|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 11, 2006 12:17:39 GMT -5
Cyfnach turned his head to look over his shoulder at the village. He saw the light of the firest from inside and could almost make out the cheers coming from inside. He has done this to himself. His heart hardened that much more as he realized that he was wrong about Rhakar but didn't want to admit it to anyone.
***Inside the compound***
Rhakar leaned heavily against a wagon as the blood flowed from the many cuts and wounds he had taken. His mind was clouded as he saw the king's champion reaching for a lance. Pushing himself away from the wagon, he smiled and spoke loudly to those assembled. Getting desperate? It seems you're afraid to fight me hand to hand.
The anger boiled up inside the champion as he threw the lance with the accuracy and strength that would drive right through a man in armor much less one who was bare chested.
Dropping to the ground as he saw the champion begin his throw, he pushed himself back to his feet and winced as he noticed the head of the shaft had punched through his shoulder and now held him firmly against the wagon bed.
Cheering all the louder, the crowd urged the champion to finish the contest and prove himself.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 12, 2006 8:24:15 GMT -5
Kaie dropped to the ground and sighed. "I hope he's ok."
Beside her, the girl looked blank, and Kaie whispered a translation, glancing over at Cyfnach as she did so. His face was strained, but whether from the effort of climbing despite his wounds or because he was sorry to leave Rhakar in danger she couldn't tell.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 14, 2006 7:29:32 GMT -5
The champion smiled through bloodied teeth as he walked the distance separating him from Rhakar. The king stood to the side and grinned evily as he looked Rhakar in the eye.
The pain was intense and the blood loss was taking its toll on him. As the spots began to dance before his eyes, Rhakar used the last of his strength to wrench the spear free of the wagon. The champion was nearly on top of him as he broke the haft off and jammed it suddenly upwards through the throat of the champion who could only stare in wide-eyed disbelief. The unintelligable words escaping the champions mouth would never be known yet as he fell, all eyes watched as both the champion and Rhakar fell to the ground unmoving. The people cried out in horror at what they were seeing but the king raised his hand for silence as he began walking towards the bodies.
Seeing that his champion was dead, the king ordered the body removed he looked at the other body and sighed deeply as if long held pain and anger were slowly escaping. Remove that body from my presence. Have it thrown into the river and let it be taken from there to the sea.
Watching as his warriors hastened to obey, the king stood silent before noticing his people milling about in uncertainty. Return to your homes. He is dead and there is nothing he can do now to harm us. The people accepted the words from their king and quietly moved off. The few words spoken were in disbelief that they had lost their champion and the one who would have been their king..
****The hills****
Cyfnach turned again as the feint cries came to them from the valley below. He watched as warriors began leaving the village. Some of the people he saw carried a body towards the neatly arranged rows for the dead warriors. Another group, smaller than the rest, carried a body towards the river before laying it down in the swiftly moving current.
Noooooooo. The words escaped his lips before he could contain himself. The feeling of death was settling on the hills and he knew now what must be taking place. It cannot be. Sinking to his knees, he could only stare as the body of one he had known for many years was swept along the channel towards the small rapids several miles away.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 14, 2006 11:00:02 GMT -5
Kaie looked and gasped. "Stay here!" Dodging from tree to tree, she ran to the nearest point on the river, pulled a mass of dried twigs brush from the hillside and jumped in, pulling the brush over her head to hide herself. It had to work! Cautiously, she swam forward, knowing she would have to allow the current to carry her past the village. How could her father so distainfully dispose of his son!
Once past the village and around a curve, she released the brush and swam forward, keeping her head up as she watched for Rhakar's body. His tunic had snagged on the root of a toppled tree, jutting from the riverbed. It was the work of a moment to release him and tug his body to the low bank. There, safe from the current, she knelt over him and wept.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 14, 2006 11:22:41 GMT -5
A shudder swept through his body as he struggled for air. In his mind he was drowning and struggling to the surface but try as he might, he couldn't reach the point of release. His lungs burned and ached with the strain of trying to hold his breath and he knew it wouldn't be long before he would be forced to inhale, taking in water.
