Protector woke up with a throbbing headache, looking around slowly eyes focusing. Then it all hit him “no! By the eight hells that couldn’t be!!!!” his mind ran over his last thoughts before blacking out remembering the face he saw, the face he could never forget. . . “So it seems it was him, he is back.”
Protector ran his hardest legs and arms pumping like never before a new vigor filled his heart and a burning hatred, something he hasn’t felt in many, many seasons. But this time the hatred had new fuel. HE caused this mess, HE made him kill, and HE took Rose for no explainable reason. Did he know her? How deeply was he connected to the army at the edge of the woods, the army wanting to destroy his village even though they did nothing to the outsider world.
After several hours of cross country Protector made it to his village. Bolting into The Elder’s home he quickly bowed and made the sign of the three suns. “I am sorry Elder but there is an emergency and I need your advice. The Elder was an old man, one of the oldest in the village, he had long white hair that fell to his knees when it was out of his traditional braids, his beard went almost to his waist and it was adorned with many charms of the earth, his eyes milked over from the venomous drippings of a wyrm, arms bore scars from the same battle. He was adorned in simple garb. “Easy, what brings you rushing into my hut so quickly seeking my help?” he asked.
Catching his breath “My Father, he has returned to the forest.”
The elder tilted his head down, “are you certain it was him Protector?”
“Yes Elder I am positive it was him, no one else has eyes like that aside from my brothers and me.” The Elder was silent for a while and then summoned a boy dressed in white, “go and fetch Hunter and Keeper, they must know of this as well.” The boy ran out of the hut a few moments later Protector’s brothers entered the hut. Hunter had short blonde hair, a clean shaven face, and the same eyes as Protector and Keeper. He wore a tight leather vest over a cotton tunic and loose fitting leggings, his forearms had bracers on them with a knotwork carving. On his back was a quiver and on his right hip was a hunting dagger with a leather wrapped handle. His left wrist held a knotted bracelet made of a ribbon from his handfasting almost a year ago. Keeper was the shortest of the three, his brown hair was braided down to the small of his back, he had the forming of a scruffy beard, he was dressed in robes that at one point in time where white. his right middle finger carried a ring made of brass engraved with a serpent eating its own tail. “What is the meaning of this council brother?” asked Hunter.
Protector Stood up and with a sigh began to tell his story, he told of his fight and capture of rose, the journey they made into the army’s camp and there return home and finally his chance encounter with their father. His hand gripped the pommel of little sister tightly as he explained his vision of father disappearing with Rose. “So what do you intend to do about this brother?” asked Keeper.
“I plan to go to Dellhaven and seek him out”
“The City of Kings? How do you plan find one man in such a large city brother?” Hunter asked. “There is no possible way to find him”
“Tsk, Tsk brother” Protector almost chuckled “everyone leaves a trail; you of all people should know that.”
“I want to go with you brother” Keeper spouted out. Protector walked over to Keeper smiling and putting his hands on Keeper’s shoulders, “brother you are far too precious to risk your life by taking you with me, though between you and Hunter I doubt there is anyone else I would want with me on this trek.” Keeper looked down at his feet face turning slightly red. “Sometimes I forget my place, I am sorry brother.”
“Never apologize for that, your place is where you make it.” There was a silence in the hut, Protector turned to The Elder, “Elder I seek your blessing in my quest, do I have it?”
The elder looked up to the ceiling but everyone knew what he was doing, he was calling the guidance of the spirits. The Elder’s eyes began to glow a soft pale blue and his voice changed, it sounded like a hundred men whispering. Oh lost children, fatherless and bastards, the answers you seek questing one lie in the arena of the Great City, but not in bloodshed. Your journey begins when you give up on hope. The light faded from The Elder’s eyes. “That is the advice for I have for you, use it well you have my blessing.”
“Good then I leave in the morning” said Protector. That night the three brother’s drank and enjoyed each other’s company one last time before the eldest left for the world.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Rose's Tale Part I
Rain thundered down the roofs of the orphanage, Jonathan stood in the doorway. “Rose, there is someone here for you. A small girl with long beautiful brown hair sat at the window sill starring out into the rain. She looked back at Jonathan; he was a kind caretaker and had always treated her with respect. She followed him down the stairs, in the main entrance stood a man. He was tall almost 4 heads taller than the 9 winter’s old girl. He looked down at her with hazel eyes, cold eyes that had no smile even though he flashed the child a crooked smirk.
“Rose, this is Kalyr he is here to take you . . . home” Said Jonathan.
“Home?” she asked, “but this is my home Jonathan.”
“Not anymore child,” Kalyr said “I am your home now.”
“Yes of course . . .” Jonathan said, It is time for you to go little Rose, your things are already packed. Rose looked around very confused but obeyed orders and hugged Jonathan tightly around the waist. “I will miss you Jonathan”
“And I you little Rose” He hugged her back for a bit longer than a moment. After they broke embrace and Rose turned and walked away with Kalyr. As the pair walked outside to the carriage, Rose looked up to him “so where are we going father?” In a flash she felt to sting of his smack upon her cheek.
