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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 21:50:44 GMT -6
blackwolf
Registered Member
Posts: 52
(2/7/03 1:22 am)
There's A Tremblin' Goin' On (Part 2)
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I saw the tree coming towards us and in that split second I grabbed hold of Phalon and rolled us out of harms way. Just in time too. The tree came right where we had been laying. Some of the branches actually scratched my back through my tunic, but my thoughts soon turned from the blood running down my back to keeping Phalon and I safe from more falling trees. They were coming down right and left. From the way they were falling it seemed they were trying to hit us, which really didn't surprise me.
The shaking seemed to continue forever along with the dodgings of the trees. I stumbled to the edge of the clearing with Phalon right next to my side and literally through her into the clearing to get away from the trees. I however wasn't able to get out of the way in time and a branch from a tree overhead broke and fell, catching me on the head on the way down. I fell and blacked out.
I wasn't out long. When I awoke, the trembling had stopped. Phalon was leaning over me with her hands on my head. She had dirt on her face, and like me she was covered with little scratches from falling debris. Other than that she was unscathed. She sighed in relief when I opened my eyes. "I though you weren't going to come back to us."
I shook my head, then grimaced at the pain. I lifted my hand to my head. I felt blood running down the my the side of my face and neck and wanted to know the amount of damage. From how much blood was leaving my body and the amount of damage I felt with my fingers I silently agreed with Phalon's statement about not coming back. "Nah, it appears I'm too hard-headed to die right now. Besides, I would miss all the fun."
Phalon just shook her head and helped me to a sitting position. I looked to the clearing and felt a fear grip my heart. I saw Xendra staring at two figures. One I recognized as Gabby, and she was trying desperately to haul Zena from a newly created fissure. I tried to stand, knowing that if I could reach the pair I would be able to help, but I was in to much pain and before I'd walked two steps I was back on my knees. I tried to stand again, but Phalon held me down. "Look, you can't reach them. Not like this. You've been hurt badly. Besides, even if you could help them in your condition, you probably wouldn't reach them in time. Xendra is between us, and the distance is too far."
I looked defiantly at Phalon, and using all of my will-power rose to my feet. "I have to try." However, before I could command my feet to move, the earth started to groan and shake again. Not again, I thought as I was thrown once again to the ground. I looked up, expecting Xendra to once again be at the source of the problem, but she wasn't staying on her feet very well either, and I knew that something else was causing this. I watched in utter amazement as the earth seemed to grab Zena and Gabby and lift them to safety. A great rumbling occurred as if the earth was speaking to the two before it set them down next to Red, who had great wings wrapped around her. Then, the earthen hand grabbed Xendra, but this time it wasn't to help. The shakings grew more agitated, and I could feel the anger in the ground beneath me. More speaking seemed to occur, though this time it seemed more like thunder than before. Xendra was then dropped to the ground. The hand moved back into the earth from which it had come from, and the earth was once again back to normal. I looked to where Xendra lay, thinking that she might be dead, but my eyes picked out her breathing.
Phalon and I looked at each other incredously at the recent happenings. I went into the link though I felt like my head was going to explode. "Montara, what was that all about?"
"That, pet, was Mother. Mother earth, that is. She was not happy to be awakened from her slumber so violently and so unwillingly. The first rumblings you heard were her comforting Zena and Gabby as she lifted them to safety, and the thunder you heard was her reprimanding Xendra. It's not a smart thing to upset Mother, and Xendra should be thankful she's alive. She has now found she has a limit to her power, which hopefully will work in our favor. Maybe she'll use it more sparingly now."
I nodded my head in agreement and then broke off contact. I don't know quite how I did this since I'd never really done it before. There were times when I didn't talk to Montara but he was always there and always had access to my thoughts. This time though I closed off my entire mind to him. I didn't do it to be mean or anything. I actually did it quite unintentionally, something with my growing powers I suspected. No, I closed contact because the pain was just to great. Montara seemed to understand because he didn't object at all. I was sure that no matter how strong I was to become, Montara would be able to pull down any defenses that I put up.
I turned to Phalon and asked "Well, I think that might change plans a little bit. Do you think we should head back to the others now to regroup and maybe think up a new plan. Xendra has had quite an upset just now, and I'm thinking she might wait a little while before her next attack."
Phalon nodded her head and helped me to my feet. I tried to walk as much as I could, but Phalon ended up pretty much supporting me all on her own as we headed back to the forest to go around the clearing. Even though Xendra was out at the moment, we didn't want to take any chances. We stumbled our way through the debris, and more than once I stumbled upon a fallen limb and would have fallen if not for Phalon's aid. When we finally reached the group, Phalon was panting and stumbling quite a bit herself while I was on the point of blacking out again. I did manage to work up a smile for the others and said "Well, wasn't that fun. Anybody up for round three?"
"To fight for what you believe in and to never give up is to have the heart of a wolf."
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:09:17 GMT -6
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 652
(2/10/03 12:07 pm)
Re: There's A Tremblin' Goin' On (Part 2)
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Xendra stood there bemused at Zena's and Gabbys attempt to move toward her until she saw the ground separate before them leaving Zena hanging over a deadly preface and Lil Gabby holding on to Zena with all her might.
Something about the exchange between them moved Xendra rather than aggravating an already agaited Xendra.Xendra stepped a little closer.. to do what she wasn't quite sure..save them, kill them or watch them slip and die?
Xendra was feeling conflicted as she leaned over the edge ..Xendra paused she could hear faint cries from Puella growing stronger...xendra..Xendra XENDRA!The sound of Puella's voice resonated within Xendra.the voice's calling stirred Xendra to action...
Xendra was about to to reach forth her hand when a gray grisly hand reached up from the earth and deftly rescued Zena and lil Gabby.
Xendra immediately recognized who the hand belonged to.. none other than the Goddess Mother Earth...Xendra smiled for now she knew the Gods were aware of what was going on and were becoming actively involved.
The goddess of Earth took Xendra within her grasp- with intent to extinguish her life force. As she violenly shook Xendra, Xendra said not a word, she did not plea for her life or threaten new action. Xendra simply accepted whatever brutallity mother Earth could dish out.
As Mother Earth was about to finish her off- she sensed something hidden far beneath..she saw visions of Xendra planning to save the Amazons rather than destroy them,writting letters,making deals for them to be spared and even tryiing to spill her own blood.
Mother Earth stood their wilth Xendra's life force draining. Could she trusts these visions and senses- could they be a devious plan deviseed by th evil one?
Xendra's body was surrendering to the force all Xendra could do was gaze blankly at the Goddess and think by the time the sun sets on this day our fates will be sealed and revealed!
Mother Earth heard Xendra's thought about them all knowing their fate ..she lessened her grip slightly..the Fates..she had had many dealings with the Fates..all too often they would put a chain of events in motion for their own amusement...mother knew now that it was the fates who had deemed for the parchment and the scrolls to never reach their intended destination.
Mother let Xendra out of her deadly grasp and whispered to xendra as she slumped to the ground.."I do not know if you are able to continue with the plan that lies deep within.I am willing to take that chance because I sense within you still is the loving caring person who willingly sacrificed herself.I know I risk much as I offer to give you domion over the animals of the land, and the birds of the sky..I know you will cause great wreckage and carnage.. but I also believe you will eventually listen to them and you will learn much.
I will try to undo some of the damage and have your writtings read.. with that the earth opened once more but in a peaceful manner to receive its protector and Goddess.
Xendra laid sprawled out motionless and almost without breath- her lungs burned in agony- her appendages were bruised and achy- her legs laid numb and cold-surely death would come and swallow her whole.
Instead Evil hissed her name and told her to rise and to vanquish the Amazons.Xendra cried out in sheer agony "I cannot..I cannot even move!"
"Evil hissed and stood Xendra upright-there she stood in excruitaing pain.."You will do my bidding!Nothing can stop us now- not even the Goddess of Earth could kill you!!!!You are My warrior! You are invincible!""
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 2/10/03 12:16:27 pm
Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 539
(2/11/03 9:08 pm)
Mother Earth
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How strange the world had become. The gods and goddesses that were only little clay figures on a shelf were coming to life before their eyes. The legends that Zena thought were child’s stories were true after all and mankind was destined to live in a constant struggle to appease unknown deities. “This is not the way to finish our lives”, Zena thought. “This is not the life I want for Gabby. What DO I want for Gabby?” Thoughtfully she turned to face her daughter, moving from beside her to holding her at arm’s length from her. Red watched with her head cocked to one side, unable to understand the language but reading the emotions accurately.
“Here it comes. You are going to give me the ‘I gave you an order speech’” Gabby thought.
Zena held her by her upper arms and looked into her face with a tenderness she usually reserved for only Evergreen. “Thank you.”
“What?” Gabby was stunned.
“I said, ‘Thank You’. You saved my life.” She moved her hands up to the girl’s cheeks and gently tilted her head down toward her. Very gently she kissed her daughter’s hair and then wrapped her arms around her, pulling her in to her ragged, bloodstained tunic. “Gabby you are not a child of my blood. You came to the Amazons as I did because everything was lost to you. Here you built a new family. You are of other blood but you have the heart of an Amazon and I am proud that you call me Mother.” Overwhelmed Gabby tightened her grip aound Zena’s waist and in the peace that sometimes comes between battles that held on to each other.
Over Gabby’s head Zena could see Xendra on the ground, broken and bleeding. She remembered Xendra’s devotion to her daughters and how deeply she had mourned for them. Xendra must also still have an Amazon heart.
Zena pushed Gabby back and reached for the Helmet of Hades which was hanging from a strap around her neck, grasping it by both sides. As if she were crowning a princess she placed it on her daughter’s head and smiled as she vanished. “I won’t tell you what to do next. You will know. You are an Amazon."
She glanced over her shoulder at the tall warrior behind her. “Red. I’m going to try again.” Without anymore acknowledgement of Gabby she crouched low and began an advance toward Xendra over the flattened grass. She grasped the Sword of Artemis and let it’s power give her courage.
Edited by: Zena 1 at: 2/11/03 8:09:45 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:10:59 GMT -6
phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 924
(2/12/03 10:23 pm)
An Amazing Force
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Phalon sat BlackWolf down and leaned her against a tree while she tended to the wound on her head. It was a nasty cut and again Phalon lamented the loss of her pouch full of herbs and healing powders. She’d have to make do with what she had on hand, which wasn’t much.
“Thanks, Phalon, for dragging me out of there. I don’t think I could have made it on my own. I know it must have tired you.”
“Hhmm”, Phalon replied as she cleansed the wound. Yes, BlackWolf, it was tiring, she thought to herself, but not it the way you think. It was the physical contact that had tired her, had always tired her whenever visions or dreamscapes came from contact with others. Images of a black wolf staring at her from across a stream, running beside her to guide her to a seaside village, the place where this adventure began. Her first encounter with Montara. He spoke to her while she helped BlackWolf back to the circle of friends, blocking out his sister so that she could not hear his thoughts.
“She does not know the full potential of power that she holds, Phalon”, Montara said. Phalon tried to reply to him with her mind. She could not. This was to be a one-sided conversation.
“We are two separate minds together in one body”, he continued. “We are stronger, working in unison. We share a bond that is inseparable. Part of me fears losing that. But as she grows stronger, uses more of the strengths of what she is capable of, the lines between us grow more fuzzy. Each time she discovers something new, part of me melds into her, and our separateness blurs. She is becoming aware of the power she holds so quickly that I’m afraid I will be completely gone before she learns all she needs to know from me. And there is still so much she needs to learn before I completely fade away.
BlackWolf is a strong warrior, and an even more strong willed woman. I am afraid that after I, Montara, no longer exist, that she, heady with all her new found power, will think she is invincible. That is not the case. A wolf can be killed just as easily as a human can.
Watch over her, you and your group of friends. Try to curb her impetuousness when you can, and teach her patience. Patience is just as important as physical strength sometimes. She needs to learn that. Your friends and you can teach her that. Together, you are all an amazing force.”
Phalon and BlackWolf stumbled on a fallen limb at that point and the connection with Montara was lost. Phalon tried to get it back, but was unable. She had sensed that there was something Montara was keeping from her, and from BlackWolf as well.
Phalon now took the scarf that held back her hair and wound it around BlackWolf’s head, using it as a bandage. “There”, she said, “Finished.” She smiled at her handiwork. The swirling colors in the scarf, the blues as deep as the sea, the bright yellow of buttercups, orange of the mid-day sun, cardinal red, and green of meadow grass in springtime, contrasted sharply with the black leather that BlackWolf wore. “Looks like some of your color is returning now”, Phalon said, amused.
“Huh?” BlackWolf replied, still a little dazed from the blow.
“I said you should be fine soon”, Phalon said, getting up. She turned to see Zena leaving Gabby and head out alone away from the group. Phalon watched her for a moment, studying the purposefulness in Zena’s gait, the determination in the way her shoulders were set, and the steadfast, unwavering direction she took towards Xendra.
Phalon followed. She could hear the others join in behind her. Zena heard the noise and stopped. “Let me try and talk to her while she’s down”, Zena said. “Perhaps she’ll be weakened and I can get through to her. There is no sense in having her take all of us out at once.”
“No”, Phalon said. She borrowed Montara’s words. “Together we are an amazing force”, she said. “We do this in unison.”
Zena felt Gabbyfan’s presence next to her. She turned towards her daughter. “Gabby…”
“Together, Mother. We do it as One.”
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 118
(2/14/03 2:27 am)
Forest of Sorrows
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The priestess watched Zena stalk toward Xendra and sent a thought to her ravens, *This isn’t working. We’re fighting the woman, when we should be fighting the evil.*
*I fear you are right, Sister,* Warrior said, flying tight circles around the battle field.
*Somehow we need to gain control over that which rides Xendra,* spoke Widow.
*Are you proposing to take its name?* asked Witch, disbelief clear in her voice.
*It would seem to be the answer, Sisters,* Bhen Rudha answered softly. *It is one way we know for certain that we have a chance.*
Witch landed on the priestess’ shoulder, head bowed. After a long silence the raven said, *You know what you ask?*
She lifted a hand to gently touch the sleek feathers, *Of course . . . and we shall wage our battle together. Always together.*
*Always,* came the joint reply.
With a soft smile on her lips, Bhen Rudha turned her attention to the invisible Amazon she could still feel watching her. “Be followin’ yer máthair, Gabby. Be needin’ e’eryone fer wha’ be ta follow, aye?”
“How do you know?” asked the disembodied voice.
“Ta be fightin’ e’il, nae Xendra, we be stronger tagether.” On sudden instinct, she reached for the young woman’s arm, finding it after a short moment. The shock of connection was less, but there all the same, delivering images of Spring, sweet and new after the bitterness of winter. A new trickle of energy flowed through her and the priestess sighed softly. Patting Gabby’s arm comfortingly, she motioned toward the battlefield, “Be findin’ yer máthair quick nae.”
“What’s a may-hair?”
At the question, Bhen Rudha chuckled softly, “Be Zena, yer mum.”
“Oh, okay Red, I’ll go find her. What are you going to do?”
“Be armin’ meself fer war. Dinnae worry o’er me, aye?”
She could hear the grin in the light voice as Gabby answered, “Aye.” Footsteps in the grass were the only thing that gave the young Amazon away as she followed her mother.
Certain that Gabby was on her way, Bhen Rudha pushed herself upright and took a deep breath. The winds she still held within her strained against their bonds, always wanting freedom. She could feel the thin tendrils of connection that stretched between the group and took comfort from their strength.
*I should like to have a sword in my hand again for this,* the priestess mused as Witch launched herself in the air. *I have a feeling that there is going to be a fight before the end.*
Cheerful even in the face of what was planned, Warrior cut in, *Then perhaps there is something in the forest you should see. I can lead the way.*
Forcing her body to obey, Bhen Rudha staggered the first few steps, before her legs remembered what it was they were supposed to do. Soon enough she was loping quickly through the forest, guided by the crimson-eyed raven’s vision.
It was not long before she found that the sword embedded in a tree trunk, still faintly quivering from the earthquakes. The priestess stood watching it for a long moment before she carefully curled her fingers around the handle. A faint whiff of pine gave away the previous owner’s identity, and Bhen Rudha knew that this weapon would serve her well.
She slid the weapon from the trunk, murmuring a thank you to the old tree spirit, for holding the sword so safely. After a few experimental swings, she was satisfied that she would be able to do justice to the blade, wielding it with strength and grace.
Knowing that she could stall no longer, the priestess moved back through the forest towards the battle ground. She sent her mind out among her ravens, and from Witch she only found a sad resignation. She was unwilling to remain silent, and so said, *Sister, we will live through this together.*
*I hear you . . . Lady make it so,* said the amber-eyed raven as she flew high above the earth in the clear, cold air.
*Lady let it be so,* echoed Bhen Rudha as she entered the battlefield clearing. Her resolve set, she strode quickly toward Xendra, hoping the others would distract her enough to do what needed ben done.
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:12:49 GMT -6
Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 548
(2/14/03 1:07 pm)
Stuck in the Middle
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The grass was brittle and dry underfoot and made little crispy sounds as Zena inched her way forward to the crumpled heap that was Xendra. She had gone a few yards when she felt a presence behind her and turning, found herself accompanied by Phalon and Black Wolf. The dents in the grass signaled that Gabby was there too.
They exchanged a few short words and it became clear to Zena that they had all resolved to move with her, tied together by this bond they were only beginning to understand. “Together, maithair. We do it as One”, Gabby said firmly. “A foreign language. Good for her” Zena thought as a little grin crept to the corners of her mouth. “It’s good to be together."
Still, they were not all present, and she visually scanned the woods hoping for a glimpse of Evergreen. She had gone to find Leara before the quaking and neither had returned. Puella too remained among the missing. But now was the time to move and even though they were not at full strength the opportunity had to be seized. They grasped hands, amused that they could feel but not see Gabby and with a nod to each other turned again to the task of redeeming Xendra.
They crossed the meadow, now uncomfortably hot in the midday sun, and as silently as possible they formed a ring around the inert form lying crumpled on the grass.
Zena bent low near her head and Phalon murmured, “Carefully, Zena....”
“Xendra, it’s me. It’s Zena. Can you hear me? Do you know who I am?” There was silence around the group and it contained them like a great tent. Xendra did not speak but slowly the air filled with the sound of insect buzzing rising in the heat.
“Xendra, we are all beside you. We want to help you.” Black Wolf spoke in a deep, calming tone. Still there was no movement.
“Maybe she’s dead.” Gabby whispered from nowhere.
Suddenly they heard the stamp of boots moving quickly over the dry field toward them, the insects fell silent and Phalon, startled, saw the priestess running at them with Evergreen’s sword in her hand. Red swung it above above her head cutting through the air with a whooshing noise and moving with a purposeful stride directly toward the group. Zena had crouched to speak to Xendra and was not facing the warrior, but looking up she could see in her friends' faces that something frightening was unfolding from a different source.
Edited by: Zena 1 at: 2/18/03 11:49:55 am
EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 176
(2/16/03 11:31 pm)
Putting Out the Fire
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Suddenly they heard the stamp of boots moving quickly over the dry field toward them, the insects fell silent and Phalon, startled, saw the priestess running at them with Evergreen’s sword in her hand. Red swung it above her head cutting through the air with a whooshing noise and moved with a purposeful stride directly toward the group. Zena had crouched to speak to Xendra and was not facing the warrior, but looking up she could see in her friends faces that something frightening was unfolding from an different source.
It became horrendously apparent that Red was ready to strike a mortal blow to the earthly vessel that held Xendra. But as quickly as the blade was raised in the air two hands snapped forth and gripped the forearm of the woman with fire in her eyes.
“I think you have something that belongs to me.” Dark eyes the color of moonless nights locked on Red. “There won’t be any killing with my sword this day. Put it down or your Ravens will be looking for another to speak to before the sun sets.”
The Red woman stared back with fire in her heart. A burning fire that Evergreen truly understood, and wished that she could extinguish the smoldering hurt that resided in this woman’s soul. Maybe in another time and place they could be friends. But not here. Not today. Or so it seemed.
Ravens with flashing eyes flew to a branch and cawed a message that only Red could discern. With clarity, Evergreen knew she was no match for the powers under this woman’s control. But at least if the Red woman called upon her guardians for power to strike down the challenging warrior, Evergreen could barter her last moments for time given to Zena and the others to move Xendra to safety. Time to reach that which was once good in the broken woman lying on the ground.
The small warrior loved them all and would quickly sacrifice her life in exchange for anyone of them-even the one that had caused so much pain and destruction. Redemption was the key and Evergreen believed with all her essence that Xendra could be reached by love. The sword was not the way. Not this time. Not on this friend. To do so would be what evil wanted. Evil would win and the Amazons would willingly hand it a great victory. To kill Xendra would be to kill them all. That which bound them would be forsaken for all time.
Red pushed Evergreen forward, but strong hands would not relinquish their hold.
“No Red…please…put it down…please. It’s okay…please.” Dark eyes locked with green and searched for the woman inside who had known hurt by harsh and unkind hands.
Slowly the sword began to lower. Evergreen felt the Red woman release the power of hate. The small warrior moved one hand from the hold on the Red woman’s wrist, and with her palm, touched the side of her face. ”Please,Red…now…put it down.”
And without breaking the connection of eyes, each searching the depth of wounded spirits, Evergreen and the Red Woman,together, slowly lowered the sword and quietly laid it upon the ground.
"It is What it Is"
Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 2/17/03 12:51:20 pm
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 657
(2/17/03 8:38 pm)
Evil regrouping
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Xendra laid there in a crumpled heap her thoughts were not her own..Evil tried to raise her to get her to continue her conquest but Xendra had no fight left in her not for Eviil and not for good - she was drained.. devoid of feeling anything but pain.
Xendra's tattoos burned and glowed with new vigor her mind tried in vain to remember the days before the pact with the Evil one but at best only snippets- just mere glimpses of memories of a letter, a staff and of course quick visions of Puella... but even this could not drown out the voices of evil.
The evil forces buzzed with a new fierceness, they were trying desperately to regroup within Xendra but were not having much success.
Xendra, the real Xendra was trying to fight her way back...
The Evil one carefully studied Xendra and then observed the the band of Amazons and was particularly interested in the strange one known as Red...
Evil pondered.. ahh Red.. yes..she seemed a likely candiate.... definitely seemd like she'd be a good vessel to enter into .
Perhaps this young strong and unyielding woman with an unquenchable bloodlust would do what Xendra could not...
In mere moments it was decided ...if Xendra could not or would not fight she would have to perish, the fiery red head's blood lust would be used to kill off Xendra and gain Red's powers in the process!
Either way Evil figured it would have a powerful ally ...
All eyes seen and unseen watched as Red nearly sucumbed to Evil... as her base nature told her eraticating the earthly vessel of Xendra would end their problems.
Red using her brute force pushed through, sure of her duty she raised the sword to slay Xendra. Xendra did not move neither the evil nor the good in her would allow movement-all she could do was wait.
Xendra could see all the forces gathered the seen and the unseen. The little band was now encompassed by demons and minons of every shape size and dimension both imagineable and unimagineable. Legions upon legions stood with weapons of every type just awaiting orders.
Xendra slightly lifted her head out of the corner of her eye she saw a glimpse of the Gods..their expressions ranged from horrified, to bemusent and even boredom.
