Okay guys, here's chapter 2! It's unedited, so grammar corrections are wondeful! I would also like creative critism, if there's a sentence or a paragraph that doesn't sound right, or something that should be added, let me know. Also any title ideas I could take to mind would be wonderful!
Chapter 3 is in the spoiler if you care to read that much. You could also always come back and read that one later if you're busy
If you missed the first chapter and would like to read it, here's a link: post678450.html#p678450
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Chapter 2
“Woah there boy!” Dellan pulled back on his reins and the horse came to an abrupt halt. Dellan patted the creature's thick neck and stared into the thick forest. The ferns draped over the ground and the leaves from the gigantic trees oozed drops of water from last night's rain fall. The forest was so thick it was hard to make out the obscure shape that lay only a few feet ahead of him. He reached behind him and drew out his bow and arrow, preparing it, just to be safe.
He held tight to his weapon with one hand and grabbed his horse's reins with the other. He clicked his tongue and kicked the creature's sides lightly. The horse pinned his ears in protest, but moved forwards anyways. Dellan murmured a word of praise.
“Hello?” he called out to the foreign shape. “Anybody there? I demand you to show yourself in the name of Aquariazzi's council!” he hadn't been expecting a reply, but those were the words he had been taught to say, so he said them out of habit. The groan that followed startled him and he jumped from his horse, weapon raised.
“Who goes there?” he shouted, squinting at the shape. He could have swore that he had saw it move. He readied his bow against his shoulder.
“Who's that?” the voice was female, and obviously frightened. Dellan lowered his weapons and stepped carefully through the thick undergrowth towards the person. She was laying on her back, eyes closed, mouth opened in a groan of pain. She was clad in what warriors usually wore, except for the material was strange. A deep blue color and she wore a strange top with a floral design etched into it.
“Dellan of Aquarriazi's guard. Who are you?” She opened her eyes slowly and he offered her his hand. She was quite pretty to be honest. Dark brown hair that flowed to her chest, her body could use some fattening up, she was slimmer than a stick! Her eyes were a strange color, a greenish amber that he had never seen before. Not hazel, but similar to say the leaste.
“Lakisha,” she answered accepting his hand. He pulled her up she groaned again, grabbing her midsection and stooping over.
“What's wrong? Are you hurting?” Dellan interrogated her, praying that she was alright. He wanted desperately to find out who she was.
She breathed slowly before answering. “I-I don't know. I don't know where I am. Where is this?” she lifted her head and scanned the forest nervously.
Dellan's brow furrowed. He needed to get her to the village as quickly as possibly. “Here, I'll help you. We'll have to get you to the village and look you over.” He helped her over to his horse and placed his bow and arrow back inside their sachet so he could lift her onto his horse. When she was up and sitting, he pulled himself up in front of her and clicked his tongue.
“I've never ridden a horse before,” Lakisha stated absently. This girl really wasn't from any land he'd ever heard of.
“I'll ride slow. Hold on tight though, riding through the forest gets bumpy no matter how slowly you
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ride.”
“What's his name?” he heard the girl ask behind him when they began their descent through the brush.
“Huh? Oh. His name's Star Blanket. Star for short.”
“Oh,” Lakisha whispered, “That's a beautiful name.”
Dellan nodded. “My grand father named him when I was young.” He waited for a reply, but got none. Instead Lakisha snaked her arms around Dellan's waist and held tight. He tensed his back. The physical contact made him squeamish, as it was looked down upon for a woman and a man to make physical contact such as this unless they were wed. He thought of shoving her arms away, but he rebuked the thought. The girl obviously wasn't from here, she didn't know their customs. Besides, she was hurt to say the least. He kicked Star into a trot and exited the forest.
~*~
“She could be dangerous, Dellan. You should never have brought her here!” the enraged village elder yelled. What had he been thinking, bringing a random stranger to their villages? “She has no respect for our culture! You rode in with her around you waist for goodness' sake!” The village council was furious, how could the young guard bring just any girl back to the village? She could be a spy for all they knew!
“Dangerous? She's hurt Thild! She would have died! She doesn't respect our culture because she doesn't even know our culture! How was she to know that putting her arms around me would be considered a profanity? Besides, she's never ridden, and there was nothing else to hold on to!” Dellan shot back. He didn't know why, but he had grown rather close to the girl in the past few hours. They didn't know what was wrong with her, but she claimed that her stomach and back felt as though they were being stabbed at by miniature knives. He had sat on a stool beside her bed and talked with her. She told fascinating stories. Vehicles made of metal that moved on their own and building so high you could see for miles out of them. Strange machines that could store information and play something called 'video games.' He had listened to all of it, amused and very curious.
“She could be lying about her physical state!” Thild retorted.
“No! She is not a threat to us Thild! She is just a girl! I'll unravel her secrets, I swear it! Don't send her away!” Dellan pleaded.
