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Post by Dred on Sept 15, 2006 16:45:55 GMT -5
Back and forth through the burning buildings he traveled. The broken and bloody bodies burned and left for the birds. Stopping near one of the more badly destroyed homes, he found what he hoped to never see. A woman cradling a young child were sprawled out on the ground. The arrows sticking in her back evidence that she had been shot from behind. He knelt and smoothed out her hair and only then noticed that she had been savagely beaten and...much worse. He choked on the anger that filled him and then glancing at the babe saw that it had its head partly crushed. Crying out in despair and grief he rose and began beating at the ruined structure. Hours went by before he came to himself and collecting himself picked up the broken and ruined bodies to bury them. He kissed the woman's forhead and that of the child before covering them with softly tilled earth.
Turning quickly dug other graves and buried everyone he found before sheding more tears at all that had been lost. He wandered then deep into the woods not knowing or caring where he went, tears streaming down his tortured face.
Rhakar sat bolt upright as the memories seared through his brain. Tears rolled down his face as he relived that horrible day of so many years ago. He looked around him and at first failed to recognize any of the people near him and quickly tried to back away before bracing himself against a downed limb.
Cyfnach backed away and brought his hands up in a gesture of peace. It's alright. We're friends here. You won't be harmed Rhakar. You were poisoned and it seems you'll live.
The words seemed strange and yet he recognized them for what they were and slowly settled himself again. Burying his head in his hands, he wept.
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Post by karenee on Sept 15, 2006 17:24:20 GMT -5
Cinnia approached her people, gazing into their faces as she looked for her sister and mother. A slow certainty grew in her heart as noone would meet her eyes, that the news was not good. A foreign woman approached her but did not stop, passing her to greet Joe. Her words were strange, matching the harsh tones of the language he often tried to speak to her. Even the stranger had more friends than she did. Suddenly unable to face anymore, she turned and ran into the woods, trying not to cry until she reached her favorite hiding place.
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Post by dafyd on Sept 16, 2006 6:24:09 GMT -5
Joe couldn't believe his ears. This woman was talking to him... in English! After several seconds he noticed that himseld staring at the woman. He tried to remember the words she said but he had been so happy to hear the own language that he didn't pay attention to the words.
Er, gday. My name is Joe. Could you have the guts to tell me where I am?? What happened here?? He asked the woman while his confusion grew. It was the first time since weeks that he thought about his life in the old he belonged to. In this moment he thought of his family and nearly began to cry too.
He was so confused of this that he didn't noticed Cinnia running off crying....
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Post by karenee on Sept 21, 2006 21:24:41 GMT -5
Shylah smiled down at him. Joe's modern clothes had easily alerted her to the fact that here was another like her, lost in a strange new world. They seemed rather tattered, so she assumed he had been traveling with the villagers for quite some time. "Come, I will explain as best I can." She led him off to the side, trying to think where they could come up with suitable clothes and a place for him to stay.
_____
Kaie knelt beside Rhakar trying to understand what had just happened. How could someone so strong just fall apart like that? She glanced over at Cyfnach. "Is it the poison? What is wrong?" Gently, she patted Rhakar's shoulder as Beagan turned slightly to the side, as if afraid to intrude. Men! They are too nervous around emotion. Frowning at Beagan even though he wasn't looking her way, she settled in to wait till Rhakar had collected himself.
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Post by Dred on Sept 22, 2006 12:37:16 GMT -5
Cyfnach shrugged his shoulders indicating he didn't know what had so bothered Rhakar. He stood back and to the side to provide the man some privacy but close enough to lend support should it be needed.
Rhakar lifted his head slightly and immediately wiped away the tears that streaked his face. Forgive me. We should be moving on. Gathering his strength he stood and quickly set about cleaning up the fire and scattering the ashes.
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Post by karenee on Sept 22, 2006 12:45:56 GMT -5
Kaie watched as Rhakar tottered over the fire attempting to deal with the ashes. His hands were shaking badly, and how he stayed upright was beyond her. She glared at Cyfnach and gestured toward Rhakar. "Are you going to stop him? Because if you don't I will!"
Behind her, Beagan chuckled and she whirled around to glare at him. "This isn't good for him, and you know it! He almost died today!"
Beagan frowned at her. "I'm just glad he's alive."
