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20.4 Ash

2021-08-07 02:23:00 They had been up there for about half an hour when we finally saw wyverns coming down toward us. I was nervous that it wasn't them and wild wyverns were coming down to devour us while our group was split up, but we weren't that unlucky today. Tig... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/20-4-ash Kaia Tigala Lolan Sillius Klaus Sparr Kesq

20.3 Ash

2021-08-03 02:15:00 "You don't understand," I said. "We have to tell the others about this." "I don't think you understand," said Kesq. "This is very powerful magic. It has the potential to change the world. We can't just go around telling anybody about it. That's wh... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/20-3-ash Kaia Tigala Lolan Rodrigo Tallesia Srak Sillius Amara Cairn Palem Klaus Sparr Kesq Porthos

20.2 Interlude: Brendell

2021-07-31 02:01:00 The deep breath hurt. Brendell's chest rose and fell, but it felt distant. It was somewhere else. Somewhere where he wasn't. Where was he? He wasn't sure. Somewhere locked inside of a dream. Everything was black. There was no movement, nothing to... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/20-2-interlude-brendell Kaia Tigala Lolan Brendell Nadira Cavel Klaus

20.1 Ash

2021-07-24 01:50:00 What do we do now? It was the question all of us had been thinking. It had only been two days since Briqor was destroyed, and five more towns and cities had been leveled since then. What were we supposed to do? We only had small armies in comparis... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/20-1-ash Kaia Tigala Rodrigo Tallesia Sillius Klaus Sparr

19.4 Sequoia

2021-07-20 00:01:00 I looked at Malcolm and then over the edge of the dragon that we stood on. "I didn't mean to," I said. "Oh, didn't you?" said Malcolm. "This is what we do. Why wouldn't you be just waiting for your chance to kill me?" "No," I said. "I decided not ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/19-4-sequoia Kaia Malcolm

19.3 Sequoia

2021-07-17 00:01:00 The doom drake tore through the city. Debris exploded into the sky with each strike. And we were miles away. I looked around for others. Many were reeling from the previous attacks and the fall of the monster. The dust still hadn't fully settled ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/19-3-sequoia Kaia Arthur Malcolm Porthos

19.2 Sequoia

2021-07-13 00:01:00 "This is our shot," I yelled. "If we don't stop it here, we might not ever stop it. Give it everything you've got." The military didn't respond, they just watched in silence as the colossus lumbered forward, seemingly growing taller by the second ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/19-2-sequoia Kaia Tigala Lolan Rodrigo Porthos

19.1 Sequoia

2021-07-10 00:01:00 "What do we know," I asked, looking around at the leaders who had gathered around us at the edge of Birdsbane. Behind me, the trees stood like towers, shading us from the sun. "It showed up in Brighton," said Rodrigo. "It attacked without warning ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/19-1-sequoia Kaia Tigala Lolan Rodrigo Tallesia Cairn Arayoo Palem Grollok

18.5 Oak

2021-07-06 00:01:00 The magic slammed into the vine creature and it instantly began to grow. It grew taller and denser, faster than anything I could have done on my own. I was already canceling the magic in anticipation of things going horribly wrong, but it still wa... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/18-5-oak Kaia Tigala Lolan Rodrigo Palem Bubba Kesq Grollok

18.4 Oak

2021-07-03 00:01:00 I really wished we brought a Saurian with us today to convince her that we weren't dangerous. The Saurian breathed heavily as she realized she was outnumbered. Her eyes darted around, and then she turned and ran. She swept her arm down as quickly... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/18-4-oak Kaia Tigala Lolan Palem Bubba Kesq Grollok

18.3 Oak

2021-06-29 00:01:00 "So, what do you think Brendell is going to do as soon as he wakes up?" I asked Lolan as we walked. The forest floor was chewed up and muddy, showing that we must be close to the wandering forest. "Honestly, he'll probably try and kill me again," ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/18-3-oak Kaia Tigala Lolan Palem Bubba

18.2 Oak

2021-06-26 00:01:00 "What do we know so far?" I asked. We sat in the center of a large room of what looked like a library. The books that littered the ground were barely recognizable now. After being waterlogged for hundreds of years, it made sense. Several people I ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/18-2-oak Kaia Tigala Lolan Kethral Cavel Arayoo Palem Bubba Porthos

18.1 Interlude: Victor

2021-06-22 00:01:00 Victor focused on the hurt he had within him—the people who had hurt him and the ones he loved. He focused on the pain, the damage, and the hatred he had for the ones who took his brother, his sister. And it felt good. He threw his arms down... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/18-1-interlude-victor Victor Master Tavish Kevin

17.6 Hazel

2021-06-19 03:37:00 It was dark out. I could hear people shuffling around, making arrangements, retelling the story of the doom drake's awakening. I couldn't bring myself to join them though. There was too much going on. Zef was gone, and I nearly lost my own life ag... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/17-6-hazel Kaia Tigala Lolan Geralt

17.5 Hazel

2021-06-15 00:01:00 I stood staring down at the vat of acid below me. The guards with a staff at my back, urging me slowly forward. It was too late. I turned to Tigala and gave the slightest of nods, and she started her transformation. "Wait," came a voice behind me.... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/17-5-hazel Kaia Tigala Lolan Amara Geralt

