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I didn't know why the war started, and to this day I couldn't tell you the reason. My name is Rae and I am from what was once Synesta. It's been almost a whole moon since the empire bombed my home with its awful hex. I'd never wish that sight upon anyone, not even the ones that unleashed it on me. I wonder how many lives were lost in that hex...
People are sacrificed to create hexes. Hundreds of them. Innocents. The Empire knows not what it does. The black mist is lethal, and most won't last more than five minutes in it. My journey started with the hex on Synesta.
Sunmoon: 23
I lived in the cellars on the first level. A lot of Synesta were cellar dwellars. I worked at night in the bar, and spent my days above ground in the sunshine. I can remember the exact way the clouds looked as I saw the beam in the sky. Some others, including myself now descirbe a feeling of forboding a few seconds before we were struck bu the hex. It was dark and dismal, it rumbled as it sped toward us. I ran for cover to the cellars and I dove from the stairs to the hall as it hit. I heard cries and shrieking, and I helped people upright as I ran toward my bunk to hide. I lay shivering under my bed as I heard the rasps of the specters who were once the innocents who were sacrificed to make the hex. It was three days before I came out of my room, the cellars were the last places permeated by the mist. I was rescued by a man all in armor, and let out of the city limits to a camp. It is here now, in a tent with other rescued women, that I write.
Sunmoon: 24
The ones that clear away the hex are led by a brave man named Tahb. I learned in my first few days here that it was he who was the one that pulled me from the cellars. He is from the Woren tribe, like myself, who are known for their perserverance. I had travelled from there, his homeland and once my own, of Worent when I was a child, but thats neither here nor there. I hope that he and his men can clear my new home of this curse and maybe one day I will be able to live my simple life again.
Sunmoon: 25
They've brought more survivors from the cellars. Our hearts lept with joy to hear of it! I see many faces I know, but also I notice the absence of others. I hope that soon I will see them again, but I know that they could have been lost to the desolate mists. I try not to cry, but its so hard not to.
The survivors are solemn, and are in need of a good meal. I try not to think of what they had to go through to survive these last weeks in Synesta, but my mind keeps wandering. I feel so fortunate that I was saved so soon, for these people, they do not look like they shall recover before the next moon.
Sunmoon: 26
Some of the ones who were brought to us yesterday have perished. Their bodies are weak and fragile. Some have gone long without food or water. We do the best we can for them, and we have high hope that they'll pull through. I can hardly bear to see them, so tortured by what they've seen in the mist. Even in sleep they are abused by the hex. I wonder if they'll ever be able to live normal lives again. I am so fortunate to have lived on the first level, they got to us first.
Tahb says that there are no more survivors now. His look is solemn and he stares at the ground as he speaks about it, his arms behind his back and his tail touching the grass. The mist is deep and we are lucky to have been saved. I buried my head in my hands and prayed for this to be over. Tahb tells us to be strong, but I don't know if I can take much more of this. He's stronger than I'll ever be, even though I can tell he too is about to break.
Sunmoon: 27
I've started to help with camp. Working makes me stop thinking. Focussing on my tasks is so much easier than sitting around in tears. I help cook and such, it reminds me of working at the bar. Maybe life here won't be so hard. We have eachother, and we have the brave workers who are purifying the hex. I pray everyday that they return safe to us.
I wash clothes in the river and hang them out to dry. There are a couple hundred of us here. Workers, survivors, we all coexist in this camp and make our life here together. Some of the people of Synesta stay like I have, and others leave off to other cities to stay with family until the hex is gone. I am alone here, and there is nowhere else to go, but I know if I work hard, that I might forget about all that has happened.
Conversing with the other women, it reminds me a lot of my life before, and sometimes we can even smile or laugh. I know that I shouldn't dwell on the past -- What's done is done, but am I so weak for it?
Sunmoon: 28
As I was serving the evening meal, I overheard something. Tahb says that Chamba is threatened with a hex if it doesn't yield to the empire. Chamba won't give in so easily, this I know to be true. Tahb says that if Chamba is hit, they'll head there next to help out. I wish I was as brave as he is. A friend of his said something about the war possibly ending soon. I almost laughed, "Not gonna happen."
