Yar

[Widgit]

Yar stood at the top of the fire blackened hill, a saddened look upon his face as his emerald green eyes gazed upon the remains of the village where his kinsman lived. They were the Uruthan Barbarians, a proud and noble people. Highly skilled in battle and some of the best weapon and armorsmiths in the land. The hcildren, both boys and girls, were trained with the sword axe and bow at an early age. But they had to be for the land they lived in was harsh with many hostile tribes of Barbarians around. But now, only he remained.

All around were the burned out homes and bodies of his kinsman. Men, Women, Children, Young and Old..none had been spared. He had bore now witness to the attack as he had been in the fields two miles west of here and had been bathing in a stream, which was why he survived. From the looks of things the attack had come swift and without warning. Many of his kinsmans weapons remained undrawn, many of the quivers were stilll full of arrows. But that was another thing....why hadn't there weapons been taken?

Gradualy he began to make his way into what was left of the village...sifting through the ashen remains of a few homes trying to find any hint of a survivor he was hit by a sudden bolt of anger and rage. Ripping a chunk of wood from a door he flung it far into a neighboring field shouting a curse to the unknown attackers.

His search had gone on for hours, the sun had started to set, bringing with it a cold breeze that gave hint of a coming snow. He hadn't found anyone but he had found his Father's sword. A magnificent weapon it was, a blade of shining blue silver, the design of a raging dragon etched carefuly into the length of it, the cross bar shaped into the form of dragon wings and the center of the cross bar where the blade meets the hilt formed into that of an open dragons mouth so it looked like the blade came directly from its mouth like some terrible breath weapon. Upon finding it he had made a silent oath to find who had done this and to make them pay dearly.

 

[intriguess]

Marina

Marina was the only daughter of Duke Krim, she had many brothers who all vied for her father's favor. She had accompanied him to the oracle where he asked who would succeed him. The answer had enraged him and she wondered what the oracle had said as she had been forced to remain outside during his time with the oracle.

Marina watched as he stormed into the keep and began ordering people around, sending them scurrying away from his wrath. She wished she could leave herself as his fury knew no bounds. She missed her mother very much as it had been her sunny disposition that had tempered her father's rage.

She wondered why he was going after some barbarian tribe and being the youngest child and daughter she was unable to ask him. She knew it had to do with the oracle and she managed to slip away in the flurry of activity and return to the oracle.

The old woman seemed so frail and upon entering she removed the hood of her cloak. "I knew you would return," the raspy voice rattled her as Marina turned to look into the milky white eyes of the oracle. "I can not tell you what you want to know, but the path your father has chosen will lead to bloodshed." The oracles eyes closed and her breathing softened.

Marina was about to ask for more when she realized the oracle slept. She was scared at the thought and wondered how many of her brothers would perish. She slipped back into the castle unnoticed as men prepared for battle. Several of her brothers stopped to say good bye to her but remained tight lipped about her father's orders. She felt left out as always, the only child who resembled her mother, her brothers were all broad shouldered golden haired with lean features. Marina had brilliant green eyes, jet black hair, and porcelien skin. She felt out of place as she watched them leave and wondered what would become of the Uruthan Barbarians.

 

[Widgit]

Red Snow

The snows had begun. Yar had been traveling for the past three days in always westerly direction. His fur lined cloak hugged his shoulders snugly leaving his broad bronze bare chest exposed. The deer skin breeches he wore now offered more protection against the cold than his loin cloth did, but he mainly wore it if he were sleeping in a warm bed or during the middle of Spring and into the Summer. His Father's sword was at his side resting in its sheeth.

Topping a hill he brushed his hand back through his dark brown shoulder length hair as he scanned the land that panned out from him like a blanket of white splotched with red. Splotched with red? His brows furrowed into a crease of thoughtfulness. Slowly he looked around and coght sight of a cloth material fluttering in the whind just thirty feet off to his right at the bottom of the hill.

Slowly and cautiously he made his way down to see what it was. He knew he was still in his lands and knew that it was not a trail marking. Upon approaching it he saw the white cloth material was attached to a wooden pole that protruded out of an ireegular shaped snow mound at an angle. Around the base of the pole where it stuck into the snow the ground was stained red like the rest of the ground in various areas around here. The material itself was a white cloth cut into a rectangle, the edges of it lined with a silver trim. In the center of it he could se a symbol tht looked like a Stone tower in front of a white moon, a sword that looked like a broad sword was to the right of the tower and to the left of the tower an iron shield.

"Hmmmm..I know this heraldry..." he said to himself. He may be a Barbarian but he had learned various things of the outlying lands and kindoms from traveling merchants and other passers through. "The Kingdom of High Moon..." He said again to himself as he traced the heraldric symbol with a finger. Then grasping the pole with his hands he jerked it out of the ground,and to his surprise the ground spurted blood!

With a shocked gasp he jumped back and again was shocked as he heard the ground moan in what sounded like pain. Quickly he recomposed himself and began to quickly clear away the snow. Under it he found a young man wearing studded leather armor. The armor itself was fashioned to fit his features which were lean, his sholders broad and hair golden like the morning sun shining over a field of wheat at the time of High Harvest. However his features had been tainted by a gaping wound in his abdomen where the pole had gone through.

Yar looked down at the man...he seemed to be breathing still but raggedly as each intake of air was a struggle all its own. The blood seeped from the wound freely. It had to be stopped. Yar grabbed the heraldric totem and tore several lengths of it into bandaging strips. Having down this he began to bandage the mans wound.

It took some tim but eventualy he had the bandages in place, they seemed to be tight enough to stop th bleedig but he knew the wound would still bleed if it was not closed.

"M...M..rina..." came a raspy whisper from the mans mouth.

Yar looked down at him again..that name..was it his love? His Sister? He wasn't sure, but he did know that when a man when wounded badly, uttered a female name it was usualy someone they cared for and loved very much.