Xendra collapsed back to the ground but as she did she saw footsteps being made by a unseen body and the familar outline of Evergreen coming in to view. What did this mean?
The buzzing in Xendra's head got louder she could not concentrate - she could not make out the spoken words all she could make out was the visual image of Evergreen grabbing the axe that the strange warrior was wielding towards Xendra.
Evil began hissing it's lies.. "Evergreen is only stopping her so she can have the satisfaction of killing you herself .Go ahead order your troops we can end this here and now! You can destroy them! Start with the one who took your power.. the one who just tried to kill you!"
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 3/3/03 9:56:07 am
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:14:03 GMT -6
Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 560
(2/18/03 8:53 pm)
What?? ?? !!!
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Phalon’s eyes widened as Zena watched her and so she turned her attention to the sounds behind them. The pounding of running boots doubled and then stopped a few yards behind her. In one fluid movement Zena unsheathed the Sword of Artemis, leaped to her feet in a 180 degree turn and sprinted toward the two figures facing each other at an impasse. Standing over them she was unsure of what was taking place. Instinctively she moved slightly to stand with Evergreen, flicking the tip of the fire in ice sword nearer to Red.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Zena spoke in a low and measured tone. The atmosphere between the two crouched at her feet was crackling with tension and she sensed that speaking too loudly could set off a reaction that might be impossible to quell. The three were locked into a tableau as Zena waited for one of them to break the silence with an explanation.
Edited by: Zena 1 at: 2/18/03 8:01:55 pm
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 120
(2/20/03 3:07 am)
Evergreen's Weapon
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As Bhen Rudha walked toward those around Xendra she swung Evergreen's sword in lazy circles, making herself familiar with the weight and movement of the weapon. There was a flutter in her stomach and the crimson haze tinted the edges of her vision again as she moved with purposeful strides. She would end this, come fire or floodwater. In the air above her, the priestess could feel her sisters, gathering their strength for the battle to come.
So intent she was on her goal, that Evergreen's solid grip on her sword arm came as a complete surprise.
"I think you have something that belongs to me," the warrior said, gazing fearlessly up into the priestess' amber-green eyes. "There won't be any killing with my sword this day. Put it down or your Ravens will be looking for another to speak to before the sun sets."
The threat did not sit well, and she was about to answer, but the words died as she saw Evil for the first time. It stared out of Xendra's eyes . . . and coveted her. She was reduced to property under that gaze, and her hand ached where the mirror shard wound was still healing.
She wanted to bring the sword down between those eyes, end it and be free. Instead, strong hands held her at bay, and dark, dark eyes demanded another way. Her ravens lit on a tree branch, filling the air with their displeasure, unable to reach the mind of the priestess.
"No Red . . . please . . . put it down . . . please. It's okay . . . please," Evergreen spoke again, the words nearly a jumble of nonsense as blood thunder filled her ears.
Darkness brushed against Bhen Rudha's thoughts, tasted hatred and fear and thought it sweet. Xendra's weakness soon forgotten, it seemed to dance around the tall woman, trying to tease its way inside. It found the edges of the crimson haze and shrank back into the storm winds still held so carefully in check. Laughing, Evil settled itself within the priestess, content to wait for the moment when the will weakened, and corruption was possible.
From far away the priestess heard the pleas of her raven sisters and the soft words of an Amazon warrior. She floundered within herself, trying to sort out what she needed to do. The burning edge of the battle madness beckoned, and the winds strained at the bonds of her will. And now there was a new chill inside her, coiled and silent. She knew it was the same thing that leered at her out of Xendra's eyes.
The cold realization of the situation and her Goddess-sworn duty snapped her back to her center. She dragged in an easier breath and felt a sword-calloused hand touch her cheek gently. "Please, Red . . . now . . . put it down," Evergreen said, and Bhen Rudha found herself staring intently into moonless night eyes. There was understanding there, and knowledge of soul wounds. The connection rewove itself between them in that moment, and they slowly lowered the sword and quietly laid it upon the ground.
Edited by: BhenRudha at: 3/16/03 7:13:31 pm
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 121
(2/21/03 3:00 am)
Bhen Rudha's Weapon
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“What is it? What’s wrong?” Zena spoke in a low and measured tone.
The weight of all eyes was upon Bhen Rudha as she straightened. Evergreen kept her hand curled around the priestess’ wrist, though the grip had loosened. Zena held the sword of Artemis easily, ready to protect her friend should the wrong move be made. Tension snapped through the clearing and it was a moment before anything else was said.
“Maith do mé, le do thoil,” she said to the friends before her. When they blinked in confusion, she repeated, this time in Greek, “Be forgi’in’ me, please? Be nay meanin’ ta be threatenin’ ye.”
In her mind, she send a similar message to her sisters. Their reply was immediate and unanimous, *Always Sister.* Relief flooded her, and felt herself able to continue. She held out a hand to Zena, palm up and empty. Searching the deep hazel eyes, she said, “Be needin’ yer help.”
Evergreen narrowed her eyes and shook her head slightly, answering before Zena could, “That’s it? Sorry I scared you, now I need your help?”
With a heavy sigh, the priestess turned to the shorter warrior, answering, “I be nae after killin’ Xendra in tha first place. I be needin’ her ta be findin’ somethin’ tha’ be belongin’ ta tha E’il possessin’ her, aye?”
The two women shook their heads, confused by the awkward way Bhen Rudha spoke. With a growl of impatience, the priestess turned her head, looking for something. Her amber-green eyes fell on Blackwolf, and she frowned in concentration.
Blackwolf gasped in surprise when she heard lilting Gaelige, that she understood, in her mind. Confused, she reached for Montara, needing to know if she was under attack. His dry chuckle reassured her immediately, and so spoke loud enough for the group to hear, “She needs to find the name of Evil, so that she can banish it from our world. To gather such a powerful name, she will need all of our help, tapping even the artifacts that some of us carry.”
*Forgive my intrusion, wolf-sister, but I fear that we do not have the time for me to muddle through the words aloud,* Bhen Rudha said once her message had been delivered through Blackwolf’s mouth. She bowed to the woman, a sign of respect and no small amount of regret.
*I want to know more of this,* came Blackwolf’s slow, yet clear, reply.
*Should we live through this, it would be my honor to teach you,* the priestess said. Evergreen’s hand tightened on her wrist, bringing her attention back. Dark and hazel eyes peered closely at her, uncertainty clear on their faces.
“Red, are you mad?” Phalon spoke up, frowning and shaking her head.
“Be tha way,” was her simple answer.
Witch launched herself from their branch, landing upon the priestess’ shoulder easily. The raven pressed her face into Bhen Rudha’s, a shiver passing through her small frame. Amber-green eyes turned pleading. “Be beggin’ ye . . . be nay time,” the priestess said as simply as possible, “Be after helpin’ me, aye?”
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:15:20 GMT -6
EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 177
(2/21/03 11:34 pm)
Trust or Trickery
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Evergreen narrowed her eyes and shook her head slightly, answering before Zena could, “That’s it? Sorry I scared you, now I need your help?”
Emotions such as a tumbling waterfall from a great cliff churned inside the challenging warrior. Every instinctual cue told the small Amazon that Bhen Rhuda was not to be trusted. She was a stranger from a far land speaking words that fell out in a confusing mix of unintelligible phrases and which exasperated the ears of the band of women that knew only of the Greek tongue.
How strange a sight, and what difficulty fell on Evergreen in fathoming a woman who conversed with Ravens and drew powers from the three who seemed no more than common birds who flew the cerulean blue sky above as all other winged creatures. But they, indeed, as the woman, were like no others.
A look of cognizance fell over Blackwolf’s cunning face as if the words spoken by the Red Woman were as familiar as those spoken by her sisters as they sat around campfires in the days of peace sharing stories of the great Amazon war with the Romans.
“She needs to find the name of Evil, so that she can banish it from our world." Blackwolf articulated the strange dialect of Bhen Rhuda with confidence in the message as being without falsehoods
Perhaps this was at the heart of Evergreen’s lack of discernment in fleshing out the true motives of the stranger whose arm was now securely held in an indecisive grip. To hold tight or to let go was the disconcerting choice, and Evergreen pondered the consequences of either decision. But time to think on matters of trust and trickery was not a luxury the situation at hand could well afford.
“Red, are you mad?” Phalon spoke up, frowning and shaking her head.
“Be tha way,” was her simple answer.
Red's admonition was something the conjoined women, standing bloodied boot to boot such as two wild animals sparing for territorial dominance, could agree upon. Mad as possessed by Furies she likely could be, silently was Evergreen’s reply to Phalon’s question.
A sleek Raven with feathers as black as bubbling boiled oil, launched herself with from a branch, landing upon the Red woman’s shoulder easily. The raven pressed her face into Bhen Rudha’s, and a visable shiver did not go without Evergreen’s notice as it passed through the woman’s small frame.
Evergreen broke the soul searching eye lock with the Red Woman and ever so slightly turned to Zena standing as always by her side at the ready to defend her friend. Tension between the three women vibrated in the air as did Zena’s sword that zinged in anticipation of a mortal strike.
The two friends exchanged a message with that simple glance that needed no words for understanding. Zena returned her sword to its sheath and stood down knowing that there would be no battle among the two opponents who desired the same end to the evil that filled Xendra.
Blackwolf again spoke the truth of Bhen Rudha.
“She will need all of our help, tapping even the artifacts that some of us carry.”
Evergreen eyed the Red Woman searching for the good and the right thing to do. She loosened her grasp that was only held as the woman gave permission for it to be so, bent buckskin covered knees, and with a free hand, slowly retrieved the gleeming blade given to her as a gift by the gods for protection as she made her journey back to her home with the Amazons.
To the astonishment of the band of sister warriors, Evergreen released her white knuckled hold, opened the Red Woman's hand and placed the sword squarely in the palm of the one she had only moments ago contemplated sending as a challenging gift to Hades himself. Calloused hands closed the fingers of the stranger around the grip while the small warrior looked deep into eyes that held powerful secrets. Evergreen then turned walking softly to rejoin the others where she had always belonged.
“Take it if that is what you need. I give it to you, Bhen Rudha, but hear my words friend, it will come with a price if it is lifted against any of these you see beside me.”
Zena smiled and knew no truer words were spoken.
"It is What it Is"
Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 2/23/03 7:37:05 pm
blackwolf
Registered Member
Posts: 61
(2/22/03 3:47 am)
Communication
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The pain from my head wound had subsided to a dull throb as we headed out to see to Xendra. I didn't really know what to expect when we got there, so I had all my senses on high alert. I had reforged the link with Montara, though we hadn't said much to each other. He had asked if I was okay and I had replied that I was fine. I then had gotten a mental image of him scrutinizing my wound as he had when I was a child. I remember his warm tongue as he would lick my wound to clean it. Both he and I smiled at the memories.
My eyes were on Zena and Xendra when Red first came onto the clearing. I sensed her presence more than anything. Some power or force just let me know she was there. What really surprised me was the sword she had in her hand, the one that I recognized as Evergreen's. I was about to ask where she'd gotten the sword when I realized what her intent was. I went to step in her path to Xendra, but stopped when Evergreen suddenly appeared. I watched as a battle of wills unfolded before my eyes. I saw a change come over Red as she looked into Xendra's eyes, and the hairs on the back of my neck rose. I almost growled but held back from doing so. The evil was trying to gain control of Red. Once again I stepped toward her, to help in some way, but then she went back to speaking to Evergreen.
“Maith do mé, le do thoil,” she said to Zena and Evergreen. When they blinked in confusion, she repeated, this time in Greek, “Be forgi’in’ me, please? Be nay meanin’ ta be threatenin’ ye.”
Evergreen narrowed her eyes and shook her head slightly. “That’s it? Sorry I scared you, now I need your help?”
Sighing heavily the priestess answered, “I be nae after killin’ Xendra in tha first place. I be needin’ her ta be findin’ somethin’ tha’ be belongin’ ta tha E’il possessin’ her, aye?”
The group of women shook their heads, confused by the awkward way Bhen Rudha spoke. With a growl of impatience, the priestess turned her head, looking for something. Her amber-green eyes fell on me, and she frowned in concentration.
I gasped in surprise when I heard her language, and yet understood it, in my mind. I instantly tried to retreat, not used to speaking to anyone other than Montara. I sent a silent query to Montara, and his chuckle let me know everything was alright. So, I translated for the rest of the group. “She needs to find the name of Evil, so that she can banish it from our world. To gather such a powerful name, she will need all of our help, tapping even the artifacts that some of us carry.”
"Forgive my intrusion, wolf-sister, but I fear that we do not have the time for me to muddle through the words aloud," Bhen Rudha told me once I'd delivered her message. She bowed slightly in my direction.
More excited now about speaking to her, I said "I want to know more of this."
"Should we live through this, it would be my honor to teach you," the priestess said.
Having received such a compliment from one whom I knew was my superior made me forget all my aches and pains. I wasn't one to usually get puffed up or anything, but I found that I did stand a little straighter.
I was a little surprised but happy at the same time when Evergreen finally released Bhen Rudha and then actually gave her the sword. “Take it if that is what you need. I give it to you, Bhen Rudha, but hear my words friend, it will come with a price if it is lifted against any of these you see beside me.”
"You need have no fear of that, Evergreen. I trust Bhen Rudha and I don't give my trust to just anyone. She is here to help us." Turning to the priestess I said "You have my help and all of the power I possess. I will stand by your side."
"To fight for what you believe in and to never give up is to have the heart of a wolf."
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:16:52 GMT -6
Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 566
(2/23/03 2:11 pm)
Secrets
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Red’s gesture of peace, open palm up, was not lost on Zena who seemed to be distracted, and the slap of the handle of Evergreen’s sword on it startled her. She looked up quickly and saw Red close her fingers around it. Her eyes had been trained on the two antagonists until they slowly began to stand and then her attention was caught by the tip of the Sword of Artemis. It had been resting lightly on the grass and pointed toward Red’s feet. Usually it gave off a smoldering glow and Zena had noticed that as she was advancing toward Xendra the blade grew brighter, dimming again if she swung it back and away from her. It had been sheathed when she stooped to speak to her but when she pulled it out to run toward Evergreen and Red, it was dim at first and then increased in it’s aura. Now the tip which nearly touched the priestess’ boot continued to burn hotly and in fact slightly singed the dry grass underfoot. Zena stepped on the smoking spot and shifted her toe slightly to extinguish the ember. No one had seen it but she herself.
Evergreen freely gave her weapon to Red and Black Wolf spoke in her behalf but all was not completely in balance in Zena’s mind. The Sword of Artemis slipped back into it’s sheath, cooling as it went and Zena took Evergreen by the elbow and directed her to a spot a few steps away. “Can I have a word with you?"
She pulled Evergreen around so that their backs were facing the others and Zena whispered, “What is the matter with you? Are you insane? She comes at my back with that sword, which by the way you should not have let leave your side, and you pat her on the head and say ‘You can have it back. Just be careful.’ Am I the only one who sees this as a little reckless?? She’s been helpful and certainly more than just a little powerful but don’t you think that little drama was questionable? Who is she really and where did she come from? She has the mother of all axes, did you have to give her your sword? And what are you going to use?"
Evergreen shrugged. “Black Wolf seems quite taken with her. They’re ‘talking’.”
“So I hear.” Zena frowned.
She turned back to the group and became aware of the heat from the sun beating on the open field. It came up from the ground in waves and threatened to overcome them, and the sound of the insects singing a primal song increased again. Xendra moaned and stirred and Zena tapped Evergreen’s arm. “She’s suffering in this heat. Let’s move her back by the trees.”
“Now who’s reckless? What about that thing inside her?”
“Look at her. She’s broken. It’s gone. Anyway what can it do with a body so smashed and useless? You just saved her from Red, now help me save her from the heat. Let’s make a litter."
Again the sisters regathered beside Xendra with the intention of taking refuge in what was left of the forest that fringed the field.
Edited by: Zena 1 at: 2/23/03 1:14:04 pm
phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 976
(2/27/03 12:44 am)
What's the Buzz? Tell Me What's Happening.
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Phalon scouted the edge of the clearing for branches that could be used to make a litter for Xendra. Fallen branches were aplenty, brought down by the windstorm they had suffered through this morning. How long ago that seemed. How much had happened since then. It was midday now and the sun that beat down on the clearing where the morning’s battle had taken place was searing. Flies buzzed in the air and gathered on the gore that was once Xendra’s army of minions. Phalon hated flies. Disgusting creatures they were. The sight of them gathering in hordes sickened her, their buzzing, deafening to her ears, and the task of finding branches at the edge of the forest, away from the din, came as a relief to her.
It was determined the best course of action would be to get Xendra away from the clearing and out of the sun. Phalon wasn’t sure this was the wisest of moves, but looking down at her friend, broken and withering in the heat, could not let her lie there suffering. She had to believe that some part of Xendra’s true being still existed in that twisted, evil creature that lie crumpled on the meadow’s bloody ground.
Had the entire world gone insane? A question she had directed at Red personally moments ago. A question that Red had answered affirmatively - simply and without hesitation. Phalon wiped a trickle of sweat from her forehead, while continuing to shift through limbs, looking for ones strong enough to hold Xendra’s weight, and thought about the stranger who had entered their lives when this hot, unrelenting sun was just rays of light peeking over the treetops, bringing light into the new day. A stranger who wielded an axe with such force that nothing seemed could stand in its way, and, accompanied by her three ravens, held such power that none of them could even begin to understand. A woman who sucked up and devoured the winds of evil, ingesting them like a bad meal, eaten only out of necessity to prevent hunger. Who was she, and what did it mean to them that she was here with them now?
Phalon continued her search for branches and answers, while the buzzing flies droned on.
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 669
(3/3/03 11:48 am)
Re: What's the Buzz? Tell Me What's Happening.
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Xendra laid there there broken bruised and very much confused.. but the Evil remained.
The Evil power that had coarsed through Xendra was what had kept her going, no matter how tired or wounded.. but now that the Evil one was reeling from its failures ..Xendra laid helpless.
Without the Evil one's full powers within her Xendra was no longer immune from sickness or even death.Xendra was fading fast Xendra's throat grew dry and parched, her tongue turned a grayish pink..her skin grew dry and scalely.
As time passed it was obvious her cells were slowly being deprived of oxygen..her heart was straining to pump its own blood, she grew feversih and weak.
Xendra' s tried to move but her limbs which were bruised and cut felt dead and useless.As xendra laid there helpless she tried to focus on the events at hand but, she could not concentrate and her eyes gave only blurry images...aided by remants of Evil , she could still make out what the others could not see..that a great chasm- a division of sorts was happening amongst the evil followers.
Xendra saw the results as the news spread rapidly of the Evil one's failure.Chaos broke out amongst the remaining followers- all around horrible unseen fights and squabbles broke out- all lines of comunnication broke down ..the air was filled with insults cursing ,sarcasm , every sick disgusting thought and unchecked emotion imaginable was let out.
Bewildered, the Evil one watched in silence, as the Amazons considered rescuing Xendra.
Evil could not help but marvel ..for it was an expected turn of events. Evil could not understand why would they risk their lives in order to try to save to redeem Xendra? Why not just let her die?
Evil considered its options as it watched them scurry to find wood for a liter. What curious beings these Amazons were.
They had been grossly underestimated..but no longer..Evil began to plot and to plan..soon it had formulated its newest assault against the Amazons.
Evil would use what it preceived as fatal weakness to undo the pesky Amazons. Love for each other.. for there is often a fine line between love and hate...
Reinvigorated Evil commanded it's remaining followers presence- reluntanctly they heeded their master's bidding.
In one evil incantation the half of the Evil's followers became annoying flies, mosqusitoes, insects and rodents .With every flap of a wing or a buzz,the evil poison of the Evil one was being delivered through the buzzing and crawlling creatures. As they swarmed they were insidiously spreading the vile messages
As the sun began to beat hotter Xendra's condition worsened, wounds began to seep and odors began to emanating from Xendra which began to attract flies and other creatures of the earth.
Xendra could hear the lies and filth but could not even raise a hand to swat away the growing swarm of flies,mosquitoes and insects.
All Xendra could do is watch helplessly as the small tribe became entangled in a swarm of Evil.
Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it. -Maya Angelou
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 3/3/03 5:09:03 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:18:08 GMT -6
Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 573
(3/6/03 8:58 pm)
Re: What's the Buzz? Tell Me Why It's Happening.
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When she returned from the forest edge, Phalon threw a few good sized branches down beside Xendra’s body and a cloud of mosquitos flew up at Zena when the branches hit the soil.
“Hey! Watch it! Ouch. These things are as hungry as Bacchae for my blood! You stirred them up by dropping those logs!” Zena stood up, slapping at the swarms around her. Large welts were beginning to form on her jawline and ears as the creatures took their share of her blood. The incessant whine they were making was becoming unbearably irritating.
Phalon’s temper was also fraying as she brushed away the clouds of flies that had caught themselves in her hair. “By the gods! Flies! I hate flies! And they were just branches, NOT logs, Zena. You’re the one who wanted to make a litter.”
Evergreen spat out a fly she had inhaled and growled at them both, “Stop arguing. All you too ever do is talk. Nothing ever gets done because you all have to talk it out first.” She wiped her sweaty face with her sleeve and scratched the bites on her hands.
“This humming or buzzing or whatever it is, is making me crazy!” Blackwolf was scratching under the colorful bandana that protected her head wound. The insects were gathering around it and trying to creep under the cloth.
Zena tossed a stick at Black Wolf who caught it just before it hit her nose. “Could you stop playing with that silly looking bandage and give me a hand here? I’d like to get out of the sun before it sets!” Black Wolf raised the stick as if she were going to hit Zena but cracked it in two over her knee instead.
Gabby’s form was outlined in flies and mosquitos and although they couldn’t see her hands the group could hear her slapping at them. “Let’s get this done and get out of here”, she called, her voice barely audible over the slapping sounds she was making.
They turned to the task of lashing a litter together but began to quarrel about it’s design. Phalon tied two branches together but Zena took them apart. Red split a few sticks with her axe a little too close to Evergreen’s boot and Zena grabbed her sister’s forearm as she brought a fist back to punch Red’s head. Evergreen shook her off and ducked a large cloud of insects buzzing near her eyes.
In a few minutes, the buzzing of the pests was drowned out by the sounds of the sisters shouting at one another. Words were transferring into actions and fists that forever had only been raised at a common enemy were now turned against each other in the stench of the battlefield and the scorching sun of noonday Greece.
Edited by: Zena 1 at: 3/7/03 3:14:50 am
EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 189
(3/6/03 10:04 pm)
Cool Water
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They turned to the task of lashing a litter together but began to quarrel about its design. Phalon tied two branches together but Zena took them apart. Red split a few sticks with her axe a little too close to Evergreen’s boot and Zena grabbed her sister’s forearm as she brought a fist back to punch Red’s head. Evergreen shook her off and ducked a large cloud of insects buzzing near her eyes.
In a few minutes, the buzzing of the pests was drowned out by the sounds of the sisters shouting at one another. Words were transferring into actions and fists that forever had only been raised at a common enemy were now turned against each other in the stench of the battlefield and the scorching sun of noonday Greece.
“Hold it!”, shouted Evergreen trying to make her voice heard over the incessant droning of a multitude of insects…..ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,they sang.
