There we're no walls, only infinite darkness, no sound, only emptiness. The dwarf fell endlessly into a place far from home, far from those he loved. The dwarf reached out in anguish, his efforts pathetic....useless.
Eriq reached for the voices, he could hear them, all of them. Shalandra's voice poetic and serene to the ear, yet so unreachable. Klofta, Walker, Tilirinn, Boon, Sulinus.....all of them.
The dwarf cried out in anger, frustration.
"Asher, why do I suffer so!"
The words echoed throughout the darkness, growing loudly, the Priest covered his ears as he fell....his head throbbed with pain.
"Asher, why do I suffer so!"
"Asher, why do I suffer so!"
"Asher, why do I suffer so!"
"Asher, why do I suffer so!"
The dwarf's mind felt like it was ripping away, Endless screaming persisted in his mind.
Eriq opened his eyes to the darkness, free-falling into a deeper place....images of memories began to materialize within in his mind, There she was....
He could see her face, how he had missed it all these centuries. She smiled to him, reaching out to embrace him....Eriq cried as he blinked only to see her image disapear....replaced by the symbol of Asher.
Eriq wept as he fell....deeper....and deeper into the Darkness.
(Installment One)
Relentless Perceptions.
Moderator: Lords of The Realm
Flin Hearthstone
Captain Talaluth Juran-
Shalandravv
- Official Scribe and Librarian of Daris
- Posts: 1413
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The priest's eyes opened....
High upon a mountain top, amidst the clouds and stars...Eriq could hear the bells, clearly now, as he did when he was but a youth....
" 'urry lad, ye' mutha will ring me neck ye' gettin' in late! Ye' 'ear her callin' ye boy!"
The boy looked at his father's figure, in awe...
" Goin' now Eriq ol' I whoopn' ye', now git!"
Eriq eased up then, he smiled to his father, He remembered this night, His mother had a gift waiting for him once he got back from the fields, his first cloak, the symbol of Asher decorated the lower backside. His mother kissed him on the cheek and brushed back the hair from his eyes, Eriq always forwned when she did it but deep down inside he loved it, he missed it.....
Eriq's mother was a gorgious dwarven woman, she was relatively thin lookin', almost human but too short, his father always teased she was a halfling adopted by dwarves. Her hair was idenical to his own, a healthy teal. and she was well educated. she spoke very proper, another thing Eriq admired of his mother.
"Eriq, You need to wash up before supper, Koba and Klofta are coming over tonight."
Eriq grinned softly, her delicate smile easing to the eyes. She held a strong-hearted demeanor, a proud dwarven woman.
"Some day, you will serve Asher proudly, that cloak is a gift from you're father and I, a good luck present for when you leave for school. That way you'll not forget us..."
His mother winked with a innocent smile.
The memory faded as quickly as the darkness set in. The cruel prison of darkness and sorrow embraced the priest yet again, the dwarf sobbed quietly as he fell deeper into a dark place.....far from those he loved, far from everyone....
High upon a mountain top, amidst the clouds and stars...Eriq could hear the bells, clearly now, as he did when he was but a youth....
" 'urry lad, ye' mutha will ring me neck ye' gettin' in late! Ye' 'ear her callin' ye boy!"
The boy looked at his father's figure, in awe...
" Goin' now Eriq ol' I whoopn' ye', now git!"
Eriq eased up then, he smiled to his father, He remembered this night, His mother had a gift waiting for him once he got back from the fields, his first cloak, the symbol of Asher decorated the lower backside. His mother kissed him on the cheek and brushed back the hair from his eyes, Eriq always forwned when she did it but deep down inside he loved it, he missed it.....
Eriq's mother was a gorgious dwarven woman, she was relatively thin lookin', almost human but too short, his father always teased she was a halfling adopted by dwarves. Her hair was idenical to his own, a healthy teal. and she was well educated. she spoke very proper, another thing Eriq admired of his mother.
"Eriq, You need to wash up before supper, Koba and Klofta are coming over tonight."