17.4 Interlude: Amara

2021-06-12 00:01:00 "I expect you'll have the colonists back here shortly?" said Amara. "Yes, of course," said Sillius, the balding Gnome with the mustache. He looked at her like he was unsure of her judgment. She tried to suppress the anger that brought. It was hard... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/17-4-interlude-amara Kaia Tigala Lolan Sillius Amara Geralt Porthos Frackle

17.3 Hazel

2021-06-10 00:01:00 I didn't know what to say or do. Was there anything that would change her mind? Or were we destined to fail from the start? What was the situation between her and Zef? Here I thought that bringing news of her father would gain us the chance to at ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/17-3-hazel Kaia Tigala Lolan Sillius Amara Porthos

17.2 Hazel

2021-06-08 00:01:00 There was a rush of magic as I stepped through the portal. It felt like stepping into a liquid, but it looked more like I was inside one of those magical veins that I had run into so many times on Daegal. The river of violet energy rushed against ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/17-2-hazel Kaia Tigala Lolan Sillius Amara Geralt Porthos

17.1 Hazel

2021-06-05 00:00:00 "I believe," said Klaus as he finished relaying the visions, "that the book that he found may have belonged to Shayde Mortem. If the carving on the back of this medallion is any clue, he might be a direct descendant." "What was in the book?" yell... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/17-1-hazel Kaia Tigala Lolan Rodrigo Tallesia Sillius Palem Bubba Geralt Klaus Porthos

16.6 Interlude: Klaus

2021-06-01 00:30:00 Klaus's vision swirled with images. Images of a man in a dark cloak, a boy cowering in the corner of the room, an infant, a man holding hands with an older woman. They didn't make sense. They never did. It was only through Klaus's highly trained a... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/16-6-interlude-klaus Klaus Malcolm

16.5 Cypress

2021-05-29 00:00:00 The Avian's eyes flickered white, and then back to normal. "How do you know Zef?" I asked, more angrily than I had intended. The crane looked at me. "He's an old friend." His eyes flickered white again as he looked at me. Then, after a pause, he s... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/16-5-cypress Kaia Tigala Lolan Rodrigo Marv Abigail Geralt Klaus Sparr

16.4 Cypress

2021-05-25 01:32:00 I left the Treeks behind me, climbing the rubble up to the level where the others searched and helped people that were buried and injured. I wasn't sure what to do. I could help, but I didn't have the piles of dirt that Palem and Kadero did. I did... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/16-4-cypress Kaia Tigala Lolan Geralt Klaus Sparr

16.3 Cypress

2021-05-22 00:00:00 "Really?" I said, a little too hopeful. "My father's name was Lyndon, and my mother was Marigold." Palem's eyebrows rose. "Oh, um. Hmm. The names don't ring a bell. Was there anything else notable about them?" Notable? I wasn't sure what that woul... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/16-3-cypress Kaia Coran Palem Kadero Bubba

16.2 Cypress

2021-05-18 00:00:00 I approached the group of Treeks, my heart beating heavy in my chest. I didn't know what to expect. I didn't want to expect anything, given my last run-in with a Treek, but I couldn't keep myself from dreaming about the family I could find. They w... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/16-2-cypress Kaia Tigala Lolan Rodrigo Brendell Marv Coran Palem Kadero Bubba

16.1 Cypress

2021-05-15 00:00:00 We climbed over the rubble toward the noise. I walked in a daze, unable to process our current situation. Unable to believe that Zef was actually dead. After all we had been through. The world carried on around me as I focused on walking. One foot... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/16-1-cypress Kaia Tigala Lolan Tallesia

15.7 Kudzu

2021-05-13 00:00:00 I couldn't stand it. Why was he so stupid to help those Elves—to be the last one out in the open? Did he know how to teleport? Did he have some trick up his sleeve like he always had? He couldn't die. I still needed him. No matter how much ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/15-7-kudzu Kaia Tigala Zef

15.6 Kudzu

2021-05-11 00:00:00 I felt the heat and knew this was it. My eyes were closed tight anticipating the pain. But when it came, it dissipated just as fast. I opened my eyes and saw that the Human was no longer standing over me. He was on the ground getting attacked by a... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/15-6-kudzu Kaia Tigala Geralt Malcolm

15.5 Interlude: Lolan

2021-05-08 00:00:00 Lolan was angry—angrier than he had been in a long time. It wasn't something he had a lot of experience with. It didn't make sense to be angry. It didn't help. Everything had happened to him and he had learned to deal—to roll with the ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/15-5-interlude-lolan Lolan Tallesia Brendell Marv Wikith Abigail Garlar Ferek

15.4 Kudzu

2021-05-06 00:00:00 I ran out of the room, away from the chaos. I took the staircase heading deeper into the cavern and continued on the quickest route to the bottom. I glanced over my shoulder to see who was with me. Tigala, Zef, and Geralt. "They need your help," I... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/15-4-kudzu Kaia Tigala Zef Wikith Havik Geralt Malcolm