Suddenly the man's eyes flew open and catching sight of Yar and knowing how his people dressed, his hands flew down his body as if in searcg of a weapon. This only serve to agrivate his wound and he groaned in pain, his eyes wincing shut. Yar just looked at him.

"W..well..what are you waiting for??? Finish me!" The man shouted at him. Yar just...blinked.

"Finsh me damn you!"

Yar reached down, the man lay there as if awaiting his fate, and then Yar grasped him by the shoulder firmly. "I do not wish to kill you. There is no honor in ending the life of a wounded man if that man is not your enemy..."

The man looked up at him. If only Yar knew...the day before he had been fighting his people, the few lucky ones who had escaped the village. They had trapped them here and sent them to the next world. After they had been delt with the bodies had been burned and dropped into a mass grave.

The snow began to fall again. Both were silent for a long time and the man ifnally spoke. "I..I am Giddeon Krim...Eldest Son of the Duke, Robert Krim of the Kingdom of High Moon."

"Yar..." Yar replied "only Son of Verilon, Chiften of the Uruthan Tribe..." his voice trailed off. So he was from High Moon. He knew he was only a day from where his peoples land bordered along that Kingdom.

"Marina...." Giddeon began "My Sister awaits my return..the day of her birthing draws near...I don't want her to marry to Fater's Horse...."

Yar looked to him a bit confused "You talk out of your head..."

Giddeon wasn't sure what he meant. His Sister was to be wed to his Father's Horse...wasn't she??

For the remainder of the day Yar tended to him, feeding him by hunting down a rabbit and cooking it over a fire. He gave him water by melting snow in a small pot he had found on the field. During all of this Yar discovered that te red splotches he had seen were blood that had been spilled onto the snow. Here and there lay a random weapon or personal article.

That night Yar let Giddeon rest. The next day however he knew he had to get him help or he would surely die, he was near death's door already and he didn't know how long he would last.

The going was slow. But knowing where he was and where Giddeon came from he decided to go to High Moon and try to find help there. During the journey he drug him behind him through the snow on a sled he had made from shields and spear shafts he had found here and there there the night before. To tie it off he had used several lengths of rope. To keep him warm he had blanket Giddeon with his cloak, leaving himself with nothing to warm his upper extremities.

The snow this was falling hard, like a harsh rain. In fact it was a blizzard. But here there was no place to seek shelter. Yar could barely see three feet in front of him. Normally he would stop and wait it out but with Giddeon slipping farther away he could not stop if he wanted too.

The Blizzard lasted all day non-stop, and unknownst to either Yar or Giddeon they had crossed into the Kingdom of High Moon two hours ago.....

 

[intriguess]

Marina

As soon as the men were sent off her father sent for her, he informed her that after her birthday she was to marry some old man. She had stormed off into her room in tears refusing to leave. She hated her father, then she hated the oracle, finally she hated the barbarian tribe that was somehow at the center of it all. She vowed to not leave her room until one of her brothers returned.

They tried to lure her out with food, but after a week they began sliding it under her door. Her father finally left she saw him riding out and she wished she'd never see him again as fresh tears streaked down her face. She barely ate and cried most of the time, especially as news arrived that they had eradicated the barbarian tribe, but the cost was high and it had been a bloody mess.

She cried until she couldn't cry anymore and washed her face and chopped her jet black hair off in grief and dressed in the blackest dress in her wardrobe and left her room. She felt that her brothers would only come home to be buried, and she grimly wished her father had never gone to the oracle. Her brother Jayden, third eldest was running things while her father was gone. All her btothers loved her and spoiled her. She considered Jayden lucky, he was slender and had always spent more time reading than fighting and so he had been left behind. When she went to go see him he looked weaker and paler than usual.

"It's just a cold, go away and let me be."

She left with a cold dread in the pit of her stomach and went to visit her oldest brothers wife. They had hoped she was with child when he left but it had been a false alarm and Marina wondered why her father had sent off to kill a tribe, and marry her off if Jayden was to inherit.

Despite the bitter cold she trudged back to the oracle determined to get answers.

"Blood blossoming on the snow," the oracles milky eyes seemed to follow her as she approached. "I warned him and I shall warn you, the future is as it is, nothing can change the path of destiny." The old woman coughed for a long while and in her raspy voice said, "You may ask me one question."

Marina thought about all the things she wanted to know, then considered what was most important to know now. "Who will inherit my fathers kingdom?" She dreaded the answer.

The oracle cackled and replied, "A child of the Uruthan Chiefton's loins with green eyes." The old woman cackled again, "No son of Krim shall take the throne, but his line will continue on from the youngest child."

Marina stared at the old woman, unbelieving, "You mean that I," she paused her lips dry and she continued, "I will," she paused again unable to say the words outloud. "He killed the barbarian tribe of Uruthan, so it's not possible," she whispered.

"You've already asked your question, only time will reveal the answers you now seek."

 

[Widgit]

Dralspur's Inn

Yar continued his trek, dragging the sled that bore Giddeon upon it behind him. For four more hours he trudged, the snow storm continuing relentlessly on. Yar could feel the effects of the freezing cold fully now. His upper torso was sorefuly frost bitten, but he dared not remove his cloak from Giddeon or he to would suffer the same. The temperature was falling rapidly....he had never experienced such cold before, something about it felt unnatural.

Then after another hour of slow and steady trudging he collapsed to his knees. Taking in deep breaths he crawled over to check on Giddeon. He was still breathing but his eyes were shut. Yar knew his bandages would need to be changed soon.

Taking the last few strands of the cloth he began the task of replacing the bandages. But as he did so a shadowy movement cought his eyes. Looking up he could see a bulky figure moving towards them.

"Who...are...you" he stammered through the coldness that made his teeth chatter.

