THE ZENA SCROLLS: CHAPTER III

[Joxcenia]

1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 820
(6/24/03 10:08 pm)
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Haunting Dreamscapes
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As Xendra sat up she noticed Zena sitting across the camp in a very similar position. Without ever speaking a word to each other they knew that both their dreams were infected with haunting images. Xendra wondered if Zena could remember any of her dream.

Sitting there lost in thought, Xendra smiled unconciously as she heard Puella coo softly. Puella was obviously alert to their movements. Zena hesitated for a second and then answered with a soft coo of her own.

Xendra watched for a second as Puella and Zena traded guard duty and then tried to focus once more on the contents of her dream.

What was the dream trying to tell her?

The more Xendra tried to remember, the more confused and frustrated she got. As Xendra tried to repiece what was said, her thoughts became incoherent and jumbled. Her thoughts started turning her every which way.There were soon more questions then answers.

All Xendra’s thoughts felt fuzzy, like they were running amok within her brain.Xendra told herself to relax, that only by easing the panic in her mind could manage to save the few clear thoughts she had about the dream.

So Xendra tried to put her self at ease by putting her hand to the back of her neck and rubbing, but it offered no comfort or new vein of thought.

Disappointed and frustrated, Xendra felt like screaming but did not want to wake the others. Instead, Xendra bowed her head and put her hand to her forehead.. ”Think Xendra Think.”

Nothing new came to focus, just the vision of the floating parchment.

Xendra closed her eyes,inhaled a deep cleansing breath and held it in for a moment and ever so slowly exhaled. Xendra tried not to focus not on the images but rather on the feelings and emotions that the dream had stirred within her.

Xendra searched her emotions, the dream had not been so much scary as it was a haunting warning. From what little she could remember Xendra understood that their little group was heading for trouble …serious trouble..

Question was “What sort of warning and for who?”

Xendra turned her head towards the sleeping bodies in hopes that looking at them would reveal the answer. Sadly,no answer was revealed.

Perplexed and lost in deepest thought, Xendra silently sat there repeatedly ruffling and smoothing her hair. Running her hands through her hair, was something Xendra hadn’t done since she was a very young Amazon.

Xendra had made a concious effort not to do it ever since her mother told her that’s how she knew if Xendra was sad, frustrated or overtired.
After the night she had spent, Xendra was fast becoming all three.

There was more to the dream, she just knew it. Yet the more she pondered,the less meaning and substance she found to the remants of her dream.

Xendra shook her head knowing that locked somewhere deep inside was more much more.There had to be more .

Mired in thought, Xendra did not notice that it had began to pass quietly from the dark of night to the beginning hints of early morn...atleast not until Red gave her a little wave as Red went to find a stick in which to exercise with.

Xendra sighed and for a moment her thoughts turned from her dream to thoughts of Red. Xendra couldn’t help that think that even as much as the dream weighed on her heart and mind;that Red had even bigger issues to grapple with.
Xendra wondered what the others would say and feel when the found out about Red’s activities the night before.

As Xendra watched Red vigorously work out Xendra realized that she was not going to get anymore uninterupted thought or even sleep,so Xendra picked up her bedroll
and readied her saddle bags.

As Xendra stood there packing her saddle bags, her stomach let out a growl almost as loud as Boudicca's snoring had been.
Xendra laughingly patted her tummy and said" I know it's time to eat but I have to go Find breakfast first."

Xendra could have gone hunting herself or even asked someone with Known hunting skills, instead she decided give herself a mental break and go tease Boudicca a bit.

"Hey Boudicca. Boudicca wake up. Come on sleepy head get up! it's time for breakfast!"

Boudicca quickly turned over and said hapily,"Breakfast?"

Xendra pursed her lips to keep from laughing as she answered, "Yeah as soon as you help me hunt it down."

Boudiica looked at Xendra with a bit of disbelief and a little spark of irritance.

Boudicca looked long at Xendra and then asked "You woke me up so I could go hunting with you?"

Xendra was amused and decided to bait her a bit more.
"Well,I guess it was sort of rude of me to ask you. Tell you what you can go hunt by yourself, which could be an advantage there would be no one for you to talk to,so you might actually catch something!"

As Boudicca became fully awake,she finally noticed the playful tone in Xendra's voice and tossed her boot at Xendra.

Xendra picked up the boot gingerly and went "Whew these need to go!! When we hit the next town you have to get new boots..but for now you need these so you can go hunting with me and tossed the boot right into Boudicca's waiting lap.

Boudicca,as she struggled with her boots said, Go wake my slave girl. She can carry whatever we kill."

Anger flashed within Xendra at the words "slave girl" and she retorted. "I will Not order her to do your bidding. No one, not you not the Romans has the right to own another human being. As Xendra said "Romans" an inexplicable shudder went right through her.

Boudicca did not see the visble affect the word Romans had had on Xendra and continued defending her self as she dressed." Look do you thinkI like dragging this young girl over the countryside?I do it because she owes me 5 dinars. 5 dinars for her freedom.

Xendra looked at Boudicca and in all seriousness said," You would really hold a life in captive servitude for the price of 5 dinars? Looking down at her feet Xendra said "I dont know when or how but I swear to you I will redeem her. She will have her freedom, I will pay you the five dinars she owes you - but you must no longer treat her as a slave."

Boudicca tried to give an non chalant answer "As long as I get my five dinars what do I care?"
You want her you got her- the slave girl is yours."

Xendra sighed and said, "The girl belongs to no one.She IS FREE! Romans enslave, we set them free." Xendra once again shuddered at the word Roman.

Boudicca looked at Xendra there was something more than slave talk was bothering her. Boudicca decided Xendra would tell her when she was ready, so without giving Xendra anymore grief she stood up and declared,"I'm ready to go hunting. Are we going or not?"

Xendra nodded and the two left the little makeshift camp in search of food.


..there is only one success... to be able to spend your life your own way.

Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 6/25/03 6:38 am

[Joxcenia]

EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 279
(6/24/03 10:28 pm)
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Morning Light
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Doves cooed outside her window sounding a message in the language of muted gray and off white underbellies with soft pink tinged wings. Soft pink as in the sky as the sun slowly made its ascent into the night sky with the moon retreating to it’s alter life on the other side of Evergreen’s universe.

She was up and dressed not wanting to eat as the anticipation of the day’s march weighed heavily in her heart and mind. The winsome cooing of the doves reminded her of other morning messages lying buried in the shadows of incomplete memories. The messaging of the birds had a meaning beyond a mere simple exchange in nature. But what?

It seemed in her nature not to wake Vassaly to say goodbye. Little Dog knew she was leaving and followed his person throughout the cavernous quarters watching the familiar face as it wondered why she wore clothing bearing the scent of an enemy it also remembered well.

Jumping up placing his paws with worn pads against her thigh, his person stopped, bent down on one knee, and gazed at the black, red, and tan face as she stroked his sharply pointed ears.

“You can’t come with me…you must stay…can’t follow me…not this time. Understand?"

Little Dog blinked its dark eyes, flipped around, and bounded off as if Ares fireballs were chasing its tail as it vanished from sight. I must wake the woman with soft hands…run…fast…run…now!

“Well… so much for loyal companions.”

Evergreen rose, walked over to the blue and white pottery bowl picking up a large red apple. She tossed it in the air snapping out her arm and punching outward with her hand as she snatched it as it made its flight back down. Biting into it, she stopped, and as she slowly chewed, the significance of the apple was as close it’s the taste in her mouth. Apples…apples…

Her voice was heavy from sleep, deep and melodic. “Why did not you wake me? Were you just going to have me find you gone…no words…no goodbye?”

“I couldn’t…I just couldn’t say…”

“Then we won’t…say goodbye…we will say you will keep safe and soon return. You must do… this request… and I will wait for your return. But you must also promise that you will listen to your heart…through it, I will speak to you…listen for me when you raise a sword or command others to bidding for what you cannot find yourself to do. Promise me…listen.”

Evergreen looked into gray eyes that were healing and kind. Such were the eyes that had become her balance in the place between the here and the shadows. Embracing the woman and not wanting to let go, she stepped back and once again kneeled before the small dog rubbing its neck with the back of her hand.

“I want you to stay and take care of her”…Evergreen looked up at Vassaly… “do as she says…stay.”

A young solder entered the hall signaling with a stiff salute. “Forgive the intrusion…”

“I know…it is time."
"We're stuff of the soul Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 6/24/03 10:39 pm

1itt1e dog
Registered Member
Posts: 10
(6/25/03 6:47 am)
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Re: By the Dog's Morning Light
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(up!..up!..let's walk!!..WALK....sniff..sniffsniffsniff..grrrr..Romanstink...My Woman underneath...look,look..it's me!!)

He jumped against her thigh as Evergreen finished buckling her chest plate and looked down to see the faithful little canine. "You must stay" was all he heard within the other word sounds she made.

( NO STAY!!!..Get nicehandslady..run…fast…run…now!
UP!!..UP!!..Get UP!!..Pull..pull HARD!! Grrr)

Bringing Vassaly to Evergreen made no change in her resolve to go. “I want you to stay and take care of her”…Evergreen looked up at Vassaly… “do as she says…stay.”

( NO STAY!!!..bad maletwolegs Roman..Grrr..RUN! RUN HARD!!)

He bolted past the guard and scrambled down the marble halls, through the atrium to the far side of the house and out on to the portico. Watching from behind the Doric columns he saw the cohort assembling and in the back of the ranks of men, a familiar wagon.
At the end of the day when they stopped to set up camp, Evergreen was attracted by a ring of her men laughing and shouting at something in the middle. When she broke through their ranks she found a bruised and bleeding four legged friend snarling and bravely holding back the drawn swords that at poked him at all sides.


Cave Canem

[Zena]

gabbyfan4ever
Registered Member
Posts: 99
(6/25/03 9:30 pm)
Reply bleeding on the inside If a person really looks at their life, they will see how blessed they are. There is always someone in a worse situation; someone who didn’t get all the same benefits or luxuries. And yet, everyone still hurts inside at times. One of the things that tie human beings together, no matter the situation, is emotion.

As Gabby lay awake around the campfire, surrounded by her companions, she thought for a very long time before sleeping. Tomorrow they will continue heading for Phalon’s home. Phalon also had a home with the women she was traveling with, just like Gabby did. The focus of all Gabby’s thoughts was the fact that she didn’t have that other home to go to. Years from now she would never take her friends back to the place she grew up in as a child. This realization made Gabby hurt inside. It made her feel like she was in the field across from her village, watching it get raided and destroyed all over again. She knew she was blessed more than she could have ever dreamed having the family she has now. A mother, all the friends around her, and a Nation of sisters she had gained. All this was a story that she had played over in her head more times than she could count, and it was taking a toll. Gabby was tired, mentally and emotionally. She didn’t want to think about it anymore, and she wanted to hurt the Romans for making her have to think about these things in the first place. While Gabby kept all these feelings from showing on the outside, they were eating her up on the inside. Later that night when Gabby drifted to sleep she dreamt of the home she had as a child. It was a good dream, but tainted with the knowledge she would never have it again. She woke up the next morning remembering every part of the dream. She was neither sad nor happy, but a melancholy mix that was starting to take over more and more. Gabby wanted it all to stop. Since it was morning Gabby went to the tree where her Mother had been keeping the last watch until now and called her down. By the time Zena got out of the tree Gabby was already in tears. “Mom...I will never get the chance to have a trip like this one is for Phalon.” Gabby laid her head in her mother’s lap and said simply, “It hurts.”

Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 683
(6/26/03 4:55 am)
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Hope Night, with it’s terrors and isolation, had been banished by a beautiful dawn. In the light, troubles seem diminished and possible to conquer. It was the darkness that gave one the feeling that there was only one person awake and suffering in all the world and that one person was you. Dawn brings hope and relief from isolation.

In her guardian tree, Zena watched Red at her morning excercises and thought they were almost a form of worship. She danced across the dewy grass in a manner reminiscent of a temple priestess at a feast. Of course they all practiced the art of war and enjoyed little competitions in weaponry skill but the sisters had decided somehow in silent unison that war was not beneficial. They had no desires for conquest or vengence; just to be left to their own home where they could live in peace. They were ready to fight if needed but always carried the longing to settle again and be craftswomen and hunters and bards. The sharpness and exultation in Red’s movements spoke to Zena of something else that left her uneasy.

As Red was ending her praise a soft footfall caused Zena to look down and see the tearful eyes of her daughter. Immediately she slid from her post in the branches at the sound of Gabby’s voice calling “Mom”. She wrapped her arms around the young woman and held her in the protection that says “no harm will come past me”. When her tears were wiped away they settled under the tree with Gabby curling into Zena’s lap as she must have done with her birth mother when she was small. Zena wished she had seen her then and enjoyed those early years, but was always grateful that she had her child now to love.
“Shhh. Shhh. I know you are angry with the Romans. Leave them to their own gods to be judged. Our way is not vengence, we hope always for peace. Shhh Gabs, I’m here. We are all here with you. I swear I will give you a home that will be there forever. We will build a little hut with a hearth and a place to sit in the sun. I have heard that some people like to tend plants for cooking and you can have your own sleeping space..a little hut with three sleeping rooms.” Zena’s own tears rose in her eyes and tightened her throat as she gently brushed Gabby’s hair with her fingers. “Shhh. I promise.”

[Zena]

gabbin
(06/26/03 6:57 AM)

Frieda Roam III

Frieda rose and headed out into the gardens cool morning air, brushing the strands of cobwebs, created in the night by busy 8-legged-creatures, off of her face and calves. Her bare feet felt the wet grass as she passed the scents from the lavendar, sage and basil. A cricket in the sage chirped and afar, the sound of a woodpecker. The scattered fragil feeling, that she was just pieces of a broken egg shell, usually dissolved by a walk in her garden, but not this time, something was wrong. Her hand brushed the Dill blossums and she recalled her sister and she
picking dill seeds. Her sister, she could feel her alive somewhere in the world, "ouch" she cried as her toe jammed a log, she must have strayed from the path, her thoughts vanished as she headed her throbbing toe back into the house.

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EvergreenLM
(06/26/03 9:44 PM)

Live To Fight Another Day

At the end of the day when they stopped to set up camp, Evergreen was attracted by a ring of her men laughing and shouting at something in the middle.

When she broke through their ranks she found a bruised and bleeding four legged friend snarling and bravely holding back the drawn swords that at poked him at all sides.

A fury churned as a visceral response sent her running with sword drawn towards the circle of soldiers.

The enemy…the enemy.

Turning her shoulder downwards, she battered into the one laughing as he taunted and teased the frightened animal.

Taken by surprise, he fell to the ground bouncing with his chest heaving upward as he laid there, wild eyed, seeing his mortality fade,feeling the cruel crush of the blade thrusting through the vulnerable spot just above his breast plate.

Two hands and white knuckles drove the steel through until it met the ground he died upon. His blank gaze fixed on quiet emptiness not sensing in his stillness the bloody metal being withdrawn. The silence was deafening.

Turning in a circle with sword extended, Evergreen met the eye of every man present. Slowly, she walked over to where the dog cowered now more afraid of his defender than its tormentors.

A bloody hand reached out to touch the small dog as it had done so many times before this hour. The dog bared white teeth and snarled warning of the snap that followed.

Confusion…not right...am I the enemy or the savior? Not right. Shadows claimed thoughts.

Evergreen drew back the hand that now ran with her bright red blood mingling, joining, becoming one with the soldier now growing colder on the earth he would soon find his unsuspecting home.

Calmly, and an with an authority that no person from this time would question, the woman Little Dog no longer knew, turned to a young soldier who had not participated in the taunting.

“Throw a blanket over the dog and return it to the woman in Rome. If I see it here again, I will kill it, or anyman who allows it in the camp, myself. Consider that an order… without question. Mount up…we are wasting the light.”

In the instance the blanket was floating downward, the Little Dog bolted from the back of the wagon. It ran frantically as it heard a familiar voice shouting harsh words it did not comprehend.

“Go! Get out of here! OUT…go back to where you came from!”

Evergreen quickly walked away, and when hidden from the sight of others, softly whispered…Run, Little Dog…run away home.

[Zena]

1itt1e dog
(06/27/03 4:28 PM)

Run To Fight Another Day

(GRRRRRR...snap...bad..bad maletwolegs...bite,bite 'em all!!..grrrrr...no hurt..no hurt..whine..no..NO TOUCH!..snap!..oh! My Woman!!??..oh bad dog..badbadbad dog..)

As the darkness of the blanket descended he ran, close to the ground and in and out of a forest of legs.
“Go! Get out of here! OUT…go back to where you came from!”

(oh..bad dog..bad dog!!)

The dog ran up into the rocky hillside to curl up trembling behind a boulder. He licked his wounds and tried to sort it through. As he struggled for a decision he stopped licking to look up and down the dusty road.

(Back??..nicehandslady..good..my woman..oh bad dog..whine..My Woman..MY Woman..MY WOMAN..home..yes!!HOME)

Evergreen was his home, no matter how she smelled or how harsh she sounded. She was his home. And so he followed the army by the higher route, sneaking in at night to grab a morsel or drink with the horses, but always somewhere near the one who had his devotion. If Evergreen knew this guardian was lurking above her she gave no sign and the men respected her resolve in all military matters.

Cave Canem



lilpunkin
Registered Member
Posts: 945
(6/29/03 5:42 am)
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Re: Identity “Kaia,” she breathed out softly. “Kaia.” She repeated, this time more firmly, testing it out. Slowly, a wide smile began to spread across her face.

The former slave turned to Gabby and held out her hand. “Hello,” she began formally, the smile increasing in size. “I’m Kaia.” She said, finally with a proper introduction.

The young amazon accepted the handshake and smiled back. “I’m Gabby.” She said, and both girls erupted into a short burst of giggles.

When she stopped laughing, Kaia looked up and noticed a missing presence. Where was Red? Her green eyes searched the vegetation for any sign of previous passing. None.

Her mind raced with questions she wanted to ask Red. They were both former slaves and Kaia knew that the other had seen the glint in her eye at the thought of revenge. The promise Red had made… Kaia stopped herself for a moment. She knew the promise had been made for something much more than just that moment – though even unintentionally.

