965 lines
54 KiB
Plaintext
965 lines
54 KiB
Plaintext
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= F.U.C.K. - Fucked Up College Kids - Born Jan. 24th, 1993 - F.U.C.K. =
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Loving Solitude
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---------------
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The gavel clapped against the podium a third time, and the
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room fell silent. Glancing around to make sure everyone was paying
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attention, the auctioneer motioned for the two assistants to bring
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out the next piece. From the left of the small stage, two ladies
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dressed in black carried out a covered painting. Lifting it up a
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little more, they deposited it on an awaiting stand, and quickly
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moved off back to the left.
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With a final look to the audience, the auctioneer moved over
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and quickly removed the velvet cloth that hid the painting. As the
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cover dropped off, a few people shifted to get a better look as
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it became fully revealed but immediately moved back to their previous
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position, apparently in disappointment. With a reluctant sigh, the
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auctioneer moved back to the podium and cleared his throat.
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"This piece of work was recently donated to our foundation
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by an anonymous donor. Nothing is known about the artist,
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and little is known about the history of this piece beyond
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a few years. Since it's age and artist are unknown, bidding
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will begin at two hundred dollars."
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It took a few seconds before an elderly lady raised her hand
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to offer the small amount. No one really seemed interested in the
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piece but everyone knew that if no one bidded on it, the charity would
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not do as well as it had the previous year. After a few minutes, the
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bidding reached three hundred and forty two dollars. A small smile
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crept over the auctioneer's face when the bidding slowed down, because
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he knew that the next piece would be much more exciting and fetch a lot
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more money.
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"Three hundred forty. Do I hear three hundred and fifty?
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Going once....Going twice..."
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As the gavel started it's downward swing, a tall gentlemen
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who had been standing in the doorway stepped forward and spoke up.
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"One thousand dollars."
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Looks of astonishment and surprise hit every face in the room
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as people craned their necks to see who had bid such a ridiculous
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amount on this piece of art. Strange looks and questioning glances
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spread around the room like wildfire as the man slowly approached the
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front of the room. As he reached the podium he slowly turned to face
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the room full of people and spoke up in a deep voice.
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"I can help put a more accurate price on this work and tell
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you the story of the painting if you wish. Believe me, after
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this story, you shall deem this piece priceless."
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Disbelief could be seen on each and every person's face as
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he finished. Turning to the auctioneer he looked him dead in the eye
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before turning back to the crowd seated before him. No one spoke up
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to stop him so he continued.
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"I shall now relate the tale of Daryth and Aryn as I promised
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the artist after he finished the piece. Many of you will
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be skeptical of my story and if so, it is your loss. Know
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that I tell this....as it truly happened."
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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"Our story takes place in the foothills of the mountains
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in Eastern Kriandia in the year 1056, Year of the Crescent.
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At the mutual base of the two tallest peaks, a stretch of
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forest ran through on both sides of a cleared trail. To both
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sides of the trail, the forest gradually rose to cover each
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of the peaks and continue beyond. It was several miles from
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peak to peak and the valley was well over ten miles long. Just
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over a fortnight to the south was the town of Camishal, the
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largest trading center this side of the continent. The
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outlying town of Britania was just under a fortnight to the
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north, and the only other civilization in the area. Traffic
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between the two cities was quite heavy, especially during
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the later fall months, with everyone trying to get to one
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place or the other so they could settle in for the harsh
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winters that always came.
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This valley between the two peaks was well known as a natural
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resting place amongst the beautiful trees and open forest.
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During the more recent years, brigands and bandits had used
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the place as an ambush sight for weary travelers who were
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not armed. Rumor had it that for years, the valley was inhabited
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by a guardian who protected innocent travelers and saw to the
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safety of the road but years ago, the protection people had
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relied upon disappeared. It was believed that the man died at
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the hands of brigands, although some people still maintained
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that he moved, to take residence in other parts of the land.
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Regardless, the roads had not been completely safe for years."
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=-=-=
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Looking around, the man saw that everyone was becoming more
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and more interested in the story as he told it. Some of the patrons
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had leaned back to get more comfortable, and others had leaned forward
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in their chairs to hear the story better. Either way, he was fulfilling
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his promise made years ago.
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=-=-=
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"Eight miles to the north of the valley was a small community
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of farmers and a few merchants that had settled in a quiet grove.
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Although more and more people settled there until it had grown
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into a small town, it was still considered peaceful compared
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to most other cities. Protection for this town was provided
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by the Duke of Carolina who had built a keep to the east.
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Bandits and brigands kept their distance from this town because
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of the keep and the small army that dwelled there in his keep.
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That year was the Duke's daughter's twenty first birthday, and
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a huge celebration was in preparation. Since birth, attendants
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and maids had taken care of the young woman, and had seen to
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her every need. The maiden had never left the walls of the city
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since she was born, due to her father's orders. Her father had
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always been protective of her, but she had grown accustomed
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to living inside the town. Even her trips into market or other
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places in town were always cut short by her father's orders
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and worrying about her well being. When she awoke the morning
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of her birthday, she quickly ran through the castle to find her
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father in hopes of catching him before he left for town. In the
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dining hall she found him and begged to talk to him before he left.
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When she told him that she wanted to leave the city for the
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day in order to explore the fields and woods near the castle,
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he immediately began laughing. He thought it the most foolish
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request, but he slowly realized that she had turned twenty
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one and had never left the town.
