sometimes hope is all we have

testing...onetwothree

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 05:06:44 GMT

It's almost time, ladies and germs.....time to relaunch this bird

4.1

Mon, 15 Nov 2004 21:03:27 GMT

Forlorn Hope
Chapter Four, Book One
WC 8799

Well, I promised myself that I'd not do this, but I did it anyway. This chapter is filled with the evil scourge known as DIALOGUE. Oh well. it got me over 3K in around two hours. And now that I got where I want in the story it will hopefully come out faster from here on.

The sunshine didn’t last long on their march but they were not surprised. This late in the year it rained more often than not, only stopping when it turned to snow. They slogged on mostly in silence, walking the miles to Bren Sul off with each passing hour.

“Amaury, would you take offense if I asked what exactly happened to you before you came to us?” Teo asked him in a low voice. “If you don’t wish to speak of it I will understand.”

“I will speak of it if you wish to hear, Teo,” he said, noting Tanyon quicken his step to come to his side.

“Please,” Tanyon entreated as he fell into place.

“Very well. I was living in the monastery of Yerien outside the city of Arden. It was beautiful; white marble walls, yellow and orange tapestries everywhere, a vast library of knowledge. I’d lived there for almost as long as I could remember, my parents having given me up soon after I turned three.”

“They…?”

“No, they were fine. My mother told me she had a dream of an archon coming to her and telling her that I had a destiny waiting for me in the service of Yerien.”

“Did you ever see them again, Amaury?” Teo asked him while he paused, seeming to remember something fondly.

“Yes. I saw them every few months until I was eight. They…died of plague then.”

“Amaury, I’m sorry,” Tanyon said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s okay now, Tanyon. I know they’re in Yerien’s paradise waiting for me. I’ll see them again.”

“Not for a long while yet, though,” Teo said as he put his hand on Amaury’s other shoulder.

“Perhaps, but when it’s my time I will go.” He looked at the two of them before continuing. “Four more years passed, the last three of them under the scourge of Eiger. I didn’t know much at first, the older clerics keeping the information from me, wanting me to remain in my innocent world as long as possible. It was only after parts of our order began to leave the relative safety of the monastery that I learned what happened.

“The majority of our clerics had left to take up arms against Eiger before I discovered the full horrors of the war. Cardinal Spero was loath to tell me at first but I demanded.” He stopped to wipe the hair plastered to his head back and slightly scrunched his face up.

“Amaury, you don’t have to continue…”

“No, I believe it is important that I do this, so that if I die others will know of our effort.”

“You’re not going to die, Amaury,” Tanyon said, a bit alarmed at the boy’s sudden onset of fatalism.

“Eiger hates all who stand against him, Tanyon, but for followers of Yerien he reserves a special hatred. We are what he despises most; holders of hope and faith and light against his darkness. That’s why he sent Aranya against me.” Both Tanyon and Teo were silent, not knowing what to say to the boy. They walked a half mile before Amaury continued his tale.

“Cardinal Spero told me that we would remain in the monastery and continue the fight. Yerien was watching over us and would protect us from Eiger’s advances, he told me. I believed him and continued my studies even though all around me the monastery was quickly arming itself.

“Very recently Eiger’s forces reached our corner of the land and I knew it would only be a matter of days before they were at our doorstep. It was late in the afternoon on that fateful day. Those of us that remained, three dozen or so in all, were in the solarium in prayer when we were alerted. The Cardinal raced to the rooftop to look over the forces laid against us with me quick at his heels. All around the building there were hundreds of his soldiers brandishing their swords and yelling war cries at us.

“One came to the forefront and called for our immediate surrender, telling us that we’d be spared if gave up instead of “wasting his troops’ time”. Cardinal Spero refused and the battle was on. The Cardinal whispered something and we were protected from a sudden rain of arrows.”

“Magic?” Teo asked incredulously.

“Yes, Teo,” Tanyon replied to him, “magic.”

“Correct. Yerien rewards his followers, Teo. It is our mission to heal and protect the lay and Yerien grants abilities to aid us aid them.”

“What… exactly does he grant you, Amaury?”

“I am but an acolyte so my powers are limited. I can mend small wounds and create day from night among other things. It’s said that the older and more experienced clerics have Yerien’s ear and can nearly bend reality.”

“Was your Cardinal like that?” Tanyon asked him, intrigued by magic from another source instead of the land.

“No, he was powerful but not that powerful.”

“Do you think you will be, Amaury?” Teo again, asking a question that made Tanyon want to belt him.

“I do not know. If Yerien wills it, yes. If he does not, no.” Up ahead the others had stopped. “Shall I continue my tale later?” They both nodded.

A break in the march was called and they all took shelter beneath the trees, the four silent sentries settling down and almost instantly falling asleep. Ayla passed out provisions and then joined Vaer a few dozen yards away. They ate quietly, not wanting to wake the obviously exhausted men. Or, Amaury assumed they were men at first glance, but the more he watched them close, not from a distance between trees, they looked smaller than he imagined they should.

“Who are they?” Amaury asked, nodding his head toward the pile of sleeping bodies. “They’ve not said as much as a single word since I’ve seen them.”

“They are Seltiel,” Tanyon told him, “they’re sworn to protect Ayla.”

“Why?”

“I do not know. Neither she nor Vaer will talk about it.”