* * *


Back at the campsite...

Kaia froze in fear as she saw the thugs emerge from the bushes. She stared at them wide eyed, yet desperate to know what was going to happen. Why wouldn’t the women fight? She had known them for half a day, but Kaia knew they were tough and could take the men. Why did they not draw arm – Oh, she thought. Their weapons were nowhere to be seen. Did these strong warrior women have a plan, then? She continued to watch the scene closely, trying to guess at what Zena was doing. Kaia sat quietly, pretending not to understand the conversation between the two. She couldn't help but wince as she saw the strong warrior being tossed to the ground.

The girl started to tug at her hair anxiously, a bad habit she’d had for as long as she could remember. It wasn’t long they had to wait until the thugs gave the order that they be tied up. Kaia willingly allowed herself to be tied – Rebellious though she was, she knew there were moments when it was just best to shut up and go with the flow. This was one of them.

Eventually, Kaia had begun to comprehend what Zena was doing... Although, her eyes continued flitting around the campsite nervously, watching, observing.

Kaia was getting anxious.. Waiting.. Finally, a distraction came.. A messenger appeared through the woods, advancing towards the lead thug. Anakreon took the messenger a short distance away and began pummeling the already half-dead man. It wasn't long, though, before he could not resist the pain of the “soup” any more than his men.

“NOW!!!” Zena yelled. Kaia felt the rope around her wrists ease and then fall off. She turned to see the others frantically gathering up their things and running to the horses... Kaia had nothing to grab, so she ran quickly to Boudicca's side, accepted the extended arm from atop the horse, and settled in behind the Celt.

Kaia couldn't help but twist around in the saddle to watch the exchange between Zena and Anakreon. A small, wicked smile lit her face upon seeing the man's deserved misery.

“Phalon! How much time do we have??” Zena asked, turning back to Phalon.

“Maybe a week. Men just can’t handle a little pain.”

* * *


~lilpunkin~

"You like pain? Try wearing a corset." ~Elizabeth Swann, Pirates of the Carribean

"Our thoughts and imaginations are the only real limits to our possibilities."
~ Orison S. Marden (Courtesy of XG)

[Zena]

1 Xwpfan
(07/03/03 10:48 AM)

Rights and Lefts

Xendra and Boudicca decided that to have a better chance of actually finding food,it would be best to split up. As the two entered the woods, Xendra nodded towards the right and Boudicca shook her head in agreement and then headed right.

Xendra was preoccupied and failed to notice that Boudicca had gone to the right as well.

Unfortunately, with each step into the woods, Xendra's mind focused less on hunting and more about trying to resolve the meaning of the dream she had had.

Try as she may,Xendra could not escape trying to figure out the dream .Despite having just trace remanants of the dream to draw on something inside told her it was vital to remember..

As Xendra walked in and out of the shade coverings of the trees, she would from time to time stop and shut her eyes in hopes of catching a glimpse of the forgotten dream ...she also found herself thinking about how Boudicca would light up when she talked about her Homeland and the people she left behind there.

In that way, Xendra envived Phalon and Boudicca,they possesed something she did not have. For they both Boudicca and Phalon seemed to have strong roots and connections to people places and things.

Xendra wondered to herself, when it came right down to it what did she have but these women she called sisters and friends? They were her home, her sanctuary, her life.

Maybe that was why as vague as the memories were of the dream,it still troubled Xendra greatly. Her whole life her whole existence could be at risk again, so quickly after regaining them.

Xendra could not pinpoint it, all Xendra knew was that she had a gut instinct that the dream was trying to tell her that the group or maybe just one of them in harms way.

In Xendra’s heart it did not matter who it was warning about, any of them in harms way was just unacceptable to her

The more Xendra thought about what it all could mean, the more frustration that welled up inside of her. Xendra, would die for anyone of them and yet she couldn’t even recall a simple dream!

Xendra was still consumed by her own thoughts and did not truly pay attention to where she was or what was around her as she crossed from the grassy opening to the shadded tree covering. Xendra was actually wandering around quite aimlessly, just thinking and talking to herself.

Had it not been for the arrow that went whizzing by her head she may have remained doing so for hours.

…Whoooosh!! and seconds later a loud reverberating Twang! The arrow had embedded itself into the tree limb that stood beside Xendra.

Xendra stood for a moment absolutely stunned. Xendra did not move but rather blinked repeatedly til she regained her sense of composure.

Finally, as the color returned to her face, Xendra walked over to the tree and gave one quick deliberate yank, removed the arrow by succintly pulling it’s shaft.The arrow was liberated from the tree still in tact.

Xendra looked at the arrow's markings. The markings were not Amazon but they were oddly familiar… Boudicca!!!

It was as if Xendra’s mind wentblank her mind's eye saw nothing but white as she screamed “ “Boudicca! “

Xendra was beyond furious ,she was livid and was going to exact an explanation from Boudiica. Xendra bellowed for Boudicca again at the top of her lungs” Boudicca!”

Boudicca had already realized her error but was in a whimiscal mood so she sheepishly grinned as she playfully said “Oh You found my arrow. Thanks!”

Xendra was almost beyond words when she sputtered “ I .. I .. I found your arrow alright! You nearly killed me! “

Boudicca grinned ,“No way Xendra, if I wanted to kill ya you’d be dead, you were safe by oh a good six inches or so.”

Xendra’s eyes bulged in anger as she asked angrily ,” What?! Were you purposely aiming towards me?! Why in Zeus’s name would you be aiming towards me?!

Boudicca backed up a bit as she quietly said,” I … I was shooting at a deer but you walked into my line of sight at the last second.If you had gone left like you were suspose to .We'd have a deer right now!”

Xendra was incredulous, "Boudicca, deers have four legs and antlers and I have two legs and no antlers and you can’t tell the difference?

Boudicca‘s temper rose quickly,” I am Not the person who wandered aimlessly into someone’s field of sight! I went the way YOU told me! You are the one who goofed up! It was YOUR mistake!...Yes,I’ve made a few errors since I’ve been with all of you but I am here to learn form all of you. What is YOUR excuse?!


..there is only one success... to be able to spend your life your own way.

[Zena]

Zena 1
(07/05/03 4:46 PM)

Ups And Downs

They sat at the base of the sheltering tree for a time, each absorbed in thoughts of promises made and broken and the weight of committment. At last Zena sighed and turning her daughter’s face upward with gentle fingers under her chin she said, “Enough for now. Let’s eat and move on, the sun is climbing to it’s throne in the sky.” Gabby smiled and hugged her mother, having been given the reassurance that all would be well.

As they crossed the little meadow to the cooking fire, they noted Boudicca and Xendra armed with bows arguing a little way into the woods. They could hear the voices but not the words. “Mmmm. They’ve been hunting. Good. We are nearly out of the things I got from the farmer. Let’s see what Phalon has warming.” At the fire Phalon was apologetic as she handed Gabby some cheese and a small chunk of bread.
“It’s all right Phalon,” Gabby said as she broke the bread in two parts, “we just saw Boudicca and Xendra fighting over who should drag in their kill. We’ll have plenty in a minute.”
Zena accepted the bread and with a mouth full said, “We shuff pick muv at villam. Saw bun tree wif inn.”
Phalon and Gabby made nearly the same face and said, “WHAT?” She tried again after swallowing, “We should pack more at the village. I saw one from the tree and it looks like it has a nice inn.” Evergreen was still away and Zena nurtured the thought that if they waited at the inn she might find them sooner.
She accidentally dropped a piece of cheese she laughed and said “One for the dog” whistling the long low whistle they all used to call him in. When Little Dog did not appear she turned to Gabby. “Where’s the dog? I thought you had him in your blanket with you last night.”
Gabby looked alarmed at the possibility that someone else had left her. “No. I thought he was with you! I’ll look for him!”
Zena grabbed her wrist and pulled her down on the log again. “He’ll be back. Maybe he’s with Evergreen, he’s really her dog.” Gabby looked down quickly and Zena regretted that she had taken one more thing from the child. “We’ll find them both soon and get on to building that hut with the garden!” The sound of quarrelling reached them then and Boudicca and Xendra arrived at the fire empty handed.

Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"


EvergreenLM
(07/06/03 8:01 PM)

When the Dawn Comes

They had broken camp at dawn and made a steady pace throughout the day. Now, night would again shortly fall as camp fires burned readying for the evening meal and much needed rest from the bone jarring rigorous march.

The scouts ahead had returned with reports garnished from travelers encountered on the roads that fan out like spokes of a wagon wheel leading into the hub of Rome. A seller of fine oils recounted of wandering down a less traveled road from a village, and told of seeing a small band of women gathered in the woods.

“Amazons perhaps…yes, they could be”, the merchant said… “at least by the looks of the growly bunch brandishing an assortment of unlady like weapons I might add, and scowls that could freeze to the very depth of Neptune’s lair.”

Seeing no opportunity to earn a dinar or two, he did not stop to deal with the unruly looking gathering as he saw no chance of making a sale. Besides, he laughed “I do not carry a fine scent that goes with leather, feathers, and axes.”

She listened with great interest as she looked at the map laid out upon the table. Taking a drink from the silver goblet, she tapped a boot dagger at the paper topography. The thought blew in like a roaring fire. “They are going to Phalon’s village!” She was unaware she had uttered such a thing aloud.

“Begging your pardon, Captain…who are they… who is Phalon?” The soldier’s brow crinkled with puzzlement.

“I don’t know…I don’t know what you speak of…”

“Begging you pardon, but you distinctly said ‘they are going to Phalon’s village’.”

Night had fallen and a weariness of mind and body overtook this Leara of Rome assigned a duty that her heart could not find a peaceful resolve.

The dreams were intensifying…images, faces, sounds, places she knew drifted in and out of the shadows of sleep, but vanished with the dawn. The questioning soldier was dismissed without an answer to his query.

She was sure the troops must think her mind had given harbor to the furies. Even she was uncertain that this was not so. Familiar voices entered in and out of her waking and sleeping hours,but they too would slip away leaving no path to follow their calling.

Only one...Vassaly…gentle gray eyes and soothing voice… continued to show her face as she whispered in the night dreams to lay down the quest and return home.

Home…a place? A person? But who, but where?


In the last light of day, she chose to walk alone in the surrounding forest. As the full golden moon rose, it played a game with the mortal below as it hid its face in and out of the wispy clouds outlining them with silver light.

Evergreen drew out her sword impaling the soft earth with its tip. Looking up as she knelt down of a bed of pine needles, stars danced in and out of her vision as the pine branches above softly swayed on the cool evening breeze.

Two small eyes kept watch and the quite thumping of a tail could not be heard. It dared not leave its spying place, choosing instead, to be a silent and unseen guardian.

And in other dreamscapes, conjoined by an unknown common bond, two women searched in dreams for the one kneeling in the night.

"We're stuff of the soul Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 7/7/03 5:33 pm

[Zena]

1itt1e dog
(07/07/03 5:52 PM)

When the Dog Comes

From a place on a ridge overlooking the camp two canine eyes could just make out the flickering shadow of Evergreen leaning over the map table. A warm light came from the tent where there was plenty of food. The dog whined and his little tail wagged, all of him aching with separation and hunger. Suddenly she came into full view and walked very close to where the dog had hidden himself.

(Ooooooooooh there she is..there she is.. my woman..my.....“Go! Get out of here! OUT…go back to where you came from!”.....bad..bad..dog...sniff..sniffsniff)

He could smell her scent in the breeze but did not act upon it, remembering her harsh command. The night was cool and he shivered but would not leave his post for all the bones and scraps in Rome. The guards were always around her with their bad Roman smell. Only one who sometimes stood the guard had kind eyes and hands; the one she had chosen to catch him in the blanket. That young man knew the dog was in the hills waiting and even though he had been threatened with death, still had enough compassion to save a scrap or two from his rations to toss into the brush. Tonight he was not on duty.

(hungry...sooooooooo hungry.....whine....no food...no woman..sleep now)

The dog laid his head on his paws and tried to sleep in the little trench he had dug. Chilled by her walk under the moon’s light Evergreen returned to her quarters. She warmed herself by the brazier in her tent and sank into her chair. Sleepy with wine reached down to scratch ears that were banished and not finding them pulled her cloak tighter around her body.

Cave Canem

Edited by: 1itt1e dog at: 7/8/03 3:41 am



BhenRudha Offerings
(07/13/03 1:16 AM)

Offerings

The water was bracing and stung the slice that curved along the ribs on her left side. She did not remember getting the wound, and wondered what she did to the man that had dared give it to her. A vicious grin twisted her lips as again she felt the flush of satisfaction that came from memories of the night before.

Bhen Rudha took her time bathing, checking to see if she had received any other minor injuries. Reassured, she then made sure that the one cut was clean, and not serious enough to need stitches before climbing out of the stream. Shaking droplets of water from her short hair, she raised her arms to the sun and stretched up on her toes. Her muscles tensed like a bow string, then relaxed, and she sighed. For the moment she was content.

Sounds of life were beginning to drift from the camp and she figured her morning solitude was at an end. She threw on her tunic, which reached to nearly her knees, and decided to just fold up her trews, as she was enjoying the morning breeze against her bare legs.

As she settled the bundle of cloth under her arm, she heard a rustle of leaves. Turning slowly, she saw a fair sized rabbit greeting the new day. Not one to miss an opportunity, the Red Woman knelt noiselessly and curled her fingers around a palm sized rock. Patient, she waited till the rabbit hopped a little further from its cover, then flung the stone. The missile found its mark, scoring on the critters head. It let loose a fearful shriek and tried to scramble to safety. She was on it in an instant, scooping it up in strong hands and twisting its neck before it had another chance to suffer.

Hefting the rabbit by its ears, she nodded with appreciation. It was not a feast perhaps, but it would help stretch the camp’s dwindling supplies another day if it was added to the stew pot. A quick search added what looked to be a couple edible roots to her offering. Pleased that she had found something to “pay her way with”, she picked up her practice sword, made sure her trews were secure, and began to pick her way carefully back to camp, her feet sensitive and wrinkled from the stream.

Finally returning to the clearing she saw Zena and Gabby sitting at the campfire with Phalon. The dark haired Amazon had her hand on Gabby’s arm, a wistful look on her face. She caught sight of Bhen Rudha and straightened.

Sighing inwardly at Zena’s caution, she quickly lifted the rabbit and pair of roots, crossing to the fire. “Maidin maith ta ye. I be ha’in’ a bit o’ luck and be catchin’ this here coinín an’ wha’ I be hopin’ be eatable.”

The seeress smiled and held out her hands for the offering, “Thank you Red, the rabbit looks like it has some decent meat on its bones. And if we’re not certain about those roots, we can always test them on Zena first.” Her green eyes sparkled with the jab.

Zena snorted, and Gabby giggled softly while Phalon accepted the things from Bhen Rudha. “Rabbit . . . rabbit . . .” she said the word thickly, slowly, trying to get the hang of it, “dinnae be knowing tha word a’fore, go raibh maith, agat.”

“You’re welcome,” Gabby piped up when Phalon blinked at the Gaeilge words. The young Amazon grinned and shrugged, “I learned that when I helped Red and Kaia at the stream the other day.”

“Then you are indeed welcome, Red,” the seeress said, then turned to tend to the rabbit and vegetables.

Patting her daughter affectionately, the Amazon took a breath and stood smoothly. Rich hazel eyes watched the taller woman carefully, noting the dark bruise, and the smile she gave had a cautious edge to it. “Thank you for the food, Red. You must be very lucky indeed . . . to be in the right place at the right time.” Zena folded her arms, and she tilted her head, “Speaking of which, where were you last night? I do not remember seeing you when we made camp.”

There it was, right out in the open. In a way, she was glad that the issue surfaced so quickly, instead of festering in silence. For she could not brush off Zena as she had Xendra last night, nor could she lie to the woman who apparently led this group. After gathering the right words, she said, “I be stayin’ behind ta be handin’ ou’ tha justice o’ tha Bandia. Be makin’ certain ye be sleepin’ safe an’ well.”

She set the words before Zena, half as offering, half as challenge, then took a breath to see how the other woman would react.

[Zena]

Zena 1
(07/14/03 5:58 PM)

Priorities

As soon as the words hung in the air, she would have pulled them back. There was an edge in Red’s demeanor that always felt like a challenge and it drew something out of Zena that did not yet understand to it’s fullest. She had wondered about Red’s absence and now also the bruise but until she stood within the space around her she had not intended to ask about either. She had planned to wait and watch her as she had done from the tree. But there was a thing like a current flowing around Red that seemed to cause things to happen out of their intended order.

She heard the words from Red, “I be stayin’ behind ta be handin’ ou’ tha justice o’ tha Bandia. Be makin’ certain ye be sleepin’ safe an’ well”, and Zena’s eyes narrowed. Her entire body tightened slightly as if she had heard a dissonant chord played on a lyre. Through her slitted eyelids she saw Red bring her head up and then look away as if this bit of news was given on an “as need to know” basis.

“Exactly what “justice” did you hand out and to whom?” Zena inquired softly. As Red opened her mouth to answer Boudicca and Xendra brought their ongoing squabble into the tight ring around the cooking fire. It all happened in a second. The disagreement had come to a shoving match and someone’s bow hit the stewpot. The boiling liquid splashed over the top of the old iron vessal and across Gabby’s legs as she sat waiting for breakfast. It took a moment before they realized what had happened and then they saw Gabby’s blistering legs. Unable to speak she grabbed her mother’s hand. Zena bent down and scooped her daughter up, running with in her arms for the nearby stream. Stricken, they all followed, wading in and supporting Gabby’s body as Zena rocked her and tried to comfort her in the icy water. Through her own tears and over Gabby’s moans Zena pleaded with Phalon. “What can we do Phalon? What’s in your bag that will help???”

[Zena]

gabbyfan4ever
(07/14/03 8:20 PM)

Pain

Every child knows the feeling of wanting to just stay in their mother's arms forever. Stay where nothing hurts anymore, and no one is there but the one person you love more anything. Life only lets those moments last for a short time, however, and then you have to get up again.

