The Judgment of The Khal

"Game of Thrones" Khal Drogo

Khal Drogo now stands before Shevata, the lead character of the Gastar novellas, awaiting judgment for eternal doom in the fire pits of Hell.

Shevata’s face froze as she read the length scroll.  One of the higher demons sat a stone table beside the obsidian throne where she sat and placed an elaborate goblet of gold and filled it with a green liquid from a silver pitcher.  She shook her head at the demon.  “Only Zermon can make this happen.  Only he can create a higher demon.”

The demon completed his task, making certain the mug was completely filled.  “You killed Kuvern.  Now he must be replaced.”  He walked away.

A pair of huge winged demons, larger than Zermon, brought in a large, muscular, powerful man, with dark skin, scant clothing, and a long braid down his back.  She read down the scroll.  “Khal Drogo of the Dothraki, is that right?”  He mumbled something and one of the demons twisted his arm backwards.  He did not show pain. 

“Khal Drogo, we all speak the same language here.  Just look at me and speak clearly and I will understand you.” 

He glared at her.  “All of you can fuck yourselves.”

Shevata raised an eyebrow.  “Well, I’m afraid you’re past the battles of insults, battles for gold, battles for blood.  You’re in a dark place, Khal.  In Hell, Zermon decided all savages that go through lands mindlessly killing women, children, and other innocents will see their afterlife here.  Now you, only you, have a chance for redemption.  So you can either tell me to fuck off, or offer something for the lives you’ve taken.”

“It is known they are ours to take!”  Shouted the Khal.  A demon hit him hard in the mouth.

“It is not known here.  Don’t prove us right by being stupid.  You will either offer something of worth back to those you killed or you will become one of those that hold you now.”  She motioned to the goblet.  The Khal relaxed.  “The moon of my life.  Daenerys.  I give everything.  To her.”

Shevata leaned back and read through the scroll again.  “She has dragons.  She lost your son.  I’m sorry.”

“If anything left of me, I give to her.”  He said again. 

Shevata handed him her golden-jeweled dagger.  “Killing yourself here won’t help her.”

He took the dagger and cut off his braid to his scalp and threw it into the fire pit.  He reached down with it and cut his Achilles tendon then handed the blade back to her.  “No more Khal.  No more battle.”

Shevata felt her mouth drop open with awe.  She reached into her pocket and handed him a clear gem, glittering in multiple colors, like a prism.  “Take this and it will guide you out of Hell.  Your soul will go to your Khaleesi.  Rest well, Khal Drogo.”

Gastar and the Captain

"BlackSails" Captain Flint

I’m having a little fan fiction fun with the lead character of Black Sails, Captain Flint, meet the lead character of the Gastar novellas in the Underworld.  Let’s see how well they get along:

Shevata leaned back on Zermon’s huge obsidian throne.  “No, I don’t want to see anyone else!  Find Zermon and tell him I said to come do his own job.”

A demon handed her a scroll.  “He almost declined this one so he wants you to meet him.”

Shevata unrolled and read the paper.  “A pirate captain?  They are thieves and murderers, destined for the fire pits.  Why does this one get special consideration in Hell?”

The demon motioned with his hand and a tall muscular man stood before her.  He was bleeding from several wounds and the manacles cut through his skin.  “I take it you’ve been fighting them, uh,” Shevata glanced over the paper, “Captain Flint.”

“Yes, I was.” He stood unwavering. 

“This is your chance to tell me your case and maybe find redemption.  Tell me about your life.  The part that sent you down here.”

He looked at her with hatred.  “I left my country with my love and had no good choices to make a life for us.  Therefore, I became a pirate, so I lead crews of men that chased down ships to kill the crew and steal the cargo.  Over time, the men needed a leader, so I created the role for them by being their king.”

Shevata sat back, holding back a laugh.  “A pirate king? Go on.”

The man gave her a glance that would kill her if he could.  “I had to make decisions I couldn’t share with the crew.  They wouldn’t understand.  We needed treasure and a lot of it to make a home on land.  I wanted to make a home with the woman I loved.  I lost men trying to do that.  Should that condemn me to Hell?”

