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 Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 5:16 pm
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 (These first few journal entries are going to be a "Prelude" to where Gaddok is currently in his Prentice Stage)
It was a cold rainy night. Gaddok sat in his room flipping through the blank leather journal he had just gotten for his birthday. His father had just come home in time to give him the journal and was home for what seemed like a few seconds before he had jumped down his mothers’ throat about something… He was sick of his father, sick of his behavior, sick of life at home… his knapsack sat in the middle of the floor, with a couple pairs of pants, a couple shirts, and the sandals his mom strung together for him. Tonight he was leaving to discover the world around him.
Sneaking to the stairway that leads downstairs into the main part of the house, he held his breath and waited for a time where his parents wouldn’t see him sneak to the door. Holding tight to the straps of his knapsack Gaddok began his descent down the stairs. Tiptoeing to the door he turned the knob, gently pushed the door open, and stepped out into the fresh crisp air of freedom.
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‘It’s cold being out on your own,’ he thought to himself as he looked at one of his father’s trading routes on his map under the shelter of a roof. It was still misting out and though the rain had mostly stopped Gaddok still had a long way to go before he reached the next settlement. Rolling the map up, he placed it in his knapsack and pulled the strings of his tunic tighter, before hitting the road again.
After a few more hours of travel, Gaddok was shivering, partially from the frigid temperatures and partially from skipping dinner because he didn’t want to deal with his parents. He had reached the point where his muscles would go no further. Crawling into the shelter o f a nearby bush for shelter gaddok pulled a blanket from his knapsack, curled up in it, and quickly fell asleep.
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Gaddok awoke to rain dripping onto his face. The rain must have picked up overnight due to the fact the blanket was stuck to his body and soaking wet. Stripping the blanket off Gaddok rang it out as best he could and hung it to dry while he tried to scrounge for edible berries in the nearby bushes.
Face and hands stained with shades of purple, Gaddok returned to his makeshift camp and retrieved his more than damp blankets and grumbled, “Well, Can’t stay here forever… Dernd shouldn’t be too far.” Taking out the map once more he took a guess how far he had traveled, and about how much he had to go, then rolled the map, “I bet if I start walking now I will be there by dark!” he declared, starting down the path.
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Night had long since claimed the land, but Gaddok still trudged on through the thick brush. The initial trade route took “Unnecessary turns” that could be cut out in order to save time, but here he was hours behind his schedule, exhausted, dehydrated, and starving. The initial path was in sight now, staggering through a thistle bush, Gaddok tripped and clawed his way out of the forest to the path where he decided it was as good a place as any to just rest for a bit. He would get up and finish the trip after he caught his breath.
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Gaddok awoke bundled up in blankets by a warm fire. Everything was blurry at first but leaped to his feet with the eruption of noises coming from his stomach. Gaddok whirled around in circles, eyes wide, breath hitched from fear.
“HA! Boyo you’re hungry!” A man roared with laughter. Gaddok turned to meet the voice, and found a massively, soot covered, gray haired man doubled over in laughter in the scullery, “Don’t be alarmed, boy… I found you collapsed on the road, In the middle of the night no less… What are you 13, 14 years old; much too young to be out traveling the roads yourself.”
The man went back to preparing breakfast, which smelt divine, considering what Gaddok had eaten in the last couple of days. “Go get yourself washed up. The water closet is just around the corner there.” The man indicated with a nod of the head, “Food should be ready in a couple minutes.”
Gaddok snorted at the notion he should wash when the one telling him to was twice as filthy as himself. He washed none the less and shuffled back to the main room to find the table set, food plated, and his host shoveling in eggs and potatoes. He paused a moment then pointed to the small wooden stool across from him, “Won’t stay warm for long y’know.”
Nodding, Gaddok took a seat and ate in silence. It was strange eating with people. He was much more comfortable in his attic room, but he wouldn’t turn away a meal like this.
“After breakfast, chop the wood out back.” The man said as he lifted his plate to his mouth, shoveled the last bit of food into his mouth, and placed his plate in a bucket on the counter, “When that’s finished, Draw some water with that bucket there and set it by the stove.” He glanced over to see Gaddok’s mouth agape as he sat silently at the table. “HA! Boyo, you didn’t think your meal was free did you?” opening the front door he smirked; “Now you’d best hurry up and finish your meal… That wood pile ain’t gettin’ no smaller with you sittin’ there.”
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Gaddok did as the man said. He cleared his plate, placed it in the bucket, then went to the wood pile and started chopping. The hatchet was half his length and felt like twice his weight, but he gripped tight to the shaft and swung hard… Four pieces of wood in and he was winded, eight and he was exhausted, ten, and his body burned with such intensity he would have sworn he fell in a fire. Dropping the axe involuntarily, Gaddok fell backward and sprawled out his shaking numb limbs, “This… Is impossible…” He muttered to himself while gazing up into the sky.
“Hmmm…”
Then it hit him, “I bet I could build something to do this…” Springing to his feet with his new found inspiration, Gaddok snuck into the old man’s tool shed and began plotting his device.
~Several Hours later~
Stacking off the chopped wood along the shed, he retrieved the metal bucket and drew some water, then lugged it in the house and placed it by the stove. It was later in the day, but the sun was still high in the sky and the old man hadn’t come to check on him yet. Not daring to snoop through the house, he made his way to the front door and stepped out.
The streets were fairly bare. A few shopkeepers were huddled further down the road in a miniature bazaar. The tavern across the street was even a slow; a few regulars were finishing up their lunch, and the workers inside were preparing for the night crowd. One pair caught his eye; His father was having lunch with the man who took him in.
Gaddok watched their meeting briefly and then turned to go back into the house when he noticed the attachment to the house he had stayed in… The man was a blacksmith. ‘Voulon Metals’ read the sign swaying over the door. “Huh…” he muttered to himself as he began shuffling toward the smithy, “Thought I might have noticed this, it explains some items in the shed though…”
There were soot covered swords hanging around the posts and along the wall of the shop. Gaddok found himself captivated by the forges’ orange glow. The heat it gave off was immense and seemed to instantly make his clothing stick to his chest.
“Don’t you have wood to be chopping?” The man called from just behind him.
Gaddok staggered skittishly and turned on his heels, “I-I’ve finished chopping… The wood, sir.”
“Sir?” he mused, “So formal… I take it you saw me talking with your pa then?”
His gaze returned to the crackling forge with no words for the man.
“He says you two don’t always see eye to eye…” He turned Gaddok’s face to meet his own, “You have some troubles at home…”
Though he was facing the man he didn’t meet his eyes, “I take it you’re sending me back?”
The man smirked, “I know your father fairly well actually, and he’s asked that you “Decompress” here. He hopes maybe a change of scenery and a bit of discipline may ease the tension at home.”
“If anyone needs discipline and to decompress, it’s him!” Gaddok began but was hushed to a silence by the gentle raise of a hand.
“Don’t concern yourself with your father's behavior, because the only one who can change that is him.” He began, “You control your behavior, be the better person.” He smirked as he watched the gears turning in Gaddok’s young mind, “By the way, boyo, you can call me Lon.” Scrubbing the lad’s head he laughed, “Now either you’re pulling my leg, or you’ve pulled off quite the feat.”
Gaddok laughed, “I came up with a wood chopper; used some of your scrap materials in your shed.” He lead Lon around the back of the house, “Used some wood and nails, a torsion spring, the ax, two hooks, a pulley and some rope. The pulley has a hook and rope to help pull the ax back, and there is another hook that holds the ax in place until you trip it with the pressure plate.” Taking one last piece of wood, he demonstrated the device, beaming with pride as the ax snapped the wood in half, “Pretty neat, huh?”