“They’re not doing much protecting now, are they?” Amaury wryly said. “They’ve passed out.”

“They trust Vaer implicitly with her protection as well,” Tanyon said before Teo interrupted.

“Plus, they’ve been up for nearly two days now so they deserve a short rest.”

“How short are you talking about, Teo?”

“A few hours should be enough.”

“A few hours after being up and moving about for two days? Are they…. human?”

“Not entirely, I believe. I’ve seen them do some incredible things in the months I’ve been around them.”

“They are touched, then?” Amaury was puzzled.

“I think you could call it like that.” Amaury nodded, his curiosity sated for the moment.

Mid-morning passed into afternoon uneventfully and their conversation eventually dwindled to nothing. Amaury dozed in and out while sitting between the other two, the rain pattering lightly on the hood of his cloak. They slept in fits as well, leaning against Amaury.

They were roused by the sounds of the Seltiel preparing themselves. Amaury lifted his head from Teo’s shoulder and wiped the sleep from his eyes. He stood and stretched, bent over to help Tanyon to his feet. They watched as the four checked their equipment and strolled off into the woods. Amaury received a nod from one of them before he disappeared into the rain and trees.

“He’s still sleeping? One of you get Teo up,” Ayla said from behind, startling the both of them, “it’s time to move out.” She ruffled Tanyon’s hair and stepped away.

“Get up, Teo,” Tanyon said as he bent down and lightly slapped Teo’s face. “Get up get up get up!” Teo cracked an eye open and grinned at him.

“You know, your brand of waking people up is a leading cause of missing hands, Tanyon,” Teo said as he yawned hugely. “What time is it?”

“A few hours until sunset, I think,” Tanyon answered, offering a hand to Teo. “Come on now, on your feet.” Teo took the hand and pulled Tanyon down, huffing his breath out as a rogue elbow found his stomach.

“Not exactly how I had that planned out in my mind,” he grumbled as he tried to push Tanyon off of him. “You were supposed to fall beside me, not on me.”

“Well, that’s life for you. The best laid plans and all….” Teo tried to paste an upset look on his face but failed miserably.

“Just get off of me then,” he said as Tanyon rolled to the side.

“You’re lucky I didn’t hit any lower, you know.”

“I’m lucky? No, Tanyon, I believe that you are the lucky one,” Teo said and they both burst into giggles. “So are you going to help me up or not?” Tanyon pulled him to his feet and they dusted themselves off. Mudded themselves off, really, as they’d not seen a bit of anything dry for quite a while now.

“How much further is it until we reach Bren Sul?” Amaury asked the two of them once they’d finished being silly.

“If we head out now we should reach it by late tomorrow,” Vaer said as he stepped out from behind a tree. His unsaid message was clear - we need to get moving so get ready or you’re staying behind. Amaury mused that it was more often what Vaer didn’t say than what he did that was important. Tanyon shouldered his pack and tossed Teo’s quiver to him.

They picked up the same formation they had earlier, the younger in the middle with Vaer up front, Ayla somewhere in between. Amaury kept searching for signs of the Seltiel as they traveled but never found one. It seemed that they were simply invisible when they put their mind to it. He tried in vain to listen for any sound of them moving through the underbrush but failed at that as well. They simply didn’t exist unless they wanted to.

“Amaury, would you continue your tale for us now?” Teo asked a few miles into the walk.

“Certainly.” He paused to refresh himself of where he left off. “We were on the roof and the arrows were being bent around us. Within seconds of the first volley, others of my order had made their way to the roof or the ramparts and the battle was joined.

“A ladder was pushed against the wall in an attempt to breach our defenses and before we could react, there were several of them on the wall itself, looking for the best place to hop down.” He stopped and closed his eyes and Tanyon noticed a nearly imperceptible smile on his face. “Cardinal Spero pushed me back with one hand and said ‘Watch as they fall before the might of Yerien’. He raised his arms to the sun,” Amaury gestured, both boys turning to watch, “and he asked that his cries be heard. Glowing light filled his palms as he brought his hands down to his sides, becoming brighter with each passing second. He closed his fists and held his arms straight out and a beam of white fire leapt forth and destroyed those on the wall before they could even consider moving.”

“Incredible,” Tanyon said, Teo quickly agreeing with him. “But if he could wield power like that how did the building fall?”

“By sheer weight of numbers, Tanyon. As powerful as he was, Cardinal Spero wasn’t powerful enough to continually blast away at them like that.” They both had a confused look on their faces. “Magic is draining, especially that which can cause so much destruction. He began to weaken before he’d so much as put more than a small dent in their ranks.”

“That sounds very much like my own abilities, Amaury,” Tanyon said after pondering that for a moment. He gave Tanyon a look to continue. “I’m a kineticist, one that draws power from the land, and it saps my strength if I do it too much.”

Amaury nodded. “Different sources, same results.”

“I’ve grown stronger though, the more I practice and train.”

“As do I,” Amaury told him. “How do you… train?”

“I strengthen my mind, Amaury. I concentrate and meditate, the way my master taught….” He trailed off and looked away.

“I’m sorry, Tanyon,” Amaury said, this time putting a hand on his shoulder.

“He’s very proud of you, Tanyon,” Teo told him, going further than a hand and wrapping his arm around the upset lad, “I know he is.”

“Thank you both,” he said, wiping his eyes with an already damp sleeve. “I like to think he would be too.”

