ATHMAE
The sun was shining on the Krevensfield Plain, and there was a light warm wind that blew across the plain making the tall grass look like a sea of gold. Athmae was resting in the tall grass, with her arms behind her head. She had been lying there for hours, just like she did when she was younger. Athmae's horse was lying next to her, lazily nibbling the grass around him. He slowly stood up and nudged Athmae's shoulder with his nose.
Athmae moaned then said, "Time to go already?" She rolled on her side and closed her eyes again. "Just a bit longer Diablo, I promise." Diablo whickered at her and stamped his front hoof. She looked up at him, and stood up. "Fine let's go back. Have it your way." She said grabbing Diablo's reins. The both of them trudged back through the plain to the Cauldron.
She opened the doors to the Great Hall only to find lit candles on the dinner table. "Rhapsody? Jo? Palamon?" She called out. There were two plates lade out on the table, with food on both of them. Athmae walked into the living room and saw a great deal more of lit candles. Palamon was lying on the couch with one leg over the top.
"I take it you're waiting for me?" Athmae said leaning over the top of the couch.
"Yeah." Palamon replied looking up at Athmae.
"Did you light all these candles for me too?"
"No. Rhapsody thought it was too dark in here. By the way, Achmed came home a few hours ago."
"Did Rhaps also make dinner?" Athmae asked.
"Nope, I did. Let's eat." Palamon replied standing up.
After the two companions finished their meals, they went back into the living room. Athmae leaned on the back couch and looked back at Palamon. She looked at him a bit closer then said, "Palamon, you look like you put on a few pounds."
"Oh really! I have been down in that training room more than you have. And you tell me I'm getting fat? Let me tell you your not looking as thin as usual either!" Palamon replied walking closer to Athmae, putting both his hands on either side of her.
Athmae poked his stomach then said, "Oh and that's all muscle!"
"And you have bony hips!" Palamon retorted pinching her hips. She squealed and fell towards him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Palamon's knees buckled from beneath him and laded on his back while pulling Athmae on top of him. She lay a top of him looking down into his green eyes. Her eyes roamed around his whole face. She ran her finger over his goatee then ran her whole hand through his blonde, tinged black hair. Palamon put his hand on the side of her head, and started to stroke her hair gently. Athmae moved her hand back down to his earlobe, and held his dagger earring in her hand while stroking it with her thumb. Palamon leaned up to kiss her when the both of them heard a door slam. Athmae quickly jumped off Palamon, rolled over the back of the couch, and sat down looking into the fire like nothing happened. Palamon quickly stood up after her and leaned over the back of the couch.
Rhapsody stormed into the Great Hall, followed by Achmed and Grunthor. She ran and got her armor, when she came back she said, "I'm going with you two."
"Are 'ou sure 'ou want to go through with this?" Grunthor asked her. Rhapsody only nodded.
"What's going on?" Athmae asked hoping over the couch.
"The Hill-Eye are attacking. And I sense a Shing nearby." Achmed replied. Palamon went pale.
"I'm going along with too. You're going to need all the help you can get."
"No. You should stay here. It's too dangerous." Achmed said.
Athmae lifted her eyebrow at the comment and said, "I can take care of myself, thanks."
"I think Achmed is right on this one." Palamon interjected.
"Bugger off! I'm going weather you like it or not!" Athmae shouted and went and grabbed her belt, sheathed her sword in her scabbard, and hooked her bladed ring on to the belt.
"Athmae please reconsider! I don't want to stand by your grave!" Palamon said stepping in front of her. Athmae gave him a cold, piercing glare, and pushed past him. As the others rushed out the door he said to himself, "Gee, can't tell Achmed and Athmae are related." He ran and grabbed his sword, then ran after his companions.
"Through that cave up there!" Achmed shouted pointing ahead. The field was covered with dead firblogs. The five of them were on horseback riding through the slaughter to a near by cave. A firblog swung its ax and cut Athmae's arm. Making her grit her teeth in pain. The ax didn't penetrate the skin deeply, but only made blood run down over her arm and sleeve.
"Can we pick up the pace?" Achmed yelled again.
"We could 'ut there are so 'any of these buggers!" Grunthor shouted back up to Achmed.
"Let me take care of that!" Athmae shouted riding ahead of the group. She pulled her bladed ring from her belt, triggered the four blades, cocked her arm back and threw it as hard as she could. The ring sliced through all the blogs that were in their direct path. The ring made a "u" back toward Athmae. She caught it, popped the blades back inside the ring, and hooked it back on her belt. She looked back at Achmed and smiled, then urged Diablo to go faster.
The five of them quickly unsaddled and ran into the cave. There were bones scattered all across the cave. "You two stay here and make sure the Shing doesn't leave." Achmed said softly to Palamon and Athmae. Athmae watched as her three other friends disappear into the darkness. She sat on a rock and waited for them to come back, or a sign that they needed her.
A few moments later, a loud scream vibrated off the cave walls and into Athmae's ears. Palamon and Athmae quickly looked at eachother then ran as quick as they could trough the dark cave.
