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Small Beginnings - Final Update 6/18/04, ITEOTWAWKI, AIFF!
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<blockquote data-quote="Enkhidu" data-source="post: 275264" data-attributes="member: 351"><p>OK, sorry about the wait, but here's the next installment.</p><p></p><p>Look for another one in a few days!</p><p></p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>The cool wind cut through the air like a well-cast sling bullet, and Pack pulled his cloak tighter about him. The young halfling didn’t know what was worse: the chill of the morning ride or the unbearable silence that plagued the group ever since last night’s ambush. The halfling was grateful that the band proceeded more cautiously - to Pack it meant less bouncing in the saddle. However, the slower pace and the mounting fear of an impending attack threatened to sink morale. </p><p></p><p>Pack had never been on a quest before, but he had memorized every song that the traveling minstrels had performed over the years. Those musical tales always lifted his spirits, and he began searching his memory for something appropriate. All through the morning, and continuing through a lunch in the saddle, he played each melody in his head, searching for just the right piece, but as each tale ended in his thoughts, none seemed to strike the right chord with the nervous bard. <em>If they don’t calm me down, how can I expect them to calm everyone else down?</em> Pack thought, trying to force a solution. <em>Why am I so nervous?</em> </p><p></p><p>Pack rode on in silence for some time before the answer sounded in his mind like a loud gong. Half of the problem was that he already missed his brother. Even though he knew his traveling companions, the young halfling realized he did not really know them like he did Worm, and his brother and Lizon were the only two people that he trusted with his life. </p><p></p><p>Pack glanced around as his curiosity took over and the halfling began to analyze each of his companions. Looking around, he realized that the other half of his problem was that he needed more from his companions that what had already been given. The young halfling just had too many questions that needed to be answered. </p><p></p><p>Pack’s first instinct was to question Ashrem because that was where a majority of the halfling’s unease stemmed from. The feloine, however, had his eyes closed due to lost sleep from standing watch all night, and the halfling did not think it wise to interrupt his even ride. Ander was his next choice but the woodsman spent much of his time ahead of them and afoot, checking the routes through the thickets and watching for more thorn creatures. Poor Aurora looked more concerned than Pack felt, so unless he wanted to talk about himself – and Pack’s life had never before been considered entertaining – that left Brother Theo. Not knowing any other way but the direct way, Pack cleared his throat and started. </p><p></p><p>“Um, Brother Theo. Can I, uh, ask you a question? I mean you don’t have to answer it, but I figured as long as no one else was talking, we might as well talk. That is to say, I have a few questions, not just one. Um, well, like the…um, the lightning. Yeah, the lightning! I know you are a servant of the storm but WOW. I’ve never seen or heard of a priest who could do that before. Kapow! Zip! Flash and ZZZT! And we had another campfire.” As he spoke Pack realized that, once again, his mouth had moved faster than his thoughts; he also noticed that, once again, his companions had stopped, each person regarding him with an odd look. Even Ashrem had opened his eyes to stare at the bard. </p><p></p><p>“Sorry,” the halfling croaked as he tried to sink further down in his saddle. Silence weighed on the flustered bard’s head like a giant’s fist. Just as Pack was about to bow his head in shame, a great roaring laugh rumbled out from Brother Theo’s chest. </p><p></p><p>“Oh, ho, ho! That’s the way, lad! Yes, it’s about time we spoke up and broke this damnable silence.” The aging priest pulled his cloak tighter around himself and seemed distant to the young halfling for a moment. “It is me who is to start then?”</p><p></p><p>“Please, Theo” Aurora said, looking Theo straight in the face a strange spark in the young lady’s eyes. “I’m also curious about your talent. I’ve heard whispers in the library halls of others who had special gifts like me.”</p><p></p><p>Brother Theo frowned as he met the sorceress’ gaze. “I wish I could say I share the ‘gift’ that you have Milady, but I cannot.” Pack noticed Aurora’s shoulders slump at the priest’s words but the young lady nodded for Theo to continue. After a heartfelt sigh, the priest turned back toward Pack and began.