Shevata unrolled the scroll again.  “Your honorable intentions don’t change your actions of thievery and murder.  Educate me, Captain.  Why should I spare you?”

“Because it’s right!”

She handed him the scroll.  “What have you sacrificed?”

He read it as the blood ran down his arms from the wounds, ignoring them.  “This basically says I’m nothing but a brigand, a scourge, an outlaw scum.”

“Pirates usually are.”  Shevata took back the blood-stained scroll and set it aside. 

“So what will it be?” 

“I’ll send you to the upper levels to atone for the murders, and loss of the lives of your men.  You will live humble and accept your position of being of service to Zermon.  Sometimes he releases people from the upper levels and you’ll find redemption.”

“I serve no one.”

“Then your soul will burn and you will no longer exist.”  He turned and jumped into the fire pit without hesitation.  “What is it with Kings?”  Shevata threw the blood scroll down and walked away.

On All Those Details

"Game of Thrones"

As I read great books by famous bestselling authors, one consistency that I often see is the huge detail these writers put into their stories.  I don’t find these details always additive; and sometimes I’m remembering who ate what when I’d prefer to know a side story about an ancient war.  I’ll admit details and side stories are not places I like getting bogged down in; often I’ll skim and move on to the main plot in many books.

My first example is the 1970s hit novel “Jaws” by Peter Benchley.  I read an excerpt in a magazine before the film came out.  My brother was interested so he purchased the paperback from a consignment store, so naturally I read it after he did.  As a preteen I recognized though I couldn’t process the vulgar language or adult scenes.  But when I put the book down asked my Mom, “Why did Hooper have an affair with the cop’s wife?  Is that going to be in the move?”  Not a Kodak family moment.

Another example is “Freedom” by Jonathan Franzen, which I reviewed on this blog, and compared it to “Revolutionary Road,” masterpiece by Richard Yates.  While the media hype of “Freedom” and the author ensured me he stood out as a writer because he is one of the writers that “knows how to write” (wow!).  The part about a guy reaching into a recently used toilet to find an engagement ring to give to his true love didn’t make me swoon for my Prince Charming.  I know, some would say look what he was willing to do, I get it, but why couldn’t the writer have him climb a skyscraper or something?  I’ll agree with Franzen, he can write, he succeeded at nauseating me.

If any series of books contains over-the-top details, I’d say George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” (books “Game of Thrones” series is based on) takes all of the lemon cakes.  We’re sure of Sansa’s favorite dessert, we know about Cersei’s wonderful stuffed swan dinner, several times how sucking pigs are a delicacy, and Illyrio in Pentos having dinner picking up a mushrooms swirling in butter then licking his fingers.  Other details include Lancel’s pumping, Cersei’s finger licking (It’s not food, read the books if you’re curious), her gowns more elaborate than in the series, often white and studded with emeralds, and each change description every day. (I liked her wardrobe). 

So this brings me back to the point:  How much in the way of “little details” are required in a story?  Answer:  I won’t touch that.  I know details add depth to create the world for the reader, to actually experience the world instead of words on paper.  But is there such thing as too many details?  Answer:  The readers always decide.

On the Women

"BlackSails"

When the “Gangs of New York” film came out, the documentaries followed behind, uncloaking the history and reminding me again of my sore lack of historical knowledge but appreciation of it as it obtain it now.  Of course, with my vast hard science educational background, I had no clue there was a “Five Points” in New York City, draft riots during the Civil War, and had no idea who Boss Tweed was.  So as I absorbed the documentaries like a paper towel I remember a phrase used:  “Where there were men, there were women.”  (Something like that).

When I think about that, yes, in most stories, where there are men, there are women.  When men are the main characters, what to the women bring to the table?  Answer:  Lots.  While I don’t think every story should be a woman manipulating a man, women drive the plot as supporting characters in many great stories.  Men and women have roles expected of them, generally:  Men carry the outward violence and women carry the subtle poisoning, be it for real or of convincing others to do their bidding. 

