Mothers day

Mother how I miss you
in all the little ways
Living life without you
Is the strangest way


All my flaws you didn't see
You cherished things I did
You honored and respected me
Even though I was a kid


Your kindness always followed you
Through everyone you touched
I aspire to be just like you
Yes I loved you so very much


I think you're in a better place
It's better then down here
More then a day will you grace
I will remember you all the years

The Storyteller

“Boy things have changed.” Muttered an ancient looking gray haired, scruffy looking man seated at the bar. “It used to be, that a man could turn in any direction and find someone he could trust. Nowadays, there’s nothing but dirty rotten good fer nuting gutter slime.”

“Easy old man, this night’s not good fer yer ramblins’.” The barkeep cautioned. He glanced quickly about. “There be strangers about, a rough lot they be. I’ll not be wanting trouble in me place now.”

“Rough?” asked the man. “I’ll show ya rough...Where is this shit for brains who thinks he’s tough? I’ll show him...Why in my day, I stood at Fallows Pass and single handily held it against the maraudin devil orcs.”

Carver had been working at this bar for three years and had heard the story several times. Not even a free drink would stop him now. He turned from the bar and went to clean the tables. He reached for a half full mug, but as if in a daze he overreached and tipped it onto the floor. Cursing he bent to retrieve it.

With a splintering crash the inn door collapsed onto the floor. Four men dressed similar enough to be soldiers forced their way through the entry. “Bah this ones fer the gutter… Too old, lets stick em and git.” His companions roared their agreement.

All of a sudden the old man came alive, whirling in a blur. His cloak flew off into the faces of two of his tormentors and a stool took a third in the face sending him reeling backward into the wall where he slid to the ground. A mug took the first man free of the cloak and the second never got free. Carver was in complete shock. It had happened in seconds. The remaining man stood in shock as the old man towered over him.

“Hmmm, you’ll have to change those trousers boy!” The old man turned and shuffled back to the bar. The young soldier helped his comrades out into the street.

Carver slowly made his way back to the bar. As he was rounding the corner he could hear the old man muttering just loud enough to here.

“They was dumb em orcs. Near every one thought they was facing an army, but they’d come only later. 400 died afore I fixed one with me blade. Another twenty died afore they turned and fled fer the first time.” He paused and looked at his hand. In it was the handle of a mug. Confusion passed across his face for only a moment before he resumed his story.

Carver slipped into the backroom, fearing the soldiers return. He had never put any belief in the old mans story. Until now! He poured a full measure of his finest rum and brought it out to the old man. Carefully, he placed the rum on the bar in front of the old man..

The old man stopped talking the moment the rum was placed in front of him and inhaled deeply. A tear formed at the corner of his eye. “Ah lad, this is the finest rum I’ve seen since my wedding night to the Queen of Tri is tam. It’s too bad about that slaying their husbands’ thing after ya knock em up.” He snorted in mirth, spraying the bar with mucus. “Probably still looking fer me… Apparently they can’t give birth less the daddy’s dead.” He brought the rum to his lips and sipped. “Yup, she should be with child nye on 80 years now.”

Carver had never heard this story before. He only wondered a moment if there was a place called Tri ist Tam. Then he smiled to himself. Of course there was, right across the bar from him.

The Sadness

I would like to ease the pain

Just to see you smile

Filled with joyous laughter

Giggles by the mile

I would like to see you silly

Instead sadness takes it's grip

you always have your family

You aren't alone, upon this trip

I would like to see you try

Dancing through the rain

A skip, a jump, perchance a fall

Just to dance again

Pain is just a simple part

Of this thing, that we call a life

There is also joy and happiness

Between the the bits of strife

So let the tears fall down

Cascading like the rain

and do a little dance

throw laughter at the pain

I hope these words will bring

A little bit of cheer

When sadness reigns it's ugly head

We are here for you my dear.

Pilot ~ by Dean Ross (2012)

From the world of Lineage 2. Re-posting from  when the expansion for the Kamael race came out.


My first memory is of Gremlins, swarming, biting, and nipping at my flesh. My instincts told me to lash out, which of course I did. Each skull that was crushed beneath my blows seemed to make me stronger. Limbs snapped like twigs in a gale, bodies flew across the room, smashing into walls and slowly sliding down.

The red haze that clouded my vision slowly lifted. Bodies littered the central area of the birthing chamber. The blood of a dozen gremlins pooled gently around my feet, the warm stickiness sending waves of pleasure through my entire being. This is what it is to be alive … This is what it is to be Kamael.

Two figures stood on a dais on the far side of the room from the stairs that led to the surface, a male and a female of my race. The male looked to be more official then the diminutive woman standing beside him. I approached them and bowed slightly at the waist, never allowing our eyes to break contact. He shifted his head slightly to the side indicating I should speak with the female first.

“Greetings, I have come to fight.”

The woman smiled and replied “That is good, and as it should be. The Island of Souls has been thrust back onto the prime material plane. Our time is upon us, we shall gain our lost wing. One of those creatures behind you holds a very special gem; if you retrieve it for me I will reward you well indeed.”

I nodded my head once and turned to the milling creatures. My sight passed slowly over the throng. The gremlins were multiplying as I watched, new ones spawning from the very air itself. I lifted my sword and slowly walked down the 3 stairs to the floor; I lifted my bloody ancient sword in front of my face and charged. First to the left and then right my sword lashed out cutting the gremlins down like a scythe cuts through wheat. Whirling, leaping, and rolling through the blood and intestines that littered the floor, a power filled my entire being to overflowing.

