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L'Aurel's Journal (A Kingdom of Ashes) -updated 3/23
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<blockquote data-quote="Laurel" data-source="post: 1825704" data-attributes="member: 17067"><p><strong>Chapter 2- “Scions of a Dying Age”</strong></p><p></p><p><em><span style="color: lemonchiffon">Day Thirteen- The Crossing to Oceanus</span></em></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon"> The next day was spent adjusting to the new crew, and saying farewell to those who had died in the previous battle. Many were simply empty shrouds, symbolizing the bodies we could not find. The captain presided over each taking on the duty to send his sailors to the light. As his voice started to croak with soreness, Xath placed a hand on his shoulder. In that brief moment that he turned away, Justice stepped lightly forward and easily begin where he had let off. Though he looked unhappy at being pushed aside he relented, remaining at the front. At least in spirit sending them off how they deserved.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon"> I remained near the front for only the first few quickly and silently moving backwards. The feeling that I should have done more was still weighing me down. As Justice’s voice picked up almost using the energy of her captive audience, a toothless scarred sailor confronted me. He stammered out that his friend had kept a pair of eagles below. They were kept to send with messages or put on look out, and to keep them honed he was the only one allowed near them. I wasn’t sure if he feared for them or wanted some good meat for dinner, but he had heard I may be able to get them out. Weather he knew it or not the birds had just been granted their freedom.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon">After he showed me the small cage the pair were kept in, I asked him to leave noting how they quieted considerably when only his rank smell was left. I could hear Justice’s voice above droning on then pausing to let the distinct splash be heard then she would start again. I closed my eyes focusing on the birds, at least them I could help. Once again I could use my rare gift, Michael had honed it for what he though was the right way, but I had learned much on my own. I had never before seen ones kept in such a manner, and couldn’t be surprised by their vicious natures. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon">Arfin brought me some food around mid-day, and so took a few mouth full of food trying to appease him and knowing I needed the energy. As soon as his back was turned, however, I returned to the eagles knowing I only had a few more hours. I finally got them to climb on my arm, though if I moved too quickly they dug their long talons in. Once on deck in the fresh salt air, they loosened up and ruffled their feathers. Still not leaving my side, but I could see they were adjusting well. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon">I took supper away from the crew and their looks of disgust. I chose to think it was toward someone carrying so much for graceful animals on my shoulders. Finally finished, I look around for Xath hoping to hear another story of the elves who raised her. I am learning more about my people from her then from anyone or anything else in my life. I feel a smile tug my lips as I go to talk to my friend having finally spotting her working on some knots in the aft section.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon">As I pass the great central mast, I hear Archonus yell, “TO ARMS!” I scramble to follow his pointed finger over to the port side of the ship. A gray veil of white fog is slowly making its way to our ship. The two eagles grip my arm tight swiveling their yellow eyes towards me. I can almost sense the question, lifting my arm straight out I give my answer, “Tell me what you see!” Needing no more encouragement, I struggle to watch their small brown shapes fade to black feint outlines and finally to nothing. Racing to the hold, I grab my stuff off the top bunk, Xath and Justice’s bunks seem to already be deserted of items. I see Archonus’s dark cape and Farathier’s gold head sprinting ahead of me to the aft section.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon">I reach the upper decks racing again to the prow and searching for the two birds. I call softly, but get no answer. I feel the air rustle my short hair from it’s loose knot, and to my fright I look over to see a humanoid in mid air with a body of scales and the head of a serpent with horns. I stare in horror, paralyzed even as he raises the long black and emerald spear. It’s metal head reflects the moon’s light as he pushes it through Arfin’s upper leg. At Arfin’s yell of rage, I see one of my arrow shafts flying towards the great beast. I feel calm as without realizing I place two shafts against the string. “Duck!” I hear from behind me, knowing it to be Farathier’s voice. I release both arrows and flatten myself to the deck, rolling in time to see his large scaled hands brush the points away.