What started out as a simple bedtime tale has taken on a life of it's own. The next bit of 'finished' writing may not be posted for a couple of weeks. I have started an outline for the story, characters, names, places, history, and stories within the story. My brain has become flooded with ideas, so I must weed out the uneccessary , and organize everything.
I promise to have an update soon. I am having difficulty with figuring out the characters names...some of them won't tell me!
In the meantime...if you haven't read what is posted yet, please do so. I would appreciate any feedback! And if you HAVE read it, please comment!
Thanks!
RagDoll posted at 8:12 PM
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She stopped speaking, and studied the man before her. What sort of Man would squander his last request on a tale? At first glance it was apparent that this was no green soldier. Although his features appeared youthful, he wore the self assuredness and bearing of a well seasoned warrior. He wore no identifying armor that marked him for any Tribe or Race that she knew of, but the pattern that was embroidered onto his leather bracers and quiver were vaguely familiar. If she had inspected them further, she would have seen a phoenix amidst a flowering vine, it's tail ablaze, beneath a trio of stars. The color of his tunic and breeches seemed to change according to the light. She could not decide if they were grey or brown. The material was finely made and obviously intended to camouflage its wearer. His uniform was marred by blood seeping through the fabric beneath the hand that clutched his side. It had been hidden beneath a cloak that had fallen open as he eased himself against a tree to listen to her tale. Her breath caught in her throat as she realized that he was seated just as she had first found him. Before she could admonish herself for letting that fact affect her emotions, she was caught up in the recollection of their 'meeting'.
She had been traveling alone for several days and had not encountered anyone since she had left the Nomad encampment the previous morning. She could not shake the feeling that she was being watched. Despite her keen sense of sight and hearing, she could detect nothing save the various trees and wildlife that inhabited the Outlands. The birds suddenly ceased their song, and the cooling breeze disappeared leaving the air dank with humidity. She closed her eyes as she rode, concentrating on the 'feel' of the land around her. A low hum seemed to emanate from the trees. Her horse trembled slightly, and nickered softly. Her eyes snapped open as he balked at a crunching sound that came from a copse of trees to their right. She placed a calming hand upon his neck before drawing an arrow from her quiver. She readied her bow and began to scan her surroundings expectantly. Her pulse quickened as the humming intensified. She was soon able to pick out soft, melodic voices.
'Come to him.' They whispered.
'He seeks shelter in our arms. He seeks his heart's desire, but knows it not. He watches. He is waiting. You can not run away from fate.'
Where would she run? She wondered.
And, who was 'He'?She was not one to run from danger, nor was she foolish enough to take flight in an area she was unfamiliar with if need did not dictate it. The Outlands were foreign to her, and legends spoke of spirits that walked among their forests. Her peripheral vision caught sight of what seemed to be slender maidens, whose hair appeared to be laced with garlands of moss and ivy, flitting about the dappled sunlight and shadows. As she turned to focus on them, they vanished instantly amongst the trees.
A soft voice tickled her ear.
'The Oak holds that which you seek!'Rustling in the branches of an ancient oak caught her attention. As she loosed her arrow, a yelp of surprise, followed by a grunt of pain accompanied a crashing noise. She drew a second arrow as she made her way to the base of the tree. To her astonishment, instead of a wild creature or foul being, she found a well armed warrior clutching his side as he lay sprawled upon the forest floor. Two slender maidens, strangely arrayed, attended him.
The first maid was dressed in deep green garments. Her chestnut brown tresses seemed to be dripping with mosses and mistletoe. She cradled the warrior in her lap with her slim brown arms. The second maid was garbed in similar garments of pale green. Garlands of ivy and tiny white berries adorned her shimmering golden brown hair. She was kneeling next to the pair, and in her pale hand was the arrow she had just plucked from the injured man.
'Peace, Fair Huntress!' They trilled in unison.
'We mean you no harm.'
RagDoll posted at 10:45 AM
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