Lon placed his hands on his hips, “Huh… Here I thought that would keep you busy for the next week… Now, what am I supposed to do with you?”
Pointing at the smithy he suggested, “You could teach me a bit of your craft?”
“HA!” Lon cackled, “We’ll see boyo… At the moment you don’t have nearly the discipline or strength for the forge.”
“Well, How about teaching me how to use a sword… You have enough of them; I figure you’d know how to use one.”
Lon nodded, “Alright boy, It's been many years since I’ve even touched one, but I will try.”
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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:55 pm
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:09 pm
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“Gaddok! Come down and help me please. Your father will be here any minute.” Aerilyn called up the ladder. She has been a whirlwind around the house all day, swearing Remus would walk through that door at any minute. Its hours to sunset now, and he hasn’t even been sighted anywhere around town. Gaddok’s chalked it up to her being excited, though he has no clue why. His father was bound to just be grumpy and overall unbearable to be around.
Gaddok did what was asked of him. Crawling out of bed, he left his room, closing the door behind him. Then rounded the corner and dashed down the ladder to find his mom toiling over the stove; a roast of some kind with various gardened vegetables, lightly garnished in fresh picked herbs. The house was flawless; she would have had to spend hours cleaning it from the day to day wear and tear.
“There you are, sweetie.” She said while coming around the island and kissing his cheek, “Could you just watch that and make sure it doesn’t dry out? I need to go get washed up.”
Laughing, Gaddok took her place at the stove, “Take your time, I’m sure he’s a ways out yet.” He watched his mother disappear into the bedroom, and then returned his gaze to the mostly cooked roast. The glow of the hearth had his mind elsewhere, Voulon Metals; that’s where he would rather be. Normally, he would have left by now to begin his trek to Dernd by nightfall, but since it has been almost half a year since he sat and ate a meal with his mother and father and as fate would have it his father was coming back to Iory tonight, he decided he would stay.
Knowing the roast would be finished soon, Gaddok began setting the table for three. He dished the vegetables, pulled the roast and plated it, and then noticed the door moving. Stopping what he was doing, Gaddok managed to make it to the door before it completely opened, throwing his entire weight into keeping it closed, “Wait outside a minute…” he growled through the crack.
Remus staggered backward and stared blankly at the door, “What’s going on in there?”
Peeking his head out Gaddok scowled at his father, “Mom’s been cleaning the house, and picking out this outfit for the last three days… Walk around the town and come back… she should be ready by then.” He shooed his father off and shut the door.
“Honey, Was someone at the door? Was it your father?!” Aerilyn peeked out of the room; her hair drooped half over her face.
“I swear you’re hearing things, mom.” Gaddok laughed nervously as he brought the plated roast to the center of the table, “that old age getting to you?” He joked.
“Gaddok Dragol!” his mother hissed. She hated it when he joked about her aging; “I could have sworn I heard something…” she slipped back into the room to finish getting ready.
With the table set and dinner placed, Gaddok slipped upstairs to make sure his things were packed for his trip to Dernd early tomorrow morning. He had been working on his footing, his stance, going through the movements of swordplay. He was only learning the basics, but figured if he spent his energy mastering it, maybe he could pick up a couple more movements; maybe learn some offensive or defensive stances.
As Gaddok went over the items sprawled out across his bed he heard the door creek open slowly. Not thinking much of it, Gaddok began packing up his items, one by one in his knapsack. Suddenly, he heard his mother squeal from downstair. Rushing to the stairs he made it half way down the ladder before realizing that the cause of his mother’s shriek was the return of his father with a breathtaking bouquet of local flora.
“Oh Remus, They’re breathtaking, and it’s so good to see you.” Aerilyn held her embrace as she spoke, “Gaddok, would you be a love and go get a vase for the flowers?”
Gaddok finished his descent to the ground floor and went to retrieve something to put the dead plants in. He was surprised at his mothers’ reaction, flowers were a common gift among earthlings, but picking them from the earth takes their life; transplanting them to a garden or pot at least preserves their life. Though he didn’t expect his father to go out of his way and actually come up with something like that.
Returning to the kitchen he placed the vase on the table and allowed his mother to arrange the flora as desired. Aerilyn gave Remus a peck on the cheek and another tight squeeze before urging everyone to sit at the table. The meal was well on its way before long and things were going well until Remus got curious.
“So Gaddok. How’s your training with Lon going?” He asked between chews, keeping his eyes on his plate.
“Is the roast done?” Gaddok asked, his arms resting alongside his plate while staring across the table at his father, “Because I would hate for your eyes to leave it and it jump up and bite you…”
“Gaddok~”Aerilyn muttered, “Answer your father.” Her voice was low and almost seemed to have a hint of fear in the undertones of her command; she wanted to avoid a confrontation.
“Fine.” Gaddok growled, returning his gaze to his plate, “Hopefully I will be using steel soon.”
“What have you been using?” Remus sneered, “Seems to me like you should just come back to sailscale trade. It’s what you’re good at.”
“Remus~” Aerilyn hissed while shooting him a glare, “Gaddok is doing something he enjoys… You should be supportive.”
“Aerilyn. I need Merchants. Merchants bring us money, and Gaddok has been helping me since he was old enough to walk. It’s in his blood for Chi’s sake and I need all the help I can get out ther-”
“Yeah, because it’s all about what you need, right?” Gaddok purred while setting his utensils down and folding his hands in front of his face, “Why am I just your pawn, your puppet. Did you ever consider I may grow up and not want to mutilate litt-”
“Gaddok Dragol, That is enough.” Aerilyn interrupted as she stood from her chair, “Go upstairs.” she breathed helplessly. Things were going so well, something was bound to happen right?
Gaddok left the table and made his way to the ladder to his room.
“Gaddok, I’m not done talking to you. Do you understand what talent you’re wasting? You’re made for this. You were meant to-”
“Oh, Making it about yourself wasn’t working so you had to turn it around and point out the qualities I have that make me look successful as what you want me to be?!” He was so close to making it up the ladder, and he had tried so hard to just let it go and ignore his father, “Did you’re Ice “friends” teach you that… They’re finally teaching their little pet the basics in manipulating the mass-”
“You watch your mouth, young man.” Remus roared, “You’ve been nothing but disrespectful since I stepped into this town and I’ve about had enough.”
“So Go! Leave and crawl back to Zena.” Gaddok shouted throwing arm toward the door, “That’s what you do every other time, right?! Got your own family up there too I suppose. Can’t control this one so you had to use your “Counselor Manipulator” skills on some other young helpless earthling-”
“Gaddok, Go to Dernd. Just go.” Aerilyn shouted over the two of them, Tears streaming from her eyes. She was at her wits end. All she wanted was a peaceful evening with her husband and her child. Just. One. Evening.
Gaddok retrieved his bag, made his way across the house, and gently shut the door on his way out; not wishing to raise the suspicion of the neighbors. Gaddok stepped to the left of the door and knelt down to listen in on the fight. He could hear his mother pleading with his father to just settle down and talk to her, but all he could think about is how disrespectful their child was, and how ungrateful he is. Aerilyn tried defending her son by pointing out that he is under stress of his own, but to little avail. Remus was having none of it, and soon retreated to his study for the evening.
Hearing that, Gaddok couldn’t bring himself to go back inside and have his mother know he heard everything, but walking away hearing his mothers’ sobs through the door tore him apart. Gaddok kept his head low as he made his way to the edge of Iory to begin his sprint to Dernd.
1,468 Words |
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 7:02 pm
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:19 pm
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:20 pm
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These events take place before the Meta: Chapter 5 - Invasion.
