Update

Hello,

Yes, I hope to return back to the land of writing.

For the past couple of years I’ve been care-giving my dad who had dementia and it took a lot of time, physically and mentally.  Sadly, as with this horrible disease there is only one outcome.  He finally passed on peacefully in 2021 after many ups and down and 10 months of Hospice care.  Still in the process of recovering from the exhaustion that comes from care-giving I hope to return to my writing.

I hope to look around and see where the files are for the story that I was posting, finish that one.

In the meantime I hope to rediscover myself again and hopefully reignite that passion for writing that I once flowed from my mind.

My life for the next year or so will be filled with new directions after the past couple of years as I face new challenges and freedoms that I didn’t have the previous couple of years. I also hope to do some traveling, perhaps see the battlefield of Gettysburg, or perhaps Custer’s Last Stand again.

Did have a new addition in the arrival of a 4 week old kitten while everything was locked down during covid.  Walked up the driveway and stayed.  He’s now an indoor cat.

Still making videos on my YouTube channel, Wowzery of the game Ultimate Admiral: Dreadnoughts.

Hope to update soon after I do some figuring out where I left off, where the files are on the computer and all of that, updating the background workings of the site as I haven’t been on in a couple of years.

AJ

 

 

 

Lucky Luck – Part 18

Lucky Luck

by AJ Marks

Part 18 (End)

A Lucky Proposal

Gwen made her way through the palace in search for someone in particular.  It had been several days since she had temporally taken over and now it seemed that everyone had settled down into a routine.  The city seemed back to normal, and in fact many had thanked her for taking over and asking when she would be officially be taking over.  Each time she politely refused to comment, but the pressure and idea of taking over weighted heavily on her mind.  She asked herself many times if she could just up and leave allowing someone else to take over.

Entering the room she spotted her query sitting in the kitchen talking with the cooks, again.  Making her way over she noticed the intent look on Zoe’s face as she listened to something the cook was talking about.  As Gwen got closer she realized it was a story about her when she was younger even as the cooks looked up.

“Don’t you have any better stories?” Gwen asked.

“Nope,” the cook replied cheerfully.

“Wonderful,” Gwen replied switching her attention back to the blonde sitting at the counter watching her back.  “Spoiling your appetite?” Continue reading…

 

Luck Lucky – Part 17

Luck Lucky

by AJ Marks

Part 17:  A Lucky Loose End

 

Gwen walked through the palace seeing little things she had not seen last time she had been here.  People were working and many seemed to smile.  Under her uncle things always seemed tense, as if there was something going on and perhaps there had been and she had been too busy wrapped up in her own world to see the problems.

Turning the corner she spotted her lover sitting on a stool in the kitchen listening in on some story that the cooks were telling her.  Gwen shook her head and made her way on over.

“You’re not telling any embarrassing stories?” Gwen asked looking at them all.

“To tell an embarrassing story I‘d have to have one of you,” the cook replied with a smile, causing Gwen to groan at the situation.

She wondered if it was too late to rule by fear and make the people quiver at her very approach.  It had its appeal in that no stories of her would be told of her.

“No, she was telling me of some things you did as a child,” Zoe replied, taking a bit of some bread.

“Spoiling your lunch?” Gwen asked looking at the bread in Zoe’s hands.

“It’s good, want some,” Zoe said, offering Gwen some.  “It’s a new recipe they wanted me to try.” Continue reading…

 

Luck Lucky – Part 16

Luck Lucky

by AJ Marks

Part 16:  A Lucky Battle

 

Gwen stepped out of the castle heading towards the mass of men.  She had the Royal Guard heading out with her.  They would met up with the rebel army before heading towards the valley pass.  They group would split into three groups, the rebel army along with Gwen would head to the rear, around the pass.  The Royal Army would move to the sides, and using the advantage of height shoot down upon the army moving through the pass.

She originally had planned the rebel army to attack from the sides, but they were well suited to moving fast and quietly.  The upper pass though the valley would work well for them, they had little in supplies unlike any army.

“You really think this will work?” Ottis asked, looking over at her.

“No choice,” Gwen replied.  “I’m counting on you to head up the guard here, keep things under control and support Zoe.”

“You don’t need to ask for that,” Ottis replied.  “She’s like my sister, reminds me of her a bit too.” Continue reading…

 

Luck Lucky – Part 15

Luck Lucky

by AJ Marks

Part 15: A Lucky Civil War

 

Gwen looked at the sunlight stream into the room.  It had taken some time for Zoe to fall asleep.  She took the loss of her mother hard.  Gwen recalled the loss of her own parents and how hard that had been.  Her position at the time made it even worse, due to her position in the Royal Family.

Gwen softly stroked Zoe’s back.  Her mind drifted to everything that happened last night.  So many new questions, especially considering the fact that the King seemed to have left the town along with his son, Derek.

Movement from Zoe refocused her attention back down, watching the girl wake up, slightly confused at first.  She looked down into green eyes, waiting for what might happen next.  Zoe snuggled closer giving Gwen a squeeze before finally loosening her hold.

“It’s not fair,” Zoe finally said.  “I just found my mother, and that happened.  I am unlucky personally.”

“No you’re not,” Gwen said firmly, watching the green eyes look up at her, in pain.  “You were lucky to have even met your mom, many orphans never do.  She never stopped loving you.”

“She gave me up,” Zoe said, in a small strained voice. Continue reading…

 

Luck Lucky – Part 14

Luck Lucky

by AJ Marks

Part 14: A Lucky Kidnapping Part 2

 

Gwen looked around the city, one she never considered she would be back in.  Following Valerie, who was the lead of the group and towards the inn.  She noticed the vibe of the town felt was different than when she had last been there.  People had the same look that the town she and Zoe had visited shortly after leaving Setta.  Gwen smirked slightly at that.