As a writer of a strong female protagonist, I like strong women in fiction.  Weak women (sorry Sansa) will make me put a book down without a lot of support (“A Song of Ice and Fire” gives support, thank goodness).  So what are weak female character traits?  Answer:  Petty jealousy, vanity, fearfulness with no apparent danger, and unabashed selfishness taking no stand for her children.   So what makes a strong woman?  Answer:  Fearless, protective of her children, unconcerned about civil obedience, independence, and the intelligence to work around the male counterparts who often have the upper hand and beat them at their game. 

With the list above, one would think much is expected of women in fiction, but I don’t think so.  One needs to look no further than historical brave women like my favorite Queen Elizabeth I prototype and go from there either before or after to find inspirational women that lived in this world.  When women today speak of challenges, I understand that, but the past challenges make for fascinating stories now.  Research inspires great females in fiction today.

Writers go forth and write something great for we readers.  We’re waiting to meet great characters, men and women.  Each has a critical role and neither less interesting.  Where there are women, there are men.

On the Complex Characters

"True Detective"

With my non-stop film/novel addiction, strong characterization baits me to a story better than any fishhook.  Once I’m introduced to the world, the situation, and the people (or non humans) I’m ready to know them.  What are their backgrounds?  What are their secrets?  What force that drives the plot also drives these characters?

I posted recently my review of “Dracula” in my article “On Lawyers, Blade and Real Estate.”  A huge strength in this still great novel is the introduction of the lead antagonist character in the beginning.  The lawyer inserts himself into the castle realm of a dangerous inhuman monster that over time we gradually came to know as the power vampire.  By the time the big chase begins, the reader knows the creature and is running along with Van Helsing and his brave comrades with unyielding determination to destroy the essence of evil.  When the story is over, I’m not thinking about the protagonists, as great as they are; I’m thinking about the complex character created in the Count.  Even by today’s standards he’s no small potatoes in development, power, and complexity. 

My favorite complex characters are people in our present time.  When I think about another person in general, where he/she was born?  What was the childhood like, the school, the past and present love experiences, employment or family responsibilities?  How does this person arrive to he what he/she is now?  All of us follow a path that creates what we are.  In characters their interaction with others reflects our own feelings and beliefs.  While it’s easy to say a man is “just a guy” (or "just a girl" for the ladies) there’s really no such person that simple when taking in the human experience.  On that level, people are all complex characters to a writer. 

I tend to like characters I can relate to.  They may be from the same area of the country that I’m from, or just having a “bad day” (we can all relate), or have a history of similar experiences I either sympathize with or endured myself.  When they see the world, I see the world.  Complex characters make mistakes.  People rarely live perfect lives with every relationship successful, every road taken found to be nourishing in some way.  Sometimes people take destructive turns in their lives and we see the behavior in stories leading to tragedy or redemption.

Writers, complex characters go beyond the comic book.  Their traits are mostly our traits, and when not, they are unusual and interesting.  Regardless of the details,  in great stories they remain with us.

On Plot Turners

"Layer Cake"

As a fan of fiction, I applaud stories that reel me in with not only unexpected endings, but with characters that lay low making the biggest difference when the story is said and done. 

The recent example I’ve written about the most recently is the history based “The White Queen” with Richard of York beginning as the quiet youngest son of York in the background of his elder brother Edward, always loyal, always present.  By watching the first couple of episodes one would find it hard to believe this is the same Richard as the infamous Richard III well known in Shakespeare’s play and something about a couple of young Princes that entered the Tower of London and were never seen again.  Richard’s involvement in the fate of the Princes is debated today, but true or not, his legacy will wear it because he was King at the time.

Another favorite plot turner is the comedy “Snatch” where to me the most important character is the dog.  Movie fans, check it out if you haven’t seen it; Brad Pitt is never a bad thing on a film and I love dogs.

