The World of Layonara
Character Development => Development Journals and Discussion => Topic started by: Alatriel on March 26, 2010, 12:46:21 PM
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Charlie ducks into a back hallway in the Rofireinite temple in Ft. Vehl, where he's been living for a few months now. He looks up and his eyes alight as he sees what he's looking for, a handhold to pull himself up into one of his favorite spots in the rafters. Tucking his home-made slingshot in the back of his trousers, he grabs a hold of the beam and climbs up, nestling himself high above where his unsuspecting victims will walk below him. Out of his pocket, he pulls a piece of parchment he ripped from one of the hymnals from the main chapel and starts shredding the paper into small bits, rolling them up and spitting on them to make them good and wet. He fires a couple test shots across the hall to make sure the wads stick, adjusting the size of the ball or the amount of spit to get them the right consistency. Then he waits. Other children and some of the sisters come by underneath, and he fires at a few of them, occaisionally hitting, but managing to hide so that no one sees him.
After a short while Charlie sees Brother Aesthir Stargazer patrolling the hallway looking at some of the children as they walk or run through the hallway. Charlie loads up his slingshot and sticks his tongue out in concentration. This'll be a great target, he thinks to himself. He takes careful aim and let's the spitball fly.
He missed.
Charlie ducks back behind the rafter again, but not before Brother Aesthir's attention is caught, and he calls up to Charlie, looking at the spitball that flew past him, sticking firmly to the wall beside him. "Charlie isn't it?"
Charlie holds his breath, hoping maybe the priest will have missed him.
Aesthir rolls his eyes and calls out to him again, "Come on Kid , you are smarter than that. Would you think people will believe that spitballs are raining on their own ?
You are quite well known here, Actually it would be better to come back here so you are seen with someone before you are charged with something you genuinelly did not do ."
Rumpled and disheveled from his antics, Charlie sighs and swings his legs over and climbs down the way he got up, tucking his slingshot in the back of his trousers again. Hesitantly he walks up in front of Aesthir, and looks up at him with an uncertain look. "Ain't ya gonna yell at me, Brother?"
The priest smirks, "Yell? No, no Charlie. Yelling does not solve anything." He fixes him with a disapproving stare. "Now, what are you trying to do, Charlie?"
The young boy holds the older priest gaze defiantly. "I was just practicin' my aim. I wouldn'ta hurt ya none."
"You sure about that?" Brother Aesthir points to the several spitballs stuck to the walls.
Looking around the hall, Charlie's resolve seems to lessen a bit. "I reckon I'm gonna be the one cleanin' it anyhow. They're always givin' me chores."
"And why do you think that happens?"
The little boy frowns. "Cause they don't like me."
"Oh, sure. They don't like you, and that's why they give you a bed and feed you, right?" The priest watches Charlie for his answer.
Charlie squints a bit and looks up at Aesthir. "Well, don't they gotta do that cause Rofirein says it's yer job to?"
The priest smirks again, "Rofirein's job, my boy, is to give justice and make sure the laws are fulfilled."
Charlie resigns and puts his hands behind his back, shuffling his feet and hanging his head. "What's my punishment then...?"
"Come with me," Brother Aesthir says, and gestures him to walk forward. The young boy sighs and walks forward where he is bid.
As they walk, the priest quickly and overtly grabs the slingshot out of the back of Charlie's trousers. "Hey, that's mine!" the boy says as he makes a grab for it.
The priest holds the child's handcrafted weapon high out of Charlie's reach. "Yes, it is. I'm confiscating it. Now. Forward, young one."
Charlie scowls as he walks forward. Aesthir directs him out of the temple and into the exterior training grounds. "Well, Charlie, I see that you have so much energy... but a question is rolling around in my mind. Why do you want to practice your aim? Fell any other need than the wish to stay sharp?" Aesthir looks around the grounds as if searching for something.
"Brother Aesthir? Where are we going?" Charlie looks up at the priest again.
"I ask the questions here Boy. You'll see."
"I'm practicin' my aim cause when I get big my new Ma an' Da are gonna take me with 'em when they fight monsters," Charlie finally answers.
Aesthir looks down at the child. "And you want to go and fight monsters?"
"Well... yeah..."
"May I ask you why?" the priest asks, while he continues to survey the grounds until he finds a spot where a group of squires are training.
Charlie looks at Aesthir blankly, so Aesthir expounds, "You must have a reason for wanting to do that, no?"
The child shrugs, "Well, if I kill the monsters... that's good right?"
"That depends on what a monster is, Charlie. Do you know what your new Mother and Father do for a living? Other than killing monsters?" He continues walking at an easy calm pace, but even still Charlie has to run a few steps here and there to keep up with him.
"Well, they ain't my new Ma an' Da yet I reckon... but, no, they kill monsters and they bring in bad guys, right? They're heroes. Well... 'cept Protector Dan's sorta... well he's not a regular kinda hero, since he's a Brother."
Aesthir's mouth twists in an ironic smile. "So he's not a hero in your eyes?"
Charlie makes a sour face. "He makes me do a lot of chores."
"No more than Miss Bella then, at least, no?" the priest asks.
"Bella?" the boy asks. "She don't give me so many chores to do. She teaches me how to fight."
"I see... Do you want Protector Daniel to be your father? I mean, you probably would prefer someone less strict, no?" He keeps looking at a particular squire, and the young Rofireinite's nerves begin to overwhelm him and he loses his balance a bit."
Charlie shrugs. "He's alright. Bella says he makes her happy so iffn I gotta have him fer a Da so she's happy I reckon that's alright. I mean... she took me outta *cuss* Krandor."
Aesthir frowns at the expletive as the child utters it. "You know you could say the same without that word right?"
Aesthir shakes his head. "Nevermind. Well, I've heard that you have accepted him as the only family Miss Bella has. Is that true? Did anyone put any pressure on that? Did you willingly accept it?"
"Well, Bella ain't really my Ma," the child begins, "But I want her to be... I asked her what iffn I said no, and she said she would be sad. She didn't tell me I gotta say yes, but I don't mind 'im so bad I guess. He said I don't gotta eat peas, I so guess that's alright. He said okay to my terms and said I done good writin' a contract."
"I see..."
Charlie shifts a bit. "Sometimes I don't think he likes me."
Aesthir's mouth twists again into a small smile. "And have you told that to Miss Bella or to him?"
Charlie shakes his head.
"Are you afraid of him?" Aesthir probes.
The boy kicks a small stone and shoves his hands in his pockets, replying defiantly, "Naw, I ain't afraid of nobody."
"I'm sure you are," the priest oils, "but you don't accept it yet. It's a good way to fight feelings."
"Well I ain't afraid of Protector Dan. Worst he's gonna do is make me sweep up more or clean out the *cuss word for poop* pots again."
"I see," the older man responds. "I could say you are afraid to lose Miss Bella if you reject him, because you know as well as I, that if they decided to marry it is because they like each others' company. You are afraid of making her sad. Of making her choose."
Charlie doesn't respond.
"You are here for her are you not?"
Charlie looks at him. "Well, she brung me here..."
"That is not what I asked," the priest says as the boy looks at him with a confused expression. Aesthir meets his gaze. "Do you follow and stand this 'punishment' for her to make it easier to be with Protector Dan? Is that it?"
"Well..." he begins, "I dunno. I reckon I don't want nobody to send me back to *cuss* Krandor again."
"I see... What do you think of Rofirein so far, Charlie? Chores aside. What do you think of what you have learned here?"
Charlie shrugs. "He's a real big Dragon. I don't wanna tick him off too bad I reckon."
Aesthir seems amused at the answer. "I see. Do you want to learn to fight, Charlie?"
"Brother Aesthir? Why'd we come out here? Yeah I wanna fight, I told ya, I'm gonna fight monsters when I get bigger."
"Why? Well my boy, believe me there is a reason for all the things I do, even if those are not apparent at first glance. As you have chores, I have them as well."
Charlie's eyes widen as he looks at the man in shock and incredulity. "You gotta do chores too?"
"Everyone has duties to accomplish, Charlie. Even Protector Dan. Even me. Some are far more complicated than cleaning out a hall." His face once again twists into his amused, sardonic smile.
Charlie frowns a bit. "Yeah, like Protector Dan's gotta marry Bella."
