Notes: 1. things in parenthsis are in another language ... I couldn't use carrots because of the HTML :) 2. this story is written mainly in 1st-person narrative .. so be very careful to keep track of who is thinking and talking, as the perspective switches quickly between min and turick ...
There I was... minding my own business when this chick simply falls into my lap. Literally in the middle of the woods. Now, most guys would jump at this... well, my preferences don't lean towards women... Then she starts ranting in some foreign tongue... and she drags ME up!... And we're running... she's really creeping me out... this is just weird! All the while, the only thing running through my mind is, “god... should never have got outta bed this morning...” I tried to make her stop but she just kept jabbering like a lunatic!
"Hey do you mind?! I'd like to have NOTHING to do with you ya' freaky female!"
She skids to a stop... creepy just went up by two. She's glaring at me, and she grits her teeth .. this looks bad. "FREAKY FEMALE?" She goes off again... gibber jabber... and huh? English!
"I TRY TO SAVE LIFE!..."
"Save my life? hey you'd save me if you pointed me to the closest cute guy..." I said coldly placing my hand on my head. I feel a headache coming on... stupid women.... and people wonder why I'm act like this?
She looks so stupid... she's blinking like she didn't understand a word of what I said_GULP! She lifts me up by the collar... I can't breath well...
"Look-boy-boy KUR!... this is not your decision once you enter the forest!... you WILL survive!"
I just noticed... those ears on her head... those aren't just a headband... how... odd... GAH! And she pitched me on the ground... and there are arrows flying... WHAT THE HECK?!?!
I can't believe this silly boy... not only is he naive... he's gay!... God... I wish they had a bounty on their heads... might make up for the annoyance of this entire situation... Cause I'm pissed enough to rip them all a new one-SHIT! They're bolder then I thought... trying to barrage us with arrows... damn. Gotta get the kid outta here quick... what should I say? "Come with me if you want to live." Hopefully, an hand outstretched hand is a universal symbol?
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!!!!???" I ducked and ran as fast as I my god forsaken legs could carry me! Now, my luck is not the best in the world... but obviously it was worse then usual that day... I ran smack dab into a guy with a big sword and a bad face, my two worst turn offs.
“Idiot boy; running off. God. Well... one less pompous boy in the world, right?” I mutter.
But I know I'm not allowed to think like that here... Thock.
The arrow landed perfectly... to bad I missed the boy's head. I snicker happily... at least it's down one “bad guy”. This forest is so nice... alas, it will soon be soiled by blood... I backed up as the big ugly nearly fell on me and another slowly made its way to slice me up. "Well, come on big guy!" I teased him as he lunged at me. I leg-sweeped him and broke his neck in one sleek movement of my hand. "Sheesh... touchy."
Wow. My god. What a waste of talent. Hmm... guess he really didn't need my help .. er!
CHOCK.
Okay... well .. he certainly couldn't have dodged that arrow without my help... not that he'd even notice me chopping it in half... but still... peering down at him, the kid's got a few moves...
I nearly lost my cool when that arrow came towards me. Luckily that woman got it... I took a deep breath and got into a fighting stance. "Hope that annoying fart's teachings work..." I cracked my neck and ran at the nearest guy. “Hey. He's cute,” I thought as I basically tore his arm from his body. "Way too easy..." I said as I jumped at the next guy, an ugly cuss that was too far past the phrase for it to describe him. I could feel the wind, my body was in tune... well obviously not “in tune” enough... next thing I feel is an arrow stuck in my back and I'm on the ground with uglier than sin looking down at me with the most disgusting look on his face. Hey I'm not straight... but I ain't desperate!
Aw... all guts no glory... I guess I should stop swishing my tail like I'm enjoying this. Now, to save or not to save? I think a minute, but then... that look on his face kinda gets to me... ohh well... I draw the bow, and the guy's down, and arrow through his neck in a second... such a pity... about the forest spirit, that is...
I groaned as I lifted myself up and ripped the arrow out. I nearly flinched but I just breathed in. "Thanks... ugh... that's gonna leave a mark..." I felt the blood oozing down my back, covering my shirt, catching onto my pants. I didn't care. I got up and wiped what little sweat beaded on my forehead. Dark elves are strong. I was going to prove that to this woman, be I only 18 or 200 years old!
"That's the last of them I think..." I jumped down from the tree and looked around a bit. I was surprised as I looked how serious the wound really was... “I'm sorry I wasn't able to cut that last arrow...” She froze as she realized he had already pulled it out.