"Me? Who are you foolish one with no shirt?" Came the reply. The voice sounded graveled and old. As the figure neered Yar could see it was an old man wearing a heavy fur coat and carrying a walking stick.

"I am Dralspur...and I see you may be in need of assistance." Dralspur was looking at the wounded man Yar had with him.

Yar gave a nod in response. "Come....I'll take you both to a place that is warm with bed and food." Dralspur waited for Yar to stand.

Yar began to stand..then stumbled, nearly falling over Giddeon. Dralspur went to him and placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. "Steady there young Sir..." Helping him to his feet he then helped Yar pull Giddeon along.

"Might I have your names good Sirs?"

Yar glanced to him and nodded. His lips had turned a dark blue and his eyes were starting to glaze. Dralspur didn't like the looks of that. "I am Yar...of..of the...Uruthan Tribe...Cheifs Son. And this...this is Giddeon...Krim...Son of Duke Krim..."

Dralspur's eyes went wide. The Duke's Son??? He tried to hurry there pace but knew he should not as it looked like Yar's legs may collapse.

It took a while but soon they were entering a large two story building built by the road side. A sign, the top portion covered in a thick snow said "Dralspur's Inn" an had the happy picture of a mug and plate of food that was being eaten and drunk by a man and woman. Upon entering Dralspur turned and looked to the bar. The Barkeep, a pleasent looking chubby old woman came hurriedly over. Yar stood to the side as they began to collect Giddeon off of the sled.

Once he was off Dralspur whispered into the ear of his Wife as they began to carry him off to a back room. "This is Giddeon, Son of the Duke."
His Wife nodded. "I shall send word to his Manor once these two are taken care of." She replied.

Yar followed them to the room. The interior of the Inn was cozey enough with a nice warm large fire, clean wooden floors, the smell of cooked food and scented candles in the air. Although for the moment the common room was sparse of patrons.

The room Yar followed them to was relatively nice looking. It held a large rug, smaller fire place with a cooking pot in it, table with three chairs a roll top desk, king size bed and a smaller bed. A private bath was in an adjoining room. They place Giddeon on the smaller bed and began to tend to him, trying to warm him even more by placing a coal box full of hot coals under the mattress. Then Dralspur left his Wife and tended to Yar as she continued tending to Giddeon.

"Get in the bed.." he said as he motioned to the king sized bed. "I'll fetch you some hot soup."

Yar did as he was told.

Soon they had them both resting comfortabley. Although Giddeon seemed to be slipping fast.

"I will send word to the Duke's Manor." Dralspur's Wife, Elain said. Fetching the Inn's messenger she wrote out a messege on parchment informing the Duke's Family that Giddeon was at there Inn and that he was hurt badly. Once it had been written out the messenger left to deliver it.

 

[intriguess]

Marina Krim

The world seemed to as cold as her heart as snow fell, blanketing the land in white. The wind blew bitter and some called the wind of change, she called it the wind of doom as everyone seemed to sense the gloom that had settled on the Castle of High Moon.

She greeted the courier as she had greeted every courier hoping beyond hope to hear some word of survivors, or at least word of her father. None had came and she let the despair of winter sink into her bones as she took the message and arranged for the scrawny shivering lad to get a hot meal and a place to stay the night. The weather had turned even more terrible and it was a wonder the poor lad had bothered going out and luckily found his destination.

She noticed the seal of Dralspurs Inn and wondered what news could probably be so urgent. She read the letter three times before she could believe the words, an outlander had dragged her brother Gideon in at great risk to his own safety. She would have kissed said stranger if he were present and she called for the stable boy as she vowed to tend to go immediately. She would have to tell him that his wife had fallen ill with the illness that had claimed many during this bitter winter among the frail, elderly, and the young. Even now her brother Jayden was coughing blood and wasting away. She had taken care of him and the people the best she could, but Gideon's return was like a ray of sunshine.

She ignored all the protests with a look and saddled up a sturdy black mare and headed out in the snow. Barely two feet from the keep she could no longer see anything and she prayed that whatever force had brought her brother home would allow her to see him before taking him from her.

Her cloak was frozen stiff by the time she found the inn, the full moons light causing the snow to shine like diamonds, making it nearly impossible to see. She had not asked how long it had taken the messenger to arrive and prayed her brother was alive as she took her horse around to the stables.

Snow had finally stopped falling but it coated everything and huge drafts made it impossible to tell how deep the snow was, she brushed off her horse before making her way to the inn's door. Marina was glad someone had kept the path fairly clear and the door was able to swing outward, her cloak crackling as the ice broke off when it hit the door. She looked around her green eyes taking in everyone who was waiting the storm out, while they in turn stared at her.

The inn keep approached and from there everything blurred together.

 

[Widgit]

Dralspur approached her and gave her a respective bow then stood upright again and mtioned to the door that led to the room which held her Brother and the Outlander. "My Lady...your Brother is very ill but my Wife has treated him the best she could. The one who brought him here is with him, also resting."

He began to lead her through the common room and opened the door to his private chambers for her.

Inside she could see Dralspur's Wife, wiping her Brother's forehead with a damp cloth. He seemed to be cought in the grip of a fever. The outlander was in the same room, lying in a bed of his own. His clothes...what little were there as they only consisted of a pair of deer skin breeches and a cloak made of the skin and fur of a black wolf, had been neatly folded and placed in a chair by his bed. His boots were neatly beside the chair on the right and his sword was propped up against the chair's left hand side.

He didn't seem to be suffering from fever however his skin seemed to be reddened in patches from the freezing whinds that had been blowing and the unforgivable chill of the air. In fact it made it look like the skin of his broad chest was covered in red polka dots almost. Both of them were sleeping.

