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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Catching the Wind Welcome Back
One by one, coaxing the horses with sweet grass they had tucked against their chest behind their armor, Captain Nikolas and Barreth spoke soothing words to the animals as they walked nervously being led out of the camp. They could smell Caspian, but couldn’t see him, causing them to dance a little in place with each step. Finally getting the last horse out with nothing more than a mumbling turn, or coughing fit from the sleeping men, Captain Nikolas waited at the edge of the camp as the men got ready to throw the nests of hornets they had gathered, into the middle of all the sleeping scouts. Caspian had his head peering above some underbrush barely able to see the Captain as he stood at the other end. Waving his hand in the air towards Caspin, the dragon’s mouth started to spew a bit of white smoke before a small blaze of blue fire started licking around his mouth. Keeping his thick mouth pursed, he blew the fire in a thin line as he stepped slowly down the edge of the camp. Wi
Catching the Wind Rational Decision
“Or because he be running out of men?” one of the soldiers commented from behind Barreth. Snickering erupted from the men that had seized the camp. Holding his hand up to silence them, Nikolas looked straight at Halik’s face, being very serious this time. “I give ye two options Halik, ye and yer men come on back ta camp with us, or ye and yer men come on back to camp with us?” Nikolas wasn’t really giving him an option. “And for the rest of us?” The scout’s leader, bound while sitting on his knees, asked sounding worried. “We all fought for the same thing, who yer loyalties lay with is yer choice, I don't seek the death of good men. But I don’t find it tasteful ye’s be sneaking too close to me camp either. I have already had to do away with two of ye I didn’t even recognize.” Nikolas answered.. “Not our men, none has left this camp, I promise ye that much. We’s only ones his Majesty sent.” Hearing the man say this, a bit of worry crossed Nikola’s mind. If they weren
Catching the Wind Fighting Fun
“Tis true, we definitely got to push forward though. I be needed to speak with Halik, see’s if he’s got word on Cutterson. We be needin to get him out of the castle.” Barreth was worried about his next brother in arms. All three of them had entered the Kings army when they were young lads. They had faced bloodshed, death, and praise together. “Aye, I agree. When we get there, we shall do that first.” Cutterson’s absence had also been felt by Nikolas as well. “Let's ride, I’ve walked long enough in my troubles.” He mounted his horse and Barreth followed suite. Urging their horses forward into a gallop, the cool breeze hitting their faces, they finally met the worn path that led them just an hour from camp. Running along the path on the woods edge, with a wide stream flowing next to them, the sun glinted off the water. Nikolas noticed the shimmering of it and smiled as he took a deep breath. With the nice pace of his horse and fresh air, some of the furrowing of his b
Catching the Wind Out of Time
Nikolas looked over where Ally stood at the entrance of the tent. She was wearing some of Caspians cloths that seem to fit her in all the right places. Staring a moment, Ally caught his eyes and nodded her head. He sensed something a little different about her attitude, but would inquire a bit later. “I’s told her everything Captain, and given her some of me cloths. It seems she comes from a time way head of ours, and some of the things she described, I’s can hardly find it true, but I trust her.” Caspin had seen Nikolas looking at her and felt the need to explain. “Ye did good lad.” Nikolas ruffled Caspians hair as he was happy to see the lad take initiative as well. Barreth looked over, catching his captain's attention and nodding in the direction of Halik. Nikolas nodded back. “Halik, Cap’n and I’s needin a word with ye.” Barreth said as he motioned him to the main tent. Nikolas entered the main tent, followed by Halik and Barreth, Nikolas sat on a large tr
Catching the Wind Gentle Voice of Reason
The world around had gone silent. Nikolas noticed the wide eyed looks of his men. They were staring at what was going on behind him. Their looks were of fear, and confusion. Slowly turning, he didn’t know what to expect. He had felt the magic from Caspian countless times when the young man would change. Why was this different? “Aye lad, tis for ye own good, I beg of ye not to make this difficult for me.” He said, but stopped talking any further. Caspian was not listening. His head was tilted to the sky as orange smokey swirls started to engulf him. Suddenly, he changed, but not to the horse sized dragon he once was. “GET BACK, SHEILD IF YE CAN!” Nikolas yelled, his voice carrying to the ears of men around him. Soldiers scrambled for the cover of their shields as others sought out thick pines to hide behind. The sound of snapping tree limbs filled the air as a high pitched roar bounced off their armor. The wings that were once only big enough to shield his body, now spre
Catching the Wind Unknown Fieldmate
“If we only have less then 5 days, before a giant army comes our way, then we don’t have the time to argue. If he can’t change back now, and I know there’s definitely no way you can hide a 14ft dragon, we might as well let him fight. It’s his choice. We really can’t stop him.” Ally said, adamantly on Caspians side. “Nay, tis not the lad’s choice, tis my choice, he be my ward, and my responsibility, alone! I will not have a women dictate to me what I should be and not be allowin him to do!” Nikolas yelled, making the men that were repairing the camp stop and stare. “Aye, he be yer ward, tis true, but the lass has a point Cap’n. I mean look at him! If he be having our soldiers grab for their swords in fear, then just imagine him coming out to face the Queens army! Haha, tis be a grand and entertainin thing!” Barreth piped in, trying to calm the argument and add sensibility to the conversation. “See! He agrees with me! Caspian has hit that stage where young boys become men, it’s