"You should have let me cut it out... it could have gone through your lung if you weren't careful..." GAH .. never get remorseful for strangers... though you'd learned that lesson, Minaiya?
"Feh... I don't care... it'll heal."
“If you live...”
I hefted myself up as I felt the wound move. Yeah right... it'll heal like a god damn bitch, it will. “I don't know which I'll die from... blood loss, stupidity or pride...?” I groaned and tried to feel exactly where the arrow hit. Oh lord... if it had gone an inch higher... I moaned as I felt the that hole was huge... at least a good inch and half wide.
"How about all you say?... Two of those are exactly what got you into the mess to begin! Stupidity and pride!" God... he's a freakin' tree... how can he stand there with a chunk out of his side like that?.... "I can take you to a doctor... there's a healer in our village..."
"I don't need any help from anyone..." I started to walk off as all of a sudden the ground started to whirl. Oh shit... I did it this time. I stumbled about two steps before I felt the ground slam into my face, hearing a sickeningly horrid crunch as I hit. Must have fallen like a ton of bricks... I thought as my head went hazy and the ground fazed out.
"So you brought in another one? Been a long time, Min..." She smiles at me... but her eyes are cold... I'm not sure out of sadness... or maybe... hmm... he seems awake at least... He looks pretty damn hot with his shirt off... makes you kinda forget how unreachable he is... in more ways then one...
I blinked and glared up at a ceiling... probably the last thing I wanted to see... "I thought..." I croaked out like a frog; my voice felt grainy.
"Thought what?" I asked casually as I sipped some of my tea. It'd been a long while since I'd been back... Li-Aunne always made good tea... well. She's a medicine woman after all...
"I thought I said I didn't need help..." I continued to glare at the ceiling, eyes half open. "Why didn't you leave me to die in the forest? I know it can't even possibly be because you're fond of me... and why is my shirt off?" I grumbled, not even hearing half of what I was saying...
"Your shirt is off for the same reason any man's would be if he had such a large hole in his side..." why do I ever just expect a “thank you”? "And I didn't leave you... because it is tradition... to never leave one behind that can be helped... it is the same tradition that made me try to save you in the first place." I'm kinda surprised I can keep my voice to calm... when he's being such an ass about still being alive. I take another sip of tea. "You might like some of this... it's rather good tea. I smile smugly.
My eye twitched spasmodically. "And here I thought everyone was like my race..." I turned my head to her voice, only partially seeing her. My eyes hadn't come into complete focus. "It's a tradition to leave those who are wounded to die on the battlefield... especially if they can't even keep conscious..." I knew I must have looked like I was glaring, I felt like I didn't have any control over my face my body was so tired.
Wow... he's not so cold after all...hmmm *sip*
"Oh!... But the beauty has a nice voice too... wow brought one in hot off the grill I see..." Lin makes that silly face at me... reminds me of last time...
“Knock it off Lin...” I say, a bit annoyed by her girly games.
I look off at the wall, thinking as I answer Turick, "Well..." hmm... this is the second time I've had to think so hard about a situation... "We can't kill you... that's absolutely against our ways... but... you ARE free to go when you choose. In the mean time, Lin, you should make him some of the extra-strong tea." I smile, and wink at her, and she just nods slightly. As she leaves to prepare it, I tell him, "It just helps you sleep... but it's also to help you get better..."
I just turned my head and closed my eyes, gritting my teeth at what was happening... "Do I kill myself because of pride? Or do I take this and live on? Well here's another thing to screw me..." I thought I was hearing myself talking in my head but obviously.... I was talking out loud. I raised a hand to my head, god did my hand really feel that heavy?
Hmm... maybe I should leave him alone to his thoughts... it's hard to keep my ears from perking at whatever he says... I'm still as nosy as ever, I guess... "Well .. Ill let you sleep on it... if you need any help, Li-Aunne is the medicine woman of our village... she'll give you all the help she can..." I stood up to open the door... no use crying over spilt milk...
"Great... I'll let you know when I can focus on something more then a foot from my face..." I said in my most sarcastic voice as I decided to sleep.
“(Are you leaving so soon again, Min?)”
“(Yeah... just came in to check on him...)”
“...” She's got that look, like she's gonna lecture me on my habits again... “(it's been peaceful... you can't possibly need to be on sentry so often as you have been...)”
