try to swallow him but his white clothes seemed to shine through. When he reached me he quietly explained that he would have to cut the rope that was pulling me down. I hadn’t known there was a rope tied to my ankle until he dove and his garments lit it up. As I starred down into the water after him I saw his hand reach out and he broke the cord. I was so happy! But just as I was swimming towards the shore I looked back and saw the darkness swallow him and then he was gone! I screamed again and tried to call to his father to tell him what was happening but he had turned away and was standing with his back to the river!—“ Faith broke down so thoroughly that she could go no further.

The Equum Nuntius gently laid his head over her shoulder.

“I know the story, My Lady.” His voice rolled over her calming her down with its full melodic sound.

“You do?” she struggled to get out.

“I was there; all of us Equum Nuntius where there. But don’t cry, remember that after three hours the prince surfaced again, and went to his father who received him with open arms!”

“Yes, I remember.” Faith began to get a hold of herself again. “But what makes me so unhappy is that after he did that for me sometimes I still find myself wanting to just put my toes in. It always feels really good on the edge.”

He nodded understandingly, “And the King told you that you must never do that again.”

“Right, how could I disobey someone who was willing to let their son die to rescue me?” Faith sat down on the river bank again and rapped her arms around her knees unhappily. “Have you ever been in?”

“No.” He gazed out toward Castle Hill and shook his head.  “Though some of the other Pegasus once went in long before you were born, My Lady.”

Faith looked up eagerly, “Did the Prince rescue them too?”

“No, that is not the way. They did not want to be rescued.”

“So they still live there?”

“Did you not see them, My Lady?”

“There was nothing as white as you there! It couldn’t stay that way!” she motioned toward the lake. It look enticing and clean but they both new that nothing could spend any time in it with out looking black too.

“You’re right. They’re not white.”

“You mean the Amator Tenebris? The shadows in the darkness that held my rope and pulled me down? They look nothing like you!”

“Yes, My Lady, but they used to.”

Faith shook her head again; this was a strange new element of life she had never thought about. “So let me get this all strait, your master that you mentioned earlier, is the King?”

“Yes.” He spoke with a deep reverence and pride in his voice.

“So why did the King tell you that I was waiting here for a friend? And why are you here right now?”

“What is my name?”

“Do you not know that yourself? It’s your name after all.” Faith laughed wondering what he meant by the question.

“Yes, but what does it mean, My Lady?”

“Uh, “messenger horse” I think, right?” Faith put one hand up to her temples as if translating hurt her head.

“That’s right, My Lady. So I bring a message from the King.” He turned and looked her full in the face, the green eyes holding her blue ones with his serious gaze.

For once Faith could think of nothing to say though a thousand questions raced through her head. Why was the King sending her a message? What was it? Was the King possibly going to tell her how to help this friend?

“Are you listening My Lady?”

“Don’t I look like it?” impatience tinged her voice.

“The King said to tell you “Quia Fuistis Ibi” “

Faith stared absent mindedly at her green dress while she mentally translated. “What is that supposed to mean? Is it some code or something?” She turned toward the Equum Nuntius and then jumped to her feet.

She was alone of the bank of the Flumen Tenebrarum. Looking towards the hills where she had come from she saw nothing and turning quickly towards her other side she strained her eyes to look into the dark forest. The Pegasus was gone but coming out of the forest she could see a young woman. It was her friend and she was still at a loss how to convince her not to go into the lake. Why had the Flumen Tenebrarum come to her anyway? He and his message were no help!

She because to bounce her knee nervously and again pressed her hand to her temple. She had nothing to say to this young friend, she was not good enough to tell her that she should not get into the lake when she had been in it herself! Then she remembered the message from the King-- Quia Fuistis Ibi! Now she understood and confidently she walked up to her friend and greeted her.

She could tell her not to get in the lake because she knew that it was not all it was cracked up to be.

Quia Fuistis Ibi—“Because you  have been there.”

Where Fire Blazes - Part 4

Sorry, this is getting extremely long, and it's still not finished! To read the previous parts to this story, click on the links below:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Oh, and just a quick note: The word "sum" that I use in the story is actually the Latin verb for "I am." In this case, I'm using it as a name.