15.3 Kudzu

2021-05-03 16:00:00 Marv was the last to enter, blocking the little light breaking in through the smashed doorway. I could smell it again, the smell of refuse. We were crowded together in what had to have been another one of the holding cells for the slaves down belo... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/15-3-kudzu Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Tallesia Brendell Marv Wikith Abigail Crag Kricoo Geralt Wallace Seth Garlar Ferek

15.2 Kudzu

2020-09-26 02:10:00 We led the way into the staircase, down to the cavern below. No one made a sound. It was solemn stepping down those stairs, with ten or so other groups of mixed races. This could be it. This could be the last thing we did on this island. Zef's eye... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/15-2-kudzu Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Tallesia Brendell Marv Wikith Abigail Crag Kricoo Geralt Wallace Seth Garlar Ferek

15.1 Kudzu

2020-09-19 03:59:00 "How are we all supposed to get through that?" asked Lobo. How he still had the nerve to talk around us was beyond me. But who knows, maybe there was still hope for even him. We all stood along the edge of the valley, hidden behind the pillar-moun... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/15-1-kudzu Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Tallesia Kethral Lobo Marv Abigail Cairn Kricoo Simone Geralt Wallace Seth Hartol Garlar Ferek

14.4 Dandelion

2020-09-12 01:32:00 "We need to go after them," I could hear the growl of Tigala over the crowd. "Something could have happened. We can't just leave them alone out there." "They're not alone," said another familiar voice. It was deep and antagonizing. Lobo. "They hav... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/14-4-dandelion Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Tallesia Lobo Dunnel Cairn Simone Geralt Porthos

14.3 Dandelion

2020-09-05 01:11:00 This is so stupid! I thought to myself—and said aloud earlier—but now wasn't the time to talk. All around me, the dead shifted and wandered. The smell wasn't as bad as I would have expected. The bodies seemed pretty far along in the de... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/14-3-dandelion Kaia Srak Cairn Porthos

14.2 Interlude: Tigala

2020-08-31 03:34:00 Why did they send the girl out here again? thought Tigala. Hasn't she been through enough? She walked through the canyon that formed at the base of the tall mountains. The Avians walked ahead through the thin stretch of navigable terrain, the Beas... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/14-2-interlude-tigala Tigala Tibil Lobo Marv Abigail Crag Kricoo Arayoo

14.1 Interlude: The boy

2020-08-16 01:40:00 Another day. Another day in this stink of an island. But at least there was progress. Their mission was almost complete. They were almost done. And then they would be able to rest. Then there would be peace—a final end to the war that was al... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/14-1-interlude-the-boy Zef Lolan Brendell Wikith

13.8 Ficus

2020-08-11 01:05:00 "WUUTTT?" said the giant glowing tree. I was pretty sure it was a question. That would make for an interesting name. But I was supposed to be learning about them, not mocking their name choices. "A name. What are you called?" I said, clarifying. T... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/13-8-ficus Kaia Srak Sillius Cairn Porthos Grollok

13.7 Ficus

2020-07-31 01:50:00 The giant tree with a green glowing face stared at me. Was it thinking? Was it frozen? Did it understand what I said? I stared back at it shaking slightly. It was just a tree, but it was still powerful. I didn't know what they'd do. I could only g... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/13-7-ficus Kaia Sillius Dunnel Cairn Porthos Hartol

13.6 Ficus

2020-07-26 11:18:00 "Get us to the water!" yelled someone else. If they said anymore, they were quickly drowned out by the yells and screams as we were cornered in our own tunnel by a walking tree on one end and an army of animated saplings on the other. Cairn and Du... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/13-6-ficus Kaia Dunnel Cairn Hartol

13.5 Ficus

2020-07-20 22:10:00 I broke into a run toward the swarm of thrashing trees. The Gnomes were already ahead of me looking for the quickest route to their people. The trees looked different this time around. They weren't just thrashing wildly but looked more like an arm... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/13-5-ficus Kaia Srak Dunnel Cairn Porthos Hartol Garlar

13.4 Ficus

2020-07-11 02:12:00 I looked over at the group of Saurians as they marched through the forest in silence. They were big. Like the Beasfolk, they were a head and shoulders taller than the Humans and Elves on average. It didn't help with my fears of them already. Their... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/13-4-ficus Kaia Srak Sillius Dunnel Cairn Porthos Hartol Garlar

13.3 Ficus

2020-07-06 02:09:00 All of the different races began conversing, planning the best ways forward, and discussing the earthquake we had all just endured. I turned back to the Gnome house, grabbed my bag, and headed back into the road as the crowd began to separate and ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/13-3-ficus Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Lobo Torm Sillius Cairn Kricoo Porthos Hartol

13.2 Ficus

2020-07-01 03:26:00 I woke up in the same pile of dirt I had previously slept in, the day I first saw the dragon. It was the main room of the Gnome house near the center of Birdsbane, as Geralt called it. When we arrived, he made sure everyone knew how the town got i... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/13-2-ficus Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Lobo Kricoo

13.1 Interlude: Kesq

2020-06-26 03:21:00 Kesq made ripples across the top of the water as she swam—her tail gliding back and forth to propel her forward. In her hand, she held a thin wooden pole with three metal spikes angled slightly outward from the weapon's tip. Her reptilian fa... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/13-1-kesq Kesq Thrask

