{"id":5803,"date":"2017-10-31T14:20:24","date_gmt":"2017-10-31T18:20:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tellest.com\/?p=5803"},"modified":"2017-12-14T10:17:44","modified_gmt":"2017-12-14T15:17:44","slug":"halloween-tale-bixby-ancestor-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/halloween-tale-bixby-ancestor-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Halloween Tale – Bixby and the Ancestor Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bixby Alladocious and the Ancestor Festival
\n<\/strong>A tale by Michael DeAngelo<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That familiar sickly sound resonated in his ears as he passed through the portal. More than ever, then, he was aware of his surroundings. His first time, Bixby couldn\u2019t be sure of anything.\u00a0 Disoriented and weak, it was like being born all over again.<\/p>\n

Dozens of deaths\u2014or was it hundreds by then?\u2014had taken the mystery out of the Nexus, and its many paths that led toward judgment, and the inevitable journey to whatever came next.<\/p>\n

For Bixby Alladocious, that time would only come when he deemed it so. Years prior, he learned that he was one of those magically enhanced individuals that roamed Tellest. Some scholars and sages called the gifts or curses the Strain. Bixby\u2019s meant that, while he could still die, he would not remain that way for long.<\/p>\n

He spotted the familiar face among the web of pathways. Her fair skin and white gown contrasted with those dark blue and purple platforms, and the hulking fellow at the center of the place called the Nexus. The lady of the place wore a veil of disappointment that day as well, and Bixby had a suspicion as to why.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Adessa,\u201d he said, offering a little bow.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Alladocious,\u201d she cooed.\u00a0 Even in that soft, enchanting tone, frustration was detected.<\/p>\n

Despite that, Bixby wore his mischievous smile. \u201cLet\u2019s not do our usual dance. You\u2019re not happy with what just happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not unhappy,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just a little confused.\u00a0 Everything seemed to be going fine for you, and yet, it seems you were compelled to hurl yourself off a cliff.\u201d<\/p>\n

He reined in that smile as best he could, standing taller and giving the lady of the Nexus his best matter-of-fact visage.\u00a0 \u201cThe portal from the Nexus was right on the other side of the chasm.\u00a0 Dying just saved me two days of travel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Faced with that revelation, she stared in uncomfortable bewilderment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sense that you don\u2019t exactly approve of my decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adessa stammered for a time, before she found her words once more.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I told you that you could essentially be recast in human flesh once more, I thought you\u2019d use such a gift to fight against insurmountable odds, or challenge foul beasts.\u00a0 I never thought you\u2019d throw your life away for a\u2026a shortcut.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t get me wrong,\u201d Bixby went on.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a certain thrill to it as well.\u00a0 My only lamentation is that the cliff was not higher.\u00a0 Of all the ways I\u2019ve died, careening toward the ground with the wind in my hair has been my favorite.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lady of life and death fought against the will to slap her hand against her face, managing to shake her head instead.\u00a0 \u201cSo you took this shortcut, and for what?\u00a0 What couldn\u2019t wait two days?\u201d<\/p>\n

That smile was back on Bixby\u2019s face then, and he shook his finger at the woman he admired so.\u00a0 \u201cAh, but that would be spoiling a grand part of the adventure, wouldn\u2019t it?\u00a0 When I first arrived here, you asked me if I thought I was ready to be judged by the big fellow over there,\u201d he said, pointing to Cebrum, the lord of the Nexus who stood at a central dais among that network of platforms.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve fetched idols from trapped crypts, scaled mountains to gather rare herbs\u2014I\u2019m as good-hearted a scoundrel nowadays as you\u2019ve ever met,\u201d he proclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019m not so handy with a sword, exactly.\u00a0 If I am to challenge those insurmountable odds you spoke of earlier, I\u2019ll need a little more power in my arsenal.\u201d<\/p>\n

She arched an eyebrow while she considered his words.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you up to, Mister Alladocious?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMistress Adessa,\u201d he said, drawing up her hand toward his pursed lips.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll just have to wait and see.\u201d\u00a0 He planted a gentle kiss upon that delicate, frost-colored skin before letting that hand fall.\u00a0 As he passed by the woman, he offered up a wink.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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The cauldron bubbled over, its viscous green contents threatening to spill from the iron rim.\u00a0 With a flick of the old fellow\u2019s wrist, a subtle thrum overpowered the noise of that pot, and a few large snowflakes appeared from thin air, cast forth into the fire there. The flames hissed as they diminished, reminding the wizard of their power.\u00a0 He grinned at that thought, but caught himself before he allowed himself to speak back to the crackling fire.<\/p>\n

As the liquid settled once more, he stirred it with his wand, a gnarled stick that none would have suspected as a magical implement.\u00a0 Deeper he plunged it into the murk, until he was holding onto the last bit of it by his long fingernails alone.<\/p>\n

