OK no kids doing the intro this time. They're all at school so it's just me and Kyrette.
:I'm beginning to think they don't like us anymore, Cat. Maybe you should go play with Scaretta and write her story for a while.:
Scaretta- :Oh please! Yes! I've been ignored for so long!: *batting long eyelashes at everyone*
Kyrette- :Geez, you had to have a fairy didn't you?: *looks disgusted at gushing fairy*
Cat- Hey I just took the muses that wanted me! Not MY fault she gushes all the time. Besides her story is like 45 chapters already and not even posted on this web site! Both of you back off!
Scaretta flutters off sobbing. Kyrette gives an annoyed snort and trots off to play with the twins.
Cat- Sorry about that. I have only the 2 of them and they get into competition espcially since they write two different types of fantasy. Scaretta is my orginal fic muse and Kyrette does Fanfiction. They're competeing a lot with each other these days.
So--- On with the Chapter-
Chapter 10- Darkfire Reveals a Bit
'Flame was torn away from her visions when Darkfire attacked Firesong. She could feel the stallion's rage at her brother and was saddened. Still she wasn't ready to go back. Dirk's echoing voice came to her. She recognized the meter of Karsite poetry as he read it. Smiling she stood. Unconsciously she brushed off the pants she was wearing. They were guarding her and trying to bring her back. 'Flame thought about going back. Then she saw her other self. She was still huddled on the dank dark floor of that hovel. 'Flame sighed and sat back down. It was time she dealt with this. She sat back down and arranged herself as comfortably as she could, with her back against the tree. She watched her life unfold before her again.
Time had no meaning to her there in the dark. She was either awake or asleep. She had no way of telling true time. She began to count the watches as they changed outside her door. No food was brought to her and very little water. As she began to weaken, she noticed the increased activity around the camp. Now she could hear what she assumed was orders shouted between groups. She noticed that there was a creak coming and going that sounded a lot like a farm wagon. The days ran together. The only reason she knew it was days and not shorter was her weakness, which she supposed was calculated on their part.
Finally footsteps came toward her door. They did not sound like one of her guards or like the lackey that brought her water. She knew what their footsteps sounded like. No, this sounded like the mage, either come to gloat again, or to tell her something of what was going on. She struggled to sit upright but they only untied her arms for brief periods each day. And never when someone was to be in here with her. Her hair hung in greasy, filthy strings, hiding her face and falling down her back, looking, with its dye, like a wild tangle of leaves.
She knew her eyes had now taken on a squint from trying to see around her little dwelling. She had been over it several times by feel. But still she hadn't been able to see it, and that bothered her. As she finally struggled upright, the door was shoved open and she automatically closed her eyes against any light that made its way in.
Her captor chuckled, seeing her flinch at the bright light that penetrated her clenched eyelids. She could hear him close the door and approachher. Still, her eyes, she kept closed until he was very close. When he stooped in front of her, she looked at him. Apparently, he was either to dense to see it or the hatred shining from her eyes bothered him not at all. He chuckled again as he saw her horrid condition. "So now we come to time, my sweet. We shall travel soon and all your trials shall be over and power shall belong to us."
He didn't say anymore as he left her there. The door banged open again and was quickly shut behind him. She heard him speaking that odd language to the guard and his footsteps retreating into what she assumed was the main part of the camp. She wiggled around again, wincing when her hair caught on an uneven board. She finally got back onto the floor, where it was easier for her to be with her arms still tied behind her back. Soon darkness stole over her again.
~~~~
Dirk put down the book, his throat gone dry. Nothing. No response from 'Flame at all. Not a flicker of an eyelid, not a twitch of a finger. He sighed and ran an agitated hand through his hair. He looked at Darkfire and wished he could communicate with the horse. Suddenly he sat up, thinking how stupid he had been. :Ahrodie, could you play relay for me?: He felt his Companion's wordless assent and knew she was coming closer so it would be easier. :Relay to Darkfire would you?: A quick nod and she was ready. :Ask him if he senses anything from her. He's closer to her than any MindHealer can be.:
Ahrodie quickly relayed the words to Darkfire. Who snorted and looked back at 'Flame. :No, I can't reach her and neither can Ayren. But I will tell you something. It feels like she's consciously blocking us, not like she can't help it. I think she's hiding herself.:
Dirk was surprised at what Darkfire had had to say. He hadn't even thought that she would do that! Could it be possible? Could she be purposely blocking them from Healing her and bringing her back? But why? Darkfire was the one to answer that. :Fear. She's afraid of being alone. She sees you and Talia, Selenay and Daren, Firesong and Silverfox. And she's alone. She has never really had anyone to truly call her own. No family, no one. The one she thought she could count on attacked me. She's lost. Right now she's trying to find herself.: Darkfire let out a mournful sigh and lay down next to the bed again. Dirk again moved her hand to rest against his head. He picked up another book of poetry and began reading yet again.