12.6 Dracaena

2020-06-20 23:03:00 "He should be stable now," said the apothecary. "Are you sure? We can't wake him up? There's nothing else we can do?" I asked. I didn't want to just leave him like that. Raffa was still unconscious with his upper arm now wrapped in the cleanest cl... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/12-6-dracaena Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Galia Lobo Marv Cavel Cairn Kricoo Simone Geralt Luvon Leena

12.5 Dracaena

2020-06-16 02:14:00 There was silence as I looked out at the collection of wounded warriors. They stared back at me. I wasn't sure what else to say. Was this not going to work after all? "Who's with me?" I asked. More silence. Then I heard a voice. "The Dwarves are w... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/12-5-dracaena Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Lobo Torm Raffa Nadira Dunnel Kricoo

12.4 Dracaena

2020-06-11 01:37:00 I covered my face with my arms as I expected the worst. The dragon was a split second away from spitting fire all over me when I unleashed the mass of whipping thorns inside its mouth, but the fire didn't come. I was afraid to look, fearing that ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/12-4-dracaena Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Marv Abigail Kricoo

12.3 Dracaena

2020-06-06 01:12:00 People were beginning to see the destruction that a dragon could cause. It was devastating. With every flame, there were more ruined buildings. With each swipe of its claws was the loss of another life. And despite the threat that people faced, th... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/12-3-dracaena Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Tallesia Raffa Sungura Dunnel

12.2 Dracaena

2020-05-31 00:23:00 "Ahh! Hot! Hot!" yelled Galia after a moment. Around us, the plants I had grown were barely upright. They hung limp and wilted while others turned to molten drops of sap and fell around us. Galia danced in place holding his arm with some of that b... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/12-2-dracaena Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Tallesia Galia Luvon Leena

12.1 Interlude: Zef

2020-05-25 20:00:00 Zef looked at his empty plate, sad that he had already finished the dish. It was nice to take a day off the day before and fill his belly, but he still wished he had more. "Weren't the girls supposed to be back by now?" asked Lolan. "Eh, who know... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/12-1-interlude-zef Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Sungura Dunnel

11.6 Chrysanthemum

2020-05-21 00:30:00 I woke up early the next morning not feeling well. I had dreams throughout the night of my parents. It was a topic I didn't like to dive back into in detail. Maybe I ate something bad or maybe my emotions from the previous night were making my st... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/11-6-chrysanthemum Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Tallesia Galia Luvon Leena

11.5 Chrysanthemum

2020-05-15 16:02:00 As soon as Abigail was free of the vines she darted off into the tunnel behind her, free of all of the looks from the other Dwarves. The Dwarves that had gathered around now looked at me with anger. "What were you doing?" asked Marv again. He didn... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/11-5-chrysanthemum Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Marv Abigail Dunnel

11.4 Chrysanthemum

2020-05-10 19:00:00 We made our way to the base of the hill where the Dwarves were gathered around. Their tents were cleared from the area since they moved their encampment underground. Instead, the clearing had several pillars built around it. The pillars were short... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/11-4-chrysanthemum Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Tibil Marv Abigail Gemma Cavel Dunnel Cairn

11.3 Chrysanthemum

2020-05-05 20:05:00 It must have been an hour before we saw the fog grow in the valley once again. We didn't see the Elves leave, but we assumed that it was them. Lolan and I waited in the tree, not daring to follow them and risk being seen without knowing where they... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/11-3-chrysanthemum Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Tallesia Galia

11.2 Chrysanthemum

2020-04-30 19:00:00 We hopped out of the tree and crept past a sleeping Tigala and Zef on our way over to the tent. It was eerie, walking through the dense fog in the middle of the night. No one else was up except for a few guards patrolling the walls. With the rate ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/11-2-chrysanthemum Kaia Lolan Tallesia Galia Luvon Leena

11.1 Chrysanthemum

2020-04-25 17:34:00 We arrived back in the colony and noticed a somber air to the place. The warm weather from earlier in the day had receded to overcast skies and a brisk breeze. I could hear the claps of thunder from a distant storm. When we walked through the rear... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/11-1-chrysanthemum Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Marv Abigail

10.7 Interlude: Malcolm

2020-04-20 16:15:00 It was annoying that he had to do this every day. Malcolm had better things to be doing. But it would all be worth it once it was all said and done. A minor inconvenience for a better world. A world without hatred. So, as annoying as it was, he sa... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/10-7-interlude-malcolm Havik Kadero Gisela Annette Arthur

10.6 Dahlia

2020-04-15 16:00:00 Tigala got up and brushed herself off while I ran over to Zef. He was still unconscious by the tree where I had left him. I hoped he would be okay. I didn't want to leave him unattended while we went to look at what Lolan had found though, so I li... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/10-6-dahlia Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Raffa

10.5 Dahlia

2020-04-10 16:12:00 We ran through the forest to the waterfall. It was a distance off and we could hear the struggle still ongoing. I hated that we had to leave them because of my carelessness with magic, but there wasn't much I could do about it now. I wasn't sure ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/10-5-dahlia Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Raffa

10.4 Dahlia

2020-04-05 11:11:00 "She'll be back," said Lolan. "I think we've built up enough trust with each other at this point to work past things like this." "Still, I don't want this," I said to Lolan. He was wading in the water in front of me with all of his clothes still o... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/10-4-dahlia Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Raffa

