This Way Madness Lies

[Badstench]

I was asked to transpose this story from the old forum. The petitioner was of the opinion that it's too good to lose. Who am I to deny the wishes of someone who is, obviously, a very enlightened soul?

This Way Madness Lies

During my travels, I found ocassion to take time out and relax at a tavern on Birdsmirch Lane.

The taste of the local brew was harsh given that I had become use to foraging for leaves of the Tee, and it didn't take long for me to feel the effects of the alcohol.

A sense of happy euphoria enveloped me when I was approached by a vaguely familiar voice.

"Haven't seen you in a long time", said the voice.

I glanced into the face of.... someone. There was an awkward silence before he added... "You don't remember me?"

**********************************************

One of the things about being on the road is that I don't have to put up with situations like this. I like anonymity, because that affords me the chance to contemplate stuff.

Truth be told, I am awkward around other people least they be in need of judging, then I'm quite happy to banter with them all the way to the gallows. Call me philanthropic, but I think a man should have the chance to unburden himself before he dies, and if this can be gained through innocent talk, then so be it.

I answered, "I know you from somewhere. You'll have to remind me, though, for I've seen many faces in passing. They blur after a time."

He stood there with no emotion except a downward turn of his lips which denoted disappointment.

Said he, "yet, I remember you as my saviour. How different our lives are, that I am just a humble actor while you have become a famous hero."

I quizzled at him then, trying to discern how I would know an actor.

************************************************** ******

Innocense is a blessing, for in being innocent, the world is an oyster of knowledge to be learned by the opening and the tasting. Some oysters are bitter, some are sweet and some break your teeth. Curse you, oyster, for breaking my tooth!

Swim through the salt waters where oysters bed and bite thee deep on the shell, only to find.... a pearl.

And the memory came flooding back in salt-laden tides.... the memory of Cierna!

************************************************** ******

Birdsmirch Lane is three intersections and four roads near Penekarn Lane. I stood at the corner of this lane and looked at the building wherein was housed the Third Circle. Every desire told me to approach and knock on the door, but reality argued against such folly.

It had been so long ago. I was different now, and she would be different too.

Cierna, harbinger of all that was good and sweet, the possible anchor to my drifting lifestyle.... she who could ground me once and for all.

To know the love of a woman, the security of a future, the comfort of children.

I could fantasize about it.... they might say to me, "Oh, aren't you Judge Fury?" And I would answer, "No more".

************************************************** *******

I am Judge Fury, and I stand here, swathed in the blood of my enemies who are your enemies, and I don't think of Cierna any more.

This way madness lies.

[thingirl]

I don't really get the point of this fic. And I also think that it would be easier to read without the * lines.

Just an Idea, don't have to pay attention: post any further chapters in the same thread, not make a different thread. This will keep the FF board from getting cluttered, and it will keep all the chapters in one place.

[Badstench]

thingirl suggested:
post any further chapters in the same thread, not make a different thread. This will keep the FF board from getting cluttered, and it will keep all the chapters in one place.
Which is good advice that I've already passed on to a few people and will add to a sticky post of "fiction etiquette".

I'm sorry you didn't get the point of this story, thingirl. It is complete as presented.

Because the forum does not allow for proper presentation of paragraphs (indentation), I like to separate the sentences with line gaps. Structurally, this is not satisfactory, but the alternative is to have all the sentences run in a continuous fashion, which is both unwieldy and aesthetically difficult to read.

These line gaps make it more difficult for me to show where new paragraphs and shift of plot subtleties begin, and this is where the ******* come into play. Without the asterisks to perform this function, the story would read in a linear fashion and make absolutely no sense whatsoever.

But I'm reminded of that adage, "If you have to explain a joke, then perhaps it wasn't funny in the first place". This could correlate to fiction stories, but I'm not going to attempt an explanation... that might prove longer than the story itself.

[Oldschool]

Nicely done Badstench. I also like the idea of a fiction etiquette post. Might I suggest you mention and/or link the Roleplaying and Fiction threads off the old forum as well. As in your earlier post there are stories in there that "are too good to lose".

[thingirl]

Without spending too much time:

Alanne was sitting in Stormedge Place, fealling lonely.
---------

Reha was a streat urchin, fighting for the little bread she could find.
---------

Well, you get the point. -------- is easier on the eyes (at least to me) that ********.

[Taleria]

I may be misinterpretting, but I'm getting a bittersweet vibe from this fic. I had to read it over twice because of the stream-of-consciousness style, but I get a sense of wistfulness from the character. Yet another fine showing.

[thingirl]

I read through it again and I think I get it.

Judge Fury is in love with Cierna, but is too afraid to confess his love. AWWWWW sweet.

[Oldschool]

..... or such a seasoned, accomplished veteran adventurer that he knows nothing of the alternative proffered and is likewise oblivious to it.

[Mattman20]

Or (and if this is what you were getting at oldschool, let me know and I'll get rid of it) he's only ever known the life of an adventurer, and if he were to stop and settle down, true it would be a nice change..for a time. And then he would start to get anxious. Bored, even. And even if he were able to acclimate himself, he would still be haunted by the countless gruesome trials he's had to no doubt endure. In other words, he's in too deep now; a 180° like this just isn't possible anymore.

Or maybe I'm way off-base. Either way, I enjoy your fanfics quite a bit, Badstench. Keep up the good work.

[Badstench]

Okay... I'm going to break my rule and explain the story.

Mattman is almost spot on.

Judge Fury chose the life of an adventurer. As such, he is constantly beset by peril and must always keep his wits about him; he must keep the skills of fighting honed to a sharp edge, and his mind clear of distraction.

The love of a woman would be a distraction that he could not condone given the consequences. As an adventurer, Judge Fury has a habit of accumulating enemies, and having a romantic connection and/ or children would offer his enemies a means by which to attack him indirectly.

Another consideration surrounds Jufge Fury's family ethic; the dangers inherent of the adventuring lifestyle lend a high possibility of leaving a wife widowed and children fatherless.

The choice exists: The life of an adventurer, or the life of a husband and father. He cannot have both without endangering everyone. He is not afraid to tell Cierna of his love for her, but for her own protection, he chooses not to.

In the last paragraph, Judge Fury admits that he will purposefully forget Cierna and continue with his life of bloodshed and loneliness.

By continuing to dream otherwise.... "this way, madness lies."

[Lugwy]

Considering the paragraph problem: You can insert more than one line break...


...when posting. Otherwise, if you feel that it's not conspicuous enough, you can use symbols, but keep it as sparse as possible.

---

It's easier on the eyes that way.


Additionally, you have a tendency to separate every (other) sentence with a whole new paragraph. Not that there's anything technically wrong with it--heck, I'm still guilty of it from time to time--but I find that it makes the flow of the story rather choppy and jarring. As a guideline, use new paragraphs when there's a complete change in subject; ergo, dialogue. (Note that I said "guideline"; some situations may be the exception.)

And if you think we'll fall asleep trying to read the subsequent lumps of text: Dagnabit, we're playing Sryth, a text adventure game! Walls of text fall before our Legendary Literary Comprehension skill! Or the equivalent. I hope.

Two pieces.