Welcome to Three Word Thursday #55. Please join us in our weekly romp as we try to rescue lost and forgotten words from the dusty halls of antiquity. If you enjoy reading my story, leave a comment then click on the names of the other players and go see how they used these bygone words. You’ll be entertained (and possibly educated) all at once.
The Words:
- fatuity, n. smug stupidity; utter foolishness
- jeremiad, n. a prolonged lamentation or mournful complaint
- panjandrum, n. a powerful personage or pretentious official
From episode #54:
“What I am wondering,” Chevall said, “is what happened to Fronesk?”
“A Mage Warrior’s soul is not his own,” Troga answered. “He swears it over to Legion, the high lord of the Mage Warriors. Any soul free of a body returns to Legion.”
“So this Legion, the high lord, he is like the king of the Mage Warriors?” Vernal asked as he pulled a clean tunic over his head.
“No,” Troga answered. “He is more of what humans would call a god.”
~*~
An Almost Rebellion
“Oh this just keeps getting better and better,” Vernal said. “Now we have to battle a god?”
“What we have to do,” Troga said. “Is find the hatchlings. That may or may not include an encounter with Legion.”
“Right now?” Vernal complained. “I need food and sleep!” He snatched his bedroll up and clutched it to his chest. “I am not taking another step and you can’t make me! I’ve killed a man, fled for my life, and near been eaten by two dragons! No. More!” He turned away and brushed angrily at his eyes barely able to stifle a fatuous wail for his momma.
Evaard’s hand came down on Vernal’s shoulder, “It’s okay, son. We have trail soup ready to eat and we all need rest. I will fill your cup.”
Vernal cringed. He was the page, yet time and time again Evaard had done menial chores without complaint. Now here he was acting like a panjandrum and Evaard was about to wait on him. Vernal tossed his bedroll aside and stepped toward the fire. “I will serve,” he said. “It is my job.”
Evaard and Chevall exchanged knowing looks behind Vernal’s back. Sometimes kindness is a more effective reprimand than any jeremiad ever could be.
The 3WT #56 words will be:
- curglaff, n. the shock one feels when plunging into cold water
- auriferous, adj. gold-bearing; a stone bearing gold
- heimish, adj. Warm and comfortable; homey; folksy
Got it? Good! In that case: Your story is due on: June 24th, 2010
Even though I live in fear this story will never end, we are having a two week hiatus. Next Thursday I will be traveling and the Thursday after that Thom and Susan will be on vacation (here or hereabouts) and too busy to post anyway!
Enjoy!
If you wrote a #55 – 3WT, please sign in.
Is that where the came up with the saying Kill them with kindness? Boy they have had some battles I tell you. I’m glad you are taking time off for this. I was sorta worried about next week and the week after. I haven’t missed one of these and I didn’t want to start.
Well written as usual. 
Actually, Thom, Jesus is the one that said be kind to your enemy because it will only make him feel worse.
I don’t think Jesus added the second part. He just wanted us to be kind…
Luke 6:27-36
[27] “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [29] If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. [30] Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. [31] Do to others as you would have them do to you.
[32] “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. [34] And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. [35] But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. [36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
The first Jeremiad is still the best. As ever, I’m enjoying the story.
Doug – -talk to Kelley – =- she picked the words.
I love how Evaard personifies the concept of service before self. Your characters are so believable…
Kelley — I am working out who these characters are — may yet use them in a novel.
seems like your heros have stilla long way to go before they accomplish the mission. still, i’m enjoying the story.
and thank you for the announcement
Polona –this has been one looooong day in their lives, hasn’t it?
The velvet glove approach. An enjoyable installment to the story.
Will this story win a NaNoWriMo award three years ago?
Poor Vernal — how lucky to have friends who are wise and kind as well. I hate to think of what they’ll be facing next however!
And I love love love next week’s words.
It’s always nice to receive kindness, especially after a hard day. I quote Thom on your writing. Wonderfully done.
Have a splendid time for the upcoming two weeks. I’m looking forward for your photos and stories. I think it will be great excitement when all of you meet.