{"id":1978,"date":"2015-02-10T00:01:24","date_gmt":"2015-02-10T05:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tellest.com\/?p=1978"},"modified":"2015-02-26T04:59:45","modified_gmt":"2015-02-26T09:59:45","slug":"the-littlest-kobold-part-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/the-littlest-kobold-part-two\/","title":{"rendered":"The Littlest Kobold – Part Two"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello everyone! \u00a0It is chilly out there, so I hope you’re inside where it’s warm, and I hope you’re snuggled up next to a good story. \u00a0Last week, I opened up on the two big halves of\u00a0The Littlest Kobold<\/em>. \u00a0You saw Leah, the titular character, and you also met Camille and her family, the Destrites. \u00a0They get along pretty well, and their lives are a lot better off than the so-called Hare.<\/p>\n

This week, we’ve got a different kind of treat for you. \u00a0For some reason, I’ve always been bound to the idea of the circus existing in my fantasy realm, and while I’ve toyed around with the concept a little bit, it was Rhianna who finally put the pin on it with the Cirque de Malorum. \u00a0Considering the vast many people with odd powers that exist in Tellest, it isn’t too much of a stretch to believe that a place like this could exist. \u00a0But I digress. \u00a0I’d rather have you experience it yourself than have me blather on about it. \u00a0Enjoy!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Littlest Kobold<\/strong>
\n-Part Two-<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boisterous instruments played from some indistinct place around the tent.\u00a0 A song of brass and percussion was deafening outside, but from the small room layered in heavy canvas, the endless medley rang hollow and distant.<\/p>\n

The furry-faced little kobold looked into the mirror and sighed.\u00a0 Leah wore long costume ears that didn\u2019t match the color of her fur.\u00a0 Old and ragged, the seams were splitting on one ear, leaving her persona as threadbare as her tiny, round bed.\u00a0 She caught a glance of it in the mirror and bowed her head in defeat.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, Leah?\u201d she heard.<\/p>\n

When the kobold turned, she saw George holding open the exit flap to her secluded portion of the tent.\u00a0 He looked nothing like when he had apprehended her.\u00a0 Instead, he was dressed head to toe in magnificent silver armor.\u00a0 It was ostentations, serving little use, and made to look the part of a real breastplate, but Leah had seen on several occasions where it had been torn apart like paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m as all right as can be expected,\u201d she harrumphed before turning back to the mirror.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, if I could help you get away, I would,\u201d George said.<\/p>\n

Her nose crinkled up into a momentary snarl.\u00a0 \u201cIt seemed to me like you had a perfect opportunity this morning.\u00a0 You could have led Fergus and his beast away from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

George shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cFergus may be an idiot, but he knows what failure means.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean you<\/em> know what failure means,\u201d she spat.\u00a0 A deep, pronounced sigh had the kobold nearly shivering.\u00a0 She bowed her head in defeat once more.\u00a0 \u201cNobody here is held against their will except for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He crossed his arms over his chest.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t honestly believe that.\u00a0 We\u2019re all misfits and outcasts.\u00a0 Some of us are genuine monsters, even if Faroon made us this way.\u00a0 You should be happy he didn\u2019t find you ten years ago, or he\u2019d have sewn those ears to your head the way he sewed on Nazelle\u2019s wings.<\/p>\n

Leah sighed again but lifted her gaze to the mirror.\u00a0 In the reflection, she could see how weary George was.\u00a0 She witnessed his eyebrows rising and his lips straightening for that forced smile.\u00a0 \u201cWhy have you not tried to escape?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere would I go?\u201d he responded.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nowhere I could be safe without endangering other people.\u201d<\/p>\n

A distant stare was upon the kobold\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cIf I could be anywhere, it would be Brighton Beach.\u00a0 I don\u2019t remember much from when I was a pup, but nowhere else would I feel more at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Behind George, the trumpet melody changed on the end of several quick taps.\u00a0 Silence washed over the place, and a sigh visibly shook the man\u2019s narrow frame.<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies and gentlemen\u2026\u201d they heard.<\/p>\n

