The Trump Card
A pristine landscape.
Snow covered boughs, undisturbed fluffy snow, greeting unique snowflakes floating down from the clouds. A silent virgin forest, touched and opened by your very own footsteps. The feeling of a pioneer as he steps into uncharted land filled with danger, while seeking treasured fame. Incomparable to that routine trip to the Minimart.
Chu had one word to describe his three-night outdoor adventure under the trees.
Appall...
2018-11-30 11:00:01 +0000 UTC
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Confrontation
He walked past the corpses of the adventurers and goblins. Different shapes and shades of bird feathers used as fletching marked the positions of the departing souls-- sticking out like flags from the bodies. Chu scanned and then hustled to the more injured of the two, calling Miki over for assistance.
Lucy had Ming and Rose act as nearby guards while she circled the outer perimeter. Mr Pick who occupied a position in the support group during times of battl...
2018-11-26 15:02:10 +0000 UTC
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Hey guys. I hope we all had a great weekend and a wonderful week. If things look glum, take a deep breath, relax and step back. A calm mind always does wonders and opens the imagination.
Now that I have written that, I have now found myself in veritable mess. Having puffed out my chest and bled out an extra five chapters for the month, I opened the Patreon site to find ourselves at the $300 goal.
Really? I mean Really? I am crying from your donations, happy but crying. Actually it's main...
2018-11-26 02:59:28 +0000 UTC
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Adventuring into the forest
"We use these stones to grind the gemstones into powder. The process is long and tedious, so most of the time the apprentices tend to skimp on the powder. Rubies are used as the base for the inks, mixed together with special herbs and then left to simmer for three days."
"Amazing, the Tower Mages deserve their reputation as a center for all learned men to gather."
Chu praised while watching Tye in action. Currently they stood around a ti...
2018-11-23 10:21:53 +0000 UTC
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Swallowing a whale
John reclined on the wooden chair, propping his feet on the counter. As Master of the Trading Post, he allowed himself this privilege. It didn't matter since he managed the General Store alone for today. The rest of the clerks busied themselves over at the Trading Post collection bay, wrapping up the last-minute loads for winter.
This first week of winter had already dumped over a foot of snow on the village. According to the older villagers, this port...
2018-11-22 11:00:01 +0000 UTC
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The Goblin Shaman
The Great Western Forest spanned the region from the foot of the mountains in the north, to the tip of the continent in the south. The goblin tribes now had a chance to reclaim their lost lands in the northern forest. When hundreds of small tribes consisting of fifty or more members join together, the numbers became staggering.
Chu looked as bands of goblins crawled up trees, scrambled over fallen logs, or stepped menacing out from the shadows into the ...
2018-11-21 11:00:01 +0000 UTC
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Hey Patrons, I am very sorry for the late chapters because of loss of electricity in the area. It's all good now, so you should have a great read. I know it sounds like 'The dog ate my homework' but its true.
I have suffered my $20 Tier Patrons long enough, and I am grateful for you guys sticking with me silently. I have scheduled for three chapters to be published everyday until Friday, so you will now be three chapters ahead of the $10 Tier.
Thank you for your support and have...
2018-11-20 15:18:39 +0000 UTC
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Exploring the talismans
Chu leaned backwards on the chair and stretched his aching back. He gently moved his rear on a cushion of rags. The thrill of his previous adventure had left him with aches all over his body from riding a horse. He had tried practicing galloping along the road as they returned, only to gain some chaffed thighs.
"Curse this adventuring life..."
On the side Bon and Old Hodge, walked the cramp invading their old legs. After about two hours of t...
2018-11-20 15:05:40 +0000 UTC
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Spending Money
In the throne room of the goblin cave, three Elder goblins sat on a bench chattering.
"Some goblins returned from the raiding party that Pocong had sent out in the north. Human ambush in forest, only five goblins returned."
"Except for the devil humans, all others are treacherous. The forest has always been our territory, so killing the intruders is our right."
"Correct, because except the devils who wear the bands we made, all other hum...
2018-11-20 15:04:30 +0000 UTC
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Just a reminder to the readers, that the two bonus chapters for meeting my goal has been delivered across the Tiers. The next goal will have three extra chapters with the same conditions.
Patreon has implemented a new selection method for the Tiers when posting. Please ensure that you are able to view the posts for your respective Tiers. If any problems occur, I will try my best to resolve it from my end.
