Leafblade & Freelight: The Barracks

[Larry_OHF]

Jared thought that he would die here today. Alone and covered in marsh-mess, He stood up to look at the commotion as he saw the black willow tree burning, and a high-pitched shrill in the air as though it were screaming. The willow had been thrashing about before being set on fire pretty badly but this was the next level of crazy things you never want to see in your life...as this tree now was more animated than most people if they were set afire. For a moment, Jared simply watched...and wondered...had his mother died for this thing? Suddenly it all made sense. Probably everyone that had disappeared had gotten too close to this roaming tree as it neared the town and fell victim to its aura of drowsiness. He hoped that this meant that his mother had not died in pain.

And he watched it burn...

Until he heard Rehan who was on fire as well.

"Duck down into the water, Rehan! You''re burning!"

And he ran towards the soldier to assist him.

With the help of Jared, Rehan was able to move out of the way and drop into the water. The tree continued to thrash around until its life ebbed away and it knew no more. Remaining in the marsh water, Rehan could only stare at the ruins of the tree. "We... we did it." He said with a bewildered expression. Thoughts raced through out his mind on how close to death they had been. The thought of crocodiles and leeches also crossed his mind, causing him to jump out of the water quickly and make his way over to where Acacia stood.

She could no longer ascertain which was louder – the cries of her companions, wherever they were – or the banshee-like wails emerging from the combustion ahead of her. Her knees were giving way as she retreated, her black eyes reflecting the ravenous flames that consumed the willow.

So much pain, it was in… was it really in the wrong? Exhaustion was playing tricks on her conscience as she feebly watched the inferno. What if we’ve made a mistake? What if it had been molested by unwelcome visitors, instead of reaching out to harm them?

There was no point in contemplating all this, however. The deed had been done, and they would live with the consequences of their actions.

Wearily, she staggered towards the two males, her lips parting in a crazed grin as she beheld Jared dousing the flames off Rehan with the pool of water nearby before the latter made his way to her.

“Yes, we did it.” And as if any more words would suck her life away from her, she fell into a deep silence.

ooc: This looks like I'm talking to myself. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Confusion crept onto Rehan's face as he watched Acacia. Shouldn't she be happy? Shaking marsh water from his hair, he contemplated on whether he should try to comfort her or not. She doesn't seem like she wants to talk, and what good would I do? I'm the one who got us into this mess in the first place...

Ignoring his inner turmoil, he moved closer to her and placed his hand under her chin so she would look up at him. "That tree was terrorizing the villagers. I know watching death is never a pleasant thing, but killing it saved the people who lived here. Innocent people lost their lives to it and we put a stop to that." He let his hand fall away from her and gave a reassuring smile.

[mistral4543]

OOC: Well, you're making a good job of it [img]tongue.gif[/img]

There, it's as simple as that, isn't it? She met his earnest grey eyes which once again had that uncanny knack of drawing out her emotions. Trust your gut feel, and don't think so much.

Then, just as the realisation that he was cupping her chin drew a slight gasp from her, his hand dropped and she saw his guileless smile. Yes, it was this smile that had sustained her just moments ago, when all had seemingly been in vain. Does he know how much impact such a smile has on others?

She could not trust herself to reply at this moment. No, her strength was fast ebbing away now that danger was subdued and peace gently caressed the three of them. Her arms were weighing awfully by her sides, and every joint of her body was aching from the exertion. The only movement she could volunteer was a nod.

When she had done catching her breath, she peered over at Jared, then Rehan and herself. Between themselves were enough injuries to show that this had been a hard-earned victory. Concentrating, she chanted the necessary incantations and rays of warm light burst upon them, healing each in turn.

"I doubt that there's much left for us to do here." She spoke at length, almost reluctantly. "Let us report back to that old fogey of a captain, Rehan." Distractedly, she made her way slowly out of the gloomy marshes.

[Deiter Leafblade]

ooc: Gonna wait for Larry to reply. [img]tongue.gif[/img] Also, thanks Larry for asking about my old account. It's weird to be able to use it again.

[Larry_OHF]

The job was done. The monster that had been terrorizing the village had turned out to be a meat-eating tree. He'd heard of such things but never expected to kill one, rather...nearly be eaten by one ever in his life.
He thought of his mom, and the others that had been lost and felt glad to have seen such a thing be killed with his help. There was a feeling of doing a great work of justice in this deed.

However, this story seemed to have a sad ending. The cute, many-facet-talented Acacia would now be going back to work with her partner in the city...and on to another adventure in the name of the crown. As he sloshed through the marsh and back to the village, he said nothing as he just thought back on the events that had gotten him here today. He had not expected to be done so soon! The boy he'd hired for caregiving of his crops would be sore to lose the job before starting it, so Jared would probably let him work with him anyway just to not hurt the kid's feelings.

At length, he finally decided to interrupt the two soldiers and ask,

"So...where are you two off to, next? I mean...do you know what job you'll be doing?"

[mistral4543]

OOC: I hope you guys won't mind that I'm going to close this thread, Larry and Deiter. The main reason being that I'd like to port this character over to the OEW (which I'm sure our generous gamemaster Spree wouldn't mind ). An explanation will be given when you see my post for her at the Remnant thread [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Larry_OHF]

OOC>>>Can we just wrap it up here first? Just a post or two to make an ending rather than abandonment? Abandonment is such a nasty habit on this forum.

[mistral4543]

OOC: Oh, alright. Only because of you, Larry [img]tongue.gif[/img]

"No, we don't." Her reply was short, perhaps curt to those who were on the sensitive side. "I'm very sorry about your mother's demise and I hope time will heal your wounds, but really, there isn't anything else we can do anymore."

Why are you treating him like a child? Do you think that words of condolences would draw tears from a grown man? She turned aside and bit her lip. I have to go, forgive me. Yes, she could not wait to fly from this place. Coming here, or even to the barracks earlier on, had been a mistake. The call of her grandmother's letter now grew louder, as she touched her lower abdomen.

"I wish you all the best, Jared. Take care and fare thee well."

With that, she literally dragged Rehan along, back to the village before they mounted their horses and headed for the barracks...

Back at the barracks...

When all had been relayed, and the captain suitably impressed, she eyed the fledgling youth sympathetically.

"I don't really know what you're doing here, Rehan, but I want you to have this." Handing over the reward to the open-mouthed youth, she continued. "No 'but's, please. I'm sure you enlisted here for the money, and this should tide you for a while longer, maybe buy you a decent piece of land. I don't think you're suitable for adventuring." Not that it was a mistake meeting you... you did bring a ray of something into my life. What that something was, she was not sure herself.

"I'm heading for Athklata." Grinning wryly, she patted him on the shoulder. "May the gods bless you always, Rehan. You deserve every blessing they have to give."