Reluctantly Gabby got up and left the arms of her mother. She felt better after talking about the hurt. The pain of losing family never goes away, but it was a step towards the healing that can follow. Gabby had family, even after she thought she'd lost everyone she had ever cared about. So many others were not so lucky. And eventually she would have a place to call home that she could always return to.

As Gabby and Zena sat down waiting for something eat, Gabby realized Little Dog wasn't there any longer. Momentarily terrified at the thought of losing something else, the girl started to get up and look for the dog. He never seemed to stay put long. Gabby tried to hide the hurt on her face when Zena mentioned it was really Evergreen's dog, not hers. She quickly flashed an attempt at a smile at her mother. Gabby knew Zena hadn't meant for the comment to hurt, and Zena reminded her about the house they would have together one day. When Red came up and started a conversation with Zena, Gabby made herself perk up a little thinking about all the good things she had.

Then, everything was pain. As quickly as the emotional pain Gabby had felt started to subside, a deafening physical pain overcame her. The scalding water fell so fast that all Gabby felt at first was shock. At first. Seconds later blisters starting forming on the girl's bright red legs, and small patches all over her body where drops had splashed. Her body was a mass of pain that seemed to suck all the air from her lungs so that she couldn't even speak. All Gabby could do was grab her mothers hand when no words came out, and plead to her with teary eyes to make the pain stop. As she was carried to the river in her mothers arms her voice came back to her. The ice cold water only soothed the burns for a second when she initially entered. Gabby was vaguely aware of the others around her in the water trying to comfort her. However, she couldn't hear their words over her own screams. All she could do was lie there agonized knowing there was nothing to make her stop hurting.

Edited by: gabbyfan4ever at: 7/14/03 9:24 pm

[Zena]

phalon1
(07/14/03 9:08 PM)

The Wounded

Phalon tried to shake the remnants of the dream vision from her mind as she rinsed the blood from her palms. The cuts from the sword were superficial, but would be quite tender for the next few days. From her saddlebag, which she brought to the stream with her, she withdrew a small linen parcel tied with a bit of twine, and a one larger, also wrapped in linen. Untying the smaller of the two, she pulled out comfrey leaves, which she had picked before they had encountered the bandits. She would have rather had fresh leaves, but this would do in a pinch. The larger parcel contained strips of crisp, white linen, and covering her wounds with the leaves, she took strips of the cloth and deftly bandaged her hands. The comfrey felt soothing and would heal the cuts quicker than if left unaided.

All the while she nursed her cuts, she thought of the dream. She remembered it with such clarity, but could not decipher its meaning. The faces of the girls that shared her features haunted her, and left her with an odd feeling. A dull pain, much like that of the cuts on her palms. Like so many of her visions, this was a piece of a puzzle – a small piece, and she could not yet see the total picture, nor did not even know where to begin to look for it. She looked down at the handiwork she’d made of the bandages, and thought that perhaps the answers lay within the sword. Or perhaps not?

What was earlier a whim, a desire to see her family again, now had a feeling of urgency. Did the answers lie back at the village where she spent her childhood? The need to go home was intense now, and Phalon brushed the feeling aside for the moment, gathering her things and heading back towards camp. There were chores to do there before they would be going anywhere, home or not, and she’d dawdled long enough, lost in her thoughts. The others would be rising soon, if they weren’t already.

In the short distance to the camp, she spied Bhen Rudha, off by herself practicing battle moves. She watched, mesmerized by the dance the woman performed, and then feeling as if she were intruding upon a sacred ritual, moved on. She was fully aware, from her encounter with Red the night prior, how the bandits had suffered at the hands of the dancer in the field, and interrupting her in this state, was something Phalon was not sure she wanted to have happen.

Once at camp, she saw that Gabby was visibly upset and Zena was trying to comfort her in a way that a mother would comfort her child. In all the time she’d known Gabbyfan, she was always amazed at the girl’s resilience. Phalon did not know if she herself would have had the courage to carry on after witnessing the death of her entire family as Gabby had. Her thoughts wandered back to when the Romans had killed her love, the fury that led to her massacring them and the months of guilt and insanity that followed. If not for the gypsies that taken her in, cared for and taught her, she did not know if she’d be alive to experience the day that had just started. She supposed, in a way, she and Gabby were alike in that respect. They, especially Zena, had “adopted” Gabby, just as the gypsies had “adopted” Phalon so long ago.

She left the two to share their moment as mother and daughter, and set about to see what they had that could be made into their morning meal. All she could find was some stale bread and cheese and a few rather aged onions. She held one up to her nose and inhaled. A powerful acrid, pungent scent filled her nostrils and a sensation of foreboding, her mind.

[Zena]

BhenRudha
(07/15/03 2:07 AM)

Offerings II

“Exactly what ‘justice’ did you hand out and to whom?” Zena asked softly. The tone was dangerous, and coupled with her narrowed eyes and tense stance, Bhen Rudha knew that if she did not answer with the absolute truth, there could be a fight.

She knew what Zena was thinking about her. It was plain on her expression. No one really understood what a Bandroi an Cogadh actually was except another Bandroi. But she had to try. She so much wanted to gain Zena’s trust, else she would always be sitting on the fringe of the group. That was no kind of future.

As she drew breath to begin her answer, Xendra and Boudicca brought their argument to the campfire. Stepping back to escape being hit with a bow, she was too far away to prevent the stew pot from overturning when the shoving got out of hand. She dove forward anyway, trying to get a hold on the pot before its contents were spilled onto Gabby. She got splashed across her arm and burnt fingers for her trouble.

Zena promptly scooped up her daughter and carried her swiftly to the stream. Bhen Rudha dropped her things and followed with the rest, desperately hoping that she would be able to help the young Amazon. She was no Healer, but when she became a priestess, she had been given a gift from each face of the Morrigu.

Wise Lady Bobd, She who keeps the Cauldron of Rebirth, please allow this daughter to help so gentle a soul in a time of need. Grant me the power to take her pain and make it my own . . . the short, heartfelt prayer ran itself over and over in her mind as Zena gently placed Gabby into the soothing water.

Standing on the bank, she closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sun, gathering its warmth as strength to do what she hoped she could. Taking a cleansing breath she stepped into the water, moving as quickly as possible to where Gabby was cradled.

Zena looked over to Phalon, pleading, “What can we do Phalon? What’s in your bag that will help?”

Shutting out what the other woman might have said, she knelt in the stream and took Gabby’s chin in her hand. Bhen Rudha then blinked the monochrome lense over her eyes and called to the girl, “Geabach. Be lookin’ ta me now, aye?” Her voice was pitched low, to cut through the keening and grab Gabby’s attention.

“What? What do you think you’re doing, Red?” Zena demanded, startled by the other woman being so close and the crimson in her eyes.

“Be helpin’ yer iníon. Be trustin’ me,” she answered shortly, not taking her gaze off Gabby. The young Amazon’s eyes tracked wildy, seeking the source of sound, but she was too lost to find it. The Red Woman called again, “Geabach, be Red . . . be lookin’ ta me now.”

A strong hand clamped hard on her shoulder and Zena hissed, “If you hurt her, I swear by Artemis Herself I will make you pay.”

Still not taking her eyes off Gabby, she answered, “If’n I be hurtin’ her, Zena, ye cen be makin’ an acorn ou’ o’ me own head.” She felt, rather than saw, Zena’s hesitation before nodding and withdrawing her hand, allowing Bhen Rudha to turn her full concentration to the task before her.

“Geabach,” she called a third time, widening her eyes. Finally caught in the crimson gaze, Gabby focused on the Red Woman’s face, only whimpering now. “Shh, I be knowin’. Shh now, be listenin’ ta me, aye?” The girl nodded, her expression drooping slightly as she fell further into the Red Woman’s stare, clutching tightly to her mother’s hand.

Taking her hand from Gabby’s chin, she placed it over the girl’s rapidly beating heart, saying, “Do croí.”

In a daze, Gabby mirrored the gesture, murmuring, “Your heart.”

“Mo croí.”

“My heart.”

Bhen Rudha felt her heart beat rise to find Gabby’s, then willed it to slow, bringing the girl’s with it. Gabby stopped crying, blinking the last of the tears out of her large eyes. Once their two hearts drummed as one, she moved her hand to Gabby’s lips, saying, “Do anáil.”

Again the young Amazon mirrored the gesture, and said this time, “Your breath.”

“Mo anáil.”

“My breath.”

The Red Woman drew in a deep breath and felt the girl’s lungs fill at the same time. A chill ran up Gabby’s spine from being in the water, and they hissed together as a new shot of pain radiated from her legs. When the last hitch left their breath, she moved her hand to Gabby’s forehead, and said, “Do diachair.”

Once more, Gabby’s hand moved to mirror Bhen Rudha and she murmured, “Your pain.”

Biting her lip, she took a large breath for them both, then managed to say, “Mo diachair.”

“My pain,” the girl echoed, dropping her hand as she suddenly relaxed in her mother’s arms. She blinked up at the ring of worried faces that surrounded them during the ritual.

Bhen Rudha clenched her teeth as the burns spread across her legs and splashed across her body. The crimson fell from her eyes as tears tracked down her cheeks. She almost expected to see redness and blisters, but her skin was free of injury. Gabby was still injured, however, as she could take only the pain, not the wound itself. She stood and moved a couple steps away, motioning for Phalon to proceed with whatever she was about to do, then collapsed back into the water.

From far away she heard Gabby say with wonder in her voice, “Mom, it’s gone. The pain, I . . . I can’t feel it any more. What did Red do?”

“I don’t know sweetheart, but for right now, I’m glad she’s here.”

[Zena]

EvergreenLM
(07/15/03 6:42 PM)

Rollin' Home

Rollin’ home… rollin’ home
Rollin’ home across the sea…
Six more days to ride the west wind...
Rollin’ home my land to thee.

~

She heard the sound of it hit the ground long before she saw it. A low whistle and a rustling of the bushes gave cause for her not to move…to draw in a breath and hold it as she pulled the blade from the ground. The hilt was gripped tight ready to dispatch the approaching intruder.

“Come here little guy…it’s not much…just a parcel from tonight’s meal…I left you some meat on it…come on now, I won’t hurt you.” A medium size bone landed with a thump.

The young soldier whispered in the darkness as his silhouette betrayed him in the moonlight. Whatever lay waiting in the bushes took in the wonderful scent of that which could stave off the hungry ache in its belly… but did not come forth. It wanted to bark a warning to its benefactor…she’s near by…be careful…she will see you!

He stepped closer and knelt down reaching under the low bush grasping the little dog by the scruff of its neck.

“Come on now…you must eat…we sail at dawn and I will have to leave you behind to fend for yourself.”

Silently she moved in behind him. He sensed she was there but it was far too late to jump up and run away. Turning to face what he knew was the last sight he would see in his seventeen years, he pivoted and sat down with his knees bent, and reflected back a defiant gaze to his executioner.

“I’ll not apologize for feeding the poor thing. It follows you like a shadow and you…you…only wish it dead. Does that go for the likes of me? Do what you will, but leave the dog…please…pass it by.” There was no fear in his young voice.


The silence was deafening. An owl hooted from the tree tops as the wind swished the pine branches filtering the moonlight in and out… in and out…as it reflected upon the scene from the play of mortals unfolding on the earth below. The small dog crept forward placing itself between the two actors.

“Apollinarius…your name…Apollinarius of Miseum I believe? You are a Sgniferi are you not?

“Yes…that is what I am called, and yes, I do carry the banner of Rome.” He never moved but sat still watching the dark hair as the silver streaks blew in the scented breeze. He had never seen before this time the kindness in the face half covered in shadows.

“Do you know the woman I call Vassaly…the one who shares with me my mother’s domus? Do you know her…Apollonarius?

“Yes, Consul I do know the woman of whom you speak. She…she…is…has always shown me a kindness. She speaks well of you…she…it is obvious that she…”

“I want you to take the dog…my horse…and gather rations. I want you to leave… before the dawn. I am giving you this ring for safe passage, and the command, to bring her, and the dog, back to the point at which I sail from at sunrise. Another ship shall be waiting for you with orders to carry you, Vassaly…and the dog…to Greece. Do you know of Tripolis?”

“Yes, Consul…near Mt Olympus in the Southern lands. When I worked on my father’s farm, I met a young bard once…whose home was across the Thermaic Gulf… in Potidaea. She traveled with the legendary Xena. I shall never forget them. She, the Bard, told the story of Xena at Tripolis and of fighting the Persian Army to protect Athens.”

“Good…very good…I will wait for you there. If she…the woman…questions you…tell her that when I have finished what I have promised my mother, I will not return to Rome. If she decides to stay, I will understand. It’s not a pleasant thing…killing…killing women I do not know”...she sighed deeply... "such a pledge I made."

The Consul reached out her hand and pulled the young soldier to his feet. She bent down stroking soft ears and whispered to the little dog, “You have to go with him and bring her to me…”

The soldier saluted his Consul and went about his order.

"We're stuff of the soul Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 7/15/03 7:56 pm

[Zena]

blackwolf
(07/15/03 9:54 PM)

On The Road Again (Part 1)

I pulled Sumire up behind me. Eyeing the forest around me uncertainly, I said "'K now, hold on to my tunic. I'll let you keep that thing you've got in your hand, whatever it may be. However, if something happens and we need to get away, I want your promise to drop that thing, put both arms around my middle, and hold on tight. I don't need to stop to pick you up."

She simply nodded, but I could sense she was nervous. Nervous, tired, afraid....all of those emotions were tangible to my senses. I felt anger and empathy for this girl that I had just met. Out of all of my duties I had undertaken as a Protector, none seemed so much in need as this one.

Before kicking the horse down the road, I took one last look around what was left of the caravan. My eyes brushed past the mound of stuff that Sumire was leaving behind. While I couldn't understand myself why somebody needed so much stuff, that it was all special to her was easy to tell. Against my better judgement I almost decided to let her take some more things. She had already been through so much, and here I was telling her she had to give up more. However, too much time had already passed, and I wanted to get out of the area. Checking to make sure I had Red's axe, I kicked the horse into a walk. Sumire made a wild grab for my tunic at the sudden movement underneath her. Reaching behind me with my free hand, I grabbed hold of her until she finally found her seat. She took hold of my tunic as I had told her to, and even twisted her hand a little to make sure the hold was strong.

As we traveled, all my senses were on alert for any attempts at ambush. My eyes swiveled from side to side, checking both sides of the road. If I had the ability to move my ears, I would have in order to increase my hearing. I even lifted my nose a couple of times unconciously to take a test of the air. Surprisingly, all seemed quiet and at peace. Birds twittered in the trees, a squirrel ran up a tree, and high in the air a hawk cried. Looking through the trees, I noticed a deer and her fawn munching on some green grass. I pointed them out to Sumire, expecting her to get some joy out of it. She simply nodded her head and gave a brief attempt at a smile. The events of the previous evening and of this morning seemed to be catching up to her. I wanted to stop and let her rest, at least a day, but I dared not. No matter how tranquil the setting, I wanted to be clear of this area of the forest as soon as possible. We were still way to close to the attack of the bandits on both groups for comfort.

My unease turned out to be well founded. Right when I decided we were out of harm's way, a man jumped out in front of the horses, sword drawn. My horse reared up in fright, and it took all my skills to quiet it and make sure it didn't run away with me. Sumire dropped the object she'd been holding and grabbed me around my waist as directed. She squeezed so hard, it wasn't difficult to imagine my ribs creaking. The other horses were also antsy, and that didn't make my job any easier. Several precious seconds were wasted in the attempt to settle everyone, and by then the man had grabbed hold of my horses bridle and had his sword at my throat.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here? A couple of women traveling alone through a deep, dark forest. Tsk, tsk. What a pity," the man laughed.

I gave the sword a once over before looking at the man. I immediately recognized him as one of our captors the night before. He seemed to recognize me also.

"Hey, I'd know those eyes anywhere. You were with that group of women last night. You aren't a simple maid are you? No, I thought not. My guess is you'd probably be able to take that axe and take my head off before I was even aware of it. Well, then, we'll just get rid of that idea," and so saying, he grabbed the axe out of my belt and threw it away. "Alright, now, I want you to both dismount. Slowly," he added.

I nodded, the sword point still at my throat. I gently pried Sumire's fingers from around my waist. I motioned with my head for her to dismount and grabbed her arm to help. I could feel her shaking through my grip, but when I looked down on her, she had her eyes on the bandit, and pride and contempt were the only things visible. I smiled inwardly, proud at her bravery.

Nodding his head in approval at his first sight of my charge, he turned to me, and pushing his sword just a little tighter against my throat, he said "Now, your turn." Nodding my head once again, inwardly I quickly assessed my options. No longer hampered by Sumire behind me, I now had a chance to disarm him. I leaned forward slowly, in the show of taking my foot out of the stirrup. Seeing what I was doing, he took the sword away slightly. This was what I was waiting for. Throwing my entire body back, I jerked the horse's head with me. She yanked the bridle out of the man's hand, and reared up as I rolled off her back. I landed on my feet and pushed Sumire back as the bandit moved out of the range of the horse's hooves. All of the horses then took off at a gallop. Knowing they wouldn't be able to go far, not while being attached together as they were, I didn't trouble myself with them. My entire attention was directed on the man in front of me.

We circled each other warily, me keeping myself between Sumire and the bandit. Though he had the weapon, and the axe was to far away for me to get without risking Sumire, he didn't press his advantage. I had gifted him with my speed and agility, and he wasn't one to forget. We continued to circle until we were back where we had started. He smiled slightly seeing how I protected Sumire, and finally pressed his advantage. Pushing Sumire back, I met his charge, grabbing his sword arm as he brought it down for a killing blow to my head. We wrestled for control for some time. He was able to wrestle me to the ground, but I planted my feet in his stomach and sent him flying over my head. The sword too went flying, and we sprang up, without a weapon to either of us, or so I thought. He glanced in the direction that my charge was at, and I noticed I was no longer between them. This knowledge came a split second before I saw the flash of metal at his belt. Seeing his intent, I practically flew in the direction of Sumire. I got there just in time. As I tackled her to the ground, the knife meant for her took me in my shoulder. Pain lanced throughout my arm and down my side.

