Amber - 2001-04-01
elene was enjoying the quiet ride through the forest, the dappled path spreading like a warm, gentle carpet in front of them, brown and gold at the same time, birds singing above them. She was used to riding; it, of course, was one of the few "manly" activities her father had permitted her to partake in. Trevor was silent, complacent, no doubt trying to figure out where they were. Selene was not of the wood-folk; she was absolutely lost. Only the sun above her and his aura of calm kept her silent. She trusted him to get them back to camp, though she'd prefer (with the exception of Tiel) not to take up that sort of company again.
And then a cold shock went through her at the sight of the man in front of her. Her heart stopped in her chest, and she felt herself freeze in fear, then begin to shake slightly. "Trevor.." She whispered in fear, but he didn't hear her, speaking with the man who'd tried to brutalize her before. And then he climbed off and she had barely enough time to catch his words, a protest springing to her lips. "Trevor there are too many--" And then the horse bolted, and, with a shriek, she threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around the horse's neck in a desperate attempt to keep herself from falling off onto the hard dirt road.
The birds no longer sang, or, if they did, she could no longer hear them. All she could hear were the dull thud of her horse's hooves on the ground, the slapping of branches as they tore at her clothes and frail skin, the war cries of the men pursuing her. She had no control where the horse was going, it was simply running. It seemed like an eternity before it began to slow, its chest heaving, foam at its mouth, prancing half heartedly and whickering in fear. She sat up slowly, listening for any sounds that might give away where her pursuers were.
TttttthhhhhWACK!!! She screamed in fear as an arrow hissed by her ear, burying itself in the tree trunk next to her. Her scream set off the horse again; energized by pure, animal fear, it reared, screaming harshly to the sky. She couldn't keep her seat, and with a dull thud and a stab of pain she hit the ground, the world going black around her. She groaned in pain, her eyes slowly flickering open -- to see two thugs standing over her. She fought the temptation to faint; that wouldn't help her at all. One bent down and nudged her.
Her mind seethed with repulsion at his touch. How DARE he touch HER?! She would not let just ANYONE touch her! In rage, she blindly lashed out -- with long, cultured fingernails. Streaks of red formed across his face, blinding him, and he bellowed in rage, staggering back, dropping his sword. Her hand touched a long, thick stick and she seized it, pushing herself to her feet and swinging in one motion. It hit one in the back of the head, dropping him like a stone. She stared at him in horror. The other took advantage of her hesitation and grabbed her ankle. She cried out as she fell to the ground with a bone-jarring thud. The log flew from her hands, but she grabbed a stone, slamming it into his face. It made a dull squelching sound, like an overripe melon being smashed. She turned her face from the sight, pushing herself to her feet.
She was safe, but Trevor wasn't. She had to help him somehow! But how? By finding Azari? The woman was probably either drunk or sulking -- not what Selene would call "help", but what else could she do? Trevor had told her to find the woman, and she WAS the only other besides Tiel that might possibly help her. But she was on foot, lost, alone, and unarmed. How was she going to find anyone?
Tears started to burn in her eyes -- tears of helpless depression, but suddenly, she felt an iron will rise up inside of her. She felt her tears fade, replaced by grim determination and anger. Trevor had saved her so many times.. It was time that she helped HIM. She wasn't a skilled warrior, but she was the daughter of the Baron of the house of the Hawk! She was Selene, descended from a long line of nobility traced back to the very founders of Aleron. No, she wasn't the most important. She was just a woman, but still, she was a woman, and she had her two hands and her cunning. And... she had Cornelius.
She could still picture her mentor, the one who'd taught her so much. She abhorred killing, but he'd taught her how to shoot a bow and arrows, simply for sport, and because of her increasing boredness as her studies were finished. She'd been discontented with court life, finding it shallow, unintelligent, and vapid. She'd buried herself in books, but ever increasingly came the call stirring in her veins for something more, something beside her family's manor, something better, freer. And now that she found it, she was scared. She felt anger burn in her. She wasn't going to run, and she wasn't going to whimper any longer. She was going to make it, no matter what. She wasn't afraid any longer.
She turned her head slightly, staring at her surroundings. There were two trails she could follow. One, the trail that led towards Trevor's panicked horse, and more than likely back to Azari. The other, the broad, blazed trail forged by herself and her pursuers. It led back to Trevor. She knew which one she should take; and which one she would take. And she knew down which one her spirit was calling her.
She turned and started walking back towards Trevor, forging a plan as she went, copper hair gleaming in the softening sunlight.
