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 Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 4:42 pm
 (Lines by The Only Black Uke, Color by Tasinei)|| Stat Page || Updated: Apr/02/18
Experience || 25
Inventory
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Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 6:57 pm
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2015 6:29 pm
Prentice- Journal entry 1
Starting Out “Tell me about home again, Auntie!”
Shikori pulled the child into her lap with a sweet, wrinkled smile. The other slaves stated that it was a wonder that the old woman had lasted so long under the servitude of her various masters, though Dex had never thought of her as anything but invincible. Shikori would just laugh and smile with the others, making playful allusions toward the reasons for her longevity. “Oh, Dexurn, surely you’re tired of an old woman’s stories?”
The youngling Dexurn shook his head enthusiastically, looking up at the older woman with large, bright, eager eyes. “Nope! You always smile nice when you talk about home.”
Shikori chuckled and shook her head, her long braid of black and gray hair swinging slightly. “Well, if you insist.” She stroked the boy’s hair a little, smoothing out the silky locks. “As you know, I was born in a tiny village called Sald, right on the water~~~”
Dexurn sat up quickly, blinking dry eyes as he looked around, trying to remember where he was. All he saw were an emotionless wall of rock, piles of sand, and deepening shadows. When he realized he was alone, his dry eyes became very wet, and he pulled his knees up to his chest, hugging them tightly. It was just another dream... It was always just another dream.
Once he’d calmed down enough, he took a small drink from the dwindling water supply in his canteen and slipped out of the cave he’d taken refuge in. The sun was low, leaving him a cooler walk ahead. He had found that by dragging his feet through the sand, he could step on the cooler sand beneath the top layer for a much more comfortable trek until night truly fell, and the cooler air would suck every bit of heat from the sand. Now, if only he knew where it was that he was walking... Oh, he knew where it was he wanted to go. More than anything, he wanted to go to Sald... To home. Yet, he had no idea where he was. Standing in front of the cave, he was surrounded by sand and dunes and dry grass and more sand.
It was all such a mess...
He’d been content as a servant to the master as a child. He’d been content with waking up every morning and doing the tasks that earned him the finest of praises from his master. He’d been content knowing what was expected of him, and knowing what he could expect for each day. He didn’t have to worry about making food; only that the master might forget to feed him and his fellow slaves. He didn’t have to worry about having a place to sleep; only that where he did sleep was often where the master would step out of bed in the mornings. He didn’t have to worry about buying clothes for himself; he and others of proper size got the worn out hand-me-downs of the master’s children if they were obedient and good little servants. He didn’t even have to worry about getting enough exercise and fresh air; he got plenty with all the errands he was sent on. His only problem was being entertainment for the many guests who came by, though he could hide from that as he got older. Eventually, he didn’t even have to do that anymore! Just bringing the guest their meals was enough. Yep, life was good!
Then, something happened, and his master became afraid and angry and had to go into hiding. Practically the whole house was packed up, and they traveled across the desert. Shikori had died under the burning sun, along with many of the other slaves, and even the master’s wife... At the new house, built into a wall of rock, his duties changed. While he didn’t like the changes, he could tolerate them. Besides, who was he to complain about a little discomfort when he could hear even a little praise from the master’s lips afterward? Considering that all the master did anymore was either sulk or rage, he was glad to do what he could to help smooth things over. While he wanted things to go back to the way they’d been, life was tolerable, and who could ask for more?
And then more changes... The house was found by warriors, and the master and his family were taken. Dex and the remaining slaves were told they were free. Free? He had no idea what that meant. There were murmurs of others going to Matori, to their homes from which they’d been taken, which was all Dex needed to convince him to go along. Matori. That was where Sald was! Shikori’s home! If this wasn’t home anymore.. then he would go there! It might not be where he was originally from, considering that he had no idea where 'home' actually was, but after all of Shikori's tales, it was home enough to him.
Yet, as the worn down group of ex-slaves traveled, they were hit by a vicious sandstorm. The group scattered to find cover, and when the storm cleared, Dex was alone. He’d.. never been alone his whole life. Ever. Alone, and now lost. Since sitting around wasn’t an option, he struck out on his own, praying to the gods that he was at least headed in the right direction. Of course, he had no sense of direction, and didn’t realize that keeping his back to the sun was a bad strategy...
