OK while my mom is cooking for us kids she asked me to do this for her real quick.
So- My mom doesnt own anything but Shadowflame ('Flame), Darkfire and Ayren. Everything else is owned by Mrs. Lackey. (who mom wont let me read yet!) So, I'm Mariah and I hope you like my mom's work! Now as Kyrette is pushing me to write:
ON WITH THE STORY!!!!
Chapter 9- Peace of Mind
Alberich took the first watch on 'Flame's room. Around dawn Dirk came to take over for him. "Anything?" Dirk asked worriedly. Alberich wearily shook his head. He stood and stretched. "Healers with her still, are." He said tiredly. "I now rest. Be back later, will." Dirk nodded and sat down in the chair, pulling his blade to rest across his lap. ALberich nodded to him and left to return to his own rooms.
It was noon before the MindHealers withdrew from 'Flame's room. Neither gave Dirk a second glance. Their shoulders were slumped whether with defeat, worry or exhaustion Dirk could not tell. He didn't ask anything of them, allowing them to go on their way. When another Trainee came out though he stopped the girl. "How is she?" He asked of the girl.
She slowly shook her head. "She hasn't woken up yet. You can go in and sit with her if you wish."
Dirk looked into the room at the pallid young woman laying on the bed. "You sure I won't disturb her?"
The Healer Trainee smiled. "No. In fact talking to her might do her some good." Dirk nodded and went into the room, closing the door softly behind himself. He walked over and sat down in the chair next to the bed. He had sheathed his sword and put it within easy reach. He took one of her hands that lay still and pale on the sheets. He chafed it in between his own to warm it. Looking up he could see Darkfire grazing just outside. Ayren's perch was empty but he couldn't be too far away. "Please 'Flame. Come back to us. You may not have the vales but you have Haven. There aren't many that Stone-Face would sit up all night for with drawn steel. Kero left this morning, swearing she'd be back as soon as she could. Talia is worried about you, she can feel your hurts." He sighed and chafed the cool hand again. "Selenay is worried as well. Altra will be here as soon as he can. Please Shadowflame. Come back." He sat silently for a long time, watching her for some sign that she had heard him. Nothing. Darkfire came in and nuzzled him a bit and then lay down near her. His head lay on the bed next to her and Dirk placed her other hand on the stallion's head, hoping the connection might help. Then he sat to take his long vigil.
~~~
'Flame smiled as she heard Dirk's voice echo through her. The images of what had befallen her had faded a bit as Dirk spoke. She could feel Darkfire pushing at her mind, but she resolutely stayed buried. Life had no meaning for her right now. She didn't want to be there. She didn't want to be here either, but here no one could hurt her. She looked out over the bleak landscape that was her subconscience and sighed again. That night was coming back again.
She lay next to the fire, wrapped in a light blanket. Then the image went black. This was where they attacked her. She had nothing to see until she woke up in that dingy little shack where they had deposited her, bound and gagged. She looked at herself, tied hand and foot and gagged lying on that packed dirt floor amid the filthy hay that lay there. Her silver hair dyed in shades of brown and green was a mess, hiding her face. With her hands behind her back she couldn't move much. Outside, the sounds of several people moving around came to her ears. She spoke several languages and various dialects but didn't recognize what they were saying.
Footsteps began to approach the building she was in. She could tell that whoever they were, they weren't used to being outdoors a lot. They wore robes and soft boots, if the footsteps were anything to go by. They were coming closer. She tensed waiting for the door to open. A voice outside yelled, stopping the steps. Then they turned around and walked away allowing her to sigh uneasily. She squirmed again, trying to get it so a finger was pointed at the knots binding her. If she could just raise a little energy to fry the ropes, she at least wouldn't be defenseless anymore. She centered herself quickly from long practice. Then she started, subtly, gathering energies from a the local ley lines. Or she tried to. It was then she noticed that she couldn't draw on any magical energies!! She had been completely blocked! Frantically she tried again and again to gather the energies to get herself free, but they wouldn't come. She began struggling against the bonds harder, making grunting noises behind her gag. Still nothing.
Against the tree, 'Flame shuddered at her own stupidity. She had allowed them to catch her. Her own pride in her abilities had allowed them to catch her, unawares and alone. And she had sent off her bondbird. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid,' she thought to herself. Arrogance. Vanity. Again she snorted to herself. Now she was describing her brother's most prominent traits. Apparently she had inherited them, despite what she had thought. She looked back at the image of herself struggling on that dirt floor and winced.