Please bear with me if you encounter such problems. I am truly sorry for any inconv...
2018-11-19 15:25:56 +0000 UTC
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The Tower Apprentice
Chu sat on a stool in the corner of the store while drumming his fingers on the counter. Years of wear from countless transactions with the rubbing of sleeves and sweat smoothed the rough wood.
A welcome sign for a merchant.
"Who was that old fowl?"
John shifted uneasily on his chair as if navigating around protruding nails. Only this boy could poise such a question. When he had slapped the pride off the old man's face, he now want...
2018-11-16 12:01:00 +0000 UTC
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The scholar of goblin lore
Chu sat in a corner of the General Store of the Trading Post. The clerks present were familiar with him and left him alone as they sent a message to Master John. Ming had gone to the tavern to solicit information while Lucy and the girls went on another errand.
"Young Master, why are you here? You should have come over at the collection bay outside the south gate. These days are hectic, because the merchants are preparing their final loa...
2018-11-16 11:01:00 +0000 UTC
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A slow week
"I have good news and bad news, Boss."
Old Hodge said while patting the horse. The old man looked at Chu and continued
"Good news is, the horses are not branded, nor do they have any markings. Bad news is, a farm like ours should only own one horse, if any."
Chu sat on a three-legged stool deep in thought.
He expected the patriarch to be cunning, but the man acted more like an experienced bandit. They had planned the raid well, even g...
2018-11-13 11:00:01 +0000 UTC
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The making of a horse thief
Chu stared at the two restless horses tied some distance away in the fading light.
"The guards at the outpost have sent out two messengers in the last two days. I suspect if the one from today doesn't return by tomorrow, then a search party might probably set out. I think they might have been spooked from the battle yesterday since we did hear faint noises floating across the grassland."
Jill said.
Chu nodded his head since ...
2018-11-09 12:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Cleaning up
The glitter on the dull board, from dark red to azure blue sucked the gazes of the humans standing or sitting on the wagon bed like a dark hole. Crude and uncut as they might be, the gemstones managed to reflect enough light to attract the eye.
Whether found among the rocks in a riverbed or embedded on the walls of a cave, something about these crystals seems to bind the human mind. Bon scooped up the gems, cupping them within his large hand in disbeli...
2018-11-09 11:00:03 +0000 UTC
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Tomorrow expect one bonus chapter from me on meeting my goal. The other will be released near the end of the month as promised. Thank you to all my Patrons for making this possible.
It's also a long time since you guys enjoyed a peek at future chapters of The Red Lands.
This one is for you.
The Ruins
"What the heck is that idiot thinking?"
Chu muttered as he watched the back of the small group.
At the opposite end, the goblin scout stared...
2018-11-08 13:44:14 +0000 UTC
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Striking it Rish... Rich. Hahaha!
By the time the Elders re-entered the cave, excited chattering drowned the main cavern. Scores of goblins, clustered around, concentrating near one particular passageway. From it, the defeated goblins squeezed out with their faces filled with veneration.
Thud.
With three dull stamps of the staff, the noise ceased while the goblins parted way for the confused Elders.
On stepping into the war room, the wrinkled ones spotted a s...
2018-11-06 11:01:00 +0000 UTC
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The Devil living behind the Walls
Pug dropped to his knees, with his hands falling like rubber at the sides of his shivering body.
For over six generations of goblins, a terrifying legend had been handed down by the leaders of the tribes. A demon like no other, which killed for pleasure. Most Demon beast chose to exit the forest, sweeping into human settlements.
The wolf demon did not pursue such a trivial path. It used the forest as a base, meticulously conducting...
2018-11-02 12:00:37 +0000 UTC
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New Leader
Ming looked at the butchered corpse of a Jaga, the spilled blood turning dark and coagulating onto the leafy floor. Nearby the disemboweled beast, scattered like lifeless leaves; on the floor, bent over buttress roots, or dangling from branches, a host of defeated goblins accompanied the Jaga on its final journey.
“Why?”
He said, turning to the short green companion whose legs trembled at the sight of the dangerous predator. Ming pointed to the corps...
2018-10-30 11:01:00 +0000 UTC
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Defeat!
The sky turned black as rain poured onto the grassland, dying the ground red. In every quarter, arrows fell on the approaching goblins. What had been intimidating shouts now turned to screams of panic and agonizing yells.