I rolled onto my back and let out a long sigh. The air smelled fresh and clean, and not a single cloud dotted the clear blue sky. After rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I groggily sat up, a thick mantle falling from my shoulders. I caught brief hint of its smell, a strong mix of earth and sweat. Gagging, I threw the mantle off and stumbled to my feet. My foot collided with an empty bowl. It wobbled and rolled a small distance before settling near the ashes of a dying fire. Oh no, it couldn't be! How in all Learsi did I end up back at Hajile's camp? I glanced at the opposite side of the fire where Hajile had sat the night before. No sign of the strange man. Had he found me and brought me back? Or did I actually never leave the camp? I ran my fingers through my greasy hair, trying to decide whether or not to run. Hajile's warning about the Ring of Fire rushed back to my head. Perhaps it wasn't a wise idea to go chasing after my brother's captors, especially alone. Hajile must know more about this group. Maybe, just maybe he would help me. He seemed to care, but the idea of spending any more time with the filthy man did not have much appeal either.

My stomach growled. I kicked the dusty bowl into the fire. I'd never gotten the chance to finish my soup last night. My bag of belongings were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps when I made my run for the woods I had dropped it, but surely this man had more food somewhere. A small bag next to a rolled up mat caught my attention. I pulled it open and rummaged through its meager contents: a few coins, a water canteen, a rotting potato, and crumbling bread. Was this all the man had? I slipped the coins into my pocket and nibbled on the dry bread. It would have to do for now.

“Repent!” A deep voice boomed. I jumped and swung around, dropping my stolen morsel in the process. “Your sin is great!” The voice continued. “But if you repent wholeheartedly the Lord's wrath will be turned away, and he will bless you.”

My whole body shook with guilt and fear, and my heart thumped hard within my chest. I looked up towards the road and saw Hajile standing in the middle, but his gaze was not directed towards me. Relief flooded my body. His preaching was directed toward a passerby on the road, not me. Men, women, and their animals skirted around him, ignoring his commanding words and condemning stare. As a group of horsemen approached, Hajile stepped towards them, his arms outstretched. “Listen,” his voice boomed again, “A day will come when the Lord will punish Airamas for its wickedness, so repent!”

The knights atop the horses neither slowed their pace or appeared to see the crazy man in their road. The horses hooves thundered towards Hajile. Then I couldn't see him amidst the dust, hooves, and flashing armor. When the knights finally passed and the dust began to settle, Hajile's still form lay in the middle of the road. Despite his apparent craziness, my heart went out to him. I ran for the road. As I approached, another man also hurried towards Hajile's still form. “Yes!” I thought to myself. “At least there is one kind soul in Learsi.” But to my disappointment, the man stepped over Hajile and continued on his way.

“Why..how... how could you...” I wanted to yell at the man to repent, but I choked back my angry words, remembering the stolen coins jingling in my pocket. The stranger briefly turned and stared at me, eyebrows raised. I ignored him and knelt at Hajile's side.

♥♥♥

Hajile lay on his mat, his face and arms bruised and scratched; but he was alive. Neither of us had spoken as I helped him back to his camp, yet I believed he was grateful. That twinkle in his eyes seemed to express it. How he had managed to keep that twinkle after such a beating, I could not understand. He still smiled too, as if almost being trampled to death by horses was an every day occurrence. Maybe it was. Hajile still reeked too. How on earth did this man live with himself? It was no wonder he didn't have friends; but perhaps if he could get used to the smell, maybe I could too. I desperately needed his help, and at the moment he needed mine.

“So you decided to stay,” he finally croaked.

“Did I have a choice?” I fired back.

Hajile chuckled. “Did you want me to leave you laying in the forest for the dragons to munch on?”

“Dragons? Here, in Learsi?”

“That's what I said.”

“I don't believe you.” I folded my arms across my chest.

Hajile tilted his head to the side and raised his eyebrows. “You really don't know anything about the Ring of Fire, do you?”

I shook my head.

“Hmmm...” Hajile frowned. At first I was afraid he would become angry like last night, but he just lay silently on his mat. “Where do you live?” he finally asked.

“A farm...not too far from here. Several miles at least; but I'm not going to live there any more.” I choked back tears.

“Why is that, Dear. Tell me what's wrong. What happened?” Hajile's face was solemn, but his concern seemed sincere.

“My new parents...and my brother...the Ring of Fire...” Tears pooled in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. “They murdered them, and I think they stole my brother.” I shook my head, as if trying to shake off the sorrow and pain. “B-but what does this have to do with the dragons?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

Hajile laid his hand on my shoulder. “The dragons were brought here by a group of new priests, called the Ring of Fire, whom Lady Isabelle brought with her when she married our King Adar. The Ring of Fire serves Laab, the supposed “god” of fire, and dragons are sacred to him. Unfortunately these priests perform special sacrifices that require the shedding of human blood. I fear your family may have been victims of one of those horrid sacrifices.”

“But why?” I sobbed. “Why my family?”

“Your family has not been the only one to suffer. Many families have been broken up this way, including mine.” A far away look replaced the twinkle in Hajile's eyes.

