Plot

Plot. What is plot?

You plot a course, right? Right. The characters are going to go through something, do something, go somewhere. And then we have plot twists. Often against the designs of the protagonist, the plot is changed; a new direction is forced or the reality of the course is made evident, where the protagonist was fooled or unaware.

For my story, the brothers have a plot. They are going to live their life, but the story begins with a twist warned to happen. Before that can even occur, a stranger shows up who takes away any chance to prevent the plot twist. This forces a change of direction. Now the boys are on their own and they have to save their father. They confront the stranger and banish him with newly discovered powers.

This is great for the characters. Things are becoming exciting and easier. That's no good for us, though. We don't want exciting and easier, we want exciting and dramatic! How to fix this? Balance the playing field. The younger brother has a magic power. We just need to make more people with powers who are in opposition to his goals. Let's allow him to assume he is still unique, however. The reveal will be made more dramatic.

The boys got up the next morning and ate a simple breakfast: oatmeal. Without milk or brown sugar or butter. After cleaning up the dishes, they said their farewells to the clock that was their father and headed for town.

"Do you think anyone will really know how to change him back?" Makos asked while flicking a stick around like a whip.

Danos kept his eyes on the dusty road, watching the sunlit patches as they approached them. When they passed into one, warm tingling on his skin pushed away the damp chilly air of the morning. He sighed, and said. "I don't really know, but what else can we do?"

Makos' swings with the stick calmed down to more thoughtful circles aimed at the road.

Danos eyed his brother, then added. "If you think about it, though, chances are someone saw him come into town and talked with him. You know how Baker Jim is. He'd want to welcome a new face in to sample some of his banana nut berry bread. Everyone always buys a loaf once they taste it."

Makos lifted his head and straightened his shoulders. "That's true." He said in an upbeat voice. He ran out in front of Danos and held up open palms, somehow holding the end of the stick with just his thumb. "Wait! You know what? I heard father say the governor arrived yesterday."

Danos smiled broadly. "You're right! That means he was inspected with everyone else. Makos, you're a genius."

Makos put his hands to his hips and showed off all of his teeth with a grin. "That'll teach you to not listen to me more often. What if I hadn't said anything?"

Danos rolled his eyes. "Come on. You have to admit, most of your ideas are kind of..."

"Awesome?" Makos suggested.

"Childish." Danos shrugged.

"Childish?" Makos demanded. "You just don't have any imagination."

Danos raised an eyebrow. "What does imagination have to do with starting a fire so you don't have to do your chores?"

"It was only a little fire!" Makos replied, scowling. "I wasn't anywhere near the stables anyway. You were the one who kicked the embers close enough for the hay to burn up."

"I was too worried trying to make sure you didn't burn yourself to notice how many 'little fires' you had made." Danos said, returning the scowl. "Do you realize how much trouble your fires caused for father? He lost a full day of wages because you couldn't keep out of trouble."

Makos crossed his arms and turned around, walking down the road faster than Danos, only slowing down once he had gotten a few yards.

"Always pouts like a child. Never learns." Danos mumbled to himself.

After an hour of silent walking, the scene of the town seemed to have a magical affect on their moods. It was only every other week their father took them into town. It was already six weeks into August and they hadn't made a trip yet that month, so it felt like a dream.

"I can see banners!" Makos cheered. "They're red and green!"

"Is it already Rune Day?" Danos wondered aloud.

"I can see the shield shop!" Makos said. "It must be!"

"Now that I recall, it did come late March last year, so yeah. It must already be Rune Day, then." Danos had to catch the hem of his brother's coat before Makos went dashing off to the storefronts.

"Remember," He said. "We don't have any money, and we are here to find help for father."

"I know." Makos said, his shoulders slumped a little and his voice lost a little emphasis. "But Maro always has free shields for kids!" He added, grin returning. "Besides, I can ask Maro if he's seen the governor yet today."

"Okay." Danos relented. "Just don't try begging for an extra shield this time. It's not fair to the others."

"I won't." Makos hurried on ahead, leaving Danos shaking his head in disbelief. Had he been as excited as that two years ago? He didn't see what the big deal was now. The shields were only cut-out pieces of scrap wood painted with fake runes.

Check back tomorrow for more!