"Almost time for more soup..." Dralspur's Wife said as she stood and moved over to the cooking pot in the fire place. She hadn't notticed Marina's entrence yet...then again she was far too busy to stop for a bow as it were. She may be Dralspur's Wife and the Barkeep of the Inn, but she was a healer as well. Sometimes it was good to have one on hand if a traveler from the road who had been attacked by bandits wondered in...

 

[intriguess]

Marina

She went immediately to her brothers side taking his hand in her own kissing his clammy flesh. His eyelids fluttered as if dreaming and she watched his lips move wordlessly. "Whatever you need shall be brought," she said softly, "for either of them." She tossed a pouch heavy with coins on a nearby table, "Something for your kindness and care." Her voice was soft and strained, as her brother squeezed her hand weakly.

"Marina," he gasped for air and then began coughing.

"Yes, Gideon, I'm here," she replied taking the time to wipe his brow and feel his fevered head.

"Father," he spat out blood and she wondered about the extent of his injuries. Mystic healers were a thing of the past, even as it had been rumoured that her mother had the touch. When she died it had killed any belief Marina had in the power to heal. Seeing her brother dying made her wish she had the gift.

"Don't speak," she said worried the effort was draining his strength.

"We killed them all, Father said no one was to be spared." He coughed violently and she cradled him against her body until it subsided and he was slumbering once more.

She thought she had no more tears to cry as two large tears rolled down her cheeks. She turned away from her brother's resting form to look at the one who brought him in, he seemed oddly familiar somehow. She was glad that the storm had prevented her betrothed from making demands. She touched his brow and was relieved it was a normal temperature.

"Thank you, whoever you are, you shall have anything you want as long as it is within my power to give."

 

[Widgit]

He began to stir...someone was talking to him. It didn't sound like Drespar..or his Wife. No this voice was different, a softer feminine voice than the old woman. Slowly his eyes opened..his vision was blurry at first but began to clear as he blinked a few times.

As his vision cleared he was staring at the face of a young woman with jet black hair, brilliant green eyes that rivaled his own and skin as white as porcelain. His eyes left her breifly to search the room..he had almost forgotten where he was. He could see his things by the bed..the man he knew as Gideon lying on a seperate bed..and then her. The older couple seemed to have left. Probably to tend to the common room. The common room. That's right. He was at there Inn.

But what had she said...she seemed to have been inquisitive of his name.

"Yar..." he said. Then he decided to go a little further with it. "I am Yar...Son of Verilon..Chiefton of the Uruthan Barbarians...only..now I am the last." He glanced to where Gideon lay.

"I came upon him during my trek west to seek out those who had destroyed my people. I found him lyin in the snow. His name is Gideon. He had the pole of his totem cloth burried in his stomach. The symbol upon the cloth was that of The Kingdom of High Moon. It is where I am taking him. Only..." He sighed and half shrugged. "I know not where we are now. We became lost in a snow storm. The owner of this Inn helped us here and gave us shelter and aid."

He looked to her inquisitivley... "Do you know who Marina is...he spoke that name and nothing more."

From behid her she could hear her Brother stir and then go into a quick fit of coughing.

 

[intriguess]

Marina

What little color was left in her face drained as he introduced himself. The oracles words rang in her head and she was glad for the distraction as Gideon began coughing again. She turned back to her brother helping him sit up, rocking him gentle as the coughing subsided. "I owe him my life, if I die see that he's repaid," Gideon whispered.

Marina muttered that if he'd be able to repay the debt even as she felt in her heart it was not true.

"Promise me Marina, promise me you won't marry that horse's ass Father picked," he sputtered coughing again.

She saw the blood and knew his lungs had been punctured and that he was unlikely to survive. She wished with all her heart for him to live, even as the oracles words continued to chant in her mind. 'A child of the Uruthan Chiefton's loins with green eyes. No son of Krim shall take the throne, but his line will continue on from the youngest child.' The more she thought about it the more she was convinced that it did not say that she would be the mother of the child as the barbarian had green eyes himself. It only said she would have children and that none of her brothers would rule after her fathers death.

She cleaned up Gideon as best she could and turned her attention back to a man whose very life proved the oracle right. "I am Marina, his only sister, his wife has fallen ill and I fear news of his condition would make her long for death."

She gripped the scarf in her hands tightly unaware of her white knuckles or the blood on the fine white cloth. "I appreciate that you brought him back to us, may I inquire as to what you plan to do next?" She dreaded the answer, he was an honorable man, a man her father would kill given half the chance, that is if her father was still alive. The thought did not sadden her as to her, her father died along with her mother and the cruel man who looked out from his eyes frightened her.

"As I said earlier I will grant you anything within my power to give." She added softly, "I would not advertise your clan affiliation if I were you," she paused, "it would be dangerous to reveal such knowledge to one who might wish you harm."

 

[Widgit]

Not to advertise clan affiliation? But that was what he intended to do, after all what she said was true...anyone who wished him harm might attack him if he announced the clan line he followed. But then again...that someone may be the one responsible for what had happened to his clan. ven so he nodded.

"Verry well...I shall try not to let others know where I come from..."

So..this was Marina...and she was Gideon's Sister. He also noted, along with her name, the trepiditous way in which she held him, as if she were wary of his pressence here. Could she know of his people? Or could she know of what happened to them?

He brought himself into a sitting position and stretched breifly. Looking to Gideon then back to her he nodded. She did say she would give him anything he asked for. And right now there was only thing he needed...well...maybe two.

"There are only two things I need.....one of them only a request." He gave her a warm smile and then continued on. "I would like only your thanks. You owe me no debt." He knew that even though she had been reunited with her Brother that he may not live to see the next sunrise, but he did however get to see his Sister again. That was something men borne into battle and wounded greivously rarely got to do.

"As for the thing I need....I umm...." he shrugged and looked down to his groin which was becoming quite uncomfortable as his bladder was qite full. "Well I need to relieve myself....could you fetch one of the Keeper's please?"