Athmae stopped abruptly and covered her mouth at the sight of Achmed lying on the ground twitching. She could see Rhapsody trying to fight off the Shing. Palamon charged toward it trying to help Rhapsody. Athmae slid on her knees and stopped near Achmed's body. She gently touched his chest and was lost at what to do. "Rhapsody help Achmed! I'll trade places with you!" Athmae yelled.
The Shing's head turned slowly toward Palamon. He raised his claw up toward him. Black fire shot out and bond Palamon's arms, body, and legs. He felt as if his chest on fire. Palamon screamed in pain.
"Palamon!" Athmae screamed. She and lunged on top of Palamon instantly breaking the black fire coils. The Shing recoiled in pain. Athmae looked down at Palamon, who was bearly conscious. Her hand came to rest on his right shoulder and he winced in pain. Athmae ripped open his vest and saw a burn mark in between his shoulder and chest. There were strange markings on the burn mark. Almost like the markings had been there for quite a long time, but faded. It looked as if the fire made the markings appear. Athmae gently touched just below the burn mark. Palamon reached over and placed his hand on hers. She ripped the bottom part of her cloak off, and wrapped it around Palamon's shoulder.
Athmae picked up her sword and stood ready. The Shing kept avoiding her. "Why won't it attack me?" She asked herself quietly. After reviving Achmed, Rhapsody stood up and walked over to Grunthor's motionless body. The Shing came flying toward her; she had no way of avoiding it. Athmae ran in front of it and placed both of her hands on the Shing's faceless head. The Shing gave a high pitch scream then turned to ashes. Athmae stepped back and looked at both of her hands. Rhapsody knelt by Grunthor and started to sing in order to revive him too.
Athmae walked back over to Palamon. She sat down next to his head then lifted him gently up and rested his head on her shoulder. She pressed her back up against the cave wall, and watched as Rhapsody was trying to revive Grunthor. Athmae slowly closed her eyes.
She opened her eyes hours later to Rhapsody standing over her. "You don't really want to stay here do you?" Rhapsody said smiling.
Grunthor walked over to Athmae, picked up Palamon, and flung him over his shoulder. "'Ere let 'e take that for ya." He said. Then he reached his giant hand down to her. She grabbed it firmly and he pulled her to her feet.
Walking out of the cave Athmae felt a little dizzy, and stumbled over her feet a few times. They were nearing the mouth of the cave when Athmae lost her balance and fell to her knees. Achmed grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. "Let's get you back up to the Cauldron." He said softly to her and smiled. She gladly returned it.
The sun was shining on the Krevensfield Plain, and there was a light warm wind that blew across the plain making the tall grass look like a sea of gold. Athmae was resting in the tall grass, with her arms behind her head. She had been lying there for hours, just like she did when she was younger. Athmae's horse was lying next to her, lazily nibbling the grass around him. He slowly stood up and nudged Athmae's shoulder with his nose.
Athmae moaned then said, "Time to go already?" She rolled on her side and closed her eyes again. "Just a bit longer Diablo, I promise." Diablo whickered at her and stamped his front hoof. She looked up at him, and stood up. "Fine let's go back. Have it your way." She said grabbing Diablo's reins. The both of them trudged back through the plain to the Cauldron.
She opened the doors to the Great Hall only to find lit candles on the dinner table. "Rhapsody? Jo? Palamon?" She called out. There were two plates lade out on the table, with food on both of them. Athmae walked into the living room and saw a great deal more of lit candles. Palamon was lying on the couch with one leg over the top.
"I take it you're waiting for me?" Athmae said leaning over the top of the couch.
"Yeah." Palamon replied looking up at Athmae.
"Did you light all these candles for me too?"
"No. Rhapsody thought it was too dark in here. By the way, Achmed came home a few hours ago."
"Did Rhaps also make dinner?" Athmae asked.
"Nope, I did. Let's eat." Palamon replied standing up.
After the two companions finished their meals, they went back into the living room. Athmae leaned on the back couch and looked back at Palamon. She looked at him a bit closer then said, "Palamon, you look like you put on a few pounds."
"Oh really! I have been down in that training room more than you have. And you tell me I'm getting fat? Let me tell you your not looking as thin as usual either!" Palamon replied walking closer to Athmae, putting both his hands on either side of her.
Athmae poked his stomach then said, "Oh and that's all muscle!"
"And you have bony hips!" Palamon retorted pinching her hips. She squealed and fell towards him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Palamon's knees buckled from beneath him and laded on his back while pulling Athmae on top of him. She lay a top of him looking down into his green eyes. Her eyes roamed around his whole face. She ran her finger over his goatee then ran her whole hand through his blonde, tinged black hair. Palamon put his hand on the side of her head, and started to stroke her hair gently. Athmae moved her hand back down to his earlobe, and held his dagger earring in her hand while stroking it with her thumb. Palamon leaned up to kiss her when the both of them heard a door slam. Athmae quickly jumped off Palamon, rolled over the back of the couch, and sat down looking into the fire like nothing happened. Palamon quickly stood up after her and leaned over the back of the couch.
