Happy Blog Day Everyone!
Of course, today is short deviations day which means that Chapter 3 is here, along with some new art!
I'm using the delay from writing these chapters to when they upload to get things lined up, even if bigger edits are needed (though I don't think Avalon Tales needs as big an edit job as Phantom Dawn of course). I was pleased to see that Chapter 3 didn't need much fine tuning, though the next couple...that will be where things get interesting.
I've moved into Chapter 9 now, which is a small break in the way the story has been shown, as I highlighted last week. This chapter marks the first time we dive into Robyn’s head, to see a little bit of her thoughts before the reigns get given back to Isabelle. This may become more common when we get later into the story so I can show some different things.
Ot course, as I've been pushing on with Avalon Tales...It means that Brennan and Riz have been neglected...again. I swear I will get to them, it's just that my writings mojo has been fully engaged by Avalon Tales and I don't want to risk my drive at the moment. However, am aware that the deadline I'm aiming for is coming up so I really need to get working on it.
Speaking of them though...
The Comic Tales of Brennan and Riz
Well, here it is, the last part of the Easter Caper, and it isn't quite what I had planned mind, I think thaf has to do more with my lack of skill, so I've still got a lot of room to grow.
Short Diversions: Avalon Tales Chapter 3
A new mission is given to Isabelle and the rest of the Soldiers at the Avalon North East Branch, but is there more to this?
As promised last time, there's some more new artwork here.
First up is Cade Anderson, the Knight Inquisitor who is definitely all business
Cade Anderson
Nexf we have a new character debuting in this chapter, Marie Baker...What, that'll name is familiar?
I'm sure you're all wrong, nothing to see here.
Marie Baker
Get through the chapter and there might be an extra picture waiting for you...
Avalon Tales Chapter Index
Chapter 3
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Chapter 3: Another Mission
The next day after the phone call, Isabelle threw herself in her work. Due to high reports of demon activity, the North East Branch was preparing to do another purge. Purges differed from normal operations by having no specific target, instead they made the attempt to cleanse the entire area of all demons. These missions always caused a buzz amongst the soldiers of Avalon, but this time, there was extra noise as the branch had yet another arrival from Headquarters other than the Knight Inquisitor Cade. This was the current Master of Arms Rainer Kyne, alongside his assistant, Lucy Fallon. Normally, his role at headquarters was to oversee all the weapons production for Avalon, an important role as often, it was the equipment that decided if a mission was successful or not. Isabelle had met Rainer on several occasions, most notable when she was serving under Knight Master Gawain when she was still a Squire rank. Lucy on the other hand, was someone she was certain she’d never met before, and the only information that Ramona had to share was that she was a Kindred. Kindreds was the name assigned to special individuals that through either artifact means or otherwise, had the powers of demons at their disposal. It was a wide and encompassing label which afforded certain privileges. Their existence used to be a subject that greatly divided Avalon in the decades before, till their talents became too much of an advantage to ignore.
So it was that Isabelle found herself standing outside the briefing room, waiting for when the doors would open. Ramona had already told her earlier in the day that she would be commanding a squad of her own, something she had done before, but only in smaller missions, a purge was a wholly different matter. She had gone through the file in her hands several times already, she already knew who was getting assigned to her. Issac Kenner, and Jessica Dodson. The two she had met briefly before but never directly worked with them. She checked their reports one more time, wanting to make sure everything was going to go smoothly.
Robyn had been watching her the whole time she was doing this.
“You know this isn’t the way to handle your relationship with your dad right?” she said as she snuck up behind her for a hug.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m merely making sure that tonight’s operation is a complete success,” Isabelle replied, putting her soon to be subordinate reports back in the file. She then placed her hand over Robyn’s.
“Let’s see, you clocked into work earlier than you should have, been running around doing Ramona’s work till there was literally nothing left to do, then you came and stood here, waiting an obscene amount of time to get into the briefing room, when you could have just turned up just before the doors open like normal people. You’re using all this as a means to avoid confronting your father, that’s the thing I’m talking about.”
“Isn’t this just the same thing you do when you have to deal with your sister?”
“That’s a low blow, you know just as well as me that Rei can be incredibly annoying.”
“Especially when she turns out to be right?”