10.3 Dahlia

2020-03-30 16:01:00 "So, it's not going so well, huh?" I asked Raffa as he walked next to me in the woods. He was imposing, even when on my side. Tigala made me feel the same way. "No. Not great," said Raffa. "Lobo won't work with me anymore, and he has been telling ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/10-3-dahlia Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Raffa

10.2 Dahlia

2020-03-25 16:03:00 "But first, what did you find?" said Rodrigo. "Ah, come on. You can't just leave us hanging like that. What did you find?" I said. "No, we made a deal, and I need to know that you're fulfilling your end of it," said Rodrigo. "What if we say the sa... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/10-2-dahlia Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo

10.1 Dahlia

2020-03-20 16:10:00 The tiger charged at me. Her stride was lopsided with the shortened leg, but she was still faster than I could run. I searched around frantically for something of use. I shot small vines out of the ground, timing them with her steps. Right before ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/10-1-dahlia Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo

9.7 Interlude: Klaus

2020-03-15 16:04:00 Shayde Mortem had grown in power. Many years he devoted his life to magic. He trained in all of the various magical disciplines. It is unknown which he started with, but it was assumed to be one of the elemental magics, which came easier to him. ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/9-7-interlude-klaus Klaus Sparr

9.6 Anemone

2020-03-10 04:08:00 The wyvern slumped on top of me. It had to be as heavy as a horse. It was a wonder that these things could fly. I struggled to sluff the body off, twisting and shimmying this way and that to make the smallest bit of progress. But I was making prog... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/9-6-anemone Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan

9.5 Anemone

2020-03-05 12:41:00 "We better get moving then," I said. "Come on. Let's get up there before we lose him again." I turned toward the next cliff and realized Lolan wasn't following. "What?" I asked. "I don't know if we should go up there," he said. "That guy, he's sup... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/9-5-anemone Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan

9.4 Anemone

2020-03-01 13:19:00 I woke the next morning earlier than the sun to a loud screeching sound outside. I jumped up from where I slept in the dirt and looked around. The others were rousing as well. Tigala was the last to sit up. She laid there with a scowl on her face ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/9-4-anemone Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan

9.3 Anemone

2020-02-25 10:16:00 "A dragon?" said Rodrigo. He scoffed at the mention. "Dragons aren't real." "They might not be, but that's what some Humans just said. They call themselves the Grandsome Glories." I said. Rodrigo shook his head. "He named the group now?" "You know... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/9-3-anemone Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo

9.2 Anemone

2020-02-20 09:26:00 "We are the Grandsome Glories," said Geralt. I smiled at the child-like naming of his group. He didn't pay any attention though and stood with his head pulled back and his hand out to make them look more glorious, I guess. Seth kind of ruined it w... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/9-2-anemone Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Geralt Wallace Seth

9.1 Anemone

2020-02-15 12:13:00 I woke to the bright light of the day shining in through the windows. I looked around. Where am I? I thought. The room was messy and cluttered with a desk at the far end covered in open used jars. One had a green paste in it, while another had som... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/9-1-anemone Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Marv Abigail Talia

8.5 Ivalace - Geralt

2020-02-14 10:40:00 Geralt awoke in a large canvas tent to the sound of the light patter of rain. The clouded skies made it still dark out despite his internal clock usually waking him just about at sunrise. Geralt looked around the room, saw no leaks in the tent far... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/8-5-ivalace-geralt Geralt Wallace Seth

8.4 Ivalace - Srak

2020-02-13 10:47:00 Another meeting with the representatives. Srak looked around at each of them. The Elf was too confident, believing she was actually doing something here. Tallesia was giddy with her false power. The Dwarf always felt like his people were getting ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/8-4-ivalace-srak Tibil Tallesia Kethral Srak Sillius Sungura Simone Chras

8.3 Ivalace - Lolan

2020-02-12 10:52:00 People stared at them, studied them as they walked into the colony. Kaia was looking worse for wear. She was sweating and holding her own weight less and less as they walked. Lolan was tired, but he couldn't give up now, not with the end so close,... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/8-3-ivalace-lolan Tigala Zef Lolan Tallesia Talia Cavel Dunnel

8.2 Ivalace - Kricoo

2020-02-11 10:54:00 The dense jungle leaves blocked her view as she tried to keep up. The others were ahead, running away from her. But it was different from before. They weren't running from another giant ape-like creature that Kricoo had never seen before. No, this... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/8-2-ivalace-kricoo Kricoo Calack Arayoo Skaith Quetza

8.1 Ivalace - Rodrigo

2020-02-10 10:53:00 It was getting dark. Not that it changed much for Rodrigo, but he could tell. Through the small window in the side of the room, he could see the light begin to fade. He looked around at the stone walls, the metal bars. He couldn't believe he was i... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/8-1-ivalace-rodrigo Lolan Rodrigo Tibil Tallesia Kethral Srak Sillius Chras

7.5 Rest

2020-02-05 10:13:00 I looked in the direction Raffa was staring and the forest was alive with creatures. An army of woodland and jungle animals charged through trees and underbrush. Among them were a rhinoceros, an elephant, a giant eagle, a gorilla, a towering warth... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/7-5-rest Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Lobo Torm Raffa Marv Abigail Crag Talia Sungura Cavel Dunnel Cairn