The battle haze finally left me and I found myself in the center of the room. Hundreds of freshly slain Gremlins littered the floor. In my right hand was my ancient sword, more an extension of my arm then a separate weapon. In my other hand rested a gore stained Blue Gem, little pieces of grey matter still clung to it. I walked slowly to the woman on the dais, reached out and overturned my hand above hers, dumping the Gem and bits of brain into her palm. Nothing needed to be said, she silently handed me a slip of paper and with a nod directed me toward the male.

“My name is Perwan.” he took the now bloody slip of paper from my hand and handed me a package. “Here is a little gift to help you begin your adventures.”

I opened it to find magical potions that would heal wounds received in battle, and an item that would increase the amount of damage I inflicted with my weapon. “I thank you for these gifts, and shall bring honor to the tribe by slaying our enemies.”

“Go to the village and speak with the townsfolk. Fulfill their petty tasks and equip yourself for the coming War.”

I nodded once, turned and made my way up the stairs to the Surface of the Prime Material Plain. A cool breeze wafted across my body. The blood that covered me began to dry as I slowly walked across the field. Elpys and Keltirs played in the long grasses, those that came too near me died quickly and painlessly. I walked into the village of the Kamael covered in drying blood, an Ancient Sword clutched in my fist, and my lone wing slowly furling and unfurling. My name is Pilot and I will steer the course of destiny. I shall bend fate to my will and make even the Gods tremble.

For that is what it is to be Kamael.

Goodbye my Friend ~ by Dean Ross

Death came to take you, but I said no way
I would not be letting you go, in that way
I stood between you, held up pleading hands
Said take me instead, to those unliving lands

Death just smiled, as it glided bye
Hovering in silence, where my good friend lies
Silence reigned, the room got chill
How could this specter, resist my will

Slowly it reached out, with it's bony hand
Gently, and lovingly, such a simple plan
It closed her eyes, and held her hand
Raised her up, so she could stand

He led her from the room, out into the hall
Ignoring my cries, and attempts to stall
She was walking for the first time, without any pain
To stop this, is madness, but I've never been sane.

I reach out my hand, to clasp Death real fast
Without my friends, there's noway I can last
I feel myself pulled from my body with care
Forever, together, eternity to share

Death shakes his head, it's not my time
He pushes me back, to my body I bind
Collapsed on the floor I can do nothing but weep
My friend has left me, and I feel so damn week

Many years later, I wait patiently
I know who will soon be coming for me
He's taken all others that I've ever known
I'd like to know why I was left all alone

A whisper of wind, heard in the leaves
A gentle rain and soft blowing breeze
These are the signs that show He is near
To take me at last to those I hold dear

Late ~ Dean Ross

I was late. The first day on the job and I was going to be late. The power had gone out in the night and reset the alarm clock. I tumbled down the stairs like Alice's trip through the Rabbit hole. Out of sorts and fuzzy. I stumbled through the buildings door onto the street and was momentarily blinded by the glare of the sun. I felt someone brush my left arm and murmur something. I turned right and made off down the sidewalk. The city seemed extra bright and cheery this morning. It took me ten steps to come to a complete stop and turn around. In front of my building was a homeless man holding a battered tin cup. I felt my throat clamping shut as I walked back toward him. I reached into my pocket and took out a fiver. "Sorry, I almost lost sight of the world I am here to protect." I placed the fiver in his can and turned back toward where I hoped feverishly that I still worked.

"Who are you?" I heard from behind me.

"Just a GCPD Officer helping one of those he serves." I replied with a grin. I continued to the Precinct and found a note on my never before used desk. It read "MY OFFICE NOW !!!". There could only be one person to whom "MY" referred to. I looked toward the captains office and outwardly winced when I saw that the blinds were down. That never boded well for the officer that went in there. I walked to the assistant and they nodded toward a chair to wait.

Five agonizing minutes that felt like hours before I was nodded in by the assistant. Strange that I had never heard their voice. Two men in business suits sat comfortably in chairs. The Captain, who he had expected and the other was the Commissioner himself. I felt my bowels loosen a little at the thought of getting a reprimand in front of the Commissioner. He was a legend.

The Captain began simply enough."First day and you are late. Care to explain?" I stood a little straighter as I replied. "The power in my building failed during the night and reset my clocks." I took a quick breath and continued. "I don't say that as an excuse. I should have had battery back ups or gotten an old wind up clock. I will fix that on my way home today."

The Commissioner looked at the Captain smiling. "That's one." The Captain frowned.
Just then 3 light taps at the door and it opened to reveal the Homeless man that was in front of his building. "Ah Agent Orange please give your report."

Agent Orange stepped fully into the room and closed the door. The smell of garbage quickly filled the room. "The subject left his apartment in haste immediately after he rose. He saw me and gave me five dollars then continued on his way. I followed him here and he made no detours." The man paused and then asked. "If that will be all sir I would like to shower and change."

"Dismissed and job well done." replied the commissioner. He once again turned to the Captain waggling two fingers at him. The Captains frown deepened.

As Agent Orange turned the door handle to leave, I held up my hand and said. "That is not 100% correct sirs. I initially passed this man in my hurry and only came back once I realized my error."

"You went back ... Because you didn't give money to a homeless person?" The Commissioner looked greatly confused.

"I went back because someone needed my help." I replied.

"But he is just a homeless person. Surely you getting here on time and catching crooks would be a better use of your time?"

"That's only a possibility. Helping the homeless man was a definite." I looked down fearing I had committed career suicide.

"That's enough. I have an offer for you. I am creating a special task force, outfitted with the newest Tech, we could get. I want you to be on it." Both the Captain and the commissioner were smiling now. "Congratulations!"

I could hardly speak. "thank you sir ... thank you! When does this job start? What do we do? Where do I work?"