I shook my head slightly, not even enough for anyone to notice. I heard snips of what they were saying. I couldn't understand for the life of me what they were saying.
Sigh... “(You know the reason well enough), Lia... you remember him”
“(Are you still so upset?)”
”I can't believe you're NOT...”
I moaned and I turned my head to them they were making such a racket. I thought I understood a little of what they were talking about.... just by their voices. I knew to keep my eyes closed so I could eavesdrop on them... sleeping guys know nothing...
“(leave my sister out of this, Min... stop using her a-)”
“HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?!”... I should cool it... she doesn't need this from me any more than I need it from her...
“(You saved me!)”
“It's not enough!”
“(Nothing will ever be...)”
“... (I'm leaving now...)”
I sat up quietly. I rubbed my side where that woman patched up my hole. Stings like a bitch. I got up with the pain in my side and decided that I was leaving... I could tell cat woman was doing the same... I know that phrase in any language... I grabbed my shirt; clean, of course... god they don't waste time messing with my things... I walked out of the room I was in and made my way past the two women. Of course, I didn't say a thing to them. Leave on a quiet note... be remembered only as “that guy who left”...
"HEY... your wounds are sti-" I put a hand to her shoulder, and just shake my head.
“(I told him he was free to leave...)”
I stopped as the medicine woman spoke. "Kirata..." I told her a word in my language that I don't usually say to most people... thank you... I walked on and through the village, into the woods. “Rejects are to live on their own, without help, destined to die...” I quoted an old saying my family use to use. God... I gotta find some entertainment...
“Kirata”... odd... it's a pretty word... but I wonder what it means...
“(How can you just let him go like that?)” God... Li-Aunne can squeal when she wants to...
“(It's his people's way)” I shrug... nothing more I can do...
"Ugh... I think I should have stayed a little longer..." I leaned against a tree and took a deep breath. "I might as well get to a town... might find some entertainment..." I glared out as I thought. Not that I'd find anyone nice enough to talk to me... damn racist bastards... I closed my eyes and my mind flashed back. Back to my past. Why does my head do this when I'm hurt? Beats me. I saw my self as a small child, beaten and running. I know what you're wondering, “why is he running?” Right? Well... I had a big fight with one too many of my brethren... yup... they were trying to kill me. Well. I could see and smell those bastards coming up. I got away by ducking into a cave.
I could feel myself shaking in real time... my mind pulled away from the past as I saw myself on the ground, shaking like a leaf, feeling the roughness of the bark against my hands... damn those heightened senses; I'm already scared outta my wits... I sat, looked back on my past. They found me... but they only beat me within an inch of my life... barely enough to hang on. Until that fart found me. He helped me, too, patched me up and taught me to fight.
I stood up and spat at the ground. "The past is the past... damn bastard is dead now..."
Curious, curious. My tail's swishing in interest, I can tell... It's just he's such a confusing person... I wonder if he'll even make it to town? I don't really care at this point if he can tell or not that I'm following him through the trees...
I held my sides in a bear hug as I felt the need to empty the contents of my stomach on the forest floor, another effect my “visions” give me … not only do they tend to scare me out of my wits, they make me sick to my stomach! I moaned and got up, and went into the bush to relieve my stomach before I made my way along an old forest path unsteadily.
He doesn't look well... it just gives me more reason to follow him until he reaches town I guess... but if he's in pain to the point of being delusional, why even leave at all?... He's confusing...
"Ugh... I don't even know if I can make it... god... Eughat! Eughat eughat eughat!" I cursed myself for being an idiot. I stopped again at a tree and leaned. "Pride, stupidity or blood loss..." I grumbled to the tree.
"A little of everything, kid .." I hear myself muttering... at least at this pace it's easy to keep the leaves from rustling to badly... but if he doesn't stop trying to push his injuries... hmm... I'm not sure I can keep my promise if he tries to fall down dead...
"If I remember right... a town shouldn't be far... but then again my sense of direction sucks..." I got up and cracked my neck, loosening the stiffness that had appeared all of a sudden. I walked on, grabbing hold of trees every now and then. I blinked in disbelief as I walked right into a hot spring. I screamed as it hit my wound, climbing out faster then you'd believe. I sat and held my wound, my eyes sealed shut from pain.
I leaned down out of the tree. I felt smug, but I tried to look serious. "Assistance?... want?... Glasses, maybe? You seem blind, you stumble much."
