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Levente

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Chapter 7
Pillars and Blood
The loud church bells roared to life, clanking loudly causing the whole town of Glamis to hear it. Nathan stood right in front of the church to witness the moment and he promised himself he would never return to witness it again. Neiko stood right next to him, letting her bundled hair to float freely with the wind. She held a large one strap backpack on her left shoulder, with her hand holding it. Her beautiful clothes were put aside and she wore a tanned light gray hide on her body, with a long silver necklace around her neck. Her long black cloak pursued her purple hair, to have a brighter color than before.
Star stood on the left side of her, with a cloaked wrapped around her to shield her from the cold. Though the sun was up, the cool wind that blew against them sent chills down their back. Her blond hair flew into her face, many times causing her to remove her hands from the cloak and to move her hair. She stood silent as Nathan talked to Father Hernis of the Church.
“Thank you very much Father, for the favor you have presented me with.”
“Not at all, child. I know Claire will provide much assistance in the church.” replied Father Hernis, smiling warmly. Claire stood next to Father Hernis, and though she could now see, her vision will never be as perfect as it used to be. But Claire did not seem to mind, for she was still the hard loving person she was once was, thought Nathan.
“Please look after yourself, Neiko. And keep an eye out for Star, she has grown to my liking.” said Claire, to Neiko as they exchanged their good byes. They gave each other large hugs and then Claire gave a small kiss to Star. Father Hernis stepped aside and allowed Nathan to talk freely to Claire. Nathan felt the pain, that he had caused Claire and sometimes he blamed himself for not stay at the tavern one more night to defend Claire, but as simply as she put it he would have been killed too.

10-Oct-2009 23:52:57 - Last edited on 11-Oct-2009 00:03:25 by Levente

Levente

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Nathan slowly gazed into Claire's light hazel eyes, they were slowly returning to their original color due to Neiko's potion.
“Nathan ...... look after yourself. I want to ..... see you again.” she muttered. Claire looked down from Nathan's eyes and felt embarrassed. Nathan raised her head with his hand gently, and looked again into her eyes and smiled. “(I'll be back just to see you again) Conr'y mitner lorel templ'.” Then they finally parted, not knowing when they would see each other again, and this was an unusual feeling for the both of them.
Nathan got on Badger with Star, while Neiko got on Winter, a white mustang of hers. They left the town, without any words in mind to say to each other. And when they crossed over the hill that overlooked Glamis, Nathan promised himself that he would return no matter the years and decade to see once again, Claire.
~ ~ ~
They rode through the forest talking to one another about their past. Nathan started to learn a lot about Neiko's and Alden's past and how they grew up. During the day time, they talked about many things from wild life in the area, to the essence of magic. Nathan never repeated to anyone what Star did, for fear of someone thinking she is a witch. Nathan remembered reading about the burning of witches in Qualimin years ago, and soon they started to talk about that too. Star tried to soak in as much as she could about the past, and she was a willing learning too. When nightfall came, and they had to unpack and unsaddle the horses, Nathan usually ended the day with a short sword fight. Nathan had finally came to the conclusion that he should start to teach Star how to defend herself. Though she was younger than Nathan when he had learned swordplay, he decided that teaching her now will be easier than in the future. So he began with two large four foot poles, that he found in the forest.