Leah swallowed away her apprehension and stepped off the stool.\u00a0 She gave one last glance at the mirror and snorted at the comically large ears she was forced to wear.\u00a0 When she turned back, George was at the exit flap once more, peering outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe elephants are lining up out there, Leah,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n

With her hands at her sides, the kobold straightened her posture.\u00a0 As George swept back the canvas flap, she proceeded into the darkness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

The circus tent was deceptive, for even the large entryway could not have prepared Camille and her family for the wide open space inside.\u00a0 Were it not for the lanterns hanging from the canvas roof, she would have thought they had walked into the dark of night.\u00a0 Those lanterns were filled with a dim white light, just illuminating the area they hung from.\u00a0 Tall wooden masts held the lanterns in place, eight of them standing in the central area.<\/p>\n

Virgil had disappeared to find some refreshments, leaving Nika to corral the rest of the family.\u00a0 With Kira tucked against her shoulder and Rion\u2019s hand grasped in hers, she gestured with her chin.\u00a0 \u201cThe next row up, Jerrick.\u00a0 No, the next one.\u201d\u00a0 With a quiet sigh, she looked to her eldest.\u00a0 \u201cCamille, take him up one higher, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Destrite clan settled into place in their seats as the lights in the lanterns grew dim.\u00a0 Instead, a concentrated light seemed to shine down from beyond the canvas roof, as if the heavens were lending a subtle glow.\u00a0 A white circle landed upon the ground, perfectly centered in the tent.\u00a0 With a loud pop, flames roared into place upon the perimeter of the circle, eliciting gasps from the audience.<\/p>\n

Once the smoke dissipated, it was apparent that someone stood between the flames.\u00a0 A tall, slender fellow, his skin was ashen white.\u00a0 His eyes had been covered in dark makeup, barely discernible beneath a wide-brimmed top hat.\u00a0 As the flames died down, the light remained, and he took a deep bow.\u00a0 Against the odds, his hat stayed atop his head.\u00a0 A light applause arose in the tent, and he let a wide smile show.<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies and gentlemen, tiniest of children, you have come to a place of majesty and wonder.\u00a0 The Cirque de Malorum has travelled all over Tellest for hundreds of years, finding the weird and the eerie, those individuals who are out of place in society.\u00a0 This travelling band of ragtag misfits has landed on the shores of ten continents, entertaining the downtrodden folks of countless countries, but today we are here for you.\u201d\u00a0 As he finished speaking, Camille felt those words tickle her ear as if he was whispering just beside her.\u00a0 She looked about and saw other members of the audience looking to their sides.<\/p>\n

\u201cAvert your eyes from the fires I stand between,\u201d the ringmaster bade.\u00a0 \u201cTurn your gaze instead to the sky.\u201d\u00a0 Those lanterns near the roof of the canvas tent brightened once more, illuminating the flight of a winged beauty, alabaster plumage fluttering with every movement of her arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found Nazelle far up north in the Coldwind Reach within Cracius.\u00a0 Abandoned by her harpy flock for looking different, she was bound to freeze until we brought her in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The entertainer flipped and twisted and rolled in the air, swinging about from one side of the tent to the other.<\/p>\n