“There’s no thinking about it, Tanyon. I know he is. You’ve come so far from the little ball of emotions of a boy that I found in the alleys that afternoon. You’ve blossomed.” Tanyon blushed from the unexpected praise. “You have. Amaury, when I first found him, he was huddled in a corner softly crying to himself over what happened. Not that I can blame him, but that’s neither here nor there. He didn’t speak for almost a week and ate just enough to keep himself alive.” He squeezed Tanyon tightly. “Now look at him; he’s alive again, Amaury, he’s continuing with what his master would have wanted.”

“Jamari,” Tanyon said quietly.

“Jamari?” Both boys echoed.

“That was his name. Jamari.”

“Right then. He kept on his training, just as Jamari would have wanted.” Tanyon nodded shyly.

“Continue if you will, Amaury,” he said.

“Of course. As I said, Cardinal Spero unleashed Yerien’s fury on them but it wasn’t enough. It soon degenerated into bloody hand to hand fighting and I implored the Cardinal to allow me to join the fight. He refused and sent me inside while they battled on the walls and in the courtyard.

“I armed myself anyway, as well as I could with what I could find and what I could effectively wield. The fighting went on until it was nearly dusk. I peered out some of the windows and saw the occasional glow of our magic. It wasn’t as frequent as I hoped and I began to worry. I was preparing to head out and defy the Cardinal when he came in from the roof, bloodied and haggard looking. He looked upon me with sad eyes and told me that I had to flee before they breached the inner walls.

“I refused, telling him that my place was here with him and the others and that if I were to die that is how it would be. He shook his head and told me that I was wrong, telling me that I had much left to do and it was imperative that I didn’t spend my life fruitlessly there. I still protested a bit but I knew it was a lost cause. I couldn’t go against his wishes even if I wanted to.

“He quickly packed a small satchel for me and removed the armor I’d wrapped myself in. ‘You won’t need that,’ he said, ‘it will only slow you down’. I fixed the satchel over my shoulder and strapped a long knife to my leg and was ready.” His hand reached down unconsciously and touched it, checking to be sure it was still there. Teo noticed and nodded slightly, glad that the boy wasn’t completely unarmed, hoping only that he knew how to use it.

“We made our way to the rear of the building and after a quick muttering by the Cardinal, suddenly I was surrounded in a glittery veil. ‘You will be able to sneak past them if you’re careful, Amaury,’ he told me. ‘You have much potential, my son. Be careful to keep the faith strong in your heart and it will guard you. Now get ready to go.’ He threw the door open and ushered me outside, his fists lighting up again, his body slumping slightly. The first three soldiers of Eiger he saw were smote and with hardly a thought a section of the wall in front of us was reduced to ash.

“’Go,’ he told me, and I ran. I ran as hard as I could, putting as much distance between the monastery and myself as possible.”

“How’d Aranya come into the picture, Amaury?” Teo asked when Amaury had caught his breath.

“I’m not sure to be honest. I thought I’d made a clean escape when a day later I happen to spot a handful of Eiger’s troops on my trail. I hid out from them for the afternoon and they eventually moved on. It was another day when I saw them a second time and then hid again. They discovered me and I was forced to fight them.”

“You fought them? With a long knife?”

“No. With Yerien’s favor.”

“His favor? I thought you said you could make light and things like that?” Tanyon raised an eyebrow.

“I think that might be a tale for a later time, Tanyon,” Teo told him.

“No, I will tell it as well as it is short. I can channel Yerien’s power on occasion but I can’t call on it myself yet. Does that make sense?”

“I think it does. He used you as a conduit to unleash his power on your pursuers?”

“Exactly.”

“But if he used you like that, why can’t you call on it yet? It doesn’t make sense.”

“I don’t think I’m ready for it. Even just having it flow through me like it did wiped me out. I had to rest for a long while before I could move again.”

“And I am willing to wager that Eiger sent Aranya after you after you killed off his troops, yes?” Tanyon looked expectantly. “Too dangerous for mere foot soldiers?”

“Yes, that is what I believe.”

“He is justified in that fear, I think,” Teo said.

“I’d not go that far just yet, Teo. But anyway, I took off again and ran into you, Tanyon, while being chased by Aranya a few days later. Were it not for the rain and the horrid conditions, I believe she would have caught me.”

“Yerien’s will?” Teo said, catching an elbow from Tanyon.

“Don’t be flippant, Teo.”

“I am being completely serious, Tanyon.”

“I apologize then,” he said with a head bow.”

“Accepted.” He then elbowed Tanyon back. “It slipped.” All three slipped into a fit of laughter as they walked into the fading sunlight.

Camp was soon established in a grove of tall trees and a rather wet dinner was prepared. Talk was thin as they ate, the chill of the evening taking a toll on them.

“I can hardly believe I’m saying this, but I actually looking forward to the first snow. That way, we can at least light a fire and get remotely warm,” Tanyon exclaimed towards the end of the meal, pulling his cloak around him tighter.

Forlorn Hope 3.1

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 08:33:10 GMT

Forlorn Hope
Chapter Three, Book One
WC 5659

Not really where I'd hoped to be at this point, but......