</p><p></p><p>“Now this is a good long story and as with all long stories it must be told from the beginning to be understood.” Pack noticed that Ander had pulled back in with the group, listening to the rambling cleric’s words. “As you might know, I am the second son of family Hillshire, and as the second son my job was to help work the farm that my brother would one day inherit. That day came long before it should have, and as a hotheaded youth I couldn’t handle both the loss of my parents and working for my brother. Two weeks after the soil was tilled over their graves, I packed a saddle and headed for Tor to find my own destiny.</p><p></p><p>‘The capitol was huge, and a bit overwhelming for a farm lad like myself, and I think Aurora will answer the same if you ask her. I found a job as a tower guard during the border disputes between Ion and Tor, and it wasn’t long before I had earned the nickname ‘Thunder Storm’ or ‘Storm’ for short because of my voice, which was deep even then, and for my quick temper. That city has a way of pulling you in like an undertow in a gully stream, and it wasn’t long before the days and months blurred by with fistfights and tavern crawls between watches on the tower gates.</p><p></p><p>‘Five full years passed that way: get up, run my time at the gates, meet my drinking partners in a tavern, and either end up in a fight or some wench’s arms. Sometimes both. And then I would get up and do it all again. If things had turned out differently, I might still be there. </p><p></p><p>‘But every man reaches a time in his life when he discovers what’s important. For me, it came when…”</p><p></p><p>A flock of small birds suddenly scattered from a nearby thicket, halting Theo’s story and spooking the horses. Pack struggled to keep his mount under control and was nearly thrown before Ander laid a reassuring hand on Butter’s flank. The halfling looked around at the faces of his companions. Aurora met his glance with a sheepish grin, and it was obvious that Ander had also been caught unawares. The bard even fancied that the feloine looked chagrined.</p><p></p><p>“I’m afraid your story may have to wait for another time, Brother,” murmured Ander. “It would be best if we kept our ears open. Next time it might not be birds”</p><p></p><p>“It might not come to that, Ander.” Aurora’s voice carried over the group, and Pack could feel her excitement. “Wherever it is that we’re going, I think we may be there.” She pointed a long, delicate finger upward and toward the north, toward a large white bird that circled overhead.</p><p></p><p>*****</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Enkhidu, post: 275264, member: 351"] OK, sorry about the wait, but here's the next installment. Look for another one in a few days! ***** The cool wind cut through the air like a well-cast sling bullet, and Pack pulled his cloak tighter about him. The young halfling didn’t know what was worse: the chill of the morning ride or the unbearable silence that plagued the group ever since last night’s ambush. The halfling was grateful that the band proceeded more cautiously - to Pack it meant less bouncing in the saddle. However, the slower pace and the mounting fear of an impending attack threatened to sink morale. Pack had never been on a quest before, but he had memorized every song that the traveling minstrels had performed over the years. Those musical tales always lifted his spirits, and he began searching his memory for something appropriate. All through the morning, and continuing through a lunch in the saddle, he played each melody in his head, searching for just the right piece, but as each tale ended in his thoughts, none seemed to strike the right chord with the nervous bard. [I]If they don’t calm me down, how can I expect them to calm everyone else down?[/I] Pack thought, trying to force a solution. [I]Why am I so nervous?[/I] Pack rode on in silence for some time before the answer sounded in his mind like a loud gong. Half of the problem was that he already missed his brother. Even though he knew his traveling companions, the young halfling realized he did not really know them like he did Worm, and his brother and Lizon were the only two people that he trusted with his life. Pack glanced around as his curiosity took over and the halfling began to analyze each of his companions. Looking around, he realized that the other half of his problem was that he needed more from his companions that what had already been given. The young halfling just had too many questions that needed to be answered. Pack’s first instinct was to question Ashrem because that was where a majority of the halfling’s unease stemmed from. The feloine, however, had his eyes closed due to lost sleep from standing watch all