Monday, June 28, 2010

High Rhulain Quotes II

Picture by Kobb
Tiria found herself seated at a corner guest table with her two subalterns. She ducked as a stale crust flew overhead. "Are they always like this?" Quartle denied the accusation strenuosly. "Good grief no, miz! They're pretty quiet tonight. I expect it's 'cos we have guests, manners y'know."

The captain blinked several times, and his voice shook. "I was out walkin' with him. It was me who found her. Rollin' in the surf, dead, with four arrow shafts in her back." Tiria shuddered. "It must have been a terrible thing for him, seeing his daughter like that." The stone-faced captain never took his eyes from the long rapier blade as he continued. "He picked her up and held her close, then his eyes sort of filmed over. He gave her to me and said, 'Take my daughter back to the mountain.' Then he screamed."

The captives went back to their enforced chores, despair stamped on their faces, some openly shedding tears. The Wildcat foe had finally won. Their leader, Leatho Shellhound, was a prisoner, strung up in a high cage to die. Now their last sweet dreams of freedom had truly dserted them.

Leaning out, he rattled the cage with his axehaft, taunting the captive. "Well, I'm glad to see you still alive, my friend."
As Leatho looked up, he could see the disfigured face beneath the chain mail half-mask. He growled scornfuly at the wildcat. "That's more'n I can say for you, ripface!"

Scaut thrust the whip between the bars, managing to tickle his victim's ears with it. He whispered scornfully, "Ain't so bold an' sprightly now, are you? Well, you just stat there like a goodbeast 'til yore rebel friends surrender. Aye, then we'll take ye down, an' I'll give ye a proper taste o' this lash."

"I call upon you to surrender. Your lives will be spared!"
Big Kolun roared back a cheery reply. "By me rudder, that's very nice o' ye, half-gob! Bot wot if'n we don't feel like surrenderin'? Wot then, eh?" The wildcat had been expecting this reaction. He leaned on the windowsill, his face set in a ghastly smile. "My fortress is secure, it won't fall to your puny attempts. If you continue to defy me, I will have Shellhound dragged from the room where he is hiding, up there at the top of the tower. Then I will return him to you, bound in a sack and flung from the window. I am not unreasonable-you have until dawn tomorrow to give me your answer." Before Riggu Felis could speak further, Leatho was bellowing from the high chamber window, "Pay no heed to boneface, mates. His cats have already tried that once an' failed. I'll be happy to give 'em a second try! Kolun! Banya! You carry on fightin', mates. The High Rhulain's on her way!"

The tough Streamdog maid nodded. "Aye, we can steal the fishin' coracles an' lay a platform of logs on 'em. Shouldn't be too much trouble, Major." Cuthbert gazed at her admiringly. "If ye ever decide to become a hare, I'll have ye in my regiment, gel."

All those otterclans with so much faith in her, and she, a single ottermaid, with the task of freeing them from the tyranny of a foebeast who revelled in cruelty and brutality. What would Martin the Warrior have done in her place? Tiria lay down to sleep, staring up at the starstrewn skies. She remembered Sergeant O'Cragg telling her that they were spirits of brave warriors. Through the mists of descending sleep, Martin's voice drifted into her dreams. "You ask what I would have done in your place, Tiria. I would do the same thing you are about to do. It is called the right thing!"

"Wildloughs, Wavedogs, Streambattles, too,/Riverdogs, Streamdivers, Galedeeps true./Death rides the wind, tell the enemy,/the clans have risen, ee aye eeeeeeeeeh!"

She shook her head regrettfully. "It would have made a fine castle for the Clans and me." Leatho took her to one side, speaking low. "No otter would willingly live there, marm. The place stunk of cats. There's too many generations o' bad memories within its walls. It's better off as a heap of ole ashes, to stay as a warnin' to foebeasts."

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Karate Kid

I wasn't even expecting to remotely like it.

But I'll tell you one thing: I loved it!

Karate Kid had so much heart and energy. It was a hilarious, heart-breaking, feel-good movie.
Mr. Han's character had more substance than the last one. And for Will Smith's son, Jaden, was a dang good actor. The movie was very intense, but that made his victory all the more sweeter. I cried, of course.
It was such a good film, the best I've seen in months. If any one's willing to have a great time, then go see it. I would definitely watch this movie in theaters again.

Objectionable content: Four uses of the "A" word, but all spoken together in five seconds.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Redwall VS. Nurk

I recently read a charming book called "Nurk" by Ursula Vernon. It was refreshing to read a cute, only 100-page book after all the thick novels I've gotten into. Sure, it was a little juvenile, but that was to be expected. But it was a witty and very enjoyable story about a young shrew who goes  to return someone's mail, but gets caught up on an adventure involving dragonflies, an evil wizard, and talking fish.

