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Untold Travels: Jhantyrr
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<blockquote data-quote="Cevalic" data-source="post: 1580" data-attributes="member: 171"><p>Chapter 3</p><p></p><p>I awoke to find my head throbbing in pain, as if I had spent the night drinking some potent beverage from the realm of the fairies. I slowly let my eyes open only to quickly shut them as bright light shot into the back of my skull. Groaning, I tried to move, but found my movement impeded.</p><p></p><p>Once again I opened my eyes, this time to see shining chains binding me to the floor. I knew from the color, and feel, of the chains that they were made of mithril, a rare and valuable metal. They held my arms and legs spread apart, as if I was a bulls-eye on the polished floor on which I lay. Quickly scanning the rest of the circular room I noticed that the room held only one door, to my left.</p><p></p><p>I glanced up then quickly averted my gaze. Whatever was creating the bright light was suspended high above me, illuminated the entire room. As weak as I was, I began struggling against the chains, but quickly tired.</p><p></p><p>"It is no use elf," said a deep, obviously male, voice that seemed to be all around me. "You can't escape those chains."</p><p></p><p>"Release me, gnome!" I yelled, veins popping out in my forehead while I looked around for the creature that had captured me.</p><p></p><p>"That is something I cannot do," the voice said once again. "You see, those chains are the Chains of Veldestar, and they only hold the guilty. Their magic won't function on the innocent. As such-"</p><p></p><p>"Guilty of what?!" I roared, infuriated by the senseless ranting. "You attacked me!"</p><p></p><p>"There was choice, for you were violating the law," the voice became a whisper. "What I did, I had to do."</p><p></p><p>I began to protest, but was cut off. "Your questions will have an answer at the trial, although we already know the verdict. Until then, you must wait."</p><p></p><p>"Wait! You haven't told me a damn thing! Show yourself, you little bastard!" My muscles strained against the mithril chains. "Get back here!"</p><p></p><p>The light above me dimmed, and I found the last of my energy spent. Slowly I found myself falling into reverie on the stone floor.</p><p></p><p>"I hate gnomes," I whispered, then let the reverie overtake me.</p><p></p><p>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</p><p></p><p>There are few things I hate more than being helpless. Being vulnerable, unable to protect myself, at the mercy of someone, all those things just bring my blood to the boiling point. So it was now wonder I when I awoke, more pissed off than before.</p><p></p><p>I came out of my reverie in an instant, my eyes quickly taking in my surroundings. I was in a different room, this time chained to a wall, where I hung like a limp doll. The room, a gigantic auditorium, was filled with gnomes, all of them looking at me. Rows upon rows, watched and whispered as I stared back, noticing the white robes they all wore. High above I noticed the night sky, and realized that there was no roof on the room.</p><p></p><p>"Silence!" A voice, using the gnomish language, boomed throughout the room, echoing all around.</p><p></p><p>I looked straight ahead to see a single gnome standing on the auditorium floor. His small figure was bathed in the light of the moon, which was further illuminated by the white robe he wore. To my eyes, it seemed as if he was glowing. The sight made me worry of my own appearance.</p><p></p><p>How must I have looked? I wore animal hides that I had skinned, and those were falling apart. My golden hair was now the color of dirt, and hadn't been cut in over a year. My body had become muscular and I was no longer thin, two things that were common to elves. The moon cast no light upon me, only shadows darkened my body. The result must have been quite a sinister appearance. Not that I cared. I had left my vanity back on the isles, and didn't intend to claim it when I returned.</p><p></p><p>A savage, I thought to myself. That is what I must look like to them. A savage.</p><p></p><p>"Elf," the gnome said in elvish, taking a step towards me. "We wish to know the name of the one we put on trial."</p><p></p><p>"I was told my guilt was already determined, so why a trial?" I said the words slowly, letting venom fill each word.</p><p></p><p>"A trial is necessary as tradition calls for it," he answered, not affected by the anger that I showed towards him. "Again, I ask your name."</p><p></p><p>"My name?" I smiled at that. "I cannot give you my name."</p><p></p><p>"And why is that?" The gnome addressed the entire crowd. Their heads turned in unison as the conversation shifted between us. "Do you wish to play games? If you will not give your name we will not waste time on the subject."</p><p></p><p>"I didn't say I wouldn't, I said I can't," I spoke my reply softly, just loud enough for it to be heard throughout the chamber. "There is a difference."</p><p></p><p>"Very well. Then w-"</p><p></p><p>"I wasn't finished!" I yelled. "I cannot give my name because it was stripped from me. Stripped from me by my own kind, by my loved ones!" I heard a murmur run through the crowd.