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon">I roll to my feet finding myself in front of what Farathier cried out about, a large back leathery winged beast like the humanoid with the spear only with standing on four legs and the size of an elephant. I see a dark green liquid shoot from its mouth and hear Kareth and Justice yelp in pain. I soon add my own cry of pain from a sharp pain in my bow arm, looking down to see the lizards spear sticking out of my arm. I dazedly realize also that I have been thrown against the deck rail and if not for that would have plunged into the cold waters. Grasping the bow tightly I grab the mid point of the spear yanking it quickly. My mouth opens to scream, but only stiff air is released. Free of the weight, I lift my arm quivering as the blood pours onto the deck. I release a few more bolts watching in satisfaction as they tear into the hide of the creature. Xath voice carries faintly on the wind and taking strength in the gift she is giving us, I continue to fire. Finally it goes down looking like a combination porcupine and armadillo.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon">The creature at my back howls in pain and then thumps to the deck. I see Archonus glancing around marking each of us and our wounds. I push my arm behind me turning to the others. Turning to see Justice pulling her sword from the creatures chest and Kareth standing next to it pressing one hand over his burned shoulder and neck. A smile blooms across Justice’s face as she looks down at the beast. Seeing the reflection of our spy glass I quickly reach under it and pull the leather and glass free as the boiling blood races towards it. As Justice’s lit eyes goes to inspect the downed humanoids armor, I slowly go towards the railing pressing hard against the arm wound.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon">Two dark shapes spear from the mist, whistling twice, I try to not just let them know where to go, but also tell those on this ship they are friend. As they near their squawking gets louder, but remains too fast for me to follow. It seems to be something about, “A Big Ship?” Archonus and Farathier come towards me asking what they are saying. Letting them land on the rail and my good arm, I peer into the fog repeating, “They say it’s something big and… it’s coming right for us.” I hold up the spyglass searching the thick fog.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon">The curtain of fog parts and reveals a nightmare. Our ship looks like a dingy compared to the monstrous black shape. Slowly sails can be discerned of the same leathery material as the creatures wings, and the very hull of the ship curved from monstrous bones. I investigate a small pebble sized ship tied to the side of the great vessel. I read in horror as it says “H.M.S. Sea Monkey” pitted, burned and scarred. I lift the glass slightly higher and lean against the rail feeling my stomach turn. Some faces just this morning we had released to the light where now walking jerkily about the deck! Their flesh hanging in places, while all vary from shades of ash to blue. Gapping wounds open to the dawning light of the moon, but bleeding no blood. Like the creatures in Thainsport just a short two weeks ago! </span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: lemonchiffon">Xath’s chubby hands reach around mine pulling the spy glass down. She is able to put into words what my mind is still trying to grasp. The captain upon hearing the words spoken aloud shouts to his crew. Racing we must leaving with all haste. We have no hope against that, and it seems even in death we would not be safe. As everyone shoots into motion, I draw my small kukri cutting away strips of cloth from the fallen man beside me. Using teeth and my good hand I tightly tie the cloth round my arm hoping it will stop the bleeding enough. There is nothing more I can do now. I see Kareth stumbling toward the aft area pushing and holding Arfin in front of him. The healer on board is also the cook, but so far he has done a good job helping Arfin with his sickness. I can only trust him again with my friends lives. With two more hands down, I run past Justice as she stands putting on the chest plate from the fallen creature. The metal is darkest black embossed with two red flying creatures with claws pointed inward and wings spanning to the back. I feel my stomach roll again, and using my good arm swing into the rigging. Sending a quick few words to the Light. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: lemonchiffon">As the sails unfurl they quickly catch the wind, letting us get some lead on the dark ship behind. We are too close to shore to believe otherwise, it heads straight for Oceanus’ port.</span></span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Laurel, post: 1825704, member: 17067"] [b]Chapter 2- “Scions of a Dying Age”[/b] [i][color=lemonchiffon]Day Thirteen- The Crossing to Oceanus[/color][/i] [color=lemonchiffon] The next day was spent adjusting to the new crew, and saying farewell to those who had died in the previous battle. Many were simply empty shrouds, symbolizing the bodies we could not find. The captain presided over each taking on the duty to send his sailors to the light. As his voice started to croak with soreness, Xath placed a hand on his shoulder. In that brief moment that he turned away, Justice stepped lightly forward and easily begin where he had let off. Though he looked unhappy at being pushed aside he relented, remaining at the front. At least in spirit sending them off how they deserved.[/color] [color=lemonchiffon] I remained near the front for only the first few quickly and silently moving backwards. The feeling that I should have done more was still weighing me down. As Justice’s voice picked up almost using the energy of her captive audience, a toothless scarred sailor confronted me. He stammered out that his friend had kept a pair of eagles below. They were kept to send with messages or put on look out, and to keep them honed he was the only one allowed near them. I wasn’t sure if he feared for them or wanted some good meat for dinner, but he had heard I may be able to get them out. Weather he knew it or not the birds had just been granted their freedom.[/color] [color=lemonchiffon]After he showed me the small cage the pair were kept in, I asked him to leave noting how they quieted considerably when only his rank smell was left. I could hear Justice’s voice above droning on then pausing to let the distinct splash be heard then she would start again. I closed my eyes focusing on the birds, at least them I could help. Once again I could use my rare gift, Michael had honed it for what he though was the right way, but I had learned much on my own. I had never before seen ones kept in such a manner, and couldn’t be surprised by their vicious natures. [/color] [color=lemonchiffon]Arfin brought me some food around mid-day, and so took a few mouth full of food trying to appease him and knowing I needed the energy. As soon as his back was turned, however, I returned to the eagles knowing I only had a few more hours. I finally got them to climb on my arm, though if I moved too quickly they dug their long talons in. Once on deck in the fresh salt air, they loosened up and ruffled their feathers. Still not leaving my side, but I could see they were adjusting well. [/color] [color=lemonchiffon]I took supper away from the crew and their looks of disgust. I chose to think it was toward someone carrying so much for graceful animals on my shoulders. Finally finished, I look around for Xath hoping to hear another story of the elves who raised her. I am learning more about my people from her then from anyone or anything else in my life. I feel a smile tug my lips as I go to talk to my friend having finally spotting her working on some knots in the aft section.[/color] [color=lemonchiffon]As I pass the great central mast, I hear Archonus yell, “TO ARMS!” I scramble to follow his pointed finger over to the port side of the ship. A gray veil of white fog is slowly making its way to our ship. The two eagles grip my arm tight swiveling their yellow eyes towards me. I can almost sense the question, lifting my arm straight out I give my answer, “Tell me what you see!” Needing no more encouragement, I struggle to watch their small brown shapes fade to black feint outlines and finally to nothing. Racing to the hold, I grab my stuff off the top bunk, Xath and Justice’s bunks seem to already be deserted of items. I see Archonus’s dark cape and Farathier’s gold head sprinting ahead of me to the aft section.[/color] [color=lemonchiffon]I reach the upper decks racing again to the prow and searching for the two birds. I call softly, but get no answer. I feel the air rustle my short hair from it’s loose knot, and to my fright I look over to see a humanoid in mid air with a body of scales and the head of a serpent with horns. I stare in horror, paralyzed even as he raises the long black and emerald spear. It’s metal head reflects the moon’s light as he pushes it through Arfin’s upper leg. At Arfin’s yell of rage, I see one of my arrow shafts flying towards the great beast. I feel calm as without realizing I place two shafts against the string. “Duck!” I hear from behind me, knowing it to be Farathier’s voice. I release both arrows and flatten myself to the deck, rolling in time to see his large scaled hands brush the points away.