Floating lives (Closed)

[Saloo]

Shay started to walk again, going at a steady, but relaxed pace. "A crack in the Wall? Stone takes a long time to break down and, seeing as the country still uses it, they do enough work on it to keep that from happening."

The thought had given Shay an idea. There may not be a crack in the wall itself, but there may be a crack in it's security. The ends of the Wall were never tightly guarded, he could easily get past there, but there was still the problem of getting the kid over the wall. They would have to hit one of the guard towers along the wall, but that was still only a few people.

I can take care of that. I'll have to. Shay's mind suddenly realized what he was thinking. Wait, why the hell an I sticking my neck out for this kid anyway? he wondered. It wasn't like he was expecting to get anything out of this whole thing. Maybe I'm trying to make up for the fact that it's my fault the kid's wanted around here. I guess that it would be hard for him to get help from anyone else, now that he's been associated with me. Shay sighed. Why do I always get myself into these things?

[Akion]

A short while later after a long walk with not many more words passed between the two unlikely travelling companions. The valley they were traipsing along at a rather steady speed was slightly widening as they progressed. Minutes later the paths came to a split one going to the left and another going towards the right, on the right was a forested area with the dry dirt trail continuing on to the left.

Alex looked at Shay, "Which way do we head?" he asked looking along both routes, the stream they'd been following went to the left but the forested area to the right offered the promise of protection against any one who'd chosen to follow them to an extenuated ends.

[Saloo]

"Well, I've managed to come up with a plan to get us over the wall, but for that, we have to go to the Southern Guardhouse which is..." He pointed to the right fork. "That way." He started down the path.

"Okay, the easiest way to get over the wall is to get into one of the guard posts. They have a sealed door that opens to the east side. The only problem is that we have to get through the guardhouse without getting ourselves killed by the guards. We'll have to move quickly and you'll have to do your best not to draw attention to yourself. There may not be many guards out this far, but I would still prefer not to have to take care of all of them by myself."

Shay looked up. Seeing the beginnings of dawn on the horizon, he picked up his pace a little. "We're going in just before dawn, at the end of the guard's shift. They're likely to be tired after the night. I just hope that they haven't tightened the guard there."

Shay explained the details as they walked. The path they followed was pushed up against a tall cliff and followed it east. Just as he finished, the Wall came into view. The Southern Guardhouse was there, built into the side of the cliff at the end of the Wall. The Wall itself was at least sixty feet tall and made of smooth stone. I reached out to the horizon in the north, seemingly endless.

A single door was on this side of the guardhouse, and a single, heavily armed man stood watch. Shay stopped at the edge of the wood, keeping low to avoid notice.

[Akion]

Alex crouched against the side of a tree just behind where Shay was crouching. The forest was providing good enough cover for them. The guard's house was just ahead Alex had been told to stay back, namely because his movment were very noticable compared to Shay's.

He watched as Shay assesed the situation, Alex was pretty much in-effectual at this moment in time. Looking forwards he mused on the reasoning on even posting guards, was it such a sin to go from one town from the other.

In his hand Alex mindless twirled the stick they'd picked up earlier, scratching the ground he carelessly drew a few of the symbols he could feel on the stick into the soil. "Hmm this is a waiting game then I guess." He mused to himself. "What's next?" He asked looking to Shay.

[Saloo]

Shay smiled as he suddenly had an idea. "Wait here for a second. I'm going to try something," he said. "Try not to be seen, just in case."

With that, Shay stepped out into the open, making no effort to hide himself from the guard. He waved, making sure that he had the guard's attention from a good distance away.

"Hey there!" he shouted. "Thank the gods."

The guard snapped upright. He held up his weapon. "Identify yourself!"

Shay held up his hands in submission. "I'm a traveler! I got lost in those woods back there," he said, gesturing over his shoulder. He walked within easy communication distance and stopped, seeing that the guard still had his weapons up. "Would you be kind enough to inform me of where this is?"

The guard relaxed a little, but he still kept his weapon in hand. "This is the Southern Guardhouse, at the end of the Wall. Where are you trying to go?"