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The sun shone high above head and the noise of the marketplace
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carried to the front gates of the castle as the massive doors
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swung open to reveal the maiden. To each side of her was a burly
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soldier armed with more weapons than a bird has feathers. It
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was under her father's orders that if she decided to leave the
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castle, she would be under heavy protection in case something
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happened. Running full speed away from the gates and down toward
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the market place, the two guards struggled to keep up. Seemingly
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tireless, the young girl wandered the market for hours before
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heading farther into town to explore even more. Late afternoon
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approached and the girl hadn't stopped for one bit, not even to
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eat or drink, and not a sign of fatigue crossed her face. Her
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two guards had long ago given up looking rigid and stolid, for
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the weight of the afternoon sun was almost as great as that from
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the weapons covering their bodies.
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Needless to say, they were not surprised, or happy, when
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she announced her intentions of taking a walk through the
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woods to the south of town. Sprinting out of the town gates,
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the two guards jogged and tried their best to keep up with
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the young girl, and prayed to their gods that she would
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grow tired very soon. A cool breeze blew through the forest,
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cooling off everyone and everything after the long hot day,
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and the guards felt as if their prayers had been answered.
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As the sun slowly approached the western peak both men
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realized they were a good ways from the castle, and that
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it was getting late. And even worse, should something happen
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to the daughter of their liege, they would be thrown into
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prison if they survived their punishment.
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Catching up to the energetic girl, both guards quickly spoke
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up and told her that they should be returning to the keep
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before it got too dark out. Mock cries of protest rang through
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the valley as she complained about how much fun she was having
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and how much she enjoyed being out here. A small but friendly
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argument ensued and it was finally agreed that they would go
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back after she took a brief swim in a stream they had passed a
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few minutes ago. Heading back to the stream she lead the two
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men on smiling the whole way. Once there she ordered them to
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head on back a little ways, that she wanted to have some
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privacy. Slowly removing a strap from her gown, she stopped
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until they had turned around and left the immediate area.
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Sprinting through the woods with no shoes on, her happiness
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was apparent as her smile shone through the woods, almost lighting
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the way for her. The sun had almost completely left the woods
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engulfing it in darkness. What had minutes ago been beautiful
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trees had now turned into vile monsters intent upon catching her
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as she ran on. Direction meant nothing to her as she fled the
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guards behind her and the shadows pressing down and her only
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thoughts were of getting back to the keep in one piece. The
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brilliant smile that had adorned her face fled as fast as she
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did, and a pure look of terror took shape on her lovely features.
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She didn't know how much time had passed, but she knew that she must
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have been running for a good fifteen minutes in the same direction.
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Despite the running the woods still looked unfamiliar to her.
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Stopping to catch her breath and get her bearing it took her
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a minute to realize that it was now almost completely dark out.
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The only trace of sun was a deep lavender in the skies above
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providing just enough light to give the trees a sinister
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appearance and frighten her. Adding to that fear she began to
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recall the stories from merchants and travelers that had passed
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through the woods inbetween the peaks. The only other recollection
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was that the protector of the woods had left years ago, leaving
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merchants on their own, fair prey for any highwaymen that may
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be in the area. Trying to push those thoughts from her head,
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she quickly thought of pleasant stories she had heard growing
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up in the keep while forcing herself to smile despite the
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fear that had taken ahold of her.
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Hours passed of walking in what appeared one direction before
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she sat down to rest. Blisters had formed on her feet over an
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hour ago and the pain from them slowly traveled up her legs
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and began to fatigue her. Sitting with her back to a tree she
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began to look around at the trees again once again trying
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to get her bearing. A single tree caught her attention and
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thinking back a little, she recalled passing the tree almost
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two hours ago. A small tear rolled out of her eye and continued
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down her cheek. With an audible sigh, she pulled her legs
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closer to her chest and lowered her chin to her knees in
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resignation. Sleep took her almost instantly.
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Time had no meaning while she slept, but no matter how much
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time had actually passed, an eternity had passed in her dreams.
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Sometime later a loud snap sounded somewhere nearby. It took
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her a minute to realize that she was awake, and that the sound
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had not been in her mind like all of the others. Hesitating,
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she opened one eye and looked up. Although it was still night,
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the forest had taken on an odd glow from some light source
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that reflected off of a fog bank that had appeared while she
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slept. Opening the other eye while looking up brought her
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a startling surprise. She was not alone. Around her, five
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figures had taken position to cut off her escape. Each
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figure was wrapped in the fog standing about twenty feet from
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her and after a little closer scrutiny, each was carrying a
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sword. Terror gripped her and her heart began beating like
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a rabbit on the chase.
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Without a word, all five figures moved toward her brandishing
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their weapons. Using the tree as support, the maiden pushed herself
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up with her legs and reached back to grab the tree for support.
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Her breathing became more labored and her eyes darted back and
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forth between each of the brigands approaching her. Together,
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they formed a small ring around her, each pointing their blade
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toward her. A tall gruff man stepped forward and dropped the tip
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of his sword toward the ground a little. She thought about
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screaming but her body would not obey. All she could get out
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was a muttered gasp.
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"Well well. Look at what we got here boys! Seems the little
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missy got lost and wandered in our woods. 'Guess tonight
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won't be so cold after all."