10-Oct-2009 23:53:03 - Last edited on 11-Oct-2009 00:03:49 by Levente

Levente

Posts: 4,675 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

He cut off the branches, sanded it so it was smooth and it could be handled with care, than finally gave it to Star. “What am I to do with this?” asked Star. Nathan just replied one word, learn.
They began the first night, with simple footing and balancing. She was good at the footing and quickly learned it, but she could not hold the stick correctly, and would occasionally drop it. Nathan first thought it was the size of it, so he decided to get a smaller one but she still had trouble with it. So in the end he returned to the old one and began the drills slowly once more.
“Now Star, hold the sword with your right hand forward but not too far out. Then move your right foot up, and you left foot back. .... Good. Now swing the stick towards the left but make sure it's a high swing.” instructed Nathan. Star listened carefully, but when she tried it her stick fell out of her hand and onto the ground. Star looked disappointed. Nathan instructed her to do it again. First he told her to go slowly then faster. Soon after a few dozen tries she could do it, at a normal pace. Neiko watched eating her bowl a soup near the camp fire. She didn't mutter a word and when they were finished she invited them to join her. Star gladly did, due to her hunger. When she asked to eat before the swordplay, Nathan declared that they first must do this every night to help her learn to defend herself. They sat down and started to devour their soup, Nathan with a piece of bread in one hand explained to Neiko the importance of these teachings. She merely grinned.
“You think it's a waste?” asked Nathan offended.
Neiko looked at Nathan with amusement in her eyes. This bothered Nathan many time but it also helped him see her playful side and so he didn't mind. “I just think that teaching a young girl how to wield a sword, at the age of eleven is hardly a way to defend herself. Still if you must, she is your daughter.” When Nathan heard that he nearly gagged on his soup, but he looked at N

10-Oct-2009 23:53:08 - Last edited on 10-Oct-2009 23:56:48 by Levente

Levente

Posts: 4,675 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

When Nathan heard that he nearly gagged on his soup, but he looked at Neiko and noticed she didn't mean any offense. She truly didn't know that Star was not his daughter, then he looked to Star and saw that though she was listening she didn't mind either. He smiled, then returned back to his soup.
They rode the next day, for several hours through the forest until they came across the Blerin Plains. Nathan looked across the white plains that stretched in front of him with no end. The tall grass waved left to right with the flow of the slow wind, causing Nathan to think of the ocean. The ride through the plains took nearly four days with the usual talk, and activity. They rode during the day as fast as they could, as far as they could, then at night Nathan would teach Star more useful thinks. Soon she was an amateur sword wielder, and finally one day she asked “remember that language, you spoke with Claire, Nathan?”
Neiko looked up from her saddle and sang a melody that only Nathan understood. “Perites O'malkin tertin,” (learning the unknown). Nathan grinned towards her and then looked at Star. He thought in his mind, if she will need the language but in reality every language is a requirement to help you through your day. So he nodded and they agreed to study that night to begin their lessons.
Soon the tall grass started to disappear, and the heat increased. Finally after a full two weeks ride since their departure from Glamis, they were finally in Bathr Desert. It was a large stretch of land that bore no life, no cold, nothing. The desert itself, was a large wasteland of dry hot sand, that grew into large storms that could blind anyone. The horses started to have difficulty as their hooves sank into the hot sand. When they had to walk, to rest the horses it took them longer than it usually took, and water was getting scarce.

10-Oct-2009 23:53:16 - Last edited on 10-Oct-2009 23:57:58 by Levente

Levente

Posts: 4,675 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

They stopped at a near by spring before they ventured into the desert and filled up their water sacks but the water was being used up, too quickly causing Nathan to worry. Their faces started to dry and crack with their lips turning bloody when they smiled or talked to each other. The horses had to be calmed down many times, due to the loud howling of the wind. Neiko told them that they should place garments on their face to cover them from the sun, but it still did not help. The skin that was exposed to the dry heat, was still burning like hot cakes on a stove. At night the air would normally cool down, but other times it would started to make them shiver. They saw nearly nothing other than small pebbles and a few dried up trees. The desert was truly terrible as Star once heard from a large merchant in Qualimin.
Careful not to overheat the horses, they walked most of the time and one night Neiko decided to tell them of their true position. They sat around a small fire, with little food past around. The heat caused them to eat little and Nathan saw the dramatic change in Star's appearance, it worried him but Neiko told to rest assure that she will alright. “I think we should head off course, Nathan. I noticed that we don't have enough water for the rest of the trip to Dras' Vorgin. I heard of a town nearby called Methosy and we can trade supplies there.” Neiko had a light yellow blouse on with a light colored shorts. Her purple hair was now sandy and the color changed slowly to a light color of pink. Her light brown eyes seemed to pierce Nathan. He looked towards her, but he could already feel her gaze upon him.
“Where is this town, by the way?” asked Nathan.
“About two leagues north of Dras' Vorgin. Though the walk will be greater, I think we can buy clothes that could better suit us for these conditions. Also I need to get a bath and some lotion for our skins against the heat or they will turn to scars.” Neiko replied, teasing.

