|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:04 am
 
It was an unusually silent night, especially since it was the period where winter transits slowly into spring. Normally, the cold winds would be whistling through the forest, causing the branches to sway and rub against each other to create even more noise. Despite that, it was cool and tranquil, the air was still and crisp due to the snow outside. The stars hung twinkling in the clear dark sky, and the moon, seemingly refusing to let the stars take the limelight.
"Grace," Deusdedit's soft voice disturbed the quietness of the night as he nudged his friend gently. She had been sick since morning, but nothing he did seem to ease her pain. She refused to eat the food that he had gathered just for her, even though he went through the trouble of gathering winter berries for her while she was resting in the afternoon. Without food and water, the stallion realized that her condition was probably worsening.
"Grace?" He repeated with a concerned frown, flicking his tail before nudging her again, expecting her to at least give him a reply, even if it was in a language he did not understand.
"Mm..." The cranberry mare finally replied, groaning as she twitched slightly on the ground. She felt too weak to even say anything, much less lift up her head or shift her position. Furthermore, her stomach felt so queasy that she didn't have much of an appetite, despite knowing that Deus went through a lot of trouble to find her food. She was grateful for his care and concern, but she was too weak and tired to express it.
"Don't worry! God will send someone soon! I can feel it in me!" The male tried to assure her, although he knew that she would not understand his language. However, just talking to his friend made him feel that... Well, it made him feel that he was helping her somehow. Besides, he really believed that someone will come soon; after all, he had been praying with all his heart since he realized that Grace was feeling ill, and God is faithful.
"Please, help Grace, Lord. Help Grace..."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 6:39 am
 Regulus had looked to the stars the night before his long day of travelling, he had noted that Altair of the Aquila constallation had appeared first to him and that made him worry. Usually that meant that someone needed him urgently -a matter of life or death. He could only hope that he would find the strength to reach them before it was too late. Rigel, Algebar, Elgebar from Orion's belt had also appeared telling him that it was more likely to be an illness rather than an injury, and illness not native to these lands.
He did not fully understand that, but like with most of his missions he rarely understood what he was dealing with until he found it. The appearance of all the Orion belt stars told him to travel east from his current possition, and so he had. Regulus had travelled to many lands and through his travelling he had picked up many different languages, in some he could just say a few words but in others he was fluid.
He ran.
He walked.
Never stopping to satisfy his gentle stomach growls of hunger. There was no time for such pleasures, he could feast after he had found what had made the stars so cautious about this mission, the reason for its urgency.
The cold earth crunched below his hooves and the cold breeze that reminded him that winter had not quite left chilled him to the bone. He was pleased that his mane was so long, it at least kept his neck warm although he could not say the same for the rest of his body. One throught lingered in his mind, his code. Heal those you can. Every life is valuable. It was for this belief that he found himself travelling after all.
Every now and then he would called out in his native Kawani tongue since he was in the Kawani lands, "Hello, is anyone there?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 8:15 am
The pain was becoming worse as the night dragged on. She felt hot one moment, cold the next; she was sweating and losing water rapidly even though it was a cool night, but she could not keep any water down. Grace groaned as she shifted a little, trying to find a more comfortable position to lie in. However, no matter how she shifted, she still felt sore and cold.
It felt like she was trapped in her basket again, abandoned by her family in this very place all those years ago...
"Grace? Grace be alright." Deus whispered in Kawani, trying his best to form sentences from what he already know. Nudging her gently, he frowned when he realized that she was burning up. However, as his friend shifted this way and that, he couldn't help feeling helpless. Is God ignoring his prayers? She can't die... He hadn't even told her about His greatness yet! And there were so many things he want to talk to her about - he's already trying his best to pick up Kawani!
"De... Us...?" She muttered in a brief moment of consciousness as a small smile played on her lips. No, this time, she's not alone... There was someone there to accompany her! She smiled again, feeling a little comforted at the thought, and slowly drifted back into unconsciousness.
As he was about to nudge her awake again, afraid to see her unconscious, the usdia stallion heard someone calling out; although he did not understand most of the sentence, he picked out the word 'hello'. His spirits lifted and he rushed to the entrance of the cave and into the forest. Looking around, he tried looking for the owner of the voice. His tone was urgent as he answered loudly in Kawani, "Hello? Hello! Help need!"
He was desperate; he was no doctor but even he could see that Grace needed immediate attention. Besides, he needed to get back quick! Grace needs someone by her side... They might not speak the same language, but body language speaks a lot more than verbal ques at times, and during the times they had spent together, he could see that she was often lonely despite her cheerful disposition.
"Hello?" He called again, straining his voice, "Help!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 9:49 am
Regulus called out so many times that when a reply came it actually took him by suprise, had he done it? Had he found what he was looking for? Surely that would be the easy part, the stars didn't tend to exagerate or lie, and right now he feared for the life of the one he was sent here to save.