The desert stretched endlessly from the cave he’d hidden inside to rest... Dexurn looked up at the sky as the stars started to come out, finding a little smile rise as the motion made the bell on his neck jingle. That was the sound of the familiar. The sound of comfort. The bell was like Shikori’s voice, encouraging him on. He would find Sald... He would find the land with endless water. A land with shellfish and beaches and trees and rain, whatever that stuff was. Somehow, he would find home. (( word count: 1011 ))
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Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 10:01 pm
Prentice- Journal entry 2
Class Affinity As Dexurn rolled out his threadbare blanket for the day, he thought back over his life since leaving his place as a slave in his master’s home. Everything had changed, and he was still uncertain if it was for better or worse. He had no stable shelter, no stable food supply, no stable work. He had no one he was familiar with, and no way of knowing if he would wake up with all his things or if he would be robbed by bandits while he slept. Everything was so much more uncertain than it was before. How was he supposed to adjust to it all?
Lying down, he stretched out on his back and looked up at the ceiling of the cave. He’d lost Auntie and he’d lost master... The two most important beings in his life were gone. He wondered if master was okay, biting his lip slightly. Who would take care of master now that he was gone? The Oban had been quite distraught when the home had been overtaken and his slaves set free. Dex hoped the other slaves had survived that storm and made it wherever they were trying to go, too. That sandstorm had been terrifying... With no home to duck into, he’d had to find whatever shelter he could. He was truly growing tired of caves...
Still, it was better than where he’d been during that mess between being freed and now. He still wasn’t sure how he had managed to get caught up in that battle. Thankfully, he hadn’t had to do any fighting, but he’d still been there, running things back and forth. Well, at least that had felt normal. But the Obans and Matori and some others were fighting those giant scary women, and it had been daunting to watch the bloodshed from a distance. To know he was so close to such a battle, and had almost actually been involved in fighting as well! Goodness, it gave him the shivers. He’d had no one to rely on; just found someone to give him orders and carry them out. Familiar. Comfortable. That was what he’d wanted.
There was one good thing to come of that period though. He’d made a friend. A real one. Winta. Winta had been making weapons in one of the tents, and he’d been asked to help out. While he’d done a decent job, he hated making those things. Still, he’d had long talks with Winta. He had learned a little about her, and she had learned a little about him. After the battle, they’d gone to Oba together to see the enemy off, and so that he could be in a more familiar place, and so Winta could travel a little. He’d told her about his Auntie and her stories of Sald, and to his amazement, she’d offered to travel with him! It was almost too good to be true! Up to that point, he’d had nothing but a general direction to head. He really had no idea where Sald was; just that it was somewhere in Matori. ...He couldn’t wait to see what Sald was like with his own eyes, but progress had been slow while traveling on his own.
Having someone traveling with him made the trip seem a lot easier though. He’d run into a few people by the time he’d gotten caught up in the battle, and most had been helpful. None had been able to travel with him or offer much more than encouraging words; which, honestly, he valued greatly as helpful. When Winta had offered to go along, he’d been absolutely confused, and absolutely delighted. To have a traveling companion after all of his previous companions had been lost to him was a relief. He’d lost Shikori, he’d lost his master, he’d lost his fellow slaves, and other losses that he knew of but couldn’t remember after the passage of time...
Thinking about the losses made a few tears fall from his eyes, but also lit small fire light in his belly. Dexurn didn’t want to lose anyone else. He didn’t want to lose anyone to death or thievery or anything unless they both wanted it. He didn’t want to lose his new friend. As it were though, he was fairly defenseless to prevent anything from happening. Bandits had regularly robbed him when he’d been traveling alone. Back home, he’d been dependent on the household for food and water and shelter. He was strong, but didn’t really know how to use his strength. That one made him wonder. Maybe, if it were possible, if he could figure out how to use his strength to benefit himself and those he cared for, maybe he could help prevent losing them!
Frowning, Dex stood up and looked down at himself. Master’s vest was far too big, his pants were shredded, and his muscles were thin. He didn’t look like the fighters from the battlefield in any way. He could learn though, right? Clenching his teeth, he flexed his arm to look at... the tough but small bicep on his upper arm. Good grief... No one would be afraid of him ever!