Catching the Wind Clever Fox
After ending the discussion, and agreeing to keep the information to only just the four of them, they all headed out of the tent. As the day wore on, more men had arrived back, and they were still at a loss on locating the others. Feeling a bit disheartened, Nikolas went back to his tent to drink and think by himself. He couldn’t gather idea’s as to what enemy they could be facing, other than the King himself. It’s had been years and there was never any discord, the three Kingdoms kept up with civility and peace. South of them was unknown, however, other than claims a large body of water separated them from the land beyond, so he crossed them off the list. He knew the King of Scourts preferred to keep peace in his castle to the West. Though he did cross the line with threats occasionally to the Kingdom of Sedla, which lay to the North, in a very icy region. Nikolas knew very little about the Northern territory, but it was rumored the King of Sedla preferred the tundra
Catching the Wind A Small Feeling
“Even though I don’t generally use my status as a woman to get what I want, I can still use it to prove that I am capable of getting it anyway. I know it won't save me from a sharp sword, or from a big strong man, such as yourself, but I can find a way to avoid the situation.” Ally said feeling sure of herself as she stared at the Nikola’s back. Hearing her words angered him. The moment she was finished talking, the vision of her laying close to death, violated on the ground, caused fire to run through his blood. He quickly turned to lash out with disagreement but didn’t realize she was so close, bumping into her, causing her to stumble backwards. Ally reached out to grab whatever she could as she lost her footing. The momentum of her weight pulling at the lower part of his armor caused Nikolas to stumble forward as well. Before she knew it, she had landed on top of him as he swung her around, preventing her from falling on to her back. Ending up face to face on the pallet of
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- Catching the Wind
Clean Open
Besides the rare utterings from Hagthoria as she bad mouthed Ally in her sleep, no other noise except soft snores and crackling embers filled the small camp. All of them were exhausted, but relieved, the battle had ended. The sun rose quickly, shining off the cool dew that blanketed the leaves and clung to their cloths by the fire. Vermanious was already awake, still in the form of a horse, munching on the sweet wet grass while Nikolas woke. Getting up, he walked over to where the old man was. “Goodmorn” he said stretching, looking through the trees at the sun peeking through. “Yes, it be right nice, though the cool nights will be getting longer soon.” Vermanious responded between chewing the vegitation. Nikolas just looked at him and laughed softly, as he patted his neck. “Never is it easy to be seeing ye like this and watchin ye speak old man.” Nikolas said nervously. The horse bobbed its head, “Trust, tis even funnier when the old witch and I be getting to the pub, I dare s
- Catching the Wind
By the Fire
Ally covered her smile and walked over to her horse. She had trouble when leaving the castle earlier, she had never mounted a horse on her own. “Let me help ye lass.” Nikolas said coming up behind her. She nodded, facing the saddle. “What made ye change yer mind?” He asked quietly. “I’m not sure. It’s crazy to think all the movies I’ve seen never prepared me for what this world is really like. Knowing that, it probably helped to change my mind. I will have to return home someday, but for now, without a job to go back to, I will just consider this a vacation, sort of.” She responded as he lifted her at the waist. Ally pulled herself up and looked down at Nikolas when she was seated. “Are you mad I stayed? Do you think I am crazy for staying?” She said smiling gently. He shook his head no in response. “What I be thinkin lass, is nothin to do with ye stayin or goin.” He was trying to hide his desire for her. Grabbing her small waist and lifting her up put images in his h
- Catching the Wind
On Their Way
“Well are ye ready lad?” He said watching Caspian who was now looking down at the field. “Umm..where’s Ally?” He asked turning to Nikolas. “Did she not say her farewells to ye last night lad? Did ye forget?” He responded walking over to the edge. “No, she didn’t say a word to me she wouldn’t be joinin us. She only asked how I was feelin and what would be the first thing I be doing when I can fly. There was nothin else.” Caspian said looking over at the castle. “I be not sure why she didn’t give her farewells then. She plans on waitin around for them to send her back, I’m sorry lad. She did say she will be missin ye though.” Nikolas relayed the words, not understanding why Ally didn’t say goodbye to Caspian. “I be figurin as much, she be nothing but a selfish devil, best she be goin back soon.” Hagthoria commented while she eavesdropped on their conversation. “Hush, old woman. She has a right to be wantin to return home, we cannot blame her for that.” Nikolas said, glancing
- Catching the Wind
Appearance Request