I was surprised when Tahb turned to me, "Why not, girl?" he looked inquisitive, but challenging at the same time.
"My name's Rae," I said, my voice laced with a little bit of force, "And its because the Empire is too full of itself to end something like this too soon. They haven't attained whatever it is they want yet, and I don't see them getting whatever it is anytime soon, else they'd have had it many moons ago and left us in peace already. They're waiting for something."
Tahb nodded thoughtfully, turning back to his friend, "I think the girl's right, Hiral."
"It's Rae," I said again.
"Sorry, I think Rae is right." There was kindness in his tone this time.
I couldn't help but smile. I had had words with Tahb before, but none so heated. I could tell that he felt passionately about the subject, though the War was something almost everyone felt passionate about. I resolved to myself to seek him out again and get his take on it. He seemed to be well-informed, and I found myself liking the idea of talking to him again.
As I headed to my tent, I heard the laughter of children, most of them orphaned now. Some of the purifiers were parading them around on their shoulders. Tahb had a young one on his back as he wrestled and played with them. Life went on, no matter what the case. I smiled as I laid down to sleep.
Sunmoon 29:
I spent this evening talking....Just talking. Of the world, of hopes and desires for the future. Its funny how thoughts of the future brighten the mood. It can be better than it was before. We can make it that way. All of this, though, depends on the outcome of the war. Some are sure of our victory, and others are certain that we shall be conquered. Either way it goes though, our lives will eventually be back to at least part of what was normal.
I found that our leader, Tahb isn't here for money, he just wants to help save people. For that, I admire him. I guess some people are actually motivated just to help people. Its good to find someone like that, when the world is now so wrought with the greedy. I smile now, for the future looks bright. He's not as bad as I thought.
Sunmoon 30:
I spoke with him again. He and some of the other purifiers are easy to talk to. They came from all over, from Worent, Ludia, Wyndia, even some were stragglers from the Empire that wanted to get away and fix the wrongs of their country. These people are a godsend, and I cannot possibly be anymore thankful. I'll do my part as much as possible, and more if I am able. We are all in their debt.
Madmoon: 1
I woke up early this morning and saw the sunrise as I left my tent. As I walked to the fire, I overheard Kirick, a Forest Clanner, and Hiral, Tahb's Wing Clanner friend talking about the progress on Synesta. They were about an eighth of the way finished. I sat by the fire and inquired as to how they went about removing a hex. They explained very well, and it goes something like this: First they close in the perimeter so that the hex cannot spread further. Then they gradually fight off the monsters, liberating area by area and moving the perimeter barrier to suit it. When the last of the hex is gone the barriers are taken down.
I learned that the cellars were to be purified last, which made a lot of sense, but still, I missed my home. Hiral told me that it could be many months before the cellars were cleared. I sighed and went about starting my tasks for the day. Others soon meandered over to the fire, and I set about making breakfast. We had found eggs and from travelling merchants here and there bought bread and salted meats. Some of us fished during the daytime, and others baked on the stone slabs we set over fires. I scrambled eggs and fried some of the salted bacon. The men were all drinking hot tea and talking of what areas to start on for the day. I readied plates and took two in hand.
I sighted Tahb and headed for him, handing him a plate of breakfast, and the other to Kirick, who was at his side. "Thank you, Rae." He smiled, and so did I. It was funny how gleeful I was that he had simply remembered my name.
Madmoon 2:
A merchant came this afternoon, and brought news of terror, death, and battle. I could only shake my head and offer up silent prayers. A Woren girl, Janyn, rubbed my shoulder soothingly, "There, there," She said, "It's not coming here."
"It already is here." I sighed, "And they go to fight it everyday."
Janyn nodded, "You're right...but we have more hope now. The Empire is losing more soliders than we are. Their terrorism is the only thing on the rise. Killing civilians? Will that win them a war? It adds fuel to the fires of hate in the hearts of our own. We will win."
I sipped at my cooling tea, "Aye, but at what price? Countless lives, and not all of them our own."