That concoction slurped and effervesced, but in a few moments time, he saw as it lowered.\u00a0 He dipped the wand further as the green goop dissipated, and before long, the wand tapped against the bottom of the cauldron.\u00a0 The wizard waited for a few more moments, and withdrew that wand, which looked as though it had never been touched by the brew.<\/p>\n

Before he could bask in the satisfaction of the magical strengthening, a high-pitched ring echoed out in his tower.\u00a0 The old fellow clenched the wand in his hand and spun about, approaching the steps to the foyer.<\/p>\n

Despite his age, the wizard lunged for the door and flung his hand out, the wand leading the way.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t a bandit or a rival sorcerer before him, though.\u00a0 A young man in a tattered yellow tunic and red overcoat stood just at the bottom of the stone steps leading up to the tower.\u00a0 With another flick of his wrist, the wizard canceled the spell that he prepared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho in the blazes are you, lad?\u201d the old man asked.\u00a0 \u201cEverybody knows that my tower is off limits, so you\u2019re certainly not from Dustside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d the stranger declared.\u00a0 \u201cBut you\u2019re Irwin Silvermane, are you not?\u00a0 My father, Hanlon, would always speak of you in such high regard.\u00a0 He apprenticed for you some time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

The wizard\u2014his hair a stark white despite his namesake\u2014arched a bushy eyebrow as he considered the lad\u2019s words.\u00a0 \u201cHanlon?\u00a0 Hanlon Alladocious?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe same,\u201d the visitor said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Bixby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Irwin hummed to himself.\u00a0 \u201cI never pictured Hanlon as a family man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bixby couldn\u2019t suppress a chortle.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t put it that way.\u00a0 He was more stuck with me than anything.\u00a0 Even though I gave him a whole slew of trouble over the years, he still did me a kindness and shared with me his last name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, so an adopted son,\u201d the wizard understood.\u00a0 \u201cWell that would seem more to character for him.\u00a0 Well, if you\u2019re like a son to Hanlon, I suppose you\u2019re sort of like a grandson to me.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t do to leave you standing out here in the cold.\u00a0 Especially since a step or two in either direction might set off another of my wards.\u00a0 Clearly your father didn\u2019t warn you about those, eh?\u201d\u00a0 Irwin shut the door behind them as they drew into the tower.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could sense them a bit,\u201d the lad returned.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve grown wary of traps and spells in my journeys.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry about the alarm you set.\u00a0 I figured that would be a much better way to announce my arrival than a knock on the door.\u00a0 You had that enchanted as well.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t sure what was on the other side.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re farther along in your lessons than Hanlon was when he was your age.\u00a0 I suppose he taught you some of the arcane arts then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA few cantrips here and there.\u00a0 Truth be told, that\u2019s why I\u2019m here.\u00a0 I\u2019ve learned a fair amount of what he knows, but he wears many hats for the people of Rosburg now.\u00a0 Magic has fallen by the wayside for him, but I\u2019ve never been more interested.\u201d<\/p>\n

Irwin didn\u2019t bother to shield a laugh of his own.\u00a0 \u201cMy boy, I\u2019m getting a little long in the tooth to be spending the last of my days showing you how to pull magic from the aether.\u00a0 I could recommend some other wizards who\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re one of the greatest wizards this side of Blacklehn,\u201d Bixby protested.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d be wasting my time with the other arcanists of this country\u2014and I\u2019d be the greatest apprentice you\u2019d ever worked with, I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of?\u201d the wizard echoed, dismissing the rest of the lad\u2019s claims.<\/p>\n

Before Bixby could sling a retort back at his host, the deep blast of a horn resonated in the field outside the tower.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that is the appropriate way to summon a wizard of my renown,\u201d Irwin declared.\u00a0 He leaned past his guest and opened the door once more, his wand at the ready.<\/p>\n

The new visitor, barely visible as far away as they were on the horizon, waved their hand with vigor.<\/p>\n

An arc of that wand over Irwin\u2019s head sent a brief wave of color over the area, then.\u00a0 \u201cCome now, Cassidy.\u00a0 The wards have all been temporarily disabled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bixby folded his arms over his chest, irked at the delay to his training.\u00a0 The girl who solicited a visit to the old enchanter jogged across the field, until she stood before the bottom step.\u00a0 Her fair skin was left with a shade of pink at her cheeks from her exertion.<\/p>\n

From outside, she couldn\u2019t see the stranger, but Cassidy stood on her toes to peer past the wizard.\u00a0 \u201cI apologize, Master Silvermane,\u201d the young woman said.\u00a0 \u201cI know you don\u2019t like to be bothered for something so trivial, but Dustside is in dire need of help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you let me decide how trivial it is before I shoot you down,\u201d Irwin huffed.\u00a0 \u201cWell?\u00a0 Go on, girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cassidy cleared her throat and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWell, as you know, the Ancestor Festival is set to be underway in the next couple of days.\u00a0 We\u2019ve made all the arrangements for the feast, sent out the invites to the reputable lords from the area\u2014as if they\u2019d bother to come to our little village\u2014and we\u2019ve decorated the whole place, from wall to window.\u00a0 But\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Irwin arched his eyebrow, his patience running thin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you know, the most important part of the festival is the ancestors.\u00a0 A few years back, Waymond carved skeletons out of the bones of hill giants.\u00a0 We used those to take the place of our ancestors, and they\u2019ve been a focal point of our ornaments ever since.<\/p>\n

