Sherwydd

[Dred]

Cyfnach stood to the side and watched the exchange between Rhakar and Beagan while working to finish packing up what little they had to work with for the journey away from this place. Something was bothering him but he couldn't quite place what it was. He decided to continue what he was doing but to keep a close eye on everything around them in case he could pick up on just what it was that was triggering his defensive nature.

Rhakar and Beagan spoke easily but Rhakar felt the need to be off and get away from this place. He stood and tried stretching his aching muscles before gesturing towards the woods. We should get going. We've been here long enough as it is.

[karenee]

Kaie gathered her scant belongings and looked around the clearing. Had she forgotten anything?

Beside her, Beagan swung his packs over his shoulder and turned to grin at her. "Ready?"

She turned and stared at him, amazed at the smile. "Why are you so happy?" Realising her bitter tone, she shrugged and turned away without apology. What did she care what he thought of her? Yet her response continued to irk her. Grimacing, she pushed the thought aside and hurried over to where Rhakar and Cyfnach sat in conference. "Where are we going?"

[Dred]

They turned at her approach and gestured up the hill. Rhakar stood and started speaking as Cyfnach checked to be sure that nothing would be left behind to indicate they had been here. I think it best to travel back to the village and then from there we'll decide where to go. There many be others who wish to travel with us in relative safety.

[dafyd]

Joe smiled. Yeah. THank you very much, Shylah. Could you please lead me to the camp? I'm very tired.

[karenee]

The trek back to the village was almost too easy. Kaie kept looking back, though she tried not to consider whether she felt someone must be following them or that she regretted losing her father. She spoke to Rita often, trying to help her learn some of the language, and managed to avoid Beagan for the most part.

___________

Shylah ducked into the boys' camp. "Joe! I've got good news, one of our watchers just ran in with the news that my friends are returning. You will soon have others to speak with who know more about this world than I do. Come! We'll go meet them!"

[dafyd]

Great! Are these the ones who has been captured? he shouted while walking after Shylah.

[Dred]

Rhakar's strength had returned a great deal as they travelled. Cyfnach had been very valuable to ensure that their tracks were removed any other evidence of their passage had been wiped clean. Rhakar felt himself growing more whole physically but there were moments when the dreams would revisit him even while waking. As they neared their destination, he hardened himself for the days ahead when he would need to be strong once more and provide what he could for the people.

Cyfnach had watched Beagan and the others while keeping a close eye on their surroundings. He knew when they had been watched but also knew the eyes to have been friendly and curious. He longed to sit and relax if only for a few days once they arrived back at the village but could only wonder just how much of the village was left.

[karenee]

Cyfnach nudged Kaie and pointed. Looking up, she laughed. Shylah was running toward them with a young boy in pursuit.

"Shylah!" Kaie grinned and hugged her. "It's so good to see you. How have you been?"

[Dred]

He could still smell the ruin of the village as the first sights hit him again. The bile rose in his mouth and he tasted the acidic remnants of the last meal as he turned his head away in disgust. Very little remained of their once beautiful village.

As he turned back he smiled at the sight of Shylah running towards Kaie and embracing her. In some small way, it made up for much of the pain and suffering that was taking place. The healing process would continue for them all but it would take time.

He wondered deep down how much time they would have before Kaie's father would once again come here to finish what he had started.

[karenee]

Kaie looked around her circle of friends and smiled. It was good to relax. The villagers were rejoicing over the release of the captives and had scraped together the semblance of a feast to celebrate the occasion.

Beagan sat in the shadows nearby, watching everyone talking. He had been ostracized from the start, though she thought noone knew where he was from. Was it his inscrutable expression and remote manner? Gritting her teeth, she turned away. Perhaps he was a spy after all. Why wasn't he more relieved to escape? Why wasn't he trying to become a part of his new life? Rhakar was occupied describing their adventures to an awed crowd. She decided to ask him about Beagan later.

Suddenly feeling tired, she left the firelight and wandered into the forest.

[kg00ds]

Thump, thump, thump

"Hey, sis can you bring me that bucket full of water?"

Thump, thump, thump

"Sis? - Sis!"

"Oh, What? - sorry. what did you need again?"

"The bucket," replied Bors.

He had been painting their cabin on Loch Lomond and now it was time to clean up. While, he waited on Carri to fill the bucket he remembered. He remembered Duff and how he had taught him the art of herbalism. Once again his skill had come in handy and he was glad the old blind fool had found them we he had.

"Here you go," Carri said with a smile.

"Thanks," replied Bors.

"Sorry I didn't hear you the first time."

"Hmmp, figures. What was all that racket anyway?"

"Oh, I was playing with my ball. You know the one I made last night."

"Ahh, so while me and Bran are doing all the work you get to fool around?" Bors said with a smile.

He loved his sister even if he did give her a hard time and he knew when things had to be done she was the first one ready to get to work. God bless her soul, the swift sure hand had been good to her.

As he began to clean his herbal mix from the makeshift brush he returned to his remininces of Duff and Tir Aflan and all that they had been through.