Beside her, Camille\u2019s eldest brother let a little hiss slide off his tongue.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s not a real harpy,\u201d he insisted.\u00a0 \u201cI can see the wires holding her up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking her head, Camille couldn\u2019t be rid of her smile. \u00a0The lights above dimmed, and the twin entrances to the dirt floor were illuminated instead.\u00a0 On the family\u2019s left side, they saw huge cages being led forth by hulking fellows.\u00a0 Inside, ornery lions paced, hungry for escape.\u00a0 More than once, one of the pride reached out between the bars, venturing a swat that just missed the giant men.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese mighty beings here are the last known living haudrons on Tellest, a race of mixed giant and human blood you\u2019ll not see again in your lifetime, save another visit to the Cirque de Malorum.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the ringmaster finished speaking, the sounds of a soft string quartet poured into the tent.\u00a0 The light surrounding the haudrons and their large cages dimmed.\u00a0 It reappeared among the eastern entryway, where a broad, dark-haired fellow approached.\u00a0 The man wore a thick mustache and a v-shaped goatee, and his opened tunic revealed a barrel chest covered in coarse hair.\u00a0 Beside him, a young lady, a meek creature in comparison, clutched a coiled whip and a bulky gauntlet.\u00a0 Her full head of wavy brown locks bounced with every taken step.<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies and gentlemen, you are in for a treat today,\u201d Faroon announced.\u00a0 \u201cWe discovered Barbas on the coast of Saveon, the only survivor of a terrible shipwreck.\u00a0 So far from home and without any tools, shelter, or hope, it would seem his survival was a lost cause.\u00a0 Little did we know that he had charmed the lions of the savannah to do his hunting for him.\u00a0 And with him today is his lovely assistant and daughter, Minerva.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the audience applauded, Barbas stomped forward with a determined gaze.\u00a0 His daughter let her smile beam, and she waved to the crowd on both sides of the arena.\u00a0 The spotlight moved to the cages again, where the lions paced behind the bars.\u00a0 Just beside the center enclosure, one of the haudrons \u2013 the only one still on the arena floor \u2013 stood at the ready, protected by what appeared to be impenetrable armor.\u00a0 He looked to the approaching duo, and when Barbas gave him a nod, he lifted a handle on the small prison, leaving the lion inside free to venture forward.<\/p>\n

That feline made a slow, cautious escape, tilting her head to gaze upon the massive being.\u00a0 The haudrons watched the lion pass, leaving the gate lifted in the air.\u00a0 He only dropped it when the maned lion in the center cage roared in protest.\u00a0 That barred gate fell down with a resounding tung<\/em>, inspiring the lioness to burst into a charge toward Barbas and Minerva.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa,\u201d a nearly indiscernible plea came from Minerva as he extended the whip and the gauntlet.<\/p>\n

Even in the face of that rapid approach, Barbas took the time to fasten his belt.\u00a0 As soon as his fingers wrapped around the bullwhip\u2019s grip and it dangled to his side, the lioness skidded to a stop.<\/p>\n

A chorus rang out from the audience, as charmed as the hulking cat was.\u00a0 The lion tamer turned and raised his hand, extending his finger to beckon the creature closer.\u00a0 It strode forward like a lazy housecat, and as he spun a slow pirouette, the lioness followed.\u00a0 For a moment, it outpaced him, but a quick snap of his neck had the cat leaping away, the gesture serving as well as any whip ever would.\u00a0 The roles reversed then, and Barbas slowly stalked her as she circled.<\/p>\n

Only a faint scrape of steel reminded the audience that another quartet of lions remained.\u00a0 Released from its confinement, another of them joined the dance, circling Barbas and Minerva.\u00a0 One by one, each lioness joined the line, until only the ornery male remained in his cage, snarling in protest.<\/p>\n

A subtle crack of Barbas\u2019 bullwhip and a deliberate backstep had the quartet of cats eagerly lining up.\u00a0 The tamer strode forward and let fly a single formless word, \u201cHup.\u201d\u00a0 As he proceeded across, each lioness rose upon their hind legs and placed both paws upon his raised, armored fist.\u00a0 That gauntlet only seemed small when covered by those clawed, furry paws.<\/p>\n

Camille\u2019s eyes flickered for a moment, and when she focused again on the spectacle below, the arena seemed somewhat dimmer.\u00a0 Even in that dusky glow, the final unopened cage had become visible.\u00a0 The lion charged at all four sides, slamming his broad shoulders into the bars.\u00a0 He roared in protest with every failed escape.\u00a0 His small prison rattled and shook, and the haudron moved forward to steady it.<\/p>\n

