Star CX: Verse 1.5 - I/O

By Stew Stunes

The first night of any job can be fraught with worry and confusion. But no one told these recruits to the trelven army that their opening night would be dealing with murder, facing the enemy of their nightmares, and being sent off on an adventure doomed to fail. For Ahy and Ough, this fate-filled night would be the start of a quest like none had ever attempted. Their mission: cross the forbidden mountains of Gre-Llue to the land of Redren, break a 2 thousand year treaty, and convince the king of the humans to aid the last free city of the trelves. The only problem, Ahy and Ough might be the worst pair of trelves to be given such an important duty. For you see, they hold no such experience in things like fighting, hunting or even walking through the woods.

STAR CX is being published in an 8 part serialized format, Verse 1.5 - I/O is a companion Novella to the main storyline.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stew Stunes
• Release date: Dec 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370820337

Stew Stunes

Stew Stunes is an American author who enjoys creating groundbreaking science fiction and beautiful fantasy stories. He has written 2 full-length Novels; The bizarrely fantastic SciFi adventure: “The Writers of the Universe,” and the renowned female-protagonist fantasy, “The King’s Challenge.” In addition to his writing, he also composes music to accompany his words to create an ecosystem of art and theme. Please feel free to preview his work on his blog at https://stewstunes.com/ and be on the lookout for his upcoming project STAR CX, A Serialized SciFi/Fantasy Adventure.

Book preview

5. I/O

3 Months previous 

Guards! Guards! Avail! Guards! A voice shouted through the quiet night. At first, Ahy did not react. He felt dumbfounded and confused at the sudden commotion. This night was his first night as an acting guard over the citizens of Hadriana, the last secure and greatest city of the race of creatures known as trelves.

Ahy stood on helm of the easternmost point of the castle wall. To his back, the city of Hadriana sprawled as wealthy shops and homes became grids of indistinguishable light against the dark night. Standing within a shadow beside a tall column made of pearl. Ahy could have remained still and there would have been no doubt that even the best eyes of the kingdom would not be able to distinguish his figure from the night.

A repeated foray of shouting brought Ahy out of his momentary lapse of thought. For a moment, he thought about running to get help, but now was the time to prove he was there for a reason and so he stepped out of the shadow and became seen to the alarmist.

Good Evening, I can assist, Ahy spoke with a booming voice. He stood tall at near 7 feet, lengthy and full of muscle, built as the perfect weapon against the hoard of hruks. Instinct forced him to run his left hand up the back of his bow for reassurance that no matter what the trelve before him said he would be able to take care of the matter.

The Iseult of Hadriana has been murdered, The elder trelve said as if he were delivering a weather report.

Ahy shook his head, trying to judge if this was some sort of rookie hazing or if the words were true. Say again, I thought you said our king was dead.

Don’t use filthy human words when speaking of our Iseult. I told you, something murdered the Iseult right before my eyes.

Well, lead the way! Ahy threw his hands up, still not believing the story.

A huffing and puffing noise, broke the tension as another joined their party. This trelve was short and stocky no more than 5 cantibles tall. This trelve was a lesser trelve, and he looked the stereotype. Instead of tall and noble, this one was short and dirt strewn. At first glance, it bore the expression of the less educated. Ahy was sure it would make rude sounds towards the elder trelve.

Aye, I heard you call from on far, I ran as fast as I could. You see it’s my first night on the job and all, can’t miss out on all the action. What’s..er...what’s going on? Name’s Ough, It spoke without dignity.

As I said to this oak, the Isuelt has been murdered, the elder one scratched his long white beard.

Ahy attempted to catch the eye of Ough, but the half-trelve contained no such subtlety. Was your name?

I am Ahy, He responded with a stiff snap.

Oh, my Leone! You’re that legendary archer the whole world’s been talkin’ bout? I can’t believe it, my hero, right before my eyes. Ough waddled up to Ahy and hugged him, lifting Ahy off the ground. The tall trelve sputtered mortified beyond embarrassment. He felt as if his half-kin had disarmed him in a way he would never be able to counter.

Get off! Ahy pushed away. There’s more important things at the moment. This elder speaks that the Iseult is dead.

Sorry, just excited to meet a true legend after all, Ough responded with a bashful wink.

Ahy found himself feeling that through some trickery of Ough, he was now the one who needed to apologize. Tis not a problem. It is my first night as well, perhaps I am nervous.

First night, buddy with the great archer Ahy! Let me see your double shot move. Ough begged for a demonstration. His enormous brown eyes catching Ahy’s attention. Ahy noticed that strange for a lesser trelve, he did not have a single blade of facial hair.

"I’ll show you that some other day, tell me about