Eriq grinned softly, her delicate smile easing to the eyes. She held a strong-hearted demeanor, a proud dwarven woman.
"Some day, you will serve Asher proudly, that cloak is a gift from you're father and I, a good luck present for when you leave for school. That way you'll not forget us..."
His mother winked with a innocent smile.
The memory faded as quickly as the darkness set in. The cruel prison of darkness and sorrow embraced the priest yet again, the dwarf sobbed quietly as he fell deeper into a dark place.....far from those he loved, far from everyone....
Eragon wrote:With a heavy sigh, Natalia slumped into the large chair in her office. She opened a drawer on the side of her desk and produced a notebook, already pretty filled with notes and observations of different kinds. The Head Nurse rubbed her hand across her eyes for a moment, the weariness she suffered evident in every movement she made. She inhaled deeply and grabbed a quill from the ink-house on her desk.
The quill hovered over the clean sheet of paper as Natalia pondered her words. A few drops of ink on the page before she started to write.
Log, Day 3, Eriq
The treatment will take some time, patience and care must be executed. I see some improvement. The man has regained some of the color to his cheeks, he doesn't rest quite as restlessly as he did last night. However something troubles me. I pinched his toes a few hours ago, to see if his reflexes were intact. I received no reaction. He might be in such deep slumber he does not feel it, or he might wake up paralyzed. I pray it is not the latter, though the first option is not to prefer either. If the man falls in too deep, and gets pulled back to this world too quickly, the consequences are dire.
A few more drops of ink on the next page of the notebook, Natalia loses her focus, her headache growing in intensity by the second.
Must get him to drink the mixture, worked out something I think might do good last night. Couldn't sleep. I am certain he will be fine. Shalandra paces, I can hear it. Have to change his sheets, wash him. Trim his beard and get him the herbs. The ointment should be ready. should also try Silron's oint..
The rest of the notes are smothered by the ink here. Natalia fainted. Exhausted from everything, she collapsed and woke with no desire to continue the ramble she had started.
She went to Eriq's room again with a fresh bowl of water and a clean cloth and started to wash the dwarf while he was still in slumber.
He could feel her soft touch, soothing and cool, he opened his eyes to the love of his memory, Kirsten. She looked gorgious in all of her glory, her ebon locks bounced with her elogent, soothing smile, her hazel eyes gleamed with compassion and love. He wanted to speak, to declare his undying love to her....she pressed her lips against his with a light wave of her hand over his temple. He could feel the tears stream over his cheeks instanly, she hugged him tightly.
A thousand thoughts ran through Eriq's mind at that moment, she was there again, he had desired this for over three-hundred years, to hold her again. Suddenly he couldn't breath, his head began to pulse with pain....he began to lose his vision. Eriq began to groan uncontrolably....Kirsten sat back with confusion and concern.
"Kirs...NO!...Kirsten..KIRSTEN!"
Kisrten's voice sang out
"Eriq..I'm here love, I'm here...calm down....I'm right here.....Eriq!"
He couldn't see her anymore, her voice swept over his ears, he reached out desperately, crying uncontrolable he Lunged from his resting spot...nothing!
Blind, enraged, confused....Eriq lunged forth only to fall to his face upon a solid surface.
The tears ran down his face, over open wounds...
"WHY DO YOU CAUSE ME SUCH PAIN ASHER! WHY!?!?!?!?!!"
Eriq's head dropped hard upon the ground...his blood pulsed through his body...but his mind was some where else again.
Months had passed now, many months since his attack. The Head Nurse and her staff hadn't made much progress, as far as bringing the dwarf back to consciousness. Natalia kept a wary eye on the old priest at all times of the day, wishing only to see the blue eyes of her patient, and the beloved friend of many. The seldom mumbling kept her optimistic though.
"Strange, Eriq I don't think you've ever been happier, at least in all the time I've known you...and that's a long time!"
The dwarf stirred in his bed, his mind working in puzzling ways, sporadic thoughts recurring at random times. Natalia sat beside the priest, curious and wishful....she eased a cool, wet cloth towel over his forehead.
