Abby - 2001-01-29
"eleos, I am Engra Delarnis, brother of Sevarius. As part of a blood oath sworn when we were young, I must challenge you to a duel to the death."
(Oh,) said the quiet, wry voice in the back of Keleos's mind, and then: (Well fuck.)
That was, for a moment, the only thought she could muster. But not for long. One didn't get to be a fully-trained blade-dancer by being easily staggered.
So when she spoke next, it was in a calm and quiet voice. "You would have done better, sorceror, to have kept closer check on your brother. I regret the necessity of his death, but I will not die because of it, nor will I take another life. Your challenge is not accepted."
Amber - 2001-01-29
he watches him with slightly wide eyes, falling silent, listening to what he had to say.. Once again she found herself amazed by him, surprised by his actions. Would she ever learn to read him like she'd learned how to read the couriers and the maids at her court? No, she decided, she didn't think she wanted to. She loved it when he surprised her; the feeling was so new, so unusual. "I must confess Trevor.. I.. I didn't expect you to help me if I had told you my story earlier. Most do not think it wise to cross my father.." She smiled softly, blushing a bit at his praise. It almost made the last day and half worthwhile, just to hear that she'd at least earned a bit of his respect..
And when he knelt before her, she couldn't help but be startled, especially when she heard his pledge. She fell silent for a moment, her gaze on him, teal eyes whirling with clashing colors as emotions flooded through her, as violent and quick as the lightening that had cause this whole mess in the first place. He was offering his service to her? This was an honor far, far above her, more than she had ever deserved. "You've saved my life three times." She said softly, almost to herself. "And I can't help but wonder why you would swear your allegiance to one such as me, who is so obviously simply a pain in your side. But.. I think I do understand, and I thank you Trevor Ainsley." She spoke softly, slowly, trying to chose her words as carefully as possible to tell him just how much this meant to her.
She knelt before him, down on his level, smiling as her eyes sought out his. "I would be honored to have someone like you simply as a companion. As my Champion? There aren't words I can use to express just how honored I am. Thank you Trevor. Thank you for believing in me and seeing what I see. And thank you for sticking up for me.. Not too many people have ever done that for me." She smiled again, and then, quickly, reached out and hugged him, just a quick embrace, but nevertheless a hug.
Gavin - 2001-01-29
ngra spun round.
"You don't understand!" He shouted. "I hated my brother. I hate what he did and I hate what I must do."
Engra's control had gone. As he waved his fists loose objects in the room went flying to the floor. A mirror fell and shattered.
"I offered you a duel so you could have a fair chance. So I would not have to use this..."
With that he pulled something out of his pocket...
Laura - 2001-01-30
zari returned the smile. "I agree, strength in numbers." While Tiel watched, she secured her possessions and mounted Jetta. Azari met Tiel eye to eye with a nod, and they began heading east to find Sir Trevor and Lady Selene. They rode in silence throughout most of the mid day with Tiel leading the way, Azari drawn into uneasy quiet by the pain in her calf.
The sun, still high enough at that the time of day to warm the air, and the lack of wind made the ride one that might had been pleasant under other circumstances. Even the hills and flooded creeks around them seemed unusually quiet, as though the forest around them had taken on their mood. The soft echo of trickling water from all sides carried to their ears, muffling the noise of any wild creature lurking nearby. In some places, the puddles on the road were rough-edged and rutted.
At the nearing of dusk, they decided to set camp, both wondering if they were drawing closer to where Sir Trevor and Lady Selene had traveled. Azari, in concern for Jetta, decided to venture to a nearby clearing to allow the horse a drink and a short graze. She made her way slowly to the creek in the last remaining time before sun down.
Azari took the bit from Jetta's mouth so that the horse could have rest and food, while she took her boots off to step into the calm and peaceful water. Looking down, she regarded her reflection as it moved in the shallow current...
(How will I be accepted as a Knight if all anyone sees is a girl?) She drew her sword, striking the pose of a warrior, and for the first time saw only a woman who looked too young to wield such a weapon. "Maybe Trevor was right--what's the use if I can't wield it to protect myself?" she muttered to herself with a low spirit.
Azari went back to the camp site, tying Jetta to a nearby tree. Tiel waited patiently while Azari tried to strike sparks off her sword with a piece of flint--it took some time to get the tinder to catch, but the first small tongues of flame were a glorious reward for the patience. Azari's eyes sparkled with glee at her accomplishment. "There!" she declared, a smug smile appearing on her face, and started a bit at how unnaturally loud her voice sounded in the gathering darkness.