Dex sighed heavily and thudded back onto the thin blanket, slinging an arm over his eyes and feeling the heat of embarrassment burn his cheeks. He’d been raised to do as he was told, and nothing more. Surely this was lofty thinking. Surely it was overachieving, and far being his capabilities. Surely he’d never be able to fight. Who was he to think he could accomplish anything?
His arm fell back to his side, and a slow calm settled over him. He didn’t need to be a fighter. He didn’t need to use a horrible blade. There had been others on the battlefield. Others with shields. Defenders. People who helped protect others. That was what he wanted! A shield to cover and protect those in danger. A shield to protect those he cared for; and to protect himself. Something that would show he was- ..that he was- ...
Groaning, Dex flipped onto his belly and burrowed his face into his arms, trying to muffle a tiny smirk. Despite the hopelessness and disbelief in his mind, his heart was glowing a tiny bit with something wonderful. Something new and rare and sweet and precious.
Hope. (( word count: 1047 ))
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 7:27 pm
Prentice- Journal entry 3
World Event Solo Reply Link
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Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:18 pm
Prentice- Class Quest Solo
Guard When he’d first stepped onto Matori soil, Dexurn had felt nervous and excited at the same time. He’d finally found his way to the home he’d been told about since he’d been a youngling. He couldn’t wait to see what awaited him. Maybe he would find some of Auntie Shikori’s family if they remained?
What he’d found.. was a ghost town. Locals spoke of an increase in visitors lately, but it hadn’t been enough to turn the small village around yet. Ravaged from years of Matorians being taken from their homes, Sald was still tiny in size and in population. The people were comfortable around their own, but skittish when strangers arrived. Things had become much more relaxed since the end of the previous war that saw the freedom of the slaves, but life was slow to return.
Those who had known Shirkori before she’d been taken were either passed on or didn’t know her well enough to have stories to share. All he learned was what he’d already interpreted from her stories; that she’d been taken long ago, and that the raid had been a bloody one... In the end, Dex didn’t find what he was looking for. Ghosts of the past haunted what he saw of the village, with every uncertain look from the locals and in every long abandoned building. He didn’t want someone else’s past ghosts though. He had enough of his own.
Standing at the edge of the town, watching the magnificent ocean caress the shore, Dex could feel the soft touch of his Auntie on the wind. He’d done what he’d set out to do... He could move on. Sald wasn’t the home he had imagined for so long. It was almost painful to admit.
Asking around a bit, it was suggested that he turn north and go to Arota. There was more available for a young man like him. In particular, it was a place they thought he could fulfill his desire to buy himself a shield. It was something that was seen as a symbol of protection, but could still be used as a weapon when it was necessary. He’d been thinking on the idea ever since he’d first come up with the notion, and was liking it more and more.
A shield was something he could use to help protect those he wanted to protect. That list was short, but that wasn’t any matter to him. Everyone parted ways at some point, but he wanted to be able to help his friends when they needed. He hadn’t been strong enough to help Shikori survive the trip... He also wanted to be able to protect himself. After all, he didn’t buy things with the intention of letting them be stolen later, but that tended to be the case. If he could protect himself, it would be a lot cheaper in the long run...
Upon reaching Arota, he set himself straight to looking for a prize. His traveling partner went her own way to earn extra money with her dancing, so he would have the day to explore his options. While Arota was one of the bigger villages this side of Matori, it was still relatively small. The market was easy to maneuver, and he found a shield smith rather quickly.
Thanks to the nearby forest of sturdy trees, the shields built were solid wood, though some even had an extra layer of metal protecting them. Most were simple shields though, round carvings of wood with no embellishments, and about the height of his torso. That was fine with Dex. He couldn’t afford anything fancy, and it was better to start out with something easier!
“So, ya lookin’ ta buy one, or just gawk at it all day?”
Dex looked up with surprise at the stern voice, now gawking at the large, muscular, scarred Matorian standing over him. “I.. uh.. wanna... buy one,” he replied slowly but firmly. He hadn’t come all this way for nothing after all! Sald hadn’t been what he’d hoped, but this would surely fulfill some part of his journey.
The large guy laughed, his tone changing to a more friendly approach. “If ya kin lift it, ya kin buy it~”
Dex frowned, and looked back at the shield in front of him. Well, why not? Reaching out, he grabbed the shield with both hands and pulled- ..only to have the heavy thing tip forward and slam onto his toes.
