Character Castle 2.0
- This topic has 2,849 replies, 27 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 7 months ago by .
-
Posts
-
And Liorah and Qatar would be just as bad!
Yeah…I hate to think the kind of mess they’d make together. And all three of them??!!! Yikes.
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comAs they walked, he found himself eavesdropping on the conversation between the new boy and Acyn. It appeared that new boy had mocked Acynâs arrogance. And Acyn decided to take offense. Lorcan rolled his eyes. Will children ever learn?
LOLLLLLL!!!!!! THIS IS SO GREAT!!!!!Aw thank you so much XD that is literally my own inner voice coming out there. I’m extremely dry as you can probably tell lol
Side note: Do we want Lorcan and Niarok to develop a grudging friendship? HmmmâŠ.
I am HERE for it! J’adore unlikely friendships and team ups loll
That got real philosophical real fast XD
Haha I know right !!
Man, heâs so fascinating! Now Liorahâs out of his life Iâm seeing a completely other side of him, and itâs so cool!
Thank youu, he is my favourite character. I get excited just thinking about him! One can only hope that Liorah stays out of his life permanently so that she can’t prevent his character growth in this castle hehehe
YESS!! Iâm glad Iâm not the only person who does this!! (Most of my characters have a playlist XD)
Same girl same. I have two playlists for my primary characters so far. One with normal songs and one with epic film music XD
I LOVE THAT SONG!!! Itâs so Lorcan!!! I already know have awesome taste in music XD
YASSSS I’m glad you think so tooo. I just imagine him kicking monster butt when I’m playing that song lolll.
Iâd say Sahar is âTo the Dreamersâ or âWholeheartedâ by For King and Country, and Acyn is âFiveâ by Sleeping at Last. (That song has a really long intro, you can skip the first two minutes if you want to get straight to the song)
Cool choices! I really like For King and Country đ
YES ITâS THE BEST!! LOL, Sahar and Acyn figured out they were in love before they did XD Sahar ships it so hard XD
OOhh!! I think sheâll actually pick up on the sparks between Lorcan and Yila! LOL, this will be hilarious!
Oh my goodness this is gonna be hysterical XD I cannot wait lollll
IDK if that is how Locran would react to Quinâs answerâfeel free to change it if you want.
Girl that is absolutely how he would react! Lorcan would be very closed off, doesn’t want to question his own actions for morality. Fair play to you!
Yesss!!!Letâs seeâŠthe best way for this to work would be for Quin to help Locran out of some situation. (Like Locran just did for Quin with the crutch), because that would boost Quinâs confidence enough to be friends with someone like Locran.
problem is, Locran has lots of skill/training/powers, and Quin has literally nothing (except that his hands are very able, and deep inside he has a kind heart), so IDK if him helping Locran is even possible???
That is a really good idea. Hmm maybe it could be a situation where Lorcan gets injured by something and Quin has to help heal his wounds or something like that. I’m sure we’ll think of something XD
Denali, same-o. If you donât like this, please feel free to change anything.
NOOOO IT WAS SOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love seeing this side of Qatar! It’s like he’s so kind somewhere deep beneath all the anger and sternness and even he doesn’t realize it but it’s there and auuuugghhhh!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!
Niarok
Niarok paced behind the man supporting Yila and tried to stay awake, but he couldn’t keep his eyes open. He’d been awake for two days now. Two whole days. He’d pulled a week without sleep before, but that was when he was sitting in his practice, the only physical activity revolving around a bandage or having to move a patient.
This was different. He’d done nothing but carry heavy objects around and run from various enemies that all seemed intent on devouring him.
The weight of exhaustion pulled down on his shoulders, and he allowed himself to slump. It was better to have bad posture and look exhausted than trying to keep up the facade of alertness, which took up all the energy he had left and forced him into lethargy.
Niarok watched his feet trace a path over the stones in the cavern. He fingered his sword. Walking like this was embarrassing, but it also kept him alert enough to fight if the need came.
His downturned head prickled, and he raised his head to see the stern man looking at him.
He saw me like this.
Whatever. May as well admit his weakness now, especially if he was going to be stuck with these people for as long as it sounded like he was going to be stuck with them.
“How about a rest?” the stern man shouted to the people far ahead. His deep voice reverberated throughout the cave. Sahar jumped slightly, and Niarok smirked.
Just then, Yila lapsed into unconsciousness. Niarok tensed to catch her if the need arose, and it almost did. Sahar buckled beneath the weight and Yila started to fall, but the man swept her up in his arms as though she were about as heavy as a twelve-year-old. Which probably wasn’t true, but Niarok knew how it felt to lift heavy things with no effort.
Niarok stumbled up beside the man who held his sister, angry at his tired legs for not cooperating. But the legs could wait.
Niarok took one look at Yila’s face and felt deep-seated fear form a knot in his stomach. The castle wasn’t working fast enough. Yila was dying.