“I am not your father remember this now child. You are to be a tool in my plans . . . nothing more.” He said as he briskly walked away to the carriage.
The rain hid her tears.
“Rose, this is Kalyr he is here to take you . . . home” Said Jonathan.
“Home?” she asked, “but this is my home Jonathan.”
“Not anymore child,” Kalyr said “I am your home now.”
“Yes of course . . .” Jonathan said, It is time for you to go little Rose, your things are already packed. Rose looked around very confused but obeyed orders and hugged Jonathan tightly around the waist. “I will miss you Jonathan”
“And I you little Rose” He hugged her back for a bit longer than a moment. After they broke embrace and Rose turned and walked away with Kalyr. As the pair walked outside to the carriage, Rose looked up to him “so where are we going father?” In a flash she felt to sting of his smack upon her cheek.
“I am not your father remember this now child. You are to be a tool in my plans . . . nothing more.” He said as he briskly walked away to the carriage.
The rain hid her tears.
Protector's Story Part V
They woke up to smoldering ashes the next morning. Rose looked over at Protector; he seemed to be moving around as if last night hadn’t happened.
“Where are you going to go now?” he asked.
“I do not know, I failed my mission, to them I am as good as dead.” She got up and dusted herself off and began to pick up her gear.
“Well. . . I do not know what to say to that”
“Finally a loss for words boy?” she smirked at him.
“Boy?” he shot her a jesting glance, “Who are you to call me a boy? Who was the one who took out a general last night?” a hollow smile touched his lips.
“Yes boy, always boy until you earn to be called man to me”. He scoffed her off, they worked on taking down there little camp when Protector’s ears picked up something, He darted just as a dagger hit the tree behind him. In his roll he drew little sister; Strength still lay on the ground by where he slept. His eyes darted throughout the tree line no one, he saw no one. “Look out!” he shouted but Rose was already ahead of him her weapons where out and she was scanning the trees too.
There was only silence not even the birds or squirrels where moving. The forest stood still. “No. . .” was all Protector could say before a blunt force cracked him on the back of his head and he was down. He looked up vision blurring, there was a man dressed in black carrying Rose’s limp form. His hair was long shaggy and nearly black, a large ugly scar was born on his left check and he was unshaven, he looked back at Protector with the same sharp hazel eyes. Protector’s head spun rapidly “Father…?”, his vision blurred and darkness came upon him.
“Where are you going to go now?” he asked.
“I do not know, I failed my mission, to them I am as good as dead.” She got up and dusted herself off and began to pick up her gear.
“Well. . . I do not know what to say to that”
“Finally a loss for words boy?” she smirked at him.
“Boy?” he shot her a jesting glance, “Who are you to call me a boy? Who was the one who took out a general last night?” a hollow smile touched his lips.
“Yes boy, always boy until you earn to be called man to me”. He scoffed her off, they worked on taking down there little camp when Protector’s ears picked up something, He darted just as a dagger hit the tree behind him. In his roll he drew little sister; Strength still lay on the ground by where he slept. His eyes darted throughout the tree line no one, he saw no one. “Look out!” he shouted but Rose was already ahead of him her weapons where out and she was scanning the trees too.
There was only silence not even the birds or squirrels where moving. The forest stood still. “No. . .” was all Protector could say before a blunt force cracked him on the back of his head and he was down. He looked up vision blurring, there was a man dressed in black carrying Rose’s limp form. His hair was long shaggy and nearly black, a large ugly scar was born on his left check and he was unshaven, he looked back at Protector with the same sharp hazel eyes. Protector’s head spun rapidly “Father…?”, his vision blurred and darkness came upon him.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Protector's Story Part IV
Protector returned to Rose within moments before the entire camp was in uproar.
"Well that seemed to have went well" she said.
"sure. . ." Protector looked away slightly shaken and pale from what had transpired.
"What's wrong never killed before?" she asked with her crooked smirk.
"Not that" he said. Looking back at the camp, seeing soldiers on the move forming search parties, "we better get out of here and quick"
They duo moved back into the deep parts of the forest quickly as they could for no light to guide them the new moon hid itself in darkness. After two hours of their retreat Rose finally made them stop “so that’s it job done? You killed him right?”
“He is dead. . . But I did not kill him” he was looking around for twigs to start a fire.
“What do you mean by that?” she asked, “your sword was bloody when you came back”
“It is something I do not expect you to understand. . .” he struck tinder and slowly brought the small flame to life in a few short moments.
I’m never expected to understand anything about you or your people are I?” she looked off into the dark, muttering something about xenophobia.
“It’s not xenophobia that is for sure, my tribe has a curse. That has been a plague for hundreds of years, and tonight it took effect on me.” He stared deeply into the fire throwing a log on it.
