Road to the Grail

[Kookaburra]

Arannte was silent for a few minutes, then..."Lanz got you out."

"Lanz?" Rea asked weakly, "Who's that?"

Arannte took her time, smiling mysteriously. "Someone...." Rea was going wild.

"WHO?"

Arannte smiled at her friend. "He's the man we met last night before coming into the inn. He saved your life, and probably half the stable."

Rea settled back into the cot and let Arannte wash her face. "Oh." she sighed. "Don't scare me like that."

~~~~~

Lanz killed one of the werewolves and then wiped his hands of its blood. "We'll need to build a fort!" he yelled, and his men immediately vanished to look for a good place to build. They decided to build on the ruins of a tower fallen long before.

Others were carting large stones and masonry to the top of the hill, and they began to set out a rough circle. Archer surrounded them at all times, protecting them from the dark threats.

He had to give the order for the inn to be evacuated, on the other side of town. He rode his new horse through the dangerous streets, not stopping until he reached the untouched sector.

He got all the people out of the inn, then climbed the stairs to the tower, where Arannte opened the door. "We have to evacuate."

She looked over at Rea, who watched with wide eyes. "She's not ready to leave."

Lanz was adamant. "The others are already gone. I will escort you to the new fort."

Arannte looked at him respectfully. "All right." she helped Rea up, and they both rode on Nightmare, and led Gwanthi behind them.

 

[CJF]

Rebecca awoke suddenly, and sat up, sweating and breathing hard.
"Arannte?" she asked herself, and looked around. She suddenly felt and urge to pray for her friend. And pray she did. The rest of the night. She felt better afterwards, but was still disturbed about the dream that she had the night before. Her mind drifted to the dream...
Rebecca ran into a small town, with it's stables on fire. She watched as Arannte ran into the stables. Yelling and waving her hands, Rebecca ran towards the stables.
"Arannte! Wait!" she screamed, but no one could see or hear her. Suddenly, to her relief, Arannte imerged, holding Nightmare by the reins. Rebecca was popped back into reality, by Robin tapping her on the shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Rebecca smiled a weak smile, and nodded.

 

[CJF]

I've got the gitters and the giggles!

Rea looked back at Gwanthi, to make sure he was okay. He lifted his head and nieghed as if to say, "I'm okay." Rea smiled, and shook her head. She looked ahead of them, and spotted their destination. A rather large fort, with about four stories.

Rebecca prayed for the rest of the walk that day. She couldn't get the dream out of her head, so she kept praying.

 

[CJF]

Edward walked behind Rebecca and Robin. Since they'd met, Robin and Edward had suprisingly become good friends. Edward's dissapointment in Rebecca, was soon gone, and he took great pride in seeing her love such a friendly man. Edward was quiet for a moment, while thinking of home.

 

[Kookaburra]

Gitters?
/me snickers

~~~~~

Arannte guided Nightmare up the ramp into the fort, before it was shut and sealed. All around her in the dimness, work was going on. Support beams were in place, and now they were making arrows.

Rea was half-asleep and in pain, so Arannte found a quiet, obscure corner in a small room and made a bed for her from discarded leaves and heather. There she sat through the night, aiding Rea to get better.

 

[CJF]

Yeah, gitters. That does sound stupid huh?

Rea tried to sleep, but her lungs burrned with the rotten taste of smoke. Everytime she coughed, the rotten taste would burn even more. The refreshing air would sooth her lungs for a while, but then they would burn again. Rea stopped trying to sleep, and opened her eyes. She relaxed herself, and decided to think upon whatever thought strayed into her mind. She found herself thinking about the mysterious, "Lanz," who'd saved her life no more than a half hour earlier. She suddenly felt bad for not thanking him. She decided that the next time she saw him, she would thank him.

Rea awoke to the sun in her face, and to an empty room. Her strength had returned, although her muscels still ached. Her lungs no langer burrned. She stood up, and walked out of the room, and into the main room. Arannte saw Rea and smiled.
"Finally. You've been asleep for quite a while." Rea sat down in a nearby chair. "How long did I oversleep?" she asked. Arannte laughed and said,
"Try three whole days."
"Oh my goodness." Rea said, stretching a little bit.

 

[CJF]

Rebecca decided to stop ignoring her friends and fellow travelers, so sheput aside her troubles and started being more sociable. She noticed how both Edward and Robin were less tense around her. The group made little proggress everyday, but they were steadily getting to their destination.

 

[Kookaburra]

Arannte grinned at her friend. "Goodness, yes. And Lanz came around at least twice a day to see how you were doing."

Rea growled in her throat. "Agh! Who is this...Lanz?"