Niarok hardened his face and looked straight into the other man’s eyes.
“Set her on the floor next to the wall over there, please.”
The man didn’t flinch, didn’t nod, didn’t change his face, but he carried Yila to the wall, seeming to catch an unspoken message not to set her down yet.
Niarok smiled grimly and whipped his backpack off his back, found a bedroll inside, and laid it out on the ground.
The man silently placed Yila on top of it, then walked away.
Niarok stared into her face. She was pale and sweaty, but she shook with chill. Niarok covered her with a blanket and rummaged around until he found his herb sack.
Feverfew, feverfew, where’s the feverfew?
His hand closed on the potent herb and he pulled it from his bag. He mixed it with a small amount of water from Yila’s water skin and mashed it into a wet pulp in his hand, then he pried her mouth open and made her swallow it.
Not that it would do anything for the root of the problem, but Niarok suspected if he could keep her from dying of fever, the castle would be able to do its work in peace.
Niarok heard a crunch behind him and looked up to see the same man who had carried Yila.
What’s he doing? Though he hated me.
The man stared at him. Niarok stared back.
Niarok raised an eyebrow. “What?”
Emily, same again. If you didn’t like something, please change it!!!
"The darkness is seldom complete, and even when it is, the pinprick of light is not long in coming."
Girl that is absolutely how he would react! Lorcan would be very closed off, doesnât want to question his own actions for morality. Fair play to you!That is a really good idea. Hmm maybe it could be a situation where Lorcan gets injured by something and Quin has to help heal his wounds or something like that. Iâm sure weâll think of something XD
Great!
Yeah that’s an idea. Idk if receiving help is something Locran is fond of though? Sorta doesn’t seem like he’d like that too well…
It could also just be slow forming friendship–like a guy bonding thing–no help involved. Whatever you think would work best!!
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comQatar
âSet her on the floor next to the wall over there, please.â said Niarok
Qatar set Yila down as gently as he could on blanket her brother had laid for her on the hard stone floor.
He looked from the haggard face of the brother to the sister’s, flushed with fever, and to her arm, swollen and discolored.
She’s dying.
without another look he walked away. Memories swirled through his mind.
<Quin, his maimed leg swollen and bleeding; his face stiff and white as their mother’s and his hands just as cold.>
Qatar closed his eyes, trying to block the memories out.
<The look in Pa’s eyes, when he heard about Mama. Empty, like all his insides had been kicked out.>
The look he still wore.
<Quin’s face, with all the Quin gone out of it, and only a shell of a man.>
Too fragile for Qatar to touch, but hurting too much for him to leave it alone.
He shook his head. His eyes fell on his brother, still talking with the assassin. Quickly, he looked away.
Somewhere nearby he heard the tinkling of water, and went in search of the stream. It was dark and very cold. He turned back to see Niarok digging frantically in his pack.
He came back to the place where Yila lay. Niarok looked up at him, with more pain in his eyes than he meant to show.
“What?” he almost snapped.
“Go get some rest. If the castle can’t help her, there’s nothing you can do. There’s a stream over there.” he gestured to the other side of the cave. “Go wash the blood off.”
He sat down next to the girl, and waited.
Niarok got up reluctantly and started toward the stream. As he came close, the one-legged man broke away from the assassin and hobbled up to him.
Quin
“I’m Quin–his brother.” He jerked his head in the direction of Qatar. “She’s your sister, isn’t she?” asked the man.
Niarok nodded.
“Is it bad?”
Nodded.
“I heard it was…” he seemed unsure of himself. “A venom some sort, and you–you don’t have the herb to cure it?”
Nodded.
Quin was quiet so long, Niarok started to make his way toward the water again.
“Have you thought–would it help–”
He couldn’t suggest that. Quin’s gaze drifted to where Yila lay in the shadows, one shadow darker than the others, and shivering with fever. Niarok’s glance followed his.
Death is a far better option. His jaw set. Then he saw the look in Niarok’s eyes as he looked at his sister.
“Have you considered…amputation?”
Before Niarok could answer, Quin whirled around and walked away, quicker than Niarok would have thought possible on crutches.
Again, change whatever you want!
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.com@rusted-knight, aha! the enigmatic Klein. I think itâs cool that heâs an ex-Marine.
He is not an ex Marine. Klein is an active duty Marine Special Operator attached to the Marine Raider Regiment.
The Devil saw me with my head down and got excited. Then I said Amen
@nobody-in-particular-just-shouting-to-the-void Ehud’s an ENFP-t and Rosario’s an ISTJ-a! I like listening to Like Morning Follows Night by Jeff Williams for them! đ„°
It all starts to fade around them.
Fade into a sky above.
The monster and the webs just start to dissolve.