While Dex jumped backward gripping his feet, the older man laughed again. He remembered struggling with his first shield long ago... “C’m here. I got ones might work better fer ya this way.” Looking back at the boy staring at him, the man laughed again. “The name’s Gerrol. I run this place. Now stop lookin’ like a drowned zanteer and follo’ me.”
Though his toes throbbed, Dex hurried after Gerrol with interest. The big guy looked like he’d lived a big life, but he was so open! Near the back of the shop, Dex was stopped in front of another set of shields. These were a little smaller than the ones up front, but still thick and sturdy. Encouraged to pick one, he was much more careful this time around. He gave it a cursory roll to reach the handle at the back, and hefted it up. Dex had to hold it with both hands, and still looked about ready to topple over, making the owner laugh again. Rather than feeling mocked though, Dex felt encouraged.
Once a shield was picked, the owner gestured for Dex to follow him. “It’s a slow day. I ain’t sellin’ anything ta ya ‘til I know ya know how ta use it.” Leading the way out, the back door opened up to a fair sized back yard. It was dotted with various stacks of wood, piles of metal, an anvil, tools to work and shape the wood and metal with, a large fire kiln, and many other necessities for his work. In the back of the back was also a cleared out section with a few trees with rope wrapped around their trunks. Gerrol looked back at Dex and grinned. “Okay boy. Tackle the tree.”
Dex was still struggling to find a good balance with the shield. Bracing it onto one shoulder, he looked over at the tree, then at Gerrol, then at the tree again, and back to Gerrol with wide eyes. “But.. the tree’s not going to move...”
“Didn’t say it would move, boy.” The big man pointed to the tree again. “Said ta tackle it.”
Dex hesitated, but Gerrol looked serious. Well, someone was willing to train him for whatever reason. Who was he to question? After all, maybe this was normal training? Bracing himself, he hefted the shield and charged forward, clearly worried about hitting the tree. Unfortunately, he fell forward with the weight of the shield before even reaching the tree. He blushed hotly as laughter rang out around him, but he was determined. Picking himself back up, he resumed his charge with the shield and knocked into the tree. It was a glancing blow, but he was still happy to have hit it.
“You call that a tackle?” Gerrol pointed back to where Dex had started. “Boy, get back over there an’ tackle that tree.”
Dex meekly dragged the shield back to the starting point, picked it up, and charged again. Again, he fell. However, he again picked himself up and charged again for another glancing blow. Figuring what was coming, Dex went back to the starting point.
After about an hour of similar results, Dex returned to the starting point only to have Gerrol step in front of him, looming like an irate leader.
“Boy, by what God’s grace ya think yer’re gonna be able to carry that thing around proud if ya can’t even hit a tree proper?” He saw the boy’s face darken slightly, but he knew there was more. “Ain’t no one afraid of a boy who kin hardly hold ‘is own weapon. What do you want that thing fer?”
Dex looked up suddenly. What did he want it for? Gerrol kept scolding, but Dex was looking down at the shield. Why was he here? Why did he keep going at the tree time after time? Why was he bothering..?
“I said, boy! Answer me, or get outta my yard!”
The tiny candle flame that had been lit inside Dex in that cave back in Oba suddenly flared, and he looked up at the big man with uncharacteristic determination. “I want it to protect people!” he shouted.
Gerrol was grinning on the inside, but kept on his scowl. “Then tackle the damned tree!”
Golden eyes narrowed as Dex looked to the roped tree again. That was right. He wasn’t here to make himself look bad or good. He was here so that he would have a way to help his friends... “And my name isn’t Boy! It’s Dexurn!” Hollering out, he charged at the tree again, hitting it full on. To his amazement, the tree tilted back at about a 20 degree angle. Confused, he looked down and noticed... the tree wasn’t real. It was on some sort of gear system, and was made for testing strength.... Panting softly, he looked back at Gerrol, who was grinning from ear to ear.
“I saw it from the moment ya walked inta my shop~” the large man said with a chuckle. “Come back tamara’. We’ll make sure ya kin hold the darned thing proper before ya go of somewhere else. Don’t need ya droppin’ my shields on peoples’ toes.”