It was late in the evening when Gaddok and his armed escorts arrived at the stoop of Voulon Metals. Gaddok had known better than to come to the door this late at night, ordinarily he would circle around the house and enter through the back door, where he would cozy up in his hammock for the evening; naturally his escorts weren’t hearing it. One of the men thumped the door thrice with his ham hands and waited.
Lon came to the door with a rather stern look on his face, but it shifted into confusion as he looked from one escort to the other, and then ended with Gaddok, “Can… I help you gentlemen?” he asked cautiously, returning his gaze to the first and larger escort.
“This one yours?” He growled shoving Gaddok forward a bit. Gaddok of course responded with a jab of his arm.
Lon crossed his arms with a sigh,“I’ll take responsibility for his actions… If that’s what you’re asking.” He took Gaddok’s arm and pulled him into the house, and gave the second escort a sharp look as he tried to step passed him into the house.
The second escort pointed to the boy, “He’s been conscripted into the war to atone for his crimes in Vers, Tale. We’ve been assigned to him to be sure he makes it to Jauhar.”
Lon rocked on his heels as he eyed up the men, “You’re going the wrong way…”
“He requested to be taken here to retrieve his weapon.” The first growled, keeping his eyes fixed on Gaddok.
“Huh,” Lon breathed as he rolled his tongue across his teeth. He stepped up to the first escort, got right in his face, “I know this boy well enough to know that whatever he’s done in Vers does not warrant an un-willful conscription; which leads me to believe he ran out of money to pay for his fine and he volunteered for it. I also know he’s not a coward and is a man of his word. If he said he would go to war you can be damn sure he will be in the front lines with bells on.” Stepping back into his home he looked over the two men as they slowly began to shrink in stature, “Am I to expect you two are joining him?”
The two shook their heads timidly and as the second began to open his mouth to attempt to stammer his excuse, Lon interrupted him, “Well then, You’ve done nothing but break curfew, wake a sleeping old man, and waste a day and a half of your pathetic lives. That and really managed to piss me off, so I suggest you crawl your sorry asses back to the teats of your mothers before I wreak vigilante justice on the two of you for trespassing.”
Gaddok snorted from within the house, “You know, I think there is wood out back that could be chopped…”
Lon picked up the axe propped against the wall by the door, and held it firmly in his hands, “Well boys, what do you say?! You up for some manual labor?!” His laughs echoed through the streets as he watched the two fumble and bumble over one another as they beat feet out of the small town of Dernd. Shutting the door, Lon placed the axe back where it was and looked at Gaddok who had set down his knapsack and crawled into his hammock, “What the hell did you do to warrant that?”
“You heard of a Great Sermal…” Gaddok muffled voice groaned as his body ached for sleep, “Met a kid that everyone thinks is possessed by the sermal… Needless to say I thought it was a crock of s**t, so when a healer had a problem with helping him out, I got a little irate… Caused a scene… Got in some trouble. I paid for the supplies used, just couldn’t pay for my temper.”
Lon shook his head, “Get some rest, we’ll talk in the morning.”
~The next morning~
Lon kept his tread soft that morning, letting Gaddok get as much sleep as his body would allow. He knew the boy would need it, especially if he was intending on going to the war front in Jauhar. Naturally it wasn’t long after Lon started breakfast, that gaddok roused from his slumber and began his morning routine.
Gaddok splashed his face with water from the water well just behind the smithy. Then he did some stretching, and jogging in place before beginning his sprint around the small little village of Dernd. It wasn’t but twenty minutes before he was back and flopped onto a wooden stool ready for breakfast,
“hey…” he murmured groggily, scrubbing his hair, “So, thanks for yesterday… But I do want to go to the war. I think I could do some good out there.”
Lon rubbed his chin and nodded slowly, “Or get yourself killed…” ‘Gaddok surely had the basics down,’ He thought to himself while he watched the boy scarf down breakfast, ‘but he hasn’t even begun training with the weight of a sword in his hand.’ Taking the dishes and dunking them in a bucket of water to get the debris off he placed it back on the pile of clean dishes and called it good. “Alright, get outside and warm up. I’ll be out in a minute.”
Jumping to his feet, Gaddok rushed out the door and began setting up. He stretched his arms, then as he went for his wooden replica weapon Lon grabbed his wrist, “Boy, If you’re going to be going off to war, you’re going to want to be wielding something more than a wooden sword.”
Blushing slightly, Gaddok pulled his hand away and turned to see Lon holding a recently crafted sword.
“It wasn’t exactly the one I wanted to craft for you, but it will do. This is not what you will be training with,” Pointing to a sword hanging on a post in the smithy, “That is. This is a near replica of it, so you can tarnish, bash, blunt, and beat that weapon with your training. Then when you go into battle you can take this one.”
Gaddok was without words. He walked over to the sword hanging and reached out to take it with trembling hands, “Lon.. You didn’t have to-”
“You need to have a practice weapon and a battle weapon. It doesn’t make much sense for them to be two completely different swords now does it?”
“I just… Thank you, Lon. This means a lot to me.”
They had a moment there… Just for a moment, “Alright boy, You take that sword into your hands and you had best be killing something. You never draw that blade to intimidate. If you draw, you kill. No questions asked.”
Gaddok held the sword a moment longer, feeling its weight, and knowing the burden placed upon him while wielding it. Drawing this sword meant ending someone’s life. Nodding, Gaddok took his place in the practice ring, and began running through his drills. The weight was off at first, as it should be, it took a few swings; a few runs through, but soon Gaddok was well on his way to wielding a true long sword.
Word Count: 1,213 Words |
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:20 pm
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These events take place after the Meta: Chapter 5 - Invasion
Each step sent an electrical charge down Gaddok’s legs as his body began buckling under the stress of travel. The sun was setting now, but his mind was swimming with the familiarity of the scenery; he was almost home. That fact alone pushed him along; his feet shuffled a little faster, back snapped a little straighter. His body ached for the comfort of his own bed. Now don’t get him wrong! He loved to travel, and see different places, people and their culture… But there was nothing like coming home; especially after fighting in a war.
Entering the quaint little town of Iroy just as the sun slipped below the horizon Gaddok found himself surrounded by a hazy fog. His home was just up the path and off to the right of the hill. Quickening his pace Gaddok was met at the stoop by his sobbing mother surrounded by memorial candles, he could see his father inside with a few close friends from town; fellow merchants who had come to offer their condolences.
It was then Gaddok realized the error of his ways; he had stayed in Neued with Sathe and conversed with his comrades instead of returning with the other wind warriors from Dernd and Iory. He had remembered gathering to Dernd as a youth to welcome back soldiers who had left to protect their homes, as well as mourn those that hadn’t returned. Usually messages were sent from the ones who stayed behind, and Gaddok must have missed the group. He didn’t recognize any of the men and women he fought next to.
Stepping delicately through the candlelight vigil Gaddok rested on the stoop beside his mother; he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into a delicate embrace, “I-I’m… So sorry,” he whispered into her ear, “I didn’t write when the war was over and I should have.”
Aerilyn pulled the man hugging her away to find her son wiping the tears from her face, while trying to keep his own eyes dry. “Remus!” She breathed and pulled Gaddok tightly into her arms, stroking his tangled mess of hair.
Remus ran to the door and pulled it open to find his boy in a choke hold and his wailing wife stroking their child’s head. Knowing his wife was fragile, but his boy was starving for air Remus dropped to his knees and placed a hand on either side of Aerilyn’s shoulders. “Honey, he’s safe… Let him-”
She shot her husband a wounded glare, “let him get out of this village, you said; let him see all this world has to offer; and so you took him traveling with you on your routes…” She took a deep hitched breath through her sobs, “I didn’t say one word-”
Gaddok grumbled and tried to free himself from her embrace, only for it to tighten as she pulled him closer. His body went limp as he groaned in frustration and tried to give muffled words of comfort to appease his mother and earn his freedom.