10-Oct-2009 23:53:22 - Last edited on 10-Oct-2009 23:58:22 by Levente

Levente

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Nathan looked at her and thought that she was right about getting items to help them on their journey through the desert but for some reason he had a feeling they should just continue to Dras' Vorgin. I'm not in the mood to fight with Neiko thought Nathan, and so he shrugged. Neiko pulled out a map from her saddle bag and started to make preparations for the trip with Star. Neiko helped Star to read a map and to read what the legend was. Nathan just laid down, and turned away from the fire, soon falling asleep.
The next morning they used the horses to try and pick up the pace. By the early evening they could finally see the shadows of the town. So they decided to camp, and head to the town tomorrow. Nathan again, had strange dreams of large monstrous figures and women screaming. Then he would see a large pill of bodies laying in the town square with arrows and spears pointed from the mass grave. Nathan woke up early in the morning, watching the sun rise. Occasionally he would look over to Star and see her face sleeping soundly, then he would gaze over to Neiko. She had a pleasant face that Nathan could never get tired of. Sometimes he would find himself thinking about her as they rode through the desert. Her dark red face started to amuse Nathan and her pink hair seemed strange too. If Neiko's appearance is different since they left Glamis, he imagined his and wondered how odd he must look to them. Star seemed different too, with her sun burned face and dry hair. He promised himself, that when the reach the town, they would each get one large cold bath and he would buy some supplies to fit them for their journey in the desert. As the sun finally rose higher, he saw that Neiko started to stir and then Star. Soon they were packed and on the horses, riding towards Methosy.

10-Oct-2009 23:53:27 - Last edited on 10-Oct-2009 23:58:50 by Levente

Levente

Posts: 4,675 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

~ ~ ~
By mid day they had reach the edge of the town, though Nathan knew that they would not receive a large cheering crowd when they entered but he had expected a few strangers to welcome them into their town. As they entered he saw that the guard towers were empty, with no soldier patrolling the streets, or even people walking. Soon as they entered Nathan knew that something was wrong. But as soon as he saw the large litter of corpses pilled on top of each other, that was when he pulled out his crozier as not only self defense but also to defend the two people he had come to know and start to love.
Neiko let out a large gasp, and covered Star's eyes who rode behind on the same horse but in front of her. Neiko's eyes could not have been removed from the horror that lay in front of them, Nathan stared at it with sad eyes. He knew what had caused this and he knew what they must do. Nathan peered around and saw the mess that was filtered through out the town. Arrow shafts pinned on the walls, blood stain covered the floor, loot on the group with windows of houses and doors torn apart. He saw several dead horses with soldiers still on them, and then he saw something that pierced his heart. An old dead man lay next to a small broken down fence with a small scimitar that he must have used when he was young. He lay on the ground, covered in his own blood with the weapon still in hand. The man died defending his family but it was in vain. Nathan looked away and scanned the town. He knew that nothing lived here, so he looked at Neiko who still looked at it in horror.
“Neiko, take Star and head back to the old campsite. Now!* Nathan demanded. Without a word in reply, Neiko turned her horse around and rode back slowly without a reply. Nathan got off Badger at the first market he saw. Vultures were now pecking at the feast that laid before them, Nathan ventured into a large courtyard with many different stalls.