Everything is getting dim grayâŠHis
âIs this allâŠa dream?â
Ehud landed on his back on a dark floor, clutching the gun still. Disbelief seemed like the only thing he could think in his shock. Sure, it was a monster he shot a monster. But all he could see was a person he just murdered, even in self-defense.[pst, if ya really wanna hurt listen to this while reading on! đ]
Hers
âHe did itâŠâ
Rosario couldnât believe her eyes heâd actually killed it. Sheâd propped herself on her arm staring at him, not sure whether to go comfort him or give him space. One look and she knew he couldnât believe it anymore than she could, but there was white terror in his eyes.
âIâŠâ He gulped, still numbly clutching the gun.Rosario was a murderer, but he wasnât⊠Ehud blinked tears, then he stared at Rosario like he could see right through her, eyes so wide they could make youâŠmake you laugh⊠âdoes thisâŠmake me a monsterâŠ?â
Her eyes widen.His
âI donât know why I said thatâŠâ
He felt so stupid or confused or numb, he couldnât tell. He just remembered how much Rosy hated herself for what sheâd done and now he really didnât know. He looked someone in the eye and fired. It looked like a person, and it didnât matter what it was or why he fired. It wasâŠmonstrous, to kill somebodyâŠ
âNoâŠâ Rosy mouthed the words more than said it, as if begging him not to think it. âNo, youâre notââ
Ehud didnât move, he couldnât even get himself to put down the gun he just felt frozen. But she tugged him close and wrapped her arm around his shoulders so tight he couldâve felt her heartbeat, lifting his face with her other hand.
âLook at me, carino. Youâre not a monster, Ehud, youâre just notâŠâ All the firmness in her voice and he just couldnât process anything. She felt so warm, she still smelled like cigarettes even though she was trying to get off them. The darkness in her eyes he always wondered how she even sees.
âBut I killed somebodyâŠâ He keptâŠtrying to convince her she wasnât a monster because of what sheâd done but nowâŠ
She squeezed him tight and it was the first time in his entire life Ehud heard Rosario sob. Hard, dry, racking sobs, deeper and more painful than anything tears sheâd ever shed before. It seemed to come from everything in her.Hers
âNo. Not this, please not this.â
All the secrets, the pushing him away, all the distance. And now he was in her own hell and she couldnât protect him from something she couldnât stop in her own mind.Broken girls never get the happy ending
She couldnât let Ehud be broken, not Ehud, not the sweet, simple little angel that wanted so much to find light in everyoneâŠeven her. But she was completely powerless, she wasnât one of those girls, one of those people, that could actually find the good in others or show good. All she knew was that he was good and it broke through all her defenses and it broke her to see him hurt.
âDonât say that, Ehud,â Her voice was cracked and husky. âdonât even think it. Please.
âTe⊠adoro, Ehud.âALRIGHT MY AUDIENCE NEXT POST WILL ACTUALLY BE THEIR KISS NOW THOUS CAN MARINADE IN ANTICIPATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…ya’know…for the kids đđđ
To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.
Good writing! I like this scene. And I was actually just thinking of this song!!! But this is prettier than the version I heard. The Spanish is a good touch. (I didn’t make a fool of myself and get the language wrong, did I?!)
Why do you cross certain sentences out?
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comHaha I know right !!
LOL, for some reason the philosophy always gets pulled out with Acyn, Faye, and Chantara (For some reason?? She’s a villain?? Why?)
Thank youu, he is my favourite character. I get excited just thinking about him! One can only hope that Liorah stays out of his life permanently so that she canât prevent his character growth in this castle hehehe
LOL, I think she really enjoyed it though XD (That little brat XD)
Aren’t those characters just the best? The ones that your heart just starts beating faster when you think about them and you could ramble on for ages!?
Same girl same. I have two playlists for my primary characters so far. One with normal songs and one with epic film music XD
Ohh, I have like… four playlists of writing music (Really need to organize it, it’s an absolute mess XD) and then each character has their own playlist of songs that suit them! (Most are about an hour long and there are like… seven. Wow, I think this is getting out of hand XD)
YASSSS Iâm glad you think so tooo. I just imagine him kicking monster butt when Iâm playing that song lolll.
LOL, who am I kidding, I imagine myself kicking monster butt when I listen to it XD It just has those vibes XD
Cool choices! I really like For King and Country
Yess! It’s the best! I imagine Wholehearted mostly for Sahar and Acyn together and To the Dreamers for Sahar alone.
Also, in case anyone was wondering, no, I have no idea whether Sahar and Acyn are a couple. Original plan was yes, but it’s incredibly hard to write a romance if neither character has much screentime or their own POV, so I’m thinking of keeping them friends. I don’t knowwww XD
Oh my goodness this is gonna be hysterical XD I cannot wait lollll
*Giggles manically*
*Squeals. Like a lot.*
WE HAD AN “I love you”!!!! And it was in her first language and—!!! (I adore that trope, it’s the literal best.) AND THEY’RE GOING TO KISS SOON!!!! *Squeals more*
@nobody-in-particular-just-shouting-to-the-void Ehudâs an ENFP-t and Rosarioâs an ISTJ-a! I like listening to Like Morning Follows Night by Jeff Williams for them!