“Then!” she continued, “Then you ran away from home~” her voice cracked from the strained emotions his usually tranquil mother was breaking into, “You ran away, and praise Bergchi for mister Voulon tracking you down and keeping you safe. Just how far would your little legs have taken you? Tale?! Jauhar!” she trembled at the thought of him so far from home.
“Honey, that is a bit of an overreaction.” Remus breathed helplessly watching his son.
“Is it?!” Aerilyn gasped between hyperventilated breaths, “Is it an overreaction? You’re the one who said it was a brilliant idea to have Gaddok help at Voulon’s. To have a place for him to go and “Blow off steam”.” Her grip tightened the more she thought of Mister Voulon.
“Aerie, you’re going to break the poor boy’s neck-”
“I know when my boy’s in pain, Remus!” She snapped and brushed the top of Gaddok’s head, as if to shield him, “He’s fine.”
Gaddok muttered in protest, but knew it was futile.
“Lon just had to go and teach you how to use that sword and put silly thoughts into your precious little head,” Aerilyn whimpered, “Oh honey… then I got your letter… saying you were off to fight in the war.” Releasing her grip she let Gaddok catch some air before placing a hand on either side of his face to look at her, “You’re just a boy… My little baby boy…”
Realizing the storm had passed Remus returned to his guests in the house.
Aerilyn was helped to her feet by Gaddok, whom she repaid with a kiss on the forehead, “Welcome back sweetheart.” Taking his hand she led him into the house, “Let’s get you something to eat.” She chimed while parading to the kitchen to cook up a feast that would last late into the night.
Word Count: 810 Words |
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:21 pm
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 2:05 pm
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Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 10:48 am
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These events take place after the Meta: Chapter 6 - Alliance
Stepping up onto the wagon Gaddok found his place beside other wind soldiers returning to Sauti. It was a tiresome battle and bloodier than his first, but nonetheless it was won; though this time he didn't come out unscathed. Gaddok peeled back the tonic soaked rag to reveal the red sticky mess it concealed. 'Well, this shirt is ruined,' he thought to himself, trying to convince himself of anything other than the throbbing hot sore in his side. 'That spear went deeper than I had thought...'
Though the healer told him it was but a scrape: "Take the tonic, soak one of those rags over there and place it on the wound... Bring the brew with you and a couple rags. swap 'em out every few hours and you'll live... You'll have a scar, but you'll fight another day."
pulling back the slit shirt he wore he was able to see the puckered skin, orangish in tint and throbbing. he began prodding more when one of the other men reached over and slapped his hand, "Y'want an infection... Stuff's supposed to clean and speed the healing process. By stickin' yer filthy fingers in there you're hindering everything its working to do and setting yourself up for a slow death by infection."
Gaddok furrowed his brow at the man, but covered it with a sigh. turning his head skyward he really wished Sathe had been there... course she probably wouldn't have let him leave with the gaping hole in his side. Maybe she would have came with... nursed him at his bedside, like a scene out of the storybooks... The sappy romantic ones that his mother read.
It wasn't long before they hit the Sauti border; and it was then Gaddok realized just how close they had come to home. If they hadn't held the line it would have only been a matter of time before they were turning his little village of Iory in its head. Gaddok shuttered at the thought of those fancy desert men desecrating his village, slaughtering its people, burning its homes, destroying its crops... not that there were many, but the destruction of Aerilyn's gardens would be the death of her before any blade could do the job. She worked so hard to bring life to the rocky dry soil of Iory.
At some point after they dropped off their first round of soldiers in Tind he must have drifted off, because as the men's chatter brought him around he found they were closing in on Iory. "s**t" he breathed. his clothing was soaked in his own blood, and though the wound "wasn't bad" his mother would go into cardiac arrest if she saw him like this.
"We're arriving in Iory now... One last stop, Dernd, bout an hour or two out. Get your gear ready if you're getting off we're not stopping for long..." The driver groaned, "Got a long enough ride ahead of me after I drop all you off..."
Gathering his pack Gaddok worked quickly to soak a rag in the healer's tonic and swap out the bandage. placing it directly on the skin he adjusted his belt so it held the rag in place and covered the slice out of his tunic. Then he just had to spin an elaborate story for all the blood; or rather inelaborate... but very gory so his mother would just drop it rather than listen to how her little boy ravaged some poor desert man... even if the desert man was coming to kill her.
Praying this worked, the wagon came to a hault and with the rest of the men in his village Gaddok slid off the back of the wagon, and just as his feet touched dirt, the wagon jolted forward and out into the night, "Jeez... He wasn't kidding was he." Gaddok snorted.
One of the soldiers laughed, "Yeah, he's from Yera so he's got quite the trek yet. Definitely not making it tonight."
"Sathe's from there..." Gaddok murmured.
"I'm sorry?" The man said tipping his head, "Didn't catch that..."
"Oh, just talking to myself... Hope he makes it home safe." Gaddok shrugged into his pack and hissed as his belt sifted over his wound.
"Careful now. Don't want to reopen that... imagine your mother's reaction you come home with a fresh coat of blood on ya."
Gaddok rolled his eyes and let out a heavy sigh, "As it stands I'm going nowhere for a month."
"Ah, You'll manage to slip out before then, and your father will likely cover for you like he does... Have a good night Gaddok."
He looked the man over as he returned to his wife, home, kids... and all he saw was what he wanted; himself with Sathe in some house he strung together for them with little ones of their own... It was a longshot, but always present in his mind. Hell, if we all keep fighting one another there will be a chance he will never get to tell Sathe his dreams for them.
Before he could turn for home he felt a force slam into him squealing, "Oooooh, My Baby's home~! Remus come look, come see.... He's home safe and-" she looked at his waist and paled, "Honey whats... Whats that?" Wobbling on her feet, Gaddok instinctively reached out and grabbed her, but his side burned and he flinched only for Remus to scoop her up, "Honey, he's fine... Just got some blood on him from war. It happens..." Remus shot him a glare, the kind of glare that says 'You know better than to come home all bloodied like that.'
Gaddok pressed his lips together and flared his nostrils.
"Its just.... Blood from other earthlings" Aerilyn told herself, "Just blood from the mean nasty oban earthlings that want to come and hurt us..."
"Yes honey. Now, up the stairs you go... How about some tea... go inside and busy yourself with something at the Hearth. I've gotta talk with our boy." Glancing over his shoulder he murmured, "To your room, I'll be up Shortly... Get changed into something less... warworn."
Not bothering to argue Gaddok entered the house and climbed the ladder to his attic room. stripping off his clothes he changed into pants and left a tunic on the bed as he looked over his wound.
"Sunova-" Remus inhaled through his teeth, "Looks painful."
"It is..."
Crouching down Remus gave it a look and pressed his lips together, "Well, You got two options... One, stay very very still for about a month... or Two, Go to Dernd and let Lon take care of it for you."
"Now?"
Remus rose and placed one hand to his hip, the other to his chin, "Its going to split open... And Chi knows you were born with critters in your breeches... Y'can't sit still for anything. When it splits its gunna gush, your mom's going to scream, faint, have an "Episode". and I really really don't need that."
"So to Lon's I go..." Gaddok declared as he reached for his tunic.
"Wait." Remus stopped him from slipping into the garment, "I'll dress it propperly." He grabbed at the supplies he brought up with him took a thick paste and slathered it over the wound. Gaddok hissed and sucked in a breath to keep himself from squirming while his father placed a fresh cloth over the paste and wrapped it. "Give your mom a kiss and tell her you'll take some tea to go, but you have to get to Dernd. Tell her your sword snapped in half or something... I'll take care of the rest."