One of my favorites all time low-key plot turners were from the film “Layer Cake” starring Daniel Craig.  If you haven’t seen this film, I highly recommend it if you like gangster films with a large cast of interesting characters.  When one million ecstasy pills are stolen from a Serbian illegal drug manufacturer, who will decide the outcome?  The middleman drug dealer makes the connections played by Daniel Craig.  But from there, will it be the powerful businessman Mr. Temple, his rival Mr. Price, the Serbian hitman Dragan (an awesome character), the loud gangster winnable Duke, or a known drug dealer with no connections to the other characters?  I won’t spoil the story, but when I think of the way it ended, it really makes sense when all is said and done, and I applaud the writing in the plot turning ending.  (Who really will wind up with illegal drugs to sell?)

In moving to Dark Fantasy, the most famous plot turner to me is Gollum of “Lord of the Rings.”  Despite the “trickesy” Hobbits, Gollum was not stupid and knew what he wanted the whole time.  Because of the events at Mount Doom, Gollum is arguably the most important character in the story, as Sauron wouldn’t have been defeated without him.

Writers, as we create our stories, we keep in mind readers look for plot turners.  When placed in the most unusual places sometimes the least likely character can give the biggest “bang” which is part of what makes a story great.

King Robert After the Games

King Robert Baratheon "Game of Thrones"

King Robert Baratheon stands before the lead Gastar characters Shevata and Zermon awaiting judgment for the afterlife.  Will Hell be his future?

“Zermon, I disagree with this.  King Robert Baratheon wasn’t perfect but he doesn’t belong down here in Hell, especially before you in final judgment.  Let me speak to him first.”

The large demon handed her a scroll.  “Normally I would agree.  But the Martell family insisted he be judged harshly for the deaths of Elia Martell and her children, the family of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen”

Shevata read the scroll and her face fell.  “Elia Martell and her young daughter were raped and murdered by Gregor Clegane and Ser Amory Lorch.  Her son, just a baby, was smashed in the head.  Their bodies were wrapped in Lannister cloaks and presented to King Robert before the Iron Throne in his victory.”

Zermon relaxed back on his obsidian throne.  “Pretty sick stuff, huh?  Shevata nodded.  He motioned with his hand to have Robert brought before them.  Shevata sat on Zermon’s right armrest of his throne. 

“King Robert, you appear to be here with some ill tidings.”  Shevata handed him the scroll.  He glanced at it then threw it down.  Still a large, strong man, his beard hid most of his face, and his obese belly stuck out like he was a woman close to giving birth.  In observation, Shevata had to admit to herself Joffrey seemed more like a King than his non-natural father.

“I don’t care WHAT you do with me, got it?”  Shouted Robert. 

Zermon smirked.  “Well King Pig Feisty, after King Mad Scab, King Crazy Kid, who else do we have from that barbaric world of bad Kings?”

“Call me what you want, damn ya!  I lost what I cared about years ago, so throw me in fire, cold, cut me, drown me, see if I give a shit!”  Robert shouted, and then turned at the short demons.  “What do you people drink around here?”

“This isn’t a party, King Robert.”  Shevata snapped at him with a whip, just missing him to get his attention.  “Did you or not give the order for the atrocities committed against the wife and children of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen?”

“Seven Hells, THAT’S what this is about?”  Robert became enraged, then calmed himself.  “I wanted Rhaegar dead more than anything and I’m in Hell because of it.  Fine.  When you lose something you love, I mean you really love with all you have; you’ll do the same.  If you’re capable of it.”  Robert’s glare gave Shevata a chill. 

Zermon shook his head.  “King Robert, you are a fat fool idiot.  People love all the time and take chances.  But you don’t murder innocent women and children because you didn’t get the woman you wanted, and you don’t become King Pig and turn your realm into a vision of yourself!”  He turned to Shevata.  “I want him racked.”

Robert stood defiant. Shevata loaded a tiny crossbow with a black needle and fired.  Robert disappeared in a flash of light, his soul destroyed.

“You take away all the fun.”  Growled Zermon.