Thinking of the words properly he noted that they were slightly wrong, help being 'need' rather than 'needed', perhaps it was not someone native to these lands -that would explain why the three orion stars appeared together. "Hello" he called again, looking around for the voice. He headed in the direction of the sound yet he could not see who had summoned his attention, "Are you ok?" He was never sure in these situation if it was those that replied that needed him or if they spoke on behalf of someone who couldn't speak for themselves.
"My name is Regulus." He said, once again in Kawani since he knew not if it was their native tongue or what it was if it was different. "I am here to help" he added, and after he searched for the voice for a little while he eventually came across a small blue stallion, a Usdia perhaps? They where certainly built like such if nothing else. He could read the panic in the stallions body language, it was clear he was in destress about something though he knew by looking at him that it wasn't him that needed his aid this time. "Lead the way." He said as he came up towards him.
Please let there still be time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 11:55 pm
Deus frowned when he heard the replies; what was he supposed to say? Flicking his tail, the male waited anxiously for the owner of the voice to come - it was getting louder by the second and he was sure that whoever it was, was coming his way. Frowning, he called out, "Hello!"
When a stallion emerged, he let out a sigh of relief. However, all he could do was stare blankly at the stallion, still not quite sure what he was going on about; he heard some familiar words, but he didn't understand enough words to construct any sentences. However, he was sure that this stallion was the one sent to help Grace... And since he knew that God would never send someone that can't communicate with him in times of need, the male decided to try his luck. Speaking in English, he turned towards where Grace was before turning to look at the stallion, "Uh... This way please, sir?"
The male took a few steps forward, nodding at the unicorn as he gestured for him to follow; the faster help gets to Grace, the better!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 1:52 am
Approaching the Usdia he was suprised to hear a change in the language -English if he was not mistaken. He had met a few English speaking soquili before and although he had not used the language in a while he was quiet fluent, or at least he could understand everything even if he made the odd slip up himself.
This certainly made him understand the source of the stars urgency -it was a foreign illness brought to these lands. He hoped he would have enough time to help. Speaking in English to the stallion he simply said, "Way you lead" before following closely. It often took him a while to put the English into the correct order since many other languages say things 'backwards' to them.
The panic in the small stallion only fueled his own anticipation -what state would the creature they ventured to be in when they arrived? He could only wonder. Who was waiting?
It didn't take them long to reach the another small soquili -another Usdia. And it was clear straight away that a fever had taken hold, they where limp and sweating and from the looks of the pile of food that was still infront of them it was clear they had not been eating. Never a good sign. He turned to the stallion again, a determined look in his eyes. If he was going to help he needed details about the illness. "How long been like this?" he then glanced at her again and then spoke once more, "do you know the course?" It mattered not to the stallion whether his English was correct, as long as he could commicate and save the creature before him he would be satisfied -but they couldn't waste time. They where already faiding from the world and Regulus could feel the pain as if it was his own. Always to empathic for his own good but that was what made him such a great healer, he could feel the pain as if it was his own, he knew what needed healing first -it saved lives although it always cut him deeply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:06 am
"You speak English! Praise the Lord!" The Usdia stallion grinned despite the situation he was in; the unicorn's English was not perfect, but he could at least understand it. Besides, it had been such a long time since he heard his native tongue spoken by someone else that it was just great hearing those syllables. In fact, sometimes, Deus reasoned that if not for the fact that he uses English to pray, he would have forgotten how it sounds like.
He sensed the urgency and worry in the other stallion's voice and it worried him; was Grace much worse than he thought?
"Its only been about 1 day... It started last night, when she was too weak to move." He paused, thinking back, "Although I was sure signs of it appeared before that. About 3 days ago from now. She lost her appetite and was getting weaker and weaker. She wouldn't show it but I think her fever came and went randomly..." His voice faded away and he frowned, feeling really guilty; he should have tried to find help the moment the signs started appearing and not wait till she was worse!
He then continued, "And no, I'm not sure of the cause... I'm pretty sure it wasn't anything she ate or drink because I'm fine and we normally eat together and a lot of others, like us, drink from the nearby river."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:11 pm
"I do" he smiled softly to the stallion in an effort to reassure him, it had been so long since he last spoke English that it felt different on his tongue, but with each word he was starting to remember the correct 'order' of things, plus hearing someone speaking the language fluently did wonders to his memory.
Listening as they walked towards the mare he spoke of he wondered what could have caused her to fall ill and not the stallion? If they drunk the same, ate the same then it was not something from this land that was causing it. That was when an idea struck him, the stars had indicated that it wasn't native to these lands.... was the mare from here while the stallion from else where? That would explain it. He would have an immunity to something that he carried and spread to his friend. But what? He only hoped that he could heal her before it was too late. In an effort to confirm his theory he spoke again, "Is she from the place you are?" It was not something he usually asked in English so he wasn't sure if it made sence, usually he was reasurring and asking questions about accidents -but diseases and illness where not things he encountered every day of the week. Of course that did not mean he did not succeed.