"You think that will work?" He asked and he slid into the tunic and grabbed his pack and sword.
"Leave the pack, Your body is stressed enough and Lon has everything you need... Plus you'll be coming right back after he... Well you'll see." Remus looked to the floor. "Just go, don't worry about what she'll do. The quicker you return Without a gaping slice out of your side, the better."
Gaddok nodded, took his weapon, and did as his father said. With a mug of tea in one hand and his sword in the other, Gaddok was started down the trail to Dernd; good thing he must have gotten some sleep on the ride. As the sun rose over the mountains Gaddok found himself shuffling into town; a trundle at best. he tapped the hilt of the sword against the door of Voulon Metals and waited, but no one came. Turning the handle he stepped in and called out, "Lon, You here?" waiting briefly for a reply, and recieving none, Gaddok stepped into the home and shut the door. Sliding into his hammock he nearly instantly fell into a deep sleep.
Hours later gaddok awoke and he was laying on the floor in cot. there was a hint of cured meat smell throughout the room and his side had a dull, consistent ache. "Lon?" Gaddok called out, "What... What are you making?"
"HA! You I suppose..." The smith snorted and finished working out the dings and dents in Gaddok's sword, "That wound... Seared it shut while you slept... b*****d bled all over my floor. Fixed it up good for you though. Gonna make one hell of a scar though."
"You what now?" Gaddok said as he attempted to sit up and cried out in pain which turned to a pissed off laugh, "It... Feels worse what did you do?!"
"Told you," Lon chuckled. "You were bleeding out in your hammock, so I laid you out on the floor, cleaned the wound and heated up a dagger, Pressed it to your flesh and Voila~ Good as new. Squealed like a newborn baby your did, but y'fell unconscious right after. I dressed the burn and bandaged you up. S'gunna hurt like a b***h, but you won't be bleeding anymore."
"You sunovabitch~" Gaddok cursed, "You seared my side shut."
"Well Yeah," Lon burst out in laughter, "Yer ol' man said you had two options and the first one didn't count... So y'came to me and I took care of it for ya." Dunking the sword into a thick oily substance Lon snorted, "Chi knows your father couldn't stomach doin' it to ya. It had to be me... The damned healer would get it wrong. You leave her to stickin' ya like a pincushion. If you want your wound healed like a man; leave it to the smith."
Gaddok paled and laid his head back down on the cot. this was... a lot to take in.
"Oh, When morning wraps around again. I need more wood chopped... That damned rigamarole of yours is mischief... Fix it or break the damned thing down for wood."
Gaddok groaned and rubbed his face, "You want me to chop wood when I wake tomorrow."
"Well gee, If its too much for a little sally like ye I suppose you can make the old man who saved your hide do it... Then spank you in combat training." Lon hung the sword and lit his pipe, "We need to work on defending your left side apparently."
His arms fell limp to his side and he couldn't help but burst out in laughter, "I miss this...."
"Me too Boyo... Me too." Lon watched as the young earthling drifted to sleep on the cot, "Glad you're safe."
Word Count: 1,900 |
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Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 10:50 am
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These events take place after the Meta: Chapter 7 - Rising Storm
'The sun is setting on our third day of travel since leaving Ashe, but it will likely be another two before we're home in Iory again. Surely mother is worried sick as she usually is. I just hope with the growing tensions down south everything is fine...'
"Gaddok, I need you to get a fire started. Get that wood out of the back of the caravan and build it in the center there," Remus indicated the general area with a wave of his hand, "There's a lot to be done before the sun sets and you'll have time to write in that damn journal when the fire is built."
Gaddok's jaw clenched, but he managed to bite back the words he was about to spew at his father. He didn't even want to be on this damned trip, but with the growing tensions between earthlings and alkidikes Remus needed extra hands; only this time Gaddok wasn't brought on for his sales pitch, but his blade. Remus hired him on as an armed escort for the trade caravans; he didn't have to, but there's a good chance his mother, Aerilyn had something to do with it, 'Anything to keep him from going to another damned war!' Gaddok could hear his mother's hypathetical voice reasoning with his father now...
Hoisting the packed log carrier out of the caravan Gaddok made his way to the center of the temporary camp. Using the trowl stashed in the carrier he dug down into the earth and laid out a bed of twigs. Stacking the thinner logs in a teepee like fashion he put some more tinder and dried brush in the center, then with a chunk of flint and old steel dagger from his pack he began striking the stone to make fire. Once the sparks took to flame he added in more twigs and larger logs until there was a roaring fire lighting the center of the small camp.
"Just in time," Remus chimed as he faced north, "C'mon, there's more to be done." He patted his boy on the shoulder and turned him to the caravans to finish preparing the camp.
As darkness blanketed the land a chill from the northern mountains krept across the Sauti grasslands. "Sure glad we got this fire..." One merchant murmured as he passed the flask to the left, "My compliments to its constructor." The man grinned and nodded to Gaddok across the flame.
"We've been lucky; I hear lots of caravans have been sacked in the area... Bloody thieves preying on us honest folk." Grumbled the young man who received the flask, "Ain't been on many of these runs to Zena -don't get me wrong there's plenty of profit to be made... It's the risks that concerns me." He drank deeply and passed left, "I got me a young wife with child on the way... I need the coin... just want to be able to get it home too y'know."
The men around the fire nodded and began in on their stories of triumph and tragedy of the merchant life as the flask made continuous laps around the fire. Gaddok managed to sneak a few bumps of the brew as it came by, but only to keep the crisp air at bay; He wanted to keep his wits about him in case the worst came to pass.
As the night drug on the men grew quieter and eventually turned in to their knapsacks for the night. Gaddok did one thorough sweep around the caravans; making sure everything was locked, tied and secure for the night, but also keeping a keen eye out for any suspicious activity. Once he was sure everything was locked down he took his place in the caravan ring, crawled into his knapsack and drifted to sleep.
__________________The Next Morning___________________
As the sun's glow barely outlines the distant mountain and the camp was mostly deconstructed, caravans loaded and lining up to finish their trek back to Sauti; It was clear the men were ready to be home. Gaddok pulled tightly on the leather straps tying the cover to the caravan bed. "Should be set for departure," he announced to his father who was prepping the Quhar for departure.
"Alright Boys, Not another stop until we're home in Iory, got it!" Remus announced to the other merchants as he took his place at the head of the wagon. Grabbing the reins he looked back to Gaddok, "By tomorrow morning we should be home."
It was a relief to hear, but this was always the longest haul... Taking a seat Gaddok let his feet dangle off the edge of the wagon as it jerked forward and the rest of the convoy in tow. As the hours slid by, Gaddok finished his entry, wrote to his mother, hatched out the mountain landscape, then turned to whittling. Working the wood he carved out a relative human figure, and as he began working in the details the Convoy skid to a hault.
"What the- " Remus cursed as he grabbed for the hand break and firmly pulled it back, "What the hell is going on out front?!" he demanded while rising from his seat. "Gaddok, Go check it out... I gotta make sure nothing was damaged."
Slipping his whittling supplies back into his pack, Gaddok grabbed his sword and stepped out the back of the wagon. Making his way to the first wagon he found the driver missing and peering into the wagon he found the back up missing as well, "Huh..." Gaddok grumbled as he placed his hands on the seat to pull himself into the wagon, when he quickly lost his grip, "What the- " looking into his palm he saw red, smelt metal. Placing his foot on the wagon he stepped up and saw the young man from the fire laying on the ground with his throat slit.
