all_of_us
Mar. 11th, 2004
03:29 am - Chapter 2
"...eighteen, nineteen, twenty! Ready or not, here I come," Dorrian yelled into the cool fall air as he turned from the tree that served as home base. He was 'it' again, but only because he had let Jason catch him, like he always did. Dorrian had learned a long time ago that the other children did not like it when he was always winning the games they played, and he had also learned that if he didn't let them win sometimes, they wouldn't want to play with him.
"Hmmm," the child mumbled to himself, "I wonder where they could be."
He wandered across the farm yard looking left and right. He knew right where the other three children were hidden, of course. He always did. It was part of the 'gift' that made him special his grandpa told him. He knew that Jessie was in the hayloft, Pattie was under the house porch, and Jason had wandered off into the woods to the north of the farm even though their Pa's had told them to not go into the woods alone. How he knew these things, he couldn't explain, he just always seemed to know .
The boy came around the house and caught sight of Pattie scooting further under the porch. He walked on past her not wanting to make her 'it' in the game. She was a nice girl and he didn't want her mad at him for making her 'it'. Continuing on towards the barn, fully planning to catch Jessie, he got a sudden flash of insight. Something was wrong with Jason. He was in trouble or hurt. Dorrian couldn't always tell the details of the things he knew and in this case he only knew something was wrong.
"Jessie! Pattie! Come quick, something's wrong with Jason. We have to help him!" The panic was rising in him fast.
The children didn't come out right away, afraid it was a trick to catch them , so he tried again.
"Dang it guys, Jason is hurt. Please come out and help me."
The panic in his voice was enough for Pattie and she came scooting out from under the porch. A second or two later, Jessie jumped down from the hayloft and came running, a sour look on his face.
"What's this all about Dor? You better not be messing with us," the older boy threatened.
"It's Jason. He went into the north woods and now something bad has happened to him."
"How do you know Dorry?" Pattie asked, fear obvious on her face.
"Yeah Dor, how do you know?"
"I just do, ok. He is out there and in trouble, I promise. We have to go help him."
Jessie looked uncertain and scuffed his feet some. "I dunno Dor, our Pa's said we aint supposed to go into the woods without them. Maybe we should wait till they get back."
"He could be dead by then . We have to go. I 'll go without you if I have to."
Without waiting for a response, Dorrian grabbed up the axe by the chopping block and started towards the tree line at the north end of the property. Pattie looked torn for a second then ran off after Dorrian yelling for him to wait for her. After a few moments, Jessie sighed, spat on the ground (like he had seen hi Pa do when he was disgusted) and promptly ran after the other two children.
The woods grew thicker and darker the farther into them the children went. Dorrian hacked through the underbrush the best his 9 year old arms could. Mostly he just succeeded at moving the brush aside. The other two children followed closely behind him.
"Where are we going anyways Dor? You got any idea?" the older boy asked.
"Its up ahead some more I think. Not too much farther I hope."
"Why would Jason have come this far in?" Pattie asked, "Even when we play in these woods we never come this far in."
"I..I don't know," Dorrian replied, "I think maybe he was drug this far back. I don't think he would have come this far in himself."
"Well if he aint hurt," Jessie scolded, "I'm gonna be the one to hurt him."
The children walked in silence for a while, the only sounds being that of Dorrian's grunts as he hacked away at the underbrush. Several minutes passed as they continued on towards where Dorrian prayed his hunch told him the other boy would be. Finally, the children came to a clearing, where Dorrian stopped them at the edge. There was a tent and a slowly smoldering campfire in the center of the clearing. The boy, Jason, lay unconscious in the center of the clearing. He looked unhurt and simply sleeping in the woods. There was no one else around to be seen.
"Wait. Something isn't right here." Dorrian knew there was another presence near. He had no idea who it was, or what for that matter, but he knew it was close.
"Hey, that's Jason laying there," Pattie said as she jumped up and rushed towards the prone body, "Hey Jason, wake up."
"No! Pattie, wait..." was all the boy got out of his mouth before the tree trap sprung and caught the little girl up the net. Jessie panicked and bolted back through the woods the way the three had come leaving Dorrian looking shaken and confused as to what to do.
"Help me Dorry, please!" Pattie screamed as the net she swung back and forth in the net.
Dorrian paused and closed his eyes. He never had any luck with trying to force his 'gift' but he just knew if he rushed into the clearing stupidly he would be caught too. He had to know more about where the presence was. Unfortunately , no matter how hard he concentrated, he couldn't get a lock on the thoughts of the enemy. He only knew it was there somewhere. He concentrated harder, pushing himself out to see if he could get an insight, but only succeeded in giving himself a headache.
