WoT has fallen in a ditch
Chapter 19: Evil has Many Faces
Ruby felt like she was submerged in mud. Everything around her looked like the same dark brown color. "If there's one thing I hate it's this." She muttered and made an attempt at swimming.
She was moving; at least it felt like she was. Every now and then a bubble would float in front of her. Each time it did what reflected back wasn't her face. "Light..." The latest bubble showed a girl this time, past ones had been all male. The girl looked like her, but she seemed smaller, and her hair was a deep red with sad eyes. Overlapping the girl was a boy, dark hair pulled back in pigtail. He wore a cocky grin but his eyes spoke of something else.
Ruby reached for the bubble, and it popped. She shook her head and continued on her way through the murky depths. Seconds later once again a bubble floated up. This time of a man, hair brown with wide searching eyes. He seemed to want to say something, but then froze and looked up. Ruby followed his gaze to a shining light above them. It was hot like fire yet it cooled the mud.
Something pulled in her, her chest froze. 'What is it? She wanted to know, but she was wary of the light. 'Go for it. Touch it. Go ahead..." Ruby reoriented her body to face it, and moved toward it, but it became further and further away.
She snarled. It wasn't about to get away from her! This was her dream! She was the master here! Ruby launched toward it with only one thought in her mind. She would take this light and make it hers.
Fast. She was nearly there, it was getting closer and the water left the mud at the bottom. Only hairs breath away. Speed. Ruby could feel her arms dive into that light. She almost howled at the pain that racked her body. Wind.
Her skin felt like it was being torn off in little bits at a time. Water felt like it was rushing down her throat and suffocating her. Earth. A mountain crushing her head. Faster and faster she couldn't think anymore. When it stopped.
There was comforting presence. More familiar than comforting but it held the pain back. For the fist time in what seemed like years she risked opening her eyes. Grayish-white dew coated her. It was evil; the taint from Shadar Logoth, but it was helping.
She could feel it. It seemed to be communicating with something, but what could it be talking with? Ruby got a headache from thinking about it. She closed her eyes again. She got to the light; she would leave it at that.
)()()()(
Mat was shaking the red headed girl next to him on the cart. "Come on Ruby, wake up. Wake up." 'She had better be okay.' Some time during her nap she had begun sweating and shivering.
Ever so slowly she roused, she looked tired. "Hey. You feeling alright?"
She shook her head. "I feel like I just fell in a bon fire."
Mat held his hand to her forehead. "You got fever, bad, I think." She moved to sit up, but he pushed her down. "You shouldn't move if ya don't have to. That's what the wisdom always said when someone was sick."
Ruby just smiled at him, but it looked like she felt worse than it let on. "Fine." She immediately flopped back down on the straw.
Ruby sneezed. Mat just stared in thought. "Think that guy, Paitr has something to do with this?"
"Naw. After you clubbed him in the head, I suspect he would be out for at least until the next afternoon. It must be staying outside that did it." She burrowed deeper into the straw, something important was screaming to be noticed, but she was too tired to pay it any attention.
A gruff voice spoke. "You sick girl?" It was the driver of the cart; he puffed his pipe and flicked the reins.
"I'd think so." Answered Mat when it looked like Ruby wasn't.
"Well, towns not too far from here. You can go get some herbs for her."
Mat stroked Ruby's hand. Her breathing was coming in ragged intervals, and she was sweating. "That would be a good idea."
The man brushed away a fly. "Hard times are coming. Can feel it in my bones." He dipped a hand in his pocket and dragged out a few coins. They were mostly bronze, only one silver. "My farms got plenty stored to support itself. That's what my father always said. Keep everything full so when the hard times come you can be ready for them. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst."
Mat took the coins and slipped them into the pack Ruby usually carried. "That should be something. May get you a room."
"Thank you."
The man chuckled. "Don't mention it. Something about you too makes me feel easier."