"Second and favorite son of the King of Ireland," came Arannte's unfazed reply. She was sitting by one of the windows, bow in hand and a pile of arrows by her side. Every now and then she would loose one, and a screaming hiss would pierce the night. And once in a while she would light one, aiming it at what Rea supposed were seige towers, etc.

Rea felt so isolated from the fighting--being so high up on the fourth level, the sounds drifted up as if from another world.

"Archers are stationed everywhere," Arannte informed her. "The werewolves are less now, but it may be a while before we continue our journey--your condition doesn't help."

"My condition?!" Flared Rea, sitting up and swinging her legs off the side of the bed. She immediately doubled up and clutched her stomach.

Arannte laid her bow down and assisted her to another window, handing her a bow and some arrows. She smiled, "You might as well be useful. It takes at least three arrows to kill a werewolf."

Rea returned the smile. "It would be a pleasure."

Twin shafts of destruction shot through the night to find their marks.

 

[CJF]

The next day, Rea awoke, with her head on the window sill. Arannte wasn't in the room, so Rea decided to make herself at least look presentable, even if she didn't feel that way. She washed her face, brushed her thin blonde hair, and let it hang down. It reached to her lower back. She ate two apples and a slice of bread, before sitting back down at the window. A knock came at the door. Rea jumped when she heard it.
"Come in." she said with a sigh. She turrned and was suprised to see a tall man standing in the door-way. He must have noticed the puzzeled look on her face, because he suddenly abrubtly said, "I cam to see if you needed anything?"
Smiling, Rea replied, "Oh, I'm fine thank you...mister...?" she attempted to ask.
"Lanz. Lanz Cisco at your servise ma'am."
Rea paused momentarily, before continuing.
"Oh, um, you can all me Rea. Ma'am doesn't nesecarily suit me." Rea replied. Lanz smiled and nodded.
"If you need anything, just send for me." he said as he turrned and left.

Over the next few day's, Rea's health skyrocketed and she was up and moving about. She still had not fully recovered, and sometimes lost her balance, but for the most part, she was getting better. Day by day, she spent more time with Lanz, and their friendship grew. Arannte would tease her everynow and then. Rea would of course deny Arannte's playful jokes, but deep down she knew they were true.
But he's a Prince! Get ahold of yourself Rea. You have no buisness interfering with his buisness.

 

[CJF]

BUMP!=Bumping Up My Post

 

[Kookaburra]

Arannte winked at Rea as she passed her in the hall, carrying a large platter of food up to the top of a tower for the archers on duty. "Want to come with me?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Rea said, flushing slightly, "But Lanz and I were going up to the second lookout."

"Hm," Arannte said, inspecting her friend. "No doubt to look at the stars?"

Rea punched Arannte, who grinned. "I always knew you were a strong girl. That hurt! And you're supposed to be injured!"

Rea rolled her eyes as she looked at her friend. "Surely you're interested in someone." She immediately regretted it as her friend's face clouded.

"No," she sighed. "No, it hasn't happened yet. It just wasn't ever meant to be." She looked away, then back at Rea with a faint smile. "Go on, and have fun." She turned abruptly and hurried up the stairs to the tower top. Once there, she gave the food to the grateful archers before firing off an arrow or two of her own.

But her heart wasn't in it ... she wanted to be free ... riding the plains on her swift horse, the wind in her hair.

Arannte felt Nightmare nuzzle her. It was almost time.

 

[Kookaburra]

Are you going to post? Should I?

 

[CJF]

Yipeee! I'm left with the romantic post! I've got romantic music on to! lol.

Rea sighed as she watched Arannte climb the stairs. She looked to her left, to the stair case that led to where Lanz was waiting, and then to her right, to where Arannte had walked.
"I'm sorry." she whispered to no one inpaticular. She took a deep breath and turrned to her left, and walked up the small spiral staircase that led to the second lookout. Lanz turrned when he heard her coming. He smiled when she enetered the room. She returned the smile. Lanz took her hand, and led her onto a small balcony.
"On nights like this, I like to look at the stars and see what shapes and things I can see." he said.
Rea raised an eyebrow. Lanz laughed.
"It sound ironic I know. But, look over there. That group of stars looks kind of like a rabit." he said.
"You're right! It does! And that group looks like...a...horse." Lanz laughed.
"Okay, maybe not a horse."
Lanz laughed. Suddenly, a shooting star flew by. Rea smiled.
"Did you see that?" she asked.
"Yeah. Make a wish."
Rea looked at him.
"What?"
"When you see a flying star you're suposed to make a wish. Suposedly it'll come true. But only if you don't tell it to anybody."
"Oh. Well in that case, um...." Rea cocked her head, and thought for a while. "Okay. I wished."
"Good job. Now remember whenever you see a flying star, make a wish."
"I'll try to remember that. Did your wish come true?"
Lanz thought for a little while, smiled and said, "Yes."
"Really? Well since it came true can you tell me what you wished for?" Rea asked facing him.
"Well, it's come true half of the way. Not all the way. And I can't tell you, until it's come true all of the way, or the rest wont come true. Again, suposedly." Lanz replied.
Rea smiled, and looked back up at the stars.
"Lately I've been noticing how beautiful stars really are." she said.
Lanz looked at Rea who was looking intently at the stars.
"Rea," he said. Rea looked at him.
"Yes?" Suddenly Rea remembered that she hadn't thanked him for saving her yet.
"Wait, I have something I need to tell you."
Lanz waited.
"The night of the barn fire, I never thanked you for getting me out. I've intended to, but I kept forgetting. Anyways, thank you."
Lanz smiled.
"You're welcome. Now, to what I was going to say. Please forgive me for sounding...idiotic, but ever since I've met you, I've felt sincerly attached to you. I can't explain it clearly." Lanz paused momentarily.
Rea felt her emotions stirring up inside her.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is..." Lanz looked at Rea and whispered,
"I love you."
Rea smiled and tried to reply, but couldn't. She knew what she wanted to say, but the words wouldn't come out. She finally was able to speak.
"Lanz, I..." her words faded to a whisper as well. "I love you to."