Aesthir stops a moment and turns to face Charlie. "Why do you say that?" After a moment he looks back to the squires as the one he has been watching drops his shield.
"Well," Charlie begins, "that's what I heard Sister Amelia say to Sister Merissa. They didn't know I was listenin'."
Aesthir looks down at teh child again. "So you don't think they are going to marry? Or do you think he does it for duty only?"
Charlie continues in his explaination. "They said they were spendin' so much tiem together that iffn they didn't get married soon it were gonna start seeming... inappropriate. They said they shoulda got married by now cause they... cause they love each other." He kicks another stone as he finishes his retelling.
Aesthir smirks, then looks again at the squire, but addressing Charlie. "Don't move. Wait here a moment." Aesthir marches across the training ground towards the squires as Charlie stays where he is and watches. "Initiate Stevenson!" Aesthir's voice booms across the courtyard. The squire in question nervously steps forward, looking ashamed as the priest marches towards him. "Again the lack of discipline," he scolds the squire. "Pick up the shield and go to the training room. You know what it is that you have to do." The initiate gulps and picks up his shield, walking silently and shamefully out of the training grounds and back towards the main building of the temple.
Aesthir watches the squire leave, then instructs the others to continue as he returns to the young boy. "Well Charlie..."
"Where'd you make him go?" Charlie nervously interrupts.
"To the training room, was my instruction not clear enough?"
"Oh."
Aesthir clears his throat. "Well, Charlie," he says as he resumes the walk, patting Charlie's shoulders to urge him back into motion, "It's will not be easier when they are married, you know?"
Charlie moves along as bid and looks up at Aesthir again. "Whatcha mean?"
"I am the one who will do the ceremony if it is deemed appropriate," the priest informs.
"You?" Charlie asks.
"Yes Charlie," he nods to Charlie's question. "What I mean, though, is that Protector Dan is not the the only who can make this choice. He has to answer to Rofirein first."
Charlie blinks. "You mean Protector Dan's gotta stand up in front of a great big old Gold Dragon before he can marry Bella?" His eyes widen in amazement. "Wow... he's braver'n I thought..."
"He does that every day when the sun rises, Charlie. In every choice he makes. It is a hard test. And there are thinsg that are harder than standing up to overwhelming creatures."
Charlie's jaw hangs open in amazement. "Wow..."
Aesthir fixes him with a dry expression. "It's not literal my boy." He sighs and returns to his line of questioning. "Do you know what a bounty hunter is?"
"That's what Bella says she's tryin' and trainin' to be," Charlie replies.
"And do you know what that means?" the priest asks.
"Um... no?"
"A bounty hunter is someone who 'hunts' people for money," Aesthir informs the child.
"Well, I seen her and Stalker kill a bunch o' men back in *cuss* Krandor, so I bet that's about right." The terms *cuss* and Krandor seem to run together as one as Charlie utters them, as if it is the right and proper name for the town where he was born.
Aesthir frowns again. "Cut the cussing, please, Charlie. I won't ask again."
Charlie kicks another pebble, this time harder, and it skips off to the side and hits someone in the back of their boot. Aesthir casts a disapproving look at him again, but continues in his line of interrogation. "Well, I heard you put some stipulations for giving your approval, right?"
Charlie hangs his head at the look, but nods. "Yeah, but Protector Dan said alright."
"Could you summarize those for me, please?" the man asks as he walks with a proud air and firm posture.
Charlie nods and takes a deep breath as he speaks, seeming to recite something. "I said he better never hurt Bella or else. I said I don't like peas. I said we ain't never movin' back to *cuss* Krandor ever again." The priest frowns at the word again as Charlie continues. "And I said when I get bigger they gotta take me with them to fight and not leave me behind with stuffy old Sisters."
Aesthir interjects, "Well first, starting today, when you want to say *cuss* Krandor, you'll say only Krandor, and Krandor only, alright? Follow this simple ruling and believe me that your life will be easier here." Charlie tilts his head and blinks a bit, then nods reluctantly.
"Second," Aesthir continues, "What do you mean by 'Never hurt her'?"
Charlie stops and looks at Aesthir for a bit, looking unsure. "I ain't... sure I'm supposeda tell you..."
Aesthir turns from his observations of the training sessions. "Why would you not be willing to tell me?"
"Well, I ain't sure she wants nobody to know..." Charlie replies hesitantly. "She don't talk about it."
Aesthir arches an eyebrow. "Since it is part of a legal contract, Charlie, that should have been discussed, don't you think?"
Charlie shrugs and avoids Aesthir's gaze.
"Is it something that bad that you would not discuss it? Does Protector Daniel know what that means?"
Charlie shrugs again.
"If not, he's being deceived, don't you think?" Aesthir prods.
charlie shrugs again. "Maybe he knows."
Aesthir continues. "Would you sign a contract without knowing the exact conditions? Why don't you tell me so we can be sure. After all, those are your stipulations, are they not?"
Charlie hesitates and then slowly begins to tell him. "Well, she don't know I know, but she gets scared when she sleeps. And... she talks bout someone hittin' her. I don't want nobody hittin' her."
Aesthir nods as he listens. "Is that it?"
Again, the boy shrugs. "I reckon so..."
"I see," says the man. "Worry not. It's not something too grave that you are worried for her weaknesses. Actually, it speaks well of you."
"You ain't gonna tell her I told you are ya?" the boy asks worriedly.
Aesthir smiles. "I won't tell her unless I am directly questioned. You have nothing to fear, you are helping her case."
"Oh."
"Charlie, do you know what is the highest and most important call of Protector Dan?" Aesthir continues as the boy shakes his head. "He will always be for Rofirein first. Always. That will leave you and Miss Bella in second place. Always." He speaks slowly so that the boy can grasp the importance of what he says. "You should know that if the time ever comes, and Miss Bella and Protector Dan marry, that if circumstances come to it he would take her into custody or even prosecute her, or even you, if either of you ever commits a crime. Do you understand?"
Charlie looks a little uneasy, but nods his understanding.
"Does that not count in your definition of... 'hurting her'?"
Charlie objects, "But she ain't done nothin' wrong!"
"Yet," Aesthir implies. "And I'm not saying she will, but we don't know what fate has for us Charlie."
The boy kicks another pebble.
"I need you to understand," the priest continues, "that he will not always be there for you both, and that in time he might come to fall into this situation. The Gold forbid of course. Perhaps I'm goign to extreme... but you must accept that as part of life. That is how it works, and that is what Protector Dan is. First and foremost, he is chosen by the Gold."
Charlie frowns defiantly. "Well then I'm gonna be there fer my new Ma."
The man smirks. "You have spirit, boy, I concede you that."
"Well, iffn Protector Dan ain't there, then she's gonna need me cause she ain't got nobody else."
"Glad you are taking this with maturity," the priest replies dryly. "I am worried though to hear that you would prefer her over the law. But you are still young." He looks at the boy with nostalgia. "So young..."
Charlie frowns mightily. "I ain't that little! I'm bigger'n a lotta the other novices."
Aesthir smirks again. "Do you really think you are so big?"
Charlie hesitates. "Well... I'm gettin' bigger. One day I'll even be taller'n Protector Dan is!"
Aesthirs eyes shine with a twist of amusement. "Let's see..." He reaches towarsd a weapon rack and takes up a large wooden bastard sword. "Now Big guy..." He passes the sword to Charlie who takes the sword in both hands, struggling to hold the sword up as he awkwardly braces his feet apart to try to balance the weight.
Charlie looks a bit worried. "Bella don't make me train with the big swords yet..."
Aesthir blinks. "She makes you train at all?"
Charlie nods as the sword sinks to the ground in front of him. "She's teachin' me with little wood stickers. They ain't as big as her stickers though. She says they're just daggers."
"Raise the sword over your head, boy. Stand strong," Aesthir instructs. Charlie hefts the sword up again as Aesthir starts to count. "One... two... three... four... five."
Charlie sticks his tongue out in concentration holding up the large sword. Aesthir smiles in amusement at the spirit of the boy, nodding approvingly as he continues to count. "... fifteen... sixteen... seventeen... eighteen..." He starts to circle around the boy, whose arms begin to tire and the sword wavers and sinks a bit. "Hold strong Charlie, only ten seconds more."
"But... my arms hurt..."