Mat's hand went for his dagger, but then stopped. He just looked at the girl's face he should be worrying about.
They made it to the town, Ruby had stopped shivering but she still had a strong fever. Mat opened the doors to an inn's stable and set her down on some straw. Ruby peeked at him; her hand was resting on sword hilt while she leaned against the wall. "You should get a room Mat. I can sleep outside."
"No. No I won't. They don't have a Wisdom, and a night out will only make you worse." He threw down some hay down and formed it into a makeshift bed before laying his cloak down on it.
"You give me that and I'll go get us some food." He took the heron mark sword and left; Ruby just stared at the ceiling from where she was. Slow deep breaths. In and out. That was what she needed.
"You really ought to rest." Said Ranma.
"I know. But I feel like something's going to happen." She answered.
"Fine. Be that way." There was the mental equivalent of a door slamming and Ruby sighed as she went over to the pallet Mat had made for her. Ranma had been much more irritable lately. He wasn't the easygoing voice in her head anymore, and the lessons she was able to make it too were getting to be more like round about reviews. He said that it wasn't his fault, and even hinted at more damaging techniques she could learn, but so far nothing.
The door opened and Mat had returned with a tray and cups. Ruby sat up and watched the shadows. She ate some cheese and bread while watching the shadows. Mat looked at them once before taking a bite of sausage.
He felt her temperature again and smiled. "You're getting better. Faster than what I thought too. At this rate you should be normal by morning."
"That's good."
Ruby leaned back down. She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing to fake sleep. She could feel Mat walk over to her after a few minutes.
Mat looked down at her. She was so, not perfect. It was the way she acted and moved. Different from all the other girls, she didn't have her nose in the air like most. She could fight, and that was a plus. "No use denying it Mat. You like her." He whispered. She moved a little when he said that, but most people shifted in sleep, right? He grinned. It was a grin that won over most women that didn't know him. "We've got to share warmth. Best thing to do on night's like this." He then shrugged off his coat and got right up next to the girl.
Days of hard travel caught up with him and he was out. Ruby peeked open her eyes. They were shining and she was smiling for all she was worth. After making sure he really was asleep she moved to cuddle next to him. He was warm, and despite what she knew he did have some firm muscles.
They were both in a deep sleep when the door creaked open. It was a woman, in silk. She sneered at the couple, and drew out a dagger. Dark brown hair was caught in a net of woven lace. She glided toward them.
Ruby opened one eye. A lady, that was fine. Just peachy. Was that a dagger she was holding? Light! "Mat. Mat!"
Mat jumped up and quickly looked around. The woman paused. She opened her mouth to speak before noticing what she was holding and closed it.
She crossed the remaining distance with her skirts held up. "Is your friend sick?"
"I'm fine. Perfectly fine." Ruby sat up eyeing the dagger. "Whets that for?"
The woman glanced at was in her hand, but didn't put it down. "Robbers and thieves. You can never be too careful." She was only a step away from them. "You were sick, I can tell. Maybe..."
The woman trailed off then. Ruby felt her stomach go cold and watched in mute fascination as the lady came forward to Mat. The dagger she had been holding sailed into the wood and hit with a resounding Thunk. Mat moved his head just a hair and let it slide by, creating a wind that moved his hair.
The part time juggler then threw out his arms in the general direction of the woman. Multi-color balls flew out toward her feet that made her fall on her bottom. Before she could do anything Mat was on her with the Shadar Logoth dagger at her throat.
"Don't do anything." He said in a cold voice. The woman swallowed hard and kept an eye on what could easily kill her.
A hissing like a pit full of snakes was heard and they turned to the far wall. Imbedded into the wood was the dagger that she had thrown. It was slowly burning the wood. With a start Ruby moved over to it and plucked it out.
"What do we do with her Mat?"
"Dunno. We could kill her." The woman took a sharp intake of breath.
