Unlike most pine trees, Coulter Pines produce large, heavy and often spiky pine cones. That would be my best guess as to what struck me in the back of the head, and considering Coulter pines where all around us, I think I’m right.
After seeing color again, I pushed myself off the ground and knelt for a moment. I shook my head trying to get rid of the cloudiness that filled the interior of my skull. As I became more conscious, I began to feel a nasty sting on the back of my head. Warm liquid began to spread over the back of my scalp, though it was the salty liquid streaming down from my eyes that I was the most conscious of.
I heard tree branches crackle and pop to the side of me and I turned my head quickly to the source. The Tribal girl, or Gertrude as they called her, approached as a blur. I rose my back to a kneel and clicked loose a single blade from the scabbard on my hip. I shakily stood up. The blur of Gertrude stopped approaching and began to encircle me. I could hear her voice and it was fairly audible, but the information was getting lost as my stressed brain worked to process it.
I held my blade out, not using any formal combat stance, with my left hand and reached to feel the back of my head with my right. A could feel a thick barb that had clung to the back of my head, being the main source of the bleeding. I unhooked the barb and then threw it to the ground. I grabbed the single blade with both hands and raised it over my head, engaging in a sure defensive stance. Or so I thought. The umbrella stance, as my squad came to call it, is extremely effective at defending one’s self as long as you have good focus. However, I could hardly see Gertrude’s movements, only her general position.
Gertrude seamed to hold her position a few feet in front of me. Her voice continued to run. My eye site began to slowly return to me as my brain regained control of my senses. Gertrude’s sentences began to register, and take meaning. Her hands and arms came into focus. They were held out, in a non-hostile manner. Gertrude’s first sentence that made clear sense unfortunately was, “Why where you spying on Dinli using the Tinkle-Wood?"
Even in my stressed stated I couldn't help, but present a smile.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Gertrude
I had a restless night. My thoughts were filled with so many questions: who is this girl? what does she want with us? who else is following us? after what seemed like hours of tossing and turning, I decided to give up. I quietly crept out of the carriage and decided to take the night watch. Maybe I would be able to sleep during the day. I walked around the camp a couple of times, thoughts still racing. As the sun began to rise I decided to take cover in a nearby tree. I had started dozing off when I heard an odd sound from below. I only looked down a moment before quickly averting my eyes skyward. how awkward. couldn't he have gone a little further from camp? When I heard him get back in the carriage I knew it was safe to look again. Luckily I did, because I saw the strange girl below, trying to find a new hiding place.
I watched her as she darted around, ducking behind trees. I only waited a moment, since she was in range, to grab a large pine cone and send it hurtling towards her head.
direct hit! it knocked her over, causing her to fall on her face. I knew she wouldn't be down for very long, so I had to act quickly. I jumped from my perch, and landed a few feet from her. As I suspected, she was starting to get up. once on her hands and knees, she whipped her head around and glared at me.
I watched her as she darted around, ducking behind trees. I only waited a moment, since she was in range, to grab a large pine cone and send it hurtling towards her head.
direct hit! it knocked her over, causing her to fall on her face. I knew she wouldn't be down for very long, so I had to act quickly. I jumped from my perch, and landed a few feet from her. As I suspected, she was starting to get up. once on her hands and knees, she whipped her head around and glared at me.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Randy
A half hour after the debate…
“Thank yah mista Jonson.” Tamitha chirped as old pair of boots and some better fitting clothing was handed to her.
“A pleasure my dear.” The old man chimed in response, it had been some time since the town had children around. Having a full white beard, slightly balding and a rugged exterior the old man vowed silently to himself that he would protect her from the Jerican curse that had befallen his town.
“is this right?” inquired Tamitha as the large bulbous trousers nearly engulfed the poor girl.
“HA-HA, you almost look like Toby. ”
“Who’s that?”
“My grandson… he’s left for a trip. Doesn’t plan to be back for a while.” Changing the topic “so my dear, your brother must love you very much to have given you such a pretty locket.”