7.4 Rest

2020-01-30 10:07:00 The next morning came in much the same way as the previous one. There was darkness all around us, only to be broken by the daylight that a Dwarf let in as he said, "We're going to the colony. If you plan to travel with us, we'll be leaving shortly... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/7-4-rest Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Raffa Marv Abigail Talia Cavel Dunnel Cairn

7.3 Rest

2020-01-25 09:55:00 Zef kneeled down next to me. "That was a good idea, but it couldn't have waited until you were able to at least walk again? You need to rest." "I don't know," I said, my voice soft. "She could be trying to poison us," yelled a Dwarf with a rough v... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/7-3-rest Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv Abigail Talia Cavel Dunnel Cairn

7.2 Rest

2020-01-20 10:39:00 A coughing fit brought me back to consciousness. My throat was hoarse. And even though, I was aware of my breathing and coughing again, the light that I had seen was gone. I was surrounded by darkness. Maybe I am dead, I thought. I blinked my eyes... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/7-2-rest Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv Abigail Crag Talia

7.1 Interlude: Zef

2020-01-15 10:13:00 "She's perfect, Fenna," Zef said, staring at the sleeping baby in his arms. "She'll never do anything wrong." "Hah, I think you're in for a surprise then," said Fenna, laying in bed. She was probably tired, but Zef couldn't tell. She looked more b... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/7-1-interlude-zef Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv Abigail Talia Fenna Amara

6.8 Roots

2020-01-10 10:13:00 I turned around to see Havik as he plunged a dagger into my side. The pain ripped through me and I fell to my knees. I felt him pull the dagger back out and then heard a thunderous growl. I dropped Talia to the ground and there was a cracking soun... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/6-8-roots Kaia Tigala Lolan Talia Havik

6.7 Roots

2020-01-03 09:53:00 "The cavern's coming down!" Someone shouted behind me as a wagon-sized rock fell from the central column and crashed into the floor. The vine wrapped around it had pulled a section of the column out of line from the rest and the column was proving... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/6-7-leaf Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv Abigail Crag Talia Havik Riak

6.6 Interlude: Talia

2019-12-27 11:12:00 "Abigail. I need some more oregano for this soup. Can you go ask Gemma?" Abigail was laying on a cot on the other end of a crude tent. She was dirtier than her mother liked her to be, but that was the way it had to be when exploring a new land. Sh... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/6-6-interlude-talia Abigail Talia Havik Gemma Vern

6.5 Roots

2019-12-20 11:54:00 "They'd kill us too if given the chance," said the Treek, snaking his vine around the central column of the cavern. He wasn't wrong. They would try to kill us if the tables were turned. The looks on their faces when they saw me said it all. Treeks... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/6-5-leaf Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv Abigail Crag

6.4 Roots

2019-12-15 11:57:00 We watched from our perch above the Dwarven workers waiting impatiently for Abigail to make a few footholds into the stone. She was almost finished making a path to another opening below us where the worm's tunnel must have continued before they d... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/6-4-leaf Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv Abigail Crag

6.3 Roots

2019-12-10 11:09:00 "Run," said Zef in a quiet voice. I looked over at him and found him looking back with wide eyes. Was he scared? That was a first. Usually, he'd be joking in a situation like this. Him being scared was more terrifying than the fact that a group of... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/6-3-leaf Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv Abigail Crag

6.2 Roots

2019-12-05 10:40:00 I pushed Tigala back into the crevice as soon as the Gnome stepped out of the portal, hoping he hadn't seen us. We peaked our heads over a rock and watched as he looked around. Whoever he was, he seemed wealthy. He wore bright clothes fashioned ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/6-2-leaf Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv Abigail Crag Havik

6.1 Roots

2019-11-30 08:48:00 "There's a Treek down there," I whispered to Lolan who was laying on his stomach next to me, peeking over the edge. Lolan followed my eyes to the Treek wielding vine-like roots. The Treek commanded the plants to burrow into cracks in the stone and... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/6-1-leaf Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv Abigail Crag

5.8 Growth

2019-11-25 12:03:00 "You just did fire magic?" Tigala said, staring me down. I looked at Lolan out of the corner of my eye. "Uh, yeah. Yeah. It was just a little though." "Why on earth are you trying fire magic? You already blew up an entire forest. And then you try ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/5-8-growth Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv Abigail Crag

5.7 Growth

2019-11-20 13:10:00 "So, what changed your mind, Marv? I thought you were going to hang back and keep Abigail safe," I said. He looked back at me with no sign of amusement. "Something was coming after us in the tower." "What was it? Something big enough to get in?" ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/5-7-growth Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv Abigail Crag Gemma

5.6 Growth

2019-11-15 11:37:00 The sun beamed through the web of vines, rising just high enough in the sky to land one of its rays directly across my eyes. I groaned and rolled over. I heard wings flap and then felt Chipry land in my hair. It was loose from sleeping and covered... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/5-6-growth Kaia Tigala Chipry Marv Abigail Crag

