Author Archives: Brandi Untz

Tara Geonette allowed herself a smile. She exhaled slowly and enjoyed the moment. The dead zombie stood in front of her, ready for command. What had been his name? Mordard. Yes, that was it. He’d told her she had “flaming hair of passion” and “the deepest emerald eyes I’ve ever seen”. That first date hadContinue reading “2E 584 – Family History, Part 1”

Sunlight broke across the horizon, coating the morning in warmth, brilliance, and hope. Today was the day. Tara was leaving home and heading for Cyrodiil. For a new life. She finished tossing extra feed out for the chickens. Would Mom or Father feed them on time later today? Did they even know when to feedContinue reading “4E 199 – Leaving Home – The Rest of the Story”

Tara wiped tears from her eyes and leaned her head back. A sigh escaped. The kind of tired sigh that hinted at defeat, if one were inclined to give in. She wasn’t. She was tired of talking, though. She’d spent the last hour, or was it two, telling Katla everything about her family. The magicContinue reading “4E 202 – Mending”

Katla held her breath, made one tiny adjustment, and released the arrow. Her steel arrow flew true and caught the necromancer in the throat. He collapsed and died without a word. Katla stayed crouched and quiet, listening for any sound, any hint someone else was nearby. The wind rustled the needles of the towering pinesContinue reading “4E 200 – First Kill”

The arrow pierced her armor and drove itself into Tara’s right shoulder. With a yelp, she went down on her right knee. Her right axe fell as her arm and hand twitched out of control from the shock of injury. She raised her left arm and pointed her hand. The fireball appeared and launched atContinue reading “4E 202 – Heart of the Matter”

“I have to say, that was rejuvenating,” Tara said. Katla laughed, gave her a wicked look, and sent a wave of warm water at her. “Don’t think it was the water that was rejuvenating.” Tara matched her look and sent her own splash of water back. They were bathing in a small, spring fed pool,Continue reading “4E 202 – Contemplation”

Katla stared at the soul gem, turning it slowly in her hand. Red. Something felt so evil about that color. Something felt off about it. She hadn’t studied magic, but she’d seen a soul gem or two around her home and those had been bluish, not this throbbing red. Home. Home was gone. A smolderingContinue reading “4E 199 – Alone”

Tara set down the bale of hay and caught her breath. Her arms trembled, on the edge of exhaustion. It wasn’t enough, though. She needed to be stronger. Needed to be able to defend herself better. She touched the cut on her lip and winced. Still tender. As was her cheekbone and shoulder. She’d atContinue reading “4E 197 – Strength and Violence”

Tara listened to Katla’s breathing and stared at the ceiling. She’d been awake an hour. She still wasn’t ready to wake her. The feeling of Katla near her. This was cozy. This was perfect. She didn’t want to disturb it. Today was the day. She should wake Katla. They had plenty to do before hittingContinue reading “4E 202 – Be Honest”

“Did we have an appointment? Or, wait, you were getting something for me?” Wylandriah asked them. “I already found it,” Tara said. The woman could not be this forgetful. This had to be an act. “We’re here about the gem I showed you,” Katla added. “You said you had information.” They were standing in Wylandriah’sContinue reading “31st of Evening Star, 4E 201 – Taking the Next Step”