“And what is this great curse you speak of?” she asked as she sat across form him looking at him and the dancing flames licking the dried log.
With a small sigh he began to speak “every child grows up with legends of the darkness in the night, but our children grow up with stories of the darkness within themselves, long, long ago before we were even a concept in the eyes of the Creators, there where dark things that roamed the land to the north of my peoples village. These where demons of ice and shadow, the descended from the mountains on high, they bore horns on their heads great beards like the pelts of bears, broken swords that weighed as much as stones and they spoke in a deep growl of a foreign tongue that we did not know. These monsters brought destruction to every place they touched. Laying upon them the wrath of the four elements; Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. People from every tribe fell to there might, until the ancestors, the founders of my modern tribe rose up against them. They were called The Warriors of the Circle. These great fighters and mages alone could hold of the northern demons but it was not easy the fights were long, brutal and filled with much bloodshed. Finally after seven years of constant war, what remained of the warriors used ancient magic and casted what we today know as The Endless Knotwork. Bound the demons to their own souls so that they could not take a physical form, this came at a heavy price. Forever there would be darkness in our hearts and it would be an eternal battle within for everyone descended from their blood. We are born with two souls our soul the one you have talking to you now and the soul of one of the demons. My people live in isolation not from choice but of necessity if we were to deal with the pain in violence of the outside world it would awaken the dark spirits within us and we would lose control and the dark ones would return. Because of my father’s mess. . . mine has awaken.” He laid down back to the fire. He did not speak for the rest of the night. Rose sat there thinking of all she had told him. The fire burned.
"Well that seemed to have went well" she said.
"sure. . ." Protector looked away slightly shaken and pale from what had transpired.
"What's wrong never killed before?" she asked with her crooked smirk.
"Not that" he said. Looking back at the camp, seeing soldiers on the move forming search parties, "we better get out of here and quick"
They duo moved back into the deep parts of the forest quickly as they could for no light to guide them the new moon hid itself in darkness. After two hours of their retreat Rose finally made them stop “so that’s it job done? You killed him right?”
“He is dead. . . But I did not kill him” he was looking around for twigs to start a fire.
“What do you mean by that?” she asked, “your sword was bloody when you came back”
“It is something I do not expect you to understand. . .” he struck tinder and slowly brought the small flame to life in a few short moments.
I’m never expected to understand anything about you or your people are I?” she looked off into the dark, muttering something about xenophobia.
“It’s not xenophobia that is for sure, my tribe has a curse. That has been a plague for hundreds of years, and tonight it took effect on me.” He stared deeply into the fire throwing a log on it.
“And what is this great curse you speak of?” she asked as she sat across form him looking at him and the dancing flames licking the dried log.
With a small sigh he began to speak “every child grows up with legends of the darkness in the night, but our children grow up with stories of the darkness within themselves, long, long ago before we were even a concept in the eyes of the Creators, there where dark things that roamed the land to the north of my peoples village. These where demons of ice and shadow, the descended from the mountains on high, they bore horns on their heads great beards like the pelts of bears, broken swords that weighed as much as stones and they spoke in a deep growl of a foreign tongue that we did not know. These monsters brought destruction to every place they touched. Laying upon them the wrath of the four elements; Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. People from every tribe fell to there might, until the ancestors, the founders of my modern tribe rose up against them. They were called The Warriors of the Circle. These great fighters and mages alone could hold of the northern demons but it was not easy the fights were long, brutal and filled with much bloodshed. Finally after seven years of constant war, what remained of the warriors used ancient magic and casted what we today know as The Endless Knotwork. Bound the demons to their own souls so that they could not take a physical form, this came at a heavy price. Forever there would be darkness in our hearts and it would be an eternal battle within for everyone descended from their blood. We are born with two souls our soul the one you have talking to you now and the soul of one of the demons. My people live in isolation not from choice but of necessity if we were to deal with the pain in violence of the outside world it would awaken the dark spirits within us and we would lose control and the dark ones would return. Because of my father’s mess. . . mine has awaken.” He laid down back to the fire. He did not speak for the rest of the night. Rose sat there thinking of all she had told him. The fire burned.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Protector's Story Part III
They arrived at the edge of a camp at nightfall; Protector was worn out from the past four days of running, If Rose was too she wasn’t showing it. Damn he thought, she is good, maybe a little too good.
“Well, there it is” she said “I have no clue what you’re going to do here”. He scratched his chin contemplating his next move. “How high up in rank is this camp’s commander?” he asked.
“High enough to mean something if he is killed, but not high enough to talk to the boss directly” she responded. “He was the first to contact me about my mission though, and he is the one who will bring all these warriors down on your tiny little forest”. Protector immediately stood up and proceeded into the center of the encampment. Rose ran and grabbed him, pulling him back into the bush. “What in the name of The Thunder God are you doing?!”