"Nonsense Walker, I'm just happier then usual 'tis all. Besides, I'm an old dwarf, If I make the council this day I'll end up croaking before I can change anything for the better...."
Eriq jested with a light chuckle as he looked into the mirror adjusting his robes, keeping an eye on his finest student.
"Ok, perhaps you are right old friend, I am happy. Now 'git. Go find Valgun for me will ya? Last I heard, he was in the center of town, speaking with Kinsath and Celdur. I need to talk some matters over with you two before I leave for the ceremony..."
Walker nodded with a smile and left the High Priest's chamber. Eriq looked into the mirror again, with a bright smile he turned around and headed for his study.
"I am so honored to serve along side my friends for such a cause. Today is a new beginning for this village....for this nation."
Eriq stirred a little more, Natalia interested in what was possibly going on in the old dwarf's head smiled as she noticed a childish grin cross his face for a moment before he went completely still. She sat silent for a moment, not sure what to make of the complex dwarf....but at least he had smiled this time....
"Strange, Eriq I don't think you've ever been happier, at least in all the time I've known you...and that's a long time!"
The dwarf stirred in his bed, his mind working in puzzling ways, sporadic thoughts recurring at random times. Natalia sat beside the priest, curious and wishful....she eased a cool, wet cloth towel over his forehead.
"Nonsense Walker, I'm just happier then usual 'tis all. Besides, I'm an old dwarf, If I make the council this day I'll end up croaking before I can change anything for the better...."
Eriq jested with a light chuckle as he looked into the mirror adjusting his robes, keeping an eye on his finest student.
"Ok, perhaps you are right old friend, I am happy. Now 'git. Go find Valgun for me will ya? Last I heard, he was in the center of town, speaking with Kinsath and Celdur. I need to talk some matters over with you two before I leave for the ceremony..."
Walker nodded with a smile and left the High Priest's chamber. Eriq looked into the mirror again, with a bright smile he turned around and headed for his study.
"I am so honored to serve along side my friends for such a cause. Today is a new beginning for this village....for this nation."
Eriq stirred a little more, Natalia interested in what was possibly going on in the old dwarf's head smiled as she noticed a childish grin cross his face for a moment before he went completely still. She sat silent for a moment, not sure what to make of the complex dwarf....but at least he had smiled this time....
The dwarf had lost a considerable amount of weight over the last five months,, laying in bed comatose had obviously taking it's tole upon the aged priest.
A tall, handsome middle-aged man robed in gold and red clothes entered his Mentor's room with a sad smile on his face, as if accepting his oldest friend's death even know he had not yet passed. The symbol of Balance and Honor adorned his right shoulder blade.
"Head Nurse I was askin' maybe if you could let us take the High Priest back to the Telkmar, his home is there. I am Walker, Priest of Asher and closest friend of the good dwarf....I speak for his cousins Koba and Klofta Redleafe as well, His closest relatives in the region. We feel that it is best we take him back to rest in his own lodge. Might we trouble you for that?"
A tall, handsome middle-aged man robed in gold and red clothes entered his Mentor's room with a sad smile on his face, as if accepting his oldest friend's death even know he had not yet passed. The symbol of Balance and Honor adorned his right shoulder blade.
"Head Nurse I was askin' maybe if you could let us take the High Priest back to the Telkmar, his home is there. I am Walker, Priest of Asher and closest friend of the good dwarf....I speak for his cousins Koba and Klofta Redleafe as well, His closest relatives in the region. We feel that it is best we take him back to rest in his own lodge. Might we trouble you for that?"
Last edited by Ohio41 on Mon Aug 15, 2005 5:13 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Ten days and nights had passed since the dwarven brothers and the Priest of Asher had set off from the village of Daris for that of the Telkhmar lands in hope of avoiding a storm in doing so. The cold winds of the Arrith were enough to hinder any man, especially a wounded aged priest.
Walker steadied his footing as began to walk up the incline of the landscape, holding the gurney tightly he pressed onward with a sweat beading at his brow.