Shay quickly assessed the situation. "I'm traveling to the east. I'm on a pilgrimage you see, for the sea goddess Arenia. I was trying to get to the great temple in Delterum."

"You're a bit off your path for that. How did you end up all the way out here? Why not keep to the main road?" The guard's tone had softened, he

Shay scratched his head, seemingly embarrassed. "I don't like big dusty roads, you know? I was thinking that, as long as I didn't leave the valley, I should get to where I want to go, but I forgot that this wall was here. There is a way to get through here?"

"You'll have to follow the wall north and go through the main gate."

"How far away is that?"

"About a day's worth of walking."

Shay sighed. "That's a long detour... Is there any way that I can just get through here?"

The guard considered. "Hmm... Alright... I'll see if I can get my supervisor to let you though."

"Ah! Thanks! I really owe you."

"I can't abandon a follower of Arenia in need, now can I?" The guard smiled.

"Oh! Do you follow her as well? I'm glad to meet someone as wise as you on my travels. I will mention you in my prayers when I get to the temple. I have someone waiting for me to call them out. He's waiting there," Shay pointed in the direction where Alex was waiting.

The guard gave him an odd look. "Isn't it strange to bring someone along on a pilgrimage?"

Shay paused. "Ahh... Oh! He's my son you see."

"Oh! Well, that makes sense then. Alright, call him out."

Shay waved at Alex, motioning that it was okay to come out.

[Akion]

Alex over heard the convosation and stood up ran over to where Shay was stood, turning to the guard he bowed to him "Hello kind sir." He said with as much sincerity as he could muster, holding the stick in his hand he covered the markings as best he could.

"This is my first Pilgrimage and my father is a stubborn traveller. Mother always used to warn me of going with him, well before..." he allowed his voice to carry off as he glanced away from the man momentarily, "But Father has kept me safe on the road," Alex smiled at the man.

[Saloo]

The guard smiled back at Alex. "I'll see if I can get you through."

"Thank you. We are in you debt," said Shay, bowing slightly as the guard turned and walked through the heavy iron door to the tower. As soon as he was gone, Shay let out a sigh. Damn. Talking like this is starting to get to me. It'll be worth it if we don't have to force our way through, he thought. He stood up strait again.

"You know Alex, you're not a bad actor. This could be easier than I thought," he said.

The guard soon returned. Poking his head out the door, he smiled at them. "I managed to talk the commander into letting you through. Come on then," he said, pushing the door open for them.

They entered the tower. It was well lit inside. Most of the guards seemed to be sleeping, waiting for a change in shift. It was a short walk to the other side. There was another heavy iron door, but this one more reinforced than the first. Next to the door was a table and chairs. In one of them was a heavily armored man. Shay noticed the decorations that adorned his chest. This must be their commander. The commander seemed relaxed, sitting in the chair, his head propped up on one fist.

At seeing him, the commander stood, his armor clinking as he moved. The guard leading them stood at attention. The commander walked up to them. "These are the pilgrims?" he asked.

"Yes sir," said the guard promptly. The commender walked up to Shay and judging but his close examination, he wasn't quite as trusting as his subordinate.

"They seem heavily armed for pilgrims," he said, eyeing Shay's knives.

"I tend to take side trips and shortcuts," said Shay, wonderfully faking a smile. "You never know what you might find out in the wilderness, right?"

"But I don't see a holy symbol on you. Shouldn't you have at least one?"

s**t! I forgot about that... thought Shay, his mind racing. "Regrettably, I lost it. My son and I were chased by a monster up in the mountains near here. We went a little too far up I guess."

"A monster is it?" asked the commander. Shay could tell by his look that he wasn't believing him. This could get ugly real soon...

"Yes," thought Shay, wracking his brain for anything he could base his story on. "I never got a good look at it. I was busy running. Most people would ha-"

Shay stopped as a loud rumble shook the guardhouse. The commander looked up as dust feel from the ceiling, shaken lose by the vibrations. Without a word he ran past them, up some stairs and out of sight. The guard looked quickly at them. "Stay here, I'm going to go and see what this is about." He left them as well. There was a loud bang and the tower shook again. Shay heard the sound of shouting above them as the drowsy guards were awakened.