The rain had slowed to a light drizzle by the time Tanyon awoke the following morning. He sat up and pulled his boots on, frowning slightly as they were still damp inside. At times like this he missed the simple peace he’d known before all this started, rising at sunup from his soft, warm bed, safe from the rain and sheltered from late fall’s driving wind. He could still feel the soft wool on his skin if he thought about it for a moment or two. If he thought for a bit longer he could hear the sounds of his mentor preparing breakfast. He shook those memories away as he laced the boots onto his feet. He’d known peace once, they all had, and now they were fighting to get it back.

Tanyon slung a cloak over his shoulders and stepped out into the clearing, leaving Teo and his light snores behind. A few were already up, Vaer among them. The older boy sat on a rock and was fletching a handful of new arrows.

“Good morn, Vaer,” Tanyon said to him as he sat down on another rock.

“Morn,” he said without looking up. Tanyon sat with him for a moment before growing tired with Vaer’s silence. He knew that Vaer wasn’t ever much of a conversationalist but he still held out hope that he’d open up and actually talk for once.

“I’m going to go help Ayla with breakfast,” he told Vaer as he stood.

“Mmmhmm.” Tanyon left the rock and headed for where the cooking fire had been established, Vaer never looking up from his arrow. He found Ayla turning a spit of some forest creature or another and closed the distance to her.

“Morn, Ayla. May I help?”

“Nay, Tanyon. It is nearly ready.” The boy almost looked upset that there was nothing to do, Ayla noticed. “I’m mistaken, Tanyon. You could rouse everyone. We will need an early start today.”

“An early start? Why?”

“It is time to move the camp. They will eventually discover her body, if they haven’t already, and correctly assume that we are not all that far away. It would be in our best interest to insure that we are.” Tanyon nodded.

“Should I wake…him… up as well?”

“I believe he is awake, or at least close to it. I heard him stirring a short while ago,” she said as she pulled a bit of the roasted flesh from the carcass and tasted it. “Finished. Now, off with you, boy.” She grinningly shooed him away.

Tanyon crossed the camp, rousing the sleepers in turn. He saved Teo for last, well, before the boy of course, and stole into their shared tent. He pulled an arrow from Teo’s quiver and turned it backwards, grinning. He brushed the feathers gently across Teo’s nose and barely held in a fit of giggles as he scrunched his face up at the touch. Tanyon continued the attack and had to quickly dodge to the side as one of Teo’s arms flew up to swat at his tormentor. After one more round of tickling one of Teo’s eyes shot open and slowly focused on Tanyon.

“Good morn, Teo,” he said with a grin plastered across all of his face.

“Good morn yourself, Tanyon,” Teo said as he snatched the arrow from his hand. “You could have shaken me, you know.”

“Yes, I could have, but that wouldn’t have been as much fun.” Teo contemplated this for a moment.

“I guess it wouldn’t have been.” Tanyon nodded. “Is it light already?”

“Almost. Well, it would be almost light were the clouds still not grey as can be and covering the sky.” Tanyon saw the next question in his tent mate’s eyes before he could ask it. “Yes, it’s still raining.”

“Wonderful. Nine days straight, is it?”

“Ten.”

“More wonderful.” Teo pulled a shirt on and laced his boots as well. “If it’s not light yet, why are we up so early?”

“Ayla had decided that we need to move camp to somewhere else. We’re too close to where Aranya’s body is or something like that.”

“And I was just getting to like the smells of the nearby swamp, too,” Teo joked as he half-stood in the tent. “Oh! Is he awake yet?”

“He’s last on my list, but Ayla thinks he might already be. Come on, you can come with me.” Tanyon left the tent and waited for Teo to cloak himself before they made way to the last tent. He paused just outside to listen for any signs of movement. He was a bit unsure of barging in on someone they’d just met the previous day and after nearly passing out like he did, possibly not remembering who they were. Teo gave him a very readable look that told him to get on with it. Tanyon nodded and pulled one of the flaps open.

Two bright eyes and a mop of crazy hair greeted Tanyon as he stuck his head inside, the rest of the boy was hidden under the blankets and skins. “Uh…Good morn,” Tanyon said as the boy began to dig himself out of the coverings.

“Good morn to you as well, and I thank you for yesterday.”

“You are quite welcome,” Tanyon told him. About that time Teo stuck his head in.

“Ah, he is awake. Did you feather his nose too?” Teo asked jokingly.

“No, he was awake when I opened the flap, thank you.” He gave Teo a faux-glare and turned back to the boy. “Breakfast is ready if you are hungry.”

“It’s breakfast time? How long have I been asleep?”

“You fell asleep just after Vaer and I met you and you slept the entire way back to camp and through the night.”

“Has the sun risen yet?” he asked in a bit of a panic.

“No, not quite. Soon.”

“Good.” He visibly relaxed. I will join you for breakfast shortly, but first I must pray.” With that he set aside the blankets and excused his way past them. Tanyon watched him go and then exchanged confused glances with Teo.

“A priest, maybe?”

“A bit young for a priest, Tanyon. Too small to be much of a crusader either.”

“A cleric then?”

“Perhaps. I shall ask him over breakfast.” They turned from the tent and made their way back to where Ayla was waiting for all the hungry souls.

“Save some for those still on watch,” she scolded as plates were filled.

“Ayla, he’s…” Tanyon started to say.

“I know. I saw him. He’ll join us shortly.”