~~~~~
Firesong stomped his way back to the ekele. While 'Flame was injured, Darien was taking over all the negotiations for all of them. Silverfox was speaking to a Trainee who was having a lot of trouble adjusting to life at the Collegium. He was still with her when Firesong got back to the ekele which didn't improve his temper at all. He flung himself on his bed again, ripping off his mask and throwing it across the room. He was so angry that he couldn't think straight. Darkfire and Ayren had made it abundantly clear that he wasn't welcome near his sister. He was a Healing Adept, dammit and he wasn't allowed to help her!
Silverfox soon came back, finding him truly sulking in bed. Silverfox stood in the doorway and watched his love struggle with all that had befallen him in so short a time. Firesong didn't notice him and he took the time to study his love. Tension lines bracketed his mouth and eyes, showing the strain that he was under. Silverfox tried to ease the strain but it was only getting worse. 'Flame had only collapsed the night before and already Firesong was showing the strain.
"What happened?" He asked softly, moving to sit on the side of the bed. Firesong rolled away from him. "Darkfire and Ayren attacked me. They don't want me anywhere near 'Flame. The Healer saw it, and Dirk. Dirk was so smug, standing there, watching this. HE was allowed to go in." Firesong stood and began to pace, radiating his frustrations. "I need to help her, Silverfox. It's all my fault that she's lying there. All mine! And I can't get near her to help!" Aya was sitting his perch, showering false sparks. He mewed a bit, picking up on Firesong's distress. Firesong noticed and trie to calm himself. There was no reason to upset his bondbird.
He scratched the firebird under his chin to calm him. "I need to help her, love. I feel useless. Darien is handling the negotiations quite well without us. If I cannot help my sister what use am I here? She needs me. And Star-Eyed Lady help me. I need her as well. I need to know she is well. I love you, you know that. But she and my father and you are all the blood family I can claim. I need her."
Silverfox stood and hugged Firesong. "I know. I can feel it. But you may have to sit and wait, ashke. Time may be the only Healer she needs." He took Firesong back to their bed and used all his skills to make him forget for a time.
~~~~~
'Flame watched herself lay in the dark again, waiting for the men to come get her. She still hadn't figured out which language they were speaking. Even now, listening to it again, she didn't know what it was. She had travelled quite a bit and heard many laguages but this one was outside of her scope.
Time passed oddly as she sat in her mind. She had no idea what had happened outside her mind. She knew that Darkfire had attacked Firesong. But was that the same day she had collapsed? The next? A week later? How long could it have been? She didn't know and that bothered her a bit but still... She really wasn't ready to face them again. Not until she had faced that time in her life. Resolutely she turned back to her life.
It didn't feel very long before the men came for her. The sky behind them when they opened the door was deep blue, the color just before it began to lighten with dawn. She struggled to hold herself upright as they dragged her to one of the wagons. She saw Darkfire tied to the one they were leading her to. He was too docile to not have been either drugged or magicked into it. They untied her hands and allowed her to strecth for a moment before tossing her into the wagon. This time instead of tying her arms behind her back, they bound her to a metal ring that was bolted into the floor. They tied her short but not short enough that she couldn't move a bit if she wanted to.
She braced herself against the side with her legs stretched out in front of her so her feet braced against the other side. The sun came up over the forest around them. Dawnlight splashed color onto everything. The trees went from a dull grey in the half light to shades upon shades of green, creating a moving palette of color.
'Flame sucked in deep breaths of fresh clean air and tried to recognize her surroundings. She wasn't far from k'Vala vale. She wished she still knew the scout patterns so that she could guess if they were in range or not. Taking a chance, she cooted a bit and removed feathers from her hair. Scooting again, and gaining a new set of bruises, she dropped the feather over the side of the wagon. Watching it settle into the ground and be stepped on, she was sure that any Tayledras scout that saw it would know it wasn't natural. Hopefully they would recognize Ayren's feather. Prayerfully, Ayren would be with them when they came looking for her.
They traveled all that day and far into the night. 'Flame had fallen asleep in an awkward position sometime during the day. They had stopped for the noon meal, ignoring 'Flame, of course. They gave her water then though and allowed her to hide behind a tree for a moment. Still the smells of food were getting to her. She drank as much as they would allow her to. But still it sloshed uneasily in her stomach as she had climbed back into the wagon. Now according to the stars it was just after midnight and they showed no sign of stopping. Finally she felt the horses straining to pull the wagon up the hill. Once they reached the summit of the foothill, the wagons were stopped. She was tied and gagged again and led into a tent once it was set up. They bound her to another iron ring, pretty snug this time and left her there to spend the night, wondering at what her fate would be.
