The Life and Times of Trouble Tempest

[ystrday]

To our son, Trouble, may this book be with you and hold all your dreams, wishes, your good times and your bad times, and to always remember you are loved.  Love your mom and dad.

[LordCove]

** sat at the table, quill in hand, Screech sat precariously on the chair arm next to him, Trouble frowns at the journal, and looks to his mother sat in the chair opposite hopelessly.**

I don't know what to write mom. What... what am I supposed to say?

** she leans over with a smile and ruffles the silver streaks in his hair **

You write what you feel like son. Whatever you want. What happened today.... What you'd like to happen tomorrow.... thing's you want to remember... how you feel at this moment.... thing's like that.

** he looks down at the journal infront of him, opened on the first page, the inscription written in elegant writing, then looks back up**

Do you have one too?

** she smiles and nods, tapping her fingers on the wooden desk **

Mmmhmm. And Daddy has one too I think... not that he'd ever show me I bet. You're supposed to keep it hidden... this is just for you to read, and you only show those you "really" want to show it too.
Why... I bet Tyra's even got one too.

*he grins a bit, looks down at the paper, and a tiny gleam appears in his eye. He nudges Screech a little, and whispers something Tegan can't seem to understand to the little Belinarian white faced monkey.
It blinks a little, looking at him strangely, then looking at Tegan almost fearfully, before looking back to Trouble. The young boy simply nods and smiles.
With a choked screech, the monkey patters onto the table, dips its hand in the Ink bottle, and slaps its hand down on the first page, leaving a perfect monkey hand impression on the paper.
With a giggle, the young boy starts writing, slowly and carefully near the hand-print....*


My name... is Trouble Tempest.... and this... is Screech....

[LordCove]

....Screech is a Belinawian white faced monkey, or at least daddy says he is. He says he rescued him from a circus years and years ago, because Screech didn't want to go back.
 I'm glad he did... Screech is my best friend.
 I think its strange though. A lot of people dont understand when Screech talks. Daddy does a little... not much, but a little... but mommy and Tyra dont understand him.
 
 Tyra's nice too... she's my friend... but uck... she's a girl... and sometimes likes to do silly things. And I don't think her daddy Shiff likes me being around her... I heard them say I may be a "bad influence". Not sure what that means...
 
 I do lots and lots of work too. Beli and Krys come round and show me how to punch bully's hard on the nose if they pick on me... .but... I'm not sure mommy likes that. She glares at Uncle Beli when he tells me to punch bullys... and I hide round the corner incase she throws fireballs at him like she does daddy.
 
 But I miss Uncle Godim. They told me he died.
 He used to make me laugh... tell me stories... and make little magical dragons dance on the carpet for me. I make mom take me to where he sleeps now.. down in Spellyguard.
 
 Mommy and Daddy are strange. Sometimes... I don't think they like each other.
 
 Dad's always getting wrong... and mom say's he is more trouble than a hundred Screech's in a very small room, and one day she is going to bury him up to his neck in the desert and leave him there. Mommy burns his hair sometimes when he's naughty... and throws fire at him and laughs. But dad's quick on his feet... and just ducks the fire and laughs.
 
 And then dad calls mom a Fox. I've never seen a fox... but I hear that farmer's dont like them going near chickens because they hurt them... so I think its a bad name. And he always make me promise not to tell mammy things... like he is keeping secrets.
 Like the time he cooked dinner and burnt all of mommy's blueberries... or when he came home and forgot to take his boots off... and left mud all over the floor.
 And sometimes they're silly. They dance around the room and giggle, and then later at night... I hear funny sounds from their room when they think I'm asleep. I think they play silly games sometimes.
 
 They had a talk to me... because I did something to mommy's hand when she cut it one day. But... I don't know what I did. Mommy said its because I've got her weave in me... somewhere in my stomach. She said it might have something to do with me being able to understand Screech and the animals.
 I just thought everyone could do that though.
 
