From the Slide To the Ground Life story

This is a story that comes to mind almost every year. I cannot just erase this one from my own childhood memories. We all have those memories from our childhood that are countless in number. However there is a certain number of memories which we latch on to.Some of the memories that I find myself latching onto are from the school Emmanuel Christian School. I keep wondering if it was spelled Immanuel Baptist Christian School as I grew up in the days after third grade. One would say I got into trouble many times there and was sent to the principal's office, and made to stand on a line for long periods. Those were cruel punishments according to kids in those days of the 90's unless you were smart about it and compared that to what your parents did.

On the playground were a lot of playground equipment for the after school care program. There was a slide closest to the building, a second one closest to the end to of the playground, some swings, merry ground around, monkey bars, sandbox, an arch to climb on, a climbing tower, and a basket ball court at the very end. As I recall there were other playground equipment that had to be replaced at some point. From Kindergarten to Third Grade I played on this playground with many of my friends only one of whom I am still in touch with to this day. One day I walked up to the tallest slide, which was red and made from metal. Some kids were scared others were not. I was hesitant, but went down the slide anyways. That day I decided to do something different that would seem dangerous for a kid to do. I climbed to the top of the slide then stood up and jumped from the top. With my arms and legs spread out and body exposed like a belly flop I landed on the earth. Nothing happened to me there were no bones broken nor did it hurt for some reason. I did it again only that time I screamed until I landed. Three more times I did this until a female teacher yelled at me to go down the slide properly. I heard laughter from all the older students who were way older than ten years old.

As an adult I understand what they thought of me. Some dumb kid who did not know how to use a slide properly. If you were to watch me you would say I was sky diving without a parachute? Well I am guilty of looking stupid for doing that. Immanuel must have thought there was something wrong with me. Was I a dumb kid or did I just come off as a stupid kid who did have a brain? It needs to be noted that I did not always think clearly before acting. 

Tioban's Final Encounter

Following Lady Mahkay was a difficult task. She possessed levitating powers that allowed her to glide with ease above the floor of the hallway. He almost had to run in order to keep up with her. For several minutes the pair of them explored the inside of the ruins finding nothing worth taking except a few chests, and broken down furniture. Most of the chests were already opened and looted with whatever the adventurers did not want scattered on the floor or hanging out of the chest.

"Um My Lady, who are we looking for again?" Tioban asked curious.

"We are actually searching for my long lost son who calls himself "Nathan" some reason." Lady Mahkay replied to him as she illuminated the dark hall to reveal it lead to some stairs.

"I was under the impression we were searching for your daughter's lover, not her brother." Tioban admitted to Mahkay. This woman had obviously lied to him she was not looking for her daughter's lover, but a brother of hers who had gotten lost in this region. Yet to her misfortune Tioban had never ventured into this part of the area. Whenever he passed through here it was always occupied by some other party or travelers.

"The only reason I did not mention our true mission was that his sister has had violent tensions between them. Both had a history of fighting each other and trying to kill the other." Mahkay said turning her head to look over her shoulder.

"Did he have any issues with you? If you will allow me to ask." Tioban asked her.

Mahkay was about to answer when some noise coming from down the stairs caught her attention. She raise a hand as if to silence someone. There was no one else but the Dragon Knight. As any good knight would he kept his mouth shut. He listened to the noise as it came again from down the stairs. It came as an echo of someone else's voice. As he listened closely trying to figure out if that was a voice or some noise. His ears collected two voices of a pair of men chatting as their voices carried through the ruins. Mahkay glided forward to the stairs beckoning for him to follow her. Tioban followed her down the stairs of the ruins running into the usual critters small spiders, and rats that infest ruins. There were also bugs and other natural critters that one would find inside ruins.

"Tioban do you hear those voices?" Lady Mahkay asked him stopping to hover above the middle step.

"Yes my Lady I do. It sounds like two men are talking." He replied to the Battle Mage.

Mahkay proceeded to descend these steps while levitating with her illumination powers showing the way. Whoever these two men were they must be in a deep conversation about something. Their voices grew louder and louder as he and Lady Mahkay drew closer. He could almost hear the conversation as they rounded the corner to find a chamber that was light up with modern work lights. It appeared strange for this type of technology to be in a world full of warriors, and knights still fighting with melee weapons.

".....Don't worry about your dear sweet cheery lass Teebs you are scheduled to meet her tomorrow." said one voice.

"Oh thank the gods of Olympus, and of Val Hala I have wanted this for years!" said the second voice.

"Now what were these artifacts again?" the first voice asked sounding puzzled.