“Simple walk in talk to him, persuade him not to attack” Protector said
“Diplomacy won’t work her!” she almost wanted to yell “you’re a damned fool if you try that!”
“Who said I was try diplomacy?” he smirked and got up and ran towards the camp. Rose didn’t chase him, only watched a suicidal man walk away.
The guard was already tired, but he still had a few hours left of his shift before he could sleep. His eyes lazy with exhaustion scanned the blackened tree line. He didn’t see anything, he didn’t hear the practiced silent footsteps, didn’t notice the dagger flying till it blood was gushing from his neck and he fell to the ground dying very fast.
Protector came up swiftly and removed the dagger, “I’m sorry you had this happen” he whispered into the dead ears, swiftly drawing the sign of the three rays over the fresh corpse. He cleaned the dagger, sheathed it and slowly drew his swords he crept into the camp. One by one the soldiers fell to Protectors swords, his movements were different in the shadows: cold, calm, calculating. It was almost like a different man was wielding his body, Protector went from the man in the woods into a weapon, a machine from years of honed practice and trying work, pushed to mental, physical and even spiritual limits. Protector didn’t think of those long days, nor the men he slew so easily now. What he thought of was finishing off the general leaving Rose in the dust and going home to his brothers, to his forest, to the place that was familiar. The thought of home brought a smile to his lips as he decapitated a nearby guard who unfortunately was unaware of someone else there.
Finally Protector found the main tent and stepped in. the general was fat, balding, and had a thick curly black beard on his double chin. He slept soundly on a bed of silk pillows two beautiful sky clad maidens at his sides. Pathetic isn’t he? A voice said in his head, almost like a whisper.
What? Who are you?
Oh child, you already know the answer to that question. I’ve been here all along watching you grow, just needed this catalyst to show myself to you.
No… this cannot be… Protector’s heart raced suddenly. He remembered the legends, the “ghost stories” of his peoples past but, here, NOW, what was happening to him?
Calm your heart my child, this is a natural course for you. Come now let us finish this task at hand, shall we? It’s oh so easy to do just simply drive Strength through his chest and we can go home. He couldn’t explain it but Protector sensed a smile on the lips from which these words came. He felt impulses from deep within his being: “kill him! Burn him! Burn it all!” “No!” It was all he could do but shout it. Protector remembered his training, and with all his will pushed back the voice and the urges till his mind was his again and his thoughts unclouded by a strangers words. Protector strode over to the man preformed a coup de grace and walked out simple as that don’t worry child I’ll be back soon enough, this won’t be our last little chat. He shook his head violently as he snuck out of the camp and back to Rose.
“Well, there it is” she said “I have no clue what you’re going to do here”. He scratched his chin contemplating his next move. “How high up in rank is this camp’s commander?” he asked.
“High enough to mean something if he is killed, but not high enough to talk to the boss directly” she responded. “He was the first to contact me about my mission though, and he is the one who will bring all these warriors down on your tiny little forest”. Protector immediately stood up and proceeded into the center of the encampment. Rose ran and grabbed him, pulling him back into the bush. “What in the name of The Thunder God are you doing?!”
“Simple walk in talk to him, persuade him not to attack” Protector said
“Diplomacy won’t work her!” she almost wanted to yell “you’re a damned fool if you try that!”
“Who said I was try diplomacy?” he smirked and got up and ran towards the camp. Rose didn’t chase him, only watched a suicidal man walk away.
The guard was already tired, but he still had a few hours left of his shift before he could sleep. His eyes lazy with exhaustion scanned the blackened tree line. He didn’t see anything, he didn’t hear the practiced silent footsteps, didn’t notice the dagger flying till it blood was gushing from his neck and he fell to the ground dying very fast.
Protector came up swiftly and removed the dagger, “I’m sorry you had this happen” he whispered into the dead ears, swiftly drawing the sign of the three rays over the fresh corpse. He cleaned the dagger, sheathed it and slowly drew his swords he crept into the camp. One by one the soldiers fell to Protectors swords, his movements were different in the shadows: cold, calm, calculating. It was almost like a different man was wielding his body, Protector went from the man in the woods into a weapon, a machine from years of honed practice and trying work, pushed to mental, physical and even spiritual limits. Protector didn’t think of those long days, nor the men he slew so easily now. What he thought of was finishing off the general leaving Rose in the dust and going home to his brothers, to his forest, to the place that was familiar. The thought of home brought a smile to his lips as he decapitated a nearby guard who unfortunately was unaware of someone else there.
Finally Protector found the main tent and stepped in. the general was fat, balding, and had a thick curly black beard on his double chin. He slept soundly on a bed of silk pillows two beautiful sky clad maidens at his sides. Pathetic isn’t he? A voice said in his head, almost like a whisper.
What? Who are you?
Oh child, you already know the answer to that question. I’ve been here all along watching you grow, just needed this catalyst to show myself to you.