 Tommorrow... mom's taking me into Pranzt for some shopping. But... I hate it there. I always feel funny.... tired when I go there.
 But dad's taking me into the woods again afters. We need some branches so I can try and make my first bow. I'm going to call it... Destroyer of Tyra!


 
 ** the young lad giggles and folds the journal away, passing it to Screech who clambers up onto the back of the couch, leaps onto a candle holder, and slides the journal into a recess up by the ceiling*

[ystrday]

It is so awesome! The past few weeks since mommy and daddy talked to me about magic and stuff, Mommy has been showing me how to figure it out. How my magic works. At first I was excited, I wanted to blow things up like Mommy does, but all I got to do was mom called a light spell.. whoopeee.. then I got so mad because nothing happened! I felt so stupid, waving my hands around and nothin happening. I am glad Tyra or Auhry was not there, or they would be laughing at me! I did not want to go to the grove today and work on it. I tried batting my eyelashes like Dad does at Mommy, but nothin.. Dad told me that is all it took. Even whining didn't help, just made her give me that mommy look and well off we went to the grove. Then it happened! ohh yes it was awesome! I did it! Mom was sure right, when I closed my eyes and really concentrated it will happen. And it did! I.. I did not want to tell her at the time but I felt this overwhelming power coming from the trees, the ground all around me pour through me. And bingo light! It didn't last very long, but bloody hell it was awesome! On our way home after going to the Temple and picking some blueberries. I told Mom what I felt and she understood what I was talking about and I felt better. It felt weird talking to my mom about magic stuff, its not like talking to Dad about fishing and stuff, you know guy stuff. Mom had me try to cast a light spell outside the city, but I had a hard time calling the same power I did in the forest. She hugged me, and told me it will come. Then I saw Daddy and we went fishing and salvaged more wood for my training. Just wait till I show my friends what I can do!

[ystrday]

Dear journal I don't know what to say, but Mom noticed I aint been writing lately and asked me if I had lost it. I told her no, but I figured I better write something. Things at home are alright, but they are sure acting weird. Dad coming and grabbing mom and dipping her and stuff making my mom giggle. Gross if you tell me, I mean geesh get a room I tell them when Dad starts to kiss her. They tell me I will do the same thing when I am older. heck no! I am not kissing no girl, bad enough I have Tyra hanging around me, wanting me to do magic tricks all the time. She's fun to tease though, she get so mad and her face turns all red. What I love most to do is walk with Screech in my forest. I feel so comfortable there, that I just want to stay there forever. Now I am practicing on my own, Mom does not know but I think she has an idea. When Mom tells Dad about what I am doing, my Dad isnt so sure sometimes what to say so he just pats my head and says "good job". I am beginning to feel agitated I am going to go grab a few of mom's pies and a few canteens and head to my forest.

[LordCove]

** Screech, at a signal from Trouble, leapt onto the bears back, and tugged and yanked the small bag from around its neck. Old Grumpy turned just a little, giving the white-faced monkey a look as though to say " Your my dinner!"
The monkey gave the bear an alarmed glance, then hurridely dragged the bag from around its neck and dragged it over to Trouble, who lay snuggly on the grass under a tree. The young lad opened it, pulled out a journal and quill, and began scribbling away whilst his two friends exchanged unusual glances at each other*


I made a new friend. Old Grumpy dad said he was called... but of course... Old Grumpy said his name was something else... but I liked it. He cornered me when I went to Folians grove.. and at first I was scared. But... Old Grumpy said he recognised my scent and that he wouldn't hurt me.
He lets me ride on his back now, and he shows me all around the woods.
He even showed me where not to go... where some big dog-heads live.
I took Tyra once to see them... but she was a big scardy cat and wanted to go back.
She's real impressed with what I can do now... and I can even make some plants move a little on their own.. .but... I have to concentrate real hard... and it makes me tired.
But it was so awesome! This big vine came out the ground, and wrapped itself around Screech's leg. At first I was worried it might hurt him... but... I concentrated real hard.. and it went back into the ground.
As daddy would say.. " Paggered!"... I think.

