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Post by debinoxford on Feb 16, 2006 23:07:10 GMT -5
I agree. She turned to gather her small pack and followed Cyfnach back to the small encampment. What is your plan, Lord Cyfnach, if i may be so bold to ask.
Rhian was grateful for not being sent back to the village. She felt she could be of great assistance if a fight occured, but she also hoped it would not come to that. The fate of Kaie intrigued her. She wanted to know her better, but hadn't been able to meet her since the planting started because her father needed her assistance more than usual.
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Post by Dred on Feb 17, 2006 23:11:32 GMT -5
He was mildly shocked at her use of a formal title for him as he responded. There is no need to give me a title. I am Cyfnach and nothing more. He showed her the village spread out below them and where some of the points of interest could be found. We will wait and watch for the time being. I might find my way into the settlement at some point depending on what we see from here.
He eyed her critically before asking the question on his mind. Are you interested in learning more of the tactics we use and the hunter's art?
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Post by karenee on Feb 18, 2006 23:45:37 GMT -5
Kaie waited impatiently with the women, who were openly staring at her. None of them would say anything other than telling her that her father was away on business and should be back in a day or two. She gritted her teeth. All that anticipation must be deferred, and nobody seemed friendly! What could she do?
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Post by debinoxford on Feb 21, 2006 23:46:48 GMT -5
Her heart skipped a beat and her eyes lit up at his question. She wanted to learn everything about her world. Yes, i do. I still have much to learn from the healer, but i do wish to learn more of the hunter's art and tactics.
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Post by Dred on Feb 22, 2006 16:27:15 GMT -5
The smile he gave her was at once patient and understanding. He saw the desire to learn and the fire of life in her. I shall teach you what I know. If you know both the healer's art and that of the hunter, you shall be much more special than you are right now.
______________________________________________________________________________
**In the village**
Stepping from the main building, a man walks calmly and with the air of one born to rule. The striking appearance and noble bearing tell of one who has accomplished much. The battle scars across his arms speak of his prowess and skill at arms. Coming to a halt before his daughter, he eyes her up and down with the calm, cool air of one used to not showing his emotions in public. So, you have returned. We will speak alone.
Without another word, he turned and walked through the assembled people back to the main hall.
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Post by karenee on Feb 25, 2006 2:30:46 GMT -5
Kaie stared after him, carefully shutting her mouth, which had fallen open in an embarrassing manner. Did he disapprove of her? Did he think she wasn't his daughter after all?
She looked around, but noone would meet her eyes. Finally, an elderly woman gave her a gentle shove in the direction of the hall and she stumbled forward. Why, oh, why wasn't this going as she had dreamed? No hugs. No tears. No...anything!
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Post by Dred on Feb 26, 2006 22:40:56 GMT -5
Taking his seat at the accustomed head of the room, he waited until Kaie had entered. Gesturing for all others within the room to depart, he sat a few moments to be sure the others had left before beckoning Kaie closer.
Standing as she neared him, he took several quick steps forward and embraced her. Kaie. You have returned to me. Thank the One.
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Post by karenee on Feb 27, 2006 9:19:49 GMT -5
Startled, Kaie nearly pushed him away, but caught herself in time. Wasn't this what she had always wanted? Maybe he just wasn't used to showing his feelings in public.
Relaxing, she hugged him back, then looked up at him. "I'm so glad to have found you! I thought you died when I was a child."
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Post by Dred on Feb 27, 2006 10:26:09 GMT -5
My child. When you were taken from me I very nearly died. I have searched for you ever since hoping that one day I would find you. Please forgive a foolish old man for not showing you my feelings in front of the others but they rely on me to be strong and right now isn't the time for them to lose faith in me.
He stepped back and looked her up and down with a large smile spreading across his face. You have become a beautiful woman. I wish I had been with you to watch you grow.
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Post by karenee on Feb 27, 2006 10:44:49 GMT -5
Kaie felt her cheeks flush. "I know I'm a mess!"She tugged at her clothes, which had grown rather bedraggled during the trip. "Look, how do you know I'm your daughter? I...I mean. This is wonderful, but I...just want to know. And...your men were...so...well...I didn't expect this reception even though I hoped you would welcome me."
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Post by Dred on Feb 27, 2006 11:52:42 GMT -5
He regarded her carefully before replying. You have been watched for a long time. The tatoo on your back was the true indication of your being my daughter. I have the same one you see on my back. He turned and hefted the heavy shirt up onto his shoulders to reveal the spread wings of the eagle on his back.
Lowering the shirt, he turned once more as he looked his daughter fully in the face. I do not ask you to reveal the tatoo to me. I know it is there. If you still doubt, the birthmark on the inside of your left arm is the rose.
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Post by karenee on Feb 28, 2006 12:42:15 GMT -5
Kaie ducked her head and thought fast. Did she really want to know how someone had seen the tattoo? She sighed. Why they had spied on her could wait. She didn't want to ruin the joy of the moment with any more doubts. It seemed her father truly loved her and had missed her.
"How did I end up wandering in the woods beside a burnt out cottage?" She asked, finally. "The people who took me would never have done it if they were not convinced I was homeless and alone. There were even dead bodies nearby! They thought it was my parents, and that I had somehow survived an attack."
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Post by Dred on Feb 28, 2006 18:38:26 GMT -5
His face hardened at the mention of those times from the past. The anger in his eyes flared and he stalked across the chamber several moments before returning, his anger subsided. First off I must tell you some things that need to be told otherwise you may not trust me. My people have been hunting for you ever since you vanished. Someone fitting the likeness of your mother was found and I came myself at the news. I saw you swimming and knew immediately that I had found you.
I waited though to see how you had grown and changed. I wanted to know what kind of daughter I would find. That is why I did not come to you sooner.
The cottage belonged to my brother and his wife, your aunt and uncle. They had taken you with them for a trip to the woods to be with their children. There were three of you all about the same age and spirit. You had been gone for nearly a two weeks and I knew you would be gone for nearly that long so when I left to find you, we found the bodies.
We hunted down the people responsible and found out what had taken place before they were killed. Your aunt and uncle as well as your cousins were all butchered. You had managed to run off. That is what I was told. I've been searching for you ever since.
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Post by karenee on Mar 1, 2006 9:56:52 GMT -5
Kaie sat down on the floor and stared around the room. "My aunt and uncle!" She rubbed her eyes. Could all this be a dream? Looking down at her travel-worn clothes, she realised that the trip, at least, had been very real.
As her father reached toward her as if to raise her up, she looked up at him. "Father,..." What a wonderful sound that word made upon the tongue. "Father, I'm so glad to have found you, but this is overwhelming! I need to think and get cleaned up. I don't know why the villagers said you were on a journey, but it's such a relief to know you are here and that I don't have to wait any longer to meet you. I haven't even eaten much today and I know I'm not thinking clearly. Is there any way I could get washed up and spend a little time alone to get used to this?"
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Post by Dred on Mar 1, 2006 10:06:10 GMT -5
Coughing in embarassment at the way she had been treated he smiled. Of course. Forgive me. I should have let you rest and get cleaned up to begin with. You shall have your own room here and a hot bath will be set for you to clean up and relax. We can talk again when you are ready. I'm so happy to have you with me again child.
Walking to the door, he whipped it open and quickly began barking orders to those waiting outside. They rushed to obey him and take care of Kaie's needs.
Turning around, his face softened slightly before he drew his cloak more tightly about his shoulders and stepped out into the night, gesturing for two men to follow him.
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