“Yours?”

A tear rolled down the man's cheek. “My wife and children...th-they...”

I grabbed Hajile's hand and squeezed. “It's okay. You don't have to finish. I understand.” My own tears still soaked my cheeks.

“Leah...She would have been about your age if she were still alive.” Hajile forced a smile. “She had dark curls like yours. Benjamin loved his sister. He would have done anything for her.” Hajile wiped away his tears. “And my wife...She was the most amazing person in the world.” The far away look returned to his eyes. This time I didn't bother him...at least for a little while. I still had lots of questions tumbling around in my head.

“Hajile?”

“Yes?”

“If the Queen's priests are so bad, why doesn't the King get rid of them?”

“The King is deceived, like most everyone else in Airamas. When the priests first arrived, they seemed perfectly harmless. Most people laughed at their peculiar worship practices, yet a few found them appealing. Soon the number of priests doubled, and their number continued to grow. Eventually the King also became a member. As the hearts of the people were won, the priests practices grew from odd to horrendous. They began to demand the sacrifice of human blood. When the King and the people protested, the dragons appeared in the surrounding woods, the priests claiming they were a punishment from Laab. Filled with fear and not wanting to lose the pleasures they believed Laab bestowed upon them, the people agreed. Now human sacrifice is common place. The one and only true Lord, Sum, is displeased with the actions of his people, and he has called me as his prophet to warn the people of his coming wrath.”

“That is what you were doing earlier?” I asked.

Hajile nodded. “But the people ignore. I wonder how long it will be before the Lord's patience wears out.”

My head felt like it would explode with all its new information. I wanted to know more about this Sum whom Hajile referred to as Lord and how he knew he was the only true God. What if Laab was actually the only true lord instead? Perhaps it was his eyes I felt that day as I had left my house. Whatever the case, I couldn't ask Hajile anymore questions at the moment. A gentle snore broke the silence. Perhaps I would go for a walk, but not too far. I didn't want to run into any dragons.

I gazed at the mountains in the distance as I wandered into the valley. The morning was still peaceful, but my heart was caught in turmoil. Then it returned: that cold, tickling feeling of someone watching my every move. I could almost feel them breathing down my back. Thump, thump, thump! A steady beating reached my ears. I looked up, and my heart froze mid-beat. A set of sharp, black claws dove for my head, and I screamed.

Tip Tuesday

I have no clue who this guy is or anything about what he writes, but I stumbled across a quote of his that I thought I might share with you. Ray Bradbury, in Zen in the Art of Writing, stated that “Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations.” I love this quote. If plot is only the footprints left behind by our characters, what does that say about the importance of our characters? Our characters are what create or kill our stories. As a result, we need to create characters that are deep and unique. Let your characters be more than just names on a page. Give them feelings, strengths, weaknesses, and character quirks. In this way, you will allow your readers to become emotionally connected with your story and never forget the characters who made it.

One of my characters running toward an incredible destination

My challenge to L.A.R.K. writers and readers this week is to focus more on developing your characters. As your character grows, so will your story. This is an area I'm going to work on too. I'm posting below a list of questions you could ask yourself about your main characters. I looked at some other lists online to help create it. Of course, I know most of us write short stories, and not all these questions would appear that applicable for them, but I encourage you to fill them out anyways, just to see how well you actually know your character. I started filling it out for one of my main characters in Josephine and realized I didn't know my character hardly at all!

Character Questions

General:

1. What is his/her name?
2. Does he/she have a nickname? If so, what is it and how did he/she get it?
3. What is your character's age?
4. Describe how your character looks. Make sure you include stature, complexion, hair and eye color, and any imperfections that make them unique.

Personality:

5. What words could you use to describe your character's personality? Make a list.
6. If you could choose only one word to describe your character, what would it be?
7. Is your character and introvert or extrovert, social or prefer to stay at home?
8. How does your character like to dress?
9. What are his/her favorite types of food? What types does he/she not like?
10. What is his/her favorite color? What color does he/she not like?
11. What sort of things embarrass your character?
12. What are some of your character's quirks or annoying habits? (ex: chewing fingernails, clicking pens, etc.)
13. Does your character have any phobias? If so, what are they? What is his/her greatest fear?
14. What are your character's pet peeves? (ex: nails on chalkboard) In other words, what annoys your character?
15. What is your character's love language? Highlight one or two: Words of affirmation, Acts of service, Gifts, Physical Touch, Quality Time
16. Is your character more optimistic or pessimistic?
17. Is your person a detail person or is he/she more concerned about the overall picture?
18. What is he/she passionate about? What are his/her strongest beliefs?
19. What is most important to your character?
20. What does your character think of his/herself? Is there anything about him/herself he/she would like to change?