--Down in the lobby the two men were still chatting.--
Damien was trying to stop the apprehension of him taking the medallion, slaughtering the last of the town and reporting it all to Bartholomew and getting all the glory for himself. He had already taken care of his two other comrades in the city, as they were getting too close to discovering the experiments of Hawk eye poison he was playing on himself. Every time he used the substance he had peace and he could not let that power be taken from him over a misunderstanding of morality. “pft, morality from a soulless organization designed for complete and unquestioned authority.” No he was better off ridding himself of such hazards and placing himself supreme master of his own pitiful realm of peace of warmth.
“so any idea why the Jerican keep slaughtering the village even to the state it is in now? ”
“What?” Damien replied rather caught off guard, as he was thinking.
“I said” obvious that Damien’s attention had all but left him and that he began to shake. “You alright?”
“Of course” he said rather defensively. “I-I got to go on watch.” Shoving past Randy, Damien disappeared into the back room.
Randolph was about to follow but an announcement was made from the top of the stairs. “Queen Tamitha, her royal highness.” Giggling Tamitha was escorted down the stairs upon the shoulders of Jonson. Adorned with the best that shanty of a town had to offer.
Randolph: declared “My aren’t you just the adventurous one.”
Tamitha whined “Can I keep it, can I keep it?”
“it may be-” seeing the decision begin to wane, Tamitha began to plead only the more along with the added boost of the old man standing next to her.
Johnson added”never mind the price it was a pleasure” seeing Randy to be unconvinced “it is a rare gift to see the smile of a child.”
“fine”
“Hooray!”
”But you need some respectable cloths as well.”
“Oh thank you Randy!” a quick smack on the cheek then she began to run off “I got to show Damien.”
Stunned Randolph held his hand to his cheek. “she so has us wrapped around her little finger, well I guess that’s the darn power of quite-ness.”
Johnson hollered ”Wait child!” the old man scampered trying to stop the intrusion of his supposed comrades privacy.
--
With peace flowing through him, Damien was nearly relaxed when the door flung open. stashing his bliss, Damien stood up defensively. “You little-“
the interruption of his pastime infuriating him. But then seeing the monk turn the corner. no doubt well trained in defense not wanting to reveal his role as the silencer at this time he was forced to delay his rampage. But tonight was a different story.
Recapturing his thoughts “little Princess. Its- time for me to sleep.” Not listening to the ramblings most often found in little ones “shooed her out of the room.” Slammed the door and started to wait for the cover of night.
--
Tamitha’s spirit undaunted by the encounter of Damien, was meandering around the kitchen scrapping up some food.
“Randolph, never mind Damien he’s just not the social type. Especially after 10pm”
Sipping on some soup “it's not that, it's just. Meh maybe it’ll (the feeling) will go away after tomorrow.”
Plopping down an abnormally large sandwich Tamitha began to crunch .
(kind of long I know. but since no one that was planned to hop in Hoppe Inn. I'll just try to get to West Port as fast as I can:P)
“Thank yah mista Jonson.” Tamitha chirped as old pair of boots and some better fitting clothing was handed to her.
“A pleasure my dear.” The old man chimed in response, it had been some time since the town had children around. Having a full white beard, slightly balding and a rugged exterior the old man vowed silently to himself that he would protect her from the Jerican curse that had befallen his town.
“is this right?” inquired Tamitha as the large bulbous trousers nearly engulfed the poor girl.
“HA-HA, you almost look like Toby. ”
“Who’s that?”
“My grandson… he’s left for a trip. Doesn’t plan to be back for a while.” Changing the topic “so my dear, your brother must love you very much to have given you such a pretty locket.”
--Down in the lobby the two men were still chatting.--
Damien was trying to stop the apprehension of him taking the medallion, slaughtering the last of the town and reporting it all to Bartholomew and getting all the glory for himself. He had already taken care of his two other comrades in the city, as they were getting too close to discovering the experiments of Hawk eye poison he was playing on himself. Every time he used the substance he had peace and he could not let that power be taken from him over a misunderstanding of morality. “pft, morality from a soulless organization designed for complete and unquestioned authority.” No he was better off ridding himself of such hazards and placing himself supreme master of his own pitiful realm of peace of warmth.
“so any idea why the Jerican keep slaughtering the village even to the state it is in now? ”
“What?” Damien replied rather caught off guard, as he was thinking.
