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Joseph L. Wiess's avatar

Gathered their might ‘gainst the Vaughn’s dark wave.

To his star-born lady, bold and bright,

He gave a belt to guard in night—

Wrought with power from ages old,

To shield her heart from curses cold.

Taia, her lord, the star-walker sworn,

And soldiers cast from duty torn,

Stood fast to face the shadowed tide

That waited in the hangar wide.

With shield ablaze in shimmering light,

He scattered glamours from the fight—

Daemons lured for Vaughn to slay,

Masked in illusions swept away.

Their foes grew blind, their senses marred,

As doubt and terror pressed them hard.

Warrior Niv laid legions low,

While Northhand’s beams struck down the foe.

Lesser beasts they cast to dust,

Saving the strongest—as they must.

For this would feed the kosomoi dread,

As by the Terran's word was said.

The mighty fiend, in iron snare,

Raged and howled a cursed prayer.

Yet still the scattered band had won—

And bore their prize to greet the sun.

To feed the star-walker, bleeding, worn—

That he might see another dawn.

Then turned the brave one's sharpened mind

To weapons cruel and spells refined.

Before his priestess, he laid them bare—

Armor and relics rich and rare—

In hope her hands with power might bless

These tools of war for dark god’s death.

That they might strike while hearts still live,

And crush the foes no gods forgive.

(Option 3.)

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R. H. Snow's avatar

OOH Joseph this is lovely!!

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The Black Knight's avatar

Btw I just reconnected with mr Brushface, the one who made my maps.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for yet another amazing poem!

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R. H. Snow's avatar

NUMBER 3! YAYYY

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for voting. This is the winning option for tomorrow's new episode.

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Mercedes de Santiago's avatar

I vote for 3.

PS: This time I have been able to... in time.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for voting! Indeed, and I hope you are having fun reading this one :D

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Vote for 3. Telepathy and training is a powerful combination.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote!

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MaKenna Grace's avatar

Ooh, really great chapter! I’d say as long as there’s a well thought out back-up plan just in case, option three would be prudent.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote!

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Lillyput Fields's avatar

I am going to have to go with option 2. I think it is the best all-around.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you :)

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Lillyput Fields's avatar

Enthralling! It is nice to see Northstone transform from a lone-adventurer into a leader.

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The Black Knight's avatar

This is indeed one of the most remote places where your votes guided Northstone. Btw, for this chapter, what is your option of choice?

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Michael Persin's avatar

I vote option 3.

If all it takes is a single powerhouse to wipe out an army of baddies, then that's a worthwhile investment!

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote! All I can say is “Sorceresses and Mummies!”

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Chris J. Franklin's avatar

Another wonderful chapter! That's definitely a tricky set of options this week. Repairing the transport ship is essential, but can probably wait until they've dealt with the threats on board first. And those mummies still need to be investigated, but I think the most valuable thing that will give them the edge in the battles ahead, is Taia's telepathic powers. They need to be utilised to their fullest potential. So I think it has to be 'Option 3'... 😎

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote! I had the sneaky suspicion that a lot of readers will pick option 3 this week :D Who needs mummies when they can have a sorceress?!

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Michael B. Morgan's avatar

Umm... I'll go with 1.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Alrighty! I hope you are having fun :D

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Michael B. Morgan's avatar

You bet bro! ;-)

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Terrance Ó Domhnaill's avatar

I like option one.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote :) I hope you are enjoying the story so far.

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Terrance Ó Domhnaill's avatar

I am. Keep going.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you :) Your votes make the story even better! Btw have you decided if you want to read it on your shubstack?

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Terrance Ó Domhnaill's avatar

Unfortunately, I've had to stop reading stories for now as it takes up too much of my time and resources to produce them. That's one of the reasons why I stepped back and have resorted to just one podcast a week now.

I could just read the stories without the sound effects but they would be so dry if I did. I'm not a professional reader by any means. If anything changes, I'll let you know.

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The Black Knight's avatar

I hope one day, you can do it again.

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Victor Jimenez's avatar

I'm going to go for 3.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote :)

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