10-Oct-2009 23:53:32 - Last edited on 11-Oct-2009 00:04:12 by Levente

Levente

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Each one selling something but with no sellers or buyers present. Nathan moved carefully through the mass murder, and placed whatever he needed into a large sack he found earlier. Clothes, horse grain, a few apples, along with jugs of undisturbed water. First he thought whoever did this might have poisoned it but why would they when it could dry up. After he finished what he needed to get, he gave a quick prayer to the dead and rode away without looking back. He rode in silence both in emotion and in spirit. He wished vengeance on those who killed the women, children and old but he could not finish it, for he did his share in life that he was not happy about. When he saw the campfire from a distance, due to the increasing darkness he also noticed horse tracks on the ground. But it was not one horse, but at least ten. Nathan looked at the fire, in horror!
Fast! Said Nathan to Badger, and he kicked off in a great motion. Off in the distance he saw six horses leading one familiar horse. He glared at the riders, but could not see them correctly with their clothes on them as well as the darkness. Nathan pulled out his crozier and rode hard towards them. They did not catch Nathan, until he rode up to one from the behind and slashed his back. The rider screamed and fell off the horse. The others looked in surprise and then saw they were being attacked. One was wielding a long spear, and charged at Nathan with it's aim on his chest, Nathan grabbed the spear at the last minute and pulled it causing the rider to fall to ground. Two rode next to him with long scimitars in hand and they swung at the same time, Nathan defected one but the other one got his arm. He killed the one on his left while the other one slowed down to try help his friend, but he was not quick enough. With the spear in one hand and croizer in other Nathan swung back the spear stabbing the rider behind him.

10-Oct-2009 23:59:31

Levente

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Nathan turned around and saw the other two riding away from Neiko who was screaming at them. Star was still paralyzed in fear, but she looked at the riders fleeing in anger. Nathan decided that he should relax Badger and not ride after the other two, so he directed Badger to go near Neiko. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, damn ugly species.” Neiko replied, thrusting her hair from her eyes. “We need to ride away from here, for they will surely get their friend. There is a river where we can lose them and our smell, come follow.” Neiko started to ride in a calm pace, but Nathan stopped and looked down on one of the riders he kicked. The one that fell from his horse, must have been trampled and was still breathing heavily. Nathan got off Badger and walked over to him.
The man was dressed in a small yellow tunic, with a odd shaped turban and a bandanna over his face. Nathan walked over to him, and stopped a few inches from him, he gave a short tap on his rib with his shoe to show that he was still here. Neiko noticed this, and moved the horse behind him, watching what Nathan was doing. “Why are you here?” asked Nathan, in a short direct voice.
The man merely looked at Nathan, and smiled. Though he was wearing a bandanna over his mouth, and his face was covered Nathan wanted to know the appearance of his opponent and so he removed it. The person's appearance greatly effected Nathan and he stumbled back an inch or two. The man that Nathan saw was not a man at all, but a ..
“Goblin!” Neiko shrieked, “I knew I was right. From the slaughter they did. Damn them, damn them to hell.” Nathan looked up and then told them to head to the river which was just south of them. The goblin was still breathing heavily, and his green distorted face was in a gruesome emotion.
“What happened at the town, goblin? Why were you sent here?” Nathan asked gently. He knew that maybe he could comply with the goblin for his life.

11-Oct-2009 00:00:09

Levente

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The goblin looked at him, furiously said “I slaughtered them, I slaughtered them. They will feel the crows pecking at their flesh, and soon you will join them.”
“Tell me, goblin and I will make your death quick.” The goblin, merely stared at Nathan and muttered under his breath. “Well I'd like my God to decide your fate and with this I say adieu.” With this Nathan pressed the crozier into the goblin's chest as it screamed in protest. Then he galloped away on Badger towards the river.
When Nathan finally found Neiko, he noticed that Star had placed small bells in the sand and he made sure that Badger did not step on them. When he approached the camp site, he noticed the same underlining camp that he had seen for the last three weeks, but there was one difference. Neiko pulled a short bow that lay near her side, though Nathan knew little of her abilities in the bow he knew that she is very talented. He galloped up to the camp, and got off of Badger. Star looked at him in surprise. “Next time Star, place them so I don't see them.” said Nathan, then he gave a wink towards her. Neiko wondered earlier what she was doing, but Star had explained. “So what happened?” asked Neiko, holding her shoulders. The chill of the desert night was starting to effect them all, with the sun blazing down on them at night, and shivering during the night. Star and Nathan will be very glad when they left the desert once ad for all.
“He gave me information I didn't want,” explained Nathan grimly. “I think it would be wise to leave this area, as soon as possible. He's friends might come back.” Neiko agreed. They rode down away from the town, following the river. But the river was different from what Nathan had seen in the past, the water was salty and it was more reddish than green. Nathan wondered about how it could flow in the desert like that.

11-Oct-2009 00:00:53

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