Thread:Riftgard Princess/@comment-1719793-20111030085642/@comment-4482397-20111108153409

heres my chapter.... ummmm... its called.... Hurricane.

The next morning, Ralken watched his father from across the table, his eyes half closed. He supposed one could only hold so much wine, but it was amazing how much Badrang could chuzzle down.

“Ere. Son, aren’t ye going to eat?” Badrang looked up, swallowing a mouthful of pheasant.

Ralken shook his head. “I’m not very hungry at the moment father.” he examined his nails. “Seeing as we aren’t doing anything else, perhaps you could tell me what it is you brought me in here for.”

Badrang grinned. “You’re my son alright. The straight to the point type.” He leaned over the table as though confiding something secret. “Skalrag’s one of yore good friends isn’t he?”

“Yes.” Ralken said slowly, a sick feeling in his stomach. “Since the first time we met.”

“Good! Then you should know why he hasn’t returned from that mission of his by now.” Badrang narrowed his eyes.

Ralken laughed softly, trying to hide his growing anxiety. “Well, he’s either dead or captured. Did you want me to go find him, father?”

“Of course not!” Badrang spat. “Your blood isn’t worth spilling over that weak fox. I have a feeling that Skalrag will have given his services to Clogg in order to keep his life. If he has, he will be punished.” His voice ended in a growl.

“Of course, I’m going to test that theory first. If Skalrag is a traitor, then his suffering will be endless. If not, he’ll be back to his regular duties.” Badrang stood and draped his cloak over his shoulders. He glanced at his son. “So, how’s that new healer coming along?”

“She’s keeping up with her duties, considering all that’s been happening.” Ralken stood, trying to keep his voice steady. If he knew what his father’s test was, he could do something to keep his friend alive.

Badrang smiled. “That’s good to hear. But I also hear that you seem rather taken with her.” His father’s eyes narrowed. “And I can’t have any grandchild of mine being blind of a half-breed. Do you understand?”

Ralken smiled. “Of course not. I have no interest in petty things such as romance. I’m more interested to hear what this plan of yours to test Skalrag is.”

“It’s very simple really.” Badrang purred. “I’m going to ask Clogg to hand Skalrag over as a sign of good faith. If Clogg agrees, it’s because Skalrag is a spy, and Clogg has nothing to lose with Skalrag being inside our walls. If he doesn’t, then Skalrag is innocent.”

This was very precise reasoning, and Ralken swallowed, hoping for the entire world that Clogg would refuse to give up Skalrag.



Ralken lay in Alya’s tent, his head resting against the table leg and his eyes staring unseeingly at the ceiling. He felt as though he had died brutally inside. He didn’t have the heart to tell his friends what was going on. They didn’t need to know. It was too horrible.

He heard footsteps entering the tent, but he didn’t move. ‘’dear seasons please don’t let it be Juni.’’ He thought, bile rising up his throat.

“Ralken?” Findo’s voice echoed in Ralken’s ears. “You okay mate?”

Ralken sat up. If he had to tell anyone, he at least should tell Findo. “Clogg gave Skalrag back.” His voice was hoarse.

“That’s great!” Findo cheered.

“No it’s not.” Ralken groaned and put his head in his hands. “That means Skalrag’s a spy.”

Findo was silent. Then he spoke, and there was anger rising in his voice. “Well what are we gonna do about it?! We know he only did it so he could live and take care of Juni, and see his kid grow up! We can’t let Badrang-

“I’ve already tried explaining this to my father.” Ralken said dully. “He won’t listen. There’s nothing we can do.”

“Dear Stars above.” Findo whispered, and slid to the floor in a daze. The two of them sat in solemn silence, too lost for words.

“Archers! Fire!” Badrang’s voice called from outside. Then there was a horrible piercing scream, which could only be one beast.

“SKALRAG!!!! NO!” Juni’s voice was like the cry of a wounded dove, shrill, and full of inconsolable anguish.

Ralken stood up, his legs shaking. “She shouldn’t have had to see that…” his voice broke and he fell to his knees with his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking. It was the first time since infancy that he had ever cried.

Findo looked away, his own eyes burning, but a deeper fire was coursing in him. The fire of revenge. Revenge against Clogg for his stupidity, revenge against Badrang for his lack of mercy, revenge against every archer that stood on the battlements now.

An icy wall surrounded Findo’s heart. Just like it had, the day he had received those three deep scars on his cheek. Elonwyn stared in sickened horror at the corpse of Skalrag, hanging like some vile flag on the battlements. Vomit rose in her throat, and she sank to a crouch, trying hard not to let herself be sick all over the ground. She could hear Juni, who was sobbing quietly on Alya’s shoulder.

