I wanted to yell. I wanted to scream and rant; throw myself on the ground and flail my arms about like a three-year-old. I think it would have helped, but I would have looked like an idiot. It wasn’t fair! How could anyone steal my chance at happiness in just one sentence-one measily little breath?? Of all days, why this one? Up early and in a rush (for early was actually still a little late), I threw on a pair of trousers and a half-wrinkled button down, heels that made my feet hurt as soon ...

There are a variety of opinions regarding the war in Iraq. For some, it is a tiresome subject that is to be avoided at all costs. For others, it is the protein of their conversation. The war in Iraq is always discussed in terms of morality and immorality, good versus evil, winning and losing, and cost and benefit. Everyone has an opinion and no one is truly right or wrong when the war is argued in these terms. Although these issues are viable, they are superficial aspects of a more basic huma...

As an English major, I find that I enjoy writing a good story as much as I enjoy reading one. It is through this mode that I have come to understand God just a little better. Writing a story with several different characters has given me a chance to explore myself. You see, every character I've written has had a bit of my own personality within him or her. Some of the characters are good and some of them are bad, but they all are related to me in some way. Some portray my wild side and the ne...

Last year, around this time, I wrote about turning twenty. I made mention of my twentieth year being a rollercoaster, an adventure, a heartbreak. It's amazing how accurate that piece was. I remember writing the piece quite vividly. As I sat there re-reading what I had written, I thought to myself, "heartache"? Why in the world would I write something like that? I have no desire for heartache. And yet I couldn't shake the feeling that life was about to get seriously hard. So I left it in. In w...

Chapter 8 Satyros had forgotten how good it felt to be a part of column of men marching off to some unknown fate. After three years of peace, he was ready to breathe the crisp, morning air and appreciate it for what it could be; the last morning of his life. It was exhilarating. More than that, it was life. The celebration the previous night had lasted far into the evening and well into the early morning hours. Satyros did not stay to see its end, but had left soon after Ren had given an acco...

After my foster dad had asked me if I wanted to be officially a part of their family, I was ecstatic. As a ten year-old, I had spent the better part of two years belonging to no one. I was finally going to be a part of something greater than myself. I was finally going to be home. That was what I thought, anyway. As it turned out, home was going to be another three years in coming. The issue was very simple. My birth mother had discovered where I was living. This made things difficult for my...

Chapter 8 Satyros had forgotten how good it felt to be a part of column of men marching off to some unknown fate. After three years of peace, he was ready to breathe the crisp, morning air and appreciate it for what it could be; the last morning of his life. It was exhilarating. More than that, it was life. The celebration the previous night had lasted far into the evening and well into the early morning hours. Satyros did not stay to see its end, but had left soon after Ren had given an acco...

Chapter 8 Satyros had forgotten how good it felt to be a part of column of men marching off to some unknown fate. After three years of peace, he was ready to breathe the crisp morning air and appreciate it for what it could be; the last morning of his life. It was exhilarating. More than that, it was life. Maianiron led the procession of warriors, her mail glistening in the early morning light, a smile set firmly upon her face. Cael rode beside her, their horses even in their step. Maianiron ...

Chapter Seven As Maianiron promised, the gala that had been prepared was extravagant. Satyros led his men into the Hall and took their places on a row of benches that had been positioned near the center of the room. Other soldiers were present, soldiers that Satyros assumed were the men from Paleia and Caniva, but they would meet soon enough, and so he did not trouble himself with an introduction. Almost as soon as Satyros sat down, there was a hush that swept through the room. The two highbo...

Later, after the assembly broke and the people began returning to their work outside the Hall, a dark haired man approached Satyros and bowed slightly. “Captain Delphi, Maianiron begs an audience. I am here to escort you if it please you.” “I would not decline.” “Follow me, then,” and with an elegant turn, the Fæn soldier walked away. As he followed the soldier, Satyros wondered what she would need to talk to him about. It seemed that everything was already in order. The soldier rapped on th...