Disclaimer: whatever storyline i follow, i don't own the plot or anything. i do own my characters. i love them!
When I woke up, the world was dark. I was still hanging on the horse. Then I saw a glint of light that had to be a campfire. I sighed. The nights got cold at this time of year in Syrlan, and I wanted to be warm!
"Liana?" I jerked my head up as far as my position would allow.
It was Jake! "Yesh…" I mumbled. Jake brought out a knife and cut the ropes that bound me to the saddle. I started to slide off, and he caught me. Jake lowered me onto the ground and then cut the ropes tied around my hands and ankles.
"C'mon." I followed Jake past the sentries. The sentries didn't notice us- we made no noise. Runners of Syrlan were trained in that!
"Jake, what'll we do when they find out I'm gone?" We were hiding in a thicket of thorns.
"Shhh. We're going to run to Mirkyn," Jake said.
"The capitol?" Jake affirmed it with a nod. "OhdearSky." Mirkyn was at least twenty miles away from Hill Town, and it was probably farther from wherever we were now. "Can we start in the morning?"
"I was planning to."
"Good." I closed my eyes, then thought of something. "Jake?"
"Yes?" he said sleepily.
"How did you find me?"
"I followed you. You left quite a large trail going through the woods and the Outriders followed most of the roads. They're heading to Mirkyn." So we were closer than I thought! That was good. "Then I found you hanging over that horse and brought you here. We should be in Mirkyn by noon tomorrow."
I smiled, and slept.
~~
"Liana. Liana! Dammit, Liana, wake up!" Jake shook me awake. I looked up and saw- stars.
"Jake, its still dark! It can't be two yet!" I groaned and rolled over.
"Its not. It's a little after one." Jake shook me again to keep me awake.
"I thought you said we could start in the morning!" I was not happy- I had been hoping for a little bit of sleep. Now it seemed as if I wasn't going to get it.
"It is morning, Liana! Now get up!" Jake lurched to his feet, and I soon followed suit.
We took off at a slow jog, conserving our energies for the long stretches of open fields we would have to run through. Absently, I brushed the tattoo on my cheek that signified me as a Runner of Syrlan. Jake stopped, panting, when we reached the edge of the forest.
"Ready to run?" He asked me.
"Let's go!" We took off, our legs pumping in unison (at least for the first few steps) the wind combing our hair. To ruin the whole effect, our shadows were not loyally following us wherever we went- it was still dark.
Soon enough, we reached a stretch of forest again and we slowed to a jog. Sooner or later, Jake figured that we would come upon a town or some other form of civilization. We came upon it sooner, thank goodness.
~~
In the wee hours of the morning, two exhausted Runners of Syrlan knocked on the gates of the small hamlet called Loran.
~~
"Whaddyawant?" A sleepy voice asked us.
"We want-"Jake started
"-shelter." I finished for him.
"Who be ye?" the gatekeeper asked.
"We be-"again Jake started and I finished.
"-Runners." Jake glanced at me in annoyance, then in comprehension.
"What be ye called by?"
"We be called by-" Jake let me finish of his own accord this time.
"-our names."
"And what, pray tell, be ye names?" The gatekeeper was obviously becoming annoyed.
"I am-" Jake started, and then looked to me.
"-Jake, and I am-" I let Jake finish my sentence.
"-Liana."
"What business do ye have at this hour?"
"We carry-" this time I started and let Jake finish.
"-A Message for the King." We had succeeded at winning the gatekeeper over, whether it was with the fact that we appeared to share a bond so tight it was magical, or the fact that we were Runners with a message.
The gate swung open and I saw before me what had to be the tallest man in all of Syrlan. He towered over me by about three feet, and I wasn't all that short. "Come in, quickly!"
We hurried in. "Thank you-" I started.
"-Sir." Jake finished.
"Why in all hell do ye two do that?" The gatekeeper stooped down to look at as.
"Because-"
"-We can!" I finished impishly.
"Well, stop!"
"Alright, alright!" I grumbled. "We'll stop if you tell us the worst inn in town and promise-"
"-Not to mention us to anybody. Agreed?" Jake held out his hand and the gatekeeper took it suspiciously.