It was too late.\u00a0 All the pressure, the powerful blows delivered into those metal rods, had finally yielded their intended results.\u00a0 At once, two of the bars bent from their place and ripped from the cage.\u00a0 The hulking guard raced to the metal box and placed his hefty hand upon it.<\/p>\n

The lion had already wriggled to freedom.\u00a0 He glared at Barbas, free of the enchantment he had placed on the lionesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa!\u201d Minerva shouted.\u00a0 The young lady raced past the procession of cats and shoved her father out of the path of the rapidly approaching alpha.\u00a0 With an even more helpless meal before it, the lion\u2019s pace never wavered.\u00a0 Gasps rang out from the crowd.<\/p>\n

Minerva lifted her hand then, and at once, the massive feline skittered to a stop, clumps of sand flung in every direction.\u00a0 It remained there for some time, mesmerized by that simple gesture.\u00a0 The audience could see a hint of emerald that seemed to encircle the girl and the lion, but it soon faded as Barbas stepped forward and swept his daughter behind him.\u00a0 With a snap of his fingers and a downward point, the hulking feline was brought to the ground, as if sent immediately to slumber.<\/p>\n

Barbas whistled and waved as he rubbed his armored hand upon the cat\u2019s belly.\u00a0 At once, the remaining haudron approached with apprehension clearly visible upon him.\u00a0 The lion tamer exchanged some quiet words, and the crowd was in awe to see the half giant pick up the feline like a lazy housecat.\u00a0 As the haudron left, Barbas clicked his tongue and pointed, urging the quartet of lionesses to their cages once more.\u00a0 As a dim light followed the departing half-giant, his brethren returned to the arena and were illuminated.\u00a0 They each lifted the doors of their respective cages and allowed the cats to step inside.<\/p>\n

As the haudrons took their leave, dragging all five cages behind them, Barbas and Minerva turned to the crowd, offering up a wave.\u00a0 Camille could feel the eldest of her brothers sit up straighter in his seat.\u00a0 She passed a sidelong glance at Jerrick, whose eyes were bright and wide.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s beautiful,\u201d he said, nudging his brother.<\/p>\n

Abraham simply shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t really tell.\u00a0 I was too busy looking at the lions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPfft,\u201d Jerrick scolded.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you know?\u201d\u00a0 When the young lady on the arena floor turned, the enchantment faded.\u00a0 The boy in the audience couldn\u2019t keep his shoulders from slumping.<\/p>\n

The exotic entertainers took their leave and were replaced once again by the ringmaster.\u00a0 A wide grin splayed across his face, and he held his arm out wide.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard your gasps and your cries to attention.\u00a0 No doubt many of you were trying to send warnings to our performers.\u00a0 But there are some of you,\u201d he said, his eyes playfully narrowing, \u201cthat worried about whether our animals could be controlled.\u00a0 You contemplated whether you<\/em> were safe where you sat.\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWe can\u2019t have any doubts like that.\u00a0 Allow me to introduce my\u2026 guard captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trumpets blared to announce the approach of another of the Cirque de Malorum\u2019s troupe.\u00a0 Before the light even shifted to him, his sparkling armor seemed to attract the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies and gentlemen, I give you George Girard. \u00a0Master of security and protector of the fine folks at this circus, he is as much a part of my family as anyone I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Father,\u201d he said, eliciting a wave of laughter from the audience.<\/p>\n

With a wide smile on his face, the ringmaster clapped his guard captain\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 Beside Camille, Jerrick narrowed his eyes, squinting as he saw that marvelous armor shift just an inch too far from such a light touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, even a man of George\u2019s skills and dedication has his limitations.\u00a0 How lucky we are that George is no ordinary man.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to his son then.\u00a0 \u201cShow them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the man\u2019s confident gait to the center of the arena, he stood as if frightened to his core.\u00a0 Camille studied the scene intently from afar, and she thought she saw the prominence in George\u2019s throat plunge beneath his armor.<\/p>\n

