Let me tell you a story...

A few weeks ago, we had a topic to share something from our childhood. But sadly, I missed the post, so I'm going to share a story with you now.

About Derac and I (Tyn) when we were kids - the time we accidently (and I stress the accidently) burned down The Harvest Moon Festival.

The Harvest Moon Festival is where the local farmers get together in someone's barn to celebrate the harvest. There is a huge bonfire outside, dancing, music, great food, etc. It's a great celebration that all the elflings look forward to every year.

Each festival would have what you call fireworks. Derac and I were in charge of keeping an I on them in order to make sure they didn't get wet or stolen or knocked over.

Oh oh wait, I forgot to mention. On this particular Harvet Moon Festival we were at Linnae's father's barn. Dearc was sweet on her at the time.

Anyway, we were in charge of the 'fireworks' but elflings as we were, we grew restless waiting or them to be displayed in the night sky. So we grabbed a torched, secured the stake in the ground and set one off.

Ooos and ahhs sounded as it exploded and Derac and I were happy! But of course, some of the adults were not. So they came over to us - including Dearc's mother, who by the way is one scary lady!

So in a panic, we ran - dropping the torch as we went. No one noticed of course as they were chasing after us, but the dry grass around the barn cought fire. Which spread quickly to the fireworks...and the rest is literally history.

Derac and I had to rebuilt Linnae's father's barn the following spring as it was literally blown up by the fireworks. *laugh* Oh the stuff we used to do! *sigh*

Oh by the way, Linnae brought us water and helped us rebuild the barn everyday that spring and summer. *chuckle*

These are a few of my favorite things!

Derac's Favorite Things

1. His Sword
2. Kinir
3. The Kinir Elite
4. Dragons
5. Camping
6. Training
7. Missions
8. His family (parts of it...)
9. Taking over Anastasia's body so he can communicate with other people through the internet!
10. Training


Tyn's Favorite Things

1. Any bladed weapon
2. His faith
3. Praying
4. Women (more specifically A woman)
5. Any bladed weapon
6. Laughing
7. Praying
8. The Kinir Elite
9. Kinir
10. Healing/Medicine (as in learning about it)

Kie's Favorite Things

1. Training
2. The archery range at elite headquarters
3. The Kinir Elite
4. Her uniform
5. Camping
6. Warm baths
7. Kinir
8. Training
9. Missions
10. Training

Aeli's Favorite Things

1. Her hair brush
2. Brushing her hair
3. Dresses
4. Attending Grand Balls
5. Dancing
6. Good looking males
7. Saving innocent people
8. Solving puzzles
9. Kinir (the open plains and bright skies)
10. The Kinir Elite

Jardel's Favorite Things

1. The Kinir Elite
2. His dress uniform
3. Women/Females
4. Weapons
5. Fighting
6. Women/Females
7. Children who think he's an angel
8. Women/Females
9. Good food
10. Women/Females

Rakan's Favorite Things

1. Silence.
2. Quiet.
3. Silence.
4. Camping.
5. Silence.
6. His mace.
7. Silence.
8. His dagger.
9. Silence.
10. No sound.

Thoughts from the Captain

Anastasia: *sits at her desk, staring at the new Kinir Elite website*

Derac: *leans over her shoulder* What are you doing?

Anastasia: Just trying to think of what type of things to put on your new website. We need something that updates the site often with new information.

Derac: Well you have the Captain's Log, that I'll begin to fill with things. I'm just not sure what you'd like me to share with the people.

Anastasia: That's the beauty of your log, Derac. You can share whatever you like.

Derac: *settles in chair next to Anastasia and props his feet on the desk* Well you are doing that A-Z blogging challenge correct?

Anastasia: Well yes, but that's on my blog, for writers.

Derac: *nods* Well, what if you sign me up for it too? I can talk about all manners of combat and weapons for the challenge on the Elite's site.

Anastasia: *gasp* Derac! That would be a great idea! Are you sure you want to take that on? That is a lot of blogging and you are still new to the internet world.

Derac: *shrug* How hard could it be? I know all the information already. I'll just dictate to you and you can write it down for me.

Anastasia: *crosses arms* I see. I'll actually be handling the internet part of things.

Derac: Well of course. Just because your mind can tell me how to use it, doesn't mean I want to. I prefer my world's simplistic technology. It's more trustworthy.

Anastasia: Yes, I agree. It can be at times. But still, are you sure you want to dictate that much information?

Derac: *chuckle* Considering the topic is about weapons, I'm sure you'd have plenty to say yourself.

Anastasia: *blush* You may be right.

Derac: Which is why I chose you as our author. You already have a love for weapons and battle. Besides, this way I can help promote our book. The fans can get a look into who I am and why I do what I do.

Anastasia: That is very true. *rubs chin in thought* Well, I guess if you're up for it, then I am too.

Derac: Excellent! I'll begin putting together information for the first post. A....for...Armor! Yes. B...for...*wonders off mumbling to himself*

Anastasia: *shakes head and returns to her own blog post*

****To read Derac's A-Z challenge posts, head over the newly built website for the Kinir Elite -- http://kinirelite.com/ then click on "Captain's Log". *******

To Anastasia with Love

Dear Anastasia,

I am truly honored you chose me as the hero of this story. I know the story originated as a contemporary novel to honor your father, a soldier. I am proud to still honor such a man with my own story. Your world and mine can use more men like him.

Please accept my utmost gratitude for your own dedication and sacrifice to sharing my story with the world. I know it has been a difficult journey for all involved, including myself. I am honored to have worked with you on this project.