No… this cannot be… Protector’s heart raced suddenly. He remembered the legends, the “ghost stories” of his peoples past but, here, NOW, what was happening to him?
Calm your heart my child, this is a natural course for you. Come now let us finish this task at hand, shall we? It’s oh so easy to do just simply drive Strength through his chest and we can go home. He couldn’t explain it but Protector sensed a smile on the lips from which these words came. He felt impulses from deep within his being: “kill him! Burn him! Burn it all!” “No!” It was all he could do but shout it. Protector remembered his training, and with all his will pushed back the voice and the urges till his mind was his again and his thoughts unclouded by a strangers words. Protector strode over to the man preformed a coup de grace and walked out simple as that don’t worry child I’ll be back soon enough, this won’t be our last little chat. He shook his head violently as he snuck out of the camp and back to Rose.
Protector's Story Part II
She was fast, very fast Protector thought as they ran through the forest. But he knew the woods better than her and knew where to put his feet. Also her boots mad so much noise it bothered him, why couldn’t she just run barefoot like he? Feel the soft earth and cool waters? Outsiders he thought, they’re just so strange. He stole a glance at her, she was slender even her bulky leather armor couldn’t hide that much but there had to be muscles still how else could she have deflected a direct blow like that last night. Her hair flew back in the wind ponytail gone, she had green eyes piercing when the look directly at him. He felt his face get warm every time they did, he hoped it hadn’t show, she said nothing of it. All in all she was beautiful by any standard. Beautiful but deadly he reminded himself; she did try and kill him. “How long can you keep this pace?” he asked, they had been running nearly full speed for a better part of an hour now.
“Longer than you” she shot back smirking at him.
“I’d like to see that” his face flushed at the thought of her outdoing him in his home, he swung his arms faster, pumping faster, pushing his body to take the lead. She followed suit, soon it became an all out race. Protector knew a clearing up ahead if he could beat her to it that would be enough for him. He glanced right and saw a wolf running alongside them about twenty feet away “odd” he said.
“What is?” she asked her breathing only slightly labored from the speed increase.
“A wolf running alongside us” he replied
“Is he a threat?” she looked at him quizzically not breaking stride.
“No, wolves don’t run alone like that. It seems he is simply running with us”
“Why?” she asked, this was a new concept to her, wild animals running with men.
He shrugged, “the animals do what they wish just as we do it isn’t very uncommon”
“For you maybe, but beasts aren’t to be trusted where I come from” she shot at him.
“I guess, but I’ve seen men be just as much as a beast as anything with fang or fur.” He saw the clearing and sprinted the rest of the way there. Stopping just as he broke the tree line. She did not and soon collided with the pond just inside. Protector had to clutch his sides from laughing so hard as she dragged herself out of the water. “I fail to see the humor in that!”
“Only because you’re the victim here, that’s why” He helped her up. She took off her pack and crotched down sitting on her heels. Protector kneeled closing his eyes he started to focus his breathing. Rose looked at him “what are you doing?” he responded with a finger to his lips. The world around became very still. The animals stopped there noise. She looked around; the clearing was small only about twenty feet through most of its space taken up by the water. He opened up his eyes “there much better”
“What did you do?” she asked a little unsettled by the sudden silence.
“This place” he smiled slightly this time it seemed weary and tired compared to before, “is a sacred place to my people and I simply asked the guardian spirit to keep us quiet and unseen”
“Ho.. how did you do that?” she looked at him a little surprised.
“This is my world Rose, I am aware of it just as it just as it is aware of us. My people talk to is just like I am talking to you, how I cannot say because it has always been all my life I have listened to what the forest has to say and it responds to my wishes as long as I protect and keep it as it should be”
“Impressive” Rose said
“If you say so, it is as it is and always shall be” he looked out into the woods deep in thought, the conversation was over, Rose could tell. This man, she still couldn’t quite place him. He can go from childlike to seeming as old as the stones themselves. If his father was anything like this she could easily guess why her boss considered him such a threat. “How did he die?” she asked him, your father.
He didn’t look at her. “He died saving my younger brother when I was sixteen”
“Which one?” she asked
“Keeper” he said finally looking at her after a long moment.
“Keeper?” she asked, “Why is he called that?”
“He was taken by an elder at a young age he was to be taught our history, myth, and lore. More than anyone else he can listen to the forest command the trees and animals and keep sacred that which is sacred to us, so he is Keeper”
“I see. . .” she thought about how much he must mean to his people. Why did she care? This was just another job after all; she had done this dozens of times before. But she couldn’t help but be in slight awe of the prowess these people seemed to command. So sure of themselves and their ways.
“No you do not” he said “no outsider truly can understand who we are especially with how little of us you’ve seen.
“I meant no offence boy calm down” he smiled at her that crooked smile was back.