Back at the inn room, Dex laid on his bed with the shield next to him, waiting for Shadiya to come back from dancing so he could tell her about his experience. He was sore with aching limbs and a swollen face from smacking into the shield more than once. Still, he felt like he’d gotten more accomplished in that one evening than he ever had before. He’d been free for some time now, but this was the first time he didn’t miss being back in his master’s care. This was what freedom felt like...
((Word Count: 1699 ))
Conclusion:
Before being freed, Dexurn had never made a decision for himself in his life. After being freed, most of his decisions were based on other people’s suggestions. Shikori’s stories planted in him the need to find Sald. The various crowds sent him up to help in the war. Winta’s encouragement got him back on track with going to Matori, along with the later help of Shadiya’s desire to leave Oba.
Deciding on choosing to bear a shield is the first real, life affecting decision he’s ever made completely on his own. However, he also learns that while he can make his own decisions, he can’t necessarily achieve his goals without the help of others. Both are revelations that help Dex finally truly open up to the world around him. By being pushed constructively by the shop owner, Dex also begins his way down the more solid road of believing in his own capabilities. He is working outside of his comfort zone, and learning more about himself and what he can do.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2016 12:26 pm
Guard- Journal entry 1
The Past is History The sun was setting on another day in Matori. At this point, he hadn’t been in his ancestral home for very long. Perhaps a week? Dexurn sat at the beach, watching the sunlight make the ocean sparkle. He was perched on a thin outcropping of rock, letting his feet dangle into the water. The waves splashed against his legs and the rock, occasionally spraying him with a cool mist over the rest of his body, but he didn’t mind. There was a warm breeze coming off the water that ruffled his hair, and encouraged the water to dance around him. The affect was actually quite soothing for his rather frazzled mind.
In his short time in Matori, he’d bought a shield. It was currently laid out behind him, and he looked back at it from time to time. His eyes would scan all of the horizons, from the endless sea to the tree covered ground. He was still a little in shock... He’d reached Matori.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t everything he had hoped for.
Shikori’s hometown, the place she had often spoken of with such warmth and affection, was empty. It was a tiny town, and Dex’s attempts to find Shikori’s family had been with dead ends. Literally. There were only a couple elderly folk who remembered Shikori, and they revealed that the family was long since scattered or dead. Dex’s dreams of finding the home and ancestry he’d been ‘adopted’ into were gone.
Even Arota, where he was now, didn’t particularly appeal to him. Matori all together was a dashed hope; an unfulfilled dream. It was disappointment and hurt. This was supposed to be home. He’d been looking forward to Matori ever since his auntie’s first tale... He didn’t feel at home though. He’d thought it would be an instant comfort, but it wasn’t.
Certainly, Matori was a nice place to be. He loved having the ocean so close, being able to play in the water. He enjoyed not having to worry about keeping his head down in submissive gesture for masters, even though he still would fall back on that habit sometimes. It was wonderful to see others like him, living their own lives and their own dreams.
Still, it didn’t feel like home. ..It wasn’t where he wanted to stay.
He had only done a few days of training with his shield. In exchange, he was helping out at the armory. Every night, his body was sore from practice, but it was a good kind of sore. His legs were tired from charging repeatedly and doing exercises, rather than running errands. His head ached from knocking against the shield or trainer, rather than his master’s hand. His hands ached from gripping the shield, rather than bed sheets. His back pinched from learning to hold the shield and himself upright, rather than from a punishing lashing. It was an ache that he could be proud of. He’d earned the bruises and the cuts and the throbbing from working hard on his own accord, rather than someone else’s demands. ...For Dex, it was the ultimate sign of his freedom.
He shifted to grab his shield, and heard the jingle of the bell still around his neck. Slowly, a hand rose to gently touch the old possession. It was a claim from his master; one that all of his fellow slaves under that roof had worn. The sign that he was someone’s property. It kept him from sneaking around too much, lest he try stealing anything from the royal rooms. It made guests laugh when they came by for parties, seeing the little Matorian with a jingling collar like a pet. It was his reminder, wherever he went, that he wasn’t his own person.
He’d been afraid to let it go. In his captivity, he hadn’t known better. He hadn’t known different. He hadn’t known that his life had been so miserable and limited. He just hadn’t known. And when he’d been set free, he’d been scared. Terrified. He hadn’t known how to survive outside of someone else’s care! The musical symbol of his slavery became his only comfort in a strange and scary world.
