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Darkfire k'Sheyna
Junior Member
since 2003-03-20
Posts 26
Maryland, U.S.A.

0 posted 2003-03-22 09:57 PM



The following morning, they awoke early and made a cold breakfast, not daring to make a fire lest they be seen. Rhynna and Elijah began the search for the ‘written guide’ while Shae looked after Katri. She was still unconscious, and her forehead was hot. Shae muttered a nasty word under his breath. A fever. They had to get her help, and soon.
“Shae, Elijah!” Rhynna called. “I think I found it!” Shae got up and went to her side. Carved in a large boulder were words of some sort, but unlike anything Shae had ever seen. They read:



"It looks like that's our written guide," he agreed, “but it’s in a language I’ve never seen before. It almost looks like Elvish, but it’s different.” Just then, Elijah joined them. Glancing at the strange words, he gasped.
“This must be it!” he breathed. “It’s written in an ancient form of Elvish. We haven’t used this form for thousands of years.” He knelt and traced the letters with his fingers.
“Can you read it?” Rhynna asked anxiously.
“I’m not sure,” Elijah said slowly. “I used to know it well, but that was a long time ago. It will take a while, but I think I could do it.”
“The question is,” said Shae, “do we have a while to spare? Rhynna, how long do you estimate that spelled bow to last?” She tossed her mane and glanced at the sun.
“Perhaps another half hour, if that,” she replied, “and that’s assuming it’s lasted this long.”
“Elijah, you start working on that translation,” Shae ordered. “Rhynna, you FarSee and take a look at the humans. Try to find out how they move so fast. I’ll see what I can do for Katri.” Rhynna settled down, folding her legs beneath her. She closed her eyes and went into the light trance needed for the spell, chanting the words as she did. Her skin tingled as the spell went into effect, and she suddenly seemed to be above the forest looking down upon it. Seeing movement ahead, she went to investigate. The humans, for once, were still where they left them, having been unsuccessful in getting past the deadly arrows. They had put up a couple tents, and it appeared that their leaders were inside one discussing the situation. Rhynna swooped down to watch. Two men were inside, and they were arguing. A tall, brown haired one was saying,
“They cannot be up there still! It must be some sort of evil magery that keeps those arrows flying. I tell you, they left long ago. We must find a way up that hill so we can know our next direction and use the captured spell.” He flourished an amber stone that glowed faintly from within. The other man, dressed in a green cloak, said,
“I mistrust all things of magic. Whether they be there or gone, I would rather not use the transport spell. My men are excellent trackers. They caught the sprite we ripped this spell from in a days time! Surely this group will be no different. Let us use our skill, not evil magic, to catch our quarry.”
Rhynna had seen enough. She broke her trance and opened her eyes to their own camp.
“Shae,” she called, “I found out how they cover so much ground so fast. They’ve found a way to take spells from magic users and encase them in amber to be used when needed. They have a transport spell, but they need to know the correct direction before using it. They did not appear to have any other spells.” Shae frowned.
“This is evil news. Whom did they take the spell from?”
“A sprite,” Rhynna replied. Shae’s face cleared.
“Oh. Well, then we have no need to fear. Sprites have the weakest shields of all the magic users. I doubt they could penetrate my shields, let alone yours or Elijah’s.”
“Speaking of Elijah,” Rhynna said, turning to the elf, “how are you faring?”
“I have the first few words,” he replied. “They read, ‘follow the water around the statue’. That’s all I’ve gotten. I can copy the rest and work as we travel,” he offered. “We should use this time to our advantage.”
“Good idea,” Shae replied. “Rhynna, can Katri ride on your back? I fear that she cannot make it on her own.”
“Of course,” the unicorn replied graciously. Shae gently lifted the unconscious half-elf and placed her on Rhynna’s back. “Elijah, you should ride as well, to support Katri and to be able to concentrate on the writing.”
“Why thank you, I will,” Elijah responded, surprised. Unicorns hardly ever tolerated a rider, let alone two. He mounted, and gently slid an arm around Katri’s waist to keep her from falling. “Now let’s follow that stream we found last night.”  They walked along the stream for a long time without seeing a statue and Elijah was beginning to fear that he had somehow mistranslated the ancient script when they rounded a bend and saw it- a dainty centaur female carved in stone.