Mommy and Daddy came back one night... all singing and dancing and way more happy than normal. Mom even let dad have a drink, and they opened this big bottle of wine and said it was a "special occassion".
Mommy showed me this ring she said daddy gave her, and daddy showed me this huge lump on the back of his head mommy gave him with a shovel.
Apparently... that means they own each other now. Forever and ever.

** Trouble  stuffs the journal back into his pack, and shouldering it, leaps onto Old Grumpy's back, who seems more than accomodating. Yelling at Screech, who then leaps onto the bears back, and onto the lad's shoulder, the two of them go galloping through the woods of Folian... on the bare back of Old Grumpy the Grizzly bear. **

[LordCove]

I try and keep out the house as much as I can now... or at least as much as mom and dad will let me. Mom's been upset about something... it's obvious... though she's still always nice to me. And this time... I don't even think it's dads fault.
He's creeping around the house quietly like me... trying not to upset her. He's always hugging and saying "it will be okay"... but they won't tell me what its about.
Screech managed to eavesdrop a few times for me... but all he can tell me is it's something to do with Trith and family. So I don't get it. Trith's family... or mine?
If Trith's done something naughty and upset mom... I think I'll get Screech to poop in his shoes next time he comes round.


It's funny... but I'm starting to feel so much different out in the woods now. It's like... I can hear and smell and see so much better out there.
I think... I wonder... if I'm a little different. Does that make me weird? A freak?

That's what one boy called me. A freak. He said it wasn't right for people to talk to animals. That it was not normal. That... I'm a freak.
I was so angry! At first... I was going to get one of those vines to come up out the ground and trip him over. I concentrated and tried and tried... but it didn't work... I was just soooo angry!
Then him and his friends started laughing at me... and I ran all the way home crying.

Am I a freak?

[LordCove]

** Tegan burst through the door with an air of fury about her and pointed sharply to the end of the hall, not even looking down at her son who, sullen quiet and upset, shuffled through the door.

Screech the monkey leapt from Trouble's shoulder as the boy shuffled past him mother, abandoning the boy to his fate it seemed. He glanced up as he passed her, that bottom lip pressed forward just a little, and his tear streaked eyes batting softly. **

"I've seen that look before Trouble Tempest! It will not work! Now to bed!" she said loudly, pointing again down the corridor and stomping her foot on the hardwood floor, her face a mix of anger and dissapointment....
... but... it was getting harder for her to keep the smile from her lips.

" But... but moooom..." he whined, turning with a pleading look.

" No! Not until you tell me "why" you did that? And don't give me that " it was an accident" story young man!" she said, wagging a finger at him.

The young lad sighed and slumped his shoulders.  " Alright, ... I'll tell you."

He takes a deep breath, daring to look up at her mother's angry face as he spoke.

" He called me... a freak." he said subdued.

" A what?" she leant closer.

" A freak." he said louder, shuffling his feet.

She sighs and folds her arms, a sad look on her face as she peers down at him.

" I see. Hmmm. Well... do you really believe this boy deserved what you did to him for calling you that?"

Trouble shuffled and shrugged, looking at the floor in that pathetic " Im sowwy" child like way.

" So because of that.... you thought it might be funny... to have lots of vines come up off the floor, and start wrapping themselves around poor Toby Tomkins? The poor boy was terrified!"

" He called me a freak! I dont like him. He picks on me!" the boy sobbed, sniffling.

For the briefest moment... a smile flickers on her lips.
" You know he wet himself... dont you? Hmmm?" she looked down at him, her face still showing a faint remnant of dissapointment.

Trouble looked up impishly, a sly smile on his lips and a gleam in his eye.
The monkey, sensing his startling and, surprising victory over his mother, leapt onto the lads shoulder again.

[ystrday]

He's not being fair!! I am almost 12 going on 13 and he's treating me like a baby! What is one bloody week alone in Folians Grove, it's a sacred place no hunters walking about. Who would dare confront me with Grumpy around?! He's -NOT- being fair! one bloody night he says one bloody night he says. At least Mom saw what it ment to me, and gave me two nights at least. Noooo unfair, unreasonable dad says Nooo bloody hell in this lifetime. I got so mad I through things off the table and stormed off to my room and slammed the door.

