Watch and Worry for Zil2008 and Rpublishing by brewgirlca
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Needs to be seen full size for all the details.
Thank you Liz for the special gifts of Arleen by Freja and Fantasy Realm outfit by Parrot Dolphin - I have put them to good use here. Thanks also to Rpublishing for their Watchtower; it made a great setting for this scene.
Arleen was worried. She had woken that morning early, feeling perturbed and out of sorts. Unable to fall back to sleep she had made herself a potent cup of herbal tea and then had climbed the watchtower stairs to gaze out where Anna had left four days before.
Arleen was one of the few faes to have become a knight in the Delphinium Order. Most faes found the elves to be a bit too rough and rugged and they did not like to involve themselves in the conflict playng out between the elves and the humans. But Arleen had seen that the faes natural passivity and their practice of quiet retreat in the face of conflict were no longer working. The humans were aggressively taking over the forests on which all the fae folk and the elves depended. It was time to do something different; it was time to take a stand.
While naturally not a strong fighter on the battlefield, Arleen brought the gifts of clarity and foresight to the Order. She could feel danger long before most of the elves could and so had proven to be a valuable scout. Elven war parties were not ambushed when Arleen was in their ranks. She and Anna had become fast friends and formed a natural team. Anna was a powerful fighter and skilled in magic; Arleen was a master of maneuvers and tactics.
So it was the Lady Larkspur found Arleen gazing out over the landscape when she stepped out of her quarters high in the watchtower. Rank had its privileges; one of them was a watchtower suite with a sweeping view of the forested valley where the Order was headquartered.
Lady Larkspur had spent a long time working with and training Arleen, she knew instantly why she was there. She quietly leaned against the door to her suite, staying in the shadows, leaving her protege undisturbed. Of course Arleen knew that Lady Larkspur was there, but she did not break her focus.
Lady Larkspur spoke first, in a quiet calm voice resonating assurance, reminding Arleen that Anna had only been gone four days and had probably just completed her vision quest that night. Holding her gaze Arleen replied that she knew Anna had completed her quest but now she felt her friend to be in danger.
Lady Larkspur knew Arleen's gifts well enough not to dismiss the young woman out of hand but she had to remind Arleen that this was Anna's quest, that all quests brought their own dangers and that it was forbidden that any of them should interfere or go to the aid of a knight on a quest.
Still not facing her, Arleen had asked Lady Larkspur if she did not feel a dark presence in the air. To which the Lady properly replied that she had to shut Anna out of her mind until she returned. She could not allow herself any sense of what was transpiring. It was Anna's quest and she had to look out for herself. To go to her aid would seriously damage decorum.
Arleen knew all this, but unlike Lady Larkspur she could not yet shut out the all-knowing voices shouting in her head. It would be many more years before she could truly control the powers of her gift. In the meantime she must suffer the almost constant chatter of her minds eye.
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"Familiar Foes"
"Familiar Foes"
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Comments (50)
amazing!!!!
When you put your images together, I can't help but look at the extra things you have added on your work. Such as that cute, little mouse and the decorative beetle. Then read the back story you wrote, it's double treat at the same time. What a wonderful gift you have and a great dedication too, Liz is a wonderful friend!
A real Masterpiece!
Wonderful work and so little nice mouse :-)
Great scene dear friend!!!! Hugs:)
Fantastic work!!!
another stunning piece! You have cultivated a sophisticated fantasy signature that is unique and lovely!!! I always look forward to your work and I am never disappointed--a great work!
Amazing scene!!!
Love the details that you work into your images, Roxy. Who but you would have thought of guard mice on the watchtower? This is a wonderful image with all of your hallmarks: superb posing and masterful expressions, symbolic details, warm lighting and color, and remarkable post-work. Also love the soft focus you gave this picture, symbolizing Arleen's unclear view of what is going on with Anna. And as always, your writing brings the whole thing into a context, and leaves us wanting more! Always love to see another installment of your stories, and of course now I can't wait for the next one.
So Lovely pose!! Nice work as always!
Very beautiful and wonderful image, Roxy Great chapter, too The bonds of friendhip will help Anna now, I can feel it
Very nice work with a lot of small details, superb characters as well !
Another masterpiece Roxy... awesome details. seth
happy 4th dear roxy, your use of props and scenes are phenominal my friend, love this very creative image.
So many wonderful details in this one.. the little mouse is adorable, and his pose is cute! You always add the perfect amount of interest, leading the eye around the piece and then centering us on the characters involved.. the story is truly heating up. Glad to see this new addition! Excellent work! Happy 4th!
Very well balanced composition. Great posing and lightning and I like the way the blue staff enhances the ocre color palette.
A wonderfull render and dedi to great people Hugs
Excellent
Fantastic work!!!
Wow, awesome scene and narrative. So glad you found a way to use the gifts in your story. Sounds like Anna has someone watching out for her. Looks like this little elf doesn't take no for an answer. Can hardly wait for the next episode. Fantastic craftmanship when your audience is sitting on the edge of their seat wait for more. Excellent.
Your work, Roxy, has a special touch that only you can do. The details, lighting, poses are excellent as always. This has a dreamlike quality about it that perfectly matches the 'feel' of this magical world you have created. Excellent art, excellent writing, excellent all the way around!
Fantastic scene and detail..wonderful dedication!!
Fabulous work on this great image Roxy, also a superb dedication for two wonderful people and artists.....love it.
Beautiful! I love the effects in this!!!!!
Positively gorgeous work. I love the post work you do on your images. Arleen's look of worry is quite convincing. Great render and love all the details and props. Like the mouse familiar in there too. Nice character introduction in the story. I hope Lady Larkspur know what she's doing by not interfering.
Yeah she realy looks worried... lots of details ..... two beautiful women .... nice job done ...(again)
very beautiful Scene ! like the softness and lighting on it!!
Excellent work
Stunning work of art here Roxie, and the time you put into both it and the story was so well spent. Love the special effects that are so real and add to the experience. As always your writing is second to none and your talent for bringing passion and excitement to your art comes through.
excellent amazing textures and scene as always.....wow