"For the last time Jack these are cycladic vases. I have no idea who operated that gate nor can I even fathom how the Phaistos disc could still hold such power. Lucky for us there was a copy made. Otherwise we would both be in jail somewhere in the EU!" Teebs said loudly.

"Hard to believe these were carried across the galaxy like this!" Jack said like he was admitting something.

"That gate did act as a portal to other parts of the galaxy somehow. What perplexes me is that they were crafted from stone material and it works like some powered machine!" Teebs pointed out in a frantic manner.

"Calm yourself mate. There is not need to act like there is no beer or alcohol!" Jack said trying to calm him down. Tioban heard a clicking sound like a gun was being cocked.

"Easy, easy I did not mean to trigger you about the beer. The beer is not gone!" Jack said.

Mahkay zoomed over to the room with the Dragon Knight chasing after her. Both entered a room with two men a pirate, and an archaeologist in a gold yellow shirt, a plaid shirt with rolled up sleeves, and tan rough looking pants. His boots looked like they had been in mud and hardened to the feeling of stone. The pirate wore the typical outfit with a bone necklace, and some trinkets in his bandana. Over that outfit he wore a long coat that looked more like a handcrafted duster. He had his hands up and the archaeologist had a revolver pointed at him. Mahkay drew their attention to the doorway. Both lowered their hands at the sight of a battle mage hovering at the door.

"Um hello how are you?" the archaeologist asked not sure if he knew who they were.

"Salutations and greetings to you Lady Mahkay." the pirate said greeting the Noble Battle Mage.

Tioban came to the doorway and sheathed his weapon. Teebs the archaeologist laughed and put away his revolver. He did the same thing with his own hat greeting both nobles. This Teebs character wore glasses and donned a fine looking beard he must have trimmed three days ago. During his days with an expedition Tioban learned to tell when and how a beard was trimmed.

"Salutations to you pirate captain. Who is your friend here?" Mahkay replied to Jack's greeting.

"This is Teebs MacAoidh a field worker and practicing archaeologist of Lady Denson." Jack introduced them to this archaeologist.

As Jack was about to introduce their names to this lone archaeologist. Several horned creatures entered the chamber through large cracks and other holes in the wall. Each one had a goat beard and a long forked tongue coming out of their jaws. All of them were hairy from head to toe and hooves for feet. Teebs immediately fired three shots into one of the creatures while Jack went for his sword. The pirate got behind Teebs while the other two went after the others. Mahkay threw a fireball at one and Tioban crushed another with his shield. Teebs fired the rest of his rounds into another horned creature that entered the chamber. He grabbed two trowels to use as weapons with Jack still hiding behind him. A few more horned creatures came in only to be killed off quickly. Teebs used the trowels like daggers stabbing one of them before the rest slipped away into the darkness.

"Thank you for the assistance. I am in your debt." Teebs said kneeling before the nobles. Jack did the same as he did sheathing his own weapon.

"You are from another world that is not ours." Mahkay said accusingly to Teebs. The man who called himself Teebs was taken aback at this accusation.

"Um My Lady you are correct I do come from another world which I am not allowed to mention." Teebs replied honestly.

"What world would that be? Would it have a certain place called Crete, because we heard you mention the cycladic artifacts and only the Minoans are known for that." Tioban said approaching the man called Teebs.

"Yes it does, does the name Lancaster or House of York ring a bell?" Teebs asked quickly. Mahkay laughed at this showing her joy in speaking with this human. The Noble dropped to her feet and lifted the man up from his feet with a grin. She clasped his hands in hers.

"I am looking for my son who may have gone to your world. He goes by the name of Nathan." She spilled the beans on him.

"I know of one Nathan who went to some University in Chapel Hill, but I have never met him. Nathan Nathan, oh yes there is one sleaze ball with the last name Arrington. Would that help?" Teebs replied to the Noble.


"Yes it does. Does he hang with your love interest?" Mahky responded back.

Those words triggered Teebs and he punched a wall hard enough to break his hand and an object. It left a crack on the wall. Whatever his situation was he wanted it to be over that was clear. Tioban studied his face as he tried to calm himself to speak to the Nobless.

"Ease yourself. It is probably not what it seems." Jack said putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I will leave you two to your own task. As you for you Sir Knight thank you for accompanying me. Now we must head over this world." Mahkay said leaving the two men in the chamber full of dead creatures. 