“I said” obvious that Damien’s attention had all but left him and that he began to shake. “You alright?”
“Of course” he said rather defensively. “I-I got to go on watch.” Shoving past Randy, Damien disappeared into the back room.
Randolph was about to follow but an announcement was made from the top of the stairs. “Queen Tamitha, her royal highness.” Giggling Tamitha was escorted down the stairs upon the shoulders of Jonson. Adorned with the best that shanty of a town had to offer.
Randolph: declared “My aren’t you just the adventurous one.”
Tamitha whined “Can I keep it, can I keep it?”
“it may be-” seeing the decision begin to wane, Tamitha began to plead only the more along with the added boost of the old man standing next to her.
Johnson added”never mind the price it was a pleasure” seeing Randy to be unconvinced “it is a rare gift to see the smile of a child.”
“fine”
“Hooray!”
”But you need some respectable cloths as well.”
“Oh thank you Randy!” a quick smack on the cheek then she began to run off “I got to show Damien.”
Stunned Randolph held his hand to his cheek. “she so has us wrapped around her little finger, well I guess that’s the darn power of quite-ness.”
Johnson hollered ”Wait child!” the old man scampered trying to stop the intrusion of his supposed comrades privacy.
--
With peace flowing through him, Damien was nearly relaxed when the door flung open. stashing his bliss, Damien stood up defensively. “You little-“
the interruption of his pastime infuriating him. But then seeing the monk turn the corner. no doubt well trained in defense not wanting to reveal his role as the silencer at this time he was forced to delay his rampage. But tonight was a different story.
Recapturing his thoughts “little Princess. Its- time for me to sleep.” Not listening to the ramblings most often found in little ones “shooed her out of the room.” Slammed the door and started to wait for the cover of night.
--
Tamitha’s spirit undaunted by the encounter of Damien, was meandering around the kitchen scrapping up some food.
“Randolph, never mind Damien he’s just not the social type. Especially after 10pm”
Sipping on some soup “it's not that, it's just. Meh maybe it’ll (the feeling) will go away after tomorrow.”
Plopping down an abnormally large sandwich Tamitha began to crunch .
(kind of long I know. but since no one that was planned to hop in Hoppe Inn. I'll just try to get to West Port as fast as I can:P)
Bartholomew
"You said what?" Bartholomew rose from his throne. "Tell me you are not joking."
"No sir," The scout was trembling. "I saw General Crooks' body with my own eyes. He won the battle to take the fort but another army came through and wiped them out during the night."
"Very well, dismissed," He began to pace in front of his throne as he talked with himself. "What or who could possibly defeat Crooks in a fight? Then again Yansen Moomow is dead and if even he can die then so can Crooks."
He sat back down and bade the next person enter the throne room. This war just got more difficult. I'll have to watch my moves. Perhaps Sir Lar might have something of use for me. All those prisoners must be doing something.
Before he had even heard the next petitioner he sent them out and called for another person. The person was clothed in dark material and slid into the shadows after entering.
"Send a group of leerans to Westport," He ordered. "I've turned a blind eye on his operations long enough. I need to know what Sir Lar is really up to."
"It will be done."
Bartholomew was uncertain that the shadow had left the room when the next person entered and his daily business continued.
"No sir," The scout was trembling. "I saw General Crooks' body with my own eyes. He won the battle to take the fort but another army came through and wiped them out during the night."
"Very well, dismissed," He began to pace in front of his throne as he talked with himself. "What or who could possibly defeat Crooks in a fight? Then again Yansen Moomow is dead and if even he can die then so can Crooks."
He sat back down and bade the next person enter the throne room. This war just got more difficult. I'll have to watch my moves. Perhaps Sir Lar might have something of use for me. All those prisoners must be doing something.
Before he had even heard the next petitioner he sent them out and called for another person. The person was clothed in dark material and slid into the shadows after entering.
"Send a group of leerans to Westport," He ordered. "I've turned a blind eye on his operations long enough. I need to know what Sir Lar is really up to."
"It will be done."
Bartholomew was uncertain that the shadow had left the room when the next person entered and his daily business continued.