What a nice way to end a post. Will continue tomorrow. Mom is telling me to get off.

 

[Kookaburra]

cya tomoz! I'll post sometime tonight....

 

[CJF]

I'm back. Just left for sec.

 

[CJF]

I meant I was gone for just a sec.


The next morning, Rea awoke early, remembering the night before, she smiled. She went to the window, and watched the sun rise over the mountains, giving them an iredescent blue color. She spotted Lanz waving at her from outside. She waved back.
He motioned for her to join him. He ran down the stairs, and out the door, quietly enough not to wake anyone.
"Come on. I have something I want to show. One of the wonders of this forest." Lanz led her through the green trees, and to an open feild. Suddenly, a ray of sunshine filled the forest. It slid through every place it could, making the darkness flee from it's power. Rea gasped at the beauty surrounding her.
"It's lovely." she said.
"I thought you'd enjoy it." he said, taking her hand. She looked at him, and their gaze locked. She noticed him leaning closer. Her heart skipped a beat or two when she felt his lips touch hers. It was quick, but passionette. Rea smiled. She felt surge of adrenaline. Her wish, had come true.

 

[Kookaburra]

awwwwww . . . how sweet . . . .

~~~~~

Lanz thought his heart might burst as he drew back a little from Rea. It happened so quick! he thought, rejoicing. He saw the joy in her eyes and wished the moment might never end. He held her hand in his, and he drew her close to him.

They sat that way for quite a while, until the sun peeked it's yellow top over the treetips. Then Rea stirred, looked up at Lanz, and kissed him again, a little longer this time.

He held her in his arms and smiled down at her. They were absolutely, hopelessly in love. He bent his dark head and took off his circlet. He gave it to her, and she looked at it, wide-eyed.

Then, she looked up at him, and there were tears in her eyes . . . tears of love. "Wh--why?" She asked, slightly confused.

He tugged lightly at her braid and placed the circlet on her head. "Tradition," he grinned, "requires the Irish royalty to give their loves their highest symbol of power."

"In that case," Rea said mischievously, "you had better give me your horse."

They laughed together, and were going to start back when a sudden tower of fire rose from the fort and they heard the sound of masonry crumbling.

Hoarse, harsh voices rang in their ears and Lanz grabbed Rea's hand and they ran towards the inferno. Their horses came bolting their way, and they mounted quickly as a volley of arrows hissed their way, grazing Rea's shoulder and wounding Lanz badly.

They hung onto their horses as they plunged wildly away. "Arannte!" Rea wailed, and tried to turn her horse, but Gwanthi was not going back. She spotted Nightmare, who's shoulder was bleeding.

An army of men came rushing down the hill, weapons raised. "Arannte!" Rea called, and she caught sight of her friend, firing arrow-after-arrow into the enemy. But there were just too many, and she was overrun, struck down and carried off.

Screams of women and children were heard, and Lanz caught Nightmare's reins with his good arm. "Let's go!" he shouted, and Rea nodded numbly, unable to help her friend as they vanished amid the trees.

 

[CJF]

WOW!!!!!!!!!! That's the only word that can describe thatg post. WOW!

Gwanthi followed Nightmare through the trees, until Lanz was sure that they were safe. Rea dismounted, tore a piece of her dress, and put it to her shoulder to stop the bleeding. She looked back through the trees, at the smoke rising above them. Rea hoped beyong all hope that Arannte was okay. Lanz was, miraculously, able to dismount, despite his arm, which had been hit by an arrow, and his leg that had been sliced by the sword of a fallen enamy. The wound was deep, but clean. He wripped his vext in two, and wrapped his arm with one half, and his leg with the other.
Rea looked at Lanz, tears in her eyes. "They took her." she said.
"Arannte?"
Rea nodded. Limping, Lanz managed to walk next to her. "Did you see her?" he asked. Rea nodded again.
"I saw them carry her in the opposite direction that we went." Rea said, pointing in front of her.


As Rebecca walked alongside Robin, she suddenly got a mental picture of Arannte being severly wounded, and being carried off by the enamy. Rebecca prayed and prayed harder than she even knew she could. She knew the power of God, and that he could do anything. And in that, she had faith that He would protect her.

 

[CJF]