night, and the halfling did not think it wise to interrupt his even ride. Ander was his next choice but the woodsman spent much of his time ahead of them and afoot, checking the routes through the thickets and watching for more thorn creatures. Poor Aurora looked more concerned than Pack felt, so unless he wanted to talk about himself – and Pack’s life had never before been considered entertaining – that left Brother Theo. Not knowing any other way but the direct way, Pack cleared his throat and started. “Um, Brother Theo. Can I, uh, ask you a question? I mean you don’t have to answer it, but I figured as long as no one else was talking, we might as well talk. That is to say, I have a few questions, not just one. Um, well, like the…um, the lightning. Yeah, the lightning! I know you are a servant of the storm but WOW. I’ve never seen or heard of a priest who could do that before. Kapow! Zip! Flash and ZZZT! And we had another campfire.” As he spoke Pack realized that, once again, his mouth had moved faster than his thoughts; he also noticed that, once again, his companions had stopped, each person regarding him with an odd look. Even Ashrem had opened his eyes to stare at the bard. “Sorry,” the halfling croaked as he tried to sink further down in his saddle. Silence weighed on the flustered bard’s head like a giant’s fist. Just as Pack was about to bow his head in shame, a great roaring laugh rumbled out from Brother Theo’s chest. “Oh, ho, ho! That’s the way, lad! Yes, it’s about time we spoke up and broke this damnable silence.” The aging priest pulled his cloak tighter around himself and seemed distant to the young halfling for a moment. “It is me who is to start then?” “Please, Theo” Aurora said, looking Theo straight in the face a strange spark in the young lady’s eyes. “I’m also curious about your talent. I’ve heard whispers in the library halls of others who had special gifts like me.” Brother Theo frowned as he met the sorceress’ gaze. “I wish I could say I share the ‘gift’ that you have Milady, but I cannot.” Pack noticed Aurora’s shoulders slump at the priest’s words but the young lady nodded for Theo to continue. After a heartfelt sigh, the priest turned back toward Pack and began. “Now this is a good long story and as with all long stories it must be told from the beginning to be understood.” Pack noticed that Ander had pulled back in with the group, listening to the rambling cleric’s words. “As you might know, I am the second son of family Hillshire, and as the second son my job was to help work the farm that my brother would one day inherit. That day came long before it should have, and as a hotheaded youth I couldn’t handle both the loss of my parents and working for my brother. Two weeks after the soil was tilled over their graves, I packed a saddle and headed for Tor to find my own destiny. ‘The capitol was huge, and a bit overwhelming for a farm lad like myself, and I think Aurora will answer the same if you ask her. I found a job as a tower guard during the border disputes between Ion and Tor, and it wasn’t long before I had earned the nickname ‘Thunder Storm’ or ‘Storm’ for short because of my voice, which was deep even then, and for my quick temper. That city has a way of pulling you in like an undertow in a gully stream, and it wasn’t long before the days and months blurred by with fistfights and tavern crawls between watches on the tower gates. ‘Five full years passed that way: get up, run my time at the gates, meet my drinking partners in a tavern, and either end up in a fight or some wench’s arms. Sometimes both. And then I would get up and do it all again. If things had turned out differently, I might still be there. ‘But every man reaches a time in his life when he discovers what’s important. For me, it came when…” A flock of small birds suddenly scattered from a nearby thicket, halting Theo’s story and spooking the horses. Pack struggled to keep his mount under control and was nearly thrown before Ander laid a reassuring hand on Butter’s flank. The halfling looked around at the faces of his companions. Aurora met his glance with a sheepish grin, and it was obvious that Ander had also been caught unawares. The bard even fancied that the feloine looked chagrined. “I’m afraid your story may have to wait for another time, Brother,” murmured Ander. “It would be best if we kept our ears open. Next time it might not be birds” “It might not come to that, Ander.” Aurora’s voice carried over the group, and Pack could feel her excitement. “Wherever it is that we’re going, I think we may be there.” She pointed a long, delicate finger upward and toward the north, toward a large white bird that circled overhead. ***** [/QUOTE]
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