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The gruff man reached out toward her breasts but seconds before
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touching her a faint whistle could be heard followed by a dull
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thump. Looking down she saw an arrow sticking through the man's
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hand, apparently appearing out of no where. Screaming and holding
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his arm, he spun around looking for the person who had shot him.
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Almost as one, the four figures turned their back on the girl,
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totally forgetting about her, instead more concerned with their
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safety. She could see over the shoulder of one of her attackers
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and glimpsed a silhouette in the distance. The black figure
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was surrounded by the almost glowing fog that shrouded the rest
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of the forest. Dropping a bow, the silhouette advanced toward
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the brigands and drew two swords from sheaths at his sides.
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As the brigands advanced to meet their attacker, the girl slid
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around the tree with intent to run away lest she be captured
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after they killed her temporary savior. She took one step toward
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her freedom and ran straight into the chest of another brigand.
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Grabbing her arm he led her back around the tree and held her
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tight as he watched the fight. The brigand let out a snarling
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laugh and looked at his catch.
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"Looks like yer savior ain't gonna live long. Four against
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one means we is gonna win. Then we gonna take you back to our
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camp and have some fun."
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Tears ran like a river down her face and fell to the forest
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floor as she realized the truth of the words. Glancing up
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she watched as the battle unfolded. A little over twenty feet
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away, the four brigands had surrounded the dark figure and
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began taunting him and telling him of the painful death he
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was about to receive. Looking closer at the group of men
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she now noticed that each of her attackers held longswords
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and each wore armor of some kind. None of the bandits seemed
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to be new to the swords and fighting, and it even seemed that
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this group was used to fighting together from the way they
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split up and surrounded the single foe.
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Dressed in black, she could tell very little about her would-be
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savior except that he was tall and well built. He wore a long black
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cloak with blood red trim that seemed to have a mind of its own.
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As he moved, the cloak always seemed to stay out of the way of
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his moving swords, and never opened enough to reveal what
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was underneath. Despite being attacked from all sides, the lone
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figure fended off each attack moving in slow circles being
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careful that he never left his back to a single attacker.
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It was only a minute later that the brigands altered their attack
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routine, and began to attack faster and with more precision.
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With that many swords and that kind of skill, the girl knew that
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she was as good as dead.
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Dancing back and forth, the swordplay kept on for several minutes,
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with no signs that anything new would happen. The figure in black
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almost seemed at ease as his twin blades moved around blocking
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each attack, and seemingly appearing somewhere else to block
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another a half second later. Growling in frustration, the leader
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of the group stepped forward intent upon killing this person in
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hopes of a quick battle. No sooner than he had taken a step,
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a loud clang resounded from his blade. The maiden gasped as she
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saw the brigands blade shoot upward and the tip of another sword
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appear on his back. Falling to his knees, the brigand dropped
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his longsword and held the wound with both hands as he fell
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backward, out of the fight.
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Seeing their leader drop visibly shook the others attacking
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this figure. Hesitation by one of the brigands cost him his
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life as two long gashes appeared on his chest forming an 'X',
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spilling his life in his own hands. With a snap kick to the
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face, he fell backwards out of the way of the remaining three
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fighting. A spark of hope flickered in the girls mind as she
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realized it might be possible for her savior to win the fight.
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As soon as the thought entered her mind, it was quickly forced
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out as the man holding her wrist pulled her backwards toward
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the tree. Turning her around, he pushed her face first against
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the tree and planted his knee on her back as he drew some rope
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from a pouch on his belt. He quickly tied her hands behind her
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back and then proceeded to tie her feet. Yanking her back around
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to face her, he growled once and slapped her across the face
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causing her to fall to ground. Sneering at the girl, the man
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then moved to join his two remaining companions.
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The man in black kept in motion, blocking each attack that came
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toward him. With only two remaining it was harder to counter
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the attack since he had to turn 180 degrees each time an attack
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came in. Looking up from the ground, the girl saw that the
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brigands had began a pattern attacking her savior that would
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lead to him wearing down and growing tired, while they kept
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a safe distance and kept some of their energy. Realizing
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this, and seeing another foe approaching, the dark figure leaped
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toward the man approaching him and stabbed outward with both
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blades producing two lines of red on the bandits neck before
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he could block either blade. Without hesitation the figure jumped
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over the body of the fallen man and turned to face the other two
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brigands who had moved to resume their attack. This time, she
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noticed that she was right behind him, and the tree right behind
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her. His move had cost him though, as she looked up she could see
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a deep cut in the man's left arm, and another on his right side.
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Rolling backwards a little, more in fear of getting stepped on,
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she hoped to get a better look at the fight and possible get
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a glimpse of the man who had saved her. With the loss of position,
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the two remaining attackers lost confidence, and in doing so,
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quickly lost their advantage. It was a minute later before
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another man dropped, blood pouring out of where his eyes used
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to be. Cloak swirling, the figure turned to face the remaining
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foe and quickly end the fight. Deciding to take his chances on
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his own in the woods he turned to flee but instead, ended up
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flat on his face as he got tripped from behind. Breathing
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deeply he turned over and tried to scoot backwards to escape the
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man that had just killed the only four friends he had had.
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With no expression, and no show of emotion the man in black
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walked over and touched the tip of one of his swords to the man's
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chest. Holding it there, he mouthed something and stabbed downward
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ending the life of the enemy. Backing up as if in fear of the
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dead man before him, the savior stopped and looked down at
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himself. Both swords clattered in front of him as he dropped them
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and moved both hands to cover his two wounds. An involuntary
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grunt escaped him and he fell to his knees, visibly hurting.