A Quiet Cafeteria Life story

Back when I was at Emmanuel Christian School in Clemons, North Carolina I always lunch at the cafeteria. During those hours I chose what I wanted among their selection. I honestly cannot say if it was bad because I never threw up inside the cafeteria. There were a few times I had money which was in the form of change and the cafeteria lady said I didn't have enough. At first I thought I did not have enough money yet now I am wondering if she meant food. As any cafeterias are everyone was talking and it was loud. Everyday it was the same type of noise yet different topics and the same people talking. There was this one day where I was seven or six years old that I changed that for a few minutes. Being the unique kid that I was who was no doubt annoying to everyone else I did something that has been done before. Covering my ears with both hands I shouted "QUIET!" with my kid voice. I did not how loud I spoke nor did I even care. Everything went quiet for a few minutes. It was the first time I had done that and the last time I did that. Bud Phibbs I hope you read this and remember. I miss you buddy. 

Dragon Knight's New Quest

The Dragon Knight got up from the table. He went over to Sir Denson's Booth where he had left his weapons and shield. Tioban picked up his shield and his weapons. All four of the Champions and Heroes looked up and saw him. They appeared rather curious about what he discovered at that table. All their eyes were on him. One of the serving girls brought extra mead, and ale to the booth. She was about to offer one to Tioban only he declined.

"Oh come on now. Have one drink before you aid Lady Mahkay. It is best you do so now. She won't smell if off your breath nor would she even care." Boramere teased him a little. He shoved a mug of mead into the Dragon Knight's hands. Tioban looked at the contents of the mug. The mead looked tasty, and it smelled like a Hall's Brew of some Great Lord. Before taking a sip Tioban licked his lips in anticipation of drinking.

"Drink up Dragon Knight! You're gonna need it!" Black Kat said with a smirk on her face.

Obeying the pressure from fellow warriors the Dragon Knight took a big gulp of the mead. He tasted the yeast, and the honey as he guzzled it down. It was to get the drinking over with even if he received a buzz from it. Tioban finished the mead in three drinks just so they can leave alone. He felt a little bit of the effects before slamming the mug on the table and bidding the fellow warriors a farewell. All four of them laughed giving him praise, heckling him, and cheering him on. Tioban felt a little embarrassed as he left the booth to exit the Tavern. When he came to the door he dug into his coin purse and placed three Silver Dylings on the counter. The Dragon Knight exited the Tavern.

Outside he spotted Lady Mahkay, the princess, and their two swordsmen heading towards the stables. He decided to follow them since they had summoned him for a quest. One of the swordsmen looked over his shoulder. He spotted Tioban and beckoned for him to join them. Tioban rushed over to the small party at the stables. Both women were preparing to mount after they had changed into more comfortable clothing for riding. Their two swordsmen prepared their own steeds and mounts. Without a word Tioban went to his mount that had just eaten a hairy Fadet, a small creature that appeared more like a small person. Its little cap and shoes were on the hay while his steed chewed on the body.

"I see food found you Norsoth. That appetite of yours is never quenched." Tioban exclaimed as he prepared his mount for another journey. Norsoth snorted and gave a slight grow. He ignored this since that was his steed's way of showing its disapproval of going out again. This Dragon steed had the capacity to travel for days without yest. He prepared his mount and met his new party outside the stables.

None of them were surprised to see a Dragon Knight astride a Dragon like steed. They nodded in acceptance before allowing Lady Mahkay lead the way. She took them away from the Tavern and down a path that lead towards a bridge. From there they made it across to another hill to a longer trail. No words were spoken as they progressed through the landscape to a particular hill that had some ruins on top of it. Tioban looked over his shoulder to see how far they had come. On this world daylight hours were longer than it appeared. For thirty miles their steeds brought them to what appeared to be the destination. Tioban was under the impression they were going somewhere farther than this.

"Now listen Sir Knight my daughter's lover has been missing. His last whereabouts were said to be this location. We do not know what is inside those ruins nor do we know if he is still alive down there." Lady Mahkay informed him as she dismounted from her steed.

"I will aid you in this mission." Tioban pledged to the Black Lion's Wife. He knew is mission was to find some work and he had.

"Good, we will leave our steeds under the care of my daughter and her swordsmen as guards. You and I will go inside." Lady Mahkay said to the Dragon Knight.

Tioban dismounted grabbing both shield and his weapons. He took one good look at the ruins they were about to enter. From the looks of the ruins it was once a Wizard's old tower that had crumbled down with time. It must have been a few centuries since any heroes or adventurers came this way. He did not know the true origins of this tower yet the base gave away the style Wizard's often used. Tioban looked to Lady Mahkay who revealed herself to be a battle mage armed with a halberd she used as a staff or walking stick. Tioban followed her to the entrance. She flicked her wrist and flames shot out to illuminated some of the torches and places where there would be one. Each one entered the ruins ready to fight whatever they lay waiting inside.