*Throwing his journal on the bed, Trouble goes to the music box and cranks up his music really loud that could be heard throughout the house*

[LordCove]

* Trouble leant up against the windowsill, his head in his hands, staring out through the glass sheet miserably. The sun was just about to sink below the horizon, and the little road outside his house across from the garden was busy with people heading home after a hard days work.
Screech sat on the windowsill beside him, quite and sullen, seeming to share in the silent misery it's master did. Everyonce in awhile, Trouble would reach out and ruffle the monkey's head reassuringly, smiling weakly before going back to gazing longingly outside.
But the monkey wasn't convinced.

" It just goes to show Screech. Parent's can't be trusted. They were fine to let me stay in the house when I was worried about the whole Percy incident. But now I want and am ready to go back outside... oh no... then its " No Mr. Tempest! You are grounded!" *he mimics his mothers voice*

* he sighed again, exasperrated, just as a bird lighted on the windowsill on the other side of the glass. With a slight, forced smile, Trouble began tapping on the glass to get the birds attention, seeming to sense and feel the freedom the bird possesed so close to him.
He sighed softly again, unable to restrain himself from sending out his own message to the bird... a sense of being trapped, caged, miserable and depressed...


... with a sudden chirp of birdsong, the bird leapt off the sill and dived into the air, taking to the skies and flying East.*

[LordCove]

** Note to self: Put something in here

[LordCove]

Note to self: Put something in here

[ystrday]

*Waking up one morning, Sall rather hurridely gets dressed and washed, and then seems to idly wander the house, or at least it seems.

He follows Trouble from room to room, scrutinising the movements and actions of the young man, watching what the lad wears, how he eats, and sighing and chuckling as Trouble spends nearly 30 minutes in the mirror, combing his hair and altering the tiniest creases on his clothes. Finnaly, all prepared, Trouble bids farewell to his parents and skips happily out the door.

With a soft chuckle, Sall turns to Tegs and grins widely.

" Well... I think I got an idea whats going on... but ...you may not like it."

[ystrday]

"What are you all dressed up for?" Trya asks her best friend for as long as she can remember. "What, is your mom making you go to the temple or something? *as they sit together by the pond in Haft Lake*

Trouble leaning back on his elbows with a grin on his face and a gleam in his eyes staring back at Tyra. Who will not admit it to her, but she is his best friend, he can always count on Trya to be there sass and all.

"Why not?" *he shrugs slightly". Trya giving him a dubious look, gives him a longer look. "You combed your hair! *she moves to touch it in awe. Trouble seeing her about to touch it, softly smacks her hand* "Don't touch it, took me thirty minutes to get it how I like it."

Just then three girls turned the corner, spotting Trouble they began to giggle as they passed, whispering among each other and shyly waving to Trouble. Trouble waving back to them, giving them a wink as they pass making the girls giggle more. Trya rolling her eyes at this total display of grossiness hits Trouble on the arm to get his attention again. "Ow! You didnt have to hit me that hard for nothing"

[LordCove]

Trouble turned the corner in the Haft Lake district, nodding politely if grudgingly to the dwarven guard stood at the corner.. who seemed to only glower back at the young man.
Screech skittered on ahead and darted for the front door of their house.. but suddenly stopped and looked into the back garden, its attention caught. Curious, Trouble patted his shoulder and the monkey leapt up to perch there, and the young man moved around the side of the house.. already smelling smoke and burning wood on the wind.

Appearing in the garden, he was surprised to see his mother and father, waiting for him, smiling and chuckling at each other as he appeared, a small roaring fire was ablaze infront of them.
Even the two raccoons perched atop the bins waited expectantly, chittering away to each other and occassionaly diving into the bin and reappearing with some scrap of left-over food which it nibbled on.