Pushing the pain aside, I climbed to my feet, took the knife from my shoulder, and searched out the bandit. He had retrieved the sword and was working toward us. Knowing I could not fight him with my strength alone, especially one-handed, I searched around and found the object Sumire had been carrying. I grabbed it up, parried his thrust, and knocked him across his head with it. I looked down surprisingly at this new weapon, and decided it might be useful after all. Using the object in my good hand and the knife in my other one, I turned aside his blows and slowly beat him back. I scored a slice on his right arm and across his midsection before he was able to knock the knife from my weak fingers. Loss of blood soon caught up with me and I started to weaken. Seeing victory, the bandit pressed his advantage, and soon had me disarmed of my new weapon before knocking me to the ground. I lay there, breathing hard, with blood oozing from my shoulder, and looked up at him defiantly. I was glad to see he too was tired and weakened from the wounds I had given.

Laughing weakly, he said "Too bad this couldn't go on longer. I'm having a lot of fun. However, you need to be dispensed with so I can get on to more pleasurable events." He looked pointedly at Sumire as he said this. The look in his eyes was enought to bring a growl to my throat and renewed strength to my body. Swinging my legs in a circle over my body, I got a glancing blow to his midsection. As he stumbled backwards from the unexpected attack, I swung my legs underneath me, sprang into the air and followed him with a kick to his head. Landing in a crouched position, my golden eyes followed his every move. Shaking the stars from his head, he once again advanced.

Watching the fight, Sumire wished there was something she could do. Her heart lodged in her throat when she saw Oukami go down. Please, no, not for me, she thought. Seeing the axe nearby, she went to retrieve it. Looking up, she expected herself to be the next target, but was surprised at seeing the dark woman up and fighting again, and with a new light in her eyes. If possible, her eyes were even more golden then before.

"Oukami!!" Yelled Sumire. I turned to see the axe being thrown in my direction. Reaching up, I grabbed the spinning axe by the handle, and brought it around to meet the sword. Seeing the look in my eyes, the bandit knew he would not survive for long, though he did his best. Swinging the axe as quickly as I could manage, I backed him up until his back hit a tree. Grabbing his sword arm in my weak hand, I brought the axe down on his arm, severing the hand. His scream was brought up short as I decapitated him. I stood there, panting with renewed fury as his body slid down the tree. Lifting my head to the sky, I howled my victory to all those who might be around.

As my howl ended, I looked around to where Sumire stood. I was not able to discern what her look meant, but at the moment I did not care. I had just had my first true fight in probably a month or so, and it felt great. I could feel Montara rising up inside me, also enjoying the feelings the battle had given me. I felt alive, and so much more in control of the situation. I wiped the blood off of the axe using the man's clothing, and stuck it back into my belt. I then retrieved Sumire's object that I had used so briefly as a weapon and returned it to it's owner. "Keep hold of this. It might come in handy someday." Lifting my nose in the air once again, I smelled through the sweat and the blood the trail the horses had taken. "I'm going to retrieve the horses. Stay here in the shadows. I'll be back shortly." As she turned to follow my instructions, I stopped her. "And by the way, thanks." With that, I ran into the forest on feet made lighter by the events of the day.

"To fight for what you believe in and to never give up is to have the heart of a wolf."
Edited by: blackwolf at: 7/16/03 10:16 pm

[Zena]

phalon1
(07/16/03 10:39 PM)

Layers Peeling

Phalon had grabbed the sword and skewered the onions when she heard Gabby’s screams. She had laid them in the embers towards the outer edges of the fire to roast, anticipating that Xendra and Boudicca would have returned with meat from their hunt and the roasted onions would make a nice accompaniment to the meal.

Instead, they would have to serve another purpose. Things had turned bad so quickly, a flurry of events all seeming to happen at once. Bhen Rhuda, with a rabbit in hand, entered the camp, offering the animal and some vegetables towards the morning meal. Zena noticed the bruise on Red’s cheek and challenged where the warrior was the evening prior. Phalon inwardly cringed. Though no Amazon herself, she knew the Amazon code and knew that Red had surely broken it by staying back to finish off the group of thugs they left fairly incapacitated by the rue soup. Zena upheld the code strictly and Phalon feared a confrontation of large proportions was inevitable.

As the conversation seemed to be on the verge of heatedly escalating, Xendra and Boudicca burst into the clearing, arguing and shoving one another. Red’s attempts to thwart the pot of water from overturning failed, and the thing let loose its boiling contents on Gabby. Zena ran with Gabby towards the stream, and Phalon with her sword of onions, and saddlebag following closely behind.

Sinking the injured girl into the cool water, Zena cried, “What can we do Phalon? What’s in your bag that will help???”

Phalon plunged the sword into the stream, cooling the steaming bulbs. When she turned back towards Gabby, she saw that Bhen Rudha was already tending to her. She watched in awe as Red performed a ritual drawing in all Gabby’s pain, just has she had sucked up the winds of Evil on the day they had first encountered this strange Warrior Priestess. When the last of the pain left Gabby, Red sank back into the waters.

As Xendra and Puella pulled the Priestess onto the stream bank, Phalon turned her attention towards the blistering burns on Gabby’s legs. Slicing the cooled onions with the sword, she laid the peeled layers on the wounds and wrapped them in bandages.

To Zena she said, “The onions will help the blistering and lessen the possibility of scarring. That’s all I have. No salve, no herbs. It was all lost when we first encountered the Evil. You said earlier that while keeping watch, you saw a town with an inn? We need to get her there. There, I should find plenty to aid in the healing and she can get the proper rest she needs to recover. Take her back to camp and make a litter to drag behind the horses. I’ll be back in a minute to help. I need to tend to Red first.”

Zena and the others gently lifted Gabby and took her up the bank and headed back towards the camp. Phalon looked Red over, expecting to see red and blistered skin. To her amazment only saw one fairly good sized burn, received when the boiling water spilled on her arm.

“Where’s it go?” Phalon asked Bhen Rudha, grabbing the last onion. She saw hands, not her own, fingers gnarled with age, holding an onion out as if it were an offering to the gods. She recognized the ring on those fingers, a large knot, twisted and fashioned in silver. “Child, remember always, a union is a whole complete thing, but made out of many different layers.” The fingers began to peel the onion, dissecting it into pieces and the pieces slipped through the fingers, “Take away one of those layers and it is destroyed. It will never be whole again.”

“Eh, Phalon? Dinnae be knowin’ what you be askin.’”

“Where’s it go? The pain. Is it still inside you?” The dull ache returned. She felt something was missing. Evergreen’s absence, the conflict just brewing under the surface between Red and Zena, the faces in her dream, her desire to be home? Like the onion held in hands from long ago in her past, were the layers beginning to peel?

“It be always inside of me, Phalon.”

Edited by: phalon1 at: 7/16/03 11:45 pm


gabbin
(07/18/03 8:46 PM)

Frieda Part IV

Kaching, kaching, the loom's familiar rhythmical sounds emanated from the small shop window and drifted to the ears of the townsfolk in the market below. Frieda leaned in on its sturdy frame. It was built by her late husband and she felt the loom was him in some ways. In and out went the looms wooden spool smoothly over the threads and, indeed, the loom seemed alive. Her husband, Hubcules, had been her liberator, in many ways. He had bought her freedom so that he, a Greek citizen, could marry her. Such a simple transaction, but it meant so much to her. Small changes-nicer clothes, a pair of shoes but, she felt so different in her mind's eye-the ability to express opinions, make choices, make money and have this house. They had been married for 5 years. Now she was on her own. Kaching,kaching, the loom talked to her. Hubcules had found her one day in...."Helloooo Frieda?" It was Metussa with a picnic basket ready to go out for lunch.

[Phalon]

BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 273
(7/19/03 1:56 am)
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Lessons in Pain
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All was pain. It coursed through her, no longer anchored to the wounds it accompanied. She grit her teeth to keep from howling with it. It was not hers, and she knew it. Knew that she should be able to contain it. She tasted salt on her lips, and knew also that it defeated her.

Strong hands pulled her from the stream to sit on the bank. She shivered as the air touched her bare legs, rising goose flesh where it passed. Words passed through the air around her, turned incomprehensible by the scream her body continued to make.

When the body no longer makes sense, the mind turns elsewhere. She saw her fighting teacher standing over her, frowning. “Why are you on the ground?” the older woman asked. Sorcha looked the same as ever, her raven hair just touched by silver pulled back in a braid and lines around her storm grey eyes.

“Oide, my legs hurt, I burned them,” she felt herself answer, though those did not seem the right words for the memory.

“Do you think that in a real fight you will be able to sit and rest your legs, should you burn them?”

“No Oide, but the pain is too much, I cannot walk.”

“Fechine, war is pain. All people have pain. Life is pain. The difference for us is that the Lady gives us the ability to understand that pain is fleeting, and always passes. Physical, emotional, spiritual . . . all pain ends sometime . . . what you must learn to do is bring that moment closer with your will. Believe that the pain in your legs is gone, and that you can stand.”

She tried to do as her teacher instructed, centering her thoughts so that she could will herself to believe that the pain was gone. It resisted, twisting through her like a live thing. “Oide, the pain will not go away.”

“Ahh Fechine, you are right. The pain never does go away, it is always inside.”

“But you just said that it passes. I do not understand, and my legs still hurt.”

Sorcha kneeled down next to her, placing a well calloused hand on her shoulder. “When your legs heal, and no longer cause you pain, the memory will linger long after. So, in some way, the pain will never leave you. The difference for us is that the Lady gives us the strength to carry all the pain we find, for ourselves and others. War is nothing but pain, and yet, we can carry it. Is that not so?”

“I think I understand, Oide. With the strength to carry such pain, and the knowledge that it will pass, a Priestess can push aside the moment and continue on, even through such torture as scalding both legs.”

“Just so Bhen Rudha, just so,” Sorcha said, standing. She bowed and blew apart in the breeze.

Blinking in confusion, Bhen Rudha focused suddenly on Phalon who was checking her over for burns. “Where’s it go?” the seeress asked, as she reached for an onion.

Her body was still screaming. She could not hear over the clamor in her ears. Remembering her beloved teacher’s words, she fought back, forcing the pain smaller and tighter, till it became a knot that sat beneath her heart. It seemed appropriate to put it there. Able to finally think clearly, she frowned up at the seeress and said, “Eh, Phalon? I dinnae be knowin’ wha’ ye be askin’.”

“Where’s it go? The pain. Is it still inside you?”

Once pain is brought under control, the mind will snap back to clarity. The Red Woman remembered the first time she had been told by Sorcha about the nature of pain. It seemed a lifetime ago. She spared a heartbeat to wish her spirit a good journey through the Wheel, and brought her full attention back to woman before her.

Something haunted those green eyes. She knew the look, the shadow that dulled an otherwise bright gaze. Taking a shallow breath against the knot in her chest, she answered, “It be always inside o’ me, Phalon.”

The seeress’ face tightened, as if she were in pain herself. Without thinking, Bhen Rudha reached to brush her fingers lightly across the other woman’s cheek. The memory of her vision of Sorcha was foremost in her mind, and she imagined she could feel Phalon’s gift grab at it greedily.

“Dinnae be gi’en’ inta tha pain,” she said as green eyes came slowly back into focus. “Ye be ta strong fer tha’.” When the seeress did not reply right away, she lifted her bandaged arm and smiled. “Be thankin’ ye for tha kind touch. Ye be ha’in’ a healer’s hands, aye, sword-sister?”

“Healer’s hands on a ‘sword-sister’?” Phalon asked, shaking her head. “How does that work? Not even you can make that work, Red.” She looked down at her own bandaged hands, frowning.

“Nae me, ye be righ’ abou’ tha’.” She stopped as Zena called from the clearing. They were packing up to leave. Standing smoothly, the Red Woman held her hand out to Phalon, then said, “Be askin’ me another day o’ a Bandroi I be knowin’ onla as Aosta Fiach, Old Raven. Be after thinkin’ tha’ be a story good fer ye ta be hearin’.”

Thoughtful, Phalon took the proffered arm and stood, gathered what things she had brought to the stream, and headed back to help get Gabby read for travel.

Edited by: BhenRudha at: 7/20/03 3:01 am

[Phalon]

gabbyfan4ever
Registered Member
Posts: 103
(7/19/03 9:31 pm)
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Bhen Rudha’s voice called out to Gabby through the commotion of the scene around her. It cut through the voices of the other women, as well as the screams of her own body that flooded her mind, like a private conversation overrides the noise of a crowded room. The young girl tried to focus on the woman, but her eyes saw nothing at all when she looked around. Gabby was panicked. She hurt like she never had before, and there was no getting away from it. All there was to do was stare widely around for help that was not there, and writhe pointlessly as if it were as simple as moving out of an uncomfortable position.

The second time Bhen Rudha called it was louder than before. It seemed to Gabby that everything depended on finding that voice above all others, for some reason. However, still too lost in her own pain ruled world she could not yet find the woman that called to her.

Finally, after Red called a third and final time, Gabby locked eyes on the face of the woman. Bhen Rudha held Gabby’s chin mere inches from her own face. Words no longer mattered. The word hurt or pain carried no weight compared to the actual feeling, and all Gabby did was whimper like a hurt animal. What happened next the girl wouldn’t understand later, but that didn’t matter. Looking into Red’s eyes in that moment it was like she understood everything .

The strong warrior placed a gentle hand on Gabby’s heart and said words the girl understood like it was her own language. “Your heart.” “My heart” The girl felt her racing heart slow to an equal pace with Bhen Rudha’s.

Next Red put her hand to Gabby’s lips. “Your breath” “My breath” Gabby felt confusion float on the outside of the void she was in when the woman seemed to gasp at a wave of pain that swept over the girl. Soon her breathing matched the womans.

Last, Gabby felt Red’s hand upon her forehead. “Your pain.” “My pain.”

It only took a second for that boiling liquid to engulf Gabby’s legs, and it took only that long for it to leave after Red’s ritual.

Tears of sheer relief rolled down the girls face. “Mom, it’s gone. The pain, I . . . I can’t feel it any more. What did Red do?”, Gabby asked.

“I don’t know sweetheart, but for right now, I’m glad she’s here.”

Gabby stared at Red while Phalon bandaged her legs. The burns were still there, but the all-encompassing pain was gone. It was nothing but a miracle. It was clear that pain was inside of Red now, despite the fact that there were no burns on her legs. It wasn’t fair the woman should have to take her pain. Gabby knew Red wouldn’t want her to feel guilty. She was just so grateful. She would have to find some way to thank her.

“Mom, I can breath again. It hurt so bad it felt like I couldn’t even breathe. Now Red feels that way. I need to thank her.” she told Zena, as she was carried back to the camp.

“Shhhh. Listen, don’t worry about anything right now honey. Just rest for me, okay?”

Gabby did feel tired, and dozed in her mother’s lap as they built a litter for her to be dragged on. They would have to travel to town to treat her legs. In what seemed like only seconds she was roused out of sleep to be placed on the litter while Zena called to Red and the others still by the lake.

When Bhen Rudha came out of the forest Gabby called to her from the litter. When Red got near enough Gabby grabbed her arm and gently tugged for her get closer. “Thank you”, the girl said. With that she stretched out her arms around the woman’s neck to give her a hug, and then gave her a kiss on the cheek. Bhen Rudha straightened and stared at the girl with a somewhat surprised look. Gabby flashed a bright smile at the woman. After a moment Bhen Rudha bent down again and said “your welcome”, and walked away to pack after giving the girl an affectionate ruffle of her hair.

[Phalon]

EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 296
(7/20/03 6:07 am)
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ORDERS
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The camp fires of the night were now gone as the morning sun began its ascent from the other side of the world with the light of a new day replacing the lights of the night time. Orange rays spiked through the wispy clouds as three crows flew across the horizon cawing out Ave in loud unison to the sunrise before settling in a low pine branch. They looked down on the one who had walked the forest floor through the night when Hypnos would not come.

Sounds of horses stamping and signaling to one another could be heard among the drone of many conversations among the soldiers. Evergreen stood watching the faces of the younger men who were smiling as soft slaps to backs were exchanged in the camaraderie of soldiers. The older cohorts, many with visible scars, went about their preparations patterned from too many battles and the silent knowledge of cost of the life they chose. All of them, green and seasoned alike, shared the commonality of men who are bound by weapons and blood allegiance to Mother Rome.

“Dionysus”…Evergreen called out to the one she had certain knowledge did not begrudge her command of their destinies…“I would have you do something for me.”

The thirty year old stood tall, straight and rugged as the cypress. He had never known any life but that of a soldier. Saluting, he approached and stood towering over the woman in front of him. He respected the Consul and recognized in her what others did not see. He saw calloused hands brown from the sun, and that she moved with muscled agility not like the women of Rome who were pale and soft. Her strong forearms bore scars telling a story of defensive blows most likely received from the edge of an opponent’s blade. He had witnessed the swift slaying of his comrade that taunted the small dog. There was a certain presence that commanded a second look if only one took the time to see beyond the assigned nobility.

“Yes, Consul, but before you speak, may I inform you that Apollinarius is missing from the ranks. A sword, some food, and your horse have also been taken. Would you have me send a detachment after him?”

“No…that will not be necessary. I have sent him back to Rome to retrieve… something that I... left behind. I gave him my horse and insignia ring.”

Looking at the large contingent of soldiers, Evergreen pointed. “I would have you command that one…that one…him…the young one there…those three…and five others that you would entrust your life. Dismiss the others telling Lycenius to march them back to the last outpost, have them rest for two days, and then return to Rome. I do not need so many to kill a small band of women. Have Lycenius tell my mother that my father’s death will be avenged, but under my conditions.”

A solid salute was given with the not questioning Dionysus pivoting and walking towards the gathering of men awaiting their order of the day. Nods could be seen as the chosen few separated from the others. Gathering their meager belongings, the select sat to the side watching the others move away from the camp and the rising sun.

"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 7/20/03 6:14 am

[Phalon]

1 Xwpfan
Registered Member
Posts: 875
(7/20/03 9:49 am)
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Go ahead try...
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Xendra's temper matched Boudicca's as she shouted "What is my excuse?! I shouldn't have to explain my actions - you nearly Killed me!"