"Agreed, now, come this way." The giant led us through the lightening streets of Loran, through twists and turns until finally we arrived at a tiny heap of lumber that had the audacity to call itself an inn.
We had asked for it, though.
"This here's the Broken Bottle." The gatekeeper pointed at the sign hanging from a post that depicted shards of glass. "Chemed here's your owner, manager and bartender." He slapped a drooling old man on the back. "Anything else you need, come to him and he'll get it for you."
"Uh…Thanks, sir." I smiled as he lumbered away.
"Youse! Over there! C'mere!" Chemed was beckoning to us.
"Yes?" It seemed a bit out of place to be calling this drooling old man, 'sir'.
"Ye be wanting a room?" Jake nodded slowly. "I have just the one for you and your," he leered at me, "consort."
"Hey- that is not-!" by accident, I bit Jake's lip when kissed me suddenly. I'm sure he thought I did it on purpose.
"We'll take it." Jake followed the old geezer, ah, innkeeper inside and instructed him to wake us up at noon, or if he got wind of Lamaran Outriders. Jake slipped the man a coin as he left the little curtained off corner we were going to share.
"Jake, why did you let him believe we were lovers? I am most certainly not interested in you that way. You're my cousin, for Sky's Sake!" I was not happy about this thought. "That's just sick."
"It was necessary, Liana." Oh, so that was his reason. It was necessary. I sneered in contempt.
"It wasn't."
"Yes, it was. It may have been unpleasant, Liana, but it was necessary." Jake crossed his arms and stared at me.
I crossed my arms too, and then, belligerently, stated, "I do not think that it was necessary." I had my back turned to the curtain, so I didn't see it move when Chemed poked his head in.
Jake swept me into a crushing hug as soon as he saw the curtain twitch.
"Is everything satisfactory?" The fool must have looked disgusting, that same leer still plastered on his face.
"No," I mumbled, my words lost in Jake's shirt.
"Yes, it is, thank you. You may go and leave us to…uh…leave us." Jake motioned with his hand, and the innkeeper left with a perverted snigger.
"That's just sick."
"Sorry, it was-" I cut him off.
"I know, it was necessary. I'm going to sleep." I curled up in a corner with my back to Jake. In all appearances, I went straight to sleep.
I had closed my eyes, but my mind was still open. I thought of staying with Jake. I thought of getting caught. I relished in my anger against him. I was being self-centered and over sensitive, but I really didn't care. I made up my mind. I was going on without Jake.
It was stupid, yes, but that was what I was going to do. I was going to run away, literally. I waited until Jake's breathing was even and deep. Then I got up, grabbed a loaf of bread from the table, left a copper in its place, and walked out.
The gatekeeper let me out of the town without comment. I turned toward Mirkyn and started to jog. Eventually, I ended up in the open meadows, where I ran.
Running in the early morning hours was delightful: the sun had not yet had time to scorch everything to bits, and there was a charming little breeze cavorting about the skies. I laughed as I ran. One time, I even sang as I loped through the fields.
"Skies of blue
So pretty and bold
Spread before me
As my future unfolds
I'm free as the wind
And as happy as the song
If I run where I want
I'll arrive before long!"
Then I ran out of breath and had to stop. When I stopped I noticed a person running beside me through the grass. I was so surprised that I stumbled, and she caught me. We stopped, both curious about the other.
"Who're you?" I asked her.
"I'm Sienna." She informed me. "Who're you?"
"I'm Liana." I smiled, and she tentatively smiled back.
"You have a beautiful singing voice. Where did that song come from?" She giggled. "It was so…so…so original!"
I blushed. "Thanks. I actually made the song up myself."
"Ooh! It was so good!" She caught my hand. "C'mon! Follow me!"
Being impulsive, I did.
~~
A/N: alright...those of you who reviiewed- thank you! And, Black Jaguar, I'll try to remember to make her sound a little less cynical in the face or death. Thanks for pointing that out! And anybody who has names, tell me!! I still need them... Lemme know what you think of my characters too...are they terrible, good, ok, any improvements...yada yada. You get the picture. Anyway! REVIEW!!!
