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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Catching the Wind Smoke at the Distance
Already seated atop his horse the Captain gave Ally some final words before they set off to meet the soldiers currently stationed on the southeast hill from the Castle. “Keep an eye on him for me, will ya lass, I will send someone if need arises for the lad to join us. They shouldn’t be expectin him, so his size alone may gain us leverage. Cutterson wont be well enough to be joinin us anytime soon so keep vigil at his side as well if yee would.” Ally listened to the Captains words but her mind was wracked with worry. This was the real deal, Ally thought. Horns had been sounding on and off since day break, men marching out of camp with their armor chanting like some battle hymn as they moved out. The sounds of straps being tightened, hooves beating the ground like drums, all of it felt to Ally like she had walked into some movie she once seen in the theaters. “I am kinda at a loss, and scared. I want to tell everyone be safe, and come back alive, but will you? I mean is this it, a
Catching the Wind At the Start
Not thinking that the King of Scourts would want to get too involved in warfare as he is still considered fairly new, Captain Nikolas changed his thoughts to dealing with what was at hand. The deep sound of a horn could be heard coming from the Castle as an army of elaborately decorated knights emerged from the massive wooden gate that screeched as it was lifted. You could see their colors of gold and red gracing the banners they presented. The first to emerge were the Queens army, over 200 men on foot marched in rows as they entered the field. “Tis almost time boys!! We wont be movin jist yet, but best yee be ready!” Barreth yelled out. The group atop the hill had luckily increased as more men had arrived late to the base camp and were sent to accompany them on the hill. “Aye we’ve got about 3 more dozen men here and some that went to stand with those in tha woods, so that be givin us about close to 300 men now Cap’n. The odds be lookin better.” Barreth smiled as the adrenaline
Catching the Wind Enter the Wind
With a quick glance over his blood covered shoulder, he was able to see the prince on his horse was able to put distance between himself and the army. When he turned back, there was a sword coming down right on his face before it was blocked. It was Barreth, he had come down the hill just in time. “Aye! Brother, we’s havin fun yet?” Barreth grunted as he pulled back and skewered a soldier in front of him. “Emph, something close to it, but tis not even started!” grunting his response as he reached down to pull up one of his men that had been knocked back, Nikolas had to block another slash coming in his direction. All around Nikolas, his men were starting to dwindle in numbers. The same thing could be said with the Queens army, but the men, standing on the side of the King, had yet to attack. Through the blood being slung and the bodies starting to fall around him, Nikolas could see the King, sitting atop a white horse, up closer to the castle. “Coward!” Nikolas yelled
Catching the Wind Green and Gold
“That wee thing threatened yee? Haha! Never thought I’d be seein tha day, Halik.” Barreth said, mocking his comrade. “Tis no be funny ya big galute. Where be Lucan?” Halik asked looking around before he could read the looks on the Captain and Barreth’s face. “Ah shyt.” Halik whispered. He was sure his fallen friend would pull through.“What? Did that guy die? Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!” Tears started to well up in Ally’s eyes behind the oversized heavy metal hlemet. She removed it to wipe the tears away. She barely knew him, but it still made her feel aweful inside. “Tis no place for a woman, and especially her!” Captain Nikolas was angered some by her tears, he didnt' want to see them, but he was even more angered that she had the audacity to leave the camp. “Do yee have no fear!? Look before yee lass, tha ground be covered in bodies of the dead, do yee think this be a barin’s playground?” He yelled at Ally before turning to the group of soldiers that had gathered near the drago
Catching the Wind Birds Eyeview
“What did the guy say? Are they here to help? See, I knew everything would be okay! There sure are a lot of them. Caspian and I should be fine to sit back and watch now, right? This is better than the movie theater.” Ally said, feeling sudden relief that they may not die after all. “Hold on a second lass, if yee thinkin I let yee stay just cuz they here, yee be wrong, I want the lad and yee to head back to our camp for now. Tis still safer there.” The Captain said, trying to gather his thoughts on what to do. It happened so quick that he really didn’t have time to evaluate any other option. Walking over he gave his men orders for half of them to take the wounded that they recovered back to camp, and the other half were to follow Halik and Barreth and head towards the lines. He would join them in just a moment. Several men headed off on foot and on horses towards the newly acquired army, while the others left a horse with the Captain before pulling by horse the handmade stretchers
Catching the Wind Return of Two
“Shield!” The Captain yelled, causing a wave of echos from all the men shouting the same when arrows headed down towards them. Clinks and thuds could be heard, almost piercing their ears. Their shields were made with leather and wood detailed in steel accents, making it difficult for the arrows to pierce them. Once the barrage of arrows had finished, with only a handful injured, the Captain was grateful for the Kings laziness. When he was head of the army at the castle, he made sure the court’s black smith spent at least a few hours a week sharpening the armies arrows. However, the arrows used by King Barkarius’s men had not received the same liberty. “That be all yee have?” Barreth yelled in the direction of the Kings army. Several knights of the Scourts army laughed at his comment and started yelling similar things as well. Then, immediately without notice, the King yelled at his men to drive forward towards the Scourts army. Captain Nikolas returned the eagerness by yelling fo
Catching the Wind Reasonable Plea
The long branch was now lit, so Hagthoria set fire to the ground up flint stone encircling Caspian. He just relaxed watching, as fire wouldn’t hurt him at this degree. One of them on each side of the dragon now, both the witch and wizard prepared themselves to start the spell that would force Caspian into human form. “I ask you to please keep vigilant lass, this cannot receive a mishap of interruption like last time. Though the chaos below is loud to hear, it will fail to interrupt us.” The wizard said in all seriousness. “En other wurds, he be sayin, keep yee trap shut, and don be askin questions.” Hagthoria said turning to Ally as she backed up further, not sure what to expect. Vermanious rolled his old grey eyes but the witch couldn’t see him. He knew the promise Hagthoria gave on the way from their brief stop at camp, to treat the lass better, wouldn’t last. “Okay, I won't say a word!” Ally said thinking of a million questions that would have to wait now. A minute of t
Catching the Wind The Look
Caspian was now back to being human. It had taken a lot of energy out of him. The witch had to pull on his magic and dampen it in order to weaken the dragon enough so Vermanious could force him to change. The dragons internal magic would regenerate, but it would take some time. What Ally witnessed was amazing to her and she could barely contain her questions, but as she glanced to the battle field, she noticed the men had stopped fighting. They were just standing there in the pouring rain. “Why have they stopped?” She commented out loud. “Tis Nikolas, he's be tryn ta gets them ta see reason” Hagthoria said hobbling up next of her. Ally couldn’t hear him, but could see where he was standing. “Oh. Will that work? Could he get the battle to stop?” Ally asked, hopeful. “Pffft, yee daft woman? Tis no reason for it ta stop because one man be speakin non-sense or askin for peace. Fighten is how it tis done, theys best be getting ta killin each other.” Hagthoria shook her head at
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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