Boudicca prided herself in being a woman who never backed down from a fight, so instead of backing down she purposely stepped forward to bring herself eye to eye to Xendra .

Boudicca needed this fight. Boudicca truly wanted this fight, it was the only way to establish herself as a better warrior than Xendra. Boudicca was tired of being seen as a bumbling fool.Boudicca purposed in her heart not to take it a second longer.

Boudicca bravely leaned in close to Xendra’s ear and whispered, "If I wanted to kill you, you'd already BE dead."

No sooner were the words “you’d be dead” uttered then Xendra’s body bristled and straightened. Xendra’s once relaxed muscles now became taut, her heart pounded and began to race and a surge of adrenline flowed throughout her being.

Xendra steadied herself. Every instinct within her wanted to give herself over to the mounting rage within but something seemed odd about this fight...like it was about more than a hunting mishap.

Xendra’s mind was racing faster than her anger. Why was Boudicca challenging her? Xendra was the one with a right to be angry.
Somewhere deep within Xendra realized there was something more going on .. with that realization Xendra, who could have lashed out in many ways in that moment,merely threw Boudicca to the ground like a discarded rag doll.

Boudicca looked up at Xendra with a mildly surpised look upon her face, she had expected far more from an Amazon..Why wasn’t the Amazon fighting her?

Boudicca wanted not just a fight,she wanted this fight, so she taunted Xendra further,”Is that all you have Amazon, no wonder you can’t even hunt for a deer!”

Xendra was becoming more infuriated but still couldn’t give herself completely over to the anger. Xendra thought “Maybe if I just show that I could kill her she’d stop.”

Xendra wasted no time as Boudicca laid there Xendra quickly thrust her sword into the ground next to Boudicca’s head and then planted her foot squarely on Boudicca’s woman’s mid section symbolizing that she had superiority and dominance over her.

Xendra looked down upon Boudicca truimphantly,but as she looked at the virtual stranger she could not believe this particular woman dared to even utter such a threat.

Xendra bent over slightly closer this time as she said with a modicum of concern, “I think you better go back to where you came from before you get yourself killed by me instead of some Roman.”

Boudicca twitched as Xendra spoke.She wasn’t some kid who needed to be protected, she had been in a few fights of her own. Boudicca promised herself that Xendra would soon see she had no right to feel over confident.

Boudicca begrudingly let Xendra talk, Boudicca was merely waiting for Xendra to bend down just a little closer to her and when Xendra did,Boudicca thrust her knee right into Xendra’s solar plexis and sent her flying.

Xendra flew through the air and landed with a resounding thud.

Boudicca had no compulsion to run, she wanted, no needed not to just have this fight but win it. Besides, Boudicca found that expolsions of anger seemed to be ridding herself of the burgeoning emotions Xendra seemed to bring out in her,so instead of running away, Boudicca firmly stood her ground as Xendra sprung back onto her feet

Xendra leapt back to her feet and brushed her self off. Xendra’s composure and demeanor were now different, her eyes once wide open,were now narrowed and focused.

Xendra instincts told her this fight was much more than about what happened while they hunted, something deep within was being called forth to be challenged.

Xendra understood all to well about challenges and proving yourself. Xendra could have easily charged Boudicca at any time but instead she played her part.

The two circled in a dance that has been done for ages, each trying to be the hunter rather than the hunted. Each woman moved effortlessly seeking a moments distraction ..an opening, an advantage.

Finally, out of mounting frustration, Xendra took the first chance and lunged toward Boudicca knocking her to the ground yet again.

Boudicca grabbed Xendra as her body slammed hard against the forest floor, soon they were nothing but entangled parts rolling about. They were simply reduced to what they were;muscle against muscle, brawn against brawn ,will against will, nothing to distinguish the two save the occasional punch ,slap or notable epithet that rose amongst the fray.

After some time, Xendra grew weary of allowing the fighting and wrestling on the forest floor, so Xendra simply broke free and yanked Boudicca up by her tunic.

Xendra looked her in the eye and demanded of Boudicca:“Give me a reason why I shouldn’t kill you or better yet do what you did to Kia and make you my slave.”

Xendra paitently waited for an answer and was slightly taken a back when Boudicca in between gulps of air responded by saying "If you think your woman enough, go ahead try..."

Boudicca then grabbed Xendra’s hands and pushed Xendra's hands off her.

As Xendra’s hands fell to her side Xendra noticed the rising smoke from the outline of the camp, it was obvious that the others were now awake and waiting on breakfast. Xendra sighed and muttered, "I won’t fight you."and started heading towards the camp.

Boudicca was coming apart, in her mind all they had seen from her was cowardice and foolishness and now she would be made to look the fool yet again.

For a fierce and proud warrior like Boudicca that was not acceptable,to Boudicca, the only way to prove her worth as a warrior to the group was to defeat one of their own.

Boudicca thought in order to make her bones, it would have to be done at Xendra’s expense.

Boudicca had not yet proved her point to herself or to the others, so she taunted Xendra yet again, “Why won’t you fight me ? Are You Afraid of me? Am I too much for you? Afraid a Celt might be able to beat you..Amazon?!?

Xendra spun around and growled,” I am Not afraid of you! I could draw your blood in a moments notice. I am only sparring you because I have already put all of them through too much already, but if you continue to push me I may have no other choice. Here me Celt,… Leave me alone, it ends here now!!”

As they approached camp Boudicca became more livid and desperate. Boudicca wanted and needed them to see her for the warrior she truly was.

Boudicca and Xendra were still trading barbs as they approached the fire ring.

Heads raised up as Boudicca retorted in a loud voice“ Why should I leave you alone? I know I can defeat you!”

Xendra still trying to avoid an all out confrontation yelled back,”You’d be stupid to even try! I would only humilate you if you did!”

Boudicca's mind raced as she felt their stares. Humilation?! Humilation was the one thing she had experienced while she had been with them. Boudicca knew in her heart that since her arrival she had not impressed them as a warrior.
Boudicca was not going to be denied her fight, her chance of proving her self a warrior.
Perhaps even more worrisome to Boudicca was that Xendra would soon tell them all the story of how they lost the deer.

Boudicca could not and would not allow herself to be made to look the fool again...especially by Xendra!

Boudicca thought, perhaps if she could defeat her here in front of all of them she would be seen as the superior warrior and even make sure that the humilation and blame for the missing breakfast was going to be squarely put on Xendra.

Boudicca in an instant went from thought to action,with every ounce of strength within her she shoved Xendra as she screamed “If it weren’t for your stupidity we’d have a deer for everyone to eat right now.”

The shove caught Xendra by surprise and she found herself falling backwards into the fire ring. Xendra spread out her arms to sort of balance herself but it was not enough.

Xendra let out a primortal scream as her back hit against a large seering hot object. Xendra then felt the object give way... in the process it caused it to spill forth it's brewing contents...on to lil Gabby fan.


..there is only one success... to be able to spend your life your own way.

Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 7/20/03 9:50 pm

[Phalon]

Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 705
(7/20/03 6:10 pm)
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A Separate Peace
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In her arms the weight of the young woman was negligible. She had reacted from out of old teaching: “Remember girls, cool the burns. It will happen to you or someone near you - COOL THE BURNS!” The training came back as a mantra, “cool the burns, cool the burns.” They were in the stream almost before anyone realized what had occurred and the fresh cool water ran around them, stopping Gabby’s flesh from cooking.

Zena pressed her cheek to Gabby’s temple and whispered continuously into her ear, “I’m here. We’ll fix it. It will stop. It will be alright. Shhhh. Sweetheart..it will stop."
The water was good for the pain but Red was better. Soon Gabby’s body had relaxed against Zena and they both had relief. All the sisters helped to place her on the grass and as Phalon dressed the wounds Zena noticed Kaia staring wide-eyed at Gabby. “The gods know what she saw as a slave in that tavern”, Zena thought to herself. Punishments of scalding were sometimes inflicted on those who stole food from the kitchen.
“Kaia..Kaia..KAIA!!” The girl broke from her stare as if stepping from a dream.
“Come here.” Zena offered her her hand. Timidly she approached, eyes wandering again to Gabby’s blistered legs. Once she had taken Zena’s hand the Amazon pulled her down on the grass beside her and whispered to her with great solemnity.
“Gabby needs you.”
“Me??”
“Yes. You must keep her mind away from the injury. Red has taken the pain but not the fear. Sing to her, tell her a story when I have to leave her. This is important in her cure, do you understand?”
“Y.y..yes. I think I do. I’ll be with her.”

Until the litter was built Zena held Gabby, smoothing her hair, wrapping her both in her blanket and in loving arms for the chill of the water had finally reached them both. The young woman slept and Kaia held her friend’s hand and anxiously watched her face. Finally the time to move had come and every so gently Zena alone, shaking off the help offered by the others, lifted Gabby on to the litter and settled her in. The hug and the kiss for Red made Zena smile in admiration for her young one, proud of her courage and kind heart. Deep inside however, she felt a twinge of guilt that she had not protected her from the injury or had the ability to do much for her once she was hurt. Red ruffled Gabby’s hair and moved away but Zena followed her.

“Red.”
“Aye?”
“Take my horse. You need her. I will walk with Gabby and Kaia."
Red started to protest but then feeling her own weakness overcoming her, relented.
“I be thankin’ ya.”
“No Red”, Zena reached out her hand, “I be thankin’ YOU!"
They grasped each other firmly at the forearm and Zena turned away, both of them silently acknowledging the temporary truce. She approached Xendra who was about to mount up on the horse that would pull the litter.
“Whatever is going on, work it out and put it behind you.” Zena laid both hands on Xendra’s shoulders and looked into her eyes. Xendra looked away but Zena shook her lightly and again they looked at each other. “You are Amazon. The only other one. I need you.” Xendra swallowed hard and nodded.

Zena’s long strides returned her to the litter where Phalon was checking Gabby’s dressings one more time. She patted Phalon’s shoulder, unable to give her the thanks she deserved in words. Phalon nodded in understanding and fished the parchment scroll upon which the map was drawn from her pouch. She held it up for Zena to see.
“I think we are finally headed in the right direction!"
Zena gazed past the parchment at Red and at Xendra who was glowering at Boudicca’s back.
“I hope so Phalon."
And so the small caravan began a slow and painful journey to the village they had seen from the tree guard post.
Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

[Phalon]

the chaotrix
Registered Member
Posts: 33
(7/21/03 1:00 am)
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Sumire's Road
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Knowing Oukami’s patience was evaporating, Sumire finally relented. Perhaps now was not the best time to test the kami. Considering what had happened the night before the last thing she wanted to do was get on a horse. But she would ride with Oukami, despite her desperate desire not to. It would be difficult to hide her pain and weakness from the forest god’s Messenger at such proximity. Not only that, the huge animal intimidated her. There was no help for it, Oukami was insistent.
Taking a breath and gritting her teeth behind a grim smile, she grabbed Oukami’s hand and leapt up. The ascent was easy, the settling of her weight down on the animal was not. She expected there would be pain so she had mentally braced herself. When the horse lurched forward she gasped and knotted her hand in Oukami’s clothing. With Oukami’s supporting arm she shifted until she felt steady and a little more at ease. Letting go a slow controlled breath she prepared for a very long road.
To distract herself from her discomfort she tried to understand again why she found herself in her present position: Under Oukami’s watchful eye, with nothing but a simple bundle in her possession. Her past, and her fallen lord were slowly receding behind her.
Lord Daisuke. Never had she failed so badly. And she was still alive. This was unheard of. It did not matter that he had not listened to her, or that he refused her help. She failed her Lord and her House. She should have ended her life immediately in shame. But she did not.
That was when Oukami came.
When Sumire had made the decision to live; to take on Daisuke’s task was when Oukami stepped from the woods. It would have made perfect sense if the messenger of the Forest god was there to witness and finalize her ritual death. That, somehow, would have been a comfort and would have at least settled her mind, spirit and destiny. But instead, Oukami, who came dressed as death, tossed the axe aside and promised no harm would come to her.
Perhaps, because of her decision, she was to be further humiliated by experiencing the services of a true defender, thereby magnifying her failure. Maybe Oukami’s task was to torment her with kindness and well-being until life became unbearable and she had no choice but to end her existence. But then again...
Then again... What if Oukami came because of her decision of taking on her task? What if Oukami was there to protect and guide her, so that she could be once again be an instrument of Kageyama? What if she was able to return to Kageyama with more than honor but a gift? Whatever happened after that wouldn’t matter if she knew she had served Kageyama well. She could welcome death finally.
At times she was drawn out from her brooding by Oukami who pointed out the denizens of the forest. Or Perhaps she was pointing out that other kami were watching Sumire as well. It did not matter, she took the small distractions for what they were; distractions from the aches on her body and the fretting in her mind.
Her head started to hurt and the cut over her eye throbbed, adding to the cloud of other aches suffusing her body. Uncomfortable, but not yet unbearable. She was actually starting coming to terms with the conditions of the travel. Her grip on Oukami anchored her. Her fight now was not to doze off. To show such weakness would be unacceptable.
Her eyes snapped open at hearing the man’s voice, just a second before the horse reared. They were being ambushed and she was nodding off! Her face flushed furiously as she realized how frantically she grabbed onto Oukami, and yet she couldn’t make herself ease up on her grasp. It wasn’t until Oukami herself began to peel her fingers off that she trusted she could let go.
Oukami was telling her to dismount. At first Sumire was not sure how she was going to get off the horse. She was sure she’d do something that would cause the animal to trample her. Oukami had reached back to help her down. So; her ineptitude must be apparent to Oukami that she must be a hindrance... The anger Sumire felt for herself she redirected at this man who dared interfere with Oukami’s plans... whatever they were.
A single man, cut from the same cloth as those that overtook the caravan. He held on to the horse’s bridle and the tip of his sword was leveled at Oukami’s throat.
She met the man’s gaze and watched that certain kind of greed color his expression. Yes, she thought at him, come and taste what awaits you...or maybe you’ll prefer Oukami’s attention. As soon as she thought that Oukami made her move and the horse was rearing. Sumire resisted the urge to bolt as far as she could from the horse, and instead moved a respectable step away. She still wanted to remain as close to Oukami as she could. But when Oukami landed she shoved her back, keeping herself between the brigand and Sumire. She was being defended again.
A quiet frustration began to build within her as she watched Oukami fight. She wanted to stand with Oukami but was being pushed back and protected as if she was worth defending. It made no sense. Sumire decided she could not allow this again. She could not just stand and watch this fight.
If she was being kept from the fight she would just draw it to her and away from Oukami. When she saw Oukami about to kick the brigand over her, Sumire moved away from the Oukami’s field of protection. Her path was two-fold: to divide the man’s attention as well as reach a weapon she had seen off to the side. As she had hoped the man saw her. Perfect. She stopped, drew a breath as saw him go for the knife at his belt and began to exhale as he released it.
Her mind slipped into a familiar numbness that allowed the body to move within its own memory. It was never a matter of speed, only a matter of working within the time between. The first part of the dance began with her feet sliding into a pivot that aligned her with the path of the knife. Her hands had just started to move when Oukami collided with her bringing her down and taking the blow meant for her.
Oukami-sama! her mind shrieked. Oukami leapt up and was at the man again, leaving her stunned and at a loss. It took a moment or two before Sumire was up again. How could she be so useless? Now Oukami was fighting injured and quickly losing ground. When she saw Oukami fall she wanted to scream, weep, rage.. Anything. Please, no, not for me, was her mantra as she cast about for a weapon.
She found Oukami’s axe and raised her eyes to the fight. She shook her head at Oukami’s ferocity , even though the injury was weakening her, she was up and fighting again. There was a light in Oukami’s eyes that spoke of exhilaration and purpose. There was more to this than a simple fight. Sumire began to realize that she had been deflected because this battle was not for her.
Her’s or not, it was time to finish this fight. Quickly calculating that at this distance it would take a turn and a half to put the handle in Oukami’s grasp with the blade at a striking position, Sumire adjusted her grip on the axe, called to Oukami and let it fly.
Watching Oukami embrace her glory as Mori-no-Kami’s Hand took Sumire’s breath away. The fury unleashed upon their would be attacker was as terrible in its vengeance as it was beautiful in its ferocity. Oukami’s blood lust ended in a triumphant howl that sent a shiver throughout Sumire’s body. There was no doubt she was in the presence of a powerful kami.
Sumire nodded dumbly giving a short bow as Oukami returned her higasa. She looked at the folded sunshade and nodded slowly to Oukami’s words. That howl was echoing within her mind, so that it made it hard to hear or understand what Oukami was saying. That howl was not just a cry of triumph but a warning to others. And what if it was meant as a warning to herself as well?
Oukami was telling her to go hide until she returned. Sumire moved to obey, but then was stopped by Oukami thanking her. Again, she was confused. Thanking her? Sumire had to quickly search her memory for something she had done that was worthy of thanks. It must have been when she tossed Oukami the axe. Sumire bowed, “It is an honor to be a service to you, Lady Blakwoof... I–“ Sumire looked up and Oukami was already headed off to retrieve the horses. “Arigatou, Oukami-sama” she said softly.
Sumire found herself a shadowed place beyond the first rank of trees where she could watch where Oukami would return with the horses. Sitting with her knees drawn up and her arms wrapped around them, she considered her situation again.
She still could not tell if being under the care of a kami was a very good thing or a very bad thing. She considered asking the Messenger directly what she wanted of her, but the sheer audacity and rudeness of such a bold gesture made her shiver inwardly. She didn’t want to insult Oukami, but neither did she want to burden her. And right now she felt very much like the burden.

Edited by: the chaotrix at: 7/21/03 1:11 am

[Phalon]

EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 298
(7/22/03 6:43 pm)
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SETTING SAIL
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You will know where to find me…just look inside your heart and there I will be…always.

The note ended as did what never was. She rolled up the small parchment and sat it down on the wooden table. Walking over to the small window, she watched the gray green waves crest and drop with the white caps swelling to reveal sharks backlit by the midday sun.