“Now what?” Rhynna asked her passenger.
“The entire first line reads ‘follow the water around the statue until you come to a row of large rocks’,” Elijah replied. “These people sure have a thing for stone.” Shae managed a weak grin at that. He felt completely drained, and was very worried about his sister. Her fever was worse then before, and she had yet to regain consciousness. The white bandage was soaked with blood.
“We’d better get there soon,” he said softly. “Katri needs help badly.” What seemed to be an eternity passed before they reached the row of rocks. “Elijah?” he asked. The elf frowned.
“It says ‘go through these by using-’ and I can’t figure out the next word!” he said, frustrated.
“Well, I hate to hurry you, but the humans are on our trail again,” Rhynna interrupted.
“How far back?” Shae demanded.
“Not long enough,” said Rhynna wearily as a dog’s barks echoed through the forest.
“Elijah?” Shae asked.
“I’m trying, I’m trying! Um, tussal? Tuggel? Tunnel! That’s it! ‘by using the tunnel-’ ahh, the tunnel under the third-” he paused, frowning fiercely in concentration. The barks grew louder, more excited.
“Third what, Elijah?” Shae cried. An arrow whistled overhead.
“Holly bush! The third holly bush!”
Shae whirled, frantically seeking the entrance as more arrows flew by.
“There!” he cried, pointing. “Rhynna, go! I’ll help Katri, the tunnel’s too low for you both to fit!”  Elijah slid off of the unicorn’s back, gently lifting Katri down as well. Rhynna ran for the opening.
“I’ve got her, Shae,” Elijah yelled. “Follow Rhynna!” They bolted for the tunnel entrance. Shae reached it first and ducked through.
“Hurry, Elijah!” he called urgently. The slender elf was having a hard time carrying the heavier half-elf, and Shae could see the humans approaching, swords drawn. As the onslaught of arrows grew heavier, he darted back out and draped Katri’s limp arm around his shoulder. Together, he and Elijah carried her to the relative safety of the tunnel. “Quickly, through to the other side,” Shae said. Elijah paused, looking back.
“Wait,” he said. “I think there’s an illusion.” They watched as the humans approached the tunnel entrance, but didn’t see it. The man in the green cloak shook his head, bewildered. Shae sighed, thankful beyond belief.
“We’re safe,” he said, relief coloring his voice. He gazed ahead, where he could see light. “Come on! What are we waiting for? Our Sanctuary awaits.”
As they exited the tunnel and joined Rhynna, Elijah drew in an astonished breath. Spread out before him was the most beautiful scene he had ever imagined. The tunnel emerged onto a rock overhang. Underneath rushed a gurgling brook, spanned by a copper bridge. Lush green grass grew right up to the foot of a huge building. A half circle in shape, with a tower in the center, its walls were glistening white, it’s roof gold. The top of the tower was round with a silver sun on the front. A spire gracefully twirled to a point atop of that, reminding Elijah of a huge golden unicorn’s horn. Behind the building, a sparkling waterfall cascaded endlessly from a high cliff. Late morning sunlight slanted through the trees, bathing everything in a warm glow. As they stared at the scene before them in awe, a figure emerged from the building. It was a dryad, one of the many Faerie races. She crossed the bridge and joined them.
“Welcome to the Sanctuary, my friends. Won’t you come inside so we may tend to your wounds and needs?” she said. Seeing Rhynna glance nervously over her shoulder, she laughed. “You have no need to fear pursuit. You’re safe here.”  She beckoned. “Come. This one needs care. We have many remedies for her inside.” Exhausted and bedraggled, yet hunted no longer, the little group followed eagerly. Elijah grinned, his first in days.
“Safe…” he whispered happily to himself, and entered the Sanctuary.



© Copyright 2003 Jennifer Quinn - All Rights Reserved
LoveBug
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
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since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697

1 posted 2003-03-23 01:06 PM


What a wonderful ending. I enjoyed this story very much! Your imagery was amazing, and the plot was captivating. I love the ending.. acending from being hunted to finding their haven of peace, only by working out their differences. Thank you

Oh, make me Thine forever
And should I fainting be
Lord, let me never ever
Outlive my love for Thee

Amara
Member
since 2003-02-23
Posts 158
East of the moon, west of the sun.
2 posted 2003-03-23 03:11 PM


Heh, fantasy! One track mind, I know.

Wonderful, magical, with all the things I love. Thanks for the read!

Every heart has hidden treasures...a secret wish, a silent dream, and a cherished love. [Unknown]

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