The noise was disconcerting and distracted the group from their purpose while the stifling heat moved raw emotions to the precipice of overt harm to one another.
“Everyone, just stop. Stop what you doing, stop what you are thinking. Just don’t move.”
Phalon threw the branches down blowing an errant hair from her sweaty forehead. Blackwolf emitted a low growl, while little Gabby protectively ducked behind Zena. Red was contemplating a second opportunity to send Evergreen to the netherworld with her bloody boots on. Xendra shifted and moaned on the ground oblivious to the strife among the sisters occurring as they stood around her form not being the intended help as was their first intention.
Zena, being the only one among them that had somehow maintaining a semblance of clarity in the situation, gave Evergreen the pensive “oh, what are you going to do now” expression.
Evergreen silently looked at each and every one of them…her friends…her family. How did it come to be this way? They had endured challenges in the past, had shared laughter and tears and a sisterhood that bound them not by blood, but by love one for the other.
The hot wind zinged in the tree branches as the insects continued their taunting songs. Evergreen’s knees weakened and she feared the heat would take her down. Her words came slowly and as almost a whisper.
“I remember the cool water Zena…the day you fell in at the dock sinking beneath the waves. Remember… I laughed and thought you were pretending that you did not know how to swim. But then I knew…I swam to you, pulled you to the post at the pier. The water…was cool…it soaked our clothes...our boots slogged as we we walked...we stretched out on the dock afterwards and watched the sun set over the Aegean as it came in and went out...do you remember the sound? Do you remember the cool water?”
A hush fell over the group and the sound of waves lapping the shore was heard as if they all were standing by the edge of a great sea. The heat began to leave the land, the insects were banished and became silent. The trees swayed with a breeze from the north bringing with it soft, gentle, rain falling from a cloudless sky. The Red Woman looked up at the three black feathered ones perched on a low pine branch and smiled…cool water.
"It is What it Is"
Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 3/6/03 9:11:30 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:19:42 GMT -6
phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1011
(3/8/03 2:16 am)
Evil has a Name
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Phalon came into the clearing and deposited the branches she had gathered next to Xendra, stirring up a swarm of mosquitoes as she did. “Hey! Watch it! Ouch.” Zena yelled, slapping the bloodthirsty insects from her skin. “These things are as hungry as Bacchae for my blood! You stirred them up by dropping those logs!”
“They are branches, not logs”, Phalon retorted through clenched teeth. She was growing increasingly irritable. The stifling heat, the sticky, stagnant air, the swarming of the insects around her head and their incessant drone, had frayed her nerves. She quickly grabbed two branches, slammed one down perpendicular to the other and with the exaggerated motions of a child having a tantrum, lashed them together.
Zena, who had stood watching with hands on hips, boot toe tapping the ground impatiently, undid the knots just has quickly as Phalon had tied them. Phalon threw her hands in the air in exasperation. “Ok then. Think you can do it better? Well, be my guest!” Agitated, she bent down, picking up a couple more branches. “Here, have some more logs”, she hissed as she threw one over to where Zena was retying the branches, narrowly missing her hands.
Phalon let out a puff of breath upward, blowing a strand of hair from her sweaty forehead. “Ugh. This mass of hair”, she thought, “is driving me mad. I should have never given Blackwolf my scarf. How I wish it were up and off my neck. I have half a mind to have Red chop it off with that axe of hers.” Phalon glanced over to where Red was chopping branches, narrowly missing Evergreen’s boot toes. "Of course, she'd probably take my head off too, just for fun."
“Don’t you think you’re coming a mite too close there?” Phalon called out to the Red Woman.
“Wha ye be implyin”, Red asked slowly, eyes narrowing.
“I be implying that you need to watch what you’re doing before you chop off someone's foot”, Phalon said, walking over to where the two woman were working.
Red stood, stretching to her full height, her axe still raised. Phalon tightened her grip on the branch she was holding, smirking at the absurdity of the possibility of using it as a defensive weapon against Red’s axe. Evergreen shot Phalon a look that said, “Butt out. I can handle this better myself”. Red took a step closer to Phalon. Phalon reached out with her free hand and pushed her back. Once again, upon contact with Red, Phalon was overcome with images of a pasty faced man, shackles, imprisonment, and intense feelings of fear, despair and loathing. She remembered Red’s warning from their last physical contact, “Dinnae be touchin’ me. I cannae be protectin’ ye from me past.” She quickly pulled her hand away.
She felt the sting of a mosquito bite on her arm, and while Evergreen and Red continued the argument, Phalon was assaulted with an onslaught of jumbled epithets inside her head. Utterings of madness, violence and rage.
“Hold it!” shouted Evergreen. “Everyone just stop…” Phalon dropped the branch she was holding and brought her arm up in front of her face, staring at the mosquito as she listened to Evergreen. An insect, Phalon realized, that was once Xendra’s minion, transformed by Evil, and before that, a man, transformed by hatred into a creature that Evil coveted. Evil fed off hatred, just as the mosquito was feeding off Phalon now. She reached up and slapped it.
“Do you remember…”, Evergreen continued. I remember, Phalon thought. I remember being in the hallway, watching my past reflected in images through an open doorway. I remember watching …. a young version of herself creep into camp and one by one slaughter the sleeping men who had killed her one true love. With each plunge of the knife, her hatred increased. It coursed through her veins hotter and faster. The rage welled up inside her waiting to explode like a volcano ready to spew its’ molten lava. Her breathing was heavy and eyes wild with fury.
A gentle rain began to fall over them, cooling the air, and cooling the anger that had grown as searing as the wave of heat that blanketed them. Anger, fear, despair, loathing, violence and rage all derived from one thing. Phalon brought her finger and thumb together, “Hatred”, she said aloud, flicking the dead insect from her arm. Looking up at the group of women she loved, she said, “Evil’s name is kedos…Hatred.”
Edited by: phalon1 at: 3/8/03 1:54:33 am
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 675
(3/9/03 10:16 am)
Evil I know your name
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Xendra laid on the ground in agony watching mere blurried images ofher freinds bicker and argue. Xendra knew the source of their discontentment and anger but could do nothing to help them.
Xendra mind fought to find a way to contribute to help but her physical body was now racked with painful coughing and fever, boils were begining to form and the seeping wounds were now dried from the exposure to the ungodly heat.
A blurred image appeared out of no where,it's figure and mannerisms were familar to Xendra but she could not yet place it as it began to speak.
The figure coyly said "Xendra you have much to learn yet- you are not done. You must draw closer to the Evil one to know how best to defeat it.
Xendra stirred and mumurred "No.. that's not right..."
The figure knelt down and whispered,"Then how do you propose to defeat it?"
Xendra paused and tried hard to focus..."I can't defeat it...Evil will defeat itself..with a little help from my friends."
The etheral image laughed and said "You honestly believe Evil will be its own undoing? Look at your sisters they can't even build you a liter without trying to kill each other- listen to them curse and squabble."
In that instant Xendra knew to whom she spoke- "You are are Evil- you are the father of lies and the contribute to the misfortunes and tensions.You feed upon the fears and man's inhumanity to man- you encourage it and breed it. It is from you that shame guilt and remorse are borne.
I know you..you resided in my heart for years...I do know you.. I know your name ...you exist within the hearts of man because the choose not to be rid of you..you lie to them and tell them hate is easier than love...You are Kedos-You are Hatred."
"The figure laughed and interupted her, "Yes you know me..you know how powerful I am. You now know it is far easier to betray then to remain loyal."
Xendra recoiled at the words. Xendra felt the words drawing her in.. the words rang true to heart even if she knew they were lies.
Xendra's weakend heart pounded , her blood ran cold as she spoke..."I have done things that I know my sisters think are betrayal,but I have always been loyal."
Kedos laughed,"Oh I see trying to kill them was being loyal?!!! You were not loyal to them, you were loyal to me.Nothing you can do or say can change that."
You're dying you know..you can either serve me willingly or I will receive your soul in tartuarus and torment you for eternity..either way.You are mine! ."
Xendra nodded she knew in this he spoke the truth, for she had already sensed death beckoning...Xendra had faced death and was not afraid but this time there would be no Elysian Fields no reunion with loved ones- no Puella just eternal damnation with the ones she fought so hard against.Eternity with Kedos - her body shuddered.
Muhahahhaha." Kedos resounded with a gleeful laugh as it left.
Xendra laid there whimpering...suffering excruiating pain. In every sense of the word Xendra was now alone physically, mentally and spiritually..Xendra had never felt so lost and so alone..
Kedos observed from a distance ...waiting for Xendra to surrender to self pity and hate..Kedos knew that soon Xendra would be ripe to fill the aching void within her with self doubt and hate.
Xendra was desperate ..she had been in this position once before many years ago..Yet this tiime it was different she was not as stong or as calm ..this time she was not as sure of the outcome.
All she could do is try one last time to warn her sisters...and hope they that could figure it all out in time. if only they had found the scrolls she had written ...
Xendra sighed and shut her eyes and tried with all her might to reach Phalon with her thoughts-" Kedos... our enemy is Hatred"..over and over she thought the same thought..never knowing if her thoughts were reaching their desination or not...
Success is liking yourself,liking what you do and liking how you do it.-Maya Angelou
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 3/17/03 7:33:34 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:21:29 GMT -6
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 127
(3/12/03 9:15 pm)
On the Crimson Edge
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"Take it if that is what you need. I give it to you, Bhen Rudha, but hear my words friend, it will come with a price if it is lifted against any of these you see beside me," Evergreen said, turning away. Zena looked between her friend and the stranger, then took the smaller warrior's elbow, moving them a few steps away for a more private conversation.
The priestess looked at the sword newly returned to her hand and spoke silently to her ravens, *I fear that before this is finished, I will be paying that price, though I would rather keep these women as friends.*
Witch's voice came from far away and Bhen Rudha could feel the raven marshaling her energies, *Do not invite trouble, Sister, for our plate is full enough already.*
*Wise words,* said Widow, who watched over the group from her lofty tree branch.
*This is far from over, Sisters,* commented Warrior, *it could very well come down to a confrontation. I would rather our priestess be prepared for it.*
*Also wise words,* sighed Widow.
Bhen Rudha echoed that sigh then looked to see Blackwolf standing nearby. The other woman smiled lightly and said, "You have my help and all of the power I possess. I will stand by your side."
With a small smile, the priestess lifted the sword in salute saying, "Yer words be meanin' much ta me . . . go raibh maith agat." The smile widened, "Be thankin' ye," she translated before Blackwolf asked.
Zena and Evergreen returned to where Xendra lay, and got a litter in the works. Most of the women left to gather wood, but Bhen Rudha stayed, watching the broken form on the ground. The only movements the priestess could see where the sporadic rise and fall of her chest, and the quick flicker of her eyes. Coiled within, her piece of Evil cackled at the shell it once inhabited. It was excited about this new spirit that it rode with, knowing that there was power to be had. It brushed up against the winds and the rage contained by the tall, slim frame and knew that it was only a matter of time before it could take control. While the air grew hotter and more still, the priestess concentrated on keeping her actions her own.
A buzz slowly descended from clouds as Xendra's eyes widened. Thick swarms of insects formed seemingly out of the air and set upon the group of women. Used to the biting midges of her homeland, Bhen Rudha ignored the onslaught for the moment, silently expressing her sudden frustration at how long it was taking to move the broken woman from the battlefield. She had told them what needed to be done, and so far only Blackwolf had been smart enough to listen.
Some of the women were finally returning with materials for building a litter, and with a sigh of impatience, the priestess slid Evergreen's sword through her wide belt so she could be of assistance. The sooner they got the traitor out of the sun, the sooner they could begin the process of saving her worthless life.
*Those are not thoughts worthy of a priestess . . . control thy self,* Warrior chided, sitting upon her perch, untouched by the swarms.
Stung, Bhen Rudha blinked and took a deep breath of the foul tasting air. She looked around to see where best she might direct her efforts and watched Phalon and Zena snap at each other. Curling her lip in distaste at the juvenile antics, she choose not to help them. Then she noticed Evergreen motioning impatiently to her.
When the warrior woman saw she had the priestess' attention, she pointed to the large pieces of wood she had gathered and made chopping motions with her hand . . . as if she were giving directions to the simple minded. The insult was clear and Bhen Rudha came very close to calling the woman out for it. But instead she simply stalked forward, raising her hand axe as she went.
It took a forceful reminder that she had been charged to do this, to help this group of women, before Bhen Rudha lined up the wood and brought the weapon down in a tight, controlled arc . . . just a tiny bit closer to Evergreen than she had originally intended. An honest enough mistake of course, though the thought of taking the pretentious little woman's toes off was not distasteful in the slightest. Crimson swirled at the edges of her vision and for the first time she felt the welts that were beginning to rise on her skin. She wished that Zena had minded her own business and let Evergreen try to hit her.
"Don't you think you're coming a mite too close there?" Phalon called out, breaking into her gory little fantasy.
"Wha' be ye implyin'," she asked slowly, eyes narrowing.
"I be implying that you need to watch what you're doing before you chop off someone's foot", Phalon said, clearly mocking the way that the priestess talked. The ignorant little seer then walked over to where the two woman were working, obviously butting into what was none of her business.
Stretching to her full height, her axe still raised, Bhen Rudha watched Phalon tighten her grip on the branch she was holding, then recognize the absurdity of daring to use it as a defensive weapon against a fully trained war priestess. Her vision washed crimson, and she took a step closer to the little seer.
Phalon reached out with her free hand and pushed with what little strength she possessed. Upon contact, the priestess knew that once again the woman was overcome with images of him, of the iron shackles she had worn and the knowledge that for four long years she had been nothing but a rich man's exotic play toy. She hoped that the nosey shrew got her fill . . . it was just what she deserved.
*Priestess!* Warrior roared through their link just as Evergreen raised her voice in a frantic plea.
Edited by: BhenRudha at: 3/16/03 7:19:14 pm
Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 577
(3/14/03 7:59 pm)
She Soothes Sisters Down By The Seashore
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“Everyone, just stop. Stop what you doing, stop what you are thinking. Just don’t move.” Evergreen raised her hand, palm out as if to stop the flow of anger pouring from the sisters. They were buzzzing at each other in the same way as the insects and each entertained thoughts that had never surfaced before.
Zena, gave Evergreen the pensive “oh, what are you going to do now” expression that also held a hint of exasperation and clapped her hands over her red, throbbing ears. The mosquitos had chosen to feast upon that tender tissue and the itching was driving her to distraction. “Can’t they see this is making us annoyed with each other? Ha! Mighty Amazon warriors felled by little bugs,” she thought. She tilted her head back and groaned, “Arrgh!” with her ears sealed against Evergreen’s voice which was soothing her companions: “Do you remember the cool water?”
As she stood holding her head, eyes closed, she realized that the heat which had been assaulting her body was leaving and a cool dew was collecting on her face. Slowly she let go of her ears and and looked around. Evergreen’s eyes were closed too but she seemed to be “seeing” something far away, something refreshing. Zena saw the bites on her arms healing and her skin being washed clean in the gentle mist. Red and Phalon who had squared off against each other began to relax and as Phalon gasped with her hand over her mouth at her behavior, Red bowed her head with a sheepish look on her face. In the nearby pine overhead, the feathered ones cawed and fluffed their plumage and on the ground Xendra sighed with relief. She was being washed clean too.
Zena threw an arm around Evergreen’s shoulders and shook her with a smile. “Did you cause that??” It’s wonderful. It’s so good to be cool again, and the bugs have washed down into the ground!!” “I was just thinking of what I would like to feel instead of this anger. I was remembering that great day swimming in Aegina.” Zena laughed and gave her a llittle push in the small of her back, “Great day for you! I nearly went to live with the fishes!” They both laughed and bent to tie the branches back together that Zena had just untied. The dewy mist became a gentle shower as they all helped to position Xendra on the litter and lift her to cross the field. As they walked toward the forest edge, the air chilled a bit more and in a few moments time the shower had become a downpour. Zena shivered and grabbed Evergreen’s sleeve, “Hey, turn this off! It’s a little too much of a good thing!” Evergreen looked at her across Xendra’s inert body, “I can’t! I don’t know how I started it!” Phalon looked back and frowned and Red scowled. Black Wolf gave an exasperated “Humpfh.” The tempers which had cooled down were reigniting in the cold and wet.
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:31:45 GMT -6
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 128
(3/16/03 8:09 pm)
Cooling Crimson
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"I remember the cool water Zena . . ." Evergreen said in a hushed voice, bringing everyone's attention around so that they could hear.
Bhen Rudha shivered despite herself, the echoes of Warrior's shout still ringing through her mind. *Sisters, what has gotten hold of me? These thoughts are not my own.*
*It is the cold venom of Evil that courses through you now . . . priestess you will eventually fail if you wait too long,* the three ravens spoke at once, braiding their voices together not unlike the Goddess.
"The water . . . was cool . . . it soaked our clothes . . . our boots slogged as we walked . . ." Evergreen continued to speak softly, her dark eyes closed and her face turned up to the sky.
Dozens of insect bites burned her arms and face, and the priestess wanted the cool water. She imagined the sacred well that she and her mother had once gathered at for ritual. The water flowed up from the ground, cold and sweet, blessed by the Goddess and generations of women. The image in her mind became so vivid that she reached to cup some of the crystal clear liquid in her hands.
A second set of hands met her own, the warmth of them startling. Looking up, Bhen Rudha stared into the changeable eyes of the Morrigu. ~Drink, Daughter, and be cleansed,~ She said, holding out a goblet filled to the brim. Taking it in trembling hands, the priestess kept her awe-filled gaze upon her Goddess and brought the goblet to her lips.
The singing of the wind and the dancing of the waves filled her ears as the blessed spring water cooled her throat and tempered the crimson that remained at the edges of her vision. She felt the madness stirring within her, no longer fanned by the bites of a hundred hateful souls, back under her control.
Part of her felt the rain that began to fall over the group of women, when she finally lowered the goblet from her lips. The priestess handed the goblet to the Morrigu, saying with a small bow, "Thank you Lady, for such grace." The Goddess only smiled in response.
The vision began to fade, returning Bhen Rudha to the present, to the rain, and to her raven sisters perched upon their low branch. Before she could gather the thoughts, the trio spoke, *The Lady has brought you only a respite, and you are forgiven.* The last was spoken with a smile, and the priestess felt her lips curving in answer.
Edited by: BhenRudha at: 3/16/03 7:24:46 pm
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 682
(3/17/03 9:21 pm)
Intimate stranger
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Xendra laid in a fetal position wishing she never existed .. she was beyond all hurt physically and emotionally now she just had a empty dull ache.
Xendra tried to focus on the small group as she did fragments of memories would play out in her head, making it impossible for Xendra to merely observe.
Xendra could only watch in helpless horror and frustration as she saw Kedos's minions buzzing about swarming about and biting her sisters, her former friends..
Xendra felt so distant from them like she was an initmate stranger amongst them. Once their strongest ally now preceived as their worst enemy and traitor.
Now, she was left to their mercies, whether she would live or die was left in the hands of women that she had attacked with the fullness of her power. Xendra laid there feeling useless and completely helpless.
Xendra realized she had now forefited every dream, every desire and every hope she had ever had in order to defeat Kedos.All she had wanted was to save her sisters and had woefully failed.
With every realization Xendra was growing more weary. Xendra no longer felt grounded or connected to anything or anyone, she was fading into nothingness- every breath was more than what she wanted to take- she wanted the agony to end.
Realizing Xendra was nearing her end, Evil began its seduction again- reminding her that she had lost everything and everyone. To love or to die either would be torturous ..only to serve again would bring relief and power.
Xendra resisted and curled up tighter. Pulling inward to protect herself from anymore physical or emotional harm.
Xendra 's attention was being divided, but she tried to focus on her sisters words rather than Kedos's.
Xendra as she heard Evergreen speak of the cooling waters pleaded ..."No! Please don't call forth an element!"
Xendra groaned in agonized alarm.
Panic gripped Xendra's overtaxed heart for Xendra knew what they did not ..that Water had already been given it's charge- once unleashed the unbridled power of the waters would not be able to be stopped without her in command..not without her orders...
Moisture quickly filled the air.
At first the rain drops were cooling but soon became painful and annoying.Tiny dew drops and droplets of rain were cascading down pelting Xendra.
Xendra even with her blurred vision, peered past the gleeful Kedos and could see the gathering clouds and the dense fog moving over the horizon., A fog so thick and deep that one could pass along aside another and never know. .
Xendra knew too well what their fate would be if the waters were fully unleashed...
Xendra using every last ounce of physical strength she herself possesed turned and looked at Kedos.
Xendra desperate to save them found herself yet again speaking the once unthinkable." What is it you want from me?"
Kedos laughed,"How sweet still trying to save your lil friends are we? Forget it - the Amazons will soon be gone and I will rule and reign as I please."
Xendra spoke "What will be left to reign over? Who will stop the raging waters or the the tidal waves and torrental rains or lift the rolling fog?
Without my orders..my command it will continue on for eternity and there will not be anything left in existance for you to rule."
Kedos studied Xendra she was still a formiddable opponent even with her beaten and frail body. " What is it that you propose?"
Xendra began coughing the moisture was infiltrating her weakened lungs, her voice grew raspy and weak. "I want back the power to stop it .. but I do not want to serve you or lead your minions."
Kedos laughed and said, "I will never return you to power without your servitude in return ... forget it!"
As Kedos spoke ... Lighting erupted in the heavens - flashes of light lasting but an instant gave witness to the horrific unbridled power had been unleashed upon the earth.The rivers burst their banks, the ocean waves grew in stature and in strength, the clouds opened up with gusting winds and torrental rains, hail fell from the sky and fog began swallowing the air around them and the ground began to swell from the rising waters beneath them.
Success is liking yourself,liking what you do and liking how you do it.-Maya Angelou
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 3/21/03 2:52:21 pm
gabbyfan4ever
Registered Member
Posts: 72
(3/20/03 12:10 am)
waters rising
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As Gabby looked at the huddled form of her friend Xendra lying on the ground, she marveled at the way someone she knew so well, her sister, could turn into a complete stranger. The shell of an Amazon the girl saw before her was the same woman who had helped take care of her since she first met the Amazons, and yet she was so different. So many things were different.
Gabby could not remember the last time her sisters had fought amongst themselves like they were now. They never had. Now, it was all anyone could do to keep from throwing a punch, including Gabby. It was intensely hot, with the sun beating down on all of them, and now these disgusting flies were everywhere.
At first the swarm was only a mild annoyance that sent Gabby complaining to her mother. "Mom, these flies are gross, and they keep biting me! Can't you make them stop somehow?" After receiving a sharp answer in return, Gabby began to lose patience fast, and the swarm was only getting larger. It took everything Gabby had to keep from completely loosing it at the thought of so many disgusting insects on her at once. The young girl tried to stay out of everyone's way, and keep her temper in check at the same time, but the smart-mouthed comments were popping up in her mind more and more. After having ducked behind her mother more than once at the threat of an all out brawl among the sisters, a reprieve seemed to come just in the nick of time.
The first drops were like a soothing ointment to the itching, burning bites that covered Gabby's body. As the the rain got heavier all the anger and annoyance seemed to be washed away along with the insects. It became clear how silly she had been for getting angry so easily.