Mira
I opened my eyes slowly to let the morning sunlight adjust my pupils. It was a big shock when I realized that the sun was higher than I had suspected. I jumped up from my lying position and surveyed the area around me, but soon after I nearly fell to the ground from light headedness. I steadied myself and then turned my immediate thoughts to the noble’s supply group. I grabbed my pack and ran to where they had made camp the previous night. I felt awful for sleeping so long. I could only imagine what Shilon would have said if he had seen me.
I wonder if he would have punished me. I know if it were any other shadow he would have severely disciplined them, but he has always been gentler whenever I did not complete a task correctly. In a way I hate it. Does he feel like I am just a girl? Does he think that I cannot bear with the same burdens as the rest of them? Is he disappointed? I wonder if this mission is truly as crucial as he makes it sound, or if it is just something to distract me with while he gets things done without my hindrance. Am I a burden?
When I got within fifty yards of the camp I slowed and began to move more stealthily. I peered from behind a bush at the camp. “It’s still there,” I whispered as feelings of relief washed my panicked mind free of anxiety. Surprisingly, everyone seemed to still be asleep. I waited five minutes without moving a muscle.
While I waited, I noticed that I smelt rather putrid. My clothes were muddy, and my skin glistened with oil and sweat. My hair, which luckily is shorter, is frizzled and matted, being covered in dirt and mud. I could smell my own body odor without moving my head down to check. Though, I shouldn’t have cared, all I could think about was how happy I would be when we passed by the next stream.
My mind stopped wandering when a brilliant blue object, about six yards ahead of me, caught my eye. I looked at the camp again, and then crept to the object. It was a pressed blue flower, much like the one I had placed in my book of secrets, about five weeks ago. I observed the flower for a moment and then sharp feelings of anxiety flew back into my stomach. I threw down my pack and tore my book out of it. I turned the pages repeatedly to find the blue flower in my book, but I couldn’t find it. I did find the page where I had pressed it though. There was a small blue pedal and sticky residue on the interior of the page. I knelt, staring at the page for a little over a minute. I then placed the pressed flower from the ground on the page. It matched the residue mark like a puzzle piece. I felt like I was about to throw up, though that wouldn’t have happened because I hadn’t eaten since the day before. I slowly, with shaking hands, placed the book back in my pack.
They may have read my book. What do I do? What can I do? I felt completely naked, as I knelt staring at the ground. They have read my thoughts… or did they? Of course they did, why else would a flower from my book be on the ground? What if the order finds out? What if Shilon finds out? Does this have any advantages? Who am I kidding? If the order finds out about anything I have written in the book, I will most likely be reconverted(put through a brainwashing program). Why am I so careless? Why am I so weak?
A stir came from the box of the carriage and I scurried behind the bush I had hid behind earlier. I watched as the noble, Dinli, jumped out of his carriage and ran in my direction. My heart pounded hard in my chest. He came to a quick stop near a tree that shadowed the area I had found the blue flower. I clicked my single blade from its hilt, preparing for anything that might occur. Because the tree was in my way, I could only see his shoulder and a part of his shoe, so I could not view exactly what he was doing. After a minute he started to move again. He turned back from the tree and headed back to the carriage, walking slowly and relaxed.
I waited for a minute after he clicked closed the door to his carriage before investigating further. I crept silently to where he had been standing. It took me a second for my mind to register what I was seeing and smelling before I rushed back into the bush where I stood gagging for a minute or two. I then proceeded to seize my pack and find another place to watch the group.
(I edited my original post. It seemed no one was really thrilled about it so I thought I'd throw in my Sherbet Twist... Yum.)
I wonder if he would have punished me. I know if it were any other shadow he would have severely disciplined them, but he has always been gentler whenever I did not complete a task correctly. In a way I hate it. Does he feel like I am just a girl? Does he think that I cannot bear with the same burdens as the rest of them? Is he disappointed? I wonder if this mission is truly as crucial as he makes it sound, or if it is just something to distract me with while he gets things done without my hindrance. Am I a burden?
When I got within fifty yards of the camp I slowed and began to move more stealthily. I peered from behind a bush at the camp. “It’s still there,” I whispered as feelings of relief washed my panicked mind free of anxiety. Surprisingly, everyone seemed to still be asleep. I waited five minutes without moving a muscle.