[/color] [color=lemonchiffon]I roll to my feet finding myself in front of what Farathier cried out about, a large back leathery winged beast like the humanoid with the spear only with standing on four legs and the size of an elephant. I see a dark green liquid shoot from its mouth and hear Kareth and Justice yelp in pain. I soon add my own cry of pain from a sharp pain in my bow arm, looking down to see the lizards spear sticking out of my arm. I dazedly realize also that I have been thrown against the deck rail and if not for that would have plunged into the cold waters. Grasping the bow tightly I grab the mid point of the spear yanking it quickly. My mouth opens to scream, but only stiff air is released. Free of the weight, I lift my arm quivering as the blood pours onto the deck. I release a few more bolts watching in satisfaction as they tear into the hide of the creature. Xath voice carries faintly on the wind and taking strength in the gift she is giving us, I continue to fire. Finally it goes down looking like a combination porcupine and armadillo.[/color] [color=lemonchiffon]The creature at my back howls in pain and then thumps to the deck. I see Archonus glancing around marking each of us and our wounds. I push my arm behind me turning to the others. Turning to see Justice pulling her sword from the creatures chest and Kareth standing next to it pressing one hand over his burned shoulder and neck. A smile blooms across Justice’s face as she looks down at the beast. Seeing the reflection of our spy glass I quickly reach under it and pull the leather and glass free as the boiling blood races towards it. As Justice’s lit eyes goes to inspect the downed humanoids armor, I slowly go towards the railing pressing hard against the arm wound.[/color] [color=lemonchiffon]Two dark shapes spear from the mist, whistling twice, I try to not just let them know where to go, but also tell those on this ship they are friend. As they near their squawking gets louder, but remains too fast for me to follow. It seems to be something about, “A Big Ship?” Archonus and Farathier come towards me asking what they are saying. Letting them land on the rail and my good arm, I peer into the fog repeating, “They say it’s something big and… it’s coming right for us.” I hold up the spyglass searching the thick fog.[/color] [color=lemonchiffon]The curtain of fog parts and reveals a nightmare. Our ship looks like a dingy compared to the monstrous black shape. Slowly sails can be discerned of the same leathery material as the creatures wings, and the very hull of the ship curved from monstrous bones. I investigate a small pebble sized ship tied to the side of the great vessel. I read in horror as it says “H.M.S. Sea Monkey” pitted, burned and scarred. I lift the glass slightly higher and lean against the rail feeling my stomach turn. Some faces just this morning we had released to the light where now walking jerkily about the deck! Their flesh hanging in places, while all vary from shades of ash to blue. Gapping wounds open to the dawning light of the moon, but bleeding no blood. Like the creatures in Thainsport just a short two weeks ago! [/color] [color=lemonchiffon]Xath’s chubby hands reach around mine pulling the spy glass down. She is able to put into words what my mind is still trying to grasp. The captain upon hearing the words spoken aloud shouts to his crew. Racing we must leaving with all haste. We have no hope against that, and it seems even in death we would not be safe. As everyone shoots into motion, I draw my small kukri cutting away strips of cloth from the fallen man beside me. Using teeth and my good hand I tightly tie the cloth round my arm hoping it will stop the bleeding enough. There is nothing more I can do now. I see Kareth stumbling toward the aft area pushing and holding Arfin in front of him. The healer on board is also the cook, but so far he has done a good job helping Arfin with his sickness. I can only trust him again with my friends lives. With two more hands down, I run past Justice as she stands putting on the chest plate from the fallen creature. The metal is darkest black embossed with two red flying creatures with claws pointed inward and wings spanning to the back. I feel my stomach roll again, and using my good arm swing into the rigging. Sending a quick few words to the Light. [/color] [font='Times New Roman'][font=Verdana][color=lemonchiffon]As the sails unfurl they quickly catch the wind, letting us get some lead on the dark ship behind. We are too close to shore to believe otherwise, it heads straight for Oceanus’ port.[/color][/font][/font] [/QUOTE]
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