However, the refreshing feeling was soon downtrodden as the rain began to pelt at the Amazons, and looked as if it would end no time soon. "Of course we couldn't just have a nice refreshing rain. We have to get a downpour in the process!", Gabby mumbled sarcastically. Soon her clothes were completely soaked through, and she was shivering from the cold. "M-m-mom, I'm c-cold.", the girl said to Zena as her teeth chattered.
Little Gabby huddled in her mothers arms in a futile attempt to stay warm in the incessant downpour that surrounded the Amazons. A pervading sense of cold and numbness overtook Gabby, and just as quickly as the rain did, anger seeped into her skin with every drop. "If this rain doesn't stop it will be over my head soon.", Gabby thought to herself pessimistically as the waters rose ever higher.
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:33:27 GMT -6
EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 192
(3/20/03 9:46 pm)
My Sister's Keeper?
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The dewy mist became a gentle shower as they all helped to position Xendra on the litter and lift her to cross the field. As they walked toward the forest edge, the air chilled a bit more and in a few moments time the shower had become a downpour. Zena shivered and grabbed Evergreen’s sleeve, “Hey, turn this off! It’s a little too much of a good thing!”
Evergreen looked at her across Xendra’s inert body, “I can’t! I don’t know how I started it! I don’t know IF I started it! "
"There you go again, giving me that look,Zena."
If I had my way, it would rain until we can float a boat and leave this gods forsaken place. If you ask me, and you didn’t, I think all of this is the perdition of that one and her flying friends... who by the way might just make a tasty meal. Hmmm…raven stew with wild radishes, raven roasted over hot coals…”
Red turned away from her contention with Phalon, stomped in Evergreen’s direction while clenching her axe with a purpose long overdue. Phalon, while relieved of her confrontation with the formidable stranger, knew something oh so not good was about to occur. With Red’s back walking away from her, Phalon caught Zena’s attention.
“What?” an exasperated Zena shouted at Phalon while raising both hands in the air. Phalon pointed at Behn Rhuda followed by chopping signs and more pointing-this time at Evergreen.
As the import of Phalon’s frantic message took roost in Zena’s mind, she spun around, grabbed Evergreen by the collar pulling her out of a downward swoop of a very large axe blade.
The blade collided with the ground making a thunderous “Voomp!” as it sliced into the boggy earth. The blade’s master pulled it free with an “Ummp” as the wet soil dripped off of it instead of Evergreen’s blood.
“You are mad! Just as mad as the triumvirate of furies all rolled into one being!” A dark cloud of anger rose in the eyes of the small warrior.
Evergreen pulled free of Zena, and as a group of surprised faces looked on, ran at Red tackling her at midwaist. The two went crashing to the ground with the axe taking flight and landing perilously too close to Blackwolf.
As the two women rolled on the soggy ground, Zena stood watching. As the others went forward to separate the pair sloshing and slipping as they exchanged muddy blows and fowler curses, Zena’s arm went out to block the rescuers.
“No, this was a long time in the making. Keep them away from weapons so they really don’t hurt themselves and let it be. It is what it is. Back off, all of you.” Looking to the tree line, Zena gave the three shrieking ravens a clear message that this was not of their dominion.
As the two fought for victory of an unspoken challenge, Zena thought how opposite as the sun and moon these were, and yet became more alike as the muddy clay covered them blending features as to the extent it became difficult to see where one began and the other left off.
Crossing her arms and hip thrust to the side, Zena smiled thinking... this is quite amusing and just when ya think the day could get no worse…
"It is What it Is"
Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 3/20/03 9:05:41 pm
phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1048
(3/23/03 9:33 pm)
A Spoken Word
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“Back off, all of you”, Zena said.
Phalon felt helpless standing by, watching the two women fight. She supposed Zena was right in that Evergreen and Bhen Rudha must work this out in their own way, but Phalon had an uneasy feeling deep in the pit of her stomach. She continued to watch, not interfering, as the fight intensified. She focused her attention on Bhen Rudha, and again wondered who was this woman and what were her intensions.
The rain pelted her face, droplets of water dripping from her drenched hair and into her eyes. She shut them for a moment to clear her vision. When she opened them, the world around her was colored crimson, as if she were looking through a veil of sheer red silk. Again, she tried to clear her eyes, shaking her head, trying to rid herself of the intrusion, but the crimson remained, now more vivid and darker, flooding her vision, as the driving rain was flooding the forest floor around them. The veil of sheer red silk became a heavy cloak of blood. And the garment belonged to Red!
“Zena!” Phalon shouted through the rain. “Zena, we have to do something. We need to stop this now!” A word. A word she had heard only in her mind.
“Phalon, I said this is their business. It’s between Red and Evergreen.”
The word. What was it? What was the word? “That’s where I believe you’re wrong, Zena. I don’t think that is Red out there fighting Evergreen.” The word. The word. The word.
“Evil?” Zena gasped, her eyes wide.
Phalon nodded. The word, damnit, the word. Zena rushed towards Red, who simply reached up and strong armed Zena into the ground. What was that damn word! Evergreen lunged again at Red, grasped her by the waist, taking her down and the two slammed back into the mud. Red gained control and straddled Evergreen. By the gods, please remember that word. Red grabbed Evergreen by the shoulders and began plummeling her head into the ground. A sickening thud. Over and over. The word, the word, the word, the word. Blackwolf sprang forth, but Phalon knew her attempts would be futile against the rage possessing Bhen Rudha.
This had to be stopped now! Evergreen was going to end up dead if Red was not distracted quickly. Phalon centered her attention only on Red, grasped Nemesis’ wheel, braced herself for whatever the outcome and closed her eyes.
A foul smell, his hot, putrid breath in her face. His greasy sneer mocking her. A sweaty hand against her cheek, fingers trailing in a sickening caress, leaving the feeling of cobwebs being pulled from her skin. She flinches and turns her cheek away. He grabs her jaw, jerking her face back towards his. Leaning close, so that she can see her reflection in his soulless eyes, he whispers….
“Gaza!” screamed Phalon.
The ravens cawed nervously from their roost.
Edited by: phalon1 at: 3/23/03 8:44:09 pm
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 687
(3/23/03 11:35 pm)
Inner anguish
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Xendra laid there on the hand hewn liter being pelted with cold stinging rain, each drop brought a certain negativity about it a coldness that was more than tempature but in Xendra's state she was somehow impervious to it 's powers, she just laid there nearly comatose looking blankly at Kedos.
Xendra closed her eyes hoping against hope the memories would like the rain come flooding in, but instead she got mere flashes, but even they were enough to fill her heart with bittersweet joy and laughter.
Why did she feel so far away from all of them ,so distant and lost? Why did the memories feel so ancient and far away when they really weren't from all that long ago?
Why did it seem she could never have a chance to be in a family setting with her friends ever again.Xendra knew in her heart it was because she and she alone had betrayed and hurt them.
Kedos was reading her thoughts and said,"You are right, your friends will never look at you the same. You have lost there faith and thier trust, you no longer deserve to be one of them.instead of protecting them you brought them pain anguish and turmoil. They will never forgive you!"
Xendra silently nodded in agreement,she knew she had done and said unforgivable things.
Xendra laid there with wet salty tears rolling down her cheeks melding with the pelting rain...wanting to surrender to give in ... Xendra closed her eyes she wanted to to enter into endless tiredness and nothingness..she just wanted to let go..to no longer think feel or be .
As images were draining form her mind Xendras head jerked up with a start..all that could be heard was a sound of ahrrible commotion.
Xendra opened her eyes only to see Evergreen and the red haired stranger going at it. Fear like she had never known overtook Xendra.
Out of desperation Xendra grabbed Kedos cloak and forcibly pulled it and him down to her level and demanded to know "What have you done!?".
Kedos laughed,"You are not in a position to demand anything of me. Yes, your love for them is returning and its growing stronger but it is too late for you already foreited their love for you and for yourself with out it - I am invinvicble!"
Xendra released his cloak and began to sob . Xendra knew the words were a horible truth- for once his words were not lies.
Success is liking yourself,liking what you do and liking how you do it.-Maya Angelou
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:34:44 GMT -6
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 688
(3/25/03 8:40 pm)
what divides us ..what brings us together?
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Xendra laid for what seemed like eternity wallowing in self pity and despair...blaming herself for their precarious position.
As the hurt sank deeper Xendra began to rock her body against the liter as she sobbed. Back and forth she rock with each movement becoming more vigorious until finally the bark from one of the liter's sticks jabbed into Xendra's shoulder blood slowly trickled out. Xendra watched with great interest as it spilled to the ground.
Xendra thought had she not once loved them enough to spill her own lifes blood for them? And was this liter not a sign of there love ?Of their support..no matter how weak? Her sisters no matter how hurt and angry had not taken revenge- they had not let her die.
Xendra searched her mind what were Kedo's words? ..."Yes, your love for them is returning and its growing stronger but it is too late for you already foreited their love for you and for yourself with out it - I am invinvicble!"
Xendra grinned to herself and whispered defiantly,"It is not yet over if i have anything to do with it."
Xendra still weak desprately tried to get up off the liter but could not lift herself off, so Xendra began rolling side to side til she gained momentum then she rolled off the edge and on to the ground.
Shaken and weakened Xendra laid there in the mud thinking now what?
Xendra was too weak to insert herself into the fight which was her natural inclination..besides how could she fight when she was so ridden with guilt?
Xendra closed her eyes and thought "Ok I know what makes us different and what divides us..so what brings us together?
Xendra's mind drifted back to an earlier time, a time in which they were in turmoil and crisis and yet what did they do ?...
they danced..
Xendra in her minds eye watched them dance and sway, she felt her body yearn to once again unconsciously join in ... .Xendra felt some of her anguish melt into joy as her body began to move ever so slightly with a sway as she laid there.
Xendra remebered a moment,the briefest of moments in which she had felt as if they were of one body, one spirit,and of one mind as they danced. Even in her memory she didn't want to moment to stop, ever.
Unconciously Xendra began stroking the outer stick on the liter .Xendra placed her hand on one of the liter's sticks, it somehow felt different and it felt loose. Xendra quickly began tugging at the ties and loosening them til finally with one gut wrenching yank she got the stick loose, with the stick she was abe to brace herself enough to stand up.
Sweating looking tired haggard and deathly ill Xendra stumbled towards the group.
Out of the corner of her eye she could see Kedos shaking his head in disbelief.
Xendra continued inching forward.
As she drew closer she could see the skirmish unfold. Xendra watched with a heavy heart and an anguished spirit.
As she watched the fierceness and violence in which they fought each other Xendra began to understand the power was not Kedos's to give because it being used in Red and that the battle could not be won through violence.
Xendra looked back at Kedos then back at his choice to replace her.RED. He had chosen wisely and well for not only had he had chose strongest among them but also the stranger in their midst to use.
Xendra understood the choice, in Red was a natural scape goat and foe someone who could easily muster bad feelings, hatred and deep mistrust just simply by being different.
Xendra reached the group and was about plant the stick in the muddy ground when she heard Phalon cry out "Gaza"!In that instant the stick fell out of Xendra's hands and she tumbled to the ground in a heap.
Success is liking yourself,liking what you do and liking how you do it.-Maya Angelou
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 3/25/03 7:51:08 pm
QGrrlPower
Registered Member
Posts: 813
(3/29/03 1:55 pm)
Stampede
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The thunder of hoof beats…Heavy breathing and snorts of almost a dozen horses echo through the forest. Birds scatter from the bushes and trees in the wake of the oncoming stampede…At the head of the racing steeds is Puella on Amica, leaning into the wind and the bone chilling rain. Her heart pounding as her thoughts grow ever clear of what she must do, to save her family to save the future of the Amazons…
How did I get to this point…Here with the sheer determination to end this once and for all…to get rid of the evil presence that has taken root in the middle of my family and friends…in the middle of my life. Remembering as I stood in the clearing seeing Xendra command the evil around her…the elements setting forth their worst as they were being manipulated by Xendra, and her evil within. I was not prepared for the battle that was to come…I needed something to bring us all together in one thought as a tribe. I raced through the forest with the gusting wind at my back…pushing me faster until the scenery around me raced by faster then I could comprehend. Sheer instinct had taken over…Running faster and faster until I was just where I wanted to be…All I could think of was the one I could rely on no matter what…the one friend that would not attempt to harm me. I slowed my pace as I flung open the doors to the stable hoping that the dinars I had left kept my steed well taken care of…Looking around I saw nothing, the stables empty, not even my saddle was hanging.
Hearing a sound behind me I turned violently…”Where is my horse??? Where are all the horses we left here?” The young boy looked at me with fear in his eyes…They are out in the field Ma’am…We thought they could use some exercise. “Show Me!” He walked me around to view the steeds in the field near the stables…They were all there, looking amazing…well fed and taken care…I smiled as I saw her lift her head to my whistle. I patted the boy on the head and said, “get them ready to leave son, I’ll be taken them home.”
Jumping atop Amica and patting her head I ride over to the other horse and speak to them of the plight at hand…Race like the wind, to the side of those who you hold most dear.
As a clearing approached I hear the sound of swords clashing…Am I too late for the battle…Rain pelting down hard onto the ground…mud everywhere…I let out a yell as the horses and I return to fight the good fight…
shamrock xwp
Whoosh! Chat Director
Posts: 215
(3/29/03 4:38 pm)
The quest
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A dark figure streaks through the night on a demon of a war horse . . . one thought on her mind, one destination. Rain pelts them soaking them through to the skin. Lightning lights up the way at irregular intervals turning night into day. Thunder crashes . . . morning is a long way off.
The way behind her is long. The way before her longer. On she rides determined to reach her destination. Time is of the essence.
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:36:44 GMT -6
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 689
(3/29/03 10:28 pm)
Hardened hearts and deaf ears
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Xendra laid there sprawled out dazed and confused, wondering how she could have fallen so hard. As she replayed it in her mind she realized she had not faltered or stumbled but rather she had been pushed by an unseen force ...
Kedos smiled at the sight if Xendra sprawled out...he had had Xendra pushed, for he had no intention of letting Xendra help her friends.
Kedos knew Xendra's grit and determination to make amends might actually be enough to save her friends .
Unseen to the others Kedos frantically ordered his minions to find and break any bond, connection or love held, the more hearts and minds to spread distention and chaos to,the better. No bonds or unity were to exist...Kedos knew to succeed in breaking bonds one must control the lines of communication .
Kedos had his minions armed with lies, innuendoes and half truths,to whisper one to another. With mere words they could now tear even the closest of groups asunder...for a well placed word or story could often divide people more than any action.
Pleased with himself, and the work of his minions, Kedos decided to get involved and stop Xendra...At all costs.
Kedos moved in for a closer look.
Xendra could see the commotion still going on and tried to push herself up but Xendra found herself struggling to find firm ground ,the firmament was giving way to the rains and the rising waters, there was no longer firm enough ground for Xendra to be able to push herself off of to stand.
Xendra collapsed again in sheer frustration, she had to help them before Kedos destroyed them and the world around them.
Xendra grew desperate to get closer to her former friends,Xendra turned to look for other options, only to find Kedos bent over her, laughing at her.
In tones and words that only Xendra could hear Kedos taunted her:
" So you still think you can save your lil friends?
You can’t!
Do you think they want your presence?
Ha! They don't miss you at all ...they've gone on without you!
Do you really think you can be one of them again?
After so much pain and suffering they will never accept you again!
Do you think you have something to say to them that will change their minds?
No words can undo what you've done.All apologies will fail.
Hahaha even if you do, do you honestly think they'll listen to you?
NEVER! Your words will fall on hardened hearts and deaf ears!!
Do you really expect them to forgive you!
There is No way! You are now their enemy! Muhahahahaha"
Xendra tried to fight off the emotion of his words and deal rather with the logic of his words, however the words sounded like they had a kernel of truth...
But deep within her heart was beating rapidily and was trying to tell a different story..
Funny the heart remembers what the brain does not.
Xendra paused to listen to her heart and her inner voice and then carefully spoke, “Yes, youre right, right now under the circumstances they do not like me or trust me. I cannot blame them.I dont like me much either so it's ok. It is to be expected.
I have no reason to expect that they'll listen to me or forgive me. Without trust there is no relationship. No connection. I
violated that trust. I’ve hurt them, each one of them in their own way and they have a right not to trust me.
All I know is I have to try…I must try to re-establish some level of trust. I will pour all that I have inside of me out - I will give more than I have to lose if it means just one is spared the pain anguish and anger you are putting them through with your deception and manipulation.It makes it more difficult a task knowing they are being secretly influenced.
For how can they judge for themselves what is true or what is good when they are being manipulated?"
Kedos burst with laughter," I have had to do very little manipulation- you gave great fodder.All I did was give you the power.. the means to an end,you were your own undoing- your own worst enemy.
Xendra looked deep within her heart and said "Yes, you're right. However, you gave me absolute power-and absolute power corrupts.
A corruption of heart mind and soul.
I could no longer even remember the slightest hint of kindness or love..alone and devoid of human companship I did give in to the power of Evil.
At your bidding I operated a scorched earth policy. However,I accept and regret my part in the destruction that has been done...I alone have destroyed my world and my relationships with my sisters.
My words my actions have destroyed their trust in me and in one another....Trust has to be earned and I have cost them more than my fair share of it.
I cannot change the past - If I coud I would ... but I can do something about how they perceive me from here on out!"
Kedos hissed," You fool you will not have enough time or access to change their minds or regain their trust!"
As Kedos pointed a group of trees gave way.
As Xendra laid there depressed and confused as to what to do next.
Xendra thought..."Kedos is right the earth will be swallowed up with water long before they will even consider hearing me out let alone trust me again."
..there is only one success... to be able to spend your life your own way.
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 3/31/03 7:47:55 pm
shamrock xwp
Whoosh! Chat Director
Posts: 216
(3/31/03 8:42 pm)
The mystery rider . . .
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The mysterious rider rode on and on and on . . . the monotony of the journey was starting to get to her. Messenger . . . messenger . . . it had seemed like a good job to take at the time. Travel, see the world . . . but right now it just wasn't so grand. Yawnnnnn, a hot bath, warm food, and soft bed would feel wonderful right about now.
"Tonight we stay at an inn Horse. Hot food for me. Good grain for you. How's that sound?" The horse did not reply.
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 691
(3/31/03 8:51 pm)
A house divided cannot stand
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Xendra considered her positon and feared the only way to save them was another unholy alliance with Kedos...it would be worth the cost to keep them intact and the world in existence.
Xendra swallowed hard and offered Kedos a deal."I will accept begrudingly absolute power, in return I want the return of every Amazon."
Kedos paused but then relented for Kedos believed under his control and command that Xendra would destroy all the Amazons and manage to spare the earth .
Xendra smiled as she successfully negotiagated the return of every Amazon ...for in moments Xendra could hear in the distance sounds of horses and riders racing forth through the changing elements.
Kedos glared at the smiling Xendra and said,"I have done as I said I would do- Amazons are coming from the four corners of the earth. It is time for you to live up to your end of the bargain!"
Xendra looked at her sisters and then shut her eyes and said, "I accept your absolute power but inwardly Xendra whispered "For a Strong Amazon Nation. "
Xendra as she was ibued with power once more could sense
her surroundings, she could once more hear the sounds behind the sounds, she quieted her thoughts and could hear
two distinct riders making their way towards them ...one she knew was Puella....the other unknown.
Xendra smiled at the abilty to do so.
Xendra returned to full strength and stood up then moved closer to the group only to find Red and Evergreen still battling.
Xendra smiled ... as she thought "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
..there is only one success... to be able to spend your life your own way.
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:38:27 GMT -6
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 136
(4/4/03 3:21 am)
Crimson Breath
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The clean, rain filled air felt sweet in Bhen Rudha's lungs as she took a deep breath. Immediately her attention turned to Phalon, with whom she had been fighting.
"Hatred", the seeress said aloud, flicking a dead insect from her arm. Deep green eyes took in the group of women as she repeated, "Evil's name is Kedos . . . Hatred."
The name struck the priestess in the stomach and she felt a tearing in her head that washed her vision black. For several long, breathless moments she remained in the darkness, trying to figure out what had happened. Her lungs began hammering from lack of air, and she had to force herself to take another breath. From far away she noticed that the gentle down pour was evolving into a torrent, and knew that the Goddess' reprieve was short indeed.
She sucked more air into her lungs, turning the conscious act into a focus point. From this beginning she tried to discover what had happened. The heat that had tortured the group of women was definitely gone. The healing water that Evergreen had managed to call had already been perverted by Xendra's control over the elements.
Her breathing deepened . . . in . . . out . . . in . . . out . . . and she studied the forces encompassed within her will. Each was in its place, contained, if not contented. Satisfied that she was whole, she tried to open her eyes, but remained in the dark.
Assured that she would remain breathing, Bhen Rudha turned her thoughts to her sisters, hoping they would have an answer. It was then she discovered a hole in her spirit. Where there once was three, there were only two.
*She went alone, we could not stop her,* Widow spoke, her voice full of grieving.
*Where? Where did she go?* the priestess asked, panic rising quickly.
Before one of the ravens could answer, a word slashed through her will, hurled from a great distance. The tortured syllables bent the limits of her sanity, and for a heartbeat, Bhen Rudha thought she would fall into the void, never to return.
Only training forced the word deep within her psyche, covering it in layers of subconscious, to save her life. In the word's considerable wake she struggled for coherent thought. *That was its name, wasn?t it?*
*Indeed, priestess. Our sister pierced the veil and found it. The seeress gave her the key,* Warrior spoke slowly, with equal parts mourning, and sympathy for Bhen Rudha's suffering.
*Cailleach?* the priestess spoke into the hole in her spirit. When there was no answer, she whimpered, *Why does she not return? Why can I not feel her at all?*
*She passed beyond our powers, into the First Beginning, where not even the Morrigu dare to trespass,* said Widow.
A keen rose sudden within her as she understood the truth of the old raven's words. As she fought to keep from drowning in the pain of Witch's loss, the world rushed back to her in time to hear Evergreen.
" . . . If you ask me, and you didn't, I think all of this is the perdition of that one and her flying friends . . . who by the way might just make a tasty meal. Hmmm . . . raven stew with wild radishes, raven roasted over hot coals . . ."
The injustice in those words scalded Bhen Rudha, and before she could think, she was advancing on the smaller warrior, hand axe raised to strike. Her world narrowed to the instant revenge that she would have, slicing the smirk of Evergreen's face. With an angry shout she brought the weapon down, missing the other woman only because of Zena's intervention.
Fury buried what words she might say, and as the rest watched in shock, Evergreen yelled, "You are mad! Just as mad as the triumvirate of furies all rolled into one being!" A dark cloud of anger rose almost visibly from the warrior woman, proof that Kedos had not been stopped so easily.
Instead of answering, the priestess collected herself for another strike, and was then surprised by the smaller Amazon's headlong tackle. As the air rushed from her, she felt the wood grip slip from her fingers. The disappointment of the loss of her weapon was shortly eclipsed by the knowledge that she would get to use her bare hands.
Edited by: BhenRudha at: 4/20/03 9:23:03 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:40:11 GMT -6
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 137
(4/4/03 6:33 am)
Into the Crimson Fire
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Mud clogged her nose and throat as Bhen Rudha strained against the strength of Evergreen. Every wrestling hold she tried was either broken or the mud helped the other woman escape. Over the drumming of the rain she could hear the screeching of the two remaining ravens. She ignored them as crimson washed over her vision completely and welcomed the burning that roared along her nerves.