Having grown up in Tir Aflan, he had seen a place like heaven fall into such desalation that everything since had seemed like aa dream to him, especially since their parents had met such a brutal end. Being the middle child he remembered all to vividly the horrific event when before his very eyes his parents were raped and killed. He had hidden in the cupboard with lil Carri, barely 6 months old and he a mere 11 was scared out of his mind- worried they would be found too, but the murderers left almost as quickly as they came. So he calmed himself and waited for Bran to return. Bran the oldest of the three children had been out in the fields and seeing the dark cloud of Destruction on the horizon he had hidden. Spared, by what could only be called luck or a miracle he returned to the farm house as soon as he was sure, sure as any 15 year old could be, it was safe. Crushed by the blunt reality that his parents were dead he found comfort in the cries of his siblings in the cupboard. many days later the wandering children stumbled upon an old blind bard who wandered the land named Duff. Upon hearing the children Duff had made it a point to introduce himself, and insist that they travel along together from that time on til he deemed oherwise. Having no where else to go Bran agreed and the rest was history. After wandering the desolated wilderness which had once been the glorious land of Tir Aflan for 7 and a half years Duff led them to the sea shore having decided there was no future left in that land - due to the vision he had seen of the greater evil which awaited tir Aflan.

Thus, he and Bran under Duff's instructions built the raft by which they had travelled to Albion. Arriving in Albion with their freind and adopted grandfather, Duff, they continued to grow in the knowledge and understanding which Duff had shared with them. And they grew strong in the arts of: hunting, tracking, herbalism, fighting, and blacksmithing, as now there was more than death and darkness to look forward to. He remembered that during these last two years he (Bran) had discovered he had the knack to be a bard under the tutelage of Duff, and Bors had discoverd he had the knack to be an inventor. He laughed as he thought about it and his mind ran through the ledgends and lore Duff had shared through the years that they each had come to love so much. Yet what he remembered most was that Carri although too young to learn much but Duff kept had always kept her by his side while he had sent him and his brother out to accomplish his many tasks. Wow, how fast had these last couple of years flown by in this wonderful new home. It wasn't Tir Aflan, but it was something special, the atmosphere, the people, the animals- the very land put his soul at ease.

"H-a-l-ooo! Whose ready to eat?"

Bran's, cry brought him back to the present and he turned to see his brother returning from the woods.

"Had a good day brother?" he replied. "Get many kills?"

"Yes, a very good day we will be able to eat for two weeks off this bunch! My aim was dead on and the swift sure hand was generous," he said as he strode up beaming with delight.

"Ok, I'll wash up, while you and Carri begin to prepare the meat."

"Ok sounds good," said Bran "Carri come on."

"Coming."


(Ok guys heres my introduction to the gang. If there are any rules Ive broken or what not just let me know ) -- PS I don't intend for many of my post to be even a third this long

[kg00ds]

(After dinner was done)

Hmmm, that was good! Carri said with a smile

Yes, it was. the brothers echoed in agreement as they began to clear the table.

"Tomorrow I think I'll start off to town. You wanna come with me sis?" said Bran. "I think I could get some good prices for these pelts and I know we could use some supplies."

"Yes, I'd love to," replied Carri with a smile.

"Is that ok with you, Bors?"

"Yeah, sure. We will hold the fort down." he replied, chuckiling heartily and petting their pet wolf, Duff.

[karenee]

Beagan crept away from the fire, avoiding the gaze of anyone who might notice his retreat by staring at the ground. It was no different now than it had been growing up. The enforced closeness of his group as they struggled together to reach Sherwydd had evaporated as if it had never existed. Actually, the rest still seemed to like each other. It was just him. "I suppose I'm just a loner," he muttered once he was sure noone could hear him. Lifting his head, he sneered into the darkness. He didn't need them anyway--did he? Shrugging, he strode toward the sleeping quarters he'd been allotted. At least here he was truly useful. These people needed help, or they wouldn't survive the winter. He would do what he could.

[Dred]

The physical wounds had slowly mended but the emotional scars lingered still. He felt like an empty vessel floating amongst these people. The cautious glances his direction kept him on edge and it was with great fear he wondered if they would ever accept him again.

Cyfnach approached him with an unreadable emotion on his face. He leaned against the tree next to Rhakar and stared at him long and hard before he finally spoke. You are not alone in the pain of the past Rhakar. I for one am learning to forgive you for what has happened but don't expect anyone to ever truly forget.

I ask you to stay with us and help us rebuild. Kaie's father believes you are dead and perhaps he will stay away from us but perhaps not. If he does return, I believe it would be for the benefit of all if you were here. The choice is yours.

Turning slowly, Cyfnach walked away to leave Rhakar to think on what he had said.

[karenee]

Kaie studied the split handle of her shovel and sighed. "This is the third one I've broken!"

After knocking out the remaining fragments she took the the metal head and stomped into the woods. "Maybe I should just find someone who knows how to make handles that won't break." But everyone was so busy rebuilding already. Shaking her head, she looked for a likely length of dried wood. "I'm not much help right now anyway. Might as well figure out how to do this right."