~~~~
That night, Alberich came to relieve Dirk before dinner. He brought with him several books of poetry that he knew 'Flame enjoyed. They were several different languages, including Karsite and a Valdemaran translation of Shin'a'in fables. Dirk quickly told him all that had happened during the day, including what Darkfire had said about 'Flame possibly hiding. Alberich nodded. It could be possible and if she were either subtle or powerful enough she could hide it from the MindHealers. Dirk left, taking the book he had finished with him. Alberich quickly scanned outside the room. Darkfire was grazing near by and Ayren was eating something in the tree. Alberich sat down nest to the bed and took 'Flame's hand in his own. There was nothing for him to know that she knew he was there. Still he whispered a small prayer to Vikandis. He set her hand down again and sat back on the chair, studying her face. It lay closed and peaceful. Nothing marred her face and she looked very peaceful, as if she would awaken at any moment. He watched her for a time. Pale moonlight gave her face an ethereal cast, a benevolence that reflected her spirit.
The MindHealer came in again and asked him to move so that she could sit on the bed and work. He related what Dirk had told him. She looked very pensive for a moment then sat on the side of the bed with a sigh. "It's very possible Herald Alberich. I've never seen or heard of anything like that but it could be what is blocking everyone from helping her. And if thats the case I have no idea what we can possibly do for her." She sighed and looked at the woman lying on the bed. She ran an agitated hand through her hair. "There is nothing I can think of to help her. We've tried everything, including augmenting each other's skills. Still, I cannot reach her. Neither can Ralea." She looked at the horse who had come to stand in the doorway. "If you can tell us anymore please do, Darkfire. We are trying to help." Darkfire nodded and came to nuzzle the Healer. She scratched him for a moment and then left, planning on telling Ralea what she had learned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ok now here's the tenth chapter and not a lot of people are reviewing! I may set Kyrette aside for a while if I don't hear anything. I have my core readers but would like to hear from more of you! Please R&R
I promise Kyrette doesn't bite even if you Flame us!
Cat
:I'm beginning to think they don't like us anymore, Cat. Maybe you should go play with Scaretta and write her story for a while.:
Scaretta- :Oh please! Yes! I've been ignored for so long!: *batting long eyelashes at everyone*
Kyrette- :Geez, you had to have a fairy didn't you?: *looks disgusted at gushing fairy*
Cat- Hey I just took the muses that wanted me! Not MY fault she gushes all the time. Besides her story is like 45 chapters already and not even posted on this web site! Both of you back off!
Scaretta flutters off sobbing. Kyrette gives an annoyed snort and trots off to play with the twins.
Cat- Sorry about that. I have only the 2 of them and they get into competition espcially since they write two different types of fantasy. Scaretta is my orginal fic muse and Kyrette does Fanfiction. They're competeing a lot with each other these days.
So--- On with the Chapter-
Chapter 10- Darkfire Reveals a Bit
'Flame was torn away from her visions when Darkfire attacked Firesong. She could feel the stallion's rage at her brother and was saddened. Still she wasn't ready to go back. Dirk's echoing voice came to her. She recognized the meter of Karsite poetry as he read it. Smiling she stood. Unconsciously she brushed off the pants she was wearing. They were guarding her and trying to bring her back. 'Flame thought about going back. Then she saw her other self. She was still huddled on the dank dark floor of that hovel. 'Flame sighed and sat back down. It was time she dealt with this. She sat back down and arranged herself as comfortably as she could, with her back against the tree. She watched her life unfold before her again.
Time had no meaning to her there in the dark. She was either awake or asleep. She had no way of telling true time. She began to count the watches as they changed outside her door. No food was brought to her and very little water. As she began to weaken, she noticed the increased activity around the camp. Now she could hear what she assumed was orders shouted between groups. She noticed that there was a creak coming and going that sounded a lot like a farm wagon. The days ran together. The only reason she knew it was days and not shorter was her weakness, which she supposed was calculated on their part.
Finally footsteps came toward her door. They did not sound like one of her guards or like the lackey that brought her water. She knew what their footsteps sounded like. No, this sounded like the mage, either come to gloat again, or to tell her something of what was going on. She struggled to sit upright but they only untied her arms for brief periods each day. And never when someone was to be in here with her. Her hair hung in greasy, filthy strings, hiding her face and falling down her back, looking, with its dye, like a wild tangle of leaves.