"Are you sure it is wise to use fire magic ahead of us. It could warn the creatures inside and a monster could lay in ambush." Tioban warned the Battle Mage.

She gave him a look and went about her own business. With one arm up and halberd in hand Mahkay proceeded further inside this ruin of a tower. The Dragon Knight was given no other option than to cover her back. It was his new quest and it was likely she was going to pay him well for the job. His gaze went from side to side expecting something to attack them from the crevices and doorways along the walls. Mahkay checked each one as she passed a room and a crevice in the walls. What he didn't understand was why she never checked the ceilings.

Becoming the Spy

Everything was on the table and the pieces are set between the two superpowers of a world carved by empires. Among these empires were other factions forging, and smaller nations scattered all over the globe. Each one hanging on to their independence by any means necessary. It was essential to keep the strongest ones in the fight as much as possible. One of these enemies was a centuries old enemy that made alliances with various races, states, entire worlds, and organizations. Among their ranks were various humanoid creatures. Many of these humanoids were more like raiders, killers, slavers, rapists, arsonists, and some were a little on the cannibalistic side. Entire units of these mercenaries dedicated their work to just pillaging everything wherever they please and whomever.

What ever this planet's name was she did not recall at the moment. She looked at the factions that are involved in this current conflict. It was clear who their enemy was however it was unclear whom they should aid other than the smaller states surrounded by the larger empires. According to their reports the Amethorians have already made contact with one of the Factions who call themselves the V.U.V.R. abbreviation for Vestrisian Union of the Vestrisian Republics. Whatever deal they made with them it allowed these natives or locals to rebel the Nazdar and the other Empire for years. Agent Bemere Fabellson aka. Blue Love slipped out of her jumpsuit which was too tight for her features. Her race was an ancient one and allowed extended life and had acrobatic abilities. She had long sand blonde hair, tall in frame, curvy and a heart shaped face. Blue Love knew what her coworkers liked to ogle and she wish that part of her body wasn't noticeable. Yet she got away with throwing a punch or two.

"Blue Love." She heard her boss's voice from the flank. Bemere froze a little when she hear him. Sh straightened up and saluted.

"Yes sir." she responded ready for duty.

"Have you got everything ready?" He asked her walking over to the table with bags packed full of her equipment. She had two suitcases packed full of her personal belongings.

"Yes I have my surveillance equipment, listening devices, radio receivers, Recording Devices, my lock picking equipment just in case, and all the camcorders for this mission." Bemere said feeling proud of herself.

"Remember to wrap those up like gifts when you land on that platform in the south. From there you will head straight for the island nation of Ivodra. Their government is neutral in this conflict. Our race can easily blend in. Only you will have to cover your tattoos and strange birthmarks.....When you are there." Her Boss said walking over to pick up her luggage for her. Even though he was her Boss he still acted as a manservant in some ways. His hair was dyed blue, which made his ears stick out more. He wore the nicer version of their uniform that made him look more like a businessmen.

"Uh Director who is my contact?" she asked curiously as she picked up her bags. He led her to the pods where she was supposed to launch from.

"His name is Segon. He will meet you at the platform and load you onto to the submarine. The submarine will then take you to the island." the Director informed her before they came to the pod launching bay of the ship.

Without a word he motioned for Agent Blue Love to board the pod as he carefully helped her pack everything in. Once she was seated and buckled in he slammed the door. Everything around her hissed and sealed up as the pod prepared to launched from the ship. Bremere closed her eyes and waited for the pod to launch. In moments her pod launched with a popping sound followed by the rumbling and shaking. She felt herself get launched into space while on board this one person pod.
The entire time she had her eyes closed. She was not used to this type of transportation to another world. For nearly a few hours the pod went straight for this planet. She felt the pod shake even more as it entered the atmosphere. With her eyes closed she fumbled for the switch that would slow it down. These pods were designed to take any hard surface impact however she was not taking any chances. As soon as her hand found a lever she pulled on it hard nearly jerking it off the wall.

Her pod began to slow down thanks to the installed engines that were supposed to be the brakes for this type of landing. Bemere took a deep breath and took in more breaths as her pod slowly made its way to the surface. She held on to something as it made impact with something that felt more like water. Blue Love opened a hatch to find herself in the middle of the ocean and close to her was the platform she was supposed to land on. Now her spying days would begin on this planet.