Laura - 2001-04-02
zari knew she had to move on. There was no point for her to continue her journey with her physcial condition. She decided to wait untel she felt safe to come from out of hiding. Thirst and hunger got the best of Azari. As painful as it was, she limped back to her horse finding a few edible mushrooms along the way. The tiny morsels felt pleasing to her senses. Mustering the strength to pull herself upward, Jetta was more than ready to leave. Azari didn't even have to say anything to Jetta. Jetta began to move. Azari began to make her way home.
The trip took several hours. Azari ached from head to foot. She thought of several things she would like to say to her father but any way she set her mind, she knew it would be of no use. Her father would be terribly upset once he saw her appearance. Coming home with out doing as she set out to do was considered a good reason for her father to convience her to stay and give up her dreams. For the moment, it seemed like a good idea.
" My adventures are far more dangerous than I had ever imagened." Her thoughts mumbeling out loud. Thinking back to the night of her capture. It was unbearable. Azari knew she was ill in her heart for home. " I don't even feel myself any more. Could I have changed?" The thought of all that she had lost was to hard to bear.
A few days had passed. Azari's ankle had time to heal. Along the way, Azari decided to take a dip in the spring waters to freshen up before her arival home.
It was mid afternoon, everything about this day felt refreshing to Azari. It was like she had a fresh out look on her life. The trees seemed greener, the smell of ozone and rich earth refined her senses. The spring waters sparkled brightly, little puffy clouds moved slowly as she seemed for a moment caught up in a world with out time. Stopping Jetta for her dip in the water, the grass felt plush, warm and soft underneath her feet. Tiny bees flew past her face as her bright sun lit hair danced across her face from a gentle breeze that appeared from time to time out of the south. Taking in the day was Azari's most favorite thing to do alone. She was sure she was alone. Not a sound to be heard for miles. Easing off her clothing, she tippy toed into the water to fully emerge herself underneath before any one would even have the chance to see her if there were any lurkers nearby. If there was one thing she learned being out alone, a person can NEVER be too cautious.
It was like might and magic, the water soothed her soul. Azari's troubles seemed but a distant memory. She wanted it that way. Especially when it came to Sir Ansley. He was a waste of her time. " I'll bet Lady Selene has NO idea how to capture a good moment like this." Dipping her head under water to remove the sand, and dirt from her travel she let each strand of her hair wade for a few moments before she came up again for air. After clearing the water from her face, she looked around from all directions to be sure she was still alone and safe. Mumbeling again to herself half singing " well even if she did...Sir Ansley is with her now." Moving from side to side flexing ever inch of her flesh and bones, the punishment for such a long ride needed to be soothed out. It felt good to stretch and pull her muscels. After some time passed, her skin began to feel hot and sun burned. Color returned to her delicate skin tone. It was time to return to land.
Azari still humming happy little songs to herself. Stood up from the water to wade herself to shore. She took a long piece of coton fabric out of her saddle bag to dry herself off. The water droplets parted from side to side from her long and smooth legs. The fabric moved up her thighs to her bear areas soaking up the water and floating folicules that stuck to her skin from the water. After she dried off, she wore the same dress she left home with. It WAS the only clean one she had left.
Azari wrapped her hair through the fabric and twisted her hair into a circle like shape. It was something new she had never done before. She completed her look by tying the ends together on top of her head. She was ready to go.
Jetta was happy having time for water and food. It was time to venture on. Azari put the bit in Jetta's mouth and finished getting everything ready so she could leave. Azari had one last thing to do before they could leave. She had noticed wild roses growing nearby. She used her dagger to cut off some. She wanted to give some to her mother.
Azari could not wait to get home. She was very excited. Azari took the reigns giving Jetta a jerk to gallop and pick up speed. They rode for a little while longer when up ahead from the distance there was a bright light. Azari couldn't tell where it was coming from. When she got closer a voice spoke from above her.
At first Jetta was afraid and just about toppled Azari off. Azari quickly grabbed firmly the reigns as she tightened her legs and pulled her body tightly to get Jetta to slow down. The light was almost blindng. (((VOICE SPEAKING))) Azari you must go back! Selene and Trevor need your help
Azari was very frightened. (((VOICE SPEAKING))) Do not be afraid Azari. I am your GOD. Please help them, they are in great danger. You must be swift in your visit and leave at dawn tomorrow. I will help you find them. You will see a sign.
Azari couldn't speak. She couldn't see. The voice left and the normal light returned. Azari was trembling but did not dare try to second quess what her God had to say. This was a incredible thing. Nothing like this had ever happened to her. It was almost unbelieveable. She knew she would not tell anyone about this. No one would believe her anyhow. She barely believed it.
Copyright (c) 1999-2001 Abigail Laughlin and the members of the Circle of Stone.