5.5 Growth

2019-11-10 11:35:00 "My name is Kaia. I'm here with your father, Marv. I'm going to come get you," I said. I began climbing the tree, using my magic to bend branches to me and make easy foot and handholds. At the very top of the tree, I found a very small Dwarven gir... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/5-5-growth Kaia Tigala Chipry Marv Abigail Crag

5.4 Growth

2019-11-05 11:35:00 Leaves slapped against my face as I ran through the forest. The only light that guided me was the reflection of the moon off of the deep green leaves. The flashes in the distance grew louder—closer. Something about running through the fores... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/5-4-growth Kaia Tigala Chipry Marv Abigail Crag

5.3 Growth

2019-10-30 10:24:00 "Great. So now you've made another creature out of magic you don't understand," said Tigala. I didn't respond. The rock creature just stared at us and we stared back. After a few moments of silence, it seemed to look around. It saw some other pebb... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/5-3-growth Kaia Tigala Chipry Marv Crag

5.2 Growth

2019-10-25 10:55:00 Once we had traveled far enough that the screams of the giant lizard and the battle cries of women and men faded out behind us, we stopped to take a break. I leaned against a tree. "So what do we do now?" Marv said. He was slumped against another ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/5-2-growth Kaia Tigala Marv

5.1 Interlude: Marv's Tale

2019-10-20 10:56:00 Tink tink tink It was a sound he'd heard so many times before. The sound of the mines where Marv spent his days. Countless other Dwarves, not unlike himself, were scattered in the distance, each in a separate passage connected by a central minesha... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/5-1-interlude-marvs-tale Marv Griff

4.5 Entangled

2019-10-15 10:20:00 From the stalk of neck where the Saurian representative had just chopped, were now two more necks and heads. The creature didn't slow down at all. In fact, it seemed to fight with more tenacity. "I'm going to help," said Zef. "Really?" I said. "T... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/4-5-entangled Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry Marv

4.4 Entangled

2019-10-10 10:20:00 "Rodrigo! There's a giant lizard running towards the colony!" said the balding Gnome who stood by the window. He looked back at us with raised eyebrows and panic on his face. Rodrigo stood, his forehead creased with concern as he looked out the w... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/4-4-entangled Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Marv

4.3 Interlude: Sillius

2019-10-05 17:56:00 "She's dead! Are you really questioning me on this? They killed her," yelled someone near the back gate of the colony. A small Gnome went running toward it. He turned the corner to find a large boar-like Beastfolk holding a limp black and white p... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/4-3-interlude-sillius Kaia Tigala Zef Rodrigo Tibil Srak Lobo Sillius Sungura

4.2 Entangled

2019-09-30 09:55:00 The hippo Beastfolk worked on Lolan for about an hour before she was ready to stop. Rodrigo didn't say much else to me. And I didn't say anything to him. We sat in silence throughout the whole operation. I contemplated what Rodrigo meant, while he... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/4-2-entangled Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Marv Nadira

4.1 Entangled

2019-09-25 10:55:00 With mountains high and valleys low We dig deeper in the earth To protect our mountain home And all that it is worth Not the dragons of the sky Nor the serpents of the sea Nor the beasts of the land Can ever take what's mine from me The red-hair... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/4-1-entangled Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Marv

3.8 Shoot

2019-09-20 10:08:00 The giant bipedal tree strode through the forest, each footfall a miniature earthquake. Is that really something I created? Could I do it again without the remnants of some old magical explosion? I was amazed and had so many questions. I didn’t kn... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/3-8-shoot Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Lobo Chipry Mila Raffa

3.7 Shoot

2019-09-15 10:14:00 I woke up to my body being jostled around. It all hurt. Every muscle felt overworked. Each movement flared the pain radiating through my body. I groaned as I opened my heavy eyelids. “Oh, good. You’re awake.” I opened my eyes to see Zef running ne... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/3-7-shoot Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Lobo Chipry Raffa

3.6 Shoot

2019-09-10 11:04:00 In tiger form, Tigala dove into the room, aiming more to disarm Lobo than attack him outright. She crashed into him, forcing his shapeshifted sword out of his hand. The blade glided on the floor as Tigala turned back to Lobo, growling at him all t... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/3-6-shoot Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Lobo Torm Chipry Mila

3.5 Interlude: Tigala

2019-09-05 11:16:00 Up ahead, she could see them. The creeping Gnomes covered themselves in blurry illusions that mimicked their surroundings, but she had seen it all before. She knew right where they were—low to the ground where the images were at their strongest. S... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/3-5-interlude-tigala Tigala Lobo Jaku Duma Katan Wadu Gatooli

3.4 Shoot

2019-08-31 11:09:00 I rushed toward the center of the room and kneeled next to the body. It definitely wasn’t a Treek. The patchy skin was cold and lifeless, and its limbs were limp, giving me no help in moving it. I rolled it over and settled the body on its back. T... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/3-4-shoot Kaia Zef Lolan Lobo Torm Chipry

3.3 Shoot

2019-08-26 10:57:00 That was dumb. Why did I say that? Now she’s going to know we’re free, I thought, mad at myself for warning Tigala. The creature lurking in the branches looked at us. It bared its crooked teeth before turning its attention back to the tree-dwellin... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/3-3-shoot Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Lobo Torm Chipry Mila

