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Kierstien was tired, and growing a bit hungry. She almost wished she had taken Ryianne up on her offer to have breakfast before she rushed off. But, what was done was done and she was certain that she was nearing the exit of this very long tunnel. The rush of the winds was almost rustling her hair, a clue that she was close to the other side. Though no light would be seen, if there were any light out she wouldnt know.
She ventured forth and as she walked, she felt a light dusting falling across her exposed skin, sand she assumed. Her pace quickened, her stomach was now leading rather than her feet.
The opening of the tunnel slowly came into view with the help of her torch. The faintest of light could be seen from her viewpoint, it was dawn. The sun had barely begun to rise and the heat of the day had only begun.
Once she reached the opening of the cave, she paused. Taking in what was before her before she continued on. Her eyes saw a few huts, and a few stronger looking buildings here and there. Everything had a nice crisp orange glow to it, good thing for her as her eyes were well adjusted to the darkness, and a sudden burst of sunshine might have temporarily blinded her.
There was nothing green to be seen, and the lands before her were vast. It seemed the town was not up and about yet. A good time for her to explore undetected. Before she stepped out of the cave, she leaned down and doused her flame with the use of the sand. She twisted it to and fro making sure that the flame was completely out before she placed it back in her pack. As she moved forward, her feet immediately sank a few inches into the sand. Walking was going to be a bit more difficult now for sure.
She lifted one foot and then the other, heading out into the open and the unknown. There wasnt too much to see, Not completely dark, but not quite light yet she could only see about a half mile around her. Though she knew that this place would probably be much, much larger than what her eyes were telling her it was at the moment.
She trudged forth, really having no idea what she would find here she was hoping that she would find a friendly group of person's here and not any sort of blood thirsty creatures. Her senstive ears brought her a sound that she had not heard before, It didnt sound like a bird it was too loud of a noise. Not feathery and light, but more powerful and strong. She turned her eyes up just long enough to catch a human sized form just before it landed in front of her. Most likely a scout for the town she assumed, and thought it best if she made a good impression.
The creature placed a hand on it's waist on either side and looked down at her with disapproving eyes. "Who Are You, And What Are You Doing Here?" Kierstien forced a smile and gave the creature a friendly nod, "Oh, I am Kierstien.. I am only traveling through." The creature took in Kierstien's form, looking her over perhaps to sense if she were dangerous or not. "Well my suggestion to you is move along, we dont take kindly to strangers here." Kierstien swallowed hard, it seemed this was not going exactly as she had hoped. "I'm sorry, I dont mean you any harm.. I am in need of a meal, and rest.. I have money.." Kierstien wrung her hands as she spoke, tring to look as meek and small as she could.
The creature snorted and his breath blew her hair from her face. He snarled at her, "Did you not hear what I just said to you?" It's voice raised a bit as it spoke this time, it was obviously serious. Though Kiersten's good nature usually helped her make friends wherever she went, she wasnt having much luck with this one.
Kiersten took one step back as the creature spoke angrily at her. Able to see the creature quite well now she could see that it had wings upon it's back and dark flowing hair. It's skin was purplish in color and sparkling green eyes. Kierstien really had no business here to speak of, so she couldnt use that as an excuse to stay even if long enough to rest. She nodded once, "I understand" And she headed off to walk past the creature and onwards to her unknown destination. She could feel the creature's eyes upon her, and she knew that she would be watched until she reached the edge of town.
There was really no pathway to follow, everything was covered with sand, and the buildings had no order to them, they were sparse and spread out here and there. So she would walk on, weaving in and out of them. As she rounded the corner of one of the small hut's, she was surprised when a door creaked open, grabbed her by the arm and quickly pulled her inside.
She was quickly ushered down a small flight of stairs, "Stay here, and dont make a sound!" The door was clicked behind her, and she was once again in the dark. It wasnt long before she heard a loud pounding upon the door she was jerked into. She heard voices talking back and forth, it almost sounded like arguing. It seemed like a long time before it was again silent. She would not dare move, no idea what was happening to her at the moment, but at least she thought she was safe for now.
The door slowly opened, letting the light of the hut shine down across her. "You can come up now, he is gone." Kierstien slowly ascended the stairs, the being seemed friendly enough. Once she reached the top level she saw before her another creature that looked much like that last one she had met, only this one had kind eyes and didnt seem as gruff as the last one.
"Dont mind Artimus, he is pig headed and quite full of himself." The cellar door was closed as Kierstien entered the hut's upper level. "My name is Ariel, I heard the two of you talking, he takes his job a little too seriously sometimes." Kierstien turned to face her now, "Very nice to meet you Ariel, I am Kierstien." Kierstien was a little dumbfounded, she stood in one spot a little like a frightened animal. "Dont worry, you'll be safe here for awhile. Come and sit down, we arent allowed any visitors outside of our clan."
Kierstien gladly took a seat at the small table there in the middle of the room. "Thank you for helping me, I have no idea where I am." Ariel laughed a bit, "Yes that is a little more than obvious dear. Would you like some soup? I have a little leftover from supper last eve, you are welcome to it." Kierstien was famished and nodded three times in unison. "Yes Please" The Druid turned and began to fix her a bowl of some sort of liquid of which Kierstien was not familiar, but any sort of sustinance would be a welcome thing to her empty belly.
Kierstien turned her eyes around the place, it wasnt much but she was grateful for the hospitality. She cleared her throat before she spoke, "Artimus, is that the scout?" Ariel nodded, "Yes, but we are not all like him." Kierstien smiled, "Well I am sure grateful for that!" Ariel placed a big bowl in front of her, "Here, eat.. You look half starved, we'll talk more when you've finished." Kierstien eagerly picked up the spoon and began to eat the soup that Ariel set in front of her hungrily.
Kierstien · Mon Nov 12, 2007 @ 01:51pm · 0 Comments |