"That is the strength coming to you." He keeps counting as the child struggles to keep the sword up. Finally Aesthir reaches thirty. "Rest."
Charlie drops the sword back to the ground with a pained look on his face as he rubs his arms a bit.
Aesthir smirks as he picks up the sword. "These my boy," he says. "These are the real chores here." He hands the child a canteen with some water. "Rest."
Charlie takes a sip of water and eyes Aesthir a moment before asking, "Yer... gonna let me fight with the big swords?"
"No, I am not. It is not my call to do that Charlie. But, I'll galdly help your training when you seem to be in the conditions to do it." Aesthir pauses dramatically as he considers something. "I'll propose you a deal."
Charlie tilts his head, listening.
"Let's try to keep without those reports for misbehaving for a week, and I"ll vouch for you to give you a once a week training session with the squires. Deal?"
Charlie blinks and his eyes widen. "I get to train with the big kids?"
"You get to train with the squires. I'll get you an appropriate trainer. It's not about training only. It's about knowing what to do first. The basics of it. Everyone can hold a sword, but not everyone knows how to do it properly."
Charlie looks at Aesthir skeptically. "And yer gonna marry Bella and Protector Dan?"
Aesthir smiles grimly. "I don't know yet Charlie. It's not my choice. It's Rofirein's. I'll see what signs he sends to me. You helped a lot. So, do we have a deal?"
"And all's I gotta do is not get caught in trouble this week?"
"No, all you have to do is not MAKE trouble this week," Aesthir replies sternly.
Charlie hesitates, then spits in his right hand and holds it out for Aesthir to shake. "Deal."
Aesthir takes the child's hand and shakes it. "Deal done, never undone. Now, let's get back to the temple. And I'd appreciate that our conversation keeps between us until the resolution of the wedding."
Charlie smiles innocently, "Okay, Brother Aesthir. Ain't like we said nothing bad."
Aesthir leads the boy back to temple with Charlie exclaiming excitedly to himself, "I'm gonna get to train with the big boys!"
-
Later the same day, Charlie creeps up to the training room where Initiate Stevenson was sent earlier. Inside the center of the room, Charlie sees the young squire standing still, holding a shield. Charlie watches for a bit, and then leave. He returns several hours later when no one is around.
The initiate is still there.
-
Charlie does well on his bargain with Aesthir to not get in trouble for a few days. His exemplary behavior shocks his teachers, but also makes them a bit suspicious. But on the fourth day, Charlie loses his concentration as a young girl with blond braids sits down near him. Charlie smiles at her, but the young girl ignores him, sticking her nose in the air and talking to another boy, Johnny. Charlie frowns. I wish she'd talk to me and smile at me like that, he thinks to himself. He pulls the frog out of his pocket and looks at it as it ribbits in protest. Charlie grins to himself. This'll make her notice me, he thinks, as he quietly sneaks around behind her and then very quickly pulls back the neck of her tunic and dumps the frog down her back.
The girl shrieks and jumps up in panic and tears, shaking her dress and jumping up and down in horror. Some of the other boys giggle, and Charlie smiles at the girl, waiting for her to look at him. Instead, she runs in hysterical tears to Sister Patricia, clinging on to her for dear life as the harmless frog hops off to find safety.
Sister Patricia's voice booms out over the hall. "Novice Charlie! Is this your handiwork?"
Charlie frowns, not getting the reaction he'd hoped for. "Yes, ma'am."
"Go to the library, Novice Charlie. I want you to write one thousand times, 'I will not put frogs down girls' dresses.' Is that clear?" Sister Patricia says sternly.
Charlie hangs his head and leaves the room, with one final glance at the pretty little girl, still redfaced and teary eyed. The little girl sticks her tongue out at Charlie and then buries her face back in Sister Patricia's robes.
Charlie grins and says quietly to himself as he resigns himself to his punishment, "She looked at me..."
-
Charlie sits at a small table in the library, looking at his rows of lines in front of him. He sighs, "Five hunnerd.... five hunnerd more ta go..." He dips his quill back in his ink and puts pen to parchment once again.
I will not put frogs down girls' dresses.
I will not put frogs down girls' dresses.
I will not put frogs down girls' dresses.
He looks around the room and sees a young novice, Minnie, walk into the library, her shining golden curls bouncing with each step. Charlie smiles and waves at her, but Minnie does not look at him. Instead, she walks over to a shelf directly in front of him and browses for a book.
"Minnie... Hey... it's me, Charlie. Ain't ya gonna say hi ta me?"
Minnie pauses for a moment in her search, then very quietly whispers back to him, "I'm not supposed to talk to you Charlie. I'm sorry, you're being punished. I don't want to get you in any more trouble."
Suddenly the booming voice of a woman is heard across the library. "Novice Marion, come here immediately!"
Minnie winces and hangs her head, taking the book she was looking for under her arm and going towards the voice. "Yes ma'am," she says quietly. She leaves without offering Charlie even another glance.
Charlie frowns and looks back at his parchment again. He sighs as he picks up the pen once more, dips it in the ink and writes more.
I will not put frogs down girls' dresses.
I will not put frogs down girls' dresses.
I will not put frogs down girls' dresses.
*******
Later that evening, Charlie walks down the corridor and hears a soft sniffling coming from a room off to one side. He peers in the room and sees a sniffling, tearful Minnie rubbing a cramped hand covered with ink stains, and several sheets of parchment spread over the table in front of her with lines written on them. Charlie looks both ways quickly up and down the hall, and, seeing no one, creeps inside the door. Minnie flinches, but does not look up at the door, her shoulders still heaving from sobs and hiccups.
"Minnie? You okay? What'd they do to ya?" Charlie asks with concern.
Minnie doesn't respond, but the tears still spill over her cheeks and onto her parchment in front of her, smearing the ink in blotches.
"Minnie?" Charlie asks again. "Is this cause o' me?"
Minnie still says nothing but she squeezes her eyes shut and keeps her head down, her shoulders heaving again with quiet sobs.
Charlie whispers to her, "I'm sorry Minnie. I didn't mean fer you to get in trouble. I'll go away now..."
With a final glance at the little girl, Charlie leaves, head hung and shoulders slumped, walking down the hall the rest of the way to his dormitory.
-
*Aesthir observes the scene from behind a slik curtain, as he fixes his own notes and smirks as the boy leaves, all the waiting was worth it, the lesson is hardly learned, and this is just the first of many to come. he stands and walk with secure and slow pass towards the girl, the echoes of the steps on the hall adding an aditional agony to the young Minnie*
*With a genuine smile of amusement Aesthir stands in front of her, his eyes measuring her and filled in amusement.*
-Well , Marion , isn't it? - He asks casually obviously knowing the girl name too well.
*the girl look at the man's turning and simply nods with a lower voice * That is it Brother.
I must say that you have done the work quite well, Silent and dedicated this speaks well of the discipline you are acquiring, *he looks down at the girl still smiling *
The girl raises her sight still sobbing and rubbing her hand as the man speaks, * Can i go now? - She adventures .
*Aesthir looks down at her,* I would like to let you go dear, yet, look at this *he points to the last page she did * The ink its all blurry , I can't read it , can you? Do you think Sister Victoria could? I don't think so
We don't want people to think that you are trying to avoid your duties isn't it? I am affraid you have to start over again, initiate . But i am sure that it would pose no problem to you since you have performed with such diligence the first time.
*he takes the work that the girl has made tearing the pages in front of her, still smiling * Now If i were you , I'd start over as soon as i could. we don't want you to fail in your ordinary chores, right?
*he turns and walks away leaving the young girl crying *
-
Daniel whistles a merry tune as he walks by the novice quarters after leaving Bella sleeping in a back room of the temple. The sounds of quiet weeping reach his ears and he pauses mid whistle and frowns. Still frowning he pokes his head into a nearly shut door and spies a young girl crying over some blurry parchments.
Excuse me, Initiate..furrows his brow trying to recall the name Minerva isn't it? Whatever is the matter dear? Charlie did not frighten you with a bullfrog did he? Moving closer, he sees the girl work her scribing right hand gently with her left as if cramped.
No, Charlie did not, Protector. I'm simply trying to finish some lines for Brother Aesthir, or rather start them over. Minerva gestures at the tattered and blurry papers in front of her with hopeless shrug I need to finish these before daybreak and my hand well..it started to cramp.