“Koba…Klofta, we’ll camp up here for the night, I need to get a fire started or Eriq won’t make it through the night.”
The dwarven brothers nodded in agreement, understanding fully the situation. A top the rocky landscape the three companions set camp in haste, the wind bitter to the touch. Walker adjusted the High Priest’s garments, tucking the magically imbued cloth closer to his Mentor’s body.
“Thank you Klofta..” Walker smiled at the sight of a reliable fire.
“Walker, old friend worry not…we’ll git’ cousin Eriq home…back to the Telkhmar safe and sound. I’m sure Janloar and his healers are awaiting us with high hopes, and I ain’t one to be makin’ people wait.”
Klofta declared with a proud boast.
The wind began to blow furiously over the Arrith Plains, a storm obviously coming in from the farther north. Walker knelt low over his teacher motionless form, a tear crystallized as it rolled half way down his face…
“Asher have mercy on his soul, for it is he who spreads your name with all the love he possesses. Great father of Balance and Honor, give Eriq the strength required to make this journey…give me the strength to succeed now.”
The warn priest sighed with the end of his prayer, laying back onto his bedroll looking to the night sky…wishing upon the stars Walker dozed off into the realm of dreams.
Walker steadied his footing as began to walk up the incline of the landscape, holding the gurney tightly he pressed onward with a sweat beading at his brow.
“Koba…Klofta, we’ll camp up here for the night, I need to get a fire started or Eriq won’t make it through the night.”
The dwarven brothers nodded in agreement, understanding fully the situation. A top the rocky landscape the three companions set camp in haste, the wind bitter to the touch. Walker adjusted the High Priest’s garments, tucking the magically imbued cloth closer to his Mentor’s body.
“Thank you Klofta..” Walker smiled at the sight of a reliable fire.
“Walker, old friend worry not…we’ll git’ cousin Eriq home…back to the Telkhmar safe and sound. I’m sure Janloar and his healers are awaiting us with high hopes, and I ain’t one to be makin’ people wait.”
Klofta declared with a proud boast.
The wind began to blow furiously over the Arrith Plains, a storm obviously coming in from the farther north. Walker knelt low over his teacher motionless form, a tear crystallized as it rolled half way down his face…
“Asher have mercy on his soul, for it is he who spreads your name with all the love he possesses. Great father of Balance and Honor, give Eriq the strength required to make this journey…give me the strength to succeed now.”
The warn priest sighed with the end of his prayer, laying back onto his bedroll looking to the night sky…wishing upon the stars Walker dozed off into the realm of dreams.
Koba trudged through the thickening snow as it fell subtly, almost serenely upon the cold, bitter landscape. He cursed to himself, holding his gloved hands to his Rose cheeks....why the hell did he have to be so damn small.
"I'm tellin' ye' Klofta, wes need to be 'vesting in sum stilts, I got snow in my blasted ears!"
Walker chuckled a bit to himself.
"Damn ye' whinin' brutha' I'm tellin' ye' to shut ye' yap already!" Klofta hollered back to Koba who had just face planted in the snow.
Walker's shoulders strained in pain, the gurney was heavy on his aging frame. The Sun had set over an hour ago, the silhouette of it cascaded over top, leaving a bright orange light over the coldlands. Walker haulted for a moment.
Klofta held tight to his side of the carrying device, Eriq had been covered in about an inch of snow, Walker brushed him carefully and paused as he looked over his friend with a saddening gaze..
"What is it Walker......why wes stopin'?" Klofta asked with an irritated tone.
Walker glanced upwards into the sky, the clouds moving over top rather quickly
"May Asher be with us.....Walker pointed towards the sky in disbelief.
Koba and Klofta understood exactly what the priest was praying for...the giant bright star began to reflect within the clouds, alabaster light bathed the party. The air stood still, frigid and calm. The calm before the storm...the calm before the storm.....
"I thought it to be a myth...but it's not....Asher, please, please now in our greatest time of need....guard us from harm's way, show us your mercy M'lord!"
The wind halted all together, the snow ceased to fall, the Winter's Gem pulsed through the clouds....