Thild sighed audibly. “I will allow her to stay, but she is your responsibility. I am putting you personally in charge of teaching her all of our customs and laws. Educate her, train her. If she will not be a warrior for us, she will not stay. Understood?”
Dellan grinned. “Thank you Thild, you will not regret this. I swear it!”
“Do not swear things you are unsure of, Dellan.” Thild watched as the boy reentered Lakisha's room nervously. What would become of them if she turned out to be a spy? He shook the thought and exited the small area.
~*~
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The next three days were spent trying to figure out Lakisha's strange reality shift. Dellan was fascinated by her stories of the things they had there. He especially liked to hear about the weaponry. Something called a gun that could take down massive animals and bombs that could destroy whole cities. Sure, they had explosives, but they only created minor distractions compared to Lulu's explanations. They would sit for hours inside Dellan's house just trying to figure out what had happened to Lulu. Dellan now fully believed that she was indeed, from a whole other reality.
It was late afternoon and the sun hung lazily in the sky, scorching the fields below. Dellan and Lakisha were riding double on Star towards the forest where they had found Lulu lying helpless that first day. This wasn't their first trip out there either, they had been there a few times in hopes of finding something, anything that would lead to an explanation.
“Doesn't Thild expect me to become a world class warrior somewhere along the lines?” Lakisha poked Dellan in the side to get his attention.
He laughed. “Thild expects everybody to learn how to be a world class warrior. I could teach you if you wanted me to, though.”
“Actually, as long as I'm staying here, I figured I should serve a purpose. When do I start?” Lakisha giggled when a thin branch hit Dellan in the head. “Watch where you're steering!”
“Sorry about that. What about tomorrow? Today we should teach you how to ride a horse. It's a skill that majorly benefits warriors here,” Dellan winked even though he was facing the wrong direction for Lakisha to see.
“Fine, tomorrow. I expect to be able to gallop on my own by the end of the day though,” Lakisha retorted. She had wanted to learn as soon as humanly possible, but one day couldn't hurt anything. Unless she wasn't here for another day... She let the thought slide. She'd be here for the rest of her life for all she knew.
Dellan laughed heartily. Lakisha really was something else. The rode in silence the rest of the way. The wind rustling the leaves and the rhythmic beat of hooves and Star's heavy breathing were the only sounds that filtered through the hot air. They were now shielded by the heavy canopy that the forest had to offer them, and for that Dellan was glad.
Dellan pulled back on the reins and drew out his arrows, tensing his body. “What's wrong?” Lakisha whispered, eyes darting for any sign of movement.
“What you don't know yet is that we're not exactly on friendly terms with the mountain dwellers. I thought I saw a spy out behind those trees,” he whispered, gesturing into the distance with his shoulder.
Lakisha was frightened. They were at war here? Why hadn't Dellan taken the time to explain Aquariazzi rather than make her explain about where she came from? She still didn't know any of their customs and she felt out of place in the village, especially around the older folks. They all looked at her like some creature with ravenous fangs. Lakisha glared at Dellan's back. He should have warned her about stuff like this.
She heard a scream. Or was it a war cry? She wouldn't know the difference. Dellan turned to her, eyes blazing with fear and fury. “Get down!” he shouted, jumping from Star's back. Lakisha followed his lead, brow furrowed in confusion. “Show yourself in the name of the Aquarian Council!” Dellan was shouting the same words he had spoken to her. She had pushed the memory out of her mind until now. What a horrific day that had been.
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Another high-pitched scream called out, followed by two more. Great! Lakisha complained to herself. Now the village is probably going to go under sage and Thild will more than likely blame me. She was trembling, this was almost as nerve racking as the back alley. She shuddered.
A cloaked man jumped from a bush, roaring with rage. He held a curved sword above his head, the sun casting reflections upon the trees. He leapt into the air, sword swung back. Lakisha couldn't even make out a face through the heavy cloak and veils. She closed her eyes and turned her head, screaming. She awaited the expected blow, expecting searing pain to rise up before her world went black. Instead, she heard another execrable scream and the clash of metal against metal.
She lifted her head and opened her eyes. Dellan held steadfast, sword blocking every blow the cloaked stranger delivered. Where did he get the sword? Lakisha wondered. She decided it wasn't important. She turned her attention back towards the battle and her surroundings, she needed to be able to warn Dellan of any other threats. Both men were screaming and growling, throwing aimless, heavy blows at each other. Dellan's left shoulder was oozing crimson, he had been cut. He refused to back down, another blow was made to Dellan's upper leg. Lakisha screeched when he fell to the ground, crying out in pain.
The cloaked figure sheathed his sword and took a menacing step towards Lakisha. Dellan tried to strike the man with his fist, but he received a kick to his thigh before any harm could come to the cloaked figure. He groaned, holding his leg for all he was worth.