" Whats going on?" he asked, moving over to the fire.
Tegan smiled and walked over to him, giving him a hug and pulling the satchel with his school books inside off his shoulder.
" Its sort of a tradition I hear. The day you leave school...." she smiled and gestured to the fire, ".. you get to burn your shirt."
Sallaron just stood, a smile on his face, his arms folded and waiting expectantly... and surprisingly, Screech suddenly leapt from Trouble's shoulder and over and up onto Sall's shoulder.

Trouble paused... looking at the fire. A gleam appeared in his eyes, and a wry grin spread across his face.
" Thank Folian!" he laughed, and in an instant, literally ripped the shirt from his back and tossed it in the fire.

Sall and Tegs laughed and clapped a few times, his mother giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek.
" Congratulations son. But now.. what are you going to do with all this free time?"
Sall nodded.
" Aye... dont think yer gonna be lying around the bloody house all day. I can think of plenty things ya could be doing"

Trouble grinned and hugged his mother back, peering over her shoulder at his dad.
" Oh... I was thinking about maybes a little trip to Katherian for a few days."

Sall paused and laughed, clapping his hands together.
" Bloody good choice son. Ya lucky bugger!"

Tegan stepped back and frowned, looking a little confused.
" Er... Katherian. But.. why? Its horrible... full of slavers and dangerous. Why go there?"

Trouble paused... and didnt say a word, but the mischevious smile played across his face. She looked dubiously from Trouble to Sall, confused.. before Sall finnaly mouthed the silent words " Xeenites"

Again she paused a moment... then her eyes narrowed and her brow knit together in that all too familiar way, to the point father and son both chuckled and took a wary step back.

" Like bloody hell you are!"

[ystrday]

Dad's been gone for over a week already, and Mom tries to keep busy. When she heads to town I go with her, help her collect materials and what not. I don't mind it so much as I used to walking inside crowded places, but it's still not my favorite thing to do. I definately couldn't walk with Grumpy in one. I am now finally left alone in Vale after I brought Grumpy with me the last time, all I wanted to do was refill my canteens and give him some water. Though must say it was interesting watching the people scatter away yelling.. Bear..bear.. bear. Yeah.. yeah.. yeah.. the same ol arguement.. they -don't know- he's friendly and worried about their kids being eaten. Anyway, I don't mind helping out like this, but I wish she can stop with the mothering just a bit, geesh by all that is Folian, I know I can use a cloth to wipe my mouth, but sometimes you use what is closer and at times that is my sleeve. She doesn't even say anything about it, no, all she does is give me a look, and I know I am busted. I have a feeling that no matter how old I get and no matter what I can do, there will always be a part of her that sees me as a kid.

I'm gonna miss our talks like this, because well soon I am gonna leave home and venture out there on my own like my parents did. *gets a gleam in his eye* I am going to go out there and leave my mark, venture places no one has been and let the world know Trouble Tempest exists!

[ystrday]

*Trouble spending a lazy day relaxing against Grumpy, the big ol bear in Folians Grove*

I am so ready to be out on my own. But I know it'll not be the same as being at home with my mom and dad taking care of me. We had a long talk the other day about that. They sense I want to be on my own and they both agree that it is almost time as well. I also heard the same story -again- about how they arrived in Mistone with nothing, had to learn everything on their own, nothing was handed to them on a silver plate, and how how it made them stronger. And there went Dad saying he walked twenty miles in the snow with no shoes, both ways just to collect some corn for an order. I want to prove to them and myself I can do that too, with no hand outs, no freebies from anyone, but to live on this land is to be self reliant. I will always have a home here, but from now on if I needed anything I will have to provide the means to buy it or collect it whatever it may be. My mom was quick to reassure me that they still loved me, and still did wish to take care of me, but I was quick to tell her I understood where she was coming from. I also told her I wanted to do things on my own, and I saw how much pride they had for all they earned on their own and I wanted that for myself. To know that I, Trouble Tempest, earned all that I would have on my own blood, sweat and tears.