That song is SO perfect for them!!! Also, Rosario is Chantara’s type and I’m going to ignore that fact XD
YeahâŠI hate to think the kind of mess theyâd make together. And all three of them??!!! Yikes.
*Nods in satisfaction* I recognize that homocide and arson are possiblities. I claim no responsibility XD (Every day I have immeasurable relief that Liorah is securely locked up in her manuscript and can’t bother me until I let her out XD)
Oh, yay! Iâm so thrilled, because I struggle to make real characters, so Iâm glad you like him
Characters are always a struggle XD It always feels like I’m trying to push three personality traits into being human and then without any warning they just spring into existence and run off and ruin the plot. I don’t know how it happens, but it’s always sudden XD
Thank you!!!! Iâm so pleased that you like QuinâI do too. the poor guy just has to get over some things and heâll be fine.
*Gives Quin a massive hug because he’s a sweetheart and I love him.*
OH MY GOSH I WANT TO SEE THAT SOOOO BAD!!!!!! And then writing Yilaâs reaction would literally be the most hilarious thing ever! Niarok hasnât yet felt comfortable roasting anyone in the group yet⊠but Iâm going to die when he does!
LOL, I just had Liorah in here and I don’t have the emotional capacity to handle her right now so– Get back in there, Liorah, you brat, or I swear I’ll injure you again! I can and will write that into the plot!! No, I don’t care that you’re the main character!– Ahem, as I was saying, roasting Acyn will have to suffice XD
Actually! I can’t wait until Niarok does that because that would be HILARIOUS!! (On the one hand he’s used to having sass wars with Liorah, on the other hand he gets insulted way too easily so it’ll be hilarious either way XD)
OoooohhhhâŠ
Yeah, sorry about thatâŠ
Don’t worry about it! Two first-person perspectives are confusing and I’m having trouble keeping all the posts straight too đ Happens to everyone!
YAYYYY PERSONALITY TYPES!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, Iâm an ENFJ-a.
Which means that most of the people I meet in person get knocked over by the force of my general exuberance.
Which might be a problemâŠ
Ooohh! That’s Gavril’s personality type! *Realizes you don’t know him and my relating everything to my characters is becoming a problem XD* That’s awesome!! (He’s literally one of my favorite characters and probably the sweetest character in the entire story and I love him so much!)
LOL, not as much of a problem as my introverted self veering between looking really haughty and rude because I’m too shy and oversharing and being shockingly weird as soon as I feel comfortable XD (I don’t know how that happens either XD)
@everyone
*Realizes that now I have to somehow figure out what happened while I was gone and my characters’ reactions to it* Eesh, I’m going to be here a while XD
Also! Just a heads up! I’ll be less active during November because of NaNo, so please excuse any dissappearances!
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
Sahar
The girl was getting heavy. At first she had seemed to listen to me talking, but gradually, she’d grown more and more detatched. Not a good sign.
Acyn had told me that being unconcious was usually worse, so I did everything I could to keep her present. That mostly involved talking. A lot. I was good at that, but gradually my words had lost all meaning and I’d just shut up. I felt horribly useless.
The girl was almost as tall as Liorah, and just as muscular. She was definitely heavier than me, and her brother was so exhausted he was unconciously slumping and making me bear more of her weight. I didn’t make a single complaint.
Another man, with dark hair and sharp eyes, practically pushed the girl’s brother aside. I started to protest, but it was an immense relief that I didn’t have to support her by myself anymore.
Acyn and the girl’s brother were talking. I only caught snippets, but what I caught told me that Acyn had stumbled onto something he didn’t know and was trying to pry as much information out of him as possible. I silently rolled my eyes. He really didn’t know how to pick a moment.
“How about a rest?” The man on the other side of the girl shouted.
I jumped in surprise. The sudden noise had startled me. I saw the girl’s brother smirking mockingly and I shot him a dirty look, purely out of exhaustion and frustration.
Suddenly, the girl slumped against me, limp. My knees buckled and I tried to keep her upright, but I couldn’t keep her up for long. I glanced around for help, but her weight was suddenly swept off me so quickly I stumbled. I gritted my teeth and stood back.
I was just getting in the way. Everyone could manage fine without me. Nobody had spared me a single glance, and I suddenly felt a rush of shame. Who was I to suddenly swoop in and… what? Think I could do something someone else couldn’t?
Acyn knew about all kinds of things, the girl’s brother seemed to have an encyclopedic knowledge about herbs, besides being tall and strong. The new man was just as strong, he had picked up the girl as though she weighed nothing.
And what could I do? Nothing they couldn’t. I wasn’t big or strong, my fields of knowledge were as good as useless here.
