|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:56 am
"If you don't mind, please do", answered Raz. He stepped aside and allowed Paimon to enter the cave. He followed a safe distance behind, so as not to be singed by the flames. He still had trouble believing what he was seeing, but then like himself, Paimon was an Azrein, and as with many of their kind, manifested traits that were unlike anything others were born with. Razien and his brothers were relatively normal as far as exotic traits went. None of them had wings, horns, strange growths on their backs, or flames emanating from their bodies. He was rather glad of this fact though, for it allowed him to blend in more easily with the lesser race of horses on the island. His coloring, and that of his siblings however went a long way in identifying them as Azrein. He had his mother to thank for his purple coloring, which had earned him the nickname of Eggplant within the herd. He had never even seen an eggplant, but was told that they were the same color as his coat. "See anything?", he asked Paimon.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 9:15 pm
Paimon shook his head, his flames wavering. "There is nothing, Razien. We are safe here..." He said softly as he immediately lay down on the ground in exhaustion. He'd been traveling quite awhile by himself, before he had met Razien, and the river had drained all energy out of him for today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 1:28 pm
As Paimon laid down, Raz followed him into the cave and looked around. It was large enough inside, that should they need to defend themselves, they would have adequate room to maneuver, but any enemy would not be able to get around behind them. Seeing that Paimon was drained, he moved to the mouth of the cave and took up the first watch of the night. They were in strange lands, and there was no guarantee that danger would not find them. "Get some rest," he said to Paimon, "I'll take the first watch and wake you in a few hours."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:03 pm
"Thank you.." Paimon said as he lay down on the floor, which was instantly warmed by his body. It didnt take long for the firey azrein to fall asleep, which he did almost immediately.. And thankfully it was, for once, a dreamless sleep, about an azrein he had met not to long ago.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 8:40 pm
Raz stood at the entrance of the cave for a while, staring out into the darkness of the night. What was he doing? Why was he traveling further away from the thing he wanted most? What was he so afraid of? Well, he knew the answer to that last question. It was his father he was afraid of, and the Six as well. Leaving the Six, and those that followed them was not going to be an easy thing. You couldn't just simply say, I've decided to align myself with the King, so I'm leaving. That would only get you killed on the spot, no questions asked. He was feeling the urge to return to his mother and tell her his feelings. She would understand he felt, and be able to speak on his behalf with his father. He stood there pondering all of these things for what seemed like an eternity. After a while, fatigue started to encroach upon him, and he woke Paimon to watch til sunrise. He would hopefully be able to make a decision by then, and inform Paimon of his plans.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:01 pm
 Paimon woke, his flames were perfect again, as if they had never gotten wet before. He stood up, nodding to the other male as he went to the mouth of the cave, abandoning his warm spot to Razien to sleep. Paimon stood, leaning against the rocks until he saw the sun rising on the horizon. He had been thinking, nearly all night, if there was someone he and Razien could talk to. Then his thoughts turned to the mare, Daria, and if she would possibly help the two confused males in the quest. Surely she wouldn't hold their heritage and past against them? She was always so kind to Paimon when he was a foal... surely she'd help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 5:15 pm
Razien thanked Paimon, as he lowered his tired body to the warm floor of the cavern. He still marveled at the other stallions flames, but he was too tired from keeping watch, and pondering his situation the whole night, that his eyes would not remain open, and within minutes he was fast asleep. Sleep however did not bring him any rest, as his dreams were all about the things he had done recently, and his life among the herd, which followed the Six. His mother's face entered his dreams from time to time, bringing him a sense of peace, only be stomped down into the dust by the appearance of his father's face. Not that Flighty was in any way a vengeful, or abusive father, but he demanded respect. If not audibly, then by his attention to duty and honor. As the hours til sunrise passed, Razien laid on the floor, trapped in his disturbing dreams. When he finally did awake, Paimon was standing in the cave entrance, the sun only adding to the blazing brightness of the stallions body. "Morning Paimon. Shall we head out and see if we can find something to eat?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:37 pm
Not long after the sun rose, Paimon heard the other stallion stirring, waking up from his slumber. He stood and turned as Razien made his way out. "Good morning, Brother.. Sleep well?" He asked, his usually gruff voice holding a slight note of cheer. He nodded at Razien's suggestion of finding food. "There is a grove of fruit trees we passed last night that might be promising. Its fairly close to the river?" He suggested back, flicking his tail and motioning for the other male to follow him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 7:53 am
Raz gladly followed Paimon down to the river, glad to have this chance to stretch his legs and clear his mind. He hadn't even noticed the fruit trees yesterday, his mind was so preoccupied with the dilemma he was facing. When Paimon used the term brother to address him, it got Raz thinking about his own brothers, and how he had not seen two of them since he and Nasu had gone south with their father as young colts. He wondered what had become of them. Were they still living with their mother? Had they found mates, and had children of their own? Or had the unthinkable happened? Had they run afoul of agents of the Six, and been killed? He wanted...no, he needed answers! These 'going off on his own' adventures needed to stop. He needed to make up his mind, and follow his heart.