"Blessed be the High Priest, your most pious servant, protect us all M'lord..... this journey is not in vein!"
....And then it consumed the land, the trees, the mountains, the entirety of the Arrith Plains.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keffa Redleafe smiled as approached the gates of Daris. His father Klofta told him to find Flin Hearthstone...he'd know what to do when he found him...
"I'm tellin' ye' Klofta, wes need to be 'vesting in sum stilts, I got snow in my blasted ears!"
Walker chuckled a bit to himself.
"Damn ye' whinin' brutha' I'm tellin' ye' to shut ye' yap already!" Klofta hollered back to Koba who had just face planted in the snow.
Walker's shoulders strained in pain, the gurney was heavy on his aging frame. The Sun had set over an hour ago, the silhouette of it cascaded over top, leaving a bright orange light over the coldlands. Walker haulted for a moment.
Klofta held tight to his side of the carrying device, Eriq had been covered in about an inch of snow, Walker brushed him carefully and paused as he looked over his friend with a saddening gaze..
"What is it Walker......why wes stopin'?" Klofta asked with an irritated tone.
Walker glanced upwards into the sky, the clouds moving over top rather quickly
"May Asher be with us.....Walker pointed towards the sky in disbelief.
Koba and Klofta understood exactly what the priest was praying for...the giant bright star began to reflect within the clouds, alabaster light bathed the party. The air stood still, frigid and calm. The calm before the storm...the calm before the storm.....
"I thought it to be a myth...but it's not....Asher, please, please now in our greatest time of need....guard us from harm's way, show us your mercy M'lord!"
The wind halted all together, the snow ceased to fall, the Winter's Gem pulsed through the clouds....
"Blessed be the High Priest, your most pious servant, protect us all M'lord..... this journey is not in vein!"
....And then it consumed the land, the trees, the mountains, the entirety of the Arrith Plains.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keffa Redleafe smiled as approached the gates of Daris. His father Klofta told him to find Flin Hearthstone...he'd know what to do when he found him...
Over two months had passed since the massive snowstorm engulfed the hills of the Telkhmar, though those that resided outside of the cold and bitter lands took little notice to the events that had taken place.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Master Dwarf....Master Dwarf...."
A deep and masculine voice echoed through out Eriq's head, he blinked suddenly, eyes fixated on a giant of a man. The stranger's face was hidden by the shadows of what seemed to be a cave.
"Wha..where am I....who arr....are you..?" Eriq spoke weakly to the man in the shadows.
"I am Ru, Warrior of Makkaz, The White Bear. I found you near death in the storm. I heard a voice in my dreams, the voice of Makkaz leading me towards you, and your companions."
Ru swung his large arm across the cave pointing towards figures that laid upon the floor of the cave in similar fashion as Eriq himself. Eriq turned his head the best he could before pain ceased his movement much further.
"Each nearly bested by the Winter's Gem. Please do not fear Master Dwarf...for I will not let death take you so soon."
The old dwarf attempted a cordial smile, and slumped back into a deep sleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Master Dwarf....Master Dwarf...."
A deep and masculine voice echoed through out Eriq's head, he blinked suddenly, eyes fixated on a giant of a man. The stranger's face was hidden by the shadows of what seemed to be a cave.
"Wha..where am I....who arr....are you..?" Eriq spoke weakly to the man in the shadows.
"I am Ru, Warrior of Makkaz, The White Bear. I found you near death in the storm. I heard a voice in my dreams, the voice of Makkaz leading me towards you, and your companions."
Ru swung his large arm across the cave pointing towards figures that laid upon the floor of the cave in similar fashion as Eriq himself. Eriq turned his head the best he could before pain ceased his movement much further.
"Each nearly bested by the Winter's Gem. Please do not fear Master Dwarf...for I will not let death take you so soon."
The old dwarf attempted a cordial smile, and slumped back into a deep sleep.
The soft touch of a woman's hand is all the aged dwarf could feel, opening his eyes he recognized the Telkhmar healer with a weak smile and a harsh cough.