“Especially then. That’s getting off topic though. I’d rather deal with your father than her. All you have to do is ring him up, and say: ‘Dad, this isn’t right’. Then, you offload all the baggage you’ve been dealing with since your mum died. You’ll feel better after it, I swear.”
“If only it was that simple,” Isabelle broke the hug and turned back to the briefing room door. “You seem to be forgetting who my father is, and what position he’s in. That and I’m trying to focus on proving myself to everyone else first. As far as my concerns go, dad is ranked pretty low.”
“You keep telling yourself that,” Robyn stood next to her, turning to face the door as well. “I don’t know if I should be excited about tonight, or dreading it for how boring it’s going to be.”
“Why would it be boring? We’ll be constantly on the go as we root out the nest of demons. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to show off your archery skills. Plus, given the threat level, I’m expecting injuries to be kept to a minimum.”
“We could be going to Manchester, or Newcastle, but no, we’re going to Highdale. Highdale isn’t exactly a big place, pretty much the opposite actually. I’m expecting twelve demons, tops. The operation will probably be done in an hour.”
“Then that’ll be a good thing so we can be home early.”
“You’ve got an answer for everything,” Robyn stretched out. “I’m not complaining about it being easy, just want to make that clear. Just…” she trailed off as she became lost in thought.
“Just…what?” Isabelle asked, a bit of concern present in her eyes.
“Just…It feels like a lot for what’s going on. I mean, look,” Robyn pulled out another page that was in the file Isabelle had, this one contained a brief breakdown on the forces that were present.for the operation. “All forty four Knights that are registered to the North East Branch. Plus Ramona and all three of our guests from Headquarters… Doesn’t that sound like overkill to you? We’re talking about dropping an atom bomb on an ant level here.”
“We’re just being thorough. You’re saying twelve demons but the readings I’ve seen are higher than that. It’s better to take an army, just in case we need it.”
“Like I said, you have an answer for everything,” Robyn said with a sigh.
The thundering echoes of footsteps caught their attention as a lone figure appeared at the far end of the corridor, running as fast as she could, while holding several files, heading their way.
“There’s Marie now,” Robyn commented, as Marie Baker skidded to a halt next to the two women.
“Hello girls! Don’t tell me you’ve both been standing there waiting? People are only just starting to turn up now for the briefing. You should have been spending your day relaxing..” Marie said cheerfully.
“Her? Relax before a mission?” Robyn joked, pointing her thumb at Isabelle. “Do you need help with any of that?” she gestured
“This?” Marie gestured to the files. “Don’t worry yourselves, this is nothing I can’t handle. Being a mother gets you used to all sorts of things.”
“Aren’t you doing a twelve hour shift today?” Isabelle asked.
“Yup, but I know it’s an important job, hence why I volunteered for it. Gabe was supportive as he always is. Though Terry is probably going to be hanging out with the neighbours girl all the time again, so for today at least, I won’t be missed. How those two will tackle the chores I left for them, that’s a different matter!” Marie laughed, before coming to the slow realisation that she’d said too much. “There I go again! Honestly, I stop for a second and end up talking for hours.”
Isabelle didn’t mind, Marie was one of the first people at the North Eastern Branch to welcome her with open arms. Who her father was didn’t phase her. Instead, Marie treated everyone like extended family, often able to get a smile out of most people.
“Now, before I get these files to the Master of Arms before he gets cranky, I want you two to make sure that you come back safe and sound alright? I want to hear everything over a nice cup of tea, I’ll even take the good biscuits from their hiding place. I’ll see you both when you get back! Bye!” Marie took off again, disappearing into the briefing room.
“Well, that’s an extra incentive to get back here tonight isn’t it? I mean, Ramona normally hoards those biscuits,” Robyn smiled.
“What was that about my biscuits?” Ramona stuck her head out of the briefing room.
“The Knight Master gracing us with a visit, what an honour!” Robyn joked. “Can we go in now, we’ve been out here a long time now.”
“You can, but Izzy….Well, she needs to pop down to see Merlin…” Ramona said.
“Merlin? Oh, don’t tell me you mean?” Robyn made the sign of a cross with her fingers.
“Yes, Robyn, I’m talking about your sister, Rei. Ever since she got the rank of Merlin it’s been a boon for us, but also a massive pain in the arse with her reguests. Me sending Izzy to her is just another one of those.” Ramona explained.