Know that I will always be here, even after the story is done. I have enjoyed every moment we have had together and I don't want to lose any future moments with you. I will continue to visit you in your dreams and caress your imagination with my adventures and love.

Thank you for everything, Anastasia. I pray you never lose your love of magic and child-like sense of adventure.

All my love,
Derac Vidor

Training and Missions...and don't forget Training.

Derac: *enters the room and tacks up a piece of a paper on the wall*


Kinir Elite Training Schedule

0530: Wake up
0545: Morning meal
0600: Morning training (pairs rotate from day to day)
----0600: Kie, Jardel at archery range; Derac, Tyn at sword ring; Rakan, Aeli at track (running)
----0700: Kie, Jardel at sword ring; Derac, Tyn at track; Rakan, Aeli at archery range
----0800: Kie, Jardel at track; Derac, Tyn at archery range; Rakan, Aeli at sword ring
----0900: Break
----0915: Kie, Tyn at hand to hand combat; Rakan, Jardel at staff/spear; Derac, Aeli at close combat;
----1015: Kie, Tyn at close combat; Rakan, Jardel at hand to hand combat; Derac, Aeli at staff/spear;
----1115: Kie, Tyn at staff/spear; Rakan, Jardel at close combat; Derac, Aeli at hand to hand combat;
1215: Noon meal
1300: Afternoon training (1-vs-5 or 2-vs-4 or 3-vs-3 exercises)
----1300: Team at track
----1400: Team at sword ring and staff/spear
----1500: Team at hand to hand and close combat
----1600: Team tracking exercises
----1700: Team stealth exercises
1800: Evening meal
1900: Weapon maintenance and headquarters clean up
2000: Free time
2100: Lights out

Tyn: Umm, Derac, I don't think that just posting up our schedule is going to satisfy Anastasia for this post.

Derac: Well, what else does she want me to say? Our whole lives are training and missions. Not much room for other things.

Tyn: *gasp* There is too!

Derac: In the grand scheme of things...really Tyn? Compared to normal people? Or even the regular Army - how much free time do we really have?

Tyn: Well, I guess not that much in comparison...but we do have some.

Derac: So, training schedule is good for this post I think. It change when we have a mission and that varies depending on the particular mission, whether it's night ops or day, complexity of the mission, and others things like that. So, I can't really say much more.

Tyn: *rolls eyes* The elf of so little words has spoken.

Derac: *smirks* And don't you forget it.

Introducing The Kinir Elite

Derac: Attention!

*teams snaps to attention*

Derac: Ladies, gentlemen, and other creatures, I present to you the proud Kinir Elite. Jardel Olen, gifted with the bow and a wild, youthful spirit that often lands him in trouble. Rakan Surat, veteran of the Kinir Elite and expert at more weapons than most can count. Tyngrad Lamblin, a spirital elf with an unhealthy attraction to steel blades. Kierianna Shaphros, expert bow and keen mind for battle strategy, and last but not least, Aeli Edisbaan, evil genius if there ever was one. I am Captain Derac Vidor, leader of this skilled team.

Aeli: Can we quit this formality? It's a blog for Riosis' sake!

Derac: *glares* Ahem. Elitist Edisbaan may be an evil genius but she doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut. *quirks eyebrow*

Tyn: Permission to speak, Captain.

Derac: *nods*

Tyn: It is just a blog, Derac. We can relax. Anastasia said it was completely informal.

Jardel: I second that.

Derac: *curls lip* Fine. At ease. But tomorrow we are training since it is obvious you all lack discipline!

Rakan: Sounds wonderful. These green warriors could use some discipline.

Jardel: Oh come off it! You need to learn to relax my friend.

Rakan: Watch it, youngling.

Kie: *shakes head and opens "Advanced Battle Strategies"*

Aeli: Kie really. It's a wonder you're a female at all. Battle strategies for fun? I mean, we are in the middle of a blog post here.

Kie: *slams book shut* And what is it you would like me to say? Or do?

Aeli: I don't know! But seriously, who can studying battle strategies be fun?

Derac: You should try it sometime, Aeli. Might help you learn when to speak and when not to. *glares*

Kie: *opens her book again* Besides, I hate the picture Anastasia made for this post. Do you see my hair? *grumbles*

Aeli: What is wrong with your hair? It actually looks nice for once.

Kie: Yea well I don't like it. I'm in uniform, it should be pulled back in my braided bun as regulation.

Aeli: *rolls eyes*

Tyn: Are we going to spend our entire blog post fighting?

Derac: Most likely. The only time we seem to act as a team is on a mission. Thus, the reason why I started this in a formal and proper fashion.

Tyn: *raises brows* You need to find some peace my friend. You are wound up too tight.

Derac: *rolls eyes* So you keep telling me.

Jardel: *sits down and puts feet on table* So, what are we going to talk about for this post here?

Rakan: *knocks Jardel's feet off the table* This is just an introduction, for the readers to get to know us.

Aeli: Oh well, Derac already introduced us.

Kie: I vote for more training.

Aeli: *rolls eyes* You would.

Jardel: *sighs* I'll go for training if it involves a hot bath or a female - both preferably. *laughs*

Tyn: *twirls knife* Your weapon should be your best friend, not some woman.

Jardel: Sorry, but I prefer the softness of women over the coldness of steel.

Derac: *pinches bridge of nose* Go away, all of you. You're embarassing me.....I apologize to the readers of this post. While the Kinir Elite are highly skilled and we've never failed to suceed in a mission, our eclectic group of personalities makes for stressful times - for me at least. Hopefully in the next post, they will be more civilized. I bid you farewell. *places fist over heart and bows*