\u201cAround a month ago, some shifty fellows stayed at Gaden\u2019s lodge.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t think much of it at first, but they were asking about the decorations\u2014you know how Elder Rassik likes to have everything up by the Autumnal Equinox.\u00a0 The skeletons went missing last week, but yesterday evening, we received a letter from those men that passed through.\u00a0 They\u2019re claiming that they have our decorations, and they won\u2019t give them back unless we pay a hefty sum.\u201d<\/p>\n

Irwin hummed and stroked his long, grey beard.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re right.\u00a0 That\u2019s not exactly something I\u2019d bother myself with.\u00a0 But I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI could take care of your problem,\u201d another chimed in.<\/p>\n

The wizard spun on his heel, almost surprised by the sight of Bixby once more, as though he had forgotten the man was there.<\/p>\n

His other guest outside couldn\u2019t hide the flash of her eyes when she first saw the stranger.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I took care of your bandit problem, it\u2019d free up your time to focus on the things that are more important to you.\u00a0 Then, when I\u2019m all finished, you can use some<\/em> of that time to train me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s an interesting proposition, but do you understand what you\u2019re getting yourself into, lad?\u00a0 A pack of bandits is a simple problem for a wizard of my skills, but don\u2019t you think they could be a bit beyond you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about me,\u201d Bixby said.\u00a0 \u201cI can more than take care of myself.\u201d\u00a0 To accentuate his point, the man snapped his fingers, and summoned a flickering flame above his thumb.\u00a0 He stood there for a moment, proud of his minor spell, but he winced and shook his hand as the fire burned his skin.\u00a0 \u201cDo we have an agreement?\u201d he pressed.<\/p>\n

Irwin huffed again.\u00a0 \u201cVery well then.\u00a0 I end up ahead no matter what\u2014if you succeed, you\u2019ve bought me time, as you said.\u00a0 And if you fail, well\u2026let\u2019s just say I won\u2019t have anyone pestering me to be my apprentice any time soon!\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Cassidy with a grin visible behind his bushy beard and mustache.\u00a0 She blanched, unsure if his comment was meant to be construed with such malice.\u00a0 \u201cYoung lady, this is Bixby, the son of an old friend of mine.\u00a0 Show him the letter and we\u2019ll see if we can\u2019t get you your skeletons back in time for the festival.\u00a0 Now go on, then, both of you.\u00a0 I\u2019m only going to keep the wards disabled for a few more moments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Master Silvermane,\u201d Cassidy said before offering a quick curtsy.\u00a0 She was in motion a moment later, hurrying across the fields before those dangerous wards could be enacted once more.<\/p>\n

Bixby took more time to arrive safely away from the tower.\u00a0 Even when the old wizard slammed his door shut, and the first flashes of green light announced the activation of those spells, he strode forth as if he cared not.<\/p>\n

\u201cHurry, Bixby,\u201d the young woman pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cWe need your help, and it won\u2019t help anyone if you\u2019re dead!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a little bit early to making those kinds of bold claims,\u201d the man said as he arrived beside her.\u00a0 \u201cAlright, they sent a letter, right?\u00a0 Let\u2019s see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cassidy reached behind the hem of her pants, and pulled out a creased piece of parchment.\u00a0 She unfolded it and handed it to her would-be hero.<\/p>\n