Just when he was about to give up and run to the clearing to see what he could do, a hand landed on his shoulder. Suppressing a scream, Dorrian turned to jerk out of the grip that held him like a vise. He was ready to kick the highwayman in the knee and run if he had to, but he was taken by surprise by three things and quickly forgot to do anything. First, he knew this was no highwayman, but was instead one of the Druids who lived not far to the North, near Heathburrow. The Druids often ventured south to bless the crops during the local harvest festivals and he recognized the tattered hood and cloak that was their normal travel garb . Second , he knew this wasn't the hostile presence that he knew to be near. The Druids were good folk who only cared about the protection of the lands. And finally he was surprised that he had gotten no insight that this Druid was coming up behind him so quietly. He always knew when someone was near to him, but not this time.
The Druid raised his finger to his lips in the universal sign for silence. He then raised one hand above him and made a sign with his first and last fingers. Suddenly the clearing's edge burst with activity as 4 other druids crashed into the center. They rapidly circled the clearing disarming several traps as though it were child's play. One of the Druids began to cut the little girl down while another entered the tent . After a second he came back out with an armload of animal skins which he tossed down by the sleeping Jason. He then whistled a three tone pitch and three more Druids materialized from the clearing's edge.
The Druid who held Dorrian in place pointed into the clearing, "Go ahead child, check on your friends. It's safe now."
"No it isn't," Dorrian began, "there is someone else here. I just know it."
But even as he told the Druid, he knew the presence was gone now. It had probably been scared away by the pack of Druids.
"Nay child, it is safe. The poacher has moved on. Go, check on your friends. My brothers will escort you home. You shouldn't be this far in the woods alone."
Dorrian ran to the clearing to check on Jason. The boy was already being brought back to consciousness by a Druid who held a flask under his nose. One of the other Druids in the clearing walked to the one who has surprised Dorrian.
"Looks like we just missed him again Wilaf."
"I know Hecter, but patience and dedication will see the swine caught eventually. There isn't a poacher alive that can hunt our lands for long without making a mistake. Orc or not, we will catch him."
"I hope you are right Wilaf. And what was it planning to do with the child?"
"I shudder to think old friend. Luckily the boy doesn't look hurt. Besides, that one isn't our charge, his friend is, and we arrived before any harm could come to Dorrian. We should give thanks to the Great Bear tonight for this timely arrival. "
"Aye, I suppose you are correct. The boy sure is growing fast isn't he?"
"Like a magic bean he is. I fear thought that he is getting to that stage of boyhood where trouble will easily find him. We may need to station a fulltime watcher near his homestead. You know, I could feel his mind reaching out before I came on him. My shields held him back from knowing I was here, but I could feel great strength for someone so young. He may not realize he was doing it, but his abilities have most certainly awoken. It would be best for a full time guard. "
"Very well then, I will setup a rotation tonight. What is to be our next step as to the poacher?"
"Start the tracking from this camp and fan out, like normal. Until he makes that mistake were looking for, there isn't much else we can do. "
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thejekyll
Feb. 25th, 2004
04:10 am - Chapter 1
I found him in a plain canvas tent. The low table at which he sat was actually an uneven board stretched between stacked crates, his seat a tall box made softer by a folded blanket. His only companions were two monks, standing silent beside the closed entrance, anxious to anticipate his slightest need.
He lives in my memory now as I saw him then, that old gray hero, whose wisdom and strength held back the darkness that threatened so many lives. To me, history has never contained his equal, and while I live I shall love and revere him as the father I never knew.
"Magister," said one of the monks and I passed the single sentry and drew aside the flap to step within, "this is Ranger Ardenian."
He deliberately pushed aside a mass of scrolls, and fixed upon me a glance that seemed to see straight into my soul. Then, with simple dignity, he arose and extended his hand.
"Ardenian," he said grave, yet retaining his grasp, and with his eyes full upon mine, "you are a much younger man than I expected. Perhaps too young. The service I require involves unusual risks."
"Without inquiring it's nature," I said hastily, "I freely volunteer for any service with may be required of me."
The kindly face brightened instantly, almost smiling, and a new look of confidence swept into the keen gray eyes.
"I felt, even as I spoke," he said, with a dignified courtesy I have never marked in anyone else, "that I must be doing wrong to question the willingness of one who comes to me so highly recommended. Captain Renton tells me you are a fine Ranger. He said you are one of his best. You fought in the border skirmishes, I believe?"
"I fought at Demmond Hill, Genth, and Emory, Magister."
