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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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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
Catching the Wind Precious Idea
Captain Nikolas exited the tent after being woke. He had fallen asleep right after Ally had left him on his back. His main focus had gone to her and some of the stories the men were sharing of her place and time. “Tis the Queens nephew.” Barreth said walking over to the Captain as he was grabbing a cup of spring water from the wooden bucket. “He be jist in time.” The Captain wanted any distraction he could have at the moment from the woman. Watching the horses that were adorned with royal sashes, and the soldiers that were dressed in gold tinted armor, the Captain shook his head. The higher class definitely let their differences be known, he thought to himself. Gold was not practical, nor as hard as steel or iron, but it takes being serious about battle to know that the Captain mused in thought. Walking up, a steward presented the Prince. “May I present Prince Addamnar Aloiucuis Avery.” The lanky, fluffy haired man said bowing, causing a wave of kneeling through the camp. “
Catching the Wind Lacking Numbers
With his boney soft hand, the prince’s steward took the shiny black talon from Ally’s, not giving her second thought. “Tis a talon?” the prince asked eyeing it as the steward handed it to him. “Aye, your Majesty. Tis be a precious gift we’s have given, as yee are well aware that most dragons no longer live amongst us, even as humans. I pray yee take it as token of our dedication to yee as well in hopes it keeps yee safe and wise in the upcomin years.” Barreth had a way with words, making Captain Nikolas smile, thankful to his first in command for being so thoughtful. “I shall take it with great thanks! Now..” the Prince stopped as he caught sight of Ally backing up and behind Barreth once more. “Uh, ehhhmm, your Majesty, we should continue.” Captain Nikolas said, drawing the prince's attention from Ally. “Ah, yes. So, from what I have gathered, you seem to be limited on your calvery, be it around 50? From the Queens army, this will be a certain disadvantage. It may be near 200
Catching the Wind Homesick Truth
“Yee holden well lad?” the Captain asked Caspian, furrowing his brows at the situation. Nodding his head, the Captain could see the keeled scales around the dragons' eyes bunch up. He knew Caspian was worn out from still adjusting to his change and from the worry of not being able to change back. “Well, it’s high time I be returning back, before they find something amiss.” the prince said nodding at them. “Aye, some of me men will follow yee ta tha edge of tha wood. Be safe, your majesty.” Saying this as he bowed slightly, the Captain felt a hand on his shoulder. “Captain, you owe me no duty other than winning me this battle. I may certainly be young, but I am not naïve to the ways of men, to what makes them weak and what makes them strong. I trust you to see this through.” the princes words created heaviness in the Captain’s heart. “I be grateful your majesty. We WILL see this through.” Saying this as he straightened, the prince smiled and nodded at the Captain, turning towards
Catching the Wind Smell of Blood
Enjoying the sound of their laughter, Caspian sudden stood. He smelt blood. It had carried on the wind from the direction of the Castle. “Embblmbpfff.” The alarming sound caught Captain Nikolas’s attention as he had not heard the dragon make such a noise before. “Aye something has him unsettled.” He said to Ally. “Huh? What is it Caspian?” She asked turning to look up at him. The dragon had raised its head to look over the camp, he was almost tall enough to peak over the tall pines of the woods, but the moment he tried, there was shouting from the men at the other end of camp. “He’s injured, there is blood! Get tha Captain, he’s one of ours!” the shout could barely be heard but the Captain could make out something close to it. “It be one of our men, yee stay here with the lad.” He said urgently to Ally as he started to run towards the other side of the camp. Ally looked up at Caspian worried, the dragon’s swirly eyes blinked at her as a soft whimper came out. “It’s oka
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
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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
