The Legend of Ajira
Chapter 10: The Bad News
Ajira cheered and leaped to the sky, forgetting instantly the sickening feeling of death she had had only a few moments ago. She was free! Finally she was ready, and now she could learn about everything she needed to know. Millions of questions bubbled in her head. What was the prophecy? Where were her parents? Why was she here? And what was the significance of Kark? She couldn't wait to get them answered, so she burst out the door into the…pouring rain. Rain? Thought Ajira in disbelief? Rain? There were two things vey wrong with this. Number One: This was the Ashlands, the desert. It had not rained (not that Ajira could remember) since she was born, and now this sudden outburst? Number Two: The sun was shining brightly over the Ashlands not five minutes ago. There wasn't a cloud in the sky; Ajira had seen it herself. And now this? This was a magical storm, this was. Forgetting all about her "burning questions", she sped off toward the Ashkhan's yurt at a full run.
"Ashkhan Maroulis! Ashkhan!" gasped Ajira, bursting into the Ashkhan's tent. Generally this would have been a penalty of death for bursting into the Ashkhan's tent without an appointment, but the elders understood Ajira was under special circumstances, and she could not be killed if she was to fulfill the prophecy. Ashkhan Maroulis looked irritatingly calm, given the harsh situation. "Hello, Ajira," said Maroulis in as calm a voice as ever. "What do you need?" He smiled at her politely. "You are our guest, and you should be treated with respect. Whatever you need, please ask. Surely you didn't pop into my tent screaming just to see me, did you?" He chuckled a little.
Ajira sighed, exasperated. "Can't you—you don't—look outside!" Ajira screamed before she could stop herself.
"There is no need to scream, Ajira," said Maroulis softly. "I am perfectly aware of what is happening. It is raining."
"Yes! Isn't that weird? It never rains here!"
"It does now. You see, certain events can bring about a significant change in the world around them. A rainforest may become dry. The Ashlands may start raining. What I am saying, Ajira—is that—certain events…such as the death of someone…(Ajira got a cold, sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach again)…can alter the whole destiny and the destiny of all other people close to them, thusly changing their whole environment."
Ajira looked at him, confused, afraid. "You mean…someone did die? I felt it in my Khajiit senses but I never…"
"Yes, Ajira," said Ashkhan Maroulis sadly, a hint of sympathy in his voice. "I have received word…your father is dead."
All time stopped for Ajira at that moment. Her father? Dead? Had she heard him right? "Excuse…me?"
"I am sorry. Your father is dead. He and your mother were attacked by one of our outcasts, lurking in the woods."
"What were they doing?" whispered Ajira, tears running down her cheeks.
"I'm not sure you're ready…"
"YES! I AM READY!" screeched Ajira. "YOU'VE TOLD ME ALL THIS FREAKIN' TIME THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TELL ME ONE FREAKIN' DETAIL "UNTIL I'M READY"! WELL GUESS WHAT, "ASHKHAN"! I'VE GOT MY STAR NOW ON MY FOREHEAD, OK! WHEN I GET MY STAR THAT MEANS I'M GROWN UP, AND I'M READY! NOW YOU BETTER TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO KNOW! WHAT WERE MY PARENTS DOING?"
"Calm down, Ajira. There's no need to yell."
"TELL ME, DAMN YOU!" She paused, taking deep breaths, seething.
Ashkhan Maroulis still stayed eerily calm. "All right, Ajira. Sit down. Get a glass of water, make yourself comfortable. I'm going to tell you everything."