Bixby spent a few moments reading the details, his eyebrows arching further with every word he muttered.\u00a0 \u201cThis doesn\u2019t say you\u2019re getting your \u2018ancestors\u2019 back,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cAll it says is that they won\u2019t destroy them as long as you pay them.\u00a0 Do they even know they\u2019re made of giant\u2019s bone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026no,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cBut I thought it was implied that\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cListen, ransoms are a tricky thing,\u201d Bixby interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cIf it was a living person we were trying to get back, chances are they\u2019d already be dead.\u00a0 They\u2019d take the money and run, and you\u2019d be out of a lot of money in addition to a family member or loved one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cassidy placed her fists on her hips and stood taller as she considered his words.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve barely made it across the field from Irwin\u2019s tower, and it already sounds like you\u2019re wringing your hands of our problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bixby shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not giving up on helping you.\u00a0 I just think you should set some expectations before you get your heart broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d she conceded.\u00a0 \u201cBut what if they still have the skeletons?\u00a0 Should we prepare whatever money we can and just hope for the best?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cAbsolutely not.\u00a0 Once they have the money, there\u2019s no reason for them to give you anything anymore.\u00a0 No, we have to come up with a plan.\u00a0 And I have one that is absolutely brilliant.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the most foolish plan I\u2019ve ever heard of,\u201d Cassidy declared.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re going to get yourself killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is definitely a possibility.\u201d\u00a0 Bixby\u2019s voice was muffled, but she heard it even beneath the sound of the horses trotting along.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re sure I\u2019m covered completely, right?\u00a0 If they see me, all of this is for nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you\u2019re covered from head to toe in coins.\u00a0 How are you even breathing in there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese slits we carved into the chest for my eyes are helping well enough.\u00a0 Now you remember what you have to do, right?\u00a0 Once you get the chest off the wagon, you go back to Duskside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Dustside,\u201d she corrected.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever it\u2019s called,\u201d Bixby protested.\u00a0 \u201cIf the bandits suspect anyone is following them, they won\u2019t return to wherever they\u2019re hiding out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just start with me getting the chest off the wagon,\u201d Cassidy said.\u00a0 \u201cIt would have been hard enough to tug the thing to the ground when it was filled with coins.\u00a0 Now I have to deal with you as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

He harrumphed loud enough to be heard from within the chest.\u00a0 Bixby grew silent, though, when the carriage drew to a stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d he ventured.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful,\u201d he said after a pause.\u00a0 \u201cIf they\u2019re keeping an eye on this place, and they see that a lone woman came out this way, they might try to take you with the gold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey could try, but I\u2019d sooner slit my own throat than go with those brigands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s try to have you avoid either fate, shall we?\u201d\u00a0 He heard the clang of the handle on the side of the chest then.\u00a0 \u201cMake sure the top is latched tight.\u00a0 If I go tumbling out of the chest\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe plan won\u2019t go according to plan, I know,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Another brief pause came from within the chest before Bixby spoke again.\u00a0 \u201cI can tell you\u2019re warming up to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuiet,\u201d she bade.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to argue with you while I\u2019m pulling you off the wagon.\u201d\u00a0 She exerted a tremendous amount of energy, grunting and groaning, but finally, she managed to slide the chest from the center of the wagon.\u00a0 Gravity took it the rest of the way, and it was only through her continued pulling that it landed on its bottom instead of tumbling end over end.\u00a0 \u201cAre you alright in there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I swallowed a few of those coins,\u201d he declared.\u00a0 \u201cBesides that, I\u2019ve never been better.\u00a0 Now get out of here.\u00a0 There\u2019s no telling how long it\u2019ll be before those highwaymen show up.\u00a0 I\u2019d rather not have them see you talking to a box.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStay safe, Bixby,\u201d Cassidy said.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want anything happening to you, even if you are a bit annoying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSaid the village girl to her savior,\u201d he added.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t offer up a protest to that as she drew away.\u00a0 As the girl walked back around the chest and over to the driver\u2019s seat of the carriage, Bixby twisted and turned until he felt the thin sliver of metal on his hip.\u00a0 \u201cThis better not take too long,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cSometimes boredom feels worse than death.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Bixby was shaken awake when those two handles were grasped.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn, this chest is heavy,\u201d a gruff voice declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we did ask for a lot of coins,\u201d a second man said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just surprised they were able to scrounge it altogether this quickly.\u00a0 A small village such as this, all the way out in the country\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd with Blacklehn\u2019s taxes, no less.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those two men bantered on long enough for Bixby to rid himself of his stupor as he stifled a yawn.\u00a0 As he blinked away his fatigue and discomfort, he saw as the fields between there and Dustside drew further away.\u00a0 Before long, grass gave way to trees and in the thickness of that forest, light grew scarce.\u00a0 He narrowed his eyes, remembering the path the brigands were taking.\u00a0 Their conversation remained a buzzing drone in the hidden man\u2019s ears, for all his concentration remained on the path they took.<\/p>\n

The forest, too, was left behind then.\u00a0 Torchlight replaced the rays of the sun as uneven stone fell into place beneath the chest.\u00a0 The footfalls of the bandits echoed, and finally, raucous laughter deeper within the cave wrenched Bixby from his focus.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you believe it, boss?\u00a0 They actually gave us the money!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBunch of sentimental idiots, then,\u201d a deeper voice called out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not giving the skeletons back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to lug the damn things back out there, you can go ahead.\u00a0 I already got what I wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

With his ear against the wood of the chest, Bixby heard a quiet warning uttered.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t even think of doing it.\u00a0 Jorgen is liable to slit your throat while you sleep if you try to take them from the cave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what are we waiting for?\u201d the deeper voiced fellow at the back of the cave bellowed.\u00a0 \u201cCrack that chest apart and let\u2019s see how rich we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bixby gripped his knife hard enough where he could not be certain he did not draw blood.\u00a0 When he heard the chest open, he sprang up, sending coins flying in every direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour greed will be your downfall!\u201d he cried as he extended his arm, pointing it at the nearest bandit.<\/p>\n