"Calm yer' self down Master Redleafe, you have friends to live for."
The woman smiled with a light chuckle, resting a cold towl upon Eriq's forehead.
"I 'spose I do don't I Lyya."
The dwarf managed a few words with another cough.
"You'll need to rest here for a short while before you will be any shape to walk, let alone travel as far as Dasar, yeck...Daris isn't even a option at this point good dwarf."
Lyya explained the dwarf's situation with a sour expression.
Eriq just nodded to the Telkhmar healer, just grateful that he was alive at all. Before Eriq had the chance to speak again the door of the Apothecary opened, entering his cousin Koba.
"Eh Cousin! Ye' look finer then eva!"
Eriq smiled to the sight of his cousin. Bandaged on his head and right arm Koba looked rather well in comparison to his older cousin.
"I thought I'd be the first one to greet ya, seeing te' which ol' Shalandra 'round the place sum' where, came te'see on ya' cousin. Flin and Sully even that fella Fal-"
Eriq interrupted with a surge of excitement.
"Did you say Shalandra is here?"
The priest sat up with a grimace, as Lyya motioned to help Eriq.
"Master Eriq you must rest!"
Eriq waved off Lyya with his hand.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Koba, please.....I would like to speak with the Blueblade of the West."
Eriq grimaced through a facade of smiles, Koba nodded and hobbled from the Apothecary.
"Calm yer' self down Master Redleafe, you have friends to live for."
The woman smiled with a light chuckle, resting a cold towl upon Eriq's forehead.
"I 'spose I do don't I Lyya."
The dwarf managed a few words with another cough.
"You'll need to rest here for a short while before you will be any shape to walk, let alone travel as far as Dasar, yeck...Daris isn't even a option at this point good dwarf."
Lyya explained the dwarf's situation with a sour expression.
Eriq just nodded to the Telkhmar healer, just grateful that he was alive at all. Before Eriq had the chance to speak again the door of the Apothecary opened, entering his cousin Koba.
"Eh Cousin! Ye' look finer then eva!"
Eriq smiled to the sight of his cousin. Bandaged on his head and right arm Koba looked rather well in comparison to his older cousin.
"I thought I'd be the first one to greet ya, seeing te' which ol' Shalandra 'round the place sum' where, came te'see on ya' cousin. Flin and Sully even that fella Fal-"
Eriq interrupted with a surge of excitement.
"Did you say Shalandra is here?"
The priest sat up with a grimace, as Lyya motioned to help Eriq.
"Master Eriq you must rest!"
Eriq waved off Lyya with his hand.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Koba, please.....I would like to speak with the Blueblade of the West."
Eriq grimaced through a facade of smiles, Koba nodded and hobbled from the Apothecary.
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Shalandravv
- Official Scribe and Librarian of Daris
- Posts: 1413
- Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2002 8:28 pm
- Location: The Village of Daris
Shalandra's mind had been moving a mile a minute. She stood outside the hospice in the Telkhmar village, watching as the petals of snow blanketed the landscape around her in the purest of white. It made her think of Nara, of the color of Nanna-Sin's holy raiments, of her gentle nature. It made her think of the Kingseekers, of times both good and bad.
She caught one of the many flakes on the edge of her index finger, relaxing in the cold. She paid no mind to it, as it did not affect her. Cirran's amulet saw to that. It was well, too. She hated the cold, but loved the snow.
What was Eriq thinking right now? What had he been feeling? He couldn't have known how long he had been unconscious, how much time had gone by. The absence of the priest of Asher hurt Shalandra's heart. The tower never seemed full without him.
She sighed. One of the soldiers of Dasaria passed by, giving a familiar and fond salute. She returned the gesture with as bright a smile as she could manage.
"A fair eve, Lady Velvax. It's a pleasure to have you up here." He said.
"These are beautiful landscapes. Tell me, how goes the progression with allying the other tribes of the T'nai?" She asked.
"Not very well, but progress is always just around the corner if you keep on pressing." The guardsman said enthusiastically. "Forgive my manners. My name is Bredom."