I see, give me your hand, Minerva Daniel holds out his own, whispering a minor prayer of healing as he works the cramp out with a deft touch. That happened to me a time or two as a novice as well, Minerva, and my uncle effected the same cure. Not so much with the healing, but the touch. He smiles at her as he finishes How does that feel now, eh?
Minerva wipes half a tear from her cheek and smiles back, My hand is better. Thank you Protector. I don't suppose you could help me with a few lines too? She asks looking hopeful.
Nay, I fear I cannot, for the lesson of lines is to help you remember your duty, but do not forget, The Great Dragon asks much of us, but he also gives us the help we need as well, Initiate Minerva. Now, I have some duties of my own to attend to. With that, he leaves the girl to her work.
-
Charlie peers out of the door as he hears footsteps in the hallway. As he realizes that it's his mother he smiles brightly for a moment, pulling the door open to go to her. But she doesn't stop, and barely even notices him as she hefts a large travel bag over her shoulder and glances nervously behind her as if she expects someone is following her. Her facial expressions are worried and pained, as she walks briskly down the hall towards the exit. Once her back is to him, Charlie steps out in the hallway to watch her go. He frowns, and quietly goes back into the dormitory, shutting the door behind him.
"Rofirein?" he prays quietly. "It's me... Charlie. Are ya there? The priests say yer the Lord Protector. If that's true. Can you protect my ma? Make sure she comes home again? Whatever's got her scared... you'll watch out fer her right? I'll do my best to be good if you do this fer me. I promise. I'll do my very best."
-
Letter addressed to Novice Charlie Poetr, Vehl Temple, Kingdom of Co'rys, Mistone.
Novice Charlie,
Bella and I are well and this letter bears good news. As you may be aware, Bella is with child. You will have a baby sister or brother soon.
I am also happy to inform you that your step grandmother, Aylana Poetr, has agreed to allow all of us to move in with her in a quaint underground halfling home in Wayfare. Before you begin making stipulations, know that you will have your own room befitting a young man of your age and I have arranged for weekly lessons with a friend of mine to train you in the use of a sword. I have heard good things about your behavior of late and pray to the Gold this shall continue.
Your trainer will be Tod Fellow and he also owns the house we will be staying so you will continue to be on your best behavior even after leaving the temple. Grandmother Lana lives with two adopted girls of her own, Katlyn and Bria, who are roughly your age. You may consider them your cousins; however, If so much as one frog makes an appearance in the house, I will be forced to send you back to Vehl to stay with the sisters. Those are MY conditions.
Daniel Benjamin Poetr, Protector
-
Charlie reads over the letter, excitement growing on his face until his whole body seems to be unable to hold back any longer. He waves the letter around in the air and yells "Yippee!!!"
"Shhhhhhh!!" one of the teachers admonishes him.
Charlie runs from the room and goes immediately to his dormitory and begins to pack his few belongings.
"Ribbit"
"No... I can't take you with me, my Da says if I bring any frogs he's gonna make me come back here."
"Ribbit"
"I can't! Don't you see? I get to get outta here and go live with Ma and Da and my Gramma Lana and... cousins!"
"Ribbit"
"Don't look at me like that..." he wimpers. Finally he sighs and sticks the frog in it's customary spot in his pocket. "Fine. But you better shush. Cause if I have to come back here because of you, you're goin' in the soup!"
-
Daniel shows Charlie his new room complete with a cot, small chest of drawers, and weapon rack containing a wooden shortsword, small shield, and small hickory bow. He frowns at the sound of a small 'ribbit' but ignores it after his discussion with Bella. Once Charlie unpacks his small sack of clothes, he gestures to the wooden shortsword and motions Charlie to follow him back outside. Atop the hill in Wayfare, Daniel strips down to his pants and boots and produces another wooden sword from his pack and bids Charlie to lift his own as they face off sparring with quick salute of the blade.
I trust all is to your satisfaction Charlie, the room I mean. Daniel circles around Charlie watching his footing and how he handles the wooden blade. Keep a wider stance for balance and use both hands until you grow stronger, Charlie. Aye, that is the way. Nodding with satisfaction, Daniel makes a few feints and mock swings at Charlies sword encouraging the boy to return the thrusts.
Yes sir, Charlies responds, nearly biting the tip of his tongue which protrudes slightly in concentration in an effort to keep the small wooden blade before him, ready to parry and counterstroke. I'ma a bit curious, Protector, why'd ya lettin me train with ya like this? Ida thought ya'd make me march with that smelly an heavy leather jerkin like Brother Aesthir did or maybe scrub me room.
Daniel continues his circling but grins as he does so. I promised your mother to treat you more as a son than a Novice once you were away from the temple, Charlie. Also, I have need to be away for an extended period of time soon. Lady Daniella has bade me to aid her in a quest for the Toranites and you will be the man of the house in my absence. These weapons we use are not toys, Charlie, but a means of defense. I am trusting you to know the difference.
Daniel deliberately drops his guard and steps into Charlie's blade as the boy stutter steps forward. The wooden tip of Charlie's blade piercing his skin to the left of his navel. He gasps in pain and holds up his hands and says through clenched teeth. Now you see that these can do grave harm, Lad. Holding the wound closed with one hand, Daniel produces a bandage with the other and hands it to a horrified Charlie. Now bind this wound as I instruct you, for the hands that can inflict such a wound but also be prepared to effect its cure. Paling from the pain, Daniel tersely gives Charlie instruction, with shaking hands, Charlie binds the wound. Some time later, the two sit atop the hill resting under a tree as Charlie goes over the lessons of the day.
Umm..Protector Dan, why'd ya make me hurt ya like that? the boy asks with a grimace to the bloody bandage around Daniel's midsection. I mean, I didn't mean ta hurt ya, yer not gonna tell ma are ya?
With a shake of his head, Daniel gives a low chuckle. Why do you think I did so, Charlie? Tell me this, will you ever engage in in fighting with Bria or Katlyn after what happened here today? The boy shakes his head no vehemently and Daniel smiles. Then the lesson is learned, Charlie. Now go clean yourself up. We are done here today. Also..clean your blade in the stream and grass. If such were made of metal, you would use only the cloak of your opponents or the grass, Am I clear?
Charlie nods again and goes about to his task, a puzzled look on his face.
-
"Block Charlie. You ain' usin' no shield, ya gotta use yer blades ta block blows. They ain' somethin' yer holdin' jest think offem as if they're the rest o' yer arms." She thrusts again at Charlie slowly so that he can block the attack. "Good, now come on at me. Ya block the attack, then ya gotta find a hole so's you ken attack back."
"But Ma... I don' wanna hurt ya," Charlie whines.
"Ya ain't gonna hurt me Charlie, jest come at me. It's a'righ'."
Charlie shakes his head. "Ma, I know yer good with these stickers, but I hurt Protector Dan, an' I don' wanna hurt ya on accident."
Bella sighs and sheathes her blades. "Sit down, Charlie. I gotta tell ya some stuff."
Charlie sits down and Bella offers him a canteen of water. Charlie looks over at his mother and her growing roundness with a mix of jealousy, concern, and protectiveness.
"Charlie, do you know what an enemy is?" Bella asks quietly.
Charlie looks at her a moment. "Sure, ma, it's someone I don' like."
Bella shakes her head. "I don' a'ways like some people, but that don' make em my enemy. An enemy's someone or somethin ya gotta kill. Killin' ain' easy, an' it takes a lot outta ya, so ya gotta be real sure it's what ya want afore ya do it." She looks at him seriously. "Killin' ain' wrong in an of itself, understand? Sometimes things an' people need killin. But you gotta make sure ya know what yer enemy is, an' you only kill when yer facin' yer enemy. Got it?"
Charlie ponders this thought for a moment, and then nods slightly. "So... all them monsters ya fight an' kill. They're yer enemies?"
"Pretty much, Charlie. But there's bigger things ta fight then the monsters what Dan and me go fight. Somethings feel like they're so big tha' when ya look at em ya ain't sure ya ken beat em. Sometimes ya jest don' know how."
Charlie frowns. "Like waves?"
"Like waves." She nods. "Though what's good about even that... everything ken die. It don' really matter jest how big or small it is. It's a matter of how and when."