“Something funny?” Valerie asked.

“Nope, just thinking to myself,” Gwen replied.  Now was not the time to be speaking about Zoe’s mother.  The woman had to be around somewhere.

Valerie looked at her for a second before dismounting at the stable.  Paying for the horses they moved on to the inn and walked in.  Gwen had never been in this one before.

“How many rooms?” the innkeeper asked.  “Don’t have many.”

“Three, I sent someone ahead to reserve rooms for me, Mistress Valerie,” she said, waiting patiently for the innkeeper to look through his paperwork.

“Ah, yes, it’s right here, three rooms, got them all ready for you,” he said, becoming very helpful.  “Is there anything that I can do for you?”

“Not at the moment, long ride from Setta,” she replied. Continue reading…

 

Luck Lucky – Part 13

Luck Lucky

by AJ Marks

Part 13: A Lucky Kidnapping

 

Gwen looked around in the tent, they had moved and set up in a new spot.  Messengers sent out to various people in the Shadowlands for support, or fighters.  Jack, Kerros, Betsy and a few others were out in towns close to the Shadowlands waiting for any newcomers.  Surprisingly she heard back from John rather quickly as two mercenaries came in from his employment,

“Sven, Otto,” Gwen said as they walked into the camp.

“Heard from our employer that you needed some help,” Sven said, slapping her on the back.  “We always wanted to work with you again.”

“Yeah, where’s Zoe?” Otto asked, looking around for her.

“The king kidnapped her,” Gwen said, watching their attitudes change slightly.  They would not be bought by anyone, and could help out tremendously.  “I have a job for you two,” she said suddenly.

“Okay, what?” Sven said, ready to go. Continue reading…

 

Lucky Luck – Part 12

Lucky Luck

by AJ Marks

A lucky Rebellion part 2

Gwen looked around seeing a very different atmosphere around the city that Zeltran said to meet up with the rebellion in Sinthal.  The town she could recall from her days in the Realm, a small trading post for the Shadlowlands.  Riding in she hoped no one would recognize her, except those who wanted to see her.

Looking around she spotted a few guards, who glanced at her, but otherwise paid no mind to her.  Most looked more at Zoe than her, her long blonde hair, and cute figure made her easy to look at.  Gwen had no idea what to expect, and made her way to the stable.

“How much?” Gwen asked.

“Ten creds,” he said, causing her to almost balk at the price.

“Ten!” Zoe exclaimed, shocked at the price. Continue reading…

 

Lucky Luck – Part 11

Lucky Luck

by AJ Marks

Part 11: A Lucky Rebellion 1

Gwen rode into the town of Setta, after an uneventful ride.  They made it early much to Zoe’s pleasure.  Gwen dismounted at the stable, helping Zoe down before asking the man how much to stable their horse.  After exchanging coins with the man, she turned towards the town.

“Well, looks like you’ll be having fun,” Gwen said, sizing up the crowds already.  So far she saw way too many people despite having a large market place, or was it due to the large market place.  She had hoped such a large area might think the crowd a bit.

“Yep, looks like fun,” Zoe replied, her eyes twinkling with excitement.  “I could use some charcoals for my drawings.”

“Still drawing,” Gwen said, looking down at Zoe. Continue reading…

 

Lucky Luck – Part 10

Lucky Luck

by AJ Marks

Part 10: A Lucky Town II

Gwen and Zeltran had disabled several traps already, working out a large enough path for the escape, in case the kids tried to move in a different direction by accident.  Several traps were well hidden, but were easily spotted from above.  Louis never considered someone in the trees to approach the camp.

They went through the path several times, and counted the guards, when they walked though, and how often.  One flaw to Louis’ defenses, the guards never checked to see if the traps were still working, only if someone had been caught in them. They were finally satisfied with the work and settled in on waiting for nightfall.

Now however, it meant she had to spend time with Zeltran.   He had worked quietly and efficiently with her, and looking over at him, he merely looked on comfortably watching the camp and its activity.  She was ready to go, and he looked so relaxed.  She looked over watching as the guard switched.  Louis paced around the camp several times, with couriers racing to and from the camp.  He had to be working on getting a new backer for his slaves.

Three new riders came into the camp, and Gwen froze a bit, recognizing them, hoping this did not complicate things.  With the arrival of Leo, it appeared Louis had a new backer.  The man worked quickly in Gwen’s opinion. Continue reading…

 

Lucky Luck – part 9

Lucky Luck

by AJ Marks

Part 9: A Lucky Town

 

Gwen guided the horse down the path.  A gift from Valerie as a peace offering for what she had said, and for services rendered.  Gwen and Zoe reluctantly accepted, and Valerie reassured Zoe that the saddle was normal this time.  Zoe had fallen asleep not long ago as the motion from the horse lulled her into sleep after the emotional time the past few days since leaving Setta.  Traveling between towns would be quicker now with transportation, and most towns had a stable she could keep Eros at.

After leaving Setta they had talked a bit more about her being a latgic.  To Gwen it explained so much, from why people wanted Zoe, to her incredible luck.  Zoe had not seen herself as lucky, and Gwen could understand.  From her point of view it would seem like everyone but her got lucky, they always won against what she wanted.  Gwen had defended her against Stephos, and others before she even knew about the situation.  So Stephos had not gained all her luck, because if he had, Gwen would have lost that first battle with him.

Gwen mused he probably followed them into town, expecting them split up, like they had done.  However he had not expected the town to be so crowded, nor of them sharing a room.  She told Zoe that her luck did affect her, after all, everything that seemed to happen since then directly affected her. Continue reading…