|
Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 3:45:58 GMT -5
His head turned sharply to her, a sense of alarm in his eyes that quickly faded as he saw her. He then saw the recognition in her eyes, the shock and amazement. He frowned, turning his eyes to the ground. A long moment passed before he spoke, "I.. I don't know what I am." The blade Azunai had given him was still gripped in his right hand. He lifted it, turning it over in his hands then dropping it to the ground in slight disgust.
|
|
|
Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 3:59:25 GMT -5
She leaned forward carefully, pressing a palm to the ground for balance. She was hesitant to touch him but felt that he needed reassurance. “You are a mystery to me, Asher. But do not be ashamed of who you are. It is true that before, I was horrified what happened back there on the ice floes, even angry. But, I accept you now, Asher. You are all I have left. But even more, you are my friend and I care about you. You saved my life more than once. I cannot judge you harshly Asher. Not any more.”
|
|
|
Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 4:04:26 GMT -5
He shook his head as she spoke, everything that had befallen her and her tribe had in most part been his fault. He couldn't remember why he was even among them in the first place. "Your father, is he..?" He had glimpsed him in the shrine, but he was lost among the crowd.
|
|
|
Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 4:07:52 GMT -5
Amber shook her head. “As far as I know, my father remains with them. Asher, the look in his eyes… my father’s. He wanted to kill me, he truly wanted to kill me.” She shuddered. “I don’t know what they did, but it wounds me to think that he could be so overcome as to not care if I live or die.”
|
|
|
Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 4:20:10 GMT -5
He sighed, downcast, "What do we do now? Enemies surround us.. even the Gods seem to will us away." He seemed overcome with guilt, clenching his eyes, "I am sorry.. for everything."
|
|
|
Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 4:27:36 GMT -5
She grew silent, not knowing the answer to that question. They could not go back, they could not go forward. “Is there no place for us to go? No sanctuary to find happiness as we once knew?” Her heart fell at the question. “I led the tribe, and they followed. Was I so wrong? Did I make the wrong choice? I don’t know.” She sighed heavily. “Asher, it was my decision to come here, it was my choice to take our plea to the gods. You did nothing, you were simply an avatar of the gods, they were angry, not you. You did everything you could to help with this journey. After all, you have a connection. You are a shaman. Please do not burden you with the guilt that must be mine to bear.” Her eyes were shining with the tears she held back as she looked at him. “I am sorry you have to feel pain. Please, forgive yourself as I forgive you.”
|
|
|
Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 4:47:55 GMT -5
He shook his head again, anger starting to overcome the sadness. He stood, looking defiant, "I don't have any answers.. but let us leave this place. Whatever the method.. I am the cause of this, and I will find the root of this evil.." He broke a moment from his anger and turned to her, still on her knees. Reaching down he took her hands and pulled her gently to her feet, "This burden is not yours to bear alone.."
|
|
|
Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 4:53:26 GMT -5
His sudden anger shocked her, and her eyes grew wide as her mouth dropped open. She snapped it shut quickly. Let him think what he thinks, and she would keep her own thoughts, for it vexed them both to say it aloud. But still, she was glad that he was with her, no matter the reasons for it. She smiled at him as he helped her up. “But, the way back is closed to us. Is there another? Have you seen something?"
|
|
|
Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 5:15:26 GMT -5
He nodded, "When I was trapped outside I circled the island, I found a pass through my mountains. It will be hard to traverse.. but we can do it." With confidence he took a step in its direction, intent on going now. Pain leapt through his body as he did, he had forgotten about the hole in his side from the bolt. He stumbled and growled, looking down at the blood on his hands, "Damn this wound.."
|
|
|
Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 5:19:08 GMT -5
It wasn’t the best of places to wait out a wound, but she was willing to do anything so he did not feel pain. “Perhaps we should wait a while longer, until you are better.” Her hesitation and displeasure at this prospect was clear in her voice. She wanted to get away, far away from here. “What can I do to make you better?” She bit her lower lip, looking at him.
|
|
|
Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 5:34:46 GMT -5
He shook his head, "No.. we must go now. They will be searching for us by night.." He reached into one of his pouches and retrieved a light powder, spreading it gingerly over his wound. "This will help a little with the pain.. the rest I must endure." He nodded to her and started out through the forest, limping as he did.
|
|
|
Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 5:38:46 GMT -5
She nodded, it was just as well… She did not want to linger any longer than they had to either. Her eyes raised up to judge the time of day, an inkling of fear running down her spine. She walked hastily to catch up, even hurt he walked quickly. She matched stride with him, staying at his side. She wondered about his body, how it had healed itself of the less grievous wounds right before her eyes. How long then could he recover from this? A wound of this type may kill a lesser man. But it was Asher. Admiration passed over her eyes for him. She glanced away quickly. It was not polite to stare.
|
|
|
Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 6:00:11 GMT -5
As dusk hit, night came quickly. The forest grew pitch black, the faint moonlight only allowing the slightest of visibility. Asher had flown over this area during the day and noted its path, only his memory kept them moving forward. A rustling in the woods ahead caused Asher to drop to his knees, instinctively reaching back and grabbing Amber's hand. He attempted to peer into the darkness ahead, and through the trees he made out the faint form of a hooded man. The man carried no light to mask his presence. Still clutching her hand, Asher slowly crept forward carefully avoiding fallen twigs and dead leaves to avoid alerting the man. The hole in his side had already started to heal since was the bolt was removed, but his ability to fight was still diminished. He eyed the man as they slowly moved forward, he didn't appear to notice them though Asher swore he was staring right at him.
|
|
|
Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 6:04:59 GMT -5
She had grown quiet. For what her eyes could not see she listened, and was unabashedly jumpy at every strange noise. She picked her way carefully along the darkness, not wanting to trip and end up hurting herself. When Asher grabbed her hand she froze and looked at him. She could not see the man but she did hear rustling. She did her best to follow suit, extra careful where her feet landed. She had clasped her other hand to her mouth, as if even breathing aloud would alert the stranger to their presence.
|
|
|
Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 6:13:35 GMT -5
The cultist turned away from them, jabbing his sword through the bushes in an attempt to find any who might be hidden. Asher let out a sigh of relief, as long as they didn't make a sound they would be able to sneak by him without incident. A strange feeling suddenly hit Asher's gut, would the cultists really have gone out searching alone? He heard a soft sound behind them and just as he whirled around to look, something grabbed Amber, attempting to pull her away. Another pair of arms came at him from the darkness, lowering his head he hunched over and drove his shoulder forward in their direction. It was the cultists, three along with the one they had seen, they somehow had surrounded them in the darkness. Asher collided with his target, and the two fell to the ground in a tangle as he attempted to get away and help Amber.
|
|