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The man in black tried to stay on his knees but could not,
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and pitched forward into the leaves in front of him.
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A faint gasp escaped the lips of the maiden as she watched the
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figure fall face first, and she realized that he may be dead,
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because of her foolish actions. She quickly untied the rope
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bounding her legs and pushed herself toward the fallen man,
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her only interest in getting to him to help if she could. It
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seemed like forever before she was even near him and as she
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drew near she could tell his he was breathing, but it was labored
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and he was not moving. Cursing herself, the ropes bounding her,
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and the brigands, she kept moving toward her fallen savior,
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desperate to help in any way. Finally drawing near she reached
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out with both hands to feel for a pulse but as her hand drew
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near another voice sounded out from the woods nearby.
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"Do not touch him."
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From behind a tree stepped another figure dressed in similar
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robes and clothing. On his side were two swords as well. Moving
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toward her, the new man walked past her and kneeled down to
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examine the wounded guardian. He checked for a pulse, and then
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moved on to examine the wounds with his fingers. Wiping the blood
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on his cloak he rolled the wounded man over and spread his
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cloak out revealing more of the man beneath. The maiden sat nearby
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watching the whole thing with a mixture of confusion and
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concern. Drawing a sword, the new figure stepped back and sliced
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downward with a quick stroke severing the ropes that bound her.
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"Leave us. Head north until you reach a small grove and then
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turn eastward. Keep moving until you cross a road. From there
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keep going north and you will be home. Never speak of what
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you saw here. It is of no concern to you."
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Frightened, the maiden stood up and backed away slowly in
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front of the armed man guarding his fallen comrade. Visibly
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shaking, she turned and fled north as instructed, not even
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looking back to see what was happening. Something in the
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man's eyes warned her that if she had protested, she may
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have ended up like the men who attacked her. As she fled
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to the north, despite her fear of what took place, something
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stopped her from running on. Slowing down she placed her
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hand over her heart and stopped everything. Something felt
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terribly wrong, she had to turn back. It was beating in her
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heart, and the compelling thought of returning to help
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the person who had helped her overwhelmed her.
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Slowly she crept back up and stopped behind a tree a good
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distance from the two figures. She crouched down and made
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herself as comfortable as possible trying to remain quiet,
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hoping to find out more about the two men. All thoughts of
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getting home had long since fled her mind and only the thought
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of learning more occupied her.
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The scene in front of her startled her more than anything else.
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She was used to such a simple life at the keep, with no worry,
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and to this day she had never seen a person die, and never
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even imagined someone dying in such a horrible way. The new
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figure was moving the bodies of the brigands and arranging them
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in a row a little to the side of where his fallen comrade lie.
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Moonlight filtered through the trees above and swept over
|
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the small clearing where everyone was, and using the little
|
|
light from above, she could tell that her savior was still not
|
|
moving. Perhaps he was dead already, and that thought made her
|
|
sick to her stomach. Looking back up she watched the man finish
|
|
moving the corpses away.
|
|
|
|
The job completed, the new figure once again went to his
|
|
fallen comrade and checked on him again. The pulse was weak
|
|
but he had been bandaged and the bleeding had stopped. It still
|
|
didn't look good. Kneeling down the man pulled back his cloak,
|
|
removed his sword belt, and placed his palm flat on the chest
|
|
of the wounded swordsman. Closing his eyes he began to chant
|
|
and slowly lifted his head toward the sky. A pale blue light
|
|
engulfed his hand and spread outward over the chest and on to
|
|
the arms, and eventually to the wounds. As the light from the
|
|
healing spell faded the other man slumped down onto his knees,
|
|
apparently weaker from the spell. Something made him jerk his head
|
|
up though, and he reached down for his own blades.
|
|
|
|
The maiden cursed herself for making so much noise. When the
|
|
spell began, she couldn't believe what she saw and had gasped,
|
|
not sure if this were dream or reality. She huddled down, hugging
|
|
herself behind the tree praying to all the gods that he had not
|
|
heard, but she knew he did. Footsteps sounded from the clearing
|
|
and she could tell he was moving toward her. Panic took her and
|
|
she debated on running away from the man but she knew she was
|
|
in no condition to run and no doubt, the man would catch her.
|
|
|
|
Recalling stories she had read, and tales she had heard, she
|
|
figured she should at least face any threat as brave as the
|
|
knights of old, and act like a mature women, which she was.
|
|
She stood up and slowly caught her breath, and with a final
|
|
shudder, stepped away from the tree. No sooner had she taken
|
|
one step as two blades sliced through the air, falling
|
|
a hair's width from her chest. The realization that she could
|
|
and should have been dead hit her and she was a loss for words,
|
|
however she didn't need to say a thing, because the warrior
|
|
in front of her did.
|
|
|
|
"What did you see?"
|
|
|
|
The tone of his voice suggested that if she lied, he would
|
|
know about it, and would kill her. Taking a deep breath
|
|
and summoning all the courage she could, she whispered:
|
|
|
|
"Almost everything."
|
|
|
|
His eyes closed a little and anger flashed over his face. He
|
|
held on blade to her neck and drew back the other as if to strike
|
|
her down, and as he did, she closed her eyes, mouthing a prayer
|
|
to her god.