"No. That would make us just as bad as them." Ruby briefly struggled to get up and finally managed it. She cracked her neck and thought for a minute. "Put her in the tack room. Or better yet...the stalls."
Mat nodded getting the idea. "Move over there." He said while gesturing with the dagger. She complied, but not with out having her say. "You really should stop struggling. It would be for the best in the end. You'll see."
"Oh do shut up." Ruby crossed the room and poked her neck. The woman froze before her eyes closed and she fell to the floor.
Mat tucked his own dagger away. "Nice trick."
"I liked that thing with the balls you did." They picked up their gear and Mat turned to his friend/crush.
"You sure you can walk? There might be more coming."
"Yeah. Heck, I could Run and jump, just don't ask for me to do both."
"Fair enough."
They left the stable, and quickly put as much distance between them and the town as possible. When they finally lost sight of it Ruby turned to her companion.
"Mat."
"Yes?"
"I heard what you said back there."
"What did I say?"
"If you don't remember that's fine. on!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
Travel is boring. Most of the time. If it were an empty road with nothing to do all day and hot enough to fry an egg, it would have been boring. Truth was that the road was getting fuller and fuller the closer they got to Caemlyn.
Merchants. Merchants are pains in the arse. They acted all high and mighty but if the people decided they could be cheap and make what they need the merchants would go out of business.
It so happened that on one fateful day, one nameless merchant thought he could be a prick and flick his whip at the people on the road. He twirled it above his head in the early morning and let it fly.
Ruby was walking along the road. Currently she was not her usual chipper self. Mat had been trying to get her cheer up, but had no success. She was having girl-like problems. That was all she said when he asked her about it. Lucky for Mat he gave up and kept at a safe distance. It was unlucky for the driver of the wagon when he randomly picked to hit her.
Since she was not happy, she didn't feel the need to give any mercy to the prick on the cart. Ruby didn't move when the whip came toward her. She just caught it with her hand. There was a resounding smack as it came into contact with her palm. A thin line of blood dribbled down her arm and on to the dirt.
She then wrapped some of the whip around her fist and jerked the line. The merchant came tumbling out and landed at her feet. Ruby continued to glare at him while proceeding to kick the man.
Everyone on the road turned at them, some sniggering. Ruby lifted the man by his collar and spat in his face. She then threw him to the ground and walked off, with his whip.
Mat said a quick prayer and hurried after her, leaving several incapacitated guards.
After that word spread quickly and most of the people on the road gave them room. It was a day later when they were stopped by a group of the Queens Guards.
"Halt." Said one of the armored men. Mat looked around before stopping. Ruby just sat down on the ground and fished around in her bag.
"Miss. You're under arrest for assault."
She tapped her chin. "You sure about that? Have you got any evidence?"
"No, but we have a testimony and you will be given a fair trial. Please come with us."
Mat tensed and Ruby waved to him. He relaxed but kept one hand on his bow. "I wasn't assaulting. It was self-defence. 'I' have evidence."
She brought out the whip, still had dried blood on it. Then she showed her hand that had a scab running along the length of her palm. "See. Now why would I hurt my self? He attacked me and I reacted the best I could. I kept this in hopes he wouldn't attack me again."
The red and white guards grouped and whispered for a while before turning back to her. "Seeing as how you have evidence we will drop this. Continue on your way." They then walked off leaving the farmers to themselves.
Ruby sniffed and put the whip back. Mat just shook his head and followed her. It was one more day till they got to Caemlyn.
"It's so, white. The wall." Ruby said as she looked at the huge wall surrounding the Capital of Andor. Mat nodded and saw the layout of the city.
"Bigger than Baerlon, and Shadar Logoth." He said. Then something occurred to him. "You could hide any thing there." It was built like a maze. The city was circles inside circles, with the palace in the center. "Why would anyone want something that big. It kind of alerts someone to attack that if they planed to attack."
Ruby shrugged and started toward Caemlyn. "First we find the Queens Blessing."