Straightening, she said simply, "I'm going to see if I can't find us some dinner." She didn't wait for Tiel to respond, walking quickly out of sight.
Azari walked through the woods, the darkness thickening around her as the sun set completely and night began. She'd managed to find several plants and fungi that her father had shown her were edible, but now, with only the light of the moon and stars to see by, it was hard to even recognize where she'd been. At last, after walking for nearly an hour, Azari admitted to herself that she was lost. Nervously she walked as quietly as she could, each cruch and crack from underfoot alerting every creature in the forest to her presence.
She could smell smoke, and knew it had to be from the fire she'd made. (If I can follow the smell,) she thought, quickening her pace, (it'll get me back to camp...)
As the smell grew stronger, she heard what she thought was laughter of a man echoing through the woods. (It must be Trevor and Selene--maybe Tiel found them,) she reasoned, picking up her pace.
Suddenly a rough hand clamped over her face, and an arm wrapped around her pinning her hands by her sides. Azari struggled desperately, but it was no use--the more the fought, the harder her unseen assailant gripped her, and she just wasn't strong enough to free herself. At las she gave up, knowing that if she went along to where she was being taken, she would have a better chance of living.
She was afraid. She could barely see in the darkness, and she was at the mercy of the man who held her captive, dragging her toward the glow of a fire and the sound of harsh male laughter.
As the fierce-looking, shabbily dressed men around the fire looked up, surprised expressions turning to disturbing grins, a voice from behind Azari spoke sharply. "What should I do with her? She was poking around the horses."
A man rose to his feet, hand on the long dagger at his belt. In the indistinct firelight, Azari saw that he had a shallow cut at the top of his nose and a few teeth missing, as though he had been recently in a brawl. "What's this? I'm busy, dammit--deal with her yourself."
Her captor hauled her towards the back of the camp, shoving her facefirst against a tree and tying her wrists together around the tree. A gag was shoved into her mouth and a blindfold tied over her eyes. Azari's pulse raced, her heart pumping wildly from fear. She could smell the stale odor of ale and sweat as the brigand's bulk shoved hard against her... and then she was left alone, hearing racous laughter from the camp behind her.
Her self esteem was slipping away. "How could I ever have thought I was worthy enough to become a knight?" Unable to move, unable to see, Azari had no choice but to wait for what seemed like hours upon hours, until the men seemed to drift off into a deep intoxicating slumber.
She heard the men snoring loudly, and the loud popping noises from the fire.
(I can't stay here,) she thought with frightened clarity. (They'll kill me.) She couldn't run--her injury would prevent that. She didn't have enough training to fight them bare-handed. She let her thoughts quiet for a moment, hoping for a flash of inspiration...
(That's it!) Desperation and sudden excitement fueling her strength, Azari worked at the knot securing her wrists. The coarse rope dug into her skin, rubbing it raw, but at last the knot loosened--and her hands were free! Immediately she tugged loose her blindfold and gag, gratefully taking a deep breath of fresh air.
She turned slowly and put her back to the tree, looking around nervously for some sign that she was being watched, but all the men seemed to be asleep. There had to be someone standing watch, though.... didn't there?
Careful not to make a sound, Azari crept around the edge of the camp to where the horses were picketed. Her nerves trembling, she began slapping the horses' flanks and shouting, spooking the confused animals and rousing them into a panic. At the sudden noise, the men began to wake, adding their own shouts. With no time to stall, Azari seized a handful of mane and hauled herself onto the smooth back of the nearest horses, kicking its sides to urge it into a reckless gallop into the dark.
The forest blurred past her as the horse bolted. She couldn't see anything, and had to hold on for dear life as the horse stumbled and shied. A tree branch slammed into her shoulder, and without a saddle or reins she couldn't save herself from falling. The breath was driven from her lungs as she hit the ground and the horse galloped on without her. "Ooooouch!"
(They're going to find me!) She tried to get up, but her swollen ankle wouldn't hold her. In desperation, her only hope that Tiel or Trevor and Selene were near enough to hear her, she cried out through a throat as dry as the Samaran deserts, "Tieeelllllllllll!"
Copyright (c) 1999-2001 Abigail Laughlin and the members of the Circle of Stone.