jgg3210
Exile in the Vastari - Chapter Eight: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Exile in the Vastari - Chapter Eight: Like a Leaf on the Wind
From the journals of Raphael of Gannetgul, recorded during his time in exile.
“I am still tired and hungry, but I am very much alive. No longer do I languish in the depths of the Mines of Myst. Instead, Through some strange twist of fate, Anora… or Zephyria if Thad is to believed… has delivered unto me the company of a Zephyrite Monk. Thad is a welcomed companion to have in this harsh wilderness. His optimism seems to be infectious as I feel my steps growing lighter with each step. However, I must take a moment to relate some the strange eccentricities of my new friend. I will use an odd event from this afternoon to illustrate my point.
I was following Thad along the lush banks of the Vastari River, touching each pink scrabble brush blossom that I passed with a curious finger still amazed that I had not perished in the darkness of the mines. The delicate flowers made me think of Isabella. Her memory drives me forward, each step bringing me one step closer to the vengeance that her memory so greatly deserves. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I had not noticed the path that Thad had chosen, the scrabble brush did not bloom so brightly around us any more and the melodic trickle of the water seemed so distant, like a nearly forgotten memory.
“What troubles your mind my brother?” Thad asked me suddenly in his jovial tone. Looking over his shoulder at me.
“Huh? Oh, nothing… I was just thinking, that’s all.” I snapped back to reality. My thoughts of Isabella and Tallway quickly clouding over with mist.
Thad laughed deeply, a loud guffaw making his beard ripple, “You lie to me brother. I know when a man has trouble on his mind. But, your business is your own brother.”
Thad smiled at me, and I smiled back at him, glad for the fact that he didn’t want to probe me farther on the issue. “So, you never told me what brought you here friend.”
“Well, that’s simple brother, I was here to find you.” Thad grinned again, his white teeth oddly juxtaposed by the wiry black beard that framed them. The green jar tethered to his staff jingling with every movement he made. “Tell me again brother, why are you here?”
Slightly annoyed, I answered curtly “I told you Thad… I was exiled.”
“That’s the easy answer friend. Now, tell me why you are really here brother.” Thad’s eyes narrowed this time as he looked at me seriously.
“I’m not sure that I understand… It is not as if I chose to be here. I’ve tried to find passage to the north. The river is what delivered me back to these sands…” I babbled on for a moment unsure of how to answer Thad’s question.
Thad sighed and shook his head. Dust rained down from his great mane of tangled hair. “I figured as much, that is why I brought you here brother. To this place…”
The ground suddenly rumbled and the sand shook. At first it was barely perceptible, but soon I felt it in the soles of my feet. I grabbed for my sword, and readied myself for whatever was to come. Thad stood there, complacently on the shifting sands. He gave me a knowing look, and right before us the ground burst. Sand and rock flew in all directions. I raised my sword high to strike as a great sand wurm emerged from the debris. It was all sinew, glimmering blue scale, and fangs.
Thad threw his staff in front of me, slapping me hard across the chest and knocking me backward. “You have much to learn brother.”
His words stung me, yet fear still coursed through my veins. I had to attack this beast to save us both. “Thad! What are you doing?!?”
“I’m teaching you your first lesson brother.” Thad’s once jovial face suddenly took on a more somber appearance, “Not everything is as it seems my friend.”
“But… but… that wurm…” I sputtered weakly.
“Is harmlessly migrating north.” Thad pointed his staff toward the retreating form of the burrowing beast, “Like a leaf on the wind, brother. Like a leaf on the wind.”
Just as quickly as it happened, the wurm was gone and we continued on our way silently.
For the entire story, click here... www.flickr.com/photos/10211834@N07/sets/72157635218437758...
For more information on the Vastari Desert, or to follow Raphael's progress... Click this link... www.flickr.com/photos/10211834@N07/9508632581/
Comments and feedback are always welcome!
Exile in the Vastari - Chapter Eight: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Exile in the Vastari - Chapter Eight: Like a Leaf on the Wind
From the journals of Raphael of Gannetgul, recorded during his time in exile.
“I am still tired and hungry, but I am very much alive. No longer do I languish in the depths of the Mines of Myst. Instead, Through some strange twist of fate, Anora… or Zephyria if Thad is to believed… has delivered unto me the company of a Zephyrite Monk. Thad is a welcomed companion to have in this harsh wilderness. His optimism seems to be infectious as I feel my steps growing lighter with each step. However, I must take a moment to relate some the strange eccentricities of my new friend. I will use an odd event from this afternoon to illustrate my point.
I was following Thad along the lush banks of the Vastari River, touching each pink scrabble brush blossom that I passed with a curious finger still amazed that I had not perished in the darkness of the mines. The delicate flowers made me think of Isabella. Her memory drives me forward, each step bringing me one step closer to the vengeance that her memory so greatly deserves. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I had not noticed the path that Thad had chosen, the scrabble brush did not bloom so brightly around us any more and the melodic trickle of the water seemed so distant, like a nearly forgotten memory.
“What troubles your mind my brother?” Thad asked me suddenly in his jovial tone. Looking over his shoulder at me.
“Huh? Oh, nothing… I was just thinking, that’s all.” I snapped back to reality. My thoughts of Isabella and Tallway quickly clouding over with mist.
Thad laughed deeply, a loud guffaw making his beard ripple, “You lie to me brother. I know when a man has trouble on his mind. But, your business is your own brother.”
Thad smiled at me, and I smiled back at him, glad for the fact that he didn’t want to probe me farther on the issue. “So, you never told me what brought you here friend.”
“Well, that’s simple brother, I was here to find you.” Thad grinned again, his white teeth oddly juxtaposed by the wiry black beard that framed them. The green jar tethered to his staff jingling with every movement he made. “Tell me again brother, why are you here?”
Slightly annoyed, I answered curtly “I told you Thad… I was exiled.”
“That’s the easy answer friend. Now, tell me why you are really here brother.” Thad’s eyes narrowed this time as he looked at me seriously.
“I’m not sure that I understand… It is not as if I chose to be here. I’ve tried to find passage to the north. The river is what delivered me back to these sands…” I babbled on for a moment unsure of how to answer Thad’s question.
Thad sighed and shook his head. Dust rained down from his great mane of tangled hair. “I figured as much, that is why I brought you here brother. To this place…”
The ground suddenly rumbled and the sand shook. At first it was barely perceptible, but soon I felt it in the soles of my feet. I grabbed for my sword, and readied myself for whatever was to come. Thad stood there, complacently on the shifting sands. He gave me a knowing look, and right before us the ground burst. Sand and rock flew in all directions. I raised my sword high to strike as a great sand wurm emerged from the debris. It was all sinew, glimmering blue scale, and fangs.
Thad threw his staff in front of me, slapping me hard across the chest and knocking me backward. “You have much to learn brother.”
His words stung me, yet fear still coursed through my veins. I had to attack this beast to save us both. “Thad! What are you doing?!?”
“I’m teaching you your first lesson brother.” Thad’s once jovial face suddenly took on a more somber appearance, “Not everything is as it seems my friend.”
“But… but… that wurm…” I sputtered weakly.
“Is harmlessly migrating north.” Thad pointed his staff toward the retreating form of the burrowing beast, “Like a leaf on the wind, brother. Like a leaf on the wind.”
Just as quickly as it happened, the wurm was gone and we continued on our way silently.
For the entire story, click here... www.flickr.com/photos/10211834@N07/sets/72157635218437758...
For more information on the Vastari Desert, or to follow Raphael's progress... Click this link... www.flickr.com/photos/10211834@N07/9508632581/
Comments and feedback are always welcome!