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~*~ TDT2: The Blood Debt ~*~

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Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

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~*~*~*~ Chapter 5 ~*~*~*~
Krystal stared forlornly into the fire, a batter tin cup clutched between her fingers and cradled against her chin. The flames flickered and swayed back and forth, mesmerizing her bruised, red eyes, and as long as she let them capture her gaze, it was enough distraction from her thoughts. Around her the open sky stretched like a tent, black and cold. She could see it reach down to the horizon in almost every direction, far, far away. Their hard travel during the day and the one before had carried them away from the carnage and forests into the outlying farms and fields of Lumbridge. Maston’s plan was for someone to enter the general store to pick up supplies, and otherwise they would avoid the town altogether. They would ford the river upstream, and once across, it would be a straight shot to Varrock.
And then…the castle, and Issavan. Despite planning and re-planning in the natives’ boats on the way back, the plan was still shaky. Bond’s capture had been cause for new plans, but now that he wasn’t beating them to Varrock…They were forsaking him, attempting a new plan…Moving on and leaving him behind, wherever he was.
Could she do it? Could she go on, knowing Bond was out there, needing her help, and that if she continued she might never find him again?
Jagged tin scraped her lips and the murky water seeped down her throat. It had been hauled up by K*ahar from an old well alongside the road. She felt the slimy dirt, tasted it, but swallowed mechanically. Maybe she could avoid answering her mind’s questions just a little longer. It hurt too much.
“No…” she whispered into the night. A flick of her head showed her slumbering companions; she was alone by the fire. She had claimed the first watch knowing she wouldn’t sleep.

08-Oct-2007 17:04:42

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
The humiliation of her outburst back at the battle scene still haunted her, the loss of control and strength had shaken her confidence even more strongly. But alone, in the private comfort of the night, she could relax, drop the façade, and weep till her heart’s content.
The frustration and helplessness welled inside of her, burning deep in her chest, lumping in her throat, and escaping in a hot, salty tear that rolled slowly down her cheek. Soon, another raced to join the first. It was just too much. How was she supposed to balance her commitments and feelings? All she wanted was to go home, with Bond, and be grateful that both of them were alive. But the plague was still rampant, and so she must sacrifice that happiness in order to protect Gielenor.
If only she could run away again…But surely, this time, Maston would awaken and stop her. To see how he had changed confused her…He was only willing to try and save Bond if it was convenient and absolutely necessary – now that Bond was out of eviler hands, Maston wasn’t too worried. “He can hold his own,” he had assured Krystal. She understood – he wanted to help as many people as possible, that was his nature, and in his eyes Bond no longer really needed help – he was just lost…Or lying in a ditch somewhere, dying…
“No,” she whispered again, and forced the image from her mind. Bond would be all right. He had to be. But her mind’s reality repeated shattered the hope she tried to create, crushing it again and again until she felt as though she herself was glass, shattering into a thousand pieces.

08-Oct-2007 17:05:11 - Last edited on 08-Oct-2007 17:05:33 by Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
But there was nothing more she could do now. They’d keep traveling, on to Varrock, to Issavan, and she had to go with them. It was what she had come here to do. The sooner Issavan was dead, the better.
“I’m not giving up, Bond,” she promised the night. *It may take a while. I have to go, now, and do this – I hope you understand. But once it’s over…I promise you I’ll find you.”
Krystal took another sip from the cup, but this time didn’t taste the mud. She could make peace with this. She wasn’t giving up…She would just have to wait a little longer. It still felt like betrayal, but she wasn’t necessarily making a choice…Just understanding her priorities. And if she had to, when this was all over, she’d never stop looking until she found him.
*~*~*~*
Bond was awake when Rivera came in with another tray. The food gave no hint to the time of day; breakfast, lunch, dinner, or whatever they might be, were the same bread, cheese, and water. The meals may have been lacking in variety, but they did revive him. Each time she returned, he felt a little stronger. He could sit up on his own and kept all his food down. The fever was less, though it still plagued him, and he was accustomed to the dull ache in his back so that it no longer bothered him.
As usual, he ate in silence while she watched, her face a mask of stone. As he devoured the last crumbs, she rolled him over to check the bandages and asked, “How’s your back feeling?”
He grinned. “In pain, as usual.”
“Have you been sleeping?”

08-Oct-2007 17:06:00

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“It’s not like you give me anything else to do,” he lamented as she turned him back over.
Rivera rolled her eyes. “Well, looks like you’re feeling better. Get up.”
“What?”
“On your feet, prisoner!” she snapped.
Bond flinched, but obliged. He carefully peeled back the blankets and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. *You got some clothes for me?” he asked hopefully, painfully aware of how little he wore.
Rivera laughed coldly. “I told you, I’ve seen it all, prisoner. Besides, I promise you won’t be up long.”
Sighing (and flushing furiously), he rose. On the first attempt, his knees buckled and he fell back as his guard watched with her arms crossed, mouth twitching in a barely suppressed smile. On the second attempt, he was upright for a moment before swaying and collapsing. Gritting his teeth in humiliation, he growled, “Some help, maybe?”
“That wasn’t so hard.” She stepped to his side and gripped him under the shoulder, gently raising him to his feet. He leaned almost all of his weight on her and flung both arms around her neck as they nearly fell together. His body stank of sweat and blood. She heard a small groan of pain from him, though he coughed slightly to cover it. His face was inches from hers, and she could see every bead of sweat trickling down his face, and a tear from his eye slid down to meet them.
Gently, she straightened him again so that he stood by himself, and then walked him in a small circle. By the end, he was hanging onto her again. “Here,” she murmured, and helped him back to the bed, where he toppled her over as he dropped down.

08-Oct-2007 17:06:25

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
He flipped the covers over himself and settled back on the pillows, closing his eyes to ward off the dizziness. “Don’t worry,” she assured him. “The next time you’ll be able to walk more, and eventually I’ll take you on a tour. Something to look forward to, perhaps.*
*Why thank you,” he sighed sarcastically.
“I would have thought you’d be happy to get out of this room.”
He opened his mouth to reply, but only a guttural sound escape. His chest rose and fell rhythmically, and Rivera realized he had fallen asleep. Smiling, she took the tray and left the room.

08-Oct-2007 17:06:35

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