|
|
|
|
Instead of the killing blow she heard a loud ring in front of
|
|
her face. Opening one eye she saw the blade poised inches from
|
|
her face. She noticed her savior standing beside her, his own
|
|
sword stretched out, blocking the killing blow. She realized
|
|
that he had saved her life again. Relief flooded over her and
|
|
she took a tentative step back. For the first time she heard
|
|
him speak. He was leaning against the tree with one hand on
|
|
the deep cut in his side, the other shaking, but wielding
|
|
his weapon.
|
|
|
|
"No Lyell. I can not let you kill her."
|
|
|
|
His voice was so soft spoken, and so clear, she could hardly
|
|
believe this had come from the same man who had minutes ago
|
|
killed five men, and then almost fell to his own death.
|
|
|
|
"You know of our vow. It is our way and you are breaking it.
|
|
Hell, you already broke that vow again by saving her in the
|
|
first place. You must be crazy."
|
|
|
|
"I know. I understand what I have done and that is my decision.
|
|
You have been my friend for just over two hundred years, all
|
|
I ask is that you support my decision."
|
|
|
|
A look of pure confusion hit her at the talk she had just heard.
|
|
Two hundred years kept flashing through her mind, and she
|
|
wondered what he meant by that. Not caring about interrupting
|
|
their conversation she broke in.
|
|
|
|
"What do you mean two hundred years? Who are you? Who is he?
|
|
What vow are you talking about? What did he mean by killing
|
|
me?"
|
|
|
|
The one called Lyell that had been ready to kill her growled
|
|
at her silencing her instantly. Lyell spoke up:
|
|
|
|
"She knows too much and can't be allowed to live. If she told
|
|
anyone, you know what the consequences would be. It just
|
|
can't happen. No matter what you think of her. These foolish
|
|
emotions of yours will get you killed, almost like they did
|
|
tonight."
|
|
|
|
The last comment hit him worse than any blade could have,
|
|
but he stood there as if unaffected. Lowering his sword,
|
|
he sheathed it and removed the hood covering most of his
|
|
face. His gentle features matched his voice perfectly,
|
|
and she questioned how such a person could take lives with
|
|
the deadly efficiency that he had shown. That was only one
|
|
of a thousand questions that flew through her mind each second
|
|
that passed during their conversation.
|
|
|
|
"I understand Lyell. All I can say is thank you, and you know
|
|
that I will repay you one day. Lets sit down, rest and have
|
|
something to eat and talk about this. Things will work out."
|
|
|
|
"By the gods you know I owe you my life a hundred times over,
|
|
but you know how I am.....fine....lets rest and get refreshment."
|
|
|
|
From there they walked north toward the stream she had been
|
|
at earlier the previous day. The maiden followed nervously
|
|
not knowing what to do, or what to say, if anything. Following
|
|
them at a small distance, the past few minutes replayed in her
|
|
mind and she questioned whether she was dreaming or not. Looking
|
|
up she noticed that the one called Lyell was staring at her.
|
|
|
|
"You aren't dreaming."
|
|
|
|
That was all he said before he turned his head and continued
|
|
leading them on toward the stream. Once they arrived they
|
|
followed the winding water toward the west a ways, until
|
|
they reached a small clearing nestling against the slow moving
|
|
current. Tall grass and shrubs concealed this place well, and
|
|
once closer, the princess could tell that it had been used
|
|
quite frequently. The two warriors moved to separate sides
|
|
of a small ring of stones, and each removed their sword
|
|
belts and placed them within easy reach. Lyell began digging
|
|
through a few belt pouches while her savior walked to the
|
|
stream bank and knelt down.
|
|
|
|
A few feet from the water, on his knees, he straightened up
|
|
and clasped his hands in front of him. The maiden slowly
|
|
stepped to the side and down toward the water to see what he
|
|
was doing. From the side she could see his hands were not
|
|
clasped, but rather one fist was pushed into the curved palm
|
|
of the other. His eyes were closed and the gentle wind blew
|
|
back his long brown hair. Moonlight cascaded off the water
|
|
and presented the stream bank with a beautiful pale radiance.
|
|
|
|
Not wishing to disturb the man, she moved back toward the ring
|
|
of stones hesitantly. It was obvious that the man called Lyell
|
|
did not care for her, and wished her dead, but she got the
|
|
feeling that now they were back here, nothing would happen
|
|
until they had talked about everything.
|
|
|
|
Reaching the ring of stones she kneeled down and spread
|
|
her cold hands over the fire that he had built. After warming
|
|
her hands a little, she took some cheese and bread offered
|
|
by the warrior. Lyell then sat down and crossed his legs
|
|
and looked at her. Taking the hint, she sat back and made
|
|
herself as comfortable as she could on the rocky beach.
|
|
|
|
"Since we are here, and we have time, I will tell you more
|
|
about us, so that your curiosity will not consume you. Know
|
|
that what you hear now has never been told to another mortal
|
|
and never will be again if it can be helped."
|
|
|
|
Lyell finished off his piece of bread and washed it down with
|
|
a small sip of some liquid he produced from a wineskin. Leaning
|
|
back on his elbows he began:
|
|
|
|
"You know of the legend of the guardian of this forest and
|
|
the protector of the valley no doubt. Most people know about
|
|
it, but don't know the whole story. Hmmph. Most people hardly
|
|
know the tiniest bit of it. If you think back to the few
|
|
stories told about the guardian you may realize that he
|
|
has been around for as long as you remember. Yes, he. It is
|
|
not a monster like some believe. That guardian is the man
|
|
who saved your life. Daryth is the name he goes by now and
|
|
he has been protecting this valley for just over two hundred
|
|
and thirty two years. I am Lyell as you now know.