What Bixby couldn\u2019t have predicted was how fatigued his legs had grown in that position.\u00a0 Even as he wore a stern visage and considered his surprised foes, he was tipping forward.<\/p>\n

He crashed to the ground, hard enough for a puff of dirt to be cast out.\u00a0 His knife slid from his hand, and rolled across the ground.\u00a0 It came to a stop beneath the boot of the man furthest back in that cave.\u00a0 Bixby pushed off the ground as best he could, and caught a better glimpse of the bandit leader there.\u00a0 Adorned in leather and fur, he was older than was expected.\u00a0 A full beard was the same charcoal grey color of the walls in the cave, and it met with a silvery coif that was brushed back.\u00a0 A leather cord ran through that hair and over his ear on the opposite side of his head, setting an eyepatch in place there.<\/p>\n

Behind Jorgen, torchlight illuminated a pair of skeletons, left to lean against the back wall of the cave.<\/p>\n

Bixby was pleased with the sight of those stolen ornaments.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t see as Jorgen flicked his own knife to one of his men.\u00a0 \u201cKill him.\u00a0 We don\u2019t need anybody knowing where we\u2019ve set up camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

The interloper didn\u2019t have enough time to roll to his back before the blade plunged into his lower back.\u00a0 Bixby groaned and tensed hard enough for his knuckles to crack.\u00a0 A moment later, his body relaxed, and he collapsed once more into the dirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cBring \u2018em to the pit,\u201d Jorgen said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll burn him later.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a grunt, the man threw his burden off his shoulder, into the wide, deep pit that had been carved into the earth.\u00a0 Bixby landed with a tremendous thud, and the bandit wiped his hands off before he walked away.<\/p>\n

Besides the distant chirping of birds and squirrels, the place had grown quite.\u00a0 Disguised by a thick copse of trees, that pit was far from anyone\u2019s eyes or ears.<\/p>\n

Emboldened by that fact, Bixby growled a long, deep obscenity that would have made Jorgen blush if he heard it.\u00a0 Despite the tremendous agony that wracked his body, the injured man rolled to his side and sat up.\u00a0 His left arm wobbled without his command, and he sighed when he realized it was broken in more than one place.<\/p>\n

The lip of the pit was too high up for him to climb with his injuries, he realized.\u00a0 There weren\u2019t any branches or stones that he could hope to use for leverage.\u00a0 He had worked to convince his foes he was dead for nothing.<\/p>\n

Battered and broken, Bixby sat against the dirt wall of the pit, and hunched over, folding his body until his airway was blocked.\u00a0 Against all of his instincts, he fought on until the last of his breath flew from his lungs, and he was left with only darkness.<\/p>\n

A moment later, the darkness was colored a tinge of violet as he found himself in the Nexus once more.\u00a0 Bixby stretched as though he was still folded into that uncomfortable position, but he couldn\u2019t deny the fact that was essentially as good as new.<\/p>\n

He paused for a moment, looking into the distance at those meandering pathways.\u00a0 The lithe figure, dressed all in white, hadn\u2019t seen his recent arrival, and ushered lost souls on their way.<\/p>\n

Bixby went on his way then as well, turning about and pressing through that purple vortex that led back to the land of the living.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She walked with that staff leading, ready to strike out at anyone who might try to surprise her.\u00a0 That forest was dark, though, and Cassidy had to admit that she wasn\u2019t certain she felt confident in herself.<\/p>\n

That doubt was made manifest when a branch cracked deeper in the forest, and the young woman sprang away in response.\u00a0 She let a quiet growl slip through her lips, and grasped her staff tighter.<\/p>\n

Cassidy ventured deeper into the woods, then, gnashing her teeth together as she drew closer to where that sound had echoed out from.\u00a0 The hair on the back of her neck stood up when she saw the clearing in front of her, and the pit that was carved out in the ground there.<\/p>\n

She inched closer toward it, her hands tightening around the staff until the tension caused it to creak.\u00a0 When she reached the pit, though, and glanced inside, nothing was there but some foliage and broken branches.<\/p>\n

A sigh of relief escaped her, and she leaned on her staff to catch her composure once more.\u00a0 She was so relaxed that she didn\u2019t immediately notice the familiar fellow as he emerged from the line of trees on the opposite side of the clearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d Bixby snapped.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you know this place is dangerous?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cassidy scowled at him from across the way.\u00a0 \u201cI was trying to make sure you were safe.\u00a0 It\u2019s been longer than you said you\u2019d be, and I didn\u2019t know if you needed help.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stomped around the pit, and reached her, shaking his head all the while.\u00a0 \u201cYou must have followed them, or else you wouldn\u2019t have been able to find this place.\u00a0 I told you not to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well I didn\u2019t listen!\u201d she pressed.<\/p>\n