Janyn saw my meaning, "Yes, their own, sacrificed for the hex. The Empire will get theirs. No good deed goes unpunished."
As the sun set, some of the 'fielders' as we grew to call them returned with their catch: countless fish and three stout wild pigs. We'd feast well this evening. When dark finally came, so did the purifiers. I rushed about, passing plates to the hungry workers, and with the last one I let out a breath, exhausted. "Sit down, girl," Tahb laughed, "Or you're liable to collapse."
I did as I was bid and rested my back against an oak tree. Tahb passed a glass of cool cider to me, and I took a sip. "How did you fare today?" I asked.
"As well as always," he sighed, "But we are making progress. Any news from the travellers?"
I shook my head, "The same as always. Threats to Chamba and the loss of more soldiers to both sides. Some say the production of another hex from the carronade will be underway soon." I sighed and Tahb frowned.
"We'll see more death no matter what," he looked up to the starry sky, his face was illuminated by the fire, "I want it to stop so much. I don't want to see so many lives lost anymore."
"You're doing your part..." I looked at him, and pity was in my heart. I could see he wanted to do more, to fight more.
"But that's not good enough. It doesn't end the war."
"But you save lives. You saved my life..." I messed with my tail so as not to look at him.
Tahb looked at me and smiled, "I know Rae, but I owe the world so much more..." His look turned somber again and we ate in silence.
Madmoon: 3
I found myself waiting for the evening today. Waiting to speak to him of the world, and of our worries, woes, and wants to better the future. When they arrived, Janyn and I served dinner along with two other girls, and then I took my seat next to Tahb.
"Today?" I asked.
"Good." He smiled, "We'll be ahead of schedule at this rate."
I smiled and nibbled on a biscuit, "We had news today," and my smile disappeared.
"Of?" He new the words would be grim.
"The Empire gave Chamba a 'final warning'. If Chamba declines, they said they'll take 'measures to ensure that they are made example of' and we all know that means they'll be hexed...."
Tahb's fists clenched. I rubbed his back soothingly, as he looked at the fire, "When they do, I'll head there. People will need pulled from the wreckage as soon as possible...I hate hexes, Rae. They sacrifice live people and mass their souls together in a sort of bomb. Then they fire the carronade thats right in the middle of that capitol after they target whatever city they think deserves it. The hex is as dark as a storm and people can here it screaming as it passes overhead...Its the worst thing in the world Rae... I'll have to leave here as soon as the word is final on the hex being fired..."
I nodded, knowing that it might put Synesta on hold momentarily, but to me, lives were more worth it. "I'll head there with you."
"Rae, it'll be dangerous."
"Its just as dangerous here, and I'll still be homeless, you know." My ears went back in defiance.
He nodded, seeing that I'd be travelling with them until the cellars were cleared in Synesta, "We need good cooks anyhow," he smiled.
Madmoon: 4
I dreamt last night of a cannon that fired live people. I dreamt of death and horror. I woke in cold sweat in the wee hours of the morning, and left my tent to stir the embers from last night's fire to life.
Tahb had already tossed another log into the ashes. It flickered to life quickly as he disturbed the ashes with a long stick. I sat at his side, "Did you even sleep?"
"A little," he looked at me, "A lot is on my mind."
I nodded and again pity flared up inside me. I found myself wanting to brush the long golden hair from Tahb's eyes, and tell him that world would be right again. I merely looked at the fire and held my hands in my lap.
"So where did you live...?" Tahb asked to break the silence.
"I lived down in the cellars and worked as a serving girl in the bar," I replied.
"Ah...It is going to be a while til you have a home to go to again." this time the pity was for me.
I nodded, "I'm okay with that. I'm alive." I smiled, trying to look upbeat.
"If I had it my way, there'd never be any hexes again. No one would die in war. No one would lose their friends, or family...The world would be a better place"
This time I brought my hand up to touch his cheek, "Why do you feel that the world is yours to bear?" I asked, "You are one man, Tahb, and for one man, you already do so much."
