Sorry it's been so long. My computer has a virus, so I can't really access the Internet from it. I'm on my mom's computer now.
Yeah, this chapter is pretty short compared to some... I'm not sure if I have more loaded or not, but I'm working on it =)
Thanks everyone who's subscribed so far; I love reading your reviews! Please keep leaving them, even if it's just one word (:
CHAPTER 9
Alayissa remembered walking out of Dras Leona, cringing under the oppressive shadow of Helgrind, the great black mountain that rose up out of the plains. She knew that this was a place where killing was done. She hastened her steps, trying to get as far away from the stones as possible. She had never approved of the masochistic religion that so many people of Dras Leona practiced, and it scared her. How could people desecrate themselves like that, in worship of a rock? So absorbed was she in trying to get away from Helgrind, Alayissa didn't notice the shadows until the foul creatures were right above her. One of the giant Lethlbraka scooped her up and carried her away, screaming. She recognized that they were going west, but her panicked mind was too frenzied to realize what that meant. All she could think of was how to get away as soon as possible.
Alayissa shot out of bed in less than a second, breathing as if she had just fought fifteen Kull. Her face was drenched in sweat, and her hair was tangled. She looked out the window, savoring the sweet air coming through it.
Men were scurrying to and fro in Carvahall, and in the distance Alayissa could see great trees falling down. Roran was standing in the center of it all, watching and directing. Women and children were digging a trench surrounding the town. She turned from the window and looked at her reflection in the mirror. The Elf frowned. Her ears were all-too visible for her liking, and her hair was a complete mess.
There was an old brush lying on the small dresser. Alayissa grabbed it and started to pull it through her knotted hair. Rolling her eyes in frustration, she dropped the brush and murmured something under her breath. She knew that she shouldn't use magic so soon after having been completely depleted, but she didn't have the patience to deal with tangles. Her hair smoothed itself out and she arranged it so that it covered her ears and stayed out of her face. Then she went downstairs where Elain was taking bread out of the oven. The mother straightened when she heard Alayissa coming.
"You didn't sleep nearly as long as I thought you would have," she observed. "You were only up there for five and a half hours."
"I don't need nearly as much sleep as normal people do," she said distractedly, watching the progress of the diggers. "Roran's accomplished a lot in that time, though."
"Well, now that it's been decided that he would stay here, people are more than willing to help him," Elain pointed out. "Especially since he has very good ideas about Carvahall's defense." Alayissa agreed. "Alayissa, do you want something to eat? You must be starving, and I've just baked some bread."
"That would be wonderful," Alayissa smiled. She took accepted the large hunk of bread that Elain offered. She had long since given up the vegan eating habits of her people. She still tried not to eat too much meat, and she never hunted, but she realized how impractical the Elves' eating style was. "I think I'll go see where Roran needs assistance. Maybe I can help with fortification." Of course, Alayissa was thinking of strengthening walls with magic, and maybe adding some unpleasant surprises to the ditch, but she said nothing of this to Elain.
"I'm sure he'll be glad for the help," Elain replied.
Alayissa strode over to Roran, her bow on her back and her sword at her hip. Roran was surprised at the change that had come over her – she looked completely refreshed, as if she had never been so weak. He was about to go help Baldor with the main road.
"I'll help," Alayissa said. Roran had stopped doubting her able-bodiedness, so he accepted the help gratefully. "What are your plans for tonight?" Alayissa asked him. "Because that's when the Ra'zac will attack. It's when they're strongest."
"I'll set up a watch," he replied. "Probably about three-hour shifts. Have men constantly patrolling the perimeter."
"Then have the changes staggered," Alayissa advised. "There should never be a blind spot." Roran nodded, grateful for her suggestions.
"Anything else?"
"I like your idea of digging a trench around the town. But you should make sure that there are no grooves good enough for handholds. And you can always poison the tips of stakes. Or you could pour oil along the bottom of the ditch, so that when somebody notices an attack, they can just drop their torch into the gutter, and it serves the double-purpose of alerting the town and posing a dangerous threat to the enemy." Roran saw the wisdom in this, and he said he'd definitely think about it.
"You've had to do this before." It wasn't a question. Alayissa paused before nodding.
"Many times. The Empire's attacked hundreds of small villages before this one. Sometimes the people live to fight another day… sometimes they don't." Roran noted the melancholy in her voice, and once again wondered what had happened to her. Alayissa straightened. "Well, you look like you've got this well under control. I'll go see if there's anything else that can be done for the barriers. We'll start training tomorrow, so spread the word. Anyone who's willing to learn is welcome." With that, Alayissa hoisted herself nimbly out of the trench and walked along it, trailing her hand behind her.