Both of them sighed in unison, then.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t find their hideout,\u201d Cassidy said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been in this forest for an hour at least.\u00a0 I lost track of you and those men almost as soon as they disappeared behind the trees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a good view of where they went,\u201d Bixby countered.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re in a cave not far from here.\u00a0 Your skeletons are in there as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d she asked.\u00a0 At once, her disposition shifted, and a smile stretched her lips.\u00a0 \u201cWell let\u2019s go get them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you let me handle that?\u201d he countered.\u00a0 \u201cLike I said, these men are dangerous.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want you anywhere near any of them when I try to get your \u2018ancestors\u2019 back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can take care of myself, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes, perhaps,\u201d Bixby said.\u00a0 \u201cBut you wear your doubt clear enough for me to see it.\u00a0 That\u2019s not a bad thing.\u00a0 A little bit of uncertainty is what keeps people alive.\u00a0 But you can\u2019t be careless.\u201d<\/p>\n

She arched her eyebrow and leaned on her staff again.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what is it you\u2019re doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can afford to be a little cavalier.\u00a0 It\u2019s daring when I do it.\u00a0 Just\u2026promise me you\u2019ll stay out of trouble while I work on getting back your things.\u00a0 I have a feeling Irwin won\u2019t be so willing to take me on as his apprentice if anything happens to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cassidy let her gaze drift on to the nearby trees, and her mirth drained away again.\u00a0 \u201cFine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t be long now,\u201d Bixby promised.\u00a0 As he passed her by, he squeezed her shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get your ornaments back to you in time for the festival.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he proceeded deeper into the forest, the young woman turned to watch him leave.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI say we send one of them back, Jorgen,\u201d one of the bandits ventured.\u00a0 \u201cWe can break it to pieces and leave it right at the entrance to town for them to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, nobody messes with us,\u201d a second brigand added.<\/p>\n

The bandit leader sat on his crude throne at the back of the cave, spinning one of the village\u2019s gold coins between his fingers.\u00a0 The words of his men echoed in the cave, but he didn\u2019t hear any of it as he stared at the reflection of the torches in the coin.<\/p>\n

One of the brigands let a laugh fly through the air.\u00a0 \u201cWhat kind of idiot locks himself in a treasure chest to be hauled off to a thieves\u2019 den anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis kind of idiot,\u201d another voice resonated through the cave.<\/p>\n

The quartet of thieves spun about to the entrance, and saw that familiar face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d one of them called out.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t you supposed to be dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

The brigand who threw disposed of Bixby turned to Jorgen, then, who was much more attentive upon his throne.\u00a0 \u201cI swear boss, I threw him into the pit, just like you said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like you\u2019ve got some dissention in the ranks,\u201d Bixby said.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t quite trust any one of your lads now, can you?\u201d<\/p>\n

A crooked smile stretched across Jorgen\u2019s face, lifting that grey mustache.\u00a0 \u201cI trust them just fine.\u00a0 You, on the other hand, stranger, are beginning to work on my last nerves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then say goodbye to them, because I\u2019m just getting started.\u201d\u00a0 Bixby snapped his fingers again, summoning a flickering flame above his thumb.\u00a0 He breathed a sigh of relief when it didn\u2019t burn him as it did back in Irwin\u2019s tower.\u00a0 \u201cUnless you all want to feel the fires of Evarice burning you to a crisp, I suggest you relinquish those skeletons.\u00a0 They belong to the people of Duskside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Dustside,\u201d one of the bandits corrected.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever!\u201d Bixby growled.\u00a0 \u201cAre you going to give up the skeletons or not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jorgen rose from his throne, then.\u00a0 \u201cWell it seems you give us little choice,\u201d he said, turning about and approaching those skeletons in the back of the cave.\u00a0 He reached down as he passed his chair, though, and when he came back into sight again, he leveled a crossbow in Bixby\u2019s direction.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re simply going to have to kill you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before the intruder could consider leaping away to safety, a quarrel sprang out from that crossbow, and thudded into Bixby\u2019s chest.\u00a0 The flame was extinguished immediately, and the man fell to his backside.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn it!\u201d the injured fellow cried.\u00a0 \u201cDo you have any idea how much this hurts?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no coming back from that, boss,\u201d the man who laid the killing blow before commended.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven so, get over there and stab him a few more times for good measure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d Bixby said with a groan.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s be reasonable about this.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure we can come to an understanding, can\u2019t we?\u201d\u00a0 He kept talking until the knife plunged into his gut once more, and then he teetered backward until his head hit the stone of the cavern.<\/p>\n

\u201cBack to the pit with him, Sanders,\u201d Jorgen said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd this time, make sure he\u2019s really gone for good.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She balanced her staff across her knees, fighting off the urge to go to sleep.\u00a0 A quiet sigh shook her frame, and she considered dropping from her perch in the tree, when a sound reported below.<\/p>\n

