Prisoner
As Lasca went to fill the water jug the next morning, she heard a strange murmuring coming from a worn tent set apart from the others. She stopped, and realized it was someone speaking in a language she couldn't understand. Curiosity overcame her, and she slowly made her way over, pausing at the tent flap.
"H-hello? Who is in there?"
"What?! What do you want?" a startled voice cried out from in the tent. Lasca pushed back the flap, and in the darkness, made out the form of a robed old man sitting on the floor.
"Who are you?" she asked slowly.
"That is none of your business, girl. Now, unless you are bringing me water or food, I ask you to leave."
"Water or food?
"Yes! Yes, Valar curse it, I am a prisoner. Now plea—"
"A prisoner?"
Suddenly, a warrior from the passing company approached the tent. "You there! Get away from him!" Roughly he grabbed Lasca and drew her away from the tent, eyeing it like it was something dangerous.
"Who is he?" she asked tentatively. The soldier's face darkened.
"He is a magic user, a dangerous wizard. We caught him on our way here, far out on the desert. None are to go near him; we dare not even set a close watch on him, for his words ensnare the mind. Now leave and do not return!" With that he stalked off.
Late that evening the host prepared to depart. Lasca glanced towards the prisoner's tent, and noticed two guards escorting the old man to the leader's tent. She joined the crowd surrounding them, wondering what his fate would be. After a bit of debating, it was decided the prisoner would stay with the tribe, after the captain gave the leader quite a few gold coins to pay for the extra strain this would place on their provisions.
"Now," shouted the tribe leader above the murmur of the crowd. "I ask one of you to volunteer to take charge of him."
At this a gasp issued from the crowd. Who would be foolish enough to willingly be near a magic user? Lasca herself was incredulous that their leader would ask a simple commoner to take charge of a supposedly powerful wizard. He could take over their mind, or cast a spell on—Wait! That's it! She hesitated, but then carefully made her way through the crowd.
"I, I shall."
The crowd went silent. Her mother closed her eyes, as if in pain. The tribe leader was surprised he had such a young volunteer, but did not question her. She was only a simple commoner, and a girl at that. She was expendable. "Very well. Take him back to his tent." Lasca took the rope that bound his hands and led him through the crowd, which gave them a wide birth. Already she heard whispers that she was cursed.
"So, you again," the old man stated wryly. Lasca said nothing until they reached his tent, far from the crowd. Then she turned to him.
"They say you are a powerful wizard. Is that true?" she whispered urgently. His gaze fell.
"Yes, I suppose you might say that," he answered finally.
"Can you do a protection spell? A protection spell on my father?!" she asked, pleading in her eyes. He knew what she meant, for he had seen that same look of fear in the eyes of many of this supposedly cruel race. He stroked his long beard.
"Even if I could, what makes you think I would?"
"I see it in your face: you are no evil wizard. You do not have the heart to refuse me," she answered confidently (as she had rehearsed in her mind). The old man laughed.
"You assume much. Though, I suppose this is for a good cause. Very well, I shall do as you say, on one condition."
"What is it?"
"Only that you keep your heart and mind open. Now, goodnight, ah—"
"Lasca."
"Yes, Lasca. And I am Pallando."
"Er, goodnight, then." With that she left to find her mother, knowing she had a lot of explaining. Pallando went into the tent as he saw guards take up their stations.
"Yes, Lasca. I do not think our meeting was mere chance. Perhaps you shall be the one to listen to my words, and take them farther than I ever could hope to. "
A star winked at him through a hole in the cloth as he mused to himself.
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Hioga-chan- Glad you like her! Now hope that I have enough skill as an author so she doesn't mutate into a Mary Sue!
Ainu Laire- ^^ Weee, Blue Wizards! Thanks for reviewing!