The boy sits quietly for a few moments, drinking water and thinking. Finally he looks at his mother. "Ma? You ain' my enemy."
Bella doesn't look at him as she drinks from her own canteen. "No, I ain'."
"Then why you want me to attack ya?"
Bella laughs and rubs the side of her stomach. "Charlie, I ain' tellin' ya to kill me. I'm tryin' ta teach ya how ta fight. I ain' gonna let ya kill me."
Charlie fidgets a bit and then mumbles. "Maybe I should just train with Mister Tod fer now, Ma..."
Bella looks at him again. "Why?"
The boy shrugs. "I'm gettin' bigger, Ma. I'm almost as tall as you. But you keep gettin' bigger... and I don't want no accidents with..." He trails off as he glances towards her stomach. "Ma? I gotta tell ya somethin... and you ain't gonna like it."
"Tell me what?"
"I thought somethin' bad when ya were real sick and sad when that baby were first in there." He hesitates. "I... I thought bout tryin ta kill it so you wouldn't hafta be sick or sad no more..."
Bella frowns, but doesn't look at him. "Charlie... you asked me after Dan and me got married iffn you were gonna have brothers or sisters, and I told ya I didn' think so. Were ya mad at me when ya found out I were wrong?"
Charlie looks at her horrified. "That weren't why I wanted ta kill it, Ma, honest!"
"Ya didn' answer my question Charlie."
He picks up a blade of grass and begins to shred it into pieces. "I ain' mad at ya, Ma. I thought I were tryin' ta help ya cause I thought the baby were what was hurtin ya. Granny told me what I thought were bad."
"Granny? You gotta granny? Or you mean Grandma Lana?" Bella looks at him curiously.
"Um... I weren't supposed to tell ya that."
"Charlie..."
Charlie sighs. "Granny Tyra. She said I could call her Granny but only when it's just me and her. You ain't gonna tell her are ya?"
Bella laughs a bit and shakes her head. "Naw, I won't tell her."
"Ma? Can I go see her again?"
"Not for now Charlie, she's real sick, and they won't let nobody come see her." Bella frowns sadly. "Sides, if she ain't right in the head no more cause of it, I don't want her throwin knives at yer head till ya learn ta block. Got it?"
Charlie sighs. "Alright Ma..."
Bella pushes herself up with what seems to be an increasing effort and Charlie steadies her.
"Pick up yer stickers, Charlie. We got about one more hour then we'll go in."
"Yes Ma."
-
A very concerned Daniel makes his way from Hempstead to Wayfare, his thoughts troubled as he steps through the gate, he hears the sound of children's laughter coming from the creek near his new home. Curious, he makes his way up the hill to see all three children, Charlie, Bria, and Katlyn with pants and skirts tucked up to their knees in the creek attempting to catch frogs. A small smile plays on his features and he sets aside his pack, shield and sword and watches until Charlie spots him.
"Uh..heya Protector Dan, we was jest..erm..washing our feet, yeah, weren't we girls?" he says looking to his adopted cousins for support. In response they simply giggle as a smaller bullfrog takes the opportunity to escape from Charlie's pocket, making a mighty leap towards a now grinning Daniel. "Well sh *starts to cuss, then glances at Daniel and finishes with * oot, now I'm gonna hafta catch him all over again!"
With a deft motion, Daniel scoops up the bullfrog and holds it out to the boy.
"There you are, Charlie, but do remember my rule of no frogs in the house", Daniel says in mock severity, feeling the weight of his troubles falling away at their play. "Also," he finishes quietly, "You will not tell a falsehood to me again, lad, for anyone with any sense could tell you were catching frogs, the foot washing was accidental to that." Daniel removes his boots and lifts his own robes, securing the ends in his belt, joining them in the stream, "Now tell me how difficult is it to catch such small creatures? "
With a whoop of delight, Charlie spends the rest of the afternoon playing catch the bullfrog with Daniel and his two cousins.
-
Charlie, Bria, and Katelyn run into the house slamming the door and yelling out, "Last one upstairs is a horney toad!" They race up the stairs toppling over each other and giggling, pulling up Bria as she almost trips and falls backward. They collapse in a heap on the landing of the second floor of their house and catch their breath.
"Um... who won?" Bria asks.
Katelyn tries to speak through her giggles. "I don't know, maybe it was a three way tie?"
Charlie grins. "Well I sure ain't a horney toad!"
Suddenly the three turn to look as they hear a soft groan of pain coming from the bedroom. "Ma..." Charlie whispers and scrambles to his feet, running for the door.
Bria and Katelyn sit up and watch quietly with nervous eyes as Charlie checks on his mother.
"Ma? You alright?" He peeks in the door carefully. "Ma?" Seeing his mother lying on the floor near her bed, he flings the door open. "Ma! What's wrong?!"
"I'm okay Charlie..." Bella says quietly. "I'll be a'righ'. Where's yer pa?" Her face scrunches up in pain as another contraction hits her.
Charlie frowns with fear in his eyes. "He... he ain't home yet Ma... he's still out with Gramma Lana and Cousin Melanna... Do ya need me ta get somebody?"
Bella nods a bit with eyes clenched tight, and Charlie runs out of the house, Bria and Katelyn following close on his heels.
The three children run out into Wayfare and heading for the house of the local healer. Briefly explaining the cause of worry the three quickly make their way back to the house and the children show the healer where Charlie's mother is. The healer asks the children to please stay in the livingroom, while she goes in to check on Bella, closing the door behind her.
Charlie paces the floor, wringing his hands and watching the door to the bedroom. Katelyn tries to distract him by playing a game of marbles on the floor with Bria, but Charlie just shakes his head and continues to pace.
"Rofirein?" He whispers near silently. "I know I done asked you this already... but please... please don't let my ma die? I know I thought about hurting the baby afore too... but please don't let the baby die either..."
He wipes a few tears off his face when he thinks the girls aren't looking and finally settles himself down by the fire to wait what seems like an eternity before the healer finally opens the door to the bedroom and emerges.
"Charlie?" the healer asks.
Charlie pops up and runs over. "Yes, ma'am?" he asks as politely as he can. "Is my ma alright?"
"She'll be alright, Charlie. It's okay. The baby is okay too. Now I want you to listen and do something for me. Can you do that?"
Charlie nods enthusiastically, his eyes still fearful and anxious.
"Charlie, your ma needs to drink a lot of water. I think that's what brought on these pains. I need you to make sure that she drinks, and eats everything she's supposed to. Can you do that?"
"Yes, ma'am. I promise!" Charlie exclaims.
"I'm so sorry that you've been frightened, children. You did very well to come and get me. Charlie, your mother needs you to be in charge. She says you're the man of the house until your father returns. She needs to stay in bed for a day or two and regain her strength. After that, I need you to pass along to her father that she should remain in bed as much as possible and not to overexert herself."
Charlie looks at the woman confused. "Overexert?"
"She's trying to do too much, dear. I need you to make sure to help out around the house. All three of you, and don't let her do anything that would tire her out quickly, alright?"
All three children nod quickly, and the healer smiles as she makes her way out of the house.
Charlie looks at the girls, puffs out his chest and says with determination. "Well, you heard. I'm in charge. So... we gotta make sure my ma don't do nothin that's gonna make her hurt."
Bria and Katelyn wince a bit at Charlie's new role and seemingly a bit more relaxed, go back to their game of marbles.
Charlie looks at the door and says quietly. "Thanks Rofirein... I'll take good care of my ma. I promise..."
-
Charlie kicks a stone into the pond near his home in Wayfare and then looks around the reeds looking for some sort of critter to catch.
Lightning strikes between the three stones that act as the exit to the portal gateway. Steel sniffs and looks around, fast adjusting to the familiar sights and sounds of Wayfare. He walks onto the bridge, as he often does, and looks out acorss the water. He peruses the various children playing around the water, the women and a few men washing clothes or fishing. He seems unfazed by the occasional staring, or the herding of children away from him.
Charlie looks over and freezes suddenly, eyes wide and scared and looks up at the tall "monster" standing nearby. A frog jumps out of Charlie's pocket and escapes into the pond as Charlie continues to stare blatantly at Steel.
Steel eventually leaves the bridge, moving to the water's edge to sit, taking out a wood-bound book to read; as usual, his mask hides any expression.