He couldn't help but to laugh a little, he sounded to himself like a helpless child. Gideon couldn't help but to chuckle a little himself.

"Yes Sister, go fetch the old man before Yar floods his bed." Gideon then looked over to him. "I give you my thanks." Then he settled back in, he already felt extremely tired and almost every breath he took pained him.

Yar nodded "Hul Nei me'tiel clahs der" he said softly in reply. Words of blessing his Father often said among men and women of his tribe who had been seriously wounded in battle and were beyond the Shaman's help. The words meant: May the Gods bring you peace.

 

[intriguess]

Marina

She managed to blush at the idea of him relieving himself. When her brother spoke clearly, she felt he was well enough to leave and knew that even in her abscense he would not die alone. She did wonder more about the other man, there was only so much she could do to protect him if he choose to flaunt his clan and follow the path of blood.

She found Dralspur and he chuckled and headed up and suggested she get something to eat. Marina headed to the kitchen and found his wife setting up a tray. She offered to take it and noticed the woman eyed her suspiciously and then dismissed her.

"I've got enough round here to tend to anyhow. I'll be up later to check on them, I suppose you want a bed for yurself?"

Marina was surprised by the look the woman was giving her and doubted any answer would be satisfactory. "I don't plan on sleeping, but an extra blanket if you can spare it." She softly asked, the woman nodded and added.

"I know what yer father dun, and I expect you'll not be finishing the job?"

The accent was pronounced and Marina realized that her father's eradication of a tribe might arouse fear and suspicion. "I wish him no harm," she murmured before taking the tray up running into the innkeep on the way.

"Well they be ready for food, now that their bowels be empty."

Dralspur had that same brogish accent and Marina merely nodded. She entered the room and noticed that Dralspur had left a bedpan behind and wondered if she would be able to tend to such matters if need be, her training in the healing arts and tending of the sick had ended when her mother died and that had been over ten years ago.

"Can you eat?" she asked Gideon who looked deathly pale but had managed to sit up a little bit. She wondered if he had told Yar what he had done and who had ordered the slaughter.

She sat between the two beds slightly afraid of any conversation they might have while she was gone. "I hope you can feed yourself?" she asked looking at Yar. She wished he hadn't told her who he was, and she feared what retaliation might occur if he discovered who she and her brother were.

 

[Widgit]

"My Sister..." Gideon began after she had left "I wish she could not see me like this. I wish I could see my Wife..."

Yar looked over at him and nodded. "The Gods willing you shall. But you should not worry how your Sister sees you, the important thing is that she can." Gideon tried to reply but ended up coughing instead.

"Try not to talk so much...you need to reserve yourself."

"Uruthan..." Gideon said, using the name of Yar's tribe, his voice sounded heavy and near breaking "You do not know what I had been doing before you found me. You did not ask...you only seeked to help..."

Yar raised a brow, should it matter? He found someone in need of aide...

"You said I was not your enemy..taht...is not true..." He coughed again, flecks of blood hitting his hand as he raised it to his mouth. "Your..people..I..."

Yar shook his head "Do not talk, rest."

It was then that the door opened and Dralspur came in. He had a bed pan for Gideon and since Yar could probably stand now, a chamber pot for him.
"Well, who be the first? Or does it matter?" The old man chuckled and went over to Gideon first, having him scoot up so he could slide the pan into place.

As for Yar, he set up the chamber pot in a corner and pulled out a privacy screen. "Yeah, we do have an outhouse, but it's much to cold fer that..lest you wanna get bit by Mr. Frost again so soon." Dralspur said, noting the way in which Yar held the pot in regard with his eyes.

Even though his clothes had been folded and placed in a chair, he still had his lon cloth on so he wasn't completely disrobed. So he pushed back the covers and moved around so his legs hung over the bed and then wnet to stand. He found his balance a little unsteady at first but quickly found it.
Then mving behind the screen he remained standing and moved the front of his cloth aside. A satisfactory groan left his mouth as he felt the pressure on his bladder decreasing.

After they were done, Dralspur removed the bed pan and chamber pot and emptied them both into a large barrel out behind the Inn as he left through a doorway, ocncealed in the room by a large coat rack full of light and heavy coats. When he came back in Yar had just ifnished wiping some blood from around Gideon's mouth and was just going back to sit on his bed.

Gideon sighed, his face darkening.."I do not think I shall last much longer..."

"Nonsense..." Dralspur said as he went to leave them "And you..." he began as he loked over at Yar. "You be nice to Marina...she is a Lady you know..and make yourself a little more presentable please?"

Yar looked down at himself as he sat on the bed...presentable? He was clean...he still had his loin cloth on and even if he didn't what would it matter? The people of his tribe weren't ashamed of the way one looked, clothed or unclothed so he wasn't exactly sure what he meant.. Maybe his posture?

"Presentable...yes of course." And instead of the way he was sitting, he sat up taller with his shoulders back and his head high. Dralspur laughed and left the room to fetch them some food....well at least he had posture and stature right

The door opened a few seconds later as Marina came back in and sat between them. She spoke to Gideon first then spoke to Yar. "I hope you can feed yourself?" she asked. He noted the way i which she spoke...as if she were unsure of something. Maybe it was the fact that she was worried about her Brother. She hadn't seemed to nottice his state of dress, or maybe she had and he had been presentable enough for her...

Looking into her brilliant green eyes he nodded and gave her a soft smile. "Aye...I can feed myself."

 

[intriguess]

Marina managed to smile back and looked to her brother. She tried to feed him in the futile hope that it would make a difference. He looked bad and she dreaded telling his wife he had come so far to end up like this.

"My wife is she carrying the child well?" He asked her as he managed to swallow some of the broth.