She knew her eyes had now taken on a squint from trying to see around her little dwelling. She had been over it several times by feel. But still she hadn't been able to see it, and that bothered her. As she finally struggled upright, the door was shoved open and she automatically closed her eyes against any light that made its way in.
Her captor chuckled, seeing her flinch at the bright light that penetrated her clenched eyelids. She could hear him close the door and approachher. Still, her eyes, she kept closed until he was very close. When he stooped in front of her, she looked at him. Apparently, he was either to dense to see it or the hatred shining from her eyes bothered him not at all. He chuckled again as he saw her horrid condition. "So now we come to time, my sweet. We shall travel soon and all your trials shall be over and power shall belong to us."
He didn't say anymore as he left her there. The door banged open again and was quickly shut behind him. She heard him speaking that odd language to the guard and his footsteps retreating into what she assumed was the main part of the camp. She wiggled around again, wincing when her hair caught on an uneven board. She finally got back onto the floor, where it was easier for her to be with her arms still tied behind her back. Soon darkness stole over her again.
~~~~
Dirk put down the book, his throat gone dry. Nothing. No response from 'Flame at all. Not a flicker of an eyelid, not a twitch of a finger. He sighed and ran an agitated hand through his hair. He looked at Darkfire and wished he could communicate with the horse. Suddenly he sat up, thinking how stupid he had been. :Ahrodie, could you play relay for me?: He felt his Companion's wordless assent and knew she was coming closer so it would be easier. :Relay to Darkfire would you?: A quick nod and she was ready. :Ask him if he senses anything from her. He's closer to her than any MindHealer can be.:
Ahrodie quickly relayed the words to Darkfire. Who snorted and looked back at 'Flame. :No, I can't reach her and neither can Ayren. But I will tell you something. It feels like she's consciously blocking us, not like she can't help it. I think she's hiding herself.:
Dirk was surprised at what Darkfire had had to say. He hadn't even thought that she would do that! Could it be possible? Could she be purposely blocking them from Healing her and bringing her back? But why? Darkfire was the one to answer that. :Fear. She's afraid of being alone. She sees you and Talia, Selenay and Daren, Firesong and Silverfox. And she's alone. She has never really had anyone to truly call her own. No family, no one. The one she thought she could count on attacked me. She's lost. Right now she's trying to find herself.: Darkfire let out a mournful sigh and lay down next to the bed again. Dirk again moved her hand to rest against his head. He picked up another book of poetry and began reading yet again.
~~~~~
Firesong stomped his way back to the ekele. While 'Flame was injured, Darien was taking over all the negotiations for all of them. Silverfox was speaking to a Trainee who was having a lot of trouble adjusting to life at the Collegium. He was still with her when Firesong got back to the ekele which didn't improve his temper at all. He flung himself on his bed again, ripping off his mask and throwing it across the room. He was so angry that he couldn't think straight. Darkfire and Ayren had made it abundantly clear that he wasn't welcome near his sister. He was a Healing Adept, dammit and he wasn't allowed to help her!
Silverfox soon came back, finding him truly sulking in bed. Silverfox stood in the doorway and watched his love struggle with all that had befallen him in so short a time. Firesong didn't notice him and he took the time to study his love. Tension lines bracketed his mouth and eyes, showing the strain that he was under. Silverfox tried to ease the strain but it was only getting worse. 'Flame had only collapsed the night before and already Firesong was showing the strain.
"What happened?" He asked softly, moving to sit on the side of the bed. Firesong rolled away from him. "Darkfire and Ayren attacked me. They don't want me anywhere near 'Flame. The Healer saw it, and Dirk. Dirk was so smug, standing there, watching this. HE was allowed to go in." Firesong stood and began to pace, radiating his frustrations. "I need to help her, Silverfox. It's all my fault that she's lying there. All mine! And I can't get near her to help!" Aya was sitting his perch, showering false sparks. He mewed a bit, picking up on Firesong's distress. Firesong noticed and trie to calm himself. There was no reason to upset his bondbird.
He scratched the firebird under his chin to calm him. "I need to help her, love. I feel useless. Darien is handling the negotiations quite well without us. If I cannot help my sister what use am I here? She needs me. And Star-Eyed Lady help me. I need her as well. I need to know she is well. I love you, you know that. But she and my father and you are all the blood family I can claim. I need her."
Silverfox stood and hugged Firesong. "I know. I can feel it. But you may have to sit and wait, ashke. Time may be the only Healer she needs." He took Firesong back to their bed and used all his skills to make him forget for a time.