Evergreen's knee connected with her kidney for the third time, and the priestess snarled with pain. Bhen Rudha stopped trying to pin the Amazon, and instead thumped her in the chest, knocking the wind out of her. With this window of opportunity she hauled back her arm for a greater punch, and saw Zena come once again to Evergreen's rescue.
"Ye be meddlin' fer tha last time woman!" she growled, and reached up at the dark haired warrior to simply strong arm her to the ground. Zena spluttered and choked in the mud, leaving Bhen Rudha to return her attention to Evergreen.
The smaller Amazon twisted, pushed herself up and snapped back to lunge once again at the priestess' waist. This time Bhen Rudha rolled with the move, landing finally above the other woman. Firmly in the grip of rage, she gripped Evergreen's shoulders and started smashing the warrior's head into the ground.
Her lips peeled back in feral satisfaction at the thud the Amazon's head made as it hit the soaked earth. Blood ran freely from Evergreen's nose, and her dark eyes had long since rolled back in her head. The priestess admired her handiwork as she continued the punishment. She was a little sad that the soft mud dulled most of the blows, there was no way Evergreen would die of this. No, death would come in another fashion . . . but only after she had worked out more of her pain on the smaller woman.
With each blow she fell further and further away from the cleansing fire that was the Goddess' madness and she could feel the cold infection of Kedos moving deeper. Part of her did not care. For this was for her suffering. And this was for her misplaced trust. This was for Cailleach, sacrificed for the selfish. This was for the insults, the jeers, the taunts . . . This was justice.
This was vengeance . . . This . . . was . . .
"Gaza!" Phalon screamed.
The word sliced through Bhen Rudha, and she stopped moving, her hands digging deeper into Evergreen's shoulders. A deep shudder passed through her frame and she unfolded to her feet, slowly turning to face Phalon. "I be nae. Nae ta him. Nae ta ye. Nae e'er," she said thickly through swollen lips.
The priestess dug her fingers into the thick scab on the palm of her right hand. Blood quickly oozed from the reopened wound. She held up her hand to look at it a long moment, then turned it to Phalon. "I be bleedin' him from me, aye? I be nae a treasure ta him anamore."
Horror filled the seeress as she realized what she must have said. It tempered the relief she felt as she watched Zena struggle to pull Evergreen to where Gabby waited. She flicked her eyes around the clearing, not wanting to stare to long at the bloody Celt. Yellow eyes filled with betrayal caught her gaze for a hopeless moment before Blackwolf bent slowly to retrieve the axe that had landed near.
"Be sufferin' fer ye. Be survivin' him ta be here fer ye. Tha Bandia be makin' it sae. Dinnae be after wantin' much, aye? Mayhap a bit o' help." As Bhen Rudha continued to speak, she approached Phalon, now holding out her right hand in supplication.
"I pledged you my help, Red Woman," Blackwolf said, "what do you need?" She hefted the axe experimentally, hoping her newfound reflexes would be enough should it come to a fight.
"I want to help you too," Phalon made herself answer, her hands tightening upon the wheel of Nemesis. The returning awareness in the priestess' eyes kept her rambling, "The Goddess has surely sent us a miracle, and I for one would not throw that away."
Bhen Rudha ran her wounded hand though her hair, leaving behind a streak of blood that the rain washed down her face like crimson tears. "Ye dinnae be knowin'. Ye cannae. I be tha only one ta be endin' this."
Another shudder went through her as Kedos touched the place in her soul where Witch had once resided. The pain cleared much of the haze that had clouded Bhen Rudha's mind. Awareness of the name that lay curled within the recesses of her mind showed her what she must do next. Only in the true battle madness could she fulfill the Goddess' wishes. So be it.
She drew the sword of Evergreen from her belt and turned to where Xendra now stood. "I be tha' hand o' tha Bandia's justice. Dinnae be after stoppin' me." With her sentence pronounced, the priestess lifted her sword and moved to strike the possessed Amazon down.
Phalon and Blackwolf moved to intercept the Red Woman, and found their faces full of screeching raven. Over the discordant noise came the clear ringing of steel against steel. When the ravens finally got out of the way, the two women saw Zena and Bhen Rudha with swords locked against each other.
The blade of Artemis blazed with holy fire, turning rain to steam. Zena pulled her lips back in a snarl and said, "Evergreen warned you about using that sword against a sister."
Doubt faded as the priestess gave up hope of surviving this battle and concentrated upon doing nothing but honor to the Great War Goddess. Her eyes filled with crimson, and she snapped her teeth, "Ye be dyin' too, aye?"
Zena shoved the taller woman from her and futilely shook water from her eyes. "Not today I won't," she said, and brought her sword around to attack.
Edited by: BhenRudha at: 4/20/03 9:27:24 pm
phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1073
(4/4/03 7:43 am)
Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire
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The utterance of the word had Phalon’s intended effect on the Red Woman. She had no idea what the word meant, only that it would be received with a strong reaction from Red, perhaps stopping her from bringing forth her raging fury against Evergreen. It had indeed done that, and so much more! There was no doubt now in Phalon’s mind that Bhen Rudha had gone mad with the Evil. She saw the world crashing down around them with hatred at it’s core, as Bhen Rudha turned her attentions first on Xendra and that thwarted, now Zena.
Edited by: phalon1 at: 4/4/03 6:44:55 am
QGrrlPower
Registered Member
Posts: 835
(4/4/03 6:15 pm)
Who is the enemy here?
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My breath speeds up as I lean into the wind and rain...Amica and the other horses racing into an unknown battle...against an enemy that not only possessed an Amazon but intended to exterminate the entire Amazon nation...
My eyes focus on the scene in front of me...Evergreen in the mud attempting to catch her breath...Blackwolf and Phalon flanking the woman with the Red hair, battling what looks to be birds as they scratch at their faces...And Zena in battle with the Red stranger.
"You shall not harm the tribe!!!" I yell through the water streaming down my face...I pull Ares sword from it's sheath...the water from the sky hitting its blade...causing a sound much like the beat of a metal drum...faster and faster...*tink...ping* The sound of Amica's hooves hitting the ground...* clomp...clomp* Each noise growing louder in my head the closer I get to the scene...Red with Evergreen's sword in hand...Zena's sword ready to strike...
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:41:36 GMT -6
EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 200
(4/5/03 9:40 pm)
Cut From the Same Cloth
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I have never encountered such fury and lost.
Darkness comes and I fade in and out hearing voices,feeling pain. Crimson fluid flows from my nose,my mouth,and I feel such pain. The mud beneath my body brings cool solace to the stinging of raw flesh.
I struggle and my eyes open,my chest rises and falls with my every breath bringing a searing rememberance of fist bearing blow after blow until I could not will myself to find any defense. So be it... let it be said I died a warrior's death
I have never encountered such fury and lost.
Red, please...please stop! I cried into unhearing ears closed to my words by unbridled hatred. Raw vengeance enacted upon me who was not the true bearer of its source.
I tried to slip away. I tried to take her down by her waist and hold her until all then venom was spent. I called to the Ravens to make her stop, but they watched in awe of their priestess exacting a payment of a debt long overdue. For once, they set quietly...watching...and one muttered..it be the time.
I have never encountered such fury and lost.
Wrapped in my crimson cloth I hear Phalon in the distance. Her voice echos through the throbbing in my head as my heart is marching to a cadence of pain. Thump,thump...
thump,thump...thump,thump
I hear horses...hoofbeats... Hades has come for dispensation and I welcome the relief.
The pounding fist stop and I feel her weight lifting from me. Someone has pulled me through mud and I now lay such as I imagine to hang crucified.
I hear words but my mind cannot phathom their meanings. Pledges of support for the one who sought to rob my life in payment for a debt I did not owe. Through the pain I know that time will be forever altered in this place. And I know...
That I have never encountered such fury and lost.
"It is What it Is"
Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 4/5/03 9:01:51 pm
blackwolf
Registered Member
Posts: 70
(4/6/03 1:24 am)
Our Own Worst Enemies
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"I pledged you my help, Red Woman. What do you need?" I asked. I was going to stand by my word, even with the light of anger in her eyes. However, I tested the axe that I had picked up, just in case.
I had known why she was fighting. At least a part of it. Montara had told me about the loss of one of her Raven's. I understood all to well the pain that the priestess was feeling at that moment. I had felt it too when Montara and I had been separated by Evil. Though I had wanted to intercede in the fight, I relunctantly had stood back.
The rain had soaked through the bandage on my head, causing it to fall over my eyes. Frustrated, I had torn the bandage off and let the rain wash over the wound. It washed away the old crusted blood and let new flow. I ignored it. I also ignored Xendra, whom I had heard rustling around behind us. I figured she was still too weak to hurt us in any way, despite the downpour we were having at the moment.
Now the fight was over. I wanted to trust Red really bad, but at the moment that trust was being strained.
“Ye dinnae be knowin’. Ye cannae. I be tha only one ta be endin’ this.” Bhen Rudha replied to Phalon's and my request. She then drew Evergreen's sword from her belt, and turned to the now standing Xendra. I knew immediately what she intended to do and moved foward to stop her. I was halted by a face full of feathers. I dropped the axe and raised my arms to protect my face. I figured that the ravens would not intentionally hurt us, but I had no wish to find out. I sent a thought out that I wanted to retrieve my bandage to rewrap my head. The assault on me stopped. I looked around and saw the raven on the ground nearby, ready to fly at me again if I tried to interfere. Phalon was still busy with the other one, and to my horror I saw Red and Zena now fighting. From the looks on their faces, I knew this would be to the death.
I quickly calculated what to do. I slowly backed away, keeping an eye on the fighting and on the raven nearby. I bent down and picked up the bandage. I then moved forward again, bringing the bandage to my head. As I thought, I got to close and once again the raven rose to intercept. This time I was ready though. Using my new speed, I reached out and caught the raven in the bandage. I received a few injuries on my hands for my offense, but finally got her tied up. She shrieked her indignation, but there was nothing else she could do. I looked to see what the other raven was doing, but she was still occupied with Phalon. I also noticed Puella racing across the clearing with our horses. She drew her sword, and I knew things were getting out of hand.
"I'm sorry to do this to you" I said to the raven as I set it nearby. "I mean no offense to you, but I cannot let this happen." I then picked up the axe I had dropped, stuck it in my belt, and strode to where the women were fighting. Xendra stood nearby, and I knew from the smile on her face that Kedos was once again in control of her. Evergreen was still laying on the ground nearby, with Gabby trying to tend her and at the same time watch the fight. I signalled Puella to stop her approach, and then waited for the right moment. It came when Bhen Rudha turned her back to me. I quickly approached, grabbed her by the back, and before she could turn and attack me, I threw her across the clearing. Everyone looked on in surprise at that move. I too was surprised at my own strength.
She got up, anger and surprise mixed on her face. Anger won over surprise though, and she started to advance on me. This was what I wanted. I drew the axe from my belt, but instead of stepping foward to fight, I threw it away. It slid through mud and ended up next to the still tied up raven. Red stopped, confusion in her eyes. "Why ye be doin' tha'?"
"Because I will not fight you. You have attacked several of my friends now, and though normally I would exact vengance for that, I will not this time." I turned slightly so that I could look at the rest of the group. Zena had returned to Evergreen's side. She still had her sword unsheathed, though, in case anything else happened. Phalon was also watching the proceedings. The raven who had been distracting her was now at her sister's side, attempting to get her free. Puella and Xendra were staring at one another, and I could feel the pain between them.
"Look at us. We had one mission here. One. To stop the evil, to stop Kedos. Instead we fight amongst ourselves. Evil is playing each and every one of us, and we don't even realize it. We are our own worst enemies right now. We have weakened ourselves with our fighting, while Kedos has only grown stronger." I gestured toward Xendra, who now had her attention on me. "Look for yourself. He has once again gained control of the woman who only moments ago we were trying to save."
I heard Xendra start to sarcastically clap. "Bravo, Blackwolf. Your speech brought tears to my eyes. Tears of pain. You might think that a simple reuniting will stop me, but you're wrong. You think you're so strong with your new powers. But are you really strong enough for what I have in store for you?"
"I can be endin' tha'" Red said, and started towards Xendra once more. I stepped in front of her, ready to fight her if need be.
"I don't want to fight you, but I will if I must. You might think that killing Xendra will stop everything...that Kedos will lose, but you're wrong. In this case death will not make the evil stop, it will only continue to make it grow. I know that he has a hold on you. I can see it in your eyes. However, if you kill Xendra, he will control you fully. Now, you might think that you'll be able to control him, but that will be difficult to do while trying to defend your life. Make no mistake, everyone you see before you will try to kill you instead of just defeat you." I moved forward, and came within striking distance of the sword she still had clenched in her hand. "I pledged to help you, Bhen Rudha, and I will keep to that pledge. But you have to allow me to help you. I know the pain that you feel, for I have felt it myself." At her surprised look, I nodded. "I do know about your loss, and I am sorry. Like I said, I have felt it myself.
"Ye canna be knowin'" she growled.
"Oh but I do. I was separated from Montara for several days due to the hand of evil. I felt a pain so intense it made me cry. I felt incomplete and angry. It is through those feelings that Kedos tried to reach me. You want to know why he didn't succeed? I remembered that although Montara could not be with me physically, he was always with me in thought. I could still feel his trust and his love. He was still in my heart, as your raven is if you look hard enough."
I stepped closer yet again, putting my life fully in her hands. "Allow me to help you. It's your call."
"To fight for what you believe in and to never give up is to have the heart of a wolf."
Edited by: blackwolf at: 4/6/03 12:41:44 am
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:50:57 GMT -6
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 699
(4/6/03 7:41 am)
unfolding events
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Xendra stood at the side watching the events unfold, Red was without mercy or remorse as she tore into Evergreen.
Xendra knew all too well where the fury and rage stemed from; Kedos. Hate coarsed through Xendra's veins once more only now at half the measure it once was..
Xendra could've easily interfered but rather stood amused as Black wolf and Phalon tried to deal with the Ravens that served and protected Red.
Xendra saw Red pull the sword from Evergreen and immediately knew her intent. Xendra smiled and braced her self for for attack. If Red wanted a battle she would give her a battle to the death-Xendra wondered would Kedo's would be diminshed by half when one of his two chosen were slain?
Red first however turned her attention to Zena -
xendra knew in her heart and mind that Zena would fight to her dying breath if necessary to avenge what Red had done to Evergreen...
Xendra watched and shook her head as the Ravens exacted their own vengenace for Black wolf trying to interfere between Red and Zena.
As Black wolf tried to regroup the sound of approaching horses filled the air, the unmistakeable neigh of Amica fell on Xendra's ears, She turned to see Puella in full stride riding towards the group- charging towards her.
Xendra felt a single tear well in her eye as Puella emerged from the treeline and into the clearing. Puella brought Amica to a full stop, with her sword fully drawn she met Xendra's stare.
Black wolf was desperately trying to reach Red, to help the woman she had given her word to.Black Wolf deftly captured one of the ravens and made a bold move against Red, attacking her from behind and throwing her completely away off and away from Zena
Xendra smiled at such a brazen move.
Black wolf noticed the smile and motioned to her sisters as she spoke "Look at us. We had one mission here. One. To stop the evil, to stop Kedos.
Instead we fight amongst ourselves. Evil is playing each and every one of us, and we don't even realize it. We are our own worst enemies right now. We have weakened ourselves with our fighting, while Kedos has only grown stronger." Black wolf gestured toward Xendra, "Look for yourself. He has once again gained control of the woman who only moments ago we were trying to save."
Xendra looked over at Kedos and then back at Black wolf and began to mockingly clap "Bravo, Blackwolf. Your speech brought tears to my eyes. Tears of pain. You might think that a simple reuniting will stop me, but you're wrong. You think you're so strong with your new powers. But are you really strong enough for what I have in store for you?"
Red immediately took the words as a challenge and stepped forward and said,""I can be endin' tha'."
Black wolf once more put herself in harms way to prevent Red from attacking Xendra, as she put her body between the two Black wolf tried to reason with Red,
""I don't want to fight you, but I will if I must. You might think that killing Xendra will stop everything...that Kedos will lose, but you're wrong. In this case death will not make the evil stop, it will only continue to make it grow. I know that he has a hold on you. I can see it in your eyes. However, if you kill Xendra, he will control you fully. Now, you might think that you'll be able to control him, but that will be difficult to do while trying to defend your life. Make no mistake, everyone you see before you will try to kill you instead of just defeat you."
Xendra heard every word but turned her attention back to Puella ...through the rains and rising waters Xendra could still make out the steely determined look upon Puella's face as advanced towards Xendra.
Xendra wanted Puella to fully understand what she was advancing against .So Xendra raised her hands,and yelled orders that none could discern.
In that moment, Xendra was able to fully summon the powers Kedos has just bestoed upon her.
With a rush of air and one last mighty crack of lighting that lit up the sky,Xendra then controlled the element of water.
It was soon obvious to the group that Xendra had rule and reign over the element of water, for they could see that it had obeyed her for soon the raging waters and pelting rains stopped.
Briefly the group rejoiced for no longer did the rain sting and pelt, no longer was the ground beneath them slipping away.
But their rejoicing was to be short lived..
..there is only one success... to be able to spend your life your own way.
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 4/7/03 7:42:38 pm
Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 587
(4/6/03 12:24 pm)
Barometer
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Bhen Rudha stopped trying to pin the Amazon, and instead thumped her in the chest, knocking the wind out of her. With this window of opportunity she hauled back her arm for a greater punch, and saw Zena come once again to Evergreen’s rescue.
“Ye be meddlin’ fer tha last time woman!” she growled, and reached up at the dark haired warrior to simply strong arm her to the ground. Zena spluttered and choked in the mud, leaving Bhen Rudha to return her attention to Evergreen.
The blow caught Zena across her throat and knocked her onto her back. She lay, mouth open, struggling for air and choking on the rain that was coming down in gray sheets. “DROWNING!” The old terror returned and she struggled to a sitting position spitting the mud and water from her mouth. Thump....thump...thump....The vibration and noise were not IN her body but just beyond it and she looked up as her head cleared. Red was straddling Evergreen’s body and each time she pulled the smaller warrior up to her a plume of mud and red water came with it. The horror of it stunned Zena and as she stared at Red beating the life out of her sister she felt paralyzed. Phalon screamed something that was not intelligble through the driving rain but Red heard and understood. As she dropped Evergreen to the mud Zena found her heart and scrambled to drag her from the immediate attention of the priestess. She slid and fell but kept her grip on the collar of the leather tunic, holding so tightly that her fingers were white under their coating of mud. And still the rain came. Depositing Evergreen in Gabby’s lap, she reached to touch her cheek but there was no response, her dark eyes were rolled back under their lids and blood smeared her pale face. The rain plastered her dark hair back and the blue bruises on her cheekbones and forehead stood out in contrast to the colorless skin. Anger filled Zena and she turned as if in slow motion to focus that anger on the one who had caused this damage. Red was pulling Evergreen’s sword out from her belt intending to attack Xendra. Zena stumbled over Evergreen’s inert body while sliding the sword of Artemis smoothly from it’s sheath. She advanced on Red, the blade glowing nearly white hot and the rain turning to steam as it hit the steel. “Ye be dyin’ too, aye?"
Zena shoved the taller woman from her and futilely shook water from her eyes. “Not today I won’t,” she said, and brought her sword around to attack.
Red grasped her forearm and they shoved back and forth, the crisp sound of steel on steel filling the air. Zena had never know such anger. To be attacked is one thing, to see your loved ones attacked is quite another. They slashed and dodged moving around the clearing; sometimes sliding in the mud and sometimes finding a small bit of solid ground on which to battle. Zena knew she would have been outmatched if it were not for the divine sword and this uncharacteristic fury which had surged up inside her like a demon.
Suddenly Blackwolf had tossed Red aside like a broken branch in her path and Puella appeared out of nowhere. With Red distracted by them Zena backed away to return to Evergreen who lay as still as death in the mud. She stood between her and Red and then crouched low to watch the outcome. Blackwolf, Red and then Phalon seemed to be negotiating, Puella standing poised to move. Zena held the sword out still, ready to strike. Xendra rose up then from her litter as one from the grave who is resurrected and holding her hands aloft screamed to the sky. At once the deluge stopped and Zena could again clearly see the blade in her hand. Where once the glowing tip had pointed out the evil, now the entire blade was engulfed and the glow streamed not only from the tip but out from the hilt as well. “Me. It’s in me too!” Zena thought. “It’s in all of us, waiting to be called out.” Hastily she sheathed the sword, not quite sure what to do with that knowledge, or of what use it could have.
Edited by: Zena 1 at: 4/9/03 7:09:14 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:52:08 GMT -6
shamrock xwp
Whoosh! Chat Director
Posts: 219
(4/6/03 7:07 pm)
Back at the Inn . . .
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The inn was dreadful. Full of stinky men, who reeked of BO and manure, and brrrr, cold. The messenger moved closer to the small fire, that provided more light than it did heat. Enjoying the heat from a cup of hot water in her hand, she drew her hood further over her head to avoid close inspection by roguish eyes. "At least I'll get dried out," she thought.
A young bar maid about her size was making the rounds taking orders. It was difficult to see just what she looked like in her bulky peasant clothing. She had a purple bruise on one eye and the outline of a vicious hand slap on her right cheek. Her hands were disgusting with filth, one thumbnail crusted over with infection that hadn't been tended to . . . Revolted, the messenger decided against ordering any food. Thank the gods she had plenty of food in her packs.
After some time by the fire the messenger decided to ask for a bed and made her way toward the kitchen looking for one of several rough looking people who seemed to work there. She got to the kitchen door just in time to see the cook beating the young bar maid. She fell to the floor and the cook, who looked to be an older woman of about 50, took the opportunity to stomp cruelly on the young girls infected thumb. The shriek of pain cut at the messengers heart and she backed up from the door uncertain what to do. It wasn't her business to interfere with the running of an inn. On the other hand she hated to see anyone treated so cruelly. She slunk back to the fire and considered her options. Finally, she decided to bed down for the night in the stable with her horse -- out of sight, out of mind.
The stable hand extracted a small fee from her and mentioned that if she wanted a good place in the straw she'd better get it now before the kitchen help came out to bed down. The next morning she awoke before dawn, smelling . . . eewwww, just what was she smelling . . . she looked around her in the dim light . . . She was smelling the kitchen help as they were lying strewn about in the straw asleep. She fervently hoped that they didn't have lice or scabies. Just the thought of it made her skin itch. The young bar maid was near and upon closer inspection her thumb was swollen, black and crusted with yellow puss and dried blood. "Probably, going to loose the thumb if she doesn't go see a healer," she thought. The messengers heart ached for the girl, for it was obvious that she had no money to pay a healer. Chiding herself for being too big hearted and often stupidly trusting and naive, she wondered how much they'd be willing to sell the girl for. Thirty silver pieces was the going rate for a slave in good health. Looking over the condition of this girl . . . perhaps she could purchase her for half that. Later in the morning she inquired and pointing out that the maid was shivering with fever chills from the infection, purchased her for five silver pieces.