Cassidy was prepared to complain to Bixby for taking so long, but she kept her mouth shut when she saw the bandit.<\/p>\n

Sanders didn\u2019t notice the girl in the tree, concentrating once more on bringing his burden to the edge of the pit.\u00a0 With his red, black and yellow outfit\u2014was that Bixby on his shoulder?<\/p>\n

The bandit pulled his victim down, slamming him to the ground before the pit again.\u00a0 He fell to his knees beside the body, and stabbed him a few more times for good measure.\u00a0 Wiping the perspiration from his brow, Sanders rose, and kicked Bixby\u2019s corpse into the pit.<\/p>\n

Convinced that his task was completed, he returned to his path through the forest, leaving his victim to rot where his leader demanded.<\/p>\n

Once enough time passed, Cassidy dropped from her perch, and crawled toward the pit.\u00a0 She tenuously drew closer then, and just as she was about to peek over the edge, she heard someone clear their throat behind her.<\/p>\n

The young woman turned, and couldn\u2019t keep her eyes from going wide.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I told you to clear out of this forest,\u201d Bixby said.\u00a0 \u201cYou saw that brigand just now, didn\u2019t you?\u00a0 If he spots you, he\u2019ll kill you, you know.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed as he reflected on everything that transpired after arriving at that forest.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a pretty girl, so he might have worse things in mind for you if he got his hands on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cassidy climbed to her feet and started to turn back toward the pit when Bixby slid his hand around her hip and nudged her back the way she came.\u00a0 \u201cLook,\u201d he said, \u201cI don\u2019t want to have whatever happens to you on my conscience, so can you please let me do what I need to do here?\u00a0 Go back to your town and wait for me there.\u00a0 Can you do that for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

She swallowed away her apprehension and did as he told.\u00a0 As she went on her way, she passed a confused glance his way, but he gestured for her to continue walking.\u00a0 Once he was satisfied that she was gone, he turned and approached the pit.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow to deal with you, me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jorgen leaned forward in his seat, running the knife he procured from Bixby under his fingernail.\u00a0 The chest of gold\u2014far less than he asked for\u2014was by his side, and the crossbow rested comfortably atop it.<\/p>\n

One of his men ran into the cave then, struggling to catch his breath.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t find Sanders, boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe should be back by now,\u201d another said.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach of you get your weapons and get out in those woods,\u201d Jorgen ordered in his gravelly voice.\u00a0 \u201cThe first of you to find Sanders alive gets half the gold those villagers gave us.\u00a0 Go on, get!\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether it was the promise of riches or their leader\u2019s stern command that gave them incentive, it didn\u2019t take long for the cave to clear out, leaving the storied highwayman alone on his throne.\u00a0 A few minutes later, though, he heard footfalls echoing off the cavern floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was wondering when you\u2019d be back,\u201d he said.\u00a0 He glanced up and noticed his foe, that man in the yellow, red and black outfit.\u00a0 Bixby looked no worse for wear, and drew further toward the throne than he had.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s something not quite right about you, is there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn more ways than you could possibly know,\u201d the intruder quipped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t catch your name the last couple times you were here,\u201d Jorgen spoke.\u00a0 \u201cUsually I like to know who somebody is before I kill \u2018em, but I suppose you\u2019re a special circumstance, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Bixby Alladocious, and I can do this all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bet you can,\u201d the bandit leader chortled.\u00a0 \u201cOnly thing is, so can I.\u00a0 It must get tiresome coming all the way back here from the pit, wouldn\u2019t you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least I get your friend to carry me there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeaking of which\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s alive.\u00a0 Although seeing as he killed me twice, now, that\u2019s more than he deserves.\u201d\u00a0 Jorgen paid special attention to that admission, arching his eyebrow as those words echoed in his mind.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s tied up out in the woods.\u00a0 It should be some time before your men find him.\u00a0 So that leaves just you and me\u2026and your crossbow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh this old thing?\u201d Jorgen asked as he leaned over and patted the weapon on the chest.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry about that.\u00a0 I only have the one bolt, and it bent when I was busy sticking you with it.\u00a0 That said, if you want to come over here, I\u2019d be happy to give you your knife back.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Bixby\u2019s turn to consider his foe\u2019s words and his confidence.\u00a0 \u201cAre you going to part with the skeletons or not?\u00a0 No matter what your friends do to me, I\u2019ll keep coming back again and again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jorgen offered a toothy grin to his would-be opponent then.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I don\u2019t think I am going to hand these over to you, and here\u2019s why: I suspect you and I are cut from the same cloth, Bixby.\u201d\u00a0 He stood then, peering at his foe with his uncovered eye.\u00a0 \u201cYou may be right; you could keep coming back again and again.\u00a0 But me?\u00a0 I\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d\u00a0 He accentuated that statement by reaching up and tugging away his eyepatch.<\/p>\n