END...
Chapter 19: Evil has Many Faces
Ruby felt like she was submerged in mud. Everything around her looked like the same dark brown color. "If there's one thing I hate it's this." She muttered and made an attempt at swimming.
She was moving; at least it felt like she was. Every now and then a bubble would float in front of her. Each time it did what reflected back wasn't her face. "Light..." The latest bubble showed a girl this time, past ones had been all male. The girl looked like her, but she seemed smaller, and her hair was a deep red with sad eyes. Overlapping the girl was a boy, dark hair pulled back in pigtail. He wore a cocky grin but his eyes spoke of something else.
Ruby reached for the bubble, and it popped. She shook her head and continued on her way through the murky depths. Seconds later once again a bubble floated up. This time of a man, hair brown with wide searching eyes. He seemed to want to say something, but then froze and looked up. Ruby followed his gaze to a shining light above them. It was hot like fire yet it cooled the mud.
Something pulled in her, her chest froze. 'What is it? She wanted to know, but she was wary of the light. 'Go for it. Touch it. Go ahead..." Ruby reoriented her body to face it, and moved toward it, but it became further and further away.
She snarled. It wasn't about to get away from her! This was her dream! She was the master here! Ruby launched toward it with only one thought in her mind. She would take this light and make it hers.
Fast. She was nearly there, it was getting closer and the water left the mud at the bottom. Only hairs breath away. Speed. Ruby could feel her arms dive into that light. She almost howled at the pain that racked her body. Wind.
Her skin felt like it was being torn off in little bits at a time. Water felt like it was rushing down her throat and suffocating her. Earth. A mountain crushing her head. Faster and faster she couldn't think anymore. When it stopped.
There was comforting presence. More familiar than comforting but it held the pain back. For the fist time in what seemed like years she risked opening her eyes. Grayish-white dew coated her. It was evil; the taint from Shadar Logoth, but it was helping.
She could feel it. It seemed to be communicating with something, but what could it be talking with? Ruby got a headache from thinking about it. She closed her eyes again. She got to the light; she would leave it at that.
)()()()(
Mat was shaking the red headed girl next to him on the cart. "Come on Ruby, wake up. Wake up." 'She had better be okay.' Some time during her nap she had begun sweating and shivering.
Ever so slowly she roused, she looked tired. "Hey. You feeling alright?"
She shook her head. "I feel like I just fell in a bon fire."
Mat held his hand to her forehead. "You got fever, bad, I think." She moved to sit up, but he pushed her down. "You shouldn't move if ya don't have to. That's what the wisdom always said when someone was sick."
Ruby just smiled at him, but it looked like she felt worse than it let on. "Fine." She immediately flopped back down on the straw.
Ruby sneezed. Mat just stared in thought. "Think that guy, Paitr has something to do with this?"
"Naw. After you clubbed him in the head, I suspect he would be out for at least until the next afternoon. It must be staying outside that did it." She burrowed deeper into the straw, something important was screaming to be noticed, but she was too tired to pay it any attention.
A gruff voice spoke. "You sick girl?" It was the driver of the cart; he puffed his pipe and flicked the reins.
"I'd think so." Answered Mat when it looked like Ruby wasn't.
"Well, towns not too far from here. You can go get some herbs for her."
Mat stroked Ruby's hand. Her breathing was coming in ragged intervals, and she was sweating. "That would be a good idea."
The man brushed away a fly. "Hard times are coming. Can feel it in my bones." He dipped a hand in his pocket and dragged out a few coins. They were mostly bronze, only one silver. "My farms got plenty stored to support itself. That's what my father always said. Keep everything full so when the hard times come you can be ready for them. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst."
Mat took the coins and slipped them into the pack Ruby usually carried. "That should be something. May get you a room."
"Thank you."
The man chuckled. "Don't mention it. Something about you too makes me feel easier."