He brought his hand up to mine, "Rae, before this, I wasn't brave at all. I was a coward who ran away from everything."
I looked at him deeply, "From what I've seen of you, whatever your transgressions have been, you have more than redeemed yourself."
Tahb smiled and said, "I hope the Gods agree with you, Rae."
We looked over as a shuffling of the grass caught our attention. One of the little ones toddled forward, a Woren boy with a stuffed animal in his clutches, "I need my mommy..."
I got up and went to the child, "Little one...Is your mommy in camp?"
He shook his head, and I knew she had to be one who perished in the hex. I took him in my arms and cradled him softly, "What's your name, brave one?"
"Tiga..." He sniffled and I rubbed his back, trying to comfort him.
"Well Tiga...Look up at the sky, do you see those stars?" I asked.
The little boy's head turned skyward and he nodded. I smiled at him, "Your mommy's up there now, in the heavens."
I saw tears, and he buried himself into my arms. I held on to the child as he cried himself to sleep. Tahb's expression was soft, but I could see more pain in his eyes. "How many children lost their parents?" I asked.
"That I do not know, Rae..." He spoke through gritted teeth.
I merely nodded and stroked the child's hair softly. Tahb spoke in low tones, "look at the world he has to grow up in...I want to end it so bad, Rae...It takes all I have not to go to the Empire and give them a piece of my mind..."
"But we need you here, Tahb. You are worth more than the bullets the empire will fill you with."
Tahb's glance once more returned to the ground. He walked off, I was sure to wake his men and get started on the days work. I didn't know it was dawn already, but time had escaped me and the sun was just rising. I set about the day's chores.
Madmoon 5:
The threat to Chamba has relaxed, we were told, dismissing all thoughts of leaving here. My heart is lightened with the news -- No more will die by the Empire's hands for now. I was washing laundry in the river and thinking for most of the day. The sound of the water was relaxing, soothing, and I found myself lulled by it. It had been a long time since I had been able to find myself appreciating the small things in life. I grinned, and took my share of clothing to the line to dry, heading back to camp with a basket of freshly caught fish, and a haversack of berries that Janyn passed on to me.
Younglings were playing in the meadowland, and I grinned from ear to ear at their antics. I saw Tiga playing with a few other young woren, and a little forest clanner. A woman stepped up beside me, "They are so young to have to go through this," she sighed.
I nodded, "I know."
"My name is Lyta, and I run the Synesta Orphanage...I'll end up caring for them all once the city is back to normal."
"I'm Rae, and I thank you for that. Its an honorable thing, to take care of helpless children such as they." I bowed my head lightly.
Lyta held her hands in front of her, walking off toward the children. I turned away and went to put my baskets near the ones in charge of meals for the day. With my chores ended, I decided to go into the forest.
I used to go there often. There was a little island between the forks of a stream that I often liked to sit at. I'd merely stare at the tadpoles, or fish, or just relax there, but this time, my special area had a bit more importance to it. I was thankful that it was one of the few places I still had that was untouched by war and hexes. I smiled softly to myself before heading back to camp.
Tahb was already back. They had ran into a problematic area and were discussing tactics on getting through it. I noticed a gash across his brow and immediately I went to gather bandages. I'd catch him after his meeting and dress his wound. With the bandages in my satchel I started passing out plates of food, and when the food was set in front of the purifiers, all talk of work was ended. I handed Tahb a plate and rummaged through my satchel for the bandages. I fetched a cloth with cool stream water and without notice went about cleaning his brow. He grumbled in protest, but knew I'd not take no for an answer. Within minutes, I had patched him up and went on about my business. When finally I took my dinner, I sat down with a sigh and was accosted by Janyn, "You're being stared daggers at."
I looked in all directions and found Tahb's glare, "What!? You're not gonna talk to me today?"
I stood and took my plate and seated myself at his side, "I'm mad at you," I said, "For getting yourself injured like that."
He smiled and took a drink of ale, "But I got you back here to patch me up. I've not a worry."
I stared into the fire intently, trying my best not to look at him. He laughed lightly, "If I had known before that you cared so much, I'd have gotten roughed up more often."