I stayed out of the way as the new man with the hard eyes and the girl’s brother settled her in. She didn’t look well, but there was nothing I could do about it. I didn’t know the next thing about healing.
Acyn was watching with an analytical interest that made me want to slap him. He had the emotional capacity of a sympathetic rock and it was times like these I hated him for it.
I swallowed a sudden ache in my throat that announced the tears. I wouldn’t cry. Why did I always cry in empathy? It made me seem weak and ditsy, and it made people dismiss me. I hated that.
They were taking care of the girl, Acyn was watching, Quin and Lorcan were talking together. I was superfluous.
I walked to the creek in the back of the cave, slower than usual. My steps felt heavy, echoed in the soft clinking of my jewelry. I pulled off the scarf that tied back my curls, almost resenting the jingle of the paper-thin coins that I usually liked so much.
I swept up my skirt so it wouldn’t brush the mud and knelt by the stream, splashing the icy water onto my face. It made me gasp a little, it was so much colder than the tepid well water in the cities, and even sweeter and clearer than the deep desert wells. I didn’t drink any of it.
I quietly resented the fact that there was no way for us to see if the water was safe. Liorah had told me that the Lehabim usually watered their horses first whenever they reached a new well, because horses wouldn’t touch water that wasn’t safe to drink. Somehow, they always knew. (Author’s note: True fact, btw!)
My throat was dry, but I ignored it. I got up and sat down some distance from it, still in the shadows. Usually, I liked company, but it was a few too many people for me now, I’d had my fill of them.
I shook out my curls, then twisted them back, careful not to crush or stretch them. I stuck the hair-stick through it and wiggled it until I was sure it wouldn’t fall down next time we were hanging above flaming lava or some other delightful experience.
I tied the scarf back again and carefully rubbed below my eyes, trying to brush away the dark makeup that probably made me look as exhausted as I was.
I sighed. The new man and the other new man were still by the new girl. I was so sick of calling them that. I needed to find out their names.
The girl’s brother got up and slowly started toward the stream. I watched him, but made no move to talk to him. I was just too tired.
Quin hurried up to him, then said, tentatively.
“I’m Quin– his brother, she’s your sister, isn’t she?”
Oh, they were brothers?
Well, obviously the two newcomers were siblings. He had literally slung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I didn’t have any brothers, but I had seen how Gavril and Liorah interacted. That was average sibling behavior.
“I heard it was… a venom of some sort, and you– don’t have the herb to cure it?”
At least I was getting informed on the situation too, even if it was third-hand information. That I was eavesdropping on. Reliable sources.
“Have you thought– would it help–”
Out with it. Just string the words together and toss them into the void. Thinking isn’t necessary. Wow, was I really being this sarcastic? I needed to stop spending time with Acyn and Liorah, they were rubbing off on me.
“Have you considered… amputation?”
My eyebrows shot up. I hadn’t thought he’d think of that. I had never even considered it as an option.
Quin lost his nerve and hurried away, but Acyn had overheard the conversation too. He was fiddling with the ties on his sleeves, as he usually did when thinking.
The sudden wave of resentment returned. He was actually considering it. Cold-hearted, emotionless– A thousand impolite words I had heard from Liorah but had never applied to Acyn rushed through my mind.
“Statistically speaking–”
If I ever heard the words ‘statistically’ or ‘theoretically’ at the start of a sentence again, I was going to scream. Couldn’t he think of the fact that this was an actual living, breathing girl, who was suffering, and he was analyzing a procedure she probably wouldn’t survive. To her brother, no less. The exhaustion was written in every line of his face, his shoulders slumped with the weight of responsibility.
I hadn’t particularly liked him before, but I felt so sorry for him the faintest hint of liking slipped in. And I hated Acyn even more by proxy. He was one of my best friends, but heavens, he was annoying.
“In her current state, the extreme blood loss and risk of infection would be more harmful than just waiting it out and treating symptoms. As you were doing. I think that was feverfew…” Acyn trailed off, his mind lost on another side-track of herbs and general nonsensical information that he’d never use.
I glared at him, purely to relieve my own frustration. I usually liked Acyn, but times like these we clashed so dramatically I willingly would have punched him. I actually briefly considered it, then decided I actually didn’t care.
____
You know, that was not what I was expecting sweet Sahar’s internal dialogue to be, but it’s cool!
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
Sahar sounds like a more honest version of Quin, here, interestingly enough–feeling useless is the only thing he’s any good at anymore. (for now, that is).
That was actually very beautiful, but sad to read. You know, Sahar should punch Acyn some time…
Good luck with Nano! đ
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comLorcan
Lorcan watched the situation unfold. The boy – Niarok – held his sister as she winced in pain. Her face was shining with sweat and her breathing seemed laboured. She was clearly getting worse.
Quin moved past him, his face stricken. Lorcan had of course heard every word he had said. Including the last part.
Amputation.
Lorcan clenched his fists and shut his eyes. He felt helpless. Again.