"Paimon, we need to talk," he called ahead to the stallion, as he picked up his pace and drew alongside. "I've been using our time together to work something out that has been bothering me for a while now. I can no longer continue living with the herd my father and brother and I belong to. The herd serves the Six, and I just cannot find it in my heart to follow them any longer. Sooner or later I am going to be called upon to do something I find not only distasteful, but dishonorable, and I want out before that happens. So, I have decided to break away from them. However, I cannot do so without first offering my younger brother Nasu the chance to come with me. I know it's a risk, letting him know my plans, but I trust him to keep my intentions secret, if he does not decide to come with me. So I am heading back. This time with you has been both enjoyable and an eye-opener for me, and I thank you for your company. I wish you good journeys in the future, and hope you find whatever it is you too are looking for."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 12:59 pm
Paimon turned to look at the other male during his offering, his ears flickering to catch everyword. Then the other stallion bid him goodbye? His baffled eyes flickered as he tried to figure out what to do. He didn't want to be alone! Not again.. Not with his thoughts... Not until he figured out his... what he.. everything. "Uhm.. Okay.." Was all he could get out. "I can journey with you.. if you would like? If not.. I understand." he looked away, feeling foolish. He gave a small shake of his head, his flames quivering as he did so. "Thank you, Razien. You have helped me as I have helped you. I suppose I shall go find my... friend to see if she can help me become as convinced about changing as you. I feel as if I need to know more. Good luck with your brother, Razien." He said, turning around, suddenly not as hungry as he had been before.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 4:44 pm
Raz was not expecting this reaction from Paimon, at the news of his decision. The stallion seemed sincerely distressed at the thought of his leaving.
"Paimon wait!" he said, as the stallion turned to leave. "I would be most happy to have you journey back to the herd with me. Though since it is not your herd, it would be best if you did not come all the way with me. We can talk on the way, and you can tell me what is apparently bothering you. For there surely is something."
He walked over to the stallion, careful not to get too close to the flames that seemed to have dimmed somewhat. "What say you? Will you walk with me to the borders of the herds lands?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:40 pm
Paimon turned at Razien's call, studying him closely to make sure that he was sincere in his invitation. "I apologize.. I was simply..." He shook his head, disgruntled. "I have the same questions you seem to have already answered in your head." His tail twitched in irritation at himself. "I would be more than willing to walk with you, Razien. To the borders.' He nodded his acceptance, faintly wondering what he would do after that. Perhaps he should go find Huel...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:46 pm
After filling his belly with fruit from the trees Paimon had shown him, they headed off. Back northeast, toward the lands of those that served the Six. As they walked Raz tried to pull Paimon out of his melancholy mood by asking him questions.
"So tell me something about yourself Paimon. Do you have siblings? I myself have three brothers, only one of which lives in the herd with our father and me." He thought that if Paimon had family who did not serve the Six, as he himself did, then perhaps he would be able to go to them for help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:51 pm
Paimon sighed as he walked alongside Razien. "I have a sister from the same birth as me.. She fully follows our mother... Then my father mated with a good align and had two foals, one which follows his hooves.. the other.. Huel.. I don't know much about him. He doesn't follow our father, but neither does he side with the King. And because of how I treated Huel and his sister when they were younger, their mother won't speak to me.. she doesn't trust me.. and I don't blame her." He answered honestly. he would mention the mare that raised him... but he had a bad feeling about her.. a sick feeling in his stomach.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:57 pm
Raz could readily relate to Paimon's situation. "My mother too was not aligned with the Six when she life-mated with my father. It's one of the reasons my brothers and I were not raised together. Nasu and I chose to follow him, not truly understanding what that would mean for our life in the future. I have not seen my two other brothers since the day we left. You mentioned a sister. Do you not know where she is? Could you not go to her for counsel? And what about your mother? Does she still live?" He knew he was taking a risk, and possibly broaching a subject that might cause Paimon to revert even further into his seeming depression.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
