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wayfarers_lodge) wrote2010-01-01 03:04 am
wayfarers_lodge) wrote2010-01-01 03:04 am
{Atana} More bad news
Atana sat by the fire, one hand stiff around the letter she had just received, the other curling into a fist over and over, the only outward sign of her fury.
Olaf has gone missing, the letter read, He went for a walk a few weeks ago and has not returned. We are very worried for him, but with the winter storms coming, there is nothing we can do.
Leyna's father had lived in Clear Fields for all his life, or at least, as long as he had had Leyna. He was no stranger to the perils of the oncoming winter that promised to be fierce and unforgiving, and he was no fool. Either he had wandered out into the cold to silence the screaming of his heart, or he had been attacked unawares- or worse, called by the children of the Bitch Goddess, whom he loved as Leyna had.
Auril was merciful, and appreciated the noble sacrifices of her people, Leyna had said again and again. Olaf had already given one of his ears and several of his fingers to shield the people of Clear Fields from a dreadful winter years ago. This winter coming had all the hallmarks of slaying the sick and the elderly, and blighting the land with killing frost. Auril had already taken his daughter, so perhaps this great sacrifice was not so great. Or perhaps he doubted after Leyna's death, and needed re-education to the Bitch Queen's truth.
Atana stood, and went into the hall, raising her voice.
"Tharkas! THARKAS! I know you're around!"
The hobgoblin came trotting down the hall with a military rhythm to his usually light and fleeting step. In his Guardsmen's tabard, he looked worlds away from the sickly, shivering creature that she and Jobosh had found months ago.
"What is it, Atana?" He asked, half flinching, as if expecting her to blame him for something out of habit.
"I need you to tell Lord Darius that I'm going to Clear Fields."
He looked concerned.
"What? Now? At this year-time? It is dangerous!"
"I'm needed. She may have Leyna's father."
The emphasis put on the pronoun gave Tharkas pause.
"Really? Are you sure? This isn't a time to be chasing shadows."
"I can't take the chance. Tell him I'm sorry."
The hobgoblin nodded slowly, hesitantly, and Atana turned and ran down the stairs. She still had her furs from her first trip into the mountains, and the sabertooth kitten would have to come with her. The coming winter loomed over the sky like a threat, and only a fool would go into its arms without taking every precaution possible.
Olaf has gone missing, the letter read, He went for a walk a few weeks ago and has not returned. We are very worried for him, but with the winter storms coming, there is nothing we can do.
Leyna's father had lived in Clear Fields for all his life, or at least, as long as he had had Leyna. He was no stranger to the perils of the oncoming winter that promised to be fierce and unforgiving, and he was no fool. Either he had wandered out into the cold to silence the screaming of his heart, or he had been attacked unawares- or worse, called by the children of the Bitch Goddess, whom he loved as Leyna had.
Auril was merciful, and appreciated the noble sacrifices of her people, Leyna had said again and again. Olaf had already given one of his ears and several of his fingers to shield the people of Clear Fields from a dreadful winter years ago. This winter coming had all the hallmarks of slaying the sick and the elderly, and blighting the land with killing frost. Auril had already taken his daughter, so perhaps this great sacrifice was not so great. Or perhaps he doubted after Leyna's death, and needed re-education to the Bitch Queen's truth.
Atana stood, and went into the hall, raising her voice.
"Tharkas! THARKAS! I know you're around!"
The hobgoblin came trotting down the hall with a military rhythm to his usually light and fleeting step. In his Guardsmen's tabard, he looked worlds away from the sickly, shivering creature that she and Jobosh had found months ago.
"What is it, Atana?" He asked, half flinching, as if expecting her to blame him for something out of habit.
"I need you to tell Lord Darius that I'm going to Clear Fields."
He looked concerned.
"What? Now? At this year-time? It is dangerous!"
"I'm needed. She may have Leyna's father."
The emphasis put on the pronoun gave Tharkas pause.
"Really? Are you sure? This isn't a time to be chasing shadows."
"I can't take the chance. Tell him I'm sorry."
The hobgoblin nodded slowly, hesitantly, and Atana turned and ran down the stairs. She still had her furs from her first trip into the mountains, and the sabertooth kitten would have to come with her. The coming winter loomed over the sky like a threat, and only a fool would go into its arms without taking every precaution possible.