In Action:

21. What does your character do for a living? What is his/her job? (if he/she has one)
22. What are some of his/her interests and hobbies? What does he/she love doing?
23. What does your character hate doing?
24. What are your character's strengths? (In other words, what is your character good at?)
25. What are your character's weaknesses? (What is your character not good at?)
26. What are your character's deepest wishes or desires?
27. What does his/her normal day look like?

Family, Friends, and Foe:

28. What, in general, do other people in your story think of your character?
29. Describe your character's family.
30. With whom in her family does he/she get along well with? With whom does she not?
31. Describe your character's friends.
32. Who are your character's enemies or who does he/she not like?
33. Who is your character closest to?

Environment:

34. Where does your character call “home”? Describe it.
35. Describe the town or city or wherever it is he/she lives. Name the places he/she likes and the places he/she avoids.

Anything else you would like to add?

The Aldridges and the Indians Part 1

    One bright spring morning on the Aldridge family’s Ohio farm six children were busy feeding the animals before breakfast.
    “Hurry, Caleb, can’t you milk any faster?” Benjamin grumbled to his twin.
    “Nein, not unless Elsie kicks me,” Caleb replied. “I’m just as excited to hear what Pa has to say as you or anyone else!”
    “Sure you are! Well, I know for one thing that Inga sure isn’t excited.”
    “Why is that?”    
    “She’s been a moping about ever since yesterday. I think Mama’s all ready told her, and she isn’t none to happy ‘bout whatever it is.”
    “I wonder why.” Caleb pondered.
    “Well, I do too, but if you don’t hurry we’ll never find out!”
    “What are you two grumbling about?” Came a small voice from outside the stall.
    “Oh, nothin,’ Sofia. Did you feed Pup all ready?”
    “Yes, and Isaac’s feeding Miss Piggy.” Sofia replied.
    “Okay. I’m done now!” Said Caleb, leaping up from the milking stool with the pail full of milk in tow.
    “Hey, watch it, you spilled some milk!” Benjamin said.
    “Oh, sorry. Come on, let’s go to the house! I’m very hungry, I wonder what Ma fixed for breakfast!”
    “Yeah, me too! Say, where is Isaac?”
    “Right here!” Isaac yelled in Benjamin’s ear.
    “Ow! I ain’t deaf, ya know!” 
    “Oh, sorry, but no one would know with that nonstandard English you use!” Isaac said.
    “What ever does that have to do with hearing?”
    “Hearing your English lessons, that’s what, big brother!” Isaac said smartly.
    “Uh huh. I’m hungry, let’s go!”
                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    The four children entered the sprawling log cabin where they were greeted by warm air and a pleasant aroma of hotcakes fresh from the griddle. 
    Soon everyone was seated at the breakfast table, except for Adah.
    “Adah Juliana! Where are you?” Anika (mother) called.
    “I’m coming, Ma!” A short girl of fourteen bounded down the stairs at breakneck speed and skidded to a stop at the table.
    “Adah! Why are you wearing your brother's trousers?”
    “Dresses are so confining! You can do ever so much more in trousers.” Adah replied. 
    “Well, you are a young lady. I expect you to go upstairs and change into your chore dress directly after breakfast.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Adah replied reluctantly.
    “Good. All right, shall we eat?”
So Papa said grace and everyone dug in. Soon breakfast was over and Papa cleared his throat.
    “I have an announcement to make,” 
    “Oh, what is it, Papa?” Adah asked excitedly.   
    “Hold your horses now, Adah. I’ve been pondering the newspaper articles of all the land waiting to be filled in the West, and it seems like a right good idea. There’s a wagon train leaving for Oregon in three weeks, and your mother and I are seriously considering going along. What do you all think?”   
    “Leave all our family and roots? You’re surely not serious, Papa! And to go to the unsophisticated west? Where there are Indians and wild people and who knows what else?” Inga said in horror. 
    “Inga Elisabeth! Watch what you say, young lady. Are you completely forgetting your own mother? You yourself are part Indian!” Papa scolded.
    “I-I’m sorry. I-I forget that Mama is Indian. She just doesn’t seem it.” Inga said.
    “And what exactly are Indians supposed to be like?” Mama asked.
    “Well, ah......”
    “Wild and unsophisticated?” Mama asked.
    “No, no, that’s not at all what I meant, it’s just that we would be leaving everything we knew here!”
    “And what’s wrong with trying something new occasionally?” Papa asked.
    “Well, nothing I suppose. But we wouldn’t be trying it, it would be permanent!” Inga protested.
    “We’ll think on it. Nothing is certain yet, so there’s no reason to fret over it. What do you other children think?”