She avoided his gaze, but he gripped her hand and insisted she answer, "No, it was a false alarm. She is not with child," she whispered softly. His hand let go of her and she saw something leave his eyes.

"I hoped for a son, or a daughter would have be fine."

She noticed he was talking as if he would not have the chance to have children. She held back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes, unwilling to further hurt him by telling him about his wife's illness. She got him to drink the tea and had slipped something in it to ease his sleep. She remained by his side until he finally slumbered.

She smoothed his hair back and wiped his face, "I fear he will not last the night." She turned back to the barbarian and spoke, "You never said what you intend to do now?" She feared retribution even as she knew the devastation experienced on both sides. Those that had returned had a haunted look and nightmares. She had heard the rumors of burning women and children alive. It sickened her that her father had done this thing to hold on to his throne. "As for seeking High Moon, you are a stones throw from the castle proper. If you wish to go there when the storm subsides, I will take you."

 

[Widgit]

He was about to respond when the door flew open and shut hurriedly. Drelspar stood there looking alarmed. "My Lady please excuse my sudden intrusion but I must warn you..or rather him..." he said looking to Yar. "Several armed men are here seeking you, they were notthe armor or symbols of High Moon but of the Black Riders, a Mercenary Company that has recently come under the Duke's employ. They are here seeking you, apparently they had followed you this far through the storm, made camp outside of th eInn and waited until it had died down enough. They are here now asking questions and actively searching you out."

Yar nodded. He was not one to hide but he was not foolish enough to charge headlong into battle either, without knowing how many or what he exactly faced. He stood and went over to the door, opening it just enough so he could see into the common room without being seen himself he peered through. Indeed there seemed to be at least two armed men in the common room asking questions, they both wore Chain vests the color of which was an ashen black and had long flowing black cloaks upon the backs of which was an embroidered symbol of a visorless helm against a crescent moon. He knew two were down here but how many total? The ones that were searching were probably in the upper rooms but how many...

As one of them began to question a frightened looking woman she pointed to the door he was standing at and he could see her lips move as she said "Th...th..in there! They have him there!"

Yar shut the door. "How many are here..." he said flatly as he went to the chair where his belongings were and began to dress hastily.

"Four...but Sir..surely you do not mean to fight them?"

Yar looked to him then to Marina and Gideon. "Marina..." he said as he fastened his breeches and grabbed his boots, sliding them on and quickly lacing them up. "I need to lead them away...get your Brother to his Wife..let them see each other for it may be the last until they are both n the next life...." His boots back on he grabbed his sword belt and began to put it on.

"I shall check on the two of you when I get the chance..tell me...how do I find you.." His sword belt and weapon back on he knew time was short for direction giving, already he could hear the booted feet of the two men in the common room approaching the door. The front door was not an option right now, he would have to leave through the door that lead to the Inn's gardens through the other door hidden behind the coat racks.

 

[intriguess]

Marina worried and wished he had not so blatantly walked into danger. She knew the blood shed was not over and knew that her father must still live in order for mercenaries to follow his orders. It was not a pleasant thought and she merely said, "I think it would be better if I found you, if you need a safe haven the oracles is hallowed ground."

She began wrapping her sleeping brothers body up and watched him leave her sight. Her concern for his well being consumed her as she picked up her brother's body feeling odd that she could lift him so easily. The innkeeper helped her put her gear back on and suggested she go out the stables door.

She made her way quietly down and out finding a way to secure her brother to her horse. The night was clear, the moon glinting off the deep snow, but at least the snow had stopped falling and the wind was calm. It wasn't far to her brother's wife's family home. The horse stepped through the snow easier than Marina and she had him settled in beside his wife in no time. She knew moving him had aggravated his injuries but she had decided that in her last hours of life she would want to be with the one she loved.

The family fussed over her and suddenly she was eating and having her choppy hair cut trimmed. She finally begged off a place to stay, "I have other matters to attend to." She swung up on the horse and while she had meant to go home to see if indeed her father was back, but instead heading to the oracles. She wondered if the crazy old woman had survived the sickness. Marina was also concerned that her father might behead the poor woman to spite her.

 

[Widgit]

The Oracle's....but where..there was no time for any further conversation, already they were at the door. With a simple nod he quickly left.

He knew not what tok place afte his departure, he only knew that once again he was on the road. He knew they weren't following him but then again he really didn't know where he was going himself. But something was drawing him away from the road. He wasn't sure what it was but he felt ocmpelled to punge into the darkness of the woods. The moonlight shone down upon the snow causing it to glitter like millions of tiny crystals.

The air was still and cold, he could see his breath in front of his face with each exhalation. Slowly he pulled his lcoak around him to keep out some of the cold. As he stepped into the woods he glanced behind him to see if anyone had followed. No one was there. A sudden snarling drew his attention back to the taril that somehow and to him, suddenly happened to be there. Standing upon it he could see a large Wolf, its grey fur streaked with red, however the red didn't look like blood. It padded toward him still snarling, Yar's hand flew to his sword as he prepared to draw it.

However the Wolf did not attack but instead bounded away into the woods. Yar watched it cautiously as it melted into the darkness, then he looked again to the trail. Where had it come from? It hadn't been there a moment ago....He decided to follow it.

He followed the trail for a long while then up ahead he could see dim lights and smell the scent of wood smoke. As he got closer to the lights he could see they were lights in the window of a small wooden structure...a small home of some kind, from it's chimney ros a pillar of spiraling smoke tat snaked its way to the heavens above. As he stood there the door to the home opened. There in the door way stood an old crone dressed in a heavy grey gown, in her right hand she clutched a walking stick, her hiar was long and grey but seemed to be neatly brushed. She looked upon him with eyes of the deepest blue that held great wisdom.

"Come in, come in Yar...I've been expecting you." She said with a gravely voice and a smile.

"How do you know my name?" He asked. He was still cautious and he knew not where he was.