It was the third time she read the words trying to make sense of them that would not come. A feeling of emptiness pervaded her whole being mixed with anger and sadness and longing tossing her about as the waves outside the window.

The small dog lay at her feet with head on dirty white paws sensing the loss. Such was the loss that it too shared with this woman who did not know him.

“Away the boat!”

The canvas cloth snapped in the wind as the sea birds swooped down touching the sea as they cried out a warning of the dangers of Poseidon who was god over their dominion and of men who dared set sail upon it.

By the early morning light, the thirteen had marched up the knotted plank two by two by one with the Consul and Apollinarius bringing up the rear rank. She liked this young boy who did as he was asked and displayed uncommon tears for a soldier as he delivered the message. She knew the truth of it when she saw him ride in alone on the lathered horse- the one she sent for was gone. Her heart betrayed her and told her this was so.

“Consul, this is for you”…. he said as he handed over the small scroll tied with blue ribbon that once adorned soft hair. “I met her twenty leagues outside of camp. She said she was not a woman of letters…she told me her words,and I have written them down for you, as she asked me not to speak of it aloud…for it was just for you…no others. I…I am sorry Con…”

“That is enough, Appolinarius”… quietly… “enough.” She took the scroll and tapped it against her lips.

“Thank you”…she grasped his arm as he tied to salute applying light pressure and knew that he was to become the trusted one. “Go below and eat…feed that four footed louse of yours that has returned like a banshee to haunt me as well…and then, rest. You did well.”

The boat rocked and pounded the water as it journeyed to the shores of Greece. The awaited quest was at hand, but her thoughts were only of another ship sailing away that day carrying a very precious cargo.


Someday you will turn around and I will be there…for I am your shadow.
"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 7/22/03 6:57 pm

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1itt1e dog
Registered Member
Posts: 14
(7/23/03 7:50 pm)
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TURNING TAIL
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She bent down stroking soft ears and whispered to the little dog, “You have to go with him and bring her to me…” Finally! A kind word from Evergreen. A scratch!! The dog’s heart swelled with joy and he leapt toward her to try and lick her face. But, in the next moment the soldier had him tightly around the middle and his four small legs beat desperately as if he were swimming. He struggled and twisted from side to side.

(Noooooooo...down! DOWN!! Let go!! LET GO!! Push..arch my back..push with my head..nooooooooo)

To quiet him Appolinarius, a Greek who was a Roman mercenary, slipped the dog into a grain sack and tossed him over the saddle of his horse. Roman citizenship could be won by doing such favors for those in power, as long as they did not conflict with the Grecian philosophy of honor and the greater good. His older brother had died in the service of Rome, just after his pay had bought a vinyard for his immigrant parents. Now it was up to him to bring honor to the family name. Perhaps the consul could help.

In the darkness of the bag, the little beast slept. At sunset of the first day of their journey. Appolinarius opened the bag to feed his charge. The canine blinked sleepily in the light, collected his “thoughts” and courage and ran as if Ares was chasing him. The young man groaned and hoped the consul would accept his failure with the dog if he returned with Vassaly.

(Back to my woman.....home....nice maletwolegs..smells like..HOME!!)

Exhausted and dusty he returned to the ship, hiding behind some barrels until he saw the door open to the captain’s quarters below. Her scent could not be covered by the Roman stink, he was sure it was her in the cabin. He appeared in the door and crept low and silent until he was under the table where she was working and then fell asleep near her foot.

(Here...be here..nowhere else..ever..my woman..my home..my wo..zzzzzzzzzz)
Cave Canem

[Phalon]

1 Xwpfan
(07/23/03 7:50 PM)

Red to the Rescue again...
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Xendra got herself away from the blazing fire and the pot that had been boiling along, almost as soon as her mind and body realized the agonizing pain she was in.

Xendra let out a tremendous scream as her flesh gave way to the flame and the smell of her own burning flesh reminded her of when she branded Leara.

Whatever pain or horrendous realization Xendra was having came to an immediate halt as she heard other cries and screams of sheer agonizing pain.

Xendra moved without thought, her eyes were seeing but not truly comprehending what was going on. She was simply moving as fast as she could towards the source of the cries and screams .

Her chest tightened and her eyes openly watered as she saw young Gabby legs burnt and scalded. Xendra’s own shoulders barred the same wounds and yet in that moment she was not even cognizant of her own pain or wounds.

Before Xendra could even bend to help Gabby, Zena had scooped her up into her powerful and protective arms and was racing towards the stream to ease her daughter’s increasing pain.

Zena ran with a speed and a surety that only a mother protecting her young could ever hope to achieve. Phalon ran with a purposed speed, even with her sword of onions, and saddlebag she was only mere steps behind Zena.

As Zena cradled Gabby and waded chest high into the waters, Xendra heard her cry to Phalon,” What can we do? What is in that bag of yours that can help?”

Perhaps it was because of the pain and the chaos of falling into the fire ,but Xendra had not taken notice that Red had tried to stop the kettle from spilling nor had she noticed Red also racing towards the water but as Xendra’s feet first hit the cooling waters she took note that Red reached Gabby even before she could.

Xendra looked around and felt of little use and full of guilt and pain, all she could do is crouch so that the waters would run over her shoulders and watch as Red once again came to the rescue to heal pain She had caused.

Xendra never felt so helpless as she did as she watched Bhen Rudha tended to Gabby. Xendra even stopped praying to the Gods when She heard Bhen Rudha’s voice rise above the fray. Bhen Rudha had such calm but commanding sound as she called for Gabby’s attention.

Gabby was still screaming and crying,the pain seemed more than the young woman could bare. Xendra heard Bhen Rudha call to Gabby a second time only even louder but still the young woman's tears outweighed the power in Bhen Rudhas voice. Xendra almost wanted to tell Bhen Rudha to stop until she saw that the young girls eyes seemed to be searching out for the source of the calls despite her pain.

Xendra watched as Red confidently stepped forward as she called Gabby’s name for a third and final time. This time Red and Gabby locked eyes. Bhen Rudha took hold of the young girl’s chin and held it close to her own face. The tortorus screams and tears came to a halt, and all that could be heard was the sound of a childlike whimper.

Red placed her hand on Gabby’s heart spoke to Gabby in her language and yet it seemed Gabby somehow understood.

Xendra listened to the exchange without understanding the words but could see as Gabby’s heart stopped racing, it seemed like her and Red were somehow becoming one.

Then Red put her hand to Gabby’s lips and spoke again, this time Gabby’s breathing seemed to slow and become about Red’s rate of breathing.

Xendra witnessed Red put her hand upon Gabby’s forehead and calming relief fell across the young girls face replacing the look of pain and agony.

Xendra covered her mouth and felt her own intake of breath draw into her and purposely made her tongue press hard against the back of her throat so she could force down the flood of emotions that were about to overtake her as she realized that the pain that was dissapearing from Gabby was being transfer into Red’s body and spirit. Xendra watched with amazement and true respect and awe as she began to realize that Bhen Rudha was performing a sacrifical ritual of sorts that was seemingly drawing all of Gabby’s pain into herself.

Without thought of herself, Xendra with great reverance and respect stepped forward to help the priestess from the water.

Though burned and scalded too, Xendra offered her arms and shoulders to help sure Red before her feet gave way .As Bhen Rudha gripped Xendra’s right shoulder she felt her knees buckle slightly and was relieved to see that there on the other side of Red was Puella,who was also helping support the weight of this warrior priestess.

Red’s legs finally gave way under the stress of the burning pain and as much as Xendra wanted to carry Red to the streams edge she knew she could not, so she and Puella carefully dragged Red to the streams edge.

As they reached the embankment it was obvious that Phalon had been busy tending to the blistering burns on Gabby’s legs.
Phalon had sliced cooled onions with the sword, and had carefully laid some peeled layers on the wounds and wrapped up them into the bandages.

Xendra listend intently as Phalon told Zena” “The onions will help the blistering and lessen the possibility of scarring. That’s all I have. No salve, no herbs. It was all lost when we first encountered the Evil. “

Xendra hung her head in shame.

Phalon continued”,You said earlier that while keeping watch, you saw a town with an inn? We need to get her there. There, I should find plenty to aid in the healing and she can get the proper rest she needs to recover. Take her back to camp and make a litter to drag behind the horses. I’ll be back in a minute to help. I need to tend to Red first.”

Xendra’s ears perked up, a litter needed to be built, finally something postive and constructive that she do. She could help construct a litter atleast that might be of some use.

So once more Xendra pushed down the pain guilt, hurt and yes even growing anger she was feeling inside.

Xendra gathered wood and materials feverishly – It was her only purpose in the world for that moment.

As the litter being built Zena held Gabby, calmly patting down her hair holding her tight to keep her warm and safe. Zena's love and protection even helped stave off the bitter effects of the chill of the water..

Xendra was grateful that Gabby was safe and able sleep as Kaia held Gabby’s hand and watched unblinkingly for any signs of distress on Gabby’s face

Finally, the litter was built, it was time time to move Gabby.Every sister offered to help move Gabby but for Zena this was something she had to do herself.

With a mother’s strength and gentleness, Zena ever so gently hoisted the young girl into her arms and placed Gabby on to the litter much like a mother putting a newborn into a crib for the first time.

A few moments later despite her obvious pain, Xendra saw Red standing and walking towards Gabby.

Xendra found herself weeping openly with pride and gratitude as Gabby reached up and gave Red a hug and a kiss… for Xendra it was the first time since the death of her girls that Xendra had felt the myraid of emotions that only those who have experienced motherhood know.

Xendra broadly smiled as Red returned the gratitude and kindness by ruffling Gabby’s hair. Xendra wanted to go after Red as she ambled away but instead Zena followed her and offered her horse since she intended to walk behind Gabby and Kaia.

Xendra smiled knowing that Red’s demeanor indicated that she was trying to protest Zena’s offer, fortunately she relented.

Xendra watched as the two women grasped each other firmly at the forearm and then Zena turned away.

Xendra was about to mount up on the horse that would pull the litter when she saw Zena approaching her. Xendra wanted to dissapear for what could she say that could apologize for the pain and hurt they had caused. Xendra found whatever words that might have been appropiate were swallowed up in the immense guilt for what had happened and in venomous rage she now held against Boudicca whose violent shove had caused the whole ordeal.

As Zena laid both hands on Xendra’s shoulders, Xendra pursed her lips in both pain and in guilt .

Xendra had everything she could do to return the stare when Zena looked into her eyes and said . “Whatever is going on, work it out and put it behind you.”

Xendra couldn’t take another second and looked away but Zena shook her lightly and again they locked eyes as Zena firmly said “You are Amazon. The only other one. I need you.” Xendra swallowed hard knowing she had already let her down so many times before and then silently nodded.

Xendra watched as Zena’s quickly returned to the litter where Phalon was busy checking Gabby’s dressings one more time.

Zena who was not always one for words put her hand upon Phalon’s shoulder, it was Zena’s way of saying thanks.

Xendra watched as Phalon nodded and then pulled the parchment scroll upon which the map was drawn. Phalon held it up for Zena to see.

Phalon proudly annouced “I think we are finally headed in the right direction!”

As Phalon said the words Xendra caught Boudicca walking by and suddenly the events of the day came boiling up inside and in that moment Xendra wanted nothing more than to give Boudicca that fight she had so desperately wanted earlier, instead Xendra shot her a menacing stare.


Edited by: 1 Xwpfan at: 8/23/03 513pm

[Phalon]

phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1355
(7/23/03 10:11 pm)
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Journey's End. Journeys Begun.
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“Dinnae be gi’en’ inta tha pain. Ye be ta strong fer tha’.” Don’t give into the pain. You’re too strong for that. Phalon thought about Red’s words as they made the last of the preparations to break camp and begin traveling again. The litter was made and was good and strong to withstand the journey into the town that Zena had seen from the treetop. She had estimated it was maybe a half day’s travel, perhaps more with Gabby in her present condition. It would be beneficial for them to reach the town before nightfall and get Gabby settled. She was resting comfortably now, placed carefully in the litter by Zena, and still seemed devoid of all pain.

Phalon bent down over Gabby now, checking her wounds one last time before they began the journey. The girl smiled up at her. “You feel okay, Gabby”, she asked, still astonished the excruciating pain the girl had suffered - pain that would cause a full grown man to go into shock, let alone the wisp of a girl - was completely gone.

“Yes, Phalon. I’m okay. Honestly.” Again she smiled, and Phalon brushed a stray strand of hair out of Gabby’s eyes before straightening up. “Ok. It won’t be long and we’ll have you tucked in a nice warm bed, with good food in your belly.” She returned Gabby’s smile with a weak one of her own. Her wounds were severe, the blisters beginning to seep, and Phalon hoped the onion poultice would be enough for now.

She again felt that hollow feeling at the pit of her stomach, not knowing why. ‘Don’t give into the pain.’ She had never felt such physical pain as such that Gabby felt this morning, but the mental pain that left her incapacitated for so long, would, at times, return to tug at the back of her mind, like a haunting nightmare that lingered even after waking. She didn’t know why it chose to return now, unless the trip home, where it all began, was the cause. She swallowed hard, as if in doing so, she could dissolve its potency. She looked at Bhen Rudha. “It always be inside o’ me, Phalon”. She so wanted to talk to the Priestess…no, needed to talk to her. But now was not the time. Now they had to be on their way.

She got out the old map and studied it for a moment. There! The village she called home, was two, maybe three days travel. As strong as her desire to return home was, it could wait. Gabby could not wait, and they would stay at the closer town as long as she needed to recover. “I think we’re finally headed in the right direction, Zena”, she called out.

“I hope so, Phalon.”


* * * *


The trip was slow, but their progress steady, and just as the sun began its descent they neared their destination. Phalon studied the map once more. “It’s just over this little knoll…”, Phalon called back to the others has she crested the small hill. She stared, the disbelief clear on her face, even in the fading light. She blinked her eyes hard and slowly opened them. No. Could it be? She crumbled the map was threw it high in the air. “Stupid, stupid thing”, never giving thought that perhaps it was the reader, and not the map that was at fault. It didn’t matter. She no longer need the thing.

Kicking her heels in the stirrups, she urged Aronia on, racing far ahead of the others, and not caring for the moment that she’d left them behind. There it was! Her tree! Their tree! The place where her life’s happiest moments took place. It was where she had felt the most complete, under this tree, with the one she loved. She leapt from the horse, ran beneath its canopy, and there, in the dimishing light of day, with the first stars twinkling overhead, she threw open her arms and twirled around. She slowed as the memories came flooding back. This place held also, the darkest of memories. “Dinnae be gi’en’ inta tha pain. Ye be ta strong fer tha’.” She hugged herself, and smiling, said quietly, “I am home.”


Edited by: phalon1 at: 7/24/03 10:30 pm

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phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1356
(7/24/03 10:37 pm)
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Welcome
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Phalon could barely restrain herself, and was finding it difficult not to race as fast as her horse would carry her to her home. She rode with the others though, the hollow feeling, thoughts of familiar, but unknown faces, unanswered questions, and painful half-memories gone from her mind, at least temporarily, quelled by the thoughts of seeing her family again.

She led the group from the meadow where her tree stood, down the sandy path, which was still nearly the same as it had been 20 years ago, when she had traveled it daily. She led them down the narrow stone streets of the village, which, unlike the path from the meadow, had changed – grown and prospered into a town from the small village she knew as a child. She led the small band of women on horseback, one prone on a litter, and the one walking beside the litter, whose brow was furrowed with worry, until she saw it. There. There it was. The storefront was dark, but the windows towards the rear of the building that were the living quarters, shone bright, inviting and glowing from warmth inside.

Phalon could contain herself no longer, and rushed ahead. The tiny bell which hung from the door, jingled as she burst in, and immediately she was lost in the aromas of her childhood. The earthy, musty combination of spices, herbs, incense, candles, oils and dyed cotton made her heady, and for a moment she stood, alone in the room, darkened by the dusk outside, and took it all in, devouring the scents and the memories they brought.

A figure emerged from behind the curtain towards the rear of the shop, stepping from the bright rooms beyond into the faded light in the store. “Pardon me, Miss, but we are closed for the day. You will have to…”

“Mom.”

“Phalon?!” The tiny figure rushed towards her, and as they embraced, Phalon wondered how such a small and old woman could have such strength left in her arms. Finally, she loosened her grasp. “Here, let me look at you.” She held Phalon out at arms length, and even in the diminished light Phalon could see her mother’s eyes narrow. She exclaimed, “Don’t tell me you’ve been traipsing around the countryside, only the gods know where, looking like that?! Where’s that lovely blue robe you were wearing the last time you visited.”

Phalon rolled her eyes, thinking some things never change. Smiling she said, “I gave it to a friend who needed it more than I.”

“Well, no matter. There’s a nice girl in town who makes the most wonderful fabrics, so soft and colorful. We’ll fix you up something in no time.”

“Mom, there is time to talk of that later. Right now…”

She was interrupted by her brother’s brood swarming into the room and down upon her. The horde of youngsters mingled about her legs, pulling on her shirttail, (her rather tattered and unfit to be seen in shirt tail), shouting, “Auntie Phalon, Auntie Phalon. Did you bring us anything, Auntie Phalon?”

“Of course I did”, she responded. The bell on the door jingled once more, as if on clue, and swung open. “Here they are now.”

In the doorway stood Zena, holding Gabby in her arms, and the others standing behind. The older woman gently pushed her daughter aside, and the sea of children parted to let the woman through, effortlessly and without chaos, as if making a path through them for their grandmother to pass was something done daily. Kaisa, though a small woman, shorter than Phalon even, and amazingly strong in both mind and body for her sixty something years spent on this earth, commanded a presence to be reckoned with. A true matriarch, gentle, loving and kind, but with a no-nonsense edge that demanded attention when shown. The woman grasped Zena’s elbow and led her through the store and into the living area beyond the curtain. The others followed.

“Here, get that poor girl on the bed.” The children set about to complete orders quickly shouted to them. A large kettle was put on the hearth, fresh cotton bandages retrieved, and sounds from the kitchen area meant food was being prepared.