She struggled against the bonds until she was exhausted. It didn't take long. As she lay there panting, the footsteps approached again. It was a different person this time. This one wore hard soled boots and walked with a confident stride.
They stopped just before they got to her door and spoke softly with someone there. Retreating footsteps proved there was a guard on her door. 'Flame held her breath waiting for her captor to come to her. This one also just stayed outside the door. What were they waiting for?
She must have fallen asleep because the next she knew the door was squeaking open and someone was coming in. She opened her eyes slightly to see if she could see who it was. All she was able to make out were soft boots and what looked like mage's robes, that had a filthy hem. She kept her breathing deep and even, hoping to fool whoever it was into thinking she was still unconscious. She saw the toe of the boot come up to poke at her. She didn't tense since there would be no force behind the prodding. Instead she allowed the person to roll her over with a gentle nudge. She groaned and allowed her eyes to flutter open.
Looking up, she was hard pressed not to shudder. The man towering over her was filthy. Dirt streaked his face. His fingernails were black because of it. His robes were a conglomeration of old stains, some identifiable some not. He smiled down at her and the sight of his teeth nearly caused her to vomit. Whoever these people were, they obviously hadn't bathed or attended themselves in a very long time.
"Ahhh, I see you are awake," her captor drawled in perfect if accented Valdemaran. "Good. Now that I have your attention, you can answer my questions." He knelt down near her and loosened the bindings on her ankles so she could, at least, sit upright. He helped her sit and lean against the wall. "You are a Hawkbrother, are you not?" He asked, fingering her hair with his filthy hand. "You will answer me." He smiled wickedly. "One way or another."
Inwardly she cringed away from him but held herself still. She just shook her head and replied in Karsite. "I don't understand." The man frowned at her.
Then he smiled, revealing his almost rotten teeth yet again. "Fine, I can use this language as well." He replied in flawless Karsite. She felt her heart sink. She had tried a ploy and it had backfired on her. She just watched him with narrowed eyes, not answering anything. "Now, you are a 'Hawkbrother' are you not?" He asked, smiling at her.
She didn't answer him right away. Instead she studied this man who had captured her. Besides his filth, the only thing that surprised her was the fact that he was young, probably not much older than she herself was. That was surprising. He had removed her gag to speak to her and she silently worked her jaw a bit to loosen it. He quickly be gan to lose patience with her. She saw it but kept loosening her jaw. Finally when she saw he was loosing patience she nodded. Once.
The answer seemed to mollify him. He nodded and stood again, leaving her glaring at him. He turned and yelled something to someone outside the door. After grunting in satisfaction at the answer he got, he turned to face her again. "Well, now we only have to wait, my beauty. Time is on our side." He turned and left, shutting her in the darkness once more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Firesong strode into Healers and was relieved to see that no one was guarding his sister's romm any longer. He hoped that meant she was awake and resting. Not bothering to knock on the door he was surprised to find yet another sword at his throat. He backed away, startled. Dirk relaxed slightly and lowered the blade to his side. He motioned with his head to the corridor. Firesong looked at his sister lying pale and still in the bed. Darkfire was once again outside grazing and Ayren was preening himself on a branch outside. Firesong went into the hall, allowing Dirk to close the door behind them. He stood there crossing his arms and leaning against the door. "What can I do for you Firesong?" He asked, coldly. He hadn't forgotten that Firesong had been the one to drive her into her current condition.
"I came to see my sister, Herald." Firesong, answered just as coldly. "Surely I can do that."
Behind Dirk came the MindHealer Ralea. She had been coming to check on 'Flame but walked into the confrontation. Her green robes swung about her as she walked up to the two men. "I will not have any fighting in these halls, gentlemen. This is a place of recovery not a practice field. Now what seems to be the problem?"
Both men kept staring at each other, but it was Dirk that spoke first. "Adept Firesong wishes to 'Flame."
"Who happens to be my sister." Firesong snapped.
"You're also the one that did this to her!" Dirk snapped back, barely keeping his voice lowered. "He pushed and pushed and then attacked her horse so that he could learn just what she was keeping secret!"
The Healer pursed her lips looking at both of them. She knew that the Herald would not lie but still the man was her brother. She thought for a moment letting both men stare each other down. Finally she made a decision. "Herald you will wait here. Adept please follow me." Maybe it was better that her brother did come see her. Ralea opened the door and motioned for Firesong to precede her. He did, gathering his robes around him.