Charlie watches him with a confused expression seeming to override his initial fear as Steel starts to read. "Hey... ain't you a monster? Monsters can't read..." he blurts out.
Steel replies, without looking up, "How would we monsters ever learn the best recipes for cooking human boys if we didn't know how to read?"
Charlie gulps and takes a step back. " I... you... you ain't gonna eat me right? I'll get my ma... she kills monsters..."
Steel chuckles, still not looking up. "What makes you think I'm a monster, anyway?"
"Um.. you're really big... and you're blue... Monsters got weird colors on their skin don't they? "
"Blue is more wierd than that yellow tan you have? Forgive me, I'm just clarfiying."
"Um... yeah..." Charlie says uncertainly. "So... you ain't a monster?"
"I am very much a monster. But not one that eats human children," Steel explains. "I'm a monster that kills and eats other monsters."
"So... you're a good monster?" the child asks hesitantly
"I wouldn't go that far. Just a monster that won't harm you is all," the blue man clarifies. "And between you and me, Goblins taste terrible." He turns a page in his book.
"Well, I ain't a kid anymore. I'm big now." He crosses his arms and tries to look tough for a 10 year old.
"Of course you are," Steel says. He turns another page.
"Is that your real head?" Charlie continues with his questions. "It looks... metal."
"Some people think it's my real head," says the blue man. "And wouldn't that be sweet? Having a metal face. But no. It's just a mask. My real face is uglier."
The boy shifts a bit. "You got a name Mister? I'm Charlie."
"I'm Steel. Well met, Master Charlie." He finally looks over the book to greet Charlie.
"Steel? My ma knows a Steel," Charlie continues to rattle on. "Do you know my ma?"
"I know lots of 'Ma's.' I don't eat 'Ma's' either."
"Well, my ma's real good with stickers. She's the best I know. She's teachin' me too. Some people call her Mouse, but I think she's stronger than a Mouse." Charlie nods, as if satisfied with his judgment.
"That's right. Mouse. And you're Frog, yeah?"
The boy frowns. "I ain't a frog. I'm Charlie. People called me Weasel once... but I didn't like that."
"What does "Charlie" mean?" Steel asks.
Charlie frowns a bit. "It was my first pa's name..."
"Ah. So it means, 'My first pa's name.'"
"Well... no... " He looks confused. "My name's supposed to mean something?"
"Mm, well." Steel let's his book close and set in his lap. "That's why people call your mother 'Mouse' or call you 'Weasel.' Because those names have meaning. If your name had a meaning that people thought truly applied to you, they might just want to call you Charlie."
"Well... what name means I'm big and I take care of my ma and my baby sister and my cousins?"
"That's a good question. The way I see it, you have two choices: Pick a name that has the meaning you want, or show other people that your name, Charlie, means what you want it to mean."
"I don't gotta pick it today though, right?"
"Nah. You're young. You have time."
"So I guess that means you do know my ma then huh?" Charlie asks again.
"Aye." Steel reopens his book.
Charlie frowns a bit and looks at him. "So... you're a monster... that kills and eats other monsters... but not human kids. Ma says I'm supposeda know who's my enemy and who ain't. Are you my enemy?
"Not today."
"Oh.
I reckon I should go... If yer a friend of ma's... maybe you should visit her sometime. She's got baby Rachel keepin her stuck in the house."
"Babies will do that. Rachel, hm?" Steel muses. "I wonder whose idea it was to name her that."
The boy shrugs. "My Da said it was Ma's ma's name."
"Poetr's do like to keep it in the family, I suppose."
Charlie looks at him a bit confused. He looks behind him, then back at Steel. "Well... um... I guess I better go mister. Thanks fer not eating kids... even if ya are a monster." He runs off for home stoping half way to look in his pocket and cusses loudly when he realizes it's empty. "Sonofa.... Now I gotta catch one tomorrow!" He runs the rest of the way home.
-
Charlie peers out of the crack in his door and down the hall as he watches his father take up a blanket and once again make himself a bed on the couch. He frowns and watches for a moment, looking towards the door to his parents' bedroom, hoping that maybe this time his mother will come back out to call him back in with her. After waiting a few moments, the door still doesn't open. Charlie quietly closes the door back again and crawls into his bed. "It ain't right fer them to be fightin' so much. They don't got much time together as it is..." he mutters to himself as he drifts off to sleep.
-
A somewhat wane Daniel calls Charlie into the living room, "Charlie, can you come here for a moment?" He sets Rachel on his lap and takes a deep breath before continuing as Charlie walks in. "I have news about your ma. First, I believe I have convinced her to visit occasionally despite her continued bad luck. Charlie, I will need you to be on your toes to mishap. I am relying on your quick reflexes to help Bella, do you understand?" He looks gravely at Charlie who nods mutely. "I will be present when Ma is here for a visit, but still I need your help, both of you. Secondly, Bella is with child, which means you will soon have another brother or sister." Daniel hugs Rachel close, meeting her and Charlie's gaze for a moment his own face somewhat grave. "Finally, Bella is not to handle any food. If she says she is hungry, myself or Charlie will hand her fresh food from the pantry and watch her eat it directly. I know you are capable of these things Charlie, further, I will leave several healing draughts available in the house in case of ..accidents." Daniel forces a smile and sends Charlie out to play, staying with Rachel to play a game of hoops and stones.
-
Rachel practically knocks Charlie over as he comes out of the room. "Is she home?! Is she really home?! Does she want to see me?"
"Rach..." Charlie asks, "What ya doin' up so early?" He sweeps the girl into his arms. "Bella ma's sleepin'. We gotta leave her be fer now."
"But she's home? And she wants to see me?" the four year old asks excitedly.
Charlie sighs softly. "She does, Rach, but she's real tired. Lets go catch a few frogs first or somethin, okay?"
"But..."
Charlie interrupts firmly. "Not now, Rach." He carries her to the door and hands her a small cloak.
Rachel whines. "But Charlie!"
Charlie frowns at his sister. "Ya listen ta me, I'm yer big brother. She said she'd visit more when she wakes up, Rach."
Rachel stomps her little foot on the ground. "I want to see my Bella ma. She missed me, she came back to see me! For my birthday!"
The older boy nods a bit sadly. "Yer four today ain't ya?" Rachel nods proudly at her big brother. Charlie smiles a little. "Da made ya something, Rach. Ya wanna know what it is?"
Her light blue eyes widen. "Yes!"
Charlie motions for her to put her cloak on. "Its outside."
She runs out the door with her cloak in her hands but not on, and Charlie half yells at her before remembering his mother is sleeping and runs after her. "Rachel Tariana Poetr! Ya put that cloak on right now!"
Rachel stops and puts the cloak on, hanging her head slightly. "Sorry Charlie." She looks up at her brother again in the early morning light. "Charlie? Why are you sad? Bella ma came home, you should be happy."
"It's okay... Its jest... Bella ma's sick with somethin... and its cool outside this early... I don't want ya getting' sick too, Rach."
"Da can make her better," Rachel says with confident pride in her father. "Da can make anybody better."
"Not this time, Rach... But I'm sure Da will do whatever he can... Bella ma needs to rest." Charlie leads his little sister toward the archery range on top of the hill, the morning sun peaks over the east wall of Ft. Wayfare.
"She's going to stay home forever now?" Rachel continues to pester her older brother with excited questions. "So I can show her my dollies and we can play?"
"Erm... maybe fer today and tomorrow, Rach. After that Bria and Katlyn will play." He cusses. "I will too, if I gotta." He shrugs weakly then moves to the supply box muttering. "Da thinks he's clever hiding stuff here, but I watch him."
Charlie messes with the archery supplies then holds up a small hickory bow. "He made this fer you, Rach."
Rachel wrinkles her nose at the bow even as Charlie points out her initials on the bow and finds a few training arrows. He grins at his little sister. "I think he wants ya ta try it anyway, Rach."
"That's not for me is it?" Rachel asks with mild distaste.
"Yep. Got yer name on it sorta, Rach."
Rachel takes the bow in her hands and looks at it with a scrunched up face, obviously not impressed with her father's choice in handiwork.
Charlie points to her initials again. "R.T.P. Right here, see?" He traces the letters with his finger as she olds it.