Zena placed Gabby on the bed, and the old woman gently undid the bandages. Seeing the burned and blistered skin, she looked up at all of them. “How come this child feels no pain?” No answer was offered and the woman continued. “That smell? Onions. Good. A trick my old Aunt Eurayle used to use as a remedy for burns.”

Twisted, gnarled fingers, flashing a knot of silver, let the peeled layers of onion fall to the ground.

Edited by: phalon1 at: 7/24/03 10:42 pm

[Phalon]

blackwolf
(07/25/03 10:31 PM)

On The Road Again (Part 2)
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I raced through the forest, my feet barely touching the ground. For the first time in a long time, I felt alive. I could feel my power, and it was intoxicating.

Bringing myself down out of the clouds, I set about finding the horses. As I had predicted, they had not gone far. Surprisingly, none were injured in their mad dash through the forest, and all of Sumire's belongings were still strapped securely to the pack horse. Smelling the blood on me, and still confused from the sound of a wolf in the area, it took me a while to calm them down and lead them back to the trail. It was on the way back that I asked a question that had been nagging me.

"Montara, is it just me, or did Sumire intend to catch the knife?"

He considered my question for a while, then replied "I don't know. The way she moved spoke of a familiarity, indicating she knew exactly what she was doing."

I nodded my head. I had noticed the same thing. "She is different, this Sumire. I can't quite pinpoint it, but it seems that she's battling within herself for my help. I don't know. I think I'm getting my signals mixed."

Montara simply replied "We'll see" and went silent. I didn't understand exactly what that meant, but I didn't press. I could feel him growing weaker in me, and the longer we conversed the farther away he became. It scared me unto no end, but I pushed it to the back of my mind and refused to think about it.

My body finally started to ache from the fight. My shoulder was on fire again, and I could still feel blood sliding down my arm. Seeing I was near the clearing, I decided I should probably clean myself up a bit before letting Sumire see me. I looped the reins of the lead horse over a branch and went in search of some herbs. I wished now that I had brought my own packs, but nothing could be done about that. Eventually, I found what I was looking for. Slipping out of my jerkin, I finally saw the extent of the damage done by the knife. It had gone in cleanly, and had punctured all the way through. It seemed though to have hit a vein as blood continued to flow heavily down my front and back. Grinding the herbs I had found into a pulp, I pushed them into the wound. I hissed out a word I had heard a sailor use once, and bared my teeth in a painful snarl. After making sure the wound was completely covered with the pulp, I then used some thick leaves to pad it. Having nothing to tie it down, I awkwardly held the make-shift bandage to my shoulder as I slipped on my jerkin. Hoping it was tight enough to hold the leaves in place, I collected the horses and entered the trail.

"Sumire! It's time to get going again."

She came out from the trees and approached. She looked me over, with a direct look at my shoulder. Sympathy and anger crossed her face at the same time, and that confused me. Was she angry at me, or at herself? Deciding the best course of action would be not to let her see how weak I was, I pulled myself up unto the horse using my wounded arm. My shoulder cried out in pain, and my arm spasmed as the strength left it altogether. Luckily I made it into the saddle without mishap, and then held down my hand for Sumire to grab. She turned a wary eye to the horse and backed up slightly. I couldn't really blame her, seeing what had happened the last time she had ridden on a horse, so I didn't force her. I lowered my hand to my thigh and looked out into the forest as she made her decision. I knew she would rather walk, but she was still weak, and she knew she wouldn't be able to walk far. Making her decision, she approached cautiously, grabbed my re-extended hand, and swung up behind me. I let her settle herself, and she twisted her hand in my jerkin like before. This caused the padding to tighten on my shoulder. Though the pain was intense, I hoped the extra pressure would stop the bleeding. Kicking the horse into a walk, we continued on our journey.

It didn't take long for what little strength I had left in me to fail. Lack of sleep, food, and loss of blood was weakening me. I stopped and rested continuously, telling Sumire I was doing it for her so she could rest since she wasn't used to such traveling. I sensed that this hurt her, me thinking her weak, but at the same time she was thankful to get off the horse and walk around. "Thank you, Lady Blakwoof" she said everytime. Using the excuse of scouting around, I would then enter the forest with long purposeful strides. Making sure I was well out of sight of the horses and Sumire, I would then sink weakly against a tree. Sliding to the ground, I would lean my head against the bark and let my body slowly recharge. However, these brief rests couldn't do me much good, and it became harder and harder to get back up. Blood had soaked through the padding I had made, but I didn't have the strength to try and fix it. After almost fainting after a particularly long period of rest, I decided I could take no more chances. If I rested again before reaching the others, I would not be able to go on again.

Walking back into the clearing, I looked at the sun which was slowly sinking over the horizon and said "We cannot afford any more rests. If we don't hurry, we'll have to spend another night in these woods, and I don't want to risk that. Luckily, there is a village not too far from here. We should be able to make it before nightfall." Sumire nodded her agreement and approached the horses. She was slowly losing her fear of them, though she still didn't trust them by far. After watching me mount up rather slowly, she nodded her head sadly as if what she saw confirmed something. Instead of grasping my extended hand, she hauled herself clumsily up behind me. After settling herself in her usual position, she then wrapped both her arms around my waist. She had sensed my weakness and was going to do her best to keep me in the saddle. Though this scored against my pride, I was secretly thankful for the extra support.

I had the horses go at a faster walk, for I was not lying when I said I did not want to spend another night in the forest. However, this pace could not be kept, and stars had started to dot the sky by the time we reached the edge of the town. By this time, Sumire's arms around my waist was the only thing keeping me on the horse, and only just barely. She too was still very weak, and it was a sorry sight we were as we traveled through the streets.

As we neared the town's inn, I caught a whiff of a familiar scent coming from a nearby store and changed course. I heaved a sigh of relief in knowing I had inadvertantly found those I had been seeking. I stopped the horses in front of the darkened store, but my ears could hear people talking in back where the living quarters were at. Sumire slid weakly from the horse, and looked around with a slightly worried expression. I didn't have time to think about it though as I slid from the horse and almost collapsed. The only thing that kept me on my feet was grabbing onto the horse's bridle. Surprisingly, the horse stood still as I jerked on it's head, and even stepped closer to me, allowing me to lean against it. I waited for my head to stop spinning, patted the horse against it's neck in thanks, and then started on wobbly legs toward the door. Sumire followed slowly, ready to reach out and grab me if need be.

I pushed open the door slowly, and walked into the darkened storefront as the bell jangled overhead. Aromas pf several herbs, most of them I recognized from my own village, assailed my nose. I smiled slightly as I thought about how my people would have a field day in this little store.

"Excuse me? Is there somebody out there?" Asked a voice from the back. I looked up and smiled as Phalon approached with an older woman behind her. "Blackwolf?"

"I'm back" I said weakly before collapsing into Phalon's arms. The last thing I remember was Phalon yelling for Zena before darkness enveloped me into her embrace.


"To fight for what you believe in and to never give up is to have the heart of a wolf."

[Phalon]

Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 713
(7/27/03 11:13 am)
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Guess Who's Coming To Dinner
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“Onions. Why did it have to be onions?” As she walked beside the litter, the odor of the onions on Gabby’s legs was overpowering. It was causing Zena to frown and turn her head when a breeze would send a particularly big cloud of scent her way. She had a strong aversion to onions and could not quite remember what disturbed her about their smell, appearance and taste. She never used them in cooking or even kept them around the camp. When Gabby awoke from her light sleep she saw her mother’s frown and her first thought was that she was angry with her.
“Mom? Everything all right?”
“Yes, yes, everything is going smoothly. Sleep when you can.” Zena turned away as if watching for trouble in the distance.
Kaia was faithful to the charge Zena had given her and in the inbetween times of Gabby’s dozing she sang to her and told stories of her life in the kitchen of the inn, distracting her from her injury.
“It’s good to have a friend by your side,” Zena sighed to herself and walked on.

Phalon had stopped at a huge tree and seemed overjoyed by the sight of it which puzzled Zena. “It’s not like we’ve never seen a tree before!” she mused. But when Phalon explained that THIS was the village of her youth her exuberance was understandable.
By the time they arrived in the village, twilight had come and settled on the simple stone dwellings and stores, and most of the villagers were at their evening meal. Zena looked the sisters over and decided it was good that they had arrived so late: assorted furs and hides covered this wild band of women who carried enough weapons to outfit the village militia. They were an unusual if not frightening sight for the farmers and shopkeepers of this place. As they waited outside the darkened store of Phalon’s family a stray dog came slinking toward Red with it’s teeth barred. Red looked down from her tremendous height and snarled and the dog ran howling for the cover of the local stable.
“Easy on the townsfolk Red,” Zena whispered.
“Is nae a ‘folk’ Zena! We may hope they all dinnae hae’ such pointy teeth!” she replied.

A few people had peeked out of their windows at the sound of the dog’s cry and a small crowd was beginning to gather. They pointed and jockeyed for a better position to view the strangers and murmured their fear when an old man accosted Zena.
“Amazon! Are you Amazon?? Like the other one?!” He was close to her face and pointing his finger near her nose. She was not delighted. Instead of answering she scooped Gabby from the litter and with the tilt of her head gestured them all inside. “Wait Amazon! What about HLAK?” She brushed silently past him and into the darkened store.

Children, as numerous as a school of fish flowed around them, reaching out to lay little fingers on the chakram and dagger, sword and bow. Their rough clothing brought exclamations in high little voices. “Look,” one little one squealed, “a girl! They’ve captured a girl! Grandma, the wild women captured a girl!” “They’ve done no such thing!”, Kaisa gently pushed them aside. “Shoo. Move away!"
Zena liked Phalon’s mother immediately and willingly followed her instructions. She was growing tired herself and needed a little time to rest and think. This woman was one who could be trusted to bear some of Zena’s burdens and worries.

“Here, get that poor girl on the bed.” The children set about to complete orders quickly shouted to them. A large kettle was put on the hearth, fresh cotton bandages retrieved, and sounds from the kitchen area meant food was being prepared.
Zena placed Gabby on the bed, and the old woman gently undid the bandages. Seeing the burned and blistered skin, she looked up at all of them. “How come this child feels no pain?” No answer was offered and the woman continued. “That smell? Onions. Good. A trick my old Aunt Eurayle used to use as a remedy for burns.”

“Eurayle. Eurayle. That name. I’ve heard it before. Long ago”, Zena thought, “but I can’t quite remember where.” She sat at Gabby’s head while Kaisa fussed and ministered to the child, feeling suddenly bone tired. The others settled into the simple chairs by the hearth with the youngest of the children staring at them and for a moment all was peaceful.

“Zena, ZENA!” Phalon called from the store and Zena was immediately alert and tense. When she leaped up and pulled back the curtain between the shop and the living quarters she was shocked to find Phalon staggering under the weight of Blackwolf who was soaked in blood. They lowered her to the cool stone floor and Phalon slipped a hand under the padding at her shoulder. Zena’s hands and forearms were now wet with blood and she looked at Phalon.
“All hers or someone else?”
“All hers. She’s so pale, how did she get this far?”, Phalon wondered.
It was as they were lifting Blackwolf to carry her into the next room that Zena saw the strange socks and sandals of a figure at the door. Her vision followed the lines of the dirty garment to a foreign face rimmed by black hair.
“Yoroshiku.” The small woman bowed to them at her waist.
“Your a what?” Zena whispered to Phalon.
“Oh my stars!” Kaisa wondered what else her daughter had brought home to visit.
Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

Edited by: Zena 1 at: 7/27/03 3:56 pm

[Phalon]

the chaotrix
Registered Member
Posts: 34
(7/28/03 3:21 am)
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Road Weary
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As they neared the town it seemed like Oukami allowed the truth of the injuries to settle. Sometime during the trip Sumire was holding onto Oukami to keep her from falling off the horse, rather than steadying herself.

Before they had entered the town, Oukami was barely conscious enough that Sumire was able to change her grip. One arm wrapped around Oukami's midsection to keep her stable. She used the other to press the wounded shoulder into herself, to try and staunch the bleeding. Oukami mutter-growled something she didn't quite understand and Sumire returned with a phrase in her own language telling her to hold still.

As they entered the town she could feel eyes on them from the dark. She would worry about them only if they proved to be a threat, most of her concentration was directed at keeping Oukami upright until they got to safety. Oukami still seemed to be guiding them towards something.

It wasn't right. As Sumire applied pressure as best she could to the wound, Oukami's weight settled back on her more and more. A kami shouldn't weigh so much. A kami shouldn't bleed so much. A kami shouldn't hurt so much...

Oukami made a sudden change in direction and rather than head toward the Inn as Sumire had assumed, they stopped in front of a shop. The sensation of being watched was more intent here. Sumire dismounted first, shaky and weak. She wavered a little on numb legs and pulled her higasa from behind the saddle. Those who were watching from the shadows felt as if they were coming closer.

Sumire turned and reached up to help Oukami down, but Oukami relied more on the horse to steady herself. It was obvious that her help wasn't wanted. The frustration Sumire felt was tempered by her own stubborn decision to offer it anyway. When Oukami started to move away from the horse, Sumire was a step behind ready to catch her if she fell. Once Oukami had entered into the safety of the shop, Sumire paused just outside, turning her head a little as she heard the whispers "...more Amazons... ", "..bringing their wounded and their troubles..", "...coming here to die?..", "...why here?..", "...says one of them tried to eat his dog...", "...don't need that kind of trouble here...". Sumire glanced down at the dark blood that stained her hand and shoulder. Curling her hand into a fist, she used her higasa for support and made her way into the storefront, leaving the whispers behind.

No sooner had she stepped inside when she saw Oukami fall. She wanted to lunge and call out, but her legs froze and the words died in her throat as she saw there were two women already there. The taller one had caught Oukami and was calling out for someone else.

"Zena!" That name. Hearing that name struck Sumire acutely, yet her mind wasn't clear enough at that moment to know why it was important.

Another woman came into the shop area and Sumire remained frozen as she watched. She could see it in their faces: they were deeply concerned for Oukami and whispered over her. Oukami had found her safety in these people. There was relief in the thought as well as an ache.

These must be the women. Oukami had told her she would bring her to people who would keep her safe. And now Oukami was hurt or worse.

Sumire found they were staring at her. She also realized she had just entered someone's home uninvited and without announcing herself. At a complete loss she bowed, she mentally blundered for the proper words only to hear herself finally say "Yoroshiku".

She did not understand exactly what they had said, but when the older woman made an exclamation, Sumire focused on her. It took only a moment for her to see that this woman was a matriarch. Small of stature but just as commanding a presence as Lady Akino, the woman who ran the Tea-house that Sumire had come from. Letting the parasol clatter to the floor, Sumire took a step forward and went to her knees before Kaisa. She bowed low, palms to the floor.

"Grandmother, I am an intrusion but please allow me to stay with Oukam- eh, Lady Blakwoof until I see she is well. I am so sorry to burden you." shifting her position she then bowed to the two who tended Oukami "Forgive me, I tried to- I tried to- It is my fault Oukami-sama is in- harmed is- I- " she stuttered to a stop as the Greek words failed her. Tears fell upon the back of her hands and she realized she was trembling.

What had happened to her? Why was she falling apart? Normally she had more grace and composure. Normally, it would have never come to this: it would have been her injury or death before that of a noble or even a kami.

Normally, a kami should not have cared so much...

Edited by: the chaotrix at: 7/28/03 3:27 am

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Zena 1
Zena Scrolls Host
Posts: 716
(7/28/03 7:01 pm)
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The Hospice For Sick Amazons
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The next room was beginning to take on the appearance of a hospice, with injured figures lying on makeshift beds around the room. Gabby propped herself up on one elbow and stretched a little to see an unconcious Blackwolf carried in by Zena and Phalon. Red and Xendra were resting with poultices on their burns and the air was filled with the scent of onions.

Zena returned quickly to the store as the whispering of the crowd outside the door was becoming louder and sharper in tone. The sight of her arms covered in blood drew a collective gasp from those close enough to see. “What is it??..what can you see??..Blood!! They killed their own..killed the foreign woman..she’s on the floor..Amazons! Always trouble..What about Hlak?” The old man was still nearby and still demanding. Zena stepped deftly around Kaisa and Sumire and slammed the heavy oak door, barracading it with a plank.
“Thanks for stopping by but we’re closed now. Try coming ‘round tomorrow!"
The sounds were muffled now and she could hear the sobs from the strange woman who was on the floor at Kaisa’s feet. Kaisa bent over her and was patting her on her back.
“Oh dear. Please stop. Can you understand me? Don’t be afraid."
Zena moved closer, trying to look non-threatening but realizing that being blood soaked and well armed was hardly a comfort to the frightened woman.
“We should move into the back. If there’s nothing for them to see the neighbors might disperse. Kaisa, perhaps if you take her arm and help her up.” The older woman’s touch was gentle and Sumire accepted her help, looking back over her shoulder at Zena with some concern in hers eyes. Zena opened her arms with the palms out to show a peaceful gesture and followed behind them. Once again in the warm and bright living quarters she unbuckled her sword and removed her chakram so that she could wash. The children surrounded her as the water washed Blackwolf’s blood into a bowl and stared at her in wide-eyed wonder.
“Boo!”
They scattered but returned again giggling with the confidence of children who have been well loved. As she dried her arms and hands with the rough towel one of the little ones offered to her she looked ruefully at Kaisa moving from patient to patient.
“Kaisa, I’m so sorry. We’ve turned your lovely home into a hospice for sick Amazons!”
Zena
"Agere Sequitur Esse"

[Phalon]

EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 301
(7/28/03 10:21 pm)
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PRICES
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The ship cracked sharply into the dock causing her to lose her balance, but a warrior's reaction quickly compensated for the jolt. The timbers creaked and moaned as the crew scurried to lash down the mast and secure the vessel for debarking. Cargo was being secured in great brown nets for unloading to harbor side as the gulls flew about screeching and diving for morsels of fish left on the shoreside wooden planks. The sea air smelled pungent and languished in the nose

The meeting had lasted long into the night. Little sleep was afforded to anyone as plans were to be made for their joint endeavor at the behest of Mother Rome. She had chosen three of the small contingent to review the mission that would lead to the defeat of the Amazons. Instructions were given that none shall survive except the one…the one her mother wanted to see… to watch as life was extinguished from her eyes.