She pulled the girl up behind her on the huge horse, and they were off. First stop the nearest stream to wash the rank odor from the girl and see about dressing the thumb. If the girl survived it wouldn't take her long to work off the five silver pieces and earn her freedom. After all, the messenger thought, nothing in life is free not even freedom.
Edited by: shamrock xwp at: 4/6/03 6:22:10 pm
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 701
(4/7/03 8:14 pm)
Full circle
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Xendra stood there staring into Puella's eyes full of hurt and anger.
Knowing that this could be there journey's end...
Xendra sighed a heavy sigh .
Xendra broke the stare and closed her eyes how many times had Xendra threatened to harm or kill Puella when they first met?
As the memories flowed Xendra could once again hear and feel the battles that raged between the two of them-
It had to be by the grace of the Gods that either of them had lived to see this day.
So much had befallen them in a winter's time, it once seemed like together they could face any challenge.Yet once more there they stood poised to be mortal enemies.
Sadly, in that winter's time they had returned full circle.
There once had existed an unspeakable bond of faith and trust between Puella and Xendra but now lain broken by Xendra's doings.
Without faith and trust there only remained vengance and true bloodlust in Puella heart for Xendra .
Kedos was using Puella's sense of loyalty towards the others to corrupt her feelings about Xendra.
Xendra watched as Puella began to charge and then quickly Xendra turned and walked away from the group and was quickly scanning the mud with her eyes, she came across the stick from the liter.
Xendra reached into the mud and pulled it out. Xendra felt it's solid form and weight then spun it around. A natural fit.
Xendra spun back round just in time to come face to face with a charging Puella.
..there is only one success... to be able to spend your life your own way.
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 4/13/03 5:10:06 am
QGrrlPower
Registered Member
Posts: 847
(4/8/03 2:38 pm)
Control...
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Charging towards Xendra I see the look in her eyes...her need to bring me closer to her to try and defend herself against me…against the tribe...grabbing the make-shirt staff. Poised for defense.
As I run the necklace I wear begins to glow...the heat from it searing my skin...My thoughts consumed by hurt and anger...How could she choose to allow this evil to overcome her...How could she let this come so far…To hurt those closest to her freely…
Suddenly in the blink of an eye, the answer I sought was there in front of me...You can only trust and control yourself in this world...She can not control me...Kedos can't control me...For I do...
I control how I react to the battle before me...no one else...And I will not be a pawn in this game anymore...For a battle is what she wants…what it wants, and I will not give it the satisfaction…I stopped in my tracks...Looking one last time into the eyes of Xendra, so that she knew...Kedos knew...This is OVER…
I turned and walked back towards Amica...arriving at her side I pull the staff from the straps of the saddlebag...the one I made for Xendra with such love and respect…I take off the bracelet from my wrist…the one that she gave me to show her affection for me…I wrap it around the staff...with a sudden force I raise my knee and lower the staff…*crack* The staff now separated…Sun in the right hand and the moon in the left. Now it is as it should have always been…the light and the dark forever separated...
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:53:17 GMT -6
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 702
(4/8/03 4:38 pm)
Broken Pieces
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Xendra hadn't remembered her deal with Artemis but Artemis did as Xendra whispered For a Strong Amazon Nation, she released Artmeis to intervine ...
Xendra unconciously gripped the stick in her hands as she did so her heart began to race then Xendra felt nausesish -her stomach ached and was tied in knots.
Xendra shut her eyes, how could she even think about, even for a moment taking up arms against Puella?
There were so many things she wanted to say and should say but in that moment,Xendra could not speak words failed her.
Xendra knew in her heart of hearts she could not and would not attack Puella, but was ready and able to defend herself if necessary.
The thought of defending herself from Puella caused Xendra's breathing to become labored and her heart to nearly pound out of her chest. This was not a fight she wanted.
As Xendra opened her eyes there stood Puella with a all consuming determined stare. Xendra felt Puella sizing her up and then Puella broke off the stare and calmly walked over to her trusted horse Amica .
Xendra could do nothing but silently watch Puella's every movement and was alarmed as she saw Puella withdraw something from Amica's saddlebags.
Xendra was taken a back and gasped at the sight of her staff. Xendra scanned the staff and immediately could see the parchment was still attached, only now it was encased with mud and grime.
Xendra's mind raced.. "By the Gods, they never knew of my plan.." Xendra's thoughts were interupted by Puella's movements.
Xendra 's heart went into her throat as she saw Puella put the Famila braclet Xendra had given Puella around the staff. Xendra knew this wasn't good .
Puella was givng back what had once been so precious between them.
Something about the way Puella handled the staff caused Xendra to realize in a split second that she intended to break it.
Xendra lunged forward as Puella raised the staff over her knee as to stop her but instead she got all too close a look as Puella broke the staff in two.
Xendra scrambled to collect the two halves and began to sob.
Xendra's heart felt like it was literally breaking into two, like the staff its self ,for this was day, this confrontation was not what she wanted, this had never been in her plans.
Xendra cradled the pieces in her arms and then quickly unleashed the parchment from the staff and held it up to Puella and to the others to see ...
..there is only one success... to be able to spend your life your own way.
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 4/8/03 5:12:07 pm
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 146
(4/9/03 4:35 am)
Crimson Prayer I
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"Living just isn't hard enough . . . burn me alive inside."
- Disturbed, "Prayer"
She was so close. All the elements were there . . . the music of steel on steel, the burn of muscles strained to their limits, the distillation of her thoughts down to till even the twitch in her opponent's eye could be seen . . . the rolling thunder in her veins that announced the Goddess . . .
The crimson veil over her eyes cut through the haze of rain, leaving the world crisp though monochrome. Her heartbeat slowed, even though she bent before Zena's rage. So very close . . .
A pair of hands broke through her concentration and tossed her out of the fight like so much dry wood.
Pain seared Bhen Rudha's nerves and left white explosions behind her eyes. She landed awkwardly then climbed stiffly to her feet. Turning, she saw Blackwolf staring back at her, defiance clear in those bright yellow eyes. The priestess spared half a moment to watch Zena return to Evergreen, hatred still clear in the Amazon's expression. Satisfied that the fight was, for the moment over, she gave all her anger to Blackwolf.
Her steps were heavy through the thick mud, burning her legs with the effort. As she drew close the other woman lifted the hand axe that had been lost in the beginning of the fight with Evergreen. Preparing for this new conflict, the priestess was instead surprised to see the weapon tossed away, to land beside a multi-colored scarf wrapped around a struggling raven.
"Why did ye be doin" tha'?" Bhen Rudha asked, sending her thoughts toward her remaining sisters.
*I am trying to speak with the mystic. She, of course, is making it difficult, for without our Witch I will have to rely on her own gift and actually touch her,* Widow said, anger, frustration and fear mixed in equal parts in her voice. From Warrior she received only waves of anger, and the gaping hole where Witch had once resided ached desperately and she turned away from it.
Images of lashing out at the women around her tumbled through the priestess' mind, but before she could wallow in the possibilities, Blackwolf spoke, "Because I will not fight you. You have attacked several of my friends now, and though normally I would exact vengeance for that, I will not this time."
With those words, all hope of success fled and Bhen Rudha wanted at that moment to turn her sword upon herself and flea to the Underworld. The Wheel could not possibly send her back to a mortal life before Kedos had destroyed everything . . . she would be free . . . perhaps then she could follow Witch into the First Beginning . . . or just stay in the Summerland forever . . .
* * *
Phalon waved the Wheel of Nemesis once again at the large, black-eyed raven that insisted on assaulting her. The bird screeched with indignation and flapped hard to get out of the way. She wished the thing would leave her alone so she could see what was happening with the sword fight.
As the large raven came at her from yet another angel, Phalon saw out of the corner of her eye the priestess sailing through the air. The sight stunned her for a moment, and before she could recover, a pair of taloned feet clamped firmly but gently down upon her upraised arm.
With the shock of contact came a barrage of images . . . all split second visions of the life of a woman from the Emerald Isle . . . childhood . . . priestess training . . . the moment the triple ravens were etched into her back by the fire of the Goddess . . . motherhood . . . dedicating a daughter to the Lady . . . cronehood . . . a last spring day . . . spiritual rebirth as a Raven . . .
The dizzying stream of images steadied finally upon a woman, standing upon a grass covered hill. She was bent only slightly with her many years, shrouded in a voluminous black cloak. Wrinkled hands pushed the cowl back, revealing long white hair and depthless black eyes, framed within Bhen Rudha's face.
Phalon blinked and felt herself take a step back. "Who . . . what are you?" she asked.
"There is not much time for questions, mystic. I am Baintreach, the third of Bhen Rudha's Ravens. I apologize mightily for this intrusion, but I fear that I am unable to speak to you any other way," Widow replied, her voice soft and lilting. Without waiting for Phalon to answer, she continued, "Within my priestess is the means to make Kedos retreat from this world for a long time. The only trouble is, she cannot use this information unless she were to enter the battle madness that is her true gift. For her to do that . . ."
"She will need a battle," the mystic said slowly, "one to the death."
"That is so," answered Widow, spreading her hands. "Please help her in this Phalon. Help her to dance, truly dance for the Lady . . . or our lives may well be forfeit."
"I do not know, Raven, if I can do what you ask," Phalon said after a long moment of silence. The mystic saw then the deep grief that lined the old woman's face. She wondered at its cause.
The woman and the hill began to fade, revealing Bhen Rudha staring at Blackwolf with a hollow-eyed expression. Dimly the mystic heard, "Do not take too long deciding," as the large bird released its grip on her arm. She watched Widow land then hop to the raven wrapped within her rainbow scarf.
Blinking as if she had slept, Phalon thought about what she had seen and heard and tried to figure out what was going on in front of her.
Edited by: BhenRudha at: 4/19/03 3:13:24 am
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:54:34 GMT -6
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 147
(4/9/03 4:49 am)
Crimson Prayer II
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“Living my life’s not hard enough . . . they take everything away.”
- Disturbed “Prayer”
“Look for yourself. He has once again gained control of the woman who only moments ago we were trying to save,” Blackwolf continued, trying desperately to get through to the Red Woman. She wanted so much to trust this stranger, but her recent actions had made that very difficult.
Bhen Rudha already knew that Xendra stood once again fueled by Kedos. The fragment that she carried hummed with power, whispering black seductions deep in her mind. In defense she visualized the raven spiral tattooed into her back, forcing the cold voice into silence. When the priestess was able to think clearly, she heard the tainted one’s threatening words and could not help but snap, “I cen be endin’ tha’.”
She stepped toward Xendra and was thwarted by Blackwolf. The other woman spoke again, “I don't want to fight you, but I will if I must. You might think that killing Xendra will stop everything . . . that Kedos will lose, but you're wrong. In this case death will not make the evil stop, it will only continue to make it grow.”
Bright yellow eyes stared into Bhen Rudha’s, intensifying her words. “I know that he has a hold on you. I can see it in your eyes. However, if you kill Xendra, he will control you fully. Now, you might think that you'll be able to control him, but that will be difficult to do while trying to defend your life. Make no mistake, everyone you see before you will try to kill you instead of just defeat you.”
The priestess tightened her grip upon Evergreen’s sword, a candleflame of hope flickering within her again. Blackwolf’s words replayed in her mind as the other woman moved forward, and came within striking distance.
“I pledged to help you, Bhen Rudha, and I will keep to that pledge. But you have to allow me to help you. I know the pain that you feel, for I have felt it myself.” Icy shock tore at the priestess clearly showing upon her face. Blackwolf simply nodded, “I do know about your loss, and I am sorry. Like I said, I have felt it myself.”
“Ye cannae be knowin’,” she growled, casting a silent plea to her beloved Goddess, asking for strength. In that moment a lightening bolt tore the sky overhead, and the deluge that had been plaguing the women just . . . stopped.
Believing this to be an answer to her prayer, Bhen Rudha cast her mind out to give thanks. She found herself on the edges of the Emerald Dream. It was dim and flat, missing the vital presence of all three ravens. Trying to keep from keening, she nonetheless felt a wave of energy, familiar and strange in the same breath. It was inviting . . . like the madness . . .
In the Emerald Dream, the priestess’ eyes washed crimson, and she used the vison to search for the source of energy. Within the monochrome haze, she saw a ghostly outline of a woman leading a string of horses, a sword strapped to her back. It took a moment to remember where she had felt this energy before. It was when she had met Ares, and now recognized that He was another face of war. Recognized also that it was His sword the woman carried.
Zena’s cry, unintelligible to her ear, was enough to call her away from the vision. The priestess blinked and saw that Blackwolf was speaking to her still. Those words were also unrecognizable to Bhen Rudha, and she tensed when the other woman stepped closer to her, saying, “Allow me to help you. It's your call.”
While Puella and Xendra squared off not far away, the priestess thought over what she meant to do. She could not see a road that did not lead to her ending. Finally she believed that she did not care so much about that anymore. In the end, she was a Daughter of the Morrigu and that was all that mattered. She would dance her way into the Underworld.
With her mind cleared of hesitation, she leaned closer and whispered into Blackwolf’s ear. “Inside me be tha way ta be defeatin’ Kedos. Be buried deep within me, aye? Ye can onla be helpin’ me with a figh’. If’n ye cannae be fightin’, dinnae be steppin’ in me way.”
Bright yellow met amber-green for a long moment while Blackwolf tried to understand what the priestess had said. With a sad smile, Bhen Rudha continued, “Be one tha’ be carryin’ war with her, aye? She be tha one ta be freein’ wha’ be locked inside o’ me.”
With gentle fingers she touched Blackwolf’s cheek and murmured so that only the other woman’s preternatural hearing could discern it, “I be sorra, I dinnae thin’ I will be tha one ta be teachin’ ye. Slán agat, Duibhfaolchú.”
Her final words spoken, Bhen Rudha slammed her fist into the other woman’s solar plexus. And before Blackwolf hit the ground gasping for air, the priestess shrieked a Gaeilge warcry, throwing herself at Puella, Evergreen’s sword raised for a deathstroke.
EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 202
(4/9/03 4:32 pm)
Tomorrow Begins With the Setting Sun
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With gentle fingers she touched Blackwolf’s cheek and murmured so that only the other woman’s preternatural hearing could discern it, “I be sorra, I dinnae thin’ I will be tha one ta be teachin’ ye. Slán agat, Duibhfaolchú.”
Her final words spoken, Bhen Rudha slammed her fist into the other woman’s solar plexus. And before Blackwolf hit the ground gasping for air, the priestess shrieked a Gaeilge warcry, throwing herself at Puella, Evergreen’s sword raised for a deathstroke.
" My sword will not kill one of our own!" The Red Woman's defeated challenger found her voice through swollen lips and a violent purple jaw.
Evergreen rolled to one side, and attempted to push up in satuarated ground only to slip and fall prostrate in the mud. One leg drew up attempting to gain a foothold,but the body could not follow the command of the heart. Her hand went out seeking the other who had always been there to lift the body and the spirit.
Without hesitation, Zena's forearm grasp that of her friend. With the smaller warrior pulled upright, the arm encircled the back a bloodied tunic. Evergreen leaned against the sister not born of blood, but of time and trust. Zena drew the sword of Artemis that now, with the embrace of Evergreen, glowed pure and free from hatred.
"I guess perhaps priestess I have not made myself clear with my words, and now you will return what rightfully belongs to me or I vow I shall kill you for your refusal. My own father died at my hand and how less you are to me than him?" The voice was quiet and deliberate as Evergreen spoke with pain at every breath required for every word.
"I wish you no harm. I wish only peace from the torment I see in your eyes, but hear me now, give me back what you have or kill me with it for there is no middle earth in your decision."
Zena grabbed the back of Evergreen's tunic, leaned in and whispered, "No! You cannot do this."
Evergreen smiled at Zena saying, "If I do survive this, you must build me a hut near the sea, and promise me a solstice tree in the white season. Please...let this be as I wish it to be"
With the last words exchanged, and drawing strength from the spirits of all the sister's present, Evergreen broke free and stood between Red, the beloved sword, and the intended one whose death was sought. With the sword still raised high ready to strike, Evergreen dropped to her knees, looked into green eyes, and with resolution spoke to the stranger in their midst..."do what you must do."
Looking downward, arms still raised on high with hands shaking fighting the mind for the strike, BehnRudha taunted the bloodied Amazon. " I tha ye say ye be the one killin' me. How ya be doin' tha on two knees?"
"Kill me, and you will kill yourself. Kedos will have his hand maiden and put your body and soul back in chains. Do you not know this by now? Save yourself and you save us all." Evergreen sat back down on the calves of her legs knowing she was not match for the enraged one in such a formidable vessel. She closed her eyes and waited for the blow. I fear you not as I would fear my life for not choosing this path.
"It is What it Is"
Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 4/9/03 4:54:33 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:55:55 GMT -6
QGrrlPower
Registered Member
Posts: 857
(4/10/03 5:39 pm)
One of My Own
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As the staff breaks over my knee…I feel a release…I wave Amica away, for I do not wish her to be in harm’s way…
The echo of a battle nearby can be heard…Suddenly the shrillest of cries rings through my ears…I turn to see Evergreen intercept the red stranger, as she raced towards me, sword raised…Evergreen’s face bloodied and battered, speaking words that meant more then I could ever express…" My sword will not kill one of our own!"…Looking around I see that I stand alone. Was she speaking of me?
My heart was filled with such respect and love for these warriors…Seeing them band together for each other…for me…for the sake of the tribe’s existence. Each breath I take is deep and my heart echoes in my ears…Watching as Evergreen pulls away from the grasp of Zena and kneels before the stranger…"Kill me, and you will kill yourself. Kedos will have his hand maiden and put your body and soul back in chains. Do you not know this by now? Save yourself and you save us all."
Her words I did not understand, but her actions were quite clear…as she closed her eyes and poised for a blow from her very own sword…wielded by the stranger…Calmer then I ever thought I could be in the eyes of danger…I pulled Ares’ sword from it’s sheath and stepped forward towards the scene…As Evergreen’s sword swings around to strike her, I step in and swing my sword…*Clang* the metals clashed…leaning forward I speak loudly but calm…”You will not harm one of my own!!!”
Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 588
(4/10/03 6:15 pm)
Soul Food
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The words were nearly inaudible: " My sword will not kill one of our own!" Zena had turned away to look over her right shoulder as her eyes followed the tip of the glowing blade sliding into the sheath. On that side she caught the movement of Evergreen’s feet and turned abruptly toward her once still torso. Evergreen’s hand reached out, confident that Zena would be there, and so she was at once. Briefly she drew her close and breathed a sigh, “I gotcha. I gotcha.” Together, they struggled to a standing position and while her left arm supported Evergreen, Zena reached back to once again draw the divine sword, noticing that the fire in the ice was gone but the purified blade shone brighter for it’s whiteness. Evergreen was speaking but Zena was focused on the weapon and it’s power. She caught only the last few words, “...give me back what you have or kill me with it for there is no middle earth in your decision." She grabbed at Evergreen’s tunic to stop her forward momentum and bent to whisper, "No! You cannot do this." Evergreen smiled at Zena saying, "If I do survive this, you must build me a hut near the sea, and promise me a solstice tree in the white season. Please...let this be as I wish it to be" Zena grinned back reluctantly and with a lightness only a good friend would understand replied, “If you survive, you can have the hut, the tree and a stack of shirts!” “Will you embroider the pine branch on them?” “I will. With my own two hands.” “Then I HAVE to survive to see that!”
Although her words let Evergreen go, Zena’s arm would not and Evergreen pulled away to face Red. She knelt in front of her, daring her to fight for herself and free her soul from the evil. Quietly Zena crossed behind Evergreen took a solid stance behind her right shoulder. Feet spread apart, she leveled the blade at Red and with a solemnity that spoke of absolute determination she said slowly, “Strike her and you will be in Hades, or wherever your people go, before you can take another breath. Fight the evil and gain both soul and body or give way to it and lose both.”
Suddenly Puella lunged between them, swinging the sword of Ares and connecting with Red as she deliberated her course.
gabbyfan4ever
Registered Member
Posts: 74
(4/10/03 9:10 pm)
nobody said it would be easy....
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In the midst of chaos, Gabby thought about just how much could happen in one day. Lives could be changed, or lost between the rising and setting of the sun. The young girl had lived many "eventful" days as of late, and this one was no different. The ironic thing is that she would not have given up this life with her sisters for all the uneventful, though peaceful, days in the world.
Gabby sat watching over her sister Evergreen who was just beaten within an inch of her life, as the rest of her tribe attempted to deal with the stranger in their midst. The girl could see it in her eyes, just like in Xendra. Bhen Rudha was no longer herself, no longer in control of herself.
Gabby's thoughts were interrupted when she felt Evergreen trying to get up. Before the girl could try and convince her to lie down, Zena came over and helped Evergreen to her feet, supporting her shaky legs. The scene unfolded itself before the young warriors eyes, and all seemed to be waiting as Evergreen knelt before Bhen Rudha, demanding her to make a decision. Though Zena let Evergreen do as she wished, she stood behind her sister, as always.
Bhen Rudha raised the sword to strike a blow that would take Evergreen away from her sisters on earth, and would have followed through had it not been for Puella. She would not let her sister die.
Now was the time to act, Gabby thought. Her sisters would not fight for their tribe while she sat on the sidelines. Determined not to harm her sisters in an effort to help them, Gabby put on the Hades' helmet, granting her invisibility. The young warrior dove at Bhen Rudha, taking her legs out from under her, making sure to stay low to avoid the clanging swords. Completely stunned at the invisible attacker Bhen Rudha didn't know who to fight. The young warrior scrambled off the ground, narrowly managing to get out of the range of Bhen Rudha's sword with only a shallow cut on her arm. Gabby winced as she saw the warrior swinging wildly at everything within 15 feet of her. Zena looked at the now empty place were Gabby had been sitting, and gave a knowing look in the girl's general direction that wordlessly begged her daughter to be careful. Gabby had no idea how long before even her invisibility failed to keep her safe from the warrior. She knew that she could be no match for her fighting skills, much less with the evil making her stronger. And it didn't matter. She would fight until she could fight no longer. Bhen Rudha turned her attention back to Puella and the rest of the tribe. "Together we are strong.", Gabby thought as she gave a loving look to her mother and got ready for another attack.
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 22:57:05 GMT -6
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 705
(4/12/03 10:24 pm)
Melee in the Mud
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Lost in her own thoughts, and still reeling from Puella’s anger, Xendra sat there holding up the muddied parchment. Xendra was unaware for a millisecond; of the growing danger to Evergreen's or even Puella's life and well being.
It was not til the clanging of swords that Xendra became alerted back to her surroundings. Xendra turned just in time to see Puella strike away the sword that Red intended to kill Evergreen with.
Despite whatever misgivings between them, Xendra instinctively sprang to her feet to defend Puella and the others. Xendra was not going to let Red or anyone else kill or hurt one of her own...even if they no longer wanted her.
Puella’s and Lil Gabbyfan had already come to Evergreen's defense and were already valiantly battling Red. Xendra waited for an opening to join the attack.
Xendra watched Red's every movement and read her intentions to go after Puella. Without thought of herself or of her safety Xendra quickly joined the melee against Red.
Xendra stood amazed as she watched Evergreen, she could not fathom that Evergreen could even stand let alone offer herself as a sacrifice or fight.