Mat's hand went for his dagger, but then stopped. He just looked at the girl's face he should be worrying about.
They made it to the town, Ruby had stopped shivering but she still had a strong fever. Mat opened the doors to an inn's stable and set her down on some straw. Ruby peeked at him; her hand was resting on sword hilt while she leaned against the wall. "You should get a room Mat. I can sleep outside."
"No. No I won't. They don't have a Wisdom, and a night out will only make you worse." He threw down some hay down and formed it into a makeshift bed before laying his cloak down on it.
"You give me that and I'll go get us some food." He took the heron mark sword and left; Ruby just stared at the ceiling from where she was. Slow deep breaths. In and out. That was what she needed.
"You really ought to rest." Said Ranma.
"I know. But I feel like something's going to happen." She answered.
"Fine. Be that way." There was the mental equivalent of a door slamming and Ruby sighed as she went over to the pallet Mat had made for her. Ranma had been much more irritable lately. He wasn't the easygoing voice in her head anymore, and the lessons she was able to make it too were getting to be more like round about reviews. He said that it wasn't his fault, and even hinted at more damaging techniques she could learn, but so far nothing.
The door opened and Mat had returned with a tray and cups. Ruby sat up and watched the shadows. She ate some cheese and bread while watching the shadows. Mat looked at them once before taking a bite of sausage.
He felt her temperature again and smiled. "You're getting better. Faster than what I thought too. At this rate you should be normal by morning."
"That's good."
Ruby leaned back down. She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing to fake sleep. She could feel Mat walk over to her after a few minutes.
Mat looked down at her. She was so, not perfect. It was the way she acted and moved. Different from all the other girls, she didn't have her nose in the air like most. She could fight, and that was a plus. "No use denying it Mat. You like her." He whispered. She moved a little when he said that, but most people shifted in sleep, right? He grinned. It was a grin that won over most women that didn't know him. "We've got to share warmth. Best thing to do on night's like this." He then shrugged off his coat and got right up next to the girl.
Days of hard travel caught up with him and he was out. Ruby peeked open her eyes. They were shining and she was smiling for all she was worth. After making sure he really was asleep she moved to cuddle next to him. He was warm, and despite what she knew he did have some firm muscles.
They were both in a deep sleep when the door creaked open. It was a woman, in silk. She sneered at the couple, and drew out a dagger. Dark brown hair was caught in a net of woven lace. She glided toward them.
Ruby opened one eye. A lady, that was fine. Just peachy. Was that a dagger she was holding? Light! "Mat. Mat!"
Mat jumped up and quickly looked around. The woman paused. She opened her mouth to speak before noticing what she was holding and closed it.
She crossed the remaining distance with her skirts held up. "Is your friend sick?"
"I'm fine. Perfectly fine." Ruby sat up eyeing the dagger. "Whets that for?"
The woman glanced at was in her hand, but didn't put it down. "Robbers and thieves. You can never be too careful." She was only a step away from them. "You were sick, I can tell. Maybe..."
The woman trailed off then. Ruby felt her stomach go cold and watched in mute fascination as the lady came forward to Mat. The dagger she had been holding sailed into the wood and hit with a resounding Thunk. Mat moved his head just a hair and let it slide by, creating a wind that moved his hair.
The part time juggler then threw out his arms in the general direction of the woman. Multi-color balls flew out toward her feet that made her fall on her bottom. Before she could do anything Mat was on her with the Shadar Logoth dagger at her throat.
"Don't do anything." He said in a cold voice. The woman swallowed hard and kept an eye on what could easily kill her.
A hissing like a pit full of snakes was heard and they turned to the far wall. Imbedded into the wood was the dagger that she had thrown. It was slowly burning the wood. With a start Ruby moved over to it and plucked it out.
"What do we do with her Mat?"
"Dunno. We could kill her." The woman took a sharp intake of breath.
