I've temporarily lost my voice, but given the results of the poll, I'll record a reading of this article once it's back. (Does mean I need to research appropriate Saxon and Nordic accents, though. Why can't guest contributors write everything in modern English settings, like the literary establishment? Sigh...)
It amazes me how in just 2000 words the author created from nothing what we come to recognize as individuals whose interests we are invested in and whom we are sad to see...walking away into the mists. This was such a lovely story. Would love to read more about Eadric and Harold.
Quite liked this. It had the inauspicious 'Twilight Zone vibe' of not belonging I am partial to, which might be the reason why I was feeling this element was not pushed enough. Surely if someone realises he's dead and did not end up in Valhalla, or another afterlife they were expecting, there should have been more anger and despair, at least with the young boy?
Then again, it was explained that this vignette was meant to be more dialogue-driven. Still, in the sentence "The boy stood seven paces away, fear mingling with awe as he watched Eadric sheath Windshear.", I would have exchanged the "fear mingling with awe" for something the boy showed in his behaviour at that moment.
I did love how Eadric's memory of his possible death is described. It is understated and almost poetic, while your own mind can fill in the violent part of it. Furthermore, most of the time I prefer open endings. It is a way to make sure the characters are being kept alive in the minds of the readers for a while.
I think Eadric captures a certain muted emotionality that some men have, a general insensitivity to feelings that's seen as stoicism (even if a rather slow-minded kind). But I shouldn't get drawn in! Too much fun to see other people's thoughts on the piece without adding my own.
Not everyone is fine-tuned to their emotions and hell, there are people who need to focus a lot less on their feelings but that description sounds like an unproblematic facade, created to please the people surrounding those men, stifled their true self. Although I may be reading too much in it. It is difficult to imagine something like that comes naturally.
But fair enough. If the dungeon master would like to pass on my compliments to the author together with my wish that they would write more for this substack I would be thankful. Apparently there's more to this story that I would like to know.
Hello John, I sent an email to the Creative Liberty email address - although I'm not sure if it's an address you can pick up. Where would be the best place to message you?
Thanks for getting in touch! The substack email should work now, but you will probably have to send the email again. Looking forward to hearing form you.
I've just sent a follow up email - not sure if the first got through. Let me know if they are getting lost in the void somewhere. Hope your voice is feeling better soon.
I love stories like this! Eadric and the boy seem to be at some sort of halfway station between this world and the afterlife. Will there be more parts? I am curious to learn how they might get to a more definite afterlife.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! There's a lot more to this story, it's really a question of whether the author wants to share more with us on this site, and whether people will follow it if they do...
I've temporarily lost my voice, but given the results of the poll, I'll record a reading of this article once it's back. (Does mean I need to research appropriate Saxon and Nordic accents, though. Why can't guest contributors write everything in modern English settings, like the literary establishment? Sigh...)
(Why do I get the feeling you're being sarcastic?)
It amazes me how in just 2000 words the author created from nothing what we come to recognize as individuals whose interests we are invested in and whom we are sad to see...walking away into the mists. This was such a lovely story. Would love to read more about Eadric and Harold.
Quite liked this. It had the inauspicious 'Twilight Zone vibe' of not belonging I am partial to, which might be the reason why I was feeling this element was not pushed enough. Surely if someone realises he's dead and did not end up in Valhalla, or another afterlife they were expecting, there should have been more anger and despair, at least with the young boy?
Then again, it was explained that this vignette was meant to be more dialogue-driven. Still, in the sentence "The boy stood seven paces away, fear mingling with awe as he watched Eadric sheath Windshear.", I would have exchanged the "fear mingling with awe" for something the boy showed in his behaviour at that moment.
I did love how Eadric's memory of his possible death is described. It is understated and almost poetic, while your own mind can fill in the violent part of it. Furthermore, most of the time I prefer open endings. It is a way to make sure the characters are being kept alive in the minds of the readers for a while.
I think Eadric captures a certain muted emotionality that some men have, a general insensitivity to feelings that's seen as stoicism (even if a rather slow-minded kind). But I shouldn't get drawn in! Too much fun to see other people's thoughts on the piece without adding my own.
Not everyone is fine-tuned to their emotions and hell, there are people who need to focus a lot less on their feelings but that description sounds like an unproblematic facade, created to please the people surrounding those men, stifled their true self. Although I may be reading too much in it. It is difficult to imagine something like that comes naturally.
But fair enough. If the dungeon master would like to pass on my compliments to the author together with my wish that they would write more for this substack I would be thankful. Apparently there's more to this story that I would like to know.
Hello John, I sent an email to the Creative Liberty email address - although I'm not sure if it's an address you can pick up. Where would be the best place to message you?
Thanks for getting in touch! The substack email should work now, but you will probably have to send the email again. Looking forward to hearing form you.
Thank you John, email has been re-sent.
I've just sent a follow up email - not sure if the first got through. Let me know if they are getting lost in the void somewhere. Hope your voice is feeling better soon.
I love stories like this! Eadric and the boy seem to be at some sort of halfway station between this world and the afterlife. Will there be more parts? I am curious to learn how they might get to a more definite afterlife.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! There's a lot more to this story, it's really a question of whether the author wants to share more with us on this site, and whether people will follow it if they do...
Glad to see I am not the only one still awake at this hour 😁. Haha.
Well, I would love to read more, so you can count me in, but I understand that it depends on the author’s wishes.
Does the author have his/ her own Substack that we can follow or will possible future publications also be on Creative Liberty?
I will let you know if they start one, but for now they're happy to remain anonymous. Or at least pseudonymous ^^
I'd love to read more of this story, too. The final line in particular was beautifully written.
Thank you for letting me now! I understand the author would like to remain anonymous 😉.
I was just wondering if the author would continue the story on this substack if he/she is ready to share more?
What a good little snippet! Quite surprised me how quickly I became immersed - Great job! 👍