Jarad Vijay has spent the past four years, bringing up his son alone, after his wife, Alexand, was taken and placed in an asylum for crimes against the military. Once released she woke from a catatonic state. Six months have passed since she woke. Jarad hoped her recovery would enable him to rebuild their lives as a family. Unfortunately, things aren’t that simple. (Jarad and Alexand grew up together as children. They were forced into the military at a young age. Jarad left, but Alexand remained a soldier. Their lives drifted apart until a series of events brought them back together. They were married after Alexand was widowed. Jarad believes she is still grieving for her dead wife, Katherine De Somme. He is very much in love with her, but this further separation in the form of Alexand’s imprisonment, has done little for their relationship. Alexand is very traumatised by her ordeal inside the asylum and Jarad doesn’t know if he can help her recover from it.) Trivia: Why has Alexand got metal fingers? Answer: Her fingers were severed by a samurai sword, during a mission as a young woman. (See issue 9:) The sword bearer was a man dressed in a black balaclava. He appears throughout time and place. People come to know him as The Guild Master’s General, but know little about him. (A Spanish translation is now available, by Hernán Jara Droguett.) CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Jarad’s back story, set in India (3998)
Cheryl,
It’s amazing to me the ground you cover in such a short space. Well done, as all of these have been. Thank you for including me.
Mimi, glad you think so, as you cover a vast (prolific) range with your poetry too, good to have you reading this mythology. Thank you!
Poor Jarad! Poor Alexand! What a world! Like all the texxtural details in the illustration too.
LOL, Cynthia, I know, they really have a hard time in this life. I feel really mean, but this story had a few comic aspects, which start to creep in slowly throughout the mythology. There’s a lot of humour there underneath… This illustration is my favourite so far apart from maybe the very first one of Alexand in issue 1. I’m glad you like the art too.
Beautiful. Jarad’s needs are very simple, and you feel for him, just wanting to love and please, but not being able to reach her. This opens the character up and clarifies his place in relation to Alexand.
Thank you Chantal. Yes Jarad is quite a tragic character in that he’s really around at the wrong time. He’s taken all the responsibility for his sick wife, cared for her, stuck by her, attempted to rebuild a very fragile bond with Alexand, but when someone is so distant and troubled it is very difficult to know how to communicate or compete with the conflicting emotions and past events. I just love this story though because there is a warmth between these characters in the novels, that perhaps can’t be seen in this short story.
I finally have gotten to this, a shame since I’ve come to enjoy your micro stories, but it has been well worth the wait. I like how the background has expanded from the the last micro story. I like how you build her insecurities and fears, through the observations of Jared. Great show dont tell concept at work here… and thank you for sharing!
B
Hi Bianca, glad you’re enjoying it so far, I’m really pleased!!! *Does happy dance* I’m also relieved that you think it’s not giving too much or too little away as I’m saving most of the juicy parts for the novels. The next story will involve a day in the life of Alexand’s wife, Katherine, as a girl, so I’m really interested to see how her story is received… tumbleweeds or hurricanes or soft gentle breezes?
What an interesting maze you have here Cheryl!. I’m not sure how you landed up on my page , but I sure am glad you did.:-) I’m just getting familiar with your characters, but all of them seem to have a certain depth, given to them by the experiences you have placed them in. Very good story telling.
Thank you so much. That’s a compliment as I love your poetry. I’m glad you like my stories too! Welcome!