|
|
|
|
I know you have a hard time believing that, as you should,
|
|
but I speak the truth. When you look at him you see a human
|
|
about twenty five years old. Don't let that deceive you.
|
|
The cloaks we wear are magical, and change our appearance to
|
|
whatever we need. If we wish to be shadows in the night, then
|
|
that is what you would see. Nothing more. Anyway, he is
|
|
the first guardian to keep the form he has always known. That
|
|
is what he looked like when he lived a normal, mortal, life.
|
|
That is truly him.
|
|
|
|
Yes. We are both immortal by your standards. He is three
|
|
hundred and eighty two years old right now. When he was mortal,
|
|
he committed crimes that led to this punishment. When
|
|
the town he lived in was overrun with clerics of evil, he
|
|
did not convert to the new false religion like everyone else.
|
|
He kept his faith and fought against the evil clerics despite
|
|
what his goddess told him to do. He was to leave the town, and
|
|
seek a new home, and to forget what had happened, but he couldn't
|
|
live with himself knowing innocent people were being subjected
|
|
to false and evil gods. Staying, he fought them every way
|
|
he knew how. His goddess left him and when he was finally
|
|
captured, he was sacrificed to the new gods of the town.
|
|
|
|
As the knife plummeted through his heart, he only remembers
|
|
a bright flash of light, a second or two of what he calls
|
|
a trial, and next thing he knew, he had been changed. He woke
|
|
up in this spot with clothes, two swords, and the cloak next
|
|
to him. The only thing he remembers is that he was to serve
|
|
as protector of this valley for two hundred years. After
|
|
that, he could lead his own life and do whatever he pleased,
|
|
as long as he didn't come into contact with other people.
|
|
|
|
I understand that is a little confusing, let me try to explain
|
|
better. Two hundred years of protecting the travelers and
|
|
innocent people was a punishment by the gods, but he didn't see
|
|
it that way. He loved every day of it, and took his job more
|
|
seriously than any other guardian in history. The true punishment
|
|
lie in not being able to see anyone afterwards, including other
|
|
guardians. Once the last day of the two hundred years guarding
|
|
the valley passed, he was free as long as he didn't make contact
|
|
with anyone, and if he did, he sentenced himself to another
|
|
one hundred years of guarding the valley, and solitude.
|
|
|
|
You see us together tonight, but that is rare. We may only
|
|
see each other if one of us is hurt, and needs help. By morning
|
|
I must be gone or we both suffer the consequences. So for the
|
|
past seven years, he had been fulfilling his vow and staying
|
|
away from people. He had done that perfectly until this
|
|
afternoon when he saw you. As soon as you entered the forest
|
|
he had taken up the responsibility of guarding you. He won't
|
|
tell me why he did it, but I can see it in his eyes. Your
|
|
beauty has taken ahold of his heart and seemingly won't let
|
|
go. I do know that he has risked many a trip into town, disguised
|
|
as a peasant so that he may see you and make sure you are safe.
|
|
It seems that his love for you is deeper than you could imagine.
|
|
Take that to heart though, for he has never loved before. Not
|
|
as a mortal, or as an immortal. I am his only friend right now
|
|
and that is why we look after each other.
|
|
|
|
Part of our vow, like all guardians is this: No one can learn
|
|
of us, what we do, and who we are. If it happens they must die
|
|
or never tell another soul. Since you live a plush life back
|
|
in town, and speak with too many people, I say you must die.
|
|
That is how things must be in my eyes. He sees it differently
|
|
though, and brought you back to this place to talk."
|
|
|
|
She sat back in stunned silence, absorbing everything. Several
|
|
minutes passed before she could even look up and look into the
|
|
eyes of Lyell. She almost wished this could be all some cruel
|
|
joke, or that she would wake up from a bad dream safe in her
|
|
room, but that didn't happen. Looking over to Daryth, she
|
|
couldn't believe that he had followed her through town on so many
|
|
days, and couldn't believe that her beauty had captured him
|
|
like this other man said, it just wasn't possible!
|
|
|
|
"I don't know why, but I believe you. It's just so hard to
|
|
accept all that. To think that he did all that for me, and
|
|
risked his own life for me is so crazy. I don't exactly
|
|
have a lot of people that care for me, and especially not
|
|
like that."
|
|
|
|
She took more time to let all of it sink in, and Lyell cleaned
|
|
up the area and added wood to the fire in front of them. It
|
|
had been almost an hour since they had reached the clearing,
|
|
and the night was about to fade into the morning hours. Daryth
|
|
still sat at the stream bank, apparently praying or meditating,
|
|
and he hadn't moved.
|
|
|
|
"What is he doing? He's been there for an hour."
|
|
|
|
"That is how we can sense danger. I guard a stretch of woods
|
|
on the other side of the peak and have taken the night off
|
|
to make sure he is not wounded too bad. Each of us has our
|
|
own way, but we sit and meditate and pray to our deities
|
|
in a special place to us. While we do it, we know of any
|
|
possible danger within twenty or so miles of us and that is
|
|
how we can react and make sure nothing bad happens. He
|
|
will be done in a minute though, and I will begin the
|
|
sequence while he rests for a little, else he would not get
|
|
any sleep and that would not be good considering the night
|
|
he has had."
