|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 2, 2006 22:04:48 GMT -5
Stirring slightly, Rhakar glanced around while laying still. He vaguely recognized one of the women before him but he couldn't believe his good fortune. Kaie? He whispered her name in case there were others nearby who might hear him.
Hearing a soft groan, Rhakar looked at Cyfnach and gently reached out to touch his shoulder. The dull flinch indicated the man was still in a great deal of pain but might be waking.
Turning back he tried to prop himself up on his elbows and while doing so, sent tendrils of pain coursing through his entire body. He saw that it was Kaie before him and another woman he didn't recognize. We must get out of here. Help me up to my feet and I'll see if I can help you with Cyfnach. His breathing was ragged as his wounds continued to cause him intense pain but he knew that putting aside the thoughts and feelings of his body would be necessary if he was to help them at all.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 3, 2006 11:36:15 GMT -5
Kaie went weak with relief at the sound of Rhakar's voice. Reaching for his arm, she tried to keep back the tears. Leaning close by his ear, she whispered as softly as she could. "There are guards now. I don't know how I can get you out. Cyfnach looked nearly dead, and you...you...they beat you so!" She gritted her teeth. "For this, my father WILL pay. My doubts have been removed. How could he treat you, his chosen son, in this manner?"
She felt a light touch on her shoulder. "Oh, and there's a girl who dropped into all this somehow. She will help, but she's very young and not a native. Is anything broken?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 7, 2006 12:10:14 GMT -5
He put his full weight onto his legs and managed to stand if not steadily. He glanced at the door and then back at Cyfnach, judging how best to get them out. I'm sure we can get out.
The tone of her voice had changed considerably and the fire inside her seemed to be coming forth. It was with a slightly shaking hand that he touched her arm. He has done nearly what he said he would do to me. That I'm still alive leaves only a little left to accomplish. I believe he fears what I know and can teach to others.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts as he looked at the girl standing a short distance from him. Continuing to speak to Kaie, he regarded the woman thoughtfully. I don't believe anything is permanently beyond repair but the pain is still in me.
He cleared his throat slightly and spoke in English to the girl. My name is Rhakar. We'll get you out.
Resting a hand against a nearby pillar, he breathed deeply and searched the shadows for a weapon.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 7, 2006 12:20:25 GMT -5
Kaie knelt beside Cyfnach and gently tugged at his arm, pulling him into a more comfortable position. Pulling Rhakar down beside her, she guided his hand to Cyfnach's arm. "I think it's broken."
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 7, 2006 12:34:51 GMT -5
He felt the arm and noticed the bone sticking at an unnatural angle. Fortunately it hadn't broken the skin but the area was swollen. You're right. We can try to brace it here with some cloth and whatever bits of wood we can find but that will have to do until we can get him away from here.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 7, 2006 23:16:20 GMT -5
Together, they worked over the arm. When Rhakar tugged it straight, Cyfnach cried out. Kaie winced, but Rhakar murmered, "They'll expect that sort of noise tonight. Don't worry."
|
|
|
|
Post by Child of Immanuel on Aug 8, 2006 7:10:59 GMT -5
Well, maybe it would be fairly easy to get home after all. Surprisingly, two of them spoke English; there must be a real town nearby or a way to cross some portal. Rita rejoiced, then settled in to enjoy the atmosphere. What was this place anyway?
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 8, 2006 7:44:12 GMT -5
He stood and made his way as quietly as possible towards the door. He leaned close and heard the soft laughter of the guards as they relived what they had seen earlier that evening. The beatings had given them many laughs and they were guessing what would happen the next day when their lord decided to continue the punishment.
The topic changed suddenly to one of deciding who would be given their lord's daughter. The language was vulgar and made the blood boil in Rhakar's body. It was with great restraint that the kept from leaping from the room and attacking the two men.
Turning around, he walked with measured steps back to the small group and spoke in hushed tones. Here is my plan. I'm going to push through the door and take the guards by surprise. As I do so, I would like you both to help Cyfnach towards the grate. I won't be far behind you and as soon as we're out, we can make our way from there into the hills. Are there any questions?
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 8, 2006 9:17:03 GMT -5
Kaie nodded silently and knelt to support Cyfnach as he struggled to rise. The girl came alongside willingly, propping him as best she could. Kaie urged Cyfnach forward. Maybe they would escape after all.
"Rhakar, don't do anything foolish. We need to escape, not claim revenge. I hope the whole village doesn't rise up against us," she murmered.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 8, 2006 9:24:40 GMT -5
He nodded his head as he picked up a hefty log for the fire and walked forward leading them to the door. All set? Remember, make your way as fast as you can to safety. I'll be right behind you.