His words sat heavy her heart. “I cannot tell you what kind of experience this has been for me. I still am trying to believe this is not a dream. I appreciate everything everyone's done, in their own way, to make me feel accepted. It breaks my heart to leave Caspian, he’s like the little brother I’ve never had.” Ally said, feeling at loss on how to react. “I am sure he will be missin yer company, tis certain.” Nikolas responded, feeling suddenly awkward. “And..I will miss him too.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. “I, ehm..am sure the rest of them will miss ye as well.” He almost let out that he would miss her, but he didn’t want to appear desperate. Ally nodded and stared at him. If he begged her to stay at that very moment, she knew she would say yes. “Umm..I do have a question that’s been bugging me. Why does Caspian need his parents so he can learn to fly? I mean, isn’t it as simple as flapping his wings?” Ally never had the chance to ask, so with the short silence bet
- Catching the Wind
Time to Part
Nikolas could understand where his friend was coming from. The loss of a loved one was never easy to move past. He was hopeful that Cutterson taking over the new Kings army would give him reason to live. “Ye cannot be blamin ye self, brother. The person responisible will be rotten in the dungeon until her last breath. Y can be sure of that. Now, I need ye to drag yer self back up proper. Those men need a good captain and I cannot think of another who has more reason to keep going forward then ye.” Nikolas kept his words convincing. The biggest fear he had was that Cutterson would reach a depressive state and take his own life. Nikolas had seen it happen too many times amongst the men. Being far from home, away from a dying loved one. No way to see them. “The captain is right. Ye be best for this. It will give ye a purpose.” Barreth commented, not sure how else to help convince him. Cutterson asked that they give him time to think on it more before the morning. It was already lat
- Catching the Wind
No Mourning
Ally was feeling torn. She wanted to object, and beg them to try, she wanted to go back home. A hot shower with normal body wash and real shampoo was something she missed. Her body wanted a face mask, and to file away the jagged edges that developed on her nails. Her stomach missed a cold beer with fried chicken and she needed a good night's sleep in her own bed, not a hot sweaty back from animal skins. Then thinking about Nikolas, Barreth and Caspian, she had grown close to them in such a short time, how could she leave. What she witnessed on the field below was a piece of history, for someone’s future, probably not even hers. She wanted to see Caspian fly, if she were to ever go home, she wanted to take that kind of memory with her. “I understand, but I really need to get back soon.” She really didn’t, unless you would name off her wants as needs. Other than herself, she didn’t have anyone. No job, no real friends, back in her time. “We understand lass, ye are welcomed to stay
- Catching the Wind
Without Decision
Nikolas felt without a doubt that the solution to the curse resided in the mountains. “We will head to Mt. Gelu come the morn. The lad had been cursed by a wee Fae up there, I’m sure of it.” He blurted out as he approached the camp fire. Barreth stood, “Are ye sure?” Nikolas nodded. “We first must see to the Kingdom Cap’n, then I will join ye on this trip.” Barreth said, feeling a bit concerned that they were rushing. “Aye, ye be right. I will speak with the King come the morn. For now, we will head back to the castle with the lad.” Nikolas said as he looked over at Ally by the fire. “The Fae generally don’t approach dragons. They have long lives themselves so I am unsure of what the purpose of the curse would have been for.” Vermanious said outloud. “Tis a simple reason. Our dragon has him a little fairy up there in the mountains that couldn’t bear the thought of him leavin her.” Nikolas chuckled as he walked over to stand by Barreth. “Oh? Ha ha, ye don’t say, how did ye come
- Catching the Wind
Obvious Truth
Barreth gave Nikolas an odd look and shook his head. “Lass, when ye done, we shall be headin to meet with the witch on the hill. Tis cooler, I will have a someone bring ye somethin, warmer, to wear then what ye have.” Nikolas called out from behind the door while thinking of the garment he was eyeing not moments ago. “Okay, that’s fine, thank you.” Ally responded in a rushed tone. Barreth could sense something happened before he had returned to his captain but decided it wasn’t worth visiting. Afte Ally was well dressed, the three of them were given horses from the stables. Even though it was dark, they would be fine riding as the field was already alit with bodies being burned. Halik opted to stay back to keep an eye on Cutterson. Nikolas hoped that Caspian was awake so he could be questioned about wandering the snowy mountains. If what he heard from the Scourts troops was true, they may be one step closer to getting the dragon well and flying. After riding for 30 minutes,
- Catching the Wind
No Answer
Not sure if going in unannounced was the right thing to do, Nikolas decided to try one more time. “Lass, I am about to enter. If ye aren’t decent, I cannot be held wrongly if ye don’t answer me.” He waited until the count of 10 in his head and turned the wooden latch on the door. Slowly opening the door, her peaked his head around. Ally was nowhere to be seen in the room. All that sat there was a a steaming wood basin. Nikolas opened the door further as he entered followed by Barreth. “She must be somewhere else in the castle.” Barreth commented as he stood by the door, scratching his black beard. “Go and see if ye can find her. Ask all the help and check and see if any horses are missing from the stables.” Nikolas said, standing next to him. “Cap’n, I do have a question before I go’s searchin. What if the lass be with the King? I dare not knock on his door in fear of losin me head, haha” Barreth asked, and the laughed because he truly thought it was possible. Swearing under hi