"That's not how you spell Rachel. Lana ma says you spell it. R-A-C-H-E-L," she recites proudly.
Charlie chuckles. "That's the short way, Rach. See, each letter is the first in all three of yer names." He watches to see if she understands.
Rachel rolls her eyes with a grin. "Silly Charlie, you don't know how to say my name."
"I sure do, Rachel Tariana Poetr... I jest call ya Rach cuz yer my sister." He pokes her in the belly with a finger, grinning back. "Now..ya gotta act surprised when Da gives this bow, ken ya do that?"
Rachel scrunches her face and shifts one way. "But I wanted a dolly..." she whines.
"Don't frown like we're eatin turnips. Da'll be sad iffn ya do. You don't want ta make Da any sadder do ya?"
"No..." she pauses thinking, then her excitement returns. "But da won't be sad because Bella ma is home!" She grins wide at her older brother.
Charlie sighs wistfully. "Maybe, Rach... maybe. Look, iffn Da is asleep on the couch and ya promise to sit still... we'll sneak in on ma and lay next ta her a while, deal?"
She jumps up and down exuberantly. "Yes! I can be still! I can, really!"
"Gimme that bow then." Charlie grins, catching her enthusiasm. Rachel practically throws the bow at him and runs back inside. Charlie puts the bow exactly as he found it. He double checks his work before springing off to catch his sister. "Wait Rach... ya can't wake Bella ma!"
Rachel runs into the house, slamming the door open wide and racing up the stairs, but stops before she gets to the door and peeks inside carefully and cautiously. Charlie catches up to her moments after, catching his breath and peering over at the couch where Daniel lays sleeping a bit uneasily.
"Now, shhh... We gotta be sneaky, like that time we ate pie in the early mornin'. Ya remember how we did that?" Charlie whispers to Rachel. Rachel nods a bit and looks up at him, suddenly looking afraid rather than excited.
Charlie helps her take her boots off and set them by the wall. "Now, be quiet and follow me, Rach. Remember, no talkin'." Rachel follows closely behind Charlie, holding on to him from behind and only barely peeking around the side as they make their way quietly across their parents' bedroom.
"Ya ken lay down next ta ma, but no wakin' her, okay Rach?" he barely whispers to her. Rachel pulls on Charlie's shirt, eyes wide and nervous. "What's wrong?"
Rachel whispers very quietly. "What if she doesn't like me and she leaves again?"
Charlie hugs his sister. "She will always like you, Rach. It's just... complicated. That's a big word, ain't it?" Rachel nods. "It means she wants ta be with us, but she cain't." Charlie explains. "Not till she's better. Now, snuggle up next ta Bella ma, and hold her fer a bit. I'll sandwich her from the other side, but no wakin' her. Got it?"
Rachel whispers again, her voice almost squeaking with nerves. "You'll stay with me? You won't leave me alone?"
Charlie nods. "I'll never leave fer long, Rach. I promise. Now hush up already."
Rachel holds Charlie's hand tightly and hesitantly looks at the bed, as he pulls her gently and quietly closer to her mother. He lifts the covers and scoots Rachel under, next to Bella. Then he climbs in quietly on the other side of Rachel making every effort not to wake his mother.
Rachel looks at the bruised and exhausted sleeping form of her mother nervously as if she doesn't recognize her. Charlie watches his sister's concern, then whispers in her ear. "Know what we got here, Rachel?"
Rachel, still staring at her mother with apprehension, shakes her head. Charlie pokes her in the belly playfully. "A Rachel Samwich. Yer the cheese, sis."
Rachel grins a bit and snuggles more with Charlie as she watches Bella sleep. She doesn't move as if she is almost afraid to wake her mother, the stranger she'd dreamt would come home for the last year, but never did, who now wasn't even remotely what she'd imagined. Charlie holds his little sister and tells her stories by whispering in her ear about dragons and halfings. Stories he heard from Jennara.
-
"Shh.." Daniel admonishes Charlie as they make their way along the dirt road into Unicorn Forest outside of Leringard. Charlie shrugs weakly and takes more care in the carrying of his hickory bow. The sound that disturbed Daniel so was the wooden smack of hickory upon the trunk of an aspen as he stepped over another fallen tree. Charlie grins a bit mockingly as an oblivious Daniel moves ahead, making more noise than any twelve Charlie's, Daniel's full plate armor creaking and clanking under the boughs of the aged trees.
"Da, I knowed ya said we were here ta cut oak, but why do we gotta try ta be quiet? I don't think oak trees got ears, leastwise I ain't never seen a tree with ears", he whispers to the golden armored man a few paces in front of him.
"Tis not the trees that threaten, Charlie, but the vermin in the brush that do. Remember my lessons on where to aim your bow?" Charlie nods. "Good, the joints and neck, anywhere else and your arrows will simply fly off the beasts." Daniel stops and squints ahead a ways, cocking his head, listening. "I see a likely stand of oak ahead me boy, you hide yourself well and ready your bow." He turns and regards Charlie solemnly, "Remember, I am stonebound and you are not. If for some strange reason the fight goes ill against the vermin, you are not to do anything but flee with all haste to Leringard, am I clear, son?" Again Charlie nods dutifully and steps behind a low bush, reading the copper tipped arrows in his quiver by sticking them point down in front of him within easy reach. Daniel pauses then touches Charlie's forehead, murmuring a few prayers of protection. "The Dragon shield you from all harm, Charlie." He finishes and turns toward the younger stand of oak.
"I'm ready , Da." Charlie whispers and tries to make himself small like Bella taught him, his sixteen year old frame blending mostly into the vines and scrub brush. Taking up an arrow, he nocks it and holds the string loosely, both eyes open as Daniel forgoes all pretense of stealth by dropping his pack and drawing his hand and half blade the runes 'Lawgiver', prominently stamped across the hilt.
"For the Dragon!" Daniel screams loudly, alerting every vermin within a quarter mile of where he is. The forest floor suddenly comes alive with the sound of the chitinous footfalls of spiders and beetles, all the size of small ponies, as they begin converging on the brightly lit Rofireinite.
As the vermin close, Daniel waves his sword to keep the their attention, then closes his eyes a prayer on his lips. As the final syllables are uttered divine manifestations of power rain destruction down and many of the various vermin squeal in unearthly ways and simply curl up and lie still. *splink* An arrow narrowly misses Daniel's right buttock and embeds itself quivering into the neck of a giant beetle that was still moving weakly toward Daniel's leg, with a an almost resigned human like sigh the beetle sinks to the forest floor, the life light of its bug eyes fading.
"You can come out now, lad. They are all fallen, Good shot by the way, I thought for sure I was going to have to ask you to bandage my buttock," Daniel finishes grinning. "Now stand watch, I will cut a few timbers and we will be home again in a few days time." Charlie emerges open mouthed in astonishment and gazes at the many dead insects that now litter the forest floor.
"Whoah, ya think I could ever do somethin like that , Da?" He asks, finally remembering to close his mouth.
"Perhaps, if you are diligent in your studies and prayers, Charlie, but somehow, I suspect the Gold has other plans for you." Daniel replies as he readies his axe. Work continues for a time as the sun rides high overhead the two communicating with simple gestures as quite a few of the dense oaks are harvested and hewed into handily moved branches.
As the two enter Leringard near dusk, Charlie bounces along happily behind Daniel looking pleased with himself. "I will be an adventurer, jest like me ma and da, by the dragon I will."
"Eh? What are you saying back there, Charlie? We need to make haste, Bella's condition is worrisome to myself and I do not wish to be away longer than I have to. Make haste, we will use the portal at the Twin Dragons."
"Yessir," Charlie smiles in reply. "I got yer back." Charlie hurries after his father, his lanky legs nearly keeping pace with the slightly taller man.
//this was cached and reposted today. Originally posted in early august.
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It was time, another day spent in the company of his aunts, Bria and Katelyn and he was gonna lose it. It was just yesterday those two cooked up a scheme to put makeup on him while he was asleep. Good thing he was a light sleeper and woke before they managed to put more rouge on his cheeks. Conciously, he rubbed his left cheek and stared at his palm hard for several moments. Sea green rouge had no place on his face! Not that he minded it so much, but it was the idea of it all. Bria was the ringleader of the plot to unman him, he was sure of it. Despite her missing wing, her micheviousness almost surpassed his own and the rivalry seemed to only get worse as both past thier eighteenth summer. Her budding talent with the Al'Noth unnerved him too..She was trouble with a capital T and he needed to escape!