Then he’d met Winta, who helped him through the battle he had gotten swept up into. She was his first friend.
Then he’d met Shadiya, and she helped him reach Matori. She remained at his side through Sald and here in Arota. She’d become quite special to him.
They hadn’t treated him like a slave. They’d treated him as an equal. As a friend...
Stiffening his jaw, Dex grabbed his shield up and pulled out the small dagger he had secured to the inside of the defensive weapon. It was time to let things go. Slipping the point of the dagger under the collar, he hesitated. He’d worn it since he’d been bought. Could he really take it off? ...Closing his eyes, he jerked his hand and the blade down and away. He listened to the bell jingle as it fell, dropping down onto his lap. He froze a moment, feeling the wind brushing the untouched part of his neck. Then, he took a deep breath, and felt the tears slip down his cheeks.
He plucked up the collar and looked at it with awe. He’d never actually seen his own collar outside of looking into a mirror. It was a bit of a shock, really. The collar was faded and fraying along the edges. The bell was tarnished and cracked. He looked at the dim shimmer of the brass with surprise. Looking at it, he saw that it did represent his life. With it on, he’d used it as a cover of comfort, thinking it was shining and clean. To see it clearly now, it was stained and dull. He’d thought he’d had a good life, but could now look at it from the outside and saw the tarnish it bore.
Taking a deep breath, he stood and chucked the collar and bell into the ocean before he could stop himself. It was scary, leaving behind the past that he knew. However, he also knew that if he were to move forward with his life, the old one would have to be let go of... and he was ready. (( word count: 1,044 ))
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:09 pm
Guard- Journal entry 2
How Heavy Is It? Being back in Oba was a somewhat surreal feeling. With his bare feet sinking into the sand as he walked, Dex felt that he was back in familiar territory, and also out of place. Oba wasn’t the same as it used to be, all in good ways, but still different.
Dexurn was different, too. Having grown in height and putting a little weight onto his bones, he sank further into the sand with each step than he remembered. After his time in Matori, he could tell how much drier the air he’d grown up in was. His Matorian skin had enjoyed the wet air of his ancestral home, where he had spent the past few months, and it chaffed now that it was exposed to the heat of the sun and driving winds again.
Despite standing taller, he was disappointed to find that the land still made him feel quite small. Even having Shade, his traveling companion, there with him didn’t help much. The only saving grace was that they were able to stick to the border of Oba, away from the bigger cities either of them had previously lived in while they headed for Sauti. His lesson came as they neared the border of Sauti...
Shade had been at the inn, dancing and earning money. Dex had gone to see if there were any off jobs he could do. Separated from Shade and surrounded by the race that had once oppressed him, he felt like the past months could have easily been a dream, and that he was going to wake up in the slave’s quarters in the morning. He was going to wake up with no shield, no Shade, and no will...
Others seemed to feel the same about him. A group of fighters were standing around a training circle, the majority being strong Oban men. One of the men saw Dex walking by and called out. “Hey, boy! Er- buddy! You any good with that block of wood that you probably call a shield? Com’ere. We need some training help.”
Before he realized what he was doing, Dex was walking over to stand next to the commanding Oban. Blushing when he realized the old habit had kicked in, he turned to ask for more details when he was shoved into the center of the circle.
“Like I said; just some training help,” the Oban said with a grin. “Ophlus there just got a shield of his own. With you looking so capable with yours, we figure you’re the perfect one to help him out.”
For a moment, Dex wondered if the man was serious. He wasn’t very good with his shield yet... Did they really think he could help? The crowd cheering made him turn around to see who was training with... and quickly realized that the men around him were absolutely not serious about whatever abilities they claimed to think he had. The Oban standing before him was a giant! ...Ophlus was what happened when a man bred with a janarim!
Looking out from behind his scaled armor, Ophlus laughed in an absurdly deep voice. “Aren’t you supposed to be in someone’s kitchen? Basement? Bedroom? I have some free space if you need a home, little one.”
Cheeks bright, Dex looked around at the gathered people. Most were laughing right along with the giant. Others seemed to be hesitantly smirking, while only a few seemed to disapprove of the taunting words. He could tell they didn’t dare speak up when so outnumbered though. He was afraid to speak up, himself! It was so much easier to lower his gaze with embarrassment... He’d worked hard to free himself, but his past still weighed on him.
