This is my gift, eternal damnation may the sun be your prison and your salvation. #1linewed #amwriting #writer #writers #writing #writerslife #writingcommunity #photographer #photography devillinestone.com

"Let's #start to prepare,"I said.I placed the stone near the downed tree trunk,using a boulder as a table. "Do we need anything else?"Herman asked. "Yes,"I replied and immediately stomped on his foot."Tears." I handed him a vile to collect the drops as his foot throbbed. #vss365

We #traveled slower the next day. I kept our conversations to a minimum, so Herman could concentrate. He wandered around rather aimlessly stopping to explore a stump or a bush.Finally he found it. The place where we would wait for the beast and rid him of the Curse. #vss365

We walked all day until the sunlight #tapered between the trees and shadows. I could feel we were close. "What is it you are seeking?"Herman asked. "Some places are more balanced than others,"I replied. "I'll find it in the morning." I knew he would.He had the Sense. #vss365

I added a little of each herb to the bowl of the stone.A small amount of purple mist formed. "Back up,"I said."Until it dissipates." It worked! "Now we need to pack up camp.We have #miles to go to confront the beast." "He's right behind us,"Herman said. "Location is key." #vss365

I no longer had any #doubts about Herman's abilities. With his help we could beat the curse. I sent him to retrieve the thistle, mugwort, and skullcap he collected earlier. There on the forest floor,we began to conjur our solution. #vss365

Herman's #commitment to the hunt was admirable.He wouldn't even break for lunch.I brought him a sandwich at high noon,& he ate while searching.Finally,at the twilight, he yelled my name and I knew he had located it.The stone was magnificent!A perfect vessel for the task. #vss365

Fueled by curiosity Herman examined the stone from every angle. "Fascinating,"he whispered."I'm going to find more.I'm going to find the one that kills the curse!" "If you believe it then you will,"I whispered back &knew I had found the right one end the wizard's mischief.#vss365

Herman looked #nervous. He approached the pile and trepidaciously selected a stone. It was a unique bluish tone. He placed it on a boulder carelessly,but as he let go, it shifted onto a narrow edge and balanced there. "Good choice,"I said. #vss365

I began #training Herman in the arts of my world. "How do we choose the right one?"he asked eyeing the pile of stones. "We can't know, but we can prioritize them. First, we stack them. Some have more 'balance' than others. Those are the best candidates." #vss365

Overnight showers made the rocky terrain slick.The tread on my #sneaker was no match. "Let's stop for lunch while the sun dries things out,"I said. As Herman made a fire,I examined the pebbles we collected.With the thimble on my finger,I was ready to find the right weapon.#vss365

I found a good spot to camp in the woods,near a large boulder to block the wind.Herman finally asked,"How do we end the curse?" "We'll need to gather some supplies,mugwort,skullcap thistle, and a #lottery of pebbles. We won't know which one works until we try them. #vss365

I heard an #unexpected splash behind us and knew he was close. "Just keep moving ashore,"I instructed Henry."He won't attack again until he's acclimated to the air." I'd find a place to make camp and then I'd explain how we could exercise the curse. #vss365

"I still want him #dead,"Herman said as we reached the shore. "It's the curse that killed your parents. That's what needs killing,"I replied."There's no other way." The island's foliage was breathtaking, but the fog concerned me. Too easy for evil things to hide & pounce. #vss365

I took a deep breath and looked at Herman.I expected to still see a shy little boy,rattled by our encounter with the beast.He stood tall and stoic from the #bravery he had displayed. "You have to warn me before you do things like that,"I said."You could've killed us." #vss365

The beast made a growling #sound beneath the hull. I barely retrieved the thimble from my bag when his head rose next to our vessel. I slammed it into his forehead and branded him with the tiny weapon. He yelped and retreated. We were safe for the time being. #vss365

"It won't work!"I screamed at Herman."If you kill it,the curse will transfer to the nearest soul,you or me. You can't kill it!" He thought about it as the boat rocked.The beast was going to tip us. "There!"I pointed to the #delta where the Moss River dumped into the lake. #vss365

I heard a loud #quake. Herman stopped singing and waves rocked our boat. I lost sight of the beast's hump. Suddenly our craft rose off the water. The creature was underneath and attacking! "What have you done?!"I cried. "I'm going to kill him,"Herman said calmly. #vss365

The boy spotted him too & began to sing.His voice was mesmerizing, infectious as a #siren, & I could barely hold a thought.The 'hump' heard it too & moved toward our boat. "What are you doing?"I asked using all my strength to force the sentence together. "What you can't." #vss365

I saw a suspicious blue-gray hump off the Island's coast and whipped out my spy lenses for a closer look. The beast! It never raised its head for a breath. The wizard created him in the water. He must have grown gills! The #sins of his maker were finally benefiting him. #vss365

We sailed for hours. As we approached Shareville,it was clearly not the other shore,but a large #island in the lake. I could not see the other side. Never had I heard of such a huge body of water in any world,and wondered how the unsophisticated beast could traverse it. #vss365