"I know many things Yar, son of Verilon, Chiefton of the Uruthan Barbarian's....come in and warm yourself by my fire.." She then turned and went back into her home.

Yar stood there a second thinking about this. Then with a nod he went up to the door and stepped inside. The door shut behind him seemingly of its own accord. His eyes scanned the interior of the home which was sparse in furnishings. The crone was already preparing him a bowl of stew.

He moved over to a small table and started to sit. "You say you know much aout me..what do you know.."

The Crone placed the stew on the table and looked down at him and smiled "I know you are Yar, the last of your tribe, I know you seek vengence for what has been to them, this vengence you will have but it will not be the vengence you seek..."

"What do you mean? What will I have then?"

The crone only cackled and shook her head. "In time Yar, in time the answer will come to you...as for the one you seek..you have found her."

"The one I seek...the Oracle? You are the Oracle?"

The Crone nodded in response as she sat across form him. He began to eat his stew which tasted better than anything he had ever eaten before. Go to the Oracle she had said, I shall find you there.

As if reading his mind the Oracle smiled to him "Your wait will not be long Utharian.....your Lady is on her way."

Your Lady..."What do you mean my Lady?"

The Oracle cackled in reply to his question.

 

[intriguess]

Marina struggled with her horse, it was as if it did not want to go, she was so involved wiht controlling her horse that she paid no attention to her surroundings. When she looked up it was as if time had rolled back it's veil to give her a glimpse of the past as she saw her mother, happy laughing and braiding a childs hair. "Don't worry about your gifts Marina, they will come to you when you need them."

She reached out to touch the vision and it blurred before her, a single tear ran down her cheek as the forest surrounded her once again. Trees clawed at her cloak and she broke through some branches along the way. She followed the smoke that was hopefully rising from the oracles place. Marina wondered why the old woman had to live in such a remote place, and finally decided that if she could see the future she might wish to isolate herself as well.

She still did not know what the future held despite the cryptic message the oracle had spoke or the memory of her mother. She had no gifts, she was merely the daughter only as good as the man who wanted to marry her. She shuddered at the thought of her betrothed, he was beyond repulsive, and barely worthy of the match. She had no idea what her father had been thinking, her horse finally breaking through to the path to the oracle's home. She slipped off the poor overworked horse and was glad she had not encountered any mercenaries along the way.

Marina took care of the horse first, and tried not to think of her brothers. She was about to open the door when it swung open as if expecting her. She shivered as she had not dressed for travel when she left and only the stress had kept her blood flowing. "You're here," she was thrilled he lived and refrained from throwing herself at him and hugging him to make sure he was real.

"Of course he's here my dear, where else would he be?" the oracles voice was surprisingly clear as Marina hung her heavy cloak up by the fire. "Where else would he be indeed."

Her eyes followed the old woman as she brought Marina something to eat, "Eat first, questions later." The oracle looked at her sharply, "Yes I do know when you last ate," before moving off gathering strange herbs and throwing them on the fire. The smell was strong but not entirely unpleasant.

Marina wished she had met him under other circumstances. Her mother used to say that as the only green eyed child it was her duty to pass it on. She had been too young then to know what that meant but for some reason she thought of it now. Added to that the cryptic message of inheritance and the man across from her was a large piece of the puzzle.

"You really should wear something less," she paused trying to put it delicately, "less outlandish."

The oracle seemed to find this comment funny and added, "Wear less indeed, perhaps he should wear nothing at all."

Marina blushed and focused on the stew in front of her.

 

[Widgit]

"Yes..I am here." he said in response to her after she had entered. Though he still wasn't sure how he got here. He knew somehow that he would not be able to find his way out of these woods if someone did not show him the way. Only now he wasn't cautious about he old woman now, she had shown him no signs of ill intent...just a strange familiarity somehow that he could not place.

He had finished his stew before she had gotten there and the Oracle had given him more, telling him that he would need it later but to eat it now. He wasn't sure what she meant but he was eating it anyway.

And then the subject of clothing came into view..to dress less like an outlander...which to there eyes he was, or to wear nothing at all. He couldn't help but to chuckle, part due to what they had sad and part due to the way Marina blushed, which he found to be pleasent.

"I'm afraid this is all I have with me to wear." He shook his head. "But I could always wear nothing at all, then I wouldn't be dressed like an outlander." He added jokingly, the Oracle looked over at him from the fire as she stirred some of the embers into new life, the herbal smoke mixing together causing the scent to change to different tones of degree, but not overpowering or strong, just staying between mild and pleasent. "Why not..." She responded to his joking comment, although it was more of a statement on her part than a question.

Yar chuckled again, then his face grew serious as he looked back to Marina. "Tell me...how fares your Brother?"

 

[intriguess]

"Gideon?" of course he meant Gideon he did not know she had six other brothers. "I left him with his wife, her family is caring from them. He seemed most restful next to her, but I fear they will not live to see the rising of the next sun." She took a spoonful of soup and added, "though if this storm continues it may be a while before anyone witnessing the sun rising." She thought about his clothes, surely something of her brothers would fit him. Getting him to the clothes or the clothes to him was the problem. She had heard the murmurs that her father had returned and she definetly did not wish to see him again.

She doubted he was the type to back down from a fight, yet at the same time wondered what path would lead him to ruling High Moon. Would he kill her father? after all her father had ordered his tribe destroyed. She knew she should tell him but was unwilling to have a part in the carnage.


Her mind had turned once again to the thought of him wearing nothing at all. "You had no trouble avoiding the Black Riders?" she asked between spoonfuls of the stew. It warmed her from the inside out, but the tension did not fade, she should not be here.

 

[Widgit]

"No, I had no trouble..but then again....I was barely half a mile away from the Inn when I found myself walking through these woods."