When I sit here among nature away from the city I feel so at peace. There is a beginning, a middle and an end, but it starts all over again, and nothing is taken for granted, it is all used given back to nature to help the coming future. Now it is my turn to give something back. I hope I can do as well as my parents did.

[ystrday]

I met a man, Elgon was his name, and he seemed to have similar abilities to myself though much more pronounced of course. Shifting... the ability to change into an animal. He said one day I would have the ability too... but... well... I certainly did not see it coming. But it did. I was merely thinking about it and concentrating, as I would when asking for Nature's aid when it happened. Okay... maybe's a Boar wasn't the greatest example... but it was only because I saw one anyway. And Screech nearly panicked and ran off and left me.

But... I lost my concentration half-way through the shift... and suddenly I hurt all over. It was horrible! Not to mention that the entire transformation felt... way too uncomfortable and disconcerting. Elgon said it would feel wonderous, well it certainly did not. I think I'll leave this shifting alone for the moment... until I get the hang of it.

I also met another man, I'm guessing a bard the way he was hollering in the Goblin caves. The thing is, there were some bats flying around out of the way of everybody and he just went in.. and well screeched them to death. I was so totally shocked at it, that I didn't know what to do or how to react.. but now thinking back of it.. I feel angry at how people can be so cruel to defenseless creatures of this world. If that ever happens again to any creature they are going to feel a bit of lightning where the sun don't shine.

[LordCove]

*lay up against the tree in one of the highest branches, Trouble chews the end of his quill whilst Screech bounces from tree to tree playfully*

Well well... been here a few months now. And quite a lot has happened.

First thing I should mention. Mom and Dad.

Just who are they?
I thought mom was mom... cooking, cleaning, washing my clothes, dissapearing for a few days with friends to talk about... umm... cooking and cleaning.

And dad. Never seeming happy with what I do... spending most his time in the carpentry shop doing this and that... and dissapearing for days and weeks at a time to do... well... dad things. Getting drunk with friends and doing very little.

But to find they were adventurer's! And successful ones?!
And to hear some of the things they've done... it just doesnt fit. I cant get my head round it.

But.. seems Im making my own adventures now. A few people I've come to trust... the big bulking ton of muscles that is Ark, the totally humourless Lady Ell, the dissapearing reappearing dwarf... and the rather hot but sharp Phyress.

And the help I've received too. Lots of it. From people who knew mom and dad.
At first I wanted to say no... but when Daniel handed me that Iron scimitar... well... would have been stupid to say no.

[LordCove]

Well... I had my first.... umm... not even sure what to call it really....
Feel for the Land? Would that be right?

I'd fallen in with some people to help out the Queens regiment, which Screech reminded me incessently was not a good idea. But i went anyway.
Some Slaver's had made some kind of tunnel from the Deep, and were fortifying their positions near the beach.
A big tentacled one-eyed thing had done something to the land, and the second we stepped into the forest, everything attacked us!
Now I mean everything! Trees... plants... spider.... everything

I knew something was wrong... and for the first time, I totally opened up to the land around me.
It hurt.
Badly.
I thought my head was going to explode. The Eyed thing had corrupted and poisoned the land, making it attack us.. but somehow... I managed to sever its link to it.
Mom and Dads going to be so psyched! Fighting slavers and taming the lands!
Just wait till they here about this Tunnel we found going from the Deep to the Surface... transporting Slaves! They're going to be so proud... Im going to make Dad eat his " be careful" words!

Jaelle finnaly made a move on me. I knew it wouldn't be long... she can't resist my innate charms forever. Havent seen her since though... but then Ive been really busy.

And Mom and Dad. They've been missing a long time now, and people keep asking where they are.
All I know is they went to some Red Bear Sailors buffet meeting in Hurm... and I havent heard from them since. I think its been nearly a month now.
I might have to detour to Hurm soon, just to see what they've been up to, or what Trouble they've got themselves into.

Tch.. Parents. Sometimes... you just cant take your eyes off them for a second.