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Sunday, September 23, 2007

Update - 9/23/07

Yes, so, here is an update that everyone can enjoy. In essence, Sarah Rutti has not updated the story yet because she is very busy with college and the yomim norayim. So, the good news is that college is going well for her, and all the extra time that she is putting into making up her classes (instead of updating this blog) is paying off. Keep up the good work!!! Congrats Sarah on your accomplishments, and we patiently await your next exciting update!

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Last of all, for a bit of random fun, look what I found... (lol)

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Good job Sarahle! Congrats on all of your recent accomplishments and may you have continued success!

- SEP ^.^

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Update 9/15/07


Greetings and wishes for a happy healthy new year!

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In essence, Sarah Rutti meant to put up a small note saying that she would update the blog after the chagim. So, until then, thank you for your patience and enjoy the chagim!

- SEP


Sunday, September 9, 2007

Message Board - Update 9/8/07


*SEP smiles indulgently at the expectant crowd.*

"Patience is a virtue children."

*SEP runs in horror from the incensed crowd screaming.*

"OK, ok... Sarah Rutti, will get the next update posted soon!" (Right Sarah?)

- SEP

Monday, September 3, 2007

Secret Discoveries (Part 12)


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Editors Note: This part of the story picks up from Part 9. Click HERE to re-read that section.

Secret Discoveries - Part 12
By: SRS

Soon Merlin's image was lost amongst the darkness, and Crystal found herself walking aimlessly within the tunnel. At this, Crystal began to breath a little harder. Here she was, thinking hat she was going start getting more answers, and instead, she was alone in the dark again. Merlin's last words floated back to her you have been summoned to prove your abilities...Just before her panic got the best of her, Crystal saw a light, like a shinning star, in the distance. Thank goodness, she breathed as the light grew larger and brighter, with every closing step.

It soon became apparent that the light was emitting from a peephole in the the center of a wooden door. Crystal could see that the the door was bound by ancient clasps and iron hinges, thus it looked impossible to move. Hesitating, Crystal pushed on the door and found it locked, as she expected. Now I'm done for, Crystal thought as she looked behind her and tried to see into the darkness. I can't even see my hands in front of my face and I'm supposed to do.....what? Crystal stopped. She realized that she wasn't quite sure what was expected of her. Then, once again, she heard Merlin's voice in her head. ...You must be tested...it is necessary for us to know what your strengths are and if we might trust you with future tasks.

"Is that what this is," Crystal spoke aloud, "another test?" It was easier to think when her thoughts were spoken out loud for there was too much noise insider her head, too many things trying to be released. Speaking out loud eased the pressure a bit.

"At least now I know that this has been planned, it makes me feel more secure to know that 'someone' is looking out and 'watching' me." She confessed, "Regardless of the fact that they're watching to evaluate my actions." Crystal added as an after thought.

Staring at the door once again, Crystal started to seriously consider the situation at hand. Firstly, behind her there was a tunnel immersed in darkness, where up was down and the walls were only felt, not seen. Secondly, in front of her there was a door with a tiny hole in the center and solid clasps binding it shut. Her natural reaction was to try and get through the door and out of the darkness. She could try and recount her steps, back to Merlin's back door, but then what? She would end up where she began and have no where left to flee but back into the darkness. With this thought Crystal shuddered as she remembered the chill of the night and it's wispy grasp.

Then, it's resolved, I've got to find a way to get through this door.

Crystal started noticing the details about the old wooden door. There were no bolts along the hinges, so the possibility of removing the screws to open the door was put aside at once. Furthermore, the 'peephole' was larger than Crystal had thought. As she pressed her face against the wood and looked through the opening, Crystal could actually see to the other side of the door.

But what she saw made her jump back in fright. Suddenly, Crystal wasn't so sure she wanted to get to the other side. Once more, Merlin's words echoed around her,
you have been summoned to prove your abilities in wit, intelligence, and self dependence. There was a force, or power, within her that was capable of defeating and completing this task. She had the power, the abilities.

Crystal stood still, hard in thought. "There is magic in me, this I know. When Merlin first tested me on my fifth birthday, he confirmed this fact. But since that day I have not used those powers, I have not been taught how to control them, all I know is that they course through my veins with a life of their own, and that I am afraid to unleash them. Must I use them to solve this test?"

Now the voice in her head was beginning to annoy her, as the sound of Merlin's words resounded through her mind for a fourth time,
you are here to be yourself and find the balance within your characteristics. After accomplishing this you will be able to reach the heights you were born to. Surprisingly, this message reassured her and gave Crystal a new, stronger resolve, to open the door and combat the danger on the other side.

Crystal readjusted her gaze and started to form a plan in her mind. She did not want to destroy the door, it might prove to be her only barrier if she could not fend off the being on the other side, so she wanted to open it while keeping it intact. Her eyes turned to the door knob and saw that there was a key hole. This too released a fraction of light and Crystal was surprised that she had only noticed it now.