Cyfnach looked as though he would speak but the words failed to escape his lips as his eyes found Rhakars, the message clear.
Pushing open the door, Rhakar jumped out and swung the short piece of wood at the nearest guard, catching him along the side of the head and sending him crashing into the yard to lay in an unmoving heap. The second guard had just enough time to turn and lunge at Rhakar before the wood came smashing down on his back, driving the air from his lungs.
The guard's momentum carried him into Rhakar and it was all he could do to keep from crying out in pain as he landed and tried to roll out from under the heavy man above him. The brief space of time he had while the other man caught his breath was enough to allow Rhakar to crawl to his knees and swinging with all his might, punch the guard in the face to spin and land a short distance away, blood streaming from his nose.
Staggering slightly as he climbed to his feet, Rhakar gestured for the others to get moving as he drew forth a sword one of the guards wore.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 10, 2006 21:24:55 GMT -5
Supporting a stumbling man, Kaie was unable to pay attention to the fight going on behind her. Softly, she murmered to Cyfnach to hurry. On the other side of him, the girl began to gasp for breath. How far had they gone? How much further must they go? Could they escape?
Behind them someone shouted, and Kaie pressed forward. There, the stream! Could they escape? The guard seemed to be looking toward Rhakar's diversion. Rhakar! He had sacrificed himself for them again. Cyfnach, too, seemed aware of the fact. His body tensed and he pulled back.
"No!" Kaie murmered in his ear. "He may yet escape. If we go back it will all have been for nothing."
It seemed hours later that they dropped into a gully, waiting for any sign of Rhakar. Above, the sky lightened. Tense and alert, Kaie took long, deep breaths and looked toward the village, trying to fight back the growing knot in her stomach.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 10, 2006 22:05:31 GMT -5
The shout rang out above all the commotion of fighting as the king's voice silenced all else. I will have his head.
Rhakar stood near the grate but the guards both before him and on the other side of the wall prevented his escape. He prayed that Kaie and the others had escaped but couldn't spare any extra energy worrying about them now as he slashed and threw his weight into the nearest attacker.
The king's shout brought the attack to a halt but even as the man he had once known and respected, even loved as a second father stepped forward, he knew that for him there would be no escape this night. Gasping for breath, he stood tall and raised his sword to point at the king. I challenge you for rulership. I have the right and do so invoke it by the mingled blood we shared that night near the lake.
The king considered the words before replying as the devilish grin appeared on his face. You shall have your fight but as I rule, I shall pick those who will represent me in this matter. My champion shall be first. I believe you know him.
Even as the king's champion stepped out from behind the wagons, Rhakar's knees grew weak. Here was the one man he feared. The butcher who had murdered so many and made outcast only to now stand before him brandishing the bloodied sword used to kill many he had held dear to him.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 10, 2006 23:25:27 GMT -5
As the sun rose, Kaie realized that Rhakar wouldn't come. Still, there were no guards sweeping the hills. With Cyfnach and the young girl to take care of, she had to follow the rest of the group into the hills and leave Rhakar behind. Gently, she roused the girl and, together, they led Cyfnach up the steep incline.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 11, 2006 7:44:45 GMT -5
The king gestured and a clear path was made for the champion and Rhakar to move to the center of the village.
He had hardly entered the clear space when the giant of a man yelled his battle cry and rushed at Rhakar with his sword raised. Turning and stepping aside, he narrowly avoided having his body cleaved in two as a meaty fist came up in a flash and slammed into his head, sending him sprawling.
Climbing unsteadily to his feet, he brought his sword up and stepped forward to move inside the other's reach and actually managed to score a slash across the champion's chest before once again being hit with the closed hand of his opponent.
He used the momentum to carry him outside sword range for a moment as he cleared his head of the pounding now eating him up inside.
Grabbing a stone, he threw it hard at the champion and hit him in the arm, breaking bone and bringing a cry of disbelief and pain from the other's throat.
The champion ran forward and quickly closed the gap separating him from Rhakar as his opponent dove head first into the champion's gut, knocking the air from his lungs. Rhakar kissed the dirt as he gasped for breath and tried to rise to his knees as he glanced at the champion who was still trying to breathe and finding it difficult to look at his opponent.
The shouts from the warriors and villagers mingle as they reach out to the champion as the king stands to the side, fingering a blade and watching with growing concern.
***The incline***
Cyfnach mumbled under this breath as he tried to halt his movement. Where are we?
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 11, 2006 11:09:21 GMT -5
Kaie brushed her arm over her eyes. "We're escaping. I think they caught Rhakar."
|
|