The stranger laughed and began kicking and stomping on him. With every movement Dellan grunted and with every one of Dellan's grunts, Lakisha's rage swelled. She didn't know where the other men had disappeared to, but she didn't particularly care. She rose to her feet and with one quick movement, swooped down again, grabbed Dellan's sword from the ground, rolled to her left and was on her feet. She didn't know how she did it, and she didn't question either. Now all she had to follow was instinct. The weapon was heavy, but it didn't feel awkward in her hands. She screamed her own battle cry and twisted her body, the sword slicing right through her foe's thin armour and into his flesh. Blood sprayed from the wound and Lakisha almost threw up, mid swing. She swallowed hard and finished off the blow. The man's arm was severed and crimson blood poured from the wound like a waterfall. Lakisha's stomach turned inside of her like an angry bull. She refused to throw up.
So he's human, she thought absently. He bleeds red. She finished the man with a stab to his chest and only when the task was done, she allowed herself to convulse and vomit all over the forest floor. She dropped the sword, horrified at what she'd just done. Dellan looked at her, smiling despite the pain. His left eye was swollen almost shut and his nose and lips were oozing that horrible crimson color.
“Let's get back to the village,” Lakisha whispered, trembling violently. She wrapped her hands under his underarms and pulled him up. She let him lean all of his wait on her as they hobbled back to where Star had been standing motionless through the whole ordeal. Though his ears were pinned and his eyes were nervous, he had stood loyal. “Star's well trained,” Lakisha commented, patting the stallion's neck gingerly.
“They give back what you give to them. Take good care of them and refrain from using a whip, they give you loyalty and return your affections,” he half smiled and took a small carrot from a sachet on his belt. Star's ears pricked up again and he took the treat eagerly.
Dellan hobbled back to the saddle, wincing and grunting as he pulled himself up. Lakisha rushed to his aid, but couldn't find any way to help him. He managed to pull himself up and nodded towards his sword, breathing heavily. Lakisha retrieved it obediently and handed it up to him. He placed back inside a hidden sheath on the thigh of his tunic. He motioned for her to hop up and she did.
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“We're going to have to tell Thild about this. He'll be impressed,” Dellan said as he clucked Star into a
steady walk. Lakisha refrained from answering.
~*~
Back at the village, Thild was praising Lakisha for her bravery and apologizing endlessly for misjudging her. “I'm so sorry my dear child. I shouldn't have been so quick to judge you. Where on earth did you learn how to use a sword well enough to kill a cloak?” The questions and apologies were endless and Lakisha was rarely given a chance to reply.
“Thild, leave the poor girl alone. It's been a rough day,” Dellan demanded from his chair. The back of the chair leaned backwards in a reclining position. It reminded Lakisha of the lawn chairs back home.
Home... Lakisha hadn't really given it any thought since her first day here. Was her mother going into shock? Had they called the police yet? The thoughts struck her like a blow to the chest. A wave of homesickness washed over her and she felt tears brimming her eyes.
Thild noticed and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Is everything okay child?” he asked in a hushed tone.
“I-I'm going to go outside for a second, I need some air,” she whispered, glancing quickly in Dellan's direction. His face was scrunched up into a concerned expression. Lakisha stood and without another word stepped through the small doorway and onto the village street. Two children were playing a game that reminded Lakisha of hopscotch. She smiled, watching them hop around and giggle in delight reminded her of her childhood. Oh how she wanted to return...
“Lakisha! Dear!” Lakisha swung to the voice. Her heart stopped pounding for a few moments before pounding a mile a second, raising to her throat. It was the same man she had encountered on the street! “What do you think of my little world?” the man grinned and Lakisha could have sworn she saw wickedness in the man's eyes. She turned and ran. To where, she wasn't fully aware. All that she knew was that the man meant no good. He was evil, she was sure of it.
~*~
Lakirius frowned. It had been a mistake to bring the girl here. Lakisha knew too much. She knew things she wasn't even aware she knew because they held no importance to her in that other reality. Lakisha would be the one to uncover his secret, to bring his warriors to their knees. His eye twitched and he slapped his hand to it quickly. Pain rippled around his eye socket, but diminished quickly.
What had Thild said earlier that day? She had picked off a Cloak? Not good, not good at all. At least he had been right about her holding all of the secrets. He had assured Corrow she would turn against the Aquarian council easily, but his opinion was now wavering. Fear imbedded itself deep inside Lakirius' gut for the first time since his first mission for the Mountain Dwellers.
Dellan should be disposed of. He was gaining too much affection from Lakisha. Soon it would be too late to turn her to their side. Yes, Dellan had to die, and he had to die soon. Tonight if possible. Lakirius turned on his heal and walked the opposite direction Lakisha had run. Dellan would die, oh yes, Dellan would die.
End of chapter
Continue to next chapter The Pain- Prologue *REVISED*Points:
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Oh.. I just realized that a word in the 'spoiler' is covered up. I don't know if it will do that for you, but for me the "like" button and such cover it.
I decided to post this just incase.
I didn't know how to edit it to fix it so...
The word covered up is either "difficult" "confusing" or "hard"
whichever sounds better in your minds
Sorry guys!