~~~~~
'Flame watched herself lay in the dark again, waiting for the men to come get her. She still hadn't figured out which language they were speaking. Even now, listening to it again, she didn't know what it was. She had travelled quite a bit and heard many laguages but this one was outside of her scope.
Time passed oddly as she sat in her mind. She had no idea what had happened outside her mind. She knew that Darkfire had attacked Firesong. But was that the same day she had collapsed? The next? A week later? How long could it have been? She didn't know and that bothered her a bit but still... She really wasn't ready to face them again. Not until she had faced that time in her life. Resolutely she turned back to her life.
It didn't feel very long before the men came for her. The sky behind them when they opened the door was deep blue, the color just before it began to lighten with dawn. She struggled to hold herself upright as they dragged her to one of the wagons. She saw Darkfire tied to the one they were leading her to. He was too docile to not have been either drugged or magicked into it. They untied her hands and allowed her to strecth for a moment before tossing her into the wagon. This time instead of tying her arms behind her back, they bound her to a metal ring that was bolted into the floor. They tied her short but not short enough that she couldn't move a bit if she wanted to.
She braced herself against the side with her legs stretched out in front of her so her feet braced against the other side. The sun came up over the forest around them. Dawnlight splashed color onto everything. The trees went from a dull grey in the half light to shades upon shades of green, creating a moving palette of color.
'Flame sucked in deep breaths of fresh clean air and tried to recognize her surroundings. She wasn't far from k'Vala vale. She wished she still knew the scout patterns so that she could guess if they were in range or not. Taking a chance, she cooted a bit and removed feathers from her hair. Scooting again, and gaining a new set of bruises, she dropped the feather over the side of the wagon. Watching it settle into the ground and be stepped on, she was sure that any Tayledras scout that saw it would know it wasn't natural. Hopefully they would recognize Ayren's feather. Prayerfully, Ayren would be with them when they came looking for her.
They traveled all that day and far into the night. 'Flame had fallen asleep in an awkward position sometime during the day. They had stopped for the noon meal, ignoring 'Flame, of course. They gave her water then though and allowed her to hide behind a tree for a moment. Still the smells of food were getting to her. She drank as much as they would allow her to. But still it sloshed uneasily in her stomach as she had climbed back into the wagon. Now according to the stars it was just after midnight and they showed no sign of stopping. Finally she felt the horses straining to pull the wagon up the hill. Once they reached the summit of the foothill, the wagons were stopped. She was tied and gagged again and led into a tent once it was set up. They bound her to another iron ring, pretty snug this time and left her there to spend the night, wondering at what her fate would be.
~~~~
That night, Alberich came to relieve Dirk before dinner. He brought with him several books of poetry that he knew 'Flame enjoyed. They were several different languages, including Karsite and a Valdemaran translation of Shin'a'in fables. Dirk quickly told him all that had happened during the day, including what Darkfire had said about 'Flame possibly hiding. Alberich nodded. It could be possible and if she were either subtle or powerful enough she could hide it from the MindHealers. Dirk left, taking the book he had finished with him. Alberich quickly scanned outside the room. Darkfire was grazing near by and Ayren was eating something in the tree. Alberich sat down nest to the bed and took 'Flame's hand in his own. There was nothing for him to know that she knew he was there. Still he whispered a small prayer to Vikandis. He set her hand down again and sat back on the chair, studying her face. It lay closed and peaceful. Nothing marred her face and she looked very peaceful, as if she would awaken at any moment. He watched her for a time. Pale moonlight gave her face an ethereal cast, a benevolence that reflected her spirit.
The MindHealer came in again and asked him to move so that she could sit on the bed and work. He related what Dirk had told him. She looked very pensive for a moment then sat on the side of the bed with a sigh. "It's very possible Herald Alberich. I've never seen or heard of anything like that but it could be what is blocking everyone from helping her. And if thats the case I have no idea what we can possibly do for her." She sighed and looked at the woman lying on the bed. She ran an agitated hand through her hair. "There is nothing I can think of to help her. We've tried everything, including augmenting each other's skills. Still, I cannot reach her. Neither can Ralea." She looked at the horse who had come to stand in the doorway. "If you can tell us anymore please do, Darkfire. We are trying to help." Darkfire nodded and came to nuzzle the Healer. She scratched him for a moment and then left, planning on telling Ralea what she had learned.
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Ok now here's the tenth chapter and not a lot of people are reviewing! I may set Kyrette aside for a while if I don't hear anything. I have my core readers but would like to hear from more of you! Please R&R
I promise Kyrette doesn't bite even if you Flame us!
Cat