They ate slowly while watching the kneeling form across the clearing. He joined them soon just as Ayla said he would. “Fill a plate, child.” He did so and sat on a rock a few feet from Vaer and Tanyon. Ayla watched the younger boys pass anxious glances back and forth. They were dying to know about him, that was almost painfully obvious. It was Teo who finally broke the meal’s silence.

“Excuse me boy, but what is your name?”

Vaer scowled at him. “Mind your manners, Teo. Let him eat.” He returned to his meal as did Teo.

“It’s okay, really. My name is Amaury.” Teo looked over at Vaer to insure that he’d not have his tongue ripped out and got a curt nod.

“Morn, Amaury. As you’ve just heard, I’m Teo, that is Tanyon, Ayla prepared our meal, and I think you already know Vaer.” Teo pointed out the person as he named them, each nodding or somehow recognizing themselves. “There are a few others in the forest right now watching over us and you’ll meet them in time.

“It is my pleasure. Thank you all.” Amaury finished the rest of his plate and set it aside.

“Amaury, if I may ask, why was Aranya after you?” Tanyon broke the issue and asked the question that was on everyone’s mind. He half expected another of Vaer’s patented glares but he didn’t get one. It seemed that even Vaer wanted to know even though he’d never ask the question himself. Ayla’s eyes shown interest as well.

“She was chasing me because I belong to the church of Yerien,” Amaury said. Vaer nodded to himself, everything having fallen into place. The robes, the prayer, the fact that someone like Aranya was sent after him. Yes, it all made sense to him. The others weren’t so quick to put it together.

Amaury continued, “They attacked our monastery seven days ago during evening prayers and we battled them for nearly two straight days before being overrun. I was ordered to leave by the Cardinal just before the walls were breached.” Amaury looked away for a moment before going on. “It was nearly dusk then and I saw the flames encircle the spire just before I disappeared into the forest.”

“Why’d they attack your monastery, Amaury?” Tanyon asked, oddly perplexed.

“Because Tanyon,” Vaer told him, “Yerien’s clerics and cardinals openly oppose Eiger and have been the main adversary in his campaign.” The look that Vaer gave Tanyon continued to say that had you been paying attention all these months, you’d have known that.

“That is correct, Vaer. The majority of our order has already fallen in battle against him. I volunteered months ago to go and fight myself but the Cardinal refused my request, saying that I was too inexperienced yet and that I needed to continue my studies. I’d say that my studies have ended for the time being.”

“Not necessarily, Amaury. We are always learning,” Tanyon told him, repeating what Vaer had told him the previous day. He missed it, but Vaer gave the slightest grin at the comment. Had he been sitting closer and had it not have been completely out of his normal set of actions, he’d have ruffled Tanyon’s hair.

“He’s right, Amaury,” Teo said, speaking up for the first time in a little while, “as long as we are learning, we are alive. It’s only when we stop that we are dead.”

“Truer words could not have been spoken,” Ayla said as she stood, wrapping her shawl around her a bit tighter against the early morning’s chill. “Now, come along and let’s break camp. If we begin now we should be finished by the time the others return for breakfast.”

“I will help and then I will be on my way,” Amaury said, rising to join Ayla. “The sooner I leave you the better off you will be. Again, thank you very much for the rescue and the meal”

“You‘re leaving?” Teo spat out. “Unless you have pressing plans to be elsewhere, I thought you’d join up with us.”

“No, I can’t. If I stayed with you Eiger would hunt you like he hunts me.”

“Amaury, he already does,” Tanyon told him. “We’ve already been fighting for months now in my case and years in Vaer and Ayla’s case. You being with us won’t change a thing.”

“It might make us stronger,” Ayla added.

“I can’t put that upon you; I can‘t ask you to risk yourself to protect me or promise that I could protect you if it were to come down to it.”

“Then allow me to do the protecting, Amaury,” Vaer said as he rose, drawing Aranya’s sword from his scabbard. “I’ve killed many in the past and will kill many more in the future, Amaury.”

“Amaury?” A voice asked, seeking his answer.

“I….shall stay. For now.”

Those on watch returned and ate while the others broke down their small camp. Shortly after the sun became visible they were prepared to leave, nine in all.

“I believe we should bear in the direction of Bren Sul, Ayla,” Vaer said to her, “it could be our last chance to re-supply before we make our winter camp.” Amaury watched as they spoke, beginning to understand the subtle dynamics of the group. They were the powers behind the band, and Ayla the greater of the two it seemed. As matronly as she may appear, there was obviously much hidden behind the robes.

“We shall head toward Bren Sul, but not for that reason.”

“What reason then, Ayla?”

Ayla lowered her head and her voice, cutting Amaury and anyone else watching from the conversation. “I do not know yet, but something calls me.”

“It calls us as well, Ayla. Do not forget that.”

“No, my child, I believe that the calling is for me alone this time.”

“What…what do you mean?”

“I cannot answer you, Vaer, for I do not know.”

“I will accompany you to the end, Ayla.”

“I know this, but do not be blind, Vaer. They will need you if I am gone. They are strong but not strong enough yet. They have great potential but must survive long enough to reach it.” She put a hand on his shoulder and he nodded, ending the conversation. He put back on his usual stony face and watched as Ayla walked into the center of what remained of the camp.

“Gather your belongings, everyone. It is time. We head for Bren Sul.”