While I waited, I noticed that I smelt rather putrid. My clothes were muddy, and my skin glistened with oil and sweat. My hair, which luckily is shorter, is frizzled and matted, being covered in dirt and mud. I could smell my own body odor without moving my head down to check. Though, I shouldn’t have cared, all I could think about was how happy I would be when we passed by the next stream.
My mind stopped wandering when a brilliant blue object, about six yards ahead of me, caught my eye. I looked at the camp again, and then crept to the object. It was a pressed blue flower, much like the one I had placed in my book of secrets, about five weeks ago. I observed the flower for a moment and then sharp feelings of anxiety flew back into my stomach. I threw down my pack and tore my book out of it. I turned the pages repeatedly to find the blue flower in my book, but I couldn’t find it. I did find the page where I had pressed it though. There was a small blue pedal and sticky residue on the interior of the page. I knelt, staring at the page for a little over a minute. I then placed the pressed flower from the ground on the page. It matched the residue mark like a puzzle piece. I felt like I was about to throw up, though that wouldn’t have happened because I hadn’t eaten since the day before. I slowly, with shaking hands, placed the book back in my pack.
They may have read my book. What do I do? What can I do? I felt completely naked, as I knelt staring at the ground. They have read my thoughts… or did they? Of course they did, why else would a flower from my book be on the ground? What if the order finds out? What if Shilon finds out? Does this have any advantages? Who am I kidding? If the order finds out about anything I have written in the book, I will most likely be reconverted(put through a brainwashing program). Why am I so careless? Why am I so weak?
A stir came from the box of the carriage and I scurried behind the bush I had hid behind earlier. I watched as the noble, Dinli, jumped out of his carriage and ran in my direction. My heart pounded hard in my chest. He came to a quick stop near a tree that shadowed the area I had found the blue flower. I clicked my single blade from its hilt, preparing for anything that might occur. Because the tree was in my way, I could only see his shoulder and a part of his shoe, so I could not view exactly what he was doing. After a minute he started to move again. He turned back from the tree and headed back to the carriage, walking slowly and relaxed.
I waited for a minute after he clicked closed the door to his carriage before investigating further. I crept silently to where he had been standing. It took me a second for my mind to register what I was seeing and smelling before I rushed back into the bush where I stood gagging for a minute or two. I then proceeded to seize my pack and find another place to watch the group.
(I edited my original post. It seemed no one was really thrilled about it so I thought I'd throw in my Sherbet Twist... Yum.)
Monday, March 2, 2009
William aka Lord Dinli
There I was in the middle of the forest, torn between going to see what was bothering Bonita or protecting Cordell. Yes, perhaps I am a little too cautious, but this was not a matter to be taken lightly. I stood and paced for a few minutes before I relaxed and realized that Bonita had been taking care of herself for months if not years, she'd be fine for a few hours. However, Cordell on the other hand. I saw Shilon back in the market and that meant either he or someone else was following us, even if I hadn't noticed them.
I sat down and pulled my coat tightly around me, it was getting cold. I felt myself slipping off to sleep and I awoke to Bonita nudging me. Now I was staring at a book she gave me and finally decided to open it.
I laughed aloud when I read it, "She is totally insane." I nearly yelled in my amusement but remembered to keep my voice down. "I'm going to give this back, show me the way please."
The moon had finally come out and I could see pretty well. I got back to her quickly as Bonita led the way and I got a good look at her face and chuckled softly. I placed the book back inside the bag and returned to camp.
"So Bonita," I was hesitant to ask this. "Would you like to learn how to read? In the next town I could get some books and we could start off slowly and work our way up."
She looked as if she wasn't quite sure how to answer, so I changed the subject and explained the contents of the journal entry.
(Not going to copy paste or summarize the journal entry just pretend its here.)
"I laughed probably before the reality of the situation set in," I grinned. "Oh well. I now have something to hold over that girl if she ever decides to turn on us and perhaps I could use it to find out what hold the order has on Shilon and free him from the tie he has with the order."