    “I think it’s a grand idea!” Adah said exuberantly. “I’ve always wanted to go west!”
    “Me too!” Chimed in Benjamin and Caleb. Sofia looked a bit uncertain, as she usually tried to agree with everyone, but since Inga wanted to stay and the rest wanted to go, she didn’t know which would be best.
    “Well, if we went by popularity vote, it would seem that we’re going, but since some members of the family are not so willing, we’ll give this some thought and prayer.”
    “As we would anyway, Jakob.” Mama said.
    “Yes, Anika.”
                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    It turned out, as you may have guessed, that the Aldridge family decided to go west to Oregon. Soon the three weeks of packing and saying farewell was up, and the Aldridges’ were on their way west with several other families.
    The trail guide had said that the best time to start out on the Oregon Trail was spring time, so that you didn’t get caught in the winter snows when you were trying to go over the mountain passes. It was late spring, but yet still spring, so the Aldridge family decided to take this train instead of waiting until the next spring.
    The trail winded on and on across the endless prairie, stretching out to beyond the horizon.
    “Pa, how long will it take to get to Oregon?” Isaac asked.
    “At the most, until December or around there. With good traveling conditions, we could arrive as soon as October, but that would be pushing it.” Pa replied.
    “How do you know that?” Isaac, ever the curious one, asked.
    “The trail guide told me when I asked. So you see, I’m just as curious as you are, little one.” Pa said, grinning. Isaac laughed.
    “Pa, can I drive the wagon tomorrow?” Benjamin asked from on top of his horse beside the wagon.
    “Here, why don’t you come sit beside me and I’ll teach you some things today so you’ll be fine on your own tomorrow.” Pa offered.
    “Oh, thanks, Pa!”
    “Sofia, do you want to ride Patches?” Benjamin asked Sofia, who was sitting in the wagon doing some stitching with Inga.
    “May I, Ma?” Sofia asked eagerly.
    “Certainly, dear.”
    “All right!” Sofia grinned, hopping to the edge of the wagon, where Benjamin reached out and swung Sofia on to the saddle in front of him before he jumped off into the wagon.
    “Aren’t you the acrobat, Benjamin! Maybe you’ll have to train for the circus!” Inga laughed.
    “Maybe so, sister! Then you could come with me and see all the different cities!” 
    “Ah, wouldn’t that be lovely.” Inga mused. 
    “Hey, sis, we’re seeing some pretty fine sites here on the prairie, don’t forget!” Caleb called up from his position at the back of the wagon.
    “Indeed we are, Caleb.”
    “Say, where is Adah?” Isaac suddenly asked, peeping out from the wagon.
    “I thought she was riding with you, Caleb,” Ma said.
    “She was, but then she headed off that a way. She said she was going to see what was ahead.” Caleb replied.
    “How long ago?” Pa asked, a crease forming on his forehead.
    “Oh, near an hour ago, I s’pose.” Caleb replied.
    “Did she say when she’d be back?”
    “No, sir.”
    Just then the sound of pounding hooves sounded in the distance, and they saw a horse galloping swiftly towards the wagon train.
    “It’s Adah!” Cried Inga.
    “Oh, good.”
    “Why is she coming so fast?” Sofia asked, nudging her horse along as he was lagging behind.
    “I don’t know.”
    “Pa! Ma!” Adah called as she neared their wagon.
    “Adah, what is it?” Ma asked.
    “Indians! Over that way!” Adah cried, pointing to the Northwest. As if from a cue, several spotted ponies topped the rise from the North and galloped down towards them. Before they knew what was happening, the Aldridge family was caught up in the midst of the galloping horses and the oxen were being herded along. Benjamin fought with all his might to contain the oxen, but it was too much for his little strength. The reins slipped from his hands and whipped across the oxens’ backs, causing them even more fright, and the wagon lurched forward again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 2 coming next month! =)

Tip Tuesday!

Here is a link I found to 34 writing tips! Hope they are helpful!

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/34-writing-tips-that-will-make-you-a-better-writer/

Passing on the baton!

The great moment has arrived for me to announce who the new moderator of LARK will be--but like everyone with a big announcement I  like to build up the suspense a bit by talking about a few other things first. ;)

Fist of all let me say that both of the contestants were wonderful girls, and either would do a great job as moderator/administrator of this blog.

Alright, and now for what you have all been waiting for--drum-roll please!-- the new moderator/administrator of L.A.R.K. is---

Grace!

 Welcome Grace! I hope you have fun with this blog!

 And to you all, good bye! Maybe you will actually hear from me now that I will have more time to write!