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Post by Dred on Sept 22, 2006 15:34:21 GMT -5
Cyfnach walked close to Kaie and spoke in hushed tones. If you want to stop him then by all means try. His mental state is obviously damaged right now and if we give him something else to occupy his mind, perhaps he will recover that much quicker.
Rhakar nearly fell over in the smoldering ashes but placed his good hand down to brace his fall. He tried to hide the fact that he felt little in his injured arm. There was a very slight tingling but little in the way of strong feeling. He was alive but he wondered how much good he would be to everyone if he only had one arm to wield a sword.
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Post by karenee on Sept 23, 2006 10:34:20 GMT -5
Kaie sighed and walked over to Rhakar. "Let's bind up your arm so you will let it rest, at least."
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Post by dafyd on Sept 24, 2006 9:01:06 GMT -5
Joe followed the woman. When she stopped he started saying: "Where are we??? What is this land?? Who are this people?? What happened here???
The words flew quickly out of his mouth while the woman looked at him.
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Post by Dred on Sept 25, 2006 8:33:26 GMT -5
His resolve was very low as he sat down and let Kaie bind his arm. He tried to smile at her but couldn't meet her gaze. Thank you Kaie.
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Post by karenee on Sept 25, 2006 11:32:47 GMT -5
Beagan watched as Kaie coaxed Rhakar to look at her. Eventually Rhakar put his free hand over hers where it lay gently on his shoulder and met her gaze. "Ah, Rhakar, I am glad you're alive," she said.
At that, Beagan suddenly felt himself compelled to join them. "Rhakar, you look fit to best me!" He tried not to glare at Kaie, then suddenly realised it was Rhakar he was glaring at and swiftly smoothed his expression. He noticed, though, that Kaie had seen his face. Her eyes narrowed as he reached Rhakar, still talking, though he couldn't remember what he'd been saying. It must have been funny, for Rhakar was laughing. With great effort Beagan turned his attention to Rhakar, and tried not to think about how to redeem himself in Kaie's opinion.
______
Shylah smiled at Joe. "I have only been here a short while myself. This village was attacked by an enemy just a couple weeks ago, and many of their members were taken captive. My friends have gone to try to rescue them." She hesitated for a moment. "Everyone thinks they are now dead, but I still hope for their return.
"And, well, this place is basically another world. Kaie never did manage to explain it to me, and we were rather busy when she was here so we didn't talk about it much. I'll have to get you some clothes and find you a place to stay. Another world it may be, but it's disconcertingly real."
She glanced back at the dispersing villagers.
"Where did you find the group you were with? I know everyone has been concerned about those who fled. Now that some have returned, we might expect more soon. Were any of them wounded? I might be able to help."
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Post by Dred on Sept 25, 2006 15:46:07 GMT -5
He laughed lightly at seeing the uncomfortable stance Beagan had taken. You would challenge me now? Funny but I think you're looking to pay me back for all the lessons and lumps I gave you when you were younger.
Turning his head back to Kaie, he forced himself to meet her eyes. Thank you Kaie. I mean it. His heart was slowly healing again and he wondered if this would finally be the last time he relived those painful memories.
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Post by karenee on Sept 26, 2006 10:40:54 GMT -5
Kaie smiled at Rhakar, glad that he sounded encouraged. What was going on with Beagan? She retreated as the two of them continued to reminisce about the days when Rhakar had trained Beagan. His expression as he had approached Rhakar had been strange. Could it be he intended to betray them somehow? She watched their faces for a moment as they spoke. Sighing, she turned away. How could she know? They seemed to really like each other. Now why did she suddenly feel left out?
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Post by dafyd on Sept 26, 2006 13:00:14 GMT -5
New clothes and a place to rest would be wonderful. He nodded. I met them in hollow a few days away. One man has been wounded. Do you speak their language? he answered the woman.Besides, my name is Joe. What's your name??
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Post by karenee on Sept 26, 2006 14:18:55 GMT -5
"I'm Shylah." She hesitated for a moment longer, then turned to lead the way. "A few of the young boys without families have set up a camp nearby. They seem kind, and I think it best for you to spend time with them. Try to learn the language and help them as much as possible. I know where there are some clothes." She turned to face him. "I'll ask them to feed you and teach you; and I'll return later with the clothes. Will you be alright?"
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