I panted, not answering the cat woman. The pain was all I worried about. I held my wound so tight I thought I'd rip a new one open.
He's serious... the kid must be hurting bad... oh well... I landed on the forest floor with a light tap, and I took in his expression a moment. "I will only ask once... Will-You-Let-Me-Help-You."
I looked at her, one eye still closed. ".... Why do you want to help an Eughat like me? I don't even know your name...." I moaned as my eyes unfocused. No... not now... aren't I being punished enough with this pain? And suddenly I found myself... looking AT myself... as I am now... oh god...
... they always ask the tough questions... "Because past must make right... and... because it is how we are..."
I could hear myself breathing... I saw a body... a mangled body... MY body... And suddenly it became clear WHY she was trying to help me... who WOULDN'T be moved to pity by something so pathetic?... Gods... I'm not going to let this beat me!
I ran till my feet couldn't run anymore... I fell to the ground, panting like a dog. I laid there just hearing my breath. I closed my eyes and slowed my breathing to the point no one could tell if I was living or dead... a talent I had learned early in my life... whenever I had to escaped my siblings.
I don't know why I follow... it seems my following keeps causing him more pain... I leaned against one of the trees I brushed through in frustration, letting out a little sigh. He reminded me so much of someone else at first, but I guess I realize now that he's completely different...
The loud clopping of hooves rang though the once peaceful forest. Three men accompanied a dark-haired woman as she urged her horse onward through the dense underbrush. They were on a misson. If the rumors were true, then it would be well worth it to investigate.
"He was last seen in this forest. SPREAD OUT! If you find him, sound that horn. Remember, he's in his late teens and I hope you all know what a dark elf looks like." She gave them their orders before riding off in a separate direction.
The raven-haired woman brought her horse to a stop as she entered a clearing in the forest. She blinked in surprised as she found a young man lying on the ground. She immediately jumped down and ran to his side, checking for any signs of life.
Well... there seems to be someone... he certainly isn't throwing her off... maybe now he'll accept some medical attention... if not from us... *sigh* I wonder who she is... she doesn't look anything like him...
The woman waved her hand over his body as small wisps of magic emanated from her; she laid her hands on his wound as the flesh curled together and sealed. "Turick... Turick F'arn... if you would stop using your dark elvin trick..." She whispered cloyingly as she lifted his head up to examine his face. She smiled a moment before kissing him.
My eyes snapped as I felt lips touch mine; not a sensation I'm used too. A girl, no-a woman was kissing me! I pulled away violently and rolled back to a crouching position, ready to run if necessary.
My ears drooped low below my hairline... I don't know why I should be so sad... except... oh! Guess I assumed much to soon... makes me wonder who this woman is... I crawled a little ways out on the branch, still under the cover of the dense leaves of the great oak... it's just... I want to know what's going on!
"Who the hell are you?!" I shouted at her as I wiped my mouth. We stood simultaneously as she began to speak.
"My name is Turesa. I've been sent to find you." She smiled passively as she walked closer to him, waving her hands slightly as the tiniest aura of magic was being cast. "I'm here to take you home..."
"Home?! They tried to kill me! I'm never going back there again..." I stepped backwards as she closed in, backing me against a tree. She pressed against me, as if she thought she looked appetizing to me!
Hmm... man... my ears are burning now... well... two can play this magic game... even if I shouldn't be playing in her league .. I might just catch her attention... Silently, I slip the arrow from the quiver, placing it along the bow. With this spell-well ... it just means I can't miss, okay? I think I'll aim just in front of her eyes. Is that a snicker from me?... I really am evil sometimes, hmm? FSSH. I let the arrow fly...
I froze as an arrow flew right between us. She looked away, towards the arrow's starting point. I, on the other hand, shoved her from me, turning her around and grabbing her in a head-hold. "Now. Tell me! Who the fucking hell are you?!"
"I am Turesa,” she coughed out, “I was sent to find you and bring you to your father..." She said as she felt his grip loosen, most likely from shock. She had figured that would freeze him up.
“My... f... father..." I couldn't believe it. My father? My mother said he died... how...? It's not that I let go her, more that she freed herself, as I was too busy thinking to do anything else...
Oh what a nice soap opera... sends my tail swishing... now, now, Minaiya... no need to be so acidic...
I shook my head. "You're lying, my father's been dead for years!" She started to laugh at me! I growled at her. "What's so funny?!"