3.2 Shoot

2019-08-21 10:21:00 I heard the crunch of leaves behind me as we searched around the base of the tree. I turned to look, but no one was there. That Beastfolk search party was supposed to be around here somewhere. Had they caught up? I studied the forest and looked fo... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/3-2-shoot Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Lobo Torm Chipry

3.1 Shoot

2019-08-16 10:48:00 Do you remember before all of the fighting started, Zef?” asked Lolan. We walked in a line through the woods, with Zef in the middle and Lolan to his side, opposite of me. Despite the topic, it was a nice day to be in the forest, even if we might ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/3-1-shoot Kaia Zef Lolan Chipry

2.6 Interlude: Lolan

2019-08-11 10:02:00 "Let him up!" she screamed. "Stop it! He can't breathe!" The boy plunged once again into the water, replacing the nearby screams with the sloshing. He struggled to break free of the grip holding him under. He flailed as hard as he could but the bi... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/2-6-interlude-lolan Lolan Brendell Ashlynn Wikith Tarnall

2.5 Bind

2019-08-06 11:11:00 I woke up as a crack of thunder ripped through the sky and the rain came down in sheets. I had a small canopy of branches and broad leaves forming an umbrella over me. I kind of remembered doing it, half asleep, earlier that morning. I looked down... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/2-5-bind Kaia Zef Lolan Galia Chipry

2.4 Bind

2019-08-01 10:58:00 I watched Lolan sneak through the tents. He was creeping toward another camp that was dark. I put on my Human jacket and pants from my bag, hopped down from my hammock, and whistled. Chipry startled and then floated down to my shoulder as I walked... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/2-4-bind Kaia Lolan Chipry

2.3 Bind

2019-07-27 10:07:00 I felt Lolan start to breathe heavy and was reminded of his strange racial predicament. The person in yellow was using storm magic, which is only known by the Elves. And they were good at it. I was terrified, and I had no issues with the Elves in ... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/2-3-bind Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Rodrigo Tallesia Chipry

2.2 Bind

2019-07-22 09:19:00 I walked into the darkness followed by the rest of the group. Light from Zef's staff reflected in irregular patterns on the damp cavern walls. We walked in silence. I'm sure everyone else was thinking about our predicament, and how we got here. Tr... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/2-2-bind Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan

2.1 Bind

2019-07-17 09:47:00 The four of us walked through the forest as an awkward sight: a Treek, a Gnome, a half-breed, and a Beastfolk disguised as a Saurian. Once we got far enough out of sight from the colony the Beastfolk dropped her Saurian disguise, transforming back... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/2-1-bind Kaia Tigala Zef Lolan Chipry

1.8 Interlude: Rodrigo

2019-07-12 09:47:00 The colony lay dark and silent, as the sun still hadn't crested over the hills of Daegal. Rodrigo was sitting with his feet up on a mahogany wooden desk. He was wearing glasses, and an open book sat in his lap. The uncomfortable position put press... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/1-8-interlude-rodrigo Kaia Lolan Rodrigo Tibil Tallesia Kethral Srak

1.7 Germ

2019-07-07 10:29:00 The bobcat Beastfolk stomped out from under the canvas, like a lion defending its kill. A fresh bandage was wrapped around her left arm, and fresh ointment covered a wound across her face. She stared at Lolan and me—her chest rising and fall... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/1-7-germ Kaia Zef Lolan Chipry

1.6 Germ

2019-07-02 10:01:00 I stared hard, studying his face, to determine if I was crazy or not. Here he was, a half-Human half-Elf hybrid living among the Elves all this time. No wonder he wore the hood. The Elves would exile him if they found out. If I knew anything about... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/1-6-germ Kaia Zef Lolan Rodrigo Chipry

1.5 Germ

2019-06-27 12:23:00 My eyes opened to a bright light piercing through various shades of green. The leaves all around me filtered the light and created dancing shadows across my face. Chipry tweeted incessantly in my ear, the way he tended to do in the morning. I groa... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/1-5-germ Kaia Lolan Chipry

1.4 Germ

2019-06-22 10:29:00 Rodrigo finished his speech by explaining a large communal map in the tavern behind him. "Please mark the location you'll be searching each day to avoid overlap, and report any findings you may have. You'll be rewarded for any information you prov... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/1-4-germ Kaia Zef Rodrigo Chipry

1.3 Germ

2019-06-17 10:02:00 The tiger dove toward me as groups of other races watched. Not one stepped in to protect me, an unarmed teen, from the Beastfolk warrior. I took cover on the far side of the well, trying to keep the small structure between me and the tiger. As I d... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/1-3-germ Kaia Daegal Rodrigo Chipry

1.2 Germ

2019-06-10 10:19:00 7 years later... "Welcome to the new land of Daegal!" The captain's voice was barely audible over all the chatter. He let out a hearty chuckle. "Now get off my boat, ya filthy lot." At his command, Humans began shuffling down the gangplank and ont... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/1-2-germ Kaia Chipry

1.1 Germ

2019-06-03 11:32:00 I stared at the rich dark earth, expecting something that never came. No change, just simple, barren soil. I concentrated, willing life and growth, and a green spark burst into existence. It was faint. I focused, causing small tendrils to form roo... ]]> https://houstonhare.com/stories/sprig/1-1-germ Kaia Lyndon Mother