The Hardwood Chronicles

By Tim Conley

The Hardwood Chronicles is an anthology of 40 short stories that make comment on the human condition and relate to aspects of our lives that we accept without much thought in today's world of pandemics. This set of stories is related to those found in Cherry Blossoms and Tales by the Light of Moon Shadows. There are three other anthologies in the works. Read & Enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tim Conley
• Release date: Sep 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005297053

Tim Conley

Hi, my name is Tim Conley. I live in Philadelphia, MS with my beautiful wife, Carmela. My son,James (JD) is in the Air Force and has a son Joshua who is 21/2 with another boy on the way. Carmela's son - Enrik just graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Teaching.I have been writing for over twenty years and have published 67 books so far - two recently with Amazon/Kindle. I'm currently working on a fantasy anthology of 28 books called The Rhumgold Sagas.I have always been interested in publishing via eBook format but just haven't found the venue until now. I'm really looking forward to participating in the eBook experience. There are 22 e-books available now and 16 more that are being prepared for release in 2020. Read, explore and enjoy!

Book preview

The Hardwood Chronicles

TIM CONLEY

Copyright © 2017 Tim Conley

Dragon’s Breath Publishing

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 1-9795-0284-6

ISBN-13: 978-1-9795-0284-9

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

About the Author

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Other Books

DEDICATION

To all those who love a good short story and to my son, James David Conley and his two sons – Joshua David and Josiah Flavil. Thank you.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I need to give credit to my wife, Carmela and my son, James David (JD) for their support of my writing through the years. Thank you.

The following listing includes books that have been published by Dragon’s Breath Publishing or are currently in the pipeline to be published. They can be purchased by visiting www.tconlinedbp.net and clicking on the links for each published book Read & Enjoy!

Short Stories

Tales by the Light of the Moon Shadows

The Hardwood Chronicles

Cherry Blossoms

Orchids

Mountain Meadows

Bubbling Streams

Celestial Extremes

C1 DRAGON FALLS

Water tumbled and splashed from the top of the falls – warbling and wending its way to the bottom in ever more spectacular feats of defiance of the nature of the laws of gravitation. Huge amounts of liquid flowed over and around the claws of the long fossilized harbinger of death and delight. Tons of it cascaded down the tines on its back – to splash in a pool cut into the rock far below.

A trip to Dragon Falls was something every youngster took at least once in their life. Seeing up close and personal a mythic being long dead to human history was an experience of destiny. Some were touched by the enormity of the truth that dragons had once existed. Others weren’t touched at all and went on to be farmers and workers in the various factories.

Ones who were touched? Their fate was to be something else entirely. Margi was one such. The huge, scaled beast above the falls spoke to her. Not directly, mind you – but in her mind. It opened doors within her brain that had only been waiting. Now she could understand Calculous and Trig. Now she had the ability to place scribbles on an iPad so others could interpret them. Now she was allowed into the Library where the sum total of man’s knowledge was kept.

Margi was a Strongbull. Of the Strongbull clan. Having the thirst and desire to maintain and increase human knowledge was only one of the traits that made those of her clan the most sought after. The other clans looked to the Strongbull for everything from the occult to the common cures for colds and such. That she had been born into that clan meant she was expected to do great things in her life. Her grandmother had often said so and she was one of the leading apothecaries of the land.

Margi had a lot to live up to. Human heritage going back far into the past always pointed to the future and someone who would have the total power of the Open Continuum that they could draw on to enhance the abilities of the human race.

She dreamed at times that she might be that one, but knew deep down inside that she wasn’t. That one had to be male and wield the Sword of Fortune and Glory. It wasn’t for a woman to do that. All the clans had to be united behind such a one. They would not follow a mere slip of a girl.

She returned to the bus and sat there looking at the mountains until they were completely out of sight. She didn’t see the gleam in the dragon’s eye as it focused on her. She had awakened him. She had said something with her mind that was the proper phrase. ‘How does someone so young and innocent have that ability?’ Magus asked himself.

He examined her family tree – instinctively knowing he would find the answer there. Emelda sprang to mind immediately and he knew how Margi was the astute candidate for the job of Dragon Whisperer. She had all the right incantations already loaded in her brain. Whether she was aware of it or not – she was the one destined to find the keeper of the sword. It was she who would control the tide of time and destiny. Upon her shoulders would the fate of the world depend.

However, going home, Margi didn’t feel like the one. Her despondence ran deeper after the visit to the mountain. What had she expected, anyway? Being able to fathom the bottom line of any situation was one of her latent talents that she constantly had to work on. She was adept at separating fact from fiction – had been able to do so from a young age. But today, it just wasn’t working.

She determined to check into the source of her mood when they got back to the dormitory. But that wasn’t to be. The bus suddenly swerved and bounced over a large landslide of rocks that now blocked off the road. The front of the vehicle hung over the edge of the dirt road and threatened to slide even further off the shelf.