He looked at Quin, his heart sinking at the look on his face. He wanted to say something to him, a word of comfort perhaps. But he didnât know what.
Surely that wasnât the only option.
He had to do something. To help her. He couldnât stand back and do nothing.
Lorcan opened his eyes, filled with new resolve.
He appeared by the siblingâs side in an instant. Niarok looked up at him suspiciously.
Silently, Lorcan crouched and pulled out a wrapped paper bag from his jacket pocket. He couldnât believe he was about to do this.
âThis will help,â he told them. Unwrapping it, he pulled out a chunk of golden yeast. It came with a faint smell of salt and berries.
âWhat is that?â Niarok demanded.
Lorcan paused before answering. âMy people call it ArankÄ. Its a yeast, with strong energy giving properties. Legend has it that a lady clothed with the stars came down from the heavens and gifted my people with it.â He shrugged. âIts probably just a silly story. But all who eat it gain strength, physically or mentally.â
He held it out to them. Niarok eyed him suspiciously before taking it. Breaking off a piece he fed it to his sister bit by bit.
The girl chewed slowly. She frowned. âIt tastes really good. All fluffy like cake.â
Lorcan smiled. âIt does, doesnât it?â
âCan I have some more?â
He let out a chuckle. âNot so fast a stĂłr. I only have a few more, and theyâre only to be used in emergencies. This constituted as one.â
He tilted his head at the girl, who looked at him with wide, wondrous eyes. âNameâs Lorcan. Whatâs yours?â
Heyyyy everyone! Funn fact, I’ve been driving all the way across the US the past few days, hence why I just disappeared from cyber-space… Lol sooo I’m back now but even though y’all are awesome I’m not going to directly respond to anything right now because I need to sleep and eat food and generally find methods of not dying while trying to be a sociable human tomorrow. Sooo I’m going to make this a particularly long post so that Niarok and Yila can respond to everything going on. THANKS FOR BEING AWESOME Y’ALL YOU KILLED ME INSIDE!!!!!!!!!
Also I’ll probably be intermittent in my posts for the next two weeks… fair warning.
Niarok
Niarok immediately regretted snapping at the man when he saw the haunted look in his eyes.
âGo get some rest. If the castle canât help her, thereâs nothing you can do. Thereâs a stream over there.â the man said and gestured to the other side of the cave. âGo wash the blood off.â
Niarok nodded, appreciating the other man’s attempt to help. Still, he changed Yila’s bandage, not wanting it to become infected. Then he left her to rest, breathing an inaudible sigh of relief when he saw the slightest hint of color return to her cheeks.
The man sat down beside Yila’s sleeping form, gaining the appearance of a sentinel. Niarok allowed his respect of the man to inch up another notch.
As he approached the stream, he heard the irregular pounding of a crutch and turned to see the one-legged man approaching him.
âIâm Quinâhis brother.â he jerked his head in the direction of the man guarding Yila. âSheâs your sister, isnât she?â asked the man.
Niarok nodded.
âIs it bad?â
He nodded. With an effort he forced his gaze not to stray to Quin’s missing leg.
Was it necessary? Was it an infection? A battle wound?
Niarok mentally shook his head. He would not allow absentee guilt to gnaw him to pieces. He already had enough going on with his sister.
âI heard it wasâŠâ Quin seemed hesitant. âA venom of some sort, and youâyou donât have the herb to cure it?â
Niarok nodded, becoming wary of the direction of this conversation.
Quin was quiet so long, Niarok began to turn toward the water. It sounded so cool and clean and he was so thirsty…
âHave you thoughtâwould it helpââ
Niarok pulled up short and his heart sank at the flat tone of Quin’s voice. Pity ate his stomach, but with it a stone of respect settled. Quin was brave to try to suggest this.
Spit the words out, Quin. Especially these ones. They’re easier if you say them quickly.
Niarok caught Quin’s gaze drifting towards Yila with a dark expression and he followed his line of sight. Yila stirred, shivered with her fever. Niarok felt heaviness settle on his shoulders.
If I let her die, I will never forgive myself.
Quin’s gaze suggested death would be better, but Niarok refused to believe it.
âHave you consideredâŠamputation?â Quin finally asked.
Niarok lifted his gaze to Quin’s misty blue eyes, but Quin averted his gaze and spun away before Niarok could mention his appreciation of his bravery. Quin swung past Yila. Niarok noticed the assassin was back, crouching beside the feral mountain lion.
But not feral. Just… haunted.
Niarok’s heart sat heavy in his chest and he let his shoulders slump. The responsibility was too much. He had to save his sister, but he felt a comradery with these people, though he barely knew them.
And now I’m hyper-aware.
Niarok shook himself and threw his shoulders back, ignoring the curious boy who was stating all the good statistics for amputating Yila’s arm.
Niarok hid behind a blank face, reciting to himself all the reasons not to amputate her arm.