They assembled in an elongated line, youth in the middle with Vaer and Ayla in front and two others behind. The last two were off to their sides in the woods, scouting to protect their flanks. The seemingly ceaseless rain broke for the first time in half a fortnight. Amaury looked up at the sun and whispered a small prayer.

Forlorn Hope, 2.1

Fri, 05 Nov 2004 07:52:41 GMT

Forlorn Hope
Chapter Two, Book One.
WC 3416

The first arrow caught her completely by surprise. She’d been focused completely on catching that little rat and ending this blasted chase through the horrible downpour to notice her attacker shadowing her through the forest. This was her fault and completely unacceptable but there were better times for self-chastisement, for example when she was back in Eiger’s castle with the brat, listening to his screams.

It hit her just beneath where the armor covering her chest and shoulders ended, in the meat of her upper arm. It was in all reality a simple flesh wound but it was the simple matter that he had the nerve to strike her with such a base weapon. She turned in his direction and instantly picked Vaer out of the trees, her hand darting to a small sling on her thigh and pulled a throwing knife out without consciously thinking about it.

She’d already cocked her arm back and was in the process of throwing when another voice shocked the forest. How many of these insects were in this woods right now? Her eyes flicked in the voice’s direction for a split second before the arm came forward and threw the blade. It was true to course even if she hadn’t been fully concentrating, she saw, and was ready to see it slam in his face when it suddenly veered off course in a wind storm. What?

She looked in the direction of the wind and saw the other voice. A kineticist. Interesting. She’d enjoy interrogating him thoroughly and learning the secrets of his power as would Eiger. As she began to turn back toward Vaer her saw rapid movement out of the corner of her eye. It was too late to do anything about it this close range, again, her fault for losing her focus. The second arrow slammed into the side of her neck, spinning her sideways, staggering her backwards. The warmth of the blood removed the chill of her skin, she noticed as her body sagged to the ground.

“I’ll be back for you, you little wretch,” she said silently to her target as things began going dark, “Oh yes, yes I will.”

Her conscience left her body like evaporating water and began traveling back to Eiger’s lair by air, arriving at dusk and taking refuge in a large glass sphere specially prepared for this event. It filled with a light fog, swirling like mad, coloring it a dark grey color.

“You failed,” a voice said from a doorway, causing the mist to flash red in anger. Garon stepped into the room and crossed to the globe. “Eiger is very disappointed right now, Aranya. He is wondering if his gift was wasted on you.” The mist inside the sphere turned a brilliant shade of red, in effect yelling at Garon.

“Don’t worry. You’ve not failed him before so I’m sure he’ll give you a second chance to capture that little boy.” Garon drummed his fingers on the surface. “Of course, I’d have not needed a second chance to capture someone like him, Aranya. No, I’d have caught him long before and not subjected myself to a chase through the forests. And I’d certainly not have gotten myself killed in the process.”

He started walking away and turned, giving her a grin that he wasn’t certain she could see. “They’re bringing your body back but it might take a while. You were off in the hinterlands, you know. Get comfortable. Some hand of Eiger you are.” Garon left the room and the ball pulsed repeatedly, illuminating the room.

* * * * *

They now took great pains to prevent Eiger’s forces from stumbling upon their camp. It happened once early in the struggle and had nearly wiped out the leaders of the resistance. It had been late in the day as it was now when Vaer and Tanyon returned and had it not been for Eiger’s soldiers being as surprised as they were, it would have been a rout. They’d learned much that evening, forming new plans as they buried and mourned their dead. Scouts had been posted around the camp every day after that and Vaer knew that he was being watched by at least six sets of eyes hidden in the forest.

The three of them stepped through a screen of trees and came upon a group of low-slung tents camouflaged to near perfection and surrounded by low fog and were greeted by two, Teo and Ayla. Teo appeared to be about the same age as Tanyon while Ayla was easily grown. She stood demurely in the background while Teo approached them.

“Tanyon, you are safe,” Teo said as he put a hand on his shoulder. Tanyon returned the gesture and nodded at him. “It was late and we were beginning to get worried.”

“We came across Aranya again, Teo,” Tanyon told him and Teo could see the fear still in his eyes, just as Tanyon could likely see his widen in surprise.

“And?”

“Vaer slew her.” Teo began to let out a yell of glee at news of her death by was silenced by a look from Vaer.

“We do not know if she is truly dead so there shall be no celebration.” Cowed, Teo nodded and gestured to the sleeping boy on Vaer’s shoulders. He was still awed by the sight of her sword jammed in the earth at his feet.

“Who’s that?”

“We don’t know, Teo,” Tanyon told him. “She was after him and Vaer saved him after he fell in the mud. He fell asleep almost immediately after we left her body behind.”

“Why don’t you let me take him in out of the rain, Vaer?” Ayla asked him, having moved within earshot of their conversation. “He’s looking rather pale and will likely become ill if we keep him out here much longer.” Vaer nodded and she approached and gently took him from Vaer’s shoulders. The boy never stirred once as Ayla carried him to one of the larger tents. Vaer pulled the sword from the ground and walked off to another tent, leaving the two boys to continue on.

“Do you really think she’s dead, Tanyon? You saw it, didn’t you?” He was still looking at the sword as Vaer walked off, outwardly marveling at its beauty and inwardly shivering at the death it had dealt in her hands.

“I’d like to think that she’s dead but after everything I’ve heard of her and what I’ve seen myself, I can’t be sure. I hope she is.” Teo nodded.