|
|
|
|
The warrior and the maiden sat there for a few more minutes
|
|
before Daryth dropped his hands and stood up. After standing,
|
|
he immediately stretched his arms and legs and turned to face
|
|
the others. Walking up to the fire he belted on his swords
|
|
and sat down on his knees before getting a small snack of his
|
|
own. After he ate, he nodded once to Lyell and then turned
|
|
to face the maiden.
|
|
|
|
"I hope Lyell explained everything to you. I understand if
|
|
it is hard to accept, and if you have any questions,
|
|
please ask."
|
|
|
|
"I do have one. What is to become of me? By what he said, I know
|
|
too much and he wants me dead."
|
|
|
|
"That will not happen. Trust me. It is hard to explain but
|
|
let me try. Since I first saw you from a distance something
|
|
about you reached out and took ahold of me. That first day
|
|
in town I followed you from a distance, doing my best to get
|
|
a good look at you, and wishing moreso that I could talk to
|
|
you. But I couldn't, so I kept watch that night over your room.
|
|
I sat on top of a building and made sure you slept as sound
|
|
as possible. I prayed to Mielikki that you be well rested
|
|
and protected from any danger. That night, I realized that
|
|
you were the first person to do that to me. Never had I cared
|
|
so much about a single person as that day I saw you. It was
|
|
that day that I broke my one hundred year long vow of never
|
|
loving another person.
|
|
|
|
For days after that I followed you in town, watched you while
|
|
you slept, made sure no one bad got near you. I risked everything
|
|
to be near you when you slept. One night I went as far as to
|
|
go into your room, and sit in a corner to watch you.
|
|
|
|
I have prayed long and wished that you could someday meet me,
|
|
and I wished even more that maybe, by some miracle you could
|
|
talk to me. You are different Aryn. I can sense it in you from
|
|
miles away, and now that you sit near me, it beats in my heart
|
|
so loud. I know that you are different, much more than the
|
|
people that surround you. Something in my heart tells me that
|
|
one day you will become much more than you are now."
|
|
|
|
He sat looking into the fire, not sure what to say next.
|
|
Confusion had taken his heart and for the first time in
|
|
his life, he was unsure what to do. The chaos played itself
|
|
out in his mind, and finally released him so he could
|
|
continue.
|
|
|
|
"I know that you will want to go back to your life at court,
|
|
and I will let you go. All I can do is hope and pray that you
|
|
will keep what you know to yourself. I don't know if Lyell
|
|
told you, but if you tell another person, we both suffer for
|
|
breaking our vow. I have faith in you, and my life is in your
|
|
hands whether you know it or not. Know that when you leave
|
|
this morning you carry the lives of two guardians, protectors
|
|
of the woods and nature.
|
|
|
|
Also know, that I have complete faith in you. I trust you.
|
|
And...I love you."
|
|
|
|
Daryth dropped his head and looked back into the fire, not
|
|
wanting to watch her face as she laughed inwardly at him. He
|
|
knew that she would not believe him, and he had already
|
|
accepted it. Not wanting to hear the answer that was to
|
|
come, he stood up and turned to leave. He could not bear
|
|
to hear the word 'no' ring the small grove so he left.
|
|
|
|
Half rising, Aryn extended her hand to stop him, but he had
|
|
already moved to the edge of the clearing. By the time she
|
|
stood up, he was gone, and only the gentle breeze was left
|
|
to follow.
|
|
|
|
=-=-=
|
|
|
|
Sunlight filtered through the balcony door, and displayed
|
|
itself over the bed in the center of the room. The sound
|
|
of people carried up and acted as a morning alarm to the
|
|
sleeping figure. Aryn awoke with a start and sat up in the
|
|
bed, unaware of where she was. Putting her hands to her head
|
|
she tried to remember what had happened, and what had been
|
|
a dream.
|
|
|
|
Unsure of what was real, and what lay in the land of dreams,
|
|
she stretched before standing up. Without a noise, she moved
|
|
to her nightstand to gaze into the mirror and brush her
|
|
beautiful hair. Setting the brush down she noticed a single
|
|
pendant in the middle that she had never seen before. On
|
|
the end of a long silver chain, two crossed blades were
|
|
fastened, a symbolic reminder of her night before.
|
|
|
|
=-=-=
|
|
|
|
The hooded figure kept walking. He had been walking since
|
|
the night before when he left his only friend, and the
|
|
only person he had ever loved. He scolded himself for walking
|
|
away, not sure of her response, but something in the back
|
|
of his mind, and something deep in his heart told him that
|
|
she would not understand, and would not accept him. It was
|
|
almost an hour before noon, and he knew what was to come.
|
|
He could not prepare for it so he didn't try, he simply walked
|
|
his pattern until the time came.
|
|
|
|
Minutes before the sun shone directly overhead, he walked
|
|
into his clearing by the river. He kneeled down in front
|
|
of the stream, and eased back a little, ready for what was
|
|
to happen. The last thing he remembered was a figure approaching
|
|
from the other side of the river.
|
|
|
|
Centuries passed, or so it seemed, before Daryth awoke,
|
|
and as he opened his eyes he regretted it instantly. The
|
|
sun above him bore down onto him and blinded him quickly.