He went into the room and swallowed hard. His sister was so pale, so fragile looking. He had never seen her look more helpless. And it was all his fault. He *had* pushed her to this. Tears almost fell again but he blinked them back. He went to walk up to the bed, just to touch her to speak to her, to assure himself that she was still alive.
Darkfire raced into the room with a squeal, Ayren winging close behind. The horse quickly maneuvered around the bed to stand between it and Firesong, his teeth bared. Ayren Screeched from where he had perched on the edge of the bed, showing his own displeasure. Firesong quickly backed away. They both calmed as he left the room. The Healer just stood and stared in amazement. Neither of them had acted this way the last time she had been so injured. But then last time the Adept hadn't been here.
Dirk stood, leaning against the wall a smirk on his face. He had Sent the scene to Ahrodie, his Companion, with instructions to send it on to Talia, through Rolan and to the other Companions. He watched both the Healer and Firesong back out of the room slowly. Darkfire allowed them to leave before turning back to 'Flame. Ayren didn't move as the Healer shut the door. Dirk, however, did. He moved to shove past them but the Healer stopped him for a moment. "Wait. I want to talk to you both." She said very calmly despite that she'd almost been trampled. "Adept Firesong, it appears that her animals do not wish for you to be in there." He went to say something but she put up her hand to stop him for a moment. "We will respect their wishes for now. I'm sorry but I can't allow you into that room."
Firesong clenched his jaw and stalked away. Dirk merely walked past the healer and went back into the room. He looked at the bed side table. There, where he'd left it, was a book of poetry in Karsite. While his Karsite wasn't nearly as fluent as Alberich's it was passable. He picked up it up and opened the pages. He began reading, hoping it would help her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, my 9 year old did the intro isn't she sweet? She did that for me while I was cooking. Kyrette has been bugging everyone around here lately! Apparently my typing isn't good enough anymore. :-(
:Its not that, Cat. You're still my only writer, but they have longer nails than you. I still need my scratches. And they are getting very good at them!: *winks* :I still love you as long as the readers still love me!:
Hear him? So if you still love him R&R folks!
I LOVE ALL MY REVIEWERS!!!! PLEASE KEEP IT UP!!!!!
Cat
So- My mom doesnt own anything but Shadowflame ('Flame), Darkfire and Ayren. Everything else is owned by Mrs. Lackey. (who mom wont let me read yet!) So, I'm Mariah and I hope you like my mom's work! Now as Kyrette is pushing me to write:
ON WITH THE STORY!!!!
Chapter 9- Peace of Mind
Alberich took the first watch on 'Flame's room. Around dawn Dirk came to take over for him. "Anything?" Dirk asked worriedly. Alberich wearily shook his head. He stood and stretched. "Healers with her still, are." He said tiredly. "I now rest. Be back later, will." Dirk nodded and sat down in the chair, pulling his blade to rest across his lap. ALberich nodded to him and left to return to his own rooms.
It was noon before the MindHealers withdrew from 'Flame's room. Neither gave Dirk a second glance. Their shoulders were slumped whether with defeat, worry or exhaustion Dirk could not tell. He didn't ask anything of them, allowing them to go on their way. When another Trainee came out though he stopped the girl. "How is she?" He asked of the girl.
She slowly shook her head. "She hasn't woken up yet. You can go in and sit with her if you wish."
Dirk looked into the room at the pallid young woman laying on the bed. "You sure I won't disturb her?"
The Healer Trainee smiled. "No. In fact talking to her might do her some good." Dirk nodded and went into the room, closing the door softly behind himself. He walked over and sat down in the chair next to the bed. He had sheathed his sword and put it within easy reach. He took one of her hands that lay still and pale on the sheets. He chafed it in between his own to warm it. Looking up he could see Darkfire grazing just outside. Ayren's perch was empty but he couldn't be too far away. "Please 'Flame. Come back to us. You may not have the vales but you have Haven. There aren't many that Stone-Face would sit up all night for with drawn steel. Kero left this morning, swearing she'd be back as soon as she could. Talia is worried about you, she can feel your hurts." He sighed and chafed the cool hand again. "Selenay is worried as well. Altra will be here as soon as he can. Please Shadowflame. Come back." He sat silently for a long time, watching her for some sign that she had heard him. Nothing. Darkfire came in and nuzzled him a bit and then lay down near her. His head lay on the bed next to her and Dirk placed her other hand on the stallion's head, hoping the connection might help. Then he sat to take his long vigil.