Not that she would survive the procedure anyway. Too much chance of bleeding out, along with worsening the infection, as well as-
Stop.
Stop torturing yourself.
Niarok knelt beside the stream and tasted the tiniest drop on his finger.
Not pure, but no poison.
He filled his water skin and pulled his survival pouch from the chain around his neck, measuring a pinch of purifying herbs and shaking them into the water.
Then he took the man up on his idea and washed the blood off of his now healed wounds, his hands, his shirt, his head…
I might as well jump in the river.
Niarok shook water out of his hair and strapped the water skin to his belt.
As he was standing, he noticed the girl, Sahar, sitting by herself. While earlier she had seemed immensely immature, the lines of stress and exhaustion – and pain – on her forehead, told a completely different story. She also looked thirsty.
Without a second thought, Niarok approached her.
Sahar looked afronted.
Niarok had seen that look before. It was Yila’s I’m done with people so don’t get close to me or I will use you as knife practice look.
Niarok lowered his head, trying to communicate to Sahar that he respected her space.
Do girls besides Yila know social cues?
“I just wanted to thank you for helping my sister earlier. I appreciated the extra set of muscles.”
Sahar’s face softened almost imperceptibly.
Niarok reached into his pouch and removed a pinch of herbs. “The water is not poisonous, but you’ll want to put these herbs in your water skin when you fill it if you want to avoid ingesting bacteria.”
Sahar held out her hand, and he dropped the herbs into it. Without another word, he walked away, leaving her bubble and hoping she wouldn’t hate him later.
And do I really care?
Yeah. Somewhere beneath all the stress and anger and frustration at his inability to care for Yila.
What a wonderful time to not have a fully stocked medical bag.
No guilt. No guilt. No. Guilt!
Niarok reached Yila and startled when he noticed she was awake. Her eyes seemed clearer now. He rested his hand on her forehead, relieved to find that her fever had reduced significantly.
The assassin knelt beside Niarok and Yila, his eyes stormy. He was struggling. Niarok looked him in the eyes, trying to show his respect.
âThis will help,â the assassin said, his eyes alighting on Yila and quickly dodging away. He held up a package and unwrapped it, his eyes growing stormier, and pulled out something that looked like yeasty berries. Niarok’s heart pounded at the scent. Salt and berries. He forced the flood of memories behind a dam that he hoped wouldn’t break until he was in private.
He hid behind his blank face and glared at the assassin. “What is it?” he immediately regretted the anger of his tone. The assassin was just trying to help.
To many memories.
The assassin didn’t answer, and Niarok felt terrified that he wouldn’t be able to hide the memories much longer. They were screaming to be heard.
âMy people call it ArankÄ. Its a yeast, with strong energy giving properties. Legend has it that a lady clothed with the stars came down from the heavens and gifted my people with it.â The assassin shrugged. âIts probably just a silly story. But all who eat it gain strength, physically or mentally.â
No. That’s no silly story.
Niarok hadn’t seen or smelled this bread since he was five. It had saved his father.
And then it was gone.
Niarok shook himself, hiding behind a mask of suspiciousness. Maybe if the assassin thought he was just protecting his sister, he wouldn’t notice the pain in his eyes.
He took the piece offered by the assassin and fed it to Yila bit by bit, knowing full well what would happen. She would get better, imperceptibly at first, but castle or no, she would get better.
Hope overcame the fear in his heart.
He ate the tiniest crumb at the end, hoping it wouldn’t make him bounce off the walls later. But he needed the strength. Exhaustion had never weighed this heavy on him before now.
Yila frowned slightly, and Niarok saw the slightest hint of recognition beneath the gesture. âIt tastes really good. All fluffy like cake.â
Niarok tried not to snort.
Now he knew it work.
She was even getting flirtatious.
He tried not to snort harder.
The assassin grinned. “It does, doesn’t it?”
Niarok thought he got a far away look in his eyes for the slightest hair of a second.
Yila’s eyes got wide. “Can I have some more?”
The assassin chuckled.
Niarok smiled. Joy now sang in his heart, and he was willing to try life again.
âNot so fast a stĂłr. I only have a few more, and theyâre only to be used in emergencies. This constituted as one.â
Niarok couldn’t resist anymore. He snorted, trying to hide an all-out derisive laugh.
Emergency indeed.
The assassin tilted his head at Yila, and Niarok was once again struck by the nobility hiding somewhere deep beneath the scars and the haunted face.
Haunted. It seemed to be a common theme among all the people here.
And I think I’ll fit right in.
It was the first time Niarok had considered staying with them and getting to know them. And the idea didn’t hit him with disgust like he had expected it to.
Yila’s eyes were wide, and Niarok could see her admiring the assassin with something more than just fascination.
“Name’s Lorcan. What’s yours?” the assassin said, grinning.
Yila stared, and her hands twitched like she longed to hold a knife.