My ears went back and I stood, leaving my plate and walking off toward the river. I don't know why, but that comment was close to infuriating. I didn't understand how he could make light of getting hurt like that, and how he had just pinpointed my feelings without even knowing he had done so. I put my feet in the cool water and leaned back, looking up at the starry sky, with Tahb overhead.
I clenched my eyes shut, growled, and bit down on my lip. He sighed, "I'm sorry if I made you mad."
I was silent, with my eyes shut tight. I heard the rustle of grass and looked over. He was seated next to me, "I really am sorry." he said again.
"Don't be..." Was all I could say.
"No, I am. I'm glad that someone worries about me so much. Thank you, Rae."
I sat up and looked at him, "I just got upset....I'm the one that should be sorry."
He shook his head, and I stood up, "Good night..." I said, "I'll see you in the dawn."
"I'll be more careful, Rae." He called after me.
I'll hold him to that.
Madmoon 6:
I woke to greet the dawn. The sun was just rising over the hills, and it was a beautiful sight. There was hardly a cloud in the sky, and the stars were still faintly visible. I smiled and tended to the fire. Others were awake already, but most of the workers, Tahb included, slept on. I prodded at the logs and stirred the embers to life, still a bit drowsy.
Breakfast was cooking, and the smell soon fetched the rest from their sleep. Oatcakes with honey and hot tea were passed to every person. I bit into mine and burnt my tongue. Tahb's laugh echoed, "It's what you get, Rae, for not finishing your supper."
I rolled my eyes at him, and continued nibbling on my oatcake. He sidled over, "Still mad?"
"No." I said, "Even though I want to be."
He polished off the rest of his breakfast and smiled, "Good thing. You're scary when you're mad."
"I bet you're worse." I challenged.
"Tcha, I'm a kitten compared to you. You growl like a tiger."
I rolled my eyes again, "Little kitten Tahb, who goes off everyday to fight the scary monsters? You have to be ferocious!"
"Okay, so only a little." He laughed, "Speaking of which... I need to go and round everyone up."
I watched as he walked away, whispering under my breath, "Be safe," and for a moment I thought he had heard me, for he turned and looked back at me before walking back toward his the tents.
It was almost dusk as I was taking fish from the fire spits, I noticed that night had started to fall later now. This rather worried me, for I feared that meant that Tahb and his crew would stay out later, when night fell late, until the twilight like they had been doing. My mood must have been transparent, as Janyn eyed me suspiciously, asking me if I felt well. I merely nodded and smiled as I set the fish on one of the newly-crafted oak tables that some of the men had put together. I hoped that would be the end of it, but Janyn was unusually perceptive compared to most, and soon she asked me again if I was well. I nodded, "Just worried," I said, "I'm wondering if they'll be staying out more as the days grow longer."
"I've travelled with them for many moons, and they always come back at the same time, Rae. Don't worry, they know their own limits. They take breaks, you see, one for every quarter of the way they plow through it -- About five days at a time to rest up before going back into the mists. The first one should fall any day now." Janyn smiled, "They're about a fourth of the way done.
My heart lightened, and I smiled as well, not only for the news, but at the sight of the crowd on the horizon. They were back again, and we began to rush about filling plates and pouring glasses of different teas. They crowded around the fire and I began to serve them each a hearty plate. I would find Tahb last, as it would be the end of my duty and we could chat. I poured us each a glass of black tea to go with our plates, but Janyn laughed at me, "Between you and I," She whispered, "Tahb likes Chai."
I blushed from tip to tail, but when I got to him, it was Chai tea that I passed. He drank deeply and smiled, then I knew that Janyn had got it right. I was glad now for her perception. I looked over at him, "How far along are you now?"
"About a quarter. We'll reach that by tomorrow, I think. Then its break for a week and back at it. Gives the men enough time to go visit family and such. The Alliance should send aid by the morrow -- Food, tents, money for the workers to bring home to keep their families afloat while they're here abroad. Gotta love the Alliance for that. Once they heard about us they started sending us lots of things -- Thats how we doubled our armor supply and kept ourselves fed the first time. Since then, they come about a week or two into it and give aid to us and all the refugees we manage to save."