~~~
'Flame smiled as she heard Dirk's voice echo through her. The images of what had befallen her had faded a bit as Dirk spoke. She could feel Darkfire pushing at her mind, but she resolutely stayed buried. Life had no meaning for her right now. She didn't want to be there. She didn't want to be here either, but here no one could hurt her. She looked out over the bleak landscape that was her subconscience and sighed again. That night was coming back again.
She lay next to the fire, wrapped in a light blanket. Then the image went black. This was where they attacked her. She had nothing to see until she woke up in that dingy little shack where they had deposited her, bound and gagged. She looked at herself, tied hand and foot and gagged lying on that packed dirt floor amid the filthy hay that lay there. Her silver hair dyed in shades of brown and green was a mess, hiding her face. With her hands behind her back she couldn't move much. Outside, the sounds of several people moving around came to her ears. She spoke several languages and various dialects but didn't recognize what they were saying.
Footsteps began to approach the building she was in. She could tell that whoever they were, they weren't used to being outdoors a lot. They wore robes and soft boots, if the footsteps were anything to go by. They were coming closer. She tensed waiting for the door to open. A voice outside yelled, stopping the steps. Then they turned around and walked away allowing her to sigh uneasily. She squirmed again, trying to get it so a finger was pointed at the knots binding her. If she could just raise a little energy to fry the ropes, she at least wouldn't be defenseless anymore. She centered herself quickly from long practice. Then she started, subtly, gathering energies from a the local ley lines. Or she tried to. It was then she noticed that she couldn't draw on any magical energies!! She had been completely blocked! Frantically she tried again and again to gather the energies to get herself free, but they wouldn't come. She began struggling against the bonds harder, making grunting noises behind her gag. Still nothing.
Against the tree, 'Flame shuddered at her own stupidity. She had allowed them to catch her. Her own pride in her abilities had allowed them to catch her, unawares and alone. And she had sent off her bondbird. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid,' she thought to herself. Arrogance. Vanity. Again she snorted to herself. Now she was describing her brother's most prominent traits. Apparently she had inherited them, despite what she had thought. She looked back at the image of herself struggling on that dirt floor and winced.
She struggled against the bonds until she was exhausted. It didn't take long. As she lay there panting, the footsteps approached again. It was a different person this time. This one wore hard soled boots and walked with a confident stride.
They stopped just before they got to her door and spoke softly with someone there. Retreating footsteps proved there was a guard on her door. 'Flame held her breath waiting for her captor to come to her. This one also just stayed outside the door. What were they waiting for?
She must have fallen asleep because the next she knew the door was squeaking open and someone was coming in. She opened her eyes slightly to see if she could see who it was. All she was able to make out were soft boots and what looked like mage's robes, that had a filthy hem. She kept her breathing deep and even, hoping to fool whoever it was into thinking she was still unconscious. She saw the toe of the boot come up to poke at her. She didn't tense since there would be no force behind the prodding. Instead she allowed the person to roll her over with a gentle nudge. She groaned and allowed her eyes to flutter open.
Looking up, she was hard pressed not to shudder. The man towering over her was filthy. Dirt streaked his face. His fingernails were black because of it. His robes were a conglomeration of old stains, some identifiable some not. He smiled down at her and the sight of his teeth nearly caused her to vomit. Whoever these people were, they obviously hadn't bathed or attended themselves in a very long time.
"Ahhh, I see you are awake," her captor drawled in perfect if accented Valdemaran. "Good. Now that I have your attention, you can answer my questions." He knelt down near her and loosened the bindings on her ankles so she could, at least, sit upright. He helped her sit and lean against the wall. "You are a Hawkbrother, are you not?" He asked, fingering her hair with his filthy hand. "You will answer me." He smiled wickedly. "One way or another."
Inwardly she cringed away from him but held herself still. She just shook her head and replied in Karsite. "I don't understand." The man frowned at her.
Then he smiled, revealing his almost rotten teeth yet again. "Fine, I can use this language as well." He replied in flawless Karsite. She felt her heart sink. She had tried a ploy and it had backfired on her. She just watched him with narrowed eyes, not answering anything. "Now, you are a 'Hawkbrother' are you not?" He asked, smiling at her.
