Hello readers...who may have stumbled upon this fanfiction before and are wondering what in the world happened here. The fact is this is the New and Improved "The Thirsty Hibiscus" - with a whole new plot, and completely rewritten and re-directed. There are some elements that are similar to the old story, but this my friends is something completely new.
For those who are still willing to bare with me here. I promise to do my absolute best that you enjoy the ride.
The hibiscus is a symbol of fragile beauty and love...a thing that embodies the type of relationship that Murtagh and Nasuada share...fragile..oh so very fragile.
- Shadowed Breath
Prologue
The sun seemed a blare of dying red in the sky, as it at last sunk its sallow head into its watery grave: the faded horizon.
The sea lay in a blanket of still black shadow.
The moon hung unseen, hidden against the descending darkness of the night sky. White sands were bathed gray in the pallid hue.
Even then the air stunk of bondage… of casted spells, of choking words and souls ripped into void by foolish incantations. He knew this was death…that the sandy beach of the new land they had tread upon would not – could not save him. This was their end.
Alagaesia…the fertile land that they would never inherit- lay before them, untouched, untamed, unsoiled by their dying hands.
Amber eyes glowed in a burnt ochre hue, like the fading fire light of their bonfire.
The air singed - hissed with the fresh spells that would forever bind the nature of their magic – of the magic of the' maka', the earth.
Their bodies lay strewn in a sickly array of ebony tones, scattered about the ragged shore. His own body slicked black by the dark night shadow, sunk into the sands. Breathing slowed to gentle moans.
He could feel the Keezheekoni, that life force – the 'burning fire', fade from his slender frame as he lay unmoving in the white sands. The gentle tide from the ocean-home slunk upon him, bathing him gently upon the shore line. It seemed to be calling to him, calling him back home - home across the sea…The home they had left behind; a home of savagery and death. The irony was almost bitter…they had come so far, braved the monstrosities of the unchartered waters only to die by their own resolve.
The gentle roar of the ocean beckoned louder to him, yet there was an inner roar…the deafening one of an animal cornered, blatantly refusing to die – refusing the awaiting darkness. Amber eyes for split second regained their light, flashing with the ferocity of the Great Cat; and dark fingers found it, hanging precariously from his neck…the stone...
...the Ruby.
You know the policy, read and review guys. Since this was such a short Prologue I decided to post this right alongside the first chapter. Hope you guys enjoy...I really need some feedback though guys.