As Xendra neared Red she spotted the footprints in the mud , Xendra grimaced realizing it had to be Lil Gabbyfan and prayed that Lil Gabbyfan would not undergo a similar brusing fate as Evergreen. .
Xendra tried to distract Red from her mission, she taunted Red “Come, Come after me- I posses the other half of the power that resides in you.!!”
Red paused in her fighting for a second as she mulled it over and then and then continued to try to advance towards Puella.
Puella being put in peril by Red caused overwhelming rage to burst within Xendra. With one final deep breath and a deep growl Xendra harnessed the hate burning within – hatred for Kedos, hatred for herself, hatred for past deeds and hatred for what she had done to the tribe.
For a brief moment stood face to face with Red and found herself peering into the seering eyes of Red …and saw a mirrored reflection of self.
In that moment Xendra something snapped within Xendra, Xendra was now fully controlled by hatred.
Xendra did not comprehend that she was not fighting Red but every demon, every bad memory or experience her brain and heart could process .
Xendra gave herself over to the darker insincts, she unleashed every ounce of palpable hurt and anger, she let years of pent up hurt,agression and rage fly…all at Red.
In madness and insane anger Xendra delivered excruciating body blows to Red, and with each successful strike Xendra's anger and actions grew more wild.
Xendra delivered non stop blow after blow to Red’s body- body blows that would have hurt or killed mere mortals merely seemed to strengthen Red instead of weaken her.
After a while, every blow that Xendra would land against Red,Red answered with an equally punishing blow to Xendra .
Xendra not being used to being beaten, began to use every weapon in her disposal...she even began to kick and claw at Red ..whatever it took to distract or weaken the enemy.
As the battle continued on Xendra came to realize that Red’s strength and hatred were of equal caliber and strength to her own . Xendra became disconcerted at the growing knowledge that she no longer held an advantage over Red, for her powers and strength were only equal to Red’s at best.
Xendra exhausted her anger and frustrations and began to weaken slightly. Xendra soon realized that someone or something HAD to do something to tip the scales otherwise Red may easily rip through the remants of the Amazon nation.
Xendra could only hope her strength would last... that all their strength would last for without the others battling Red also, Xendra knew in her heart that she would be quickly vanquished.
Something far within Xendra's heart and mind told her that something far stronger than hatred was needed if they were to survive...
..there is only one success... to be able to spend your life your own way.
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 4/13/03 11:03:55 am
phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1109
(4/14/03 9:05 pm)
Justice a Moment, Please
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She will need a battle, one to the death.
She watched Bhen Rudha charge Puella as she rode towards them. She saw swords clash, but it was through a daze that she watched. It was as if time was standing still for her at this moment. The sounds of the fight, and shouts around her were muted, coming from somewhere in the distance.
The raven, the one referred to as Widow, needed her help. Her help in deciding that one of them should die, in order that Kedos attempts at control be thwarted. Was this a ruse? Why should the Widow be trusted? Who was to say that the vision of the old woman on the hill was not one that Kedos itself had conjured up, trying to deceive Phalon and cause her to play into it’s hands. It did not feel so to Phalon, but no good trick ever felt like a trick to the deceived, did it?
What if she chose wrong? The price to pay was ultimate, either way. One of them must die in order for Bhen Rudha to come into the knowledge of how to banish Kedos, or let Kedos reign supreme. A sacrifice made for the Greater Good. The decision was placed on her shoulders and she did not know if she could make it.
And why her? Who was she to decide to let it happen, to decide what was just?
Phalon watched a beaten and bloodied Evergreen stagger between Red and Puella, putting her own life at risk for that of her sister. It was amazing, but Phalon would expect nothing less. Nothing less from any of them. Time and time again each of them had put their lives on the line for one another. And now she had been asked to purposefully make a choice that would end life for one of them? Not now. Not at this moment. She would not let it happen.
Phalon raised the Wheel of Nemesis and aimed towards Red. Just as she was about to release it “chakram style”, as she had seen Zena do many times over with her own chakram, she watched Red fall back as if pushed by an invisible force. Gabbyfan! She could not release the wheel now, for fear of hitting the girl.
As she stood with the wheel motionless in her had, but still poised and ready to hit it’s intended mark, Phalon stared at it’s silver spokes coming from the hub of gold, likes rays from the sun, encased in a rim of gold.
Who was she to render divine justice?
Perhaps…
A raven lit upon the rim of the wheel that Phalon held. She stared into the black pools of it’s eyes and saw the image of an old woman on a grass covered hill. The bird cocked it’s head from side to side and cawed. Yessss!
Edited by: phalon1 at: 4/15/03 10:14:06 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 23:01:39 GMT -6
Zena 1 Zena Scrolls Host Posts: 591 (4/15/03 8:04 pm) Time -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When Red suddenly went over sideways and had to deal with Puella simultaneously, Zena made a grab for Evergreen. With her hands under Evergreen’s armpits she pulled her backwards from her kneeling position and dragged her toward the treeline away from the wildly swinging Red. Under a large sheltering pine that had somehow withstood the recent upheavals, she tenderly set her friend down and gently pushed her back against the tree. As soon as she was seated Evergreen struggled to get up again, trying to enter the brawl that was developing on the field. “Stop. Just rest for a breath. You are still cloudy in your head,” Zena cautioned. “I can do this.” “I know you can. In a bit. Give it a little time." Time. There was never enough time. Always moving from place to place, always another fight. There was seldom time to simply enjoy the friends and the places they saw. And this battle, which had been raging for what seemed like years, how much more time before they could rid themselves of the evil which Zena now knew lived in each of them uninvited. Zena glanced back. Gabby was moving around Red, the mud depressed as she stepped, but Red was too distracted by Puella and the sword of Ares to figure out where she would move next. She was still able to duck the swinging blades and land a blow or a kick. Blackwolf hoped to subdue Red in a hold so that she could communicate in their own extraordinary way but she was moving too much for her to restrain her. Xendra too was in the melee, and it was hard to tell who was actually battling who with arms and weapons being tossed about indiscriminantly. Only Phalon stood apart with the wheel held up as if she would throw it like a chakram. She seemed dazed and Zena thought it wise to pull her back too until they could sort out sides. Zena became aware that in her hand she still held the sword of Artemis and as she turned back, she formed Evergreen’s cold hands around the handle, close to the hilt. “I know you will be up as soon as you can stand.” She grinned at her sister who smiled weakly in return. “You know me, don’t you?” “I should, we’ve spent a lot of time together! Since you are going anyway, I might as well give you some help. Take the sword, I’m going to grab Phalon before the fight moves too close.” “Be careful.” “Oh, you’ll still get your stack of shirts..” “And the tree..” “Yes, the tree too." Zena crouched and ran around the the tangle of bodies, all slashing, pounding and beating on each other. Just as she crossed in front of Red and she was looking at the ground for Gabby she caught a motion out of the corner of her eye. Puella had come from behind Red with her sword extended after executing a flip to dodge Xendra. As Zena turned toward her she felt something strange and cold at her belt. She looked down slowly to brush it away and saw the gleaming sword of Ares had run her through. Time stood still it seemed, as she brought her head up to look into Puella’s eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but no words would come. Her arms were strangely heavy and lifting them was difficult. With great effort she placed her hands on Puella’s shoulders to steady herself. Looking past her she thought she saw Ares, clapping his hands in a slow rhythm of applause and Athena and Artemis reaching toward her. “I must be dead. I can see the gods.” Her head turned instinctively to search for Evergreen and she saw the dark eyes against the bruised pale face. As she closed her eyes she heard, “Zeeeeenaaaa.” Time had ceased. phalon1 Registered Member Posts: 1115 (4/15/03 10:18 pm) Justice a Moment, Please (Part II) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yesss, the Widow raven seemed to caw. The Wheel. The Wheel was the key. This gift from Nemesis was the deciding factor in the decision put before her. She had to know before making her choice. She prayed that the Goddess of Divine Justice and Retribution heard her plea. Nemesis, please hear me. When you presented me with this Wheel, you told me it had the power, once set in motion, to change one’s course of action. Goddess, I need to know, can it change the results of one’s actions, without the course being altered, if the intent of those actions are just and true, but with horrific results? Please hear me. Tell me now. A faint whisper, so soft, like a small babe breathing on its mother's neck as she held it, blew in the wind. Phalon heard just before she heard Evergreen’s anguished scream, “Zeeeeenaaaa!” Edited by: phalon1 at: 4/15/03 10:26:07 pm EvergreenLM Registered Member Posts: 207 (4/16/03 7:11 pm) The Promise -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote:
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For without your hands
your battle cry
your timid fearless roaming eye
I would be awkward hands with no flag
with no pulse
no boast to brag
but alone,simply
Alone. -from a night without armor--------------------------------------------------------------------------- The night was as black as the lake next to which they all slept. No moon watched over them. The wavering light of the stars above gave sharp contrast to the darkness. The camp fire had dwindled down to a soft light and only a few crackles and pops of the wood were now heard. Tall pine trees shared their fragrance as their branches swayed in the breeze as if directing the night sounds. The small group of young Amazon girls lay haphazardly sleeping in their own unique positions. Evergreen hated the overnight trainings held deep in the forest where all things unknown abided. Sleep was difficult. “Evergreen?” A hushed whisper called out. “What now, Zena? Are you not asleep yet? “Did you ever wonder what happens to people when they die? Mother said a great winged chariot comes and carries warriors to the other side. Do you think it hurts to die…do you?” “If you don’t stop asking me so many questions, you will find that answer for yourself very soon…go to sleep Zena.” Evergreen crossed her face with both arms. “Do you think I will die in battle someday…would you miss me…you never cry… would you cry for me?” Zena’s voice betrayed her real fear of separation. “Oh, for mother of pearl, Zena. No, you won’t die in battle someday. You will live to be a…chatty old woman talking up a storm as I pass over. Now, go-to-sleep.” Zena softly followed with, “No, Evergreen, I mean it…tell me…please.” Evergreen rolled over and propped her head on her hand. Quietly and with great compassion, the protector gave her true answer. “No, Zena…you will not…I will not allow it. I promise you that for tonight...and always.” Evergreen heard a relieved sigh through the darkness. “Thank you, I knew you’d say that. Evergreen?” Gently. “What Zena?” “Why are you not asleep?” “Stop. Just rest for a breath. You are still cloudy in your head,” Zena cautioned. “I can do this.” “I know you can. In a bit. Give it a little time.” Zena became aware that in her hand she still held the sword of Artemis and as she turned back, she formed Evergreen’s cold hands around the handle, close to the hilt. “I know you will be up as soon as you can stand.” She grinned at her sister who smiled weakly in return. “You know me, don’t you?” “I should, we’ve spent a lot of time together! Since you are going anyway, I might as well give you some help. Take the sword, I’m going to grab Phalon before the fight moves too close.” “Be careful.” “Oh, you’ll still get your stack of shirts..” “And the tree..” “Yes, the tree too.” And in a the midst of the clashing of swords, chaos, groans, and the whir of a wheel flying through past and present… for Evergreen and Zena...time stood still. “Zenaaaaaa!” "It is What it Is" Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 4/16/03 7:27:53 pm |
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 23:03:46 GMT -6
Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 595
(4/17/03 9:11 pm)
In Between
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Suffocating silence. Silence pushing in on your ears. No breath sounds, no rustle of cloth, just silence. The darkness is so black that it has a texture of it’s own, rubbing against you, living just outside your eyes. Is there something, someone in the void? Where is the moon? There is always a moon. How long am I to bathe in this total absence of life? Time is frozen in the moment between the grains of sand that fall in the glass, in the space between heartbeats, in the moment after you exhale. Alone in the silence. Remember the promise you made to me. . .
EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 209
(4/17/03 9:46 pm)
The Promise II
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Evergreen watched as Zena slowly fell…knees buckled…that look…astonishment and pain…all in an instance before she melted to the ground like dripping candle wax.
Stunned silence. No one moved, nor spoke. Swords glistened in the light frozen in mid strike. When she hit the earth, the sound was like thunder in Evergreen’s ears and she had felt the blade as it entered Zena. She grabbed her side expecting to see crimson stained hands. But it was not so, not this time. This time, it was not as it should have been.
Puella gasp as Zena fell away from the bloodied blade of the sword still held tightly in her grip.
The others, standing near the fallen sister, parted as Evergreen moved between them and knelt to the ground. Bruised hands covered the gaping wound as blood flowed like a raging torrent.
Evergreen looked up and searched each face of the tribe. “I cannot make it stop…I promised…I made a promise in the dark.”
With a feral sound that reverberated throughout the silent forest, Evergreen turned her face towards a stricken Phalon. “Help her!” Anger began to rise up in dark eyes.
Slowly, Evergreen turned to the stranger in their midst.
“I should have killed you when I had the chance. Better I died trying than to be witness to this."
Evergreen stood and reached out a bloody hand. Red lifted her sword higher as she took a step back with a balancing stance.
Evil reveled in its grand showing of power.
“By all the gods Priestess, I have failed my promise… go ahead… do it! I won’t let her leave this world alone…I will not…I will not!
Again defeated, the proud warrior leaned into the Red woman and quietly whispered, “Please…just send me there…with her.” With the words spoken, a lifetime of withheld tears fell to the ground mixing with Zena’s life force. And as the liquid crimson ebbed out onto the cold, uncaring earth, a smirking Ares clapped… “Bravo…well done…well done by all.”
"It is What it Is"
Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 4/18/03 10:42:12 am
phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1122
(4/18/03 11:53 pm)
Calculated Trust
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“Zeeenaaa!” Phalon was abruptly snapped out of her thoughts. That tone. The sound of her name being screamed in that way made the hairs on Phalon’s head bristle and sent a cold knife blade sinking into her heart. It was a sound that would be forever etched in Phalon’s mind.
She turned in time to see Zena crumpling to the ground, the life ebbing out of her like the tide of blood which poured from the wound in her side made by Ares’ sword.
Stillness. Disbelief. As Evergreen knelt down next to her friend - her sister, they stood, gathered around the two woman in the shocked silence that follows an event so momentous that time seems frozen in place, cold and unfeeling, until it again starts ticking away, oblivious to the pain felt by those drowning in it’s wake.
The quiet was broken by a cry, and time started again. “Help her!” Evergreen screamed, her eyes pleading with Phalon, but knowing what she asked was not possible. As Evergreen turned towards Bhen Rudha, Phalon knelt next to Zena. “I can not”, she replied quietly, “Not right now.” She brushed a strand of hair from Zena’s ashen face, leaned close and kissed her forehead, whispering something inaudible to those around her.
“…go ahead…do it! I won’t let her leave this world alone…I will not…I will not! Please…just send me there…with her.”
Phalon rose to her feet and turned towards Evergreen. “No, Evergreen. What you will not do is give in. Have you ever? Has Zena?” Phalon placed her hands on Evergreen’s shoulders with a sideways glare at Red, daring her to intrude. She turned her head back and looked into Evergreen’s eyes. “Listen to me now. Keep faith. Believe.”
She led her back to Zena’s lifeless body and sat her down. “Stay with her now. Stay with your friend and keep faith. Above all, Evergreen, keep faith.”
Phalon left the two together, and picked up the sword of Artemis where it lay fallen, discarded and forgotten by the one whose hand Zena placed it in. The feel of the weapon felt good in her hand. It had been a long time since she held a sword, her weapon of choice. As she flexed her wrist, testing it’s weight in her hand, an absurd smile briefly crossed her lips, remembering a comment her mother made concerning her sword and her culinary skills - or lack thereof.
The smile faded as quickly as it appeared, and with a calculated decision and carefully choosen words, Phalon turned towards Bhen Rudha and hissed, “Look, Celt.” Spreading her arms wide, “See what you have done? Was this what you had envisioned when you came to help? See what you have caused. Turmoil, strife, hatred between us. It’s all happened since you appeared. You and your damn ravens. Now death. What else, Bhen Rudha? Tell me please.” Phalon sneered, the blade in one hand, the wheel in the other. “Tell me. Tell me, now. Was is all part of your plan, Gaza?!”
Edited by: phalon1 at: 4/18/03 11:59:53 pm
gabbyfan4ever
Registered Member
Posts: 77
(4/19/03 10:32 am)
Deafening
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Gabby had felt this only twice in her entire life. Once when her family was crucified by Romans, and now as her mother lay dying on the ground. Gabby stood there a child old enough to comprehend, but too young react. She heard nothing and saw nothing other than Zena losing her life force on the ground in small rivers. Her knees buckled, and Gabby crawled unseen to her mother's side. She pulled her helmet off and touched Zena's hand. Her stare was blank, but the tears streaming down her face carried the deafening, crushing weight of all the thoughts running through her mind. The world around her went on, but Gabby's world was utterly still.
Edited by: gabbyfan4ever at: 4/19/03 12:35:58 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 23:07:47 GMT -6
QGrrlPower
Registered Member
Posts: 871
(4/19/03 12:13 pm)
They will not die in vain
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Swords clashed as Puella and the Red stranger battled furiously…Suddenly Red tumbled heels over head as if she was thrown off balance by an unseen force…Gabbyfan, it had to be…
Watching the ground in between each swing of my sword…Impressions in the mud shallower then the footprints of the warriors as they battled. I strike for the warrior’s arm, she counters the move blocking my motion…attacking with all my might to keep this woman’s attention focused upon me…Knowing that Gabbyfan’s advantage is that of surprise…I could only hope that she was able to back off enough from the scene to evade the warrior and her rage…to keep her defense at full capacity.
Each clash of the swords echoed in my ears…my heart racing, the sounds of my breath becoming more grunts and pants as I felt the power of Ares’ sword race through me.
Suddenly an image appeared between us…Xendra, I have no time for you, was my thought…I flipped over them both landing behind Red…Swinging around, my sword prepared to strike…stepping as if in slow motion.
I feel a resistance in the movement of my blade…”I got her” I boasted to myself…my confidence building as I realize this battle can be won…My eyes scan the sword of Ares from my white knuckled hands upon the handle…scanning up the blade…the blood dripping…the cloth on the blade from my victim…Catching my breath…this is not the garbs of the Red stranger…
I look up the figure before me…Into the eyes of the first Amazon I had attempted to capture…the first Amazon who I released from the cage, in the roman camp…the first Amazon to show me that I could be something more then what I was…The first Amazon to gain my respect, as she was a warrior, heart and soul…fighting for survival…for her tribe…for her family…Her eyes staring into mine, her hands upon my shoulder as she steadies herself…My heart stopped, my breath held…My ears echo with the sound of one word…Zeeeeeennnaaaaaaa!!!!!
Evergreen ran towards her as she fell to the ground…I pulled Ares sword from Zena, its blade glowing with the blood of the brave warrior…I watch as Evergreen charges Red…in a mission to give up her life rather then go on without the one she loved so dear…her sister…her family…”I will not let her leave this world alone?” I gasp...as I rush to block her path, I see that Phalon has already done so...Escorting her back to Zena's side...The two women who taught me more about being a warrior then any training in the world…By example, through trust…caring, sacrifice and love…That you don’t have to be blood to be family…and that family is worth dying for…
With purpose in my eyes I look around to find Gabbyfan…Speaking aloud, in hopes that she would hear, “Go to her side…let her see you.” Watching Phalon as she attempts to care for the two warriors…looking for a reason, a solution. Watching her grab the sword of Artemis. “No Phalon you are not a swordsman…your powers are mightier then the sword…Focus on the power, of the spirit…let me handle the body.” My words started with a stutter but gained strength as my determination to end this… I hear Phalon’s words as she spoke to Red…Bhen Rudha so that is your name…anything with a name can be defeated…The sword of Ares still glowing…my rage overwhelming…the pain in my heart crippling.
You will not win…My sister will not die in vain…
Edited by: QGrrlPower at: 4/20/03 4:29:37 pm
phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1125
(4/20/03 8:06 am)
Links
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“No Phalon you are not a swordsman…your powers are mightier then the sword…Focus on the power of the spirit…let me handle the body”, said Puella.
How could Phalon have thought she could enter this alone? Foolishly naïve, she had an idea that if she herself provoked Bhen Rudha into the battle she needed to perhaps save them all, that the others would be spared the wrath of the blood lust swirling within the Priestess, straining to be let loose. A lust that once released, could mean death for some, but ultimate redemption for the whole in the end.
She hooked her finger through the silver chain around Puella’s neck, running her fingers over the links that led to the silver and emerald bull, and cradled the amulet in her palm, looking into the green stone that linked herself and Puella together in a spirit not either woman fully understood. Clasping her hand around the talisman she felt searing heat within her palm, a heat that brought not physical pain, but a spiritual one in the realization that she could not keep Puella out of this.
She released the necklace, letting the amulet fall back into place next to Puella’s heart. “Together, then?” she asked, looking into Puella’s eyes.
Returning her gaze, “Yes, together”, was the reply.
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 23:09:15 GMT -6
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 162
(4/20/03 11:43 pm)
Crimson Prayer III
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“Another dream that will never come true . . . just to complement your sorrow.”
- Disturbed “Prayer”
“My sword will not kill one of our own!” Evergreen screamed through battered lips.
The blade halted of its own accord, answering its mistress' call. Bhen Rudha groaned inwardly, feeling once again all semblance of hope turn to dust within her. Without a weapon, or even a fight, she could not complete the task set before her by the Lady. It was all . . . every bit of it . . . for nothing.
In silence she watched Evergreen move forward with Zena’s help. What could she say? What would they believe?
Nothing.
So she waited.
Finally the Amazons stood before her and Evergreen said, “I guess perhaps priestess I have not made myself clear with my words, and now you will return what rightfully belongs to me or I vow I shall kill you for your refusal. My own father died at my hand and how less you are to me than him?”
If she had not been used to being considered simple property, the small warrior’s words would have stung deeply. As it was, the priestess could only stare, struck dumb entirely by the situation she had found herself in.
“I wish you no harm. I wish only peace from the torment I see in your eyes, but hear me now, give me back what you have or kill me with it for there is no middle earth in your decision,” Evergreen continued, despite protests from her friend and protector.
She truly did not want to kill anyone, least of all this warrior that stood so noble and defiant before her. Kedos whispered against such thoughts, and the priestess turned her mind to the Goddess to keep such evil at bay. She felt trapped in an upward battle, each time she thought to end the fight, another obstacle rose. Hopeful to hopeless and back again left her exhausted.
Would that she could do as Evergreen asked, just lay down the sword and walk away. It was clear that the priestess had no real place here. And perhaps that was only just, for they had seen little to commend herself to them.
*Witch cast herself outside of the Wheel for this, you will not walk away,* Warrior said softly, angrily, while the raven continued to struggle with the rainbow scarf.
*When given two choices, seek a third, priestess. Are you a servant to be ordered by these women?* Widow followed with acid in her voice.
But, if she gave up the sword, she would be weaponless . . . useless . . . worthless . . .
*The Morrigu does not place trust in the worthless, priestess. She has sent you to this task, you and no other. Or have you forgotten the image branded into your back?* Bhen Rudha could not tell which raven had sent those words, but they cut deeply and she drew a deep breath.
Behind her the priestess suddenly felt the energies of the War God approach. Determination flavored the air she pulled into her lungs, and she realized what could be done. She could not dare to hope again, but she could trust . . . for at least she knew the nature of war. If, in the end they hated her, she could survive with the knowledge that she had triumphed for the Lady.