Kids were screaming and hanging onto the seat in front of them. There were no seat belts installed – nothing like this had ever happened before – to her knowledge anyway. Margi sized up the situation and calculated how she was going to have to distribute the humans on board to keep the bus from plummeting the two or three hundred feet down to the first crest in the mountain.

Staying in her seat was the first logical thing. She got the attention of the bus driver and indicated he was to go to the back of the bus – to open the door. Then she sent kids one row at a time to get off the bus. It was only after they were all off that she made a dash for the back door and rolled as she landed. The bus took a nose dive at that point and moments later they all heard the crunching of metal as it was chewed up by the rocks so far below.

The driver walked over to the edge as the gas tank exploded – throwing debris into the air. He looked back at her. How did you know how to get thirty kids off the bus in such orderly fashion?

She shrugged and smiled timidly. Not sure. It just came to me. How far are we from the school?

He looked up at the sun and squinted. At least three hours walking. Can’t count on intercepting anyone. We were the last bus to leave. You got any ideas?

Margi nodded. If we start now, we can be at the school by the time it really gets dark. We should hurry though – the mountain wolves will be coming down early because of the time of year. Get the younger children in the back and keep them moving. We must not allow anyone to stray away from the group.

Melvin had been driving for many years but somehow thought it wise to put his faith in the diminutive girl. She seemed wise beyond her years. He got the children moving down the long road that led back to their dormitory. There was a lot of complaining until he pointed out the prospect of having to dodge ravenous wolves. Then the pace picked up and quietness settled over the land. The only thing that could be heard was a cough or sniffle or the quiet shuffling of small shoes.

The sun was sinking down as the group made it to the tree line. So far the forest was quiet, but Margi wasn’t confident it would stay that way. The forest line was one hour from their destination but it was going to be the most precarious part of the journey. The wolf pack never failed to trail after the bus. Now they didn’t have that for protection. Only their feet and hands. Every child had a brand they could light after the sun lost all its radiance. Not much to keep the wolves at bay.

Margi kept getting a niggling feeling in the back of her mind but shoved it aside as they pushed further down the forest path. She was interested in keeping her wits about her – not in flights of fancy. The first howls sent any other thoughts scurrying for cover as she concentrated on where the howl had come from. She processed the sound and calculated it was a male wolf – probably one of the outriders letting the Alpha Primes know the quarry was in sight. She urged Melvin to increase the pace as the pack took up the clamor of joining in the hunt.

The old Alpha male was puzzled. He had never seen their food source just laid out for the pack in so haphazard a manner. They were usually inside a moving enclosure and only available to be picked off when they ran for the doors of the dormintory. This was something he had never witnessed. He was wise to advise caution. But the emptiness in his stomach at this time of year was pushing him onward. His cubs needed the meat.

Six wolves stood in the road – blocking the vanguard of children from breaking into the open. Closing the noose in behind them was the Alpha female and the young cubs who were being taught how to hunt. Ever nearer the wolves encroached. The heading had begun. Culling out the weak and helpless would begin immediately upon the signal being issued.

But it didn’t come. Instead, a high pitched sound of leathery wings on the air about the forest caused every four legged creature to hunker down.

It had been a long time since anyone in the pack had heard the whistle of air being forced out of lungs that could blast earthbound creatures with an efficiency that caused even the most courageous to seek to be somewhere else. Imprinted on their DNA was the one sound that would cause a wolf to pause in their tracks – even with so many tasty morsels on the road before them with no obvious protection.

The Alpha female gave the yip and bark that demanded retreat in the face of a foe she didn’t want to face. Too late. The dragon had set down on the road behind the herd of human children. There was nothing she could do but tuck in her tail and run. The pups were not so lucky as they allowed their stomachs to tell them to stand their ground. An orange fireball licked them up as she hit the forest in earnest.

The dragon then turned his attention to those in front and repeated the process. Then he communicated directly with Margi. Get the children moving again. They have little time to get to safety. I will take care of the rest of the pack but they are going to circle around to make one last try for a meal.

Margi got them moving again and within ten minutes – all of the children were safely inside the building. The wolves were held at bay and a large monument was sitting in the feeld for everyone to see. Margi was hailed as a hero – even though she knew it was the dragon who was really the one who saved the day. Her Aunt traveled all the way from the capitol city to make a presentation to Margi and the dragon. Everyone knew there was great things in the making. It had been centuries since the last dragon had interfered to help humans.

Margi’s depression was gone. Now she had to get her head around the fact that she had made contact with a portion of the past that no human alive was ready to accept as more than just a fairy tale – come true. The local governments were having to scramble to work a dragon into the fabric of species relations. And working a young girl into the mix was the least of their worries. Especially one with power and backed by power – Dragon power from Dragon Falls.

