An Unlikely Team: Beginnings and Endings

By Daryl Rowland

This book introduces the reader to the various characters through several short stories. All these introduction stories take place around one main city throughout three separate timelines, the past, present and future. These stories include Monsters, Magic, Robots, Aliens and more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Jun 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9780228816119

Book preview

Origins—Rowland

Chapter 1

Welcome to Blackwater

It was spring, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The cool breeze blowing through the trees was making a faint whistling sound, while the tall grass swayed in relaxing rhythmic motions. Since all the snow had melted in the recent months, the normally calm stream was rushing with energy. At its mouth, the fish were making their annual river run. When the rivers were as high as they were now, the fish came in from the sea then continued upstream to spawn in the shallow moving ponds along the river’s edge. Rowland knew this and had been waiting for several days now.

Rowland had short brown hair and matching brown eyes. He was heavily muscled in the back and shoulders. Rowland had placed first in last year’s boxing tournament and third in the wrestling tournament. As it was now spring, Rowland had this year’s upcoming competition on his mind often. It was only a few short months away.

As Rowland walked along the river’s edge, there came a splashing sound. Sure enough, it was a group of fish trying to make their way upstream. The large fish were having trouble in a section of low rapids, where the river became wider. Rowland quickly took his pack off and pulled out a white bag containing his fishing net. He kicked his shoes off and hurried his way across the wet rocks and water to where he could see the fish. Bending his knees and holding the net carefully, he tossed the net into the air in a big arc over the fish. A few of the fish managed to swim free and swam for their lives. Rowland quickly pulled at the sides of the net, closing it around some fish as he did so. Got you now, he said out loud. There were four large fish in his net. That was very lucky because it could have taken all afternoon to catch that many.

Carefully holding the net so the fish didn’t wriggle free, Rowland walked back over to his pack and shoes. After making sure each fish was dead, he placed them in a second white bag. He gathered his belongings and started on his walk home, whistling away as he often did. As the sounds of the river faded away, he could hear small birds chirping and insects buzzing around in their regular routine. The way back to town was through a small forest that wasn’t too difficult to get through, even though there was no real pathway. The foliage hadn’t quite filled in yet, but the thorn bushes sure had. Soon the river would drop, and the fish would be all but gone. The weeds and bushes would grow out of control, blocking most of the area for the next few months. Rowland walked out of the forest to the main road. This road connected the town to the next town over and a few farms along the way. It was creatively called Main Street.

As he continued on, Rowland could make out the Welcome to Blackwater sign just before town.

Chapter 2

The Market

Rowland could see that the paint had been cracked and was chipping off the heavy wooden sign. The white letters were barely readable against the faded black background. The rest of the town was in the same condition—old. All the houses were small and weathered, with the exception of a few homes owned by business owners and government officials near the centre of town. Before heading home, Rowland walked to the market so he could sell the extra fish he had caught. It was a good way to earn extra coins. The ground was soft and muddy from the constant wagon wheels moving around as people worked during the day.

Fresh fruit get your fresh fruit here! A man’s voice could be heard. The market was a busy, loud place. People were trying to sell their goods, look for jobs and talk amongst each other. Rowland could hear sounds of creaking wagons and coins clinking together.

Peterson! How are you? Rowland said, stepping up to the fish stand, hoping the owner, Peterson, was in a good mood. The short, scruffy man behind the salt and pepper mustache frowned slightly.

I’ve been better, he said.

I’ve got some fish you can make some coins on. Trying to sound positive still, Rowland pulled the three largest fish from his pack. He could see the old grump crack a smile.

Indeed you do! Peterson sounded much happier already. I’ll give you a coin for each one.

Not today, Rowland said. Your table is low, and the day is still early. I want five coins because you will be able to make nine coins easily.

Peterson looked Rowland up and down. You have a deal. Peterson handed Rowland the coins and smiled. Now run off before people see me giving away all my coins; they’ll all want it.

Rowland smiled back. Thanks, Peterson. I’ll see you in a few days.

Going back the way he had come, Rowland left the market and headed back up the road in the direction of home. He owned a small house on the edge of town that had been left to him by his late father. It had been almost seven years since Rowland’s father, while working for the bank, had been killed by thieves while guarding coins headed for the next town over. His wife, Rowland’s mother, had died during childbirth, leaving him to care for the boy alone.

Now home, Rowland pulled at the thin red rope around his neck. This was the only place pickpockets couldn’t reach his house key, and Blackwater had more than its fair share of pickpockets. He unlocked the door, stepped in and kicked his shoes off. Rowland took his pack off, hung his net up to dry and put the fish on the table to be prepared shortly. Grabbing his five new coins, he made his way over to his bed. With both hands he grabbed the wooden frame and pulled it across the aged floor boards. Moving over to where the bed had been moments before, Rowland knelt down and grabbed a loose board. Pulling it from the ground easily, he picked up a black bag hidden there, dumping its contents out onto the bed, making a clink and click sound. Meticulously counting his coins, Rowland’s eyes lit up. I have more than enough coins now.

Chapter 3

Training Begins

The next morning, Rowland woke with more energy than usual. After finishing breakfast and recounting his coins, he left home with the coins in his pocket, locking the old wooden door behind him. Walking quickly to the centre of town, Rowland headed toward the blacksmith shop.

He had been saving up coins since winning a small fortune in last year’s boxing tournament. As he walked up to the counter at the blacksmith’s shop, Rowland could see a short