“She is known as Evergreen. Reports be it that she travels with a small band of women… but do not be fooled by their number, or that they are women. They are warriors first and last, fiercely loyal to those in their number, and can send you to Hades before you feel their blade or arrows. Hesitate…for a moment…and you will find your blood coursing to the ground.”

Apollinarius was the youngest of the three chosen ones with Dionysus and the handsome Antonius rounding out the triumvirate of soldiers. The young one had not surrendered the sword that he had been given for his journey back to Rome and secretly longed to wield it in battle knowing that given the opportunity, he could do more that stay the banner. His heart did not desire to live as his father tilling the hard ground for little in return, but sweat, a creased brow, and hungry children.

The Consul had not asked for the return of the ring, and it was his belief that it provided him with a station above the others. He feared nothing, especially a woman with a weapon…except… the one he called Consul. After all, she had entrusted him with a mission of great importance, and he knew where the woman with the gray eyes had gone…and why. Perhaps this may prove to be a greater weapon than the sword at his side. He also knew what would be waiting for the Consul near the dock, but had not disclosed this fact when he delivered the woman’s letter.

Loyalties. A relative term, which could change as quickly as the direction of the wind… and ambition in the man.
"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 7/28/03 10:32 pm

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BhenRudha
Registered Member
Posts: 9
(7/29/03 1:15 am)
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Lessons in Gratitude
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When Bhen Rudha stepped into the clearing the campsite was buzzing with activity. Gear was being hastily packed, and horses loaded. She moved to where the remains of the fire were smoldering to gather up her meager belongings when Gabby called to her. Pain pulsed just beneath her heart, and she willed her face to stillness before she responded.

The young Amazon was laying on a sturdy litter, resting comfortably. Gabby looked alert, though tired, which made her glad, again, that she had been able to work magic today. She did not want to admit that she had been afraid . . .

“Thank you,” said the girl, breaking through her runaway thoughts.

She was surprised when gentle fingers tugged her down, and even more so when slender arms curled around her neck in a hug and a kiss was planted on her cheek. Straightening, the Red Woman stared for a long moment, uncertain what to do. Then Gabby smiled, bright and warm.

“Tá fáilte romhat,” she leaned in to say, then ruffled the girl’s hair. It felt strange to be on the giving end of a gesture her father had once used on her.

Moving to where her things still lay in the grass, she heard Zena come up behind her. The Amazon was instrumental in how quickly the camp was gathering itself together. So when she heard her name called softly, she did not hesitate to answer.

“Aye?”

“Take my horse. You need her. I will walk with Gabby and Kaia.”

The gift was too much, she wanted to say. But her body took a moment to remind her how drained it was. So she nodded, saying, “I be thankin’ ye.”

“No Red,” Zena countered, reaching out her hand, “I be thankin’ YOU!”

It was a peace offering, a signal for a temporary truce. Bhen Rudha grasped the proffered forearm firmly. The issue of the bandits remained between them, but it would still be there when Gabby was resting comfortably in a bed with real medicines on her legs.

After Zena turned her attention elsewhere, the Red Woman quickly tugged on her trews and stuffed her feet into her boots. Then grabbed up her practice stick, tucked it into her belt and crossed to where Evergreen’s sword waited. Once its weight was settled comfortably on her back, she moved to find Ergo.

The mare snorted softly when she approached, but whuffed the proffered hand and seemed content to be rubbed between the eyes. With a soft smile, she murmured in Gaeilge, “Beautiful one, your mistress has offered your strong back to me, so that I might rest while we travel. Would you indeed carry me?”

Ergo rubbed her head against the woman’s chest, pushing her back a space in her enthusiasm. Chuckling softly, she said, “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Bhen Rudha ran her hands along the mare’s sleek neck, and stepped to the left side to look at the saddle. It was quite different than she was used to, though she would not stop her from riding. Grabbing a fistful of mane, she set her other hand on the back of the saddle and jumped up, swinging her leg quickly across the broad back.

While the mare shifted to get used to the unfamiliar weight on her back, the Red Woman tried settling herself more comfortably in the saddle. She drew her knees up, tucking them behind the mare’s shoulders and pointed her toes down, as she would have riding bareback. Ergo snorted and took a couple steps forward, not understanding the signals she was getting. Bhen Rudha tried to tug on her mane, frustrated when that only produced a head shake.

Puella stepped in front of the horse, pulling up the reins from the ground tie, before the mare could step on them. “Here Red, take these, it should make steering easier,” she said with a grin that took the sting out of the words.

“Ahh, I be used ta ridin’ a horse differently, I be guessin’,” Bhen Rudha said, taking the reins gingerly.

“Well, then here, let me show you,” the Amazon continued, moving to the right side. “Put your feet down, so I can adjust the stirrups. Your legs are just too long!” she said with a laugh.

“I be thinkin’ tha Zena’s legs be ta short, meself. Though I be thankin’ ye fer tha help. I dinnae be wantin’ ta be hurtin’ tha lady here.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Puella said, fitting a stirrup to the Red Woman’s boot, “Ergo’s a great horse, she’ll take good care of you. There, stand up in the stirrups for me.” After nodding in satisfaction when the other woman complied, Puella continued, “Now, keep you heels down and just your toes in the stirrups. If you want her to go, just nudge her with your heels, and turn her head with the reigns. When you want her to stop, just pull back.” The woman patted Ergo’s shoulder with warm familiarity, then smiled up to Bhen Rudha. “If you need any more help, just holler.”

“Go raibh maith, agat, Puella. Withou’ yer help, I be fearin’ I be makin’ a mess o’ thin’s aye?”

The Amazon shook her head, saying softly, “Red, after what you did today . . . well, I’m just glad I can help you out is all.”

She had not done it for the gratitude. But she could not deny the warmth that was trying to thaw the cold knot of grief she woke with those few days ago. Resting a hand on Puella’s shoulder she said, “I be glad we cen be helpin’ each other then, aye?”

“Aye,” the Amazon said, then smiled. Zena called from her place by Gabby’s litter, so with a final nod, Puella went to her own horse for any last minute preparations before mounting.

Within moments, the group was moving out of the clearing. Bhen Rudha tried tugging on the reigns and squeezing with her heels to get Ergo moving and was pleased when the mare did as she was asked. Soon she was settled in place behind the litter, watching Gabby doze and talk with Kaia.

She soon discovered that it did not take much concentration to stay balanced in the saddle. So she gave into the warm sun and smooth rhythm of Ergo’s gate and slept.

Edited by: BhenRudha at: 9/23/03 6:31 pm

[Phalon]

gabbin
Registered Member
Posts: 481
(7/30/03 8:33 am)
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Frieda Rose part V
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Metussa and Frieda Rose sat together on the blanket, the late afternoon sun warming their arms and faces. They could hear some of their friends talking while picking lemons off trees from the surrounding orchard. The sound of the children playing in the waves of the sea brought a smile to Frieda's face. Metussa was gathering clover and Frieda was tying them into a chain all from her memory, she didn't need to see them, it was just as when she wove flannel and cotton clothes.

Metussa was endlessly impressed and amazed at Frieda's adaptation to her loss of sight. She often felt a tug at her heart when she thought that Frieda would never again see the lovely colors that she wove together, but, Frieda never mentioned these lost splashes of color accents from her life.

Frieda for her part was concentrating on finishing off another necklace and calling a name out of its recipient. The person put it on and smelled the clove scent from it, smiled, thanked Frieda and handed her some flowers to smell. Frieda laughed and, after smelling them, took another sip of wine and lay back to absorb the wonderful moment. She rarely got the chance to pause from work like this. Always busy getting the wool from the herders and having it cleaned by Lanolinis, then combed, tied and finished. This was nice, it reminded her of family picnics from
days of yore.....

"Fia!" Frieda cupped her hands to her mouth to make her shout carry across the waving fields of grain. Fia looked up and waved back. "Dinner time" Frieda yelled. The two girls arrived together, giggling, at the small Scottish castle of McFlannel, where they were greeted by Gramma and Grandpa McFlannel. Later, they sat with cousins and friends at the picnic near the Shoal Cliffs and talked of flannel and ale and the grain crop for the year. The Grandparents loved their two grandaughters and were raising them like their daughters, since they had no parents to do so. And, in turn, the girls loved the entire family and its bubbly nature.

Frieda felt some hands pull on her own and she rose up and follwed her friend, Ewemetimis to the water, the water splashed up around her ankles and her dress flapped against her legs, she could feel a few strands of hair swirling about her face and she laughed. This sea connects to all seas, the thought, her family was here, the sea brought them to her, she hummed and smiled.

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phalon1
Registered Member
Posts: 1373
(8/1/03 11:14 pm)
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FellowShip
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The women sat in chairs or around the hearth, dozing, or eating a simple meal, hastily prepared, of crusty bread and wine for dipping, cheese, olives and figs. Gabbyfan was resting comfortably, and Kaisa was tending to a still unconscious Blackwolf. Phalon set her wine on the stone hearth and walked over to her mother. “It’s good to be home, Mom”, she said, kissing Kaisa on the cheek. She sighed. “It’s been such a long time.” It was, wasn’t it?
It seemed so, but then, so much had happened since she last visited, she wasn’t quite sure if she had been gone that long, or if her sudden tiredness was playing with the time frame in her mind. She looked down on Blackwolf’s ashen face. It felt like a lifetime ago that the wolf, Montara, appeared to her here, to guide her back to the others in that seaside town.

Her mother seemed to read her thoughts. “Yes, Phalon, it has been a while, every day a lifetime when your children are away. Nothing though, in comparison to the years lost, not knowing, wondering what became of you when you left so abruptly.” Kaisa’s deep brown eyes grew moist. “Years without word.”

Phalon couldn’t find the words she wanted. There was so much to say, and so little she thought her mother would understand, though possibly she was underestimating the depth of Kaisa’s comprehension. “I’m sorry”, she stammered. It was all she could get out, and it was enough. For now.

Her mother stood up, finished with dressing Blackwolf’s wound, and returned her daughter’s kiss with one of her own. “It’s good to have you back, Phalon.” She arched her eyebrow, and with a small smirk said, “And you brought company. You could have sent word, you know. I’d have been better prepared.”

“How is she?” Phalon asked, looking down at Blackwolf.

“She’s very weakened, and the wound is a bad one. We’ll have to keep close watch on her these next few days. She’s lost a lot of blood, and things could go either way.” A deep intake of breath was drawn from the stranger who hadn’t left Blackwolf’s side since they arrived. Kaisa quickly added, “I think she’ll mend though. She looks as though she’s a very strong woman.”

A small sigh was emitted, and for the first time, Phalon really looked at the mysterious woman from foreign lands, clutching with white knuckles, a fan that she waved nervously about her face. Who was she, and what part did she play in the warrior’s injuries? Phalon doubted she played the role of aggressor, attacking Blackwolf herself, and then bringing her here. That didn’t make sense. There was something about her though, an air of dark clouds gathering, perhaps purposefully masked by the fan she seemed to hide behind. Or was Phalon’s tiredness and often over-active imagination getting the better of her again? She didn’t have time to decide which it was though, because the for the third time that night, the bell on the shop door jingled, warning that someone wanted in.

“What now?!”, Kaisa threw her hands in the air, moving to part the curtain the led to the store in front.

“Wait!” Zena exclaimed. “Listen.” The bell jingled angrily for a moment, then stopped when the visitor outside realized the door was bolted. Swords and weapons were immediately drawn; each of the women thinking perhaps the paranoia of the villagers had overcome their good senses. Kaisa quickly gathered the children behind her and stood squarely, with hands on hips. Phalon quickly stifled a laugh. That’s my mom, she thought; ready to take on the entire known world, should it threaten her family.

They heard footsteps outside move from the front of the store, along side the building. CRASH! The sounds of broken glass and muffled cursing were heard, as the intruders came in the window, disturbing the many bottles and vials of oils and herbs lining the shelves underneath.

Light footsteps grew nearer, and Phalon, sword ready, flung open the curtain, and found herself looking at a raised blacksmith’s iron.

“Careful, Brother. You could hurt someone with that”, she smiled. “And, since when did you become a blacksmith?”

“Phalon!” He immediately embraced her, hugging her so tightly the air was sucked out of her and she felt she might as well have been hit midsection with the blacksmith’s iron. “Oh this?” he said, tossing the iron aside. “I picked it up just inside of town, when I heard that an army of barbarian women had swept down and raided the village, leaving in their wake a bloody trail of half eaten dogs, frightened women and children and had holed up here inside the shop.” He grinned. “I had an inkling it might be you.”

“And Damaris!” Phalon exclaimed as a somewhat heavyset woman appeared from behind her husband, her easy smile nearly as wide as her hips. “Another?” she asked, looking at her sister-in-law’s protruding belly. Damaris beamed as she gave Phalon a hug and kiss on the cheek. “You’re not complaining about having another niece or nephew, now are you?”

“No. Never.” And with that, her nine nieces and nephews, ranging in age from just a year or so younger than Gabby to the youngest, barely able to speak, emerged from behind Kaisa and surrounded their parents. “Mommy, Mommy, did you see what Auntie Phalon brought home? Can we keep them, pleeeease?” “Dad, you should have seen it all. Blood everywhere.” “Can I have a sword too? Can, I?” “Eeeww. They stink, Mom. Smells like rotten onions in here.”

“Sshhh!” Kaisa clapped her hands. “Let your parents get in the door first before you bombard them with so many questions. And rude ones too. Where are your manners? Now scoot. Finish your chores for the evening, and then there’ll be plenty of time to talk – as long as it’s pleasant. I will not hear anymore tonight of blood, and swords, and things rotten.”

Shooing them off to the other room, she turned to the new arrivals and asked, “Gelasuis, you are home early. I was not expecting you for at least another day or two. Did the ship arrive?”

“Yes, we got nearly all that was needed and is in the wagon in front. Spices, linens, some really fine silks and pottery. I cut the trip short though. As the goods were being unloaded, another ship pulled into port. A Roman ship.”


Edited by: phalon1 at: 8/1/03 11:16 pm

[Phalon]

EvergreenLM
Registered Member
Posts: 305
(8/2/03 10:11 am)
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AN ILL WIND BLOWS
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Belongings were gathered with orders to form up at the second post from the ramp to the boat dock. The soldiers engaged in light conversation as they prepared to leave the ship. Once gathered at the appointed place, they waited in relative quiet for the one who would instruct them as to what lay ahead in the day.

Quintus and Titus nudged one another as three young dark haired Grecian women passed by boldly smiling with curiosity at the rugged men dressed in leather. It was not often that this small seaport saw Roman soldiers and their arrival had created a lively and speculative conversation at the tavern.

The small cohort was pleasantly surprised as Dionysus appeared giving them the word that the Consul would dismiss them to visit the village until the sun was straight above them in the sky.

They broke up with each man considering how he would spend the boon of time. Two ran in the direction of the curious women and hoped that they had enough silver coins between them to entice and pay for the pleasures they sought.

It had been agreed that Dionysus and Apollinarius would not have such freedom other than to meet with the Consul in the Tavern after questioning the villagers to flesh out information that would confirm the Roman peddler’s last sighting of the Amazons. Such a slommacky group would attract attention and not soon be forgotten. And there was silver…always the silver that would loosen the tongues of greedy men…and women.

~


He had been waiting there since the light of day as he had been paid to do. The woman with the soft gray eyes had placed more coins in his hand than he would see in a full cycle of the moon just to stay with the horse until the Roman ship arrived. He did consider both keeping the silver and selling the horse, but knew full well the consequences of angering Roman blood. He would wait. He would do as paid and turn the horse over to the one called Leara…the one he had been informed was leading the other soldiers that dispersed around him only moments ago. He shivered inside feeling an ill wind that surrounded the arrival of the ship docked in front of him.

~


She stood at the top of the ramp looking at the village and the slope of the hills gently rising away from the sea. The sky was cerulean and wisps of white clouds were strewn on the horizon as if a giant hand had brushed across the puffs scattering them there.

A feeling with no name came flooding in. Something was familiar about this place, this land, the people…it was not a stranger to her but seemingly opened it collective arms to embrace her. She shook the thoughts and commanded them back to the shadows in her mind for this was no time for distraction.

Apollinarius came to her side, saluted with pride in the uniform of a soldier who no longer stood with his banner in his hand, but now with fighting helmet tucked under his arm and with a sword at his side. Such a sword, which he believed with certainty, symbolized his destiny to achieve greater things.

Dionysus returned handing her a small scroll. “A man…that man…down there with the horse…said I was to give this to my commander. He said that you would know who it was from after you saw the horse.”

Dark brown eyes squinted in the morning light and finally focused on the man and the horse. She quickly read the note, tucked it in her breastplate, pushed aside the two soldiers as she bounded down the plank towards where the man now waving to her stood clutching the reins of the nervous beast.

“Where is the woman who gave you this!” she commanded as she retrieved the scroll and waved it in his ashen face.

He secretly congratulated himself for the judicious decision not to sell the horse for this undoubtedly was a woman who would have cut out his heart for such a deed. Without hesitation he handed over the reins of the horse that obviously recognized with great relish the woman shouting at him.

“I…I…” he nervously stuttered.

“If that is all your tongue is good for, I will remove it for you unless you can convince it to speak and answer my question.” Long tanned fingers wrapped around the hilt of the short sword hanging from a thick chocolate brown leather belt.

“Yes…why yes…certainly… She came in on a ship that arrived before dawn…accompanied by three servants I believe…nice lady you know…softly spoken and those eyes they…"

The sound of a blade being withdrawn signaled that he best get to the meat of what his interrogator sought.

“She is gone…left with a man and a pregnant woman…they had a cart with supplies…took the east road…there…” He pointed with a trembling finger in the direction of the late rising sun.

And as she looked in the direction of the horizon, the messenger bolted and ran disappearing down a small passageway. The horse nudged the woman and softly whinnied…welcome home Evergreen.
"We're stuff of the soul, Gabrielle."

Edited by: EvergreenLM at: 8/3/03 8:41 am