*smiles*
When I woke up, the world was dark. I was still hanging on the horse. Then I saw a glint of light that had to be a campfire. I sighed. The nights got cold at this time of year in Syrlan, and I wanted to be warm!
"Liana?" I jerked my head up as far as my position would allow.
It was Jake! "Yesh…" I mumbled. Jake brought out a knife and cut the ropes that bound me to the saddle. I started to slide off, and he caught me. Jake lowered me onto the ground and then cut the ropes tied around my hands and ankles.
"C'mon." I followed Jake past the sentries. The sentries didn't notice us- we made no noise. Runners of Syrlan were trained in that!
"Jake, what'll we do when they find out I'm gone?" We were hiding in a thicket of thorns.
"Shhh. We're going to run to Mirkyn," Jake said.
"The capitol?" Jake affirmed it with a nod. "OhdearSky." Mirkyn was at least twenty miles away from Hill Town, and it was probably farther from wherever we were now. "Can we start in the morning?"
"I was planning to."
"Good." I closed my eyes, then thought of something. "Jake?"
"Yes?" he said sleepily.
"How did you find me?"
"I followed you. You left quite a large trail going through the woods and the Outriders followed most of the roads. They're heading to Mirkyn." So we were closer than I thought! That was good. "Then I found you hanging over that horse and brought you here. We should be in Mirkyn by noon tomorrow."
I smiled, and slept.
~~
"Liana. Liana! Dammit, Liana, wake up!" Jake shook me awake. I looked up and saw- stars.
"Jake, its still dark! It can't be two yet!" I groaned and rolled over.
"Its not. It's a little after one." Jake shook me again to keep me awake.
"I thought you said we could start in the morning!" I was not happy- I had been hoping for a little bit of sleep. Now it seemed as if I wasn't going to get it.
"It is morning, Liana! Now get up!" Jake lurched to his feet, and I soon followed suit.
We took off at a slow jog, conserving our energies for the long stretches of open fields we would have to run through. Absently, I brushed the tattoo on my cheek that signified me as a Runner of Syrlan. Jake stopped, panting, when we reached the edge of the forest.
"Ready to run?" He asked me.
"Let's go!" We took off, our legs pumping in unison (at least for the first few steps) the wind combing our hair. To ruin the whole effect, our shadows were not loyally following us wherever we went- it was still dark.
Soon enough, we reached a stretch of forest again and we slowed to a jog. Sooner or later, Jake figured that we would come upon a town or some other form of civilization. We came upon it sooner, thank goodness.
~~
In the wee hours of the morning, two exhausted Runners of Syrlan knocked on the gates of the small hamlet called Loran.
~~
"Whaddyawant?" A sleepy voice asked us.
"We want-"Jake started
"-shelter." I finished for him.
"Who be ye?" the gatekeeper asked.
"We be-"again Jake started and I finished.
"-Runners." Jake glanced at me in annoyance, then in comprehension.
"What be ye called by?"
"We be called by-" Jake let me finish of his own accord this time.
"-our names."
"And what, pray tell, be ye names?" The gatekeeper was obviously becoming annoyed.
"I am-" Jake started, and then looked to me.
"-Jake, and I am-" I let Jake finish my sentence.
"-Liana."
"What business do ye have at this hour?"
"We carry-" this time I started and let Jake finish.
"-A Message for the King." We had succeeded at winning the gatekeeper over, whether it was with the fact that we appeared to share a bond so tight it was magical, or the fact that we were Runners with a message.
The gate swung open and I saw before me what had to be the tallest man in all of Syrlan. He towered over me by about three feet, and I wasn't all that short. "Come in, quickly!"
We hurried in. "Thank you-" I started.
"-Sir." Jake finished.
"Why in all hell do ye two do that?" The gatekeeper stooped down to look at as.
"Because-"
"-We can!" I finished impishly.
"Well, stop!"
"Alright, alright!" I grumbled. "We'll stop if you tell us the worst inn in town and promise-"
"-Not to mention us to anybody. Agreed?" Jake held out his hand and the gatekeeper took it suspiciously.