"No. That would make us just as bad as them." Ruby briefly struggled to get up and finally managed it. She cracked her neck and thought for a minute. "Put her in the tack room. Or better yet...the stalls."
Mat nodded getting the idea. "Move over there." He said while gesturing with the dagger. She complied, but not with out having her say. "You really should stop struggling. It would be for the best in the end. You'll see."
"Oh do shut up." Ruby crossed the room and poked her neck. The woman froze before her eyes closed and she fell to the floor.
Mat tucked his own dagger away. "Nice trick."
"I liked that thing with the balls you did." They picked up their gear and Mat turned to his friend/crush.
"You sure you can walk? There might be more coming."
"Yeah. Heck, I could Run and jump, just don't ask for me to do both."
"Fair enough."
They left the stable, and quickly put as much distance between them and the town as possible. When they finally lost sight of it Ruby turned to her companion.
"Mat."
"Yes?"
"I heard what you said back there."
"What did I say?"
"If you don't remember that's fine. on!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
Travel is boring. Most of the time. If it were an empty road with nothing to do all day and hot enough to fry an egg, it would have been boring. Truth was that the road was getting fuller and fuller the closer they got to Caemlyn.
Merchants. Merchants are pains in the arse. They acted all high and mighty but if the people decided they could be cheap and make what they need the merchants would go out of business.
It so happened that on one fateful day, one nameless merchant thought he could be a prick and flick his whip at the people on the road. He twirled it above his head in the early morning and let it fly.
Ruby was walking along the road. Currently she was not her usual chipper self. Mat had been trying to get her cheer up, but had no success. She was having girl-like problems. That was all she said when he asked her about it. Lucky for Mat he gave up and kept at a safe distance. It was unlucky for the driver of the wagon when he randomly picked to hit her.
Since she was not happy, she didn't feel the need to give any mercy to the prick on the cart. Ruby didn't move when the whip came toward her. She just caught it with her hand. There was a resounding smack as it came into contact with her palm. A thin line of blood dribbled down her arm and on to the dirt.
She then wrapped some of the whip around her fist and jerked the line. The merchant came tumbling out and landed at her feet. Ruby continued to glare at him while proceeding to kick the man.
Everyone on the road turned at them, some sniggering. Ruby lifted the man by his collar and spat in his face. She then threw him to the ground and walked off, with his whip.
Mat said a quick prayer and hurried after her, leaving several incapacitated guards.
After that word spread quickly and most of the people on the road gave them room. It was a day later when they were stopped by a group of the Queens Guards.
"Halt." Said one of the armored men. Mat looked around before stopping. Ruby just sat down on the ground and fished around in her bag.
"Miss. You're under arrest for assault."
She tapped her chin. "You sure about that? Have you got any evidence?"
"No, but we have a testimony and you will be given a fair trial. Please come with us."
Mat tensed and Ruby waved to him. He relaxed but kept one hand on his bow. "I wasn't assaulting. It was self-defence. 'I' have evidence."
She brought out the whip, still had dried blood on it. Then she showed her hand that had a scab running along the length of her palm. "See. Now why would I hurt my self? He attacked me and I reacted the best I could. I kept this in hopes he wouldn't attack me again."
The red and white guards grouped and whispered for a while before turning back to her. "Seeing as how you have evidence we will drop this. Continue on your way." They then walked off leaving the farmers to themselves.
Ruby sniffed and put the whip back. Mat just shook his head and followed her. It was one more day till they got to Caemlyn.
"It's so, white. The wall." Ruby said as she looked at the huge wall surrounding the Capital of Andor. Mat nodded and saw the layout of the city.
"Bigger than Baerlon, and Shadar Logoth." He said. Then something occurred to him. "You could hide any thing there." It was built like a maze. The city was circles inside circles, with the palace in the center. "Why would anyone want something that big. It kind of alerts someone to attack that if they planed to attack."
Ruby shrugged and started toward Caemlyn. "First we find the Queens Blessing."
END...