Regulus still cried whenever he lost someone, it was why he believed the tear like markings where now bore into his cheeks, as if the Gods knew how much he felt the sadness of each passing. He would not forget them, especially the first one to die. He had felt so helpless, still only a foal at heart it had hardened him -he had never experienced it before and didn't want to experience it again, yet that was a fantasy. For as his mother taught him all things have a cycle and one day it comes to an end. Her passing had stuck him the hardest.... he would do anything to bring her back.
And now he found himself in a situation that was familar one that had the balance of life on the line. He would not fail.
He approached the small mare and closed his eyes to try and figure out what exactly was hurting....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:47 pm
When they reached their final destination, Deus realized that although the hole under an unusually huge tree appeared rather big, having two usdias and a regular going in would not work. Thus, he offered to stay outside, giving the other some time to figure out teh cause of Grace's illness.
"No, she's a local and I'm from Eu-" Deus froze, his heart speeding up as his eyes widened a little, "Did she... Did she catch something from me?" He had heard stories from some of the Soquilis that came back home from this land, that when the humans from this land came into contact with those from his, they fell sick and most of them died. He didn't know if it was true since he was not around to witness it, but if it is true, maybe it could happen to Soquilis too?
Grace half-opened her eyes upon hearing an unfamiliar male voice. It was in a language she could not understand but from how long Deus' replies were, it was probably in his native tongue. Her vision was a little hazy from having closed her eyes for too long, but she could make up a larger stallion with a horn... A unicorn? No wonder her home became a little more cramped!
Her whole body ached, but her throat gave her the most trouble; she felt the urge to cough rather often and despite being hungry and thirsty, she did not feel like eating.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:20 am
(Sorry didn't realise she was in a small place XD my bad!!)
As the small stallion spoke he could tell that he was instantly overcome with a wave of panic, it was not as if he would have known this would happen, and right now Regulus wasn't even sure it was something from a foreign land. He spoke to him for a moment to try and reasure him before he focused on the mare, "Worry not little one, there was nothing you could have done to know."
Regulus lowered his head and then spoke in his native tongue which from the information the stallion had provided was also this dainty mares. "Try to relax, I will try and help you little one." The pain, oh how the pain cut through him like a knife through butter. This was the part he hated, he always felt their pain as if it was his own -but then again that was also what made him such a good healer. He closed his eyes again, she was hurting all over that it was hard to find one cause in particular. Diseases where often the only things that caused that kind of wide spread pain -that or a fall, but it was obvious that the latter was not the cause here.
His throat seemed to throb as if it was closing in on itself, it was hard to swallow, hard to breath. He would start there. Lowering his head as best as he could in the cramped space he places his horn upon her side delicately, he found that in such situations direct contacted made the process quicker though he was prepared incase his sudden closeness made her flinch. Once again trying to reasure her he spoke, "My name is Regulus. If you feel anything at any point try and tell me...." he hesitated for a moment, it was clear she was struggling talking, "...just move a little or something, I will take it as a sign." It was a hard situation to be in, usually his patients could at least communicate, granted he liked the silence when he was concentrating so at least this time his powers may work faster....?
Once again closing his eyes to focus he sent a way of 'power' along his entire body before directing it down his horn, he imagined that the mare would feel it like a warm pool spreading out from the tip of his horn. His current objective was to sooth her pain, ease the pressure in her throat. He only hoped he wasn't too late.... he didn't have much experience with this kind of thing. Breaks and cuts he could do in an instant, but disease... well that was a whole over field.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 11:34 am
{Its fine. xD I didn't mention it, so it was actually my bad.}
"Yes, but- Oh... If anything happens to-" He stopped himself, as if finishing his sentence would seal Grace's fate. He was a religious stallion and he had been praying, but he can't help but feel fear in his heart. The male frowned, bowing his head; he hoped that God didn't send Grace to him over to take her away so suddenly, not especially when they were getting along so well. Looking up at the stallion again, he forced a smile, "Thank you... And I didn't quite catch your name just now...? I'm Deusdedit but most call me Deus, and my friend's name is Grace..."
Hearing her name, the mare made an effort to smile, but it came out crooked. Then, there was that unfamiliar voice again; the unicorn who had came into her home. Although she could not understand him earlier, she could now as he was speaking in Kawani. She croaked out a weak 'okay', feeling rather bad that he was trying his best but she could do nothing to aid him... Then she felt something poking her neck gently; it felt a little cold at first, but strangely comforting. However, she was unprepared when it became warm all of a sudden, starting from where she felt that poke. Slowly, that warmth started to spread to the rest of her neck.
