 wolven [Profile] 2012/12/30 - 10:19:15
Chapter 4
The stakes.
“I knew the risks when I consented to it Yeersha.” Cane said, in an angry tone, eagerly wishing that sundown would come quickly.
“Why though? You have been happy until today. What’s the problem?”
“Have I been happy? Have I really?”
Yeersha sat beside Cane, overlooking the river.
“I don’t know.”
“Then the truth is that I have never been happy. I tolerated their jibes and prods at me because I felt like I deserved it, like I somehow brought it all upon myself when I was first spawned into this world. But now…” He paused as the crows began to lift into a single flock, flying in unison above the river, “Now I feel like I should be something more.”
“I don’t like it.” Yeersha sobbed, burying her head in her hands. She had been crying for around an hour.
“You don’t like what?”
“Change. All of it. Everything is changing so fast. First the rider returns, then the two strangers, then Molag got out, and now you’re fighting for your freedom… against Khalen of all people.”
“Would you prefer that I should remain an outcast? A slave, digging graves until I eventually dig my own?”
“I just liked things the way they were.” She cried.
“Here.” Cane said, and taking a piece of cloth from one of his pockets, he began wiping her face dry of tears.
“Things always change Yeersha. You will change with it also. Give but six years and you will be an adult who must think for herself. I like it as little as you do, but that’s just how it is.”
The little girl jumped up and hugged Cane tightly around the neck.
“I don’t want anyone to die.” She whispered into his ears.
“I won’t let anyone die. I promise.”
Yeersha retracted from the hug and looked at Cane, trying to figure out what he was doing, but he only touched his nose.
“Your mother will be expecting you indoors.” Cane said and ushered her away.
Cane returned to the river and looked across it until he became aware of a man clad in armour and a dragon approaching. He jumped up and whirled around.
“You’re not away yet? What happened to your urgent mission?” Cane asked.
“I hope you’re joking.” Oriel chuckled to himself. “Like a certain herbalist I know, I like to be where important things are happening. This will be no exception.”
“How so?”
‘The bat-ears village’s hopes are piled on the pale one.’ Glaedr snorted with derision. A throaty purr emanated from somewhere within his chest. ‘They are fitting him with weaponry and armour to tip the odds in his favour.’
“Good for him. A fully trained snow elf clad in unrefined brightsteel with a two handed broadsword against one without armour and a shovel for a weapon. Sure. The odds are definitely in my favour.”
“That’s exactly it Cane. They plan to leave you grovelling in the dust. I for one don’t like bullies,” Oriel said with a hint of menace in his voice, “so I say we give them a right nasty surprise.”
From within the confines of Glaedr’s saddlebags, Oriel drew a sword. It was made of burnished steel, and the pommel was decorated by a single large crystal. The hilt was protected by leather, for a sure grip, and the cross guard was a simple design. The blade itself was a mirror in sheen, and the edge was sharper than most knives. He took a scabbard from the saddlebags and sheathed the blade.
“My gift to you Cane. Use it well, for as I once fought for my freedom with this blade, so I hope you will use it also. It was my first ever sword.”
Cane’s mouth dropped. They were giving him a weapon! This was a gift beyond anything he could have hoped for.
“I-I-I… I can’t thank you enough.”
“Thank us when it saves your life. If it breaks, I’ll take it back and have it re-forged in about a week.”
“I don’t know what to say.” He was dumbstruck.
‘We are honoured to play a part in this, Cane of the Fox’s nose. Use the weapon well, see your opponents and none shall vanquish thee.’
“I… I am honoured by you Glaedr Óga, and you Oriel. You both have given me the means to a future. I am now in your debt.”
‘On the contrary…’ Glaedr began.
“We are even!” Oriel finished. “You aided us, so we will aid you. It’s only fair.”
Strapping the sword over his shoulder, he and Oriel walked to the keep, as sundown was fast approaching.
“Tell me, Oriel, what do you feel when you enter the field of combat?” Cane asked, as they stopped before the courtyard. Oriel turned to look at Mount Blackreach, which seemed to have grown in size since the sun vanished behind it.
“It is a long time since I have thought about it. I was not always a rider, young Cane, but I was a warrior long before I was a rider.
“When I first entered the arena, it was frightening. That endless wait before you draw your blade wrecks the nerves and you think to yourself: ‘am I to kill today?’ That is what I felt the first time. The crows cawed, waiting for their feast, for it was to be a bloody battle, and at the sound of the horn, I drew my blade and charged. Those moments are the slowest, because you wonder if you will survive, and your life flashes before your eyes.
“After that it is in some ways glorious, for you lose all sense of time, and all of your concentration is pinned on your arm’s strength and the next swing of your sword. With blood running round you, it was the first time I ever felt truly alive, and like all debaucheries, it becomes addictive beyond belief.
“I rose through the ranks of the imperial legion as a boy, and after we slaughtered a village in the Empire, I saw the horror for what it was, but even that could not cool my bloodlust. I turned my back on them when the chance arose, and I fled to Surda, and later the Varden; killing as I did so. Battle and I were like lovers Cane, for when we were apart we pined for each other, and when together we relished every last drop of blood that painted my blade.
“Years passed and the Empire was eventually defeated, but not before I was. I thought myself unstoppable and I pushed forward. Of course as in life, you grow old and frail. For me, my downfall was my bloodlust for it was insatiable. Battle left me for another warrior, who struck me down like corn. I was beaten...
1world1name [Profile] 2012/12/30 - 12:42:3
I've always wondered, do you type out your chapters right here, or do you copy and paste. And if so, where from? As for critiques, the tears in his pants(oh gosh, that sounds so weird) are a bit too similar to another. If there was some variation, like one was a long slash across one leg, it would seem more believable.
wolven [Profile] 2012/12/30 - 12:52:41
Try saying 'Trousers' next time.
Nah. I copy and paste them from a word document safely on my Ipod. I see what you mean about the Trousers now, they are a tad similar. They're just sposed to be ripped and mucky in a few places. No major gashes though.
I actually dont have a set design for his trousers. I just sorta... do them mucky and ripped. Thanks for the critique though.
pumadragon [Profile] 2012/12/30 - 15:47:57
aaah, poor Yeersha. I really like this picture of those two, and how Cane's acting that way, it shows a few things about his character that I like. I also like the background here, those trees are looking better all the time......y'know with all the snow here the place I live is starting to remind me of where your fanfic takes place...(I think Ignitia was the name?)
miles [Profile] 2012/12/31 - 0:48:2
i love the way you shade hair. and i think her pose is really well done, too.
wolven [Profile] 2012/12/31 - 3:8:53
Well... The hair shading is really a bit more Trial and error, but thanks anyway miles. I'm glad you like this half-chapter, Puma, and as always your critique is really helpful.
Theres one thing though that's got me angry. I FORGOT TO COLOUR MORGAN! (the teddy bear) He lacks my usual detail.... Rrrgh. I am so angry at myself right now!
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[anon]sacerlupus 2012/12/29 - 16:48:38
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