Katelyn or Kat he liked to call her was less trouble in a different way, but being his aunt made it awkward sometimes. She was pretty, not as pretty as Bria, but more rough and tumble and more than ready to prove she could whip him if he got too mouthy, which happened more than Charlie liked. Still..there was that time behind the hill when it was just the two of them. Charlie shifted uncomfortably remembering looking into those big green eyes right before they kissed. Blushing they both backed away somewhat horror struck, yet intrigued by what thier bodies were telling them. Yeah, best not to dwell on..um..that. Another reason to go he thought to himself with a shrug.
Charlie gathered his small assortment of things: a few loose bits of wire, a curious iron key he'd found in a chest around the house, his trusty hickory shortbow, a few arrows da had made, a slightly corroded copper shortsword, and a small bag of true. He stuffed most of it into his small haversack except for the true which he carefully tucked inside his hunting leathers. Giving himself a once over, he notes the tar patch on his right knee, where he knelt on the cobblers roof to peek into Lady Halloran's room on the second floor. He knew it was wrong, but it was more of a test to see if he could avoid her guards and servants. Another few feet and he could have pinched the girdle off the old gal! Charlie snickered, thinking of the fun he would have scouting for an army like he did often with his Da on hunting trips. Something they had done whenever Da returned from his post in Dregar.
He makes his way to the stairs where a frowning Rachel, looking very much like da, her arms crossed, her face pinced up to resemble Daniel's usual look of concern, but starting to show the beauty that she would become. "Your leaving today? Now?" She asks a bit of whine coming into her seven year old voice.
"Yeah, fraid so sis, gonna be up to you ta watch after Bella ma and da. Don't ya worry none, I won't be going far, gotta find me a job or two round here in Wayfare, earn nuff coin ta get some better gear. Da would buy it fer me, but I wanna earn my own way, ya know?" Charlie smooths the golden brown tresses of his kid sister's hair slowly then hugs her close. "Don't ya worry, when yer older, me and you will be sure to get inta trouble together Sis, ya ken count on it." He backs off giving her a wink. "I gotta find me some work, maybe mercenary stuff, I dunno. but I promise ta visit often and soon, alright? Seeya round , Rach." Charlie quickly makes his way through the door at the bottom of the stairs hoping to avoid the water works.
"Da's Dragon keep you safe, Charlie Poetr", Rachel wispers as she hears the door close wiping away a tear.
(//reposted from Charlie Poetr's character submission)
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Rachel stares at the door of the small home in Wayfare under the hill. Rebecca, or Becca as she is fondly called, now a troublesome three-year-old, walks in front of her and looks up at her big sister.
"Play wif me Wach! Play ball wif me!" Becca whines.
"I don't want to play ball, Becca. It's been over a month since Charlie left. I miss him," Rachel says quietly. "Seems like everybody leaves here. Ma... Da.... and now Charlie..." She looks down at Becca, who still thrusts the small ball at her sister, pouting, begging to be played with.
"Play wif me Wach!" Becca insists.
Rachel sighs. "Alright alright.... I get it. You haven't left. Besides... what are you going to do when I leave? Bria and Katelyn I'm sure are going to get married one of these days... It'll be you and me for sure, Bec... and then, maybe you'll be all alone."
"I'n not 'lone! I gots you!" Becca retorts.
"Yes, you've got me," Rachel says with mild exasperation. "For now anyways. Pretty soon I'm going to ask Da to let me go study at the temple. Maybe he'll let you come with me, hmm? Would you like to go learn about the Gold with me?"
Becca looks at her like she's got three eyes.
"No... maybe you're just too young still." Rachel sighs. "Alright... let's go play ball..." She takes her little sister's hand finally, causing a smile of pure joy to cross little Becca's face as the two walk out into the sunlight of the bustling streets of Fort Wayfare.
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The sun was high, the birds were singing and people were laughing along the banks of the pond in Wayfare. Johnny Blackthorne, the local carpenter, was walking his ox down the road hauling a cart loaded with freshly cut lumber. The Baker, Mr. Porter had a hole that needed to be patched in his roof.
The kids were playing their normal game of tag in the open fields near the tents where the gypsies sometimes camped on their way from here and there. Everything was bustling.
Rachel tried hard to reign in her little sister tugging hard on her hand as they walked down the street. "Rach, I wanna buy a sweet treat! You promised me Rach! I have my birthday money!" Rebecca whined as she pulled hard and tried to get away from her older sister's hand.
Rachel rolled her eyes slightly, "Becca, first I've got to go to the butcher, then the baker... so you'll just have to wait. Besides, I need more thread and a new needle because you keep ripping your dresses by playing so rough." She looked at her little sister sternly, a near reflection of her father. "If you keep whining at me, I'm going to take you home and you won't even be allowed to come shopping with me."
Rebecca huffed. "Fine," she said sulkily. "But... I wanna go get my caaaandy!"
Rachel stopped abruptly and looked down at her sister. "Rebecca Lee Poetr, you will stop your whining this instant! I am tired of having to always listen to this incessant noise from you!"
Well... that did it. Rebecca's lower lip began to quiver, and the tears began to flow. Her wails of absolute anguish at upsetting her older sister echoed out even over the busy streets of people. Heads turned and stared to see who it was that was upsetting the little girl. Rachel's face reddened from embarrassment as she knelt down to look her little sister in the eyes.
"Becc... look at me. Stop crying, please? I'm not angry. I'm just..." she wiped the tears from her little sister's face. "I'm just having trouble keeping up. Can you help me get the work done? I promise, we'll get you something really sweet afterwards okay?"
Sniffling, Becca nodded and took hold of her sister's hand once more.
Suddenly a shrill scream pierced the calm air. Mist was rolling in from the far side of the pond. There was a hissing... snarling sound. More screams began to shatter the peace of Wayfare and Rachel and Becca stood frozen in fear as those around them began to run in panic. The screams worsened, and the mist thickened, rolling in faster now.
Rachel, catching a glimpse of a monster within the mist suddenly grabbed tightly to Becca's hand and began to run with her towards home. "Run Becca! Run fast!" The girls took off running down the road, darting between other villagers also running in fear trying to get to someplace safe. The mist continued to roll in, filling every gap, covering and confusing people. The streets were no longer visible, but Rachel kept pulling the terrified Rebecca behind her. Quietly she prayed to Rofirein as they ran, "Please, Lord Protector.... Let me get my sister home safe..."
There it was. The cave entrance, just a few more feet, they could make it! But then, suddenly, Rachel tripped. Becca let go of her sister's hand as she fell. "Run Becca! Get to the house and bolt the door. DON'T LOOK BACK!" Rachel looked down to see what it was that she tripped over... it was a head, it's lifeless eyes staring up at her in horror.
She screamed in fear. "RUN BECCA!"
Rebecca ran as fast as her little legs could carry her, while Rachel scrambled to her feet trying to race after her. She scrambled for the door of the house and made it inside, slamming the door behind her and running up the stairs to hide under her bed.
And then... just as suddenly as it started, the screaming stopped. An eerie silence fell.
Where was Rachel?
Rebecca crawled out from under her bed again and cautiously, still trembling in fear, she crept back down the stairs. She stared at the door, still closed, but unbolted. Rachel would have bolted the door when she came in. Rachel always bolted the door.
Terrified, Rebecca opened the door and peered out cautiously into the dark cave beyond, the light shining once more from the opening not too far away.
There was something in the opening of the cave. Becca edged slowly out of the door to see what was lying there. Then she recognized something... the flower print of Rachel's dress.
Becca ran over to the heap, it moved slightly. Becca knelt down near her sister's torn, nearly shredded body as the blood drained from her, her life flowing with it. Rachel, fear and pain in her eyes looked at her sister for a brief moment, her voice and breath in ragged, weak gasps. "The Dragon... took care... of... you... Bec..." She coughed as blood spilled from her mouth, trying to breathe. "I... I love you..." she sputtered weakly as her last breath left her. The blood pooled around her, soaking Rebecca's dress as she hugged her sister's broken, lifeless body, and cried.