"Well, what do you think about the situation Bonnie? We could kill her now and get her out of the way or we could let her join us and find out what she knows, plus she thinks we still have the key." I smirked slightly at that thought and gave Bonita aka Gertrude a chance to reply.
I sat down and pulled my coat tightly around me, it was getting cold. I felt myself slipping off to sleep and I awoke to Bonita nudging me. Now I was staring at a book she gave me and finally decided to open it.
I laughed aloud when I read it, "She is totally insane." I nearly yelled in my amusement but remembered to keep my voice down. "I'm going to give this back, show me the way please."
The moon had finally come out and I could see pretty well. I got back to her quickly as Bonita led the way and I got a good look at her face and chuckled softly. I placed the book back inside the bag and returned to camp.
"So Bonita," I was hesitant to ask this. "Would you like to learn how to read? In the next town I could get some books and we could start off slowly and work our way up."
She looked as if she wasn't quite sure how to answer, so I changed the subject and explained the contents of the journal entry.
(Not going to copy paste or summarize the journal entry just pretend its here.)
"I laughed probably before the reality of the situation set in," I grinned. "Oh well. I now have something to hold over that girl if she ever decides to turn on us and perhaps I could use it to find out what hold the order has on Shilon and free him from the tie he has with the order."
"Well, what do you think about the situation Bonnie? We could kill her now and get her out of the way or we could let her join us and find out what she knows, plus she thinks we still have the key." I smirked slightly at that thought and gave Bonita aka Gertrude a chance to reply.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Gertrude
I only walked a little ways before stopping. I turned and watched Will, as I expected he had gotten up form bed when he heard me. I was glad, yet a little disheartened when he didn't follow me. I heard a small branch crack. what was that? are we being followed?
It wouldn't surprise me one bit. From the corner of my eye, I could have sworn a dozen times that I had seen someone. But I had never said anything, for fear of upsetting the others. I decided to investigate.
I left my blanket over a stump and climbed up the nearest tree. From there I could clearly see for miles in every direction (mind you it was mostly trees). there it is I saw a very faint light only a few yards from our camp. It was maybe the flicker of one match, but it was enough to give away our stalker's position.
Like a squirrel, I hopped gracefully from one tree to another until I was upon the stranger. it's her! the woman from the market. what does she want with us? I just watched her for what seemed like hours, before she settled and went to sleep.
Once I was positive she was deep in slumber, I slithered down the tree to get a closer look. She had been writing in a book her plans to kill us likely, I thought it wise to steal it and show it to Will.
I carefully pulled it out from her pack (a few yards from where she was sleeping), and darted off towards camp like a gazelle (quickly and quietly).
Will was starting to nod off by the fire, I nearly startled him to death when I poked his shoulder, "I think this may be very interesting to you. we're being followed, and these are her notes."
He was a little stunned, maybe at my slyness, or maybe because he hadn't spotted her himself. Either way he shrugged it off and thanked me. He tossed the book from side to side a few moments before deciding to open it.
It wouldn't surprise me one bit. From the corner of my eye, I could have sworn a dozen times that I had seen someone. But I had never said anything, for fear of upsetting the others. I decided to investigate.
I left my blanket over a stump and climbed up the nearest tree. From there I could clearly see for miles in every direction (mind you it was mostly trees). there it is I saw a very faint light only a few yards from our camp. It was maybe the flicker of one match, but it was enough to give away our stalker's position.
Like a squirrel, I hopped gracefully from one tree to another until I was upon the stranger. it's her! the woman from the market. what does she want with us? I just watched her for what seemed like hours, before she settled and went to sleep.
Once I was positive she was deep in slumber, I slithered down the tree to get a closer look. She had been writing in a book her plans to kill us likely, I thought it wise to steal it and show it to Will.
I carefully pulled it out from her pack (a few yards from where she was sleeping), and darted off towards camp like a gazelle (quickly and quietly).
Will was starting to nod off by the fire, I nearly startled him to death when I poked his shoulder, "I think this may be very interesting to you. we're being followed, and these are her notes."
He was a little stunned, maybe at my slyness, or maybe because he hadn't spotted her himself. Either way he shrugged it off and thanked me. He tossed the book from side to side a few moments before deciding to open it.
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