“What happened?” Tanyon explained it to him; the chase, the first arrow, the momentary standoff, his power, the second arrow…all of it.

“I think we’ll be seeing her again, Teo. As much as she deserves to stay dead, she’ll be back.”

“Come on, let’s get out of the rain. You need to change before you get ill as well. You’ve been in it all day and the weather is doing nothing if not turning colder early this year.”

“It is,” Tanyon agreed, “I’d not be surprised to see the first snow in a week.” He let Teo put an arm on his shoulder and guide him to another tent.

* * * * *

Her body was finally returned long after midnight and she wasted no time returning to it once the healers were finished.

“And my sword?” she demanded of the attendants as soon as the vertigo of the transference had passed.

“Mistress, it was not with your body.”

She picked up the man by the collar and held him high off the floor. “It was not there?”

“No,” he choked out. “We only found what was on your person.” The man weakly pointed to a table of equipment close at hand. Aranya scowled and tossed him aside, watching as he fled the room as quickly as possible.

“They will pay dearly.” But first things first; Garon had to be dealt with. Hand of Eiger or not, he must be made to suffer for his insolence. Aranya quickly shed the gown and dressed herself in her armor and robes. Lacking her personal sword she picked another from a rack along the wall. It wasn’t blessed but it was sharp and that was all that mattered in times like this.

She stormed out of the room, the doors banging into the stone, making haste to Garon’s chamber. The guards outside her door jumped at her sudden exit but knew better than to say anything to her. She almost wished he’d be there but she knew better. He’d be with Eiger, whispering words against her in his ear. She knew not why he had been blessed but it would all end very soon.

Aranya arrived at Garon’s quarters within minutes and was interrogated by the guards. “What business do you have here?” one asked her just before his head began rolling down the corridor. His partner had no sooner registered the act before the palm of her hand connected with his face, driving his nose into his brain. He dropped to the floor almost in sync with the first guard. Aranya threw the door open and glanced around to spot Garon’s globe. She was right; he was not here. She’d not been in here before but it wasn’t hard to spot. On a stone table against the far wall it sat, alone and unguarded.

She crossed the room and stood before the sphere, looking at it and imaging the fear in Garon’s mind when he realized that he was not going to reconstitute his conscience in it but instead go to the great beyond. The glass glimmered slightly, showing its inherent magical qualities, and she picked it up in one hand. Funny that something so powerfully important should be this small and unassuming. She examined it and noticed its slight warmth before throwing it against the far wall. The shards of glass landed across the entire room.

Aranya laughed and began her trek to Eiger’s throne.

“Aranya,” Eiger said, twisting his bulk to face her as she entered the room, “I will have words with you.” Aranya slowly walked the distance to Eiger’s side, glaring at Garon as she bowed at his feet.

“Speak, Master,” she said, not taking her eyes from the floor.

“Garon tells me that you failed in your quest. This angers me greatly.” Aranya was silent. “Do you have nothing to say in your defense?”

“No, Master. It is true, I failed. I underestimated my opponents and was slain.” Her red hair fell over her face, covering it from view. She had a very good chance of coming out of this unscathed, for if Eiger was going to kill her, he’d have already done it. Garon wouldn’t be spared, however.

Eiger rose to his full height, standing on four massive legs, his tail coiling around his body. “Aranya, arise.” She did so, hoping that her intuition was right. “It is only for your years of dutiful service that I do not destroy your soul now.” Aranya relaxed a bit inside. She’d been right. “However, your second chances end here. Fail me again and you shall pass on permanently.”

“Yes..Master. I will not fail you again.”

“Good,” Eiger said as he settled himself on his dais again. “It would be unfortunate to lose two of my lieutenants in short order.” Aranya’s eyes widened. Did he know? Did he know? She dared meet his eyes and knew instantly that he did. She glanced to her left and saw Garon staring at Eiger with an unknowing look. He did know.

“Finish your business here, Aranya,” Eiger told her in a very unconcerned air. Her hand flicked to the scabbard on her back, angled downward for quick access, and slid the blade out in the blink of an eye. Garon’s head turned in her direction as he heard the metal-on-metal sound but did nothing else as she plunged the blade deep into his bowels.

“Aranya…” he garbled as he slid along the blade.

“You are weak, Garon. A parasite. It is time for you to pass on.”

“I will destroy you, Aranya,” he said as she pulled the blade out and callously wiped it on his robes.

“No, I highly doubt that. Enjoy the passage, Garon. May it be long and arduous.”

Tue, 02 Nov 2004 08:02:48 GMT

Forlorn Hope
Chapter One, Book One.
WC 1379

The rain poured down that afternoon, making his escape more treacherous than it already was. He dared a look over his shoulder to spot his pursuer, taking his eyes off the path ahead of him for a split second. He turned back around, having not spotted her, but he knew he wasn’t safe. Somewhere, a few dozen yards behind him he still heard her guttural cries as she crashed through the underbrush. He ran a hand through his hair and pushed the wet mass back on his head and out of his eyes.

He had been running for nearly an hour now, having long passed being tired and now nearing exhaustion, but the knowledge that horrible times awaited him if she were to catch him kept him going. She’d nearly caught him twice already but thanks to the mud and the resultant lost footing he escaped, reminding himself to give a prayer for the rain when this was all over. He weaved between the bases of age-old trees and prickly briar bushes, around green-covered ponds and foul marshes, and through countless small streams with her taunts and yells driving him onward.