Looking up at the sound of pounding feet, Dex swung his shield around in just enough time to block the sudden attack. He dove to the side, and the return blow he sent simply bounced off the other man and smacked him in the face, cutting his cheek open. A fresh wave of laughter rose around him, making him want to just put the shield over his face and stand in one place. He tried to keep up, but he was still clumsy with both his shield and his footing. His attacks held some power behind them, but they were hesitant enough to miss more often than not. He was knocked around plenty, sent flying and tumbling repeatedly.
With each fall, he felt like his shield got heavier and heavier. Having trouble using it on a good day, now it felt like it was twice the size and density! Slammed onto his stomach, he reached for his shield when a large foot slammed down on it and his hand. He cried out with a yelp, yanking on his hand to free it.
Ophlus bent over, putting his weight on Dex’s hand with a sneer on his face. “You think you deserve this? I can see the worthlessness in your eyes. We all can. I doubt you fought to free yourself. Someone else put up the fight to put you out into the wild. Horrible thing to do, in my opinion. Like raising and domesticating a stupid little perzi and then setting it free. What’s a pampered pet to do when it doesn’t have a master anymore? I really wouldn’t mind taking you home, boy. Could use someone to fix dinner and watch the brats.”
..He couldn’t keep this up. What would Shikori think of him doing this now that he was free? What would Shade think? And... and what about himself? His free hand rose to touch his neck. The collar was no longer there. He’d taken it off himself, and thrown it into the ocean. He absolutely hated being laughed at like this. He wasn’t a slave anymore, and these men were not his masters, then or now! Telling himself he was free without challenge had been relatively easy. To find out he so easily reverted to his old traits when faced with others of older thinking and stronger backs... He couldn’t face Shade if he let this happen. He’d earned his shield! He might still have a long way to go, but he’d earned it!
Getting his legs under him, his free hand grabbed his opponent’s ankle and gave it a yank, sending the man stumbling backward. Shaking out his hand, Dex grabbed his shield back up and stood, expression as firm as it could be on his gentle features. “What’s even crueler is caging something that is meant to be free!” Taking a moment to see the giant as the tree he’d tackled when he’d begun his training in Matori, he charged forward with renewed vigor.
The laughter around him died down as the shields slammed together, a sharp snap echoing from the impact. Ophlus stumbled backward, underestimating the ex-slave’s conviction. While Ophlus tried to regain his footing, Dex charged again to take advantage of the moment. Ophlus fell back onto his butt, unharmed aside for his pride. Dex stood over his opponent with a glare. “Take care of your own house,” he hissed.
Dexurn was sore, tired, and bleeding. However, at that moment, he felt stronger than ever before as the Oban looked up at him with a mix of anger and uncertainty. Dex might have lost the majority of the little battle, but by simply knocking the oppressor back, he’d won the war of the training grounds.
He’d faced not only himself, but other who sought to keep him under their feet. He didn’t need to beat the man into the ground. He didn’t even want to.
...Of course, the giant hopped back up and probably would have beat Dex to death if others hadn’t intervened.
Dexurn walked away slowly and with a heavy limp. However, his shield felt lighter than ever.
(( word count: 1,305 ))
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Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 12:00 pm
Guard- Journal entry 3
An Unfamiliar Familiar After defeating the strange creature back in Matori, Dex hadn’t actually done much with his tintural. Admittedly, all it really did was toddle around and eat and sleep, but still. It was his now, so he should try to do something with it, right?
When he’d first seen the tintural, he hadn’t known what it was. He’d actually thought it was a rock or pile of hard dirt. Instead, it had gotten irritated with him for sitting on it and had snapped at him. In return... he’d hit it with his shield and had knocked it unconscious. Feeling bad, he’d taken it upon himself to make sure it was okay. He’d been told about his catch while carrying it back to a grassier patch off from the beach he’d been on. A tintural of Yeal! Having no idea how to tend to one, he’d collected whatever food he thought it might eat and a bowl of water, and waited. When it woke, the tintural did little more than shake its head to clear it, and started eating.
Sitting in the rented room of the inn he was staying at, he sat on the floor across from the big tintural to give it another inspection. The brown skin looked thin and delicate, but to touch it revealed that it was leathery and strong. Speaking of strong, the thick trunky legs had to be strong to carry around the heavy green shell on its back. The shell was like his shield, clearly made thick and sturdy and durable as protection against harm.