“Boy?” he asked
“Yes, seems fitting with that quirky smile you’ve got there” smiling back at him. Rose knew this kind of game she was in. If she could just lure his trust in she could lead him off the path finish him off and be done with this eerie place, and the people who had a strange love for this world.
“Longer than you” she shot back smirking at him.
“I’d like to see that” his face flushed at the thought of her outdoing him in his home, he swung his arms faster, pumping faster, pushing his body to take the lead. She followed suit, soon it became an all out race. Protector knew a clearing up ahead if he could beat her to it that would be enough for him. He glanced right and saw a wolf running alongside them about twenty feet away “odd” he said.
“What is?” she asked her breathing only slightly labored from the speed increase.
“A wolf running alongside us” he replied
“Is he a threat?” she looked at him quizzically not breaking stride.
“No, wolves don’t run alone like that. It seems he is simply running with us”
“Why?” she asked, this was a new concept to her, wild animals running with men.
He shrugged, “the animals do what they wish just as we do it isn’t very uncommon”
“For you maybe, but beasts aren’t to be trusted where I come from” she shot at him.
“I guess, but I’ve seen men be just as much as a beast as anything with fang or fur.” He saw the clearing and sprinted the rest of the way there. Stopping just as he broke the tree line. She did not and soon collided with the pond just inside. Protector had to clutch his sides from laughing so hard as she dragged herself out of the water. “I fail to see the humor in that!”
“Only because you’re the victim here, that’s why” He helped her up. She took off her pack and crotched down sitting on her heels. Protector kneeled closing his eyes he started to focus his breathing. Rose looked at him “what are you doing?” he responded with a finger to his lips. The world around became very still. The animals stopped there noise. She looked around; the clearing was small only about twenty feet through most of its space taken up by the water. He opened up his eyes “there much better”
“What did you do?” she asked a little unsettled by the sudden silence.
“This place” he smiled slightly this time it seemed weary and tired compared to before, “is a sacred place to my people and I simply asked the guardian spirit to keep us quiet and unseen”
“Ho.. how did you do that?” she looked at him a little surprised.
“This is my world Rose, I am aware of it just as it just as it is aware of us. My people talk to is just like I am talking to you, how I cannot say because it has always been all my life I have listened to what the forest has to say and it responds to my wishes as long as I protect and keep it as it should be”
“Impressive” Rose said
“If you say so, it is as it is and always shall be” he looked out into the woods deep in thought, the conversation was over, Rose could tell. This man, she still couldn’t quite place him. He can go from childlike to seeming as old as the stones themselves. If his father was anything like this she could easily guess why her boss considered him such a threat. “How did he die?” she asked him, your father.
He didn’t look at her. “He died saving my younger brother when I was sixteen”
“Which one?” she asked
“Keeper” he said finally looking at her after a long moment.
“Keeper?” she asked, “Why is he called that?”
“He was taken by an elder at a young age he was to be taught our history, myth, and lore. More than anyone else he can listen to the forest command the trees and animals and keep sacred that which is sacred to us, so he is Keeper”
“I see. . .” she thought about how much he must mean to his people. Why did she care? This was just another job after all; she had done this dozens of times before. But she couldn’t help but be in slight awe of the prowess these people seemed to command. So sure of themselves and their ways.
“No you do not” he said “no outsider truly can understand who we are especially with how little of us you’ve seen.
“I meant no offence boy calm down” he smiled at her that crooked smile was back.
“Boy?” he asked
“Yes, seems fitting with that quirky smile you’ve got there” smiling back at him. Rose knew this kind of game she was in. If she could just lure his trust in she could lead him off the path finish him off and be done with this eerie place, and the people who had a strange love for this world.
Protector's Story Part I
The night was quiet along the edges of the village but Protector was still keeping a vigilant watch, his eyes keen enough to penetrate the little light the campfires gave off. Nothing moved every beast and bird was still, Safely sleeping in their nest or hole. He still kept a close eye out runners have claimed raids on nearby tribes and Protector was going to let his village be caught off guard. He crept his hand up to the hilt of his bastard sword on his back and then felt the short sword at his hip, the only inheritance he had from his father The Wanderer; Little Sister and Strength. Though he never understood why his father traveled and left his home, customs and all that which was familiar behind but still he cherished those weapons greatly. Since he owned them they had given him no taste of defeat. He hoped if the raiders come this would still hold true. . .