"s**t..." Gaddok breath, "We got a proble-" he started to shout before he was tackled to the ground. He pulled at the fingers constricting on his throat, nails digging into his flesh. Reaching up he grappled at his attackers face, found their eyes, and despite their squirming managed to jab his fingers deeply into them. His attacker let out a howl and he managed to roll them off his torso. Scrambling for his sword Gaddok leapt to his feet to find an alkidike reeling on the floor rubbing their face.
Several other alkidikes charged from behind the first wagon with spears and blades in hand and moved onto the rest of the convoy. There appeared to be no interest in the goods, only in slaughtering any earthling in sight. The other merchants had time to arm, but they weren't exactly well versed in the art of swordplay.
Knocking out his initial attacker, Gaddok quickly circled around the second wagon and looked over what was happening. Despite having weapons drawn the merchants went on the defensive; smart move in their circumstance, but futile. The alkidikes were toying with them... playing some sick game. One merchant after another fell, but one of the men leapt from the cover of a wagon and slit the throat of an alkidike sister, "Hey, Bug lady! I'm done playing your games..." Snarled the man. Gaddok stepped out to see his sandy haired father standing before two very angry alkidike sisters.
they looked at Remus then each other. The elder one gave the nod, and dual wielder launched at him with the ferocity of a mother sermal. The sister became a whirlwind of blades; and despite Remus's best efforts to dodge... about the only benefit he had going from him was his height. As Remus backed away from the dual wielder, Gaddok waited for just the right moment; as she regained her balance and prepared to end Remus, Gaddok sprinted out of cover and ran her through. Thrusting the sword upward he broke through her ribcage and let the dying alkidike slide off his blade. Gaddok stared down the spear wielding elder and while he held her attention, Remus took the opportunity to duck into cover.
"Why are you doing this?! We did nothing to provoke you. We are only trying to make it back to our homes," Gaddok snarled as he stared into the sisters dark eyes.
"Tresspasser." Hissed the Alkidike as she spun her staff into an offensive stance, "We seek to rid you ignorant earthlings from our lands... It is the will of Aisha." With that said she charged Gaddok thrusting her spear high. Gaddok sidestepped, taking a graze to his face, the tip just knicking his ear. Gaddok swung his blade at the shaft of the spear knicking a notch out of the weapon.
Just as swiftly as the alkidike charged she haulted and redirected that energy into the opposite end of the spear which she brought high again and cracked Gaddok on the side of the head. The shaft connected with such force it snapped across his head sending him reeling; his vision blurred and he staggered, dropping his weapon and instinctively grabbed his head. He heard her hiss and mutter something as she tossed the broken spear aside. The alkidike hit Gaddok; right cheek, nose, a pause, then a very sharp very swift kick was landed to the same side of his face that the spear struck, and Gaddok was down for the count.
The alkidike planted her feet to the earth and looked over the laid out earthling,"Pathetic fool" she spat, "My sisters did not deserve to be taken by you...." She picked up a blade and raised it high above her, "Her blade will feast on your blood..." Just as the elder was about to drive the blade through Gaddok's chest, Remus reappeared from behind the wagon and ran a sword through her.
"Get. Away. From. My. Son." He seethed.
The elder lowered her sword as Remus removed the blade from her chest. She turned and stared down the earthling, blood flowing from her chest in a steady stream, "You.... What have you.... Done? Don't you see... You're killing her... You're destroying everything." Tears streamed from her eyes, "you're killing-"
With one swift movement Remus silenced her; slitting her throat open and letting the blood soak the earth as her body went limp. Remus dropped his weapon and scooped up his son. a few members of the convoy came out of hiding to assess the damage, "Get... Get the bodies. Wrap ours; bury the Bugs... Let them return to their damned "Aisha"." Remus Seethed. "Once it's done we'll keep moving..."
"How's Gaddok?" One of the merchants asked, stepping up to Remus and giving the elder a good nudge before confirming shes dead.
"Dunno," Remus replied, "Broken nose... Gonna have a hell of a headache when he wakes..."
"Remus... Theres poison on this spear." One of the men called. "They got some weird plants down south- I've never been on Chibale, but I've done plenty of trade in Jauhar and they've said Alkidike Poisons are pretty intense."
"Maybe one has a remedy on them?" One asked as they drug the other Alkidike over. As he laid her down she flinched, her eyes fluttered and she looked around, "s**t... Its alive!?"
The group of merchants flinched and backed away. Remus quickly jumped on her, leaving his son's side to attempt to secure his only cure, "You... You damned black eyed, earth lovin, tree spawn freaks of nature just couldn't leave well enough alone... You're sisters are dead and you're going to join them..."
the alkidike had height and weight on Remus, but he wasn't about to let her get away, and as his insults peaked her rage, his hoard of merchants jumped on her, securing her limbs, "Get some rope... we need to tie her down!"
________________________________Meanwhile...____________________________
Gaddok looked out into darkness... there was a faint outline of the horizon landscape; mountains, tall grass, the convoy... He could hear incoherent, formless voices whispering. Their voices familiar, but he couldn't place them. A thick mist rolled in across the plaine, clinging to him in a cold damp embrace. Gaddok shivered out a breath as he grabbed his arms, "Hello... What's going on... Am I dead?" he began searching the wagons. The supplies were there, but untangable... The memebers of the convoy were no where to be found, the alkidike attackers... no one...
"Guess I'm walking home..." He murmured as he continued down the path they once traveled. As he walked snow fell from the sky, it grew increasingly colder, 'Is this Zena?' he asked himself. It didn't make sense. He was walking home, walking southwest toward Sauti; toward Iory... Why was it-
Gaddok felt his foot step on something that quickly spun around and bit into his foot. The Sailscale spred its wings and hissed. He backed off the creature, but it lunged at him and as it continued to pursue him it grew in size until it was quadruple the size of himself.
"How the-" Gaddok furrowed his brow and stared up at the massive sailscale. It let out a soul piercing scream; human sounding scream. It charged him, and he turned running full kilt across the land, but the horizon was cracking, crumbling, the earth began to tremble as a gigantic tree rose up blocking Gaddok's path. He skid to a hault and stared up at the massive structure. turning to see the creature still pursued him he had two choices... Climb or die.
Not looking forward to being eaten by mutant Sailscale, Gaddok gripped tightly to the smooth bark of the tree and attempted to make the climb, but he couldn't get his boots to get traction... The blood was pulsing through his body, his face began to heat up as pinpricks pierced all over his body; he needed to get up that tree. The panic set in and he tore off his boots, stripped off his socks and returned to the tree. Getting his footing against the trunk he suddenly found himself more than capable of scaling the tree's slippery bark. With seconds to spare he scurried as high as he could into the trees thick canopy.
The tree shook as the sailscale threw itself at the trunk but no matter how much it struggled it couldn't get up the tree, and as it rose on its back legs and attempted to claw through the limbs more grew; thicker, stronger. Vines dropped from the canopy and began tangling with the creature, and soon it found itself consumed. As they squeezed tighter and tighter the sailscale eventually poofed into a fog that settled to the ground and absorbed into the tree; Gaddok was safe.
Sighing a breath of relief Gaddok rested against the trunk for a moment, then began his descent. he dropped from limb to limb... twenty, thirty..... but he never saw the ground; it had disappeared... Confused, Gaddok walked across the thick bows of the tree toward the massive grayscale leaves, but could not see through them; as he pulled some aside all he saw was more leaves, limbs... there was nothing else.