"Agreed, now, come this way." The giant led us through the lightening streets of Loran, through twists and turns until finally we arrived at a tiny heap of lumber that had the audacity to call itself an inn.
We had asked for it, though.
"This here's the Broken Bottle." The gatekeeper pointed at the sign hanging from a post that depicted shards of glass. "Chemed here's your owner, manager and bartender." He slapped a drooling old man on the back. "Anything else you need, come to him and he'll get it for you."
"Uh…Thanks, sir." I smiled as he lumbered away.
"Youse! Over there! C'mere!" Chemed was beckoning to us.
"Yes?" It seemed a bit out of place to be calling this drooling old man, 'sir'.
"Ye be wanting a room?" Jake nodded slowly. "I have just the one for you and your," he leered at me, "consort."
"Hey- that is not-!" by accident, I bit Jake's lip when kissed me suddenly. I'm sure he thought I did it on purpose.
"We'll take it." Jake followed the old geezer, ah, innkeeper inside and instructed him to wake us up at noon, or if he got wind of Lamaran Outriders. Jake slipped the man a coin as he left the little curtained off corner we were going to share.
"Jake, why did you let him believe we were lovers? I am most certainly not interested in you that way. You're my cousin, for Sky's Sake!" I was not happy about this thought. "That's just sick."
"It was necessary, Liana." Oh, so that was his reason. It was necessary. I sneered in contempt.
"It wasn't."
"Yes, it was. It may have been unpleasant, Liana, but it was necessary." Jake crossed his arms and stared at me.
I crossed my arms too, and then, belligerently, stated, "I do not think that it was necessary." I had my back turned to the curtain, so I didn't see it move when Chemed poked his head in.
Jake swept me into a crushing hug as soon as he saw the curtain twitch.
"Is everything satisfactory?" The fool must have looked disgusting, that same leer still plastered on his face.
"No," I mumbled, my words lost in Jake's shirt.
"Yes, it is, thank you. You may go and leave us to…uh…leave us." Jake motioned with his hand, and the innkeeper left with a perverted snigger.
"That's just sick."
"Sorry, it was-" I cut him off.
"I know, it was necessary. I'm going to sleep." I curled up in a corner with my back to Jake. In all appearances, I went straight to sleep.
I had closed my eyes, but my mind was still open. I thought of staying with Jake. I thought of getting caught. I relished in my anger against him. I was being self-centered and over sensitive, but I really didn't care. I made up my mind. I was going on without Jake.
It was stupid, yes, but that was what I was going to do. I was going to run away, literally. I waited until Jake's breathing was even and deep. Then I got up, grabbed a loaf of bread from the table, left a copper in its place, and walked out.
The gatekeeper let me out of the town without comment. I turned toward Mirkyn and started to jog. Eventually, I ended up in the open meadows, where I ran.
Running in the early morning hours was delightful: the sun had not yet had time to scorch everything to bits, and there was a charming little breeze cavorting about the skies. I laughed as I ran. One time, I even sang as I loped through the fields.
"Skies of blue
So pretty and bold
Spread before me
As my future unfolds
I'm free as the wind
And as happy as the song
If I run where I want
I'll arrive before long!"
Then I ran out of breath and had to stop. When I stopped I noticed a person running beside me through the grass. I was so surprised that I stumbled, and she caught me. We stopped, both curious about the other.
"Who're you?" I asked her.
"I'm Sienna." She informed me. "Who're you?"
"I'm Liana." I smiled, and she tentatively smiled back.
"You have a beautiful singing voice. Where did that song come from?" She giggled. "It was so…so…so original!"
I blushed. "Thanks. I actually made the song up myself."
"Ooh! It was so good!" She caught my hand. "C'mon! Follow me!"
Being impulsive, I did.
~~
A/N: alright...those of you who reviiewed- thank you! And, Black Jaguar, I'll try to remember to make her sound a little less cynical in the face or death. Thanks for pointing that out! And anybody who has names, tell me!! I still need them... Lemme know what you think of my characters too...are they terrible, good, ok, any improvements...yada yada. You get the picture. Anyway! REVIEW!!!
*smiles*