Protector looked up at the sky the moon was a little over halfway across the night’s path. “Only another hour or so and I can sleep” he quietly mumbled to himself. He quit his pacing and leaned up against an oak tree small bowls with smaller candles in them hung from the branches of the tree, the candles had all but burnt out in the late hour and would be replaced by the one who would take Protectors place. He dug his bare feet into the soft soil and dead leaves it felt cool and wet and calmed him. His eyes scanned the trees, something didn’t seem right but he wasn’t quite sure what it was. Then it hit him. The crickets, the frogs, and the owls! All the nocturnal animals were silent! What was it? What could make all those creatures suddenly stop their noise? Then his ears picked it up: the notch, draw back and release. Protector dropped to the ground just as an arrow hit the tree where his head had just been. He jumped to his feet and took off towards the attacker drawing the swords in his hand, Strength in his right and little sister in his left he veered left just as another arrow flew by, the archer was close then he saw him, he was in a black cloak and clothes the only thing that gave him away was a metallic brooch on the cloak reflected in the moonlight. “There!” he said under his breath he swerved towards him flanking the archer but he was prepared for such a move and dropped his bow and produced a rapier from within the folds of the cloak. Lunging towards Protector, he parried and countered with a cross from little sister the assassin raised his hand and blocked it with his right forearm. He’s strong! Protector thought, almost losing his footing as the force of his blow recoiled throughout his arm and torso. I won’t make that mistake again; he thought and slashed with Strength at the assassins solar plexus. He jumped back and lunged for Protector’s heart “Ha!” Protector yelled as he sidestepped the move and stabbed with his left at his opponent’s chest, he parried and struck protectors chest with his right fist. Winded Protector kicked out his leg and attempted to trip up the assassin. He stepped into it just as Protector pulled his foot back in. The assassin fell backwards just as the hilt of little sister tapped his temple knocking him unconscious. Protector sighed in relief knowing victory was his. He took the hood off his opponent to see his would be assassin; he was a she, long silk like brown hair tied back in a ponytail. “Well then . . . this changes things” Protector said
* * *
She woke up with a pounding headache, trying to get up she realized her hands and feet were bound and her mouth gagged. Her armor and weapons gone left in nothing but leggings and her undershirt. Quickly surveying her surroundings she was in some crevice with a wide mouth, a small pool of water on the north west end from a water fall about six feet high.
“Well glad to see you’re awake finally” a man said. She looked up to see him he stood about the same height as the waterfall at by his feet, short messy brown hair, and sharp hazel eyes, his back and hip carried swords and a dagger strapped to his calf, he wore no armor at all only loose cotton or wool clothes, he was even barefoot!! He smiled a crooked smile that seemed almost like a child’s, a cocky child. He spoke with a serious but caring tenor, “I suppose you’d like to be able to speak right?” she nodded. “Fine but don’t scream, no one can hear you and there is no point and wasting a rather calm and quiet morning understood?” again she nodded “Good” he said as he jumped down and took the gag out off her mouth. “Now on to more pressing matters, who are you and why are you here?” the smirk was gone. “Isn’t that a little cliché?” she asked. He smiled for a brief moment “yes but they’re the most important questions right now so the deserve to be answered first next we’ll discuss what to do with you”
“If you really do have to ask” she said “My name is Rose, what is yours?”
“Protector” he responded
“You’re kidding?” Rose raised an eyebrow.
“No I am not I am a guardian of the village so my name is Protector, now why did you try to kill me?”
“I was hired to but that isn’t important anymore” she said looking off to the pool of water.
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t return this morning therefore I am assumed dead and where the dagger fails the broadsword succeeds”
“Meaning?” his turn to raise an eyebrow
“They’re sending in an army for your ass” She said smirking looking Protector Right in the eye.
“Who are they?” he clutched the hilt of his short sword.
“My employer, he paid a good amount to ensure your families death”
“Why my family? I have only two brothers. And none of us have left the woods” he said kneeling down to her level.
Smiling at him “the sins of the father are paid for by the son.”
“My father?!”
“Yes, from what I know your father did something to piss off my boss and since he is dead he is taking out his anger on you and your kin.” Protector looked over at the waterfall deep in thought. Finally he spoke. “When is this army supposed to get here?”
“Within a month if they march everyday starting today”
“Where can I find your employer?!” he said anger seeping into his voice.
“I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to, I was contacted and paid through a middle man.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“Yes”
“Tell me?”
“No”
“Then take me”
“What?”
“I didn’t stutter, I want to meet your boss I want this settled away from my home”
“You’ll be killed for sure!” she looked at him as if he had gone mad, he might as well have been. She knew what kind of man “Protector” was messing’ with he couldn’t just knock on his door and expect diplomacy! Who was this guy?
“That maybe but I don’t want my family put in danger thanks to my father”
“Fair enough but I can’t well take you to him tie up and all but naked!” Protector jumped out the crevice and kick her gear back in, bundled up nicely. He jumped back in pulling his dagger out he cut her bonds and offered her a hand up she knocked it off as she stood stretching her tense muscles. “Do NOT do that again” she said to him “only if you give me no reason to” He chuckled. What is with this man? She thought he’s so strange.