Rhapsody stormed into the Great Hall, followed by Achmed and Grunthor. She ran and got her armor, when she came back she said, "I'm going with you two."
"Are 'ou sure 'ou want to go through with this?" Grunthor asked her. Rhapsody only nodded.
"What's going on?" Athmae asked hoping over the couch.
"The Hill-Eye are attacking. And I sense a Shing nearby." Achmed replied. Palamon went pale.
"I'm going along with too. You're going to need all the help you can get."
"No. You should stay here. It's too dangerous." Achmed said.
Athmae lifted her eyebrow at the comment and said, "I can take care of myself, thanks."
"I think Achmed is right on this one." Palamon interjected.
"Bugger off! I'm going weather you like it or not!" Athmae shouted and went and grabbed her belt, sheathed her sword in her scabbard, and hooked her bladed ring on to the belt.
"Athmae please reconsider! I don't want to stand by your grave!" Palamon said stepping in front of her. Athmae gave him a cold, piercing glare, and pushed past him. As the others rushed out the door he said to himself, "Gee, can't tell Achmed and Athmae are related." He ran and grabbed his sword, then ran after his companions.
"Through that cave up there!" Achmed shouted pointing ahead. The field was covered with dead firblogs. The five of them were on horseback riding through the slaughter to a near by cave. A firblog swung its ax and cut Athmae's arm. Making her grit her teeth in pain. The ax didn't penetrate the skin deeply, but only made blood run down over her arm and sleeve.
"Can we pick up the pace?" Achmed yelled again.
"We could 'ut there are so 'any of these buggers!" Grunthor shouted back up to Achmed.
"Let me take care of that!" Athmae shouted riding ahead of the group. She pulled her bladed ring from her belt, triggered the four blades, cocked her arm back and threw it as hard as she could. The ring sliced through all the blogs that were in their direct path. The ring made a "u" back toward Athmae. She caught it, popped the blades back inside the ring, and hooked it back on her belt. She looked back at Achmed and smiled, then urged Diablo to go faster.
The five of them quickly unsaddled and ran into the cave. There were bones scattered all across the cave. "You two stay here and make sure the Shing doesn't leave." Achmed said softly to Palamon and Athmae. Athmae watched as her three other friends disappear into the darkness. She sat on a rock and waited for them to come back, or a sign that they needed her.
A few moments later, a loud scream vibrated off the cave walls and into Athmae's ears. Palamon and Athmae quickly looked at eachother then ran as quick as they could trough the dark cave.
Athmae stopped abruptly and covered her mouth at the sight of Achmed lying on the ground twitching. She could see Rhapsody trying to fight off the Shing. Palamon charged toward it trying to help Rhapsody. Athmae slid on her knees and stopped near Achmed's body. She gently touched his chest and was lost at what to do. "Rhapsody help Achmed! I'll trade places with you!" Athmae yelled.
The Shing's head turned slowly toward Palamon. He raised his claw up toward him. Black fire shot out and bond Palamon's arms, body, and legs. He felt as if his chest on fire. Palamon screamed in pain.
"Palamon!" Athmae screamed. She and lunged on top of Palamon instantly breaking the black fire coils. The Shing recoiled in pain. Athmae looked down at Palamon, who was bearly conscious. Her hand came to rest on his right shoulder and he winced in pain. Athmae ripped open his vest and saw a burn mark in between his shoulder and chest. There were strange markings on the burn mark. Almost like the markings had been there for quite a long time, but faded. It looked as if the fire made the markings appear. Athmae gently touched just below the burn mark. Palamon reached over and placed his hand on hers. She ripped the bottom part of her cloak off, and wrapped it around Palamon's shoulder.
Athmae picked up her sword and stood ready. The Shing kept avoiding her. "Why won't it attack me?" She asked herself quietly. After reviving Achmed, Rhapsody stood up and walked over to Grunthor's motionless body. The Shing came flying toward her; she had no way of avoiding it. Athmae ran in front of it and placed both of her hands on the Shing's faceless head. The Shing gave a high pitch scream then turned to ashes. Athmae stepped back and looked at both of her hands. Rhapsody knelt by Grunthor and started to sing in order to revive him too.
Athmae walked back over to Palamon. She sat down next to his head then lifted him gently up and rested his head on her shoulder. She pressed her back up against the cave wall, and watched as Rhapsody was trying to revive Grunthor. Athmae slowly closed her eyes.
She opened her eyes hours later to Rhapsody standing over her. "You don't really want to stay here do you?" Rhapsody said smiling.
Grunthor walked over to Athmae, picked up Palamon, and flung him over his shoulder. "'Ere let 'e take that for ya." He said. Then he reached his giant hand down to her. She grabbed it firmly and he pulled her to her feet.
Walking out of the cave Athmae felt a little dizzy, and stumbled over her feet a few times. They were nearing the mouth of the cave when Athmae lost her balance and fell to her knees. Achmed grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. "Let's get you back up to the Cauldron." He said softly to her and smiled. She gladly returned it.