Tales From Xira

Who Brought Marshmallows?

sfbell09 — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:58 +0000

Ignatius is not having much luck. Another building ruined and a hike through the woods at night. It turns out that finding General Evans is not as easy as one might have hoped.

With Sincerest Apologies.

sfbell09 — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:39:43 +0000

Somehow, It total slipped my mind to publish Monday’s post for The Air Pirate Affair! 1,000 Apologies. I am very sorry. Well, let’s hope Ignatius is faring better than my memory.

The Mystic Shaman of the Train Depot

sfbell09 — Mon, 06 May 2013 04:00:22 +0000

With his inspection of the train complete, Ignatius decides to head toward Thompsontown to get more information. The Army is proving to be of very little help.

Six Sentences

sfbell09 — Fri, 03 May 2013 11:53:44 +0000

I have seen folks post six sentences here and there before, so I thought I would give it a try today. For some reason the name Marrakech was on my mind. I cannot explain it, for some reason it was just lodged in there. Probably because I have been listening to Beats Antique a lot this past month. They have a Steampunk/World music kind of sound. Very exotic, lots of different instruments.

So, here are the first six sentences…

“To pursue the Jinn is to pursue Allah himself. He is the genesis for everything in front of us. The Jinn is like a child to Him, created with purpose and importance. For someone to ensnare such a creation is to spit in the very eye of God.” The wizened old man sat on a threadbare carpet. The tent was filled with a haze of blue smoke and the smell of spices unknown to the other occupants.

Steam erupted out of a long-necked iron tea kettle.

To give a smidgen of context, this opens a short story in which Mark 4.0 (U.S. Marshal, Automata) and his mechanic/assistant Kevin are in Marrakech. They uncover a strange tale of a Jinn (or Genie to use the Western name) making sporadic appearances in the marketplace.

Don’t forget, Monday new scene from The Air Pirate Affair! It seems unreal, but I have one chapter left to write in that story and then I will begin the final story in the series. Eeek! By the way, this may be a good time to go back to the beginning (Under Serial Stories) and check it all out from the start. You could also read the short stories, which fill in pre-serials history on Ignatius St. Eligius.

Have a great weekend everyone! Keep reading!

steve.

Fear and Unease Amid the Wreckage

sfbell09 — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:03:02 +0000

Things are going a bit wobbly with Ignatius and the Crew of the Maudlin Rose.. Long story short? Check out the scene! What is going on with that train anyway?

Bit of a quick status update: I am nearly finished with chapter 5 and that will leave only chapter 6 to go. I think. The ending of this tale may go a bit haywire, we’ll just have to see where the characters take us.

Thanks for reading everyone!

steve.

Fabulous Friday!

sfbell09 — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:16:57 +0000

Happy Friday everyone. Today’s sketch was one that I knew I wanted to share. It is ~~biff~~ Big* kitty dressed up as the Catbus from “My Neighbor Totoro”

I want to also say Welcome to the new followers, it’s great to have you here!

Monday new scene from The Air Pirate Affair!

*Thanks to my wife, who noticed that Auto-Correct knee-capped my post! \^_^/

The Lion Tamer

sfbell09 — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:56:57 +0000

Sometimes I think little kitty has a bit of circus freak in her. She tends to bolt around at the merest suggestion. Her enjoyment is at its peak, perhaps, when she is provoking big kitty. Generally in response, HE IS NOT AMUSED. What better way to tempt fate and the wrath of a large cat, than by placing you head in his mouth?

A Journey Begins in Earnest.

sfbell09 — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:07:39 +0000

Ignatius, Wellsie and the crew of the Maudlin Rose pursue Mousier Broussard’s airship. After the pursuit Ignatius learns something dreadful is sailing the air currents in the area. Something from his past, which haunts him daily.

Boston

sfbell09 — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:22:42 +0000

You may or may not be aware, but I am a recreational runner. I enjoy being outdoors jogging along with the wind in my face.

Yesterday was one of those bittersweet days.

It was the first day of the couch to 5k for my wife, it was the first day after a long time that for a moment everything about my running felt back on track. The joy and pride of leading my wife through the first workout and the conclusion of my own faded sharply as I came into the living room after finishing and seeing the news report on the tragedy in Boston.

While I may never run a full marathon I feel a connection to other runners because of the shared experience of running. I feel deeply for the runners, support staff, spectators and everyone else affected by the dual bombing.

I wanted to put forward my prayers and thoughts for those in Boston. Big Kitty and Little Kitty wanted to throw their support in as well.

Spread some Love today and keep running.

A Plan is Made and A Flight Taken.

sfbell09 — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 04:03:01 +0000

Ignatius listens to the words of Commandant Lestrange and afterwards reunites with the Captain and Crew of the Maudlin Rose. Today’s post finds Ignatius on his way North and West of Harrisburg by airship. The flotilla splits up with each group assigned specific tasks. But what is that just over the horizon?