"That's hard service. Were you conscripted locally?"
"Yes Magister, at Demmond Hill. My family's farm was one of those lost in the early skirmishes."
He lowered his eyes to the numerous scrolls littering the table, and then, leaning over, traced lightly with charcoal a line across an outspread map.
"I understand you know this country well. Are you aware of your destination?"
"Captain Renton mentioned that it was your desire to re-establish communications with the Druids at Heathburrow."
"He spoke true. Do you know how to find the Druid's Grove?"
"I visited there last spring. My family attended the Heartwood Festival."
"Then kindly step this way, Ardenian, and make note of the lines I have traced across this map. Here, is the ruin of Genth, directly beyond the high ridge. You will notice that the Orc tribes extend north and south directly between us. This message is imperative. It must reach the Druids before the Orcs advance past the river, so there is no time for a detour. The messenger must take his own life in his hands and track hard westward, through occupied territory."
He spoke these words rapidly, earnestly, then suddenly lifted his eyes to mine and said firmly, "I'll ask you only once; Are you the man for this?"
I felt hot blood leap into my face, but I met his stern gaze without flinching.
"If I live, I shall reach the Druid's Grove by daybreak."
"Somehow, I believe you will."
His seemed to utter the words unconciously. Turning slightly, glancing toward the door. "Brother Wein, would you kindly hand me the message?"
He took the scroll from the monk's outstretched hand, read over it slowly and with great care, and then, once completely satisfied, extended it to me.
"Commit that to memory. We cannot risk it falling into enemy hands."
submitted by acestatic
Feb. 24th, 2004
01:30 am - PRELUDE
"So glad you could join me this night. It's been too long since last we spoke."
Wrenn spat on the floor and sneered at the robed figure sitting behind the ornately carved desk. The only light came from the fireplace, and the fire was low. The room was covered in shadows. "Save your courtesies, old man. My time is precious, and I've little enough to spend with you. What do you want?"
The old man raised an eyebrow in disgust at the tasteless display, and then dismissed the matter with a wave of his heavily ringed hand. "Not much has changed, I see. Your courtesies are still sorely lacking. Please, have a seat."
"I think I'd rather stand."
"Very well. Do as you wish." The old man picked up a goblet of dark wine and sipped it with a smile. "Would you atleast care for some refreshment? The vintage really is quite good. Sweet as a virgin whore. Ah yes... that reminds me. How is your sweet Kara?"
Wrenn stepped forward, and his eyes shone with the fire of his anger. "You would do well not to speak her name again. Your regret would be unending."
The old man smiled and leaned back into his chair, steepling his fingers in front of his chin. "I trust that was no threat, Wrenn. Do not forget your place, nor the debt you owe to me."
Wrenn could not forget. He owed the bastard his life, and as much as he despised the man, he was bound by honor to repay his debt. He spoke through gritted teeth. "Why have you called me here?"
"Surely you know. Why else would I have summoned you? I have a job for you. Once this task is completeed, I would gladly consider your debt paid in full."
"Who is it?", Wrenn asked.
The old man responded by sliding a piece of parchment across his desk towards Wrenn. The assassin picked it up and read. When he reached the end, he looked up at the old man in surprise. "This is all you require? The boy is lowborn, of no importance. Why him?"
"Because I wish it."
Wrenn shook his head. "It is well known my services are used to erase threats. What threat is this... this child, that you send my blade to meet it?"
The old man narrowed his eyes and glared at Wrenn through bushy eyebrows. "The reason for your duty is not required. All that matters to you is that the task is completed."
Wrenn hated the idea of ending a child's life, but he saw no other way. By the oath he had sworn, if he refused the old man, he would be marked for death. He hated the bastard even more for the choice that he had been offered. Wrenn silently cursed himself and spoke. "I will do what you ask."
"Good man! I rejoice that you have seen things my way." The old man smiled warmly, his face devoid of any of the contempt it held only moments before. He tossed a leather bag at Wrenn, and the assassin plucked it from the air. It jingled in his hand. "Inside, you should find more than enough coin to guarantee swift passage. There is also a map of the region. You shall need it. The village is well hidden, and not easily discovered by outsiders. The boy should be dead by nightfall, three days from this."
"Fine. It will be done, but know this, old man. After this, I am free of you. You will not seek me out or attempt to contact me. Pray our paths do not cross again in this life, for if they should, I will cut your throat and smile as you bleed out in the street."
"Then let us hope, my dear friend, that it does not come to that." The faintest of smiles played across the old man's lips as Wrenn stalked from the room. "Not that..."
submitted by byrd_man