Shay smiled, looking up. "Well, that was perfect timing," he said, twirling a ring of keys around his finger.

[Akion]

Alex looked at Shay twirling the keys around his finger. "Umm how ever fortunate that was do you really think we shouldn't be worrying about... well the thing making the large and very sturdy tower shake like my grandmother trying to hold a fork steady?" Alex felt the tower shudder again, this time more violently.

"Well you have the key's and I doubt you're about to follow the request of the ever so caring guard are you?" Alex looked at the door and then back to where the guards had run off to, he wondered what exactly had infact caused such a worried responce from a guard tower full of people armed to the teeth.

[Saloo]

"Well you have the key's and I doubt you're about to follow the request of the ever so caring guard are you?" asked Alex. Shay laughed loudly.

"Oh, hell no. I was getting tired of talking like that anyway. Besides, I doubt we would have gotten past that commander without a fight." The tower shook again. Shay could hear men shouting above. "As for whatever that thing is, think of it as a distraction so we can make a run for it, yeah?"

With that, Shay unlocked and threw open the heavy door. He dropped the keys and sprinted out. As he looked back to make sure Alex was following, he looked up and saw what it what it was that was attacking the tower. A huge snake lay coiled around the stone tower, it's long body draped over the wall. It's head must have been the size of a horse at least as it snapped violently at the guards that stood on the wall, trying to fight it off. It's green-blue scales glinted in the morning light, and a pair of large, feathered wings were flared, making it look even bigger than it was.

Shay stopped. That was one nasty monster to deal with. "Damn! That's the second one of those I've seen this month!" shouted Shay, annoyed. "Where the hell are they all coming from?" It was true that monsters came out of the hidden places of the world now and then, but there seemed to be a lot of them recently. Maybe that's why there were more than a couple guards here.

This is not my problem... he thought turning around again to make a run for it. He found himself staring at another one. This one a slightly lighter color. It hissed loudly, flaring it's huge wings.

"s**t!" shouted Shay. "******** Quatles!" He took a step back. He knew his knives weren't going to do him any good with something that big. His other option would draw much more attention than he wanted to have.

[Akion]

Alex ran behind Shay keeping up bareley his loud foot steps drowned out by the blood curdling scream of one of the guardsmen as the beast on the wall snapped it's teeth through the mans rib cage.

Alex spead up fear propelling him down the road and telling him not to stop, to get away from what ever that damned monster was. That was untill the fear's impulse was over-ridden by a much bigger one, one to stop and stare at the second of these creatures which was now blocking the road.

Hearing Shay swear Alex couldn't help but wonder how different their worlds truley were, the biggest thing he'd ever personally seen were the large cats which lived on the plains around the city, they were docile creatures though, only known to stray for food. "Shay... maybe these things.. the Quatels..." he hazarded a rough guess of the name he'd only heard once. "Maybe it's hungry, we have rations if you feed it maybe it'll go away." He wasn't sure at all, he was going off the small animal behaviour he'd learnt growing up. The large cats were not the only predators there were many smaller ones. Things only attacked when their food was low.

[Saloo]

Shay laughed, but it was devoid of humor. "Sorry to break it to you kid, but these things have big stomachs and out little bags of food aren't going to satisfy them," said Shay, taking a step back. "Damnit... This is going to suck..." he muttered, more to himself than to Alex.

"Stay here, and try not to get yourself killed." With that, he broke into a run, heading for the Quatle. It reared back, baring it's fangs. Shay stopped, looking up at it. His hand reached into a pouch at his belt. Wait until the last possible second...

It struck, aiming to swallow him. Shay leapt out of the way, tossing the small object in his hand at the monster's head as it passed. He rolled to his feet and ran as fast as he could. A small explosion went off on the side of the Quatle's head. It reared back back again, hissing madly in pain. Shay turned and cursed. The wound isn't big enough. Those scales are tough, but if I use anything bigger than that, I won't get away in time.

The monster wrapped around to face him again. It struck again. Shay was barely able to get out of the way in time. It was so fast. At this rate, he wasn't going to last. It struck again, but he wasn't able to get out of the way in time. Shay felt it bite into his leg as it caught him. He screamed, and gritted his teeth. He was going to have to act fast.