"You poor idiot! Your father has been looking for you ever since your mother said your brothers killed you! The king would never believe such a thing from the queen of the dark Elvin scum!" She laughed as Turick's flushed like lava, the heat in his eyes matching his already. "Oh I'm sorry, I was sent to fetch, not to coddle-though... if you want me too..." She laughed at him, a wicked smile spreading across her lips.
I shook, my hands wanting to rip her throat out, but if what she said was true... grrr... “dark Elvin scum huh...”? I had to restrain myself.
Cool it Turick... you can trust her...
What the hell...? I'd never think like that... the bitch was probably trying to cast a spell on me...
She healed you... That's it... she's going to be hurt... no one fucks with my head!
I went to grab her, but she had a knife to my neck quicker then I could react to it.
"Now. No more Turick. I won't tolerate anymore of that. Now, come along and I won't hurt you..." She glowered at him as she pressed the knife to his throat. "And you will come along... No one out here would care about a stinking dark elf anyway!"
Hmm... she hasn't learned very quickly... it's never a good idea to ignore an arrow... or forget to see where it came from. I allow myself a smug little smile before I prepare to fire another arrow... I hope Turick forgives me for this close call... I look for a good, precise spot... that knife! It's perfect! At this angle, if I hit her hand, she won't be able to even grip it... here goes...
FSSSSHT! The arrow flies... and... DIRECT HIT! I stand, rather defensive, and, just the least bit smug. "Well..” I yell across the clearing, “Maybe, there is just ONE person who would care in this forest!"
She screamed and clutched her hand as turned her gaze towards the trees, glaring at the cat-woman. "Who are you then?" She held her hand tightly to try and control the pain. "Turick's BITCH?"
I slapped her then and there. "Don't even joke about that! I'm not even like that!" I hissed at her as I grabbed a clump of her hair. "Leave me alone... if my father hired a snake like you to come get me, FORGET IT! He can come find me HIMSELF!" I threw her to the ground. I felt really big now... yeah, right. I would have been taken already if it wasn't for her... note to self... find out her name after this....
I was about to say about the same thing... god... this is rather ironic... "Maybe you should watch where the arrows are coming from next time..." I hopped down from the tree... landing, well... “cat-like”... "And for information... 'am not 'bitch'...I am of four High guardians..."
She glowered as she got up from her knees. She walked quickly towards her horse climbing on it, amazingly, with one hand to guide the reigns. "Fine, Prince Turick... I'll tell your father. He won't be pleased..." She clicked her horse on and away from them.
Pfft! I spat at the ground she'd risen from, "Un-knowing KUR! Not knowing what 'guardian' is..." I glared as she left, muttering the rest of my “formalities”...
I turned to the cat woman. "Kirata... um... thanks..." I looked at the ground. "I don't even know your name, even then you saved my ass... twice or more... I've lost count." I sighed. "What's your name then, Guardian...?"
“Ahem” Cough. "I am one of the four High Guardians of our realm, our... er... 'Elaine'... I am Minaiya Saela ... the Eastern Guardian ..." Sigh. "And it is still our way... to help any who require it. All who enter the forest shall be protected by the forest, so long as they do not endanger another..." I smiled a little... possibly the first sincere time today... wow, the gay guy's growing on me... "Elaine is sacred territory... 'tis place of peace... umm .. what word? .. it is a 'sanctuary' ..." I blinked a few times at seeing his blank face. "You not know when you pass this way?... Wow."
"I'm... not from around here. I only came here about a week ago. Hadn't had any contact with anyone before you saved my ass." I felt like such a moron not know this area....
"Well... 'know now... do you wish to return... you seem well-healed... but you must be careful... the sulfur from the hot springs is still in your system... careful... not get sick..."
"I think it would be better if I stayed in the forest... away from others... if my father is like my mother.... I weep for you if you get in his way anymore then you have..." WEAK MAN! Gods! Here I am refusing an offer I'd love to take. "I'll be fine on my own. I'm not as weak as I seem..." I'm weaker...
"Come to us for any help... and be well..." I smile, feeling better knowing he isn't wounded... still. I ruffle his hair a little as I pass by. "The closest towns are west... there are some in each direction of the village... that is part of reason we have four guardians..."
"I see... kirata, Minaiya, kirata."
Just one more smile and nod, and I hop back into the trees... I must continue my watch... after all,
I am a guardian...