She would pick the lock. But she would not do it with a key pick, rather she was meant to use magic, this was clear. Focusing on the task at hand, Crystal began to feel her body warm as the energy coursing through her quickened its pace, reaching all crevasses of her body in a ten seconds cycle, then speeding up, doubling its pace, and completing its cycle every second. Its speed was continuously increasing.

Crystal felt like her innards were burning, tears began to well up in her eyes, and she questioned the wisdom of summoning this energy, this power, that she had not used for many years. Her gaze hardened as she stood her ground and tried to ignore the pain. It will dissipate as soon as the door is open, she told herself, then I will bid it away and complete this task at hand. I need only keep my concentration and then I shall succeed.

Still feeling the heat of the energy moving within her, Crystal started to walk toward the door. She found that the pain was lessoning, and she hoped it meant that she had gained some control over the energy. With one swift movement of her arm, Crystal reached out to the key hole, and willed it to open. Heeding her wish, blue flames rushed from her fingers, filled the key whole, and the door sprung open.

The action done, Crystal tried to chill her blood and will the magic away, as well. The light from the other side flooded the tunnel, and Crystal could not open her eyes from the pain it brought upon her. She swayed from the impact of the entire situation and reached for something to lean on, to support her, she found the door frame.

She had done it, she had opened the door. The task had left her dizzy and disoriented, but is had been completed none the less. But her celebration was short lived as she recalled the scene that she had glimpsed through the peep hole. Was it still here, around her, now? Did she dare open her eyes and behold her new situation? Was the task truly completed, or was that only the beginning?

Part 13 coming soon.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Message Board - Update 9-02-07

*SEP walks in smiling broadly.*

Yes, it seems things are getting back on track. Sarah Rutti is in the process of writing the next installment in "Secret Discoveries," and is should be up shortly. In the meantime, I started a short story section. For an index of short stories that will appear randomly, click HERE. Have a great "holiday" weekend!

- SEP

SHORT STORY 1 - "THE TEACHER"


Hello Everybody!!! Sarah Rutti is working on the next update for "Secret Discoveries" so I wrote a short piece that is only a part of a whole story. If you're interested, maybe I'll write more... Let me know what you think.




"The Teacher"
By: SEP


I find it hard to see down the halls of this building. The Manor in which I presently reside is large, and the hallways are dark at night. I pulled my robe a little closer around myself and looked around the sides of statues for children out of bed. The children are not aloud out of their dormitories past ten, and we, the teachers, are obligated to patrol the hallways from ten to twelve to ensure that no miscreants are running around.


The dark began annoying me, so I reached out with my mind questing for students who might be hiding in the dark. There were plenty of empty rooms and statues where they could be hiding, but my mental query found nothing at first. Then, my mind touched the mind of another, but not a student. The next moment Assistant Head Master Eugene Jenkins came around the corner. His swift and silent movements had made him undetectable without my mental sweep.


He is a handsome man, tall and athletically built. At least six foot four, he towers over me and his delicate face has an aristocratic look to it. While he is attractive his black hair and blue eyes struck me as dangerous, especially glinting in the moonlight. The fact that he is young, perhaps twenty-six, is also a warning. Youth and power deserve respect. He smiled when he saw me standing in the hallway, and I got the feeling he understood what I had been doing.


“Miss Aloisia Halliday. A pleasant surprise this is.”


Immediately, I pulled all defenses I had into check. Envisioning a marble wall surrounding myself, I greeted him with a reciprocating smile. “Likewise Mr. Jenkins. I would rather meet you than errant children at this late hour.” We had only just met yesterday, but I wondered how much this man knew about me. He was, after all, the Headmaster’s right hand man, but the other teachers had told me little about him. He had been away “training” for the past year, but the lack of information regarding his “training” made me wonder just what he had been studying.


“Indeed, I understand the sentiment. It has been a while since I last patrolled the halls of Eaton, but I remember well the nuisance of patrolling.” He smiled a charming smile at me, and for a moment I thought I felt the brush of a questing mind upon my mental barrier. The sensation vanished before I could be sure it existed. “Have a good night.”


“Thank you, you too,” I said automatically smiling myself. As we passed each other I could not keep myself from glancing back. He was handsome yes, but I could not shake the sneaking suspicion that he was a dangerous man, at least as dangerous as the headmaster. Indeed, anyone familiar with Eaton would understand my caution.


Currently, I am serving as a teacher in the prestigious government institution known as Eaton, which has all manner of schools including primary, secondary, and even university level education. Eaton is unusual in that children are chosen to attend, by the government, depending on any special abilities the child might have. From the age of ten to fourteen all children across the country are tested for abilities, gifts, freakish powers, call it what you will. Of course, this is one of the best kept secrets in the country, and I still find myself wondering how they keep it quiet.


Children usually arrive, are educated, and then placed into government positions depending upon their abilities. I was unusual in the respect that I was brought to the Eaton at the age six. Some are allowed to visit their home and family, but permission is granted on a sliding scale depending on how dangerous one is considered to be.

Because of this scale, I was never allowed to leave and have not seen my parents in fourteen years.