Recent content by Remi Useda

This was not territory upon which Initiates often tread. Such was their world. But Zaire tried, and if it were not for his brother Dakarai and having that connection he would have surely floundered more. But he did try, and that was good enough. Unlike the more murderous among them, he meant no...

More than that, though, it's family. "I understand," Remi said. And yes, he most certainly did. It was refreshing, though. Very refreshing to hear a Dreadlord Initiate, those of the most ruthless and cold-blooded stock that the Anirians had to offer, give family as his reason for staying. There...

"It is not for anyone to judge whether they themselves are brave or not." Remi could think anything of this attempt to finally escape the grave misfortune he had fallen into, but what would his people think? What would his family think? What would they think, if they knew all of the thoughts...

Flavien, Ambrosie, Sieglilly, Gosham, and the others content to remain quiet all exchanged glances at Zaire's proposal. He was right—so far as anyone knew—about Jasmine; there was some perfunctory effort put into the search, but not in any way a lot. Was it a fluke? Was Jasmine absconding deemed...

It heartened Remi that Zaire spoke up in support. A good point made as well for those present who might be considering the laughable idea of the "reserves." From what he said in closing, he wouldn't be escaping with Remi and whomever else, but his aid might tip the scales of those balancing on...

There was a moment of quiet following. One, Remi hoped, full of favorable consideration. Flavien dashed that hope as only he could. He clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. Said, "Can't be real." Ambrosie, begrudgingly, contributed to his train of thought, "What if it was a test...

THE TALK AT THE ACADEMY A few days passed before Remi even attempted to make any sort of move. Carefully he considered his options. Initially he thought about asking each Initiate that he had in mind individually. One on one, much like his talk with Jules. But this he came to rule out as too...

ON THE ROAD A stranger in the road. His hands held up. Palms open. "I mean you no harm," he said. "Remi Useda." A stranger who offered to change everything. * * * * * Another mission completed. Much like all the others the Academy doled out to its up and coming Initiates, comprised of...

Remi cocked his head slightly, the tresses of his hair shifting just so. Ysobel was being thorough, quite thorough, about the suggestion. There were a fair number of other Initiates who would have ran away with their impulsiveness, likely spitting out the first name that came to mind. It was...

Remi, as well, picked one of the hula hoops up and examined it. It was not so different from the kind made by the Useda. The twining was the same, but the material was different—grapevine in this case instead of hardy grasses. Still, it was solid. Remi gave the hoop a test whirl around his wrist...

What would lead you to that conclusion? "It was the look you gave Proctor Melina." Or had he interpreted that incorrectly? Sarcasm, whether in the spoken word or in the expressions of the face, was something he had trouble detecting. A bothersome shortcoming, for many of his peers, older...

Overhearing his peers, Remi was beginning to feel silly for holding to an anticipation of the carnival. Yes, he too had suffered some apprehension when first he woke, and it was no small thing to overcome it. But it seemed everyone save Zaire and Dakarai (and maybe Ysobel and Silas? Remi could...

Remi opened his eyes, the low light of dawn spilling in faintly through the gap in the window's curtain. He lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling, his hair a ruffled mess set so by unsound sleep. In his chest beat the low thrum of dread. Today was the day that Proctor Melina mentioned. The...