She didn't answer him right away. Instead she studied this man who had captured her. Besides his filth, the only thing that surprised her was the fact that he was young, probably not much older than she herself was. That was surprising. He had removed her gag to speak to her and she silently worked her jaw a bit to loosen it. He quickly be gan to lose patience with her. She saw it but kept loosening her jaw. Finally when she saw he was loosing patience she nodded. Once.
The answer seemed to mollify him. He nodded and stood again, leaving her glaring at him. He turned and yelled something to someone outside the door. After grunting in satisfaction at the answer he got, he turned to face her again. "Well, now we only have to wait, my beauty. Time is on our side." He turned and left, shutting her in the darkness once more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Firesong strode into Healers and was relieved to see that no one was guarding his sister's romm any longer. He hoped that meant she was awake and resting. Not bothering to knock on the door he was surprised to find yet another sword at his throat. He backed away, startled. Dirk relaxed slightly and lowered the blade to his side. He motioned with his head to the corridor. Firesong looked at his sister lying pale and still in the bed. Darkfire was once again outside grazing and Ayren was preening himself on a branch outside. Firesong went into the hall, allowing Dirk to close the door behind them. He stood there crossing his arms and leaning against the door. "What can I do for you Firesong?" He asked, coldly. He hadn't forgotten that Firesong had been the one to drive her into her current condition.
"I came to see my sister, Herald." Firesong, answered just as coldly. "Surely I can do that."
Behind Dirk came the MindHealer Ralea. She had been coming to check on 'Flame but walked into the confrontation. Her green robes swung about her as she walked up to the two men. "I will not have any fighting in these halls, gentlemen. This is a place of recovery not a practice field. Now what seems to be the problem?"
Both men kept staring at each other, but it was Dirk that spoke first. "Adept Firesong wishes to 'Flame."
"Who happens to be my sister." Firesong snapped.
"You're also the one that did this to her!" Dirk snapped back, barely keeping his voice lowered. "He pushed and pushed and then attacked her horse so that he could learn just what she was keeping secret!"
The Healer pursed her lips looking at both of them. She knew that the Herald would not lie but still the man was her brother. She thought for a moment letting both men stare each other down. Finally she made a decision. "Herald you will wait here. Adept please follow me." Maybe it was better that her brother did come see her. Ralea opened the door and motioned for Firesong to precede her. He did, gathering his robes around him.
He went into the room and swallowed hard. His sister was so pale, so fragile looking. He had never seen her look more helpless. And it was all his fault. He *had* pushed her to this. Tears almost fell again but he blinked them back. He went to walk up to the bed, just to touch her to speak to her, to assure himself that she was still alive.
Darkfire raced into the room with a squeal, Ayren winging close behind. The horse quickly maneuvered around the bed to stand between it and Firesong, his teeth bared. Ayren Screeched from where he had perched on the edge of the bed, showing his own displeasure. Firesong quickly backed away. They both calmed as he left the room. The Healer just stood and stared in amazement. Neither of them had acted this way the last time she had been so injured. But then last time the Adept hadn't been here.
Dirk stood, leaning against the wall a smirk on his face. He had Sent the scene to Ahrodie, his Companion, with instructions to send it on to Talia, through Rolan and to the other Companions. He watched both the Healer and Firesong back out of the room slowly. Darkfire allowed them to leave before turning back to 'Flame. Ayren didn't move as the Healer shut the door. Dirk, however, did. He moved to shove past them but the Healer stopped him for a moment. "Wait. I want to talk to you both." She said very calmly despite that she'd almost been trampled. "Adept Firesong, it appears that her animals do not wish for you to be in there." He went to say something but she put up her hand to stop him for a moment. "We will respect their wishes for now. I'm sorry but I can't allow you into that room."
Firesong clenched his jaw and stalked away. Dirk merely walked past the healer and went back into the room. He looked at the bed side table. There, where he'd left it, was a book of poetry in Karsite. While his Karsite wasn't nearly as fluent as Alberich's it was passable. He picked up it up and opened the pages. He began reading, hoping it would help her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, my 9 year old did the intro isn't she sweet? She did that for me while I was cooking. Kyrette has been bugging everyone around here lately! Apparently my typing isn't good enough anymore. :-(
:Its not that, Cat. You're still my only writer, but they have longer nails than you. I still need my scratches. And they are getting very good at them!: *winks* :I still love you as long as the readers still love me!:
Hear him? So if you still love him R&R folks!
I LOVE ALL MY REVIEWERS!!!! PLEASE KEEP IT UP!!!!!
Cat