Evergreen’s sword remained raised, unwilling to be used against its mistress, and quivered against the strength of Bhen Rudha’s arm. I would not harm your true wielder, she thought to the spirit of the blade, trust that my stroke will not connect, that it will be blocked by the one carrying the War God’s blade. If this trust proves false, my soul is forfeit in any case. Please help me to save them all.
Bhen Rudha willed events to fall as she wished, and that her claims of savior would not be a lie. A vibration went through the weapon, down into her arm and to her heart. The weight of the sword rested freely in her hand once again.
In that moment, Evergreen knelt without fear and said, “Do what you must do.”
Committed to her course of action, the priestess played the part and taunted the bloodied Amazon, “I though’ ye be sayin’ ye be tha one killin' me. How do ye be doin' tha on ye knees?”
“Kill me, and you will kill yourself. Kedos will have his hand maiden and put your body and soul back in chains. Do you not know this by now? Save yourself and you save us all,” Evergreen answered, then sat back on her heels and closed her eyes.
The priestess glanced up at Zena, who glared in silent hatred at the one threatening the woman who shared parts of her soul. She took up a guardian position behind Evergreen and leveled the sword of Artemis at Bhen Rudha. “Strike her and you will be in Hades, or wherever your people go, before you can take another breath. Fight the evil and gain both soul and body or give way to it and lose both.”
I will gladly pay the price should my stroke land, the priestess thought to Evergreen’s blade again, waiting for the War God’s sword to be in place. In those last moments she drank in Zena’s rage, savoring the honesty of the emotion. Hate me, and we will have a reason to fight.
A raven’s call carried over the clearing, and Bhen Rudha tensed her arm to strike at the kneeling Amazon. Muscles bunched, released, sent steel falling toward flesh.
She could have cried out in relief as a loud clang rent the air announcing the collision of steel. The Amazon holding War in her hand leaned in and spoke, calm but strong, “You will not harm one of my own!”
Edited by: BhenRudha at: 4/22/03 5:24:40 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 23:10:46 GMT -6
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 163
(4/21/03 1:59 am)
Crimson Prayer IV
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“Another love that I've taken from you. Lost in time, on the edge of suffering.”
- Disturbed “Prayer”
Electricity ran up Bhen Rudha’s arm as she met the sword of the War God, Ares. Recognition was stronger this time, and it cleared some of the muddle from her mind. Her warrior’s heart flared at the contact and sent a wave of heat down her sword arm. Kedos shrank away from the clean fire of the two war deities, and the priestess heaved a small sigh of relief.
She gladly stepped back from the woman, Puella was the name that came from one of her ravens, and brought her blade around for a second engagement. It was about this time that her knees were taken out from beneath her by a surprise attack. Growling in anger, Bhen Rudha swung blindly, feeling the blade slice shallowly through something. Must be the little one, she thought, and rolled to her feet.
Unwilling to be blind sided again, she began a wild looking pattern, clearing the area around her with flashing steel till she could regain her center. Eventually she found the bootprints that gave away the young Amazon and positioned herself to be harder to tackle. It was then that Puella stepped in to exchange a quick flurry of testing blows.
Before she could settle herself into the dance, Xendra called out to her, “Come. Come after me, I posses the other half of the power that resides in you!”
If she had wanted power, she would have killed every last one of them already. As it was, she had to take a moment to will Kedos back into silence after it had tried to echo Xendra’s wishes. It was growing harder to concentrate, to keep her focus while fighting a constant mental battle with not only Hatred, but with the winds that remained her unwilling captive.
Bhen Rudha flicked her amber-green eyes at Puella, who had backed off when Xendra had made her announcement. Respect for the warrior grew within the priestess even as she threw herself back toward their fight.
The beginnings of madness came quicker this time, and soon she felt the rising thunder that eluded to the presence of her Goddess. The simple joy of battle gave strength to her limbs and lightened her breath. Her awareness expanded to take in her surroundings, enough so that she was able to evade Xendra’s first attack.
Fury twisted the tainted Amazon’s face, and as the priestess looked into her eyes for a bare moment, she knew that she was no longer the woman’s true target. Nevertheless, she faced now both sword and broken pieces of a quarterstaff, and the new challenge brought her closer to the edge of madness, though it was not the dance she had been searching for.
As she faced Xendra’s frenzy, she felt Kedos swell within her, waiting for the moment to strike and gain a new avatar. Her body hurt, bruised and scratched as it was by the woman possessed by hatred. Grimly she continued, facing the wild, the war blessed and twice more the hidden woman. But in this melee she could not find enough space to fall into madness.
She needed to subdue Xendra so she could concentrate. The woman had abandoned her staff in exchange for feet, fist and nail. The closequarters fight made it easier for the priestess to catch the other in the face, smashing her nose. As Xendra’s eyes glazed from the pain and shock, Bhen Rudha brought the pommel of Evergreen’s sword down upon the spot below the ear that would knock even the strongest warrior upon the ground.
Xendra fell as expected, and the priestess was just beginning to turn to meet Puella, who had flipped elegantly over her head to gain some advantage. She was brought up short by a pair of wide hazel eyes and a scream that held such endless pain that she nearly lifted her voice in echo. Zena stared at Puella, shock and sadness etched upon her features as she slowly fell to the earth.
She had truly never meant this.
The winds howled and Kedos roared within the shocked confusion of Bhen Rudha’s mind. Blindly she stepped backward when Evergreen turned toward her, “I should have killed you when I had the chance. Better I died trying than to be witness to this.” The Amazon reached and the priestess backed away further.
“By all the gods Priestess, I have failed my promise . . . go ahead . . . do it! I won’t let her leave this world alone . . . I will not . . . I will not!” Evergreen’s words just barely pierced the surging din that was threatening to overtake her. Unable to move even had she wanted to, the priestess steadied herself from habit when the Amazon leaned against her to murmur, “Please . . . just send me there . . . with her.”
Phalon appeared then, seemingly out of nowhere, to push Evergreen down beside Zena, speaking urgently. In those heartbeats, Bhen Rudha struggled to reach within her the connection she had with the Morrigu. Please, I would do this for you if I could. Please, your daughter needs strength. Please, I have come too far with too little and can no longer stand.
A winter’s chill swirled through her mind, laying a snowy silence over the screaming, giving her the chance to breathe. ~Let go,~ said the eldest face of the Morrigu.
The red-eyed raven upon her back seared itself anew, making her heart beat strong and fast. Strength flushed through her muscles, and she stood straighter. Take the price, thundered the middle face of the Morrigu.
An image of the end of Kedos rose vivid before her eyes, giving her the hope she had desperately needed. Do not despair, said the first face of the Morrigu.
The priestess did not understand all that the Lady meant, but she was infinitely grateful for the respite. Tears pricked her eyes and she lifted her face and prayer heavenward. Lady, had I known upon that day on the hill that I would have suffered so for You . . . I would still have willingly pledged my soul to You.
~Beloved Daughter, know you are not forsaken, we await you at your ending,~ came the braided voice of the triple Morrigu.
Trembling with pent up emotion, Bhen Rudha opened her eyes to see a wrathful Phalon who had just turned from Puella and stood with arms spread. “Look, Celt. See what you have done? Was this what you had envisioned when you came to help? See what you have caused. Turmoil, strife, hatred between us. It’s all happened since you appeared. You and your damn ravens. Now death. What else, Bhen Rudha? Tell me please.” Phalon sneered, the sword of Artemis in one hand, the wheel of Nemesis in the other. “Tell me. Tell me, now. Was is all part of your plan, Gaza?!”
A pair of ravens rose screeching into the air, and the priestess followed their wingbeats with an aching heart. She had known them too short a time. Lady grant they met on the other side. A tide of love and pride came from the remaining members of her Triréad, sending a tear to slide down her cheek. *Fly free my sisters,* she sent, then forcefully shut her mind away from their well meant distraction.
She blinked and finally met Phalon's gaze, crimson filling her eyes. Once the monochrome vision settled, she found voice enough to speak. And though her eyes betrayed her answer, she forced the words to come out thick and strong. “Oh . . . aye. Bein’ after sendin’ ye all ta tha Summerland . . . dinnae be worryin’ yer pretty head o’er it.”
And for what she believed to be the last time this turn of the Wheel of Life, Bhen Rudha, forever devoted to the Morrigu as a Bandroi an Cogadh, gave voice to her Goddess and raised her sword to strike.
Edited by: BhenRudha at: 4/22/03 5:27:56 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 23:18:24 GMT -6
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 164
(4/21/03 5:44 am)
Crimson Prayer V
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“Let me enlighten you . . . this is the way I pray.”
- Disturbed “Prayer”
The dance was deadly from the outset. Bhen Rudha could feel the plainer metal of Evergreen’s sword groan beneath the weight of godforged steel. Only her own powers as a priestess allowed her to keep the weapon at all.
Puella and Phalon fell quickly in a rhythm, so seamless was their partnership, that it was as if they had been fighting together for years. The Amazon struck hard and fast, the red glow of the sword of Ares leaving broad streaks in the air long after. The mystic constantly sought to catch the priestess in a fatal trap, the white-hot flame of the sword of Artemis almost too dazzling to look at.
Caught within the onslaught, the priestess felt herself begin to flag. She struggled to find the quietude of thought that would allow her to slip into madness, but found her efforts blocked by the muted struggling of the winds.
Executing a twisting leap forward to escape yet another trap set by Phalon, Bhen Rudha rolled quickly to her feet and brought both hands to the handle to block a bone jarring blow from Puella. She tried to begin a battle hymn, but her lungs burned, as exertion and the winds shoved the air from her body.
Sensing a moment of weakness, Puella shifted her weight forward, forcing the priestess to lock crossguards. The Amazon grinned ferally, knowing that Phalon would be there shortly with an end stroke.
She could feel the heat from the sword of Artemis burning her tunic as she twisted and dropped desperately away from the pair. As she cursed her less than perfect reflexes, Bhen Rudha heard Phalon’s taunting voice, “What is the matter, ‘war priestess’, are we too much for you? I’m going to send you to Hades, so don’t worry your pretty little head over it.”
Instead of wasting precious breath in answering, she lashed out a kick to Puella’s knee, and a high slice to Phalon’s face. With the bare second the attack gained her, the priestess sent her thoughts inward, to find the madness that was her gift. She found nothing but wind.
~Let go,~ came the memory of Bobd’s voice, and this time the revelation was instantaneous. Bhen Rudha threw herself into a series of backflips, trying to gain the seconds she would need. Bracing herself, she faced her advancing opponents, and released the winds.
A scream was stolen from her as the element tore itself violently free. A sudden cyclone knocked Puella and Phalon to the ground and sent the others curling to protect their faces. When the howling stopped several moments later, the priestess took a deep, free breath and lifted her voice in a shrieking battle hymn before launching herself back into the battle.
The shift was obvious. Where once Bhen Rudha managed only to keep herself from getting killed, she now managed to send one or the other occasionally backpedaling away from the whistling steel of Evergreen’s sword. She could still not gain the upper hand, but it was a step in the right direction. The battle raged on.
Trying a new tactic, the Amazon and the mystic came at her together, one stabbing high, the other low. The priestess could see no way of deflecting both strokes, and decided that she would rather take a leg wound than a shoulder cut. She counted the heartbeats it would take before the pair closed their trap and gave up the last of herself over to the dance.
Thunder sounded deep within her soul, a frenzied joy rising like a geyser through her body. She screamed again, this time in rapture. The Morrigu filled her, and in that communion, Bhen Rudha felt no fear, no hate, nothing but the fire of battle. Her consciousness fell away, and she became aware only of the sword in her hand and the two that were raised against her.
Intricate details of muscle and eye shift spoke her opponents’ moves before they made them. Time felt slowed by a divine Hand. What had once been a no win situation became a simple matter to counter. She bared her teeth, and in the last heartbeat before Phalon tried to stab her through the thigh, the priestess sidestepped, twisted and bent backward, dodging both the sword of Artemis and the sword of Ares that sliced the air over her chest.
The near impossible move caught Puella off guard, allowing Bhen Rudha to grab her wrist and swing the sword of Ares at Phalon. The two godforged blades met in a crash, releasing a blinding flash of light. As the afterimages faded, the priestess straightened, turned and brought her blade down upon the other two. “Now . . . shall we be dancin’?” she said, her eyes shining like a pair of garnets, “Tha Lady be e’er pleased by tha grace o’ well drawn steel.”
Puella’s mouth dropped a little as the ghostly outline of giant raven wings lifted into the air from Bhen Rudha’s back. She took several steps back, pulling Phalon with her. They had barely enough time to steady themselves before the priestess was upon them again.
* * *
Bhen Rudha knew that as the rhythms of the combat evolved, the others felt just the edges of her own battle madness, the deep focus that came when emotions are set aside. Energy pooled around them, feeding back into the warriors. Their breathing evened, and what was once only a sword fight became a deadly, beautiful dance. Faces once twisted with rage smoothed into expressions serene and nearly smiling. For this was not about blood lust . . . but rather the perfect union of flesh and form.
Bhen Rudha wanted nothing so much as to stay forever in this instant. She felt like lightening, moving with a sudden strength and speed that was nearly too fast to see. Watching her partners, she saw that the hatred that lit Puella’s eyes was gone, replaced by a calm acceptance. The War God’s sword pulsed with her heartbeat and she moved with the snapping, flickering elegance of fire. Phalon was limned in the white brilliance that was the sword of Artemis. Her green eyes were clear and tranquil as she fought with the flowing, infinitely shifting glory of water.
They were exquisite, as she felt she must be.
This was her gift to the Lady. This song of steel and blood. Each strike was a line in a glorious and epic poem. She stretched to her limits and found them answered in kind by the glowing power of two foreign gods.
Never in her entire life had she ever been so . . . happy.
But in the hyper-awareness that was the battle madness, Bhen Rudha found the name that had come at so dear a cost. Insulated as she was, the wound ached from far away, not enough to cut her concentration. She allowed herself a last, long moment to revel in her celebration of the Goddess, then spoke over the scrape and chime of steel against steel, “Be thankin’ ye, sword-sisters. Ye be givin’ me such grace as I ha’e e’er known. Perhaps we be meetin’ again in anather turn o’ the Wheel, aye?”
Confusion flickered lightly in Puella’s eyes, though she said nothing of it. Phalon only nodded, as the three continued to dance. Content that there were to be her last moments of life, the priestess took a deep breath and screamed, “KEDOS!” as Puella thrust the sword of Ares through her shoulder.
Lightening lanced across a cloudless sky, bringing thunder that left the ears deaf. Bhen Rudha spun lightly, following the steps of the dance, knowing that this time she would most likely be caught in Phalon’s mortal trap. Protected by the divine hand of the Morrigu, she could feel the slick evil move inside her, drawn out by one of its names.
Something so primaeval could not have been named originally in Greek, so this time she spoke in Gaeilge, calling up power from the language of her homeland, “FUATH!” As the name left her lips, Phalon sliced cleanly through her thigh with the sword of Artemis.
Lightening struck the ground between the combatants, throwing them backwards. The fight broken, the priestess found the battle madness slipping away and struggled under the weight of the energies she had summoned.
Bleeding heavily and suddenly weak, Bhen Rudha focused every last ounce of will on saying the demon’s first and truest name. The alien syllables tore from her throat, warping the fabric of reality. Conjuring images too evil to understand, the name fell for the first and only time upon human ears.
As the syllables finished to echo, the priestess fell to her knees, blood streaming from her nose and ears. Gone were the phantom raven wings and the garnet colored eyes. From her body streamed an oily black cloud, joined by one from Xendra’s body, with smaller streamers pulling from the rest of the women in the clearing.
As she coughed up thick gobs of blood, the blackness coalesced in the air over their heads, growing denser and darker with each passing moment. Purple lightening arced through the cloud, building up to strike down the mortal who dared.
Finally, with a shaky breath, the priestess lifted her face and stared at the evil that hovered over her. With her shattered voice, she pronounced, “Thrice I be namin’ ye. Thrice I be claimin’ ye. From this world ye are banished by me!”
The cloud screamed, lightening lancing out in every direction. One fork struck the priestess, lifting her keening into the air and throwing her away into the surrounding forest. With that last act of revenge done, the cloud began to come apart, unable to remain. It fought, the center of the cloud boiling with activity, seeking some way out of its sentence.
“From this world you are banished by me!” yelled Phalon suddenly, tears of memory and terror streaming down her face.
“You are banished by me!” howled Blackwolf, who lofted Bhen Rudha’s axe in defience.
“You are banished by me!” screamed Puella, picking herself up from the ground.
Edited by: BhenRudha at: 4/22/03 5:36:42 pm
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Post by Joxcenia on Jun 22, 2004 23:20:43 GMT -6
BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 164
(4/21/03 5:44 am)
Crimson Prayer V (Continued)
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“Let me enlighten you . . . this is the way I pray.”
- Disturbed “Prayer”
“From this earth you are forever banished by me!” shrieked Evergreen, who cradled her worst nightmare already within her arms. She was echoed shrilly by Gabby, and then the screeching cries of the ravens.
The remaining power that lingered in the clearing gathered and shot through the remnants of the blackness, tearing it asunder and scattering it into the winds. The sky was eventually revealed, azure and shining. A fresh little breeze meandered through the clearing, as if wondering what had just happened.
Into this freedom, the priestess’ ravens sent their harshest calls, circling high above a patch of forest. Those brave enough to follow would find Bhen Rudha crumpled upon the ground, with a broken leg and dislocated shoulder. She was unmoving, impaled upon Evergreen’s sword, price exacted as promised.
She lay with one arm outstretched, the fallen body of a raven tragically just beyond her reach.
Edited by: BhenRudha at: 4/22/03 5:36:42 pm
1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 712
(4/21/03 3:08 pm)
At a stand still
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Xendra knew Red was becoming more powerful more dangerous with each blow.Xendra could feel the anger and hatred that fueled her own power being drawn away and into Red.
As the thoughts consumed her,Xendra fell out of rythm of the battle. Xendra's movements were disjointed and half hearted at best.
Red sensed the moment of weakness and struck with power and clarity.Red's fist rammed right in the bridge of Xendra's nose with a tremendous crack, then Red brought the pommel of Evergreen’s sword down upon a spot just below Xendra's ear. Xendra 's body absorbed the impact of the first blow but Xendra reeled from the sheer force of the second.
Xendra's nose shattered into tiny fragments,bone chads impacted themsleves into her cheeks, jaw and nearly into her eyes..Xendra's eyes swelled shut ,the pain was excruiating and blinding
Xendra had no way to see or even comprehend the damage that had been done to her. Xendra unconciously put her hand to face and was dismayed that she could feel but not see the crimson flow upon her hand.
Xendra paused for a second, not knowing where to turn or move.Xendra fell back to her Amazon training to hear the sounds behind the sounds so she could discern where the sounds of the battle were coming from,she need to know in her minds's eye everyone's position.
Xendra stood there in front of Red wanting more than anything to pummel her, to help defeat the Evil that coarsed through both their veins and yet Xendra knew it would be in vain to try to return to the battle for without her eyesight she would be merely going through the motions of battle...and could cost someone dearly.
Xendra stood there frozen, unmoving lost in indecision.
That moment of indecision proved to be costly for all involved.
For had Xendra simply stepped away, Puella would not have had to flip to go around her..but instead Xendra stood there lost between action and inaction.
Puella intent on rescuing her sisters, chose to avoid another confrontation with Xendra simply flipped away from Xendra.
Puella's flip was successful, the flip landed her where Zena and Red locked in a confrontation of their own.Puella full of fire and zeal swung around with intent to run Ares sword through Red.
All this went on without Xendra's knowledge for Xendra could not see that Puella had landed on her feet or that as she spun to thrust her sword that it was headed for Zena instead of its intended target Red.
Had she been able to see Xendra would have gladly intervened and put her own life at risk but instead Xendra stood there waiting for what,she did not know.
Suddenly, she was shaken from her self- involved thoughts by Evergreen's panicked mournful scream ZENA!!!!! The wail shook Xendra to the foundation of her soul, Time itself ceased to have presence or meaning.
The world had all ready gone dark for Xendra but now it also laid in deafening silence for the battle stopped and all sounds fell away...
Xendra's mind tried to comprehend the events but could not, all Xendra knew for sure was something horrible had happened to her friend,her sister Zena .
Xendra started to cry and as the salty tears intermingled with the open wounds the pain became unbearable ..but not just that of the body but of mind, body and soul. Every fiber of her being was filled with regret and remorse, every part of her ached and hurt.
How much more the pain would have been if she could have seen Evergreen or Gabby as they knelt by Zena's side or if she could have seen the horror in Puella's eyes or the the shock in Phalon's.
Instead, Xendra stood there in a blind ache,visually oblvious to the momentus events unfolding before her, but the words she heard pained her to her very core.
All Xendra could do was listen as Evergreen turned toward Red and said “I should have killed you when I had the chance. Better I died trying than to be witness to this.
By all the gods Priestess, I have failed my promise . . . go ahead . . . Do it! I won’t let her leave this world alone . . . I will not . . . I will not!”
Evergreen’s words rang with truth and finality. Unable to move as she wanted to, Xendra waited nervously as she heard Evergreen mere murmur, “Please . . . just send me there . . . with her.”
Xendra's heart sank.
Was it truly possible that Zena had perished and that Evergreen would soon follow?
Xendra swallowed hard and tried to focus on what little vison she still had, Xendra tried to squint but all Xendra could make out blurrred images at best.
Xendra no longer cared what happened to her, she was not going to let Evergreen die at the hands of Red. Xendra tentatively tried to take a very shaky step forward as she did so Xendra saw one blurry image push down another but had no real idea who it was.
Until Phalon spoke,Xendra had intended to try to exact some revenge from Red, but Xendra stepped back in reverance when she heard Phalon issue a challenge to Red.
Xendra could hear the sheer determinantion in Phalon's voice as she said,“Look, Celt. See what you have done? Was this what you had envisioned when you came to help? See what you have caused. Turmoil, strife, hatred between us. It’s all happened since you appeared. You and your damn ravens. Now death. What else, Bhen Rudha? Tell me please.”
“Tell me. Tell me, Now. Was is all part of your plan, Gaza?!”
Red's words were harder to understand they came out thick and strong. “Oh . . . aye. Bein’ after sendin’ ye all ta tha Summerland . . . dinnae be worryin’ yer pretty head o’er it.”
Xendra would have been proud if she could have seen how Puella and Phalon fell quickly in a rhythm, that fought in a seamless tandem give and take, perry and thrust, it was as if they had been fighting together for years.Instead Xendra was left to merely listen and hope.
Xendra smiled as she heard Phalon’s taunting voice, “What is the matter, ‘war priestess’, are we too much for you? I’m going to send you to Hades, so don’t worry your pretty little head over it.”
Admist the ensuing battle of clashing swords,Xendra felt the wind kick up.Xendra rushed to protect her face with her arm but it was a moment too late...Xendra howled in sheer agony as the cyclone caused dirt sand and stones to fly into her bloodied and battered face.
Hearing Xendra's horrific howl along with the sudden whirl of wind,the other women curled to protect themselves.
..there is only one success... to be able to spend your life your own way.
Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 4/21/03 4:49:43 pm
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