Very light afoot as if they belonged there, the two youths had followed the chase from a distance for the last few miles, hidden a fair way off in the distance. They recognized her almost immediately, having come across her more than they cared to remember and losing more than a few of their comrades to her blade. It was said that Eiger himself had blessed her, a rumor that all those who heard it had no difficulty believing, although they’d declare it to be a curse.

Her target was unknown to them, but by the logic of war he was automatically their ally. They watched, seeing him run and knowing that his racing was nearly over with. They shadowed the chase carefully, their footfalls drown out by the pouring rain, waiting for their opportunity. It would be a fine day if they could end her life but they would settle for stealing her quarry. Revenge is always sweet but a theft like this would be sweeter.

They ran, picking their way through a path that would be invisible to nearly any other person in an attempt to intercept the pair. They knew that the chase would be ending very shortly as they could almost hear the boy’s ragged breaths over the rain. He skidded in the mud, slid to his knees, and lay prone for a second before getting back to his feet. From very close behind them now they heard a shriek of victory.

“Tanyon, get ready for anything. I‘ll be taking my shot very soon,” the older said to the younger as he snatched an arrow from the quiver on his back. He nocked it perfectly while on a dead run, holding the bow in position to quickly aim and fire.

In the blink of an eye the chase came to a conclusion as the boy again slipped, this time landing awkwardly in a heap. He tried to pull himself to his feet but fell forward as he put weight on his right leg. Another scream echoed from behind them and the boy turned to watch as she approached, slowing her pace and grinning wickedly. She drew her sword slowly, savoring the upcoming death as she had all the others.

He was ready in less than a second, the bow having jumped into position without thought. An oath escaped his lips and the arrow flew its short course in another two seconds, hitting her in the shoulder. Not where he was aiming for but it still hit her and drew her first blood. She staggered for a split second before picking him out among the trees. He grabbed another arrow and had only started to pull the bow back up when he heard Tanyon yell.

Things began to happen in slow motion. He first saw the woman reach her free hand down to her side and almost immediately her arm was extended in his direction, a small silver speck flying through the air. He next saw the rain begin to fall sideways in front of him and felt his clothes ripple as a huge gust of wind blew past him. Lastly, he saw the silver speck, now close enough to be identified as a knife, imbed itself in a tree a foot to his left.

He spared a quick look to see Tanyon with his arms outstretched and returned his gaze to the woman. “May my arrow fly true,” he whispered as he aimed and fired again, this time catching her in the neck, rich red blood exploding outward. She stumbled three steps and fell on her back, her sword falling into the mud. He heard Tanyon calling out to him, breaking his momentary paralysis as he watched her writhe, and began his dash for the stunned boy.

“Can you stand?” He asked the boy, his eyes darting between the leg and the nearby corpse.

“No.” A very simple answer, surely not the one that he wanted to hear at the moment.

“Were there more of them?”

“I…I don’t know.” Again, not what he needed to hear. Information was key and he had none. Giving the forest a quick look and seeing nothing out of the ordinary he turned back to the boy. He gave him a quick look-over. Ten years, perhaps eleven. Were those robes he was wearing? Perhaps, but they were now covered in mud. There was a bit of information and he filed it away for later use.

“We need to go. She rarely travels alone.” He offered a hand to the dirty boy and pulled him up. The boy grimaced and leaned heavily against him, the injured leg held off the ground.

“Who are you?”

“I am Vaer. That will have to do for now. We will talk more when we put distance between us and this site. He looked the boy over, formulating a plan, and knelt down. “On my back.” The boy hopped on and grabbed hold, latching around his neck as Vaer rose. He walked past the body of the woman and paused. He regarded her for a moment and then spit on her. Vaer nearly walked away but turned back and reached down, picking her sword up out of the mud and spitting on her one last time.

Vaer trotted back to Tanyon and saw him standing with hands on hips and slightly bent over, seemingly exhausted. “Can you travel?”

“Yes, I’ll be fine in a moment. Let’s get moving. I’m sure that there are more nearby.” Tanyon’s words were interrupted by deep breaths, making him sound as if he’d just ran a marathon. “Is she dead?” He asked as they began moving briskly away.

“I think so. I hope so.”

The rain began falling even harder, however that was possible, and thunder ripped through the now-chilling air. “You performed well, Tanyon . He would have been proud of you.” Tanyon looked at him and gave a small smile. Praise from Vaer was a rare thing and he cherished it.

“Thank you. I still have much to learn.”

“We never stop learning,” Vaer said as he shifted the boy’s weight slightly. He’d not heard so much as a peep from him over the last few miles and now he heard deep, rhythmic breathing in his ear.

“So, who is he?” Tanyon asked a few moments later, breaking the silence.

“I have no idea. All I know is that he’s young, incredibly dirty, appears to be dressed in some sort of clerical robes, and was obviously important enough for her to go after him.”

“Do you think he’s been on the run for a while?”

“I don’t know,” Vaer said in a way that brought the discussion to a close. Never one for wordiness, this was the most Tanyon had heard him say at one time in the months he’d known him. He studied Vaer’s face for a bit before returning his eyes to the forest floor in front of him, wiping rain from his face. The sun began to set as they traversed the remaining few miles to their current camp.