Gaddok stepped back and felt the trunk of the tree at his back again, "I need to get out of here..." He whimpered as the pinpricks returned. Determined to escape the thick canopy he decided he was going to jump... Getting a running start he closed his eyes, charged the leaves and threw himself forward. His feet connected with smoothness; bark? Reaching out he found himself gripping the trunk of the tree, "No... No no no no! How... How am I still.... This is the other side! No!" He punched the trunk, tore at the leaves, snapped, twisted, pulled at the branches, jumped and kicked at the limbs, "LET ME OUT!" He cried out as he dropped to his knees. There was a red, sticky, metallic fluid dripping from the carnage he wrought on the tree... the trunk oozed the liquid and Gaddok pleaded, "Just... Let. me. go... Please."
The branches, leaves began to disintegrate into fog; soon Gaddok found himself engulfed in the thick cold cloud of moisture. It was so thick he quickly found himself being choked out; gasping, clawing, choking... falling. His body became starved of oxygen and collapsed.
_________________________________________________________________________
"What happened?!"
"Convoy was attacked. Damned Alkidike killed almost half my men and did a number on Gaddok. Is the war still on? I didn't think they were that far into Sauti yet... Are you alright? Did any make it here?"
"No, we haven't seen anything of the war, but I heard good news from the frontlines. I believe they got the extremists to surrender."
"Well, Not all of them."
Gaddok opened his eyes and found himself laying in his parents room, the door open, and the two of them sitting at the table. Holding tight to his head he staggered out and flinched at the sunlight, "We won?" He murmured while using his free hand to grapple at the stool.
"Course we did boy. Damned alkidikes maybe taller but there were at least 10 to 1 on the battlefield..." Remus snorted, "May have even been more of us than that; sounds like even some of their "sisters" were against them. Don't think they fought, but guess they're not all bad."
"Remus~" Aerilyn furrowed her brow at him. Turning her attention to Gaddok she gripped his hand, "How are you feeling, honey? We had the healer come look you over, she said you had a pretty bad concussion. I'm going to get you some tea," She declared as she quickly rose from her stool.
Remus smirked, "She's so concerned... You feeling alright? That bug that knocked you out... she poisoned her weapon. We got the cure off the one you knocked out, but it was debatable whether we had enough or not... Looks like you pulled through, but if you start feeling funny get looked at... Their weird potions are nothing to mess with apparently."
Gaddok stared at his father. Was he attempting to show affection? Concern? It was kinda cute... Suddenly trying to step up as a father... He was awful at it, but the effort was appreciated.
"Don't tell your mother; she'll never let you leave the house again if she finds out... let alone travel with me again."
And there it was... but Gaddok hadn't the energy to give his father a good verbal smackdown. his mom returned with the tea and set it down then gave him a tight squeeze and a peck on the head, "I swear everytime you leave this house you end up getting hurt."
"Aerie~" Remus crooned, "Leave him be."
"Well Honestly Remus... My baby is too fragile for this world." She cradled his face, "You're far too precious to be going through all this pain honey... just stay home. Stay safe where I know I can protect you."
Ruvaak slunk under the table and scurried up his leg onto his lap and wrapped his wings around Gaddok. With a chuckle Gaddok scrubbed the top of his head, "If I never left home then this little guy would get so depressed." The sailscale hung his head and let out a heavy sigh, "See, He's already upset he missed out on all the action."
"You know that beast would have been stew had he come along," Remus snarled while looking over the fluffy outfit his wife had dressed it in, "Really Aerilyn, An outfit for the thing..."
"Well I have no grandbabies~" She squealed shooting Gaddok a glare.
"And how are you supposed to get any if I never leave home?" Gaddok insisted as Ruvaak began giving her a pouty face.
"Well, you've already met a girl... assuming shes still out there waiting for you." Remus commented, "When are you going to bring her around?"
"Yes yes... You can leave to get her and bring her here..." Aerie murmured as she began plotting his family, "Then you can come here and I'll get Remus to make that expansion on the house that he keeps insisting on. You guys can live there... and give me grand babies~" she squirmed with anticipation and returned to her seat.
Gaddok rolled his eyes and sighed, "We'll see mother, but I am planning on getting back out to Tale to see her. First things first Though. Gotta stop in Dernd."
After finishing his tea, Gaddok got cleaned up, repacked his travel sack and ate dinner with his folks. Surprisingly there were no unwanted side comments from his father and for the first time in Gaddoks memory they had a complete meal together; as a family. After helping his mother clean up he kissed her cheek and headed to Dernd.
Word Count: 3,450 |
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Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 11:05 pm
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Little Lion Man g] & Location : Yera, Tale
Gaddok leapt down from his cart and stretched. He had spent many hours on the road for his father in that cart, but finally he was granted the leave to make a trek he had been putting off for far too long. Giving his traveling companion, a Quahr, a friendly forehead scratch he detached the beast from his load and lead him to a place to rest.
At the edge of Yera he stood at last. The whole trek down he had a pit in his stomach, this bitter pain that he couldn't explain; nerves he chalked it up to, but now that he has finally arrived his spirits lifted. Soon he would be able to see Sathe again; and then the pain returned... but it was different. Not sharp and stabbing, more of a deep throbbing ache. He clutched his chest and murmured, "What is with you today..."
Its true, he had been away for what felt like too long, but walking through these familiar streets reminded him of a simpler time. He saw the Inn he had once stayed at years ago and gave a friendly wave to Paola, the innkeepers wife, as he passed by.
The woman in kind waved, but tipped her head then flailed a rag in his direction, "Gaddok!? Is that you? Is that really you?~" parting the gate surrounding the back of the inn she ran over and scooped the young man into her arms. "I knew it wasn't true... I just knew~"
Gaddok gave a chuckle and managed to wrestle a hand free to return the embrace, "Paola, I know it's been a while but this is quite the welcome" Its true, the woman had become somewhat of his mom away from home while he stayed in Tale, but he was startled by the woman's response; and the pain in his stomach moved to his chest, "How have you been?" He breathed while pressing on his chest, but pretending to straighten his vest.
"Oh Gaddok... Its been so long, Business is good. The area is growing now that the conflict has resolved between Oba. The Alkidike settled their differences with one another and lately new earthlings have been coming to the mainland; some are even staying here," she smiled warmly and took his hands, "You should come in and see Art~ He would be so pleas-"
"I'm actually on my way to see Sathe... Seen her around?" He asked while scanning the streets.
Paola's expression went from excitement to concern, "She Moved from her parent's home... I can mark it on a local map for you."
The pain grew as he held tight to his mother's necklace, "No Paola, That's fine... Just point me in the right direction... I'm sure I'll find her."
Paola pointed, "Over that way dear... But Gaddok Its been a long time since we've seen you... Things are different now." she released his hands only for them to fall limp to his side, "It was good to see you."
Gaddok stared deep into her eyes and knew that statement held a double meaning. Still he smiled nervously and gave a small nod before heading in the direction she pointed. 'Had it really been that long? He thought to himself, 'And why does everyone keep looking at me as if I were dead?'
It took some wandering through the bustling pathways of Yera, but with some guidance from locals, Gaddok found himself faced with a cozy cottage tucked away from the frantic foot traffic. It was the perfect abode for a young family, and though Gaddok was beaming with pride that Sathe managed to achieve it in spite of his distance, part of him was terrified that she may have found other things as well... The home was unmistakably hers, the clay studio outside was a dead giveaway and as he neared the front door he caught a glimpse of movement in a window. Ducking down he peered through the window to confirm what he prayed wasn't true.
There were swatches of cloth, silks strung about the single seated table at the corner of the room. A young Wind male appeared to be attempting to sell her on something, and then he saw her, there in the room. She was still as beautiful as he remember, her soft silver hair spiraling down her back, electric pale blue eyes, softly tanned skin... delicate fingers, dainty lips... Nothing changed; correction, one thing changed; the man who held those starlit sapphire eyes, who's heart was warmed by her tender laughter, wasn't him any longer.