</p><p></p><p>"That's right. I am in exile! I have been banned from my homeland, put ashore on this continent." My blood was beyond the boiling point, as I struggled against my chains, to no avail. "I found a place to stay, and I stayed there for over a year, abiding the time when I could return home. The one of you miserable little wretches came along and knocked me out. And here I am. Being tried for the second time in my life." At that I spat on the floor.</p><p></p><p>"Well then, let's get this underway." The gnome paced back and forth, as he began his presentation to his audience. "The charges against you, unnamed one, are grave. You broke the ancient law and entered the Hallowed City. While there you found, and entered, the Library of Sorrow. You also read many books during your time there. These three acts alone are three of the worst crimes ever committed in recent history. How do you plead?"</p><p></p><p>I wanted to thank him for keeping it short and to the point, where my last trial dragged on for months. I was still in a bad mood though. "I entered a city seeking refuge from the weather. I found a library where I was safe from both the weather and hostile creatures. I read books to pass the time. I never knew of any laws, never even had contact with an intelligent creature up until a few days ago. I knew of no laws, therefore, in my mind, I never broke a law."</p><p></p><p>"I take that as an innocent plea?"</p><p></p><p>"Maybe I should retract my intelligent comment," I was trying to get a reaction out of him. I wasn't successful. "Yes, I plead not guilty."</p><p></p><p>"Then we will decide," the gnome said gravely. "You heard his argument of why he thinks he is not guilty. You also know that he was held by the Chains, not to mention that he even admitted to his stay and subsequent acts in the City. How does the jury find the elf?"</p><p></p><p>It was with no surprise to me when I heard, in unison, every gnome in the building say guilty. I cast my down, seething with rage.</p><p></p><p>"You have been found guilty, as you heard," the gnome said placing a hand on my shoulder. "Sentencing is tomorrow."</p><p></p><p>"And yours is now!" I growled.</p><p></p><p>I hoped I was right about the length of the chain. My knee flew up, and connected underneath his chin. The gnome fell backwards, blood spewing from his mouth. The roar of the gnomes sounded like music to my ears, as one of their own lay in a pool of his blood.</p><p></p><p>Out of the corner of my eyes I saw the guards raising their clubs, but I disregarded them. I focused on the gnome in front of me, watching as his white robe turned to the color of crimson. At that moment, I smiled. Even helpless, I could be dangerous.</p><p></p><p>Once more, I was claimed by darkness...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cevalic, post: 1580, member: 171"] Chapter 3 I awoke to find my head throbbing in pain, as if I had spent the night drinking some potent beverage from the realm of the fairies. I slowly let my eyes open only to quickly shut them as bright light shot into the back of my skull. Groaning, I tried to move, but found my movement impeded. Once again I opened my eyes, this time to see shining chains binding me to the floor. I knew from the color, and feel, of the chains that they were made of mithril, a rare and valuable metal. They held my arms and legs spread apart, as if I was a bulls-eye on the polished floor on which I lay. Quickly scanning the rest of the circular room I noticed that the room held only one door, to my left. I glanced up then quickly averted my gaze. Whatever was creating the bright light was suspended high above me, illuminated the entire room. As weak as I was, I began struggling against the chains, but quickly tired. "It is no use elf," said a deep, obviously male, voice that seemed to be all around me. "You can't escape those chains." "Release me, gnome!" I yelled, veins popping out in my forehead while I looked around for the creature that had captured me. "That is something I cannot do," the voice said once again. "You see, those chains are the Chains of Veldestar, and they only hold the guilty. Their magic won't function on the innocent. As such-" "Guilty of what?!" I roared, infuriated by the senseless ranting. "You attacked me!" "There was choice, for you were violating the law," the voice became a whisper. "What I did, I had to do." I began to protest, but was cut off. "Your questions will have an answer at the trial, although we already know the verdict. Until then, you must wait." "Wait! You haven't told me a damn thing! Show yourself, you little bastard!" My muscles strained against the mithril chains. "Get back here!" The light above me dimmed, and I found the last of my energy spent. Slowly I found myself falling into reverie on the stone floor. "I hate gnomes," I whispered, then let the reverie overtake me. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * There are few things I hate more than being helpless. Being vulnerable, unable to protect myself, at the mercy of someone, all those things just bring my blood to the boiling point. So it was now wonder I when I awoke, more pissed off than before. I came out of my reverie in an instant, my eyes quickly taking in my surroundings. I was in a different room, this time chained to a wall, where I hung like a limp doll. The room, a gigantic auditorium, was filled with gnomes, all of them looking at me. Rows upon rows, watched and whispered as I stared back, noticing the white robes they all wore. High above I noticed the night sky, and realized that there was no roof on the room. "Silence!" A voice, using the gnomish language, boomed throughout the room, echoing all around. I looked straight ahead to see a single gnome standing on the auditorium floor. His small figure was bathed in the light of the moon, which was further illuminated by the white robe he wore. To my eyes, it seemed as if he was glowing. The sight made me worry of my own appearance. How must I have looked? I wore animal hides that I had skinned, and those were falling apart. My golden hair was now the color of dirt, and hadn't been cut in over a year. My body had become muscular and I was no longer thin, two things that were common to elves. The moon cast no light upon me, only shadows darkened my body. The result must have been quite a sinister appearance. Not that I cared. I had left my vanity back on the isles, and didn't intend to claim it when I returned. A savage, I thought to myself. That is what I must look like to them. A savage. "Elf," the gnome said in elvish, taking a step towards me. "We wish to know the name of the one we put on trial." "I was told my guilt was already determined, so why a trial?" I said the words slowly, letting venom fill each word. "A trial is necessary as tradition calls for it," he answered, not affected by the anger that I showed towards him. "Again, I ask your name." "My name?" I smiled at that. "I cannot give you my name." "And why is that?" The gnome addressed the entire crowd. Their heads turned in unison as the conversation shifted between us. "Do you wish to play games? If you will not give your name we will not waste time on the subject." "I didn't say I wouldn't, I said I can't," I spoke my reply softly, just loud enough for it to be heard throughout the chamber. "There is a difference." "Very well. Then w-" "I wasn't finished!" I yelled. "I cannot give my name because it was stripped from me. Stripped from me by my own kind, by my loved ones!" I heard a murmur run through the crowd. "That's right. I am in exile! I have been banned from my homeland, put ashore on this continent." My blood was beyond the boiling point, as I struggled against my chains, to no avail. "I found a place to stay, and I stayed there for over a year, abiding the time when I could return home. The one of you miserable little wretches came along and knocked me out. And here I am. Being tried for the second time in my life." At that I spat on the floor. "Well then, let's get this underway." The gnome paced back and forth, as he began his presentation to his audience. "The charges against you, unnamed one, are grave. You broke the ancient law and entered the Hallowed City. While there you found, and entered, the Library of Sorrow. You also read many books during your time there. These three acts alone are three of the worst crimes ever committed in recent history. How do you plead?" I wanted to thank him for keeping it short and to the point, where my last trial dragged on for months. I was still in a bad mood though. "I entered a city seeking refuge from the weather. I found a library where I was safe from both the weather and hostile creatures. I read books to pass the time. I never knew of any laws, never even had contact with an intelligent creature up until a few days ago. I knew of no laws, therefore, in my mind, I never broke a law." "I take that as an innocent plea?" "Maybe I should retract my intelligent comment," I was trying to get a reaction out of him. I wasn't successful. "Yes, I plead not guilty." "Then we will decide," the gnome said gravely. "You heard his argument of why he thinks he is not guilty. You also know that he was held by the Chains, not to mention that he even admitted to his stay and subsequent acts in the City. How does the jury find the elf?" It was with no surprise to me when I heard, in unison, every gnome in the building say guilty. I cast my down, seething with rage. "You have been found guilty, as you heard," the gnome said placing a hand on my shoulder. "Sentencing is tomorrow." "And yours is now!" I growled. I hoped I was right about the length of the chain. My knee flew up, and connected underneath his chin. The gnome fell backwards, blood spewing from his mouth. The roar of the gnomes sounded like music to my ears, as one of their own lay in a pool of his blood. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw the guards raising their clubs, but I disregarded them. I focused on the gnome in front of me, watching as his white robe turned to the color of crimson. At that moment, I smiled. Even helpless, I could be dangerous. Once more, I was claimed by darkness... [/QUOTE]
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