‘’I know how you feel. I know how you feel.’’ The words repeated in Elonwyn’s mind. She did know. Her own mother had died horribly in front of her very eyes. And on that day Elonwyn had become afraid. Afraid to speak, afraid to walk on her own, afraid of everyone around her. And this fear had been kindled by her father’s over protectiveness.

“Come on Juni.” Alya whispered. Elonwyn turned her face away from the sickening sight, and watched Alya lead Juni to the tent. Elonwyn followed. She was not really welcome in this silent procession. She hadn’t really known Skalrag. But she wanted desperately to tell Juni that she wasn’t alone, that she would be alright.

But these words were so empty. So very, very empty.

She stood awkwardly outside the tent and her eyes widened. Findo was standing in front of her, and his red rimmed blue eyes were hard and icy, full of hatred. She staggered back, letting out a moan.

Findo blinked and stared down at her, as though only just seeing her. “Elonwyn?”

Elonwyn shoved past him, hugging herself. Those eyes… were so dead of everything except bitterness and evil.

Ralken sat on the ground, hugging his knees, staring across the room with unseeing eyes. Dried tear-tracks ran down his cheeks.

“Your dad asked for you, Lonn.” Ralken said hoarsely. “Asked Badrang to hand you over in exchange for Skalrag. But dad didn’t know you were in here, so Clogg just left. That’s a good thing, it means Badrang won’t try and use you as a hostage.”

Elonwyn nodded slowly, then wrapped her arms around Ralken’s neck and gave him a brief hug.

“You’ve done your best.” Elonwyn whispered, and then stood up. Juni sat on the table, rocking back and forth, no longer crying. She stared at nothing, her eyes dead of life, like the eyes of a mad beast. Elonwyn remembered these eyes. Her fathers had been the same when her mother had died.

“I’ve given her a sleeping draft so she can rest and not have any nightmares. But I think it would be best if someone kept an eye on her.” Alya sat down beside Ralken. Findo still stood at the doorway, watching everyone in Marshank mill about.

“Hey.” Findo spoke up. “Clogg’s being let in the gates.”

“That will mean the three of us will be wanted.” Ralken groaned and stood. “Elonwyn, could you watch Juni and keep her company?”

Elonwyn nodded and climbed up the table to sit beside Juni.

“Good.” Ralken gave her a forced smile, before he, Findo, and Alya left the tent. Findo gave Elonwyn one last glance with those hate filled eyes. Lonny shuddered, but the Findo smiled and left.

Lonny let out a sigh and watched Juni rock back and forth, trying to gather the courage to talk to her. Finally she took a deep breath and spoke.

“My mother’s name was Baina. She was a gypsy fortune teller my father met on one of his travels. She could do all sort of magic tricks to entertain the crew, and read fortunes, and cards. My father, married her, and had me. I was runty, and I look more like my father than my mother, but we were my dad’s life. But, you see, some of the crew were terrified of my mother. Corsairs are very superstitious, and the called her a witch, and bad luck.”

Elonwyn hugged her knees. This was the most talking she had ever done at once and it frightened her. But this was important. It could help Juni.

“When I was seven seasons old, we landed at this bay, and these corsairs who were conspiring against my mother, lured her away from the ship, and she had me with her. I was scared, but my mother was more trusting. When they had us far away and alone, they tied my mother up and threw her and me on a pile of sticks and lit fire, to burn us. My mom managed to free me and get me out unharmed, but she burned. I watched her die in front of my very eyes. The corsairs took me away and tried to drown me, but my dad and his loyal corsairs had seen the fire and they came and rescued me.”

Elonwyn played with the fishbone tailring on her fluffy sand colored fur. It had been her mothers. The only thing left of her in the fire.

“Dad went berserk and killed the ones who had killed my mother. After that, I was scared to speak to anyone, to be with anyone. I was afraid I was going to die too if I came too near anyone. If I trusted someone. And dad became very overprotective of me.”

Elonwyn stared at Juni, who was staring back at her with blank eyes. Juni was no longer rocking.

“But, my dad was just like you for a while. But then, he realized, he had me to take care of, and he went back to his usual self. But I do understand what you’re going through, Juni. I watched my own mother burn in front of my very eyes. But, you can’t just give up. Your baby needs you.”

Elonwyn let out a little gasp as Juni suddenly hugged her tightly. Elonwyn sat there, tense, but then she relaxed, and pet Junis head awkwardly.

Findo sat outside the tent, a smile on his face. “So that’s why.” He muttered, then stood up and walked away.