He drew a long, strait knife from his belt and threw it. It hit it's target, the monster's eye. It let go of his leg, ripping it's fangs free and reared up. There was a deafening bang as the Quatle's head exploded in a ball of fire. Finally silenced, the monster fell, collapsing to the earth.

Shay looked up. His arms were over his head and he was covered in blood, some of it his, the rest belong to the monster. Panting, he pushed himself up to a sitting position, doing his best not to scream out from the pain in his calf.

[Akion]

Alex ran over to shay, blood gushing from the wound, pulling off his own jacket he wrapped it around the wound, the other wise tan coat quickly became a dark crimson red. Pulling it tightly he tied a strong knot around the wound, he had to stop the blood flow as best he could. the Creature had made a very big hole in the leg.

Alex looked at shay who's face was now pale and he didn't look like he was enjoying either Alex's treatment nor the cause of it, Alex couldn't blame him but he douted that he could personally do much more; at least here.

Alex's father had taught him a few basic techniques on how to stop bleeding. Mainly as a precaution for the boy, when young he was rather accident prone and he'd manged to fall from some rather stupid places and to damage himself in some rather dumb ways. The first thing which came to mind was that he needed to keep Shay's leg up in the air, little chance they'd have to do that, there was another monster on the wall along with the milita. Who ever won that fight would not be in the best of moods to help Shay. He'd killed one of the two partys own kin and had lied through his teeth to the other.

"We need to get your cut washed, lean on me, we can get away from here faster if you use me as a crux."

[Saloo]

Panting, Shay forced himself to his feet. He gritted his teeth in pain, but managed to stand with some help from Alex. "That didn't go as well as I had hoped..." he muttered breathlessly. He limped forward. "If we... Get to those trees there..." He pointed to the edge of the forest, about one hundred yards away. "We can... rest.... They won't... chase us I don't think...." Shay knew that he could deal with his wound. It was the dull heat that was making it's way up his leg that was worrying him.

He hadn't known that Quatles were poisonous.

s**t... he thought, his mind getting fuzzy from blood loss as they staggered towards the trees that, at that moment, seemed miles away. This isn't good.

Shay made it just far enough into the trees to hide before he collapsed in a heap. He rolled over, groaning as the pain finally lessened in his leg. He reached down and, gritting his teeth, tightened the tie on his leg. It was bleeding much less now, but the heat from the poison was slowly creeping through his body.

[Akion]

Alex looked on as Shay clutched at his leg before he felt a slight pulse in his hand, he'd all but forgotten that he'd been holding the stick this entire time. looking at it the leaf sparkled slightly though there was little to no direct sun light in this thick wooded area.

Kneeling down he un-did the make shift banage as quickly as he could, the blood flow seemed to of almost stopped but he guessed that un-like most snakes the poison was designed to keep most of the blood in the victim allowing the victim to die fresh and from a minor infection or the poison. Looking once more at the stick he looked apologetically at Shay. "This may hurt." He said before slowly pushing the leafted end of the stick into the wound.

For a moment Alex thought nothing would happen but his short patience was proven wrong as a bright green light shot out of the wound for a split moment as the stick in Alex's hands glowed a light white. The green light suddenly seemed to spread up and along Shays arterys lighting them up as the magic spread up the leg.

Alex looked worridly at Shay hoping this was a good sign, not to sure being his first encounter with magic on such a scale.

[Maat Of Egypt]

Kalyn during this whole time had been running trying to figure out what was around this area but not knowing that this was the same path that would be taken by the others. This was path that would lead her back to the boy and the man that she ran into before.

As Kalyn ran she looked around she was far out of the town and was now getting tired and hungry she stopped and sat on a rock at the side of the road. She pulled off her pack and took an energy bar out and slowly eat that as she looked at her surroundings. She was nervous, not used to the place, and didn't know who or what to trust. She was also getting very cold and very wet.

Her eyes scanned in between each tree, each rock and each bush. There was nothing, no danger, no safety, no shelter and no people. Her hart pounded madly as she thought of what would happen if she possibly ran into danger. She didn't know the area so she didn't know any safe spots and/or places to hide.