Sounds pretty so-so, but if you'd give it a shot you'd love it. Anyway, here's another opponent to Redwall. Enjoy!

DIFFERENCES
.Trees and forests are giant in Nurk
.No hummingbirds or dragonflies in Redwall
.Moles evil in Nurk
.In Redwall, carp are eaten, not made friends with
.No good royalty in Redwall (if you don't count the Badger lords)
.Nurk has modern conveniences, like scissors

SIMILARITIES
.Nurk wants to have an adventure like his hero (similar to Matthias and Martin)
.Nurk's full name is mega-long like Jodd's
.Shrews, moles, salamanders
.Shrews sail
.Like most Redwall heroes and heroines, Nurk is an orphan
.Nurk finds ancient journal that helps him on his quest
.Hamsters are mentioned in Nurk (like Mokug in "Triss")
Picture by Ursula Vernon






Thursday, June 17, 2010

Voyage of Dawn Treader Trailer!

At last! I stayed up till midnight just to watch the movie's trailer hit the web. I kept having to contain myself from cheering with happiness and waking everyone up. I've been waiting for this forever! I can breathe again-it looks like they're not going to mess it up.

Here it is:

Monday, June 14, 2010

Movie News

A lot has happened lately, mostly good news.

Pixar's "Bear and the Bow" has been renamed "Brave". Pixar also quit their project "Newt"( I wasn't really looking forward to that anyway.)

The Tolkien family had a legal battle with The Hobbit movie. So Del Toro dropped out! I was so thrilled to hear that! Now Peter Jackson has to take the reins. But there's been so many legal problems. When you go to see it, appreciate how much they went through, okay?

Also, new trailers for Tangled and Harry Potter 7. Enjoy!





Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Tangled

Because Disney is a very decisive, stick-to-the-original-plan company, they've decided to changed their "Rapunzel" movie's title to "Tangled." Oh, and they've also changed the prince to a bandit.

But I'm not complaining. Here are some beautiful production stills (I suggest clicking on them for a larger view) 
Voice talents include Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi.

P.S.-Today is the one-year anniversary of The Grey Traveler's Inn! Thanks for everything!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

High Rhulain Quotes Part 1

Picture by 1-Renaissance
I see them now arise again,/in memory that ne'er will fail./Their legend is reborn anew,/and thus begins my tale.

"'Any weapon is the best weapon, as long as ye can use it skillfully and with honour.'"

Banjon nudged the carcass of the fallen one. "Ye can't reason with vermin, Tiria. This rat won't be doin' any more evil, 'cos you stopped him. You did the right thing, protectin' our Abbey an yore friends. Remember, gel, yore a warriormaid with Wildlough blood!"

"'Cos if'n yer not wid me, yer agin me, see!"

Groffgut clapped him heartily on the back. "Don't fret yer 'ead, mate. They got enuff h'apple pies fer all of us!" A moment later, Groffgut was sorry that he had spoken. It seemed that the rest of the gang were fond of pies, though each had his own individual favourite. "An' strawb'rry pies, too, Chief?" "My ole granny used ter bake tater pies, wid onions in 'em. D'yer think dey'll 'ave tater pies like me ole granny's?" "Worrabout plum pies, bet they've jucier, eh, Chief?"

Brinty called out happily, "That's the stuff, Mister Quelt. We'll ponder by the pond!" The ancient Recorder thought for a moment, then chuckled. "How very droll, ponder by the pond. I like that!"

"O shiver me timbers an' swab me decks,/ye bullies to me hark,/Or I'll gut yore tripes an' dock yore necks,/an' feed ye to the shark!"

"Ho wreck me rudder, stove me planks,/an' rust me anchor chain,/salute me twice as you walk by,/or ye'll never walk again. Hahaarr!"

"Hah, so you're the outlaw they call Shellhound, eh?"
Leatho bared his teeth at the wildcat, replying defiantly, "Aye, an' yore the cat with half a face. I heard a liddle sparrow did that to ye!"

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Masterpiece



This is for all you out there who love movies, art, and Celtic music:

Cartoon Salon, the same people who did The Secret of Kells, have other gorgeous videoes.

Most of the videoes below are from their kid's TV show, Anam an Amhráin. Think Kazu Kibuishi's "Flight" series, only to Celtic music.

Please watch them. They're stunning, though very short, and I can't wait to see what else they come out with.

It's about Selkies, music by kíla.


Personally, I'm guessing it's Grace O' Malley, the pirate queen of Ireland.
("Oh, Welcome Home")