Remembering that she was supposed to show him a sign if she felts something, Grace flicked her tail. For some reason, that warmth helped her regain a little energy and although there was no chance of her getting up and walking, she could now move without as much effort despite her whole body still aching.
"Tank... Cou..." She found herself saying, breathing heavily as her throat cleared; it was still sore, but compared to what she had been feeling, it felt as if someone had put out the fire raging in her throat. Her lungs also felt better and she didn't feel like coughing as much anymore.
"You fine, you fine," Deus' voice drifted in from outside as he attempted to communicate in Kawani at hearing her voice. Anxious to know how she was doing, he peered in the entrance, smiling a little when he realized that she looked much better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:39 pm
Regulus nodded softly in reply to the information the stallion had gifted him. Deus and Grace. Pretty names, strange together yet at the same time pleasing -and although it was not yet obvious he felt that they would make a sweet couple, it was clear after all that he cared deeply for her. Or was that merely friendship? He didn't have either to compare to.
Concentrating again on the task at hand it watched as she flicked her tail -a sign- and then tried to speak. "Shhhhh" he lulled, it was clear she was still in pain. Moving his head and horn over her body delicately he tried to erase as much of the disease as he could. She was in a bad way and although he would do his best for her she would most likely be left weak and aching for a few days -better than death.
He listened as the small stallion tried to comfort her from behind him, it was clear he was desperate to return to her side, and part of him envied her for that connection. As he traced his horn towards her neck once more he softly whispered into her ear so that only she could hear. "You friend cares for you very much. You are lucky little one. Keep him close." After all if someone ever cared for him that way he would be sure not to lose her easily. Yet a traveller could not hope to have such things as love. He would travel, heal, read the stars time and time again. That was his destiny. That was his job. The rest if shadows, a forbidden barrier placed between him and his heart. Perhaps one day he would find the light to open it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 12:05 am
Grace giggled a little; the horn tickled her as it moved, but she could feel the warmth spreading faster over her body like a blanket. It relaxed her, allowing her to breath more regularly and ease her pain. The healing wasn't very long, but she felt better already. When he whispered, the mare found herself blushing, not because of the fever but because she felt both embarrassed and glad. Giving a smile, she mouthed the words 'thank you' before drifting back into unconsciousness. However, this time, she was actually sleeping.
Deus decided to leave the doctor and patient alone, walking away but staying close in case his help was needed. It was unnerving and frightening, having to stand outside when his friend was suffering and need him by her side. However, the room was just not designed to hold that many Soquilis. Staring at the stars in the sky, he closed his eyes and started to pray, asking for his Lord to make Grace well again through the stranger than He had sent. When something tugged at his heart, as if beckoning him towards the room, he opened his eyes and quickly went, stopping at the doorway.
"Is... Is she going to be alright?" Deus whispered, looking at the cranberry usdia lying motionless; she was smiling, so does that mean that she was feeling better? He started praying in his heart for the unicorn's answer to be a 'yes' rather than a 'no' or 'maybe'; he needed to hear a positive definite answer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 12:45 am
Giving her one last sweep of his horn as she drifted he wanted to make sure he had done all that he could, but he couldn't identify any more places that hurt considering she was clearly more contented than before.
He felt the small stallion approach him again, and as he spoke Regulus turned and nodded before whispering, "I think she will much better."
Stepping carefully out of her small home so that he could talk more freely without having to worry about waking his patient he turned to face Deus. "I have done all I can though, she will just have to sleep off the rest and start eating again. I am sure she will heal fast now though and be her normal self in no time at all." He offered him a small smile, it was clear that he cared very much for his friend.
Relief seeped through Regulus as he realised that the danger had passed and the small soquili would live. Always a great result.
Taking a moment to pause and collect himself he closed his eyes and lifted his head up. How he hated these days, it took so much out of him with the worry and dread. Once again calm he lowered himself to face Deus once more. "I will stay close for three days, so if you need me just come and get him -ok." After that he was sure the stars would lead him away, others needed him also. There was no rest in his profession.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 11:21 am
'Thank you, Lord!' He muttered softly under his breath before looking up at unicorn. Bowing his head in gratitude, Deus smiled as he heaved a sigh of relief, glad that the worst was over. He listened attentively to Regulus, turning to glance at Grace before turning back to face the physician. He nodded, "I understand... Thank you so much! Don't worry, I'll make sure to bring her food and water regularly to help her recuperate and I'll be sure to ask for you if there are signs of a relapse."
However, deep inside, the usdia stallion knew that there won't be one because his prayer had been answered... And nobody so gracious would take back a gift.
"Thank you again... And to be honest, I never did catch your name," Deus chuckled, feeling more relaxed than he was a moment ago, "I think you spoke in Kawani then, so I didn't understand."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