|
|
He quickly raised a hand to shield his eyes and adjust to
|
|
the light from above. As he did, he could feel the presence
|
|
of someone nearby. He lay back down and closed his eyes before
|
|
he spoke.
|
|
|
|
"Hello Lyell. Sorry to bring you back like this, but it is
|
|
always good to see you."
|
|
|
|
"And you my friend. Do you remember any of it?"
|
|
|
|
"A little here and there. The trial commenced, and my
|
|
record reviewed. The judge sentenced me to another hundred
|
|
years. But there was something else. I can't quite place
|
|
it. Oh well. And you?"
|
|
|
|
"Nothing. Yes, I was surprised too. I take it they realized
|
|
I had no choice this time, and that in my case it could
|
|
not be helped. I am sorry for you my friend, and I am not."
|
|
|
|
"I know. I enjoy the solitude, and love my punishment.
|
|
Anyway, I am all right. Thank you again for showing, but
|
|
it is time we went our separate ways once again. Hopefully
|
|
it won't be a full one hundred years, but I shouldn't think
|
|
otherwise."
|
|
|
|
"I am afraid so."
|
|
|
|
"I remember. My faith is once again well placed. Our goddess
|
|
has returned, and she will look out for us. Mielikki is
|
|
back."
|
|
|
|
Daryth sat up fully and stood before his friend.
|
|
|
|
"Mielikki granted me this one day to do as I please..
|
|
I may do as I wish."
|
|
|
|
The smile on his face showed his happiness, and Lyell could
|
|
tell that his friend was in bliss. Lyell stood up and buckled
|
|
his sword belt and prepared to journey back to his own
|
|
territory. As he passed, Daryth reached out and clasped
|
|
Lyell's hand.
|
|
|
|
"Wait. I need one last favor old friend."
|
|
|
|
"Anything..."
|
|
|
|
=-=-=
|
|
|
|
Spiraling down the stairs, Aryn felt better than she had
|
|
ever felt before. She could recall most of last night
|
|
and remembered enough to make her realize how lucky she had
|
|
been. The bizarre events still flooded her mind, and she
|
|
thought fondly of her savior, and what he had sacrificed
|
|
to help her.
|
|
|
|
As she entered the dining hall, her father was more than
|
|
shocked to see her walk through. Jumping up, he rushed to
|
|
her and buried her in a hug so big as to almost smother her.
|
|
She hugged back, and they stood there for a minute letting
|
|
him absorb that she was safe and unharmed.
|
|
|
|
"What happened? Are you alright? What..."
|
|
|
|
She cut him off and sat him down in a chair close by.
|
|
|
|
"Father! I am alright. I will tell you what happened. During
|
|
my walk I strayed off a trail and got lost in the woods.
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|
I wondered around for hours before it got dark, and finally
|
|
gave up and rested in a small grove. I remember falling
|
|
asleep and the next thing I woke up here in the castle.
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|
That is all I remember."
|
|
|
|
They talked more for part of the morning and she assured him
|
|
that everything was fine and decided to go to the market
|
|
place to buy some new clothes. A better part of the afternoon
|
|
had passed before she returned home.
|
|
|
|
With a loud bang the oak door to her room hit the wall
|
|
and she entered. Setting down her new clothes she removed
|
|
a few other necklaces, careful to leave her new one on
|
|
and went to the balcony door. Throwing it open she startled
|
|
herself as she walked out and almost hit something.
|
|
|
|
As her eyes adjusted to the setting sunlight, she focused
|
|
on a painting set up on a hand carved stand. Below the
|
|
picture was a carved plaque that said "Daryth and Aryn"
|
|
and below that "Sothi Nuinqua Tsalarioth". Slowly her
|
|
mouth dropped down, as the beauty and clarity took ahold
|
|
of her. She stood there an hour looking at it, studying
|
|
every detail before the sun set and she had to move it
|
|
inside. It was the most valuable thing she had ever been
|
|
given and she wished she could see Daryth again to tell
|
|
him one thing.
|
|
|
|
'Yes'.
|
|
|
|
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|
|
|
|
"And that is the story of Daryth and Aryn. Take it for what
|
|
you will and know that this piece means a lot more to two
|
|
people of the past."
|
|
|
|
The gentleman stepped back and leaned against the stage
|
|
where the auctioneer was and let his story sink in. So caught up
|
|
in the story many people finally blinked and leaned back, unaware
|
|
they were sitting on the edge of their seats. A short heavyset man
|
|
stood up and walked out of the room, obviously disbelieving the
|
|
story. He was the only one to leave the room though.
|
|
|
|
"What became of Daryth and Aryn?"
|
|
|
|
The auctioneer had voiced what was going thought everyone's
|
|
mind and a near silent murmur rippled across the room.
|
|
|
|
"That, is a different story."
|
|
|
|
The man pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to
|
|
the auctioneer and walked toward the back of the room. A stunned look
|
|
was all that registered on his face as he took the item and watched
|
|
the storyteller leave. Once the door had closed he looked down at
|
|
the card and turned it over. It said:
|
|
|
|
Lyell Razdyn
|
|
Ranger of Mielikki
|
|
|
|
=-=
|
|
|
|
This story inspired by the painting titled "The Diamond Warrior" by
|
|
Michael Parks. The story further inspired by a good friend.
|
|
|
|
- d1s
|
|
|
|
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