Chu sighed on the spectacular scene unfolding before his eyes. Bodies dropped, some riddled with bolts like a hedgehog from the repeating crossbows. The wails of death drifted towards his ears, as mouths filled with blood and regret then uttered...
2018-10-26 11:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Fixing mistakes from the last battle
Chu left the workshop, hastening his steps towards the new rampart constructed in front of the barn. Residents ran in different directions, either carrying loads of some kind, or shouting out instructions clearly. He walked through this ordered chaos, with Lucy in tow.
His face remained grim, while suppressing the memories that threatened to overwhelm him with emotions. Ming after all, held the status in this world like his own brothe...
2018-10-23 11:00:01 +0000 UTC
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A Strange Partnership
The chattering of the goblins faded, as the clattering of footsteps receded from the dimly lit cavern. Ming hesitated at first, then decided to peer out from behind this wretched hiding place. The throne had groaned in relief on relinquishing its burden, indicating that the Leader had gone.
The boy scanned from the floor to the dark ceiling of the cave, squinting into the shadows while his head turned left and right. After having witnessed the previ...
2018-10-19 11:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Goblin Tide
Lord Pocong snarled on the throne, his bloodshot eyes bulging as if the blood vessels within wanted to explode. He ground his teeth until they grated. The goblin leader breathed heavily, his rage threatening to explode from this humiliation.
The goblin captains storming into the chamber reflected his thoughts. They spat curses and swore vengeance against the viciousness of humanity. Not willing to admit goblin superiority, the humans had the audacity to barge...
2018-10-16 11:00:00 +0000 UTC
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A Grand Finale
In the workshop nearly the entire cast gathered around the table. Chu stood surrounded in the center, with a large map sprawled out before him. The large sheet composed of numerous parchment paper glued together using a paste of flour and water. His fingers moved around certain locations while speaking.
"The last report came in just this evening. The men guarding the horses in the corral are still lazing around, waiting for their leader. Apparently those i...
2018-10-12 11:00:01 +0000 UTC
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Acting the Part
The rider approached the cloaked traveler, the sound of each clop echoing distinctly into the silent grassland. His eyes darted left and right, hoping to discern any unusual movements in the darkness. The cautious approach unmasked the horseman as someone who experienced or maybe once conducted an ambush.
He pulled the reigns of the horse, a few feet away, keeping his face away from the light and shrouded in darkness. His hands never left the hilt of his ...
2018-10-09 11:00:01 +0000 UTC
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2018-10-07 01:36:12 +0000 UTC
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Creating a play to fit the stage
Over the few days, the farm bustled as any other in the neighborhood. Autumn season meant harvest, and so every farmer and his hired helpers labored in the field. This season enabled the farmer to reap his entire years worth of effort. Behind the chatter and laughs in the golden fields, it also had a darker connotation.
A successful harvest lead to a comfortable life during the hunkering down for the winter season. A poor harvest, meant s...
2018-10-05 11:00:02 +0000 UTC
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So I have been rewriting the earlier chapters to have the novel flowing. This is part of an excerpt from an earlier chapter with a new addition. If you folks agree then it will remain as is. Pay attention to the names...
Bending a little from the body of a quarter-ton wolf, the fence withstood the blow. As the rest of the pack mounted uncoordinated attacks, Ming walked while keeping watch on the wolves. His legs regained strength backed by th...
2018-10-03 22:17:28 +0000 UTC
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The Worrying Letter
Bon wrapped his fingers around the large blacksmith hammer, tensing and priming the muscles in his left arm. He bellowed while raising the heavy hammer, before dropping it to the floor. He clenched his fingers into a fist, trying to dispel the pain and the accompanying weakness.
"What the heck are you doing? Its only three days after the fight. You want to drop dead from a heart attack?"
Chu chided. The blacksmith had received an arrow pl...
2018-10-02 11:00:02 +0000 UTC
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A Battlefield
Chu followed the shout in the encroaching darkness to find Bon lying on the ground, next to a Multishot. He did not know when the man had left the watchtower to return by the equipment.
"Have someone take him to the medical station. Lucy, check if we have targets for the Multishots."
Chu shouted.
The Multishots worked fine for long distances, but like artillery, the effectiveness ceased in close-range combat. Chu realized that he had too ...
2018-09-28 11:01:00 +0000 UTC
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