\u201cShow them,\u201d Faroon\u2019s powerful voice bade.<\/p>\n

The guard captain turned with regret widening his eyes and looked upon the crowd.\u00a0 His lips parted, and he passed a rapid series of breaths through his gnashed teeth.\u00a0 As he walked away from his father, a low rumble came from deeper within the tent.\u00a0 That low brass note underlined the anxiety of every taken step that separated George from Faroon.<\/p>\n

All went black as the enchanted lights extinguished.\u00a0 A startled cry rang out just beside Camille.\u00a0 Illumination more fierce than anything she had ever seen had audience members shielding their eyes, but her vision remained below on the man wracked with pain.<\/p>\n

The light disappeared once more and returned just as quickly, producing an eerie effect that highlighted the monstrous transformation.\u00a0 George fell to his knees as his body bulged and tore.\u00a0 The armor he wore cracked apart like glass and clumps of fur appeared on his skin.\u00a0 A frightening scream gave way to an unintelligible roar.<\/p>\n

Though it remained dim, the lights steadied, allowing the crowd to see what had become of Faroon\u2019s guard captain, his son.\u00a0 His silhouette had grown in size, and he tilted his head back to cry a bestial roar.\u00a0 The light caught on his yellowed eyes, and he looked upon the crowd with hunger.<\/p>\n

Camille felt a firm grasp on her arm as the creature fell to its hands and bounded forward.\u00a0 Each beat of its hands or feet echoed out within the tent, even as the audience closest to it rose and gasped and cried out in fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop!\u201d Faroon\u2019s fierce voice compelled.\u00a0 The werebear fell to its knees and placed its padded hands over its ears.\u00a0 Even some in the crowd mimicked the creature, for the ringmaster\u2019s words pierced through the air with ease.<\/p>\n

The lights faded in again, and an eerie calm returned to the tent.\u00a0 Camille took in a deep breath, and as her vision adjusted to the steady rise of the lights, she could see George had returned to his human form.\u00a0 Still, he firmly shut his eyes, holding his hands to his ears while he gnashed his teeth together.\u00a0 One eye opened then, as if he expected sight to lend to his father\u2019s crippling voice.<\/p>\n

Rid of his armor and his undergarments, George stood again, averting his gaze from the crowd.\u00a0 Faroon was there in an instant, removing his cape and wrapping it around his child.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see, my friends, I would never let any harm befall you here,\u201d the ringmaster said.\u00a0 \u201cThat is the promise we make here at the Cirque de Malorum.\u00a0 That is the understanding we have when you walk through those canvas flaps and sit in your seats.\u201d\u00a0 Faroon guided George to the nearer exit and turned back to the crowd once the guard captain took a leave on his own accord.\u00a0 \u201cMy son has an affliction, and while tragic, it grants some extra\u2026 prestige \u2013 to both his duties and to our establishment.\u00a0 For while George certainly has his own oddity, so many of us here are just as strange, if not stranger.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe open up with some beautiful acts.\u00a0 But there are some you will see here today that tread the line toward something darker.\u00a0 My son protects those the outside would shun, threaten, or even harm.\u00a0 As I said, though, none will befall anyone while they stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hello everyone! \u00a0It is chilly out there, so I hope you’re inside where it’s warm, and I hope you’re snuggled up next to a good story. \u00a0Last week, I opened up on the two big halves of\u00a0The Littlest Kobold. \u00a0You saw Leah, the titular character, and you also met Camille and her family, the Destrites. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1960,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[145,146],"tags":[770,782,788,787,783,784,786,789,781,785,767],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Camille_Leah-e1422788179475.png","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1UVey-vU","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1978"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1978"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1978\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1979,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1978\/revisions\/1979"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}