Since today is ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day, I must pay my respect to those soldiers who fought in the battle of Gallipoli in The Great War who fought for the world as we know it today.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
– For The Fallen (4th Stanza), Laurence Binyon
“Those heroes that shed their blood
And lost their lives.
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers,
Who sent their sons from far away countries
Wipe away your tears,
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
And are in peace
After having lost their lives on this land they have
Become our sons as well.”
– Kemal Atatürk, 1934, ANZAC Cove, Turkey
With my remembrance out of the way, I need to state that there are only two days a year where I refrain from partaking in any violence through any medium whatsoever. Today was one of those days. This reflects in my writing as I opted to avoid using any real action sequences. This played masterfully into the plot of Crucible and it allowed me to get creative with what I did.
The last report I did is available here: Crucible: The Crowning
- What I Did Today
Today was the beginning of The Crowning and the final pages of the fourth chapter. The entire plot for today focused on Lumi discovering that not all fights in The Crowning are physical and the entire tournament is as much a mental test as it is a test of endurance.
As such, I conjured up the idea of utilising a unique, lucid dream sequence to introduce key events in the past that drove the majority of the main plot. I admit I am not a big fan of relying on flashbacks to tell a story, but for The Crucible, flashbacks seem to be a perfect fit, because a lot of the time, they will counteract everything Lumi knows, and that is what builds drama.
- Today’s Best Work
The scene Lumi witnesses involving Ash showcasing her ruthless nature before the events of the novel takes the cake for the best work for today. It is a lesson in cunning and trickery that I absolutely love. It showcases how much of a tactician Ash is, no matter what battle she is fighting.
“I know you wish to fly free of the nest, Daughter, but there is no basis to these allegations you pile upon your fellow clansmen. No daughter of mine should take matters into their own hands even if they suspect foul play. The way of Blizzard is to endure whatever comes our way,” Frost said.
“You’re not listening to my words, Frost. There is a plot brewing against you and all of us. If you choose to do nothing, then we will all suffer for your ignorance. Listen to reason this once,” Ash said.
“Do not try to connive your way into changing my mind, Ash. You have proven yourself a dangerous radical that threatens the existence of Blizzard. If we did things in your way, then we would have to face all the other clans and we do not have the power to do such a thing. In our position, discretion is the better part of valor. I am afraid that you leave me no choice but to sentence you to exile. I will not stand idle or step aside when you accuse me of such things. You wish to see that Blizzard still possesses strength. Then you will show the world. Prove you can lead and maybe I will consider returning you to the fold in the future.”
“You’re right about one thing. I do want to see the strength Blizzard possesses. The bad part for you is I am stronger. There is one thing in this world that gives meaning to us all and that is the Fiery Throne. The very throne that I now call my own. Clans. Show Blizzard the meaning of pain,” Ash said.
I watched on helpless as the body I was in drew a sword and began to swing at nearby women and children, all in Blizzard regalia. Blood spurted from severed arteries and sliced throats. It seemed to be over in an instant yet there remained one constant. The only thing that did not change in the massacre was the placement of Ash. She remained stoic and stationary, never once taking her eyes off Frost. Frost was not so lucky. Two large soldiers grabbed her and hoisted her out of her throne. The duo threw Frost down at Ash’s feet, yet still Ash did not stir.
“Please, do not do this. We can be strong, you and I. We can rule the world. All I ask is you cease this mindless violence,” Frost pleaded.
“Quiet,” Ash’s voice was unnerving when she did not intonate. She continued, “You’re not Frost. To her, you’re a means to an end. Do you understand that? You’re worthless, no, less than worthless to Frost. I know the pain and torment Frost speaks with and you can mimic her sound all you like, but you’ll never possess her callousness. You will never possess Frost’s ruthless attitude. My family has a history of violence coursing through our bodies with every beat of our heart. Every breath we take can end the life of another and we do not think twice about it. Blizzard Clan want to start a war, but I don’t do it on their terms. This is the war on my terms. My world, my playground, my rules,” Ash hissed.
- How Productive I Felt I Was
Work today went at a respectful pace, largely because I had to get clever as I never intended this sequence to be a part of Crucible. I like to say that real life drives the best plots and that is true of today. In a way, I am glad that today was ANZAC Day, because it forced me to write around my own personal ethos.
- What I Intend To Write Next Week
The Crowning will continue next week and likely for many weeks after that. While the current tribulation involves mental strength, the first of many physical trials will seep into the work I do next week. It will be difficult to make The Crowning remain interesting, given how large and broad of a story arc it is. If I can liken it to something, it is reminiscent of Roman Gladiator Games. So do some research on them.
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Fenrir's Lair 