As they talked The Oracle began to stoke the fire once more, the scent of the incense burning on the fire smelled of sweet grass, mint, and some other herb Yar could not identify, although it wasn't unpleasent, it smelled very pleasent whatever it was. And somehow it was starting to leave him feeling slightly euphoric.

"Marina..." he said as he reached across the table nd placed his hand on her arm. His touch was gentle yet still firmly strong but not intending to do her harm, and with his hand on her arm he could feel the silky softness of her porcelain skin. "What troubles you....I know you worry for your Brother, yet I detect something else as well. I know we have just come to know the other exists but if you need someone to talk to, I am here."

"The hour is growing late." The Oracle stated as she looked to them "Creatures of te night will soon be walking about, even in this weather, some of them in these woods you will not find timid or gentle."

Her words were meant as both a warning..and a suggestion. Yar could detect both and nodded "I think you are offering us a place to stay for the night..." The Oracle nodded.

"Very well..but if Marina needs to return to her home or to her Brother's side I shall see her through to either."

The Oracle regarded him for a second...he did not know her yet he was still willing to be her guard as it were, until she reached her destination if need be. "Tonight is not a night for travel Uruthian...."

Yar nodded as he finished his stew. Removing his hand from Marina's arm he slid his now empty bowl aside. "My offer still stands...even through the morrow." He knew that even though neither of them had encounterd the mercenaries, it did not mean they had given up the hunt.

 

[intriguess]

Marina

She looked into his green eyes and knew what she'd see even before she looked. He had such potential within him, she wondered if he even knew what peril lay ahead of him.

The oracle fussed about and muttered, "Well I'm not exactly set up for guests and I'm certainly not giving up my bed. So you shall have to make do with some extra blankets."

Marina swore there was an extra twinkle in the old woman's eyes when she returned with bedding.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," she cackled.

Before Marina could protest about the sleeping arrangements or the implications, the oracle had slipped away. "She's much more spry than she looks," she commented noticing the empty space by the hearth and that the dishes had at some time gotten cleared away. She glanced at him and the spot by the fire, "If you wouldn't mind I'd appreciate it if you settled in and closed your eyes first." It was a request and one she hoped he'd honor. Her clothing was not travel garb and as time passed she became more aware of how uncomfortable some of her undergarments were. There was no way she could remove them and maintain a ladylike appearance. She suddenly wondered what a woman of his tribe would wear and do in such a situation.

Marina watched as he dimmed the fire and spread the coals out, she turned away to begin unfastening her dress. "I know why your friends and family are dead." She said it so softly she almost thought she didn't say it. She slipped her gown off and begin dealing with the cumbersome underpinnings. She turned around clad in a pale gray shift the neckline scooped low, the skirt ending just above her ankle. She noticed his eyes were upon her and she feared the question on his lips almost as much as she feared what his lips might feel like touching her pale skin.

 

[Widgit]

He had managed to spread out the glowing embers evenly before he stood again. Turning to her he could see she had undressed down to what to him looked more...clothing. He had also heard what she had said and frm the look in her eyes that she was trepiditious of his response. But for now he just stood there looking upon her, the way the under chemise fit to her form and the way her form curved underneath it. He had to admit..he did like what he saw. "Do all women here wear such garments when they bed?" he asked curiously. She was about to respond when he just simply droppped his cloak from about his shoulders and let it hit the floor and he stood before her, the embers of the fire giving his skin a faint bronze hue. Then he kicked off his boots and unfastened his sword belt, placing it and the weapon against the hearth.

As he began to undo the remaining belt and fastenings of his breeches he could see her looking at him and then she cleared her throat and quickly turned around. As she did she could hear his breeches hit the floor though he still wore his loin cloth. Normally he would have taken it off but she seemed a bit timid he did not wish to frighten her or give her a wrong impression. He picked up his clothes and placed them in a chair and then went to sort out the bedding. "You say you know what happenned to my friends and family are dead...why?" His voice wasn't threatening nor was it rough or toned to intimidate....it was just a simple question.

 

[intriguess]

Marina

She was not used to being around barely dressed men, especially when only a thin layer of cotton covered her skin. "I usually wear a simple nightgown, though in the summer I occasionally wear," she paused blushing. Why was she telling him such things. "A servant is usually in my rooms early in the morning so I dare not go bareskinned to sleep." She pulled her eyes from his scant covering of his maculine parts and bite her lip as he asked her the question.

"You said you are the last and I've heard stories of the horrors committed." She knew she could not stop there and watched him lay out the blankets in an orderly fashion. She was completely hopeless as she'd always ahd a bed to sleep in and someone else to deal with the bedding. "I know the man who gave the order." It was the truth, and she was not sure if she was ready to reveal that it had been her father, "Fear does strange things to people." She could not explain her father's actions, nor would she make excuses for him. Marina wondered what her betrothed would think if he could see her now. "As I said before, I wish you no harm and compel you to leave before more blood stains the snow." She lowered herself to the covered floor and without thinking took the side nearest the fire.

She had closed her eyes hoping he would ask her no more, "Do you want the spot by the fire?" Marina rolled over to look at him once more her gaze running up his strong legs drawn to his loin cloth. She blinked a few times, hoped he hadn't noticed her stare as she finally looked up into his green eyes.

 

[Widgit]

"No..you may sleep there." He said as he knelt. Gathering his cloak he folded it a few times and then reached down for her head. She started to draw back but that was all he needed as he placed the cloak where her head had been. It should make a fine pillow for her he thought.

So she knew the man who had given the order to attack his village. This indeed grabbed his interest. He took a step over her as he went to his side of the bed he had made for them and began to lay down onto his back, looking up at the ceiling which had been bathed in a soft orange glow from the fire.

He lay there and crossed his arms under his head, making sure to give her ample enough room on her side, leaving about an eight inch space between them. "Who is this man...."