Author Archives: paleololigo

Scientist (Paleontology, Geochemistry, Geology); Writer (Speculative and Science Fiction, plus technical and non-technical Science); Mom to great boy on the Autism spectrum; possessor of too many hobbies.

Inktober 2019 – Day 1

It’s Inktober. Time to draw.

This is my first Inktober. I’ll be drawing pictures, comics, and characatures of the cats of Mew-Mew House at Second Guess Farm.

Mew-Mew House is the retirement home and hospice for cats at Second Guess. It’s currently occupied by 11 cats, which you’ll get to know as Inktober goes on.

It’s Mew-Mew House – a crazy social group for cats!
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W is for Work – #AtoZChallenge

W is for Work

Godwin sat, sharpening the blade of his sword, casually watching Barth teaching a handful of men how to use a dagger to defend themselves against men with swords. “We’ll be in tunnels and narrow passages,” Barth said. “The sword loses its advantage.”

A shout came up, echoing through the cavern system. Everyone fell silent as Barth rushed toward the noise. Godwin followed at a walk, keeping his sword at the ready. Vincent dashed past Godwin, and Godwin started to jog.

A man was dragged in, with a sack over his head, and forced to his knees. Kenrick was close behind, now talking vigorously with Vincent. He caught sight of Godwin.

“David!” shouted Kenrick. “Here.”

Godwin passed the kneeling man, who was weeping under the sack. “Who is this?”

“I pray I’ve found the right man.”

Godwin turned back the the sobbing man and whipped the sack off of his head.

Simon cowered back in the torchlight.

“Simon,” said Godwin.

Simon blinked up through his tears. Godwin squatted down in front of him. “Simon, my friend.”

“Godwin?” Simon stammered.

“My friend.” Godwin embraced Simon.

“Help me, Godwin.”

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V is for Vincent – #AtoZChallenge

V is for Vincent

“Get up!” cried Godwin. “Get up, all of you!”

Warily, the gathered men and women stood.

“I don’t want this,” Godwin said. “I want to be David. David of Baronwyth. I have a wife. I have a child. I till the fields. I lived the royal life, and it was dull and meaningless.” He smiled at Barth. “Though not lonely, nor without its friends.” He raised his voice. “Aldred would destroy all that is good of this country. All that has meaning. My father knew nothing of his people. But I know these people. I know you. You are what is good in this world.”

Godwin coughed and cleared his throat. “I don’t want to be king. But it is more important that Aldred is defeated. That my family and yours can be safe. So I will do what I must.” He turned to the man who had so recently thrown him on the ground. “You lead these people, aye?”

The man nodded slowly.

“Then tell me what must be done.”

The man worked his mouth, but said nothing.

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U is for Underground – #AtoZChallenge

U is for Underground

The man straightened up, wide-eyed. He turned to Kenrick. “You believe this?”

“I do.”

“What proof have you?” the man demanded, glaring back at Godwin.

Godwin licked his lips. “Grant was careful to obscure any evidence of my parentage. Yet you can still make out my father’s crest on my arm.”

“Where?”

“My right forearm. On the inside. Grant tried to burn it off.”

The man came around behind Godwin and shoved him down flat. He gripped one wrist. “I see nothing.”

“The other one,” gasped Godwin. “The right.”

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