Uncovered, Bixby saw that there was nothing wrong with Jorgen\u2019s eye.\u00a0 He tilted his head, gazing at the man in curiosity.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot into a fight at a tavern once upon a time a few years back,\u201d the bandit leader said.\u00a0 \u201cThe lads saw this hulking, dumb idiot shove a broken stein into my eye.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t very well go on as usual\u2014you know how people can be about these kinds of things, especially in Blacklehn.\u00a0 So I let them think my eye is all beat up behind this thing.\u00a0 Truth is, it only took a few days for me to see as well as before.\u201d<\/p>\n

He brought Bixby\u2019s knife up to his hand then, and carved into it, half-smiling and half-scowling at the pain.\u00a0 \u201cSo what do you say there, Bixby?\u00a0 Do you think you can come over here and grab these skeletons from me?\u00a0 Or are you going to end up back at the pit again?\u201d\u00a0 He turned his hand about so that the intruder could see that the wound was already closing, though blood poured from the site of the injury.<\/p>\n

Bixby looked at his foe and sighed.\u00a0 He knew he could never hope to outmatch him in his current state.\u00a0 Jorgen could endure forever, but Bixby would die again and again, leaving nothing but a pile of corpses behind.<\/p>\n

That thought rooted itself in the man\u2019s mind then, and he couldn\u2019t hold back a smile of his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you keep those skeletons as a souvenir, Jorgen,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll call today a stalemate.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Bixby turned to walk away, the bandit leader arched an eyebrow, wondering what the stranger had planned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bixby watched the fire burn away the flesh from the two bodies.\u00a0 He hummed to himself then, and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cThis is the first time I\u2019ve given myself a proper funeral,\u201d he muttered.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019m doing it twice.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stripped his corpses naked, tying his clothes together to create a makeshift canvas.\u00a0 Skin and muscle were chewed away by the flames, leaving only bones behind.<\/p>\n

The man moved his shoulder in circles to alleviate the aching there.\u00a0 Carrying both of his bodies to the far edge of the forest was no easy task, but he didn\u2019t want to chance running into Jorgen\u2019s men.\u00a0 The smell alone was enough to catch someone\u2019s attention, but the smoke would have been seen from any of the clearings close to the cave.<\/p>\n

That far from the bandits, though, Bixby was free to take care with his task.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She leaned against the cottage, flanked on either side by one of her mother\u2019s flowerbeds.\u00a0 The aroma helped to keep her calm, but she wasn\u2019t able to keep herself from worrying about Bixby all alone in the bandits\u2019 woods.<\/p>\n

Cassidy stood, then, ready to make the trek back to Irwin\u2019s tower.\u00a0 The man who wanted to be his apprentice had taken on too difficult a task, and she couldn\u2019t in good conscience allow his pride to be the end of him.<\/p>\n

As she looked down that dirt path out of the village though, she was struck by an odd sight.\u00a0 A lone figure approached, the twilight at his back, along with a canvas that looked similar to his clothing.<\/p>\n

The young woman jogged out to meet him, noticing the skeletons there behind him before she came up behind him.\u00a0 Her bright smile caught Bixby by surprise, but no more so than the embrace she wrapped him in.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you do it?\u201d Cassidy asked.\u00a0 \u201cI thought for sure something terrible had happened to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He clicked his tongue at her.\u00a0 \u201cAh, but a magician never tells his secrets, and for now, that\u2019s about all I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019ve certainly earned that apprenticeship with Master Silvermane.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be sure to tell him we\u2019ve got our festival ornaments back first thing in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake your time and enjoy remembering your ancestors,\u201d Bixby insisted.\u00a0 \u201cIn truth, I could use a day or two of relaxation before I submit myself to Irwin\u2019s training.\u00a0 Go ahead and tell Rassik to set these two back in place.\u00a0 I\u2019ll bring them to the center of town after I catch my breath.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cassidy offered up a little nod, and went on her way, back to the town.<\/p>\n

Alone again, if only for a brief while, Bixby set his burden down and spun about.\u00a0 \u201cThese two will do for now, but don\u2019t think for a moment that I\u2019m done with you, Jorgen,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cOnce I\u2019m done learning what the wizard has to offer, you and I will surely meet again.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took in another deep breath before he grabbed hold of the canvas once more, and dragged it toward Dustside.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bixby Alladocious and the Ancestor Festival A tale by Michael DeAngelo   That familiar sickly sound resonated in his ears as he passed through the portal. More than ever, then, he was aware of his surroundings. His first time, Bixby couldn\u2019t be sure of anything.\u00a0 Disoriented and weak, it was like being born all over […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5804,"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":[1268,1267,1263,1589,1433,1590,1591,1588],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Bixby-3-e1509473853938.jpg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1UVey-1vB","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5803"}],"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=5803"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5803\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5805,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5803\/revisions\/5805"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5804"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}