Lanz re-mounted Nightmare, who wanted eagerly to return to Eldani. Lanz motioned to Rea to mount Gwanthi. Rea did so, and they rode back to the city. It was silent. Either people escaped, and remained hidden, or they were killed or captured. They circled around the city, and started in the direction Arannte had been taken. Rea was thankful that Lanz was so understanding.

Rebecca tried to keep her mind on her mission at hand, but she couldn't concentrate! Her worry about Arannte, gripped her and wouldn't loosen. She didn't know if it was her imagination, or God telling her to pray, but she listened. She prayed, and when she wasn't praying she was thinking of what could have happened. Robin noticed that Rebecca was troubled. He tried to get her to tell him what was wrong, but she assured him it was nothing. He didn't believe her. He and Edward kept an eye on her, to make sure she okay.


I'm going PM you Kookaburra.

 

[Kookaburra]

   Arannte's eyes were half open as she was carried away amidst the clashing of weapons and the baying of bloodhounds. She remained silent the entire day, refusing her captors the satisfaction of seeing her in agony.

   The second day was harder. Her eyes were swollen nearly shut and blood had caked on her side. She could hardly move for the bruises and cuts all over her legs, arms and face. Her only bright spot of the day was just at sunrise, when the sun cast its last rays upon the crimsoned land, fading from yellow to red, to orange with billowing blue and purple clouds.

   It was then that she felt herself drifting on a sea of emotions, colors and feelings. Superimposed over it all was one image--that of Mystic grazing peacefully on a wildflower-strewn meadow, and the lovely Rebecca beside, her hand on her horse's muzzle, looking into the far distance.

   For a moment, it seemed their eyes met, but then Arannte lost the image as she was prodded with a crude spear. She drew away and limped ahead of her guards, who were orcs, goblins and dwarves. With her last strength, she counted the host and sent a weak message to her friends of both parties.

   Captive, severely beaten. Requesting help--main host of 200, with assorted smaller parties in front and behind . . .  she stumbled and fell.

~~~~~

   An orc behind her was talking in the common tongue so the goblins and dwarves could both understand him. "We stop here for the night. The captive cannot go farther, and I will give her some (a substance of which she was not familiar) before we will move on." He seemed in command.


   Rann collapsed gratefully onto the hard ground, and she squinted up at the darkening sky as she listened to conversations going on around her.

   "She's a strong one, for a human." said one.
   "Chyska, Garskor."

   "Why not kill the captive?" asked a dwarf impatiently, and recieved a heavy blow to the head.
   "The master wants live blood and a live captive to give it."
   "Magic blood."
   "What's the difference?"
   "She's the only one that had it."
   "It might come to pass as one of those things," said the silky voice of a human. Arannte would have done a double take, only that would have opened a wound on her neck. "But the Master wants information, not a dead captive."

   Cautiously, Arannte touched the poisoned knife in her belt, and the other throwing knives that she always had on her. Her magic extended far enough no one had detected them, only removed her bow and arrows, which were carried behind her, along with her shortsword for inspection. 

   Rann could have been out of there, but she had not the strength to protest, run or more importantly, heal herself.

~~~~~

   Arannte awoke to the none-to-gentle touch of a dwarf boot in her side. She did not cry out, only opened her somewhat-worse eyes and glared at him.

   Without waiting for her, he grabbed her by the neck and jerked her upright. She could have screamed in agony, but she let it churn inside her. He put a small flask to her mouth and poured a few drops down her throat.

   "Unnhh!" was the first thing she said, and the second--"I just had a premonition."

   The camp was silent, all staring at her. The Chyska had premonitions on a regular basis, and they always came to pass. 

   "You shall die in the flames of a burning town." Then she said no more as the steady fire burned to her feet. Her eyes stared out at them from under bruised, black eyes, and she was half-standing, half-kneeling.

   The host headed out, and she followed them, no longer slouching as the liquid burned in her throat--an unpleasant feeling that seemed to put her body in a half-sleep mode. She recieved no more strikes however, and she did everything she could to slow the host down.