Protector looked up at the sky the moon was a little over halfway across the night’s path. “Only another hour or so and I can sleep” he quietly mumbled to himself. He quit his pacing and leaned up against an oak tree small bowls with smaller candles in them hung from the branches of the tree, the candles had all but burnt out in the late hour and would be replaced by the one who would take Protectors place. He dug his bare feet into the soft soil and dead leaves it felt cool and wet and calmed him. His eyes scanned the trees, something didn’t seem right but he wasn’t quite sure what it was. Then it hit him. The crickets, the frogs, and the owls! All the nocturnal animals were silent! What was it? What could make all those creatures suddenly stop their noise? Then his ears picked it up: the notch, draw back and release. Protector dropped to the ground just as an arrow hit the tree where his head had just been. He jumped to his feet and took off towards the attacker drawing the swords in his hand, Strength in his right and little sister in his left he veered left just as another arrow flew by, the archer was close then he saw him, he was in a black cloak and clothes the only thing that gave him away was a metallic brooch on the cloak reflected in the moonlight. “There!” he said under his breath he swerved towards him flanking the archer but he was prepared for such a move and dropped his bow and produced a rapier from within the folds of the cloak. Lunging towards Protector, he parried and countered with a cross from little sister the assassin raised his hand and blocked it with his right forearm. He’s strong! Protector thought, almost losing his footing as the force of his blow recoiled throughout his arm and torso. I won’t make that mistake again; he thought and slashed with Strength at the assassins solar plexus. He jumped back and lunged for Protector’s heart “Ha!” Protector yelled as he sidestepped the move and stabbed with his left at his opponent’s chest, he parried and struck protectors chest with his right fist. Winded Protector kicked out his leg and attempted to trip up the assassin. He stepped into it just as Protector pulled his foot back in. The assassin fell backwards just as the hilt of little sister tapped his temple knocking him unconscious. Protector sighed in relief knowing victory was his. He took the hood off his opponent to see his would be assassin; he was a she, long silk like brown hair tied back in a ponytail. “Well then . . . this changes things” Protector said
* * *
She woke up with a pounding headache, trying to get up she realized her hands and feet were bound and her mouth gagged. Her armor and weapons gone left in nothing but leggings and her undershirt. Quickly surveying her surroundings she was in some crevice with a wide mouth, a small pool of water on the north west end from a water fall about six feet high.
“Well glad to see you’re awake finally” a man said. She looked up to see him he stood about the same height as the waterfall at by his feet, short messy brown hair, and sharp hazel eyes, his back and hip carried swords and a dagger strapped to his calf, he wore no armor at all only loose cotton or wool clothes, he was even barefoot!! He smiled a crooked smile that seemed almost like a child’s, a cocky child. He spoke with a serious but caring tenor, “I suppose you’d like to be able to speak right?” she nodded. “Fine but don’t scream, no one can hear you and there is no point and wasting a rather calm and quiet morning understood?” again she nodded “Good” he said as he jumped down and took the gag out off her mouth. “Now on to more pressing matters, who are you and why are you here?” the smirk was gone. “Isn’t that a little cliché?” she asked. He smiled for a brief moment “yes but they’re the most important questions right now so the deserve to be answered first next we’ll discuss what to do with you”
“If you really do have to ask” she said “My name is Rose, what is yours?”
“Protector” he responded
“You’re kidding?” Rose raised an eyebrow.
“No I am not I am a guardian of the village so my name is Protector, now why did you try to kill me?”
“I was hired to but that isn’t important anymore” she said looking off to the pool of water.
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t return this morning therefore I am assumed dead and where the dagger fails the broadsword succeeds”
“Meaning?” his turn to raise an eyebrow
“They’re sending in an army for your ass” She said smirking looking Protector Right in the eye.
“Who are they?” he clutched the hilt of his short sword.
“My employer, he paid a good amount to ensure your families death”
“Why my family? I have only two brothers. And none of us have left the woods” he said kneeling down to her level.
Smiling at him “the sins of the father are paid for by the son.”
“My father?!”
“Yes, from what I know your father did something to piss off my boss and since he is dead he is taking out his anger on you and your kin.” Protector looked over at the waterfall deep in thought. Finally he spoke. “When is this army supposed to get here?”
“Within a month if they march everyday starting today”
“Where can I find your employer?!” he said anger seeping into his voice.
“I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to, I was contacted and paid through a middle man.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“Yes”
“Tell me?”
“No”
“Then take me”
“What?”
“I didn’t stutter, I want to meet your boss I want this settled away from my home”
“You’ll be killed for sure!” she looked at him as if he had gone mad, he might as well have been. She knew what kind of man “Protector” was messing’ with he couldn’t just knock on his door and expect diplomacy! Who was this guy?
“That maybe but I don’t want my family put in danger thanks to my father”
“Fair enough but I can’t well take you to him tie up and all but naked!” Protector jumped out the crevice and kick her gear back in, bundled up nicely. He jumped back in pulling his dagger out he cut her bonds and offered her a hand up she knocked it off as she stood stretching her tense muscles. “Do NOT do that again” she said to him “only if you give me no reason to” He chuckled. What is with this man? She thought he’s so strange.
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