“What about the briefing? I’m sure whatever Rei wants can wait till after its complete and we’re sorting gear out,” Isabelle
“When the Merlin wants something done it comes as a priority task, and you know that they have to be done pronto, those are the rules. Besides, that document I gave you earlier pretty much is the briefing, as far as you’re concerned. We made sure to play to your talents when choosing your deployment zone, and what your role in the purge is to be.There is absolutely no need for you to be here, least with Master of boring people to sleep,” Ramona motioned behind her, clearly meaning Rainer.
“But-” Isabelle started to say but Ramona shushed her.
“It’ll be fine, izzy. Just go and see Rei, then by the time you’ll probably be finished with her, we can get started on the mission.”
“Ramona’s right, we all know that Rei can be a bit…” Robynt thought for a moment on the right word to use. “Impatient…with a passion. Besides, I know my sister, she won’t have summoned you for the fun of it.”
“You sure about that? I’ve been there when your sister has put out a priority call because she was thirsty,” Isabelle countered.
“Be that as it may, I’m not dealing with her constantly pinging me just to get you, so…Yeah, consider this a direct order to go and see what she wants. Don’t make me say please,” Ramona gave Isabelle the sad puppy dog look. “I promise there’s going to be nothing in the briefing you don’t know already, may lightning strike me down this instant.”
Isabelle looked to Robyn for support, but all she could do was shrug her shoulders.
“Fine…” Isabelle rolled her eyes.
“Thank you, Izzy! I’ll let her know you’re on your way down now. Don’t stress too much about tonight, okay? I can’t have a stressed Knight Major out in the field. You hear me?” Ramona patted Isabelle on her shoulder, inches away from the snowflake scar, and uncontrollably, Isabelle recoiled. Not noticing, Ramona smiled and turned her attention to Robyn:
“Aren’t you coming in then?”
“In a moment!” Robyn said cheerfully, before turning so her back was to Ramona.
“You okay?” Robyn asked Isabelle, noting where the Knight Major’s hand had just been.
“I’ll be fine…”
“I thought she knew about your scar…”
“No, actually, it was never brought up.”
“Isn’t it in your medical file though?”
“Do you think that she actually read that? Also wouldn’t surprise me if dad had kept it out of the files,” Isabelle said with a sigh, she placed her hand on the spot where the scar was as it throbbed ominously. She didn’t know if it was reacting based on her stress or any other factor.
“Would he though?” Robyn was paying attention to how Isabelle was reacting, but knew that often, the best thing to do, was to give the one she loved, the space she needed. Anything else could escalate an avoidable argument.
“He would. To ‘protect’ me.”
“Think it would do the opposite, all it takes is someone who we don’t like to find out and they’ll grab the pitchforks.”
“They already want to do that, won’t change anything… Now get going before Ramona kills us both for causing a scene, I can get to where Rei is on my own.”
“Fine, I’ll go and listen to the boring briefing. Probably more fun than having to deal with my little sister. Don’t let her run her mouth too much, okay?”
“I know how to handle her, don’t worry, love you,” Isabelle said as she turned to leave.
“Love you too,” Robyn replied as she headed into the briefing room, sharing one last look, before she disappeared into the door.
More people started to appear in the hallways as the soldiers arrived for the briefing, causing the narrow passages to become a mass of lives, heaving and pushing as one.
Isabelle held herself against the wall, letting them all pass. She needed to be at the opposite end of where they were all going. Only a few actually noticed her presence, and out of them, only one or two made a comment about her.
“There’s the ice princess…” It wasn’t anything original, but it still stung.
What do I have to do to get them to treat me like I’m like them? Isabelle asked herself, before shaking the comment away. No, it’s not me that has to change, I’m not the problem here.
By now, she was back to being the only one in the hallway, and so carried on her way to where Rei was, the Merlin of Avalon.
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Next Chapter (Not live yet)
While I put Cade and Marie's artwork before the chapter, I held one back because...well, I wanted his name to be dropped first!
So here it is, the Baker family photo! That man on the right...doesn't he look just like a swell guy!
I'm sure only good things will be fall this family I swear!
That's it for this week, however.
Thank you for reading all of this.
Till next week,
Keep on writing!
Peter James Martin
Quick Links
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