C2 Down a Lonely Road

Describe in detail your surroundings and you will be able to escape from this place where you are being held. Fail to do so – this could be your mausoleum.

The woman in red stepped back – lowering her head so that her wide-brimmed hat was all I saw. Her face had been masked in shadow – now it was blocked by the hat. Frustrating – not being able to see her face. The idea popped fully formed that maybe I wasn’t meant to. Perhaps that one part of my environment was the key to this test in which I found myself.

I don’t think I want to play your game, lady. Seems to me you’ve stacked it against me already. Besides – this isn’t a game of my choosing.

But you have to choose well or remain here. That is the number one cardinal rule. It must not be broken. There are dire circumstances coming for the breakage of Rule number 1. I fear you won’t like the consequences. Think hard, human. Your life depends on it.

Again, I balked – not liking the phrasing of her orders. She still hadn’t revealed her face. That was extremely bothersome to me. What if she turned out to be an ugly old hag – what then? But no – the hip-hugging dress suggested that wasn’t the case. Cloth hanging loose about halfway down the shapely legs. The black luster of stockings and the slight bulge under the top of the skirt promised a garter belt.

Looking higher – the fabric expanded over an endowed set of boobs. They were expertly ensconced inside and black and red set of cups but threatened to spill out if she moved in an untoward way. At least size 38. The slender neck suggested that kissable lips were just North as the crow flies. Blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders – to provide cover for her face – which I was still trying unsuccessfully to get a glimpse of.

Time is wasting man. Why did you not describe my foot wear? Not your cup of tea?

The six inch stilettos had gold leather inside the shoe with black lace over a red leather that matched her dress. Her ability to stand upright in them said volumes about her self-control. She didn’t waver an eyelash as she shifted her weight from one heel to the other.

Her arms attracted my attention. Fine golden hair lay over freckles – which really surprised me. I wasn’t ready to view a blemish on her magnificent body and the sun spots caused me to pause and glance around.

The sun was shining every now and then from behind fluffy clouds. A breeze softly ruffled my hair and her flowing skirt. Green trees waved in response to the wind and the meadow leading up to the tree line – past the old wooden fence, surged back and forth as the pretty red, yellow and blue flowers swayed and danced.

The gravel road leading away from ourselves was a surprise. I didn’t have any memory at all of arriving at the place. Countryside was how I would describe it. Many trees meandering beside a babbling brook that ran on the right hand side of the road. From a deep pool a rainbow trout leaped for a Mayfly.

I returned my eyes to the vision of loveliness who lingered in the glow of an errant sunbeam. Her face glowed in the brilliance that slowly faded to show me the most beautiful features of femaleness I had ever beheld. Soft, kissable lips underneath a perfectly sculpted nose. Eyebrows above dazzling eyes adorning cheeks a baby would have cried over. She was exquisite. The most beautiful creature I had ever beheld.

And now you will be heartbroken forever, she whispered as she opened eyes that were out of a horror movie. Yellow and green sitting in a dark black background. The iris elongated in the horizontal. She was no mammalian. Not human!

I gasped – then held my breath as she stepped out of her two piece dress. Her red and black undies should have held my concentration and usually would have – but not this time. Her eyes held mine as she stepped closer and ran the sharp nail on her left index finger down the side of my cheek. Blood ran down and splashed on my white T-shirt.

Somehow I knew the pain receptors weren’t working. She stood there staring into my eyes and I felt lost.

You will bleed out in about six minutes if you don’t stop that. She stepped around me as I pulled off my shirt and held it to the wound. My head was on the verge of collapsing in on itself.

I felt as though my sanity had just snapped – along with my ability to discern details. A cotton feeling had enveloped my mouth and I yearned for a cool splash in the stream that was following beside the road. A couple feet away a silver peal of laughter grabbed my attention.

Your body desires, but you cannot have. You lusted after my body. Not as much as I thought you would, but still it registered and drove your libido through the roof. You now crave water but it too will elude you. Your feet will be on the dusty road for many lonely years before you will find a way to slake your thirst. Now, toddle off and fulfill your destiny.

But I was able to describe everything around me. I didn’t miss anything.

Except my shoes. Remember, I had to bring them to your attention. Nay, human – you failed. Your species has a lot to learn and very little brain power. I’m afraid you will be many centuries in realizing your full potential and your feet will walk along this path until your brethren realize you are keeping the door open for them. Happy trails.

She disappeared – taking my heart with her. Pain settled in and my feet turned down the long, lonely path. Water beckoned and was ignored until it became overpowering. I tried to reach toward it but could not. Her words came flooding back – I cried out and continued. Years followed before the road crossed the stream. I walked in and slaked a thirst that was everlasting. At some point the lonely road wandered on and I followed.

C3 Death Comes Knocking

Death dressed for the occasion. Somberness in