***In the hills***
Cyfnach sat and watched as Kaie and the young woman disappeared. He scanned the river for any signs but the night was darkening quickly and the mist was beginning to set in even as he thought he saw movement. Sitting back to wait, he tried to ease the aching in his body.
|
|
|
|
Post by Child of Immanuel on Aug 14, 2006 12:54:45 GMT -5
Rita had followed the kind woman. Seeing what had happened, she pushed her aside and began doing CPR. She just hoped he'd start to breathe before her pushing injured his ribs, which felt unpleasantly loose under her hands.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 14, 2006 13:11:16 GMT -5
The weight on his body lessened even though pain still lingered as he felt himself being pushed upwards towards the surface. Quickly now he rose before breaking through and coughing, spitting water from his mouth and trying to breathe in deeply.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 14, 2006 14:02:21 GMT -5
Shivering with relief, Kaie watched Rhakar breathe for a moment before the implications caught up with her. "He...he threw him in the water alive? Alive!... I think it's time my father and I had a good long talk!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 14, 2006 15:18:31 GMT -5
The words slowing sunk into his brain and he realized he was alive. His eyes opened very slowly as he tried to take in his surroundings. Stay...help...me. The words came out in a weak gasp as he struggled to control the shivering of his body. The water had been very chilling but something else seemed to be eating him up from the inside.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 15, 2006 7:46:57 GMT -5
Glaring toward the village, Kaie bit her lip then settled back beside Rhakar. "We've got Cyfnach up in the hills, and you down here. Somehow, we've got to get both of you to safety."
Resting a hand against his clammy forehead, she looked over at the girl. "Thank you...I don't know your name?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 15, 2006 7:52:22 GMT -5
He smiled weakly as he searched their faces before continuing. Help me...and I can make it to the hills. He struggled to regain his strength and fight whatever was tormenting his insides.
|
|
|
|
Post by Child of Immanuel on Aug 15, 2006 9:41:28 GMT -5
"Rita," she muttered. "What about you? Where did you learn English? What is this place?"
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 15, 2006 14:32:45 GMT -5
Kaie buried her face in her hands for a moment and sighed. "Oh, no. I'm so tired I can scarcely think." Looking from Rhakar to the girl, she thought for a moment. "Uh...do you remember where we left Cyfnach?... No...that won't work. You can't explain to him. I have to go...but I can't leave you here. It's too close."
She looked around, eyes half closed. "Rita?" Shaking her head she opened her eyes wide, then yawned. "I'm sure it was Rita. I'll explain where we are later, ok? Let's gather some logs. You and Rhakar will have to float downstream a little further, then get away from the bank. I must go help Cyfnach...but I think we can float downstream also and catch up after dark."
She looked down at Rhakar. "Did you hear me? Can you guide her? I need to know where I'll find you. You have to help me here!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Dred on Aug 16, 2006 7:26:59 GMT -5
He looked at the girl and smiled weakly at her. He responded in English so she would understand. My name is Rhakar.
Looking around and judging the power of the stream, he nodded his head at Kaie. Don't worry. There is a bend in the stream about a quarter mile away. We'll wait for you there. Stay on the far bank though. There are some problems on this near bank before you get there.
Pushing himself upright, he winced as his head started to throb and the wounds to begin bleeding again. Let's find a couple of logs Rita. We can float down together. Kaie, go quietly and stay safe.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenee on Aug 16, 2006 8:09:26 GMT -5
Kaie tensed as something rustled in a bush nearby. What had made that sound? Could that really be a man's shadow? Silently, she pulled the knife from her belt and jumped over Rhakar. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
The warrior, a young man, raised his hands and allowed her to take his sword without protest. "I...Rhakar, you know me. I just wanted to give you proper burial. You were always kind to me as a boy...and I thought...well, all of what happened in the village...it's just wrong!"
|
|