"What other things do they bring?" I was curious.
"Blankets for if the nights get cold, seeds to plant to help the areas flourish again, flour for breadmaking, and other foodstuffs. We get lantern oil, and candles, and other necessities. All of it comes from donations, and the Alliance brings it to us as they get it. I think they ship from Wyndia, but it matters not who donated the stuff, just that they had heart enough to do so and that we're thankful for it." He smiled.
I nodded, assured that life here wouldn't ever get desolate, "We live in a good time, even with the Empire." I said, "It takes good people to donate all that money and stuff."
Tahb frowned, "Don't blame the Empire, Rae. Blame the individuals. Its not really the Empire that we're at war with, but the greedy and the ruthless."
I understood that. We talked like that til it was well into the night. I fell to sleep in my tent as soon as my head hit the pillow. There was something about Tahb. I was drawn in, captivated, and awed by him, but I didn't know what to think of it.
Madmoon 7:
I didn't think days could pass so slowly! The morrow brings the summer festival and the day the workers get their week-long break. We've worked all day long to gather nuts and berries, and a few things from the outer orchords near the city. They were largely untouched by the hex, but almost all planted crops for the season were destroyed, save for a small field of wheat and corn. With no resources to grind our wheat, we'll save or trade it for more food in later days. Hopefully we get new seeds in our care package, and we can start to plant again while we still have time.
When evening finally fell, we had basket upon basket of fresh fruits and berries. Janyn and I were pleased with ourselves. I had led her and some others to the orchards in hope, and we had come back with more than we bargained for! Spring strawberries, and even some early rhubarb lay all in baskets. The small green hock apples that Synesta was famous for were teeming on the branches, and we brought back a fair amount. Cherries, pears, red apples, and other fruits were still growing, but seeing them there gave us more promise for our survival here in this camp. Even with all the aid, the travellers bearing cheeses and flour, we still know that surviving comfortably here mostly depends on us.
It was midafternoon I was told, that some from Wyndia came to us. They were laden with many haversacks filled with provisions, and a cart filled with other things: tents, tools for farming, sacks of flour and salted meats. There were tools for woodworkers, and blacksmiths, even cloth and thread for making new clothes for ourselves. We were delighted to even see a few toys for the children. I saw little Tiga's eyes light up with delight as he was passed a new gift. I smiled to see him so happy.
When twilight came, the workers returned as well. Most grabbed their already packed bags, and taking the money offered to each for their work, headed off in all different directions to their hometowns and families with the breads and cheeses that we gave them. I bid Hiral farewell, and some of the others I had gotten to know, but was glad that both Kirik and Tahb were some that stayed behind. Tahb had taken a few coins from his bag and passed it to another worker, a woren by the name of Ladd. With a few whispered instructions, Ladd left in the direction of Worent, and Tahb took his usual spot by the fire with his arms crossed. I could tell something was wrong, but I couldn't pinpoint it. I sat beside him like usual, but remained silent, hoping for an answer to my silent question. There was none. He stayed like that for a while, not moving, just staring into the flames. He'd take a sip of tea every once in a while, but that was all.
When I could take the silence from him no longer, I finally asked, "Tahb, what's wrong?"
He remained quiet for some time before answering, "I keep putting off going back home. I hate my father, but I send money for he and my mother to stay on their feet. I miss my mother, a lot. Yet, for some reason, I can't bring myself to return there."
I nodded, though the situation was more complex than I thought. He looked at me, and must have noticed the worry on my face, for he quickly smiled and said, "It's okay Rae, I'll get the guts to go soon."
"Why not now?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Now is...too soon. Next time, perhaps..." He went back to fire gazing and I couldn't get another word out of him.
I worried, but hoped that tomorrow he'd be in better spirits. Synestan festivals were a time to forget woes and just have a good time. That was my hope for him: that he'd enjoy himself for once instead of worrying so much.
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To Be Continued
 Taioh · Tue Jan 13, 2009 @ 08:54pm · 1 Comments |
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