"Bredom, eh? A nice name. Are you from Morell? You've got a touch of the accent." Shalandra asked. She rested her hands on her sides, leaning back against the wall of the hospice.
"Yes, as a matter of fact. Born and raised." Bredom looked around. "Well, sorry to split off so fast, but I've got to get back to patrol. Have a good eve, madame... and best of luck to your friend. I hear he's slowly recovering..."
"Thank you. Gods watch over you, Bredom."
"And you, Lady Velvax." He saluted.
"Please, just call me Shalandra."
"Very well, then, Shalandra. Good eve." He bowed his head and stepped off.
Shalandra squinted her eyes relaxedly. She was tired and the trip had been long up towards the north. As her eyes admired the lands about her, a small Telkhmar boy with the purest blue eyes looked at her. They glimmered like sapphire in the dim light of the torches. He was crouched low, playing in the snowfields. He waved and Shalandra smiled. Soon enough, he too was smiling.
Beautiful, innocent youth. If that wasn't worth fighting for, nothing else was.
The door opened aside her, startling the blue haired woman awake. She looked down to see Koba Redleafe. He looked up at the warrioress with pride.
"Lady Velvax... I think you should come inside..."
Shalandra looked down at him and nodded firmly.
"Lead the way, friend..."
The warmth of the hospice danced with the light of candles and lanterns and Eriq was still where she left him. However, that old, joyful expression she longed for, for ages now, awaited her eyes.
At long last...
"Eriq...!" She walked forward and kneeled next to him, embracing him warmly. "Welcome back, old friend..."
She caught one of the many flakes on the edge of her index finger, relaxing in the cold. She paid no mind to it, as it did not affect her. Cirran's amulet saw to that. It was well, too. She hated the cold, but loved the snow.
What was Eriq thinking right now? What had he been feeling? He couldn't have known how long he had been unconscious, how much time had gone by. The absence of the priest of Asher hurt Shalandra's heart. The tower never seemed full without him.
She sighed. One of the soldiers of Dasaria passed by, giving a familiar and fond salute. She returned the gesture with as bright a smile as she could manage.
"A fair eve, Lady Velvax. It's a pleasure to have you up here." He said.
"These are beautiful landscapes. Tell me, how goes the progression with allying the other tribes of the T'nai?" She asked.
"Not very well, but progress is always just around the corner if you keep on pressing." The guardsman said enthusiastically. "Forgive my manners. My name is Bredom."
"Bredom, eh? A nice name. Are you from Morell? You've got a touch of the accent." Shalandra asked. She rested her hands on her sides, leaning back against the wall of the hospice.
"Yes, as a matter of fact. Born and raised." Bredom looked around. "Well, sorry to split off so fast, but I've got to get back to patrol. Have a good eve, madame... and best of luck to your friend. I hear he's slowly recovering..."
"Thank you. Gods watch over you, Bredom."
"And you, Lady Velvax." He saluted.
"Please, just call me Shalandra."
"Very well, then, Shalandra. Good eve." He bowed his head and stepped off.
Shalandra squinted her eyes relaxedly. She was tired and the trip had been long up towards the north. As her eyes admired the lands about her, a small Telkhmar boy with the purest blue eyes looked at her. They glimmered like sapphire in the dim light of the torches. He was crouched low, playing in the snowfields. He waved and Shalandra smiled. Soon enough, he too was smiling.
Beautiful, innocent youth. If that wasn't worth fighting for, nothing else was.
The door opened aside her, startling the blue haired woman awake. She looked down to see Koba Redleafe. He looked up at the warrioress with pride.
"Lady Velvax... I think you should come inside..."
Shalandra looked down at him and nodded firmly.
"Lead the way, friend..."
The warmth of the hospice danced with the light of candles and lanterns and Eriq was still where she left him. However, that old, joyful expression she longed for, for ages now, awaited her eyes.
At long last...
"Eriq...!" She walked forward and kneeled next to him, embracing him warmly. "Welcome back, old friend..."