Niarok chuckled quietly. Yila would want a knife in a situation like this. Not to kill Lorcan, of course. Just to feel secure.
“In your belt,” Niarok whispered to her, then slipped away. He was just in time to hear her introduce herself – and to hear a knife being drawn from a sheath.
Niarok approached Quin, who stood by himself.
“I appreciated what you had to say earlier,” Niarok said quietly.
Quin looked at him and Niarok focused on keeping the blank expression off his face. It wasn’t hard. Quin was genuine, and Niarok had a habit of being genuine around genuine people.
Quin’s pain was acute, but he quickly hid it.
“I’ve had to do… amputations – before now,” Niarok continued, hoping he wasn’t pushing too hard. “And it hasn’t been a pleasant experience. I’m just glad I won’t have to do it for my sister.”
Quin looked confused, though he stayed quiet.
“Lorcan had something help her.” The memories crept back into Niarok’s mind, but he pushed them back.
Not yet.
“But I just wanted to tell you that you were brave to suggest it. I may not know what it’s like to live without a limb, but I do know this. Most people lose the will to live. You didn’t. That was brave. And it was braver to want well-being for someone else, even if it means causing pain for yourself.”
Niarok turned away, hoping he hadn’t opened any wounds.
I’m terrible at this.
He just felt like Quin needed a friend, and with Yila’s health off his shoulders, he wanted to be that for him.
Or not. Wow! I’m terrible at human interaction!
“Wait.”
Niarok froze and turned, looking at Quin.
“Wait,” Quin said again, quietly.
Niarok raised an eyebrow, urging Quin to continue.
Or maybe I’m not?
Okay, so first of all, Emily, feel free to change anything!!!
And second of all, I greatly apologize for the extremely staggering length of that post.
And third of all, *hits Niarok over the head with computer* WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME THAT YOU NOW ABOUT THIS WEIRD ARANKÄ PLANT???????????????????? WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME!!!!! I THOUGHT WE WERE A TEAMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t you just hate it when your characters do things you didn’t expect???
*Niarok grabs computer*
I don’t tell my team-mates my deepest darkest secrets!
*I grab computer*
I DON’T CARE!!!!!!
*dodges more herbs flying at head*
You should get a better weapon, Niarok!!!
“I hate throwing knives!!!”
*Niarok dodges a knife flying from the corner*
“Sorry Yila.”
Okay so I’m bored if you couldn’t tell, and I need sleep… and this hotel room is crazy. I have an aggressive herb-master next to me here, there’s a warrior woman obsessed with knives in the corner, and my friend is lying on the other bed writing about some different characters who are probably also somewhere in the room with weapons I can’t see…
I will post Yila tomorrow when I’m not driving or sight-seeing or whatever I’m going to end up doing tomorrow…
And uh…
I think that’s about it…
Also y’all are amazing people!
Okay bye…
"The darkness is seldom complete, and even when it is, the pinprick of light is not long in coming."
I just saw how long that post actually ended up being and I fell reallly bad now…
"The darkness is seldom complete, and even when it is, the pinprick of light is not long in coming."
Sahar sounds like a more honest version of Quin, here, interestingly enoughâfeeling useless is the only thing heâs any good at anymore. (for now, that is).
That was actually very beautiful, but sad to read. You know, Sahar should punch Acyn some timeâŠ
LOL, I love Acyn but I have to agree he’s occasionally very punchable XD (Like it’s going now, she might XD)
I was pretty surprised with the turn that took too XD. I didn’t realize Sahar was keeping up appearances that much. I can’t wait to see more of her darker side! (Her dark side can get pretty terrifyingly dark but let’s not go there XD)
Good luck with Nano!
Thanks! So far, so good! đ
Heyyyy everyone! Funn fact, Iâve been driving all the way across the US the past few days, hence why I just disappeared from cyber-space⊠Lol sooo Iâm back now but even though yâall are awesome Iâm not going to directly respond to anything right now because I need to sleep and eat food and generally find methods of not dying while trying to be a sociable human tomorrow. Sooo Iâm going to make this a particularly long post so that Niarok and Yila can respond to everything going on. THANKS FOR BEING AWESOME YâALL YOU KILLED ME INSIDE!!!!!!!!!
Also Iâll probably be intermittent in my posts for the next two weeks⊠fair warning.
Yay!! Hope you have an absolutely fantastic time on your trip! Don’t worry about replying, just have fun! đ
I just saw how long that post actually ended up being and I fell reallly bad nowâŠ
Don’t you dare feel bad about it! It was fantastic and I LOVED reading it!! (Also, I’m one to talk, my posts are practically books by themselves XD)
Aww, Niarok was so sweet to Sahar! I like him more with every passing post! đ„°
I can’t wait to see where this is going!
Also the Yila and Lorcan flirting is going spectacularly and I’m here for it!!!
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
- The forum ‘Private: Fantasy Writers’ is closed to new topics and replies.