The strangest thing about it was what resided on the shell itself. Apparently, the tintural was slow enough that plants were able to grow on its back! Dirt had settled into the nooks and lines of the shell, and various plants had taken to seed there and sprouted. He would never have imagined anything like it! It was also rather interesting though. The majority of the plants were completely unfamiliar to him. According to others, the plants were of Yeal; the tintural’s homeland. There were a few sprouts here and there of Matorian plant life, but the Oban and Sauti weather was drying those out already. It seemed to not really care about the plants it carried around, even chewing on a few of the leaves that fell within reach of its mouth.
As for a personality... the creature didn’t seem to have one. Aside from its irritation after being sat on, there was little to really interact with. Poking its face or legs only resulted in a small glance of idle curiosity. When he tapped its shell, it simply kept laying there. Dex tried petting it, tickling it, talking to it... and it just laid there. It would follow him when he got up and left the room, so maybe it did like him a little? It certainly hadn’t turned down any of the leafy snacks he’d brought it yet.
It was slow and steady and consistent, which was fine with him. After a while, he sighed and shook his head. “If you’re going to be following me and Shade, you need a name.” He pondered a name for quite a while before putting up a finger. Actually, he listed off a few names before he lowered his hand again. “Kass. Yeah. That fits you.” Reaching forward, he patted Kass’ head. “You’re my first real pet, Kass,” he murmured with a little smile. (( word count: 574 ))
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Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 12:36 pm
Guard- Journal entry 4
Friendship Is... Dexurn had always depended on others. He’d been raised to serve others who were dependent on him, certainly... but he had always been dependent on them. There had always been someone telling him what to do, how to do it, when to start and when to finish. There was little that had come without direction first. Knowing nothing else, it had been a comfortable level for the slave to be at. Not following directions resulted in punishment. Dex had never been the rebellious type. He was ignorantly content doing as he was told to avoid the wrathful whips. He never thought anything would change, so he made the ‘best’ of his situation.
Then the war had happened, and he’d been freed. He’d practically clung to those he met on his journey, seeking to comfort of directions from others. Freedom had been terrifying.
Then he had met Shadiya. She was and Oban native completely unlike those that Dex had spent his entire young life serving. Shadiya preferred to be called Shade. She was sweet and kind. She smiled at him. She spoke to him like she didn’t think she was above him.
At first, the whole thing had made Dexurn quite uncomfortable. It wasn’t right for an Oban to be treating him so kindly! It had been nice, but still confusing.
The change of mind sure had taken some getting used to. During their travels from Oba to Matori, he saw her less as an Oban woman, and more as just a plain old woman. Shade was someone he could actually believe did not see him as a slave or servant. Someone he could see as his friend.
Someone he wanted to protect with all his heart... She had been his inspiration to choose a shield. The first choice he actually made on his own. He could have chosen anything from blades to bows to hammers, but he chose the shield. Dex didn’t like fighting. Being out in the open world though, Dex had learned that a fight was sometimes necessary. So, he’d chosen a weapon that made decent offense, but, in his mind, was more suited for defense. He wanted to defend what he cared about.
However, Dex learned soon enough that there was only so much a shield could protect against.
He’d lived with nightmares the majority of his life. He’d been surrounded by fellow slaves suffering nightmares as well. Nightmares had just been part of his life though. When he’d learned that Shade suffered nightmares as well, his heart had broken. He’d known she had pain in her past, but somehow had completely missed the fact that she suffered every night in a similar fashion to his own.
The night he’d discovered her fears, he had done what his auntie had for him when he’d woken from nightmares as a youth. He’d held Shade tight. He’d been scared. After all, he’d taken up the shield to help protect Shade, but it was useless against the fears in her mind.
Then magic had happened. Shade had calmed in his embrace. She said the next morning that she hadn’t slept so well in quite some time. Dex realized that it had been the same for him. The whole night he’d held her, and hadn’t had a single nightmare of his own.
..This was what being a friend meant. They could depend on each other to keep the nightmares away. For the first time in his life, he felt like someone was truly depending on him for something. ...They needed each other.
It was an amazing feeling. (( word count: 596 ))
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