A lump formed in his throat as he staggered backward, gripping tightly to the decorative fence surrounding the property he cletched tightly to his chest and tried so desprately to breathe as the world around him spiraled out of control. With shaking hands he grasped for a trinket in his pocket, a wooden carving he had kept since his Prentice years... Of Sathe; one of the first he made. looking down at it he recalled all the times it kept him sane during his travels on the road, but facing the difficult truths that have come to light... it felt wrong to keep. Balancing it on a stud of the fence Gaddok fled to the pathways of Yera and returned to the tavern to compose himself before making the long trek back to Zena.
Staggering through the door Gaddok found an empty dining area, a wooden lowball glass of a fluid that would help him get a grasp on this wildly unraveling situation. Gripping the bartop for dear life, he drank deeply of the strong grain alcohol and set the glass down slowly as he exhaled, "You tried to spare me of that... didn't you?" He asked while shooting a glance in Art's direction.
Suddenly interested in cleaning All of the delicates behind the counter, Art simply grabbed the jug of clear solution and refilled his cup, "Did the room stop spinning yet?"
"No." Gaddok replied simply while tipping back the glass; hoping, praying this was all an awful nightmare that he would stir from and be faced with her gentle smile.
"You're still thinking about her..."
"I always will."
"Another Then?"
Gaddok shook his head as he fixated on the grains in the wood, "Is that how I am to live my life... Searching for the answers at the bottom of a bottle." a smile curved his lips as his eyes flooded with tears, "I ******** up... I did what I thought I had to without any regard for her or her feelings on the matter."
Art continued his work but remained focused on the broken man before him. The boy that stayed here once before was gone. replaced by this hollow look alike that lost himself long ago to a fate chosen for him by people who claimed to love him. He knew enough about the situation to know the injustices done to this poor man was cruel, and the only support Art knew how to give was a clean glass, an open tab, and a safe place to lay his head when it was over.
Gaddok removed a parcel of paper from his pack and a quill with ink. lighting a candle at the stool he began to write. The words flowed from him like blood from a flesh wound; raw, intense, brutal... there were several crumpled masses of attempted, and failed, verbiage lying all around his stool by the end of it all. Once he was finished, though, he looked it through one last time and fanned it dry with a brisk wave of his hand, "Think you can get this to her?" he asked, not meeting Art's eyes for fear of the emotions it might evoke.
Art took the letter, "I'll hand deliver it at your request."
Standing from his stool, Gaddok gathered his materials and placed a large sum of coin atop the counter, "For all the years you both have been so good to me... Thank you."
Art flinched at the coin pouch being placed on the counter. He knew the boy knew it wasn't necessary and protesting it would be a waste of energy, so he simply nodded, "you know you have always been welcome here; always will be too." watching as Gaddok made his way to the exit, Art pushed off of perch, "When shall this be delivered?"
"A few days... Long enough for me to get out of Tale." Gaddok hesitated about his answer, hoping maybe his words might elicit some emotion still buried deep inside that would warrant her seek him out; but no, this was for the best. Stepping through the doors Gaddok found his cart, reconnected the Quahr and began the long journey back to Zena... He and his father would have much to discuss... seeing as his future had dramatically changed... but for better or for worse?
Letter from Gaddok Dearest Sathe, I returned to a place familiar to us both in hopes of reconnecting with you after dealing with a troubling family matter. Unfortunately, it would seem as though my absence has brought about some misconceptions; I was never felled in battle. I am alive and well, working for my father to achieve his dreams of evolving his trading company. It wasn't a life I wanted for either of us, hence my distance, but the work was deemed necessary to provide a life for us. I anticipate these words fall on deaf ears and certainly do not excuse my shortcomings; the main take away here is that I am alive and I wish you all the love and fulfillment in life that I wanted to give you. Find happiness in all you do, love. Sincerely, Gaddok Dragol
Word Count: 1,624 |
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Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 11:53 pm
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Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 11:21 pm
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It was early morning as Gaddok directed the quhar down the main drag of Iory. Nearing his childhood home, Gaddok slowed the beast to a trundle, then jumped out and urged a halt. It seemed like ages since he'd been at this door, yet it barely changed. Approaching the door he gave a gentle tap and waited. Moments later a middle-aged earthling answered the door with a weak smile, “Gaddok~ I didn't expect you so early... Hauled a** through Tale, eh?” Avis chuckled and he pushed the door open, “C'mon in, I'll put some tea on.”
Stepping through the doorway he scanned the house and just like that so many memories came flooding in. He smelled his mother roasting supper at the hearth, His father was smoking a pipe in the study and upstairs was the faint scent of wood shavings from his latest wood carving. Shaking the memories out of his head he followed Avis to the table, “Yeah, it was... a long night.”
“Ha, Guess so,” Avis wiped some blood off his cheek, “You look like hell.”
Gaddok snorted and turned away, “Well, thanks, honey~ This is what I get for taking Lath's route so you could have your ceremony.”
Avis paused a moment and looked Gaddok over. Grasping either side of his shoulders the man stared deep into his olive eyes, “You know there is no greater gift you could have given me than doing what you did. I know what it meant for you and there is no way I can ever truly repay you.”
Blushing slightly, Gaddok looked away, “Well, for starters you can rouse your man and tell him to suit up!” his voice raised as he spoke, then dropped off at the end due to being slugged in the arm by Avis, “Honeymoon's over~ Time to get back to work.”
Lathom laughed from upstairs as he stumbled around, then crawled down the narrow stairway, “Such a slave driver you are mister Dragol.” he teased while entering the dining area and kissing his husband, “Might I get some tea before I'm back in the saddle or-”
Gaddok gestured to the chair with a cocky smirk, “So You finally did it, huh?”
“Wasn't easy~” Lathom snorted while getting a swift nudge from his other half, “But it's official- for better or for worse.”
“Til' death do us part... Yadda yadda...” Avis rolled his eyes while presenting three clay vessels and a pot of fresh brewed herbal tea.
The three sat in silence for a long while, half sleep induced, half taking in the moment. There was something lingering, something they wouldn't ask, and Gaddok wouldn't say but it was on everyone's mind – Did he meet Sathe in Tale? Lathom took a long drink of tea and cleared his throat, “The route go okay?”A vague question to start so Gaddok replied, “yeah, dropped the shipment at the Cache, took inventory... and started back to Sau-”
“You know what he meant~” Avis interjected with a terse tone. Lathom stared down Avis with a disapproving frown but didn't step in to correct him either.
“There's nothing to say, Avis.” Gaddok said while finishing his tea, “I'm going to... Collect my things from the cart. It's going to be a long walk to Dernd.”
Avis rose and stretched an arm to stop him, only to feel Lathom push down on his shoulder, “There, You got your answer.”
“It's not the one I wanted.” Avis' voice trailed off as he rested back into his seat and stared down at his reflection. After the front door shut he added, “I really thought they would make it through this.”
Lathom shrugged, “Well, you instructed the old woman to tell her he never returned from the war... It left- a lot of room for interpretation.” He tried to deaden the blow, “Remus wanted her gone; now She's gone. We did our part.” Lathom finished his tea and rose from his chair, “Gaddok will move on. He's strong, young... And he's got one hell of a future ahead of him.” Kissing Avis's shoulder he whispered, “Everything will be fine, love.” Making his way to the door, Lathom stretched out his arms, “I'd best get out there, Gaddok's going to want me moving soon.” Giving a glance over his shoulder to Avis he gave a warm smile, “See you in a few weeks~”
756 Words
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